Class, but only after firmware update and a little tuning

I have the Ainol Novo 9 Spark for eight days and was initially disappointed. The edge and the back are not really black, but rather anthracite. The build quality is quite good - better than I thought for the price. The wireless signal was relatively weak - as it is reported in the Internet everywhere. Remedy has not fixed switching the wireless channel to 11. Then I tried a couple of "Custom"-ROMs, but the only one who had to use rudimentary, was the CM10 CyanogenMod - even if the tablet is not every night or week is recompiled and therefore also the whole teething problems older CM10 in it stuck. Unfortunately, the Retina Display with CM10 is driven only with 1920x1080 instead of 2048x1536 and the keyboard responds more than sluggish. Positive, however, is that it can be charged via USB with CM10 - that goes with the original firmware is not as long as the tablet is not shut down - for whatever reason. Anyway, I am so hopeful that after the release of the 4.2.2 JB sources is new material at the start soon. I'm back to the original (floor) Firmware Version "Novo9 Spark LX 20130422v1" from 05.07.2013, almost all is well. The wireless signal is now better than before and there are no longer crashes when browsing. The setting of channel 11 has not improved or worsened with my Fritz! Box at the reception. Currently is the reception of Novo9 at 80% - just as well as with my smartphone. The only downer is that all apps can not be installed from the Play Store, because the Novo 9 shall be incompatible alleged. There are for the "Market Helper", which fixes the problem until the next reboot Fortunately. There are also various Zips, which can be flashed over and Recovery for the changes to remain permanently. Next problem is Youtube - running in the current version, but brings only sound and no picture. On the web, however, you will find this an older Youtube APK, which you can simply install over it and then the problem is gone. You should disable automatic updates of PlayStore here. Another disadvantage is the arrangement of the built-in speakers. These are in portrait mode at the bottom left and right. But if you want to watch movies, both speakers on the right side. Presumably disturbs but not because they view the movies anyway used headphones. The micro SD card is about 0.9mm from the slot out - that could ensure a better solution, but is ultimately not a problem for me, the power of the 1 GHz quad-core A7 is sufficient for most applications or. acceptable. In "The Simpsons: Springfield" but he also comes up against its limits and it jerky more than on a 1.5GHz dual-core. It may be that here the resolution is higher, and thus the comparison is somewhat ;-)

The flashing the firmware is a breeze with the PhoenixSuit (without e at the end), which included in the archives of the original firmware. Unfortunately, that only works with Windows - Mac and Linux users need only unpack the IMG with a special software, then convert and then ADB or the recovery going (I have not tested that though). The update software itself is Chinese, but after the update you can also choose English. If the tablet is not found after the update of PhoenixSuit, you can switch it off first. Then holding it pressed for example the Home button, plugged the USB cable to the computer and then press 10-15 times the on / off switch of Novo9. The PhoenixSuit candidate must possess a special mode. Here you go first to update, select the IMG and click Update. Then comes the message, which indicates aforementioned steps again and then eventually starts the update. I was just, if you come from one of the custom ROM and back to the original will.

So I can work with the Novo 9, I have installed the latest firmware. Then I changed the language and then uninstalled the RootAppDelete the entire Chinese preinstalled apps. Then install the Market Helper and installed my apps on the Play Goals. The whole process takes so according to their own abilities about 15-30 minutes. Thus, the display does not reflect outside or in the car so I'm going to buy myself an anti-reflective film. For transport should still set a shell you look well. I must continue to do so. From its dimensions, it is comparable to the iPad. The with Retina display is a little thicker, but that Novo 9 is still a millimeter thick (10,7mm). The magnetic Sleeve does not fit (without tags), believe me :-)

Connections (from left to right):
- DC-IN (2.5mm x 0.7mm power connector - very difficult to get in Germany)
- Micro-SD card
- MicroUSB
- Microphone
- Mini-HDMI (not micro)
- Headphones 3,5mm

Keys:
- On / Off button
- Volume rocker +/-
- Home button

Delivery (to me):
- Novo 9
- Power supply (In: 100-240V ~ @ 50 / 60Hz, 0.5A; Out: 5V =, 3.0A)
- Screen Protector (I immediately removed)
- Warranty card and minimal instructions booklet (both in Chinese)

Conclusion: For the money you can really expect much, but here you can not go wrong (if you invest a little time and effort). I would Ainol Novo 9 Spark buy again and again (it will this year certainly) and recommend it to anyone non-beginners. However, if you had no contact with Android and wants the tablet out of the box works without any handles, then you should perhaps rather take the competition more closely and invest some extra money. The mentioned negative points do not bother me so much that I would pull one or more stars here - let everyone decide for themselves.

Addendum 06.07.2013: I installed yesterday the first beta with JB 4.2.2 and provides everything so far in the shade. The jump from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2 finally brings it all with what is needed so that the tablet finally goes the way it might have been actually wanted from the beginning. I (with two exceptions) do not like the whole China-Apps, I decided again for CyanogenMod 10.1 and make it really fast running (compared to before). In principle, the "Stick-ROM" would be enough, but the tablet is now time not a smartphone. What bothers me is here also that I can not hide the "empty" display for signal strength. Why not consider the developers of the original firmware, is beyond me. No matter, because it can ensure CM10.1. Unfortunately, Android 4.2 has no special tablet surface (such as ICS or JB 4.1), but looks like the phone - ie above the black status bar with time and battery etc. and below the row that contains the virtual key for "Back", " Home "," Task Manager "and" Screenshot "(only the floor-ROM). Here I could AutoPatcher manage to generate the TabletUI patch from the CM10.1-ZIP, and installing via TWRP. Thus the upper status bar is integrated into the lower - place for it's enough ;-)