Comments on: Device Testing Update: N900, S7, Archos 5IT, Omnia Pro

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:49:08 +0000

Chippy, the Archos has no compass which I think is important for any GPS device. Does the Streak fill in this gap?

The Moto AMP 5 claims to have 3 axis compass and everything else I would want but it doesn’t seem to be real.

By: Chippy

Chippy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:38:20 +0000

The first set of devices went out with a terrible build which was totally useless. Latest build (you can update firmware yourself) is much better.
I cant say it’s a perfect device so you need to be prepared for crashes and the frustration of the poor appslib but for the uses I outlined, I think its good value for money. I cant think of anything that is better for the price and future builds would (should) get better. One other thing, dont expect the Google experience on it. None of the Google apps are built-in or available.
Also: Navigation app seems poor although I think its still in beta stage right now.

By: Chippy

Chippy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Yes. I think it there will be access to the driver. Maybe even in a few weeks.
2.1 for handhelds, Alpha, is due soon.

By: jcddvm

jcddvm — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:35:23 +0000

Excellent! Two votes for Viliv, that’s what I was looking for. I’m no fan for slow CF transfers, so I imagine the convenience of a built-in device on the U820 would lead only to frustration. Thanks for that warning, mobilegadgetgeek!

Last question on the Viliv S7. Dynamism has a deal going for a free battery, but I can find nowhere an independent battery charger. Is there such a thing, or can you only charge batteries in the S7 itself? I’d like to know so I can get all my accessories on the front end.

Thanks!

By: gmich

gmich — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:16:03 +0000

Chippy,

Based on you and jkk’s feedback, I’m really tempted to get the Archos 5. But I noticed that many of the customer reviews on Amazon are negative — really negative. Comments like “unusable,” “rubbish,” and “a nightmare.” These reviewers all say it crashes constantly when on the web and that nothing really works well. You and jkk seem to be having a far different experience, though. You say you “don’t think there’s a better device out there” for social, entertainment, and casual web browsing (which is how I’d be using it). Help me reconcile these vastly different opinions on the device.

By: smog

smog — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:26:34 +0000

Chippy, do you think there will be access to a decent linux video driver for poulsbo once moblin 2.1 launches allowing any linux distro to work properly on a Viliv S7 etc?
Thanks

By: mobilegadgetgeek

mobilegadgetgeek — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:26:18 +0000

jcddvm,

I would also add that the CF slot of the U820 is pretty slow. It has been a complaint of many users that it has very slow throughput. I have a 4gb card in my CF slot and moving files back and forth take much longer than they should. So if you are a photographer and take many photos then expect that the card slot will be your biggest bottleneck. I have the U820 with Vista and the HDD. I am thinking of swapping out for an SSD and Win 7 now that the drivers are out from Fujitsu. I have Vista optimized so that it is a pretty good experience. The U820 is a device that I keep coming back to, even though I seem to pick up just about every device that comes out. For being mobile and having some good computing power it is hard to beat. The S7 is a nice device, I don’t have one because at that size it overlaps a lot of capabilities I already have in other devices. I have had the U820 for over a year now and it lives in my grab and go gadget bag, blue tooth or usb tethers to my Touch Pro 2 with no issues. But for my Canon cameras I find that an external usb cf reader is much much faster.

By: Chippy

Chippy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:01:34 +0000

If you can survive with SD card slot and cf-usb adaptor the s7 might be better. Better screen, cheaper, faster.

By: Chippy

Chippy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:59:06 +0000

If the rumors about the Streak specs are correct, its for you! Actually for me too. If its a real Google Android device ill probaby be buying asap.

By: NODO-GT

NODO-GT — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:17:17 +0000

I’m thinking if i should wait for Dell Streak, or should i go with Archos.
perfect device would be
4.x-5.0 OLED capacitive screen
Camera ~ 5MP Video Rec. D1@24FPS
Andorid OS 2.0
hardware keyboard
SSD Memory
Powerful CPU Cortex A8 @ 800MHz, or Nvidia Tegra?… to play 720p movies..
High Gaming Compatibility looks like Android OS has good potential in gaming apps….

By: jcddvm

jcddvm — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:23:13 +0000

I’d like something I can take back/forth to work with me. The CF slot in the U820 appeals to me since I’m a amateur photo guy. The U820 *looks* like it’s a friendlier tablet device, but I rely on people like you for that confirmation. The S7 is $200 cheaper, and the U820 will require an OS and SSD swap pretty soon after purchase if the reviews I’ve read are correct (ie, Vista and the HDD seem to cripple its performance).

Sorry to go on… I’ll just wait for your review (but appreciate discussion in the meantime).

By: Chippy

Chippy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:14:07 +0000

Wow. That’s a tough one. How mobile are you? The main difference is that the U820 can be used standing up with thumbs where the S7 is just too wide for comfortable thumbing. The S7 is faster out-of-the-box though.

By: Chippy

Chippy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:11:37 +0000

OK Let’s add ‘out-of-the-box’ to my statement!

By: jcddvm

jcddvm — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:02 +0000

I’m interested in your review of the Viliv S7, as I’m currently waffling back and forth between picking up one of these versus a Fujitsu U820. I understand the Fujitsu will have definite limitations as you compare a HDD vs SSD and XP vs Vista, but I would love to hear your opinion on which is the better device nonetheless.

By: Fred Cervantes

Fred Cervantes — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:37:13 +0000

Dell Streak seems like the device for me. I was tempted by Viliv because full blown of OS but resistive screen set me back. Some may need a hardware keyboard but iphone has shown that a capacitive with a good implementation of the touch screen greatly closes the gap. Not having a hardware keyboard lives space for a smaller device. Playing with Android 2.0 browser I was able to access and interact with web sites I use for work the same way I am able with my windows laptop. I couldn’t with opera mobile, nokia or windows mobile. Not having a full OS on Streak will mean I have to remotely access my PC to do quick work with some docs while I am traveling or not willing to carry a full Windows machine with a resitive touch screen, but thats is a treade off I am willing to pay if I can have a lighter devise in my pocket with at least 4.8 inch screen