The Pandigital Novel is an Android-powered e-reader. It features a 7″ screen, ARM 11 processor, 1GB of internal storage (expandable up to 32GB), and WiFi, all for the low price of $200. The iPad features a 9.7″ screen, Apple A4 processor, 16GB of storage (non-expandable, but also in 32GB and 64GB), and WiFi (and 3G on some models), but it costs $500 (or higher for 3G and/or higher storage). Now, here’s when the real deal comes in; the iPad runs iOS 3.2 and the Novel runs Android. Novel’s version of Android is device-specific and limited, but reports of some hacking have just surface and it appears as though the Novel has been fully rooted and running the stock version of Android 2.1. Though I can’t really say much about performance, judging from the processor, this is still a major breakthrough.

I truly believe that if this is in fact, 100% working and fast, for that matter, this could really stir up some competition with the iPad. It’s $300 cheaper, so you really are going to be paying a lot less for it anyway.

David – Senior Editor