Touchscreen Internet Device E67.99

TerrorFirmer

Got this in Maplins today.

* 5" touchscreen
* Windows CE 5.0
* CPU: 480MHz Telechip
* 128MB RAM
* 480 x 272 screen resolution
* Wifi
* 2GB storage built in, up to 32GB SD
* USB Host
* SDHC card slot
* microphone and speaker built in
* microphone and headphone jacks


Using it so far, very decent, browsing is good, playback of xvid is decent, touchscreen very responsive even with using fingers. Picture of it here I took (excuse the poor quality):

Random

have you got a link to it? the name and model of it?

thanks

Gadgetman496

Was that the one on the specials rack towards the rear of the store and, they only had one stocked?

TheDriver

was looking at that last week, its MID (mobile internet device) and its listed on amazon. Just wonder why maplin only stocked it and also why they are discontinuing it?

TerrorFirmer

Model A10JQ. Yes, it was on clearance. Been using it a lot since last night and so far, very happy.

positron

Looks like the manual (it's a pdf): http://www.maplin.co.uk/Media/PDFs/A10JQ%20Manual.pdf

degsie

Does this qualify as a BA if it was just a one off discount? Just askin

Gadgetman496

This is the link to what TerrorFirmer bought

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Barr

Looks good value.Anyone know if they have this for sale in the Cork branch ?

TheDriver

yep, saw it in there last week. Was going to buy but wanted to wait for some guinea pig!! Thanks OP

iisollie

TerrorFirmer, would this be any good for reading ebooks?

thesandeman

Sounds like what I might be looking for. Now excuse my total ignorance of these matters. Just wondering if it can be used to read emails with attachments etc.? Also except for wifi how else can it be used for connecting to the internet? Can it be used with those Vodafone/3 prepaid broadband ariel thingies? I have zero knowlege of computers so have patience with me lol. Sounds like it might be an ideal starter pack for me.

keithclancy

Windows CE 5.0 is dead and buried, no updates, no flash etc. Total waste of money.

bluemachaveli

Barr wrote: »

Looks good value.Anyone know if they have this for sale in the Cork branch ?

Was in Cork today. They had a good few left!

thesandeman

Anyone spot them in Galway? Might save myself a 15 minute walk if none there.

TerrorFirmer

keithclancy wrote: »

Windows CE 5.0 is dead and buried, no updates, no flash etc. Total waste of money.

Total waste of money how....? I've had mine a few days and to name but two things, I can browse the web and watch standard resolution divx/xvid files without conversion perfectly smoothly in fullscreen with the included coreplayer. For 60 euro, I seriously doubt you could offer me anything remotely as viable for that price. As for flash - it does have flash.

Just wondering if it can be used to read emails with attachments etc.? Also except for wifi how else can it be used for connecting to the internet? Can it be used with those Vodafone/3 prepaid broadband ariel thingies? I have zero knowlege of computers so have patience with me lol. Sounds like it might be an ideal starter pack for me.

Yes you can read email, and view attachments. Mobile broadband dongles wouldn't work though. As for Ebooks, haven't tried yet, will get around to it.

Anyone spot them in Galway? Might save myself a 15 minute walk if none there.

They still had some today...

thesandeman

Lovely. Didnt make it there today. Still confused about how I can connect if Im not near a wifi place though. Although where I live shouldnt be a problem. Another question- if I take a video on my camera can I play it on this thing by putting the card in and is it possible to edit stuff on it? Thanks for help. Think Ill take a walk to Maplan tomorrow. If nuttin else it will give me a chance to study the Qwerty keyboard. Oh another thing: any idea if it can be used for online betting? Thanks again.

TerrorFirmer

Connecting anywhere - I'm not sure if SD Wifi cards work on CE5.0, but perhaps. Camera Video - would depend on the resolution. If its a decent then no, portable devices like this aren't designed to handle high definition movies. At the moment, I'm watching a standard 640x352 Divx file and the playback is 100%. Editing - I'm sure there are basic applications out there but editing a movie on a WinCE device is hardly feasible. To be honest sounds like you're more after a laptop....this is perfect for browsing the web, using messenger, skype, watching movies, reading documents, and so on, not a whole lot more.

thesandeman

Cheers TerrorF. Ill go look at it tomorrow. Really dont want a laptop till I get the hang of Qwerty. As long as I can do Internet and email Ill be happy for 70quid. Just hope I dont have to stay in a pub with wifi all day though lol.

thesandeman

Sorry, just one last question if anyone can help me- Can this be used in Wifi places abroad? Im going to ask the salesperson all these questions but it would be handy to know other peoples opinions in advance. Thanks again.

TerrorFirmer

thesandeman wrote: »

Sorry, just one last question if anyone can help me- Can this be used in Wifi places abroad? Im going to ask the salesperson all these questions but it would be handy to know other peoples opinions in advance. Thanks again.

Yup of course, provided its open wifi or you're somewhere that provides passwords for paying customers (cafes, bars, and so on).

funkyjebus

so anyone know if they still have these in stock at jervis?

qwertz

funkyjebus wrote: »

so anyone know if they still have these in stock at jervis?

Not in stock in Jervis. The guy told me to order it online and that the stock level for B-grade products in Galway was an exception.

Gadgetman496

keithclancy wrote: »

Windows CE 5.0 is dead and buried, no updates, no flash etc. Total waste of money.

I don't agree with that statement at all.

TerrorFirmer is around here a while now & is no fool when it comes to technology.

I looked at these prior to TerrorFirmer posting and was sorely tempted too but didn't buy at that stage.

I have however bought one in Galway this morning and here's why.

Let's take this device for what it is?

1. It gives you portable Internet access in your shirt pocket (without the outlandish mobile Internet charges in most cases).

2. It gives you email access.

3. It gives you the ability to Skype.

4. Allows you to create documents, use Youtube, Messenger etc.

So what if it has CE 5.0? it does what it says on the tin, right?

At the end of the day, the average standard mobile phone of any use will set you back between €99 - €100 so I can think of a lot worse ways to spend €69.99.

Just for your Info, it's exactly as TerrorFirmer described it & after actually using it in-store before the buy I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth this little device runs.

If anyone is interested?

The Maplin Product code is: A10JQ

Maplin Galway have 4 left in stock at time of post.

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TheDriver

whats wifi range and battery life like?

thesandeman

Two left in Galway now. Be careful cos there is another one with the charger missing. Sales guy spotted it as I was paying. C'yall in the tech forum later with my questions lol.

keithclancy

gadgetman496 wrote: »

I don't agree with that statement at all.

TerrorFirmer is around here a while now & is no fool when it comes to technology.

I looked at these prior to TerrorFirmer posting and was sorely tempted too but didn't buy at that stage.

I have however bought one in Galway this morning and here's why.

Let's take this device for what it is?

1. It gives you portable Internet access in your shirt pocket (without the outlandish mobile Internet charges in most cases).

2. It gives you email access.

3. It gives you the ability to Skype.

4. Allows you to create documents, use Youtube, Messenger etc.

So what if it has CE 5.0? it does what it says on the tin, right?

At the end of the day, the average standard mobile phone of any use will set you back between €99 - €100 so I can think of a lot worse ways to spend €69.99.

Just for your Info, it's exactly as TerrorFirmer described it & after actually using it in-store before the buy I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth this little device runs.

If anyone is interested?

The Maplin Product code is: A10JQ

Maplin Galway have 4 left in stock at time of post.

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Have had a CE 5 device and believe me it will drive you bonkers after a while of using it.

Its a very buggy mobile o/s, things such as losing the taskbar and not being able to get it back, or random crashes for memory access faults.

Best internet tablet i've has is a Nokia N770 running Maemo (easiest to hack around with anyway)

Its cheap for a reason, but you'll find it will not work on alot of sites. Plus development on CE 5.0 is pretty much dead, most of the devices you'll find these days running it are cheapo sat nav devices.

IMO I'd save my money as it will end up being another cheap piece of junk sitting around your house.

Flash Lite won't be developed anymore :
http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/distributableplayer.html

TheDriver

would an ipod touch be a better bet, costing a bit more but can you surf etc with the wifi?

TerrorFirmer

One thing worth noting is that the hardware in these varies wildly. My housemate and I both have one, mine is 480x272, his is a much superior 800x480, even though they both have the same model number - but on the flip side, mine has 128Mb ram, whereas his only has 64Mb.

funkyjebus

TheDriver wrote: »

would an ipod touch be a better bet, costing a bit more but can you surf etc with the wifi?

Is an ipod touch €69.

Does it have a 5inch screen

Does it play xvid / divx

does it fiew word, excel and pdf files?

That last one I'm not sure about, but I doubt it. Point being that these are not comparible to an ipod, at all. this is an MID not an mp3 player.

thesandeman

Mine says 128 memory and 800x480 resolution so I presume thats good. Charging it at the moment. It says 'current system is already in system updating. Please reboot after updating finished'. I assume thats normal when its turned on for the first time?? Ill move forums after this. Promise!

TheDriver

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

One thing worth noting is that the hardware in these varies wildly. My housemate and I both have one, mine is 480x272, his is a much superior 800x480, even though they both have the same model number - but on the flip side, mine has 128Mb ram, whereas his only has 64Mb.

did ye both buy them recently?
I know its only 69 euro but don't want it to be a waste of 69 euro either!

TerrorFirmer

Seems to be a firmware issue in some 800x480 models, still have 4 samsung 32m chips but in the faulty models but only being seen as 64mb. doubt there's much in the line of firmware updates either.

TheDriver

got it this evening in Cork, grand little thing really and salesman was nice lad who for once seemed to know his stuff in Maplin. I would say about it is that it is only worth 70 euro. It does exactly what it says in the tin i.e. look up emails etc though can't get flash stuff to work on it. But if you are travelling and want to keep on top of few things on the net, then its an ideal spend, especially if you can watch a movie on the plane.

TheDriver

gadgetman496 wrote: »

use Youtube, -

Mine tells me to upgrade my browser, did anyone try this or did movies play right away?
RIGHT: 2 hours later and I cannot get any youtube videos to play, i tried mobile version and full and I get page errors, i tried it with coreplayer also open, i tried using youtube from within coreplayer and still no avail. Should I just bring it back because it says across the back of the box, youtube!

TerrorFirmer

You won't get Youtube to work, WinCE5.0 doesn't support Flash 10. Didn't bother me, as most websites work fine, but streaming video isn't ever going to work on this device. Unless you have find a java browser that supports streaming video by installing PhoneME, but I didn't bother trying that. I did install MioPocket, which is absolutely fantastic - packed full of hundreds of useful apps, turns this thing into quite a multi-function device. But be warned, don't install the full release, google a particular release called 'Midded MioPocket' designed for this device - using the full one has been reported to cause touchscreen issues. MioPocket also gives you control over tons of stuff that WinCE doesn't allow by default without editing the registry remotely - taskbar apps and icons, desktop arrangements, favourites, etc. Definitely recommended, miles better than standard ce 5.0.

TheDriver

now thats annoying because the box has youtube written on it. I take it I could take it back and get a full refund on the basis that it doesn't do what it says? I got this because someone said flash works on it but obviously only older versions of flash.

TerrorFirmer

Yes, only older editions. I hadn't even tried Youtube, not something I'd look at much even on my normal desktop, let alone a mobile device - I just noticed that it had a working flash executable, so was replying to the statement that WinCE didn't support flash. Yes, they will take it back. I got the impression from the guy in Maplins that a lot of them get returned - I'd wager for that very reaosn, lack of flash support and as a result a lot of popular websites, namely youtube. It should work through Coreplayer, but the software is horrendous - it was somewhat working for me, but the way in which it works is ridiculous - one search result at a time!

TheDriver

I was getting the one search result through core player but it would then drop the wifi connection when I went to play it. tried mobile version of youtube etc but no go.
I wasn't expecting much form this device but found it a tad more disappointing, especially those websites with flash based menus etc

flutered

TheDriver wrote: »

I was getting the one search result through core player but it would then drop the wifi connection when I went to play it. tried mobile version of youtube etc but no go.
I wasn't expecting much form this device but found it a tad more disappointing, especially those websites with flash based menus etc

i could do with one, i will take it if you are returning it.

TheDriver

yeah cool, only catch is are you in Cork? Maplin in Cork had few new ones there anyways?

flutered

no i am about 1 1/2 hours drive from there, a bit far.

TheIrishGrover

Just curious. I don't want to get one (Too many gadgets already (yes, there is such a thing ) ). But could Ubuntu be installed on it? Could solve Flash issues maybe

TheDriver

aparently people have tried and not possible

Gadgetman496

I noticed last night that depending on it's mood it was displaying half memory :eek:

I'd power it up and it would show the full advertised RAM, power it off & on again & it would show half the RAM.

I think it may have dodgy firmware?

I returned it today & got a full refund.

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TerrorFirmer

gadgetman496 wrote: »

I noticed last night that depending on it's mood it was displaying half memory :eek:

I'd power it up and it would show the full advertised RAM, power it off & on again & it would show half the RAM.

I think it may have dodgy firmware?

I returned it today & got a full refund.

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that's a common problem with the higher res model. I looked at about 3 of each in Maplins, all the 480x272 were showing 100% ram, and likewise, all the 800x480 were only showing half memory. there's a firmware upgrade to fix that available, I've discovered, so it's not such a big problem.

Corholio

Bought this the other day and have to say im really pleased so far. The touchscreen is quite impressive and apadts well to finger touch as well. Videos and pictures are very easy to access using the Viewer and the Core Player in terms of videos.

Youtube does work for me with no problem at all. The 1 search thing is quite strange alright but its not that big of a deal if you know a few of the tags for the video. The internet also works well, with my only annoyance the fact that it puts web pages full size so you find yourself scrolling a hell of a lot on pages.

This leads me to a question I have, maybe to TerrorFirmer cos it seems your knowledge is quite impressive, is there anything I can do to make the webpages a better fit for the screen, any programs I can download etc?

So far a really good purchase though and definitely well pleased with it.