China’s political elite now have another toy to infuriate their impoverished subjects with: the exorbitantly priced Android tablet computer, the RedPad.
The RedPad is an obvious nod to its iPad predecessor and Mao’s infamous little red book. According to Internet reports from state-run media (which now seem to have magically disappeared following scathing public reactions on popular microblogging service, Sina weibo), the RedPad boasts a 9.7-inch screen, Google Android OS, 16 GB of flash memory, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, and apps specifically tailored to turn politicians the best communists they can be. And all this for the cheap, cheap price of 9,999 yuan! Just exactly how much is 9,999 yuan? A whopping $1,584. Basically, depending on the model, you could be 2-3 iPads for the cost of one RedPad.
The device was reported to have apps that not only allowed politicians to follow senior leaders on Weibo and receive updates in the latest changes to Party ideology, but there was also an app that reportedly offered a private channel into need-to-know policy updates and political instructions (that is, for an extra 3,800 yuan or $600, chump change, clearly for China’s elite). It even has an app allowing users to verify a journalist’s government accreditation.
Remember when the late Steve Jobs first announced the iPad? Beneath the excited chatter from technophiles and Apple lovers alike—”Ooh, so pretty!”—lurked the juvenile snickering at Apple’s rather “unfortunate” name for what was likely to become the hottest piece of consumer tech on the market.
“iPad. Tee hee. How did that name get past product testing?”
Puerile references to feminine hygiene aside, Apple proved their critics wrong by sticking to their guns and winning over their immature naysayers with a phenomenal product. Judging by the public’s thinly veiled accusations that the RedPad is just another symbol of political corruption, it’s hard to believe the RedPad will do the same.
And although a RedPad’s creators have indicated they’d like to compete against foreign tablet brands (*cough* Apple *cough*) and that the RedPad is a “market driven” product, it’s hard to believe the average Chinese citizen wants a high tech toy to check journalist credentials or the latest changes in government policy.
