The World's Cheapest Android Tablet as of a few days ago was is a model 7031a_q8 running Kitkat 4.4.4 with a 3.4.0+ kernel. It is a 7" tablet with 1.3 giga hertz quad core CPU, dual cameras, front 0.5 Mp and 2.0 Mp rear, 4 GB of memory and the screen has 800 x 480 resolution. It supports a SEM USB keyboard which you can get in a package deal or buy separately. The keyboard doubles as a case and includes a stylus for the fat finger gang. The keyboard is tiny so don't expect to just type away, but it is big enough for quick two finger typing. Since it has function keys, you can set them up for quick access provided you can locate the right documentation. Since keyboards are not in vogue, that will take some searching, but a 7" to 10" tablet is a bit large for the average pocket so I added the keyboard and case.
The reason I added the case was because I wasn't convinced that I would like the tablet. After finding out that the tablet is pretty handy, I spent a whopping $7.89 for the keyboard/case. That brings my total cost up to about $42 instead of $40 which is basically the shipping cost difference. The Keyboard is made of the finest fake leather and includes a pretty handy kick stand with a magnet to keep it in place instead of flopping around. Very cheap but functional.
For connectivity you have a combination of Wifi, Bluetooth, both useful and LAN which will probably never get used. So far I have my Google account set up mainly for the Google Play store where I rented a movie just to test things out. Watching a movie on the small screen is a big waste, but it played American Sniper without a hitch though the sound level sucked. Sound quality wasn't bad,. I plugged it into my old surround sound system and it wasn't bad at all, just the built in speak is pretty mediocre. I am not a fan of earbuds but the sound is okay using them but it is better with an equalizer app. Not tons better, the EQ apps will let you cheat up the volume a touch while setting a comfortable bass. I got the free Music Volume EQ app which has some adware but not enough to be a PITA. If you are an audiophile this isn't the tablet for you, but for the average guy or gal it does the job.
Battery life totally depends on your screen setting. The screen can be cranked up enough for use in fairly bright sunlight but you only have about 2 hours of battery time. With the screen in indoor or night mode I got over 6 hours of continuous use. In sleep mode it should last a few days pretty much like a cellphone, but it will be a while before it gets that chance.
Minuses are the WCT is a little light on memory and there is no easy way to get a mobile service. I don't need a mobile service for what I am attempting and since the tf cards are cheap, I have a couple laying around. I did add an $8 64 GB tf card that I can also use in my video camera. That might be a good thing for the WCT sellers to think about offering in a bundle.
As I mentioned in the first post I mainly got the WCT for a security camera and found out it can be a fair entertain system server. Since I have a fairly new TV, I have ordered an EZCAST which is a knock off of Chromecast so I can mirror movies and such without tying up my laptop. Your TV needs the HDMI Port and the EZCAST needs a USB port for power.
I was a bit torn between getting a real Chromecast or a knock off. Initially, the knock off added features just to get its foot in the door. Chromecast responded from what I have read so there isn't much difference in price or product. The knock off on Ebay was about $10 cheaper than the best price I could find for a new Chromecast which isn't a huge difference. Provided the EZCAST works as advertised, I will have a pretty much current smart TV system that multi-tasks.
There are some PITA issues with downloaded DRM media. Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a necessary evil to protect the intellectual property rights of the conglomerates that bought the property rights. If you rent a movie you are likely going to be stuck with one device at a time and have to have an internet connection to view. If you lose the connection you are likely screwed. If you buy the media, you normally can have access on a few devices at the same time and be able to view off line. That can be a bit more complicated than it is made out to be. Since DVD/s are becoming dinosaurs, transferring your property, the purchased DVD to another device, a USB flash card or memory card is a smart thing to do. HOWEVER, DRM complicates what should be a simple media upgrade.
There are DRM removal software tools, but they can be loaded with malware or expensive and typically don't reliable reproduce the original quality. As an average person not a total geek it is easy to get sucked into something that sounds too good to be true. Once the EZCast stick for the TV shows you I will get more into this.
Next up though is the SriCam adventure.
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