shdwghst457


quality posts: 1 Private Messages shdwghst457

It's a durable little bugger, when it's ear-stabbing alarm went off yesterday I ripped it out of the wall and chucked it across the room; not even a scratch!

shdwghst457


quality posts: 1 Private Messages shdwghst457
theguruguys wrote:

How loud is 70 to 90dB? Some examples:

90dB - Motorcycle at 25 ft
89dB - Garbage disposal, dishwasher, freight train (at 50 ft.) for jjdarling
80dB - garbage disposal.
77 dB - Passenger car at 65 mph at 25 ft.
76 dB Living room music.
70 dB radio or TV-audio.

source



I'd rather listen to the garbage disposal than music on this thing's "speakers". and I'm serious about the touchscreen, suuppperrr slow. sometimes it clicks on things when I go to scroll (if I don't start scrolling fast enough).

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys
sdc100 wrote:Given that you can buy a real 7" Android-based Tablet for about $79, I don't understand why you'd want this Dash. For example, Woot recently had the Cruz R101 for that price. It has everything the Dash does and can accomplish so much more. It even comes with a stand so that it can function like a digital photo frame.

If you want it to behave like the Dash, simply disable the Auto-Off feature. You'd then have a sleek 1/2" thick display that is always on, displaying any widget you want to install. Here are the benefits over the Dash:

1) You have access to most Android apps, which is bigger than the Chumby/Dash market

2) The Apps are much more useful and interactive since the Dash is mostly a viewer. The Cruz and other tablets are considered computing devices

3) Tablets have real browsers, and some can even handle Flash. I can't imagine how clunky it is to watch YouTube and write email on this thing. My Cruz is running Dolphin HD beowser, which has multiple tabs and add-ons -- rivaling Firefox. You cn even download files and YouTube videos.

4) PORTABILITY! The Cruz, like all tablets, has a rechargeable batery. I can take it off its stand and use it from from to room, or eveb away from home. The Dash needs to be plugged in.

5) Tablets can be eReaders. I wouldn't try to read an ebook on the Dash.

6) I can read/edit Word, PowerPoint and Excel files on my Cruz. Not an option on the Dash.

7) Although the $79 Cruz doesn't have a camera, some Chinese made tablets in that price range do have cameras -- great for video calls. Even without a camera, almost all tablets can Skype.

8) Watching videos are a tablet is better because CODECS are readily available to accomodate the latest compression schemes. I doubt if the Dash can handle H.264 or MKV.


Again,I need to stress that the Cruz and similar tablets are only $10 more, but it's so much much more functional.



How big is the snooze button on your tablet? Oh wait...

Seriously though, this is not a tablet, it doesn't try to be a tablet and shouldn't be compared to tablet. But since you are...

I have a tablet, I don't like holding it while going to bed to watch netflex, or trying to find the right angle to sit it on my headboard to view. The rubberized edges on the Dash make it easy to prop up even if needed. I like the ability to be half asleep and hit the big snooze button, or when I am almost asleep and want to stop the video from playing I don't have to worry about knocking my tablet over to turn it off while aimlessly finder stabbing at it...

And as far as viewing videos, while I have not seen the $79 Cruz in person, I would doubt the screen is even close to as good as the Dash's. I know it is a 4x3 screen, unlike the Dash's nice 16x9 which matches the resolution of DVD pixel by Pixel.

The sounds out of the Dash is much louder an clearer than my Asus Transformer tablet as well, I doubt the Cruz's could match.

So those are a few reasons why someone might want a Dash, instead of a tablet (I have both, and a much better tablet than the Cruz).

dheaven


quality posts: 3 Private Messages dheaven
soontekoh34 wrote:Enya?



Well, if you don't know Enya, you're likely under 16. She's real soft for us old folks. Saves me breaking a hip.

Plus, enhances my morning wood.

mdgore


quality posts: 5 Private Messages mdgore

this is the first time I've seen this, and it looks pretty cool. It's half price from most of the sites I checked, so it is a deal. I also was thinking it would be nice to be able to rock pandora without my computer or blueray/tv on. Now I have a thingy to sit on the night stand and deliver a bit of noise when needed....and it will replace my 20+ year old Sony Dream Machine. weird.......

When do we get to buy souls?

jrstinkfish


quality posts: 3 Private Messages jrstinkfish
theguruguys wrote:How big is the snooze button on your tablet? Oh wait...


When an alarm goes off in Android, a snooze button appears on the screen, or if you press the power button, it will also snooze. Granted it's not something you can reach over and slap, but the functionality is there.

Spiky


quality posts: 15 Private Messages Spiky
theguruguys wrote:How big is the snooze button on your tablet? Oh wait...



Mine's big enough. What does that even mean? I don't actually use it, though. Never understood snooze. If I want to wake up at 7, I set the alarm for 7, not 6:45.

dheaven wrote:Well, if you don't know Enya, you're likely under 16. She's real soft for us old folks. Saves me breaking a hip.

Plus, enhances my morning wood.


Real soft, indeed. How would that wake someone up?

I must be misunderstanding the whole alarm thing.

nickmcmahon


quality posts: 32 Private Messages nickmcmahon

So is this a tablet? Why doesn't sony just call it a tablet?

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys

To sort some of this out:

You WILL be happy with your purchase of this if:

You want a streaming video device that supports most mainstream services and has a nice 16x9 screen that matches DVD resolution with ample speakers to hear it (better than any Tablet speakers I have heard).

You want to listen to streaming radio or news feeds while waking up/going to sleep.

You want a pretty good alarm clock that has some extra bells and whistles.

You want a digital picture frame with extra bells and whistles that will stream from various sources like Picasa web albums.

You WILL be disappointed upon purchasing if:

You want to browse web pages with it, you can't.

You want to explore tons of apps, this is good at streaming video, music, pictures and being an alarm clock. There are not many other useful apps.

You buy it thinking its a tablet.

You try to scroll on the screen a lot by dragging, just hit the up and down scroll buttons instead.

shdwghst457


quality posts: 1 Private Messages shdwghst457
nickmcmahon wrote:So is this a tablet? Why doesn't sony just call it a tablet?



When it was first announced Sony called it a tablet. Then they realized it's not one. If you check sonystyle.com you'll see a sneak peek shot of their 2 new actual tablets coming out someday.

mebekili


quality posts: 12 Private Messages mebekili

I stand by everything I said about this last time it was up. I'm still very, very happy with this purchase. I also bought one as a gift and the recipient LOVES THIS THING.... she gets almost giddy when talking about it.

Most super-whammy alarm clock around, some fun goofy apps, and a lot of choices for streaming online video, net radio, etc.

I recommend it.

nickmcmahon


quality posts: 32 Private Messages nickmcmahon
nickmcmahon wrote:So is this a tablet? Why doesn't sony just call it a tablet?



I guess maybe I should have looked at the pictures better. Looks like an oversized futuristic alarm clock. NOT interested.

Spiky


quality posts: 15 Private Messages Spiky
shdwghst457 wrote:It's a durable little bugger, when it's ear-stabbing alarm went off yesterday I ripped it out of the wall and chucked it across the room; not even a scratch!



See, that's an alarm.

soontekoh34


quality posts: 2 Private Messages soontekoh34
dheaven wrote:Well, if you don't know Enya, you're likely under 16. She's real soft for us old folks. Saves me breaking a hip.

Plus, enhances my morning wood.



I know who Enya is. You said "What's not to love?"

My response, "Enya?"

Not a fan.

shdwghst457


quality posts: 1 Private Messages shdwghst457

The accelerometer is for when the Dash gets knocked over; the SONY light goes and the screen rotates around. In case you're a "can't afford a nightstand" guy like I am!

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys
jrstinkfish wrote:When an alarm goes off in Android, a snooze button appears on the screen, or if you press the power button, it will also snooze. Granted it's not something you can reach over and slap, but the functionality is there.



Not really...

I have an Android tablet and phone. More than one time I accidentally hit the dismiss button instead of the snooze (camera) button when grabbing for it being half asleep. The alarm turned off, I assumed I hit the big 'snooze' button or had held the side button long enough, but I guess my thumb or something hit the dismiss button instead and I woke up an hour later... The Dash solved this problem for me. I like being being able to feel the button.

dheaven


quality posts: 3 Private Messages dheaven
mdgore wrote:this is the first time I've seen this, and it looks pretty cool. It's half price from most of the sites I checked, so it is a deal. I also was thinking it would be nice to be able to rock pandora without my computer or blueray/tv on. Now I have a thingy to sit on the night stand and deliver a bit of noise when needed....and it will replace my 20+ year old Sony Dream Machine. weird.......



Even if you don't pay for Netflix or Hulu Plus, there is always Crackle to watch, which is getting better and better. I'm telling you, this thing is great at what it does. Don't compare it to an Ipod. It's The Worlds Greatest Clock Radio/ Entertainment System. There is no second place. Quality product.

sdc100


quality posts: 410 Private Messages sdc100

Here is the $79 Velocity Cruz R101 on its stand in portrait mode. It is far from being a great tablet but it's so much more useful than a Dash. So why buy a Dash when Woot will likely have the Cruz again?



sdc100 wrote:Given that you can buy a real 7" Android-based Tablet for about $79, I don't understand why you'd want this Dash. For example, Woot recently had the Cruz R101 for that price. It has everything the Dash does and can accomplish so much more. It even comes with a stand so that it can function like a digital photo frame.

If you want it to behave like the Dash, simply disable the Auto-Off feature. You'd then have a sleek 1/2" thick display that is always on, displaying any widget you want to install. Here are the benefits over the Dash:

1) You have access to most Android apps, which is bigger than the Chumby/Dash market

2) The Apps are much more useful and interactive since the Dash is mostly a viewer. The Cruz and other tablets are considered computing devices

3) Tablets have real browsers, and some can even handle Flash. I can't imagine how clunky it is to watch YouTube and write email on this thing. My Cruz is running Dolphin HD beowser, which has multiple tabs and add-ons -- rivaling Firefox. You cn even download files and YouTube videos.

4) PORTABILITY! The Cruz, like all tablets, has a rechargeable batery. I can take it off its stand and use it from from to room, or eveb away from home. The Dash needs to be plugged in.

5) Tablets can be eReaders. I wouldn't try to read an ebook on the Dash.

6) I can read/edit Word, PowerPoint and Excel files on my Cruz. Not an option on the Dash.

7) Although the $79 Cruz doesn't have a camera, some Chinese made tablets in that price range do have cameras -- great for video calls. Even without a camera, almost all tablets can Skype.

8) Watching videos are a tablet is better because CODECS are readily available to accomodate the latest compression schemes and containers. I doubt if the Dash can handle MKV videos.


In the Dash's defense, it does have:

1) A capacitive touch screen. All tablets in this price range have a resistive screen. But given that the Dash is only single touch (no fancy multpoint gesturing), there really is no practical advantage with a capacitive screen.

2) An accelerometer. Although my Cruz also has an accelerometer, many cheaper tablets do not. But here's the thing -- why does the Dash need an accelerometer when the thing is made to stay on a desk or table??? And I bet virtually no app makes use of it because the Chumby doesn't have an accelerometer and app makers use the Chumby to design their software.


Again,I need to stress that the Cruz and similar tablets are only $10 more, but it's so much much more functional.



clearwaterrita


quality posts: 1 Private Messages clearwaterrita

I ordered mine from Woot recently (at a higher price, I might add) and received it yesterday. I LOVE it! I know I haven't had it very long, but it is great and was very easy to set up. I do wish you didn't have to keep it plugged in, but I knew that when I bought it. A fun "toy".

jrstinkfish


quality posts: 3 Private Messages jrstinkfish
theguruguys wrote:Not really...

I have an Android tablet and phone. More than one time I accidentally hit the dismiss button instead of the snooze when half asleep fumbling around for it on my headboard. The alarm turned off, I assumed I hit the big 'snooze' button, but managed to his the dismiss instead and woke up an hour later... The Dash solved this problem for me. I like being being able to feel the button.


Then hit the power button instead of the snooze button. I guess I'm a little more alert waking up than you are

I actually do keep my Transformer on my nightstand because I use it as an eReader before bed, but I'd never rely on it or anything else besides a simple alarm clock to wake me up in the morning. If I didn't already have a tablet, this might be an attractive purchase for me, but now that I have one, it'd just be a little redundant.

dheaven


quality posts: 3 Private Messages dheaven
soontekoh34 wrote:I know who Enya is. You said "What's not to love?"

My response, "Enya?"

Not a fan.



I guess I should have been clearer about "what's not to love?" Go to sleep watching your favorite video, wake up to your favorite music. Some mornings I like Whitesnake.

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys
sdc100 wrote:Here is the $79 Velocity Cruz R101 on its stand in portrait mode. It is far from being a great tablet but it's so much more useful than a Dash. So why buy a Dash when Woot will likely have the Cruz again?



For the same reasons I stated before. Nice big snooze button. 16x9 Screen. Better speakers, much more stable to sit on headboard, won't knock over half asleep in morning turning it off (and If I somehow did drop it, very little chance its gonna break with its rubberized sides), etc etc.

You have no idea how hard it would be to move that Cruz on that stand around on my headboard as I change positions while watching my Dr. Who going to bed... The dash's rubberized sides let me prop it over almost anywhere on my headboard and it stays at that angle. I have that problem with my Transformer.

I still say its comparing apples and oranges.

clearwaterrita


quality posts: 1 Private Messages clearwaterrita
clearwaterrita wrote:I ordered mine from Woot recently (at a higher price, I might add) and received it yesterday. I LOVE it! I know I haven't had it very long, but it is great and was very easy to set up. I do wish you didn't have to keep it plugged in, but I knew that when I bought it. A fun "toy".



I would like to add that I already have an iPad and an e-reader so I didn't need the Dash for those purposes. It is a quick way to check weather, traffic, Facebook, Twitter, Groupon, etc. while relaxing in the living room watching TV or involved in other things.

dheaven


quality posts: 3 Private Messages dheaven
sdc100 wrote:Here is the $79 Velocity Cruz R101 on its stand in portrait mode. It is far from being a great tablet but it's so much more useful than a Dash. So why buy a Dash when Woot will likely have the Cruz again?



Please post the link for a $79 Cruz with Stand. I would buy one. I like my Dash, but I want a nice little Tab, too. They're really not the same thing. I can't find the Cruz for under $100

Never mind. The Cruz R101 is an ereader, not a tablet. Apples to Oranges to Walnuts.

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys

And to add another point..

My Dash is there. I won't go lay down to bed, then realize I left my tablet at the office, or in the car, or even in the other room and have to get up and go find it. Then when I find the tablet the battery is dead, and I have to go find the charger, etc...

Its a nice luxury to have it there waiting for me.


greyday


quality posts: 36 Private Messages greyday

Another satisfied previous wooter. I love mine. The alarm is plenty loud; it goes from 1-30, and at 26 it wakes me up (I can sleep through almost anything). The streaming is pretty solid, though it does rebuffer a lot during HD playback on Netflix (but then I expected that). I mostly watch comedy routines on it, stream Pandora, and use it as an alarm clock. It's superb for all of that, and I'm half debating buying a second one for the kitchen (but the plug is a bit bulky, and all my outlets are above the counter, so not sure yet).

One thing is I'd love a theme that doesn't have the app preview part of it, but I can't seem to find one. Anyone on here point me to one?

soontekoh34


quality posts: 2 Private Messages soontekoh34
dheaven wrote:I guess I should have been clearer about "what's not to love?" Go to sleep watching your favorite video, wake up to your favorite music. Some mornings I like Whitesnake.



Whitesnake I can appreciate!

sdc100


quality posts: 410 Private Messages sdc100
theguruguys wrote:How big is the snooze button on your tablet? Oh wait...



That depends on the app. The ENTIRE SCREEN on my Cruz tablet is a snooze button. And it has INTELLIGENT snoozing. I've told it to have a limit of 3 snoozes, and to make each snooze progressively shorter. I also chose an ascending alarm. When I get the time, I will also program in songs for holidays and birthdays. There are other options too.

theguruguys wrote:
I have a tablet, I don't like holding it while going to bed to watch netflex, or trying to find the right angle to sit it on my headboard to view.



I think you missed the part where I said that the Cruz comes with a stand. I have it propped up on my nightstand where my clock used to be. The angle is perfect. See the photo I enclosed in a follow up post.

And if your tablet doesn't come with a stand, simply buy a usb or Blurtooth keyboard. most come with a stand so that you can use the tablet like a netbook.

theguruguys wrote:I like the ability to be half asleep and hit the big snooze button, or when I am almost asleep and want to stop the video from playing I don't have to worry about knocking my tablet over to turn it off while aimlessly finder stabbing at it...



None of that happens in practice on my Cruz. Again, the entire screen is a snooze button. Many video players also stop playing when you touch anywhere on the screen.

theguruguys wrote:And as far as viewing videos, while I have not seen the $79 Cruz in person, I would doubt the screen is even close to as good as the Dash's. I know it is a 4x3 screen, unlike the Dash's nice 16x9 which matches the resolution of DVD pixel by Pixel.



What are you talking about? DVD resolution is 720x480. The Dash's resolution is 800x480. That's not pixel for pixel. And FYI, the Cruz has better resolution at 800x600. And why wouldn't it be as good as the Dash? The Cruz is as good as that on a laptop using 800x600, which is pretty damn good. Most tablets are widescreen in landscape mode, which can play 16x9 just fine. You may be confused with eReaders, which often retain the 4:3 ratio.

theguruguys wrote:The sounds out of the Dash is much louder an clearer than my Asus Transformer tablet as well, I doubt the Cruz's could match.



Why doubt? I have no complaints about the sound, especially since it's a bedroom device and not my home entertainment unit. And it I need to use it outside, I just put on some headphones. And don't judge a tablet by its looks. My Entourage Personal Edge 7" tablet plays louder on maximum than any laptop I've ever had -- including my HP entertainment laptop.

theguruguys wrote:So those are a few reasons why someone might want a Dash, instead of a tablet (I have both, and a much better tablet than the Cruz).



And that is precisely my point. As I point out in my follow up post, the Cruz is far from a great or even good tablet, but it beats the Dash in every practical criterion I can think of. My point being that even the cheapest Android tablet is more functional than the Dash.

And btw, I forgot to mention that the Cruz uses SD memory making file transportation and backups a breeze.

dheaven


quality posts: 3 Private Messages dheaven
soontekoh34 wrote:Whitesnake I can appreciate!



That's kinda my point. You can create a Whitesnake theme Pandora station, and an Enya Slacker Station, whatever. A different theme for each day of the week, including sad country/western videos, if you like. It's The Worlds Most Powerful Clock Radio.

omh1009


quality posts: 7 Private Messages omh1009
Crab wrote:Does anyone know what email applications it supports? I would like to use it to check my email in the morning, without having to boot up my computer. Am I limited to Gmail, or can I check any email?


There is an email viewer,


You will see must email fine, but on those with pictures in remote content just will show a whole mess of internet code, rendering them unreadable.

dheaven wrote:Seems to be any web-based email. It's doing my hotmail and my Comcast accts. Should do any POP-3 acounts. But I could be wrong...



I have it reading my Optimum online mail. but againg, emails with a lot of graphics and remote content get real messy

Pinged from Newark NJ, to Fort Worth Texas.

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys
jrstinkfish wrote:Then hit the power button instead of the snooze button. I guess I'm a little more alert waking up than you are

I actually do keep my Transformer on my nightstand because I use it as an eReader before bed, but I'd never rely on it or anything else besides a simple alarm clock to wake me up in the morning. If I didn't already have a tablet, this might be an attractive purchase for me, but now that I have one, it'd just be a little redundant.



When I finally get to bed, I sleep HARD and its very tough to get me up! Even with the Android alarm app, I still used an old alarm clock before Dash.

I agree this is a luxury item, if I couldn't afford both a tablet and this I would get a tablet hands down. I bought the Dash from woot! on impulse, even though I had another tablet at that time, a netbook, etc, but even with those I still prefer the Dash in many situations.

jkollin


quality posts: 0 Private Messages jkollin
sdc100 wrote:Given that you can buy a real 7" Android-based Tablet for about $79, I don't understand why you'd want this Dash. For example, Woot recently had the Cruz R101 for that price. It has everything the Dash does and can accomplish so much more. It even comes with a stand so that it can function like a digital photo frame.

If you want it to behave like the Dash, simply disable the Auto-Off feature. You'd then have a sleek 1/2" thick display that is always on, displaying any widget you want to install. Here are the benefits over the Dash:

1) You have access to most Android apps, which is bigger than the Chumby/Dash market

2) The Apps are much more useful and interactive since the Dash is mostly a viewer. The Cruz and other tablets are considered computing devices

3) Tablets have real browsers, and some can even handle Flash. I can't imagine how clunky it is to watch YouTube and write email on this thing. My Cruz is running Dolphin HD beowser, which has multiple tabs and add-ons -- rivaling Firefox. You cn even download files and YouTube videos.

4) PORTABILITY! The Cruz, like all tablets, has a rechargeable batery. I can take it off its stand and use it from from to room, or eveb away from home. The Dash needs to be plugged in.

5) Tablets can be eReaders. I wouldn't try to read an ebook on the Dash.

6) I can read/edit Word, PowerPoint and Excel files on my Cruz. Not an option on the Dash.

7) Although the $79 Cruz doesn't have a camera, some Chinese made tablets in that price range do have cameras -- great for video calls. Even without a camera, almost all tablets can Skype.

8) Watching videos are a tablet is better because CODECS are readily available to accomodate the latest compression schemes and containers. I doubt if the Dash can handle MKV videos.


In the Dash's defense, it does have:

1) A capacitive touch screen. All tablets in this price range have a resistive screen. But given that the Dash is only single touch (no fancy multpoint gesturing), there really is no practical advantage with a capacitive screen.

2) An accelerometer. Although my Cruz also has an accelerometer, many cheaper tablets do not. But here's the thing -- why does the Dash need an accelerometer when the thing is made to stay on a desk or table??? And I bet virtually no app makes use of it because the Chumby doesn't have an accelerometer and app makers use the Chumby to design their software.


Again,I need to stress that the Cruz and similar tablets are only $10 more, but it's so much much more functional.



legal4u


quality posts: 1 Private Messages legal4u

I purchased the Sony Dash about one year ago at a local chain store for $199.00. After about two weeks of trying to get used to it as an alarm clock, I carefully packed it up and returned it to the store.

As a tech guy, I thought that it was a cool item, but as for functionality its mediocre at best. I also agree the app selection was limited. Most of the stuff was created for the Chumby Clock, which had a different screen resolution.

Buy at your own risk... Even at this price.

sdc100


quality posts: 410 Private Messages sdc100
dheaven wrote:Please post the link for a $79 Cruz with Stand. I would buy one. I like my Dash, but I want a nice little Tab, too. They're really not the same thing. I can't find the Cruz for under $100

Never mind. The Cruz R101 is an ereader, not a tablet. Apples to Oranges to Walnuts.



No, it's a tablet running Android 2.0 (upgradeable to Froyo). In other words, It'll run virtually all Android software. I have over 20 apps stored on it and it comes with Documents-to-Go.

Velocity called it a reader because when it first came out, eReaders were all the rage. But it's a full-fledged tablet running Android -- and you don't even need to mod or root it.

I got it on Woot for $79 (NEW) on 5/16/11. Here is the link. Since I already had an Android Tablet (the Entourage Edge), I bought it specifically to use as a Dash/Chumby-like device to replace my bedroom clock radio. I especially like the stand it came with, which is very stable. And it has exceeded all expectations.

omh1009


quality posts: 7 Private Messages omh1009

Still waiting for the "Mothers Day browser" I was told was coming. It was the reason I bought it in the first place. Cool device though, but without the feature for which I purchased it, it feels incomplete.

Pinged from Newark NJ, to Fort Worth Texas.

diefldrmas


quality posts: 4 Private Messages diefldrmas

Here is the chumby dash app page.

http://dash.chumby.com/guide

sdc100


quality posts: 410 Private Messages sdc100
theguruguys wrote:And to add another point..

My Dash is there. I won't go lay down to bed, then realize I left my tablet at the office, or in the car, or even in the other room and have to get up and go find it. Then when I find the tablet the battery is dead, and I have to go find the charger, etc...

Its a nice luxury to have it there waiting for me.



Likewise, My Cruz is there by my bed nearly 24/7, situated in its stand on AC power. But how nice to know that I can carry it with me in case I need it, i.e. to the kitchen to look up a recipe. Or to finish watching a video that I started in the bedroom. I don't go looking for chargers and I;ve never found the battery dead. Again, it's all about options. No one ever said that you HAVE to move it around. I don't since I bought it specifically to use as a nightstand clock radio replacement.

And btw, I had a journal submission deadline this morning but didn't want to drag in my laptop. I merely plugged in a USB keyboard and my Cruz became a mini-netbook, allowing me to finish the paper right by my bed, which I quickly emailed to my colleagues. All without removing the Cruz from its stand. And yes, it was streaming smooth jazz as I typed.

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys
sdc100 wrote:And that is precisely my point. As I point out in my follow up post, the Cruz is far from a great or even good tablet, but it beats the Dash in every practical criterion I can think of. My point being that even the cheapest Android tablet is more functional than the Dash.

And btw, I forget to mention that the Cruz uses SD memory making file transportation and backups a breeze.



Woot doesn't make it very easy to retain quotes without a lot of cutting and pasting, so rather than countering points one by one, Ill just stick to my main points.

As far as the Cruz and stand points(s), even though I have a MUCH nicer tablet than the Cruz usually at my bedside, I use the Dash more for video streaming. I can even easily prop it nicely between the corner of my waterbed frame and the waterbed itself and it stays there nicely as I wiggle around. If I fall asleep with it there, its not gonna get crushed and broke. I've sat it on the sink in the bathroom and used it while relaxing in the tub, its rubberized sides and base make it easier to balance in areas.

As far as the screen , I know after seeing other posts by that you are well aware resolution isn't what always makes a screen shine. The Dash screen is nice and bright, has a pretty good viewing angle and contrast seems to be above average especially for the cost. I don't have a Cruz to compare it to side by side so can't say its better or worse, and it sounds like you don't have a Dash to compare them to side by side either? As far as aspect ratio, I was comparing the 16x9 to the Cruz R101 that you pointed out, the website said the screen was 4x3 so I wasn;t sure how they would display widescreen video on it without having black space or stretching the image. And as for the 480p DVD resolution, the Dash has to do less scaling to fit the video and keep it in aspect ratio thus producing fewer artifacts (yeah, this is nitpicking ;).

I've added other points in other posts that I'm not going to restate here, I need to sleep. At least everyone has some good pros and cons from our comments

theguruguys


quality posts: 271 Private Messages theguruguys
omh1009 wrote:Still waiting for the "Mothers Day browser" I was told was coming. It was the reason I bought it in the first place. Cool device though, but without the feature for which I purchased it, it feels incomplete.



Browsing the web on the Dash would be horrid (if they do release the web browsing app). Get a cheap tablet like SDC100 suggests if you want to do that.

MichXelle


quality posts: 18 Private Messages MichXelle
junkmail232 wrote:I've been eyeing these for a long time. Couldn't justify the price until now. Woot-hoo!



I bought it the 1st time for this price. It works well.