China's dark horses challenge Ipad

Figures released by market researcher Canalys shows the iPad accounted for more than 74 percent of total global shipments of tablet computers in the first quarter.

Tablet PC makers around the world are stepping up efforts to snap up a larger share in this increasingly profitable market. But is there any tech company out there up to taking on Apple? As Yin Hang's report continues, that dark horse could be a brand you've never heard of.

With the hugely-popular iPad commanding almost 75 percent of the tablet market, it's a plucky company indeed that paints itself as Apple's major competitor.

Fang Liyong, COO Beijing Ereneben, said, "There are only two tablet computer makers that are superior to all others in the world. One is Apple, the other is Ereneben. And the rest of the tablet PC makers are lost in Apple's shadow."

The Chief Operating Officer of Beijing-based Ereneben Information Technology certainly has plenty of confidence. The first generation of the company's "hand-writing touch screen gadgets" were released onto the market long before the world caught iPad fever.

Fang's bullish assessment of his company's position in the market is based on some pretty solid sales figures - at least in China.

Fang Liyong, COO Beijing Ereneben, said, "Our sales last year were the highest among Chinese tablet makers, reaching around 300 million yuan, or around 46 million U.S. dollars. We plan to maximize our sales to 1 billion yuan this year."

But like other Chinese-made tablet computers, such as Hanwang's version and Lenovo's Le-Pad, Ereneben's gadget isn't nearly as high-profile as the iPad. It's hard to spot it on the street, or the subway, or clutched in the arms of a consumer so obsessive, they're willing to camp overnight to get their hands on it.

Xiang Ligang, Vice President, 3G Industry Asso., said, "Besides Apple, other tablet computer makers in the world have three characteristics. They start later. Their function, in terms of apps and processing abilities, are not competitive enough to challenge the iPad. And their prices are not attractive. China-made tablet computers are largely the same."

Analysts say, Steve Jobs has nothing to lose sleep over. At least not until a competitor can bring something bold, innovative and fresh to the market.