Android Tablets, Teracom

MTNL and TERACOM launch Android 4.0 Tablets

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MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited), New Delhi in association with  Teracom Limited, Noida has launched Three models of 7” Android based Tablets in the brand name “Lofty”.

All the three Tablets run on the Android 4.0 – ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) platform and offer Wireless Connectivity using a Wi-Fi Router and select 3G USB Devices.

The Lofty – TZ100 is equipped with a class leading Cortex A9 – 1GHz Processor, a SIM Slot for making Voice/3G Data Calls and a Capacitive Touch Screen. It is priced at Rs.10,999/- (MRP).

The Lofty – TZ200 is equipped with a Cortex A8 – 1.2GHz Processor and a Capacitive Touch Screen. It is priced at Rs.6,499/- (MRP).

The Lofty – TZ300 is also equipped with a ‘Cortex A8 – 1.2GHz’ but has a ‘Resistive Touch Screen’. It is priced at Rs.3,999/- (MRP).

At this time, there is no information available on the Graphics Capability/ the GPUs used in any of the above mentioned Lofty Tablets.

MTNL is offering 10GB of Free Data Usage on its 3G Network during the first 2 months upon purchase of these Tablets. MTNL claims to have extensively tested these Tablets on its Network. These Tablets will be available in the MTNL Sanchar Haats, Teracom Stores and Dealers.

The Comparative Specifications of the Lofty Tablets and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are as under:

Note: A lower end specification is mentioned in Red color. A better specification is mentioned in Bold in Blue color. The best specification is mentioned in Bold in Green color.

Operating system

  • Android 4.0 – ICS (Ice-Cream Sandwich) in all Models

(This version of Android is Current and Stable. It is recommended for use with Processors with clock speeds above 1 GHz.)

Display Size

  • 7” in all Models

(This is a Popular Display Size in Tablets.)

Processor

  • TZ100                    1 GHz Cortex A9 Processor
  • TZ200                    1.2 GHz Cortex A8 Processor
  • TZ100                    1.2 GHz Cortex A8 Processor

(The Faster the Processor, the Better it is, specially for applications which use more ‘Processor Resources’ and during ‘Multi-Tasking’. Implementations of Cortex A8 Processors are also used in popular Apple products. Processors (CPUs) inside most Tablets and Smartphones are built inside Multi-Function/Multi-Processor (CPU+GPU+VPU+DPU+CIS +TPC) Packages also known as ‘System-on-Chip or SOC. Before purchasing any Chinese re-branded or unbranded Android Tablet or Smartphone, you should verify the ‘Maximum Speed’ of its Processor using popular Benchmarking Software like Quadrant and AnTuTu, available free-of-cost at the Google Play Store.)

Important Consumer Alert: Importers like LAVA International Ltd. are misleading Consumers of Tablets by misrepresenting and wrongly advertising the Processor Speed of their E-Tab Z7H Tablet as 1.2GHz whereas it is actually just 1GHz. Lava has not only printed the wrong and misleading Processor Speed of its E-Tab Z7H Tablet on the Tablet’s Retail Box Packaging and its Downloadable User Manual, but is also wrongly advertising and selling it on the websites of online retailers like Flipkart, Ezoneonline, Snapdeal, Infibeam, etc.

Check-out the following wrong and misleading Processor Specifications and Advertisements/Offers of the LAVA E-Tab Z7H Tablet. All these Advertisements/Offers carry a wrong and misleading Processor Speed. The Actual Processor Speed of 1GHz of the Lava E-Tab Z7H Tablet is also shown below. If you own a LAVA E-Tab Z7H, ask your Retailer for a Refund. A “Detailed Product Review” and “Video Review” of the Lava E-Tab Z7H Tablet is coming soon on this Site, stay tuned.

Click on Pictures above for an enlarged view.

(PANTEL uses a 1 GHz Cortex A8 Processor in the T-Pad IS-701C and is available for Rs.4999/-)

Screen and Touch Screen Type

  • TZ100                    7”LCD Multi-Touch Capacitive Touch Screen
  • TZ200                    7”LCD Multi-Touch Capacitive Touch Screen
  • TZ300                    7”LCD Resistive Touch Screen

(A multi-touch Capacitive Touch Screen offers a better ‘Touch’ and ‘User Experience’ in comparison to a Resistive Touch Screen.)

Screen Resolution

  • TZ100                    1024*600
  • TZ200                    800*480
  • TZ300                    800*480

(The Higher the Resolution the Better it is, with low resolution displays, tiny grains are visible in pictures. 800*480 is the resolution in most entry-level Tablets. Don’t expect the Display Quality of a Samsung Tab 2 or an iPad in any brand of low cost Tablets.)

Camera

  • TZ100                    Front Camera: 0.3MP for Video Call. Rear Camera: 3MP
  • TZ200                    Front Camera: 0.3MP for Video Call, Rear Camera: Not Available
  • TZ300                    Front Camera: 0.3MP for Video Call, Rear Camera: Not Available

(Don’t expect a very good quality picture/video quality from a 0.3MP Camera in any Tablet. Your Mobile phone’s Camera would take better Pictures than most Tablets.)

Battery

  • TZ100                    4200 mAh
  • TZ200                    3000 mAh
  • TZ300                    3000 mAh

(The Higher the capacity of the Battery in mAh or mili-ampere-hours, the more run time you will get from your Tablet. Batteries of 3000 mAh or up to 15% lower capacity are found in most entry-level Tablets.)

GSM/EDGE/WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA CONNECTIVITY AND SIM SLOT

  • TZ100                    Yes. Also with Wi-Fi and 3G USB Dongle Support. SIM locked to MTNL Network.
  • TZ200                    Not Provided. Wi-Fi and 3G USB Dongle Support
  • TZ300                    Not Provided. Wi-Fi and 3G USB Dongle Support

(A SIM slot is not provided in Wi-Fi only Tablets. Being MTNL branded Tablets, SIMs of other Mobile Operators will not work with the TZ100 Tablet.)

WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

  • TZ100                    IEEE 802.11 b/ g/ n compliant
  • TZ200                    IEEE 802.11 b/ g/ n compliant
  • TZ300                    IEEE 802.11 b/ g/ n compliant

(Almost all Wireless Tablets are IEEE compliant today. However, some Tablets and other Devices may not be compatible to your existing Wireless Router.)

BLUETOOTH

  • TZ100                    Yes. Version 2.1
  • TZ200                    Not Provided
  • TZ300                    Not Provided

(Bluetooth is not provided in entry level 7” Wi-Fi only Tablets.)

HDMI

  • TZ100                    Yes
  • TZ200                    Yes
  • TZ300                    Not Provided

(Port Type Information Not Available)

(Useful for viewing High Definition Multimedia Content a TV equipped with a HDMI Port. Practical utility varies from user-to-user. Can be used only if your TV is equipped with an HDMI Port.)

SENSORS

  • TZ100                    GPS, Digital Compass and 3-D Gravity Sensor
  • TZ200                    3-D Gravity Sensor
  • TZ300                    3-D Gravity Sensor

(GPS and Digital Compass are not provided in entry level 7” Wi-Fi only Tablets. Useful for Travelers and for Geo-tagging.)

USB Connectivity

  • TZ100                    Yes. USB 2.0
  • TZ200                    Yes. USB 2.0
  • TZ300                    Yes. USB 2.0

(Port Type Information Not Available)

(Very Useful Interface for connecting 3G Dongles, Pen Drives, Mini Keyboards, Webcams, Card-readers, etc.)

[PANTEL offers a Full Size USB Port in T-Pad IS701C.]

Multimedia Support

  • RM/RMVB, MPEG, MKV, AVI, FLV, VP8, file format up to 1080P in All Models

(The more is the type/number of File Formats supported by the Manufacturer, the better it is for Cross-Platform Multimedia Playback. Otherwise, you will have to download and install CODEC packs from the Google Play Store)

[PANTEL offers support for playback of more Multimedia File Formats in T-Pad IS701C.]

Memory

  • RAM                                      512 MB in all Models
  • Internal Memory                4 GB in all Models
  • External Memory               Up to 32 GB using a Micro SD Card in all Models

(The more the RAM, Internal Memory and External Memory, the better it is. The above mentioned Memory Specifications are common in most entry-level Tablets in the price range of over Rs.5,000/-.)

Dimensions

  • TZ100                                    190*120.5*10.8 mm
  • TZ200                                    195.8*122.8*12.6 mm
  • TZ300                                    192*121*12.37 mm

Are these Products Current?

  • TZ100                                    Yes
  • TZ200                                    Yes
  • TZ300                                    The Resistive Touchscreen is a let down.

Do these Products offer Good Value?

  • TZ100                                     Yes
  • TZ200                                    No. The Price is on the Higher Side
  • TZ300                                    No. The Resistive Touchscreen is a let down.

Pre-Sales, Technical and After-Sales Support?

Too early to comment.

Build Quality and Performance Review

Have not tested or reviewed these Tablets yet.

Price Prediction

To successfully compete with entry-level Tablets of other brands like PANTEL, MICROMAX, KARBONN, ZYNC, etc. the prices of TZ200 and TZ300 may come down soon.

Is this the right time to buy these Tablets?

Prices of entry level 7” Wi-Fi only Tablets are dropping every day due to growing demand and competition. Buy a 7” Capacitive Touch Screen based Branded Tablet in the price range of Rs.4,000/- to Rs.5,000/-. Don’t consider unbranded Chinese Tablets with Resistive Touch available in the market for Rs.2,000/- to Rs.3,500/-.

Before purchasing any budget Android Tablet you should verify the ‘Maximum Speed’ of its Processor using popular Benchmarking Software like Quadrant and AnTuTu, both available free-of-cost at the Google Play Store. During the last 30 days Quadrant and AnTuTu Benchmarking Software has been individually downloaded 1 – 5 Million times. (Statistics Source: Google Play Store). You may also use other Benchmarking and System Information Applications like Elixir2, Z-Device Test, Passmark Performance Test, CPU/RAM/Device Identifier and Linpack for the same.

For more informartion on TERACOM-MTNL Tablets

Visit http://teracomstore.in

Featured Image: MTNL-TERACOM Tablet TZ100. Image Credit: Teracom website

Coming Soon, Detailed Reviews of :

LAVA ETAB Z7H Tablet, LG Optimus 4x HD Smartphone and LAVA XOLO Smartphone

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