[android] Tablet in the kitchen project - With 'issue'

[Dos_Box]

With the drop in Android tablet prices I thought it was about time that I took advantage. To this end I'm planning to fit a small tablet into my kitchen to replace a rather old DAB/CD player and be able to stream radio and video via wireless from both the net and my media server. Doing this has several advantages over the old radio, not least that it only has a 5V power requirement compared to the existing radio.

This has actually proved to be easier that I thought when it comes to sourcing the right bits.

Firstly I need a method of mounting the tablet to the wall and it has proved to be a lot easier than I thought with many companies now producing low-cost brackets for this purpose such as this one:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PadTab-iPad-Tablet-Mounting-System/dp/B00466BY40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363258378&sr=8-1

 

And this:

 

Belkin Tablet Kitchen Accessories | Ubergizmo

 

And all I need is the tablet. And have I found a doozy, which has one slight drawback (which I'll touch on in a bit).

For a mere £111 it has:

 

 

• 7 inch IPS wide angle display
  
• Actions ATM7029, 1.5GHz, Cortex A9 quad core; GPU: Vivante GC1000
  
• 1GB DDR3 RAM, 16GB large storage (system space approx 2GB)
  
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
  
• front 0.3 mega pixel Camera, 2 mega pixel rear camera
  
• b\g\g WI-FI, HDMI out,1080p
  
• Operation System: Android 4.1.1
  
• RAM 1GB (DDR 3)
  
• ROM（Memory） 16GB Nand Flash
  
• Screen Size 7 Inch
  
• Capacitive Screen, IPS, G+G techlogy
  
• Resolution: 1280 x 800px
  
• Visible Angle 178°
  
• Supports up to 32GB micro-SD cards
  
• Camera Dual camera, front camera is 0.3 and back is 2.0 megapixels
  
• Gravity Sensor
  
• 10 Point multi-touch + ALPS touch botton
  
• Flash 11.1
  
• Google Play
  
• Video 1080P, AVI/MOV/MP4/RMVB/FLV/MKV…
  
• Music MP3/WMA/WAV/APE/AAC/FLAC/OGG
  

However it does have a problem. It's name. When I first noticed this tablet and saw the spec I thought it would be ideal for schools, but, but...well the model is called Novo 7 Venus. But the manufacturer.......*draws breath* The manufacturer is called 'Ainol'. And it's written on the front.

I'm still going to buy it though, but breaking the news to my wife that I'm going to put an Ainol tablet on the kitchen wall will result it quire a conversation I think.

 

 

 

[LosOjos]

Haha, quite.

 

Have you seen the Sumvision Cyclone Voyager? Just shy of £80 delivered by eBuyer:

 

Sumvision Cyclone Voyager Tablet PC - Tablets | Ebuyer.com

 

Similar spec, though not as good in places, but it seems like it'd be ample for what you want:

 

Rockchip dual core 3066 1.6ghz
Quad Core VGA Mali 400

16GB flash
1GB DDR

Operating System: Android 4.1 jelly bean
Google play
Supports BBC Media Player

7” Capacitive screen, multi touch - 800 x 480

Quad core graphics mali 400

Integrated Speaker

Wifi connectivity

Up to 5 hours battery life
3200MAH 5V 2A
Standby 24hours

Width 19.2 cm
Depth 11.8 cm
Height 1 cm
Weight 323 g

Mini Hdmi,
1 Micro usb,
micro sd card port
headphone port
Front camera 0.3 megapixel

[featured_spectre]

Looks like a good idea, I have a tablet in the car now, so it works as GPS, video player, music streamer etc.

[VeryPC_Tom_M]

I wouldn't be concerned

 

Two members of my Sister-in-law's family bought these for each other for Christmas, and had much fun announcing the manufacturer of their new tablet on Christmas Day.

 

From what I saw: Good little tablet, doesn't transfer files via Bluetooth (took them most of the morning to determine this!)

 

As for the branding on the tablet.. Isn't that what black electrical tape/the correct tablet mount is for?

[Jawloms]

I can just imagine in an SMT meeting, asking if anyone had any opinions on having Ainol in the school.

[HarryMonkey]

You could get a kindle fire for £89 from CArphone Warehouse.

[danbuntu]

we had one of those tablets in the office. It performs very well for the price. the build quality however was terrible, the battery rattles around inside and after a small drop the screen shatter into many many pieces.

 

I think a Kindle fire or nexus 7 would be the best bet.

[Dos_Box]

It's going to be securely mounted in the kitchen, and not used as a 'pass around' device. As regards the N7 or Kindle Fire (very underspecced IMO) I think money soent of an N7 would be wasted for the use I have planned for it. TBH, I would have preferred a 10" device, but the price jump is just a tad too much for my likeing. Edited March 14, 2013 by Dos_Box

[LosOjos]

I would have preferred a 10" device, but the price jump is just a tad too much for my likeing.

 

The 10" Sumvision Cyclone Voyager is on eBuyer for £130 delivered:

 

Sumvision Cyclone Voyager Tablet PC - Tablets | Ebuyer.com