Pocketbook IQ 701

Pocketbook IQ 701

Made by: Pocketbook
Released: November 20, 2010
Predecessor: None
Languages Supported: Multiple
File Types Supported: EPUB (Adobe DRM), FB2, FB2.zip, TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML, PRC, CHM, DJVU, TCR, JPG, BMP, PNG, TIF, MP3
Price=$149 (USA) / €159 (Europe)

Overview

The Pocketbook IQ 701 is a 7" LCD resistive touch Android tablet running custom firmware to allow the purchase, downloading and reading of eBooks. In addition multiple Android apps can be added to read additional formats.

Specifications

Display: 7" LCD 4:3 800 x 600 Resistive Touch. Rotation 90, 180 and 270 degrees
CPU: Samsung 800MHz 256 MB Ram
Operating System: Android 2.0
Communication: WiFi 802.11 B/G/N
Connectivity: Mini USB (v 2.0)
Audio Out: 3.5 mm stereo .5w x 2 speakers
Ebook Formats: Epub (Adobe DRM),Fb2, FB2.zip, TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML, PRC, CHM, DJVU, DOC, EPUB, TCR
Image Formats: JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF
Audio Formats: Mp3
Special Function: Text to Speech supports Multiple Languages
Additional Software: Supports all apps compatible w/Android 2.0
Memory: 2GB Internal and up to 32GB External SD Card
Battery: Li-Polymer 7.5v 1600 mAh
Power Supply: Input 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz, 0.2A Output 5V 1A
Size: 144x192x14 mm
Weight: 526g (18.2 ounces)

History

The IQ is the first Android tablet by Pocketbook. The hardware is similar to the PanDigital Novel (White) with the addition of three hardware buttons.

Firmware Versions

Pre-November 20, 2010 - The IQ was shipped to dealers with firmware from the factory. This firmware can be determined by the white color of the home screen. The wallpaper is a picture of deep blue water.
November 20, 2010 - The first firmware update was released only to resellers on November 20, 2010. This firmware gave the home screen a yellowish color. This firmware was not made available to the general public. The wallpaper is a picture of deep blue water.
December 4, 2010 - v2.0.2 - The first public release of firmware for the IQ. Its home screen is also yellowish, but the wallpaper has changed to a cartoon drawing of ladybugs on a green background. The Android File Browser has been replaced with AndExplorer. (Warning: Apps you installed will be lost. So make a backup! You will not lose any data that resides in the 2GB internal storage.)
December 9, 2010 - v2.0.3 - Localization and SMS\MMS are removed from the firmware resulting in a smaller firmware package. Minor bug fixes. Downloading of books from Bookland is now enabled. This update does not wipe out your apps. AndExplorer has been replaced with OI File Manager, SAM has been updated from 3.5 to 4.0.

Android Apps

The IQ runs Android 2.0 (Eclair) and is open for the user to install Android apps. A more comprehensive list is being set up by Dulin's Books, one of its sellers, and will be available soon.

Current apps known to work:

Adobe Reader 9
Aldiko
Amazon Kindle
eReader
Astro File Manager
Opera Mini
Skyfire
Dolphin Browser and Dolphin Browser HD 4
OruxMaps 3.2.7 Online + Offline maps including Google Maps and Google Earth
Overdrive Media Console v2.0 Android Checkout and download and read ePub Public Library books directly.
EStrongs file manager - no ads, and you can access the LAN as well
Olive Tree BibleReader 4
Open Home
Any Web Copy
BI Notes
Dropbox
Lookout
MobileWrite
Note Everything
Task Manager

How to Root

Rooting the device means winning superuser privileges, which allow the user to tweak the device to his liking: uninstalling the prepackaged applications, installing many apps and utilities which require root privileges, and even substituting official firmware versions for third-party ones. It is NOT 100% safe (though it's been tried and tested in most Android devices), it may brick your device, and it will probably void your warranty.

In order to root the Pocketbook IQ, it is necessary to install the LauncherPro app, which provides an alternative homescreen. This is necessary because it will allow us a shortcut to put the device on Debug Mode, which is mandatory to be able to root the device. [clemenseken: ADWlauncher will do as well.]

Once LauncherPro is installed and running, the following steps should be done:

1. Long-press the homescreen untill you get the 'Add to Home screen' window.

2. Choose: Shortcuts->Activities->Settings->Development (com.android.settings.DevelopmentSettings)

3. Lauch the newly created Development shortcut and check USB debugging.

4. Download the app called "Z4ROOT", install and use it (it's absolutely trivial) to get full root access. It is MANDATORY that, before you launch z4root, you have checked "USB debugging" in the previous step. The rooting process won't work otherwise.

Once the device restarts, you probably see an black icon with an Android and two "crossed bones" which says "Superuser privileges" in the home screen. You do not need to have it on sight, so you can hide it like any other app you don't want to have there.

In order to unroot, just execute Z4ROOT again and tell it to "Un-root your device".

Where To Buy?

Pocketbook does have presence in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, the Baltic countries, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and outside of Europe in the USA, Israel, Kazakhstan and Taiwan. It is possible to find even more countries that each Pocketbook division ships to (e.g, the German center ships to the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland.

Some of the stores are collected here:

Pocketbook IQ 701