Wikipad CEO Disagrees That 10.1-Inch Gamepad Tablet Is Too Expensive

Even though 10.1-inch tablets have been selling for $499/499 Euro, ever since the first iPad came out, some feel that Wikipad, as a product that doesn't have brand strength and reputation to carry it forward, should have been launched with a lower tag.

The Wikipad CEO acknowledges this, but believes the situation should be taken as a reason to want it, rather than gloss over it.

"This is our first product into the market," consummate salesman and Wikipad CEO James Bower told Engadget in an interview. "We've self-funded the whole concept to this point with a couple of us founders. No VC money or anything,"

People wonder why someone would get the Wikipad when they can buy a Sony PlayStation Vita for $249.99.

Wikipad's head says the answer is simple: Wikipad is a two-in-one device: a game pad and a 10.1-inch tablet, not a 7-inch or 5-inch gadget.

And since 10.1-inch slates ship for $500 on their own, that means that “half” of the Wikipad is given for free.

It doesn't hurt that the product isn't unibody. The tablet can be taken out of the gamepad “dock” and used like one would use any Android slate. It even has Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which many others have yet to receive.

ASUS' Transformer Prime and Infinity, for example, are only now moving away from Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

"What we like to say is, 'If you're gonna spend $249 to get your Vita, and you're gonna spend $499 on an iPad, why don't you just spend $499 and get the Wikipad? That way you can have the best of both worlds,'" he argued.

WikiPad attaches to the gamepad controller through a simple insertion mechanism. Two analog sticks, a D-pad, shoulder buttons and triggers and four front action buttons are distributed on both sides. Sales will begin on October 31, 2012.

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