Does it blend? 5:48 AM

If you love the idea of an Apad, you’ll appreciate this:

Not quite an Apad … but we love it! Asus eeePad 12 in tablet 3:52 AM

Android phone strap from DX 1:16 AM

Fallen in love with Android? Grab one of these cute phone straps from DX – only $2.70 delivered!:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42021

Nokia 7- or 9-inch MeeGo tablet 5:06 AM

Nokia 7- or 9-inch MeeGo tablet rumored to be running ARM (not Moorestown) in Q4 By Thomas Ricker posted Jun 21st 2010 at 7:05AM While DigiTimes has been known to get a rumor correct now and again, its success rate falls off dramatically when dealing with companies HQ'd outside of its native Taiwan. Keep that in mind when you hear it discuss a Nokia tablet with either a 7- or 9-inch screen. DigiTimes, speaking with "upstream component makers," claims that the Foxconn manufactured device -- of which, about 100 engineering samples have already been produced -- will be ARM-based with a Q4 launch targeted. If true (and that's a big IF) then it would certainly be running the MeeGo OS (that's a Quanta-built prototype above) when it ships. Of course, DigiTimes has been rumoring an ARM-based smartbook from Nokia due in mid 2010 for almost a year. And guess what? It's mid 2010, with smartbooks/netbooks now out of style and tablets all the rage. Thing is, we'd have thought that Nokia would be more likely to opt for Intel's Moorestown in support of their partnership given the Q4 timing. But hey, it's just rumor, let's not get too carried away.

Orphan M7003 ROM Dump 7:23 AM

Orphan M7003 rom dump.tar for stock firmware I followed the directions from this post How to /dump/ the ROM image ? - Android @ MoDaCo to get the /system files off of my stockish m7003. There are links on that forum of how to make both a system.img or update.zip from that kind of file. I'm not sure what to try though. What method have you guys tried to use to flash the bad images to your devices. I can't get mine to talk to my computers(vista,linux), so I'm not sure where to go from here. Here is the dump. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5705143/dump.tar

Project Apex – M003 Mod! 7:17 AM

Eken M001 camera Mod 12:31 PM

Malata SMB-A1011 6:13 AM

Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen (video) By Tim Stevens posted Jun 10th 2010 at 7:02AM We're seeing so, so many Android tablets dropping every day, so few of which seem to deliver on their promises, that we're getting a bit jaded about the things. But, every now and again we see another one that makes our ears perk up again and make it all feel just like the first time. Such is the Malata SMB-A1011, a 10-inch, 1024 x 600 capacitive tablet running a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and paired with Tegra 2 graphics. Though we saw a very similar model running Windows 7 at Computex, this one has up to 2GB of system memory and up to 32GB of storage, with microSD expansion and 1080p output over HDMI, along with WiFi b/g and Bluetooth wireless. It's all slathered with Android 2.1, making this a slab we'd certainly make room for in our respective man and woman purses. At this point we know nothing about pricing or availability, but we do know enough to not get our hopes up too high. READ MORE ARMdevices.net

How to remove/open apad screen 5:46 AM

apad teardown flickr photoset! 5:25 AM

Apad teardown flickr photoset here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/natty/sets/72157624083745991/

rogerbaum updates his apad custom firmware 5:08 AM

[ModRom] Hybrid Archos7 custom firmware for aPad Test 3.5 (updated June 8th) THIS ONLY WORKS WITH THE 2.0 VERSION OF THE aPAD (THE ONE WITH A WEBCAM). DO NOT FLASH THIS ROM ON A VERSION 1.0 aPAD (WITHOUT WEBCAM). This is a custom firmware based on hellomerongs custom fw and the latest Archos7HT firmware release, version test-3.5. Archos parts are: Launcher.apk, framework files, media players. What works: New in test 3.5 * Full screen works in all programs (thanks to hellomerong!) New in test 3: * Portrait mode works as expected! New in test 2: * Based on hellomerongs fw, so has root and all the nice apps he added * Added Simeji (Japanese IME) * Replaced media players with the Archos files. New in test 1: * Seem a bit faster * Launcher looks a bit nicer * Apps can run in real landscape mode (see Robo Defense screenshot) * Droid Comic Viewer works, did not work for me on the original firmware Features of base: * USB Mass Storage * Root * Wifi * Everything you would expect from hellomerongs custom fw What is worse: * Main button only switches display off. To switch on, use the menu button. * After sleeping a long time, the display will not switch on just by pressing the menu button. Press the main button followed by the menu button to wake up * No real fullscreen. As you can see on the screenshot, the menu is always visible. EDIT: Menu is NOT shown when playing movies using the Video Player. So fullscreen works for Video! Fixed in 3.5 * Some apps are upside down when in portrait mode, i.e. Gmail. Comic Viewer works as expected, though. FIXED in 3 How to install: * Download the update.img and flash it following the instructions here: http://www.slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=611.0 * This should work, but no guarentees, so flash on your own risk. Screenshots: Download: * Full update.img http://www.multiupload.com/V6E9RJVHWV * If you want the always-on statusbar, use test-3 Old Files: * Test 3 Only system.img: http://www.multiupload.com/7B0T2JJ6NI * Test 3 Full update.img: http://www.multiupload.com/BZCWCP8RO4 * Test 2: http://www.multiupload.com/EZ1TAWY5AF * Test 1: http://www.multiupload.com/Y6D11OKDT2

3g modems on apad … maybe one day? 4:58 AM

Some great experimentation to get 3g modems working on apad here: http://www.slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=838.msg6581#msg6581

No success yet, but watch this space!

psst … want some apps? 4:49 AM

Read this:http://www.slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=909.msg7096#msg7096

Warning – don’t buy from apad.co.cc 4:47 AM

A bad experience recounted here:

Apad.co.cc-fraud i have been duped by Apad.co.cc ( HK Empire technology ) like many others. After receiving the payment, they stopped responding to my mails, & since last 1 week, their website has also disappeared from the net. Has anyone received the Apad from them?Even Moneybookers, thru whom the payment was done, have refused for the refund. Any suggestions what can be done?

Gaming on apad 5:43 AM

Gevrik reviews Gaming on apad

Hi guys, I've been playing around with my Apad for a day now and I've tried several games. I have to say that the Apad is not for gaming. There are three flaws: 1. The Apad's Android version has been modified so that the default phone portrait mode displays the custom UI and home screen in landscape mode. This causes games that force landscape mode to turn the screen of the Apad into portrait mode, so that most of the game interface can't be seen. 2. There is no trackball or directional pad, which are used by most games. 3. The 3D performance of the Rockchip is very weak. Games like Speedforge 3D run with less than 1 FPS and games like Mystique run with 2 - 5 FPS. Neocore benchmark is not supported by the Rockchip. That said, simple 2D casual games like all of the Tetris, Bejeweled, etc clones work fine. Same for Sudokus and Chess. Pocket Empires works very well, too - and looks quite nice on the large screen. Just a few examples of how the landscape/portrait issue looks like: Robo Defense (suffers from the switch to the fake portrait mode): Pocket Empires (looking nice): OpenSudoku: RedPokerClub (also suffering from fake portrait mode): Pinball (fake portrait too): So even for 2D games the device is not really what I had hoped for, because of the way they hacked the home screen. If they would fix that, I would really love this for a gaming device.

Gaming on apad 5:00 AM

Gevrik reviews Gaming on apad

Hi guys, I've been playing around with my Apad for a day now and I've tried several games. I have to say that the Apad is not for gaming. There are three flaws: 1. The Apad's Android version has been modified so that the default phone portrait mode displays the custom UI and home screen in landscape mode. This causes games that force landscape mode to turn the screen of the Apad into portrait mode, so that most of the game interface can't be seen. 2. There is no trackball or directional pad, which are used by most games. 3. The 3D performance of the Rockchip is very weak. Games like Speedforge 3D run with less than 1 FPS and games like Mystique run with 2 - 5 FPS. Neocore benchmark is not supported by the Rockchip. That said, simple 2D casual games like all of the Tetris, Bejeweled, etc clones work fine. Same for Sudokus and Chess. Pocket Empires works very well, too - and looks quite nice on the large screen. Just a few examples of how the landscape/portrait issue looks like: Robo Defense (suffers from the switch to the fake portrait mode): Pocket Empires (looking nice): OpenSudoku: RedPokerClub (also suffering from fake portrait mode): Pinball (fake portrait too): So even for 2D games the device is not really what I had hoped for, because of the way they hacked the home screen. If they would fix that, I would really love this for a gaming device.

Hellmerong updates apad custom firmware to v0.3 3:36 AM

APAD Custom firmware v0.3 (Updated June 7th) « on: June 02, 2010, 07:33:38 AM » THIS ONLY WORKS WITH THE 2.0 VERSION OF THE aPAD (THE ONE WITH A WEBCAM). DO NOT FLASH THIS ROM ON A VERSION 1.0 aPAD (WITHOUT WEBCAM). This is my third apad firmware. It's base on last hybrid firmware v0.1. Some important issues are solved. http://rapidshare.com/files/396302842/Hellomerong-Apad-v0.3.zip Main features - Based on 0530 official firmware, use lastest archos firmware as much as possible. - Rooted, adb and debug on - All Google stuffs of apad are working. (market, calendar, talks, maps...) - Camera works. - Some applications that didn't work on original firmware work well. (ACV, robo defense...) - fixed : If application set as fullscreen mode, It works well. Status bar is not forced.    (If you want to use status bar always. Do not use this firmware) - fixed : Auto orientation works properly , But G-sensor is still malfunction. It seems to be fixed in driver or abstraction layer. Included application - Google stuffs of apad - Advanced Task Killer Free - Superuser - Acomic viewer - AppLib (archos market app) - Deezer - eBuddy - ColorNote - ES File Explorer - iReader - Aldiko reader - MarketEnabler - SlideMe - Youtube - Korean keyboard. Remained problems - display on/off button works as display off only, you should use menu or home button as display on button. - After sleeping a long time, the display will not switch on just by pressing the menu button. Press the main button followed by the menu button to wake up - You should recalibrate touchscreen after every reboot. (exit from sleep mode is ok) After updating firmware, USB cable should be removed to calibrate touchpad. To set date & time, you should run "market" and set date & time at initial setting of market Then you can change "date & time" on main setting menu (thanks to donaldson) ========== v0.2 history ===== http://rapidshare.com/files/394300765/Hellomerong-Apad-v0.2.zip Use APAD's lastest official firmware 0530 Rooted Add some application     - Acomic viewer     - Aldiko reader     - iReader     - MaketEnabler     - Advanced task killer : change installed task manager to this     - SlideME(SAM 3.42)     - Youtube « Last Edit: Today at 03:07:20 AM by hellomerong »

Android market share 4:52 AM

 

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/05/iphone-vs-android-report-finds-apple-has-three-times-googles/

Alternatives to Android Market 4:04 AM

Look here for apps/apk files outside the Android Market: http://slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=14.msg22#msg22

hilltopper06 reviews Eken M001 (Dealextreme version) 3:42 AM

General observations « on: June 05, 2010, 08:13:24 PM » I finally got my m001 today from DealExtreme (unbranded, so not EKEN m001). The USB cable is crap (as noted by many others) The charger is crap after 20 minutes (as noted by many others) I have not tried any custom ROMs/firmware files yet as I think ECO has something big on the horizon.  I am using 1.7.2 'official' and after some configuring, it is very snappy! I set my locale and configured the touchscreen with a Nintendo DS stylus, it is accurate and responsive. When I try to use the device while it is charging, the touchscreen is very bad.  My input jumps around and is generally crap.  So if you have problems using the screen, try unplugging the charger.  For the time being, I am just charging with the device off. Automatic Task Killer is great.  I can really tell that it makes a difference in keeping my m001 running fast.  Everything seems snappier once I set it up.  I lose my multitasking capabilities, but it is worth it.  Plus I can choose which apps to auto end.  You can get Automatic Task Killer here: http://mobilerumor.blogspot.com/2010/05/automatic-task-killer-download-for.html SAM 3.44 didn't work out of the box for me, it kept force closing.  I then tried 3.4 and let it upgrade to 3.44.  This worked for some reason. I have the napkin effect on my device as well, but it doesn't bother me (which is surprising, because i expected it to). Video playback is much better than I anticipated.  I was able to playback a 400x240.mp4 video at 1200kbs with no problems, in full screen no less.  I also noticed that 800kbs looks about the same, so I am using that to keep file sizes smaller.  I used WinFF to do the conversion (http://winff.org/html_new/downloads.html).  There is a preset for Android in there, I used it and then used "Options" to manually set the bitrate (800kbs), FPS (20), resolution (400x240), and aspect ratio (16:9).  I also chose 2 pass.  This makes the conversion take longer, but is supposed to improve the video output (it probably doesn't make a difference).  You can edit presets so that you do not have to change these settings over and over.  I have attached a preset that you can import into winFF.  Just remove the .txt from the end. Overall I am very pleased with the m001.  Some people have pumped it up (maybe more than it should be), but many, many more have called the device crap, which is completely untrue.  There are several applications and uses for the EKEN m001, and with the right ROM, this thing can kick some serious arse!  That is all for now, I will post additional findings later.

endgadget gets hands on with the Eken M003 … needs to read this site or Slatedroid.com 3:36 AM

Here’s a quick and dirty hands on video from endgadget on the Eken M003.  “Don’t know the CPU”, the reviewer says. Well, we do:)

Sanxi Android iPad KIRF hands-on By Joanna Stern posted Jun 5th 2010 8:58PM Oh man, have we seen a ton of tablets this week here at Computex. And if you asked us to pick out the best we'd have a really hard time, but yet, somehow, this KIRF iPad we stumbled upon at Sanxi's booth has been one of the more unforgettable devices we've seen... maybe ever! Yep, we spotted this plastic Android 1.6-running iPad-replica behind glass, and as soon as we got someone to take it out we were pretty much beside ourselves -- the plastic body is the same exact shape as the iPad, and it has identical controls including the circular homescreen button and a non-functioning switch on the side. The entire thing is made of plastic, which if we had to guess makes it about one-third the weight of an actual aluminum iPad. The 10-inch, resistive screen was pretty much as unresponsive as they come -- not matter how we dragged our nail on it it didn't want to cooperate. Surprisingly, it did have a working accelerometer, so there's that. Mind you, we realize there are dozens of these sorts of devices out there dwelling in Shenzen, but us Engadget editor's rarely get to see these sorts of things up close and personal, so hit the break for a short hands-on video and the gallery below for some shots of this wannabe.

Evigroup Wallet 3:26 AM

Yes another Android tablet (Evigroup Wallet) A 5 inch Android-powered MID (Mobile Internet device) for just €199 in Europe. That’s about $253 US. This device runs Google Android 1.5 , finding good app for this mid is def going to be a challenge. here are the specs" Processor : 667MHZ Samsung Arm 6410 OS: Android 1.5 Screen:5 inch resistive touch (800x480) Memory: 1Gb flash storage ( micro-sd slot to extend storage) Wifi: b/g/n Battery: 6 hours run time

Although, this is what people think about it: endgadget apparently doesn’t like it:

Re: Yes another Android tablet (Evigroup Wallet) « Reply #2 on: June 05, 2010, 10:37:08 AM » this tablet literally has nothing going for it.  these guys took peoples pre order money, delayed shipping numerous times.  now the review on engadget says that it is completely lame.

(I couldn’t find the review though!)

This one is French!

Carnivore’s Eken M001 mods: Respect! 3:19 AM

You really do need to check this out: he’s turning his Eken into a Cray Supercomputer!:)

Pimp My M001 « on: May 28, 2010, 11:35:37 PM » Hey guys, I specialize in gaming handhelds but thought I'd dip my hands into the android tablet world by trying to mod my first m001. this post is reserved for final presentation of m001 mods.

How to update aPad/Moonse/iRobot Firmware 3:13 AM

Willo of Slatedroid.com explains all you need to know about what to do with the custom firmwares:

How too Update your Apad 1a. Download the firmware (found in the downloads section) or the custom firmware. 1b. Extract firmware (it's a zip file, so unzip it) 2a. Power off Apad, by holding the front button for three seconds till the shutdown screen pops up. Select shut down (it might say power down). 2b. Wait for shutdown to complete. Switching the toggle switch too off, then put it back to the on position. 3. While the device is still off, hold down the menu key (it's the left side of the button on the top if your holding it landscape) and plug the device into your computer via the lower usb port (again, if your holding it landscape) you will keep holding it till 4c 4a. keep a hold on the menu button, Windows will ask you for drivers for this unknown usb device 4b. Navigate it too the rk28usb-new folder in the update you unzipped earlier,  this should install the device drivers. 4c. once Windows recognizes the device, you can release the menu key. 5. run RKandroidDM.exe found in the RKAndroidTool folder of the folder you unzipped. It should say Device found! (if it does not, repeat steps 3 and 4c 6 click on the box next too the "New firmware Information" box and browse to the folder you unzipped, into the 'rockdev' folder and into the 'Image' folder there, you should find 'update' file. 7. click the 'update' button and wait. It will take about 5 minutes to flash the new rom onto your device, once done a message on windows xp will indicate success, and your aPad will automatically start to boot to the new firmware, You can unplug the usb cable at this time. The initial boot takes much longer than usual (about 8 minutes) so just be patient. 8. It will prompt you to calibrate the screen, do so. 9. Everything will be in Chinese, so go to  'Settings' and scroll down to the 7th item in the list and click on it, then click on the first iten in that window, next select English. Now install whatever apps you want on your Android.

Updated Firmwares for apad/Moonse/iRobot – roundup 6 June 2010 3:07 AM

Custom/Hybrid Firmwares are coming thick and fast for the apad, which makes the best one out there yet even better! I shall try to keep this post updated, so you can always find links to the released firmwares on this page.

aPad (not EkenM001 based) owners now have a choice of the following:

Official 0530 Custom firmware from the manufacturer: For batch 2 with camera http://www.hiapad.com/?p=53&lang=zh English ROM Edit: They have a drop.io link up now for those who don't have Rayfile http://drop.io/rk_apad_md01_update_0530ENG

hellomerong’s Apad Custom Firmware (Official Firmware based): APAD Custom firmware v0.2 I'm working on making custom firmware for korean apad user. But I think it will be useful for global user even if it has korean keyboard. The keyboard application is small and not default. I'm not expert of android, APAD is my first android device. It's just result of my android study. You can update this firmware like Willo's method. The application for installl is included. http://rapidshare.com/files/394300765/Hellomerong-Apad-v0.2.zip I changed this things. ㅁ Use APAD's lastest official firmware 0530 ㅁ Rooted ㅁ Add some application     - Acomic viewer     - Aldiko reader     - iReader     - MaketEnabler     - Advanced task killer : change installed task manager to this     - SlideME(SAM 3.42)     - Youtube After updating, you should calibrate touch panel and change language

hellomerong’s Apad Hybrid Firmware (Official Firmware and Archos7 Firmware based): APAD Hybrid firmware v0.1 I made hybrid firmware that is mixed archos 7 and apad. I think it works much better than original firmware. http://rapidshare.com/files/395567228/Hellomerong-Apad-Hybrid-v0.1.zip It has the feature like below. - Use archos firmware as much as possible. - Rooted and adb, debug on - All Google stuffs of apad are working. (market, calendar, talks, maps...) - Camera works. - G-sensor works, but malfunction. (It was malfunctioned on original apad also) - Some applications that didn't work on original firmware work well. (ACV, robo defense...) Included application - Google stuffs of apad - Advanced Task Killer Free - Superuser - Acomic viewer - AppLib (archos market app) - Deezer - eBuddy - ColorNote - ES File Explorer - iReader - Aldiko reader - MarketEnabler - SlideMe - Youtube Remained problems - can't use fullscreen(title bar display always exept preinstalled video player) - display on/off button works as display off only, you should use menu or home button as display on button.   Sometime(after long sleep), you should press menu button repeatedly. - I didn't test external usb mass storage because it didn't work on my apad with original firmware. - You should recalibrate touch pad after every reboot. (exit from sleep mode is ok) After updating firmware, USB cable should be removed to calibrate touchpad, and change language.

rogerbraun’s Hybrid Archos7 custom firmware for aPad Test 3 (updated June 6th) This is a custom firmware based on hellomerongs custom fw and the latest Archos7HT firmware release, version test-3. Archos parts are: Launcher.apk, framework files, media players. What works: New in test 3: * Portrait mode works as expected! New in test 2: * Based on hellomerongs fw, so has root and all the nice apps he added * Added Simeji (Japanese IME) * Replaced media players with the Archos files. New in test 1: * Seem a bit faster * Launcher looks a bit nicer * Apps can run in real landscape mode (see Robo Defense screenshot) * Droid Comic Viewer works, did not work for me on the original firmware Features of base: * USB Mass Storage * Root * Wifi * Everything you would expect from hellomerongs custom fw What is worse: * Main button only switches display off. To switch on, use the menu button. * After sleeping a long time, the display will not switch on just by pressing the menu button. Press the main button followed by the menu button to wake up * No real fullscreen. As you can see on the screenshot, the menu is always visible. EDIT: Menu is NOT shown when playing movies using the Video Player. So fullscreen works for Video! * Some apps are upside down when in portrait mode, i.e. Gmail. Comic Viewer works as expected, though. FIXED How to install: * Download the file and flash it instead of the system.img of hellomerongs firmware. If something does not work or you want a clean system flash everything from hellomerongs fw, only replacing the original system.img with this one. This is NOT an update.img file. You have to flash using the "harder" method which you can find in the 530 update (http://slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=454.0) * This should work, but no guarantees, so flash on your own risk. Screenshots: Download: * http://www.multiupload.com/7B0T2JJ6NI Old Files: * Test 2: http://www.multiupload.com/EZ1TAWY5AF * Test 1: http://www.multiupload.com/Y6D11OKDT2

DealExtreme stocks apad/iRobot ! 8:49 AM

Finally, Dealextreme is stocking the apad! IMHO, this is at present the best android tablet out there.  Get one here for only $146.70 shipped: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39566

How to open an apad 3:55 AM

Re: Apad Opened « Reply #12 on: June 02, 2010, 10:32:03 PM » OK I tried to open my aPad. I used a guitar pick, and I found the easiest place to get it between the edges is next to the rocker (menu/home) switch, as the plastic flexes most there. I then used the pick and slid it round to the non-button end where it "popped" half open. What was happening was I was breaking the tiny screws out of their sockets. The black lining and plastic film are glued to the glass screen, and these screws are under the black edges. This isn't great news. What ever you do don't try and pull the film off the glass past the black edge, I now have a permanent "stretched glue crystal" corner in the top left on my screen. If you are going to do this, all you want is to carefully peel back the black plastic to expose the screws, and then I'll update you if I get any further.

Also:

Re: Apad Opened « Reply #3 on: June 02, 2010, 09:33:42 AM » Used my fingernail to pry up the front by camera, then used my id which is stiff plastic and slid around the edges , while carefully applying upward pressure . and i do mean carefully, by the front charging port is the touch screen cable i got lucky it popped open with out breaking. There are screws under closer examination, the size of eyeglass screws. I will have to remake  the snaps so that it locks together .

MP4doggie’s apad teardown! 3:52 AM

Apad Opened « on: June 02, 2010, 09:19:15 AM » APad opened , haven't closed it yet but it charges  http://mp4doggie.com/apad/speaker.jpg

Another one … 10” screen; Cortex A8 CPU, 512MB RAM 3:45 AM

iPad Knockoff Upgraded with Android 2.1 and Larger Display Let me remind you. About 2 weeks ago, the knockoff makers created an awesome $900RMB iPad knockoff which runs Android. And now, here’s the upgrade of it. The upgrade includes faster processor, bigger screen and updated Android OS. It’s probably the best Android tablet now. This 10-inch iPad knockoff is equipped with a 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor (up to 1.4Ghz) with 512MB of RAM. Also, it has a promised 5 hours of battery life (WiFi on) with its 2400mAH battery capacity. Quite different with its 7-inch version, it includes a built-in 16GB flash drive storage (512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB are available), an SD card slot, 3 USB 2.0 ports (support 3G USB modem and external webcam), headphone & mic jacks, Ethernet port, HDMI port and built-in WiFi. One more thing, you get Android 2.1 for its OS. The price of it is still unknown, but it’s definitely be selling not more than $2000 RMB (about $293). [Shanzhaiben.com] Just in case you need more info, here’s the company contact details. We are looking for them to get a hands-on treatment. 深圳市卓尼斯科技有限公司 (ZeniThink) Address：13A, Haixin Building, Huijinghaoyuan, Kexing Road, High-Tech District, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China Zip：518057 Tel：86-0755-86119766 Fax：86-0755-86119733

VIA Android Tablet lover’s Computex Fantasy … 3:42 AM

Another apad variant – but beware 2:44 PM

Beware - More bad knockoff variations « on: Today at 04:48:29 AM » I just discovered this one.  Others might know about it already, but it was the first I saw it. http://chinagrabber.com/buy-cheapest-mid-m70003-apad-tablet-pc---7-touch-android-apad-m70003.aspx It looks like a NEW version of the Apad and is linked in from articles describing this new "IPed" by orphan, so people would automatically think they are getting second or third generation. Quote With the recent birth of the first Apad, the Android iRobot Apad, has come several followers, namely the Eken M003. We have gotten a hold of the latest of the Android Apad Devices and it is sub-$150 USD! This is hard to believe, but yet, the M70003 MID Apad by Orphan Electronics is the re-incarnated Sheba of Apads. Whether it is really a clone is debateable but one thing is for sure, Gadget bloggers will be going crazy when they first see the slim tablet with black face and white back running google Android 1.5 (a.k.a. Cupcake) and the most jaw dropping part is its $149.99 price tag. Yes, its the QUEEN OF SHEBA of Apads... However, Item   Description Screen.....................7" high-definition LED screen  CPU..........................VIA 8505 Operating System....Andriod Main Frequency........300MHZ Hardly an updrade?  They are just underclocking to try and get the battery life up a bit. They claim its a rockchip cpu in the description, then in the specs say its a via 8505.  Other than that all the specs are the same as the m7001.

This might inspire you to make your own Apad stand 6:06 AM

Dealextreme just started stocking these:

Get one here: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39533 … or head for your nearest plank and hack your own!

Rockchip 2808 datasheet 5:53 AM

For those of you interested in what the Apad’s processor can do, check this out:

Re: rk2808 datasheet « Reply #8 on: June 01, 2010, 07:27:43 PM » I downloaded it and uploaded to: http://drop.io/lylxuug/asset/rk28xx-datasheet-v0-2-pdf

Willo repackages official Apad Firmware update 5:50 AM

Easier Moonse update (by Willo) « on: June 01, 2010, 07:22:07 AM » This has been repackaged by Willo to make the update easier then before , and in english . check the download section in Willo's folder. http://slatedroid.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=29 « Last Edit: June 01, 2010, 07:25:31 AM by Mp4doggie »

Note that this is the recently released official manufacturer firmware upgrade, repackaged.

Apad first Custom Firmware v0.2 released! 5:45 AM

http://slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=495.msg4197#msg4197 APAD Custom firmware v0.2 « on: June 01, 2010, 11:33:38 PM » I'm working on making custom firmware for korean apad user. But I think it will be useful for global user even if it has korean keyboard. The keyboard application is small and not default. I'm not expert of android, APAD is my first android device. It's just result of my android study. You can update this firmware like Willo's method. The application for installl is included. http://rapidshare.com/files/394300765/Hellomerong-Apad-v0.2.zip I changed this things. ㅁ Use APAD's lastest official firmware 0530 ㅁ Rooted ㅁ Add some application     - Acomic viewer     - Aldiko reader     - iReader     - MaketEnabler     - Advanced task killer : change installed task manager to this     - SlideME(SAM 3.42)     - Youtube After updating, you should calibrate touch panel and change language « Last Edit: June 01, 2010, 11:41:48 PM by hellomerong »

beebPlayer on Apad! 7:06 AM

How to install Youtube on Apad 6:56 AM

Eken M001 Full HD Review Video! 6:50 AM

Eken M001 mod = extended battery + USB hub + Camera 6:48 AM

Check out work and progress and pictures here: http://slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=351.msg3081#msg3081

Apad v Eken M001 – Which one to buy? 6:44 AM

Fight:

Re: which one better? eken m001 or idroid? « Reply #9 on: May 28, 2010, 11:08:25 AM » My take on iRobot or eken m001, I have both eken m001 – Turn on in 62 sec Pro: custom firmware, Android 1.6, Compatibility with more apps, SD Card Slot, +/- keys cons: Network Connectivity, Touch screen, screen size, looks cheap, lack of standard USB ports, poor battery life, iRobot m003 – turn on in 56 sec Pro: More solid looking, Touch screen more responsive, Network Connectivity, Market and Gmail apps, better Battery life, faster cons: Android 1.5, incompatibility with a lot of apps, Mini SD Card, poor speaker can hardly hear it. Right now I will use the eken m001 as my travel unit even though the battery life is poor I will use it to read my comics and E-books and watch a movie if the battery holds.  The iRobot I will use to check my G-mail surf the web.  If I could combine these unit we have a really good apad.

Apad video encoding 6:41 AM

The quest for the best Video Settings « on: May 31, 2010, 11:52:34 PM » Okay so this device is sold as a HD 720p player. First thing that should discredit that statement is the 800x480 screen res (given 720 should be 1280 x 720) My experimentation with 720p has been as follows - Yes it will play 720p movies and will automatically "downsize" the image to play on the screen but two points to note 1) Bitrate is a killer - Any downloaded movie (normal length) seems to have a HUGE bitrate (as one would expect) and it leads to the player saying "Cant play movie" 2) Any short movies (small size file) seems to play ok even with higher bitrates (curious!) Anyway after experimentation I personally find that the quality IMPROVES dramatically if the movie is re-encoded for the device size The two profiles I have found that work the best are (using handbrake / itouch/iphone profile) encoding as mp4.( All sources are 1280x720) 1) 720x400 = bitrate 1250 (I started at 1500 but large movies do not support this = short one do ) Definitely the best but obviously does not fil the screen 2) 800 x 448 = bitrate 1250 (I started at 1500 but large movies do not support this = short one do ) Quality is almost exactly the same as 1) but the benfit is that the total screen size is used. Although the birtrate is specified as 1250 in handbrake the result is higher. And I am still pushing the bitrate up. Trying to find the max (somewhere between 1250-1500) Anyhow I would appreciate anyone elses observations/comments/experience Thanks

Uniglo reviews the Apad! 6:25 AM

My 10 day experience with aPad/iRobot « on: May 31, 2010, 11:32:30 PM » Just found this forum, and it seems the only English based forum discussing about this tablet. After using it for about 10 days, below are my impression about it, I don't think it's a review, as writing a review needs to be more professional, I don't.... :p Screen: - The tablet is having a resisitive touchscreen, it's less sensitive comparing with any smartphone you're using now. - Since Android OS doesn't has a side scroll bar, it makes the menu scrolling a bit difficult, need some time to adapt. - A strange brightness settings it had, when you're in a room with light, or under natural lighting, 100% brightness seems to be a must, otherwise it may be hard to view the screen. And it is more strange that, 99% brightness level is much much dimmer than 100%, I guess it is 30-40% dimmer. Sound: - The loudspeaker is too small, the voice is too little, whenever there is TV, radio, or even my cat meows, I'm unable to hear - Plus, the tiny loudspeaker is located at the back, if you hold it with your hand, or place it on the table, cusion, the loudspeaker will be covered - Maybe it's my problem, even I replace the very low-end earphone with my senheiser earphone, the sound is quite small, I usually need to set the level to 85% or above to hear it in a quiet room. Input: - It should have no problem for western users, but, for me, a Chinese from Hong Kong, nearly no handwriting software can work on this tablet. Internet Usage: - Facebook for Android can be installed and used, a good feedback, however, I prefer mobile version, which I can open a website in the same app, I will use m.facebook.com via the browser - MSN is ok, I'm using one from the Android Market - Browsing: Using the native browser provides a fair user experience, if you need flash (or some video), you will need skyfire, some people said Dolphin Browser is good, however, I encounter a problem that, whenever I download something, the Dolphin Browser prompts me not enough space, I'm sure my settings are correct with a 8GB card installed. - My experience on native browser (and other browser using the same core), whenever you browse for a while, maybe 30 minutes, and when the cache are around 5-6MB, it will crash and force close, I will got to clear the cache once I finish reading 1 or 2 websites. And such problem may due to 3rd party input software - Another solution will be Opera Mini 5, it got less force close problem than the native one, however, comparing with other Opera Mini experience on Samsung/Nokia smartphones, it is slower and less responsive, I guess it is due to the RAM available. - USing Skyfire is ok, it can load flash videos, however it is not a instant load, may need to download for a while, and it is not 100% working gurantee, and sometimes, if the page got many video clips, it may crash. - Gmail: Using the built-in Gmail App, good and handy Apps: - Google Maps: No GPS, unable to locate. Unable to locate using Wi-Fi (I can use Wi-Fi to locate by my smartphone and PC), I think it's the problem from the OS. - Google Maps: Got Street View option, but unable to load - Youtube: No built-in, download and install from the web, unable to play full screen, the menu bar's orientation is wrongly place on the right hand side - Not sure you got it or not. My MicroSD card comes with several apps, including Doc-to-Go, which by clicking another add-on app, it lets me register, and I really got reg.email from Dataviz. Pretty amazing... (Not sure if it's legal or not though.) - There are some other Chinese apps, such as Big-Cow Reader and QQ I didn't use at all. - Android Market built-in, but it's 1.5 version, that means no screenshots, only text descriptions - After installing many apps, I've found that, the menu orientation is strange, many apps got its menu bar showing on the right hand side (like potrait mode), and the content is in landscape mode. - Due to the same problem, some apps are unable to use, and some are even unable to run, and force close cases are common - Many games installed are unable to run, and some which can be run are neither in potrait mode, or sat on the left hand side. - Due to the above problem, lack of a hardware BACK button will be pretty troublesome, sometimes, an app depends on the back button to go back to the main screen, without the button, you have to go to home > task manager > kill the app and re-start the app. - Since the aPad/iRobot I bought is so-called version 2, it comes with a camera, it's funny that the camera app is very very simple, only 1 shutter icon, and nothing else, what make it even funnier is, the image you see on the screen is somehow magnified (i guess 1 - 2x), and you will never know how the photo will look like until it captured. - For the same reason, no matter which 3rd party camera app I installed, the same problem appears, and don't mention many of them are unable to run. - What make it even worse is, there is a video recording function, however, the microphone is not working at all. (There's a mic hole on the device, but, I'm not sure if there is a microphone inside) - I've installed a voice reocrding app, and after pressing the REC. there is no voice recorded. - There is an ebook app, which supports CHM, PDB and other formats, but, I didn't try it. Video & Photo Playback: - I didn't try many formats on it, I've put some clips downloaded from the web, it plays well, but, I've a bit disappointed, as it claims rockchip can play 720p HD video well, but, when I play a James Bond movie trailer downloaded from Apple (720p), the voice and the video is not sync. And 1280p is even worse. - Photo playback: the built-in Android Photo Viewer is simple but OK. Zoom in/out a picture is reasonably fast, however, bear in mind that, no multi touch like your iPhone/Android phone. Hardware craftsmenship: - Very made-in-china quality, but too bad I must admit, like other no brand MP3, PMP players. - No hardware back and search keys is quite inconvenience - Screen got no dead dots by now, but, I've found 1 tiny dust inside the screen, not sure whether the dust goes in during manufacturing or my usage. - Pretty scary: the AC adapter got some sound during plugin and the charging time is quite long (make it even scary as the AC adapter needs to plugin for quite long) - Earphone is pretty cheap quality - No user guide or any documentation --------------------------- I got this device from Chinese auction website taobao, and not sure whether you'll got the same packing/content as I did.

How to make Apad wallpaper 6:24 AM

Setting Wallpapers - if you have had trouble. « on: Today at 05:51:52 AM » Ok, with help I have figured out the correct resolution for the Android home screen, to "natively" fit. The correct resolution is 1024 x 480. The scrolling function uses 112 pixels on either side of the 800 centre screen image, ie [112 x 2] + 800 =1024 pixels. A tad annoying, but at least if you know you can crop to suit, otherwise it will chop the bottom off netbook resolution images. Now - if you had problem with bugs and the wallpaper thing not working properly... First off, you can't install the wallpaper file on to the internal 1Gb memory, you must have it stored on the SD card. If you use the normal wallpaper function on the hompage it won't work correctly either. From Gevrik Quote 1. Copy the wallpaper to the SD Card 2. Use "ES File Explorer" to browse to where you copied the image on the SD 3. Tap on the image and open with "PhotoBrowser" 4. Once you see the image in PhotoBrowser, tap somewhere on the screen to bring up the menu 5. Tap on the "spanner" icon 6. Choose "Set as Wallpaper" This avoids the stupid "orange crop box" issue. On my firmware the brightness will also change to minimum, but after you set the wallpaper you can go to system settings and change the brightness back. Here is a correct size wallpaper if you want to test it, and the original thread about the wallpaper discussion - http://slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=396.0

New Apad Firmware update 6:19 AM

Look here: http://slatedroid.com/index.php?topic=454.msg3794#msg3794

Link to the firmware is here: http://drop.io/rk_apad_md01_update_0530ENG