Database Users

Acer Iconia Tab A500

First of all, I would like to request a section on this tablet, funny how the Transformer even got one when is not released yet.
Second of all, I'm quite a noob on the subject matter. But to all the A500 owners out there, any idea how to get the tethering to work?
I have the Atrix 4G rooted, and for some reason my A500 can't pick up the signal. Any ideas? (I read something about the "infrastrusture" and "ad-hoc" things, but not sure about it)
Thanks

i think so!!!please have a section on this tablet

I'm having the same problem tethering my A500 to my T-Mob G1.
You're correct in saying that it's down to the difference between Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure Wireless Networking. Some phones tether using Ad-Hoc, some use Infrastructure. The Iconia A500 only supports Infrastructure. Hopefully it won't be too long before Paul O'Brien et al can root it and we can get a custom kernel with support for Ad-Hoc networks.
Also, +1 for Acer Iconia A500 Forum please!

colbur87 is working on it.. maybe you guys can follow the thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046277

If you have root then you should be able to replace the wpa_supplicant file with the one from this thread like we did on the Xoom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1033314
You can use Root explorer rather than ADB if you want.
First you want to turn off your wifi. I have used the ADB method a couple of times but I find it easier to use Root explorer. Save the file to your memory, Copy it using root explorer, navigate to the system/bin folder and click mount R/W then paste the file into the folder replacing the original (make sure to make a backup!) then long hold on the file and view permissions, check all the boxes in the first two columns and the first 2 in the last column. (chmod 775) You can then restart your wifi and enjoy ad-hoc networks (no reboot needed.)
I've done this a couple of times on my Xoom and it works great

Another vote for Iconia A500 forum !!

Tethering my inspire to my iconia here with no problems. I tested using a non-encrypted adhoc network.

Forum section
another vote..plus im having problems with setting up exchange activesync on my a500..TouchDown works fine though..any one having the same sorta problem?

Thanks, I've been looking into this method too.
But we are currently still waiting for the Acer Tab to be rooted. Hopefully will be soon.
mr_wrong_0 said:
If you have root then you should be able to replace the wpa_supplicant file with the one from this thread like we did on the Xoom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1033314
You can use Root explorer rather than ADB if you want.
First you want to turn off your wifi. I have used the ADB method a couple of times but I find it easier to use Root explorer. Save the file to your memory, Copy it using root explorer, navigate to the system/bin folder and click mount R/W then paste the file into the folder replacing the original (make sure to make a backup!) then long hold on the file and view permissions, check all the boxes in the first two columns and the first 2 in the last column. (chmod 775) You can then restart your wifi and enjoy ad-hoc networks (no reboot needed.)
I've done this a couple of times on my Xoom and it works great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

colbur87 said:
Tethering my inspire to my iconia here with no problems. I tested using a non-encrypted adhoc network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't mention how you got your A500 to see ad-hoc. Must tell!

this forum just started on the acer..
http://www.iconiatabforums.com/iconiatabforums/index.php?topic=32.msg50;topicseen#new

disruptorx said:
another vote..plus im having problems with setting up exchange activesync on my a500..TouchDown works fine though..any one having the same sorta problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. Does not let me setup an exchange account only pop3 and Imap. I thought that's standard with all Android version since 2.0 or so? Any ideas?
Thanks

acebogomir said:
I have the same problem. Does not let me setup an exchange account only pop3 and Imap. I thought that's standard with all Android version since 2.0 or so? Any ideas?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here on that. Touchdown works fine, but no native Exchange support...
Inspire's Wifi Hotspot is Infrastructure mode, and works for me.
AND GIVE US A FORUM!!!!!!
Please...

Just got mine yesterday. Obvioulsy their honeycomb release still needs polishing. Also upset there is no exchange support out of the box. +1 for Iconia forum!

Just got mine a little while ago!
Yes, a forum for us, please.

Got mine yesterday in anticipation the Asus launch would leave many (including myself) with out one. From the research I have done, Exchange is not supported natively in Honeycomb at all, coming in a future update. You can, however, use K-9 Mail which is working flawlessly for me and free in the market.
+ 1.5 (I am a big guy) for the Acer Iconia dedicated forum.

Got my A500 yesterday and already like it infinitely better than the xoom I returned shortly after launch!
++A500 dedicated formum... pretty pretty please!
Can't wait until we can crack this sucker open!

Yes please, give us a forum. I think this tablet has a lot going for it.
sent from my inspire no 4g!

+1 for an Acer Iconia A500 forum

Forum please!!!

[Q] Whats the first thing to do after I'll turn on my a500 for the first time?

What you guys did, after you tear down the box and turn on your acer a500 for the first time, excluding language and timezone selection?

Check for update manually

root it

ibila said:
Check for update manually
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the easiest way to do this?

ken_sadgit said:
root it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what is it, or how they do it, but first I wanna know why they do it. All I heard is root! root! root!

get to know it
Do not root update install 3rd party apps until you know honeycomb and android
Of course root is obviously needed it also puts system files in your hands to mess up.
Please be careful and read all the forums and threads here
Thanks for hearing my 2 cents
If you dont know why you most likely do not need to do so yet
There are a great bunch of people here .take your time and do not jumpinto to deep

If you're not going to root, obviously the first thing is to set your tablet up with your Google account (either an existing GMail account or a new one.) Then set up any other email accounts, and install any apps you know you want that aren't on the tablet already (Kindle/Nook, games, utilities, TweetDeck, Pandora, MoboPlayer, etc.)
Find yourself a good File Manager; Android doesn't come by default with a program to let you view the files on your tablet :| I personally use ES File Explorer, but HD File Manager is also pretty good and was designed for Honeycomb/tablet size displays.
As Erica said above, don't even consider rooting until you've worked with Android a bit. If you don't need the tools root provides, you're better off not doing it.
Rooting your tablet (or other Android device) installs a "SuperUser" application which can allow other apps to act as the owner of the operating system (for Windows user, Administrator level privileges rather than User). In most cases, the method of getting root involves using a device- or Android-version-specific exploit/security hole.
With Root/SU, you can:
Run root-only apps like Titanium Backup, SetCPU (profiles only currently)
Remove and/or replace apps and other files not normally in the "user" space (CAUTION: Acer's update process expects damned near all of the pre-installed apps to still be there, so ALWAYS back up the original files!)
Once the hard-working and never-appreciated-enough Devs figure out a way around the bootloader (or Acer unlocks it), you can replace the kernel files, overclock, replace the entire ROM with a custom one
Some caveats:
Rooting will almost certainly void your warranty (if discovered should you have to return it for warranty service) and if you do it wrong, you can brick your device (i.e. you now have a flat black brick, not a functional device)
Some apps will not work on devices that are rooted (and/or have the SuperUser app present). Currently this includes at a minimum Google Movies and Blockbuster.

DON'T waste you time trying to update. It's been pulled until release fo HC 3.1.
DO enjoy the unit!
DO download apps and play.
Root at your own risk, but HC 3.1 is around the corner and you will have a dificult time getting it if you don't know what your not a techie.
Lastly, put it in Airplane mode before sleep mode to save battery. If you are turning it off, no dif.
Get Astro file mgr - free
Get Weatherbug for HC - free
Get Pandora - free
Load a micro mem card with all you music and videos, and enjoy one of the best devices in production.
If you have a memory card reader, blow you Ipad friends minds by asking them to borrow the memory card in their digital camera, plug it into the USB and swipe through their pictures. They don't have an app for that.

I have had my A500 since last week. I have basically just been trying out apps and browsing Forums to get more info. In the end the forum here seems to be most active and contains the most interesting information.
Also try to google for list with "Optimized for Honeycomb". This will make you fiind the apps that are optimized for the Tablet.
I did not root my device as I dont have any need for it (yet), but I am certainly waiting for 3.1. The current version of honeycomb is a bit unstable.
For the rest just enjoy the tablet

Smile, you just bought a great tablet

So what are you guys saying is that I should not update my build version, and wait for the 3.1 update

Of course first have to buy a screen protector before remove the plastic cover. Apply the screen protector before it get dusted. Then only turn on the device, sign in your Google account and connect internet and do setting. Then go update the firmware.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

So what are you guys saying is that I should not update my build version, and wait for the 3.1 update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, unless you know what you are doing.

a500 is NTFS built in yet?

Is NTFS supported in 3.1 08 or 10? I converted my 1tb drive to fat32 and it now takes forever being recognized when plugged in... I only did the change because I didn't want to root and load the ntfs modules... but if they didn't add it then I might just do it.
Thanks for your reply!

No its not supported yet.

It's not supported and probably never will because it's microsoft propietary file system... but there's support with custom roms here so we can have A500 with NTFS support, what rom you say? I don't remember, read, there's only like 4 or 5 roms.

just get the Drive Mount from the market.
It works just fine - I use it to mount my 500GB and 1TB portable HDD all the time.

dj898 said:
just get the Drive Mount from the market.
It works just fine - I use it to mount my 500GB and 1TB portable HDD all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DARN YOU... get me all excited. That program requires root. If i was rooted thats a good app. Ill keep that in mind.

Soooooooo many good reasons to root your Android device. Not just NTFS Root or USB Mount All. Many backup apps need root. Being able to replace system apps/tools (such as getting Ad Hoc wifi connection support.) Remove bloatware (although you need to ALWAYS keep a copy of any file you mess with, no telling which one will cause a future OTA to fail.)
Reasons NOT to? A couple of apps (primarily video such as Google Videos and I _think_ Hulu?) won't work on rooted devices. Technically it'll typically void your warranty (although in most cases you can unroot before bringing in for service.) And you'll have to be a bit more careful with downloaded apps, although most Android malware either already includes a superuser-granting exploit or relies on people saying "Sure! Give this new Harry Potter-movie-inspired wallpaper full access to my contact list and SMS send!".
Finally, once you root you'll be able to sit at the cool kids table.

Vereynn said:
Many backup apps need root. Being able to replace system apps/tools (such as getting Ad Hoc wifi connection support.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being a fairly new user of the tablet and a complete novice at Android, would you care to suggest a few or one fairly good backup app?
Vereynn said:
Technically it'll typically void your warranty (although in most cases you can unroot before bringing in for service.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even a novice like me can root a tablet and notice that the unroot option is there and easy to use!
Finally, once you root you'll be able to sit at the cool kids table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hence why i rooted mine, not happy unless I can sit at the cool kids table! I wanted my 1tb portable to be NTFS and a quick research on the forums made me realise I couldn't play with it unless I was prepared to root and get drive mount, which btw I highly recommend it is an awesome easy app!

[Q] usb host mode with iconia a500 and android 3.2: no devices

(this is a sw development question but I'm a noob and not allowed to post in the development forum)
I'm trying to communicate with a usb device, using an acer iconia a500 upgraded to android 3.2 (kernel 2.6.36.3+, not rooted, I just used the regular update feature). In a nutshell, what happens is that after I get the UsbManager, getDeviceList returns an empty map. The same happens with the adbtest sample from google:
mManager = (UsbManager)getSystemService(Context.USB_SERVICE);
// check for existing devices
for (UsbDevice device : mManager.getDeviceList().values()) {
// I get nothing here, the values() list is empty
I've tried several devices (various usb solid state disks, an hard drive, a mouse, a garmin watch, etc). nothing. Some devices (disks, mouse) are indeed recognized by the OS (they work: I see the filesystem, the mouse works fine, etc), but they don't get reflected at the API level.
Googling around, some people say that mouse and keyboard don't get enumerated but disks do, but they're using 3.1 while I'm using 3.2. I don't get the disk either, or anything else I've plugged in.
The code above should enumerate all devices. Anyway, I also tried the intent + xml file approach as documented in the google samples. Still nothing.
The manifest seems ok, and as I said, the adbtest sample straight from the sdk shows the same problem.
Given the paucity of the API, I don't really know what to try next. Has anybody succesfully used host mode on an iconia a500 with android 3.2? I mean "used" at the API level. As I said, "standard" devices gets recognized at the OS level and works, but aren't visible through the API.
In the end I need to communicate with a non-standard device in host mode, so I really need to get it through the API. Also, my (potential) users are just regular users, they won't root their device, install custom roms, etc. I need to make it working with a "standard" 3.1 / 3.2 tablet. I got the iconia after reading it works in host mode, but can't make it work :-(

The only thing that comes to mind is that you missed declaring that you would use usb features in the manifest. Happens to me all the time when using internet in my apps . Check this (you probably already have): http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/usb/host.html#usage
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

Unfortunately no, that's not the case (I triple-checked). I thought I may have made some mistake in the manifest etc, so as I said I've also tried the adbtest sample from google - same problem.
I've also found a free app in the marketplace ("usb device info") which is supposed to show connected devices - I get no devices. I see you have an A500, which android version are you running?

vic ripa said:
Unfortunately no, that's not the case (I triple-checked). I thought I may have made some mistake in the manifest etc, so as I said I've also tried the adbtest sample from google - same problem.
I've also found a free app in the marketplace ("usb device info") which is supposed to show connected devices - I get no devices. I see you have an A500, which android version are you running?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3.2 pre-rooted near-stock. Will try later with the app you mentioned and post the results (my daughter is watching a movie from my external hdd hooked to the BD player, so can't try it right now)
EDIT: my 500 GB HDD shows up in usb device info app
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

: (( so it works on a rooted device. Or perhaps there is just something wrong with mine :-((. Maybe someone else with a non-rooted 3.2 will help me sort this out.
I don't want to abuse your kindness, but which kernel version do you have? Same as mine (2.6.36.3+)?
Thanks
Vic

vic ripa said:
: (( so it works on a rooted device. Or perhaps there is just something wrong with mine :-((. Maybe someone else with a non-rooted 3.2 will help me sort this out.
I don't want to abuse your kindness, but which kernel version do you have? Same as mine (2.6.36.3+)?
Thanks
Vic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldn't have anything to do with root since the app hasn't requested root access. I have the exact same kernel version. The fact that the disks connect to your tab and you can see the file system, but not the devices themselves is really weird...
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

yes, and sort of sad : (((((((((((

vic ripa said:
yes, and sort of sad : (((((((((((
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe if someone with stock unrooted 3.2 has the same problem, it would make sense for you to root and flash the near-stock prerooted ROM... or you may always try factory resetting your tablet if you don't have anything essential on it. Also you may try with a usb memory stick just to eliminate the possibility of the port not supplying the needed amperage to power the hdds (though you shouldn't see them in the file explorer if that was the case...)
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

I did try the memory stick - just like the HD and mouse, it is recognized by the OS, I can use the file system, yet get no devices from the API.
Unless someone else comes up with a good idea, I'll go with the factory reset. Unfortunately, rooting is not really an option, I need to develop something that works for the average guy...
Thanks a bunch!

packard bell liberty-iconia tab a500 ROOTING
prejudice would like to know if there is a way to make the root to my tablet having upgraded to 3.2 .... I used when I was gingerbreack 3.1 1.2 no longer works, but obviously I need to change the way ..... can you help?

lollo21 said:
prejudice would like to know if there is a way to make the root to my tablet having upgraded to 3.2 .... I used when I was gingerbreack 3.1 1.2 no longer works, but obviously I need to change the way ..... can you help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right here. It's no longer as easy as it was on 3.1, but it can still be done.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1307539

lollo21 said:
prejudice would like to know if there is a way to make the root to my tablet having upgraded to 3.2 .... I used when I was gingerbreack 3.1 1.2 no longer works, but obviously I need to change the way ..... can you help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please install the above mentioned app and try to see if a usb device shows up in the list? I see that you have a non rooted 3.2 just like the OP.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

Netflix will block rooted users

Apparently Netflix is going to start blocking rooted and unlocked users from downloading the app through the Play Store through safety net check criteria. I searched on my 6p for the Play Store just now and it did not have a listing but checking on my shield TV I did find it. I don't know if they are just blocking the rooted users from downloading the app or if they're planning on blocking rooted users from using the app. I believe this all has to do with DRM content.

To be fair I can't see much reason beyond adding Plex Channels (to Plex (durr!)), why anyone would even want to bother with root on the Shield TV. Thankfully that level of root can be achieved simply enough. Without opening the whole /system partition. By just symlinking the needed Directory outside of /system. But, the catch 22 of that is you still have to have a systemless root to do it which means you have to manually open, and shut the /system partition again afterwards. Alas I will have to "test" this out again eventually. But for the moment APV is working 100% under this config. The only place where this type of root fails is at AdAway (Blocking Ads). As I haven't been able to create a working simlink for it.
Besides, Phones are one thing the Shield is something totally different. Netflix doesn't need to be installed from the PlayStore. It's a system application, along with Amazon, BBC, and VuDu. As such I have made such a test as to uninstall the last Update, which I was able to reinstall just fine.
As to any further testing of Netflix I will wait a few more weeks untill my old Phone Contact runs out, and then invest that capital on a Netflix 4k Sub.
Otherwise I am bootloader unlocked. So we'll just have to see. But, does the Shield TV even have a Samsung type eFuse (e.g. Knox Flag?!) that trips if your unlocked?! I have to say that I'm not aware of there being one on the Shield TV. Again this 'practice' seems all to common on Phones. But, again the SATV is NOT a neither a Phone, nor does it run a Phone OS.

Until now is only on google side. To workaround this use magisk to root.
I recommend you to take a look at full android nougat development, you might be interested mostly for the next version when Nvidia is supposed to fix some major bugs and because zulu99 has an awesome solution in mind in response to google that will be implemented on next FAN version.
https://youtu.be/yTf55-PXC8k
Sent from my Tapatalk beta Hub
If I helped hit the Thanks button. Follow Me! ~ DroidMote user ~ Full Android for Shield TV and Nexus Player

lavero.burgos said:
Until now is only on google side. To workaround this use magisk to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Magisk work for the Shield TV? Is there a tutorial anywhere?

colino17 said:
Does Magisk work for the Shield TV? Is there a tutorial anywhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that it works with full Android nougat by zulu99, which is the ROM I use.
Sent from my Tapatalk beta Hub
If I helped hit the Thanks button. Follow Me! ~ DroidMote user ~ Full Android for Shield TV and Nexus Player

Ichijoe said:
To be fair I can't see much reason beyond adding Plex Channels (to Plex (durr!)), why anyone would even want to bother with root on the Shield TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think replacing the launcher is the primary reason people would want to root the shield. It's the only reason I've done it since Leanback is just sort of clunky.