Android tablets for just $100 later this year, according to Via Technologies

Via Technologies thinks it's found a way to compete against the iPad—not just a lower price, but a iPod Nano price. The processor company tells Bloomberg Businessweek that a handful of tablets using its technology will be available in the second half of this year for prices ranging from $100 to $150. Yes, you read that right.

Even better, the devices will run the Android OS, which is shaping up to be a more intriguing competitor than Windows 7 in the tablet space. According to Via, these specific tablets, which will be built by its Chinese manufacturing partners, will run on an ARM-based chip. No specs have been officially announced, but Engadget did get a chance to gander at the tablets at Computex, which ran Android 1.6 on a (Via subsidiary) WonderMedia WM8505 ARM 9-based processor using a 7-inch resistive touchscreen instead of a larger multi-capacitive display like the one the iPad uses.

Needless to say, these budget models aren't going to provide the performance and all-around polish to grapple with the Apple tablet head on, but the price point becomes extremely intriguing if you have children looking to play casual games and watch videos on-the-go. They should also help to tug prices down for all tablets, which is never a bad thing.

Would you consider buying one of these low-priced Android tablets, despite the more limited feature set? If so, let us know why in the Comments section.

[Photo: Engadget]