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We have had the opportunity to play around with India’s first 3G-enabled tablet, the OlivePad from Olive Telecom, and while we are not exactly sure that it will drive us away from the iPad, it is by far the best stand-alone tablet product in the country. Yes, we do not know its final price yet, but if you are looking for reasons to invest in it, here are six factors that we think could help make up your mind.
- Android: The OlivePad is the first mobile device in the country to run only Android. Previously seen just on cellphones in India, this is a very powerful and open operating system, tailormade for a touch interface, with thousands of applications for download. What’s more, the OlivePad runs on Android 2.1, which is one of the newer versions of the operating system. We have even been assured that the device will be upgraded to Android 2.2
- Portability: The screen at seven inches is not as big as the iPad’s, but the smaller size also makes the OlivePad that much easier to slip into a bag and carry around. Yes, it does look chunky and will not win any beauty contests, but it is also small enough to be used one-handed, and heck, it does very well indeed as a mobile computing option.
- Multi-tasking: Yes, we know that the iPad too will be getting multi-tasking, but for multiple applications running in the background, you really cannot beat Android. So if you are one of those who likes to browse the Net, work on a document, keep tabs on your social networks, all the while while playing music, then this is the tablet for you.
- It’s a phone too/data connectivity: All right, we know you are unlikely to hold a 7-inch touchscreen to your face to make or receive a phone call, but there can be no denying that the fact that one can make calls off the OlivePad is a huge plus. Combine that with the fact that it supports wireless broadband (we expect it to come bundled with some operator’s SIM card) and thatyou can simply slip your own phone’s SIM card (no micro SIM needed, thans!) into it and work away, and you have a device that is very powerful indeed.
- Connectivity options: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB charging, expansion cards, GPS…this thing is a veritable computer. ’nuff said!
- Battery life: The prototype unit of the OlivePad we got ran on WiFi quite easily for about eight hours, which is very pleasing indeed and better than many notebooks. Nope, it ain’t as good as the iPad, but it is still formidable.
