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Review: Innovatek InnoSoul Android Tablet

The InnoSoul is the latest Android tablet to go for the budget label at the $99 price point and like the last several I have tried it is a decent device. I got this tablet a little over a month ago, so this review is rather late. But the delay is also a comment on the quality of the tablet; I have been it for the past month as my main reading device and general distraction.

On a sidenote, you might want to read my first impressions post. It covers different details.

So what did I think? Well, it’s an okay tablet, but I’m sitting here having trouble differentiating it from the other $99 tablets I’ve seen. It has more ports than others in this price range (HDMI, USB Host) as well as a speaker/mike combo (skype should be possible) and it even has a VGA webcam.

Apps

It comes with a decent set of apps, including Android Market, media players, web browser and pretty much all the basics. They run adequately well, considering the  CPU. Angry Birds was reasonably fast to load and play.

But I have noticed a number of issues with it. For example, while it ships with Android Market and you can install most of the listed apps, but some don’t work. For example, Google Reader installed but it wouldn’t run. It crashes right after loading. I’ve also noticed that the browser believes that it’s not running on an Android tablet.  The user agent says that it’s running Mozilla, and that could be a problem if you prefer to view mobile sites on the small screen.

Hardware

The full specs are below, so I’ll just comment on the general feel here. This tablet is light but it feels reasonably solid. The components are about what I’d expect for the price, and I have not seen any serious issues aside from the webcam, which outputs a marginal quality picture. It’s a pity that the camera is poor; the included camera app offers quite a few options for exposure, light adjustment, and so on.

Battery Life

I was only able to use this tablet at my desk, so I wasn’t able to get the most accurate measure of battery life. But I did notice that I routinely got 3 or so days of battery life from this tablet; that’s not bad.

Opnion

For some reason I’m not getting a feeling for this tablet other than that it’s very adequate. That’s not really a bad thing and this tablet does live up to my expectations,  but for some reason I’m just not as thrilled with it as I could be. But never mind me. It’s still an acceptable tablet in the $99 price range.

Specs

  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • CPU: A10 1.0GHz
  • RAM Memory: 512MB
  • 7″ screen, Resolution: 800×480
  • 5 points capacitive touchscreen
  • 8GB Flash storage
  • microSD Card
  • Wifi
  • speaker, mike
  • Mini USB and USB port
  • HDMI out
  • g-sensor
  • Wifi
  • 1.3MP webcam
  • Dimensions: 195mm x 120mm x 14mm
  • Weight: 0.7lbs

Amazon

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Comments


Jon Jermey May 27, 2012 um 5:44 pm

There are several Android-compatible browsers available, and I would assume that at least one of them could be tweaked to broadcast that it was running off a tablet — but that’s just a guess for now.


Budget Tablets FTW May 30, 2012 um 2:35 pm

Thanks for the review Nate. Does this tablet have Bluetooth at all? I didn’t see it in the spec sheet, but it would seem odd for even a budget tablet to be missing it in this day and age, and many of the auctions/sales are hyping an "Included wireless keyboard" which seems to speak to BT capability.

Nate Hoffelder May 30, 2012 um 2:43 pm

I believe it does have Bluetooth, yes.

ciprian June 4, 2012 um 12:48 pm

I wasn’t able to find a Bluetooth capability. The wireless keyboard comes with its own receiver that you plug in the USB port of the tablet.

innosoul owner June 28, 2012 um 9:52 am

It does not have Bluetooth. I tested mine


joe June 1, 2012 um 7:32 pm

Did the tablet com with android market or google play store app. I noticedthat you have the 8gb version, I was looking at the4gb version on amazon ands was wondering.

Nate Hoffelder June 1, 2012 um 7:40 pm

Yep. It came with Android Market.

joe June 1, 2012 um 8:17 pm

are the picturs of your personel tablet. if so how did you get the play store app on it

Nate Hoffelder June 1, 2012 um 8:35 pm

I set up the Android Market (it came with the tablet). It then upgraded itself to Google Play.

innosoul owner June 28, 2012 um 9:53 am

As soon as I clicked on the Android Market, it updated itself to Google Play


joe June 1, 2012 um 9:38 pm

Thank you Nate, it was really helpful information. My elocity tablet had neither. I had a friend root it for me. Its a great tablet, itsreally similar to the innosoul, except its a 2.2 android system. And at 120$, it was a really good price and also includes hdmi port. But thanks again. Joe


Richard Veihdeffer June 14, 2012 um 1:44 am

Thank you Nate for the great review and info on the sub $100 dollar tablets. I was wondering which tablet you prefer "IdolPad" vs. The InnoSoul" and which of the two had better battery life


joe June 22, 2012 um 4:57 pm

How do you turn on the bluetooth capabilities. Or are the no such options

innosoul owner June 28, 2012 um 9:53 am

There is no Bluetooth.


Allister July 30, 2012 um 2:34 pm

Have you had a chance to try Skype on it?


Rey September 11, 2012 um 5:56 pm

necesito urgente el firmware


ROSE December 7, 2012 um 7:36 pm

I NEED A USER MANUAL, DOES ANYONE HAVE ONE TO SEND ME.

Chris in Canada December 13, 2012 um 9:01 pm

User manual is supposed to be on the device as a text file BUT I can’t find it anywhere. Can anyone help both of us locate this??? TIA


daniel ouellet May 20, 2013 um 3:22 pm

jai boucoup de misere a me connecter sur wifi il se connect et 1 minute il se deconecte
il y as que chose affaire

Merci


Daniel November 7, 2013 um 2:43 pm

my USB port is not working can I replace with a new one or any idea please


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