First Impressions

dmacmart · 10-28-2011, 10:28 AM

Got two from Best Buy (for gifts but I'm SURE they will want them set up).

It's very pretty, quilted back has a nice feel (had to buy a $45 plastic back cover for my iPad to make me think that it would not scratch my wood furniture), moderately heavy.

Very nice packaging, even nicer than KW or KT. Box comes with
* Vox
* micro USB cable
* strangest AC adapter I've ever seen (hard-wired micro USB, and the two-prong part that plugs into the wall comes disconnected; to allow other AC prongs to be attached?)

I can't find a quick-start card though there are several pieces of documentation.

I plugged via USB to my computer. The screen says
USB Mass Storage
(Android robot image)
USB Connected
You have connected your tablet to your computer via USB. Select the button below if you want to copy files between your computer and your Android's SD card.
(and a soft button that says) Turn on USB storage

So - it doesn't appear to charge via this mechanism as there are no other lights or messages and no option to cancel.

Need to read manual so I can use this thing.

Edit: OK after R-ingTFM I plug it in using wall charger and update via WiFi. The screen provides step-by-step instructions. Turns out what looks like a glossy manual is the quick start card. It's now downloading the update.

RoxyJ · 10-28-2011, 10:50 AM

Manual said that you can charge only through the wall plug provided

Any luck loading the Kindle app?

friktion · 10-28-2011, 11:13 AM

Yes- isn't that strange? I couldn't get off the main screen until I had unplugged the USB from my computer and plugged the Vox into the wall ...

It has to search for my WiFi and tells me to pick a Wifi ... (I have my own at home). Is there a certain one for Bell? I understood that you could have unlimited Bell Wifi, and I don't see their connection in my options - so for now, I'm going to connect to my own.

friktion · 10-28-2011, 11:15 AM

BTW, it doesn't fit into my old Kindle 3 case (case too small). It also is a touch too small for my other case (7" Skytex Primer case).

Lordvic · 10-28-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friktion

Yes- isn't that strange? I couldn't get off the main screen until I had unplugged the USB from my computer and plugged the Vox into the wall ...

It has to search for my WiFi and tells me to pick a Wifi ... (I have my own at home). Is there a certain one for Bell? I understood that you could have unlimited Bell Wifi, and I don't see their connection in my options - so for now, I'm going to connect to my own.

Not sure where you got thata impression.

Bell doesn't really have WiFi. they have cellular based services. The Kobo does NOT have an antenna to use those however. you must use a local Wi Fi.

Psyke · 10-28-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friktion

Yes- isn't that strange? I couldn't get off the main screen until I had unplugged the USB from my computer and plugged the Vox into the wall ...

It has to search for my WiFi and tells me to pick a Wifi ... (I have my own at home). Is there a certain one for Bell? I understood that you could have unlimited Bell Wifi, and I don't see their connection in my options - so for now, I'm going to connect to my own.

what they mean by the unlimited bell wifi is the wifi service you get in most starbucks, which is provided by Bell. IT's actually free to anyone and any device, but of course it looks good when added to the package

friktion · 10-28-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordvic

Not sure where you got thata impression.

Bell doesn't really have WiFi. they have cellular based services. The Kobo does NOT have an antenna to use those however. you must use a local Wi Fi.

Actually, where I live, Bell does have internet services (and wifi). (I live in Quebec.) And I got the idea from a review online describing the new Vox.

But in the end, it doesn't matter to me - I'm connected at home now ...

dmacmart · 10-28-2011, 11:27 AM

I set the timezone, date/time automatically populated. Turning on brings the Kobo application. The home button (one of three "buttons" which are touch-sensetive areas in the bezel) takes you to Kobo home. A few icons on bottom of that screen (read, library, shop, reading life) - and "All Apps" to get to the expected Android home page (well I expect it, but I've never used Android I have iPhone/iPad. looks like a screen of start icons.)

Get Apps icon takes you to http://kobo.getjar.com

Kindle app is not in that store (at least I couldn't find it). There are lots of free apps.

Now - does sideloading require an SD card as implied when you plug into your computer?

SCION · 10-28-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmacmart

...

Now - does sideloading require an SD card as implied when you plug into your computer?

When you go into "Settings", then "Applications", is there a box to check "Unknown sources" (Allow installation of non-Market applications)?

dmacmart · 10-28-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCION

When you go into "Settings", then "Applications", is there a box to check "Unknown sources" (Allow installation of non-Market applications)?

Yes there is.

SCION · 10-28-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmacmart

Yes there is.

That's great! You should be able to download a file explorer from the app market. Astro is common and will suffice. Transfer your app file to the device. You can create a folder if you want. Find it in the file explorer (Astro), then click on it. Should install.

friktion · 10-28-2011, 11:48 AM

Lovely

Mine just froze trying to load their cupcake recipe book. Not impressed. BTW, how did you get to the "settings, applications"? I'm going to reboot and get into the "get apps" - if I can reboot ...

dmacmart · 10-28-2011, 11:56 AM

So far no freezing or other misbehaviour. Except difficulty with getting an underscore on the keyboard.

To get settings: touch the home button on the bottom bezel, then "All Apps" icon. Settings is on the bottom row.

friktion · 10-28-2011, 11:58 AM

Thank you - still waiting to try to get it to boot up again. Do you need to hold (continuously) the on/off button to start/close it? (Sorry, I'm used to my Kindle)

dmacmart · 10-28-2011, 12:01 PM

No a simple tap on the power button to turn on/off. The left swipe to unlock took me a few minutes to figure out though!

(hope you don't have a lemon)

Oops - now I do seem to have an issue. Won't turn on. No paperclip hole. D'oh.

10-28-2011, 10:28 AM	#1
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	First Impressions Got two from Best Buy (for gifts but I'm SURE they will want them set up). It's very pretty, quilted back has a nice feel (had to buy a $45 plastic back cover for my iPad to make me think that it would not scratch my wood furniture), moderately heavy. Very nice packaging, even nicer than KW or KT. Box comes with * Vox * micro USB cable * strangest AC adapter I've ever seen (hard-wired micro USB, and the two-prong part that plugs into the wall comes disconnected; to allow other AC prongs to be attached?) I can't find a quick-start card though there are several pieces of documentation. I plugged via USB to my computer. The screen says USB Mass Storage (Android robot image) USB Connected You have connected your tablet to your computer via USB. Select the button below if you want to copy files between your computer and your Android's SD card. (and a soft button that says) Turn on USB storage So - it doesn't appear to charge via this mechanism as there are no other lights or messages and no option to cancel. Need to read manual so I can use this thing. Edit: OK after R-ingTFM I plug it in using wall charger and update via WiFi. The screen provides step-by-step instructions. Turns out what looks like a glossy manual is the quick start card. It's now downloading the update. Last edited by dmacmart; 10-28-2011 at 10:35 AM. Reason: Next step

10-28-2011, 10:50 AM	#2
RoxyJ Junior Book Zombie Posts: 65 Karma: 29934 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle 3, iPhone, ipad	Manual said that you can charge only through the wall plug provided Any luck loading the Kindle app? Last edited by RoxyJ; 10-28-2011 at 11:11 AM.

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10-28-2011, 11:13 AM	#3
friktion Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 11204 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 700, Kindle 3Wi-Fi, Skytex Primer 7", Kindle Fire	Yes- isn't that strange? I couldn't get off the main screen until I had unplugged the USB from my computer and plugged the Vox into the wall ... It has to search for my WiFi and tells me to pick a Wifi ... (I have my own at home). Is there a certain one for Bell? I understood that you could have unlimited Bell Wifi, and I don't see their connection in my options - so for now, I'm going to connect to my own.

10-28-2011, 11:15 AM	#4
friktion Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 11204 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 700, Kindle 3Wi-Fi, Skytex Primer 7", Kindle Fire	BTW, it doesn't fit into my old Kindle 3 case (case too small). It also is a touch too small for my other case (7" Skytex Primer case).

10-28-2011, 11:27 AM	#8
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	I set the timezone, date/time automatically populated. Turning on brings the Kobo application. The home button (one of three "buttons" which are touch-sensetive areas in the bezel) takes you to Kobo home. A few icons on bottom of that screen (read, library, shop, reading life) - and "All Apps" to get to the expected Android home page (well I expect it, but I've never used Android I have iPhone/iPad. looks like a screen of start icons.) Get Apps icon takes you to http://kobo.getjar.com Kindle app is not in that store (at least I couldn't find it). There are lots of free apps. Now - does sideloading require an SD card as implied when you plug into your computer?

10-28-2011, 11:48 AM	#12
friktion Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 11204 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 700, Kindle 3Wi-Fi, Skytex Primer 7", Kindle Fire	Lovely Mine just froze trying to load their cupcake recipe book. Not impressed. BTW, how did you get to the "settings, applications"? I'm going to reboot and get into the "get apps" - if I can reboot ...

10-28-2011, 11:56 AM	#13
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	So far no freezing or other misbehaviour. Except difficulty with getting an underscore on the keyboard. To get settings: touch the home button on the bottom bezel, then "All Apps" icon. Settings is on the bottom row.

10-28-2011, 11:58 AM	#14
friktion Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 11204 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 700, Kindle 3Wi-Fi, Skytex Primer 7", Kindle Fire	Thank you - still waiting to try to get it to boot up again. Do you need to hold (continuously) the on/off button to start/close it? (Sorry, I'm used to my Kindle)

10-28-2011, 12:01 PM	#15
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	No a simple tap on the power button to turn on/off. The left swipe to unlock took me a few minutes to figure out though! (hope you don't have a lemon) Oops - now I do seem to have an issue. Won't turn on. No paperclip hole. D'oh.

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