Operating System
Again, the device is running Windows CE 6 Embedded. The version included here is 100% English and has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a complete version of the OS. It was nice to know that I didn’t have to worry about converting it to English, and missing certain applications because they were only in Chinese. USB and Windows Mobile Device Center worked perfectly on the device without having to do anything like load drivers (at least on my Test PC, which is running Windows Vista).
Word from the Manufacturer (WitsTech) is that Android will be available for this device by the end of December. That would certainly make some people very happy and open up a whole group of customers who don’t like WinCE.
USB Modes
The device can be switched from ActiveSync to Drive mode. This works exactly how it sounds. If you change it to ActiveSync (in the settings application included with the device), the device will try to launch Windows Mobile Device Center or ActiveSynch 4.5 (depending on your OS) and allow you to synch up as usual. If you switch the device to Disk Drive mode, it will simply allow you to access the microSD contents on the device just as if you were using a card reader on your PC.
Someone asked me in a post at MobileRead if the device had a USB Host mode. I tried the device in both settings with a USB mouse and USB mini keyboard and I could not get the W1060 to host either USB device. I don’t believe the device has a USB Host capability. If someone from WitsTech or WireLession would like to respond and correct me that would be fantastic.
The W1060 Device Settings Screen
Performance Overall
The device takes roughly 13-14 seconds to boot, which is fast enough for a cold boot. I’ll be going over specific performance features in the topics below, but I was quite happy with performance on this device with the notable exception of Internet Explorer and browsing the web. Every screen rotation utility I have for WinCE crashed the device.
eBook Reading
I tried to load many different eBook applications on this device with varying degrees of success. My favorite, as it was with the JE-100, would have to be AlReader2. Below is a list of eBook Readers I tested:
AlReader 2 successful
MobiPocket successful, no screen rotation (crashes device)
KingReader starts but won’t display file (only reads TXT files to begin with)
uBook successful, but need to rotate screen to portrait to see complete configuration and settings screen.
HaaliReader successful, but in Russian
Microsoft Reader failure to run (I’m still trying though!)
AlReader2 Screen Capture Directly from W1060
At the end of the day I was very happy with this device as an eBook reader. A crisp and colorful screen that didn’t hurt my eyes, it is lightning fast for turning pages, and many of the applications I like to read with, work on the device.
Viewing PDF Files
Once again, I used a demo version of Foxit PDF Viewer to view a PDF eBook. I also loaded “Ancestor inch by Scott Sigler. Just like the SmartQ and the JE-100, this device is best for viewing PDF while in landscape mode. Going to portrait might make things a little too small for to read. Going from page to page was nearly instantaneous. I really like how fast the device loaded a PDF and performed while viewing it.
now for a 5″ version or something…
Thanks for the review! I’ve been following this device (and several others) in the hope of finding a suitable data collection device for our field research. We’ve been using the Alphasmart Dana (Palm OS) up to this point and it’s not going to cut it for much longer. It looks like the Wirelession MIGHT be the device if the Android build looks good.
Amazing that it can not host even a USB mouse. I was able to use external mouse even on an old NEC MobilePro 770 and 880 nearly ten years ago. Pls keep us posted on the updates.
Also, any chance that you could try out the Barnes and Noble eReader app on the device? If it supported the B&N app and eBook format (whatever it is), I would certainly pay for this instead of a Nook. I know it is low probability, but it does not hurt to ask and see how it pans out?
– Vr/Z..>>
Also, does the WinCE install include pocket versions of any Office Apps? Back in the day, they came with versions of PocketWord, PocketExcel, and PocketPowerPoint…oh, and some version of Outlook Express? I am wondering if it will allow the same degree of interaction with MS Office documents that my Windows Mobile 6.1 Smartphone does, at a minimum. Thanks.
– Vr/Z..>>
It included all the MS Office viewers, but I don’t think they are anything but viewers. I have a free pop3 mail app that works with it.
I’ll check into the Barnes and Noble app. :)
Nice review. I was going to order this device but I suppose I should wait now that I’ve read your review. At least until the new year to see how things pan out with it.
Did you have to call Wirelession to order it? It doesn’t look like they have an online store…
I think if you just email them they can set it up for you that way. They are usually very responsive.
Do you think Wirelession is a legit business with a sustainable business model? I ask because my organization intends to replace an old stockpile of Alphasmart Danas (Palm OS 4.1) with a newer device for our data collection purposes. We need a device with an open OS, decent screen & keyboard, long battery life, and sub $400 price. The Archos 5IT and Wirelession W1060 are our top prospects right now. I’m just not too sure about Wirelession because they seem to have come from nowhere and they mostly rebrand devices. Your thoughts?
> open OS, decent screen & keyboard, long battery life, and sub $400 price
Does W1060 has decent keybord ? Does it have long batterylife ? does it, as of now, has open OS ?
Perhaps you’d really look into SmartDevices SmartQ series.
Or perhaps into OpenPandora project.
1) i wonder if Opera Mobile could be used instead of the pitiful Internet Explorer ?
2) SmartQ 7 was told to run up to 20 hours in music-player mode, with screnn off, wi-fi off, etc. If W1060 can only run 8 hours such, it is a failure!
3) Linux ? (Android might be good for cell phone, but what good it has for PMP ?.. )
4) Pity it does not have buttons and HDMI, as SmartQ V7 does. With Cortex CPU it should be able of HD-Video and then HDMI comes quite handly!
4.1) USB on-the-go is also a loss!
4.2) and for video-player it would be better to sport SDHC 32GB cardtreader like SmartQ or evewn couple of those, than 16GB tiny slot for-phones. C’mon, this device is larger than phone anyway, put a full-sized SDHC!
Overall it seems SmartQ 7 & V7 sucks in video playback and this tablet sucks ion everything else. Bad situation,. with two very close devices – nothgin to choose from!
5) RAM is 256 MB, okay – but what kind of ram, what the speed is ? and the disk inside? is it 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB… ?
If it was possible to combine features of SmartQ V7 and W1060 it could be a great thing.
Currently they both look as very close but yet failed attempts at it :-(
Can anyone say, does SmartQ plan to make Cortex-based PDA with all the sweet features of 7/V7 and same $200-$250 price spot ?
Have you tried xvid videos? What about mp4 videos?
make a 9″ version, with more RAM (.75GB or more), built-in storage (2GB+), 1GHz CPU, and Android … and I might be interested :-}
I have to admit that your current blog is pretty insightful. I have been expending a good deal of spare time during the last couple weeks scouting around at what exactly is available influenced by simple fact that I am planning to launch a blog site. The knowledge you have place on here is literally to the point. It just sounds so baffling with reference to all the technological innovations that are available on the market, but I love the way your appears. Gotta find it irresistible where technologies has come through the last 8 yrs.
I’ve had the W1060 for about ten days and now have an opinion based on some hands-on experience. It’s a good device with more strengths than weaknesses. It has issues, ((but look how many years Archos has been in business selling potentially good devices that are famous for their problems and limitations.))
Here’s a sporadic list of good and bad aspects based on my device.
Some good points…
1. Extremely quick wifi connection (are there any other devices that are connected to the internet 30 seconds after you push the start button?)
2. Cortex processor (about as good as they get)
3. Responsive resistive touchscreen (sharp and bright too)
4. Decent 3000mah battery
5. Easy file explorer / browsing makes navigating all files quick and easy
6. As small as a 7″ device can functionally get
7. Metal support stand
8. Iris web browser gives fast, accurate web browsing
9. I’ve found around 100 working apps… and currently tweaking more to run too
10. Very fast 15 to 20 second bootup time
11. Everything functions well enough that on my trips to Starbucks, Panerra, airport, etc…
I really can leave the laptop at home!!!
Some bad points…
1. Wince apps are iffy… some work perfect, others have nonworking features, some don’t work at all.
2. Standby doesn’t normally wake-up (goes to white or black screen with no image)
3. Drains battery even when fully off (red and green lights are always barely shimmering)
4. Keyboard doesn’t fit in portrait mode and often pops-up when least expected
5. Bezel around screen has too much ‘play’.
6. Coreplayer video app still doesn’t work on youtube and is not implemented well
7. Touchscreen needs a ‘palm rest’ function so cursor doesn’t jump to palm location
8. On/off button doesn’t always appear to be working… then it suddenly surprises me and works
9. Accessories??? I’m having a hard time locating leather cases, holders, etc, which fit
10. Smooth, rounded, slippery back make this an accident waiting to happen… Oops!!
Would I trade or sell it right away? Maybe for an iPad… but not for an Archos Home Tablet, SmartQ, Apad, or other similar Android or Wince device. For the current 7″ tablet offerings, the W1060 is about as good as they get.
Intriguing insight, stunned I never considered that by myself
Is it touch screen because I cannot see some keyboards or something that I’ll use to type.
I have found your review while I was searhing an epad/apad/irobot or else on google. I thought this devise is an answer to my needs but having read your excellent review, I realise that it is not. Thank you for such a great job my friend!
Meanwhile, could you possibly suggest me an android tabled which has a built in GPS, bluetooth and 3G usb modem connection availability? I have checked many china made ipad alikes but have not found such a device.
I would really appreciate your help
Best Regards
Does WireLession W1060 have any upcoming upgrades? I wanted to have this one but it don’t meet much of my specs.
Is this not only a cellphone but also a computer gadget? This is one of the important gadget I wish I could have.
I was looking for Xmas, to buy a new mobile device for that special.
I wonder if you can tell me whether any of the new MIDs you’re reviewing or are aware of coming up might fit my needs?
I have been actively considering the Archos 5 Internet tablet (Android) but I’m still unsure about it because of
– Need to pay extra for some codecs / GPS functionality
– AC3 audio doesn’t work
– Not full android market access
– Unsure whether non-Archos GPS s/w will work.
– No hardware buttons (well 3: power, vol up and vol down but can’t be mapped)
– Some reports it corrupts memory cards when they’re removed
I’ve also being thinking about the Nationite Midnite Xpress (English ver. of Chuwi W3000) but that has
– No bluetooth
– no kickstand
Alternatively, there are some relatively cheap Benq S6 Mids turning up on ebay but I reckon they have poor battery life.
I’d propably go for a Pandora but there’s no sign of those being available anytime soon.
Possibly a smartq v5 but they are also not avail yet.
Here’s what I’m looking for
1. MUST-HAVES
– No bigger than n800/vx545HD (i.e. pocketable), so 5″ max screen
– WVGA (800 * 480)
– Smooth video playback at above resolution (at least Xvid)
– Touchscreen
– D-pad or mappable Hardware buttons
– Wifi
– Bluetooth ADCP (because I like to listen on BT stereo headphone. Hate wired headphones)
– Removable storage
– Browser (faster than n800)
– Ebook reader supporting txt / html
– PDF reader
– Image viewer
– RSS Reader
– File Browser with cut and paste
– kickstand (or clamshell design). This is a dealbreaker for me as I like to prop a device on table to read/browse
– Some availability of 3rd party apps.
2. NICE-TO-HAVES
– MKV playback
– Flash playback, either in-browser or launched app
– Big storage
– USB Host
– Speakers
3. NOT NECESSARY (but would not say no)
– GPS
– Accelerometer
– 3G
– Hardware Keyboard
I was interested in the W1010 you are shortly going to review but like the Midnite Xpress this doesn’t appear to have either Bluetooth or a kickstand.
lithium batteries are nice to use because they are very light and have high power density ;;
lithium batteries are nice to use because they are very light and have high power density ;;