MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Maylong M-150 Tablet at Walgreens

RainmanP · 10-26-2010, 10:58 PM

Here are some first thoughts after having explored the Maylong M-150 for a couple of hours. I have tried to focus on less obvious things that puzzled me for a while even though I have been using Android on my Archos 5 Internet Tablet for a few months now. Users new to Android might be completely lost. The manual leaves a LOT to be desired. I hope some of you find this information useful.

Charging LED went off at about an hour, and I was able to use the device for close to two hours.

I have not been able to get online yet. The only wifi hotspot near my office constantly has router or modem issues, and I did not ask them to reboot. Others have reported that wifi works fine. I plan to try it out tomorrow.

Camera and Camcorder icons do not appear on the home screen initially. Press the Menu button then Add>Shortcuts>Applications. Scroll down to each icon and tap to add.

You might also want to add a shortcut for PK Manager with is an app manager.

Most other pre-loaded app icons already appear on screens.

Camera picture quality not that great. Have not tried video. Tried changing image storage location to SD card but photos don't seem to save. With storage location set to Local disk, images save under DCIM>Camera as expected.

Pressing the eye icon at the top of the screen captures a screen shot of whatever screen you are on at the time. It does not take a picture with the camera.

Devices tried with the USB dongle both directly and through a powered USB hub:
1. USB Keyboard works. I only tried typing a few characters. Here is something kind of cool. Under Settings>Applications>Quick Launch are keyboard shortcuts to open some apps using F1-F12 keys! So to open the browser you can just press F1. When you are in this settings area you can tap an app associated with one F key then select a different app to activate with that key.

2. USB Mouse works, but orientation is reversed. In other words, moving mouse vertically ("up" and "down") moves pointer horizontally (left/right). I haven't figured out whether this can be changed.

3. USB flash drive worked fine. All pre-existing files accessible.

4. Have not tried a portable hard drive, but I suspect the device may not have enough power for this.

Screen changes, auto-rotate, page turns on ebooks are a bit sluggish, but not too bad for a $99 device. My Archos 5 Internet Tablet is much faster but I paid 2.5 times as much for it.

The screen seems very responsive considering I have not taken any of the plastic protectors off. I am used to the resistive screen since that is what the A5IT has. If you have an iPhone don't expect for a resistive screen to be nearly as responsive.

I tried an mp4 video that plays fine on my A5IT. I don't remember the exact video properties, but they are probably low to medium. One hour video about just over 350mb. Resolution probably 320x240. I probably used a default iPod selection for transcoading. Video plays VERY slowly and lags way behind audio which plays fine for a while then starts to stutter.

In case you are not familiar with it the Aldiko ebook reader is really good one. I actually prefer it to Kindle. I have both on my A5IT. I wind up using Kindle because my wife and daughters all have either actual Kindles or the iPhone app so we can all share books.

The devise startled me initially with a vibration as it turned on. Turns out you can set key press confirmations to either a sound or vibration if you like. I have mine off. You always have the color change confirmation.

Device "geography" (device held horizontally with the big button to the right):
Left edge - Power button
Top edge left - Menu Button, Volume rocker
Right edge, top to bottom - Speaker, micro SD slot, USB/Ethernet dongle jack, headphone jack, power jack, another speaker.

I have had no problem with display calibration at all.

Things I either have not tried or have not figured out yet:
1. USB mouse orientation issue
2. Where is Sound Recorder? May have to get an app for that. Came loaded on my A5IT. It thought it was standard part of Android.
3. Powered USB hard drive and USB powered hard drive through powered USB hub. Hope to try tomorrow.
4. Having Camera images save to SD card. Can select this, but does not seem to save image.

Question - What is a good backup app that will allow me to copy the apks for free apps I already have?

I will post new observations as I get more time to play with it.

10-26-2010, 10:58 PM	#35
RainmanP Member Posts: 17 Karma: 294 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle for iPhone	Here are some first thoughts after having explored the Maylong M-150 for a couple of hours. I have tried to focus on less obvious things that puzzled me for a while even though I have been using Android on my Archos 5 Internet Tablet for a few months now. Users new to Android might be completely lost. The manual leaves a LOT to be desired. I hope some of you find this information useful. Charging LED went off at about an hour, and I was able to use the device for close to two hours. I have not been able to get online yet. The only wifi hotspot near my office constantly has router or modem issues, and I did not ask them to reboot. Others have reported that wifi works fine. I plan to try it out tomorrow. Camera and Camcorder icons do not appear on the home screen initially. Press the Menu button then Add>Shortcuts>Applications. Scroll down to each icon and tap to add. You might also want to add a shortcut for PK Manager with is an app manager. Most other pre-loaded app icons already appear on screens. Camera picture quality not that great. Have not tried video. Tried changing image storage location to SD card but photos don't seem to save. With storage location set to Local disk, images save under DCIM>Camera as expected. Pressing the eye icon at the top of the screen captures a screen shot of whatever screen you are on at the time. It does not take a picture with the camera. Devices tried with the USB dongle both directly and through a powered USB hub: 1. USB Keyboard works. I only tried typing a few characters. Here is something kind of cool. Under Settings>Applications>Quick Launch are keyboard shortcuts to open some apps using F1-F12 keys! So to open the browser you can just press F1. When you are in this settings area you can tap an app associated with one F key then select a different app to activate with that key. 2. USB Mouse works, but orientation is reversed. In other words, moving mouse vertically ("up" and "down") moves pointer horizontally (left/right). I haven't figured out whether this can be changed. 3. USB flash drive worked fine. All pre-existing files accessible. 4. Have not tried a portable hard drive, but I suspect the device may not have enough power for this. Screen changes, auto-rotate, page turns on ebooks are a bit sluggish, but not too bad for a $99 device. My Archos 5 Internet Tablet is much faster but I paid 2.5 times as much for it. The screen seems very responsive considering I have not taken any of the plastic protectors off. I am used to the resistive screen since that is what the A5IT has. If you have an iPhone don't expect for a resistive screen to be nearly as responsive. I tried an mp4 video that plays fine on my A5IT. I don't remember the exact video properties, but they are probably low to medium. One hour video about just over 350mb. Resolution probably 320x240. I probably used a default iPod selection for transcoading. Video plays VERY slowly and lags way behind audio which plays fine for a while then starts to stutter. In case you are not familiar with it the Aldiko ebook reader is really good one. I actually prefer it to Kindle. I have both on my A5IT. I wind up using Kindle because my wife and daughters all have either actual Kindles or the iPhone app so we can all share books. The devise startled me initially with a vibration as it turned on. Turns out you can set key press confirmations to either a sound or vibration if you like. I have mine off. You always have the color change confirmation. Device "geography" (device held horizontally with the big button to the right): Left edge - Power button Top edge left - Menu Button, Volume rocker Right edge, top to bottom - Speaker, micro SD slot, USB/Ethernet dongle jack, headphone jack, power jack, another speaker. I have had no problem with display calibration at all. Things I either have not tried or have not figured out yet: 1. USB mouse orientation issue 2. Where is Sound Recorder? May have to get an app for that. Came loaded on my A5IT. It thought it was standard part of Android. 3. Powered USB hard drive and USB powered hard drive through powered USB hub. Hope to try tomorrow. 4. Having Camera images save to SD card. Can select this, but does not seem to save image. Question - What is a good backup app that will allow me to copy the apks for free apps I already have? I will post new observations as I get more time to play with it.