7" Android Tablet...?

[ebookrights]

I'm almost settled on using Amazon's Kindle platform, for now. But would prefer getting an Android tablet and use the Kindle for Android app instead. I think it would be a better investment down the road.

I don't think I'll be getting a 3G model, just Wi-Fi.

So, besides Galaxy Tab, whose Wi-Fi only version is delayed into next year. What options are out there? I know there are some Chinese-made low-end models, which are still running Android 2.1 and lack good support. Should I wait for a few more months?

P.S. One thing I treasure is good support (fixes, updates), or an active community with custom ROM support.

P.P.S. The Nook Color looks good as well, but it doesn't run a "true" Android system.

[asjogren]

The PocketBook IQ is a contender. Active community here on MobileRead. 2 year warrantee. $US149.

Runs Android 2.0, with expectations of 2.2 in January.

[gtriever]

Looks like Q1 2011 is going to see a rash of new Android tablets, if you can wait. I couldn't so I have a Nook Color on the way, which I plan on rooting. I figure between Nookdevs and xda-developers the tech support is about as good as it's going to get.

[MmavisO]

Pocketbook IQ runs Android including the Kindle app. It's brand new, just released a few weeks ago, and is still experiencing growing pains. But it does have good support including several company reps or vendors who post here in the Pocketbook forum. There was a new firmware update released Friday that fixed a lot of things, and it's starting to look pretty good. There is a wiki here: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Pocketbook_IQ_701 about it.

[wheatfree]

Originally Posted by asjogren

The PocketBook IQ is a contender. Active community here on MobileRead. 2 year warrantee. $US149.

Runs Android 2.0, with expectations of 2.2 in January.

I'm waiting to see if they actually release that update. Those of us with the Pandigital Novels heard the same thing. Velocity Micro said the same thing about the Cruz readers. If I understand this correctly, that IQ is just a Novel with hardware buttons. I'd love to get my hands on a 2.2 release for the IQ to see if we can take it apart and put it back together for the Novel.

So far, none of these companies have released the source code for any of their tablets, as they're required to do by Android's Gnu Public License. I don't have a lot of hope for either 2.2 or the source at this point. Maybe Pocketbook will the exception to the rule here. I'd buy one for that alone.

[ebookrights]

Just took a short trip to the town center. Checked out the Dell Streak 5. Looks nice too. But I suppose a 7" device is still a (overall) better device.

Gotta wait for a few months and see how it goes. Meanwhile, will stick with Kindle for PC and Android (use on phone).

Like I said above, good support (not 1-year delay for firmware update) or custom ROM is a major factor in my consideration. If I just want something cheap I could pick up a Chinese 2.1 tablet for <US$100. No need to be particularly fast (e.g. dual core) but an up-to-date platform is also highly desirable (e.g. 1GHz, 512MB RAM).

[neilmarr]

Anyone come across the soon-to-be-released Indian Adam yet? http://www.notionink.in/index.php. Cheers. Neil

[Xanthe]

The white Pandigital Novel ereader can be modified into a full Android tablet. It becomes a poor man's iPad. I paid $139 for mine.

See threads here in the Android forum and on SlateDroid.com.

[wheatfree]

Most of those no-name chinese tablets have crappy battery life. My novel will run about 5-6 hours with the wifi off, and I have an external battery pack for it that doubles that. I wouldn't buy anything I had to charge more frequently than this. It's frustrating enough that on days like yesterday when I spent the day trying out all the different firmwares available on slatedroid for the PDN, I had to recharge it twice. But for the record that 2.2 is FAST--FASTFAST. It's just not ready for primetime yet.

For a cheap android tablet with fairly good support on slatedroid, the Pandigital Novel is still it for me. $100 give or take with rebates and sales. You can buy it at places with very liberal return policies, and the different firmwares on slatedroid mean you can cut yourself on the bleeding edge of what it will run or take a more conservative approach.

I'm back running the Cruz UI firmware. I just like it, and everything works. I tried to live without the market yesterday, but even with all the other places to get apk files, I got frustrated by specific things I couldn't find elsewhere.

[ebookrights]

It's reported that the Nook Color will see 2.2 (Froyo) and Android Market officially in January.

http://www.androidcentral.com/nook-c...cially-january

That makes it an attractive model.

Speaking of custom ROMs. The Galaxy Tab is now Clockwork Recovered...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...77#post9770377

[ebookrights]

Originally Posted by wheatfree

...It's frustrating enough that on days like yesterday when I spent the day trying out all the different firmwares available on slatedroid for the PDN, I had to recharge it twice...

Thanks for introducing slatedroid.com and the Pandigital Novel. However, 128MB RAM...? I'll take a pass and wait...

[wheatfree]

The black one has 128. The white one has 256. I have a white one.

The nook color has twice the RAM of mine, but it's also twice the price. If they do actually release 2.2 with full market access, it might make it worth it though. We'll see.

[kwarner84]

I just got a Cruz reader and its great for the most part but i am having one problem. I can't watch movies. When I try to play something I have downloaded it just plays the sound and a blank screen. i don't know what i am doing wrong. I downloaded skyfire so I can watch youtube videos and other but when i try to play anything that i already have on my cruz it doesn't work. Any ideas???? anyone???

[ebookrights]

I'm very leaning towards a Nook Color now, for USD250 with a high-res and capacitive screen and Froyo and Android Market coming AND an active XDA community.

Too bad it's not being sold to oversea customers yet.

[ebookrights]

Creative ZiiO, USD250.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/c...-sale-for-270/