After testing the Flytouch 3, I cannot recommend for daily use - especially for students.
Not worth even making a review video... Cannot get real support, must go to a forum. Asked where I bought it from a question and got back a "canned response".
I suggest that you buy from a real company and buy a real tablet such as http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=782473&sku=A50-101201%20BC or even http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=7212231&sku=V18-0020
The school is going with one of the above two. They have agreed to send one of each model for testing.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Placing My Order For Flytouch 3
Greetings to all! Terry Jett here.
I was tasked by a print magazine to review the Flytouch 3 and at the same time give my recommendation to a private school here in Dallas. The school wants to get a cheap (but reliable) Android pad for all their 10-12th graders and the magazine wants a review / article about my work for the school.
I want to make it clear up front that I am paying for the Flytouch from my own pocket. I plan to donate 50% of the funds I receive from the review directly to the school for purchase of their tablets if they decide to go with the Flytouch 3.
Once the review is done, Adsense will be placed on this blog and all revenue generated will go to the Charity of my choice.
Also note this is a "rough draft" that will be proofed at a later date, but all facts will remain the same - unchanged / unedited.
I wanted to start from day one when placing my order for a new Flytouch 3 / Superpad 3 from Meri Mobiles.
I will post each step here in new posts. The next post will pickup when I receive my order and unbox it. This will be recorded with my video camera.
The order process when smooth. Ordered on 11 June 2011 around 8am EST. I even had a question about the firmware upgrade and was answered within 8 hours after placing my order.
I ordered the "Flytouch 3/Superpad 3 1Ghz Android 2.2 Built in GPS 512MB, 16GB version" for $209.99. As this is a true and honest review, here is a direct link to their sales page (no affiliate link): http://www.merimobiles.com/Flytouch_3_1Ghz_Android_2_2_Built_inGPS_512MB_16GB_p/meri0636.htm
After ordering I found some differences in their screenshots and the videos of their unboxing. Watch the video below I made showing the screenshots and their YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pai-iHFE-s).
I am a little concerned to say the least. From my understanding there are many clones of the Flytouch. At this point I feel Meri Mobile is a for real company, but since this is my first order from them - * little uneasy.
Today (June 14th, 2011) I contacted support via the email option since their live support was offline asking about the difference between the screenshots and their video. Will update this with their response.
*UPDATE: Just spoke with Meri Mobile support (June 14th, 2011 @ 10:20am CST). Feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Their support (chat) was great and has assured me that the model I ordered is the latest version. The old version has two "TF" slots and the new version has 1 "TF" slot. Will update this when I get shipping information.
Remember I ordered Saturday (on purpose) the 11th around 8am CST. Today is the 14th around 4pm CST and order is being processed. Company clearly states it can take 3 business days to process your order. Then I upgraded shipping for $17 which states 3-6 business days. If you are in a hurry, this may not be for you - but I have a feeling well worth the wait.
UPDATE: Today is 15 June 2011 @ 5:45am CST. My order is still in processing status. This will be the third business day since I ordered on the 11th.
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 12 noon CST and still processing order. Told I might get by the 21st with my $17 extra delivery fee.
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 6:15pm CST and still processing order...
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 9:25pm CST - Just finished having dinner with School Master and they are going to go with whatever I recommend for their Android pads (yipeeee! they have approx 119 students enrolled next year in grades 10-12 and each will get one = 119 pads). Also got confirmation that another company is sending me a Samsung pad at no charge to test. I will test the Flytouch first and have placed another order for one from different company (wanted two anyway - one for my wife a special education teacher) to ensure I have one to actually test while on vacation.
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 11:00pm CST and MeriMobiles says still processing order...
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 7:15am CST and MeriMobiles says still processing order...
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 8:35am CST contacted support via telephone and left message.
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 10:05am CST contacted support via chat and told they are waiting on DHL to provide tracking number?
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 1:15pm CST and MeriMobiles says still processing order. Remember that site states 3 business days max to process order. I ordered on 11 June...
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 2:15pm CST - MeriMobile support closed for the day and still no shipping confirmation. Have doubts I will recommend the school to buy 119 tablets from them. Would be very embarrassed if they were treated the same. Hard to recommend someone spend 119 x $209 = $24,871 on a promise:) I already have a tracking number for the other Flytouch ordered yesterday from another company and I only paid an extra $26 for shipping.
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 2:30pm CST - Received email saying was shipped and next email will include tracking number. Maybe I am thinking they update their order system in real time? Guess it is a manual process.
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 2:45pm CST - Received email (and call) that the "Galaxy Tab 7 inch Wifi Androd 2.2 16GB 1GHZ Wifi 802.11 B/G/N" has been shipped for my review. Have a feeling that it is going to be out of the school price range though. Not to mention lacking in features specified by school IT person.
UPDATE: 17 June 2011 @ 8:45am CST - Just discovered that unit has finally shipped from MeriMobile. So it had not been shipped as told. At this point feel as I have been mislead with the stated shipping times. 5 days is not 3 days, no real biggie but I am old school - you do what you say you will do...
UPDATE: 17 June 2011 @ 2:30pm CST - If MeriMobile would have gotten the order out as stated on their website (3 days max) I would have gotten before leaving on vacation. If package is not delivered by 22nd I will not be able to test/review their Flytouch. Leaving at 1pm on 22nd for week in the sun and neighbor may have to sign for package. At this time DHL has picked up in Hong Kong but no delivery date shown.
Other company shows the 2nd Flytouch I ordered will be delivered on 21st and may have to use it in review. Shame, really wanted to use the MeriMobile one in review...
NOTE TO FRAN: Pls process the above content in word processor for backup...
I was tasked by a print magazine to review the Flytouch 3 and at the same time give my recommendation to a private school here in Dallas. The school wants to get a cheap (but reliable) Android pad for all their 10-12th graders and the magazine wants a review / article about my work for the school.
I want to make it clear up front that I am paying for the Flytouch from my own pocket. I plan to donate 50% of the funds I receive from the review directly to the school for purchase of their tablets if they decide to go with the Flytouch 3.
Once the review is done, Adsense will be placed on this blog and all revenue generated will go to the Charity of my choice.
Also note this is a "rough draft" that will be proofed at a later date, but all facts will remain the same - unchanged / unedited.
I wanted to start from day one when placing my order for a new Flytouch 3 / Superpad 3 from Meri Mobiles.
I will post each step here in new posts. The next post will pickup when I receive my order and unbox it. This will be recorded with my video camera.
The order process when smooth. Ordered on 11 June 2011 around 8am EST. I even had a question about the firmware upgrade and was answered within 8 hours after placing my order.
I ordered the "Flytouch 3/Superpad 3 1Ghz Android 2.2 Built in GPS 512MB, 16GB version" for $209.99. As this is a true and honest review, here is a direct link to their sales page (no affiliate link): http://www.merimobiles.com/Flytouch_3_1Ghz_Android_2_2_Built_inGPS_512MB_16GB_p/meri0636.htm
After ordering I found some differences in their screenshots and the videos of their unboxing. Watch the video below I made showing the screenshots and their YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pai-iHFE-s).
Today (June 14th, 2011) I contacted support via the email option since their live support was offline asking about the difference between the screenshots and their video. Will update this with their response.
*UPDATE: Just spoke with Meri Mobile support (June 14th, 2011 @ 10:20am CST). Feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Their support (chat) was great and has assured me that the model I ordered is the latest version. The old version has two "TF" slots and the new version has 1 "TF" slot. Will update this when I get shipping information.
Remember I ordered Saturday (on purpose) the 11th around 8am CST. Today is the 14th around 4pm CST and order is being processed. Company clearly states it can take 3 business days to process your order. Then I upgraded shipping for $17 which states 3-6 business days. If you are in a hurry, this may not be for you - but I have a feeling well worth the wait.
---- Below is my diary while I await the Flytouch to arrive ----
UPDATE: Today is 15 June 2011 @ 5:45am CST. My order is still in processing status. This will be the third business day since I ordered on the 11th.
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 12 noon CST and still processing order. Told I might get by the 21st with my $17 extra delivery fee.
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 6:15pm CST and still processing order...
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 9:25pm CST - Just finished having dinner with School Master and they are going to go with whatever I recommend for their Android pads (yipeeee! they have approx 119 students enrolled next year in grades 10-12 and each will get one = 119 pads). Also got confirmation that another company is sending me a Samsung pad at no charge to test. I will test the Flytouch first and have placed another order for one from different company (wanted two anyway - one for my wife a special education teacher) to ensure I have one to actually test while on vacation.
UPDATE: 15 June 2011 @ 11:00pm CST and MeriMobiles says still processing order...
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 7:15am CST and MeriMobiles says still processing order...
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 8:35am CST contacted support via telephone and left message.
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 10:05am CST contacted support via chat and told they are waiting on DHL to provide tracking number?
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 1:15pm CST and MeriMobiles says still processing order. Remember that site states 3 business days max to process order. I ordered on 11 June...
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 2:15pm CST - MeriMobile support closed for the day and still no shipping confirmation. Have doubts I will recommend the school to buy 119 tablets from them. Would be very embarrassed if they were treated the same. Hard to recommend someone spend 119 x $209 = $24,871 on a promise:) I already have a tracking number for the other Flytouch ordered yesterday from another company and I only paid an extra $26 for shipping.
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 2:30pm CST - Received email saying was shipped and next email will include tracking number. Maybe I am thinking they update their order system in real time? Guess it is a manual process.
UPDATE: 16 June 2011 @ 2:45pm CST - Received email (and call) that the "Galaxy Tab 7 inch Wifi Androd 2.2 16GB 1GHZ Wifi 802.11 B/G/N" has been shipped for my review. Have a feeling that it is going to be out of the school price range though. Not to mention lacking in features specified by school IT person.
UPDATE: 17 June 2011 @ 8:45am CST - Just discovered that unit has finally shipped from MeriMobile. So it had not been shipped as told. At this point feel as I have been mislead with the stated shipping times. 5 days is not 3 days, no real biggie but I am old school - you do what you say you will do...
UPDATE: 17 June 2011 @ 2:30pm CST - If MeriMobile would have gotten the order out as stated on their website (3 days max) I would have gotten before leaving on vacation. If package is not delivered by 22nd I will not be able to test/review their Flytouch. Leaving at 1pm on 22nd for week in the sun and neighbor may have to sign for package. At this time DHL has picked up in Hong Kong but no delivery date shown.
Other company shows the 2nd Flytouch I ordered will be delivered on 21st and may have to use it in review. Shame, really wanted to use the MeriMobile one in review...
NOTE TO FRAN: Pls process the above content in word processor for backup...
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