NewsWeeZ
15/08/2010, 00:45
[Note: this review is based on a pre-production sample, then Caanoo version that will be sold may differ in hardware or software included]
(Based on my Italian review, sorry for not so good English translation)
Previous Part 1: http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/?p=2003
Software (Firmware v. 0.8.5)
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5452/infonh.png
Let’s start quickly with the worst “blow” about software, i.e. compatibility with Wiz. From tests carried out there is no one Wiz application that works on Caanoo, neither that 4/5 GP2X apps which started without problems on Wiz. This is probably due to different firmware between two devices: so either we will have compatibility (at least with part) of Wiz games and emulators by a future firmware or everything will must be recompiled (and where necessary, adapted) for Caanoo. Certainly nothing that gives big obstacles, but this means at its launch there would be only a few apps available.
Let’s see consoling features: as I wrote startup is very fast, and you really notice immediately greater care in menus and applications developed by GPH. For example, you can now safely remove and reinsert SD card when the console is on. “Mount/unmount” operation is automatic and is shown by an icon at the top of screen. Not having a NAND memory available and when no card is inserted, the system warns about this.
Default menu can be navigated by both stick and touchscreen, in particular they have finally added possibility to scroll bar for browsing files by touch (they should just run a bit ‘better scrolling). They maintained almost same icon management (through .ini file) so that you can customize that: beyond the “classical” icon on the left of name, for games and applications (hence “Games” & “Apps” section) you can add an additional image that is displayed on whole line (when selected).
It’s also remained similar the folder organization between “games”, “music”, “movie”, “apps”, etc. where it’s easy to understand which file types should be placed there.
A good thing is “Help” screen, which is activated by pressing the SELECT I, and for any apps displays keysand their respective purpose.
Music
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7624/music3.png http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/8068/music1.png
Supported formats are MP3, WAV, OGG and all work without problems. Besides a more pleasant interface, they added support for album art and you can choose between 6 different loop animations. Then, the usual operations such as repeat, random play and back/forward. As for Wiz, you can listen music while using photo viewer or ebook reader. By lock mode, commands are inhibited and screen turned off. Missing equalizers, but maybe they’ll add them in the future.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwgM4fj6734
Movies
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8329/movie1.png http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/3091/movie2.png
Tested a few DivX & XviD videos and they work fine (but I’m not sure about mpeg4). There’s subtitles support, you can set brightness on 4 different levels, and set display on full screen (4:3), 16:9, or that seems 14:9.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35A-vb4hPCs
Ebooks
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6334/ebook3.png http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8654/ebook2.png
Unfortunately, ebook reader developed by GPH continues to support only txt files, but they added some new features. You can set one of 10 different backgrounds, and there’s autoscroll function. Different fonts aren’t supported for the moment and font size is small (12 pts), medium (14 pts) or large (16 pt).
Photos
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/1166/image1gt.png
Classic image viewer with enlargement feature and customizable slideshow. If you try to open a too big image (I don’t know what is the maximum but it reaches 2000 px) or not supported format, it appears an error message. Animated gifs aren’t supported and it displays only the first frame.
Apps
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3172/microfono.png
Only application included in this section is recorder, which has nothing special and just records by microphone.
Explorer
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/481/explorer2.png
Here you are new function compared to Wiz, who had no File Manager. By this Explorer, you can browse all SD card and files are identified by the extension. So pictures, mp3, games, etc. have different icons, and clicking on associated application starts automatically. You can delete files or folders, but not other (I really hope they add at least copy function).
Settings
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2277/setting.png http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1473/testog.png
A quick list of every option: language setting (English, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish, French, Italian), screen brightness, vibration setting, usb host, date and time settings,
WiFi network configuration, test mode, touchscreen, firmware and information about device and restorefactory settings. I found no bugs trying these options.
Games
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7756/games1.png
Commercial game demos included are only Propis, Rhythmos and Asura Cross. Then there are a few arcade games that use a standalone Toaplan emulator (Demon’s World, Hellfire, Outzone, Snow Bros 1 & 2, Zero Wing), probably ported by GPH. They also included MAME4ALL & NeoGeo CD emus, but these won’t be present on retail version (of course, you can download them separately).
Here is a brief description of three commercial titles:
Propis
http://i34.tinypic.com/5mwe1i.png
Bejeweled style game, but with a slightly different gameplay. You should always match (in this case) propis by the same shapes and colors, so they are absorbed and you earn points and bonus. Difference is that you can make more moves at time (where propis already involved, remain locked) and before propis explode (in a few seconds) and are sucked from the protagonist, you can make a lot of combos. There are ten characters (I don’t know if they have to be unlocked in full game, since only two are active in demo version) and there are Story and Free mode.
Rhythmos
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2190/rhytmhos.png
I’m not a rhythm’n'game fan, but I must say that if you begin to do, it’s addicitive. There are two basic modes, where in BN mode you use stick and buttons to peck notes to right time, and in TN mode you make all clicking on screen. I tried both easy levels, but it was hard for me*http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-laughing.gif (it doesn’t mean that it’s so difficult http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif). The few songs included (with related videos) are very beautiful, but the “cheat” is for expanding this game, you must buy separately from FunGP (http://www.fungp.com/).
Asura Cross: First Contact
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8631/asurab.th.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/asurab.jpg/)
A nice fighting game like this is definitely to my liking. It’s been made with particular care on animations and light effects, and it’s also implemented vibration for blows so “you can feel them”. Characters are all original (no one seems cloning famous guys http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif), and playability is very good. Not with everyone you can jump around (as I like to do*http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-laughing.gif ), but depending character must use a more targeted approach to precise blows or taken.
Moreover life bar, if you have time to “take a breath”, increases, and winner isn’t always ruled by KnockOut, instead alternatively based on blow points. Pressing L trigger (when there’s a notch or more on Tension bar), it may give more powerful blows while we watch a nice slow motion. And for those who buys WiFi stick, he can challenge anyone by network.
Ultimately, this is the game I’m waiting for some years http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-cool.gif
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0PjHj1xM4E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQDGWMqmbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZGoAZZWf-A
Conclusion
Those are considered the major flaws of Caanoo (analog stick, rear speakers, battery) are overstated: I find worse the possible little ‘cut’ on top screen rows and Wiz compatibility, that perhaps it could be achieved with ad-hoc firmware (as opposed to recompile everything).
For people who own only GP2X F100/F200, it’s a good time to take a more powerful, improved handheld, and with the same “feeling”.
For those who have Wiz, it may not be worth expense (of course, if you like it enough, buy it anyway http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-wink.gif)
For those who haven’t GP2X or Wiz or an opensource handheld, it’s the ideal choice compared Dingoo, Pandora, or others.
Links
FunGP.com (http://www.fungp.com/)
GPH Official Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anyang-Si/GPH-Official/127461713948354)
Caanoo Archive (http://dl.openhandhelds.org/cgi-bin/caanoo.cgi)
Más información... (http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/?p=2022)
(Based on my Italian review, sorry for not so good English translation)
Previous Part 1: http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/?p=2003
Software (Firmware v. 0.8.5)
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5452/infonh.png
Let’s start quickly with the worst “blow” about software, i.e. compatibility with Wiz. From tests carried out there is no one Wiz application that works on Caanoo, neither that 4/5 GP2X apps which started without problems on Wiz. This is probably due to different firmware between two devices: so either we will have compatibility (at least with part) of Wiz games and emulators by a future firmware or everything will must be recompiled (and where necessary, adapted) for Caanoo. Certainly nothing that gives big obstacles, but this means at its launch there would be only a few apps available.
Let’s see consoling features: as I wrote startup is very fast, and you really notice immediately greater care in menus and applications developed by GPH. For example, you can now safely remove and reinsert SD card when the console is on. “Mount/unmount” operation is automatic and is shown by an icon at the top of screen. Not having a NAND memory available and when no card is inserted, the system warns about this.
Default menu can be navigated by both stick and touchscreen, in particular they have finally added possibility to scroll bar for browsing files by touch (they should just run a bit ‘better scrolling). They maintained almost same icon management (through .ini file) so that you can customize that: beyond the “classical” icon on the left of name, for games and applications (hence “Games” & “Apps” section) you can add an additional image that is displayed on whole line (when selected).
It’s also remained similar the folder organization between “games”, “music”, “movie”, “apps”, etc. where it’s easy to understand which file types should be placed there.
A good thing is “Help” screen, which is activated by pressing the SELECT I, and for any apps displays keysand their respective purpose.
Music
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7624/music3.png http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/8068/music1.png
Supported formats are MP3, WAV, OGG and all work without problems. Besides a more pleasant interface, they added support for album art and you can choose between 6 different loop animations. Then, the usual operations such as repeat, random play and back/forward. As for Wiz, you can listen music while using photo viewer or ebook reader. By lock mode, commands are inhibited and screen turned off. Missing equalizers, but maybe they’ll add them in the future.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwgM4fj6734
Movies
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8329/movie1.png http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/3091/movie2.png
Tested a few DivX & XviD videos and they work fine (but I’m not sure about mpeg4). There’s subtitles support, you can set brightness on 4 different levels, and set display on full screen (4:3), 16:9, or that seems 14:9.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35A-vb4hPCs
Ebooks
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6334/ebook3.png http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8654/ebook2.png
Unfortunately, ebook reader developed by GPH continues to support only txt files, but they added some new features. You can set one of 10 different backgrounds, and there’s autoscroll function. Different fonts aren’t supported for the moment and font size is small (12 pts), medium (14 pts) or large (16 pt).
Photos
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/1166/image1gt.png
Classic image viewer with enlargement feature and customizable slideshow. If you try to open a too big image (I don’t know what is the maximum but it reaches 2000 px) or not supported format, it appears an error message. Animated gifs aren’t supported and it displays only the first frame.
Apps
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3172/microfono.png
Only application included in this section is recorder, which has nothing special and just records by microphone.
Explorer
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/481/explorer2.png
Here you are new function compared to Wiz, who had no File Manager. By this Explorer, you can browse all SD card and files are identified by the extension. So pictures, mp3, games, etc. have different icons, and clicking on associated application starts automatically. You can delete files or folders, but not other (I really hope they add at least copy function).
Settings
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2277/setting.png http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1473/testog.png
A quick list of every option: language setting (English, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish, French, Italian), screen brightness, vibration setting, usb host, date and time settings,
WiFi network configuration, test mode, touchscreen, firmware and information about device and restorefactory settings. I found no bugs trying these options.
Games
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7756/games1.png
Commercial game demos included are only Propis, Rhythmos and Asura Cross. Then there are a few arcade games that use a standalone Toaplan emulator (Demon’s World, Hellfire, Outzone, Snow Bros 1 & 2, Zero Wing), probably ported by GPH. They also included MAME4ALL & NeoGeo CD emus, but these won’t be present on retail version (of course, you can download them separately).
Here is a brief description of three commercial titles:
Propis
http://i34.tinypic.com/5mwe1i.png
Bejeweled style game, but with a slightly different gameplay. You should always match (in this case) propis by the same shapes and colors, so they are absorbed and you earn points and bonus. Difference is that you can make more moves at time (where propis already involved, remain locked) and before propis explode (in a few seconds) and are sucked from the protagonist, you can make a lot of combos. There are ten characters (I don’t know if they have to be unlocked in full game, since only two are active in demo version) and there are Story and Free mode.
Rhythmos
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2190/rhytmhos.png
I’m not a rhythm’n'game fan, but I must say that if you begin to do, it’s addicitive. There are two basic modes, where in BN mode you use stick and buttons to peck notes to right time, and in TN mode you make all clicking on screen. I tried both easy levels, but it was hard for me*http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-laughing.gif (it doesn’t mean that it’s so difficult http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif). The few songs included (with related videos) are very beautiful, but the “cheat” is for expanding this game, you must buy separately from FunGP (http://www.fungp.com/).
Asura Cross: First Contact
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8631/asurab.th.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/asurab.jpg/)
A nice fighting game like this is definitely to my liking. It’s been made with particular care on animations and light effects, and it’s also implemented vibration for blows so “you can feel them”. Characters are all original (no one seems cloning famous guys http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif), and playability is very good. Not with everyone you can jump around (as I like to do*http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-laughing.gif ), but depending character must use a more targeted approach to precise blows or taken.
Moreover life bar, if you have time to “take a breath”, increases, and winner isn’t always ruled by KnockOut, instead alternatively based on blow points. Pressing L trigger (when there’s a notch or more on Tension bar), it may give more powerful blows while we watch a nice slow motion. And for those who buys WiFi stick, he can challenge anyone by network.
Ultimately, this is the game I’m waiting for some years http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-cool.gif
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0PjHj1xM4E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQDGWMqmbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZGoAZZWf-A
Conclusion
Those are considered the major flaws of Caanoo (analog stick, rear speakers, battery) are overstated: I find worse the possible little ‘cut’ on top screen rows and Wiz compatibility, that perhaps it could be achieved with ad-hoc firmware (as opposed to recompile everything).
For people who own only GP2X F100/F200, it’s a good time to take a more powerful, improved handheld, and with the same “feeling”.
For those who have Wiz, it may not be worth expense (of course, if you like it enough, buy it anyway http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/wp-content/plugins/editor-extender/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-wink.gif)
For those who haven’t GP2X or Wiz or an opensource handheld, it’s the ideal choice compared Dingoo, Pandora, or others.
Links
FunGP.com (http://www.fungp.com/)
GPH Official Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anyang-Si/GPH-Official/127461713948354)
Caanoo Archive (http://dl.openhandhelds.org/cgi-bin/caanoo.cgi)
Más información... (http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/?p=2022)