aluratek wifi internet radio with lcd touch screen display made in china

I have been a fan of Star Trek since I was a young child. I loved dreaming of handheld tech and touch screens in, let’s be honest, in everything. Aluratek has built on their WiFi internet radio model and provided a new/upgraded option compared to the previous AIRMM03F device. The football shaped device arrives packaged in a very bright, attractive, retail packaging. The device is well depicted on the cover, with a full-size color image of the device. The middle of the device is a 7″ diagonal touchscreen display and has Dual surrounding 5 Watt speakers. Using the android based touchscreen, you have instant access to photos, music, videos and a variety of social media sites. Additionally, you have the full access to the Google Play Store. The packaging promises touchscreen access, direct transfer of music/video to the built-in 8GB built-in internal memory, Micro-SD card support, external 3.5mm jack for private listening and a front facing built-in VGA camera. With a 1.3 GHz Quad-Core processor and 1GB Ram, this could be a fun bedside table device.

Opening the package, I found the fully assembled speaker encased in form cut cardboard. The device is wrapped in plastic and there is a thin layer of foam material across the entire box. Along the periphery, you will find cutouts for each of the accessories: AC adaptor with 60″ cable, 35″ USB-A to USB-micro cable, and dual language instruction manual. I do like that there is a built-in universal adaptor feature, with type C (Europe, South America and much of Asia), Type A (USA, Mexico, Canada and Japan), and Type I (China, Australia, Argentina). To change between the prong types, press the small black button just beneath prongs and twist counterclockwise. Despite the multiple prongs, I am not a fan of the large wall plug (2 1/2″ tall by 1 5/8″ wide by 2 1/8″ thick. You can use the type A plugin either wall outlet port. However, some surge protectors will require you to use the bottom most port or you will block spaces. In 2017, I am disappointed when the AC adaptor design and ultimately wall space are not considered as important as the device.

Specifications:The speaker/tablet device measures 13″ wide by 5 3/4″ tall and 4″ deep. It rests upon a base measuring 5 1/4″ long by 3 1/2″ wide. The base is very secure and it is not likely to topple. The 1024 x 600 screen is 7″ diagonal and 6″ wide by 3 1/2″ tall. Along the top of the device, you will find a power on/off button and volume +/- buttons. Just above the touchscreen is a VGA forward facing camera with 640×480 resolution (weaker than expected). Along the back, just above the base, you will find DC 12V input power (AC adaptor), Line out (3.5mm output, not included), USB micro port, and a microSD port. The port on the device seems odd as it should be a female USBA port to be able to have a phone plug into the device or a USB thumb drive. There are adaptors available through Amazon and other sources to solve this problem. This is a USB micro charging port and it seems that they put in the wrong port. It comes with an AC adaptor with circular prong and thus does not need the micro USB input. There should have been micro USB input and USB-A input and no circular power adaptor port. This is wasted real estate and will require you to purchase another dongle to use your USB thumb drive for music.

There is a cutout for HDMI but it is not functional on the device and is not fully cut out. Internally, the device has built-in in Wi-FI and quickly connects to WiFi 802.11 B/G/N networks. As stated above, it has 8GB of internal memory and 1GB of Ram (this is personally too low for a modern tablet device, above entry level). The internal battery is a 1600 mAh Li-Po and has up to 5 hours of use. Weighing roughly 2lb, the device is a little heavy for carrying and is thus more inclined for a bedside table or office desk space.

Tablet:If you are an avid user of higher end tablets, you may be dissatisfied with the tablet specifications and utility. Plug in the AC adaptor and turn on the tablet. The power button received a lot of complaints on the last Aluratek Wifi device and the current button is well done. It has a nice click feel and is responsive. Once powered on, you will be taken to the tiled main screen. From here you have a variety of options. You can adjust date/time, brightness by touching the settings cog on the touchscreen. Or you can add WiFi information, utilizing the same settings button as mentioned previously. The screen is bright and you can adjust this up/down to your liking. You can adjust the length of time the screen remains active, before resting. You can change wallpapers, you can check storage (not enough) and so much more. Setup of WiFi was as easy as going to the section in settings, selecting the network and then adding the password. The date/time updated automatically based on the network, which was convenient.

The initial main screen has chrome, play store, play music, video, settings, and photos. Along the bottom of the screen, you have a volume down icon, backward triangle, circle, square and volume up icon. The backward triangle will take you back, the circle will take you to the main screen and the square will open up your apps. If you press the circle again, you will be taken to a secondary window, which is adjustable with a variety of widgets. If you have an android tablet/phone, this device will be second nature to you. However, the 1GB of RAM is minimal and you will notice significant lag. This device (any modern device really) should have a minimum of 2GB of RAM to be competitive. The device is essentially a basic tablet with built-in speakers.

I next visited the play store and downloaded amazon prime music, video and audible. These downloaded fairly quickly and I replaced the preset play music, video and chrome icons with my desired apps. To do this, select the bottom right of the app and hold for 3 seconds. It will take you to a list of applications. Select the one you want and it will replace the icon on the main shortcut screen. You cannot change the clock/time. If you hold the circle, this will bring up a google icon, select this to access google search. You can say “OK Google” to search the internet. I really like this feature as it gives an amazon echo like feel to the device (speakers not as good, assistant not as good and it took about 10 seconds to load). Unfortunately like the Echo and now the Google Home, this device is not always listening.

Next, I navigated to settings, storage, and apps. I noticed that there was total space 4.87GB available, 1.52GB in apps. You can also see/manage your Micro SD card and USB storage options (not included). Touching apps, you will notice that Facebook uses 244MB, Google Play uses 140 MB, Audible 75.17MB, maps 70.80MB, iHeartRadio 62.34MB and the apps diminished in size beyond that. You can clear your cached data in this same method. Returning to settings, you can tap apps and see the downloading options. Pandora, iHeartRadio, Facebook, and Spotify come preinstalled. Again, I downloaded audible, amazon prime video/music apps.

Remaining under settings, if you tap “Battery,” you will be able to see the percentage and the remaining time for the battery. Scrolling down, you will have access to personal and system subheadings. Adjust location/accounts, backup and reset, security and language/input through personal and then date/time, printing, accessibility, and about the device from the system. To return to the home screen tap the circle. Tapping the circle icon again will take you to a customizable window. Here you can add widgets, live wallpapers and adjust the window to your desire. I selected Blackhole live wallpaper and found it to be very attractive. The tablet is mediocre and feels somewhat entry level. As you will see below, techies and audiophiles will probably prefer a separate tablet and speaker option. This is a convenient blend of so/so tablet with so/so speakers.

Sound:The dual 5W speakers are on par with many of the sub $100 Bluetooth speakers. I do not like the USB 2.0 connection in 2017, as USB 3.0 is becoming the norm. You can access music through a variety of apps, MicroSD card, and USB 2.0 input. I navigated to audiocheck.net and tested the bass. Using The Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer AudioTest (10-200Hz), the speaker became audible at 40Hz. The human hearing will go down to 20Hz and thus you will miss out on some of the deeper bass in the 20-30Hz range. This was noticeable with listening to “Why So Serious” Joker Theme from Dark Knight Rises and the Gladiator soundtrack. Using the High-Frequency Range test (8-22KHz)on audiocheck.net I then tested the high range. Humans lose hearing, in the higher frequencies, as they age. I can hear about 15KHz on most speakers. This is actually pretty good for a 35-year-old male. ON this speaker my 33 yr old wife was able to hear 14 KHz and I was actually able to hear 16KHz. My two sons, eight and five, are able to hear to 18 and 20 KHZ respectively. Do not be a fool, protect your hearing!.

Amazon prime music was not bad, youtube videos were not bad. The speakers are mid-level and are not going to appease audiophiles. Some of the higher volume sounds proved to be tinny. There was minimal staging and the fullness just was not there in instrumental music like Far and Away and Braveheart soundtracks. If you are looking for a way to have some tablet functions with an included speaker, this may be a device for you. To summarize the device again, this is a mid-range speaker system with relatively basic android tablet/phone capabilities. Do not misinterpret my meaning, the device works and will serve many people very well. I have an iPad Air 2 and a portable speaker from iClever, the iC-BTS08. This speaker has dual 10W output and provides great sound in the ~$50 range. Again, there are stronger/better systems if you desire to pay for them. If you have a tablet already, consider purchasing a good pair of speakers. If you are looking for a convenient all-in-one device, the Aluratek device would work well for you.

Summary:The device could be so much more, but at what cost? It has a partial cutout for an HDMI port, it only has 1GB ram and is laggy when using apps, moving between apps and with web searches. Additionally, it has the wrong USB port. At a minimum, it should have a USB A port and not the USB Micro port or it should not have the AC adaptor port, instead opting for charging via USB micro input. For ~$60 you can get an entry-level Amazon fire tablet with 16GB memory (~$40 with 8GB memory) and 1GB RAM. This would give you a very similar grade of tablet to the Aluratek and added ALEXA functionality as well. You could then buy a set of speakers and save about 1/3 of the cost of this device for something else on Amazon. The sound is passable and should be better at this price point. Again, assuming the tablet is worth ~$40-50, the speakers on this device should run approximately $80. You can get a lot more speaker in the ~$75 dollar range on amazon. For this to be viable, it would need 2GB of ram, minimum of 16GB of internal storage (passable as you can add up to 32GB microSD or USB storage), 10W speakers, an HDMI port and USBA 3.0 port with USB micro charger input. This is my first WiFI radio and I had to rely on numerous reviews of the previous device to understand the earlier devices limitations.

This is clearly a step up from the last device. However, as you see with jack-of-all-trade like devices, you usually can get better components at similar prices. If you want a single device for your bedside multi-media needs, I actually would recommend this device, as I could not find a better option. Personally, I will continue to use my iPhone 7 plus and my Bluetooth speakers. Similarly, you can use your android phone with Bluetooth speakers. I would rate the overall device at 3/5 stars.

Aluratek"s WiFi Internet Radio is the next generation combination alarm clock and internet audio media streamer that lets you instantly access thousands of free internet radio stations while serving as a convenient multi-tasking tool with clock, calendar, weather, alarm and memo apps to help you through your day.

The WiFi Internet Radio features a color touchscreen LCD display and push button controls along with built-in dual high fidelity speakers for crystal clear sound quality and clarity. Don"t be limited to what you can or can"t tune in from your old AM / FM analog radio anymore. Simply connect the radio to an existing wireless WiFi network in your home, office, college dorm, or anywhere you want to enjoy a virtually unlimited amount of free music, talk, local news, sports and more.

You can also transfer your MP3"s from you MAC or PC computer directly to the internet radio"s 4GB built-in internal memory. The radio"s built-in rechargeable battery makes it easy to add music to any room for up to 5 hours of continuous streaming.

Limitations : For products shipped internationally, please note that any manufacturer warranty may not be valid; manufacturer service options may not be available; product manuals, instructions, and safety warnings may not be in destination country languages; the products (and accompanying materials) may not be designed in accordance with destination country standards, specifications, and labeling requirements; and the products may not conform to destination country voltage and other electrical standards (requiring use of an adapter or converter if appropriate). The recipient is responsible for assuring that the product can be lawfully imported to the destination country. When ordering from Ubuy or its affiliates, the recipient is the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the destination country.

Looking for the perfect way to display and share your photos? Take a look at the iDeaPLAY Wi-Fi photo frame. It can hold thousands of your favorite photos and the built-in touchscreen makes it easy to design your own custom slideshows. Wi-Fi capability and a handy companion app make it easy to share photos with loved ones near and far using your mobile device. You can also send photos to one or more frames direct from your smartphone. That’s what we call picture perfect!

Let me start out right away by telling you that the Libre Pro does not offer a wireless feature like the Kindle and Nook. You will be required to load your books manually instead of buying them through the device. Aluratek helps you out by providing an SD card with the reader that has 100 books preloaded. They are classics such as Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, War and Piece, Wuthering Heights, etc.

Having owned both the Kindle and Nook, the small size of the Libre was immediately noticeable when I first took it out of the box. The display is only 1 inch smaller though. Click the image above for a larger view.

The slightly recessed display takes up most of the front of the device, with buttons on both sides and below. The back of the reader has a slight ‘hump’ that holds the non-user replaceable battery.

The main controls are located below the display. On the Left is a combination page next/page prev button and next to that is a grouping of buttons that offer font resizing, screen rotation, menu, and also another set of page next/page prev buttons (left arrow and right arrow).

The Left edge of the Libre offers a third page turning method with a spring loaded sliding bar. Slide it down to turn to the next page, slide it up to go back a page. Raised ridges allow your thumb to keep a grip on this bar. I don’t like this method and find myself using the dedicate paging buttons below the screen.

The interface is pretty simple. Turn on the device for the first time and you’re greeted with a list of installed books. To read a book, you can either press the corresponding numbered button next to it or scroll to the desired title with the Dpad and press the OK button to select it.

The Libre does not use an E-ink display like the Kindle, Nook and Sony Readers. Aluratek calls their display ePaper. It reminds me exactly of the old days of PDAs. Specifically the Palm V. Back in the day, the Palm V/Vx was my favorite PDA because the screen was so easy to read. The Libre is just as easy… as long as you’re in a well lit room. This reader does not have a backlight. For those of you that don’t like the E-ink flashing that occurs when turning pages, this reader does not suffer from that affliction.

The initial load time of books can take several seconds depending on the size of the book. But once loaded, there is no lag in page turning. I tested the reader with plain old text files, ePub files, PDF files and JPG images. I didn’t have any problems viewing TXT or ePUB files, but some PDF files would not display and the reader would sometimes freeze when trying to load or display some JPG images. I also encountered issues with the reader freezing when using the Find feature.

I’ve been really impressed with the battery life. I’ve been reading on and off with the Libre since receiving it the 2nd week of January and it’s still going strong on its initial charge.

I like the size and price of the Aluratek Libre Pro eBook reader (you can find it for less than $150 at various online retailers) and I think it’s a good device for someone that doesn’t need higher end features like annotations, dictionary and wireless. I do think that the software is a bit glitchy and hope that a firmware update takes care of JPG and PDF freezing issues. Even with those occasional issues, I still recommend this little ebook reader as a good alternative to the big boys.

While the Mason"s automatic brightness sensor did a good job to adjust the brightness of the screen, it tends to the dimming side of things until light flows into the room. Then I uploaded an identical set of 86 photos from my library to each frame, from portraits to architectural shots taken with phones and digital cameras. "A customer was initially skeptical about the display quality because of its low price point, but ultimately they were “pleasantly impressed” with the” excellent, vivid colors that make all my photos look as good as they do on a much more expensive computer screen. Most frames allow you to customize photos to fill the frame when the aspect ratio of your photo differs from the image, although this method sometimes distorts or crosses parts of images. “Other reviewers assure that the app is simply set up: “My husband also downloaded the app and created an account, so when I "friend" he could also send pictures to the frame,” says a customer who finds it"s the “best digital frame I"ve ever owned.” Another reviewer who says that the frame has the right size for an office table, is also pleased with its “high resolution” and “satisfactory” size. Here at the Strategist we like to think ourselves crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we want, we can"t try everything. Another satisfied customer calls this the ideal frame for their bedside table because “it is the perfect size and also because it has the clock and calendar function. While I was able to sync online photo collections and send email photos and audio messages to the frames, I could only see one frame at a time using the web app. But if you are the kind of person who just wants to get pictures from your phone and on a digital frame, all these functions will not make a difference for you. Photo: Rozette its app and the Nixplay web interface, Nix offers users a number of options to upload and organize their photos for a frame at home or one that is installed remotely at a relative at home. Its screen is similar to what Nix offers, with similar colors and an identical resolution, but the better interface of Nix makes it the one you can choose. Some brands provide a way to connect multiple frames from a single web app, so that non-technical users can automatically send new photos via email or Wi-Fi as easily as opening an envelope full of prints. This can be avoided by buying a frame with an aspect ratio that fits exactly the camera, or by editing photos to the target aspect ratio before transferring them to the frame. And there has never been any kind of standard operating system across photo frames, so buying a new photo frame that is different from those you already owned would mean learning a whole new facility for operation. A new generation of supporting companies like Meural is emerging, combining larger formats, integrated access to artistic content and innovative control mechanisms. Another option if you want to use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant is to use a smart display as a photo frame, although in the end this could be more expensive. "Between clock, calendar, music and photo and video display, a reviewer says that this digital photo frame is a source of entertainment for their whole family: “Sometimes I just play relaxing music through them while I did the household business; sometimes I will project slideshow for my family; sometimes I will play videos from there for entertainment." Cloud Digital Picture Frame Those who shop for a digital frame that contains a lot of pictures liked this Frame that can hold up to 64 gigabytes of data. A nice surprise I discovered during testing is that the Mason and other frames in the Aura family are compatible with Apple"s Live Photo function, and you"ll see how such images come to life for a moment when they first appear on the display. In our experience with the Aura platform, you do not have to wait for updates to be installed (all updates are done overnight or when the screen is turned off for a long time), and you do not need to do anything on the frame itself with a remote control, since there is none — something that competing frames usually are required. The frame has fine features such as touch-sensitive strips, with which the.