Is the ASUS MeMO Pad a Tablet that's Worthy of being a Travel Partner?

I bet you might not have gotten the chance to have heard of the brand called MeMO PAD. Asus is the builder of this new tablet and with the Google Nexus Tablet under Asus' belt, there are many expectation with regards to this new release. Let's go over some of the things that I feel would be most important for your decision.

Design

The overall look and feel of the MeMo Pad seems to have gotten its roots from its Asus Google Nexus 7 counterpart, especially with how the textured back was designed. The main difference that one would notice though is that with the Nexus 7, you'll get a soft touch material coating as compared to the hard plastic feel of the MeMO Pad. The MeMO Pad also comes in multiple colors which include black, white, gray, and cherry pink. 

The ASUS MeMO Pad measures 7.7 x 4.6 x 0.4 inches and weighs 12.5 ounces. This makes the MeMO Pad tablet slightly larger and heavier than its Google Nexus 7 counterpart. 

The MeMo Pad's power button and volume controls are located on the top left edge of the device, with a headphone jack at the top and a microUSB and microSD slot on the bottom. The ASUS MeMO PAD tablet has an expandable memory. The speaker is located on the back, an inch-wide grille on the bottom left.

Display

The screen resolution on the MeMO Pad, 1024 x 600. This falls short compared to the competition. The Google Nexus 7 has a 1280 x 800 pixel displays, providing crisp and clear text and images. 

The screen limitations were especially apparent when we were browsing several different websites. Smaller text was harder to read than on the Google Nexus 7. Viewing angles tend to be a bit limited, making it difficult to see content clearly.

Audio

You would be happy to hear that we were pleasantly surprised by the audio quality of the ASUS MeMO Pad. It played loud and clear music during playback and it makes it quite a good alternative to bringing portable speakers when traveling. 

The MeMO Pad's speaker is enhanced by SonicMaster Audio Technology and the Audio Wizard app, which includes preset audio levels for different categories of media. 

Keyboard and Interface

The main advantage of the ASUS MeMO Pad is that it runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which includes features such an enhanced notification drawer and a series of performance enhancements dubbed "Project Butter" which allows for an extremely smooth user experience. 

The ASUS MeMO Pad includes has two keyboards to choose from. These are the Android keyboard and the ASUS keyboard, although additional keyboards can be installed through Google Play. The ASUS keyboard, which has light gray keys against a darker gray background, features a full number row along the top, and has slightly more space between each key than its Android counterpart. 

Both keyboards support voice typing, but the ASUS keyboard requires Internet connectivity, whereas the Android keyboard works offline. Users can also input text using Google voice typing, which also works without an Internet connection. Though in a general sense this feature would most likely be left unnoticed by the general user. 

Apps

ASUS MeMO Pad tablet has a been nice enough to only put in features that can be considered as useful and not flood the unit with too much bloatware.  There is SuperNote, which a scribbling and note-taking app, the MyPainter drawing app, ASUS Studio for managing and editing photos, Zinio and MyBitCast for syncing notes with your ASUS WebStorage account. ASUS also includes App Backup, App Locker, ASUS Story and Studio and the BuddyBuzz chat client.

Another great thing to take note of about the ASUS MeMO Pad is that it also has access to the Google Play store, which currently contains a countless number of applications that one can download and use. The MeMO Pad also includes Floating App, which allows certain applications, such as the browser, video, a stopwatch and certain settings, to be displayed as a floating window on top of the currently running application. This feature I find quite neat and have found it quite useful when multitasking is needed.  

Performance

Here is where things get a little tricky for the ASUS MeMO Pad. One thing that you have to keep in mind is that the ASUS MeMO Pad is built for Media Consumption and not for games that contain heavy graphics. The reason for this is that the ASUS MeMO Pad only uses a single core 1-GHz VIA WM8950 processor with 1GB of RAM. I personally would have wanted double the core at least or double the RAM. It is here that you'll get to notice a slight lag in terms of transition effects such as going from portrait to landscape mode. 

The MeMO Pad has three power settings, Performance, Balanced and Power Saving. If you wish to have your applications to load faster, such as a game like Angry Birds, you'd have to keep it at Performance. Placing it at Power Saving could have you on wait time for much longer than you would want to. 

One thing that surprised me if anything was that the graphics looked great and played flawlessly with "Riptide GP." But, there was a delay between tilts and the in-game steering, which made the vehicle quite a challenge to handle. Games like Angry Bird and Fruit Ninja all played quite smoothly. 

Webcam

The ASUS MeMO Pad is equipped with a VGA Front Facing Camera (.3MP). This is pretty ok for webcam applications like skype. Just bear with the slight yellow hue and some rather apparent resolution issues. 

Battery Life and Wi-Fi

With continuous use the ASUS MeMO Pad has the capacity to last a little over 6 hours to 7 hours, much less though if you are watching movies and playing somewhat high graphic games (at least those that can run on the provided specifications). 

Verdict

The ASUS MeMO Pad Tablet is an OK tablet as a travel companion for three simple reasons:

1. Its cheap and easy to pack

2. It can be an awesome Multimedia Companion - from eBooks to Sound Blasting your boredom away.

3. Its on Jelly Bean giving you a somewhat buttery smooth performance. 

Right now the ASUS MeMO PAD is selling at less than Php 6,000. Though do check out other retail outlets such as those in Greenhills in San Juan, Philippines and St. Francis Square beside Megamall. 

If you ask me personally though, I would check out the Cherry Mobile Tablets first prior to making a choice on this one. You might have to decide on what you can afford versus specs.

Till Next Time...

-Metz

Budget Table to Beat: Cherry Fusion Bolt Lives Up to Its Name

Cherry Mobile has just launched their very first quad-core powered 7-inch tablet called Fusion Bolt. The specs are quite similar to that of the Ainol Novo 7 Venus tablet with a slight difference in build quality. The display resolution is also quite good at a 1280 x 800 and uses an IPS panel for a 178° visibility angle. What was eye catching though was its ridiculously low price of 3, 999

Equipped with a 1GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage. The processor is exactly the same as that of the Ainol Novo 7 Venus which is advertised at 1.5GHz, though the Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt has it underclocked at 1.1Ghz.

The one thing I did notice was that going through the UI, there is a negligible amount of lag from time to time considering that it is running on a quad core processor. Temple Run 2 type games run quite smoothly on the device, but Contract Killer Zombies 2 tends to lag a bit. 

The 8GB memory was used to cut down on cost however this shouldn't a problem as the Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt tablet has a swappable microSD slot anyway. Other slots include a microUSB slot which they said can run 3G dongles, and a mini-HDMI port.

Rear camera is limited at just 2-megapixel and the front one is a 0.3-megapixel affair. This is something that one shouldn't put too much interest in as it tends to be quite grainy and performs quite poorly in low light situations. Considering the price tag this can be a forgivable thing. The Front Camera though performs quite well, just ensure you are in a well lit room lest you want your webcam image to look like a silhouette.  Battery is 4000mAh which should last the device roughly about 5 hours of heavy usage considering that it is running an IPS Screen and is running on quad core tech,

Overall, the device is a good device for people that want the best of quad core technology but are only willing to dish out Php 4,000 pesos. I can see though the educational benefits that this device can bring to families that want to have their kids to experience the full privileges of modern technology without having to dig deep into your pockets. 

Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt Specs:

7-inch IPS LCD HD display (1280 × 800 resolution), 216ppi

5-point multitouch display

1.0GHz quad-core Actions Semiconductor ATM7029 processor

Vivante GC1000+ GPU

1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, microSD up to 32GB

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

2MP rear camera

0.3MP front camera

Supports external 3G dongle

miniHDMI

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

4,000mAh Li-Ion battery

186.2mm x 126.9mm x 10.8mm

320 grams

SRP: Php3,999 Till Next Time... -Metz-

NextBook M805ND - Best Buy 8 Inch Tablet

If you are currently looking for a tablet that is at the 8" category but aren't quite ready to dishout a hefty lumpsum of what one would normally spend for an iPad Mini, then the NextBook 8" (M805ND) is you next best thing. This is a fully featured 8" tablet that is powered by Google Android's 4.1 Jelly bean OS and comes equipped with so many features that'll make you feel that spending the Php 7, 495 on it was well worth it. - For those that are interested in buying this you can check it out at SM Nort Edsa Department store.

Features:

AML8726-MX Dual Core and Front Camera

NEXT8D12F is equipped with AML8726-MX Dual Core CPU and its main frequency up to 1.5GHz. You can surf the net, play games, or stream videos smoother than ever! It also comes equipped with 0.3MP front facing camera to capture that special moment wherever you are!

Capacitive Touch Screen and BT 2.1

NEXT8D12F Dual-core comes equipped with a 8 inch capacitive touch screen for smoother operation. With resolution of 1024x768 pixel, you can be sure of the crispy. Moreover, it is built-in bluetooth 2.1, which enables you to transfer and share your precious things with your friends or colleagues anytime and anywhere.

8G ROM & WIFI & MicroSD Card Compatible

NEXT8D12F Dual-core comes with built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, you can surf the World Wide Web faster than ever. Your new Next8D12F Dual-core is also equipped with 8GB memory, which can also supports up to 32GB with Micro SD card slot.

Google Android OS 4.1

The NEXT8D12F Dual-core is preloaded with the Google`s powerful Linux-based Android operating system 4.1 designed specifically for mobile devices. You can play, listen and surf and never miss a beat!

Overall with ML8726-MX Cortex A9 Dual Core 1.5GHz, Nextbook NEXT8D12F Tablet PC is much clearer and better to use. It uses the Google Andriod 4.1 OS and 8GB nand flash. The camera is 0.3MP. With its 8 inch digital high-definition LCD screen and the capacitive touch panel, you can enjoy a more splendid life. 

Specifications: 

Model NO.:Nextbook NEXT8D12F 

Operation System:Andriod 4.0.4 updated to 4.1

CPU:AML8726-MX Cortex A9 Dual Core 

Frequency:1.5GHz 

Screen:8" High Light TFT 1024*768 Resolution?Capacitive Touch Panel 

RAM:1.0G DDR3 

Nand Flash:8.0GB 

Micro SD,TF Card:Up to 32GB(No Card Includes) 

Camera:0.3 MP 

Bluetooth:Support 

Audio:Support MP3,WAV,OGG,FLAC,APE,AAC,WMA?license? 

Video:Support AVI,3GP,MP4,RM,RMVB,FLV,MKV,MOV,MPG,VOB,DAT,WMV,ASF 

WiFi:Support WiFi, 802.11b,g,n 

3G Dongle:Support 

Image Format:Support JPEG,BMP,GIF,PNG 

E-Book:Support Epub,TXT,FB2, RTF 

Read Speed:30~31MB/S(MLC flash) 

Write Speed:4~5MB/S(MLC flash) 

Gravitity Sensor:Support 

HDMI:Yes 

OTG:Support Mouse,keybord,uDisk 

Other Applications:Apk installer/ASTRO/Browser/Calculator/Calendar/Camera/Clock/Downloads/Email/Ebook/File Browser/Gallery/HDMI Switch/Office Suit/Search/Settings/Slide Me/Sound Record/Task Killer/Weather Forecast (optional),Recording 

Language:English,Chinese(China),Chinese(Taiwan) 

Interface:Micro SD Card 

USB Interface 

3.5mm Earphone Interface 

Color:Black 

Power Adapter:US Plug AC100/240V 50/60HZ DC 5V/2A 

Battery:Li-polymer 4720mAh 

Battery Time:Use to Listen Music:about 6-hour; Use to Watch Video: about 5-hour 

Use to browse:about 5-hour

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Get Engaged with Starmobile's Engage 7HD Tablet

After my experience with Starmobile Astra, I took time to get to review and test out their latest Starmobile Tablet called the Starmobile Engage 7HD. I was pleased to have been able to do so as with my review of the Starmobile Asta, the Starmobile Engage 7HD has, in more ways than what one would expect from a budget tablet, performed exceptionally well and is feature packed making it a worthy consideration for those that want more out of what they spend, especially when on a budget.

Starmobile Engage 7HD's first impression doesn't scream that it is a budget device in anyway. It is well built and once you start browsing through the widgets and application browsers, will immediately notice the smoothness and fluidity that I had noticed with Starmobile Astra. The screen quality is pretty good and makes viewing of photos, websites, and videos quite pleasant. I would compare the quality of build and performance to that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 that is currently priced at Php 12,990.

I love the way that it comes pre-loaded with the most downloaded applications like Facebook, twitter, skype, etc giving you ample space for other apps that you might like to download. It has very little bloatware and runs on stock Android ICS OS. Gaming though is pretty much at par with that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 so heavy graphics type of gaming such as Modern Combat would strain the unit quite a bit. Games like Contract Killer Zombies One and Two will work fine with it though.

The Starmobile Engage 7HD is also equipped with an 8MP rear shooter and a VGA front camera. Just like the Starmobile Astra, the Starmobile Engage 7HD would need ample lighting in order for you to get the most out of the image. Low light would still produce grainy shots.

Memory is at 8GB but is expandable to 32GB and aside from Wifi, it supports 3.5G USBs allowing you to be constantly connected anywhere you go.

The only downside that I have noted about the device is the lack of bluetooth and its battery life as it is equipped with only a 4000mAh internal battery that gives about 5 hours of continuous video playback. The USB Cable doesn't support anything else but the 3.5G USB stick so placing a bluetooth USB wont work.

Overall at the Php 7,990 price point, The Starmobile Engage 7HD does pack a lot in terms of value and provides an overall pleasant user experience. There are points in which I would have liked to have seen some improvements and feature inclusions, but given the long list of features it has already jam packed into this budget tablet one can be a bit forgiving. I am already looking forward to the successor of the Starmobile Engage 7HD.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Budget Tablet: Full Review of Kata T2 8" Tablet

With the success of their last year's model, Kata T1 7" Tablet, Kata has now released a worthy budget tablet successor called the Kata T2 which sports an 8" Full touch display and an upgraded cpu and gpu chip that makes gaming and browsing fast and easy. They also used Google Android's latest mobile OS the Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1, which makes Kata T2 quite a power house.

Here is the summary of it's specs:

Platform:	Android v4.1.1 (Jelly Bean)
Dimension (H x W x D):	203 x 153 x 9.9mm
Weight:	445g
Display:	8" Full-Touch Display (1024 x 768 pixels)
Processor:	1.6GHz Dual Core Quad Core GPU
Memory:	Internal: 8GB (RAM: 1GB DDR3) External: Support microSD card, up to 32GB
Color:	Black
Camera:	5.0 Mega-pixel Camera 2.0 Mega-pixel Front Camera
Support Format:	Audio: MP3 / AAC / OGG / FLAC Video: MKV / MPG / MP4 / AVI
Battery:	Playback time: 10 hours Standby time: 336 hours Capacity: 4100mAh
Connectivity:	Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR GPS
HDMI:	Mini HDMI

The Kata T2 is quite a sturdy and well built device that one would most likely not think it cost roughly about $200. The Kata T1 was something that I would recommend as a buy for those wanting to give something special for their kids but now with the Kata T2 it is not hard to recommend even the power users to take a shot at this device and see how it performs.

In terms of display it pretty much rivals the display quality of that of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 which makes it quite pleasant to look at though not as good as the screen quality as that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. In terms of performance and speed, the Kata T2 really holds its own against the top brands and can play many of the high end games without a glitch and with Jelly Bean backing up its hardware, everything is as what Google promised of a machine that is fine tuned with their software, the Kata T2 is quite buttery smooth and pleasant to use.

The Kata T2 uses a roughly uses the stock Jelly Bean android so you'll be enjoying the full unadulterated experience of the the latest Android Software without much of the common bloatware you'd find on other tablets. Battery life it pretty much average lasting pretty much well over a day of moderate to heavy usage with its 4100mAh battery. It also has support for GPS making applications like MapFactor Navigation work extremely well.

In terms of camera, though it now supports 5MP which is quite an upgrade to the previous KATA T1's 2MP rear camera, the picture quality isn't something to be too ecstatic about, though with good lighting does dish out pretty decent shots and videos. The front facing camera though is quite a pleasant surprise with 2MP for video calling and those self-portrait shots most people love to take of themselves from time to time.

WiFi connection is also much better compared to the previous Kata T1, which I have to say isn't bad at all, just now this one is at par with most mid-range to high end branded tablet models out there.

Overall, the Kata T2 8" Tablet is quite an eye-candy both in and out and at the current price tag of $200  it is pretty tempting. Would I recommend this right off the bat? most likely it would be on the top three of the best budget tablet choices out there for the year. The only issue you might encounter is finding the right casing for it though there are many gadget accessory shops out there that I am sure can produce a pretty good option for the Kata T2, should you ever decide to purchase one. Again, if this is what you choose I would have no doubt that you'd love it from first glance.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

32GB Google Nexus 7 7" Models Now Available in Metro Manila

Google Nexus Tablets (8GB Models) have been around the Metro Manila Gadget scene for quite sometime but the 32GB variants been what was long expected and desired by many as the Nexus Line of Tablets didn't have expandable memory slots available. Fortunately now it is available and you can even grab one for a little less than Php 13,000. For those that are not familiar with the Google Nexus 7 tablet line below is a summary of what one can expect.

Google Nexus 7 7" Android 4.1 32GB with Wi-Fi

What's in the box:

• Google Nexus Tablet PC
• Charger
• USB Cable
• Earphones

Thin, light, portable 7" tablet. Made for Google Play.

With a stunning 7-inch display and all day battery life, Nexus 7 is the perfect travel companion. With up to 32GB of storage and the option to add mobile data, you can take even more of your favorite content from Google Play with you anywhere. 

More powerful and portable than ever

The Nexus 7 with mobile data and 32GB storage keeps even more of your favorite stuff close at hand – even when you’re not close to WiFi. 

Nexus 7 is designed to go wherever you go – and now with up to 32GB of storage and the ability to connect to mobile data networks – Nexus 7 can take you even further. Nexus 7 can now operate on more than 200 GSM providers worldwide. 

Speed and performance

Nexus 7 is built by ASUS and comes with a NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor so everything is faster – pages load quickly, gameplay is smooth and responsive, and running multiple apps is a breeze. Patented 4-PLUS-1™ design gives you processing power when you need it, and battery saving efficiency whenyou don’t. 

SPECIFICATIONS OF GOOGLE NEXUS 7 ANDROID 4.1 32GB WITH WI-FI 

Screen 

7” 1280x800 (216ppi) 

HD IPS 

Connectivity 

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 

Bluetooth 

NFC (Android Beam) 

Camera 

1.2MP front-facing camera 

Processor and memory 

32GB internal storage (actual formatted capacity will be less) 

1 GB RAM 

NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor 

Features 

Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) 

4,325 mAh battery 

Accelerometer 

GPS 

Gyroscope 

Microphone 

Magnetometer

There are lots of advantages with buying Google Branded Hardware but one advantage that I personally like is that Google Branded Units (Nexus lines) are usually the first to get the software updates. Another plus point is the lack of too much bloatware that would be installed by most other manufacturers, though this point is one that is a matter of preference as many would still like the benefits that the other smartphone manufacturers provide. Overall, you really can't go wrong with purchasing this quad core Nexus Tablet powerhouse and with a very reasonable price point this can be quite a hard product to beat. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Review of Ainol Novo 7 Venus: Premium Specs for a 7" Budget Tablet

I thought that I wasn't going to get blown away by any budget android tablet that is being introduced in the Philippine market, but the Ainol Novo 7 Venus has proven me completely wrong. It is a 7" power house that delivers high grade features to the masses with a price tag that just made me drop on the floor - Php 5, 560 only.

It is a fast, and very efficient. You wont be seeing any issues with the software of the Ainol Novo 7 Venus as this ridiculously priced device is powered by Google Android's Buttery smooth Jelly Bean OS. With Quad Core technology and 1GB of RAM to back this baby up, you won't be experiencing any lag with gaming and navigation. Resolution wise it uses a 1280 x 800 IPS screen display that dishes out pretty decent images considering it's very ridiculously cheap price tag.  Viewing angles are also pretty decent even in direct sunlight.

Storage wise you get 16GB of internal storage which is expandable to upto 32GB. It doesn't have 3G built in but does have a 3G dongle that allows users to plug in a USB 3G stick for wireless on the go. It supports Multi-Touch with 5 touch points and it has full Wifi Support of 802.11 b/g/n.

The only downside that I could find with regards to this unit was it's rear and front camera. Rear camera has a 2MP shooter which is decent enough but somewhat grainy even with ample light, the VGA camera fairs slightly better when it comes to Skype calling but you'd still have to stand in a place where lighting is good so you wont end up looking like a silhouette. 

Battery life is pretty decent as it has a 4000mAh battery and will get you through most of the day even with heavy usage and gaming considering that it is using a Quad Core CPU. Build wise I'd say it still has a somewhat plasticky feel to it but with what it packs inside I'd say it is pretty decent trade off considering the price range.

Here are it's specs just to get you drooling.

Ainol Novo 7 Venus Features:

OS: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
CPU: Quad Core Atm7029
GPU: Quad Core GC1000+
RAM: 1GB，DDR3
Storage 16GB
Shell Material     Plastic
Screen: Capacitive Touchscreen, 1280*800 High-resolution Screen
Size:   7 inch
Resolution:    1280*800  Pixels IPS Screen G+G
Gravity Sensor:   Yes
Visible Angle: 178°
Display:  IPS
Daul Camera     Front camera, 0.3 Megapixels
                        Back camera, 2.0 Megapixels

Ainol Novo 7 Venus Tablet PC Details:

Extend Card     Support TF card up to 32GB extended
Gravity Sensor     Yes
Multi-Touch     Yes, 5 points touch
Android Market     Yes
Skype     Yes
Email and Browser: Yes, built in
WIFI:    Yes, 802.11 b/g/n
3G :    Not built in, support external 3G dongle
Earphone Interface     3.5mm
Video     1080P, AVI/MOV/MP4/RMVB/FLV/MKV…
Music     MP3/WMA/WAV/APE/AAC/FLAC/OGG
Ebook     UMD, TXT, PDF, HTML, RTF, FB2…
Language : support Multi Language
Other Applications: Android Webkit,Google Search,Clock,File Manager,Gallery,Task Manager,Calculator,Calendar,OfficeSuite,Browser,iReader,Gmail…
Work Time: Up to 5~10 hours
Battery :4000 MAh

Ainol Novo 7 Venus contain:

1 x Ainol Novo 7 Venus
1 x USB cable
1 x Charger

Ainol Novo 7 Venus Weight:  316g

Ainol Novo 7 Venus Tablet Size: 186.3*126.9*10.5mm

Overall, I am pretty impressed with how this device performed and is a must buy for those that want premium quality features without having to sacrifice on the budget. I mean compared to it's closest contender out there such as the 8GB Google Nexus 7 (non-expandable memory) tablets which are retailing at around Php 11,000 this one is pretty hard to pass up.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Ainol Novo 10 Hero II: Budget Tablet with Premium Specs

You’ve got to appreciate what Ainol is doing to the Android tablet scene in the Philippines.  Ainol has been offering affordable Android tablets with decent specs for the past months and this recent one is a feature-packed 10-incher.  The new Android tablet I’m talking about is the Ainol Novo 10 Hero II with features worthy of premium tablets but is surprisingly priced at only P9,800(available now in SM Cyberzone).

Ainol is definitely rocking the budget tablet scene with their latest entry called the Ainol Novo 10 Hero II. This latest entry is packed with premium features for a jaw dropping price of only Php 9,800. 

Given the price, The Ainol Novo 10 Hero II gives you a Quad Core Powered tablet with a nice 10-inch display, a huge battery, and Android Jelly Bean.  The Ainol Novo 10 Hero II uses a 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core CPU paired with a 1GB of RAM,  which should show you how smooth gaming and navigation must be with this device. The Novo 10 Hero II also uses a 10.1-inch IPS display with 1280×800 resolution, so videos and games should be easy on the eyes. The Ainol Novo 10 Hero II also uses an 8000mAh battery so I would guess that battery life shouldn't be much of an issue. 

The tablet though only has a 16GB storage capacity (thankfully it can be expanded via its microSD slot of upto 32GB) and the rear camera is at 2MP while the front facing camera uses a VGA lens that is decent enough for self portraits and Skype calling. It is a good trade-off considering it's overall specs in terms of price point.

Ainol Novo 10 Hero II Specs:

• 10.1-inch IPS display (1280 x 800 resolution)
• 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core CPU
• Vivante GC1000 GPU
• 1GB RAM
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• 16GB internal storage expandable via microSD slot
• 2-megapixel rear camera
• VGA front camera
• 8000mAh battery
• mini-HDMI, micro-USB port

Overall I would say that this is something that even the heavy spenders can look into. If you want to grab something that isn't heavy on the wallet but yet provides you with a user experience that most high end brands would provide than this is most definitely something to check out as this is only a third of the cost of what has been put out in the market by most leading brands. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

iView-795TPC: Impressive Mid-Range Budget Tablet

The iView 795 TPC 7" tablet is a fairly new contender in the budget tablet market but one with specifications that could rival that of the even the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and the Amazon Kindle Fire. Just to get things a bit fired up, below is a quick run through of the specifications of the iView 795 TPC 7" Tablet.

Model: iView 795 TPC 7" Tablet

Price: PHP 6,350

Specs:

LCD Monitor: 7 inches Capacitive Multi Touch screen (1020x600)

CPU: Dual Cortex A9 up to 1.5Ghz

OS: Android 4.0 ICS

RAM: 1GB DDR3

Internal Memory: 8gb (supports up to 32gb)

Camera: dual camera 0.3MP front, 2 MP back

Connectivity: wifi 802.11b/g, supports 3G module USB dongle

Interface: Mini usb port/ micro sd card (up to 32 gb), 3.5mm headphone jack

Video: Supports Skype Video and Voice calls, 1080p HD video and HDMI output

Audio: Stereo speaker (8ohms, 1.0w)

Features apps: King Kong Market, Internet browser, Office, calendar, calculator, email

Other features: Picture viewing, ebook, music/video playback, games, multi-language, support G sensor

Battery: Built in 3000mAh/3.7 rechargeable Li-ion

Usage has been quite smooth and to be honest was very comparable to that of how one would use a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 but without the Samsung Bloatware as it runs on stock android. Browsing of the web pages was also very responsive and load time was within acceptable standards which is most likely due to the fact that it runs a Dual Core 1.5Ghz A9 Cortex and is backed up with 1GB of RAM. Software that is being used by the iView 795TPC is Android ICS which means enables for one to operate quite smoothly between applications and widgets, though it would have been much better if it was more of the Jelly Bean Android OS. 

Internal Memory of the iView 795TPC is at 8GB of which you'll have roughly about 6GB of usable internal memory as the system shall require usage of some of the 8GB. Thankfully, it supports SD memory cards of upto 32GB which means you just have to transfer your heavy media and applications there to avoid getting a memory low warning. It also supports wifi connectivity and can support 3G connections via a 3G dongle. Wifi Signal is only limited to 802.11 b/g thus there might be some issues in this department. 

Camera isn't anything impressive with just a 2MP rear camera and VGA camera for Skype calls, but it does the job. In low light, it delivers rather grainy pictures, however with ample lighting picture quality is quite acceptable considering the resolution. Gaming is of now problem though with this unit as it can pretty much play any game that a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 can handle which is mainly due to the GPU Quad Core Mali 400MP and even goes at par with that of my Samsung Galaxy Note. Battery life though is no better than that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 either but fairs pretty well considering that it is running on roughly a 3000mAh battery, giving users roughly about a full day's usage. 

I am pretty impressed with how this Mid-Range Budget Tablet has performed on personal use and has become my most highly recommended budget tablet for the year of 2013. Of course with this one out now I am sure that there'll be much more to expect from the other tablet providers out there. For now this is definitely the price and specs to beat.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

iView 792 TPC 7" Android 4.0 8GB with Wi-Fi & 3G

Innovative entrepreneurs. Hardworking students. Creative artists. The iView 792 tablet is for everyone. It’s built to impress, entertain, and assist you everyday. Equipped with cutting-edge features, this tablet has a lot in store for you—and everyone.

Mobile multimedia center

Shoot photos. Listen to music. Watch videos. The iView 792 tablet allows you to do just that. It comes with two cameras for two points of view. The tablet also supports 1080P HD video, allowing you to view videos with very brilliant quality. The device is also HDMI-ready. If the 7-inch screen is not enough, you can plug this device to your TV for a better viewing experience. You can also turn it into a personal music device. Through headphones or through its speaker, the tablet delivers high-quality audio you will enjoy.

Speed and space

With 8GB of storage space, you can store all the files you need in this trusty tablet. The storage memory can even be expanded up to 32GB. The tablet is also equipped with a 1.2GHz processor, allowing you to do so much in so little time. 

Making connections

Whether it’s to the Internet or with another device, the iView 792 makes sure you connect with ease. Enjoy high-speed browsing thanks to its seamless wireless network support. Send and receive files too through Bluetooth. 

Mini-organizer

The tablet also has pre-installed apps which help you organize, collate, process, and store information you need. It features the following apps: Google Market, Internet Browser, Office, Calendar, Calculator, Email.

Full Features:

Screen: 7" TFT Capacitive Touch Screen, 1024 x 600 Resolution

Processor: Cortex A9, 1.2 Ghz

OS: Android 4.0

RAM: 1GB DDR3

Memory: 8GB (Support up to 32GB)

Wireless Connection: WIFI 802.11b/g

Support Bluetooth Function

Support GPS

Support 2G/3G Cellphone Function

Support Dual Camera 0.3MP (Front), 2MP (Back)

Support 1080P HD video

Support mini HDMI Output

Audio Output: Stereo Speaker (8Ω 1.0w)/ 3.5MM Stereo Headphone Jack

Google Market, Internet Browser, Office, Calendar, Calculator, E-mail

Picture Viewing, Music/ Video Playback, Ebook, Games

Battery: Built-in 3000 mAh/3.7V

The iView 792 TPC 7" is a budget tablet that is worth looking at and surprisingly quite agile as an android tablet device. The iView is created by a company that has been in the electronics business since 2002 and has been a major parts manufacturer for Olympus, GE, and even its competitor Coby Kyros. The price for the iVew TPC 7" is also something that could make people take a second look as it is below the Php 4,000 peso range and even as low as Php2,999. 

Overall build quality is pretty good and with a rubberized backing is something that won't slip from your grip easily. I have also compared it to the Coby Kyros 3G 7" model and both of these tablet share pretty similar specifications as well as price range. I would definitely recommend this for those who are on a shoestring budget but want a tablet that won't let them down and from one reader who asked if this is something that his kid won't have a problem with and not get jealous with that of his friends, I would say this one is pretty much at par with most mid range models out in the market to date. But if you would want one where it is at par with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 there is an iView 7" product that I shall be releasing a review on within the day that is at par and only cost less than Php 9,000 and sporting a 1.5Ghz dual core A9 CPU.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Budget Tablet Recommendation: Haipad A13 7" Android 4.0 8GB with Wi-Fi

Haipad A13 has proven to be one of the best selling budget android tablets here in the Philippines and with good reason. Below you'll get to see what it has to offer and more. Best of all the price of the Haipad A13 is one that is pretty hard to beat - Currently being sold at less than Php 4,000 for the 8GB models. 

Explore things with style 

Enjoy music, movies, TV shows, apps, and more wherever you are with the HAIPAD A13 7.0 Inch Android 4.0 tablet PC. The tablet sports a 7-inch touchscreen and is powered by Android 4.0 which offers a smoother user experience. It comes in four different colors that will suit your personality. 

Fast and reliable Connectivity 

Support of Wi-Fi networks enable fast, safe sailing, and stress-free in the search for IP configurations. Easy to configure settings, two clicks and you are already in the world of internet, chat, and Android Market. It has quick links that allow you to download movies, applications, and documents in the blink of an eye. 

External 3G 

A tablet PC which is innovative, fast, and above all best value which will make your friends envy you. You no longer have to drag along your laptop with this device connect anywhere with its 3G capability. 

Play 3D games 

If you enjoy games like Samurai Vengeance and other top-selling 3D, this tablet will give you the joy with its 3D graphics accelerator, power, and versatility' in a single product. You will never again play as a past time with integrated 3D accelerator and with the numerous games you can choose from, this will hook you up to this device. 

Specifications of Haipad A13 7" Android 4.0 8GB with Wi-Fi 

- General features Main IC: BOXCHIP A13 / Cortex A8 1-1.5GHz 

- Internal Memory: 8GB Storage Extend: Up to 32GB SD/TF Support 

- Wi-Fi: High-performance 802.11b/g 

- 3G: 3G module supports USB external 

- Camera: 1.3MP 

- G-Sensor: Internal G- Sensor 

- OS: Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Supports Adobe Flash 10.3, Support 3D by internal hardware 

- Screen: 7" 800X480 resolution , Capacitive touching panel 5-point 

- Language: Chinese Simple, ChineseTradition, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish etc. 

- Browser: Opera, UCWeb, SkyFire, Dolphin 

- Online entertainment: Support Online video, Online TV, online Movie, Online Music, Online Radio. 

- Office software: Word, Excel, PPowerpoint, PDF, Txt, 

- Games: 3D Game can be supported by internal 3D accelerate of hardware 

- Extend: There are more than 20 thousands kind of free software in goole market 

- Video formats support: Video formats support : Support AVI ( H.264, DIVX, DIVX, XVID ) , rm, rmvb, MKV ( H.264, DIVX, DIVX, XVID ), WMV, MOV, MP4 ( H.264, MPEG, DIVX, XVID), DAT ( VCD) ,VOB ( DVD), PMP, MPEG, MPG, FLV ( H.263, H.264 ), ASF, TS, TP, 3GP, MPG etc. 30 formats and internet all can be downloaded 

- Audio formats support : Support MP3,WMA,MP2,OGG,AAC,M4A,MA4,FLAC,APE,3GP,WAV formats audio playing and support songs list 

- Recording: Support MP3, WMA formats recording Image format: JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF etc. - Multi formats revolving/lantern side and highest support 4096*4096 resolution 

- Games: 3D Game can be supported by internal 3d accelerate of hardware 

- Playing ability: highest 1920X1080,30Mb code  

- Video output: Hdmi Output Files reading: Support fonts changing,text colors,background colors,files folder,listening the songs and browsing pictures can be reading texts book

- Speaker: Yes OTG digital: Support Mobile,USB,card reader  

- USB: USB2.0 HOST: HOST1.1 connect with mouse,keyboard,USB disk 

- Charging: Small type charging port,DC 5V input Earphone / Video: 3.5mm earphone

- Screen: Capacitive touching panel multi-point (optional Resistive touch screen single-point) 

- Key Button Touchable Button: MENU,BACK,Simple and pretty 

- Playing time: 4 hour music for music, with earphone 6 hours above for video,HDMI output playing time above 3

Overall, the Haipad A13 7" is a very powerful tablet considering the price range at which it is being sold currently. I would recommend it for those that want something more than just a regular e-book reader and want the full enjoyment of a media powerhouse. It is also a good starting gadget for those new to tablets and as a gift for you kids. 

Huawei's 7" Tablet Power House: Huawei MediaPad

I have been a long time user of the Samsung Galaxy Tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. Both of these are very spiffy and very easy to use, especially since both of these Samsung tablet models sports a dual core chipset and is running Android's Ice Cream Sandwich software. Only problem for many is that they would normally want to look for something of a cheaper price range but not sacrificing on the quality of build and more importantly performance. That is where Huawei comes in with their 7" entry to the tablet arena - Huawei Mediapad.

The Huawei Mediapad is the first tablet in the Huawei line to sport the Ice Cream Sandwich software, though they have released earlier models of the Huawei Mediapad that is running on HoneyComb 3.2 which is now being upgraded OTA to the current Android 4.0 ICS. It isn't something that is heavy either contending the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 at only 390g and 10.55mm thick. They have improved PPI by giving it a 217PPI making HD videos and e-book reading quite pleasurable. It also sports a 1.3CMOS front camera and a 5MP Autofocus rear HD Camera (Samsung 7" models only offer upto 3MP). Processor-wise it sports a 1.2Ghz Dual Core Snapdragon S3 chip, HSPA+ and WIFI 11 Highspeed internet is supported. It even has GPS/A-GPS support which makes navigation without an internet(using MapFactor Navigator-offline maps have to be downloaded) possible. It also has an expandable microSD card slot upto 32GB.

Taking note of all that, most people would really care about is if it can perform all that it's competitors would offer which the Huawei Mediapad seemingly delivers without a hitch. I guess in a way you can compare the performance of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and Huawei Mediapad is pretty much at par and in some instances especially in gaming the Huawei Mediapad outperforms well above the competition. In terms of battery performance it also performs just as well with 4100mAh non-removable battery roughly giving 6 hours of non-stop video viewing. Gaming again is pretty good considering that it has 1.2Ghz of Dual Core Snapdragon S3 with 1GB ram to work with. This is mostly due to the GPU that it comes with which is the Adreno 220GPU.

Call quality on a tablet can tend to vary(Yes you can make phone calls here as sim-card support is available enabling also the use of HSPA+ for internet as well) but with the Huawei Mediapad this is something it does well with great reception. Though it doesn't support an earpiece, you can use speaker phone option or have a bluetooth paired along with it. SMS and MMS is also available and it is pretty much basic, but it does give you a huge sms interface to work with.

Overall, the Huawei MediaPad is a pretty awesome tablet power house that one can pick if you want a cheaper alternative to that of the Samsung 7" tablet line. It doesn't have many cons considering its price value.

Here is a quick run down of the specs of the Huawei MediaPad
Huawei MediaPad specs:
7″ IPS LCD display @ 1280×800 pixels, 217ppi
Qualcomm SnapDragon 1.2GHz dual-core
Adreno 220 GPU
8GB internal storage
up to 32GB via microSD
HSDPA 14.4Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1
GPS w/ aGPS support
mini-HDMI output
5MP autofocus camera
1.3MP front-facing camera
720p video capture
HiFi audio player
4100mAh battery, up to 6 hours
Adobe Flash 10.3

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Budget Tablet Review: Coby Kyros MID7048-3G Connect even without WIFI

Of most of the budget tablets that I have been able to review for the past couple of months, there have only been but a few that were notable ones that I feel would be worthy to be written about. One of these is the Coby Kyros MID7048-3G. The Coby Kyros Mid 7048 is a 7 inch tablet that is powered by a single core 1Ghz A5 Cortex chip coupled with a 1 GB ram allowing it to support running Android's Ice Cream Sandwich software also known as 4.0. It has a front facing VGA camera, multi-touch capable screen, microSD card slot capable of handling upto 32Gb, Wifi and is capable of delivering a 16:9 aspect ratio viewing angle to its users.

Now looking at those specs, the Coby Kyros MID7048-3G brings something of what most budget tablets would normally offer their clients. However, the Coby Kyros MID7048-3G as its name indicates, this Coby Kyros is equipped with 3G technology meaning that you have an option to insert a sim-card giving its users the power to browse the internet without having to use wifi. This is something that many of the budget tablets that I have seen thus far have lacked. This means that if you have an internet plan attached to your simcard, you can now use your Coby Kyros MID7048-3G on the go as long as of course you have signal.

In terms of how it feels to be using a Corby Kyros MID7048-3G. The specs will pretty much give you hint on its performance. It is like the Kata T1 Tablet as it tends to be slow to start up but once it has fully loaded it runs pretty smoothly and since it runs the basic stock 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich software, navigation is pretty smooth and pleasant. Battery life is pretty good too since it only runs on a single core. Being at 1Ghz it is capable of running games such as temple run and Contract Killer Zombies, but dont expect it to run full on 3D games. Camera is basically for skype calling and isn't of the best quality but still does the job. GPS isn't part of the package either but with 3G you can use the assisted GPS navigation by google to help you get to places.

Is it worth the price tag though? That is still up for debate but being at the less than Php5k range it is quite cheap. It has good trade-offs such as the inclusion of 3G technology allowing users to gain access of the internet using the mobile networks but then again that depends on the carrier of choice for internet and connectivity performance. Personally I would recommend buying this for your kids as it is an awesome e-book reader and is a pretty good alternative to the models being dished out by kindle fire and kids don't really need high powered tablets to get to do most of their school works. For the none discerning adults, especially those that just want something they can carry on the go to read emails and browse the web, this is a pretty good alternative pair to carrying around your bulky laptop while not costing just as much as that lappy.

Overall, I think it is quite a buy but if you value full on functionality for your tablet and 3G is something you can sacrifice then I'd steer you to the earlier budget tablet reviews I have made for the models of the CDRKing FastPad 10" and Kata T1 Tablet.

For those considering the Coby Kyros MID7048-3G, Check out its specs below:

Coby Kyros MID 7048 7.0'',LCD, WVGA, Capacitive Multi-Touchscreen OS - Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Cortex - A5 (Telechips) 1.0 GHz Processor Internal Memory : 4 GB Flash + 1 GB RAM Front Camera 0.3 Mega Pixels, VGA Standard battery, Rechargeable Li-Poly Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7 or higher and Mac OS or Linux in mass storage mode Multi Languages Release Date : In December 2012

Size & Weight Height 7.5 Inch Width 4.4 Inch Depth 0.5 Inch Weight 0.65 lbs

Display Srceen Type LCD,WVGA, Capacitive Multi-Touchscreen Srceen Size 7.0 Resolution 480 X 800 Srceen Size 7.0 PPI 117 Multi touch Yes Aspect Ratio - 16;9, Digital Zoom

Camera Main Camera - Type Main Camera - Mega Pixel Main Camera - HD Recording No Main Camera - Recording resolution Front Camera - Type VGA camera Front Camera - Mega Pixel 0.3 MP Front Camera - HD Recording Yes Front Camera - Recording resolution 640 x 480 Pixels Supports 1080P and 720P

Battery Built-In Standard battery, Li-Po Video Audio Power Input/Output AC 100-240VAC INPUT, DC 5V output

Storage RAM 1 GB RAM Internal 4 GB Internal Flash Memory Card Slots MicroSDHC External Memory - Up to 32 GB

Processor Processor Cortex - A5 (Telechips)      - Type Single core      - Frequency 1.0 GHz High-speed 1 GHz processor

Connectivity GPRS - EDGE - WLAN WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth - Infrared port - USB USB 2.0 High Speed Full Size and USB 2.0 Mini-USB Connector Input / Output 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Built-in Speaker, Built-in Microphone, High Speed HDMI,

Multimedia Video - Formats Multi Format Video Player      - HD Supports 1080P HD Playback Photo Format Support - Displays common internet formats Audio - Formats Multi Format Music Player Microphone Yes, 3.5mm Headphone Jack Radio - Speakers Yes HDMI Yes

Other Features OS Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Sensors Accelerometer Messaging Email, Push Email, IM GPS - Java Yes Softwares E-book reader, popular games and apps , Browsers HTML Colors Black Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7 or higher and Mac OS or Linux in mass storage mode

Till the Next Time...

-Metz-