One of the more confusing aspects about buying an off-brand Android device is trying to figure out whether or not it has full access to Google-sanctioned software—a built-in Gmail app, the Android Market, the YouTube player, etc.
The 7-inch CherryPad America (what a strong, patriotic name!) promises full Android Market access and shows the Gmail and YouTube apps right in the product shot, though the YouTube app is mysteriously called “Gallery.”
I seem to recall another inexpensive Android tablet that made whimsical promises in regards to full Android Market access. The 7-inch Gentouch tablet popped up in Kmart’s Sunday ad priced at $150 and everyone went nuts trying to get their hands on one. Turns out—whoops—the company didn’t have permission to put the Android Market on the tablet and it was summarily blocked by Google.
If we give Cherrypal, the company behind the CherryPad America, the benefit of the doubt and assume that it’s somehow managed to convince Google to let it install the Android Market on a device that’s not a cell phone or the Samsung Galaxy Tab—a true first—then the specs look decent for $188: 800MHz Samsung CPU with OpenGL 2.0 graphics, Android 2.1 with upgrade to 2.2 by the end of the year, 7-inch 800×480 display, 256MB of RAM, 2GB of onboard storage with microSD expansion, and built-in Wi-Fi.
The touchscreen is resistive, which means it’ll take more deliberate finger pressing than the capacitive displays we’re used to on current-generation smartphones. It also doesn’t do multitouch, either. The company’s press release insists, “The CherryPad is neither an iPad killer nor an iPad clone,” and points out that the price “is also less than half of the iPad.”
Full press release after the jump.
Cherrypal Launches Powerful 7-Inch $188 Android 2.1 3D Tablet Computer
For The Sub-iPad Market–Cherrypal Enters Into Exclusive Deal with Green Shopping Site Zecozi
PALO ALTO, CA (October 7, 2010) — Cherrypal, a California-based manufacturer of high quality, low-energy consuming and affordable personal computers, today announced the availability of its new sub $200 tablet computer, the CherryPad America.
The CherryPad was designed for consumers who are looking for an affordable, powerful, high quality, and low energy-consuming tablet computer with the ability to run the Android operating system. CherryPad is powered by the fast Samsung ARM11, (CPU + GPU + DSP, OpenGL 2.0) 800 MHz processor and runs Android 2.1 and all Android applications. An upgrade option to 2.2 is planned for the fourth quarter 2010.
The CherryPad America features a 7-inch resistive touch widescreen display (no stylus needed) at 800×480 resolution with built-in gravity sensor. Memory, storage and wireless functions include 256 MBs of DDRII RAM; 2 GB NAND Flash; Micro SD (1x) reader, and WiFi 802.11 b/g.
Standard I/O ports include USB 2.0 supported by an external adapter; 3.5 mm headphone jack, built-in speakers and microphone, DC port, optional external 3G modem. The CherryPad America’s Polymer 3200 MAH battery has a run time of 6-8 hours. The device weighs just 1.1 pounds and is housed in a sturdy aluminum case. MSRP of the CherryPad America is $188.
“The CherryPad America does not compete against the Apple(c) iPad. The CherryPad addresses the sub-iPad market,” said Cherrypal CTO Max Seybold.
According to Seybold, CherryPad has been designed for consumers who seek a lower cost, more compact tablet PC with the ability to run Android.
“The CherryPad is neither an iPad killer nor an iPad clone, it’s a completely different product designed for a different market,” Seybold said. “The screen of the CherryPad is only 7-inches big, the processor is slightly less powerful, and the CherryPad comes with Android 2.1 and not Apple’s iOS.”
At a MSRP of $188, the price for a CherryPad is also less than half of the iPad.
“Early user tests confirmed the CherryPad user experience has been extremely positive. Users appreciate full access to the Android Market, its powerful processor, battery run time, and high quality,” Seybold said.
Cherrypal Partners With Zecozi
Cherrypal also announced a strategic partnership with Zecozi (www.zecozi.com), a new online shopping site for conscious consumers. All Cherrypal products will be exclusively sold through Zecozi in the United States, with the exception of volume buyers. Every Cherrypal comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, as well as a 1-year replacement warranty.
“We are a hardware manufacturer first and need to focus on our core competence in order to drive down costs and offer quality products that consumers can afford. We can offer our products for such a low price because we are frugal with non-product related costs. When we looked for a strong partner who shares our green, open and fair corporate value system, Zecozi was the obvious choice,” said Cherrypal CEO John Collier.
More on Techland: Android Tablet Priced at $150 Pops Up in Kmart Ad