Unusual Technology – Depends on What You Want, September 13, 2010

By 

Christopher R. Dorr (Cincinnati, OH, USA) – See all my reviews

  

I have used the GenTouch78 for several weeks now, and have somewhat mixed feelings about it. On balance, this device is definitely worth purchasing *IF* are willing to do some of the work. Out of the box, with no effort on your part? You will likely want to send it back. Why? It has several negatives (with fixes in parentheses):

1. The resistive touchscreen is horribly slow and inaccurate (Updating with update 3 from the Augen website adds a calibration utility that dramatically improves things)

2. The battery life is mediocre – 2-2.5 hours (By adding a utility to put it in `airplane mode’ when not using wifi, you can extend the battery life to 4-5 hours pretty easily. The problem is caused by the direct port of Android. A HUGE amount of battery power is wasted on the unit trying to find a cell tower to connect to. This should be a relatively easy fix; I would expect it to be fixed within the next few months.)

3. The headset connector is 2.5 mm, so you cannot use standard headsets (Augen states they will send you a free adapter if you email them)

4. The Android Market app does not work (You can locate a great many .apk files online, and the update referenced above adds an alternative app store…far fewer apps, but it is something).

5. There is no accelerometer. You cannot (easily) switch from landscape to portrait mode (There is a workaround by using the included file manager to manually change the orientation)

6. The unit itself seems slow and unresponsive (The processor is a relatively slow processor, but you can significantly increase responsiveness by killing apps using a task manager, and by eliminating the `active’ wallpaper installed by default.)

7. The buttons are on the back, and their use is not immediately intuitive (In time, I have grown to think this is a very GOOD design choice. Your fingers fall naturally to them after you get used to it, but it does take some time).

If you resist the urge and do NOT return it, and instead spend some time `fixing’ some of the flaws? What you end up with is pretty impressive for several reasons:

1. It is a very capable ebook reader (I have installed Alkido for free books, Kindle and Nook). It is basically the same price as a Nook or a Kindle, and it can do VASTLY more than either of those can.

2. The web browsing experience is very satisfying.

3. It handles media quite capably. YouTube videos look great, and music sounds acceptable, given the single speaker on the back.

4. It is quite light (12.2 ounces – half what an iPad weighs). This is important if you use it as an ebook reader. It fits very comfortably in one hand for extended periods.

5. It runs many apps quite well. I have chess, blackjack, several other games, some aviation apps, and text editors running on it.

This is clearly a first generation device. But is ALSO 1/3rd the cost of the cheapest iPad. It probably provides 60% of the utility of an iPad for 33% of the cost.

This device is getting better. It will continue to get better. If you don’t mind putting in the effort, this is actually a very good buy. It isn’t an iPad. It’s not even really close to the beauty, speed, and elegance of the iPad. But it does many jobs, and does them well. If you can deal with this, then you will love this device. If not? You’re likely better off with an iPad. For me? I’m keeping mine…for 9, the ebook capabilities alone are worth the cost.

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The Augen Gentouch78 Android tablet — What it is, and what it isn’t, September 1, 2010

By 

Conrad H. Blickenstorfer (Sacramento, CA USA) – See all my reviews

  

The GenTouch78 tablet is really a curious product. You get some very good stuff (like the excellent 7-inch display, good performance, big battery, powerful software, etc.) in a very inexpensive device that may well be one of the early trailblazers in an emerging Android tablet market. This little tablet does an awful lot, and it does it better than any of the old Pocket PCs ever did.

Problem is, it’s running a potentially very important OS on a tablet at a time where that OS is still mostly implemented only on phones, it’s doing so with apparently a cold attitude from Google, and the inexpensive hardware, while not inelegant, cannot possibly be as polished as what comes out of Apple.

Augen’s biggest problem with the GenTouch is that it looks so much like a little iPad that people will invariable pick it up and try to use it like an iPad, swiping, dragging, pinching, which is exactly what it cannot do.

The name, GenTouch, also doesn’t help as this is NOT a natural touch device. You operate it with a stylus, like a PDA, and Android really wants touch.

Augen is absolutely to be congratulated to even embark on this project. Yes, it needs a capacitive touch screen. Yes, cheap hardware can only do so much. Yes, a small staff will be very hard pressed to truly make a new OS work on it, and provide the help and support a product like this will require. But Augen showed it can be done, and I am really glad they did it.

What the Augen GenTouch78 is:

- One of the first tablets to run the Android OS (version 2.1)

- A great and inexpensive way to get familiar with Android without signing a 2-year telco contract

- A cool little tablet with a great, contrasty 800 x 480 pixel display

- Fully capable of web browsing

- Excellent Maps and YouTube apps

- Capable of running a large variety of very powerful apps and utilities

- Expandable via microSD card slot

- Quite fast in most operations

- Very inexpensive, and actually offering very good value

- Faster, more powerful and offering a larger display than any Pocket PC/PDA ever had

And what it is NOT:

- An iPad replacement

- A truly finished product

- Able to download from the Google Market Place (as of 8/31/2010)

- Run as long as its big battery suggests

- Easy to operate, what with those tiny buttons in the back

- Have a keyboard fast enough for ANY serious data entry

- Really suitable to run an OS that needs a capacitive touchscreen, and not a resistive one

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Better than I was expecting!!!!, November 2, 2010

First of all–this is not the price of an Ipad so it really can’t be compared to one. The Augen is running 2.1 Android os which is NOT what the ipad uses. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with the web browsing. It responded quickly to loading sites. I purchased a later version than the other 2 reviewers because Google and YouTube is no longer on the tablet. I have loaded apps from the marketplace and even put the SlideMe Marketplace app and was able to download apps from there also. There are not as many as the Android Marketplace but you can find plenty to use. (I have an ipod and I have 184 apps but I only use a handful daily) Overall, this is worth what you pay for it. I also find that it is not as heavy as the ipad for use while in the bed reading, etc. I also liked being able to tap the screen and it enlarges the print while web browsing. I hate wearing reading glasses. (Guess I just told my age) The screen is a resistive touch screen==not a multi-touch. You just have to press a little harder to get it to work. I did not have any problems with typing as others on the web have complained of. Overall, I am happy with the tablet. Search on the web and there are plenty of people upgrading these devices and instructions are there for anyone who is interested. Straight out of the box it does need the updates which are easy to install. It is user friendly but you have to learn how to navigate with the Android system–which is true for any operating system. Its a keeper!!!!

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DO NOT buy ANYTHING from Augen!!, June 27, 2011

I bought a refurbished Augen netbook which broke less than 2 months after I bought it. It will freeze everytime it boots up. Augen customer service is a joke. It takes SEVERAL WEEKS for them to respond to e-mails (if you are lucky enough to get a response at all). They will delay and delay until 6 months later they send you to the “RMA department”, which will tell you they no longer repair your product. Even if it was under warranty when it broke. They don’t honor warranties and they don’t respond to customers. You can’t even call their customer service, because the number they give goes right to a voicemail which, you guessed it, they don’t return calls for messages you leave.

If you buy Augen, you’re on your own.

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Exactly what I wanted…and more!, August 26, 2010

By 

A. Jones “BargainShopperInWA” (In the Woods, WA United States) – See all my reviews

  

Keep in mind, I am not a techno-snob, nor am I a techno-idiot. I am somewhere in the middle of the pack, with a firm understanding of technology and exceedingly high expectations that a product deliver on its promises. That being said, I LOVE this eReader. It does exactly what is promises to do and does it in a manner that is super simple and very user friendly. I love this so much, I am buying one for my best friend as a birthday gift and likely for a few other people for Christmas.

This surfs the web using any Wi-Fi available, which is handy for me that I have a wireless network at home. It seemlessly downloads books of all formats. It plays music, video, pictures, and has a notepad on it.

I have not even dug into half of the features listed, but am enamored with this delightful little reader. The case is beautiful, slips nicely into my purse, and is easy to bring along to soccer practice or read quietly in bed while my husband sleeps.

A+++++ for this eReader

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3 Stars with Room for Improvement, September 1, 2010

Got got this ebook reader about a month ago. I already have a Nook 3G but I wanted something for less that I could put in my bag and bounce around NYC with. I saw the price, the functions and the ratings and thought sounds ok. For starters I don’t have any major complaints. The only thing about this device is that requires some tweaking and adjustments. I didn’t expect it to work like a charm (out of the box) as did my Nook. But for the money I’d say it’s worth it if you have the time for tweaking.

Pros:

Pays Music with very good sound.

Displays photos well

Good with some video formats

Came with a load of free ebooks (some of them rather good)

WiFi

You can go online and check email etc

Attractive looking device

Sturdy Construction

Came with nice case and wall charger

Cons:

Little slow loading for online service

Plays some music files (took some tweaking)

Same for video

SD card doesn’t register (this too will take some tweaking)

Overall the Pros outweigh the Cons so I’m gave it 3 stars with room for improvement.

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The Book accomplishes its purpose, August 18, 2010

I’ve had the Book for a week now and am very pleased with its basic feature as an eReader. I’ve loaded on a few books from an e-library and have enjoyed them immensely. I’ve not added pictures or video to the flash drive, but will probably fiddle with that later. It’s great for loading an ebook through the USB and heading off to new adventures.

The non-touch screen is nice, but the cheap buttons can be annoying if you’re relaxing and keep hearing a snap when you push the button to advance the page. The G-motion sensor is very sensitive as well. I’ve had several occasions where the orientation will change when I shift slightly. That can be very annoying when you’re reading a fascinating book.

I’ve only briefly surfed the Internet using the WiFi function. The speed of the device seems to depend on your connection, but it is slower than most other devices.

The major con is the adapter. I plugged in the adapter to charge it the first night I had it. When I pulled the adapter out, the cover came off in my hand, exposing the internal elements of the adapter. Have contacted the company to get a replacement.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the Book as a basic entry-level eReader. I’m looking forward to taking this with me while traveling or enjoying some down time.

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Decent small tablet, August 3, 2010

I ordered this product to see what android was like before I invested in a phone with the android OS. I was pleased when the product arrived in a timely manner and in good condition. I’ve heard that people were having issues connecting to the android market but I didn’t have any problems at all. I downloaded a few apps already. I was able to connect to my home network and surf the web in less than 2 minutes. Android takes a bit of getting used to if you are like me and more familiar with an iphone. The only complaints I have are the RAM is a bit on the low side. A way to help that problem is downloading an app killer from the market to quit the apps that are running in the background. The more apps that are running in the background the slower the device becomes. Also, the touch screen isn’t quite as good as I’d like but the device is all in all pretty good.

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Great performance for the money, and Android market!, August 18, 2010

Having compared and read many online forums regarding the new slew of Android MIDs, I purchased both the Rockchip CPU unit here, and the VIA CPU unit from another seller.

The Rockchip runs circles around all the others out there! It can play up to 720P HD video and almost any file type. The unit even features full android market app link, to allow access to upwards of 50k android applications

its wifi works great and the new aluminum housing keeps it running cool compared to the VIA unit

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A very nice Android device for the price!, September 18, 2010

For a no name brand Android device, this isn’t bad at all!! The Rocketchip processor is speedy, the memory is a little on the slow side, especially when running multiple apps in the background, but all in all, it’s a great product for doing mostly multimedia stuff. I connected to my wifi network in less than a minute, and I’m already downloading multiple apps from the Android Marketplace!

And the delivery was pretty speedy. I ordered this device on Sept 14, and it arrived 4 days later.

The only things I would change about this device are:

-Increase the memory. the more memory, the faster.

-G-sensor; it could stand to be a little faster when rotating the screen

-Android 1.5; It’s not bad, but could be better, especially with 2.1 and higher that’s out for mobile phones.

Other than that, the device is awesome!!

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Nice case, May 13, 2011

By 

M. L. Patterson “35yrRocker” (Decatur, AL) – See all my reviews

  

Very nice case, perfect fit for the Archos 7,

only thing is there’s no seal for the case.

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Great cover!, March 18, 2011

By 

Judith L. Brannan “music lover” (Portland, OR) – See all my reviews

  

This cover is easy to slip my Coby Kyros in and to remove it. All that I want to include fits perfectly.

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Adequate carry case, February 12, 2011

By 

L. Porter “ancientgatekeeper” (Puget Sound, WA, USA) – See all my reviews

  

The carry case provides the protection that I required for the Archos 70 internet tablet I purchased at the same time. The extra USB cable fits in the front zip pocket and is a very appreciated add on. Archos 70 – 8 GB Internet Tablet (Black)

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