Coby Kyros 7-Inch Android 2.3 4GB Tablet MID7012-4G

The Coby Kyros 7-Inch Android 2.3 Internet Tablet has been designed from the start to be a highly affordable tablet without all of the bells and whistles offered by the higher-priced competition. Indeed, if one is looking at this as an alternative to the Apple iPad or even the Kindle Fire then one will have to adjust expectations to the features of the Coby.

It is an affordable Internet tablet that offers WiFi connectivity as it recognizes 802.11 b/g, two of the most available WiFi modes. Indeed, if you would like to interface this tablet with your home wireless router, one won't have a hard time since most routers support either 802.11 b or g. And, if one plans to travel and use this device in wireless hotspots, the Coby Kyros should be able to identify public hotspots so that one can keep up with email and other information such as Facebook posts or YouTube videos.

Indeed, one of the features that Coby pushes is its interconnectivity with social networks and one will not be disappointed because as a device that uses the Android operating system v 2.3, one should have access to nearly 200,000 available apps that one can install that will allow access to social networking sites, including Google's Circle+, as well as Google Mail (Gmail) and Google Talk (Gtalk). One can also install a Facebook app and have access to Facebook or Twitter postings, as well.

The display on the Coby is limited to 800 by 400 which means that one might find a bit of fuzziness in some displays that require higher resolution, however, for most LCD uses, this resolution is more than adequate. This is also a more limited unit than one expects as its maximum memory can be expanded to 4 GB with a microSD card, in addition to the built-in 256 MB of DDR SDRAM, which enables the basic operating system. If one is using the Aldiko eReader and an Amazon app, one should be able to store more than enough reading material to remain quite happy.

However, using the Getjar store and Jar built-in apps, one should be able to find either a good email app to use or one can find a good email/texting app from among the many available for Android devices. Interestingly, this is one of the first tablets that makes use of a lithiu-polymer battery. This increases the power density-to-weight ratio significantly and means that one can run this device for quite some time before it needs a recharge. In fact, if one looks at the automotive world, one will see that lithium-polymer storage is being explored and used more and more by the world's automaker as they move away from the limits of Nickel-Metal-Hydride and Lithium-ion. Lithium-polymer is an area whose surface has barely been scratched.

In a way, that makes the Coby an advanced device, even though its resistive touchscreen sometimes does need a stylus to access. However, for most applications, one can use a single finger to access an application. At 7.7 by 4.7 by 0.6 inches and 1.6 pounds the Coby is not as light as other tablets on the market and, while it does offer a standard USB 2.0 connection and 1GHz processor speed, it is still not made to be an expensive device. It is made to be an affordable tablet/eReader, something in which it succeeds admirably.

If one, as noted, is looking for an Apple iPad, then a visit to the Apple store is in order, but remember, one is locking oneself into the proprietary world of Apple for more money and with fewer apps available. Yes, the iPad has more memory and is lighter and larger, but, as noted, the Coby never pretends to be anything other than it is, a good, basic tablet for one who does not need all of the bells and whistles of the more expensive brands.