Velocity Micro Cruz Reader, Black (R101)

Velocity Micro Cruz Reader, Black (R101)
by Velocity

Velocity Micro Cruz Reader, Black (R101)

Description

An affordable touchscreen color eReader.

The next generation of eReaders. "Cruz" through books, magazines, and newspapers on this revolutionary device's crystal-clear, full-color, 7-inch display. Use the built-in Borders bookstore app to download and read over 2 million eBooks in a light and convenient package. At just under one pound, the 0.6-inch-thick Cruz Reader goes everywhere you do and fits perfectly in one hand. Staying up-to-date with email and social networks is just a Wi-Fi hotspot away, thanks to the Cruz Reader's 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and full browser support. You can even load your Cruz Reader up with all your favorite music and movies, using the included 4GB SD card.

Full-Color Touchscreen Display
The Cruz Reader features a seven-inch (diagonal) touchscreen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution, ideal for viewing eBooks and eMagazines, Web pages, and movies. The built-in, tilt-activated accelerometer will flip the page display from portrait to landscape and back when you turn the device.

Android-Based OS
The Cruz Reader and Cruz Tablet are built using the Android OS, an easy-to-use, powerful, and reliable operating system from the team at Google. Designed for touchscreen devices like the Cruz, Android helps you easily manage your programs with a vastly intuitive interface.

eBook Reader

USB and SD slots for memory expansion.

Pack dozens of books for a weeklong getaway without weighing down your suitcase. The Cruz Reader offers access to over 2 million eBooks via the included Borders eBook library portal application. Velocity's own Cruz Market also provides eBook content, and is a one-stop shop for downloading apps and videos from a broad array of content and providers, all in one market. Support is provided for ePub, PDF, TXT, PDB, and HTML reader files.

Enjoy Your Other Media
Bring your favorite movies on a plane without the hassle of a portable DVD player or laptop, with support for MPEG-4 and H.264 video formats. Listen to your favorite tunes in MP3, WMA, AAC, or WAV formats. Or share pictures from your last vacation with JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP support.

Stay Connected with 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and Full Browser Support
Put the power of the Internet right in your hands. Stay connected with email and social networks even while on the road. Download remarkable content, astonishing applications, and amazing games.

Slim and Stylish

Download remarkable content,
astonishing applications, and amazing games.

Velocity has designed and refined the Cruz Reader to be as stylish as it is functional. Get ready to attract attention with the sleek, slim, and stylish Cruz Reader.

Add Storage Capacity
The Cruz Reader offers 256 MB internal storage, expandable via both USB and SD card slots. A 4 GB micro SD card is included with the device (pre-installed)

Built-in Applications
The Cruz Reader includes a built-in dictionary, notepad, calendar, alarm clock, contacts, games, and other useful apps.

User-Replaceable Battery
An extended life, user-replaceable lithium-ion battery is included, offering up to 10+ hours of life on a single charge (24+ hours on standby).

Product Support
Each Cruz is backed by Velocity Micro's expert US-based support, for extra peace of mind.

What's in the Box
Cruz Reader, docking station (Not Powered), AC adapter, carrying pouch, user's guide, and 4 GB SD card (pre-installed).

Technical Details

• Android 2.0
• 256 MB integrated
• 7" TFT 800 x 600
• WiFi 802.11b/g
• 16 oz
• Access to over 2 million eBooks via included Borders eBook library portal application, as well as Cruz Market
• Built-in dictionary, notepad, calendar, alarm clock, contacts, games, and other useful apps
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and full browser support-download remarkable content, astonishing applications, and amazing games
• Crystal clear 4:3, 800 x 600 full-color touchscreen display is ideal for viewing eBooks and eMagazines, Web pages, and movies
• USB and SD card slot for upgradable storage; includes a 4 GB SD card (Pre-installed)

5.0 out of 5 stars eReader & MORE

By ljm (Concord, Ohio United States)

This review is from: Velocity Micro Cruz Reader, Black (R101) (Electronics)

I wanted just a reader but found that I like having the MORE. I didn't want something as big or as expensive as the Ipad but every reader I looked at (under $250.00) - seemed expensive for what you would get and would be quickly outdated. 

I've had this reader for a few weeks. At first I wasn't sure that I wanted to keep it and it was touch and go for about a week. It's not very intuitive. The manual is almost non-existent. The reader needed a firmware upgrade and the touch calibration done on it for it to work well and I felt like I was operating in the dark most of the time. I have a PC but not a cell phone so I don't have any experience with the Android OS. However now that I've played with it and had some help from customer service - I really like the Cruz reader. 

I've had/tried a couple of other readers and I didn't like a 5" screen size, turning on light to read, the flashing of pages, the quality, or a battery that I couldn't change. 

I like that this has a nice clear 7" color screen, Night mode (black background with white letters), several font sizes, a battery I can change , Memory I can upgrade, and I can download almost any book or file. 

So far I've installed the nook and kindle apps (It had the borders app but I updated it and it's much better than the one that came with it). I've also installed a couple of other apps and games that are really great. I like that I can read books but I also like getting the MORE: reading my email, playing games, listening to music and as time goes on I'm sure from what I've seen so far there will be even MORE. 

The only negatives I really wish they would change are; 256 Rom, The reflective screen (saved by an anti-reflective screen cover), the 16oz weight is a little heavy, a better user manual would be great. 

UPDATE 1/10/11: I really love this Reader. It's just great. I'm downloading library books with "Overdrive Media Console" and getting my local TV Guide information with "TV listings". You do have to watch how many apps you install but there is still enough space for some great apps. I love discovering apps that suit my needs. I'm using my PC to look for various apps - It really helps me to have the larger screen (22 inches) for surfing the web (I'm old). I can't say enough about what a great reader this is for the price. Does it take some time and work? YES. Is it worth the money? YES. Will I do some of the things to beef up my reader that other people here have suggested? YES