1Malaysia Pad will struggle to keep up

Touted to be the first Malaysia made 7-inch Android tablet, 1Malaysia Pad, or 1Mpad was announced in May 2012 with an introductory price of RM999 (US$330). However, until today there is no news yet of its release to the market. It would be very interesting to read review of the so-called 5,000 units already sold so far, as reported by Harian Metro.

You will find this at the landing page of Maltech Pro Sdn Bhd's website

During the launching, 1Mpad manufacturer provided only a glimpse of the tablet PC specifications:

Price                        : RM999 (introductory price for the first 5,000 units)
Screen size              : 7-inch
Operating system      : Android 2.3, Gingerbread
Storage capacity       : TBA
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, 3G
Camera                    : 3 MP
Announced               : May 2012
Availability                : available now for pre-order


Some notable alternatives:

1) MyTec MYTAB T25 - not in the market yet

This Malaysian made tablet PC is scheduled to be released and available in Malaysia market before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and is expected to be retailed much lower than the 1Mpad.

Mytec Mobile's soon to be released MYTAB T25

MYTAB T25 Specifications/features

Price                        : RM699 - RM799 (expected)
Screen size              : 7-inch, Capacitive touch screen
Operating system      : Android 4.0.3, Ice Cream Sandwich
Storage capacity       : 8GB (internal)
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, (support 3G modem)
Camera                    : Dual camera, (unspecified resolution)
Announced               : July 2012
Availability                : Before Aidilfitri (August 2012)

Other features:-
Google Play Store - up to 450,000 Apps
Quick Office - MS Excel, Word & Powerpoint
Support bluetooth voice call
Support keyboard plug-in


2) Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) - improved version.

Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 2, 7.0

Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets.


Key Features of the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)

Price                        : RM999 (WiFi only)
                                : RM1,299 (WiFi + 3G)
Screen size              : 7-inch, Multi-touch screen
Processor                 : 1GHz Dual-Core processor, 1GB RAM
Operating system      : Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
Storage capacity       : 16GB (Internal), microSD expansion up to 32GB
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0
Camera                    : 3.15 MP
Announced               : Feb 2012
Availability                : Now


3) Google Nexus 7 Tablet

Price                        : $199 (RM630) for the 8GB storage &  $249 (RM790) for 16G version
Screen size              : 7-inch, TFT active matrix (LED backlight)
Processor                 : 1.3 GHz Quad-core, Nvidia Tegra 3, 1GB RAM
Operating system      : Android 4.1, Jelly Bean
Storage capacity       : 8GB / 16 GB
Mobile connectivity    : NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi
Camera                    : 1.2 MP
Announced               : 27 June 2012
Availability                : TBA (available on pre-order)
More about              : Google Nexus 7


There are other lesser known brands but similarly specced (with the 1Mpad) in the local market such as CSL, and few China-made tablet PCs. Choices are abundant, some with better features than the 1Mpad, so, we will not be too surprised if it struggle to make an impact. Perhaps it will not even be hitting the ground outside a pre-determined market (students, etc), without government intervention.

The money is yours; it's your choice.

Dead cat turned into helicopter

You read that right.

An artist (surely some wouldn't call him that) found a way to keep his dead pet longer by turning it into a remote-controlled helicopter. The cat, named Orville after the famed aviator Orville Wright (brother of Wilbur) died after being hit by a car last year and instead of burying it, owner Bart Jansen decided to stuff it, and make a helicopter out of it.

Poor cat. Photo: Reuter



He called it 'work of art'. Photo: Reuter

So, what's next? Stuffing your loved ones and put them in a display cabinet to make them 'immortal'? Some people think this is funny and can't stop laughing. I don't. In some societies cats are not just pet, they are considered as pars/members of the family and are given proper burial. You don't have to treat them that way; a little respect will do.

We don't have cat at home currently but I don't fancy having our future cat or our neighbour's being stuffed and turned into toys.


Read about it here.

First Malaysia-branded Android tablet for RM999

Last week MalTechPro Sdn Bhd unveiled the first Malaysian made 7-inch tablet known as 1Malaysia Pad, or 1Mpad which is fully equipped with a capacitive touch screen, android system, wireless broadband, 3G and the latest applications.

The 1Malaysia Pad launched on 24 May 2012. Picture credit: The Sun Daily

In my previous posting, I wrote an article regarding India's world cheapest tablet, the Aakash and Malaysia seem to have followed suit in launching an Android tablet. But unlike the US$45 to $70 Indian version, the 1Malaysia Pad is priced further up at RM999 (US$315).


1Mpad specifications in brief

Not much was available from the media coverage but for a start, this are what have been made known:
Price                       : RM999 (introductory price for the first 5,000 units)
Screen size             : 7 inch
Operating system     : Android 2.3, Gingerbread
Storage capacity      : TBA
Mobile connectivity   : WiFi, 3G
Camera                   : 3 MP
Released                 : May 2012
Availability               : available now for pre-order

The Borneo Post reported that the tablet is equipped with a proprietary 1Malaysia messenger app which would allow users to send messages, pictures and videos for free.


First impression

While this appears to be more powerful than the low-coast Aakash, at its current high list price, the tablet doesn't appear to be a fantastic deal. RM999 is relatively expensive for a 7" tablet, more so with better specced and affordable offerings in the market are available, such as the Galaxy Tab 7 Plus at RM1,200 (US$380) and still dropping in price. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 was last seen priced cheaper at RM799 (US$250) but I'm unsure if this model is still available in Malaysia.


Who will buy them?

Befitting its name, this tablet is targetted to be first marketed to students at a discounted price. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry planned to include MalTechPro as a merchant in the ministry’s student discount card program, due to kick off next month.

The amount of the discount has not been decided yet but this is touted to be a replacement for the current 1Malaysia netbooks in universities.

Would you buy one of these for yourself? I think it is too expensive and the manufacturer will have to persuade the government to push it to the people through various 'donation' programs.


Early Verdict

An introductory price of RM699 - RM799 would have been more appealing considering such technology has been around for sometime, plus, the OS is an outdated one. Throw in the option for WiFi and Wifi + 3G to reduce the price further.