Ainol Novo 9 Spark

Main features:
OS: Android 4.1.1
CPU: Allwinner A31 Quad Core CPU
GPU: Power VR SGX544MP2
RAM 2GB，DDR3 Dual-Channel DDR3 64bit
Storage 16GB
Screen: Capacitive Touchscreen, 2048*1536 High-resolution Retina IPS Screen
Size: 9.7 inch
PPI:264
Visible Angle: 178°
HDMI:Support
Camera: Dual camera Front 2.0 MP, back 5.0 MP Autofocus
WIFI Yes, 802.11 b/g/n

Latest firmwares from Ainol available HERE


Tip!
Ainol-tablet.com recommends using channel 11 on your wi-fi router for best signal.(source)
New firmware is in the works.

Many have reported that replacing the stock Launcher with Nova Launcher, GO Launcher or other has improved system perfomance,
as well as replacing the stock keyboard with Swiftkey, Swype or other. I am using Swype and Nova.

Game support

Angry Birds *All* - Very Good
Asphalt 7 - Very good
Bad Piggies HD - Very Good
Beach Buggy Blitz - Very good
Cut The Rope - Very Good (Video Bug is present in starting animation as in Youtube app)
Doodle Jump - Very Good
Dragon Slayer (glu) - Very good
Dead Trigger - Very good on medium setting, may occasionally lag at higher.
Downhill Xtreme - Very good
GTA III (sideloaded with SGX files) - Very good @ highest resolution, and about 40% drawing distance.
Jetpack Joyride - Very Good
Pinball Arcade - Very good
Riptide GT - Very good
Real Racing 3 - Very good - on mine, though some have reported minor lag
Six Guns - Good, sometimes a bit low FPS
SSG 2 - Good Some Bugs
Temple Run 2- Very good
The Dark Knigt Rises - Decent, but may lag at times
The Sims FreePlay - Error 5002. Will not start.
The Simpsons Tapped out - Very good
Zen Pinball HD - Very good
Zombiewood - Zombies in LA! Runs smooth, but character and Zombies are invisible in game!

Latest Firmware and Customs ROMs

Current official Firmware is: 20130422-V1

Date: 2013.05.07
Software Size: 336.51 MB
Applicable: NOVO9 FireWire quad-core


After the upgrade version number: Novo9-Spark-LX-20130422v1

This version of firmware major improvements:
Change shutdown charging current 1.8A
(2) to change the default URL: www.ainol.com
Google input method before the change individual font but with no success
4. Updating System slow
5 Change the camera Huaping
6 Change 2.0 firmware Login QQ machine will restart

Pre-upgrade considerations:
1: If the machine does not use exceptions, do not recommend users to easily upgrade
2: inside the machine before upgrading the audio and video files and backup apk, the upgrade process will machine everything inside the empty (Note: the pea pods backup can not save game progress)
3: user downloaded firmware package name and the figure below some of the file name is inconsistent
4: The first time you start to the system interface to unlock the lock screen too fast may not be able to unlock a little wait for the unlock (probably in about 10 seconds)

1: If the machine does not appear to use exception, not the user is free to upgrade
2: set the inside of the machine before upgrading the audio and video files and apk for backup, the upgrade process will machine all the things Empty (Note: the pea pods backup can not save game progress)
3: The name of the user to download the firmware package may be inconsistent and file name shown below
4: The first time you start the system interface to the lock screen unlock operation too fast and may not be able to unlock little wait unlock (time is about 10 seconds or so)


Download link: http://ainol.com/plugin.php?identifier=ainol&module=download&action=info&downloadid=133



Step 1. Download and install PhoenixSuit

Step 2. Download firmware image from above link for your tablet and load it in PhoenixSuit. If you receive error in PhoenixSuit, you can try moving the firmware file to desktop. That worked for me.

Step 3. Enable USB debug in tablet's developer settings and connect to computer. PhoenixSuit will inform you of this and then it's just follow the instructions on screen.


Alternative Step 3. If this normal procedure does not work and/or your tablet is a little soft bricked. You can try the following:
-Unplug USB-cable from computer.
-Power off your tablet. (Holding the power button for approx 10 seconds if the tablet is locked/black screen after boot)
-Press and hold the Home-button on the tablet, and plug in the USB cable.
-Continue to keep the home-button pressed and click on the Power button very shortly (about 0,5 seconds) about 10 times.



You should see a new dialog box appear in PhoenixSuit asking you to perform a "Mandatory format"
- Select "yes" to enter the format upgrade mode.



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Folk ROM based on V1.35 modded by lifeyu available HERE

Google translated information
* Based official v1.35 produced
* direct card by the official recovery brush upgrade
* streamline and integrate several utility most applications
* Integrated update Google applications
* Practical camera JB + replacement comes with the camera application
* the play shops compatibility improved Google
* touch and system parameters to optimize
* increase in notification bar wifi switch
* state bar volume buttons
* Fixed lock screen, lock screen is still rotating
* repair part The built-in storage software can not read and write
* increase the full-screen function, can be switched by the application of full-screen switch


update method:

* download the zip firmware file is placed into the built-in storage, reboot into recovery update
* recommendations Brush wipe operation

mak1975 @slatedroid said:

Some info on "how to" flash this one, copy the zip file to the internal memory (not the external micro-sd card), reboot in recovery mode, wipe data, cache, etc and flash the zip file, do the 3 wipes again and reboot...

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Some have reported bugs and touchscreen malfunction from this firmware.

jcagara08 said:

wow so I am ready to make one order for this tablet hopefully by 6 days i can do a mini review,
anyone bought this already?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I have this and have had it for about a month now. I'm very pleased with it.

itaysp said:

It looks very similar to Apple's Ipad.

Could I use an Ipad casing with this tablet?

All the casings I can find on eBay for this 'Spark' are very ugly.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

It depends on the casing. If it's one of those that's "clipped on" the back, it won't fit. This does not have the same rounded off edges as the ipad.
Other types should work just fine.

I have this Universal 9.7 Inch Leather Smart Case

itaysp said:

yes i'm talking about those with the magnetic clips that covers the front of the Ipad.. I hoped I could use them

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Okay, those who are only attached on the side by magnet? Not sure about that one. Considering all the available space and ease of removing the back cover, I think it would be possible to make the side magnetic, if it isn't already. Then adopting the cover, if needed. Hopefully something similar will come to other tablet's with different edge than that of the ipad.


The plastic ones that goes one-in-one with the back was the one I was aiming at that won't fit. Like this

itaysp said:

I don't mind about the price, but in the reviews it gets a bad ranking in battery time because of its high res screen (takes more power)

I would be happy to hear about your experience with the battery.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

In general it's about 4-5 hours when gaming with wi-fi on (The Simpsons Tapped out).

Somewhat better when watching music videos and wi-fi off. Approx 5-6 hours (full HD videos).

build-prop tweaks anyone?

Has anyone tried any build.prop tweaks?

I've changed manufacturer and model description to immitate Motorola Xyboard/Xoom 2 as it also uses SGX chipset. This went fine, it worked for some things, but still error 5002 on the Sims FreePlay. Most likely due to no support for the Spark's DPI. I tried setting it to 160 DPI (or perhaps it was 140, not 100 % sure). This caused a soft brick, but I was able to get it working again with the mandatory upgrade with phoenixsuit.

Has anyone had any luck changing dpi?

Edit:
I also changed the XML files as described HERE. It gave me acces to more apps in Google Play than emulating the Xyboard/Xoom 2. Still no luck on the Sims though.