Apple is facing competition from a slew of new devices aiming to rival its iPad - among them the not so originally named iPed.

Apple is facing competition from a slew of new devices aiming to rival its iPad - among them the not so originally named iPed.

Cheaper knock-off gadgets are starting to hit the Chinese markets, in a bid to take advantage of consumer excitement surrounding the groundbreaking tablet device.

Key to their appeal are their prices; while a basic iPad model can be bought for roughly $500 (£340), the iPed is retailing for $150 (£100).

The iPed is currently on sale in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, which is the location of the largest Foxconn plant, where the iPad is manufactured.

Created by a company called Orphan Electronics, the rival device was released over the weekend.

Crucially, it uses a version of Google's Android operating system rather than Apple’s competing iPhone OS, according to the Japan News Network (JNN).

It is also reported to be a little heavier than the iPad and to boast a bigger display screen - but less resolution

By: Emma Rowley, Sky News Online

Name*:

Email:

Location*:

* - value is required