Velocity launches Micro Cruz Tablet and Velocity Cruz Reader for the “New PC experience”
The slate and tablet market in the US is the most prospering in the modern day scenario and most of the companies in the world are making the maximum use of it. We have recently seen a lot of tablet computers leak out in the wild and we are not sure it (more and more companies entering the market) will last? Maybe until the market does not get saturated.
However, Velocity (Velocity Micro is a privately held computer manufacturer located in Richmond, VA (USA), specializing in custom high-end computers. Its high-performance product line includes gaming systems, notebooks, netbooks, home servers, digital media creation workstations, home and home office PCs, home entertainment media centers, Tesla based supercomputers, and business solutions.) today has decided to re dip into the market (mind you! they are not new into this one) this time with the Velocity Cruz Android 2.1 tablet and a Cruz reader. Both the devices have been blessed with some really cool features and it looks as if the company has decided to give the market a real shake this time round. Though we are not saying that the iPad or the Kindle has any threat but the people of the Sates have definitely got more options to choose from now onwards.
The Micro Cruz Reader and Micro Cruz Tablet from Velocity have come available for pre-order. As of now the devices are available on the Velocity website as well as with Borders. The Micro Cruz Reader is priced at $199.99 and expected to ship September 30th and the Micro Cruz Tablet is priced at $299.99 and showing a shipping date of October 15th. Now we need to present the device’s features- on the features front the devices are not really boasty but they are definitely worth underestimating.
Cruz Reader features a 7 inch 4:3 (800 x 600) touchscreen display with accelerometer, SD card slot, 256MB internal storage, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and ships with a 4GB SD card. Other features include access to the Cruz Market, pre-loaded apps to include a dictionary, notepad, calendar, alarm clock, contacts and games. As for battery life, that was noted as being up to 10 hours of reading time and 24 hours on standby time.
The Cruz Tablet comes with a sporting 7 inch 16:9 (800 x 480) capacitive touchscreen display (which indeed is larger than the Kindle), Android 2.1, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, an 8GB SD card, Wi-Fi 802.11n, built-in speakers, miniUSB(unlike microUSB in the Kindle) and a battery life of up to 10 hours of run time and 24 hours of standby time. Besides, both the Cruz Reader and Cruz Tablet support ePUB, PDF, TXT, PDB and HTML files as well as MP3, WMA, AAC and WAV audio files, MPEG-4 video files and JPEG, GIF, PNG and BMP image files.
So, there it is guys the people at Velocity seem to believe in giving more than expected that is why they have released both the Tablet computer and the e-Reader at the same time. Do not forget to let us know of your views in the comments section below.
I’m looking forward to an affordable e-reader that is back-lit. I can’t find anywhere where it says the Velocity will be able to have a kindle app. Does anyone know?
According to the salesperson at Border’s, Kindle will not operate with this ereader – I guess they are competitors so their book sales are independent.
Thanks Susan! I purchase all my books through Amazon and would like to keep it that way. I’ll keep an eye on Velocity and see if anything changes.
Amazon and Barnes and Nobles have it set up so that you MUST buy their E-reader in order to purchase e-books from them. We at Borders don’t care where you buy your e-books from (naturally we would love your business though!) but we DO want our customers to have the device that best suits their needs. I bet it won’t be long before Barnes and Nobles and Amazon finally release that proprietary status and let you purchase the device you want rather than force you to buy an e-reader you don’t necessarily like : ) Cruz is pretty cool BTW !
Just received our Velocity Cruz Reader today. Was VERY disappointed after opening the box.
First of all, the documemtation in the box is very short and sweet. It consists of a quick start pamphlet. That’s it !!! No manual that might help you throught any bumps you might encounter.
Tech Support’s answer: “Well, we are working on a detailed manual, that will be out soon.”
I’m sorry…shouldn’t that have been one of the first things they developed ?
When I pulled mine out of the box and turned it on, I received an Android character in the middle of the screen, with an exclamation point over it’s head. That was it. The screen froze, and would not turn on or off. I had to take the back off, and unplug the battery to turn the unit off. When I tried it again, it was a repeat of the above.
The solution: It’s going back to Borders for a full refund.
I was excited about getting the cruz, until I got the cruz. What!, no way to get all the android app’s! MAJOR FLAW! I was told by the people at borders it was an open platform and I could get the kindle and borders apps for reading. Very limited number of app’s from the cruz platform.
This device is going back ASAP
@ Kristen…. stop lying to people. I understand that you want people to by from Borders… however, You do not have to buy a Kindle to read Kindle books. There is a Kindle app for Ipad, Iphone, PC, Mac, Android, and Blackberry. I am also assuming that the Cruz Tablet will have access to all the Android apps, unlike the Reader. I’m not dissing your product… I actually am pining over the Tablet. But I love me some Kindle too.
I hate to burst everyone’s bubble but after testing out the Cruz I hated it. I am going into med school and have a TON of reference books I carry on my Android phone with me at all times in my Kindle app. The response time is terrible and I am shocked to see that my small phone is more powerful than this device that has the potential to run so much faster. I have no idea why they don’t include a Kindle app, its running an open platform and yet is filled with needless bloatware and limitations that make it so less appealing.
Its sad, I was really excited to see a color device running my favorite OS. This device needs to go back into research and development for a serious overhaul…I’m sticking with my Android phone, my Kindle app and some freedom!
I am very disapointed with the cruz tech support sux no manuel no power Android does not do what the store claims. Will not read some book types Android youtube does not work.
They need to keep working out the bugs and you can not delete a book
Sorry Kirsten but I am able to get epub books from anywhere for my Barnes and Noble Nook. Epub
is the standard for digital ebooks it’s Kindle that can only accept books from Amazon.
@Pat Halstead
If you download Calibre you can convert non-drm e-books to EPUB and they will work on your Nook. I have a nook. So far the easiest format to convert is Microsoft Reader .lit books. 99% of my books were .lit and Calibre converted them and recognizes the nook and will transfer the books to your device.
Calibre is free and if you like it you have the option of making a donation.
@Susan
I tested the Cruz reader at Borders last night and the demo product had the Kindle App on it along with the Borders App. Therefore, I know it is able to display eBooks from Amazon and Borders. I am guessing the same would be true for B&N assuming they have an Android reader. I’m not sure why the Border’s salesperson gave you bad information.
What language was the article written in before it was translated into English? I doubt the author ever saw a Cruz Tablet.
Actually Kristen b&n has apps all over the place for downloading their books. iPad, pc, Mac and pretty much any smartphone can get it. Dunno why you say that other than that you work for Borders… Plus they have a much better looking tablet reader coming out for 50 dollars less. I’m going with that one.
I purchased the Cruz Reader, and while I am not thrilled with the fragile internet connection or the short battery life, I am able to read Barnes & Noble, Amazon Kindle and Borders apps on the device. I do wish the Android Marketplace were available, but, keep up the pressure, maybe they will make it available.