By Siobhan O’Leary

Hot on the heels of the release of Apple’s iPad, Berlin-based firm Neofonie has introduced its own tablet PC, aptly called the WePad. According to BuchMarkt, the “We” is meant to represent the openness of the product and of the company to partnerships with technology and media companies. The WePad is a joint venture of Neofonie and 4titoo, a Munich-based specialist in touchpad systems. Other partners on board at this point include Intel and Adobe. CEO Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen emphasized that the WePad was not created to be an iPad killer, but simply an alternative to the iPad.

However, there are certainly some technological advantages offered by the WePad. It will feature an 11.6 inch screen (slightly bigger than the iPad), a built-in webcam, memory card reader and two USB ports. It also supports Flash, which the iPad does not. On the down side, it is slightly heavier than the iPad, weighing in at nearly 1.7lbs.

Neofonie has already signed on several partners for its e-publishing open platform “WeMagazine”, including Grüner+Jahr’s Stern Magazin and Ringier Verlag in Switzerland, which will make its magazines Cicero and Schweizer-Illustrierte available for the device. Publisher Axel Springer has already partnered with Neofonie on other ventures and appears prepared to make content available for the device.

The 16GB wifi WePad will cost 449 Euros when it is released in August (pre-ordering will start on April 27th). There will also be a 32GB enhanced 3G version of the WePad featuring GPS and HD support for 569 Euros.

PRE-ORDER: Your WePad and get more information about this promising new device.