OK I received my VPad7 yesterday afternoon, and so far I'm MOSTLY Happy!
It's zippy, but I do wish they had put in a 1Ghz processor. Will probably force it out of a Honeycomb Upgrade.
I can not get Adobe Flash to install, but so far I haven't found that to be an issue on the web.
Viewing Angels not a problem, Battery life - We'll see after it's conditioned but so far I'd estimate 4-8hrs depending on activities.
Tested Transformers 720p HD and not one flicker
Sound from it's little speakers Impressive!
Dropped my T-Mobile SIM in and BOOM instant Big Phone :D The Speed only shows Edge, but I'm in a funky location.
Phone quality - Just got off a 1 hour conference call using both the speakerphone option and the plugin headset. No complaints from anyone. I heard the other end just fine.
Reception signal is actually BETTER with this than with my actual T-Mobile HD2 phone.
Highly Recommend getting a MicroUSB card as the internal memory is minimal. Get the more expensive FAST card for better performance.
Streaming music, sounds Great just as nice as an MP3.
GPS works like a champ!
Angry birds works great :D
My only other Gripe is the keyboard - It functions fine, but I'd like to use the Market's Better Keyboard, which after installed and enabled - doesn't swap out for the swype keyboard that is standard.
I may look into the "rooting" options that people have done with it's big brother, but so far it's handsomely accomplished everything I've tasked it with!
If you're looking for a Bigger Screen Smartphone, and don't want to pay that extra Data Fee that the carriers are forcing on us, this is CURRENTLY your best option! and with that extra Data Fee you can't use it's competitors (Galaxy Tab for example) as a phone, even though they have the capability.
If I have luck with rooting and installing any custom ROM, I'll post my results. It's not a top priority ATM as it's satisfactory as it is.
TO Viewsonic - Get is certified for Flash, and unlock it so I can use whatever virtual keyboard I want and you'd get 5 stars!!
Update: 5/30 OK after using it awhile I've come up with two major flaws - this may be MY actual device, or an actual design flaw - 1) Charging has become a game - I have to Cinch the Power cord behind the Tablet using something to Hold it in place back there then maneuver the USB plug just right or it won't charge. 2)the "Buzzer" now goes off if you hold the the Tablet too tight or if its in my computer bag; and won't stop until you slap it. So it now sits in a cradle, it functions fine and I still use it, but not outside of my home office.... I should have returned/exchanged it, but I had such problems getting basic information from Viewsonics' Customer Service, I just re purposed it and got the XOOM which I LOVE 110%. Hopefully no one else has had this issue, if not for that I'd Still give it 4 Stars. ViewSonic ViewPad 7 7-Inch Android 2.2 Tablet - Black (Wifi & Unlocked 3G)
Overview: I place the Viewpad7 above the iPad for the simple reason that it has these features...is more portable, has dual cameras, has MicroSDHC port and a SIM Port. The Samsung Tab shows up on paper with a higher resolution, but I would have expected the Tab to have an AMOLED screen for that price. The 1GHz processor on the Tab is definitely nice, but not a deal-breaker. I do have a problem with Samsung hobbling it's phone features for the premium price, even if it is subsidized by the Carrier. Samsung Tab, Viewpad7 and iPad are the only real choices if you want more features than an eBook Reader can provide.
External: I definitely like the portability of the Viewpad7 which fits in your jeans back pocket even if in the Leatherette Case. The Case could use an SD Card, Credit Card and SIM Card pocket...but that's a personal preference. The fit and finish are clean but they should have placed the Mini-USB/Charge Port and Headset Port on the side so that you could connect to them even when the unit is sitting on the Case in Easel Mode. The speakers are pretty loud and you'll get people looking your way if you're playing 'Video Poker - Jacks or Better'. Easy access at the top of the unit to the MicroSDHC and SIM ports are a real plus. Sure would be nice if this thing had an additional full-size/full-service USB2.0 port given the thickness.
Wireless Functionality: Popped in a T-Mobile SIM with 3G Internet and was able to make calls with no problems. You can use it as a Hub for making Conference Calls and a BT Headset works well. I was only able to get EDGE Internet, which was extremely slow. I could load up the WSJ website to read articles, but anything that used even a mildly graphics laden website just wasn't going to happen. A little research and I found that T-Mobile uses UMTS1700(upload) and UMTS2100(download) for 3G and this unit only has UMTS850/1900/2100. 90% of the world runs 3G Internet on UMTS2100 where it's available. The phone is World GSM ready with 850/900/1800/1900, but I won't get to test this out until mid-year from Mexico and hopefully Thailand after that. As far as 3G, it should work in Mexico with TelCel as long as they aren't using the mini-SIM. If you have a reliable Wi-Fi signal, the internet pops along pretty well. I was able to run YouTube clips with no issues. Flash 10.1 isn't available yet, but I hear it is in the works. I tried hooking up a Palm Folding Keyboard and Interlink Mouse via Blue-tooth with no success...it doesn't play well with Pairing Codes that aren't fixed.
Android OS 2.2 - This is where I think the unit needs more work. Programs like Picture Gallery would 'Hang-Up' once in awhile and I'd have to hit the 'Return' to take a step back to get it going again. Transferring pictures from my PC was kind of hit and miss with some having to be reloaded in order to be viewable. The Gallery was nice when it worked properly, adjusting resolution of pictures automatically and allowing you to re-orient. 'Video Poker' would lock-up and I'd have to exit and restart. I'm still trying to figure out how to get imported music and video to work. The User Guide, which doesn't ship with the unit and is available from the Viewsonic Website, is pretty useless at best. Transfers don't work as simple as 'drag-n-drop' like on my Android 2.2 phone. This unit can be set up as a Wireless Hotspot, but since I haven't gotten to use 3G Internet it hasn't been tested real-time yet.
Hardware - The Cameras are nice, but nothing to brag about. A flash would have been nice and higher resolution always a plus. They work. The Internal 512MB is ROM, which means you'll have to add memory through the MicroSDHC port. I wish it had at least 512MB Internal RAM so I could keep an on-board secure file for passwords and other sensitive info. I haven't had the chance to run the battery down, but I've gotten 3hrs+ continuous use with some juice still showing on the Battery Indicator. The Google Maps feature with GPS-Sats used as a navigator works well. This should work fine with AT&T 3G Internet and allow me to order pizza on the run and then navigate to pick it up.
Docs-To-Go - Having this built in is very nice. Word and .pdf Documents seem to work best. I haven't been able to get a PowerPoint file to work yet and Excel works in basic mode, but still haven't been able to get it to function on a Workbook between sheets.
Future - Still have to get imported vids and music to work. Testing out on AT&T 3G Internet and Wi-Fi Hotspot feature. Root MagicJack so I can make International Calls back to the US. I want to print wirelessly and it should be able to hook up to a Projector using a USB Printer Cable available on eBay and Amazon.
Overall - This Tablet definitely has some issues still to be resolved and isn't as reliable as many Android Phones out there. But it seems to be the best of what's available. I'd still pick this over the Samsung Tab and if I had to go with the Tab I'd pick the AT&T version so it would function Internationally. I can see using this while waiting at the airport to board, or at the hotel to download my Electronic Boarding Pass before I leave. I should be able to hook up my laptop via the Hotspot feature in a pinch. Fiddling is the only way to learn this Tablet since the User Guide is very limited. The 7-inch format is definitely the way to go with lots of patience required. Ordering via Amazon with Free Shipping is awesome! - Android - Viewsonic - Touch Screen - Tablet'
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