Nigerian firm joins Apple and Samsung in tablet device competition
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AppleChannels TVSamsungVantium v1Websoft

A Nigerian based Technology Company specialized in web mobile and enterprise applications, Websoft, has brought to the market its own tablet device, which aims to compete with imported tablet devices i.e Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.

In an exclusive interview with Channels Television, co-founder of the firm, Johnson Dunmoye said the device has been in the pipeline for close to two years “ we have been working on this project for close to two years let’s say an average of 18 months”.

The Vantium v1 tablet is expected to boost the tablet market in Africa and is also billed to be relevant to local consumers as it is preconfigured to operate the Microsoft Word, Excel and Power point. Dunmoye says it is designed for work and play at the same time “with the Vantium v1 you can play and work also, it has a USB Port which allows for free movement of files unlike the iPad where you have to depend on iTunes”

It is designed to reduce the dependence on the laptop and in the long run replace it, as the laptop has replaced the desktop said Mr Dunmoye.

He says the company’s new “giant venture” will bring to market a device that is truly relevant and useful to local consumers, “and not just a status symbol like its counterparts”.

Vantium is a Websoft Brand, with products designed by Websoft and assembled in Asia with components sourced from different parts of the world and quality assurance by a US company.

Dunmoye also claimed that despite the device being a tablet, it comes with the functionality of a laptop. Websoft, according to Dunmoye has partnered with African pay TV giants DSTV to allow subscribers view their favorite stations on the go with the device.

He said “you can watch your existing DSTV bouquet from the device after subscribing or better still if you don’t have a decoder, you can pay as low as N2, 000 to get connected. So you can watch all your favorite stations on the go right on the Vantium v1tablet PC”. This he said is awaiting final approval from DSTV.

The Vantium v1 runs on the Android Ginger Bread operating system, this means applications can either be bought or gotten for free from the android store but Websoft says it is working on its own market.

The co-founder said “we are working on our own market which will be called the Appville, it will also be providing the platform for African made applications that are hidden and lost in the Android market”

Dunmoye went further to make comparisons with the tablets in the market “We did not compromise on quality because we know we will always be compared with the best. Comparing our product with iPad and Samsung head to head you will see that it is not inferior in anyway. Infact on some points it is even better. The screen uses the same technology as the iPad with a very smooth feel. The Vantium v1 memory is 1GB, which is double that of iPad2 memory. It can play HD videos because of the high powered processor used. On all features, the Vantium holds its ground and will always deliver.”

Just like the iMessage and Blackberry ping the Vantium v1 tablet gives you the flexibility to chat with other owners of the device. The “intra” device chat platform will soon be put in place to accommodate other devices, with Research In Motion’s Blackberry the first to be introduced.


http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/03/19/nigerian-firm-joins-apple-and-samsung-in-tablet-device-competition/