Enso zenPad unboxing and hands-on: one disappointment after another
By Sean Hollister 
posted May 31st 2010 5:26PM
posted May 31st 2010 5:26PM
Disappointment number one: the MID-560A runs Android 1.5. Yes, you read that right -- though Enso advertised the device as an Android 1.6 tablet and further claimed the machine would be upgraded to Eclair as some small apology for the multi-month delay, our review unit greeted us with the stock Cupcake launcher and deathly black Android Market pages. That's not the only fabrication, either -- the unit has no digital compass as promised (though ours did come with GPS) and fails to natively support any of the video formats mentioned on Enso's spec sheet. Even the picture on Enso's homepage is something of a lie, as while the device there shows a wide stretch of beautiful sky in which to place applications, the actual five-inch space here only allows for the familiar 4 x 4 icon layout.
Though the out-of-box experience wasn't what we expected, the tablet itself isn't horrible -- it's simply a slow, plodding Android device (slower than our T-Mobile G1, if you'll believe that) with a subpar resistive touchscreen and more than a few annoying design flaws. While the 800 x 480 screen is bright and clear enough for comfortable reading, you're not going to want to write anything; using the included stylus to hunt and peck, the digitizer often registered multiple keypresses when we wanted just one, and we quickly learned there was no point in trying thumbs. The soft-touch rubber casing felt solid enough, but the Power, Home, Menu and Back buttons aren't laid out in logical places for either vertical or horizontal grip; we often turned the device off when we'd simply intended to try another app. Since there's no accelerometer, you have to hold the Menu button to switch the zenPad into portrait mode, but the software has portrait and landscape modes mixed up, meaning that apps designed to work in only one orientation (like YouTube) play the wrong direction, as a tiny band of color across the height, rather than width of the screen. 3D apps, multitasking and certain videos should be avoided, as our unit often crashed when doing such. And since we're on a roll here, we'll also add that the hardware didn't always recognize attached USB cables and microSD cards without a reboot. On one occasion the device got all Hypno-Toad on us, flashing epilepsy-invoking white patterns across the entirety of the LCD. No joke.
To be completely fair, the web browsing experience was actually pretty snappy, audio quality was fairly clear, the battery lasted several hours at maximum brightness, and the GPS rapidly fixed on our position with no prodding required. None of that makes up for the web of broken promises that got us here, however, and even in the sub-$200 price range there are far better Android tablets on offer. By the way, we did get in touch with CEO Alberto Armandi one last time for all you existing zenPad buyers. He says the company's almost ready to ship... you'll just have to wait another ten days.
Promise.
@SteveyAyo
So, what exactly are you doing here, commenting in a tablet review if you don't support it from anyone?
Please enlighten the sheep.
@eyerot you pretty much just re enforced my original argument in the guise of countering it... Apple is the only company that is actually selling these things because they have that amazing marketing campaign and the tidal wave of trendiness that came with the iPhone. Most consumers will base their product choice off what commercials tell them to get, i havent seen a single commercial for an android slate as of yet.
Marketing drives the sales of gadgets much more than the usability and build of it ever will, no one can look another human being in the eye and say for a fact that iPhone is the best phone in the world based on hardware and software, if they do they are fooling themselves, but it is the best marketed and trendiest device available for sure
@redhineymonkey im just offering an opposite perspective than the one you have, sorry forgot that was illegal
@SteveyAyo
Not illegal, just illogical. Do you normally go into stores that you wouldn't shop in and tell the people that it's pointless to buy things there?
Just curious as to your reasoning.
@SteveyAyo
No, Stevey boy, I didn't reinforce your argument. You just failed to understand the depth of mine.
@redhineymonkey HAHA i did do that once in an Apple store, my cousin works there so i went to visit and mess with the "geniuses" they get super upset when you say bad things about apple products, it brought me 5 minutes of joy while trying to get a new sim tray. (they told me to just buy a new iPhone, so i traded it away)
But im sitting in front of my PC waiting for a rendering to finish and hanging out on Engadget until i hear the ping to tell me its done...
I really just want someone to offer up a real reason as to why these new slates would be A) extremely desirable or B) better than a PMP that fits in your pocket and does the SAME things. Im just curious about the appeal when it comes down to it and i have time staring at a screen to kill
@eyerot hmmmm, corporations create a desire for their product not a product for your desires.... i mean does that NOT sum up your argument for the most part? if not sorry if so then its YOU that didnt understand my argument
@SteveyAyo
While you are waiting for that render to finish while sitting at your pc. I'm sitting on my couch, starting my render remotely from my iPad while listening to my favorite music. Then, I'll move to the kitchen, pull up a beer batttered fish recipe on it, cook that up, while still listening to my music by adjusting the playlist on my Apple TV, again, all from my iPad. Oh, I'll also be answering email and replying to Facebook posts. Maybe I'll check the bank balance and see if I can afford that new road bike I've been wanting. By the way, while I'm riding said road bike, I'll fire up a bike app to keep track of my distance, time and speed, just so I can view my progress.
Yup, no use at all for this piece of crap technology.
@redhineymonkey and i could do that all from my thinkpad, which i can render directly from and has much better specs than your ipad and cost, well mine was free but thats just me, or i could VNC remote start my rendering from my HD2... so why spend an extra $500ish on something that is done better by devices i already own? see why im confused as to the appeal of such a thing?
@redhineymonkey i mean literally EVERYTHING you just said can be done from an iPod or cell phone... youre just making my point
@redhineymonkey
wow a $700 remote control! Are you that stupid?- dont bother checking your bank account you wasted all your money on Mac crapware. While you were buying 3 different devices to render an image and surf the internet PC users got some work done.All you rendered was yourself useless! OMG are you kidding. You make your Mac products sound so romantic, what a joke! boil it down to what it really is- you can surf the internet and use it as a remote control- BLAH HA HA Mac users are so gullible.
I only really buy new devices and technology for the packaging, and this thing is just a mess!
Thanks for your unboxing and review but I'm sorry you gave any space to this loser. When you spoke to him, did you happen to ask why he is ignoring all if his emails and repeatedly lied about the ship date? Hey, why don't you email me his phone number. I'll ask him!
As I've repeated ad nauseam, I've been emailing Alberto Armandi daily since May 20 asking for ANY kind of information about my order - if it will ship, when it will ship, etc. He has ignored all emails.
He promised in March that if would just trust him and be patient, he would ship ON May 8th. Heck, he had a fricking countdown timer on the Enso Website. The deadline passed. He then said he was shipping the following Tuesday. The deadline passed. The is was within a week. The deadline passed... NADA. He stopped responding after that. From what I have read, he has stopped responding to all emails asking him about current orders.
Engadget, please do us all a favor and make sure everyone knows NOT to send money to this guy for a vaporpad.
@KJMac
Just another startup looking to cash in on all the hopeless nerds desperately seeking something to beat apple, to the point that they'll send their hard-earned cash to a no-name company and shyster CEO based on little else than a mockup and a spec sheet. JooJoo would be proud of these guys.
@TomSawyer
Everything beats Applelets just set the record straight. Even products put out a year ago- Viliv x70 and of course other mids that do more- Apple is selling an operating system. Which is fine but the functionality of this crap is horrible. The same types of widgets as what Apple calls apps ahve been around for a long time- Konfabulator now owned by Yahoo.God show a Mac fanboy a shiny object and he is easy to distract . Then take his money. But you dont have to run because you can do it again in 3 months. Ring the bell Quasimoto and shut up. Better yet now you can ring the bell from your iPad remotely!
Woah! Cool, this is like one of those Bad Movies that your Friends tell you about that you just gotta go see, just to see if its really that bad.... wait a minute I didnt disrespect AT&T.... at least I said AT&T, does that count??
engadget bad. You would not have to advertise this company. We have been waiting more than two months and you should have waited to users we receive orders for advertising them.
What they will achieve is to have more sales and more people fooled.
Very bad.
I feel sorry for the kid who gets this for his birthday, instead of an iPad.
@Stanley
I have a feeling the look would be akin to the kid that got the xbox 360 box at Christmas with clothes and socks inside.
@Stanley
$200 vs $600 to surf the internet- so they both can do that and this one costs less. People always say iPad costs $499- but who buys the 16gb model?
Oh well, another lost.
I'll wait and see how Motorola's Tablet goes.
Motorola may not be the best, but when they go for high-end and not half-ass, they seem to deliver.
Meet Enso, Engadget's favourite whipping boy, Lol.
If this plays out anything like the way the iphone did, you folks are gonna be waiting YEARS before a legit competitor to the iPad shows up.
@TomSawyer
Yah most people wont release a product unless it actually does something unlike Apple. Below I am including a response I left to another fanboy- Like always you guys are emotional and not realistic or rational.
Total bullshit- is that clear enough for you (im not Steve Jobs).
Apple products always suck in there 1st iteration- then 2 or 3 iterations down the line they fix the major concerns. (here the major concerns are - NO FLASH SUPPORT as a an internet tablet- rubbish- no connectivity- no function beyond a smart phone unless you consider a bigger screen a function- IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ACCEPT SURF THE NET. Its expensive for a device to surf the internet. $700 not $500 because no one will buy the 16GB version.
Marketing Is more powerful than you think. Hearing the same message over and over again makes people believe it even if it isnt true. I saw a joint interview with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. The interviewers were teasing Jobs because he is always touting everything as an AMAZING product. He is good at convincing people that they have to have this new Apple product even though they dont need it and even if it adds no increase in function (iPad). Do you remember when the iphone came out originally?"But getting things done with the iPhone isn't easy, and anyone looking for a productivity device will probably need to look on. Its browser falls pretty short of the "internet in your pocket" claims Apple's made, and even though it's still easily the most advanced mobile browser on the market, its constant crashing doesn't exactly seal the deal. The iPhone's Mail app -- from its myriad missing features to its un-integrated POP mail experience to its obsolete method of accessing your Gmail -- makes email on the iPhone a huge chore at best." from Engadget
Apple always has products that are easy to use and pretty but for someone wanting to get something done besides dicking around we have to wait for the 3rd iteration - then they still have the proprietary bullshit and non-accessible batteries whilst complaining about Microsoft as the Big Brother monster.
But people still buy the products- Why? because of the marketing. The products NEVER live up to the marketing. Where as companies like ASUS and Acer just release product after work horse product and barely say a word and let people do the marketing.
Ahhhahahahaha! Finally, the confirmation I've been waiting for that Enso (and Alberto Armandi) SUCKS and they are incapable of producing a quality product. They even lied about the specs! Flat out lied! And more lies about shipping dates.
Incredible, but not surprising. I hope this review kills their business for good, but sadly they'll still manage to steal people's money.
Why isn't there some international authority that governs scam companies like Enso?
seems there are quite some companies out there that dont realize that a little "we can do better"- idea isnt enough to actually result in a great device that makes it to market.
(not to mention the others that didnt even bother about wanting to do good or better but just want a piece of the pie giving a shit about customers... hello asus and other asian copy criminals.)
Another sad attempt to jump on the tablet/slate bandwagon. So far it's been one disappointment after another.
@RLJSlick
most if not all of these devices were on the market far before Apple.
To those who constantly cite Apple's marketing juggernaut as the only reason for their successes - That same marketing, brings ultra awareness, which in turn, brings microscopic examination. That alone would destroy any of their products, if they truly sucked.
Marketing alone, will only get you so far, just like having a good product, with zero marketing - you've gotta have both, in order to sustain success.
Like it or loathe it, no-one understands this more then Apple.
@BergerFan
Total bullshit- is that clear enough for you (im not Steve Jobs).
There products always suck in there 1st iteration- then 2 or 3 iterations down the line they fix the major concerns.
Marketing Is more powerful than you think. Hearing the same message over and over again makes people believe it even if it isnt true. I saw a joint interview with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. The interviewers were teasing Jobs because he is always touting everything as an AMAZING product. He is good at convincing people that they have to have this new Apple product even though they dont need it and even if it adds no increase in function (iPad). Do you remember when the iphone came out originally?"But getting things done with the iPhone isn't easy, and anyone looking for a productivity device will probably need to look on. Its browser falls pretty short of the "internet in your pocket" claims Apple's made, and even though it's still easily the most advanced mobile browser on the market, its constant crashing doesn't exactly seal the deal. The iPhone's Mail app -- from its myriad missing features to its un-integrated POP mail experience to its obsolete method of accessing your Gmail -- makes email on the iPhone a huge chore at best." from Engadget
Apple always has products that are easy to use and pretty but for someone wanting to get something done besides dicking around we have to wait for the 3rd iteration - then they still have the proprietary bullshit and non-accessible batteries whilst complaining about Microsoft as the Big Brother monster.
But people still buy the products- Why? because of the marketing. The products NEVER live up to the marketing. Where as companies like ASUS and Acer just release product after work horse product and barely say a word and let people do the marketing.
Why do companies put out crap-ware like this? In hopes to sell a few thousand units to unsuspecting consumers? I can't imagine that's cost effective. In the tablet market if you're not putting out something that's competitive with the iPad then why bother? Just because you can make a piece of shit doesn't mean you can sell a piece of shit.
http://www.enso-now.com/blog/
Alberto, I'm still waiting for any reply to my plethora of emails to you. You have no shame. What's hysterical is you are still trying to blame the delay on the factory.
The zenpad has NOTHING added and has only the stock Android 1.5 OS. If the order had really been placed, the units would have been shipped to Enso from the factory within weeks, not months. See the manufacturer's site - delivery lead time - 2 weeks. http://www.hktdc.com/sourcing/products/en/6/1X00G5UR/Shenzhen_State_Micro_Technology_Co_Ltd/750444/Mobile_Internet_Device.html
Also, gotta love Alberto's last line in his blog, "We appreciate that not everybody thinks we are a scam." Oh yea, who? Show me one email, blog, post, anything that indicates you have even one supporter. I think you're delusional. Just send me my zenpad.
From the blog at Enso-now.com
Personally, i would have loved if just Engadget used less harsh tones, but well, you know what happened. Anyhows I do think that their review is a little biased, because of all the troubles we caused to them. Let me say what i think : First of all the screen is usable, it just needs to be calibrated, and there is an installed app for that.
Buttons layout is not casually spitted out, I use the device daily and it just has a steeper learning curve, but once you get used to it, it just feels good and quite confortable. Going ahead, the digital compass ability is via GPS only, and there are apps for that in the official Android Market. The Android market itself is included, works and installs applications correctly. There are applications to open any video format, including flash and AVIs. Regarding the Android version, it was our mistake to mention version 1.6 on our website. We have achieved a porting of a newer android version but it is not stable yet. We will release it in the next weeks, after shippings have started. The procedure for upgrading will be simple and clearly explained. This will solve the minor quirks that Engadget mentioned about playing videos.
There have been additional delays regarding the manufacturing process but everything is solved and delivery is set for the next 10 days; the same day we will receive the goods, a tracking number will be sent to each customer. There will be no more waiting. Please apologize for lack of communication, we hope you can understand we want to provide you a final delivery date. Anyway thanks Engadget for regarding us as a real company and for their hands-on and unboxing.
We appreciate that not everybody thinks we are a scam.
Another iPad killer bites the dust.
Alberto Armandi: "Many reviews will be available on web soon, so don't stick just with engadget's point of view, i think you will like your zenpad.
So please stop asking refunds and send crazy emails, we won't be replyin' to everybody and repeating that there is a delay.
Once we will able to ship you will be immediately noticed and sent a tracking number.
Ok, now let's talk about the new device "
The arrogance. Ineffincredible.
Gotta give this guy props for having keeping us entertained. I am in awe of his self-aggrandizement
(self-ag·gran·dize·ment (sĕlfˌə-grănˈdĭz-mənt)
noun
The act or practice of enhancing or exaggerating one's own importance, power, or reputation.)
From his latest blog -
---------------------
6/2/10 2:29 PM
This will probably be our next product
We know that it's not time to come out with new products, given the delays and mess we created.
But we think and hope that at this point, all of you understood that this is not a scam, and we are a real company.
If you never did business with Chinese companies, you won't know how hard it is.
Sometimes it can get very ugly, with long time delaying and various difficulties, apart those who stormed us since the start.
Like Engadget sudden first review and the hundreds of angry customers who ordered and are still waiting.
We did not manage to offer refunds because Paypal, once again, limited our accounts, and that means we cannot issue refunds. If you don't believe this, just ask them.
But we will finally be able to ship imminently, that means probably we will start next week.
The whole process should completed in just a few days.
Many reviews will be available on web soon, so don't stick just with engadget's point of view, i think you will like your zenpad.
So please stop asking refunds and send crazy emails, we won't be replyin' to everybody and repeating that there is a delay.
Once we will able to ship you will be immediately noticed and sent a tracking number.
Ok, now let's talk about the new device
Operatying System : Android 1.5 ( upgraded to 2.0 in couple of weeks )
Display : 800x480 Resistive high quality touchscreen, can be used with just fingers.
CPU : Marvell PXA303 Xscale 624 Mhz
RAM : 128 MB
FLASH NAND ROM : 256 MB
microSD card : up to 32 gb
Connectivity : WiFi a/b/g - embedded 3G WCDMA or EVDO , embedded GPS
Battery : Lithium battery ,2500mAh/7.4V,up to 4.5 hours on wifi.
Dimensions : 152mm x 83mm x 16.5mm
Weight : 510 grams
I am testing personally the device and it works quite well, the 3G modem from HUAWEI is very fast.
It features also an embedded accelerometer. Here are some pictures. :
The hilarity continues.
Once again (and again), Alberto announces that zenpads are shipping (I know, it's lol). But there's a catch. A few catches, akshully:
If you ordered and haven't paid, please email Enso.
If you ordered and DID pay, please email Enso.
If you asked for a refund and didn't get it, please email Enso.
And here's the one I love the most:
If you asked for a refund and GOT ONE, please email Enso. So that they don't accidentally send you a zenpad. Yes - you read right... they obviously haven't kept track of who ordered, who canceled and who didn't, so they'd like customers to do it FOR THEM.
Seriously, you can't make this crap up. I may end up with one of these POS's yet. I might even offer to return it... and spend about 2 months giving them updates on the status of their return.
Check it out on their continually chuckle-worthy blog: http://www.enso-now.com/blog/shippingstarted/
This guy becomes funnier by the day! The latest on his blog. Notice that all of the CN tracking numbers go to Chinese addresses.
Also the poor wee thing cant sleep at night because everyone thinks that he is a scammer :( where the f**k is my unit Alberto?
Thanks for supporting us 6/7/10 1:24 AM
We appreciated your response, given the changes we had to our systems and the paypal troubles, now it is hard to figure out well who to ship to. But thanks to your efforts we are are keeping on schedule and are solving out the mess with shipping addresses,order numbers and everything.
As you might have already noticed shipments are being delivered by EMS China or DHL.
Here two more random tracking numbers :
( at night i dream about people telling me that i am a scammer, that's why i am getting paranoid to publish some here )
EE367715909CN check with http://chinapost.org ( use a translator )
And some others with DHL , click the links : 1008645750, 1771813573,
Thanks
Posted in News By Alberto Armandi
I asked for a refund OR my zenpad and explained that his blog proves nothing except he is mailing something out - it could be toothbrushes for all we know.
Ohh he didn't like that. I got an email back with a couple F bombs in it. He said my zenpad was due to ship that very day (RIGHT, that was 3 days ago) and that he would send me a refund with his own (damn) VISA card, however, Alberto wants ME to pay for Western Union. I explained that I am not paying to get my own money back and again asked him to just send the damned device - it's all I ever wanted. (I just want it as a stupid book reader for god sake!)
I've emailed him 2x but he hasn't replied as usual. I asked for a tracking number and also sent the Western Union location he can send my refund to if he prefer.
chirp chirp chirp
Has ANYONE gotten a zenpad yet?
@KJMac I am in the same boat as you. I only recieved a reply after sending the scumbag a nasty email in italian :( Promised that my unit would be sent out on monday, but still waiting for my f'ing tracking number. Oh well, you certainly live and learn!
@KJMac Actually I did... I'm in Belgium so no Chinese address. Posted my review on http://www.multimediawereld.be/computer/enso-zenpad-review (is in dutch so you'll need google translate: http://translate.google.be/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://www.multimediawereld.be/computer/enso-zenpad-review&sl=nl&tl=en)
@brechtryckaert you are one of the luck few! I cant believe that i have been waiting 86 days and still counting!
@fringy Meant to reply to you so you would be notified of the post I just made. Sorry about that but I suspect there are only a couple of us who read these anymore.
I've been waiting almost exactly the same period. I've ordered the day engadget published the first article, on the 23rd.
Just thought I’d catch you all up on the latest about my good friend Alberto Armandi. After my continued email campaign trying to get a zenpad or a refund, I got the email below from him on June 12th. (The toothbrush reference was because I said in a previous email that blogging tracking number like he’s been doing really means nothing since he could be sending toothbrushes for all we know. He didn’t like that :-).
After that email, I replied that I’m not willing to spend my own money to get my refund, but I did send a Western Union location that he could send my money to. I also advised that since my device was due to ship that day, per his email, he could just send it and avoid a refund. Of course he’s disappeared off the face of the earth again and isn’t answering emails. I even sent emails in Italian but to no avail.
I emailed him 3 days ago that I was going to contact various Websites with an update about my still missing zenpad. I don’t expect anyone to care about updating the story but I want people to know the latest in the Enso saga.
From: Zenpad Wanted [mailto:zenpad@enso-now.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 1:06 AM
To: xxxxxx
Subject: Re: Zenpad order # 85521
Hey,
Listen i will refund your order personally with my own fucking credit card if you send me just one more email.
I do not give a FUCK about what you think, toothbrushes and this bullshit.
Your one was planned out today, so now please tell me how can i refund money to you with my VISA card ( FROM CHINA ) without using paypal, because, you know, they fucking kicked me out.
I am ready to go refund you, just tell me how., western union should be ok. are you going to pay for the expenses ? it is quite expensive, like to send you 180 usd the expenses are 10 usd.
Alberto Armandi
Director
Seems like Alberto is getting a bit huffy! Cursing at your customers isn't very good business practice, Alberto. But then you don't know much about good business, do you?
Seems he's given up on the official Enso facebook page. It's now taken over by people complaining.
On Enso's website blog, unsurprisingly, there's yet *another* delay in shipping of zenpads!
From Alberto:
"Dear customers
Because of logistic problems with their touch panel suppliers, the manufacturer of our zenPads, Shenzhen Micro State Technology, aka SMIT, delayed again the second and final batch delivery of zenPads to July 9.
Now, telling you how frustrating is all this for me is useless. I think you just do not care and want your zenPad, what you paid for. I understand that.
On July10 our logistic company in Hong Kong will ship ALL the devices together, in the same day.
ALL customers will receive a tracking number and will be able to track their packages online.
We apologize again for this ridicolous delay.
Just in case that someone is still thinking that we are a scam and this is all fake, here are the contact informations of the person at SMIT that is handling our order :
Liz /李晨光
――――――――――――――――――――――――――――
MTV department /SMIT
Tel No：+86-755-6136 3366 ext 8322"
As far as I know - only about 3 zenpads have actually been shipped, lol. Even if there are actually more - I'd bet my teeth it's no where near the '500' he says he ordered.
"ridicolous", indeed.
Why is it that Engadget seems to be biased towards the Evigroup wallet over the zenpad, even though they are the same device?