Internet Tablet
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Topics
IMPORTANT NOTE
The first thing you should do when setting up your tablet is set the current date and time. Incorrect time and date settings can affect your wi-fi connection, and many third party apps like Facebook, Pandora and Kindle will not sync correctly or may not function at all if the date and time settings of the tablet are wrong. (see Chapter 4.4 / page 15 of the User Manual).
TABLET RECOVERY AFTER INCORRECT FIRMWARE UPDATE
If you have mistakenly installed the A7 Firmware to your A7+ Tablet, the unit will not function properly or will not boot up at all in most cases. To restore the tablet from your PC, please see these Recovery Instructions.
System
Q: Can I expand the RAM memory?
A: No, the RAM on the A7+ is fixed at 512MB.
Q: Can I increase the internal storage?
A: No, the internal storage on the A7+ cannot be changed. On the current model A7-004, the storage is 4 GB.
Q: Can I add external storage?
A: Yes, there are two options to increase external storage: you can insert a MicroSD card or a USB 2.0 memory stick. The Tablet supports a MicroSD card up to 32GB and a USB memory stick up to 64GB. Please note that some older USB 1.1 devices may have compatibility issues. Micro SD the Class 4, Class 6 or Class 10 is recommended for best read/write performance of HD Video.
Q: Will Android 2.3 Gingerbread be supported on the Tablet?
A: At this time there are no plans for a Gingerbread firmware release for the A7+ Tablet.
Q: Can the A7+ be upgraded to Honeycomb 3.0?
Due to hardware limitations, the A7+ cannot fully support Honeycomb. There are no plans for a Honeycomb firmware release for the A7+ Tablet.
Q: Will the Tablet allow me to multi-task?
A: Yes, but the extent of this function is determined by the complexity of the programs you are running. For example, you can enjoy music while browsing web pages. Android manages the memory automatically, and the number of the apps allowed to run at any time depends on the memory requirements of those applications. If the available memory is reduced too much and threatens to affect normal operations, the system will automatically exit one or more unimportant apps to free the necessary memory.
Q: How many applications can I run at the same time?
A: More than one app can run at the same time, but only one app can be operated or controlled at a time. You can switch apps by pressing the home key or installing third party software designed for that purpose. Android manages the memory automatically, and the number of the apps allowed to run at any time depends on the memory requirements of those applications. If the available memory is reduced too much and threatens to affect normal operations, the system will automatically exit one or more unimportant apps to free the necessary memory.
Q: Is there a print application so I can print from the Tablet?
A: At present, the A7+ Tablet does not support a printer.
Power/Charging
Q: Can the Tablet be charged using the USB cable?
A: No. The A7+ cannot be charged via the USB Cable.
Q: Can I use a car charger with the A7+?
A: The A7+ has a unique voltage requirement, and unfortunately there is no car charger available at this time. The best solution is to use the AC charger with a power inverter that can be purchased at any electronics store.
Q: How do I know if my battery is fully charged?
A: The indicator light on the power button glows orange when the battery is charging. When the battery is fully charged, the light will be green. When the Tablet is on, the battery level is indicated by a small green battery icon in the upper right corner of the screen. For a more precise check of remaining battery level, tap Settings > About device > Status > Battery level.
Q: Can I replace my rechargeable battery?
A: No. The A7+ chassis is sealed and the battery is not accessible. If you need to change the battery, please contact the technical support team in our customer care center and they will direct you to a certified technician.
Security
Q: What security options are available to prevent unauthorized access to my Tablet?
A: You can protect access to the A7+ in three ways. You can choose an alpha-numeric Password that must be typed in, a numeric PIN code, or you can create a visual Pattern Lock that must be duplicated each time. Both methods can be created easily and changed at will as long as you are signed in.
Q: I forgot my password or my unlock pattern. How can I unlock my Tablet?
A: Unfortunately, the security measures exist to keep unauthorized people from accessing the Tablet. The only way to unlock the Tablet is to reset it to factory original condition, which means erasing all data and settings, so it should be done as a last resort. A normal reset will not wipe out the security information; the only way to reset the security password, numeric PIN or screen lock pattern is to do a Recover from PC procdure. Please see Recovery Instructions.
Q: How do I change my password or remove it entirely?
A: To change your security, you must be able to log on to the Tablet. If you cannot log on because you have forgotten the password, PIN or pattern, see the question above. After you log on, go to Settings>Location & security>Change screen lock and enter your password as prompted. In the popup screen that follows, choose None if you want to remove all security. Choose Pattern if you want to draw a new pattern, choose PIN if you want to set a new numeric passcode, or choose Password if you want to set a new password.
Display
Q: Is the A7+ touch screen really multi-touch?
A: Unlike the previous A7 tablet, which had only 1+1 capacitive touch, the A7+ does have a true multi-touch capacitive screen. Depending on the application, the tablet supports 2 or 4-point touch. Apps requiring 10-point multi-touch may have limited or no functionality.
Q: My screen goes dark after a short time? Why is this?
A: To conserve battery power, the Tablet has a Screen Timeout that puts the unit into Suspend Mode when there is no activity for a defined period of time. To change the timeout period, go to Settings>Display>Screen Timeout and then select the length of time you prefer, ranging from 1 minute to Never timeout.
Q: How can I tell if my Tablet is turned off or just in Suspend Mode?
A: When the Tablet is off, the power button is not lighted. When the Tablet is in Suspend Mode, the power button has a flashing green light.
Q: How do I "wake up" my Tablet from Suspend Mode?
A: If your tablet goes into Suspend Mode and the screen goes dark, just give the power button on the left side a short press. In 2-3 seconds, the screen will light back up. You will have to slide the unlock button to begin using the Tablet again.
Q: How can I watch video in 1080p when the screen size is only 1024x600?
A: The eLocity A7+ has built-in scaling so that High Definition video is scaled down to 1024x600 for viewing on the Tablet but is played in true 1080p when played on an HD television via the HDMI output.
Q: How do I clean my screen? Do I need anything special?
A: A dry microfiber cloth should be sufficient, but if you must use a cleaning solution, use only a cleaner made specifically for touch screens. Apply the cleaner to the cloth only, do not spray directly on the Tablet as overspray may damage the electronics inside.
Q: How can I adjust the brightness of my display?
A: The Tablet has a light sensor to help automatically adjust the brightness level for optimum viewing, but if you would like to set the level manually, go to Settings>Display>Brightness. You can also adjust the brightness by pulling down the menu from the top of the screen and adjusting the brightness slider.
Q: Does the tablet automatically rotate the screen orientation like the iPad if I change how I hold it?
A: Yes, the Tablet supports rotation in three directions. If you are reading a book and want to see a long page, just hold the Tablet vertically. Want to see a wider span of the web as you're surfing? Hold the Tablet horizontally for maximum viewing and less scrolling. The auto-rotate feature can be toggled on and off by pulling down the menu from the top of the screen and checking/unchecking the Auto-rotate screen box.
Video
Q: Does the Tablet have Flash so I can view websites properly?
A: Yes, the A7+ Tablet has Adobe Flash 10.3 pre-installed on the unit. The program will run automatically in the background while you are browsing the web.
Q: What video codecs are supported?
A: The Tablet supports MPEG-4, MPEG4 SP, H.264 MP, H.263, WMV andVC-1.
Q: Is there a video player or do I need to download one?
A: The Tablet comes equipped with a full-featured video player pre-installed but it also supports third party apps like Rock Player.
Q: What capabilities does the video player have?
A: The video playback functions include, Play, Stop, Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, shuttle, and replay.
Photos
Q: Doe the Tablet have a photo viewer? Does it have pan and zoom capabilities?
A: Yes. The Gallery allows for playback of video clips as well as viewing of photos. The photo viewer features auto-rotation and allows for zooming in and out, panning left and right, up and down and also offers a slide show broadcast option. Files can be stored in separate folder albums for easy reference and quick retrieval.
Q: What photo file formats are supported?
A: The Tablet supports four kinds of picture files: BMP, JPEG, PNG and GIF.
Q: Do photos orient automatically if I turn the Tablet?
A: Yes. As long as the auto-rotate feature is enabled at the main system level, photos and all other on-screen displays are oriented according to the position of the Tablet.
Q: Is there a slide show function?
A: Yes. The photo viewer can be set to display a single photo or a slide show. Stand the Tablet up and it becomes a 7-inch digital photo frame.
Audio
Q: Does the Tablet have an audio player?
A: Yes. You can access the A7+ audio player by tapping the Music Smart Key on the home screen or accessing the "OI File Manager" and tapping the audio file you want to play. The built-in player has all the features you'd expect to see, including Play, Pause, Stop, Next, Scan Forward, Previous, Scan Back, Shuffle Play, Display, Loop and Playlist.
Q: What audio codecs are supported?
A: The Tablet supports a wide range of audio formats: AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC+, BSAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA 10, PCM, AAC LC, AAC+.
Q: Will the Tablet play my iTunes songs?
A: Copy protected files will not play back on the Tablet, but if you load your iTunes files onto a USB drive or MicroSD card, the Tablet should be able to play non-protected files.
Q: How do I adjust the speaker volume?
A: There are two ways to adjust the volume. To change the general volume, you can pull down the menu from the top of the screen and adjust the volume bar. To adjust separate volume levels for Media, Alarm and Notifications, go to Settings>Sound>Volume and change the sliders accordingly.
Q: Where is the headphone jack?
A: The jack is located on the top edge of the Tablet on the left side behind the protective door.
Q: Can I use headphones while my friends listen through the speakers?
A: No. The speakers auto-mute when headphones are plugged in.
Q: How does the microphone work?
A: The Tablet has a built-in microphone on the front at the top center, and the earbuds included with the A7+ also have a microphone attached. When using an application that accepts audio input through a microphone, you may use either option.
Bluetooth
Q: How does the Bluetooth work?
A: To turn on the Bluetooth, go to Settings>Wireless & networks>Bluetooth settings. After you turn on the BT, it will work just like any other BT device , searching for and pairing with other compatible BT devices.
Q: What Bluetooth devices are compatible with the A7+?
The tablet supports A2DP devices, which are stereo listening devices. At the moment the tablet is not officially supporting devices like scanners, printers, keyboards, etc. Device manufacturers must have a driver that supports both Android 2.2 and the Tegra 2 processor in order to be compatible with the A7+. We expect more devices to come on line as time goes by.
Q: I cannot pair my Bluetooth device with my A7+ Tablet. It will pair, but not connect. What is wrong?
The tablet can only connect with A2DP Bluetooth devices which are stereo audio. Although the tablet may "see" other devices and pair with them, it cannot "talk" to them through a proper connection unless they are A2DP audio. Audio Bluetooth devices are supported, but not printers, scanners, barcode readers, etc.
Q: Is there a Bluetooth keyboard I can use with the A7+?
No keyboard is officially supported at this time, but we expect to have a keyboard released in the coming months.
Wi-Fi
Q: Does the Tablet support 3G, 3.5G or 4G?
A: No, the current A7+ model is wi-fi only with 802.11 b/g compatibility. Please note that the Tablet does not support wireless "n" so connecting it to a router that is 802.11n only may result in a poor, inconsistent or nonexistent signal.
Q: Will the Tablet be upgradable to support 3.5G or 4G in the future? Will I have to buy a new Tablet later if I want those features?
A: The A7+ does not contain the necessary hardware to support 3G, 3.5G or 4G in the future. Because it is not a software issue, the unit will not be upgradeable in this way.
Q: Is there a way to increase the signal strength of the wireless connection?
A: No, but for best results, try to avoid walls or other structures/devices that might affect the Tablet's reception of the wireless signal.
Q: Can the Tablet be tethered to a cell phone with data package for internet access away from wi-fi?
A: Unfortunately, the A7+ does not support tethering.
Q: What wireless devices can I connect the Tablet to?
A: The Tablet can be connected to a wireless router, wireless AP and any A2DP Bluetooth device. For bluetooth, the devices must have A2DP capability. Mono devices such as cell phone speakers and earpieces are not supported.
Q: If I buy the Tablet in the United States, will the wireless work in the United Kingdom or other countries when I travel?
A: Yes. The Tablet will work in any location as long as the wireless standard is 802.11 b/g and the Bluetooth standard is BT 2.1.
Telephone
Q: Can I make phone calls with the Tablet?
A: The eLocity A7+ is not a regular cell phone, but calls are possible with a variety of VoIP phone applications like Fring, other Android VoIP apps. With its front-facing camera and the Fring application, the Tablet supports video calling.
Q: Does the Tablet work with Skype?
A: The eLocity A7+ has limited functionality with Skype. At this time, it is possible to make audio-only calls using the Skype app, but it does not currently have the necessary driver for the Tegra 2 video processor. Video calling with the A7+ will be possible only when/if Skype releases a new version of the app with updated video drivers.
GPS
Q: Does the Tablet support GPS or A- GPS? What GPS options are available?
A: The current eLocity A7+ doesn't support GPS or A-GPS functions.
Q: Is it possible to use a portable GPS unit with the Tablet?
A: Yes, the Holux M1000 GPS is a Bluetooth unit that is compatible with the A7+ and there may be other GPS devices as well.
Internet
Q: Do I need a service provider to access the internet with my Tablet?
A: No, the Tablet will work in any area with a wi-fi signal - a wireless home router, public "hot spots" or any other place with a compatible 802.11 b/g signal. Wherever your PC works on wi-fi, the Tablet should work there too.
Q: Do I have my choice of any internet service provider?
A: Yes. You can use any internet service. However, the tablet does not have an ethernet port for a cable connection, so a wireless signal is required.
Q: Will the Tablet display websites like my PC at home?
A: Most of the time, but not always. The Tablet has Flash 10.3 pre-installed, so Flash animations that cannot be viewed by other portable devices play easily on the A7+. Most pages will look the same, but some sites have different displays that correspond to different devices that visited them. For example, a site might be optimized for the eLocity A7+ and you would see different versions of the site depending on whether you visited on a PC or on the Tablet. Generally, there will be a button on the site that allows you to switch to the regular page view.
Q: When I try to go to the Google and Yahoo! Websites, I get a message that says it is not a valid certificate, but I can get onto other websites. Why?
A: Some websites need SSL certification, therefore the mobile device will have a prompt. For Google and Yahoo!, you can click on the "continue" button to visit them continually. One suggestion is to access the Yahoo! Website by visiting m.yahoo.com which is a special address for mobile devices.
Q: Does the Tablet have its own mail server?
A: No, but the Tablet comes with an email system that allows you to set your own email address. Your email can be checked via the web, just as you would do with any netbook or other internet-enabled device. The A7+ supports Microsoft Exchange.
Q: Can I use my own webmail?
A: Yes, you can use it the same as you would on your PC.
Q: I can check my email but it does not show the full email message. I cannot scroll up to see the bottom of the messages, and it doesn't matter if I look in portrait or landscape mode. What can I do?
A: Enter the "inbox" first, and click on the "menu" button on the right side of the A7+ bezel (the bottom button), and then touch the "Refresh" which pops up from the bottom of the screen.
Apps
Q: My tablet came pre-loaded with app stores for Getjar, Appoke and Soc.Io Mall but the stores aren’t working any more. What’s wrong?
A: Unfortunately, Appoke has gone out of business, and due to circumstances beyond our control, both Getjar and Soc.Io Mall are having compatibility issues. We now recommend the Amazon App Store as a great source to obtain the best new apps. It is easy to install the Amazon Appstore:
- Launch the internet browser.
- Go to http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/get-appstore/android on the tablet and download the store.
IMPORTANT NOTE: One important thing we have discovered is the importance of making sure your tablet has the correct time and date. An incorrect setting can affect apps like Facebook and Pandora as well as the app stores for some reason.
To make sure the date and time on your tablet is set correctly, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings>Date & Time
- Automatic should be UNCHECKED
- Set Date Correctly
- Select Correct Time Zone
- Set Time Correctly
- Exit back to home.
Q: A lot of apps are available for Android phones, but do they work on the Tablet?
A: Any app designed to work on the Android 2.2 (or higher) operating system should work on the A7+. However, some apps intended for phones may not be optimized for the 7" screen size and might display using only a portion of the screen or might resize for the larger screen and lose clarity.
Q: Does the Tablet work with Google Play?
A: At present, Google Play cannot be installed on the A7+ Tablet, and any applications requiring updates through Google Play may fail upon installation or may work initially but may fail later if the app is updated by the developer but the Tablet is unable to install the update. Alternative app stores come pre-installed on the A7+ to allow for easy access to a wide variety of apps.
Q: Does the Tablet have a word processing application or an office suite of some kind?
A: Microsoft productivity programs like Word, Excel and Powerpoint can be supported by the Android system and available apps include QuickOffice and Documents to Go, a powerful app that allows viewing and editing Word, Excel and Power point documents.
Q: Do OpenOffice or NeoOffice have an Android suite that works on the A7+ Tablet?
A: No, OpenOffice and NeoOffice have not yet released Android versions to run on the Tablet.
Q: What games are available for the Tablet?
A: There is quite a good selection of games available. Most of the games which are based on Android will function fine as long as they can be run at 1024x600 resolution. Some online sources of good games include www.HandyGames.com and www.gameloft.com, which has some 3D Game apps that take advantage of the Tablet's accelerometer. Since the Tablet uses the nVidia 3D Graphic engine, you can feel the fast & smooth game playing.
Q: I downloaded an app, but when I tried to install it, I got an error message saying "Install Blocked - For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not obtained from Google Play". What can I do?
Launch the SETTINGS app by either tapping the icon on the desktop or by tapping the MENU button on the bezel and selecting SETTINGS at the bottom right of the popup menu. Then select APPLICATIONS. At the top is a setting for UNKNOWN SOURCES. Tap the box at the right. This will open a warning box regarding unknown sources. Tap OK. Non-Google Play apps will now be allowed to install.
Q: Does the Tablet have an e-Reader function?
A: Yes, the A7+ comes with FBReader, Aldiko and Kindle apps pre-installed. The Tablet also supports other reader apps designed for Android.
Q: Does the Tablet work with the Barnes & Noble reader app?
A: Yes, the Tablet does support the Barnes & Noble Nook Reader.
Q: How do I change the font size in the Aldiko e-reader?
Follow these easy steps:
- Open the book you want to read.
- Tap the MENU button on the black bezel on the right (4th button from the top, just above the SPEAKER button)
- From the sub-menu that opens at the bottom, choose SETTINGS (you can also choose DAY/NIGHT if you want to switch to white text on black background).
- From the pop-up menu that opens, choose TEXT.
- From there, you can increase or decrease both the font size and margins.
Q: How do I switch the font color in the Aldiko e-reader so it is white on black instead of black on white?
Follow these easy steps:
- Open the book you want to read.
- Tap the MENU button on the black bezel on the right (4th button from the top, just above the SPEAKER button)
- From the sub-menu that opens at the bottom, choose DAY/NIGHT.
Q: How do I change the font size in the Kindle e-reader?
Follow these easy steps:
- Open the book you want to read.
- Tap the MENU button on the black bezel on the right (4th button from the top, just above the SPEAKER button)
- From the sub-menu that opens at the bottom, choose VIEW OPTIONS.
- From the pop-up menu that opens, you will see five font sizes to choose from. Select the font size you want.
- To continue reading, tap the BACK button on the black bezel on the right (2nd button from the top, just above the HOME button.
Q: How do I switch the font color in the Kindle e-reader so it is white on black instead of black on white?
Follow these easy steps:
- Open the book you want to read.
- Tap the MENU button on the black bezel on the right (4th button from the top, just above the SPEAKER button)
- From the pop-up menu that opens, you will see three options for WHITE, SEPIA and BLACK. Select the background you want.
- To continue reading, tap the BACK button on the black bezel on the right (2nd button from the top, just above the HOME button.
Q: Can I create my own apps?
A: Yes. For more information check out our page for Developers.
Accessories
Q: Can I hook up any USB drive to the Tablet or are there limitations?
A: The USB port can be used to connect USB Flash Drives only. Currently the Tablet does not support USB hard drives.
Q: Can I use any MicroSD card for expanded storage?
A: The Tablet can support MicroSD cards up to 32GB, but they must be formatted in FAT16 or FAT32. The Tablet does not support cards formatted in NTSF. It is recommended that MicroSD cards be class 4 or higher.
Q: Can I connect a wireless keyboard?
A: At the moment, only a few models are supported. We will be releasing an eLocity BT Keyboard soon to support the wireless keyboard functions. Check the elocitynow.com website for updates on available accessories.
Q: Is the full-size USB 2.0 port only a host, or can I use it to connect a printer?
A: No, currently it the port supports only a USB Memory stick and USB keyboard.