ASUS Memo Pad HD 7

A Great and Inexpensive 7-inch Tablet

I recently purchased an ASUS Memo Pad HD 7 from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/MeMOPad-HD-7-Inch-Blue-ME173X-A1-BL/dp/B00E0EY7Z6) for $149.00, and this morning I noticed that it's now being sold for $129.00.  Be sure that "ME173" is part of the product code since there is an earlier device (ME172) that is also sold by Amazon.  This tablet was the basis for the Google Nexus 7, also manufactured by ASUS.  But the Nexus 7 is quite a bit more expensive.  The other feature on the Memo Pad that's not included on the Nexus 7 is a micro-SD card slot that allows you to add up to an additional 32GB of storage.

I also purchased an ASUS Persona Cover for the tablet (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E60PW9Y/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item).  $19.00 was very reasonable, and it fits the tablet and is very attractive.

I'm a real fan for ASUS products, having two of their laptops in addition to the tablet.  The quality of their products and the included apps are very good.  All of the products I have are also very battery efficient with high performance.

Here's some information on the Memo Pad HD 7 from the ASUS website:

• Operating System
  Android^TM 4.2
• Display
  7" LED Backlight WXGA (1280x800) Screen
  IPS Panel
• CPU
  Quad-Core, 1.2 GHz
• Memory
  1GB
• Storage
  16GB *¹
  16GB One Year ASUS Webstorage Space *²
• Wireless Data Network
  WLAN802.11 b/g/n*³
  Bluetooth V4.0
• Camera
  1.2 MP Front Camera with Auto focus
  5 MP Rear Camera with Auto focuswith Auto focus
• Audio
  Stereo Speakers
• Interface
  1 x micro USB
  1 x Audio jack: Head phone/Mic
  1 x Card reader (Micro-SD up to 32G)
• Sensor
  1.G-Sensor
  2.E-compass
  3.Hall sensor
• Application
  Asus Launcher
  MyLibrary
  File Manager
  Kindle
  Zinio
  SuperNote Lite
  App Backup
  App Locker
• Battery
  10 hours; 15Wh Li-polymer Battery^*4
• Navigation
  Support
• Color
  White/Blue/Pink/Green
• Dimensions
  (WxDxH)
  7.7 x 4.7 x 0.4 inch
• Weight
  0.66 lbs
• Note
  *1: Actual available storage may vary due to device formatting and space reserved for the operating system and pre-installed apps.May vary by SKU and country.
  *2: Please visit www.asuswebstorage.com for more details.
  *3: May vary by SKU and country.
  *4: Battery life will vary according to use. Battery life measured by looping 720P video, brightness at 100nits, external microphone, WLAN/3G on and Gmail logged in for email and updates.
   
  For many people, the Kindle HDX or HD tablets are of interest, but they only include a front camera on the HDX and neither tablet has GPS, and you are really locked into the Amazon infrastructure.  The Memo Pad is a more generic Android device, and I've added the Amazon Appstore to my apps so that I can get some of their apps as well as most of my apps from Google Play.
   
  And compared to the Apple iPad mini, the Memo Pad HD 7 is so much less expensive with features not included in the mini, such as the micro-SD slot.  Unless you get the Wi-fi plus Cellular version there is no GPS for navigation.
  
  
  Take a look at the tablet if you're interested.  I'm very happy with it.
  
  
  
  

LG 840G

A Great Tracfone Device

I am a Tracfone user because I can never justify the costs associated with having a contract.  And I typically use the phone very little.  I've gone through several Tracfone devices and finally noticed the LG 840G, purchased it for around $50 and transferred my number.  At this time, Amazon sells the phone for about $28.

The phone is a semi-smart one that uses Java as the operating system and comes with a good assortment of apps.  Other apps can be added, but the selection is limited.  The ones that come with the phone are adequate for my use.

One advantage of this phone is that, in addition to accessing the Internet via the carrier (T-Mobile for me), it can also connect to  a wi-fi signal without using your minutes.  A browser is provided, and an Opera version is available as well. Gmail is also an app that can be added, and I was never able to really get the e-mail app included with the phone to work properly.  Texting is very simple compared to the phones I had been using, and the contact list allows you to call your friends or go directly to texting.

The 840G is also very small and able to be put into even small pockets.  And Tracfone gives you triple the minutes for this phone rather than the double minutes I got with my earlier phones.

Here are some of its features:

• Includes Triple Minutes for Life FREE
  
  This means that every paid Airtime Minute you add to this phone will be tripled. For example, Add a 60 minute Airtime Card and get 180 minutes. ***
• 3.2" Touchscreen Display
• Dimensions:
  • 4 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches (102 x 61 x 13 mm)
• Weight:
  • 3.8 oz (108 g)
• 3G/WiFi® Connectivity
• 2 MP Camera with Digital Zoom/Video Recorder
• Mobile Web
• Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
• 2 GB microSD Card Included
• MP3 Player (cable not included)
• SMS and MMS Picture Messaging
• Hands-Free Speaker
• Voice/Sound Recorder
• Alarm Clock
• Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) Rating: M3/T3
• Phonebook with up to 1,000 entries
• Battery talk time up to 3.7 hours
• Standby time up to 13 days
• Includes Battery, Charger, Activation Card, 2GB microSD Card and Service Guide
• TracFone Airtime Balance Display shows you how much airtime you've used and how much is left, so you control your costs 

If you're a Tracfone customer or if you are ready to abandon your phone service contract, I think you will find this phone a great choice.