Very Final Thoughts on Palladine Palroid

The device sucks big time, I just started a new trend: Android Tablet Tossing !  I might repeat some of the previous feedback here, but I need to summarize again to warn anyone to buy it:

• Wireless is extremely unstable and keeps on dropping, forcing one to toggle wireless or sometime restart the whole device.
• Stand-by drains the battery in less than 4 hours.
• The screen is very draggy and becomes unusable after a while of use. Starting various applications makes the device slow down even more (it usually ends up with 20MB free memory), the only remedy is killing running apps regularly. Even clicking sometimes becomes a nightmare because of the un-responsive screen..
• The only thing you can do, is watching movies. But it is very troublesome to interrupt a movie (with the default player), being forced to switch off to preserve energy and later switch on again to continue your movie.
  You cant watch more than 2 regular movies with one battery load.
  Remedy: Look for mvideoplayer (link), it supports bookmarks and autosave the last position of the movie you watch.
• No, you cant use it for PDF’s. Open any serious book (with few drawings or illustrations) and it becomes impossible to navigate or move forward/backward.
• You need to carry around the powerplug in order to charge, no USB charging.
• Not to forget 2.1 and definitely not being updated to 2.2.

It is not fair to compare it with the Samsung Galaxy Tab that I tested earlier today, but it is way smoother and faster.

The Palroid Experience: The Final Verdict

After a few days of using the device, my conclusions:

It works fine to read documents (pdf books) and watch movies (even on a screen connected via HDMI, which is a plus). You can play simlpe games. You can surf the web (minus Flash).
If you do not want to buy an Android phone (or get locked into a telco contract), you want a bigger screen but dont want to spend a bomb then this device is for you.

I do not recommend the Palroid because of these major flaws (based on the experience with the specific device I bought)

• Dropping wireless connection.
• Stdby mode drains the battery in few hours. My Nexus One can stand 2 days stdby (with regular but not extensive use).
• The g-sensor does not work properly for games.
• You can charge only with the power adapter.
• Anrdoid 2.1 (From other feedback I could read there will BE NO UPGRADE to 2.2!)

I will wait until early next year when the dust around Android 2.3 settled, 3.0 is getting clearer and after finding out which device is future-proof (can be updated),  before getting another Android device.

The Palroid Experience

The Palladine Palroid

More feedback after a few hours Palroid (Please stay reasonable, it is a cheap device, I just summarize my experience to keep your expectations right):

• The wireless connection keeps on dropping (less than 5m to the wireless router). Also after each stdby need to disconnect (or rather switch off wireless) and switch on / connect again.
• Running Android 2.1. What I heard it is unlikely they will release an upgrade to 2.2 (rumor?). Android 3.0 is targeting Tablets (rumor?), means early next year with have an outdated device. But this faith is shared by other actual Android devices as well.
• Adobe Flash: Because Flash was introduced for Android 2.2 only, you dont have it on the Palroid. There are some websites that describe a way to load it onto 2.1 devices (eg. link here). I tried, it does NOT work.
• System Performance: It is a simple CPU, Telechips 8902 Processor （800mhz). OK while doing one thing, but certain cpu intensive actions, like installing apps, slows down the whole device dramatically.
• Battery: I cant judge battery runtime yet, but the battery level is updated in steps of 10%. After fully charged, it jumped straight down to 80% and 50% within 45min of use.
• Development: No problem, I connected via USB and I could load and debug applications with Eclipse (also ddms, adb,..)
  

  DDMS Screenshot

• Charging: It cant charge via USB. You need to use power adapter.
• External drives: You cant connect external harddisk. It wont recognize it, it tries to mount as sd card. This is not a Paldroid issue, but an Android OS thing ! Not impossible though, check this link.

Android Tablet: Palladine Palroid

Getting more into Android development made me look out for tablet style Android. The Android tablet boom is just starting and every other week you find a new device. I went to Sitex 2010 in Singapore and bought a Palladine Palroid for 339.- SGD.  Palladine is a Singapore based company producing screens, now venturing into the tablet business. I assume the Palroid’s are (partly) manufactured in China and final assembled and quality checked in Singapore. Right now there is not much info about the device in the web yet. Here a few first impressions out of the box:

 

Palroid Box

 

Palroid Box

Palroid Box

Whats in the box ?

Palroid Keyboard

In the box you find the device, a pouch, a stylus pen, a earphone, a mini HDMI wire, charger and 2 USB wires.

We need to be reasonable while judging the device and its quality. It comes at the entry level price and dont compare it straightforward with a Android device 3 times more expensive like the DELL.

Some quick facts upon first glance:

• Despite its price the device and the body looks OK. Nicely build casing.
• Memory 256 MB
• Build-in 8GB for your files, plus SD card slot.
• No camera or GPS.
• No phone function or SIM card slot.
• Battery is build-in.
• You van use it out-of-the box, it comes with some selected pre-installed applications. I could watch movies on the spot, open Excel sheets and read PDF’s.
• It comes with Android 2.1 (means there is NO flash in your browser).
• It comes with Android Market and you can download lots and lots of applications that work with 2.1
• Use the HDMI wire to connect it to your Full HD TV.
• The touchscreen is a bit sluggish, but you get used to it or use the stylus (strangely the device has no “hole” to put the stylus in, so loosing the stylus is one of the first things that happen to you)

My recommendation:  If you want an Android on a shoestring and just do simple things like reading, watch movies, simple games,.. Go for it. If you expect a lot with the style factor of an iPad and smooth touchscreen, you need to pay more !

I am charging the device and will update you with more results and facts soon. Stay tuned !