Enso's zenPad is the cheap Android tablet you've always wanted, available now
By Tim Stevens 
posted March 22nd 2010 9:54AM
posted March 22nd 2010 9:54AM
Update: We were guessing this was a rebrand of something, and thanks to commenter Raikus it looks like this is a Smit MID-650, which eviGroup's Wallet was also said to be based on -- at more than twice the price. Also, we (well, you really) seem to have taken down Enso's site thanks to traffic. Oops! Hit that eBay link if you're desperate to Buy It Now®.
Update 2: The annoying demonstration video previously embedded, which Enso had provided, has been replaced by the original, nagware-free version courtesy of ARMdevices.net.
Update 3: Possible fraud alert! We got a tip from @PitchingAFit that there are some shady dealings afoot, including Enso not providing updates to those who have bought this thing. The eBay listings for the company have all disappeared and, well, some folks are getting worried. At this point we'd strongly advise against ordering one of these suckers until Enso clarifies the situation. There's a little more info on the current situation over at Multimediawerld.be.
[Thanks, Corey]
@hated one
I've been wondering when people say ipad is revolutionary product, what exactly in it is revolutionary?
Apple logo?
I don't know, I'm not a fan of the accessories I would rather have a device that has everything included in the hardware. I would say nice toy for thr price point and let's see how the touch works.
This is a rebranded Smit MID-560 which first showed up at the IFA 2009 show. It is Shenzhen, but it's been bulk-bought by Endo and released in the States.
The above video is a recut of Charbax's video from September. You can see the full one by searching his channel for "smit mid 560."
sooo i'd like to place my order.... where?
@shizzledmg
"And yes, they are shipping now, as evidenced by a number of the things popping up on eBay."
@cuto8 ahwwww never mind! not interested anymore... "android 1.6 tablet".
anyway, thanks :)
5" screen? Got a 4" screen w/ 1ghz processor already on my cell phone. Am I missing something? What does this tablet offer that I can't do already.
@dswatson83
Probably nothing. And probably youre cell was at least twice the price...
@newone
You're so right, in the same way I've never gotten why they called the French revolution a revolution. Or the Bolsjevik revolution, I mean c'mon, trying to overthrow a government, fighting, and beheading each other? What's so revolutionary about that, the human race has been doing that since prehistoric times :-S
I want that wallpaper.
in before 'what demo?'
that's pretty nice let's wait for some review about workmanship and how this thing really holds battery wise with continuous 3G or Wifi usage.
Any word on the availability in Germany?
@cuto8
http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listing/B002Q50VZ6/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1269268010&sr=8-6&condition=new
bitte schön
Great, now their site is crapping out with SQL errors.
Apple will be sorry that they didn't trademark the "Pad" suffix!
I know I am.
Am I the only person that doesn't want a 5 inch 'tablet'?
@macmann
No, there are apparently at least 2 of us. And I'd like to request that you can't use the name tablet or "pad" anywhere to describe your product if I can't write on the screen. Thanks.
@macmann EXACLY!! Add .5" to (name an Android phone) display and call it a tablet.
So does this thing allow the use of the actual android market and allow 3rd party app? (sorry if already in the video as it wont load for me)
@b00sted The endo website says you have access to the android marketplace.
"Google Android Market: Download and install any compatible application from the Official Google Android Market."
garmin should make MID/GPS with such price tag
Sorry, but the Samsung S3C6410 CPU is ARM11-based and therefore not exactly a powerhouse. It's also the same CPU used in the SmartQ 5 and 7. Swap the processor with a Cortex and I might consider it.
Also, one of the eBay sellers says this device is compatible with Flash, which I hardly believe.
@mscdex it's an SGX GPU though most likely. Adobe only supports flash on Cortex though some previews have been released for ARM11 I think (like the Hero).
Ok i am first on this one, but this looks DEAD slow and something i have seen like a 1000 times before. Yeah it´s android but so what?, unfortunately the Android market is getting fragmentated big time, and somehow ALL android devices looks the same :O(
This is def. no iPad killer, heck i don´t want an iPad killer. I want competition so we get better and more innovative stuff out there.
The enso zenPad is the same as the SMiT MID-560 (not 650 ;) ) see also this article here: http://www.androidpads.com/2010/03/22/the-5-android-tablet-enso-zenpad-aka-smit-mid-560-is-on-sale-now/
The video you posted in your article was of the first version of the MID-560 - it's maybe not the same hardware as the zenPad has. There's a more recent on youtube, made in January. See post from androidpads.com....
@syph007 Im not a follower I love all gadgets and i refuse to be loyal to just one brand. Yes some apple people think everything apple creates the best but so do the android people or the windows people i don't deny myself great hardware/software based on one brand and I don't make fun of people that do
@newone
It's revolutionary because somebody finally made a tablet that isn't exactly like a computer ;)
Looks like Crap.
Downranking imminent... Read comment while it lasts.
Fully open/unlocked bootloader?
Is there any way to get an external video signal into it? It looks like it would make a good external monitor for an HDSLR or video camera.
@hated one
It's revolutionary from a content-delivery point of view. The hardware is nothing special, but what is done with the hardware could be very interesting.
I see it uses a stylus as well as a finger press. Does that mean it is a resistive touch screen and not capacitive, and there for there is no chance of multi-touch?
If so, I am not thrilled about that.
Almost perfect, but no camera whatsoever.
Anyone know if the screen is capacitive?
@Mitch It isn't. See earlier posts in this thread. It's resistive and includes a stylus.
If you build a piece of crap and put Android on it, Android fans will buy it just to support the cause. Or at least they'll talk about buying it, and want to support the cause.
@crunc
right words spoken. Fanboyism at a new level.
@mr nimblewick
...some would even say --magical.
@hated one It seems like every time I read an Apple Fanboy's post that has been down-ranked into oblivion, they never quite use correct English. Maybe you need to add some real fruit into your life.
@newone lol think about it its revolutionary in being the only "netbook killer" to not have usb support.
when it says you can get a 3G radio installed, does that mean you can pop in your sim card and get voice? use it as a phone?
@kiqyouvf enso website say "external 3G micro-usb dongle"
so the answer is: NO
@tmarks11 agh. if it had phone capabilities i was going to buy a 'bluetooth bridge' (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5675343&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE) and use it as a phone!
Does it have the android market though?
Processor seems healthy enough.. no snap dragon, but decent.
Six hours of battery life is not enough.
A quick sidenote...
I think that it's pretty funny how the analog-style clock on the desktop and the time display in the upper, right-hand corner do not show the same time (not even close...).
Freakin' ancy stoners...
i think that this (Moyea Demo) device is not really gonna sell as much because it (Moyea Demo) doesnt have a camera and basically just another useless andriod (Moyea Demo) device....there are some nice android devices out (Moyea Demo) there that are worth the shot but this is clearly (Moyea Demo) not one of them(Moyea Demo)
Does anyone know if the Zenpad has Adobe Flash support in it's browser?