Product Details
 | Velocity Micro T301 Cruz 7-Inch Android 2.0 Tablet (Black) |
| List Price: | $249.99 |
| Price: | $159.95 |
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from and sold by WorldWide Distributors
18 new or used available from $149.95
Average customer review:
(104 customer reviews)
Product Description
A remarkably affordable, remarkably feature rich tablet. Packed inside the Cruz Tablet’s smart, refined design are specs and features enough to go head to head with any other tablet PC on the market. Play games and video, read books, download apps, and browse the web, all from this revolutionary device! Capacitive touch screen and content via Amazon Kindle app for an amazing user experience. Backed by Velocity Micro’s expert US-based support.Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #291 in Personal Computers
- Color: black
- Brand: Velocity
- Model: T301
- Dimensions: 7.50" h x .57" w x 5.60" l, 1.00 pounds
- Display size: 7
Features
- Crystal clear 4:3, 800x600 capacitive color touch screen display - ultra responsive and great for video
- 802.11n Wifi and full browser support
- Plays music and movies - a portable multimedia device!
- Built-in Dictionary, Astro, OfficeSuite, Notepad, Calendar, Alarm Clock, and other useful apps
- Access to the official Android App store
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
The Kindle app comes to color! Download books in full color with just a tab from the world's most popular ebook store: Kindle. "Cruz" through all of your media including videos, books, magazines, and music all on this revolutionary device's crystal-clear, full-color, 7-inch display. The Cruz's non-proprietary interface even allows you to install Android based apps and games to make your device your own.
At just under one pound, the sleek Cruz Tablet goes everywhere you do and fits perfectly in one hand. Use the built-in Kindle bookstore app to download and read over 700,000 eBooks in a light and convenient package. Staying up-to-date with email and social networks is just a Wi-Fi hotspot away, thanks to the Cruz Tablet's 802.11n Wi-Fi and full browser support. You can even load your Cruz Tablet's 4GB of internal storage up with all your favorite music and movies to make it a completely mobile media device!
The Cruz Tablet features a seven-inch (diagonal) capacitive touchscreen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution, ideal for viewing movies, eBooks and eMagazines, and Web pages. The highly responsive, capacitive touch screen provides simple navigation. A built-in, tilt-activated accelerometer will flip the page display from portrait to landscape and back when you turn the device.
Android-Based OS
The Cruz Tablet uses the Android OS, an easy-to-use, powerful, and reliable operating system from the team at Google. Designed for touchscreen devices like the Cruz, Android helps you easily manage your programs with a vastly intuitive interface.
eBook Reader
The included Kindle app offers over 700,000 eBooks for quick and easy download through any wifi connection, letting you pack dozens of books for a weeklong getaway without weighing down your suitcase. And it's all in full color! Support is provided for ePub, PDF, TXT, PDB, and HTML reader files.
Enjoy Your Other Media
Bring your favorite movies on a plane without the hassle of a portable DVD player or laptop, with support for MPEG-4 and H.264 video formats. Listen to your favorite tunes in MP3, WMA, AAC, or WAV formats. Or share pictures from your last vacation with JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP support.
Stay Connected with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Full Browser Support
Put the power of the Internet right in your hands. Stay connected with email and social networks even while on the road.
Download remarkable content, astonishing applications, and amazing games through the Cruz Market.
Slim and Stylish
Velocity has designed and refined the Cruz Tablet to be as stylish as it is amazing. Get ready to attract attention with the sleek, slim, and stylish Cruz Tablet.
Add Storage Capacity
The Cruz Tablet offers 4GB internal storage, expandable via both USB and SD card slots. A 4 GB SD card is included with the device.
Built-in Applications
Along with the Kindle app, the Cruz Tablet includes a built-in dictionary, file manager, calendar, alarm clock, social media, OfficeSuite viewer, Napster, and other useful apps. Download and install even more via the Cruz Market.
User-Replaceable Battery
An extended life, user-replaceable lithium-ion battery is included, offering up to 10+ hours of life on a single charge (24+ hours on standby).
Product Support
Each Cruz is backed by Velocity Micro's expert US-based support, for extra peace of mind.
What's in the Box
Cruz Tablet model T301, AC adapter, carrying pouch, stand, user's guide, and 4GB SD card.
Velocity Micro T301 Cruz 7-inch Tablet
The Kindle app comes to color! Download books in full color with just a tab from the world's most popular ebook store: Kindle. "Cruz" through all of your media including videos, books, magazines, and music all on this revolutionary device's crystal-clear, full-color, 7-inch display. The Cruz's non-proprietary interface even allows you to install Android based apps and games to make your device your own.
At just under one pound, the sleek Cruz Tablet goes everywhere you do and fits perfectly in one hand. Use the built-in Kindle bookstore app to download and read over 700,000 eBooks in a light and convenient package. Staying up-to-date with email and social networks is just a Wi-Fi hotspot away, thanks to the Cruz Tablet's 802.11n Wi-Fi and full browser support. You can even load your Cruz Tablet's 4GB of internal storage up with all your favorite music and movies to make it a completely mobile media device!
 Your media in the palm of your hand |
 A feature-rich interface makes "cruzing" through videos, photos, and apps fun and easy |
 Stay connected with friends while on the go! |
Cruz Through Your Media
Full-Color Touchscreen DisplayThe Cruz Tablet features a seven-inch (diagonal) capacitive touchscreen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution, ideal for viewing movies, eBooks and eMagazines, and Web pages. The highly responsive, capacitive touch screen provides simple navigation. A built-in, tilt-activated accelerometer will flip the page display from portrait to landscape and back when you turn the device.
Android-Based OS
The Cruz Tablet uses the Android OS, an easy-to-use, powerful, and reliable operating system from the team at Google. Designed for touchscreen devices like the Cruz, Android helps you easily manage your programs with a vastly intuitive interface.
eBook Reader
The included Kindle app offers over 700,000 eBooks for quick and easy download through any wifi connection, letting you pack dozens of books for a weeklong getaway without weighing down your suitcase. And it's all in full color! Support is provided for ePub, PDF, TXT, PDB, and HTML reader files.
Enjoy Your Other Media
Bring your favorite movies on a plane without the hassle of a portable DVD player or laptop, with support for MPEG-4 and H.264 video formats. Listen to your favorite tunes in MP3, WMA, AAC, or WAV formats. Or share pictures from your last vacation with JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP support.
Stay Connected with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Full Browser Support
Put the power of the Internet right in your hands. Stay connected with email and social networks even while on the road.
 Download remarkable content, astonishing applications, and amazing games. |
Slim and Stylish
Velocity has designed and refined the Cruz Tablet to be as stylish as it is amazing. Get ready to attract attention with the sleek, slim, and stylish Cruz Tablet.
Add Storage Capacity
The Cruz Tablet offers 4GB internal storage, expandable via both USB and SD card slots. A 4 GB SD card is included with the device.
Built-in Applications
Along with the Kindle app, the Cruz Tablet includes a built-in dictionary, file manager, calendar, alarm clock, social media, OfficeSuite viewer, Napster, and other useful apps. Download and install even more via the Cruz Market.
User-Replaceable Battery
An extended life, user-replaceable lithium-ion battery is included, offering up to 10+ hours of life on a single charge (24+ hours on standby).
Product Support
Each Cruz is backed by Velocity Micro's expert US-based support, for extra peace of mind.
What's in the Box
Cruz Tablet model T301, AC adapter, carrying pouch, stand, user's guide, and 4GB SD card.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews338 of 344 people found the following review helpful.
A Kindle ColorBy Julia Hatcher
If you want an Android tablet running the latest version, able to play all the latest apps and flash video, don't buy this tablet. If you want an Android tablet you can root or upgrade, don't bother, you will not be happy. If you want it to be an Ipad, forget about it.
However, if you want a $250 color e-reader that has a stable OS, long battery life, and a seven inch 800x600 touchscreen you will be pleased. You will be more pleased with the capability to surf the internet, check e-mail and load simple apps. The Cruz comes preloaded with the Kindle reader and most other e-readers can be downloaded from freewarelovers.com. The screen size, the rubber back, touch screen, wifi, and all day battery life make this an excellent e-reader that compares well with the Nook color. The new version of the Android Kindle app (which can be downloaded from freewarelovers.com) also allows you to download magazines in color.
As an e-reader with expanded capabilities the Cruz is a great product and I am very pleased with it. Out of the box, the software is very stable, the battery is 75% charged and the Kindle app is ready to go. As a cutting edge Galaxy or Ipad competitor, the Cruz falls short, but it is much cheaper than those devices. I describe the Cruz to my friends as a Kindle version of the Nook Color. A "Kindle Color" is the best way to describe it.
I have loaded my Cruz with the following apps, all obtained from freewarelovers.com or the web, and they all work well: Kindle, Overdrive Media Console (for library e-books), Kobo Reader, Aldiko Reader, Wapedia, Newspapers, Reuters, Iheartradio, Skyfire browser and Dolphin browser.
139 of 140 people found the following review helpful.
As long as your expectations are in check, you'll love itBy TRLB
I recieved this device for Christmas, and was a little concerned given all the negative reviews I've seen. But I must say, after having it for a while now, I really like it. And this is totally honest, and I don't work for VM. It does everything I wanted it to do. It's an awesome e-reader, it has excellent video playback, I can surf the web easily and I've been able to install a ton of apps from Android Market alternatives.
My only con would be not having flash and You Tube video access, but that was not my primary reason for wanting this item. I think too, people are extremely critical without knowing enough about the device or not really playing with the device enough before judging. I'm sooooooo glad I didn't spend $400-600 on an Ipad, when all I wanted is what is on this device.
I would suggest, that before you purchase, go to the website and read the manual. Find out if it does the things you need it to do, and if it does, it will be a great purchase. If not, buy an Ipad.
187 of 191 people found the following review helpful.
Exellent Portable DeviceBy Kalaab
Originally, I was going to title my review "Excellent eBook Reader", but that would be selling the Cruz Tablet short. Although I primarily use my Cruz Tablet as an ebook reader, it is actually a multimedia device with internet capabilities. This is a stark difference to conventional ebook readers, who usually tack on features like MP3 playability almost as an afterthought. The Android operating system effectively and elegantly addresses six key features: ebooks, internet, music, movies, pictures, and games & apps. I will break each down:
eBook Reader: The Cruz was an obvious choice for me as an ebook reader for three reasons: PDF, TXT, and HTML support. Of course, there are apps that allow you to read the major ebook formats as well (Kindle, Nook, etc), but given the abundance of ebooks that use the three standard formats mentioned above, the lack of support for these formats on any reader is, to me, unacceptable. These formats have been around for many years and are excellent formats for ebooks. When an ebook reader supports only its proprietary format and maybe one of those three, that sends a message to me that they're interested in the money of their constituency, not their ease of use or satisfaction. In any case, the Cruz supports all major formats for ebooks, and reading on it is a pleasure. (*****)
Internet: The Cruz supports true internet connections, meaning 802.11x wireless connectivity. The included browser is sufficient for most applications, but does not support Flash, meaning no youtube, etc. A previous reviewer recommended the 3rd-party browser Skyfire, which I have installed successfully for that purpose. Aside from that, there is not much else to comment on. The web is at your fingertips, as the tired old saying goes. (****)
Music: With the ability to read numerous formats and create playlists, it's a good fill-in for an MP3 player if you only want to carry one device. Media of all types (ebooks, movies, music, etc) are stored on an SD card, which I find more convenient than limiting. The size of the device does not behoove you to ditch your standard MP3 player, but considering all of the additional functionality of the device, it'll make you think long and hard about it. (****)
Movies: This device reads MP4 format for video. While I prefer other codecs and file formats for compressed video, you can get a reasonably good-looking and -sounding full-length movie down to just over a gig with the right software, making this a very enticing feature of the tablet. (***)
Pictures: Photo support is pretty standard these days, and the implementation of photo galleries and desktop pictures is what you would expect. Nothing about this feature stands out, but on the other hand, nothing is missing. (***)
Games & Apps: A lot of people have griped about a lack of official Android Market access on this device, and while those complaints are valid and realistic, there is an abundance of software you can install on your Cruz from many resources. There are third-party marketplace apps ready to be installed, and finding apk software bundles on the 'net is a cinch. Installing is as easy as dropping the apk on your SD card, browsing to it using Android's Astro file browser, then launch and install. I have run into a few applications that don't want to cooperate, but the vast majority of apps and games I have installed have been problem-free. Keep in mind, however, it does take some know-how and creativity to find apk's without Android Market, but it is not difficult. (****)
Overall, I'm compelled to give this tablet four stars overall. The tablet takes a bit of getting used to, but is easy to use and makes taking media with you wherever you go a snap. The fact that the tablet features a user-replaceable battery is also a perk, considering some manufacturers (who shall remain unnamed) like to stick it to you in that area.
Naturally, this tablet will garner a lot of comparison to the iPad. However, this notion is strictly apples-to-oranges in its nature of comparison, though I will say that I prefer the ability to choose and install software rather freely with the Cruz, an option not as immediately available to iPad users.
I do not wish to make this a soapbox review about the evils of Apple equipment; I will be the first to admit that Apple makes good, sound, reliable, and accessible equipment. However, for reasons stated above (as well as reasons not stated in the review pertaining to Apple), my purchase of the Cruz was not just a matter of settling, it was a matter of preference.
I love this product. After using it as much as I have (for all sorts of things), I just shake my head while I look at the Kindles and the Nooks with bemusement. They seem to me like a dial watch: "What, all it does is tell time? Isn't this the 21st Century, the Information Age?" ... Okay, that may be taking it a bit far, but there is certainly a gap in functionality between these new tablet devices and ebook readers.
See all 104 customer reviews...
No comments:
Post a Comment