Spice's New Tablet, DroidPad, Mirrors OlivePad and ViewPad Designs
The DroidPad MI700, a new tablet brought forth by Spice Mobility, made its debut in India around late 2011. Priced approximately between ₹14,999 and ₹15,000, this tablet offers a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Key Features and Specifications
The DroidPad MI700 comes with Android 2.2 Froyo right out of the box, and it supports GSM/EDGE/UMTS (3G)/HSDPA (3.5G) networks. However, the specifics of its chipset, RAM, ROM, screen resolution, camera, and network support remain undisclosed in this report.
One of its most notable features is its main visible area, a 7-inch 16M TFT capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. While the design and detailed features are not yet known, the tablet is compact and lightweight, designed with portability in mind.
Comparison: DroidPad MI700 vs OlivePad VT100 vs ViewPad 7
In the realm of budget tablets, the DroidPad MI700, OlivePad VT100, and ViewPad 7 stand as formidable competitors.
DroidPad MI700
- Display: 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, 1024 x 600 resolution.
- Processor: 1 GHz Cortex A8 processor.
- RAM: 512 MB.
- Storage: 4 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
- Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo (upgradable).
- Camera: 2 MP rear camera, no front camera.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
- Battery: 3200 mAh.
OlivePad VT100
- Display: 7-inch IPS LED-backlit touchscreen, 1024 x 600 resolution.
- Processor: 1 GHz Cortex A8 processor.
- RAM: 512 MB.
- Storage: 16 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
- Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo (upgradable), with some proprietary UI tweaks.
- Camera: 3 MP rear camera, VGA front camera.
- Connectivity: 3G (SIM support), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
- Battery: 3200 mAh.
- Design: Sleek metal design, slightly more premium feel than DroidPad MI700.
- Extras: Cellular 3G connectivity for calling/data, which the MI700 lacks.
ViewPad 7
- Display: 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, 800 x 480 resolution.
- Processor: 600 MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor.
- RAM: 512 MB.
- Storage: 4 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
- Operating System: Android 2.1 Eclair.
- Camera: 3 MP rear camera, 0.3 MP front camera.
- Connectivity: 3G (SIM support), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
- Battery: Around 3200 mAh.
- Design: Slightly bulkier with a plastic body, focus on budget and 3G usability.
- Extras: 3G calling feature, but older Android version and lower resolution display.
Summary of Differences
| Feature | DroidPad MI700 | OlivePad VT100 | ViewPad 7 | |----------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Release Date | Oct 2011 | Mid-2011 | Mid-2011 | | Price (approx) | ₹15,000 | ₹20,000+ | ₹15,000 | | Display | 7", 1024x600 | 7", 1024x600 | 7", 800x480 | | Processor | 1 GHz Cortex A8 | 1 GHz Cortex A8 | 600 MHz Cortex A8 | | RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB | | Storage | 4 GB + microSD | 16 GB + microSD | 4 GB + microSD | | Operating System | Android 2.2 Froyo | Android 2.2 Froyo | Android 2.1 Eclair | | Cameras | 2 MP rear | 3 MP rear + VGA front | 3 MP rear + 0.3 MP front | | Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | | Battery | 3200 mAh | 3200 mAh | ~3200 mAh | | Design | Plastic, budget look | Metal build, premium feel | Plastic, bulkier | | Extra Features | Basic tablet | 3G calling, more storage | 3G calling, older specs |
Verdict
The DroidPad MI700 was considered a good budget 7-inch tablet at launch with a reasonable display and decent specs but without 3G capabilities. If your priority was a cheaper standalone Wi-Fi tablet with decent specs, the DroidPad MI700 was suitable.
The OlivePad VT100 was more premium, with better build, higher storage, and full 3G calling support, suited for users looking for more connectivity. For users wanting better build quality and cellular connectivity, the OlivePad VT100 was the better choice.
The ViewPad 7 was budget-oriented with 3G calling but had lower resolution and an older OS, making it less attractive performance-wise. If 3G calling was a must-have feature and you were willing to compromise on display and CPU, the ViewPad 7 may have been a viable option.
There may be more tablets joining the "clones club", as manufacturers continue to introduce new devices in the competitive tablet market.
- This new comparison reveals that the DroidPad MI700, OlivePad VT100, and ViewPad 7 are all e-reader-compatible gadgets in the realm of budget tablets.
- The DroidPad MI700, given its 7-inch 1024 x 600 resolution capacitive touchscreen and 1 GHz Cortex A8 processor, is a good example of technology-driven budget e-readers alongside its counterparts.
