This review is from: M009S 8GB Capacitive Android 4.0 (ICE CREAM SANDWICH) , 7″ , 1.6 GHz Super Slim Android Tablet PC with Responsive Capacitive Screen – Flash Player 11.1 – Compatible with BBC iPlayer / Youtube / Amazon Kindle / Facebook – HD 2160P – now with 8GB Storage and SKYPE VIDEO calling
EDIT: 12/04/12, took the plunge and updated my older version (from January, supplied with gingerbread) to Ice Cream Sandwich, pleased to say it makes a good little device even better, battery life and wifi both seem improved and video performance is better too with no lip sync issues now from any source, my review below is less relevant now as the ICS update on the newer devices means it doesn’t refer to what is being supplied today, I’ve left here for archive interest only. Also, just a note, I’ve no problem with people commenting on this review, but if you have tech support questions, I don’t know everything and can’t help you all!, you will likely get more help by posting to the forums for this device (linked from the product page, usually at the bottom somewhere)
——————————————————————————————————————— EDIT: 08/04/12, still happy with mine, my review was based on the older Gingerbread software version, the version being sold now has Ice Cream Sandwich so many of my points are no longer relevant, you should bear that in mind when reading. EDIT: 29/01/12, All below holds true for my tablet and I’m still very happy with it, but some of the more recent later shipments are seemingly of a slightly different unit, not sure how they compare for performance as I’ve only got my one, the spec is almost identical for the different ones but there are some physical and software differences, and in forums, users have different issues dependent on Firmware/Tablet version, price has also shifted up by about 10% since I bought mine, bear this in mind for context. ———————————————————————————————————————
Bought this after using parent’s iPad over xmas and enjoying the tablet experience but really didn’t want to shell out £400+ for the privilege, This device will do 90%+ of what an iPad will do (and some things an iPad can’t, flash websites and homescreen widgets for starters, HDMI output doesn’t require an extra £40 adapter either!) for only 25% of the price… pretty good deal I think!
Others have made many good and positive points here already, so rather than repeat many of them again, (they are all true!, the tablet is really well built and stylish for the money, it copes with all the games and apps I’ve thrown at it etc. etc.) I’ll simply add some extra info to what others have posted and try to answer some of the points others have made:
1) SKYPE, not actually a big deal for me, I rarely use it, but since people had said it didn’t work I tried to get it going for the challenge, the version pre-installed is not the latest available and it won’t update from the market (wouldn’t for me anyway) BUT, if you can get a copy of a newer skype apk elsewhere, (I got version “2.6.0.95 v13 beta”, google it!) then it works, including video calling! (this took me about 10 mins to sort out in total, not difficult at all if you are vaguely tech minded)
2) File management, someone else already suggested using “ES File Explorer”, it is really easy to browse the file structure in that, and it also can access files on your LAN network (if you have NAS or shared drive on PC etc) what isn’t immediately obvious is that the external SD, if you have one is mounted as /mnt/extern_sd (in Favourites in ES File explorer) also media on that card isn’t picked up by the gallery/music apps on the device until you power off (fully, not just into standby) then back on, the card is then scanned and the cache of those apps updates
3) The Pre-Installed games really show the device off well (Samurai and Fruit ninja are great) other games can be easily loaded from the market
4) Mine has 8GB of built in memory (1GB available for apps, 5-6GB as “SD-CARD storage”) despite being advertised as having just 4GB 😉
5) The beauty of this device is that whilst the interface doesn’t look as polished as an iPad out of the box, because it is Android it is as configurable as you like: If you have a modicum of patience you can make this device’s interface look really pretty using “Go Launcher EX” or similar from the market (it is free) to replace the standard launcher and installing a clock/weather widget etc, I have set it up to have a grid of 6×6 (allowing 36 apps per page instead of the default 16 as supplied in standard android launcher) the processor copes just fine with the overhead and it transforms the look to something much more polished (more iPad like, especially if you install the “classic” theme), Go launcher has widgets available for Facebook/Twitter etc that are very well implemented and it is fully customisable with different screen transition animations etc. try it, you don’t need to be a programmer just willing to push and pull some icons around and you will be rewarded with a really nice user…
This review is from: M009S 8GB Capacitive Android 4.0 (ICE CREAM SANDWICH) , 7″ , 1.6 GHz Super Slim Android Tablet PC with Responsive Capacitive Screen – Flash Player 11.1 – Compatible with BBC iPlayer / Youtube / Amazon Kindle / Facebook – HD 2160P – now with 8GB Storage and SKYPE VIDEO calling
What a superb piece of kit for the money!
The build quality is excellent. The screen is very responsive, smooth and crisp. The battery life is excellent. 3-5 hours at least depending on what you are doing. Wi-Fi detection and connection is flawless. The processor does not struggle with anything I have thrown at it yet. Minecraft Lite and Dungeon Defenders Second Wave work effortlessly so I cannot see any other game or app taxing it. Video playback is superb. Audio is also excellent although the rear facing speaker doesnt really do the job very well at the high level of volume needed when watching video. Its nothing a pair of headphones doesnt solve. The browser itself is very snappy and handles all web sites effortlessly. Flash content plays flawlessly, including BBC IPlayer and Youtube content. Android Marketplace works perfectly. Kindle App works perfectly. The front facing camera works fine although its not brilliant quality. Ive no idea is Skype works or not and probably wont ever try. My 8gb MicroSD card was in and detected within seconds. Data transfer between the card and the device memory is easy. Transferring data from PC to the device is a breeze too by setting the device to USB storage mode when prompted. I couldnt ask for anything else.
For anyone buying this and trying to set the timezone to GMT and the Marketplace currency to GBP. Go to settings, Language and Keyboard and set to English (United Kingdom). The device will automatically adjust to GMT and Marketplace will be in GBP next time you load it up.
I was very torn between buying this device or waiting for the Kindle Fire to be released in April for £50 extra. Definately made the right decision.
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This review is from: M009S 8GB Capacitive Android 4.0 (ICE CREAM SANDWICH) , 7″ , 1.6 GHz Super Slim Android Tablet PC with Responsive Capacitive Screen – Flash Player 11.1 – Compatible with BBC iPlayer / Youtube / Amazon Kindle / Facebook – HD 2160P – now with 8GB Storage and SKYPE VIDEO calling
I picked up a ‘budget’ tablet about a month ago, it was branded but it was a major disappointment so I sent it back. I then thought i’d take a chance on this tablet for my Dad and I have to say my hopes weren’t too high. This tablet has exceeded all of my expectations. The screen is superb, the software worked really well (unlike my previous purchase!). The app market is in dollars but that didn’t stop me making purchases (it was converted to pounds). This tablet successfully did everything I chucked at it. The videos played really well. The browser loaded very quickly (I downloaded the dolphin browser which is great). The wi fi signal was superb.
I would highly recommend this tablet. Gameloft games didn’t seem to work but that’s a minor gripe. My Dad is chuffed with his present (he was delighted the iPlayer worked so well).
I’m so pleased that I’ve ordered another one.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Simply Brilliant Little Tablet, All the Rave reviews are justified!,
EDIT: 12/04/12, took the plunge and updated my older version (from January, supplied with gingerbread) to Ice Cream Sandwich, pleased to say it makes a good little device even better, battery life and wifi both seem improved and video performance is better too with no lip sync issues now from any source, my review below is less relevant now as the ICS update on the newer devices means it doesn’t refer to what is being supplied today, I’ve left here for archive interest only. Also, just a note, I’ve no problem with people commenting on this review, but if you have tech support questions, I don’t know everything and can’t help you all!, you will likely get more help by posting to the forums for this device (linked from the product page, usually at the bottom somewhere)
———————————————————————————————————————
EDIT: 08/04/12, still happy with mine, my review was based on the older Gingerbread software version, the version being sold now has Ice Cream Sandwich so many of my points are no longer relevant, you should bear that in mind when reading.
EDIT: 29/01/12, All below holds true for my tablet and I’m still very happy with it, but some of the more recent later shipments are seemingly of a slightly different unit, not sure how they compare for performance as I’ve only got my one, the spec is almost identical for the different ones but there are some physical and software differences, and in forums, users have different issues dependent on Firmware/Tablet version, price has also shifted up by about 10% since I bought mine, bear this in mind for context.
———————————————————————————————————————
Bought this after using parent’s iPad over xmas and enjoying the tablet experience but really didn’t want to shell out £400+ for the privilege, This device will do 90%+ of what an iPad will do (and some things an iPad can’t, flash websites and homescreen widgets for starters, HDMI output doesn’t require an extra £40 adapter either!) for only 25% of the price… pretty good deal I think!
Others have made many good and positive points here already, so rather than repeat many of them again, (they are all true!, the tablet is really well built and stylish for the money, it copes with all the games and apps I’ve thrown at it etc. etc.) I’ll simply add some extra info to what others have posted and try to answer some of the points others have made:
1) SKYPE, not actually a big deal for me, I rarely use it, but since people had said it didn’t work I tried to get it going for the challenge, the version pre-installed is not the latest available and it won’t update from the market (wouldn’t for me anyway) BUT, if you can get a copy of a newer skype apk elsewhere, (I got version “2.6.0.95 v13 beta”, google it!) then it works, including video calling! (this took me about 10 mins to sort out in total, not difficult at all if you are vaguely tech minded)
2) File management, someone else already suggested using “ES File Explorer”, it is really easy to browse the file structure in that, and it also can access files on your LAN network (if you have NAS or shared drive on PC etc) what isn’t immediately obvious is that the external SD, if you have one is mounted as /mnt/extern_sd (in Favourites in ES File explorer) also media on that card isn’t picked up by the gallery/music apps on the device until you power off (fully, not just into standby) then back on, the card is then scanned and the cache of those apps updates
3) The Pre-Installed games really show the device off well (Samurai and Fruit ninja are great) other games can be easily loaded from the market
4) Mine has 8GB of built in memory (1GB available for apps, 5-6GB as “SD-CARD storage”) despite being advertised as having just 4GB 😉
5) The beauty of this device is that whilst the interface doesn’t look as polished as an iPad out of the box, because it is Android it is as configurable as you like: If you have a modicum of patience you can make this device’s interface look really pretty using “Go Launcher EX” or similar from the market (it is free) to replace the standard launcher and installing a clock/weather widget etc, I have set it up to have a grid of 6×6 (allowing 36 apps per page instead of the default 16 as supplied in standard android launcher) the processor copes just fine with the overhead and it transforms the look to something much more polished (more iPad like, especially if you install the “classic” theme), Go launcher has widgets available for Facebook/Twitter etc that are very well implemented and it is fully customisable with different screen transition animations etc. try it, you don’t need to be a programmer just willing to push and pull some icons around and you will be rewarded with a really nice user…
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|Best thing I bought last year, hands down!,
What a superb piece of kit for the money!
The build quality is excellent.
The screen is very responsive, smooth and crisp.
The battery life is excellent. 3-5 hours at least depending on what you are doing.
Wi-Fi detection and connection is flawless.
The processor does not struggle with anything I have thrown at it yet. Minecraft Lite and Dungeon Defenders Second Wave work effortlessly so I cannot see any other game or app taxing it.
Video playback is superb. Audio is also excellent although the rear facing speaker doesnt really do the job very well at the high level of volume needed when watching video. Its nothing a pair of headphones doesnt solve.
The browser itself is very snappy and handles all web sites effortlessly. Flash content plays flawlessly, including BBC IPlayer and Youtube content.
Android Marketplace works perfectly. Kindle App works perfectly.
The front facing camera works fine although its not brilliant quality. Ive no idea is Skype works or not and probably wont ever try.
My 8gb MicroSD card was in and detected within seconds. Data transfer between the card and the device memory is easy. Transferring data from PC to the device is a breeze too by setting the device to USB storage mode when prompted.
I couldnt ask for anything else.
For anyone buying this and trying to set the timezone to GMT and the Marketplace currency to GBP. Go to settings, Language and Keyboard and set to English (United Kingdom). The device will automatically adjust to GMT and Marketplace will be in GBP next time you load it up.
I was very torn between buying this device or waiting for the Kindle Fire to be released in April for £50 extra. Definately made the right decision.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Excellent tablet for the price,
I picked up a ‘budget’ tablet about a month ago, it was branded but it was a major disappointment so I sent it back. I then thought i’d take a chance on this tablet for my Dad and I have to say my hopes weren’t too high. This tablet has exceeded all of my expectations. The screen is superb, the software worked really well (unlike my previous purchase!). The app market is in dollars but that didn’t stop me making purchases (it was converted to pounds). This tablet successfully did everything I chucked at it. The videos played really well. The browser loaded very quickly (I downloaded the dolphin browser which is great). The wi fi signal was superb.
I would highly recommend this tablet. Gameloft games didn’t seem to work but that’s a minor gripe. My Dad is chuffed with his present (he was delighted the iPlayer worked so well).
I’m so pleased that I’ve ordered another one.
Was this review helpful to you?
|