The Wikipad, when introduced last year, promised beleaguered Android gamers the tactile interface that they so desperately craved. And the idea of an Android tablet that was encased in a housing that offered traditional console-like controls certainly seemed sound.
And it still does. But the combination failed to arrive in retail when expected, and since then, we have seen several other ideas put on the table. Including a variety of Android powered devices that also provide buttons and joysticks.
Also the $500 asking price for the 10-inch tablet seemed a bit steep. Which is why it was held back and retooled. Though, according to Joystiq, there was also some kind of unspecified flaw with the original production run.
At any rate, a new smaller and cheaper model is being prepped, for sometime later this spring. The new size of the tablet is 7-inch, and is exactly half the previous asking price, $249.99.
Otherwise, it's the same device as before, at least specs-wise: quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 16GB of hard drive space, micro SD support for up to 32GB of additional storage, and an HDMI out.
Along with the detachable controls, which oddly enough is actually the same size as before. But there is an omission: the rear camera has been axed, though the front-facing camera has survived.
Wikipad president of sales Fraser Townley notes:
"The overwhelming opinion that, although $500 was justifiable for what we were delivering, it was a tough one for a lot of the gamers."
Which is why the 10-inch model was put on hold, but not outright cancelled. It is hoped the original sized version will be released sometime later this year.
