
http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_24562.htm On Wednesday Aldi will sell a 7" tablet running Android 4.0 for $99. It's got 512M of RAM and 16G of storage but only a 800*480 screen (the same resolution as a lot of phones). I'm not sure whether I'll buy one at this time, getting another Android test device for a mere $99 is a good deal, but the resolution sucks a bit. http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/10-inch-tablet-pc-android-16gb/ Kogan has a 10" tablet with 1024*768 resolution for $189 plus shipping, maybe $210 all up. It's a fairly decent tablet (I own one and a couple of relatives have them), but a lot more expensive. http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/google-nexus-7-16gb/ Then there's the Nexus 7 for $229 plus shipping which has a 1280*800 display but it's only 7". It's a Nexus so there's got to be some nice features, and it has Android 4.1. I'll probably get a $99 tablet because even if I don't use it much I won't feel bad about wasting $99. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_S_3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_Note_2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_DNA Next year when prices drop after Christmas I'll buy a fancy new phone. Currently I'm looking at the Samsung Galaxy S3, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, or something like the HTC Droid DNA aka J Butterfly. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/

On Monday, 3 December 2012 at 11:54:27 +1100, Russell Coker wrote:
http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_24562.htm
On Wednesday Aldi will sell a 7" tablet running Android 4.0 for $99. It's got 512M of RAM and 16G of storage but only a 800*480 screen (the same resolution as a lot of phones).
I bought one of their last specials six months ago. I returned it for two reasons: first, it wasn't possible to load apps, because the app store didn't know about it. The other, more personal, was that I couldn't find any use for it. More at http://www.lemis.com/grog/diary-jun2012.php?topics=c#android http://www.lemis.com/grog/diary-jun2012.php?topics=c#D-20120610-000316 and on. Greg -- Sent from my desktop computer. Finger grog@FreeBSD.org for PGP public key. See complete headers for address and phone numbers. This message is digitally signed. If your Microsoft MUA reports problems, please read http://tinyurl.com/broken-mua

On Mon, 3 Dec 2012, "Greg 'groggy' Lehey" <grog@lemis.com> wrote:
I bought one of their last specials six months ago. I returned it for two reasons: first, it wasn't possible to load apps, because the app store didn't know about it. The other, more personal, was that I couldn't find any use for it. More at http://www.lemis.com/grog/diary-jun2012.php?topics=c#android http://www.lemis.com/grog/diary-jun2012.php?topics=c#D-20120610-000316 and on.
Firstly you seem to have some aversion to tablets generally. The keyboard issue isn't that different from an EeePC 701 or other real netbook for anyone with typical adult finger size. There are a variety of Bluetooth keyboards available, some are tiny (like the EeePC 701 keyboard) and don't support touch typing and some are large enough for normal typing. But generally you don't get a tablet for serious typing. In terms of storage, it's not uncommon for devices with small internal storage to devote all of it to Android and none of it for VFAT filesystem mounting. Fortunately SD cards are cheap ($10 from OfficeWorks last time I checked) and many people have spare SD cards from old phones. From a Whirlpool thread you cited on your blog it seems that the Bauhn tablet that Aldi sold you had Google market problems when there was poor net access. The newer tablet is from Onix and would hopefully be better in some ways. As you noted, you can take stuff back to Aldi, so it's not a great risk. Also Kmart has advertised a $99 tablet in their latest catalogue but their web site gives no useful details other than Android 4.0. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/

On Monday, 3 December 2012 at 14:48:01 +1100, Russell Coker wrote:
On Mon, 3 Dec 2012, "Greg 'groggy' Lehey" <grog@lemis.com> wrote:
I bought one of their last specials six months ago. I returned it for two reasons: first, it wasn't possible to load apps, because the app store didn't know about it. The other, more personal, was that I couldn't find any use for it. More at http://www.lemis.com/grog/diary-jun2012.php?topics=c#android http://www.lemis.com/grog/diary-jun2012.php?topics=c#D-20120610-000316 and on.
Firstly you seem to have some aversion to tablets generally.
Yes, as I said, that one's personal. But it's not so much an aversion--otherwise I wouldn't have bought it in the first place--as a lack of application. I couldn't find anything to use it for, not even what I thought it might be good for.
The keyboard issue isn't that different from an EeePC 701 or other real netbook for anyone with typical adult finger size.
Well, this thing doesn't have a keyboard at all. And you can't touch-type on a touch screen.
There are a variety of Bluetooth keyboards available, some are tiny (like the EeePC 701 keyboard) and don't support touch typing and some are large enough for normal typing. But generally you don't get a tablet for serious typing.
Agreed. In fact, this thing *does* support a normal USB keyboard. But as you say, that's not the purpose.
From a Whirlpool thread you cited on your blog it seems that the Bauhn tablet that Aldi sold you had Google market problems when there was poor net access.
And when there was good net access. Google doesn't seem to have recognized them, and thus refused to download any software.
The newer tablet is from Onix and would hopefully be better in some ways.
You'd hope they would have learnt, wouldn't you?
As you noted, you can take stuff back to Aldi, so it's not a great risk.
Agreed. If you buy one, I'd be interested to know what you think. Greg -- Sent from my desktop computer. Finger grog@FreeBSD.org for PGP public key. See complete headers for address and phone numbers. This message is digitally signed. If your Microsoft MUA reports problems, please read http://tinyurl.com/broken-mua

A thing I forgot: On Monday, 3 December 2012 at 11:54:27 +1100, Russell Coker wrote:
I'll probably get a $99 tablet because even if I don't use it much I won't feel bad about wasting $99.
You can return it for a complete refund within 60 days as long as you still have the packaging. One of the best things about ALDI. Greg -- Sent from my desktop computer. Finger grog@FreeBSD.org for PGP public key. See complete headers for address and phone numbers. This message is digitally signed. If your Microsoft MUA reports problems, please read http://tinyurl.com/broken-mua

On Mon, Dec 3, 2012 at 11:54 AM, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> wrote:
http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_24562.htm
On Wednesday Aldi will sell a 7" tablet running Android 4.0 for $99.
On the subject of cheap Android/Linux tablets... http://www.arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/100-androidlinux-tablet-hits-fund...

Hi, I have a Zatab which is based on A10 as well I will try to liberate, linuxilate it using the instructions here: http://pengpod.com/pengwiki/index.php?title=Porting_to_a_new_A10_device Thanks Peter On Tue, 4 Dec 2012, Aryan Ameri wrote:
On Mon, Dec 3, 2012 at 11:54 AM, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> wrote: http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_24562.htm
On Wednesday Aldi will sell a 7" tablet running Android 4.0 for $99.
On the subject of cheap Android/Linux tablets...
http://www.arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/100-androidlinux-tablet-hits-fund... goal-ships-in-january/

Hi, On 4/12/2012 7:51 AM, Aryan Ameri wrote:
On the subject of cheap Android/Linux tablets...
http://www.arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/100-androidlinux-tablet-hits-fund...
Yes, I was going to suggest PengoPad, but their website has limited product information AND the resolution of the devices are quite low -- Russell wouldn't be happy with 1024x600 -- I know I wouldn't be too ;) Cheers AndrewM

On Tue, 4 Dec 2012, Andrew McGlashan <andrew.mcglashan@affinityvision.com.au> wrote:
http://www.arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/100-androidlinux-tablet-hits-f unding-goal-ships-in-january/
Yes, I was going to suggest PengoPad, but their website has limited product information AND the resolution of the devices are quite low -- Russell wouldn't be happy with 1024x600 -- I know I wouldn't be too ;)
For $100 I'd be happy with that resolution. $100 and a wait isn't so good though. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/

On Mon, 3 Dec 2012, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> wrote:
http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_24562.htm
On Wednesday Aldi will sell a 7" tablet running Android 4.0 for $99. It's got 512M of RAM and 16G of storage but only a 800*480 screen (the same resolution as a lot of phones).
I've just bought one. They are selling rapidly and I don't know how long they will last - probably you could get a returned one next week if you can't get one today. But if you like pink then you may be able to get one (the black ones are selling out). The tablet seems like a nice piece of hardware, solid construction and it feels nice to hold. Mine has a minor screen defect, but that's the sort of thing you expect from a cheap device, apart from that the display is good. The Wifi doesn't seem to have as good a range as some other devices (such as my phones and the more expensive 10" tablet I got from Kogan). This isn't a problem for me (the data intensive uses for this device will be in the same room as the AP) but could be a killer for some people. If you use your phone as an AP and it's in your pocket while using the tablet then it should be fine. I found Youtube unusable due to slow downloading even when sitting next to the AP but I can play videos downloaded from iView that are on my local web server (which is more important to me). I haven't tested it yet, but I hope that I can play TED talks on it. I had no initial problems with the Google Play store, but I did have it hang on me after using it for a while, maybe due to a Wifi issue. The people who build Android for modern devices seem remarkably stupid when it comes to partitioning, every device I've seen has only a small fraction of the storage usable for apps. This tablet is the worst I've ever seen, it has 16G of storage of which there is 512M partitioned for apps of which only 400M is free when you first get the device! It comes pre-installed with outdated versions of the Facebook client and Google Maps (which isn't very useful on a Wifi device) and some other useless things. If you upgrade them to the latest versions then you'll probably lose another 100M of the 512M! Also Angry Birds Star Wars doesn't work, that's really annoying. I have yet to find a device that can play that game. In conclusion, it's not the greatest Android tablet. But it can be OK value for $100. I don't think I'll return it. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/

On Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 12:01 PM, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> wrote:
On Mon, 3 Dec 2012, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> wrote:
Also Angry Birds Star Wars doesn't work, that's really annoying. I have yet to find a device that can play that game.
I know it doesnt fall in to the "cheap" market but my Samsung Galaxy 10.1 TAB 2 plays all the angry bird games really well
In conclusion, it's not the greatest Android tablet. But it can be OK value for $100. I don't think I'll return it.
-- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/ _______________________________________________ luv-talk mailing list luv-talk@lists.luv.asn.au http://lists.luv.asn.au/listinfo/luv-talk
-- Mark "Pockets" Clohesy Mob Phone: (+61) 406 417 877 Email: hiddensoul@twistedsouls.com G-Talk: mark.clohesy@gmail.com - GNU/Linux.. Linux Counter #457297 "I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code" "Linux is user friendly...its just selective about who its friends are" "Never underestimate the bandwidth of a V8 station wagon full of tapes hurtling down the highway" "The difference between e-mail and regular mail is that computers handle e-mail, and computers never decide to come to work one day and shoot all the other computers"

On Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 12:01 PM, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> wrote:
Also Angry Birds Star Wars doesn't work, that's really annoying. I have yet to find a device that can play that game.
Plays just fine on all my devices, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus and Motorola RAZR. Frankly, with the price of Nexus 7 as it is, I just don't understand the need for any other (cheap) tablet. Yes $100 is less than $250 but frankly, the Nexus 7 is more than 10 times better than any other cheap tablet I've seen. And it will only get better as it gets the latest versions of Android, something that all these cheap tablets can only dream of. Cheers -- Aryan

On 5/12/2012 2:54 PM, Aryan Ameri wrote:
On Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 12:01 PM, Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au <mailto:russell@coker.com.au>> wrote:
Also Angry Birds Star Wars doesn't work, that's really annoying. I have yet to find a device that can play that game.
Plays just fine on all my devices, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus and Motorola RAZR.
Frankly, with the price of Nexus 7 as it is, I just don't understand the need for any other (cheap) tablet. Yes $100 is less than $250 but frankly, the Nexus 7 is more than 10 times better than any other cheap tablet I've seen. And it will only get better as it gets the latest versions of Android, something that all these cheap tablets can only dream of.
I believe you are 100% correct, I couldn't argue with any of that! Cheers A.

On 5/12/2012 12:01 PM, Russell Coker wrote:
I've just bought one. They are selling rapidly and I don't know how long they will last - probably you could get a returned one next week if you can't get one today. But if you like pink then you may be able to get one (the black ones are selling out).
Aldi at Ferntree Gully on Burwood Hwy had 4 left when I visited. The box had a "pink" picture, but a black dot on the side -- so guessing they are actually black ones. I didn't buy one, don't think I will either. Too much is changing in the tablet land and better devices are being released time and time again. Cheers A.
participants (6)
-
Andrew McGlashan
-
Aryan Ameri
-
Greg 'groggy' Lehey
-
Hiddensoul (Mark Clohesy)
-
Peter Ross
-
Russell Coker