[Jacobhl]

Hello.. Long time reader of this forum(ever since it started on google groups), but I'd been waiting to participate untill I got my own aPad, which I got yesterday.Here's the catch though: My aPad behaves just like the blue LED one, except it has a red light when charging. I have to use the USB port between the TF slot and on/off button to flash the device, and RB's 5.1 firmware for RED-light devices doesn't work(cannot do calibration, and white screen appears when it goes in standby). It has a front-facing camera.Just tried the RB hybrid 5.1 blue LED firmware, and it works like a charm(brilliant firmware, btw).Anyway - I just thought you'd like to know for further reference - you can't tell the aPads apart visually anymore(if this is a new batch, and not just a mistake made by a chinese 1cent/hour worker who grabbed the wrong bucket).The aPad was bought from UK eBay seller cyber-gate(got the unit 3 days after I ordered - from UK to Denmark).The thread where I discovered it: http://www.slatedroid.com/showthread.php/3545-Can-t-flash-aPad-following-your-instructions/page2If there is anything you'd like to know about the device, don't hesitate to ask(except for internals - I'd hate to open it up).

 

[xaueious]

The LED is trivial to change. What is important is that there is a new motherboard revision for the RK2808a Apad.

 

[juched]

Now we just need to see if there is telltale sign it is different without opening the device. I am willing to bet that is a no.

 

[McMadd]

Now we just need to see if there is telltale sign it is different without opening the device. I am willing to bet that is a no.

I think the working USB port is the telltale. "The Formerly Known As Blue Led Apads" use the upper USB port.

 

[Jacobhl]

That is the only difference I've seen so far anyway. Is it safe to assume that motherboard revision is the same even though the LED color have changed? The hardware must be pretty much the same since the blue LED firmware works.

 

[TxKx0]

I got one of these yesterday, red led, upper usb port, i figured it was a blue led version with a red light but i was waiting to flash a rom until someone else confirmed this. Im about to install blue led 5.1, ill report back

 

[TxKx0]

Ok i flashed hybrid 5.1 for blue led and it installed perfect. i guess it will have to be renamed something besides blue led now huh.

 

[mingnon]

TxKx0, thanks for letting everyone know about that, fingers crossed the "blue apad" thread will get a rename.

 

[mingnon]

maybe one of the admins can add this to the wikki?

 

[ahopewell]

I got hold of one of these yesterday in Shenzhen, it is exactly the same as my blue LED version from all external appearances. The hybrid ROMs leaves the touch lacking, well, touch. Flashed the 5.1 Blue-LED ROM and the tabletstoreuk.com Blue-LED ROM, both work well.Top USB for data as well. This has a plastic case (which I prefer to the aluminium ones as they have a better finish).I still haven't seen an aluminium cased one with a blue LED or the USB ports in this configuration. Has anyone else?

 

[mogrith]

Please check the Wiki. If you have a better way to describe how to tell 'red' from 'blue' post it here and I'll update the wiki.

 

[mingnon]

Thanks Mogrith

 

[61vr6]

I have also a apad with red led and the firmware for blueled apad works.

 

[Asure]

There are now at least three 'generations' of the Blue Apad that we know of. (I've had two of these revisions.)1. Version with working wifi, after using the 'tabletstore' rom IMG- I didn't see or test those, but there are some in the forum that confirm working wifi, i'm not sure who engineered this board/rom.- Normal flash key combo- Ruiguan developed?2. Yuxin engineered board, with Ralink wifi (also referred to as 'usb wifi') inside. These were recalled by Merimobiles. - The flash procedure is the same as red version.- The wifi only works after enabling OTG in the settings.- These are bad, wifi drops on/off unless you're on top of your router.3. Yuxin engineered, with Marvell wifi (also referred to as 'cell wifi') inside. - The flash procedure is different, you need to keep menu and power pressed to get it to go to 'loader' mode.- Appears to be a current model.- Info & fresh-dumped rom+tool here: http://www.slatedroid.com/f38/another-revision-but-how-dump-3945/3a. Unknown model, red led, behaves like blue board.. but Yuxin firmware works as well ? (wtfbbq..?)- Appears to be a current model.- Probably 'ruiguan' developed ? Looking at the firmwares, there appear to be at least two teams of engineers (those would be 'Yuxin' and 'Ruiguan') working on kernel, maybe even on the hardware reference design.Factories wanting to cash in on the tablet-rage going on, can buy the basics & 'finished' version and mass produce these. I would assume there's more than two factories pumping them out

 

[mingnon]

Asure thanks for the great post and info

 

[mingnon]

just found thisApad iRobot Status Update - Batch 3 Devices Now Being Distributed期有红色充电灯的Batch3The Apad iRobot is now its third major hardware revision, batch 3, typically most easily identified by a blue colored charging LED for the time being. The newest ones from our factory are now being shipped with red colored charging LEDs as well. The new motherboard Apad iRobots are now shipping to distributors, as quality has stabilized. Other than improvements made to the mainboard itself, there are the following differences:new mainboard uses 9V charger input, and the previous batches have used 5V all new plastic shell Apad iRobots are now equipped with the new motherboard. differences in the functionality of the USB ports. The USB port close to the microSD slot is now used for connecting to the computer. The USB port located close to the 3.5mm headset jack remains to be the USB hosting port. It also means that the functionality as been separated. Firmware flashing procedures remain identical to the previous batches, with the exception that the upper USB slot (the one next to the microSD slot) is now used instead. We will be posting the firmware for the device soon. We ask that if you have an Apad iRobot equipped with a new mainboard, do not haphazardly upgrade to any of the old firmwares, as they are likely for the previous batches. Device News Channel ? HiApad

 

[61vr6]

Well this is strange i have the apad with red led it use the upper usb port for flashing same as blue led ones.They say this is with the new motherboard and have a 9V charger but i have a 5V charger.The blue led firmware works on mine apad.

 

[mingnon]

is wierd, i honestly cant keep up with the changes that occur, was hoping someone could make sense of the info, is confusing

 

[xaueious]

Hiapad is clarifying it. If you want to know more ask them

 

[Jacobhl]

My red-LED blue-LED aPad(wow, it's beginning to be confusing), that works with RB's 5.1 hybrid blue firmware has a 9V charger. Also - all button descriptions on the back are labeled, and not 'engraved' in the back shell(saw something on the frontpage about this being new in some batches).Could be Asures 3a version(except it came with Yuxin firmware pre-installed):Model number: sdkDemoFirmware version: 1.5Kernel version: 2.6.25 rockchip version 1.7.4 (yuxing)Build number: RK-1.3.2.eng.root.20100612.025602