Database Users

Your Athena is obsolete already :(

Well, I have all the stupid little things that are wrong with the Athena. They keyboard is often commented on, I have no idea why the Athena wasnt better...
Well, here it is, the Shangri-La (9500)
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_pics/14201/HTC_2.jpg
Read it and weep.
Mind you, no way im fitting a 7" lcd in my pocket! the Athena is bad enough.

is that 7" in your pocket or are you pleased to see me?

Pyrofer said:
Well, I have all the stupid little things that are wrong with the Athena. They keyboard is often commented on, I have no idea why the Athena wasnt better...
Well, here it is, the Shangri-La (9500)
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_pics/14201/HTC_2.jpg
Read it and weep.
Mind you, no way im fitting a 7" lcd in my pocket! the Athena is bad enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too big, man. The Athena is significantly smaller.

it is not a PDA-Phone
it is an UMPC

7" Is just way to big
No weeping here they can keep it.

That is the HTC Shift. it has been well known for quite a while there are even much better pictures than that available. Areas of contention:
-Resolution was reported to be better specked than on your link
-Unconfirmed if it will run WM6, seems unlikely HTC would license 2 O/S for one device, ie costs to them and than users.

Looks very interesting. However, I don't find it appealing to me the same as way Athena. Portability factor is not as attractive as Athena. I prefer no keyboard (I like a tablet) and size no bigger than Athena. I like the storage capacity though. I don't know if running Vista on it would be sluggish and taxing on the battery, so let's wait and see. I wonder how easy it is for the phone to respond to incoming calls under Vista.

yea dude...thats the htc shift...that piece of crap is tooo darn big for a pocket...

Is this not like the cPC thing that flopped on a major level? With a dual boot between standard Windows and Mobile Windows?
Although, the fingerprint thing would be interesting for me with some of the software I'm using, but not for a major price increase........

Pyrofer said:
Well, I have all the stupid little things that are wrong with the Athena. They keyboard is often commented on, I have no idea why the Athena wasnt better...
Well, here it is, the Shangri-La (9500)
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_pics/14201/HTC_2.jpg
Read it and weep.
Mind you, no way im fitting a 7" lcd in my pocket! the Athena is bad enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who says I can't have both? I have two pockets. Just have to make one pocket bigger than the other. ;-)
I'm trying to decide if I want to order one or not. My deciding factor was the built in GPS. Since I see that the Shift may have built in GPS, it's becoming more attractive to me. Just soooo damn big. 7" screen. I have a PVR that has a 7" screen with a 100gig HD and it won't fit into my pocket. Just too big. I leave it in my back pack. I don't want to carry my back pack just because my new phone is too big. Still deciding.

Carrying the Athena? (let alone anything bigger)
With respect to size, even the Athena is plenty big. I still haven't found a solution I like for carrying it with me. If I'm wearing pants with large pockets, that sort of works except for looking kinda freakish. And it really won't fit in some pockets.
I have also tried a camera bag that clips onto my belt. That lasted about 30 minutes. Just too dang bulky. So much of the time I carry it around like a little purse, which irritates me because I'm always afraid I'll forget it. (How do women do this??)
None of the commercial cases I've looked at have seemed like they will do what I want. The best solution I saw was a metal frame that hooks on to the stock case with a belt clip that this guy posted pictures of, but he hasn't responded to my inquiries about making me one!
-> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1311287&highlight=lasers#post1311287
So... what are the rest of you doing? Any great ideas?

wgary said:
With respect to size, even the Athena is plenty big. I still haven't found a solution I like for carrying it with me. If I'm wearing pants with large pockets, that sort of works except for looking kinda freakish. And it really won't fit in some pockets.
I have also tried a camera bag that clips onto my belt. That lasted about 30 minutes. Just too dang bulky. So much of the time I carry it around like a little purse, which irritates me because I'm always afraid I'll forget it. (How do women do this??)
None of the commercial cases I've looked at have seemed like they will do what I want. The best solution I saw was a metal frame that hooks on to the stock case with a belt clip that this guy posted pictures of, but he hasn't responded to my inquiries about making me one!
-> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1311287&highlight=lasers#post1311287
So... what are the rest of you doing? Any great ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My sentiments exactly! I need to carry it so I can have both hands free, ALWAYS. That means a belt case. My latest addition (3rd attempt) was a nintendo DS lite case. Guess what, it doesn't fit! Maybe we could persuade that guy with the metal clip to have a go for us, and give us a quote?

Abram said:
My sentiments exactly! I need to carry it so I can have both hands free, ALWAYS. That means a belt case. My latest addition (3rd attempt) was a nintendo DS lite case. Guess what, it doesn't fit! Maybe we could persuade that guy with the metal clip to have a go for us, and give us a quote?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He hasn't responded to PMs and his email is hidden. Hopefully he'll check back some day and notice we're looking for him! For me, this might be the best approach. I really like the stock case (know I'm a minority there), but it does work for me. For example, sits flat for tabletop typing, EZ in/out of case to use it in tablet mode, keyboard pops right into place while still in the case, etc... EXCEPT for the missing belt clip.!!

I have absolutely no issue in carrying the unit around. This is what I have. I can either bring the keyboard with me or leave it behind.
http://forum.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?t=14690&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=360
The device is well protected. Not a single scratch until now. The unit still look brand new.

g1 in a sidekick body

would something like this be possible?

jeremycool said:
would something like this be possible?
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Click to collapse
Why......?

...G1's are only like 150 dollars on ebay, I don't think so.

protomanez said:
...G1's are only like 150 dollars on ebay, I don't think so.
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Click to collapse
.... now that is about the most pointlessly unrelated statement I've ever heard.

lbcoder said:
.... now that is about the most pointlessly unrelated statement I've ever heard.
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Click to collapse
SO is yours

Coderedpl said:
SO is yours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you are but what am I?

Children -.-
@Op...
..No.

Anything is possible.
The real question is "is setting out on such an endeavor worth the hassle and potential breakage?"
Frankly, the SK2 was/is *the* perfect form factor for my meat hooks. I would love more modern, android hardware in such a form factor. Will I see it? Definitely not, even though a lead dev for android was a founder of Danger (ever notice how the two keyboards were similar?)
Making the G1's hardware fit into a SK body would be so difficult. Its hardware is not very modular. Only the radio, camera, and gps boards are separate from the main board. The G1 uses metal parts on the body itself as conductors (notice the black-painted metal strips above the battery. The screen is much larger. And the list goes on.
Anyone doing this would have to be an amazing wiz at surface-mount soldering and fabricating new ribbon cables. Again, anything is possible, but that's not the right question.

beartard said:
Anything is possible.
The real question is "is setting out on such an endeavor worth the hassle and potential breakage?"
Frankly, the SK2 was/is *the* perfect form factor for my meat hooks. I would love more modern, android hardware in such a form factor. Will I see it? Definitely not, even though a lead dev for android was a founder of Danger (ever notice how the two keyboards were similar?)
Making the G1's hardware fit into a SK body would be so difficult. Its hardware is not very modular. Only the radio, camera, and gps boards are separate from the main board. The G1 uses metal parts on the body itself as conductors (notice the black-painted metal strips above the battery. The screen is much larger. And the list goes on.
Anyone doing this would have to be an amazing wiz at surface-mount soldering and fabricating new ribbon cables. Again, anything is possible, but that's not the right question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats all i needed to here, i love the g1 but i think the sidekick is the **** for the swivel screen

Vinyl covers for Archos 70 and 101

Hi guys.
Check this: http://www.decalgirl.com. I know this place from some time already when I bought them for my iPod.
They make vinyl adhesive covers for almost every device in the world, and some of them look really cool, specially the rugged ones. The material (rugged) has very good quality and they send it by regular mail including a key to download the desktop wallpaper that fits EXACTLY with the design, making the customization very good.
Its very easy to place as the adhesive material which is made of can be placed and removed as many times as you need, and it will keep your device away from dirt and scratches. You can even have more than one and switch them when you want, as they're easy to remove and they can be placed again even if several days/weeks have passed.
Yesterday I went to check if they had covers for the Archos 70IT, and found they only have for the 10.1, the 4.3 and the old archos as the 7HT, that's slightly different from 70IT, so they wouldn't fit.
I posted a "Device Suggestion" asking them if they would support the Archos 70IT in a near future, and this is their reply:
We do not have that device currently. What I can do though is have it added to our list of devices to discuss with our development team.
If the device is really being marketed or we get a great response from consumers there may be a great chance we will do it.
We release about 4-5 devices per month so are always looking for devices to bring in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe if enough of us ask them to make it, they will do... I would love to get covers for the A70IT cause they make it look really cool and customized. Will anyone lend a hand and help me asking them to make it?
Cheers

I am also looking for a well fitting case for my A70IT.
But I don't like the case to cover the display as those of DecalGirl do.

findusBS said:
I am also looking for a well fitting case for my A70IT.
But I don't like the case to cover the display as those of DecalGirl do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yawww... no, they don't cover the display XDDD it's just they provide a Desktop Wallpaper that matches EXACTLY with the cover, so they give that impression... but you can choose no to use that wallpaper...
Believe me, I have it for my iPod, the screen is not covered... it's just an optical illusion made by the desktop wallpaper...
However, this aren't cases... they are adhesive vinyl sheets that you stick to your device .. more like skins than cases... they won't protect the device against impacts... just against scratches and dirt...

Oh, how stupid of me.
A wallpaper is a funny idea.
Thanks for this correction and description.
I think I would rather prefer a case than a skin, but if I find your device suggestion I will support it.
Edit: Found the "Suggest a new device" dialog.

What do you think the chances are the next Transformer2 will work w/ the dock?

Aside from some quality control issues, Asus has done a lot right with the Transformer. Great price, functionality, and the incredible dock.
So with talk of the Transformer 2, what do you think the chances are the dock will work with the new version? I think pretty good, even if there is a new dock that is "better", would be great if they gave legacy support to existing dock owners.
I generally would wait to buy if I know something "better" is around the corner, but i am throughly enjoying my Transformer right now. Say I can get the new version for $400, sell mine for $200 or even just hand it down. I am hopeful!!!!

i read a Taiwanese article saying the new transformer will be thinner and lighter, given the design of the hinge on the current dock, I think the possibility that it'd be compatible is quite low.

andyxover said:
i read a Taiwanese article saying the new transformer will be thinner and lighter, given the design of the hinge on the current dock, I think the possibility that it'd be compatible is quite low.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tend to agree though I suppose there's also the possibility that Asus could produce an adaptor that clips around the botton of a TF2 to make it compatible - unlikely though!
Regards,
Dave

Asus has stated the dock will be compatible with future models, this simultaneously confirmed compatibility and the fact that another transformer-like tab was on the way.

seshmaru said:
Asus has stated the dock will be compatible with future models, this simultaneously confirmed compatibility and the fact that another transformer-like tab was on the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a thought but could this not be referring to a 3G version of the tablet...i.e. not TF2 but an exact same version of the tablet but with 3G?
I am still hopeful the TF2 will be compatible tho.

seshmaru said:
Asus has stated the dock will be compatible with future models, this simultaneously confirmed compatibility and the fact that another transformer-like tab was on the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are referring to the anandtech review, however Asus has never made that statement themselves. I still think its quite unlikely that they'll be compatible. Tabs are getting thinner and thinner, if the next tf remained this thick its gonna feel ancient.

im going to have to go with it wont be compatible with tf2. considering the fact that most 2nd versions of tablets an phones always seem to go thinner and a redesign. So most likely not. I bought the buyback program from best buy cuz i know i'll trade this one in 6 months to get the next greatest thing

it could be a little thicker on one side to have legacy dock support, or as previously posted they could have a dock adapter. They don't need to make the whole tablet as thick just to fit the dock.

I'm sure that i have read somewhere that the reason the tablet was priced so low was that they were looking to grab market share and bolster the profits with a high profit margin on the keyboard - which seems to fit with the price of the dock.
So to my way of thinking it would not make sense for Asus to include support for their cash cow in the next model. I think they will expect you to buy a second dock to keep the profitability high.
As noted by others - I suspect that there will be reductions to the thickness and bezel which also suggests there will need to be a new dock.

No telling.... we can speculate.
I'm very happy with the size as it is. I had the Tab 10.1 for a shot period, it is thinner and lighter but not to where it outweighs the functionality of the Transformer, IMO.

I sadly would agree with the more to gain from not making it compatible, however I think it's just as likely that they hope to make money by pleasing the crowd and making it compatible as well.
I think trying to guess is just that, guessing. I wouldn't put money on it either way. (Well, logically, if asked to, I would put money on them making it NOT compatible. That way if I win I have money to buy a dock, if not, well I lose the bet but don't have to buy a dock).

The other thing they could do, is make the TF2 slightly thinner (but remain compatible with the existing dock) and create another new tablet which is not dockable, thus giving the consumer a choice - i.e. a tablet/netbook hybrid, or a "pure" tablet.
Regards,
Dave

The video information at allthingsd.com/20111019/jonney-shih-video-highlights-from-asiad-video/ makes it look like the tablet will work with the old dock, just based off of the positioning of the locking slots and the charging interface. It looks a little thinner, but not much.
However, the new dock has what looks like the same hinge, albeit on a wedge shaped keyboard dock rather than a flat dock, and aluminum housing like the zenbook seems to replace the molded plastic exterior on both the tablet and the base. They are clearly trying to take away thickness from the combined units by shaving the dock. Can anyone tell if the tablet shape is also shaved down towards the front? (That would make for an awkward flat viewing angle).

7.7 Portability vs iPad3

One of the big problems with the iPad other than overheating and under charging is it's poor portability. If you want to use it outside the home then you need a big bag similar to a laptop bag to carry it. The 7.7 easily fits in ladies handbags and fits in jacket pockets making it very portable.
Because the iPad3 is mostly house bound then you need to compare it with other mostly house bound devices such as laptops, netbooks, ultrabooks etc. where it does not fare well.

What is the point of this post, may I ask? Preaching to the converted?

Thanks for your random op/ed.
Sent from my iPad

alvinlts said:
What is the point of this post, may I ask? Preaching to the converted?
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Click to collapse
What right have you to question the appropriateness of other people's posts?

Gaugerer said:
What right have you to question the appropriateness of other people's posts?
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Click to collapse
Welcome to the internet!

I think he is just haring that the Tab7.7 has better portability and I agree with him, no other tablet can rival its portability.

EarlZ said:
I think he is just haring that the Tab7.7 has better portability and I agree with him, no other tablet can rival its portability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps the GT 7.0?
Just joking no offence
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda premium

edwinpang said:
Perhaps the GT 7.0?
Just joking no offence
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol its a thicker device!

EarlZ said:
Lol its a thicker device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda premium

I just saw somebody holding a GT 7.0, and yes, the 0.7" make a difference, especially in a case. However, I don't really mind the extra waist of my 7.7.
I too find anything larger than 7.7 to be a bit cumbersome.
sent from my dz

There can be little doubt that the 7.7 tab is more portable than the iPad and for me that was the main reason I got it over the iPad3. Not counting the size and form factor advantage the 7.7 has the iPad3 is the better device in most other areas.
Give me an 8.5 inch screen with 1920x1200 resolution in a package about the same size as the 7.7 and I'd be even happier. And, I'd even PREFER it to be about 1mm thicker for two reasons: first, room for an even bigger battery; and second, I think the 7.7 is a little TOO thin and being a bit thicker would make it easier to hold by the edges.
The iPad is too close in size to a small notebook so it's hardly any more portable than that. The 7.7 is smaller than a sheet of paper (8.5x11) folded in half -- or about the size of a paperback book.
Brian

I've got a cheap Chinese 7 inch tablet as well my 7.7 and i've got to say the .7 really does make a difference in terms of portability. The 7" one fits much more easily in a pocket anss is a lot lighter.
Oh, and the "cheapo" chinese tablet is on ICS and has much more flexible connections than the Sammy.

palexr said:
I've got a cheap Chinese 7 inch tablet as well my 7.7 and i've got to say the .7 really does make a difference in terms of portability. The 7" one fits much more easily in a pocket anss is a lot lighter.
Oh, and the "cheapo" chinese tablet is on ICS and has much more flexible connections than the Sammy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flexible connections ? like what ? can i know the model number thingking of getting 1 as a remote for my htpc and whats the resolution ?

This 7.7 slides easily on my jeans front pocket lol
Everytime I pull it out, people are looking with a confused face 'where in the world thit that huge slab came from' = priceless

ThE_SoUrCe said:
This 7.7 slides easily on my jeans front pocket lol
Everytime I pull it out, people are looking with a confused face 'where in the world thit that huge slab came from' = priceless
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Click to collapse
So true but the question I always get is "is that an ipad?" A bit anoying but I always tell them "no its better " lol!!!
Using Galaxy Tab 7.7 P6800

geogetski666 said:
flexible connections ? like what ? can i know the model number thingking of getting 1 as a remote for my htpc and whats the resolution ?
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Click to collapse
Hi, well the device i got was this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NATPC-M009S-Capacitive-Gingerbread-Responsive/forum/Fx1DBIDSXCYCEJH/-/1/ref=cm_cd_f_h_dp_t?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B006M07X34 Not sure if you can get that where you are, it is a pretty generic android tablet. But it is surpisingly well made and works fine. It is slightly thicker than the 7.7 but noticeably lighter and narrower, which makes it easier to hold in one hand and put in a pocket.
In terms of the connections it has an easily reached microsd slot (no fiddly cover which feels like it is going to snap off any minute), a built-in HDMI (output to 1080), a mini-usb, 3,5 audio and a seperate power in.
The bit that I like is that I can use HDMI directly without having to pass-through the power cord. I can also use all the connections seperately. So in terms of your htpc question, it has actually replace mine. Bluetooth dongle for keyboard/mouse, hdmi to TV, power in or not, wifi connected streaming directly or from files on my PC.
The single proprietary IN on the 7.7 is a bind as far as I am concerned.
It came with 2.3.4 gingerbread on it but there are ICS 4.0.3 FWs to upgrade to - from the manufacturer.
The res is a "lowly" 800x480 but it works for me.
For £100 it is well worth the money, certainly compared to products from a certain company that thinks it sits somewhere on the right hand of whichever deity you might adhere to.

palexr said:
Hi, well the device i got was this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NATPC-M009S-Capacitive-Gingerbread-Responsive/forum/Fx1DBIDSXCYCEJH/-/1/ref=cm_cd_f_h_dp_t?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B006M07X34 Not sure if you can get that where you are, it is a pretty generic android tablet. But it is surpisingly well made and works fine. It is slightly thicker than the 7.7 but noticeably lighter and narrower, which makes it easier to hold in one hand and put in a pocket.
In terms of the connections it has an easily reached microsd slot (no fiddly cover which feels like it is going to snap off any minute), a built-in HDMI (output to 1080), a mini-usb, 3,5 audio and a seperate power in.
The bit that I like is that I can use HDMI directly without having to pass-through the power cord. I can also use all the connections seperately. So in terms of your htpc question, it has actually replace mine. Bluetooth dongle for keyboard/mouse, hdmi to TV, power in or not, wifi connected streaming directly or from files on my PC.
The single proprietary IN on the 7.7 is a bind as far as I am concerned.
It came with 2.3.4 gingerbread on it but there are ICS 4.0.3 FWs to upgrade to - from the manufacturer.
The res is a "lowly" 800x480 but it works for me.
For £100 it is well worth the money, certainly compared to products from a certain company that thinks it sits somewhere on the right hand of whichever deity you might adhere to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 7.7 but would not mind it being a tad thicker if that meant an even bigger battery. I would like the bezels to be smaller making it easier to hold on the sides and, once again, I think being a tad thicker would help here as well. But 800x480 -- NO F'n WAY! Not interested.
The Android makers are in a bind with Apple at one end eating up the premium dollars and the Kindle/Nook and Chinese knock offs at the other end driving the price down to unprofitable levels. The 7.7 is expensive and will likely not sell well even though the display is top of the heap and the size and form factor make it more usable than the iPad. When Apple pushes out the 7.85 tab that will be the final nail in the Android tab coffin...
Brian

Raptor1956 said:
But 800x480 -- NO F'n WAY! Not interested.
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Click to collapse
Ha, ha, ha. Yes, it really makes a world of difference
Oh, and I happen to be in the electronic component distribution industry, I can tell you the final nail in the coffin will be when the manufacturers persist in ripping the public with their vastly inflated prices. Maybe people will fall off the Apple hype wagon ahd those trying to copy them will be forced to re-evaluate their business models. Bring on the kindles and Chinese 'knock offs' (knocking what off I don't know but hey, let's stereotype why not?).
I love my 7.7 but then I didn't pay for it...

The 0.7 inch does make a difference. I had the GT 7 for a year and waited for the 7.7 for a long time for its beautiful screen the thinness. Now that I have it, it is just a tad too big. It will fit in the pants pocket but not as comfortable as the GT7.
Now, all I need is the 7 with AMOLED screen andless than 7mm thick. Next year's Super GT 7 I guess
---------- Post added at 08:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 PM ----------
Raptor1956 said:
When Apple pushes out the 7.85 tab that will be the final nail in the Android tab coffin...
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Click to collapse
Thats funny. As much as I like the iPad, I think the 7.85 form factor is going to be a tougher battle for Apple than the 10". I certainly won't be buying one. I tried the GT 10.1 and that is just too big, not comfortable at all.
To me between 7 to 10 (only in the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPAD, not 16:9) is the ideal size for a tablet. And the Android devices certainly offer more choices in that range.

If Apple is smart they'd sell the 7.85 at cost to get a large percentage of the market. After all, they make 30% off of the apps and media they sell so they can sell the 7.85 at cost, kill Android in the process, and still make money from apps and media. They won't be able to so easily do this in the smart phone space, but tablets are another thing and Apple, if they play things smart, could kill Android in tablets and still profit.
When I say kill Android I'm not counting the Kindle or Nook and maybe some of the cheap Chinese ones but the major players looking to build quality tabs will not be able to do so AND make a profit...
Brian