I'm just curious - with tablets as popular as they are - and with nice big screens, do you think there is any chance Android will provide any sort of windowing system in the future (so you can see more than one app at a time)? I think that would be awesome on tablets...
Any thoughts??
There is always that onskreen thing that is being developed... i heard conflicting sides to why it's not available on android, but itsounds like google is trying to displace apple instead of overwhelming it by showing that tablets can be more than entertainment..
Hmm, haven't heard of Onskreen - I just looked it up and it looks awesome! Has any OEM actually used it yet?? It says that it IS for Andorid, from what I read!
Well, there are several reasons why onskreen cornerstone is having a hard time launching. But here are the main reasons.
(1) Onskreen wants to make a lot of money out of this. So, they want to go through the formal route of having google and tablet manufacturers incorporate this in the updates.
(2) Unfortunately for onskreen, google and tablet manufacturers are not convinced that people would want this feature on their tablets.
About #2, look at the success of the ipad and ipad 2. And you couldn't even multitask on the ipad. Yet, apple is selling them by the tens of millions. Google and android tablet manufacturers think people don't want multitasking on their tablets. These mega companies are trying to catch up to the ipad's success by tailing it. And that means copying how ipad works.
Last there was any info on the development of cornerstone, google and some manufacturers were making onskreen take surveys to prove that anyone at all would like this feature on their tablet. It's sad, really, that these mega companies are perfectly happy tailing apple instead of trying something new to beat it.
If my tablet had a twenty inch screen I would want Xmonad, never mind that. At 10.1 inches Android is good enough at multi-tasking. Maybe if Android overtakes Windows PC someday in the next billion years, we'll get windowing.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Spidey01 said:
If my tablet had a twenty inch screen I would want Xmonad, never mind that. At 10.1 inches Android is good enough at multi-tasking. Maybe if Android overtakes Windows PC someday in the next billion years, we'll get windowing.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way... imagine being able to watch a YouTube video while browsing Tapatalk. Or open GTalk while watching a movie. A tiling window manager for our TF would be really awesome. Not to mention I hook my TF up to a 24" monitor or 40+" TV for doing development work on (ConnectBot SSH'd into a VPS running vim), which would really really benefit from this.
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Gary13579 said:
No way... imagine being able to watch a YouTube video while browsing Tapatalk. Or open GTalk while watching a movie. A tiling window manager for our TF would be really awesome. Not to mention I hook my TF up to a 24" monitor or 40+" TV for doing development work on (ConnectBot SSH'd into a VPS running vim), which would really really benefit from this.
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 - my thoughts exactly!
Unfortunately it seems running eMMC Ubuntu is the only solution to this at the moment, and without hardware accel it's definitely not the quickest solution.
That being said, I run a full dev environment (with VPN) on my Transformer and it's incredibly convenient.
Also, battery life in Ubuntu is incredible! Surprisingly so for me anyway..
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium
Gary13579 said:
No way... imagine being able to watch a YouTube video while browsing Tapatalk. Or open GTalk while watching a movie. A tiling window manager for our TF would be really awesome. Not to mention I hook my TF up to a 24" monitor or 40+" TV for doing development work on (ConnectBot SSH'd into a VPS running vim), which would really really benefit from this.
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a _very_ heavy multi tasker and overloader, as in making my laptop want to halt and catch fire kind of multitasking. At a minimal we're talking code compiling, music streaming, and 3+ IM tabs. while surfing the web. If I have a 24" or 40+" to work with, I'll want them each arranged in tiles automatically like XMonad can.
Over the years I have used the following: 15", 19", 22" wide, 10.1" wide, and 15.4" or w/e the wide format is. Resolutions from SVGA to HD. You know what I found when I was using a 10.1" netbook? Most of the time ALT+TAB was more effective with so little screen space. Whether I was reading or writing, watching or chatting, there just wasn't enough screen screen space for more than 1 and 1/3 programs on a 10.1" at 1024x600. I'd rather ALT+TAB than use smaller windows. The TF101's resolution on the 15.x" laptop wasn't so much better, that I would expect the same resolution on 10.1" to be a serious improvement. To be honest I never notied that big a serious gain until I hit 1920x1080 on a 22" wide screen!!!
At work, I run tmux locally (it's like screen) and connect to dtach'd shells on the development server; at home I skip the SSH part. Chrome and Pidgin being the primary GUI needs that matter and corrisponding to Opera Mobile and IMO+jTalk on my TF101.
So I don't really miss adding the 20" Dell on my desktop to it most times. It is a short comming that I can't hook up my TF to my 22" wide at home and have xterm and chrome side by side, the way my netbook and laptop could, and being able to use xrandr to choose if I wanted a mirror or a second screen, or even to make the big screen the only screen. But hey, I can't really complain because most of the time I would just be filling it with a huge ass xterm. For most people that use a tiling wm, probably the same. Regular users have more need of it and regular users are not going to use their TF the way I do.
It was a nice to have feature not a requirement -- because if it was, I wouldn't have been using anything less mobile than my desktop PC to start with! I just don't need that to be productive...maybe if I spent my job in photoshop instead of vim, idk.
edit: if it was to a vote, I'd rather have better access to things like Chrome's debugging tools than multiple windows. Then I wouldn't need my workstation every now and then!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
But remember - as with any windowing system, you would always have the option to run any app in full screen mode.... It would just be nice to have the option to view mutiple apps at once in certain situations... I don't see any drawbacks - just advantages!
The biggest problem I currently have is that when I go back to the home sceeen from some apps, the app actually closes, so there is no way to multitask.... If I had multiple windows on teh screen at once, I wouldn't have that issue...
Currently, I guess it's up to the app to determine if it stays open when going back to the home screen?? It just seems like I don't have the option to multitask all apps....
jtrosky said:
But remember - as with any windowing system, you would always have the option to run any app in full screen mode.... It would just be nice to have the option to view mutiple apps at once in certain situations... I don't see any drawbacks - just advantages!
The biggest problem I currently have is that when I go back to the home sceeen from some apps, the app actually closes, so there is no way to multitask.... If I had multiple windows on teh screen at once, I wouldn't have that issue...
Currently, I guess it's up to the app to determine if it stays open when going back to the home screen?? It just seems like I don't have the option to multitask all apps....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get an ipad.
goodintentions said:
Get an ipad.
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Click to collapse
Huh? I have an iPad - it's even worse than Android at Mutlitasking!
Back to the question - what determines if an Android app is multitask-able? Is it up to the author of the app?
Thanks!
jtrosky said:
Huh? I have an iPad - it's even worse than Android at Mutlitasking!
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Click to collapse
But... but... according to engadget the ipad is perfect at everything. Surely, the best, most powerful tablet in the world (personally created by St. Stephen and distributed by the Holy Apple Church) would be perfect at multitasking.
goodintentions said:
But... but... according to engadget the ipad is perfect at everything. Surely, the best, most powerful tablet in the world (personally created by St. Stephen and distributed by the Holy Apple Church) would be perfect at multitasking.
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Click to collapse
Too funny! I would like the option as well to view both programs similar to cascade in windows. The only thing close I have ever seen is the dual browser whcih is ok but obviously only for internet pages. I truly think android needs a couple more software iterations. However I also don't think eclipse would let u do half of a screen for example because they have specific dimensions and sizes built in. Much like compatibility mode, if the app could default to a smaller size then it could be possible but probably wouldn't look natural.
Fascinate CM7 Stable
jtrosky said:
But remember - as with any windowing system, you would always have the option to run any app in full screen mode.... It would just be nice to have the option to view mutiple apps at once in certain situations... I don't see any drawbacks - just advantages!
The biggest problem I currently have is that when I go back to the home sceeen from some apps, the app actually closes, so there is no way to multitask.... If I had multiple windows on teh screen at once, I wouldn't have that issue...
Currently, I guess it's up to the app to determine if it stays open when going back to the home screen?? It just seems like I don't have the option to multitask all apps....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't really see the development efforts and the major headscrew for the user expirerence as being worth it until we have the Android PC where most people have a Dell or an eMachine on a desk. Maybe someday if Windows 8 flops but not today w/o a freaky fork of Android.
A great plus of Android to me, I have almost all the power my BSD and Linux based systems have, everything I need (personally) to be productive, some useful propritary apps I might not get with FreeBSD, plus it is so easy to use that my mother can use Gingerbread and Froyo. We have had computers for nearly 20 years and she has used Windows XP since 2001 ---- and still struggles with multiple windows, copying and pasting, browsing/saving files, etc. Holy crap, I think it took 7 years for her to stop asking me, "Left or right click". Google has done an awesome job IMHO.
That is just an awesome combo, plus I could probably use x forwarding/vnc magic and get a 1280x1080 GNU/Linux desktop on my big screen, and use a local VNC connection when getting up to go. Maybe even resize it after rather than scroll around. So I can technically have it if I wanted or needed it for productivity, just not with Android apps.
@the multitasking part, usually you can use the copy buffer as an accumulator when that happens. I tend to use Home or the "Multitasking" buttons / ALT+Tab depending on what I'm doing, and rarely have a problem unless I take too long to switch back or launch something memory intensive. Also another reason I switched from TexTab to Tablet Talk, hehe. Most apps that I use don't cause me troubles and those that do on occasion (TeamSpeak) wouldn't if designed properly for the life cycle of an Android application. Then there are some where the activity just dies out, like MoboPlayer lol.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Spidey, fact is, I'd get a lot of use out of a tiling wm on Android. I know we can go without it, certainly, that's why I'm still using my TF for development! The TF offers so many advantages over a traditional notebook that the loss is worth it, but that doesn't make it useless. There are many, many uses for it, especially for IM and video. I suppose we could probably get IM working with window fragments... I'll have to look into it for my #1 l33t IM app! Also tiling things like connectbot and the browser would be great, for so many reasons. It may not be perfect on such a small screen, but it would be useful most of the time.
jtrosky said:
Huh? I have an iPad - it's even worse than Android at Mutlitasking!
Back to the question - what determines if an Android app is multitask-able? Is it up to the author of the app?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He tells that to everyone that even hints at Android not being perfect.
Android sends a signal to an app when you leave it, telling it that you left. It sits there for a while, and if you don't enter it again for so long, Android sends it a destroy signal, and it's up to the author of the app to save the current state so it can be resumed next time it's opened. If it doesn't behave like this, then yea, it's because of the author of the app (or it's too complicated an app to save/restore the state... eg imagine a 3d game).
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Gary13579 said:
Android sends a signal to an app when you leave it, telling it that you left. It sits there for a while, and if you don't enter it again for so long, Android sends it a destroy signal, and it's up to the author of the app to save the current state so it can be resumed next time it's opened. If it doesn't behave like this, then yea, it's because of the author of the app (or it's too complicated an app to save/restore the state... eg imagine a 3d game).
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info! What I've been noticing thuough is that when I try to multitask certain apps, they wont even show in my recents list at all (like tthere is NO chance for multitasking...). From what your saying, it sounds like all apps shoudl be able to multitask to some point, but that's not what I'm seeing... I'm wondering if it's just an issue with the custom ROM/kernel I'm using...
Thanks again! Obviously, not a huge deal, but kinda annoying sometimes.
Regardless, I would NEVER even think of switching back to Apple devices (gave the iPad to the wife) - Android really is so much more powerful!
jtrosky said:
Thanks for the info! What I've been noticing thuough is that when I try to multitask certain apps, they wont even show in my recents list at all (like tthere is NO chance for multitasking...). From what your saying, it sounds like all apps shoudl be able to multitask to some point, but that's not what I'm seeing... I'm wondering if it's just an issue with the custom ROM/kernel I'm using...
Thanks again! Obviously, not a huge deal, but kinda annoying sometimes.
Regardless, I would NEVER even think of switching back to Apple devices (gave the iPad to the wife) - Android really is so much more powerful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only time I've seen this happen is because of launching one app from another. eg if you click a web link within an app and it opens the browser, it won't show both the originating app *and* the browser for some reason, it only shows one (I forget which).
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Gary13579 said:
The only time I've seen this happen is because of launching one app from another. eg if you click a web link within an app and it opens the browser, it won't show both the originating app *and* the browser for some reason, it only shows one (I forget which).
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for the info. I can't even remember which apps were giving me issues off-hand - I'll have to start paying attention to this again to see if my system is working properly or not.
Thanks again.
Gary13579 said:
Spidey, fact is, I'd get a lot of use out of a tiling wm on Android. I know we can go without it, certainly, that's why I'm still using my TF for development! The TF offers so many advantages over a traditional notebook that the loss is worth it, but that doesn't make it useless. There are many, many uses for it, especially for IM and video. I suppose we could probably get IM working with window fragments... I'll have to look into it for my #1 l33t IM app! Also tiling things like connectbot and the browser would be great, for so many reasons. It may not be perfect on such a small screen, but it would be useful most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said it was useless but short of the Android PC on almost everyones desk, I don't see that happening; because I can understand why Google hasn't really done that. And I think we will just get refineme ts on what we already have for multi-tasking by Android 6.x.
jtrosky said:
What I've been noticing thuough is that when I try to multitask certain apps, they wont even show in my recents list at all (like tthere is NO chance for multitasking...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is most probmatic when one activity lauches another, for example openning a PDF in Polaris via Opera. I hope the mukti0tasking button gets better in ICS, since I need the dock to use the okd one.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Related
I've been trying to find a decent app that I can use to write notes on. I want to use this in class so I can just take out a stylus and just start writing. I saw that the HTC Flyer had a built in app that you can write with their stylus and then record audio at the same time.
While that app is ideal I am not sure if there is an application like that on the Market.
Has anyone used the Xoom yet in class/meeting for note taking using a stylus and keyboard yet?
Its one of the major things I need for a tablet and one that is making me consider the iPad2. I love Android too much to do that to myself but I really need this functionality lol.
I know it hurts to leave android, but get the ipad. The note taking apps on it are amazing. Note taker HD for instance allows you to simultaneously record and take notes at the same time. Handwriting recognition works beautifully with a stylus, and its very easy to switch colors to make your notes more clear.
Orrr you can follow this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11852468#post11852468
bobdude5 said:
I know it hurts to leave android, but get the ipad. The note taking apps on it are amazing. Note taker HD for instance allows you to simultaneously record and take notes at the same time. Handwriting recognition works beautifully with a stylus, and its very easy to switch colors to make your notes more clear.
Orrr you can follow this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11852468#post11852468
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Click to collapse
Notetaker HD is pretty awesome. If there isn't an Android app of quality by the time I start back to school next semester I might have to grab an iPad 2. I hate having redundant devices, but I might have to get both. At least with both I'll never say damnit I wish this app would come to X or Y platform.
Give it some time, with this being a google android experience provides you better believe they're going to do something like that
setite said:
Notetaker HD is pretty awesome. If there isn't an Android app of quality by the time I start back to school next semester I might have to grab an iPad 2. I hate having redundant devices, but I might have to get both. At least with both I'll never say damnit I wish this app would come to X or Y platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
setite said:
Notetaker HD is pretty awesome. If there isn't an Android app of quality by the time I start back to school next semester I might have to grab an iPad 2. I hate having redundant devices, but I might have to get both. At least with both I'll never say damnit I wish this app would come to X or Y platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you know of an ipad app developer that designed a great note taking app, I would just email the app developer and ask if they're making one for android or not. Most of the time you'll get a response. Some actually email me back and told me that they're working on it and it'll be released soon.
I have an ipad and it definitely has more software, I use mine daily (not so much now that I have the xoom). Note taking is a bit of a disappointing experience. The keyboard in portrait mode still isn't as fast as a normal keyboard. The stylus for a capacitive digitizer isn't really a good input device. It is a wide foam tip that sometimes skips on the screen, you have to write too big. It is was a hard tip pencil point type used on the resistive digitizers (not possible with current tablets), I think that would be better.
The palm rejection software didn't work for a hook-lefty for the ipad programs I looked at at the time so I didn't even try it.
On the xoom I loaded catch, I use it on my droid and ipad and it works fine. Evernote is good too but the service is too expensive at $45; if you don't buy the service you won't get your notes when not connected to the internet.
I've been using the xoom to take notes! I just use Documents to go Writer for taking notes in class with a mini bluetooth keyboard (not the official one, but a $30 one from amazon). I use a program called grades to track my homework and other assignments. I also use kindle and docs to go PDF for viewing e-books.
I also have no desire to write "naturally" on it with a stylus. If I wanted to do that I would have a five star notebook that doesn't cost $800.
I agree that I have no desire for "natural" writing with my xoom. My biggest concern is that whatever I write I want backed up somewhere, and if I choose to continue on a desktop later.
Two possible solutions:
1. Google docs - I even put a shortcut on my desktop directly to the page with it. Bad thing you need to have wifi or at least 3g.
1a. You can try a program called gdocs. That more of a notepad, but it syncs automatically to a google docs folder
2. I use dropbox to sync a word document with my computer. Download dropbox to your xoom, and open the document once. It'll download it to a \dropbox directory. I used Astro to create a shortcut to that document so it was easy to access in a meeting. I use Documents To Go to open it. When I do open and edit it, I File--> Save and you can see it automatically uploads it to dropbox.
Neither solution allows voice recording as well, but I never felt I needed that.
Good luck
If u download spare part from market and disable app compatibilty then restart then download gdocs. From the market. That should be more then enuff of a office apps for u to use and spare parts lets all ur apps even non tab apps show full screen
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
I'd hold out for the NoteSlate (http://noteslate.com) for note taking and use the Xoom for everything else.
The reason why I need to write notes, is it makes no sense in an engineering/biology class.
Ever had to describe a detailed cell drawing when you can just, I don't know, draw it? lol
And yes I can buy a notebook and just do it there, but frankly, I have a ton of e-textbooks and I rather just carry a tablet instead.
I have a netbook. It does its job for regular note taking sessions, but I can't record properly, and there is no linking between what I wrote and what I recorded.
HTC Flyer does this but its too damn small and lackluster.
sekigah84 said:
HTC Flyer does this but its too damn small and lackluster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if once it's released, an enterprising coder will yank and port it ala Wifi Calling from the G2 to the Nexus.
(I'm extremely interested in a solution for similar reasons.)
If you need an immediate solution "today", the best I've seen is Graffiti as a scrawl to text translator and MaplePaint as a freestyle doodle. I'm biased because I had a number of Palm PDAs so I'm familiar with Graffiti and it's quirks. There was one other as a keyboard replacement that would do the same thing and had a lot of potential, as long as I didn't have to do it on my <4" phone screen (waiting for the wifi version later this spring). It was $10 for the full version and in my aggravated state of having to play with it on my phone I uninstalled it. It did have serious potential if I was on a 10" screen though, now I wished I'd written down the name.
Well it doesnt have audio recording, but for hand held drawing, I just saw drawfree, it does do free style drawing with the ability to change colors,
it just appeared in the tablet apps section of the market
I'm an engineering student also and I'm looking for a good note taking/recording app. I have the Xoom and will be getting an iPad 2 next week which will be much better in this particular area. However, I just don't see how I could be more productive on a tablet than my laptop. A bluetooth keyboard would be really nice and it'd take up less room, but there aren't too many benefits to it.
I tried out this drawing application and there's no way it'd be useful without some sort of stylus. Using your finger just feels very awkward.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Notetaker HD
I'm not much of a poster but I've been looking for a good note taking app since I sold my iPad. I emailed Dan about porting his Notetaker HD app to Android and this is what he replied with:
I'd love to have it there, but it will be at least a while before I can even look into it. It's hard enough doing it for the iPad (written in Objective-C and in some places raw C for speed) but perhaps once the functionality gets firmed up on the iPad I can do an Android conversion, but not yet.
-DanB
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Click to collapse
I am disappointed but hopeful that someone will make a Onenote type app for Android yet.
do they know about this? Supposedly it allows apps to be easily ported to android
linky
weisepet said:
I'm not much of a poster but I've been looking for a good note taking app since I sold my iPad. I emailed Dan about porting his Notetaker HD app to Android and this is what he replied with:
I am disappointed but hopeful that someone will make a Onenote type app for Android yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got an Ipda and a xoom and have the same goal as you did - write naturally on a tablet with a stylus. The Ipad has a numnber of apps to accomplish this whereas the xoom doesn't have anything that works yet. I use Notes Plus on the Ipad for now til xoom catches up. However, these Ipad developers did not have any sense of urgency for developing for android when I contacted them. They were concentrating on improving their Ipad offerings.
The closest thing I found for xoom was an app called Note Everything but the responsiveness for inkwriting was unusable for note taking.
I'm keepin' my Xoom though cause it rocks in every other way - just waitin for the apps to explode on the scene!
I've been using Evernote for this for quite some time now. Started on my Droid and it works flawlessly on the Xoom. I can take notes from a web browser and they automatically sync to my tab and phone. Handy to have all your notes with you all the time (like when the boss asks for something). I have one of those mini BT keyboards which paired fine with the Xoom and I've been in several meetings so far where I've use the audio recording. The files turn out to be small but it does a halfway decent job of recording. You can add pictures to each note, rich text. It's been pretty slick, and it's free.
I contacted a few iPad developers about coming to android, more specifically honeycomb and these were my responses:
SketchPad HD:
"Sorry. No current plans for Android tablet apps. There just aren't that many honeycomb tablets on the market. "
CourseNotes:
"We have no direct plans for an Android version at the moment, but we are keeping a close eye on the state of hardware/software on the Android side to see if it will be a good match for the app in the future."
Not the greatest news. Here's to hoping something comes out soon for android.
DustyD said:
I contacted a few iPad developers about coming to android, more specifically honeycomb and these were my responses:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably just what was said about Android phones two years ago.
I'm using Catch for notes but looking at the HTC Scribe, and I really don't like HTC, I think they're on to something. Hope that's just a pen and software we can all use.
I was using Evernote, a nice program but I thought the price to have offline notes of $45/yr was excessive.
This must be my 6th tablet if I include the 'first out of the post' compaq tablets eons ago, a toshiba laptop/tablet, 2 different ipads and an advent vega, so I'd like to think I've got a fairly balanced view on tablets.
I won't get into any of the usual iOS/Android flames, suffice to say in my opinion after a week of using Honeycomb on the Xoom, Android is much more suited to a tablet format than iOS on an iPad, which is really just a big phone, albeit a very slick one.
I'm sure most on this forum will be used to acting as guinea pigs for new technologies and that's a choice most of us have made by getting this device to see the possibilities of an Android tablet, so a few bugs was expected. A couple more updates and there's no reason why Android tablets will be just as slick as an iPad (as it is in the smartphone world now).
Now the hardware just needs to improve. While the Xoom is nice solid tech, it is heavy. I was trying to use it standing on up a train and after a while, it was particularly uncomfortable to use. The screen could be brighter too.
My one unexpected observation though is the screen size. Is it me or is a more rectangular 10.1" just not as easy to type on as the squarer 9.7" iPad?
I find that the wider screen means the keyboard either takes up all the screen or is squashed and the keys are not as easy to use. When I had the iPad, I found typing in landscape mode absolutely no problem. On the Xoom it's not quite as easy to type quickly on.
Anyway, just my opinion... while each day I like honeycomb more and more, I'm not entirely convinced that the Xoom will be my final Android tablet.
thx. xoom's really a sweet device, although it has few bugs. enjoy mine very much too
The think about android is that you can change the UI the way you like, you can have the sweet thumb keyboard app and that problem its solved. I find it hard to the ipad will let you change that UI keyboard setting.
I agree the xoom is too heavy, maybe they should realese a keyboard like asus transformer so it can be held in the lap (sorry for my english).
The screen on the xoom is the same as a widescreen monitor you use on a pc. The ipad is somekind of cropped. you can tell if you play videos on ipad...they dont fit the screen.
The only think that im a little sad about the xoom is devs arent interested right now to release honeycomb support. Not even all google apps have honeycomb support but i guess its matter of months or maybe they are waiting for xoom 2
I also had my Xoom for a week, and like you enjoy using it so far.
You can try to install this thumb keyboard for easier typing, even though it’s in beta, I have not had any problems use it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1055327
I only took the Xoom on the train for one day and also found it difficult to use. My issue is more to do with the size than the weight. So I went back to use my Galaxy Tab and leave the Xoom for mainly home use.
The only real issue I've found with Honeycomb/my Xoom is the chronic shortage of apps designed for tablets specifically.
VaKo said:
The only real issue I've found with Honeycomb/my Xoom is the chronic shortage of apps designed for tablets specifically.
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Click to collapse
yes , my thoughts exactly !
SwiftKey tablet beta resolves any typing issues, I've been using it since before it went public beta, was part of the early testers. They've already listened to many of my suggestions, which is just great IMO.
i totally agree about the apps. I'm willing to wait...but is it me is the number of apps going down the market? It was 67 a few days, 64 yesterday and 60 rightnow.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Does anyone notice that number of apps for tablet on android market decrease overtime ? The first day i got my xoom, there were 67 apps, 2 weeks ago: 64 apps. now there are 60 apps.
I wouldn't worry to much about the apps, with the huge list of android tablets dropping this year we can all expect to see a rather consistent flow of new apps......Hopefullly
tritran18518 said:
Does anyone notice that number of apps for tablet on android market decrease overtime ? The first day i got my xoom, there were 67 apps, 2 weeks ago: 64 apps. now there are 60 apps.
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Click to collapse
That's because when you click "Featured" Android Tablet apps, those are just "Featured". There are actually WAY more than that (150+) Honeycomb "optimized" apps in the Market.
It would be considerably more useful if there was a tablet part of the market, similar to iTunes having an iPad only part. There's no easy way to identify tablet optimized apps.
This is from a UK XOOM and I've a feeling that for some reason, Market is different in europe.
The fact that lists like this exist says volumes about the state of tablet support in the android market, but here is one of the user-compiled lists of apps that are either optimized for or work well with honeycomb:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/mot...al-optimized-honeycomb-apps-list-n-170-a.html
There's also the game compatibility thread in the xoom apps and themes section here on xda.
great resource... thanks!
scratch that... android c+?)&@l only allows 'registered users' to view links. Way to support open source guys!
Agreed. I'm sure the list is useful, but that kind of garbage makes me keep right on walkin.
yea its ridiculous
Is it that hard to register a free account?
in all honestly you should all already have android central accounts...it's the most popular android development site...
Xoom Gripes
First off, for what I use it for, my Xoom is better than my iMac and my MacBook Pro. That said, I have a couple of issues with it.
I hate the placement of the ports. I got a case from KeviKev (which is the bees knees), and I cannot prop it up while charging without putting strain on the cable/port.
When plugged-in to my TV (HDMI), the screen orientation changes in a very strange way. I turned the tablet upside-down so I could prop it up with the HDMI cable plugged in, and the picture on the TV went upside-down, too. I know I can lock the orientation, but I would like it if it were more intelligent about the way it handles screen orientation.
These flaws (if I can even call them that) are not an issue when I use the tablet out on the street, or when I lay it down on its back when I'm not really using the screen anyway. There isn't much that I can say about my Xoom that isn't praise. I have the U.S. 3G version and I live in Germany, and the lack of mobile broadband isn't a complete turn-off like I had anticipated. Kudos to Motorola and Google.
It's quiet in here while 3G Xooms are in transit getting their long-awaited 4G upgrade.
So what is coming down the road that you might feel excited about, or what is on your wishlist?
In this thread I'm not looking for a ***** session, but just an assessment of where we are in terms of software/OS and apps availability for the Xoom. I think we are all aware of any hardware limitations, so unless there may be software fixes, let's not dwell on that, OK?
Anyway, I'll start: I'm pretty happy with the Team Tiamat roms/kernels/recovery and I understand that Team Rogue makes some fantastic kernels/recoveries, too. So that's pretty good, considering Honeycomb Source code is not available.
My real need is smoother integration of productivity activities (file creation/editing/saving/sending/printing) and also design/drawing/paint applications--for my two main moneymaking activities.
I can use a whole bunch of apps but they don't work so well together.
Is there anything good to address this on the horizon?
I think google and microsoft need to get the crap together and integrate some office. I mean it would be nice to see the use of features we have and use at home/work on our pc. Adobe is doing it. MS and google (with all the patents they just bought) could make a lot of money and people happy. We could have xbox live, MS games, office apps that work with our jobs, actual ability to use the system to better our wants and needs. I would love to have android link with my google stuff and my pc stuff.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
+1 for me!
I read somewhere that the average Android user doesn't want to pay for apps. Don't know if it's true, but will that impede MS entry into Android market?
My want/need is very simple. I would love to see a few arrow keys on the keyboards. Rereading emails, texts, etc is a pain to edit without them.
OracleBlue said:
My want/need is very simple. I would love to see a few arrow keys on the keyboards. Rereading emails, texts, etc is a pain to edit without them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been waiting on someone to say that I've got arrows on my phone why not on my xoom
OracleBlue said:
My want/need is very simple. I would love to see a few arrow keys on the keyboards. Rereading emails, texts, etc is a pain to edit without them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the Hacker's Keyboard. it is configured just like a pc keyboard with arrow keys!
It also splits in half like the thumb keyboard and has a dedicated number pad mode. Sometimes a bit funky in regular keyboard mode when entering numbers, but overall, works great.
Louding keyboard clicking and unlock sounds.
SD write capability similar to my Froyo phone.
Tap-to-Focus on the camera app
Tablet Miui... What? You asked lol
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
Great thread!
I'm very pleased so far, especially considering source hasn't been dropped. Overclocking & undervolting are HUGE to me, adding to an already great charge time as well as an already great CPU power.
I don't know if this is simply a software issue that hasn't been done, or what, but I would really LOVE to see drag n' drop on a file browser. That would really be the icing on the 'productivity cake" for me.
Looking back at the Droid 1 development days, I see that the devs have really enabled quite a bit considering they don't have the SC. Aside of customization regarding font, color, c, I really don't know what else is possible.
As I said, I'm very pleased so far, so even if there were no further great strides to be made, I would not be disappointed with whatever the development teams come out with.
Overall very happy. In addition to the wish for functioning office apps (I have purchased all of them and use each for different functions to fill the gaps), I'd like to see an app (or, better yet, an OS function) that allows 10 or more tablets in a room (around the board table) to talk directly to each other. I want to be able to run a meeting showing the presentation on each (one tab driving), yet allowing each to take advantage of multitasking so that an individual could slip out of the presentation to retrieve a file from dropbox, pull an email, schedule an appt, etc.
okantomi said:
I'm pretty happy with the Team Tiamat roms/kernels/recovery and I understand that Team Rogue makes some fantastic kernels/recoveries, too. So that's pretty good, considering Honeycomb Source code is not available.
My real need is smoother integration of productivity activities (file creation/editing/saving/sending/printing) and also design/drawing/paint applications--for my two main moneymaking activities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You took the words out of my mouth. I measure and draw countertops for kitchens all day long and would like to see an app that I could use to draw them on, kinda like a dumbed down auto cad that you could use a picture or graph paper as a background.
Also the device lags a bit with anything other than a static background enabled, seemslike it should be snappier all around and I wish the keyboard would keep up better.
I love the work the folks here have done so far with this device and I understand that some stuff probably won't/can't be addressed, but those are my desires for the device.
And I want to be able to swipe the bottom bar away, or long press a corner or something.
madamimadam said:
You took the words out of my mouth. I measure and draw countertops for kitchens all day long and would like to see an app that I could use to draw them on, kinda like a dumbed down auto cad that you could use a picture or graph paper as a background.
Also the device lags a bit with anything other than a static background enabled, seemslike it should be snappier all around and I wish the keyboard would keep up better.
I love the work the folks here have done so far with this device and I understand that some stuff probably won't/can't be addressed, but those are my desires for the device.
And I want to be able to swipe the bottom bar away, or long press a corner or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are all seriously great ideas. I'm not any kind of developer but it seems like some of these suggestions could be accomplished. I would love a way to draw with a stylus and have the line actually coming from a "point" the way I normally draw with a pen. I know that some apps have less lag and some stylii approximate a point but it just doesn't feel quite right. I would also like to see improved handwriting to OCR.
I'm also interested in what people would like out of their custom rom.
Obviously we can't do everything at the moment and not everything is feasible, but it's always good to have feedback
Tiamat makes Xoom zoom. No complaints there just kudos and gratitude. As for wishing...I wish annotation intigration for both capacitive and digitized displays was universally incorporated throughout OS and apps.
...xoom posted...
simple. I'd like to see support for usb to serial devices such as those using the pl2303 chip. I could use my zoom for hacking/servicing many devices such as the slug, routers, switches, etc. It would allow me to stop carrying a notebook computer.
How about a proper hack for 3g USB dongle support? I only managed to tether my wifi xoom to my nexus one.
And I hope Google will optimize hardware acceleration for android UI interactions. So far honeycomb lags inconsistently.
musashiken said:
How about a proper hack for 3g USB dongle support? I only managed to tether my wifi xoom to my nexus one.
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Click to collapse
I think there is some support for 3G dongles, you might have to hit up the devs to find out the details. I know Solarnz helped me get my 4G WiMax dongle working. My modified standard dock, which now has a full-sized USB host port, and my 4G dongle make a great combination along with the BT keyboard and mouse.
kuroguy said:
simple. I'd like to see support for usb to serial devices such as those using the pl2303 chip. I could use my zoom for hacking/servicing many devices such as the slug, routers, switches, etc. It would allow me to stop carrying a notebook computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done. Ill up it tomorrow for testing.
ok guys, give it a run
http://goo.gl/MhIBX
I would like to see some kind of messaging capability without having to do a bunch of hacks to get there, and maybe good codec support written in for the stock video player, eliminating the need to try out every video app in the market to find one that works...maybe a built in note taking app and some other clocks. I really do hate the tron clock
I would like to see multiple user support much like Windows. Have a main logon screen at boot up with the all the users names and their icon, along with a password on each to keep the accounts locked. Possibly a guest account for other people who don't use your tablet a lot, but would like to play something.
This is something that is badly needed. A tablet is a device that can be shared by more than one user. If it is a family tablet it would be great to have multiple user accounts to log into with. Each account would have custom settings and apps for that user, just like Windows. The new tablets have plenty of memory to handle multiple users with multiple app installs.
Also needed for this to work: Admin + parental controls throughout the entire OS for people who are not the tablet admin. Comes in handy so that the minor users can not mess up the tablet for the owner/admin of the tablet. The minor users will not have the proper permissions to mess with anything root and such.
This may be a slightly different post, since most of the users are big fans or / and happy users of Asus Transformer, but hear me out. For haters of long post – a brief summary of my post: the honeymoon’s with my tablet over, considering what to do now…
About 3 months ago I’ve sold my trusty Asus EEE PC 701 to replace it with Transformer, which I currently own. This was done after careful consideration and study of my needs and available products at the time. When choosing a replacement for EEE PC, my priorities were (beginning with the most important):
1. Fast browsing (waiting for EEE PC to boot became a headache) and emailing.
2. Similar productivity capabilities (I mostly work in Google Docs environment with occasional editing of normal documents and spreadsheets)
3. Occasional movies (EEE PC couldn’t handle 720p)
4. Showing pictures to friends (rare occasions)
5. Games, when there’s no work in sight.
When considering a replacement, I took into the account other devices – a better netbook, a smartphone, a normal laptop and, of course, a tablet, which I eventually chose (Transformer + dock keyboard). The start was pretty nice, until I’ve experienced full “features” of Android Honeycomb…
1. Browsing is not what I expected. In PC’s most browsers work the same, render pages in the same fashion, offer similar capabilities. In Android, most browsers are like day and night in some areas. E.g. only in 1 of 5 browsers I tried I was able to move between cells in Google Spreadsheets with my keys on the keyboard (other browsers moved the scroll bar). I’ve constantly encounter(ed) sites that recognized my tablet as a phone, redirecting me to a low resolution version. And by the way – without internet (I’m using the version without 3G) it’s rather useless.
2. Enough to say that a tablet is not meant to be used for a document editing. It’s basically a pain in the arse. Polaris app is more a WYSIWYG html editor than a document app, “Documents to go” app is let’s say a bit expensive. I’ve also did not know how hard it is to use copy-paste mechanism. I do use this in my editing a lot.
3. Movies also are a pickle. While PC can decode almost any format (by choosing a right decoder), Android can’t offer such capabilities. I have 5 different players, which I use to decode movies. Till now I didn’t encounter any movie that can be played in all 5 players, usually 1-2 players (sometimes – none) can open the movie. Subtitles (I watch anime sometimes) are also a headache. Didn’t know that earlier.
4. Picture showing is, let’s say, ok. But only after one update when Gallery app started to act properly, i.e. show pictures in an ascending fashion (before that I had to scroll to the end of the gallery to start showing pictures from the start).
5. Games… Well, what I found out that I simply hate trivial / casual games and the market is full of them. Angry birds / fruit ninja entertained me for one day only.
To make things worse, Google still doesn’t offer a separate search for tabled optimized apps and, most importantly, the market does not offer capabilities of filtering crapware. I found out that there are websites, rating apps in a proper way, but this is still a nightmare.
After this, I’ve tried to search for answers to solve the mentioned problems, but it seems the Android platform is still very young and it will take some time for it to become mature in the software area. By that time the hardware will be different and my current tablet will be let’s say pretty much useless. So keeping it and waiting for a miracle (I’ve thought that Android 4.0 could be a solution) may be not a viable solution… Unless you’ll convince me otherwise.
Rants aside, I’m considering to sell the tablet and buy a smartphone (maybe a HTC Desire S ?). Of course I won’t be able to edit documents or have a big screen for movies, but I hope having a great time with phone optimized apps, blazing fast boot times, better internet availability (I mean 3G).
Your opinions and suggestions about the current situation are very welcome. For me, it's a hard (and maybe an expensive) decision.
P.S. I’ve also considered buying a Windows 7 tablet (which would suit my needs), but found out that the user interface is still VERY hard to control with touches. I’ve also thought about waiting for a Windows 8 tablet, but it seems it won’t be able to run x86 programs, meaning an Android-like situation with little availability of useful software.
No offense, but after reading your post carefully I decided any reply I have is futile. You got the transformer with the wrong attitude. You've been using it with the wrong attitude. And you've been expecting things with ALL the wrong attitude.
It's best that you stick with a win 7 netbook or notebook.
PS - I have not touched my laptop since April. Between my PC at home and my transformer on-the-go, I have no complaint whatsoever. I see your complaints comparable to the complaints of someone who got a motorcycle intending to use it like a car.
goodintentions said:
No offense, but after reading your post carefully I decided any reply I have is futile. You got the transformer with the wrong attitude. You've been using it with the wrong attitude. And you've been expecting things with ALL the wrong attitude.
It's best that you stick with a win 7 netbook or notebook.
PS - I have not touched my laptop since April. Between my PC at home and my transformer on-the-go, I have no complaint whatsoever. I see your complaints comparable to the complaints of someone who got a motorcycle intending to use it like a car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for an oppinion. Yes - my expectations were "something resembling a netbook with a hint of phone". But it's neither a phone, nor a netbook and the tasks I wanted it to do were very limited by the software, which I didn't take into account when considered buying a tablet...
i agree more or less. i owned a 701 too btw. i now own among others an eeepc 1015pem. but i use my transformer all the time. google editing is a bit awkward yes, especially with large docs, but google has his own application for that. it eases the pain a bit.
copy and paste, yes editing is not that easy. i own docs to go, but the user interface is not that intuitive. polaris seems to saves not always that good (it cant be opened with all others wordprocessors). open document format is not very easy to use.
but still i prefer transformer at work for all sort of reasons:
* battery, i can use the transformer (with dock) all day long, with no other hussle.
* it is cool
* boy is the transformer silent - i like that way more than i anticipated.
* the touchscreen, although not always that easy, i love it.
* being more in the cloud (dropbox with 50gb), gmail, and polaris/docs to go, calendar, google contacts, it all works together: fast and easy. i like that too.
* i like the looks, and the way the transformer feels.
* at work with dock, at home: mostly tablet: reading, viewing, surfing
btw i am used to use linux on my netbooks, win 7 moves like a snail.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium
I have to agree with GoodInte tions over there; which is ironic because the EeePC 1015PE Netbook that I havent touched since September, was bought in April .
For your needs Android is not effective, for me it is almost as effective as BSD or GNU/Linux; where you use gdocs I use programs that I can run in a Debian chroot or I use a PC, rather than try and use LibreOffice locally with X/VNC.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
For someone who took the time to write that thorough analysis, I would have thought you researched the TF with the same level of thoroughness. Everything you point out in your dissertation has been discussed in detail on this forum.
Yes.. exactly what Rumbleweed said. You said you bought this 3 months ago; then you got it around September, which was about 2 months after I got my transformer (if you got it right at the start). When I first got my tablet, I didn't look through any of the online stuff, but I did start about a week after getting it (to know how else I could improve it further, but I was pretty lucky as my B5 had no problems except for a slight creakiness on one side).
Anyway, by around 4.5 months ago, I already knew several points:
-browsing rendering had some issues, some of which was solved by hardware acceleration, etc. (although, I didn't really notice this as an issue until I looked online because my laptop is old and slower by far)
-document editing is a little flawed because typing lags behind the physical typing
-movies.. well, I saw lots of threads about not being able to play 720p except in Dice Player or something, but I don't really watch HD stuff often except maybe for tennis (btw, espn 360 worked perfectly and looked great for streaming)
-there are a lot of trivial games (I was disappointed with this one too, but I found the emulators soon after, so I haven't played much other trivial games except for the more addictive looking tower defense ones)
tl;dr: I don't understand how you didn't know this by the time you got it as you seem pretty thorough (as per your post). Good luck though, I wanted a Windows 7 tablet before in the past, but they're either expensive as hell or ugly looking as hell.. We just need Google and other tablet-making-companies to realize that tablets are for more than entertainment.
asdfuogh said:
I was pretty lucky as my B5 had no problems except for a slight creakiness on one side).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OT but I always thought it was just me and my B50 with that, on the right/starboard side. Just happy to have none of the serious problems I read about here lol.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Honestly, why not root and stick Ubuntu on there? I realize this would destroy the Android flavor, but that's obviously not what you're looking for.
Specifically:
1. How is not having 3G any different from your EEE PC with wifi? If you wanted the TF with 3G, there's a 3G version. Otherwise, I'm sure your mobile carrier will happily sell you a hotspot device and plan.
2. Do you have the dock? Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+X all work for me on the dock. As for an office suite, how about using GDocs? I know it's not as slick as MS Office or LibreOffice, but it's pretty functional.
3. Yeah, I've found that anime can be something of a pain at 720p and decoders aren't brilliant on Android. It's what happens when the majority of the population uses iTunes, Netflix and Hulu for their media, manufacturers get lazy. I really wish VLC would come to Android, with proper codec support (especially with ICS' per-app hardware acceleration capabilities).
4. You know there are non-Gallery photo viewer apps, right? That's the beauty of Android, EVERYTHING (especially if you have root ) can be replaced.
5. Have you looked at the TegraZone? Or some websites for game reviews? It's honestly like trying to find a game for PC, there's a lot of crap to wade through, even in non-casual games.
laikinasis said:
1. Browsing is not what I expected. In PC’s most browsers work the same, render pages in the same fashion, offer similar capabilities. In Android, most browsers are like day and night in some areas. E.g. only in 1 of 5 browsers I tried I was able to move between cells in Google Spreadsheets with my keys on the keyboard (other browsers moved the scroll bar). I’ve constantly encounter(ed) sites that recognized my tablet as a phone, redirecting me to a low resolution version. And by the way – without internet (I’m using the version without 3G) it’s rather useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried using Polaris Office with GDocs syncing? I know Polaris has some Google Docs support. Does the Android app for Google Docs work at all for you? As for the internet comment, how was your Eee PC any different? The TF and PC are the same in that regard. This isn't a Chromebook or anything...
laikinasis said:
3. Movies also are a pickle. While PC can decode almost any format (by choosing a right decoder), Android can’t offer such capabilities. I have 5 different players, which I use to decode movies. Till now I didn’t encounter any movie that can be played in all 5 players, usually 1-2 players (sometimes – none) can open the movie. Subtitles (I watch anime sometimes) are also a headache. Didn’t know that earlier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had no issues with media playback since Dice Player came out. It handles all of my 720p or smaller video no problem. Even scenes that were always an absolute ***** on my tablet, like high bitrate Big Bang Theory intro (that always raped it) run great in Dice.
laikinasis said:
4. Picture showing is, let’s say, ok. But only after one update when Gallery app started to act properly, i.e. show pictures in an ascending fashion (before that I had to scroll to the end of the gallery to start showing pictures from the start).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say better than okay, I love how it syncs pictures between all of my devices with Picasa.
laikinasis said:
5. Games… Well, what I found out that I simply hate trivial / casual games and the market is full of them. Angry birds / fruit ninja entertained me for one day only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So keep looking. There are plenty of pretty featured RPGs. Go look at Gameloft games. Most of them are kinda crappy, but definitely more than angry birds.
laikinasis said:
After this, I’ve tried to search for answers to solve the mentioned problems, but it seems the Android platform is still very young and it will take some time for it to become mature in the software area. By that time the hardware will be different and my current tablet will be let’s say pretty much useless. So keeping it and waiting for a miracle (I’ve thought that Android 4.0 could be a solution) may be not a viable solution… Unless you’ll convince me otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh.. just because Tegra 3 is coming out doesn't make tegra 2 any worse... the TF 1 is still amazing hardware.
laikinasis said:
Rants aside, I’m considering to sell the tablet and buy a smartphone (maybe a HTC Desire S ?). Of course I won’t be able to edit documents or have a big screen for movies, but I hope having a great time with phone optimized apps, blazing fast boot times, better internet availability (I mean 3G).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't currently have a smartphone? I'm far more productive with both. It's easy to pull out the phone for 5 minutes and check my email, read news, etc, but as soon as I need to reply to a client, the phone is absolutely useless and I pull out the TF. I tether my TF to my phone for 3G/4G anywhere. If I need to open a large PDF, spreadsheet, ppt, etc it's a pain to do it on the phone, but so much better on a tablet. Ebooks are also great on the TF, as is videos.
Other pros: super thin, battery life is simply *amazing* (I can be on it for 14 hours a day and it doesn't need a charge), quiet, no heat, great audio output for music/video with voodoo sound, touchscreen that lets me take complex math notes that would be hard to type quickly, allows me to draw out theories and ideas anywhere I am (I used this all the time for solving puzzles in video games, working out the answers to the google nexus twitter challenges), plus it turns into a freaking TABLET when you disconnect it (call it a gimmick all you want, it's still badass).
Sent from my Transformer TF101
asdfuogh said:
Anyway, by around 4.5 months ago, I already knew several points:
-browsing rendering had some issues, some of which was solved by hardware acceleration, etc. (although, I didn't really notice this as an issue until I looked online because my laptop is old and slower by far)
-document editing is a little flawed because typing lags behind the physical typing
-movies.. well, I saw lots of threads about not being able to play 720p except in Dice Player or something, but I don't really watch HD stuff often except maybe for tennis (btw, espn 360 worked perfectly and looked great for streaming)
-there are a lot of trivial games (I was disappointed with this one too, but I found the emulators soon after, so I haven't played much other trivial games except for the more addictive looking tower defense ones)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the silimilar time I did not know about:
1. Google market search (how it's hard to find a decent app or a tablet optimized app)
2. Copy paste issues (ctrl+c / ctrl+v is STILL not supported in many apps)
3. Video playback. It's rather annoying to use ~5 video players. 720p by itself is not an issue. Almost all players support native (hadware) decoding. I had more problems trying to open lower resolution movies in, I presume, less common containers / codecs.
4. Page rendering in browsing. I mean that different browsers may render the same page differently. This was an issue in pc world loooong time ago and it's now almost non-existent.
asdfuogh said:
We just need Google and other tablet-making-companies to realize that tablets are for more than entertainment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an interesting thought that I do relate.
Gary13579 said:
Have you tried using Polaris Office with GDocs syncing? I know Polaris has some Google Docs support. Does the Android app for Google Docs work at all for you? As for the internet comment, how was your Eee PC any different? The TF and PC are the same in that regard. This isn't a Chromebook or anything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't know about Polaris GDocs support, thanks. It works rather how I expect it to work... Speaking about Google Docs - the most common task I do is writing grades to studens in a spreadsheet. In normal PC's, you click a cell, write something, click on another. In Google docs (and most browsers I tried on Android, except one, that is REALLY slow) you click a cell, edit it and must press "SUMBIT". It's a big setback, when you consider larger amounts of editing.
Gary13579 said:
I've had no issues with media playback since Dice Player came out. It handles all of my 720p or smaller video no problem. Even scenes that were always an absolute ***** on my tablet, like high bitrate Big Bang Theory intro (that always raped it) run great in Dice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use that player too. Lots of unopened files, like with other players. Again, it's not about the smoothness of the playback, it's about supporting different codecs / containers.
Gary13579 said:
I'd say better than okay, I love how it syncs pictures between all of my devices with Picasa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you suggest an app, which would work like default Gallery app, but support inner folders ?
Gary13579 said:
So keep looking. There are plenty of pretty featured RPGs. Go look at Gameloft games. Most of them are kinda crappy, but definitely more than angry birds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me, I am looking
Gary13579 said:
You don't currently have a smartphone? I'm far more productive with both. It's easy to pull out the phone for 5 minutes and check my email, read news, etc, but as soon as I need to reply to a client, the phone is absolutely useless and I pull out the TF. I tether my TF to my phone for 3G/4G anywhere. If I need to open a large PDF, spreadsheet, ppt, etc it's a pain to do it on the phone, but so much better on a tablet. Ebooks are also great on the TF, as is videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought about owning both of them. Maybe it's the solution I'm looking for, but now it seems that phone may replace most of the tablet functions.
Thanks for your answer.
I have to say, i bought the TF with the premise of getting a tablet that was at least as good as an iPad, without paying Apple Tax. After three months, I am also quite disappointed with the tablet.
I think what a lot of members on this specific website seem to forget, is that many people want to buy a tablet to just use, not to have to tweak and hack to get it to work.
I still cannot play live streamed 30fps 480p flash videos without juddering.
Apps (especially games) for Android simply are not up to the same quality as iOS - this is obviously due to developers not bothering with the platform. And compatibility issues is probably the biggest joke I have ever seen. Even Windows doesn't have that problem.
My own opinion is that HC was simply developed quickly to try and compete with tablet iOS, and was rushed out. I don't know how much of a difference ICS will make - that remains to be seen.
My biggest issue however, is as I said earlier. While I and most people on this website don't mind tinkering and tweaking with their tablet, the vast majority of customers looking for a tablet want it to just work - and HC doesn't. And the hard truth is, iOS does. Except flash, obviously.
Kaltern said:
I think what a lot of members on this specific website seem to forget, is that many people want to buy a tablet to just use, not to have to tweak and hack to get it to work.
.
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Recheck the title of this website. XDA Developers. Kind of like buying a 1968 GTO based on a recommendation in Hot Rod magazine then complaining that it doesn't get 35 mpg like a 2011 Prius. If you are looking for a " tap and play" tablet get an ipad.
Hey there,
hope nobody metioned it before, but why didn't you try installing ubuntu on your TF?
Well in my opinion its an even better os than windows and you get a bunch of free software with ease.
There is a thread over in the qa-forum from lilstevie giving you a pretty easy way to install ubuntu (as long as you got sbk1 at the moment)
It got no hardware graphics acceleration at this point but it didn't sound as you would need it.
Maybe this can save you a few bugs
Greets, coni
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
A lot of your cons will be fixed with the Android 4.0 update.
When I first bought my transformer, I fully agreed with everything you said. I even wanted to sell it because I felt I had wasted my money. But I have to say it is growing on me, for two different reasons.
1) Problems are getting fixed. Better software is coming out or I'm finding solutions to the problems I had. Just the other day I updated flash and started using stock browser to for tudou.com (Chinese youtube), and the videos played flawlessly. Astro made a update recently that greatly improved my file management experience. Granted solving these problems/waiting for updates is still a pain in the ass. But progress is being made.
2) I'm finding things I can do on the transformer that I couldn't do on a laptop. I was taking short notes during an evaluation of one of our teachers. I used evernote with swype (no dock), and it was a great silent experience with no laptop screen blocking my view. Reading books on the transformer is also great. It even got me to start reading comic books, The Walking Dead is a freaking awesome series. I never would have known about were it not for the transformer. And pictures, I feel you on the backwards order thing. But you can't compare sharing pictures on the transformer with a laptop. It's so much better on the transformer.
I still agree that 99% of the games are just terrible. If they can get playstation emulation working a good bit better graphics wise, I'll be happy. Speaking of which, I need to check to see if there have been any recent improvements to the sixaxis app and the emulators.
I like the simplicity of the iPad with the complexity of Android. Minus HC. Not a fan. I have this and the OC Ipad. I like games like Madden 12 and the new NFS and Riptide. Lots of nice graphics. One thing that frustrates me is there are Tegra 3 games out that will not work on Tegra 2. And there is not a huge offering for T2. So Will that mean T2 games will be obsolete?
I find Polaris and Docs to Go are just fine for preparing reports and simple spreadsheets. The 16 X 9 screen is great for movies as well as the nice IPS screen on the Pad. I give the speaker quality to the ipad. Not a fan of the speakers on the Transformer.
Hardware wise, the Transformer blows the Ipad away. Better camera, more RAM, the dock, USB and the sdcard to add on. I think if you are creative then you are using a net book. Plus I can wireless print.
I don't think there is anything wrong with wishing for that perfectly fined tuned device and it will come in time.
To the OP I would recommend the Samsung galaxy note coming out early next year. 5.3 inch screen. IPS screen, dual core processor, phone, and great note taking ability.
I don't like Apples scam of upgrading every year and the costs are incredible. I'm praying for ICS and continued tweaking of problems.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Really, what video formats has Dice been unable to open? It has opened *every* file I've thrown at it.
Sent from my Transformer TF101
Rumbleweed said:
Recheck the title of this website. XDA Developers. Kind of like buying a 1968 GTO based on a recommendation in Hot Rod magazine then complaining that it doesn't get 35 mpg like a 2011 Prius. If you are looking for a " tap and play" tablet get an ipad.
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Click to collapse
Exactly the sort of reply I'd expect.
This site began as a Developer's site, but has since grown into a site for non-devs to get help and information.
You are basically saying that unless you know what 'sudo' means, you shouldn't buy anything other than an ipad, and you shouldn't be on this site.
Which is arrogant and well, not unexpected.
Did Samsung not learn from their law suit not to copy other manufactures? Does this design of the new Samsung windows 8 tablet remind you of anyone else's?
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/08/samsung-ativ-smart-pc.jpg
rand33099 said:
Did Samsung not learn from their law suit not to copy other manufactures? Does this design of the new Samsung windows 8 tablet remind you of anyone else's?
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/08/samsung-ativ-smart-pc.jpg
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Not really. Looks like a tablet and keyboard to me.
Yup. The Asus Tranformer prime or infinity.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
Got the chance to play with it. Amazing device....
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app
nnick said:
Got the chance to play with it. Amazing device....
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
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I like the looks of it. Where did you get a hands on at?
mitchellvii said:
Not really. Looks like a tablet and keyboard to me.
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Thats funny!!
rand33099 said:
Did Samsung not learn from their law suit not to copy other manufactures? Does this design of the new Samsung windows 8 tablet remind you of anyone else's?]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apple's issue with the OG G-Tab wasn't just its physical design, it was that, in their view, the OS it ran mimicked iOS and the combination would confuse potential customers. They never went after Windows phones even though they are physically similar to the Android phones they sued over because no one will confuse WP7/8 with iOS. The same thing would apply to W8 tablets.
This is far closer in design to the iPad and yet Apple never went after Asus. They pick and choose their targets carefully. I'd assume that in 2015 if all the appeals run out and Samsung loses Apple will then go back and seek damages from all other Android tablet and phone makers using the Samsung win as precedent.
rand33099 said:
Did Samsung not learn from their law suit not to copy other manufactures? Does this design of the new Samsung windows 8 tablet remind you of anyone else's?
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/08/samsung-ativ-smart-pc.jpg
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Nice. Depending on user reviews, that may be my next tablet.
toenail_flicker said:
Nice. Depending on user reviews, that may be my next tablet.
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same here. I doubt I'll let Asus sucker me in to buying another 4 tablets to find 1 usable one.
the tablet in the ops link clearly does not look like i pad. that button/ logo is at the bottom middle of landscape mode .. The ipad is bottom middle of portrate mode...
I would buy one if it could get all day use battery life weigh less then 1.5 lbs without keyboard of course. and prices reasonable. Ok well maybe i would consider it...
Here's a review of a W8 Pro tablet from a reporter that used it for a week. Overall, he was pleased. Here's some of the things he questioned which I think are going to be important to a lot of people. The things I bolded we've talked about and I'd bet you create a lot of chatter once W8 tablets are in people's hands. There's an old adage - "you only get a single chance to make a first impression." How W8 tablets launch and are perceived (outside the enterprise) are going to determine their future. So far all our conversations have been about the things people hope to do with them with no discussion about their limitations. The latter is going to get far more press after their launch. Look at maps and the purple camara flair in the iP5.
The split-screen view is one of my favorite new tricks. The OS supports full multitasking, and with a specific finger swipe maneuver, you can open two different Windows 8 apps on screen. For example, your Mail app can occupy the left pane (which is fixed at roughly one-quarter of the display) while Internet Explorer can sit in the right pane (which dominates the screen). If you like, you can flip their positions, moving the skinnier pane to the right side.
Another neat trick: To switch between open apps, simply drag your finger from the left side of the screen. Its the Windows 8 version of Alt-Tab, and once again demonstrates just how powerful--and fun--the system is relative to the competition. To see a thumbnail filmstrip of all of your open apps, quickly drag your finger right and then left, from the left edge of the screen. To access the Windows 8 "charms" bar--a centralized home for search, sharing, and settings functions, among others--swipe in from the right bezel. All these touch maneuvers became second nature once I learned them, but they're not intuitive from the giddy-up, and they're difficult to describe in words. This could emerge as a public relations pain point for Microsoft. If the company is smart, it will build a force-run demo video into Windows 8--something that pops up the first time someone turns on the new hardware.
Challenging learning curves aside, I found the W700's touch controls quick, fluid, and responsive. Screen redraws never lagged or stuttered, and the hardware seemed well-equipped to handle the OS's requirements. We didn't run any benchmarks on our preproduction unit, but if a Core i5 and 4GB of memory can't boss a tablet OS around like a schoolyard bully, Microsoft has serious optimization problems.
Of course, the new Start screen is far from perfect. For one thing, without resorting to third-party utilities, a user who wants to boot straight into the system's desktop mode can't bypass the Start screen. And as Paul Allen recently pointed out, the Start screen has no hierarchical nesting system--so if you have a huge collection of apps, you may find yourself scrolling ad nauseam to find a particular live tile.
All of which brings us to the question of how the W700 and Windows 8 performed in desktop mode. It was far better than some critics have made it out to be, but a device like this definitely presents some compromises. The bigger problem with using the W700 as a traditional PC productivity machine lies in the rendering of the Windows desktop. A resolution of 1920 by 1080 on an 11.6-inch screen makes for tiny fonts, icons, and scroll bars. And because all of these interface elements were so small, I had trouble seeing text in the URL field of Internet Explorer, for example. Likewise, using touch gestures to collapse and exit out of windows--or, for that matter, just navigating around the basic Windows experience that I've been using since Windows 3.1--was a challenge.
Though Windows 8 hasn't even launched yet, it's off to a rocky start. Power users are slamming Microsoft for all the new "features" that subjugate the desktop, and as we reported on Monday, the Windows Store inventory is looking alarmingly thin.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/windows/3402233/acer-w700-review/?pn=1
erica_renee said:
the tablet in the ops link clearly does not look like i pad. that button/ logo is at the bottom middle of landscape mode .. The ipad is bottom middle of portrate mode...
I would buy one if it could get all day use battery life weigh less then 1.5 lbs without keyboard of course. and prices reasonable. Ok well maybe i would consider it...
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Here's what I'm talking about.... Not I-pad
http://www.netbooknews.com/wp-content/2012/07/asus_transformer_infinity_original.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/08/samsung-ativ-smart-pc.jpg
All of which brings us to the question of how the W700 and Windows 8 performed in desktop mode. It was far better than some critics have made it out to be, but a device like this definitely presents some compromises. The bigger problem with using the W700 as a traditional PC productivity machine lies in the rendering of the Windows desktop. A resolution of 1920 by 1080 on an 11.6-inch screen makes for tiny fonts, icons, and scroll bars. And because all of these interface elements were so small, I had trouble seeing text in the URL field of Internet Explorer, for example. Likewise, using touch gestures to collapse and exit out of windows--or, for that matter, just navigating around the basic Windows experience that I've been using since Windows 3.1--was a challenge.
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And this my friends is why Windows tablets will fail. The screen is simply too small to be a laptop replacement and too expensive to be a tablet replacement. Of course some people will like it but it will not find wide acceptance. Add to that that enterprises HATE Windows 8 and you have a recipe for failure.
mitchellvii said:
And this my friends is why Windows tablets will fail. The screen is simply too small to be a laptop replacement and too expensive to be a tablet replacement. Of course some people will like it but it will not find wide acceptance. Add to that that enterprises HATE Windows 8 and you have a recipe for failure.
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I would so have to agree with this. A
As far as the tablets looking alot . well the look is directly related to how it works. the layout and so on . that is why the icrap lawsuits and patents should be tossed out. as well as some other design patents .. its not just a common sense function.. not a design..
The Samsung Ativ Smart PC (series 5 slate) is on presale btw for 650 at staples.
http://www.staples.com/Samsung-Series-5-Slate-Tablet-Pre-Sale/product_477673?catalogId=10051&fromUrl=home&cmSearchKeyword=series+5+slate&cmArea=SEARCH&langId=-1&storeId=10001&ddkey=http:StaplesSearch
Also at Amazon 650 for tablet only and 750 for bundled tab and keyboard for the atom version.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ATIV-Smart-500T-Tablet/dp/B009LL9U50/ref=sr_1_46?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350074504&sr=1-46&keywords=samsung+ativ+smart+pc
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ATIV-...074504&sr=1-44&keywords=samsung+ativ+smart+pc
i5 version at 1,200
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ATIV-Smart-Pro-700T/dp/B0098O9TRO/ref=sr_1_45?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350074504&sr=1-45&keywords=samsung+ativ+smart+pc
mitchellvii said:
And this my friends is why Windows tablets will fail. The screen is simply too small to be a laptop replacement and too expensive to be a tablet replacement. Of course some people will like it but it will not find wide acceptance. Add to that that enterprises HATE Windows 8 and you have a recipe for failure.
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Click to collapse
but i think this is closer to true mobile computing. a tablet that "transforms" into a laptop and you can hook up to a monitor and other external components when at home. all with the power of a full OS and better application support than any other tablet.
it's definitely not what everyone wants or needs, but it's something i'm looking forward to.
madsquabbles said:
but i think this is closer to true mobile computing. a tablet that "transforms" into a laptop and you can hook up to a monitor and other external components when at home. all with the power of a full OS and better application support than any other tablet.
it's definitely not what everyone wants or needs, but it's something i'm looking forward to.
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Click to collapse
"better application support than any other tablet."
Wait till the product is out for a while before making a claim like that. It reallly puts me off considering a win8 tablet when people proclaim something is this and that, when the damn things not even out yet...........
Saying that, as a current android user i wish the win8 tabs a sucess in a FREE MARKET, because COMPETITION benefits us all
An 11.6 inch tablet at same basic resolution as this tablet is going to look like crap. Seriously. These Windows 8 Tablets are too expensive for a tablet and too small for a laptop replacement.
Stuck in the middle. They won't sell.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 2
banderos101 said:
"better application support than any other tablet."
Wait till the product is out for a while before making a claim like that. It reallly puts me off considering a win8 tablet when people proclaim something is this and that, when the damn things not even out yet...........
Saying that, as a current android user i wish the win8 tabs a sucess in a FREE MARKET, because COMPETITION benefits us all
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Click to collapse
guess i should have been more specific since there will be 2 versions of the w8 tablet, but i was referring to the pro version from barry's post. it's already a fact that windows has more applications than any tablet (but not necessarily all tablet friendly) - possibly combined. sure i'll be giving up battery life, but that's what i'll have my ARM tablet for - who knows what OS that one will be.
one thing i'm hoping for on windows rt is the ability to tie multiple devices to one account but only allow certain devices to actualy access the mail and personal settings of the main account, like IOS does. i don't like tying all my android devices share with my daughter to my gmail account and i don't want to make two account and have to buy an app twice to share it with her (amazon is a decent solution, but no for apps i've already purchased). i've got app blockers on her tablet now, but one day she may get smart enough to get around them.
madsquabbles said:
guess i should have been more specific since there will be 2 versions of the w8 tablet, but i was referring to the pro version from barry's post. it's already a fact that windows has more applications than any tablet (but not necessarily all tablet friendly) - possibly combined. sure i'll be giving up battery life, but that's what i'll have my ARM tablet for - who knows what OS that one will be.
one thing i'm hoping for on windows rt is the ability to tie multiple devices to one account but only allow certain devices to actualy access the mail and personal settings of the main account, like IOS does. i don't like tying all my android devices share with my daughter to my gmail account and i don't want to make two account and have to buy an app twice to share it with her (amazon is a decent solution, but no for apps i've already purchased). i've got app blockers on her tablet now, but one day she may get smart enough to get around them.
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Click to collapse
You can put another account on her device and use apk extractor to share paid apps with her without the need to buy them twice, i do this allot with my brothers
Sent from my GT-P7500 using xda app-developers app