Call it a nod to the success (or perhaps, to the "best wishes" for success) of Apple's iPad, but the pace at which new tablets are being developed and released seems to be quickly accelerating — and by this year's holiday gift-giving season, some of these devices could spell trouble for Apple's assumption of market share dominance.

Take for example the JooJoo, an outwardly iPad-like device that offers some highly competitive distinctions between itself and the well-known contender from Cupertino.

Developed in Singapore by tech firm Fusion Garage and originally known as the CrunchPad, the Linux-powered JooJoo has been held up due to technical and marketing reasons, along with an ongoing lawsuit between its developers. Despite the past delays, however, pre-orders for the device reportedly began shipping to consumers at the end of March of this year

According to its creators, with JooJoo, the Internet is the application.

"JooJoo makes connecting to the Internet quick and easy from wherever you are," states the JooJoo website. "Whether you're relaxing on your couch at home or standing on the train during your daily commute, JooJoo connects you to the people you care about and the information you need in the quickest, simplest way possible."

That speed is measured in seconds, and the company claims the device offers the fastest hook into the Internet of any device, claiming that a PC can take two minutes and phones 30 seconds to power on and go online, but JooJoo connects in only nine seconds.

JooJoo boasts a sharp, 1366 x 768 pixel, 12.1 inch capacitive touch display, with one physical button, not unlike the iPad's, for simple on-off control. Operation is via a touch, swipe or pinch of the screen — once again not unlike the iPad and its predecessor iPhone. There are no windows or menus; all operation is by touch.

The device is built to provide a robust Internet experience — including full support for the web's ubiquitous Flash content — a dramatic shortcoming of the iPad, which lacks this fundamental capability.

Portrait and landscape modes are available, as is full support for streaming HD video, and it's all packaged in a sleek and sturdy enclosure weighing just a pinch over a pound.

Other improvements over the iPad include a fingerprint resistant coating to put an end to unsightly smudges, a USB port for expansion and a built in camera for videoconferencing on the go, among other features.

Adult content providers will appreciate the device's OpenSource background and easy content loading, allowing for mobile adult marketing opportunities that bypass Apple's restrictive content policies.

While it remains unseen as to what impact this upstart device will have on the tablet market, it's clear that Apple is not operating in a field devoid of serious and creative competition — and this can only spell good news for consumers.

submitted by: Stephen Yagielowicz on: April 13, 2010, 2:33PM