Ainol Novo 7 Aurora Review

[dfranz]

IPS screens do use more battery, so my Samsung Galaxy Note is set at 20% screen brightness, still so bright though, cannot imagine having to use 100% and my Bmorn v99, set at 20% as well. But the screens, both IPS are amazing, in comparison to another 7 inch generic MID, that performance wise is great, but off axis viewing is terrible and straight on veiwing is also sub-par, when compared with IPS- There are a few non IPS screens that are great though, you just have to search and view them for yourself- My HT_PAD 1051, is amazing, and if I didn't know it wasn't I would have thought it was an IPS screen, maybe a mistake was made with mine! Anyhow, do some comparison shopping, maybe you will be okay, as we all were at some point, with a non IPS screen.

[kingbrowne]

Yes, the IPS screen is to die for.

I have both the Ainol Advance and Aurora. The Advance is a well built unit whilst the Aurora feels flimsy but it has that great screen.

The Advance has a better battery life but to be fair, it carries a bigger battery and it do not have to power that IPS screen.

[iTwins]

Thanks guys, that's sad to hear. LOL, I was hoping you guys would say "no big deal" Damn, that leaves not too many options out there....only a handful of cheap brands that support IPS.

What about Bluetooth? No mention on the website. It only works with USB dongles?

One more thing. Anyone of you tried playing a video with DTS audio? Is there any sound?

[dfranz]

Nope never tried DTS, not sure but I think the Bluetooth is via dongle- someone confirm?

[andropos]

Thanks guys, that's sad to hear. LOL, I was hoping you guys would say "no big deal" Damn, that leaves not too many options out there....only a handful of cheap brands that support IPS.

What about Bluetooth? No mention on the website. It only works with USB dongles?

One more thing. Anyone of you tried playing a video with DTS audio? Is there any sound?

It can decode DTS no problem, i have never had problems playing any kind of audio formats and bitrates in video, thanks to Allwinner chipset.

I doubt you will get BT working via USB, as there are no divers included that will support in Android. (im not super-sure on this one)

[metalheim]

I doubt you will get BT working via USB, as there are no divers included that will support in Android. (im not super-sure on this one)

Generally its not a big deal, "btusb.ko" is the keyword.
Remember that Android is - in the end - a linux system with all its benefits like wide driver support.

If this module isnt already integrated in you ROM, you can download it, link and compile it against the kernel and do "insmod btusb.ko" on your -rooted- devices console.

[iTwins]

Thanks, it's good to hear about the DTS audio. I have a strong feeling that it works on the Aurora. I read on the Onda website that its devices support DTS audio but not mentioned on the Ainol website.. All the features in these Made in China cheap brands are so much in common that I think their chipsets and motherboards were all made by the same OEM manufacturer.

I hope BT works on it too. It's one important feature that I cannot live without. The lack of BT is one of the bigger reason stopping me from buying these devices.

[iTwins]

It seems there are no more stocks available anywhere in Hong Kong and possibly the whole southern Guangdong province. My hope of finding a 7" IPS tablet is but a dream now. Well, the only one left is the Hyundai A7HD which isn't out on the market yet and no telling when it will be released. Damn, even the remaining stocks of the Elf the prices have been jacked up to US$200.

I did try out the 2 dozen or so other cheapo tablets out there and yes, IPS is really "To die for". Non-IPS or non-AMOLED screens are really shit. You can barely see the screen when at outdoors or even under bright office lights.

PS. I seriously doubt the Aurora II will be $10 or $20 more than its predecessor especially with dual-core and better IPS screen?

[kingbrowne]

Don't go panicking yet.

When the Aurora was first released it was at a very competitive price. It is the current shortage in the market and the popularity of the product that has driven the prices up.

With a little luck and what appears to be Ainol's determinism to bring great products at attractive prices, you may still get a reasonable asking price. Wish you luck.

[Petya19]

The 1.5ghz is just marketing. Over 1.2ghz it frezees.