Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have used the GenTouch78 for several weeks now, and have somewhat mixed feelings about it. On balance, this device is definitely worth purchasing *IF* are willing to do some of the work. Out of the box, with no effort on your part? You will likely want to send it back. Why? It has several negatives (with fixes in parentheses):
1.The resistive touchscreen is horribly slow and inaccurate (Updating with update 3 from the Augen website adds a calibration utility that dramatically improves things)
2.The battery life is mediocre - 2-2.5 hours (By adding a utility to put it in `airplane mode' when not using wifi, you can extend the battery life to 4-5 hours pretty easily. The problem is caused by the direct port of Android. A HUGE amount of battery power is wasted on the unit trying to find a cell tower to connect to. This should be a relatively easy fix; I would expect it to be fixed within the next few months.)
3.The headset connector is 2.5 mm, so you cannot use standard headsets (Augen states they will send you a free adapter if you email them)
4.The Android Market app does not work (You can locate a great many .apk files online, and the update referenced above adds an alternative app store...far fewer apps, but it is something).
5.There is no accelerometer. You cannot (easily) switch from landscape to portrait mode (There is a workaround by using the included file manager to manually change the orientation)
6.The unit itself seems slow and unresponsive (The processor is a relatively slow processor, but you can significantly increase responsiveness by killing apps using a task manager, and by eliminating the `active' wallpaper installed by default.)
7.The buttons are on the back, and their use is not immediately intuitive (In time, I have grown to think this is a very GOOD design choice. Your fingers fall naturally to them after you get used to it, but it does take some time).
If you resist the urge and do NOT return it, and instead spend some time `fixing' some of the flaws? What you end up with is pretty impressive for several reasons:
1.It is a very capable ebook reader (I have installed Alkido for free books, Kindle and Nook). It is basically the same price as a Nook or a Kindle, and it can do VASTLY more than either of those can.
2.The web browsing experience is very satisfying.
3.It handles media quite capably. YouTube videos look great, and music sounds acceptable, given the single speaker on the back.
4.It is quite light (12.2 ounces - half what an iPad weighs). This is important if you use it as an ebook reader. It fits very comfortably in one hand for extended periods.
5.It runs many apps quite well. I have chess, blackjack, several other games, some aviation apps, and text editors running on it.
This is clearly a first generation device. But is ALSO 1/3rd the cost of the cheapest iPad. It probably provides 60% of the utility of an iPad for 33% of the cost.
This device is getting better. It will continue to get better. If you don't mind putting in the effort, this is actually a very good buy. It isn't an iPad. It's not even really close to the beauty, speed, and elegance of the iPad. But it does many jobs, and does them well. If you can deal with this, then you will love this device. If not? You're likely better off with an iPad. For me? I'm keeping mine...for $169, the ebook capabilities alone are worth the cost.
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The GENTOUCH78 is a sleek Android powered tablet with a 7" touch screen that connects you with hundreds of your favorite applications from the App Store.
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