personal computer maker Velocity Micro on Tuesday announced the $ 299Cruz Tabletcomputer , a handheld twist that is priced significantly lower than Apple ’s popular iPad lozenge , which is useable starting at $ 499 .
The Cruz tablet will provide a “ truly nomadic experience at an affordable price , ” Velocity Micro say in a instruction . The tablet will add up with Google ’s Android atomic number 8 and is slate to become available on Sept. 1 , according to the company .
However , there are differences between the Cruz and iPad , include screen sizing and computer memory . The Cruz tablet make out with a 7 - column inch capacitive touchscreen , which is small than Apple ’s 9.7 - in screen .
The Cruz also comes with 4 GB of internal warehousing and 8 GB of storage through an SD slot , while the most inexpensive iPad model come up with 16 GB of storage .
The Cruz ply around six hours of battery liveliness when watching video , while Apple take up to 10 hours of iPad barrage fire lifespan when surfing the entanglement , watching video or heed to medicine . The Cruz comes with 802.11n Wi - Fi capabilities , which is at equation with the iPad .
The Cruz lozenge will be able to play back 720p eminent - definition video recording , said Josh Covington , a Velocity Micro spokesman . The screen will display image at a 800 - by-480 - pixel resolution .
The company could not ply central processing unit details as the machine has n’t reached production phase , Covington say .
Velocity Micro is jumping into a pad market that is develop at a dissolute pace , primarily driven by Apple ’s iPad . Apple in June said it hadsold 3 million iPadsin the first 80 days after its release . Research firm IDC has enounce pad of paper shipments could top 7 million by the end of this class and exceed 46 million by 2014 .
Many gadget makers have either announce or intend to transport tablet based on Android OS . Dell has already shipped its Streak pad of paper , which comes with a 5 - inch touch - subject sieve . Cisco has announced the Cius business tablet , which has a 7 - inch concealment and will become available for testing later this year . Other company plan to found Android tablets include Notion Ink and Innovative Converged Devices .
Velocity Micro also harbinger an e - reader , the $ 199 Cruz Reader , which will also include a 7 - inch screen . The equipment will supply entree to more than 2 million e - book useable via Borders ’ e - Holy Scripture subroutine library applications programme . exploiter will be able read e - book in multiple formats , including ePub and PDF . The twist will provide up to 10 minute of run clip on a individual battery accusation . The einsteinium - reader will ship in August .