ViewSonic ViewPad 7 Tablet Debuts in the U.S.

ViewSonic ViewPad 7 tablet may offer some more competition to the iPad

In the ongoing contest between Android and Apple, a new Android 2.2 ViewSonic tablet PC - the ViewPad 7 - is stepping smartly into the consumer arena. The ViewPad 7 debuts this month for $479 and provides access to thousands of open-source Android applications, providing customization to suit any buyer’s lifestyle.  ViewSonic's larger ViewPad 10 tablet will be available in the first quarter of 2011.

The ViewPad 7 is a serious contender to win consumer hearts, with features that include a 7-inch 800x480 WVGA LCD screen, wireless 802.11 and Bluetooth, Voice over IP, instant messaging, USB connectivity and 512 MB. A Micro SD slot allows storage capacity to be increased to 32 GB. Web browsing will be just one of the ViewSonic tablet pluses.

The ViewPad 7 has two cameras, a front 0.3 MP camera, and a rear 3 MP camera. The battery can last up to ten hours. Between the cameras and the extended battery life, the Viewsonic tablet can handle videoconferencing for virtual meetings. The size of the Android device is smaller than a laptop or netbook and it provides excellent media performance, outdoing the typical smart phone.

The ViewPad 7 also comes pre-loaded with GMS, Google’s Mobile Services, providing access to games, applications, Gmail, YouTube and lots of other web goodies. It’s one of the few Android tablets to include this feature.

The ViewSonic Tablet is comparable to the recently-introduced Samsung Galaxy Tab, although significantly lower priced when compared to the Galaxy's $599 price tag.  The ViewSonic tablet will also be available through various mobile providers.

Another excellent reason to place this tablet PC at the top of your list is the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility. The ViewSonic ViewPad 7 Tablet is the product of a corporation that uses 17% green energy to power their company headquarters, incorporates energy-saving features into its products, and offers a customer recycling program, environmental efforts that have diverted 3,500 tons of waste from landfills since 2000.