Subscribe to Fresh Gear Weblog by Email

Available Date: 21st September 2010

Launch Price: RM1,599

Fresh Gear rating: 9/10

CSL Mi700 Google Android powered Tablet was launched in early September 2010 by the CSL group of companies.

Specification

• Android OS, v2.2 (Froyo)
• GSM Quadband/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA
• 480 x 800 pixels, 7 inches (Capacitive Touch Screen)
• 179.4 x110 x11.5mm
• Qualcomm MSM7227, 600 MHz
• 512MB RAM / 512MB ROM
• Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate and Motion UI
• E-Compass + Ambient Light Sensor
• 3 MP,  autofocus, 0.3MP 2048 x 1536 (Secondary VGA camera)
• Bluetooth, Wifi, GPS
• Standard battery, Li-Pol 3,240 mAh
• Standby: Up to 520h
• Talk time: Up to 6h

Unboxing the CSL Spice Mi700

Packaging of the CSL Mi700 is huge compared to other HTC packaging. Taking up valuable retail space in the outlet

CSL SPICE Mi700 comes with the following accessories in the box.

• A slim bi-fold synthetic leather holder with pocket
• Screen Protector
• CD, Quick Start Guide and Manuals
• Headset/Handsfree
• Travel Charger
• Car Charger adapter
• USB Sync cable
• Mapking Registration Card

First Impression

The device looks big but the weight is surprisingly light. However, the supplied casing is rather heavy. The build quality is quite good with minimal moving parts except for the memory + simcard cover.

Four controls are located at the right side of the tablet. Back, Search, Home & Menu.

Located on the top is the UP/DOWN volume button, SIM Card + Memory card slot.

Located at the bottom is the Reset button, Mic, Headset and charger/sync slot.

Also located on the both side are the speakers. A power button is located on the left side speaker. You might also noticed a “Black” round hole  just above the speaker. This I believe is for other accessories maker to make a plastic cover that uses the hole as a hinge.

Located on the top left corner is a front facing camera for 3G video calls and a ambient light sensor.

Size is just perfect! It is not as big as an iPad and is more like a normal diary.

The front casing can be flip backwards and make as a stand for the tablet.

Using the CSL SPICE Mi700

As a user of HTC Legend, switching over to the CSL SPICE Mi700 is easy. Only difference is that HTC Sense is smoother and have nicer UI. Some of the software not found standard on my HTC Legend are.

1. Mapking

• Comes with a license for Mapking for your all GPS needs.

2. CSL Blueberry Messenger

• A collection of all the different IM. E.g. MSN, GTalk, Yahoo Chat…

3. CSL Blueberry Store

• Re-directs to http://m.b-qq.com/my/index.php

4. CSL Azan Alarm

• Islam prayer time with built-in compass

5. CSL Fun Club

• Some SMS services like News, My E.G Services, Currency, Sports results..

6. Aldiko

• Ebook Reader

7. Documents to Go

• Words, Powerpoint and Excel for Android.

8. S-Unno

• A telephony service offered by SPICE. Check out this website for more info. http://www.s-unno.com/

9. WaveSecure

• A mobile security service by Macafee. Read more about it here. https://www.wavesecure.com/wavesecure/android.aspx

Comparing with an Apple iPad

Naturally, people will want to compare this with an Apple iPad. So, what are the differences?

Sample Photos taken using the CSL SPICE Mi700 (Click to Enlarge)

Conclusion

Pro:

• Good Size and solid built
• Good battery life! (Thanks to the huge battery size)
• Built in many useful software; Mapking, Document to Go, Prayer time.
• 3G camera, uses latest Froyo Android OS!

Cons:

• Abit on the heavy side with the casing
• Back camera 3.0MP not good enough
• Speaker “breaks” when turned on too loud
• Built-in battery
• Not all Android apps are made for 800 X 480 screen size

Subscribe to Fresh Gear Weblog by Email

Are you going over to the coming DCIM camera show at Mid Valley Convention Centre (MVCC)? Below are some details and timetable for Canon.

There will be camera sales offer, photography talks by EOS Photographers, camera demo, EOS Academy training, free camera checking, Selphy Print-It-Your Self Activities, photography works display by 20x EOS photographers from the EOS Buddy Club. 
       

* Date : 14 – 16 May 2010 

* Time : 11am – 9pm 

* Venue : Mid Valley Convention Centre (Admission is FREE)

Go check it out!

Subscribe to Fresh Gear Weblog by Email

Click to Enlarge

All netbook comes with Windows7 Starter or Windows XP Home pre-installed. Lots of freebies are included, call us today!

HTC PDA Pricelist (Click to Enlarge)

HTC Snap: RM1,199 (Old Price RM1,599)

HTC Diamond 2: RM1,999 (Old Price RM2,399)

HTC HD: RM2,199 (Old Price RM2,399)

HTC Touch Pro 2: RM2,399 (Old Price RM2,799)

HTC Touch Viva: RM699 (Old Price RM999)

New Product

HTC Touch2 (Special Ed.) – RM999

Acer has 3 new smartphone models up it’s sleeves. Some quick specification and pricing.

Acer F1 (S200 – neoTouch)

• RM2,399
• 5.0MP Autofocus Camera with flash
• 3.8″ WVGA screen
• Windows Mobile 6.5
• Qualcomm 8250, 1GHz
• 512MB/256MB
• Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Accelerometer
• Light Sensor
• Proximity Sensor

Acer L1 (E200 - beTouch)

• RM1,599 
• 3.0MP camera
• 3.0″ WQVGA screen
• Qualcomm 7225, 528MHz
• 512MB/256MB
• NO WIFI
• Bluetooth + GPS
• Numeric Keypad

Acer C1 (E100 – beTouch)

• RM1,499
• 2MP camera
• 3.2″ WQVGA camera
• Qualcomm 7225, 528MHz
• 512MB/256MB
• NO WIFI
• Bluetooth + GPS

Subscribe to Fresh Gear Weblog by Email

Are you using HTC Touch Diamond 2 (T5353)? Download the latest ROM upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5 now.

Below are some screen shots to entice you to do so Most of the screen shots are specifically for Windows Mobile 6.5.

The icon is now with color

The stock screen

Weather looks the same

Honeycomb Program listing

The usual contact screen

Link with Facebook

Option for Chinese Input

Input option

Location Service

The built-in marketplace

Marketplace

Marketplace

Marketplace

Marketplace

Marketplace - Payment for Paid Apps

Marketplace - Setting up Credit Card

Settings

Settings

Settings

Subscribe to Fresh Gear Weblog by Email

New price drop for

• Acer Aspire One AOD250 – RM1,299
• Acer Aspire One AO751 – RM1,499