Velocity Micro shows off $199 Cruz Reader

We haven't heard much about Velocity Micro's Android-based Cruz Reader since it sort of came out of nowhere back in April, but it's now finally nearing a release (sometime in August), and the company is starting to show it off a bit more. As expected, the Cruz Reader is just one of a series of tablets from the company and, despite the "reader" moniker, is actually more of a full-fledged Android tablet, complete with support for apps, games, web browsing, and other tablet-like activities. Velocity Micro is playing up the reader angle though, and has announced a partnership with Borders and Kobo to deliver ebooks to the device. Somewhat confusingly, however, it will be joined later in August by the $299 Cruz Tablet, which opts for a 16:9 capacitive display, adds 4GB of internal storage and an 8GB SD card, and Flash support, which the Reader apparently doesn't have (we're not quite sure what that means OS-wise). Rounding out the initial group is the kid-friendly Cruz StoryPad, which boasts a spill-resistant case and will run $149. Head on past the break for a look at the Cruz Reader on video, and the complete press release.

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Velocity Micro® Announces a Family of Android™ based color E-readers and Tablets

Cruz line launches with 7" color Cruz Reader™, 16:9 Cruz Tablet™ and kid-friendly Cruz StoryPad™

Richmond, VA – July 13, 2010 – Velocity Micro, the premier builder of premium, high performance desktop computers, notebooks, and peripherals, announces the debut products from a captivating and affordable line-up of Android powered mobile devices. Taking e-readers light-years past e-ink, the Cruz Reader features a sleek design, touch screen display, and tons of multimedia features. The Cruz Tablet offers the same multimedia capabilities as the Cruz Reader with more storage and a multi-touch screen. Perfect for kids, the Cruz StoryPad offers a touch screen, interactive content, and intuitive interface. Best of all, the Cruz line starts at just $149.

"Since 1992, Velocity Micro has been dedicated to building remarkable consumer electronics," said Randy Copeland, President and CEO of Velocity Micro. "With the development of the Cruz line, we were able to take those enthusiast sensibilities and package them for the mainstream consumer to create a product that's not only amazing, but affordable as well."

At under one pound and about a half inch thick, the $199, 7" Cruz Reader goes everywhere you do, making it perfect for students, avid readers, frequent flyers, and techies. Additional features such as video playback and web browsing provide a much richer experience than traditional e-ink readers at a more reasonable price than a tablet.
Key specs and features include:

· Crystal clear 4:3 ratio, 800x600 full color touch screen display – ideal for viewing ebooks and magazines, plus web pages and movies

· Google Android Operating System

· 802.11b/g wifi and full Web browser support

· High res video and high quality audio playback with no proprietary content restrictions

· Built-in Dictionary, Notepad, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Contacts, Games, and other useful apps

· Built in accelerometer, tilt activated

· Enough built in storage for hundreds of books

· USB and SD card slot for upgradable storage, including a 2GB SD card

· Up to 10 hours of use and over 24 hours of standby time, with a replaceable battery

· Access to over 2 Million ebooks via included Borders E-book library portal application

· Access to the Cruz Market™, an open content portal for downloading apps, magazines, and videos from a broad array of content providers.



At $299, the Cruz Tablet offers a truly mobile experience at an affordable price, finally giving consumers an Android-based tablet alternative.

Spec and feature upgrades include:

· 7" 16:9 ratio, 800x480 capacitive display – great for viewing widescreen video

· 802.11n wifi for faster wireless connectivity

· Integrated microphone for voice recording

· 4GB of built in storage with an 8GB SD card in the box for additional storage of high res photos, video, and music


Rounding out the Cruz line, the $149 Cruz StoryPad packs tons of multimedia features into a kid friendly, drop resistant package, letting children read, learn, and interact using a simple and intuitive touch interface. Features include:

· 7" 4:3 800x600 full color touch screen display

· Simplistic and intuitive navigation

· High res video and high quality audio playback

· Preinstalled audio book content – reads classic stories as the child follows along

· SD card for additional storage

· Available in pink, blue, and green


The Cruz Reader and Cruz StoryPad will be available from most major retailers and direct from Velocity Micro in August with the Cruz Tablet following on September 1st. For more information or to sign up for e-newsletter updates, visit www.CruzReader.com.

ABOUT VELOCITY MICRO, INC.

Velocity Micro, Inc. is the premier high-performance personal computer provider in North America. Founded in 1992, Richmond, Va.-based Velocity Micro custom builds award winning gaming, mobile, multimedia, small business, workstation, visual supercomputers and peripherals. Velocity Micro products are currently available at most consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information, please call [phone] or visit www.VelocityMicro.com.

Velocity Micro has earned over 60 industry awards, including 11 PC Magazine Editor's Choice awards. CNET, Maximum PC, Mobile PC, PC World, Computer Gaming World, Computer Shopper, and PC Gamer editors have all chosen Velocity Micro systems as some of the industry's best-performing, highest-quality, and most reliable PCs.

[bjoernbertelsen Posted Jul 13th 2010 3:55PM]

Bahh you could clearly see he had massive issues with the screens response, clearly a resistive screen. The tablet version is capacitative though.

How come the spec sheets doesn't say anything about processor and android version? Is it just me or was the video playback of the avatar trailer not smooth?

[Rwilson Posted Jul 13th 2010 4:04PM]

Its called a reader but that book looked like SH!T

[ballistic90 Posted Jul 13th 2010 4:12PM]

I've yet to find a tablet that would make me want to run out and buy one. This is one of the closest so far, especially with the price. The overall design looks pretty good, if a bit of an iPad copy cat, and it looks like it's running a modified Android OS designed with the Tablet in mind. Still, the specs aren't really listed and it looks like the screen is too unresponsive. I also think I would go mad trying to use a touch screen keyboard. Give me a fold out keyboard any day...

[netsql Posted Jul 13th 2010 5:34PM]

They don't say what version of Android it is.
I asume it's not 2.2.

Is there an 2.2 tablet w/ 3g (not wifi)?

[toddjy Posted Jul 13th 2010 5:57PM]

@netsql

There's not even a 2.2 phone yet, except the Nexus.

[crow610 Posted Jul 13th 2010 10:25PM]

@netsql Should be 2.x since browser has pinch & zoom

[Teiji Posted Jul 13th 2010 5:38PM]

What's with all these upcoming tablets with only 7 inch. At least make them 10 inch (even though that is still small for me). If it's an entertainment tablet, then make the screen big so people can enjoy watching streaming videos.

[joshualyon Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:07PM]

@Teiji I was surprised to find that a 7" screen is good for watching movies and TV shows while on the go. I think it comes down to personal preference as there is a balance between portability and size. 7" a pretty good size for watching a movie while on a plane or in a car (not driving of course).

[joshualyon Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:04PM]

I think I'll stick with my Moonse E-7001 until they come out with something with a faster processor and nice screen (read: high-res capacitive screen).

http://www.merimobiles.com/Moonse_E7001_android_tablet_pc_Google_Market_p/meri0396.htm

[tauttvisz Posted Jul 13th 2010 8:46PM]

Laggy:/

[glennc2 Posted Jul 13th 2010 8:55PM]

the name is kinda ironic given ebook reading would be it's worst function

[ereaderben Posted Jul 13th 2010 10:43PM]

Yeah, I do hope they improve the responsiveness of the screen a bit before the release. It seems like a decent enough tablet save for a few issues. I do not think the "reader" aspect of it should be heavily emphasized however. This is not the best example of tough competition for eReaders. They should just call it what it is, and that's an Android powered tablet which happens to support apps and one of those apps happens to be Kobo, an eBook application for reading. Aside from that, should be one of the dozen of iPad competitors coming out. More on that on my blog: http://ebookreader-ben.com/velocity-micros-7-inch-color-ereader-the-cruz-reader/ I've referenced this post again. Thanks.

Ben

[dillion3384 Posted Jul 13th 2010 10:55PM]

I have been thinking hard about buying a kindle @ $189, now way now. Besides the fact this is a compelling device I might have to buy one just because this company is located in my backyard, Chesterfield, VA!!

[dougbeebe Posted Jul 14th 2010 12:03AM]

I just tried the Pandigital Novel from Bath Bed and Beyond, with coupons you can get one in the $110-$130 range. I was going to try some of the hacks to improve on its features, but after lot of forum reading it seems like a bit of a lost cause, due to some buttons not being on the device, and to program up a software interface was going to be a while. So now I am looking to see what other tablets/ereaders might give me a better bang for my buck. :)

http://pandigital.net
7" Color Multimedia eReader , Carry 100s of eBooks, magazines and newspapers in a single easy-to-use device.
Vibrant 7" Full Color 800 x 600 Touch Screen brings your digital world to life. Built in WiFi connectivity for easy download of eBooks, web content and more. Intuitive Android based interface Expandable - up to 32GB on SD/MMC Up to 6 hours of reading on a single charge.

[ohnoitsaspider Posted Jul 14th 2010 2:35AM]

Android 2.1 has been on AOSP for almost 5 months now. 2.2 just came out and 2.0 is even older. These are all decent builds of Android. Why are they STILL USING DONUT?????

[thekillaray Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:15AM]

Here's a video where the CEO of velocity micro is demoing the device and the kids story pad enjoy people. http://www.cobim.cn/t8.html?t=8&l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engadget.com%2F2010%2F07%2F13%2Fvelocity-micro-shows-off-199-cruz-reader%2F

[thekillaray Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:18AM]

oops I ment this one guys. !http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/jul/13/velo13-ar-290088/