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Today I'll be talking about the 7" Android Tablet Review. For those of you may have wondered what is this tablet all about. Basically, you can pretty much do quite a number of things with it. Well, for starters you can browse the net, check emails, do some work, play games, and basically as a form of communication as well. Armed with thousands of Apps which you can download free from the market, you could say that this would pretty much replace your bulky laptop especially when you're traveling.
- Keyboard leather case,
Width = 15cm, Length = 23cm, Thickness = 3.5cm, Weight = Approx 800g
The actual size of the pad is at 11.5cm wide, 19cm long, 1.3cm thick, weighs about approx 500g, but with the additional of the leather keyboard it probably weighs in at about 800g. In terms of size this 7" would fit just nicely in your back pack or carry it around like your own personal planner and people won't even know you are carrying a tablet!
From the video above, which was being compared to a Via Processor WM8505 you could see that the Telechip processor is faster. Running at 720 mhz, it's speed runs twice as fast compared to the Via Processor. From the very first tablet that I got which was the Via Processor, and this telechip I was extremely satisfied in terms of it's performance. At least I can bring this pad around without having to wait a long time for it to boot up or do anything else with it. So what am I going to do with my current Via Processor tablet? Probably will just turn it into a multimedia device in my car or something. :) So what can I actually do with this pad you may wonder?
Work
Word Documents, Spreadsheets & Powerpoint Presentations
One good thing about this tablet is that it is portable. And again people won't know what are you carrying until you open it up and start doing something with it. What sort of work can I actually do with it? Well, for starters it does come along with Documents To Go where you can do word processing, or excel worksheet. And of course there is also Powerpoint viewer where I can actually do presentation to someone maybe in a coffee shop or just anywhere without having to bring a laptop just for that specific purpose. And if I was able to connect to the internet, I would be able to access my documents inside Google Docs and update my files from there. You can view the video I've made using Documents To Go.
One good thing about this tablet is that it is portable. And again people won't know what are you carrying until you open it up and start doing something with it. What sort of work can I actually do with it? Well, for starters it does come along with Documents To Go where you can do word processing, or excel worksheet. And of course there is also Powerpoint viewer where I can actually do presentation to someone maybe in a coffee shop or just anywhere without having to bring a laptop just for that specific purpose. And if I was able to connect to the internet, I would be able to access my documents inside Google Docs and update my files from there. You can view the video I've made using Documents To Go.
Email
Being able to check my eMails is probably one of the major things that I need to do wherever I go. Especially when I travel, to be honest I felt that carrying a laptop around is not really a good solution for me. Despite of having a data plan with my phone provider, checking emails on my phone at first it was all right. But as time goes by, I find it a little bit straining on the eyes. But not with this 7" tablet, armed with a USB keyboard. Replying mails has never been the same. Plus I can add all my email to my android email client, and give them different color codings to know which email are they coming from. So you can pretty much separate your work emails with your personal emails.
Being able to check my eMails is probably one of the major things that I need to do wherever I go. Especially when I travel, to be honest I felt that carrying a laptop around is not really a good solution for me. Despite of having a data plan with my phone provider, checking emails on my phone at first it was all right. But as time goes by, I find it a little bit straining on the eyes. But not with this 7" tablet, armed with a USB keyboard. Replying mails has never been the same. Plus I can add all my email to my android email client, and give them different color codings to know which email are they coming from. So you can pretty much separate your work emails with your personal emails.
Daily Planner
Well, let's just say with this tablet I pretty much save at least RM3/year for a daily planner book. By saving a book, I'll be saving a tree as well. All I need to do is just add all my appointments to google and it will sync it whenever it gets connected to the Internet. Not only that, if let say I were to meet a client and probably may need to schedule another meeting, I would be able to check the date to see if I'm available or not. Plus once I update on my tablet, again it will sync it with my google calendar online. In one of my work, I actually post up my google calendar where people can actually sort of make appointments with me. So this would be a great help especially whereby I would sort of get a friendly reminder 24 hours before the appointment. So I will never miss an appointment, ever again. LOL.
Well, let's just say with this tablet I pretty much save at least RM3/year for a daily planner book. By saving a book, I'll be saving a tree as well. All I need to do is just add all my appointments to google and it will sync it whenever it gets connected to the Internet. Not only that, if let say I were to meet a client and probably may need to schedule another meeting, I would be able to check the date to see if I'm available or not. Plus once I update on my tablet, again it will sync it with my google calendar online. In one of my work, I actually post up my google calendar where people can actually sort of make appointments with me. So this would be a great help especially whereby I would sort of get a friendly reminder 24 hours before the appointment. So I will never miss an appointment, ever again. LOL.
Writing Notes & Memo
I'm not a type of person who will go around carrying pen and paper. But at least with this thing, probably that would sort of change my mind. By lugging this thing around with me each time I go out, I will have no excuse not to write notes with the facility of having the keyboard. Plus, if there's a sudden rush of ideas (especially when song writings comes in), I could just use the sound recorder that comes with this tablet and then play it back again on my laptop once I reach back to my work place.
I'm not a type of person who will go around carrying pen and paper. But at least with this thing, probably that would sort of change my mind. By lugging this thing around with me each time I go out, I will have no excuse not to write notes with the facility of having the keyboard. Plus, if there's a sudden rush of ideas (especially when song writings comes in), I could just use the sound recorder that comes with this tablet and then play it back again on my laptop once I reach back to my work place.
Working with my webstore
I'm currently in the midst of adding an application to my tablet where I can actually check and see if I have any orders as well as how much stock I have left. So far there's one that seems to do the job, but may need to upgrade it to a full version just to get rid of the ads. By using my phone as a wireless hotspot, I would be able to check the amount of remaining stock that I have and of course if there were any new sales at the same time. Either that, I would just need to sign into my website via the browser can also be done. But never the less, it's going to save me a lot of weight especially with budget airlines who seems to charge anything and everything.
I'm currently in the midst of adding an application to my tablet where I can actually check and see if I have any orders as well as how much stock I have left. So far there's one that seems to do the job, but may need to upgrade it to a full version just to get rid of the ads. By using my phone as a wireless hotspot, I would be able to check the amount of remaining stock that I have and of course if there were any new sales at the same time. Either that, I would just need to sign into my website via the browser can also be done. But never the less, it's going to save me a lot of weight especially with budget airlines who seems to charge anything and everything.
And everything else that I need to work with
Inside the market, there are thousands of apps which can be downloaded to suit your needs. There are even apps for checking stock market, exchange rates, rss reader (for those who love to read the news), and much more. Plus the numerous of apps that are currently being develop, which expected to over take Apple apps by 2012. All you need to do is find the right app for the type of work you are using.
Inside the market, there are thousands of apps which can be downloaded to suit your needs. There are even apps for checking stock market, exchange rates, rss reader (for those who love to read the news), and much more. Plus the numerous of apps that are currently being develop, which expected to over take Apple apps by 2012. All you need to do is find the right app for the type of work you are using.
Leisure
Gaming
All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy, as they say. Well probably this would be one of the activity that I would use for passing time if I was waiting for someone and don't really feel like getting any work done for the moments. Here are a few games that I actually installed on the tablet itself.
All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy, as they say. Well probably this would be one of the activity that I would use for passing time if I was waiting for someone and don't really feel like getting any work done for the moments. Here are a few games that I actually installed on the tablet itself.
Social Networking
For those of you who can't get enough of facebook, there's an app which enables you take pictures as and share them on facebook. Plus you can update your status or check what's happening to your friends & family as well. Not only that, there are apps such as FourSquare where you can actually "check in", and who knows get special rates for certain areas. Or if you're a tweeter, you can be sure you won't be left behind as well.
For those of you who can't get enough of facebook, there's an app which enables you take pictures as and share them on facebook. Plus you can update your status or check what's happening to your friends & family as well. Not only that, there are apps such as FourSquare where you can actually "check in", and who knows get special rates for certain areas. Or if you're a tweeter, you can be sure you won't be left behind as well.
Casual Browsing
Being portable, and sometimes Starbucks table are not as huge as it is suppose to be. This would be a perfect for normal browsing to websites you normally visits. Unfortunately for this tablet is currently running on Android 2.1 (whereby we heard that they may be developing an upgrade) that does not support flash. There are browsers such as Skyfire which actually solves that issue. But if you don't visit heavy flash sites, you won't need to worry about it as this would get the job done as well.
Being portable, and sometimes Starbucks table are not as huge as it is suppose to be. This would be a perfect for normal browsing to websites you normally visits. Unfortunately for this tablet is currently running on Android 2.1 (whereby we heard that they may be developing an upgrade) that does not support flash. There are browsers such as Skyfire which actually solves that issue. But if you don't visit heavy flash sites, you won't need to worry about it as this would get the job done as well.
Communication
You can actually install applications such as eBuddy or Nimbuzz which actually enables you to add multiple chat clients on to them so that you can stay connected wherever you go. Not only that, you are able to install WhatsApp as well and send SMS or picture / videos for free (provided if you're connected to the internet). Unfortunately I was not able to install Skype onto this tablet due to a lot of bugs that Skype probably need to sort out. Plus they are only focusing on a few certain models for the time being. But never the less, there's a 3rd party application which does the job just nice as well.
You can actually install applications such as eBuddy or Nimbuzz which actually enables you to add multiple chat clients on to them so that you can stay connected wherever you go. Not only that, you are able to install WhatsApp as well and send SMS or picture / videos for free (provided if you're connected to the internet). Unfortunately I was not able to install Skype onto this tablet due to a lot of bugs that Skype probably need to sort out. Plus they are only focusing on a few certain models for the time being. But never the less, there's a 3rd party application which does the job just nice as well.
Book Reader
There are thousands of ebooks which can be downloaded and read using the book reader. I personally use Aldiko as it's more easy to use and less hassle as well to set up. Not only that, as I normally play piano in the church I would put all the songs in it for easier and faster page turning. Plus I no longer need to print out papers just to play a song, and I can easily store them in the library. And there are also quite a number of bible applications (in different translation as well) found on the market that helps.
There are thousands of ebooks which can be downloaded and read using the book reader. I personally use Aldiko as it's more easy to use and less hassle as well to set up. Not only that, as I normally play piano in the church I would put all the songs in it for easier and faster page turning. Plus I no longer need to print out papers just to play a song, and I can easily store them in the library. And there are also quite a number of bible applications (in different translation as well) found on the market that helps.
Entertainment
Youtube
Like the IOS, since it does not support flash. Youtube has an app for android users as well. Where you won't have any problems viewing them. Especially when there are links being added on facebook. Sound playback works great too!
Like the IOS, since it does not support flash. Youtube has an app for android users as well. Where you won't have any problems viewing them. Especially when there are links being added on facebook. Sound playback works great too!
Mp3 PlayerThis tablet is able to Mp3s or other audio formats. Since you have 3 gb of space, imagine the amount of songs you can put inside there. But if you don't have enough, there's always the SD Card!
Movie Player
If you intend to go for a 2-3 hours flight, you can entertain yourself with your own in flight entertainment. Plus with the headsets you should be able to get a good 3-4 hours of video playback. Plus did I mention that you can play up to 1080p?
If you intend to go for a 2-3 hours flight, you can entertain yourself with your own in flight entertainment. Plus with the headsets you should be able to get a good 3-4 hours of video playback. Plus did I mention that you can play up to 1080p?
Digital Photo Album
Gone were the days when printing photos and carrying around hundreds of photos just to show your friends and family where you've been and what you've did. With this you can actually load thousands of photos (if each picture is about 3mb, 1GB could hold about 333,333 photos) and imagine the amount of money you can save on developing those photos. Plus with a 7" lcd screen, you can be sure you won't need to strain your eyes to look at those photos.
Gone were the days when printing photos and carrying around hundreds of photos just to show your friends and family where you've been and what you've did. With this you can actually load thousands of photos (if each picture is about 3mb, 1GB could hold about 333,333 photos) and imagine the amount of money you can save on developing those photos. Plus with a 7" lcd screen, you can be sure you won't need to strain your eyes to look at those photos.
HDMI Output & Streaming Over The Air
With this tablet, there's actually a HDMI out that can be connected to your HDTV. Imagine watching movies downloaded onto your tablets to be played on the HDTV. And if you recall the about being a digital photo album, your photos will also be output onto the HDTV.
With this tablet, there's actually a HDMI out that can be connected to your HDTV. Imagine watching movies downloaded onto your tablets to be played on the HDTV. And if you recall the about being a digital photo album, your photos will also be output onto the HDTV.
Plus another great thing I love about this tablet being android, you can actually stream your music or videos off your computer via wifi that is currently in your LAN. Imagine the number of things you can do with this tablet in terms of entertainment.
In Conclusion
In terms of work wise, it's great for writing out draft work. And probably you may still need a PC after that to do some final touch up on your work. Gaming wise on this thing is not bad, as certain games may require higher requirements so sometimes it helps without playing any sound on them. But those are for higher end games.
As for the entertainment side, I think it would work out just fairly good. The speaker is louder compared to an Iphone 4, and believe me I did make that comparison. Plus with a larger screen, I think it would fit just nice in front of your lap especially on long haul flights. But never the less, it's a great way to pass time with it.
As for the battery life, I've managed to get it to about close to 6 hours max. By decreasing the brightness of the screen, as well as turning off the wifi when I'm not using it. As for the charging time, it varies from 1 hour to 1 and half hours. Probably the best way to charge the pad if you are not using it, just make sure the switch is on the off position instead of on. That actually helped speed up on the charging time.
Camera on this thing, well don't expect too much for a 0.3MP front camera. Plus we've not yet try to figure out how to get the front camera to work as a web cam. Hopefully when they upgrade it to the next version of android that issue will be solved.
Touch screen on this thing is quite responsive compared to the one when I was using the Via processor tablet. Probably the higher processing speed as well as bigger ram does play a major influence. Well being resistant touch screen instead of capacitive, I would say that it works just fine. For the price of course, where you can't really complain much. But my mom commented that her hands were slippery, so she uses the + and - button instead on the screen.
Well, for those who probably have not used an Android OS before may need to take some time adjusting oneself to get used to it. It may seem more complicated compared to the IOS which I must agree, but once you get the hang or feel of it. You can do a lot of wonders with this tablet.
For more of the tech specs you can check it out here :- TTE Tech Android Tablet
can i have the installation steps for installation of Whatsapps?
ReplyDeleteI have the alert "We can's identify the devices" thanks
Hi Peng Yew,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I'm not able to install whatsapp onto the tab anymore. As I believed they managed to fix the loophole. Previously I was still able to bypass the "can't identify the phone" whereby you can actually put in your phone number. But now they don't seem to allow it. Sorry took me a while to reply you as I was trying figure out how to install it.
thanks for the reply... but i manage to get old version of whatsapp... butnew aleart pop-up... something "not cellular device" thinggy...
ReplyDeletei think need to edit the xml right?
thanks
Are you currently running on 2.1 or 2.3? As I tried both 2.1 and 2.3 currently it's not working as I can't seem to get through to the place where you actually input the phone number as well. Even with the older version. Maybe you can try modifying the XML as you suggested and let me know?
ReplyDeletecan u send me the previous xml colunm setting that you key in the phone number?
ReplyDeletecoz i dun hv a actual registred "Res" folder to refer to...
my email is **********@yahoo.com
thanks
Hi Pengyew,
ReplyDeleteI didn't had to modify in the previous version. It just bypass the verification of the phone. As when I ran it, it goes straight in to asking what's my phone number and proceed on from there.