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 4.1 on page 12 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.
Sales
Q: I ordered the A7 from Amazon and it was supposed to come with a value pack of accessories, but all I got was the tablet. How can I get the cables and cleaning kit I was promised?
The value packs are an Amazon exclusive. If you ordered from any other online seller or if you purchased your tablet in a retail store, the value pack is not included. If you purchased from Amazon and did not receive the value pack for some reason, please submit a request on our web form and let us know so we can make sure you get the complete package you were promised. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Q: Where can I see the unit and test it out before buying?
A: The A7 Tablet is available primarily through internet e-tailers, but it will soon be available at several electronics retails nationwide like Fry's Electronics (34 stores), HH Gregg (171 stores), CompUSA (35 stores) and MicroCenter (23 stores). For an up-to-date list of retailers, visit our website at www.elocitynow.com/purchase
Q: Can I buy the A7 Internet Tablet in any retail stores? Which ones?
A: The Tablet will soon be available at Fry's Electronics (34 stores), HH Gregg (171 stores), CompUSA (35 stores) and MicroCenter (23 stores). For an up-to-date list of retailers, visit our website at www.elocitynow.com/purchase.
Q: A lot of apps are available for Android phones, but do they work on the Tablet?
A: Most apps can work on the Tablet, but some may be displayed using only a portion of the larger screen, and some may resize for the larger screen and lose clarity. Additional apps can be downloaded from online stores like Getjar (comes pre-installed on the Tablet) and Appoke (can be downloaded from our website - www.elocitynow.com/freeapps). Another excellent store is SlideME and we are working to establish support with them soon. From the stores, you can access and download many applications for productivity and entertainment.
Q: Does the Tablet work with Google Market?
A: At present, Google Market cannot be installed on the A7 Tablet, and any applications requiring updates through Google Market may fail upon installation or may work initially but fail later if the app is updated by the developer but the Tablet is unable to install the update.
Q: Can I create my own apps?
A: Yes. For more information check out our page for Developers.
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 800x480 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've heard different information about the A7's touch screen. Is it really multi-touch?
A: The eLocity A7 has a capacitive touch screen with single point zoom out and zoom in gesture technology. It is not a multi-touch screen. We are sorry for the touch screen confusion mentioned in the Amazon description and other articles which were written early on in the product development stage. Our capacitive touch screen still outperforms most if not all of the tablets on the market. We use Grade "A" LCD panels from Tier 1 suppliers in our products and our goal with the A7 is to deliver the best performance, video and image quality and other functionality (i.e. NVIDIA Tegra 2, 1080P HDMI Output) that is superior to other tablets at similar price points. We know of no other tablets in our price range that offer true multi-touch, which is fairly expensive for larger LCD screens at this time.
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 size of the memory. 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 size of the memory. 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: Does the Tablet have Flash so I can view websites properly?
A: Yes, the A7 Tablet has Adobe Flash 10.1 pre-installed on the unit. The program will run automatically in the background while you are browsing the web.
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: Does the Tablet have an audio player?
A: Yes. You can access the player by tapping the Music Smart Key or accessing the "OI File Manager" and tapping on the audio file you want to play. The Tablet supports a wide range of audio formats: AMR-NB, AMR-WB, eAAC+, BSAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA 10, PCM, AAC LC, AAC+. The player has all the features you'd expect to see, including Play, Pause, Stop, Next, Scan Forward, Previous, Scan Back, and Shuffle Play.
Q: Doe the Tablet have a photo viewer?
A: Yes. The Photo Player supports the following formats: BMP, JPEG, PNG and GIF. The multi-touch screen allows for zooming in and out, panning left and right, up and down. The viewer also features auto-rotation and a slide show broadcast option. Files can be stored in separate folder albums for easy reference and quick retrieval.
Q: Does the Tablet have an e-Reader function?
A: Yes, the Tablet comes with FBreaderJ pre-installed. Another reader app, Aldiko, is available as a free download from our website - www.elocitynow.com/freeapps. The Tablet also supports Amazon Kindle and other reader apps designed for Android.
Q: Can I use the Tablet with my Kindle account?
A: Yes. Just download the Kindle app directly to your tablet and you are ready to go.
Q: Does the Tablet work with the Barnes & Noble reader app?
A: Yes, the Tablet does support the Barnes & Noble Nook Reader.
Q: If I add an emulator for Super Nintendo, is the screen capable of having multi-touch so that I can run with one hand and jump with the other?
A: Yes, you can install the Super Nintendo emulator, but some of the games may not work properly.
Q: Is there a print application so I can print from the Tablet?
A: At present, the A7 Tablet does not support a printer.
Q: I didn’t get the value pack of HDMI Cable, USB Cable and Cleaning kit.
The Value Pack is an Amazon exclusive. If you purchased your A7 tablet in-store, on line from any other retailer, or from a television promotion on ShopNBC or QVC, the value pack is not included. If you purchased from Amazon and did not receive the value pack, please contact us and provide date of purchase and Amazon transaction number.
Technical FAQ's
System
Q: Can I expand the RAM memory?
A: No, the RAM on the current 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 A7-040, 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: We anticipate that the Tegra 2 processor should have the ability to support the future Android release, but we cannot confirm it until Gingerbread has been officially released.
Q: Can the A7 be upgraded to Honeycomb 3.0?
Due to hardware issues, it is not expected that the operating system of the A7 can be upgraded to Honeycomb.
Display
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 800x480?
A: The eLocity A7 has built-in scaling so that true 1080p video can be displayed directly in 800x480 resolution.
Q: How do I clean my screen? Do I need anything special?
A: Make use of a dry soft cloth, and try to avoid using harsh cleaning materials.
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.
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.
Video
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: Yes, the Tablet comes equipped with a full-featured video player pre-installed.
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: What photo file formats are supported?
A: The Tablet supports four kinds of picture files: BMP, JPEG, PNG and Gif.
Q: Is there a photo viewer with pan and zoom capabilities?
A: Yes. You can use the Gallery to view photos and videos. Also the 01File Manager has the ability to locate and display photos.
Q: Do photos orient automatically if I turn the Tablet?
A: Yes. 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: 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: Does the Tablet come with its own audio player?
A: Yes. The eLocity A7 has a built-in player. Just tap the MUSIC icon to launch the player. You also can use the 01File Manager to search for music files and play them back directly.
Q: What functions does the Tablet's audio player have?
A: Besides basic playback functions like play, pause, stop, fast forward and rewind, the pre-installed music player has features like Display, Loop and Playlist.
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 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.
Q: How do I adjust the speaker volume?
A: The bezel of the Tablet contains 5 Smart Keys. Tap the bottom key for volume control, then adjust the digital slider to the desired level. Press OK and you're done.
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.
Connections & 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 Drive only. Currently the Tablet does not support USB hard drives.
Q: Can I use any Micro SD card for expanded storage?
A: Yes. The Tablet can support MicroSD cards up to 32GB.
Q: Can I use the docking port to charge my Tablet? What devices are available?
A: Yes, but this is a future function only at this time. The Tablet can be charged through this port, but no docking station has been released yet. Check the elocitynow.com website for updates on available accessories.
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.
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 later this year.
Wireless
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 wifi?
A: The eLocity A7 doesn't have built-in 3G ability, so it cannot support tethering.
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.
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 current A7 model 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: 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 and it will search other BT device and paired it.
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: 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 and other Android VoIP apps. With its front-facing camera and the Fring application, the Tablet supports video calling.
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: 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.
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 10.1 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: 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.
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: 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: 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.
Other
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.
Q: Can the Tablet be charged using the USB cable?
A: No. The A7 cannot be charged via the USB Cable.
Q: I turned on my tablet by it will not unlock, requiring a password. How to I reset this?
Here is the how to deactivate the password issue:
- Turn off the tablet and then push Power button for 2 seconds
- After the Power Light turns on, push the Power Button for another 5 seconds. The screen will show "Recover"...
- Click the "HOME" at the right of the panel, then choose "Wipe data/factory reset". Follow instructions for factory reset.
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?
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: 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?
Enter the "inbox" first, and click on the "menu" button on the right side of the A7 bezel (second button from the bottom), and then touch the "Refresh" which pops up from the bottom of the screen.