Isn't it ironic that the Chinese were the first to release devices running Android 4? Meanwhile, back in the country where Android is developed, owners of expensive smartphones are still waiting for upgrades to 4.
There is a flood a cheap tablets emerging from China, but that's not something you would learn from reading popular tech news sites like Verge and Engadget -- or see on the shelves of the big box stores, like BestBuy and Staples. Your primary source are small speciality importers or eBay.
The flood of cheap Android 4 tablets is due to one Chinese company with a typically upbeat name, AllWinner. Like almost everyone else in the mobile chip biz, they licenced the CPU/GPU code from England's ARM; unlike everyone else, they are pumping out their A10 system-on-a-chip for $7 apiece.
The SOC is at the heart of Android tablets with the following brand names. Recognize any from reading about them in Engadget?
Ainol Novo7 Advanced
Bmorn V11
Gemei G2
HYUNDAI A7
ICOO D90W
LY digital F1
Onda Vi30W deluxe
Ployer MOMO8
Sanei N70
Teclast A10T Blade
Here is one online forum dedicated to users of AllWinner tablets: http://tabletrepublic.com/forum/cortex-a8-allwinner-a10/
From eBay, I bought the Ployer MOMO8 last month for $158. I bought this rare 8" model, because I find 7" tablets too small and 10" ones too big.
Below, I list the specs. It is interested to see where Ployer cut back in exchange for better specs elsewhere, such as a dreadful 0.3 megapixel camera in exchange for 8GB built-in RAM, and the lack of most sensors for a better resolutions screen.
After a month of using it, I find that it works well when I keep the number of background processes to a minimum. Sometimes, it is slow getting a program running, but once it runs it works well. According to the Quadrant benchmark, the MOMO8 is exactly as fast as my Google Nexus S phone.
One thing I haven't figured out. When I attach an external monitor, the external display mimics that of the tablet's, 1024x768. Yet the tablet is capable of 3840×2160 (quad HD) output.
Ployer MOMO8 Specs
Ployer has released several models of MOMO8, each with a different set of specs. So if you buy one, it might have different specs from mine. In fact, I don't see my model on their Web site (http://en.ployer.cn/)
Display: 8" (4:3), 1024x768 capacitive touch screen with 5-points multi-touch
CPU: 1.5GHz ALLWINNER A10 (based on Cortex-A8)
RAM: 1GB DDR3
Storage: 8GB built in; microSD slot handles up to 32GB additional
OS: Android ICS 4.0.3
Network: Wifi 802.11b/g/n
Camera: Front-facing 0.3megapixel (and 256 colors)
Battery: 4,400 mAh with estimated run time of 5-6 hours
Connectors:
- microSD card
- USB 2.0 host input and output; also charges the unit
- miniHDMI output
- Power supply
- Mic (unlabelled tiny hole)
- Headphone (also has built-in speaker)
- Reset button
Sensors:
- Orientation
- No other sensors, like ambient light or compass
For 3G, you need to attach an external dongle to the USB port (WCDMA/TD-SCDMA/EVDO)
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