Craig CMP 738a Information

[xaueious]

Specs
Android 2.1
Rockchip RK2818 ARM9 at 622MHz
Average battery life 3+ hours?
up to 720p playback of multiple video types
USB hosting via full USB port (keyboards, USB thumbsticks, limited USB 3G support)
7" 800x480 resistive touch
wifi

CVS (USA): $100
$99 Android 7" Tablet At CVS (Some Markets) Page 7 of circular. - Slickdeals.net
Zellers (Canada): $150

XDA:
Craig 7" Tablet - CMP 738a Rooted - xda-developers

Google Code custom firmware:
cmp738a - Project Hosting on Google Code

To install custom firmware (instructions from XDA):

To install, save the file to the internal memory as update.img and remove the usb cable; it will prompt you to update.

RK2818 firmware packaging instructions:
ArchosFans: http://wiki.archosfans.com/index.php?title=Dump_your_Home_Tablet_rom_and_create_a_custom_rom
My old writeup: http://www.androidtablets.net/forum...-repack-custom-firmwares-rockchip-rk28xx.html

(pictures by shadowreaper on XDA)

 

[yeahha]

I purchased this tablet yesterday and rooted to get the market. I have found a case/usb keyboard online. Does the USB port allow for a keyboard as is. I want to use wordpress on the tablet but not with the onscreen keyboard. Thanks!

 

[Marty Devoid]

Just snagged a CMP738 at lunch at the local CVS for $99.00. This is an entry-level Android device for me. I plan on doing as much experimentation on this tablet as I can, with intentions to root it later when I get home. This will give me a relatively cheap tablet to monkey around with until I pull the trigger on a more sophisticated device later this year. I've got my eye on that 10" Toshiba pad.

 

[yeahha]

Rooting this tablet was incredibly easy. It works well as a web portal. I tried to use the slideme market it had installed and I couldn't stand the constant failures to download. Seeing as it was not expensive I had lower expetations however the tablet has impressed me overall.

Over at XDA they have both the 2.1 root image and a 2.2 rom as well, I used the 2.1 root image as some of the known problems on the 2.2 rom include wifi connection issues and freezing on the boot screen. I have 2.2 on my phone and as the hardware on the tablet will not support multi touch I dont have a real need to go to 2.2, flash support is available in 2.2 but I will try to load skyfire on the tablet and see if it will play flash video if so I will likely stick with 2.1

 

[MsCutieOnDuty]

I just bout this tablet also and just curious what system it is running on? also wanting to know the benefits of rooting and how to do so. any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tipstir]

I gave it another shot again tonight found one at upscale CVS for $77 bucks New! Since I had returned one I had extra Gift Card. It found my APNs and up and running again. I have until May to return it if want too.

 

[tipstir]

See I see the same issue that I had with the prior. Funny a different state and different CVS upscale drug store and it still has the same issue. I bet all of them this way and most buyers are unaware of this issue with the panel.

Craig

Coby

Maylong

 

[xaueious]

That screen is messed up. Surprised no one noticed.

By the way, the casing looks very similar to the capaciive RK2818 that has been circulating, with the exception that the front bezel houses 3 buttons and a resistive touchscreen. The internals should be largely identical.

 

[Marty Devoid]

The Craig I bought at the local CVS (Scranton, PA) was behind the counter, but in clear view on a high shelf. I flashed it last night using Shad's 4.2 build on the XDA forum and it's running like a champ. Got the Market on first try without any additional workarounds. I didn't try the Froyo build because of the assorted issues, I can wait a bit until a more final build is ready. I'm going to fiddle with the battery and WiFi settings today, along with testing the CMP738a playing video and music files. So far, so good!

 

[tipstir]

You can clearly see the panel defective. Thin lines around the edges.

I have noticed that text cutoff on the left edge of mine, too (landscape with "Craig" logo on top). Looks either like a classic video adjustment issue (hsync on LCD possible?), or imprecise placement of the LCD panel within the bezel, which I suspect is more likely considering the price point. Simple fix: rotate 180 degrees for apps where it matters like a terminal session

But then the placement of the top layer on the screen (protector? anti-glare? digitizer?) might be more noticeable as there is a gap of about that same 1mm or so on that side. Hmm... maybe that is also imprecise screen placement issue - everything shifted that way? Oh well, for <$100 we may have to overlook the "edge cases"

First 1

Second 1

 

[tipstir]

Finally got this rooted and had to clean out the cache a few times before market would kick it. Works now! I'll keep this at $77 bucks not going to get anything cheaper for this price. If and when they get Froy 2.2 work for now I'll just run 2.1 and got all my tweaks in place.

 

[Marty Devoid]

Finally got the Market working and downloaded an array of apps. Grabbed the ACV comic reader and Adobe PDF reader apps. I'm pleasantly surprised by how well comics can be read on the Craig. Yeah, it's a bit small, but I have no trouble reading the comics. This cheap little tab continues to impress. My expectations were low and the Craig has far exceeded all of them. This should hold me over until the eventual flood of 10 inch Honeycomb tabs in a couple months.

 

[yeahha]

I just bout this tablet also and just curious what system it is running on? also wanting to know the benefits of rooting and how to do so. any info would be greatly appreciated.

Rooting will give you access to the android market, which is much better than the slideme market that is on this tablet stock. You can also remove some system apps you do not use to free up internal memory. In order to do this you must use root explorer or titanium backup, removing some system apps can cause issues however others will not, if you are unsure you may want to check on a forum if it is okay.

If someone makes a different kernal for this tablet then being rooted you should be able to overclock the processor. By rooting you are also installing a custom version of the OS that allows more than the stock info.

----

With people having issues with the screen, please remember we have all purchased a tablet PC for less than $100. My screen does not have an alignment issue on the side as the pictures show however I have a dead spot on some of the edges. It does not affect my use of the tablet, I noticed it by playing around with a paint program however my general use of the tablet is websurfing and ebooks and it does not affect this at all. I doubt the alignment issue would either as you can scroll on websites and there are ebook reader apps on the market that are much better than the stock ebook reader that allow you to determine how far indented the text is.

 

[tipstir]

I am going after CVS Corp have those who want to keep the tablet as it should get some sort of perk back either $25 or $30 or even $50 in a CVS GiFT Care card otherwise most might just want to return it. Still you should get what you have paid for why settle for less. You had a lot for it. Then you have purchased a use item for a new price. Of course you can return it or have Craig repair for $20 out of your pocket. I say let CVS issues us a perk to save the deal. I'll let you know if I hear back from CVS using my business contact. Otherwise they won't answer the message.

 

[rokky]

Wow! Those internal pix are nice. They seem to show a lot of empty space - I am imagining how much more compact the Craig could be with a bit of efficient case design. Maybe it is time to get a Dremel tool, and do some case modding

How did you get it open? I took out the 2 tiny screws on the end with all the ports, and it started to come apart but seemed a bit hung on the corner under the buttons (landscape mode with "CRAIG" label on top), so I quit rather than break internal tabs.

TIA