Review: W1060 7-inch MID by WireLession

[Dvalin21]

@Tekka,

Ill be patient, but there does seem to be a lot problems with the device. Ill wait for the Android version. Otherwise Ill have to start considering the V7 or whatever is cheapest. Right now I the Archos 5 for 159 dollars (60GB). Down side I still dont like the fact you have to pay for upgrades that should come free. That and the lack of a 7in screen ( I know they have the Archos 7, but I'm not paying 3 to 4 hundred dollars for it)

[nonanon]

I suspect that the port under the battery is not intended for end-customer use and the "port" under my battery doesn't look like a card slot. It's likely there for testing like the port under the rubber foot that only looks like a second headphone port.

As for Archos, I liked my 605 well enough and you only pay for the add-on codecs and functionality that you want so you could also argue the basic unit is less expensive for that reason. The Archos 7 is very nice, my son got one and it's a bit thicker and heavier than my A81 with a screen I don't like as well. But it plays videos, surfs the web and so on while my A81 waits for a firmware update to make surfing bearable and videos playable. It does work great as a reader so I'm happy with it but I'd really like to have it do other things well, too. If all I wanted was a reader I'd have stuck with my Sony 500.

[ColdSun]

I noticed that microSD slot inside as well. I'm in the same boat as you nonanon, this device works beautifully as a reader (books and comics), as a music player, and somewhat as a video player (still needs improvement). As an internet device, this thing is suffering. I have been on top of Wirelession and WitsTech about the Android availability for the device, but so far all I know is "soon."

I will say this straight out though. The problems with this device seem no worse than the problems I'm having during my tests of the SmartV7. Android can't connect to the internet. WinCE is in Chinese (so is Android - but that is easily changed). Linux seems to perform poorly and is sluggish. Those are just initial thoughts. I still have many things to try with it.

I'll be doing a lot of comparisons, as I have the SmartQ7, SmartV7, and the W1060 side-by-side during my testing process for the V7 review.

[Tekka]

can you guys take a pic of the slot? I'm wondering why my device doesnt have this slot...

[phuongt]

Here's a english version of uc webs for windows CE. Just tried on my W1060 and it worked perfectly, lightning fast web browsing.
DOWNLOAD

[ColdSun]

This is GREAT! Thanks Phuongt. I had a version of UCWeb, but this one is superior for some reason. and it is definately fast.

[nonanon]

@phuongt The rapidshare download won't work now. Can someone upload a copy so I (and others) can try this out? I've searched the web and UCWeb's site and can't find a copy that functions in English, despite having English in the title of some downloads.

[phuongt]

@nonanon. Here's the new link to download UC Web . However, this version has english interface but utilize a Chinese Server so some of the website will come out in chinese (eg: Google). I've been testing hundreds of Wince apps for a few days already. I'll try to create a collection of apps that can be used for W1060 and will upload today or tomorrow.
Here 's the link: DOWNLOAD UC WEBS

[phuongt]

I've compiled all of working apps on my w1060 and uploaded in a zip file. You just unzip it and transfer to the sd card and it's good to go. There's about 30 of them. Some highlights : TCPMP GP5500 modified version that can play flv
Foxit reader 1.1 Full Version (the latest although the interface is in Chinese but that's the only full version I can find). You should also consider download the interface from coldsun because it includes some other essential applications . Hope this help.
DOWNLOAD LINKS
P.S : These apps are from MioPocket and Meizu M8 forum. I hope these don't violate any copyrighted laws.. Because they are designed for Windows CE so they may also worked on Q7 and J100 reader.

[imaredr]

Originally Posted by phuongt

I've compiled all of working apps on my w1060 and uploaded in a zip file. You just unzip it and transfer to the sd card and it's good to go. There's about 30 of them. Some highlights : TCPMP GP5500 modified version that can play flv
Foxit reader 1.1 Full Version (the latest although the interface is in Chinese but that's the only full version I can find). You should also consider download the interface from coldsun because it includes some other essential applications . Hope this help.
DOWNLOAD LINKS
P.S : These apps are from MioPocket and Meizu M8 forum. I hope these don't violate any copyrighted laws.. Because they are designed for Windows CE so they may also worked on Q7 and J100 reader.

Thanks so much for this! I have been searching for MS Reader and Mahjonng for some time without luck. Your apps will keep me happy for quite some time and makes the device more useful and fun.

Ellen

[skyline]

Originally Posted by Dvalin21

@Tekka,

Ill be patient, but there does seem to be a lot problems with the device. Ill wait for the Android version. Otherwise Ill have to start considering the V7 or whatever is cheapest. Right now I the Archos 5 for 159 dollars (60GB). Down side I still dont like the fact you have to pay for upgrades that should come free. That and the lack of a 7in screen ( I know they have the Archos 7, but I'm not paying 3 to 4 hundred dollars for it)

Archos 7 160 GB at 240 dollars with super saver delivery from amazon.com, W1060 will set you back 220 dollars plus 35 dollars shipping and SmartQ v7 258 dollars plus 35 shipping (ouch?). So actually the Archos 7 is the cheapest of them all, and some people have found ways to install the pluggins for free which of course I don't recommend, but still, the price differences are small.

Actually I registered here because while going through the pages of this thread I noticed that coldsun did not reply to the questions regarding the Archos 7 although he seems to appreciate a lot the 5 inch version of it, namely Archos 5. That 's strange since the Archos 7 is the direct competitor of the 7 inch devices been reviewed here, not its 5 inch brother. Anyway, what would you people choose now that the Archos 7 is in the picture? What would you choose coldsun?

By the way, nice to meet you all, I came here in the first place because I want to buy one of these devices for myself and if I may say you have a wonderful forum with lots of useful information.

[skyline]

I forgot to mention that with W1060 & SmartQ v7 you will have to spend extra money to buy some storage. With Archos 7 you won't have to.

[Dvalin21]

Originally Posted by skyline

I forgot to mention that with W1060 & SmartQ v7 you will have to spend extra money to buy some storage. With Archos 7 you won't have to.

Thanks Skyline,

Really appreciate the advice. There is another forum though for the Archos 7 with a custom firmware that allows Android to be installed. http://archosfans.com/ Problem is that it voids any warranty and it also stops you from using any of their plugins even if you go back to their firmware. Either way, I would take the hack because its more like a desktop setting. But most importantly, I need to be able to edit word documents (.doc or docx) with the Archos 7. Thats the only thing that is keeping me from purchase the Archos 7 over the A81.

[skyline]

Originally Posted by Dvalin21

Thanks Skyline,

Really appreciate the advice.

No, no! It's not an advice, just a humble opinion! I really think that Archos 7 should be reviewed against the rest of the 7 inch devices.

[ColdSun]

@skyline: Welcome to the forums! We are happy to have you. As for why I haven't compared the Archos 7 to the other devices, well, that is easy my friend! I don't have one to compare with. Also, I was not aware that folks had made hacks for the Archos 7 firmware to allow a more complete experience. To be honest, the Archos 5 Android is the first device from Archos I've been really interested in. This is due to negative feedback I've had from people who don't like the pay-to-addon features of the previous devices and the closed firmware (Dvalin21 confirms this by stating that hacking the device for Android voids the warranty). Therefor, my opinion is that people who already own an Archos 7 may be more likely to alter their firmware since they have already invested in a closed system. New buyers should look elsewhere, again in my opinion, that offers a little more flexibility. There are many more 5 to 7 inch devices out there these days, and next year we will see even more to choose from. I'll try to review as many as possible, as will the other editors on Carrypad.com. If Archos releases another device like the A5A in a 7inch variety, I'll be there. Until then, I recommend something else for new buyers, possibly the Archos 5 Android.