A free Android tablet by 1&1

German ISP 1&1 announced a free Android tablet some weeks ago. Of course, it is not completely free, it is a vehicle for selling mobile internet data plans. And that could be the reason why the 1&1 SmartPad won’t be a a very powerful tablet.

Look at the parts they used:

Specifications	1&1 SmartPad
Processor	500 Mhz ARM 11
RAM	256MB DDR RAM
Screen	7-Inch / LED / 800 x 480 / touch screen
Storage	1GB flash storage / SD Cards
A/V Input	???
A/V Output	Headphones / Speakers /Audio Connectors through docking station
Network	WLAN (802.11b/g/n) / Infrared /3G only with additional dongle
Connectors	micro USB 2.0 / 3.5mm headphone jack / dock connector
Sensors	Ambient Light Sensor / Accelerometer
Battery	2.500 mAh Lithium-Ion
Extras	SD Card Slot / Docking Station / Can be used as universal remote control with some devices / No Android market support/ Android 1.6
Price Range	only with a data plan/ 30€ for the docking station
Distributor	1&1

In my opinion, 1&1 just realized that now is the moment to sell tablet computers along with data plans. That’s good idea. But, I would not buy it. The 1&1 SmartPad can not be fast enough to provide a smooth and satisfying user experience. I am also sceptical because they only presented computer illustrations and no video of the UI in action.

The SmartPad has no 3G support.But 1&1 is a ISP that offers mobile data plans and home internet data plans. it seems that this device is only meant to be used at home through a Wifi connection. Not very convincing. Another big problem of the device is the missing Android market licence. Of course there are other ways to get good apps on any Android device, but the market is the most popular.

For me this is just another chapter of the story “How to profit of the tablet hype”. Let’s see if they roll it out quickly enough to sell some to impatient tablet enthusiasts. If they wait too long, it could be a shelf warmer because other tablets are much more promising…