Product Listing

A.C. Ryan Veolo - Android Inside

By Hafeez Sim - 6 Feb 2012
Launch SRP: S$329

Introduction

Introduction

In the last couple of years we have seen the rise of convergence devices; TVs that surf the Web, phones that double up as portable media devices and tablets that offer better portability than netbooks while providing a mobile phone's ease of use. In an age of technology where every device is expected to perform more than just a single purpose function, media players too have evolved beyond just a device enabling media playback.

The current crop of media players such as the WD TV Live and ASUS O!Play Mini Plus go beyond the expected norm to include web access and/or online services such as streaming videos via YouTube or providing the daily weather forecast. Some media players can even function as simple network-attached storage (NAS) device. A.C. Ryan noticed this trend and introduced a new line of media players to tackle a different group of people with more varied needs. Enter the Veolo.

The A.C.Ryan Veolo is the first media player from an established vendor that's designed to run on the Google Android operating system. If you're thinking access to apps, then you've got your thinking cap on correct - it's probably the biggest draw for this little device.

With their previous offering, the Playon!HD2, creating a good impression, A.C. Ryan has been hard at work to release a different sort of media player; one that could yet again change expectations of consumers in time to come. A staple in the media player scene, it seems A.C. Ryan has their work cut out for them as competitors have been releasing media players that feature integrated Wi-Fi to enable easier access to the online services.

A.C. Ryan's Veolo, first launched in November 2011, was made with a very different system running within its belly. Powering the Veolo is Google's Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS, which brings with it all that you expect from a an Android smartphone you've become familiar with - including how the user interface reacts. This also means access to widgets, apps and games! So join us as we explore more on this curious media player running the Android OS and see what can it offer you.

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7.5
  • Design 7.5
  • Performance 7
  • Features 8
  • Value 6.5
The Good
Access to Android Market allows for a wide choice of apps
Full-fledged web browser
The Bad
Navigating the UI with the remote is slow and clunky
Does not load ISO files
Pricey
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