In a twitter update posted yesterday, Starcomms said:
Starcomms introduces its first ever mobile one-stop shop for all your internet and PC needs (myPad) for just N74,999…
myPad is powered by Android 2.2 Operating System and innovatively designed as a high-end data device for the upwardly mobile.
According to the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Tushar Maheshwari (pictured above holding the myPad), the introduction of the device is timely in this convergence era and is therefore in line with Starcomms’ passion in ensuring that its customers have access to innovative products and the service that keeps them in tune with technological trends.
For now, myPad is only available in Nigeria on the Starcomms network.
The device boasts of several entertainment applications for music and games with free downloadable games.
Specs and Accessories
myPad has a wider screen of 10.2 inches which means that the device is slightly wider than Apple’s iPad with 9.7 inches and the 7-inch Encipher inye.
Starcomms myPad comes with a 10-gigabyte memory that can be expanded to 64 gigabytes, 2 USB and LAN ports, an HDMI out and a 2.0 mega pixel webcam, a user friendly manual and a battery charger as well as an optional branded luxury leather case carrier.
Price
With an introductory offer of N74,999 (about $499), the Starcomms myPAD comes with a bundled offer of free i-Zap Internet Router that connects up to five users and three months Internet.
Without the router and Internet access, myPad sells at a price of N54,999 (about $399).
Thoughts
Although I’m yet to get a feel of myPad, I have a feeling that the device would be worth it.
But wait, isn’t ‘myPad’ the name of a Windows smartphone with a 5-inch touch screen?
Oh I even saw a photo advertising the Starcomms myPad with a picture showing Apple’s app icons. Quite hilarious! [See below]
But while we’re still envisaging the success of the Encipher inye (INYE 2 is coming in Q1 2011), and the official release of another tablet called Ovim in January 2011, it’s very interesting to see more companies taking interest in tablet devices for the Nigerian market.
There’s even a rumour that VEDA Technology could be working on a tablet to be released next year.
In my opinion, tablet PCs would still have a low-penetration rate in the next 5 years as the consumer market in Nigeria is not ready for such devices.
For example, the Blackberry was first introduced in 2006 by Globacom Nigeria, but after 4 years in Nigeria, the smartphone has only about 100,000 active users on 4 mobile networks.
However, there are indications that tablet PCs would become very popular and eventually a million dollar market in the future as the mobile penetration rate in Nigeria continues to grow.
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