The last time we saw
eviGroup's Wallet it'd been given an '80s-style two-tone bezel and a January release date. Thankfully, the two-tone look has gone, but that anticipated date didn't exactly pan out either. The MID is officially now shipping, with the base (chrome-free) model going for €199 (about $245). For that you get a five-inch, 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen device running Android 1.5 from 1GB of built in storage, augmented by a microSD slot. Power comes from a 667MHz Samsung ARM processor and the battery is said to last about six hours. For your €199 you'll also get a car mount and a car charger, but given the device has neither GPS nor access to
Google Navigation we're not entirely sure the point of all that. Still, it's not a bad price, but those who really like showing off their wealth can get one with a chrome backside for an extra €20. Heart-felt unboxing after the break.
posted May 20th 2010 9:50AM
- Android 1.5
- battery is said to last about six hours
Good luck
@qbgabe12
Not bad...is what I would've posted had the price been 150$.
@qbgabe12 -- For the nerd market, no. If this thing gets on shelves at WalMart, watch out. Back away from the spec sheet and this is pretty friggin amazing by 2009's standards at a great price.
@qbgabe12
NO 3G NO BUY!
'80s-style two-tone bezel' what like the iphone?
@fais No, like this nastiness.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/12/evigroup-wallet-20091210.jpg
@Ryan Trevisol
Oh ok I thought he was talking about this http://www.engadget.com/photos/mysterious-android-mid-poses-for-yet-more-pics-reads-engadget/#2230700
@fais
Better picture
http://www.slashgear.com/evigroup-wallet-android-specs-revealed-promising-mid-2558027/
Not pretty specs for this kind of price, but at least they are shipping....
so it's a photo frame with a decent processor?
Whenever you post photos of something like this, you should put it next to a #2 pencil or something for scale. When it's just sitting by itself on some blank surface, it looks like it could be as big as an iPad or as small as an iPod touch, there's no way to tell without reading the specs.
Are you serious. 1. 5? Why do they keep making devices with 1. 5 & 1.6...
@EggoEspada Because when they started to create this device, 1.5 was the latest version available.
That's just too bad because 1.5 don't support 800x480 (WVGA) screens (only HVGA) so all these Android tablets with WVGA screens (like the Archos 7 Internet Tablet) running Android 1.5 can't run any apps developed for Android 1.5 correctly.
As an Android user, 1.5 is now a deal breaker. I will buy an Android tablet but not an Android 1.5 tablet.
(Archos 5 IT now runs Android 1.6 and it's available wordwide ... too bad it has a resistive touch screen).
Isn't this the ZenPad by Enso?
@brumes Actually, it is exactly the same device sold by enso-now.com. The one from enso-now.com is 180$, including the GPS. They say they will provide free upgrades to Android 2.1 when they have it fully working.
the resistive screen makes me not want it. make it capacitive and you've got a device
I saw a stylus in the video at 00:47!
THEY BLEW IT!!
@DoctarPeppar nonsense a stylus could be a plus. Still want a capacitive multi-touch screen, but being able to use a stylus in addition for note taking etc, would definitely be a plus.
@tad604
It's a joke, I say it's a joke son.
Meh, already own an Archos. As restricted as it is, I still haven't seen anything to make me want to buy something new.
Say what you will about the Archos 5 (non-android), but it is great for video. On a plane or connected to a TV.
Gah... why? give me Android 2.1 at least and a capacitive touch screen. And at least a snapdragon 1ghz processor.
It's like they're trying to fail.
@tad604
Companies seem to be very cautious when it comes to putting out an android tablet. My guess is they don't want to put a ton of resources into it, they want to introduce craptacular models first just to see if there's any interest.
@DoctarPeppar they're not going to generate interest with such devices though. I'd really like a decent 5-7 inch android tablet. Maybe the Dell mini/streak will actually be released and be something decent.
@tad604
Android 2.1 at least and a capacitive touch screen. And at least a snapdragon 1ghz processor ≠ $200
@Wolfticket this item isn't 200 dollars either. Also Android 2.1 is just as expensive as Android 1.5.
I'd gladly spend 300-400 for something that gets everything right.
@tad604 You'd pay 300-400 for a 5" tablet?? And I already thought Apple was crazy overpriced with their $500 tablets. Like someone said before, a 5" tablet right now should be about $150 and hopefully by next year it'll be more like $100 or under. For under 300, you can already buy a full featured netbook. $400 gets you a laptop.
@Narutogrey As long as it has everything I want yes. I'd prefer a 7" tablet... although if it doubles as a cellphone I think I could be happy with 5" and forget the need/want of a separate tablet.
Archos 7 is much better
If they include 2.1, 1ghz SDragon and a capacity scree, the price will go up for sure but why not do it, I'll pay $300.
My as well get an Archos 5/7 for that much cash then. Much better deal.
TSSSS ! Same with the Smartq5 SINS 14 Mounth !!!!!! c'est de la poudre aux yeux ce truc.....Je fais pareil depuis plus d'un an avec mon SmartQ5 pour un prix de 150dollars.
I just have to wonder with all these craplets coming out:
How hard could it ***POSSIBLY*** be to update to a non-obsolete version of Android?
I mean seriously, is it ignorance? Lazyness? What is the effing deal?
If you were releasing a tablet with a ridiculously old OS, wouldn't you think "hey WAIT, maybe I should update before shipping!"?
How hard could it really be. Jesus effing Christ.