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Update 2: The annoying demonstration video previously embedded, which Enso had provided, has been replaced by the original, nagware-free version courtesy of ARMdevices.net.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]
@onlymyrailgun And instead they made one that's exactly like a phone, minus the phone.
Is 3G a requirement for GPS?
It seems to be with Android phones (as evidenced when I ran a G1 without a data plan).
Possibly maps can be preloaded?
Hanging around ebay i found IQSLATE never heard of it but its like the HPSLATE but with Cellular coverage and built in GPS, a little expensive I think, more than 1000$ check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/IQ-SLATE-8-9-Multi-touch-PC-Tablet-UMPC-Windows-7-NEW_W0QQitemZ190381051145QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item2c53984d09#ht_3709wt_1165 or in http://www.iqslate.com/
My recommendation: don't buy.
I contacted the seller e.g. about all the stuff which is named as optional, but not included.
The answer: don't buy if you don't like the conditions.
Cheapo yes, although I feel that $25 extra for adding the (optional) GPS chip is not cheap.
I would buy it to leave it in the car as a GPS + MP3 + VIDEO + WEB BROWSER solution. I think is better than expending a little less buying a gramin GPS. What do you think?
Is there any relation to http://www.humanized.com/enso/?
Does the 3g require a subscription too or is it like the Kindle's?
what a piece of junk
I'm just waiting a bit to get a look at what my options are.
I want a sub $250 tablet, that runs Android, preferably 2.1 although it's looking like I might need to settle for less. I want it to either be about 4" so it can fit in my pocket or more like 7" so it can be an around the house tablet. This particular one is too big for the pocket and too small to be convenient around the house.
My favorite 7" so far is Freescale tablet. I'm really looking forward to that one. The Smakit S7 also looks nice.
I still have yet to see a good small(4" or less) android tablet, or any small android tablet for that matter.
I'm sold.
is it em... any good?
Right here: http://enso-now.com/n/info.php
It states:
Upgrades to Android 2.x will be available within 1 month to our customer on their private section for simple downloading and upgrading. Easy instructions will be provided.
I really want one now.
So it's $35 for a 3g usb dongle? What if I already have a 3g usb dongle from a local company here? Could I just use that?
Well you can run ubuntu =DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
http://boardcon.com/IDEA6410.html
download link anybody?
Ok. After the Haleron iLet Mini HAL scam fiasco, I'm a little wary of unkown manufacturers coming out of nowhere with cheap tablets. I don't know, hence the question, but, is it unusual for a Chinese based company to use Go Daddy as a host? Also, their logo, the enso circle; I see the exact circle (not just a similar circle) cropping up a few times on a Google image search with results that are nothing at all to do with the company.
Their about page states that they've only been in existence since January of this year, so it's possible they're just a small startup that are re-selling the Smit MD 560 units I suppose.
Looks like ebay and web store are gone.
OK now back up and I just ordered one 240USD with GPS and mini-usb to micro-sd adapter shipped.
@adewolf When it will arrive to your hands? You have to make a video a post it here when you get it.
Waiting for e-mail from Enso-now cust svc for a couple of days now.
I've ordered one on Mar 22th. Still didn't shipped out. Customer support is so-so. Here's their reply to my "treat" email:
Due to our huge and sudden success, our facilities have a hard time to keep up with demand and shipping delays are longer than expected. Be assured that we have your best interests at heart and that we are making all our possible to ship as fast as possible. You will receive an e-mail notice as soon as your order is shipped.
I'm starting to get really impatient about this whole situation.
Zenpad scam! Rip off! Dont order! I ordered i never received it! I read about it nobody received it! They collect the money only!
I sent my complain to paypal.
Beware!
Here's the latest:
"Enso's team is happy to announce that the zenPad launch was an overwhelming success. Thousands of devices were ordered, barely a few weeks following its arrival on the market. Needless to say that the powerful device drew many supporters due to its appealing price and unpreceded quality/price ratio. We received tons of requests from technology press stating their intention to try and review the zenPad and also received noteworthy enthusiasm from Android's developer community: some application developers are even looking forward to tailor their software's user experience expressely for the zenPad.
That being said, Enso was also victim of its own sudden success. Indeed, the zenPad drew so much enthusiasm that our manufacturing and shipping facilities have a hard time to keep up with demand. Shipping times are longer than expected and sadly, we won't be able to ship most orders before May 08.
In order to compensate for those shipping delays, Enso is happy to announce that we will offer a free upgrade to Android 2.1 to all customers. Needless to say that customers who are not willing to wait any longer can request a refund at any time.
We sincerely apologize to all customers for those unexpected delays. Be assured that we have your interests at heart and that we are actively working on scaling our infrastructure in order to better serve you."
Looks like a refund or sometime after May 8 2010.
Sucks!!
@adewolf they should be including 2.1 already
@iWannaBeAdored
I gave up and got my $$ back from PayPal. I ended up with an Archos 5 Internet Tablet.
@jbreez
Maybe the Ipad could be called revolutionary for milking money from die hard loyalists with useless adapters that don't even do what an included one should have done in the first place!....And of course if any of them complain about it they'll just convince them its "geeky" to want that sort of thing anyway!! Brilliant concept that actually works!! High five to Apple!
too small and slow