Review: W1060 7-inch MID by WireLession

[Dalkor]

Hello. I'm trying to choose suitable MID and A81 have caught my eye, therefore I have a few questions:
1)Does this device have a cirilyc input support out of the box or is there a third-party software, compatible with A81? I'm aware of Russian firmware, but guys on mpxmid complain, that it doesn't work.
2)Are there compatible 3G modems on the market?
3)Have someone tried playing 720p video on A81, is it capable of fluent playback in it's current or at least future state?
4)About Android without hardware buttons. There is a good adaptation of Android UI for devices without hardware buttons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXmWFn2m4Rk , but all screenshots and vids of Android for A81 I've seen were with regular UI, is it because of early build or there will be some other solution for this device?

Thank you.

[izx]

Well, I'm interested in getting an A81 primarily for use as a car GPS, and since this seems to be the best resource for the device on the net...I had a few questions for folks who've used the A81/W1060. I've used WinCE 4.2/5.0-based GPSs before, so the software/media issues don't faze me; I want the A81 primarily because of its CPU, RAM and large screen (iGO8 is a resource hungry GPS program!). So here goes:

- are the built-in speakers loud enough for GPS directions in a moving vehicle? I don't need movie-quality sound, tinny-sounding is fine.
- how bright does the screen get at maximum? anyone tried to use it outside during the day?
- any updates on the bluetooth connectivity? I would like to be able to connect this to a bluetooth COM port device that reads out OBD2 data (car performance parameters)
- some folks have said the built-in GPS is very sensitive, which is good to know. Anyone have more GPS impressions to share? (iGO8 and BeelineGPS both support the somewhat weird combination of COM 5/9600 baud, so that's not a problem).

Thanks!

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by izx

Well, I'm interested in getting an A81 primarily for use as a car GPS, and since this seems to be the best resource for the device on the net...I had a few questions for folks who've used the A81/W1060. I've used WinCE 4.2/5.0-based GPSs before, so the software/media issues don't faze me; I want the A81 primarily because of its CPU, RAM and large screen (iGO8 is a resource hungry GPS program!). So here goes:

- are the built-in speakers loud enough for GPS directions in a moving vehicle? I don't need movie-quality sound, tinny-sounding is fine.
- how bright does the screen get at maximum? anyone tried to use it outside during the day?
- any updates on the bluetooth connectivity? I would like to be able to connect this to a bluetooth COM port device that reads out OBD2 data (car performance parameters)
- some folks have said the built-in GPS is very sensitive, which is good to know. Anyone have more GPS impressions to share? (iGO8 and BeelineGPS both support the somewhat weird combination of COM 5/9600 baud, so that's not a problem).

Thanks!

Although I no longer have my A81, I can address one of your questions. The A81 does NOT (repeat NOT) work well outside, even with the brightness turned all the way up. Even inside my car, I was unable to make out the screen during the day.

[izx]

Originally Posted by bryanzs

Although I no longer have my A81, I can address one of your questions. The A81 does NOT (repeat NOT) work well outside, even with the brightness turned all the way up. Even inside my car, I was unable to make out the screen during the day.

Thanks, that's too bad. I've been impressed with the brightness of the LED-backlit laptops I've seen, so I was hoping these MID backlights would be pretty good too.

[izx]

I've been corresponding with a few online shops & Kathy@Witstech about availability of the A81 with GPS since everyone seems to be out of stock on it. Kathy emailed me that a new version was on the way, by the end of May, with the following features:

1) OS: WinCE 6.0 --> WinCE 6.0/Android 1.6
2) Updated GPS hardware with better sensitivity
3) Adds one USB port and 3 buttons (for Android, I'm guessing)
4) Supports capacitive touch screen

JTShop also informed me that they will have a new model available on May 20th, which might be this one.

[avrila333]

Please Help!!

I just purchased a 16 gb SDHC micro memory card (comes with fat 32 format). I dragged and drop all files and apps to the card but when I turned on the device it does not recognize the card (the app for the memory card does not appear).

I would really appreciate any help. Pretty please

[zuber5]

Originally Posted by izx

Well, I'm interested in getting an A81 primarily for use as a car GPS, and since this seems to be the best resource for the device on the net...I had a few questions for folks who've used the A81/W1060. I've used WinCE 4.2/5.0-based GPSs before, so the software/media issues don't faze me; I want the A81 primarily because of its CPU, RAM and large screen (iGO8 is a resource hungry GPS program!). So here goes:

- are the built-in speakers loud enough for GPS directions in a moving vehicle? I don't need movie-quality sound, tinny-sounding is fine.
- how bright does the screen get at maximum? anyone tried to use it outside during the day?
- any updates on the bluetooth connectivity? I would like to be able to connect this to a bluetooth COM port device that reads out OBD2 data (car performance parameters)
- some folks have said the built-in GPS is very sensitive, which is good to know. Anyone have more GPS impressions to share? (iGO8 and BeelineGPS both support the somewhat weird combination of COM 5/9600 baud, so that's not a problem).

Thanks!

I have found the A81 works very well with IGO8 as a car GPS, except for one thing - the GPS sensitivity is awful. Sometimes it acquires a lock without a problem, but the mere act of shutting the unit down and restarting results in a long wait before a good signal can be acquired (even when one was there before). Other times it requires a ridiculous wait before it will work. Not recommended in my opinion, unless this issue is addressed.

[nonanon]

At this point I'm only partly satisfied with the A81 and not at all happy with Witstech. They've been promising Android or Linux since Nov 09 and I'm not sure it will ever be released. They are obviously more interested in selling a new device and I think the A81 will be abandoned shortly. I don't think Android would work all that well on a 7" device that lacks any buttons anyway. I seriously doubt I'd buy a Witstech product again.

All that aside, it still works well for long trips as a portable media player that can also work as an ereader. Sadly that's only a fraction of what was advertised. If I were in the market I'd get one of the iPad clones or the Archos 7 Home Tablet.

edit: To clarify for Dalkor, if in the market I'd take a look at the iPad clones and the Archos 7 HT. I don't have an Android device myself and should have said I've read that a device without buttons would have limitations with that OS. I'd put it on my A81 and try it if Witstech had an English language version. My main objection is that they've been promising Android for over 7 months and it's still not here.

As for using it as a GPS my main issue would be the viewing angle. At least with mine it has to be turned directly at me or the screen is too dark. My Tom Tom can be viewed from acute angles that would make the A81 screen appear black.

[Dalkor]

To make things clear:

7" device that lacks any buttons

=

Archos A7 Home Tablet

[zendesigner]

Ni i need to change the mouse cursor on the A81 . It's now the small white cursor. when using sunglasses it is not visible.

I need the large black (extra large sheme) pointer .

Can anyone tell me how to change it. The control panel applet does not give me a choice. neither can i find .cur files on the device ?

Thanks

Bart

[pphilipp]

I finally ordered the w1060 off ebay ($139 w/free shipping). New! Seems like a steal to me.
I've been contemplating this device since Nov 09. and it looks like it has improved over the months to where it's a pretty decent mid.

Now I'm going to throw some backwards thinking (going against the grain) into this forum...
On May 2nd I bought an 7" Android device. On May 28th I sold it.
Why?
I believe I hate Android. Easy interface but awkwardly clumsy.
Don't get me wrong, Android is great for small phones... that's what it was designed for. But when you get into large 7" real estate you're pushing the OS to it's present limits. I felt like my device was nothing more than a huge cellphone, not a fully operable computer.

No matter how you might gripe about Windows CE, for those who wish to use it that way, it can be operated like a functional computing device. The basic desktop might look 12 years old but when you add the right apps and let it rip, you know you're going to be doing stuff your cell phone just won't do.

Android on the W1060? Hardly. That's not the direction I want to go with this.
I'll let my cellphone run Android.

[dmitry]

Originally Posted by pphilipp

I finally ordered the w1060 off ebay ($139 w/free shipping). New! Seems like a steal to me.

Where did you find it? I was looking around and it seems unavailable right now?
To All:
Where can I buy it now?
Video playback, how long battery can take?

Thanks in advance .

[pphilipp]

Originally Posted by dmitry

Where did you find it? I was looking around and it seems unavailable right now?

One thing I've learned about ebay is that sometimes the item you're looking for is listed with incorrect info and if the listing heading is wrong then buyers have a hard-time finding it. I found the Wits listed as a netbook computer. It didn't use the company or product name... or any other info which would have turned-up in a search. But it contained a dozen pictures which confirmed what the device really is. It also contained specs and other info which once again can only be the W1060.

[dmitry]

Tried again with no luck . Saw a lot of APad or something like that for $165. It seems has additional core and runs Android 1.5. Did anyone have it? (http://www.jiongtang.com/shop/moonse...58uvcru6j2i0k1).

[pphilipp]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Windows-Tabl...item20b1360eb2