Olive Pad VT100 brings a voice-capable, 7-inch Android tablet to India's airwaves

Ha, and you thought Dell's Streak was pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable to hold to one's ear. In a bid to make even the xpPhone look diminutive, Olive Telecom has just announced India's first 3.5G Android (2.1 for now) tablet in the Olive Pad VT100. This 7-inch slate is said to boast an 800 x 480 resolution on a capacitive touchpanel, not to mention Bluetooth, WiFi, an SD card slot, 512MB of internal memory (plus 512MB ROM), a 3.5mm audio jack, 3 megapixel camera, mini USB socket and a 3,240mAh battery. There's also a mysterious front facing camera for video calls, and sure enough, this thing actually supports voice, which may very well make it the largest smartphone to launch in 2010. If all goes well, it'll seep out in India next month, with a price of around Rs.20000 to Rs.25000, or $425 to $530 in terms of Greenbacks. We wouldn't get our hopes up for an immediate launch in North America, but word on the street has it that Russia and Europe could see this bad boy in the not-too-distant future.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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OLIVE TELECOM LAUNCHES INDIA'S FIRST 3G TABLET
OLIVEPAD-VT100

~ Launches industry's first next-generation Tablet powered by Android ~

OLIVEPAD - VT100New Delhi, July 22, 2010: Riding high on innovation, Olive Telecom, India's leading Convergence Solutions Device Developer, today announced the launch of OlivePad - VT100, India's first 3.5G Pad. The device was unveiled by Mr. Arun Khanna, Chairman, Olive Telecom Mr. David Hind, CEO, Olive Telecom, Americas and Mr. Artem Orange, CEO, Olive CIS/CEE.

After the successful launch of many Industry firsts including the OliveFrvrOn (India's 1st Hybrid Phone), OliveZipbook (India's 1st 3G embedded Netbook), OliveWiz (India's 1st Triple SIM Qwerty device), OliveGenie (India's 1st 3G Music Modem) & OLiveNexus (India's 1st Pocket Router) Olive brings India to the forefront of convergence technology with the OlivePad.

Designed as a multi functional device, Olive Pad operates on an Android Operating System and supports 3.5G HSUPA, Wi-fi, and Bluetooth. With an inbuilt three mega pixel camera and a front camera, the Olive Pad can be used as a touch notebook allowing browsing, Multimedia, Instant Messaging and easy access to the world of social networking, GPS for maps and turn by turn directions, gaming console, an e- book reader, Television and it is also a Smart Phone allowing voice and Video Calling.

Speaking at the launch of India's First Pad, Mr. Arun Khanna, Chairman, Olive Telecom said, "At Olive, it has been our constant endeavor to create products driven by technology at the forefront. With this launch, we are bringing consumers to experience cutting edge technology that the world has been talking of. It is the true convergence device that brings together the Computer, Mobile Phone and Entertainment on one platform. The Olive Pad is aimed at today's technology savvy generation who want easy on the move connectivity."

Unveiling the new product, Mr. David Hind, CEO, Olive Telecom, Americas said, "We are excited to launch the much awaited OlivePad in India. This latest creation from Olive willOLIVE PAD - VT100bring revolution in the field of technology with its magical features & stylish looks. Our global consumers are going to love this device because of the experience that it provides."

Mr. Artem Orange, CEO for Olive Telecom, CIS/CEE said " With Olive Pad we launch a new generation of mobile devices which become your true window to the world in your pocket. With the same concept, we will evolve into more and more convergence devices giving the same reach and affordable experience to customers in India and across the world. We have received tremendous response from operators and consumers in highly sophisticated markets of Central, Eastern Europe and Russia and expect to launch Olive Pad in that market in the near future."

OlivePad is equipped with distinctive features which include flash support, mini USB port, Camera and a Smartphone.

The OlivePad will be available countrywide at all Croma stores from August.

The new Olive Convergence portfolio is complete with WCDMA, CDMA, GSM and EV-DO handsets and smart-phones, Mobile Computing Devices and Advanced data modems for wireless broadband.

[CapitalGamer Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:42PM]

@reversii You make a very good argument and your spot on.

[gravicle Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:42PM]

@CapitalGamer iPhone or Droids don't have a market in India, mainly cuz 99% of the cellular network is still 2G, or EDGE. What good would an iPhone be on EDGE? BSNL and MTNL 3G networks suck anyway, and are scarce than water in sahara.
The expensive story is a clog in the sale as well. BUT, the cause is the same, NO 3G. Without 3G there isn't any concept like carrier-contracts, which make a $600 hardware subsidized to $200 here in the states. In fact there isn't a single phone, besides the BB ofcourse, sold thru a carrier in India.

[CapitalGamer Posted Jul 22nd 2010 5:40PM]

@gravicle That's true without 3G it becomes difficult, but it's on the way I guess.

[imcanny Posted Jul 22nd 2010 12:23PM]

looks nice, are those renders?

[rotarydialz Posted Jul 22nd 2010 12:24PM]

The name is embarrassing. I'm sure if the iPad was called the iblot then this product would be called the olive blot. Pad is a horrible name even for Apple.

[vqro Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:36AM]

@rotarydialz "Olive blot" hilarious!!!

[silveradoo Posted Jul 22nd 2010 12:26PM]

VT100? Really?

This clearly suggests that no one involved with this product on the technology side is older than, say, 30.

[GGG Posted Jul 22nd 2010 12:51PM]

oh damn, i'm such a predjudiced bastard :(

The first thing that popped into my mind when i read this thing would be made in India was "How will they make it so shiny if India is so dirty?"

My apologies to any Indians reading this post. :(

[rahul911 Posted Jul 22nd 2010 1:58PM]

@GGG Oh don't worry we do all our manufacturing in China.

[100rabh Posted Jul 22nd 2010 2:02PM]

@rahul911

We do better part in INDIA, Make awesome programs.
IF CHINA was factory of World
INDIA has to be Back Office for controlling everything.

[vqro Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:38AM]

@GGG Nothing as obnoxious as a person with low self-esteem trying to make himself feel bigger by insulting people different than himself.

Shame on you.

[100rabh Posted Jul 22nd 2010 2:04PM]

And I am getting two, once its out. Just hope 3G should be initiated.
I take this to my next trip to Ladakh..

[shreyas Posted Jul 22nd 2010 2:47PM]

Oh! Common guys, This thing is awesome. The only breakdown here is the word India I guess (judging by your comments). Its got some real good stuff. But the processor is a Qualcomm MSM7227 which is 600mhz. Couple of factors to worry abt this one is

A) Feels horribly thick judging by the pic.
B) OS may lag or may not probably bcuz of the 600mhz processor. (this aint the moto droid you know)
C) Touch screen responsivness is also a bit of a worry

Alll in all this is some good competition out there. If you didn't know, These guys were the ones to launch a mobile phone that runs on an AAA battery. That was psyched back then.

[techking Posted Jul 22nd 2010 3:10PM]

Bring it on. Adroid FTW!!!!!

[Zhuzhu Posted Jul 22nd 2010 11:04PM]

"VT100". Oh, the irony. Could this choice have been a deliberate homage?

[SFHandyman Posted Jul 23rd 2010 4:13AM]

If you call support, you get Americans in Ohio named Ravi, Pooja, and Akshay.

[Gongz Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:39AM]

Released in Vietnam and Thailand - can order next month
check youtube for "wellcom a800"