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The P88 - a better iPad than the Apple iPad? The Chinese show Apple how it's done
 
Posted by Shardendu Gautam
12
75
Posted on: Feb 02, 2010 09:01:43 IST

 
 
Apple learnt from its last mistake (read iPhone-Cisco fiasco) and refrained itself from naming their device the obvious iTablet, (though this compelled them to give it a name which will be a subject of joke for weeks to come). But it seems that they were not careful enough to check for existing patented designs. In what may be the first case of a manufacturer cloning a device which was not even released, Shenzhen Dragon Brother Industrial cloned the Apple iPad three months before its launch.
 
 
 
They named their product ‘P88’ which is probably not as amusing as iPad. But that’s not where the differences end, the P88 has three USB ports in their tablet which means you don’t have to worry about docks and other hardware items. It also addresses the biggest complaint against the iPad - it has full support for multi-tasking. The device is indeed capable of multi-tasking, the very area in which Apple failed miserably. It even has a faster processor and runs on the Intel Atom N270 1.6 Ghz CPU. Unlike the iPad, its RAM is not a big secret and amounts to 1GB (which, incredibly, is expandable to 2GB). The P88 also has a bigger LED-backlit touch screen measuring 10.2 inches sporting a 1024x600 resolution. It also supports Wi-Fi, and much like the iPad comes with optional 3G. Boosting its connectivity, it has a 3-in-1 SD, MS and MMC card reader. It also has ports for mic jack, headphone jack, network cable and external display interface. The tablet weighs two and a quarter pounds with its dimensions of 11x7x0.87 inches. Although images show it running Windows 7, it runs the traditional Windows XP. It also has a much larger disk drive with a capacity of 160GB. This device is unlikely to be of any major concern to Cupertino. Though it addresses most of the problems associated with the iPad, it has a disastrous battery life of just about 90 minutes.  And even if it had a longer battery life, people would still flock to buy the Apple iPad: it has a very slick UI and the extensive App. Store and some people love to see the little Apple logo on their devices.
 
 
 
 
The interesting part of this story is that Shenzhen Dragon Brother Industrial has said that “It has not ruled out a lawsuit against Apple.” The company is based in a southern Chinese city and is notorious for producing knock-off phones which are called ‘Shanzhai’ or ‘Bandit’ Phones. It is also known to manufacture counterfeit iPhones and other popular handsets. The company argues that they were the first to release the device and Apple has ‘largely’ borrowed their design for the P88. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on this. It will be interesting to see how this shapes up and whether this will also turn into a legal battle. 
 
 
Apparently, Apple didn’t do their homework properly and Japanese Electronic Giant Fujitsu has come forward with the claim that it owns the rights to the name iPad. This may raise another possible legal battle for Apple which is already fighting its case of Patent infringements of Nokia. 
 
 
These two issues may bruise the almighty Apple, though that looks quite unlikely to happen. 
 
 

 

 
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Comments 12comments
 
Posted by ali kaldirimoglu on Aug 14,2010
 
i am serriously interseted in buying quantity of your p88 clones, please call me 954-249-9893 american eastern time clock, please email mme to become a dealer and so on, please call me or email me shabnamaumar@juno.com , no kidding, i am serious,
 
Posted by Shaggy on Mar 11,2010
 
I bet it would make one helluva hackint0sh.
 
Posted by Ty Miles on Feb 05,2010
 
Apple knew of the iPad name. I am assuming that they feel since the iPad name is for a different type of device they should be able to use it. This is what happened with Apple and Cisco and the name iPhone. Apple will just pay to use the name. A million dollar a year royalty for the iPad name when they could make a billion dollars a year off the iPad is a small price to pay. The P88 on the other hand is some BS.
 
Posted by Shardendu Gautam on Feb 04,2010
 
I would respond to it, if you didn't fantasize about making love to devices.
 
Posted by Triniti on Feb 03,2010
 
Well This is a very bad comparison due to the fact that this device is running a windows os so that extra cpu power is lost by the os! Also the lack of real multitouch. This is nothing more than the equivilant of a Mini pc with no keyboard.there is no new experience and no new possibilities. The battery Life is the worse ever. This Article is speaks as if these devices are the same basic device with one having more power and having less power when thats far from the truth. Is having sex the same as making love? Using the sex jargin The P88 is like having sex ..when you just have sex its more or less wammm bammm thank you mam! thats it nothing really to write home about been there done that But the Ipad is like making love When you make love with someone there is a connection to them After you leave them you feel connected, you think of them when they are not with you, your left with emotions. Trust me this P88 will render no emotions, how can it what new experience can it offer? The Ipad first off reminds you how much fun you had with your iphone and how you was able to touch it with no delay How you was able to swipe a picture and accualy feel the picture under your fingers as you swiped insomuch that if you moved slowly the picture responded to your slow movements! Now all this on a larger screen. That drum machine that was soo cool on your Iphone now can be used on the Ipad and now has real world use, you can touch the big pads and make music. The Os has nothing else in the way but what it needs no extra drivers no extra software that you dont need or software that dont pertain to operation, where as with the P88 its gonna run windows and well you know the deal with that... Windows allways packs extra baggage just in case right? Just in case what? anyway this Article is wrong you dont buy an Ipad device to use as a laptop you buy an Ipad device to do more than a laptop could ever do!
 
Posted by Shardendu Gautam on Feb 03,2010
 
All facts agreed. It could have been a terrific device, if it had a slightly better battery life.
 
Posted by Espen Pespen on Feb 03,2010
 
Are you seruous? Come oooon. 1.5 hours battery time? 1024x600 resolution? Atom 1.6 running Win7? I mean, what the fuck; this is gonna be a slow dog which runs out of battery before you have time to boot and start up Microsoft Office.
 
Posted by JohnSmith on Feb 03,2010
 
Have look at this, if you are interested about features of iPad http://magazine.joomag.com/iPad/179
 
Posted by Shardendu Gautam on Feb 02,2010
 
Well. I wrote this article. The similarities are painfully obvious. And Apple has apparently missed the fact that Fujitsu has the rights to the name "iPad"
 
Posted by bottleHeD on Feb 02,2010
 
While the P88 doesn't have any case (all tablet will ultimately look more or less similar), Fujitsu definitely has.
 
Posted by virath on Feb 02,2010
 
I don't think it's ridiculous. Both are very similar products. One even offers all the features that people have found lacking in the iPad. The only negative is battery life
 
Posted by Adrian on Feb 02,2010
 
This article is ridiculous. Look at your own chart comparing the products. In what sense are the products even vaguely similar? One is a (bad) netbook in a scaled up iphone/tablet form factor, the other is something else entirely, as your own comments point out. Apple didn't do their homework? A legal battle? Honestly, who wrote this article?
 
 
 
 
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