Chinese rival to iPad costs twice as much

The Chinese imitation to the iPad is here. But if you think it would cost one-third of what the Apple product costs, think again. The Android version of the tablet being issued by the Chinese government to all its officials costs more than double of an Apple iPad.

The $1,600 (9,999 yuan) Red Pad One is a 9.7-inch, Android 3.2 tablet and comes pre-loaded with very select (pro-Communist Party) apps.

The Red Pad comes with 16GB of flash storage, WiFi and 3G connection – along with touchscreen and A9 dual-core processor.

Its unique apps for example will have the ability to allow the user to check the validity of a journalist's government accreditation.

Liu Xianri, legal representative for the company that produces the tablet, said the daily political updates and strategic decisions reported by the device are its USP.

According to him, the sales of the tablet were completely market-driven and clearly aimed at competing against the foreign brands. Do you believe him?

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