South African Ubuntu users will shortly be able to get their hands on a new Ubuntu-powered device: The Vodafone Webbook.
The Vodafone webbook, announced today by South African telecommunications company Vodacom (part owned by Vodafone), will be launching in South Africa on the 19th October.
Vodacom hope that the device will bring “simplified, value-added internet access to thousands of South Africans, many of whom have until now had no access.”
The lightweight device weighs in at less than 1Kg, sports a 10″ LCD screen, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space. A webcam and USB are also shown on the device.
Ubuntu founder, and fellow South African, Mark Shuttleworth says he is ‘delighted ‘that Ubuntu is the operating system to be used by the webbook.
“Ubuntu’s founding principle is to remove the barriers of access to computing for everyone, and products like this give hope of connectivity to people all over the world.”
Availability
The Vodafone Webbook will be available to buy from Vodacom World outlets from 19 October 2011. The cost? That’s a bit more complicated.
- The device, on its own with a pre-paid option, will cost R1499 (roughly US$190 )
- The device with a prepaid ‘Starter pack’ (SIM, moden, 100Mb/m data) will cost R1899 (around US$245)
- A contract option will give you the Webbook and a modem for R189 on a ‘My Meg 500’ 24/m tariff. (around US$24/m)
- A top up option is also available, and includes a modem and 100MB,m of data for 3 months for R169