Coby Kyros MID7015-4G 7-Inch Android Internet Touchscreen Tablet - Black

I've had the Coby Kyros 7015 for about a week now and thought I'd share my experience thus far. To start off, I think it is important to note why I purchased this device. I was looking for an eReader that did the Kindle format (by research I found that Kindle has more of the books I like and want than the other major online book stores), ePub (so that I could check out eBooks from the public library), and Adobe Reader (so that I could read work PDF documents without having to print reams of paper). All of this in a 7 inch screened device that fits nicely in one hand. Unfortunately no one dedicated eReader could do this and a more expensive tablet was not in the cards right now. Then, I stumbled across the Kyros (while researching the Xoom) and thought, why not? Well, let's be up front here, I knew that to get the functionality I needed/wanted from the Kyros it would have to be rooted and the Google App Market would need to be placed on it (please note, I am not advocating that anyoone should ever root their droid, please research before you take this step, it could render your device useless and void your warranty). Which leads me to ...... My rooting experience. When I first opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised that the Kyros did not feel or look like a piece of junk. I followed directions and fully charged the tablet, then Googled directions on how to root. All went well until (as I found out by reading the tail end of the blog) that with the new firmware update that ships on the Kyros 7015, the instructions are lacking. Luckily, as things have it, someone else had figured out how to get around that and voila, I was rooted. For a first time rooter (is that the word?) I completed the task in about one and a half hours.Now with Google App Market loaded, I began my Kyros experience. I was able to load Kindle onto my tablet and it worked flawlessly. Check. I then loaded Adobe Reader and again it worked flawlessly. Check. Lastly, I started the preloaded Aldiko reader and found I had to upgrade to 2.0 so that I could authorize Adobe DRM protection (necessary for DRM protected library books you check out). With Aldiko 2.0 loaded I ran into my first problem. For some reason I could not (for the life of me) get library books to work with Aldiko. Spent about 2 hours on this and then went for the work around. I loaded Overdrive. Overdrive works great with EPub books I check out from the library and Overdrive Audio books as well (a plus). I could not, however, get Adobe PDF eBooks to download from the libraries. Not a major deal, but I'd like the full breadth of content available to me from my libraries card catalog. (Side Note, I easily got all types of library books to work on my Droid phone, so it is a definite platform difference). I have spent some time on this (trying various browsers, etc), but to no avail. Another review says "the Kyros is not an ereader", and I agree. However, it does pretty good at it, and considering I can get more out of the eReader part of it than Kindle, I'm happy. It is slightly heavier than a Kindle or comparable device from another major bookstore, so please keep that in mind.Many of you out there may have a Droid phone. Please note, that the newer Droid phones running 2.2 and above are much better than this tablet, so don't expect the same experience you'd get from your Droid X or Droid Incredible.Things you may NOT like:- The touch screen. I found that the stylus is best for navigating (although you can use your finger) and your finger is best for typing. (Resistive touch screen)- Not all apps work flawlessly. I believe that is why Coby may try to limit the apps to their apps library.- I use Tunesynch to synch my iTunes with my Droid and found that although my music pulls over, my playlists do not work properly. I did try a couple of other music players and found the same issue.- No Flash support. (Android 2.1)Other things you may like:- Videos on the Kyros are beautiful. I really enjoy that functionality.- Many of the games I've tried work well.All in all, I am pleased with the performance to cost ratio of this tablet. If you don't want to fork over the money for a better tablet, this one is good for a somewhat limited Droid experience. And, as an eReader, it is not bad.***Update***About a month after purchasing the Kyros I have had the chance to use the tablet and want to share my experiences. On a recent flight I was able to watch about two movies (using mVideoPlayer downloaded from the App Market) and read a bit of an eBook before the battery died.I never did figure out how to get Adobe PDF eBooks to download after checking them out from the library.I also have given up on using my Kyros for my audio playlists. The Kyros plays music just fine, my issue has been in how it is reading my playlists (which it isn't) and synching it with iTunes. All of my music is there and plays just fine, but when I go to the playlist imported from iTunes there are no songs listed under it. I'm sure this is an easy thing to remedy, but since this is low on my priority list and I have my Droid phone to play music (which synchs just fine with iTunes) it is not high on my list of items to fix.Last, I recommend getting a screen protector for your Kyros as it picks up finger smudges quickly. I picked up my screen protector at a major "Brick and Mortar" bookseller that is made for their Nook eReader. It covers the viewable area of the touchscreen on my Kyros almost perfectly and have been very happy with it. The downside is that the touchscreen is a little less sensitive and I find myself using the stylus more. Also, the ones I purchased were way too expensive and so hopefully someone else will blog a less expensive alternative.

Full Review Posted On My Blog: Go to my profile and click on the link to my website and search for this full version of this review.For my birthday I received the Coby Kyros Android Tablet. This is a perfect device if you surf the web, connect with friends, family and business through social media (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare), peruse YouTube, listen to music, view videos, access Appslib Apps, check and respond to emails, read e-Books via the Aldiko reader, access the web through WiFi connectivity and view videos in 1080p HD on your TV via HDMI cable. The Kyros Tablet has a 7" resistive screen and runs on Android 2.1. It's a pretty decent device.This device is a lot more than your average eBook reader. Many eBook readers, don't have color, application support and don't run on Android OS. This device does have the eReader functionality and more with Wifi connectivity. Its priced about the same as a good eReader and you can do a lot more. Its pretty light in your hands, has a good feel to it. The screen is a lot easier to view than an iPhone or small Android phone, and is good for reading and viewing videos while not having to squint. The ability to check your email, socialize, surf the web, listen to music and watch videos make this device a quality buy.Most people nowadays enjoy surfing the web, socializing, watching YouTube clips and listening to music on their device of choice. The popularity of Android, iPhones and iPad device's is due to peoples desire to connect socially in these ways. If your looking for a full blown computer non of these will meet your needs. A Netbook or a phone like the Atrix (which turn into a Mobile PC when you connect the Lapdock) may be what you need. Android and iPhone devices are for the casual social networker.Having had a iPhone and now an Android Tablet, I don't see the difference other than one is open source and the other is connected to iTunes software. I prefer open source and don't like iTunes software to manager my .mp3 collection which I've had since mp3.com was free before it was closed down and changed. I don't want to have to rename the way I've done things for years. I prefer to drag and drop files into my phone or device and not have to hassle with software and the conversion process necessary to switch to iTunes only world.Some of the stock features are an alarm clock, calendar, calculator, gallery for viewing videos and photo's, email account access, mobile YouTube browser, Aldiko eBook Reader, and AppsLib. The AppsLib is limited, you have some of your basic apps and games but not the who 180,000 Apps in the Google Marketplace for those who want the full access to Google Marketplace Rooting your device is the way to go.Rooting Your TabletYou can upgrade the OS and add Google Marketplace if you do a Google search for Rooting your tablet. This is key to having access to core Google apps and the Google Marketplace.I used Android Tablets, XDA Developers and YouTube to figure out how to Root the device. I had been looking at a few other Android Tablets, including the Cruz Tablet among other. I decided on this one because I saw that once you rooted it you can access the entire Google marketplace and apps. I saw a few good reviews and decided I go with this device and root it.Once you root your device and get Super User access you can load the Google marketplace and make changes to your device that the retailers of your device didn't give you. This is a pretty easy process. If you run into issues both XDA Developers and Android Tablets have forums and helpful people who will gladly help you root your device.Essential Android App's To View My List Go to my profile and click on the link to my website and search for this full version of this review.Personal Favorite App's for Android To View My List Go to my profile and click on the link to my website and search for this full version of this review.What Come In The BoxYou get the Tablet, course, it also comes with a pleather case, stylus, usb cable, usb host cable, earphones and a power adapter. The nicest things is the faux leather case which you normally have to buy separate. Its also nice to have a stylus to be able to select items on the capacitive screen. You can use your finger tips as well. One item that doesn't come in the case that I ordered separate is a external keyboard and a mini-USB connector so that you can type faster. I've heard people who advocate touch screen typing. In this Twitter/Facebook Status update and texting world I can see how touch screen typing came be useful. If you use your tablet to socialize, surf the web, watch YouTube clips, listen to music and text then touch screen if the way to go. If you, like me, are a serious writer your used to a full QWERTY keyboard then you will want to get an external plug in keyboard so you can type and write. It make better use of the time. There are a few keyboard apps if you want larger keys on the screen.Specs OverviewComes with a 800 MHz CPU and built in 4GB storage. Supports up to 32 GB micro-SD card. Features a 7" Resistive Touch Screen Display with a 800 X 400 Resolution. Supports 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks. Includes a headphone out, built in speaker and video output that supports 1080P and 720P. With micro-USB host support for keyboard and mouse.OverviewThe device is good for those of you who want to surf the web, socialize, watch YouTube, listen to music, read books and enjoy entertainment at your fingertips utilizing WiFi connectivity. As device go its pretty good. I like it better than the iPhone and it gets the job done. If you're a writer like me you will want to get a keyboard.Update: I received my Cover with Micro USB Keyboard and it works perfectly I plugged it in and it plays I have a full qwerty keyboard and it looks like a miniature laptop. Great for writing.