Wikipad resurrected, shrunk down to 7-inch design
After missing its winter launch last year, the Wikipad – the Android tablet with detachable, console-style controls – is back. Rather than launching the $500 10-inch model as originally planned, Wikipad will first release a more affordable 7-inch model. Wikipad president of sales Fraser Townley tells Joystiq there was "an unforeseen flaw" in the original production run of the 10-inch model, which resulted in its delay last year. Townley wouldn't tell us exactly what the setback was, but he says the company took the opportunity to listen to its community and the decision was made to redesign the tablet.
Townley notes "the overwhelming opinion that, although $500 was justifiable for what we were delivering, it was a tough one for a lot of the gamers," and so the 10-inch model was put on hold in favor of a smaller, cheaper device.
The new 7-inch tablet will feature the same specs as the original Wikipad, including the quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 16GB of storage, micro SD for up to 32GB of additional storage, HDMI out and a "true widescreen HD display." And, of course, it still features the detachable controls, which are the same size as before, despite the tablet's smaller form factor. The new model no longer features a rear camera, though a front-facing camera is still available for things like video chat.
The new Wikipad will launch this spring for $249, half the price of its big brother. Townley tells Joystiq that a 10-inch tablet is still in the works, and he hopes it will launch this year. Whenever it does, Wikipad promises it will have "the latest and greatest specs."
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WIKIPAD BRINGS 7" TABLET TO MARKET
LOS ANGELES, CA – February 7, 2013 -- Wikipad Inc. today announced that its 7" Wikipad tablet will be available from leading retailers in spring 2013 at a launch price of $249. Wikipad combines the unrivaled gaming experience of a console with the functionality and portability of a premium tablet, thanks to its unique attachable game controller.
"We wanted to get Wikipad into our community's hands and what we found was that the smaller 7" form factor just seemed right,'" said Fraser Townley, President of Sales, Wikipad, Inc. "The smaller frame delivers an aggressive price while keeping the same amazing specs."
The 7" Wikipad possesses the same powerful product specs as the previously shown and forthcoming 10" version in a form factor that is even more portable and at a price point that is even more accessible to gamers everywhere. In addition to the new compact form factor, refinements have been made to the dual-analog stick controller to ensure lightning-fast response times and the best gaming experience possible.
Wikipad also announced the relaunch of its website that now includes a comprehensive support page that has dynamic links to social networks and technical forums.
Wikipad – Built for GamingThe Wikipad is the only tablet to possess the unique combination of truly immersive video game experiences found in consoles with the functionality and portability of a tablet thanks to its award winning attachable dual-analog controller. It offers a premium 7" IPS screen, 16 GB memory with micro SD slot to support an additional 32 GB of storage, ultra-light and thin chassis, is powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core mobile processor and it is optimized for cloud gaming. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, the Wikipad tablet offers true widescreen HD display.
Consumers will have access to entertainment and videogame content from partners and services including PlayStation®Mobile, Big Fish Games®, TegraZone – NVIDIA's free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor – Google Play™, OnLive and many others. When the gamepad controller is detached, Wikipad's sleek design and full Android 4.1 Jelly Bean functionality make it a powerfully versatile device whether you are surfing the web, reading emails or enjoying films, music and apps at home or on the go.
For a full list of product specs, video games that take full advantage of the Wikipad's dual-analog stick controller and a community support page, please visit: http://www.wikipad.com/
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