Finally Android LAG explained by Google(Android) - Nexus One General

Hi,
today I received this on my +Google....
I suggest any Andoid lover, worker, passionate, fun, user, read and make some comments...
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100838276097451809262/posts/VDkV9XaJRGS
Thanks

The fact that the Galaxy Nexus still suffers from these issues is a sign that this is something we'll be putting up with for a while. If it takes a complete overhaul to fix it, they should just get on and do it.
After all, what good is all this Hardware power we are paying for in new devices, when Android can't even deliver something as fundamental as smooth scrolling? Something that the iPhone has had for years, btw.

Sadly.. I agree. You can have the highest horsepower car in the world... but give it junk fuel to run it and you may as well be driving a pinto.
It needs to be fixed. Big time.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

I'm curious how the Galaxy Nexus will perform & what problems will pop up over time, that Google/Samsung will ignore? Out of all the mobile OS's out there Android seems the least polished & has a work in progress feel to it.

I'm wondering, is it possible or would it have any benefit to dynamically change the thread priority when user input is detected? Not make it real-time like iOS but at least shift the balance toward the main thread, which does the rendering as I understand it?

phoneguy 4567 said:
I'm curious how the Galaxy Nexus will perform & what problems will pop up over time, that Google/Samsung will ignore? Out of all the mobile OS's out there Android seems the least polished & has a work in progress feel to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been keeping a close eye on the GN forums here, and there are already a lot of issues being mentioned. It's early days yet though so hopefully the bugs will be squashed in time.
The choppy/lag issue is unforgivable though. You can't use a Smartphone without scrolling and swiping, they're fundamental things. I don't really care about 'face unlocking' and other 'features'. Fix the basics.

Related

How are you guys fairing without Multi Touch?

Im curious to see if you guys have any issues without the multi touch. I would love to love this device but I do like to play games once in a blue moon and want to know if this would have an effect.
Also, if you had to do it all over again, would you purchase this device?
Thanks for your feedback
stanglx said:
Im curious to see if you guys have any issues without the multi touch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If by multitouch you mean "pinch and zoom", it doesn't work for me. Otherwise, it's known the A7 doesn't support more than two simultaneous touches.
Also, if you had to do it all over again, would you purchase this device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't decided yet, but right now I'm inclined to return it. Reasons:
Feels heavier in the hand after using it several times.
No USB-to-computer connection... unbelievable...!
In bed, I rest the tablet on my lap/stomach... yet they placed the AC connection at the bottom... another unbelievable decision...!
I do find mine frustrating to type on due to the lack of multitouch. I'm not the world's fastest typer or anything but many times I touch down for my next keypress before removing my first and that causes a misregistered touches.
Other than that I'm satisfied with the tablet... though I am getting some pretty screwy touch behavior at times. I may follow up with elocity support about that.
This was my fear... Games require multi-touch.. but what many dont realize is so does typing on these things...
I appreciate the feedback... Seems this device is a no go for me... I dont care about more then 2 point touch.. but 1 point doesnt make it for me..
I just cant understand how they can come out with such a promising device and skimp on something would have amounted to an extra $10 per unit... they could have passed that on to the consumer and had a significant amount of units sold... as of right now they are the only Tegra 2/512Meg unit on the market...Really ashame...
On to my research...
eskaryo said:
I do find mine frustrating to type on due to the lack of multitouch. I'm not the world's fastest typer or anything but many times I touch down for my next keypress before removing my first and that causes a misregistered touches.
Other than that I'm satisfied with the tablet... though I am getting some pretty screwy touch behavior at times. I may follow up with elocity support about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multi touch
The Hardware for the touch screen is does support "Multi touch" or 1 + 1, pinch/zoom, etc.... inputs that being said it looks like the drivers that Stream are using have such poor support for it that it might as well not be there. they never Stated that it was multi-touch so you cant really hold them to it.
But in theory someone (Maybe on the XDA Forums) with right skills and mad skills at that because it looks like it would need a complete driver rewrite might be able to bring true Multi touch support to the device.
But I am not holding my breath, its a Amazing tabet for what it does, and even better for the price but with everything there is need/room for improvement, if there wasnt there wouldn't be XDA or any other hardware hackers
It is unbearable!!
Seriously though the pinch and zoom is cool and I hope it gets supported soon either by XDA or is Elocity is really reading these forums and wants repeat business from the early adopters than I hope they might actually support their own device and add the functionality.
What is a shame that I have seen with other manufacturers is that instead of fixing or updating or improving existing devices they just improve the next model that is released like 3 months after the initial release and expect people to upgrade if they want the problems fixed or leave it to devs. Seems like pretty poor support to me.
Look if you are going to build something and ask people to shell out a good deal of money then you should give the consumer the extra value by extending updates and improvements to the device as they come along. In other words development should continue on the device after it is sold so the existing customer base has a good user experience and then shares that experience with friends. As it is now I would not recommend these tabs to any friends unless I know they are tech savy. If I knew Elocity would back up their products then I would be more vocal about the product to others.
However, the lack of pinch and zoom is a problem and it would be nice to have. However, everything I have tried to do with this tab is does remarkably well. I have enjoyed using for now and hopefully soon there will be work arounds to the problems or limitations of the device but as it is now without any changes it is a very nice device and I like it a lot. For $300 there are not many other devices that come close. The Galaxy tab is nice but at $500 without Honeycomb I will stick with an iPad. For me that is what it comes down to. Cost and choice. If I can get an Aple iPad for $429 with an amazing screen, good processor, tons of cool apps, 4.2 ios then I think it is very hard to compare anything else. Android is cool but it is very much a phone os and it shows. While iPad uses a phone OS but it works very well and it shows the customization apple has done with their devices. I think when 3.0 comes out it is really going to change everything. The peek photos I have seen are simply jawdropping cool. So I did not want to fork out a bunch of cash on something that will be updated with a totally new os soon. The Elocity a7 was a way for me to experience Android without a phone or data plan and I am happy so far with my choice!
The A7 was purchased for my wife. Her use is eBooks, browsing, email, facebook, and some casual gaming. For that use case, the device (after Dexter's Mod) is perfectly fine. The only complaint I have is the fact that the menu buttons aren't backlit (onscreen keys work fine, but it's a workaround, not a fix).
For me, however, I like to tinker with everything (see my sig, running CM7 nightlies on my Droid Incredible) and I would prefer to have a Viewsonic G Tablet. Being that the A7 only cost me $300 and it's not really mine anyhow, I can't complain. Yes, the slew of new devices coming in the very near future will be better. But if you go by that logic there will ALWAYS be something better in the pipeline.
The A7 is a good device at a reasonable price. To make it great would take true multi-touch support and xda developer support for further Android versions (I'm not conviced we'll see much support from eLocity and while Dexter has done a phenomenal job with his mod, he's limited in his capacity to support a device he can't even get his hands on).
The lack of real multitouch does not bother me in the least. I'm using it mostly for surfing. What games require multitouch? Not angry birds
I absolutely love turning the tablet vertically for typing. I can really fly! Way better than my Galaxy S
Anyway, Dexter's mod really makes this thing real.
Only complaint so far is the standby time (32 hours). That may be due to the mod.
I'm very happy with my device. Aside from the lack of back lit buttons. On a side note the app "button savior" helps alot with the onscreen buttons. Yes i would of liked to have a multi touch experience right out of the box, but the price tag helped me get over that. That being said i would rate my elocity a solid 9.5 out of 10. Im just super excited to see what is to come!!!
And might i add Dexter makes this thing worth wild!! Big props!
I'll echo everyone in the button comment. Maybe we can come up with a glow-in-the-dark solution? I'm thinking some relatively invisible (during daytime) material/glue to put small marks near the edge to indicate the middle positions of the buttons. I think I know the order of the buttons by now, so simple dot would be enough. I'll let you know if I think of something.
dburckh said:
The lack of real multitouch does not bother me in the least. I'm using it mostly for surfing. What games require multitouch? Not angry birds
I absolutely love turning the tablet vertically for typing. I can really fly! Way better than my Galaxy S
Anyway, Dexter's mod really makes this thing real.
Only complaint so far is the standby time (32 hours). That may be due to the mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Angry birds allows you to zoom in and out to get better view of the targets. So you are not getting best experience without multitouch

samsung galaxy 10.1 major disappointment

I have owned the samsung galaxy 10.1 for approx 2 weeks. I sold my IPAD 2 to purchase as I have always been a fan of android phones. So far, I find the galaxy to be very unpolished. For example, the screens lag when navigating and apps force close to much. When I scroll up and down on the UI, its not smooth as butter like the IPAD. When I change the screen orientation, its very choppy. The IPAD runs circles around this device. I wish it wasnt the case as I wanted to like it. Even the on screen keyboard is hard to type on. Try copying and pasting a sentence. The arrows you use to drag across the words never line up with what is being clicked. I am not sure how anybody finds this device to be a pleasant experience unless you are in denial and I am not talking about the river. Maybe Ice Cream will fix some of the issues. For now, the tablet serves as a perfect example of what happens when technology is rushed to the market without consideration of quality.
I feel better now.
Lance
Take the time to tweak your device with everything available on these forums, it becomes an entirely different device.
Sent from my Samsung Fascinate
lancer123 said:
I have owned the samsung galaxy 10.1 for approx 2 weeks. I sold my IPAD 2 to purchase as I have always been a fan of android phones. So far, I find the galaxy to be very unpolished. For example, the screens lag when navigating and apps force close to much. When I scroll up and down on the UI, its not smooth as butter like the IPAD. When I change the screen orientation, its very choppy. The IPAD runs circles around this device. I wish it wasnt the case as I wanted to like it. Even the on screen keyboard is hard to type on. Try copying and pasting a sentence. The arrows you use to drag across the words never line up with what is being clicked. I am not sure how anybody finds this device to be a pleasant experience unless you are in denial and I am not talking about the river. Maybe Ice Cream will fix some of the issues. For now, the tablet serves as a perfect example of what happens when technology is rushed to the market without consideration of quality.
I feel better now.
Lance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you are trolling here, but eh, I'm bored so I'll bite.
Those of us who find the Tab to be a pleasant experience must be in denial huh? Don't you think that's a pretty presumptuous and arrogant statement? How do you know what my experience with it has been? Or anyone else's for that matter?
I would usually sit here and try to help you solve your lagginess issue, maybe seeing if you have some sort of rouge process going on or if you are even on the latest firmware. Maybe point you to some of the great custom ROMs the developers here have given us. But, nope. You speak for everyone and everyone must be having the same ****ty experience as you, and if we say we don't we must be lying.
I will tell you though that my experience has been fantastic. The only time I get lag on the homescreen is when I have a live wallpaper up. I've never had any browser lag or lag anywhere else. I have a ton of widgets on my screens too. No lag. Of course though I'm totally lying, but you knew that already right?
I'm finished being sarcastic. Honestly if you aren't happy with the device, go sell it and get an Ipad again. Nobody is stopping you. The Tab is a fantastic product and I would go so far as to say it is the best tablet on the market as of this very moment. But it is not for everybody, especially for people who have no idea what they are doing.
Posting threads like this serves no purpose other than being a troll and drawing the ire of members like myself.
lancer123 said:
I have owned the samsung galaxy 10.1 for approx 2 weeks. I sold my IPAD 2 to purchase as I have always been a fan of android phones. So far, I find the galaxy to be very unpolished. For example, the screens lag when navigating and apps force close to much. When I scroll up and down on the UI, its not smooth as butter like the IPAD. When I change the screen orientation, its very choppy. The IPAD runs circles around this device. I wish it wasnt the case as I wanted to like it. Even the on screen keyboard is hard to type on. Try copying and pasting a sentence. The arrows you use to drag across the words never line up with what is being clicked. I am not sure how anybody finds this device to be a pleasant experience unless you are in denial and I am not talking about the river. Maybe Ice Cream will fix some of the issues. For now, the tablet serves as a perfect example of what happens when technology is rushed to the market without consideration of quality.
I feel better now.
Lance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine a couple weeks back too, and my experiences are similar to yours. I still can't understand how a dual core device can be this laggy! I'm hoping its all due to the Samsung bloatware, so I'm going to load up a custom ROM over the weekend and see how that goes... you should try it too
I really like the additional screen space coming from a 4.2" Xperia Arc, and Honeycomb is a lot zippier now than it was back in April when I had the Xoom for a couple of weeks. I still believe its a better tablet than the iPad2 though. That thing seems so zippy because all it is is a magnified iPhone. There's almost nothing running in the background which gives it the appearance of being a lot quicker and better battery life. Load it up with widgets and lets compare them then.
My biggest problem though, is the lack of a good pdf app. I've tried tons of them and they are all really slow to load, very jerky pinch to zoom, and slow scrolling. Hope this improves with ICS
And to the poster above this, I don't get why you even bothered posting if you're going to be so incredibly unhelpful
lancer123 said:
I have owned the samsung galaxy 10.1 for approx 2 weeks... I am not sure how anybody finds this device to be a pleasant experience...
I feel better now.
Lance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lance,
I have watched my brother in law's ipad closely, and you are right. It is faster and more responsive (once tweaked) than my SGT was out of the box. However, the others are right too.
I have rooted and tweaked my SGT and it now makes my ios friends raise their eyebrows. You happily partied all over your ipad, making many changes suggested on user sites like this one. Now you need to do the same with your SGT. If you are unable or unwilling to do that, you are not an idiot or a molester of small animals, you are just one of those people that the ipad was designed for. So get another one, and enjoy it.
I prefer my Android gadgets, because they are more flexible. I am not locked into iTunes, and I have access to my 650GB music library that is not as compressed as AAC. I have a FREE SDK that works rather well, when i want to write my own apps. There are a few paid apps that I depend upon for day to day stuff, just like I would for iOs devices. For me, and many of the others in this form, that is what they want.
Sent from a distant planet with the aid of my towel.
lancer123 said:
I have owned the samsung galaxy 10.1 for approx 2 weeks. I sold my IPAD 2 to purchase as I have always been a fan of android phones. So far, I find the galaxy to be very unpolished. For example, the screens lag when navigating and apps force close to much. When I scroll up and down on the UI, its not smooth as butter like the IPAD. When I change the screen orientation, its very choppy. The IPAD runs circles around this device. I wish it wasnt the case as I wanted to like it. Even the on screen keyboard is hard to type on. Try copying and pasting a sentence. The arrows you use to drag across the words never line up with what is being clicked. I am not sure how anybody finds this device to be a pleasant experience unless you are in denial and I am not talking about the river. Maybe Ice Cream will fix some of the issues. For now, the tablet serves as a perfect example of what happens when technology is rushed to the market without consideration of quality.
I feel better now.
Lance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand how you feel, and I felt the same way when I first handled the SGT 8.9 the UI lag was horrendous .. I felt the product manager of the device should be sacked (or worse done to him) for ever allowing such a device out the door in such state. To make matters worse for me, there was an ipad close by and the UI flow was like watching man utd beat arsenal 8-2 .. I promptly returned the device.
However my opinion has since change since coming here lots of people have filled me in with some tweaks and work around which resolves most of the laggy issue. (You can check out the SGT 8.9 Q & A section its a sticky under this section for people experience with the device)
First of if you can't be bothered to root your device, try the ADW launcher ex, everyone who tried that said its greatly improves the performance and eliminates the lag issue.
You can also if you are feeling adventurous root the device. And install some of the numerous roms around.
just try and take advantage of the open nature and make it yours. Soon ipad owners would be looking at your tab and feeling the envy.
Just my 2 cents
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Please go get your ipad back dude. I have none of the issues you speak of. This thread is a total waste. I don't even believe you own a tab.
By saying "you like Android phones" I'm assuming you mean in comparison to the iPhone. Most of the same issues you’re experiencing in an Android vs. iPad tablet comparison apply to a phone comparison also so your statement's kind of confusing.
iOS is so "buttery smooth" because it's locked down like a prison with Apple exerting Orwellian control over the entire eco-system. I bought my G-Tab and paid more than an equivalent iPad because, for what I do, the collection of individual apps works better than the homogenous equivalents on the iPad. And I did that knowing the iPad had a better display and that the UI and navigation were smoother and more mature.
This forum is fascinating because of the disparity in experiences everyone has. I've had two G-Tab's (Wi-Fi and 3G) and never had a force close on either and I have over 50 apps installed. There's occasional stutter and lagginess but I'd say it appears (for me) less than 5% of the time. One huge difference between iOS and Android is that Android, with its limitless ability to be tweaked, can get hosed by people using badly written apps and the use of memory managers, task killers, battery monitors and the like. Every XDA forum I participate in has people *****ing about some function being hosed and then go on to elaborate about all the crap they've done to their device and ****ty low-rent apps they're using. And they don’t understand why their phone’s getting crappy battery life and has tons of issues no one else seems to be experiencing. I guess freedom comes at a price and it can be abused.
I've had a G-Tab in one form or another since August and have been really satisfied with it. I took my new 3G version on a trip over the weekend and it performed flawlessly and got fantastic battery life with 3G active continuously and download speeds of 8MB in TX (vs. less than 1MB for an iPad). I sat across from someone using an iPad on the flight home last night. The local video he was playing was gorgeous. Compared to mine, his WSJ app looked like crap as did Solitaire and a bunch of other stuff I saw him use. Meanwhile, I was streaming Hulu, HBOGO, and TV shows from my home server using the planes Wi-Fi. I can also play music I have stored on my home server, the Amazon cloud, or from the 2K songs I store locally using my $9.99 Rhapsody monthly subscription. All while reading magazines and newspapers using Next Issue and Press Reader. I’d gladly trade options and versatility for “buttery smooth” any day. iOS is great for a subset of device owners because of its constraints and consistency. But those restrictions are why I chose Android. Android can become smoother through s/w and h/w evolution but iOS will never become more open. Hopefully OP bought his G-Tab somewhere with a liberal return policy so he can return it.
BarryH_GEG said:
By saying "you like Android phones" I'm assuming you mean in comparison to the iPhone. Most of the same issues you’re experiencing in an Android vs. iPad tablet comparison apply to a phone comparison also so your statement's kind of confusing.
iOS is so "buttery smooth" because it's locked down like a prison with Apple exerting Orwellian control over the entire eco-system. I bought my G-Tab and paid more than an equivalent iPad because, for what I do, the collection of individual apps works better than the homogenous equivalents on the iPad. And I did that knowing the iPad had a better display and that the UI and navigation were smoother and more mature.
This forum is fascinating because of the disparity in experiences everyone has. I've had two G-Tab's (Wi-Fi and 3G) and never had a force close on either and I have over 50 apps installed. There's occasional stutter and lagginess but I'd say it appears (for me) less than 5% of the time. One huge difference between iOS and Android is that Android, with its limitless ability to be tweaked, can get hosed by people using badly written apps and the use of memory managers, task killers, battery monitors and the like. Every XDA forum I participate in has people *****ing about some function being hosed and then go on to elaborate about all the crap they've done to their device and ****ty low-rent apps they're using. And they don’t understand why their phone’s getting crappy battery life and has tons of issues no one else seems to be experiencing. I guess freedom comes at a price and it can be abused.
I've had a G-Tab in one form or another since August and have been really satisfied with it. I took my new 3G version on a trip over the weekend and it performed flawlessly and got fantastic battery life with 3G active continuously and download speeds of 8MB in TX (vs. less than 1MB for an iPad). I sat across from someone using an iPad on the flight home last night. The local video he was playing was gorgeous. Compared to mine, his WSJ app looked like crap as did Solitaire and a bunch of other stuff I saw him use. Meanwhile, I was streaming Hulu, HBOGO, and TV shows from my home server using the planes Wi-Fi. I can also play music I have stored on my home server, the Amazon cloud, or from the 2K songs I store locally using my $9.99 Rhapsody monthly subscription. All while reading magazines and newspapers using Next Issue and Press Reader. I’d gladly trade options and versatility for “buttery smooth” any day. iOS is great for a subset of device owners because of its constraints and consistency. But those restrictions are why I chose Android. Android can become smoother through s/w and h/w evolution but iOS will never become more open. Hopefully OP bought his G-Tab somewhere with a liberal return policy so he can return it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stuff you speak of is why I have ran Linux exclusively on my PC for close to 5 years now. Yet I think the OP has a point and was just letting out steam. I too was extremely disappointed when I handled the galaxy tab (in my case it was the 8.9) right from boot the experience was horrendous and the UI lagged SOO much it was embarrassing. This first impression was a real turn off for me and I can understand the feeling of someone who gets a device with such awesome hardware only be bugged down with software. Sure you can always improve with tweaks and mods but if android is ever gonna replicate its success on mobile on tablets. Then the out of the box experience most be killer. Having and awesome out of the box experience and ability to further tweak should not be mutually exclusive. The experience I got on my galaxy s2 even with default rom was exquisite. Just breath taking. Even without Modding or installing a custom rom. That's what I expected from honeycomb. Hopefully most of this out of the box issues would be fixed with honeycomb 3.2 and ICS.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I must agree with OP. Its a f****g ambaresment how a product can be released in the state it was when it was in the box. Now after tweaking and rooting and flashing and using it for a couple of months its useable. But it still lags, not all the time , but try installing something form market and then go to homescreen, right then its laggy as hell.
But we all know this by now, so i agree with the rest of you that we have no need for this thread. And if OP just read a little before buying he would have found this info about the tab. Anyways welcome hope you get your tab sorted.
nickwarn said:
I must agree with OP. Its a f****g ambaresment how a product can be released in the state it was when it was in the box. Now after tweaking and rooting and flashing and using it for a couple of months its useable. But it still lags, not all the time , but try installing something form market and then go to homescreen, right then its laggy as hell.
But we all know this by now, so i agree with the rest of you that we have no need for this thread. And if OP just read a little before buying he would have found this info about the tab. Anyways welcome hope you get your tab sorted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same experience here.... I've even rooted my tab and it did improve but not as much as I would of liked, this was a month ago though, so i don't know if anything better has comed out. I've thought about getting an iPad but..... I just can't if it can't play flash.... How the hell could you own a tablet and not watch a simple flash video. So if anyone can give me advice on how to make my 10.1 as smooth as some of you have said, then please do tell me how. I love my Gtab but the lag does really bother me enough to have had to remove all my widgets....
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
shoo troll.
Klk450 said:
Same experience here.... I've even rooted my tab and it did improve but not as much as I would of liked, this was a month ago though, so i don't know if anything better has comed out. I've thought about getting an iPad but..... I just can't if it can't play flash.... How the hell could you own a tablet and not watch a simple flash video. So if anyone can give me advice on how to make my 10.1 as smooth as some of you have said, then please do tell me how. I love my Gtab but the lag does really bother me enough to have had to remove all my widgets....
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root your tab is only the first step. You need to flash custom rom after you root your tab, then only you can feel the difference.
I just got my tab last week, wifi only version. I can say I'm really satisfied with the performance and I love my tab. The basic steps are:
1. root your tab
2. flash custom rom
That's all you need to do to feel the difference. You can ignore some of the gimmicks, for instance supercharger, overclock kernel and etc that have been mentioned if you have no freaking idea what they are about at the moment. You will pick them up along the way just like I did.
The one tip that everyone here would tell you - READ THE FORUM!
For instance, the first sticky post in the Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android Development is a good read and good resource to get you started. Here's the link if you have no idea where it is (Seriously?): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1171089
lancer123 said:
I have owned the samsung galaxy 10.1 for approx 2 weeks. I sold my IPAD 2 to purchase as I have always been a fan of android phones. So far, I find the galaxy to be very unpolished. For example, the screens lag when navigating and apps force close to much. When I scroll up and down on the UI, its not smooth as butter like the IPAD. When I change the screen orientation, its very choppy. The IPAD runs circles around this device. I wish it wasnt the case as I wanted to like it. Even the on screen keyboard is hard to type on. Try copying and pasting a sentence. The arrows you use to drag across the words never line up with what is being clicked. I am not sure how anybody finds this device to be a pleasant experience unless you are in denial and I am not talking about the river. Maybe Ice Cream will fix some of the issues. For now, the tablet serves as a perfect example of what happens when technology is rushed to the market without consideration of quality.
I feel better now.
Lance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you on most counts, except that I don't have any issues with the onscreen keyboard and don't get force closes. There are some things you can do to improve the user experience (alternate launchers, overclocking etc), however it still won't feel like the iPad.
That being said, there are things you can do with the tablet out of the box which you can't do with an iPad:
- Adobe Flash support
- Emulation apps availability (SNES, DOS, Scumm)
- File / Directory browsing
- UI customization
- Non-market / store applications installation
While I would love the overall UI performance to be on par with the iPad, given a choice between the two I would rather have the above functionality instead. There is also the possibility of Android's UI performance improving in the future with all this functionality retained. In case of Apple, apart from limited UI customization perhaps, the other stuff is just not going to be available ever.
PS: And all that's just out of the box, if you root your device there's some far more interesting stuff you can do with the tablet!
---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------
pngface said:
My biggest problem though, is the lack of a good pdf app. I've tried tons of them and they are all really slow to load, very jerky pinch to zoom, and slow scrolling. Hope this improves with ICS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have probably tried it already, but EZ PDF is pretty good. I am comparing it to GoodReader on the iPad and I don't have any issues with loading / scrolling / flipping / resizing.
Of course, this maybe dependent on the size and content of the PDFs you are using, so YMMV -- I mostly read book-sized documents, mostly text, and it works fine for me.
I recently bought a GalaxyTab and I have to confirm, it is quite laggy - In comparison to an iPad.
There are several things which can drastically improve the situation:
Use ADW Launcher EX
Custom ROM, Like Task650/Phantom Extreme Stock
Overclock (although, this didn't change a lot)
I found that the first two points are the most important. ADW Launcher makes the whole Homescreen and Applauncher absolutely smooth, just like on an iPad. And no, the stock launcher isn't.
It's great how many possibilites we have with Android, but be honest - I'd rather have ICS without any new features, but just great performance increases. Thats why I switched to Windows Phone in the first place - I don't want apple, but I want smooth scrolling, smooth transitions. And now, just because Android has much more possibilites doesn't mean it has the right to be slow and choppy. Take a look at the Windows 8 Developer Preview. My god, this isn't even an ALPHA and boy it's SO SMOOTH, I cried almost when I saw that.
The only reason I bought my Galaxy Tab is, that Microsoft still needs about a year until their first tablets are out - And I hate waiting
So please Google, get your Team together and tell them to START OPTIMIZING.
PS:
ezPDF is quite good - But the UI is horrible, and I miss the feature to insert Pages into a PDF. Mandano seems a lot more polished and faster, but misses a lot of annotation features.
I agree with the original poster. My tab is rooted, custom rom, adw, etc. My wife's ipad is a far smoother experience than this tablet. Would I switch back to the ipad prison? Not in a million years. My tablet does so much more than the ipad. If an example is needed, how about my choice of swype or thumb keyboard.
root your tab and wait for an ICS port... ICS is said to have hardware acceleration. That is the only thing Honeycomb lacks and that is why its not as smooth as the iPad...
OR
Flash a custom ROM such as Overcome 1.2.1 (didnt like 1.2.2 or 1.2.3) or w/e other one suits you and then come back edit the OP with the overall news... don't judge this book by its cover and remember its NOT iOS
A newbie when rooting is involved but i was wondering if you could give me an idea of what tweaks you have made? i'm considering rooting my device but unsure of what i could do to make it better.
Cpt Streamline said:
A newbie when rooting is involved but i was wondering if you could give me an idea of what tweaks you have made? i'm considering rooting my device but unsure of what i could do to make it better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a custom ROM is the big one, will make a huge difference. I am using Task650 & Phantom's "In Paris V4". I also installed pershoot's kernel and overclocked.
The experience
I love my Galaxy Tab in comparison to my previously owned iPad but the reason is simply because I like playing with roms and hacking to get the most of my device. On my iPad, I felt too restricted and forced to use software I didn't like. Yes, some of the apps are better on the iPad and yes, the interface is a bit smoother but it's nowhere near as attractive and it's far too limiting.
A friend of mine equated the iPad experience with being put in a padded room where he can't hurt himself and everything if fluffy and safe feeling. It made me laugh but somewhat sums up the experience. Personally, I'd rather not be spoon fed the experience but would rather create my own and make it about me.
My hope is that ICS will be a significant jump. realistically, Android tablet manufacturers should be trolling these forums for employees who can tweak up their software.. Why they don't do this, one will never know.
Either way, I don't think attacks on the Op are warranted. These forums are here for people to both vent and discuss like the adults we are.

Former Google intern explains why UI lag occurs more often in Android than iOS

A former intern for Google's Android team has provided explanations for why Android experiences more touch interface lag than competing mobile operating systems from Apple, Microsoft and Research in Motion.
Undergraduate software engineering student Andrew Munn posted his observations on Google+, as noted by Cult of Mac. He did disclaim, however, that he will be starting an internship with Microsoft's Windows Phone team in January, adding that any opinions from the report were his alone.
According to Munn, Android has a difficult time dealing with the touch interface because it handles rendering "on the main thread with normal priority," as opposed to iOS, which treats UI rendering with real-time priority. He cites examples of website loading and the Movies app on Android where the operating system will continue to load while registering touch input.
Munn identified several other factors that contribute to UI lag on Android. For instance, the photo gallery app in either Android 3.0 Honeycomb or 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is capped at 30 frames per second in order to prevent a noticeable "hiccup" at 60 FPS.
"Capping the frame rate at 30 fixes the hiccup problem at the expense of buttery smooth animations at all times," he said.
The author also pointed to hardware issues for Android. According to him, Nvidia's Tegra 2 chip limits Android because of its low memory bandwidth and lack of NEON instruction set support. Tablets based on Honeycomb would be "better off with a different GPU," such as the Samsung Hummingbird or Apple A4.
Munn noted that Android "has a ways to go" before achieving more efficient UI compositing, especially when compared against Apple's iOS.
"On iOS, each UI view is rendered separately and stored in memory, so many animations only require the GPU to recomposite UI views," he said. "GPUs are extremely good at this. Unfortunately, on Android, the UI hierarchy is flattened before rendering, so animations require every animating section of the screen to be redrawn."
Another reason for the lag is the limitations of Android's Dalvik virtual machine, which is "not as mature" as a desktop-class Java VM, Munn said. However, the issue with Dalvik will be offset by hardware acceleration from Ice Cream Sandwich on and improvements to Dalvik.
But, in spite of the improvements, Munn believes the Android user interface "will never be completely smooth because of the design constraints" that limit UI rendering to the main thread of an app with normal priority.
"Even with a Galaxy Nexus, or the quad-core EeePad Transformer Prime, there is no way to guarantee a smooth frame rate if these two design constraints remain true," he said. "It’s telling that it takes the power of a Galaxy Nexus to approach the smoothness of a three year old iPhone."
According to Munn, the reason behind the design change is that the original Android prototype didn't have a touchscreen, as it was meant to be a BlackBerry competitor. As such, Android's architecture is meant to support a keyboard and trackball. Munn further claimed that after the original iPhone arrived in 2007, Google rushed to complete Android, but "it was too late to rewrite the UI framework."
He cited Windows Mobile 6.5, BlackBerry OS and Symbian as examples of other older operating systems that suffered similar problems with touch performance. Microsoft, RIM and Nokia have all abandoned those OSes in order to start from scratch. "Android is the only mobile OS left that existed pre-iPhone," the report noted.
Android Software Engineer Romain Guy admitted as much when he said that choices made years ago had contributed to work the team has to do now.
"Having the UI thread handle animations is the biggest problem," he said. "We are working on other solutions to try to improve this (schedule drawing on vsync instead of block on vsync after drawing, possible use a separate rendering thread, etc.) An easy solution would of course to create a new UI toolkit but there are many downsides to this also.”
According to the report, those downsides include the fact that apps would have to be rewritten to support the new framework, Android would need legacy support for old apps and work on other Android features would be held up while the new framework was being built.
"However, I believe the rewrite must happen, despite the downsides. As an aspiring product manager, I find Android’s lagginess absolutely unacceptable. It should be priority #1 for the Android team," Munn said.
UI Lag has long been an area for which reviewers have criticized Android. One recent usability study by Jakob Nielsen on Amazon's Android-based Kindle Fire found erratic scrolling and "huge lag in response after pressing command-buttons." Nielsen suspected that "sloppy programming" was causing the issue.
The New York Times' David Pogue also took issue with the Kindle Fire. "Animations are sluggish and jerky -- even the page turns that you'd think would be the pride of the Kindle team," he said in his review. "Taps sometimes don't register. There are no progress or 'wait' indicators, so you frequently don't know if the machine has even registered your touch commands. The momentum of the animations hasn't been calculated right, so the whole thing feels ornery."
Munn himself viewed the issue as damaging to Android's image. He also saw it as a violation of Google's guiding principles, which have generally led to faster, optimized products. Finally, he mentioned that UI lag breaks the direct 1-to-1 relationship that touch screens offer.
"The device no longer feels natural. It loses the magic. The user is pulled out of their interaction and must implicitly acknowledge they are using an imperfect computer simulation. I often get “lost” in an iPad, but I cringe when a Xoom stutters between home screens," he said.
To conclude, the report ended on a more upbeat note, with Munn voicing his belief that the Android rendering framework is in the hands of a capable team. "I know they will have it eventually," he said.
___________________________________________________________________
I`m sorry o hear this .. so is there any chances that google make android on same structure as ios?
I know IOS is for only Apple devices, and because of that is feeling so smoth .. but how windows (computer windows) can be smoth for all computer configurations? and Android can`t, even quad core can`t stable android ....
This article makes me think. Let`s hope that there will be future improvement on how Google will write it`s UI code. I mean, it`s sad to have an SGS2 or an quad-core powered phone/tablet and a OS to hold back it`s power.
And more or less in reply to this came a post by Dianne Hackborn, who is part of the Android development team, explaining why most of this was either irrelevant or wrong.
https://plus.google.com/105051985738280261832/posts/XAZ4CeVP6DC
Still, plenty of questions of course.
I heard that android was made for phones with buttons and because of this we have all problems ...
No way this is true.
Nope, the system is power smooth and no lag whatsoever. Nada.
The truth is IQ restricted to a few in Android. Be happy with what you got. All the user posted issues are IDIOT related, as a senior member reminded me.
/sarcasm off
Dalvik VM limitations were known and were a set back from the beginning (just like fat32). Nevertheless, they ''fixed it'' somehow, this is why Oracle is giving hard time to Google.
I can't say WP7/BBoS is smoother/better when compared to SGS2 GB...but both OS's are smoother when compared to appropriate hardware.
Student i see well that's not somebody that knows what they are talking about is it .
jje
This is false because thread priority can be assigned by the OS or even the software (in certain cases). The reason why the web browser in the iPhone is more responsive than in Android is as follows.
On the iPhone, the web browser is rendered with a tiling method, What this means is that the only things drawn in high quality are the "tile" that you see (everything on screen) as well as the immediately touching tiles. Ever notice that when you pan/scroll on iOS, it seems to only leap one page, similar to Page Down on your PC? This gives the browser time to dump tiles that are no longer adjacent while rendering the newly adjacent tiles in higher quality.
On Android, the entire page is rendered in the same quality. This is more work, so scrolling/panning/zooming fluidity suffers. This allows for a consistent but not as smooth approach. It also means that you can flick-scroll indefinitely.
On the SGS2, Samsung tried to implement the tiling approach but left in the Android scrolling limitations. This means that you can sometimes scroll faster than the page can keep up, causing a checkerboard affect (this is what Apple is hiding with their method).
On the ICS browser, Google also adopted the tiling method (finally), and managed to disguise the checkerboard affect by covering it with the webpage's default background color. The "checkerboard" is still there, but you never see or notice it. Anyway, I did a writeup with videos to illustrate this. Unfortunately, most idiots are taking the videos as fanboy fodder. They seem to think that the point was to show off how much better phone X is than phone Y, rather than to show the differences in approaches. The RAZR/Rezound will have these enhancements with their 4.x update.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67100
Yep, pretty much accurate info here but this is only regarding browser smoothness. Responsiveness is another issue android seems to have. When you scroll in iOS the contents are almost always directly below your finger, not "lagging" behind your swipes trying to catch up as you normally see in Android. I'm no expert so I have no idea what the cause of this is.
jaykresge said:
This is false because thread priority can be
assigned by the OS or even the software (in certain cases). The reason why the web browser in the iPhone is more responsive than in Android is as follows.
On the iPhone, the web browser is rendered with a tiling method, What this means is that the only things drawn in high quality are the "tile" that you see (everything on screen) as well as the immediately touching tiles. Ever notice that when you pan/scroll on iOS, it seems to only leap one page, similar to Page Down on your PC? This gives the browser time to dump tiles that are no longer adjacent while rendering the newly adjacent tiles in higher quality.
On Android, the entire page is rendered in the same quality. This is more work, so scrolling/panning/zooming fluidity suffers. This allows for a consistent but not as smooth approach. It also means that you can flick-scroll indefinitely.
On the SGS2, Samsung tried to implement the tiling approach but left in the Android scrolling limitations. This means that you can sometimes scroll faster than the page can keep up, causing a checkerboard affect (this is what Apple is hiding with their method).
On the ICS browser, Google also adopted the tiling method (finally), and managed to disguise the checkerboard affect by covering it with the webpage's default background color. The "checkerboard" is still there, but you never see or notice it. Anyway, I did a writeup with videos to illustrate this. Unfortunately, most idiots are taking the videos as fanboy fodder. They seem to think that the point was to show off how much better phone X is than phone Y, rather than to show the differences in approaches. The RAZR/Rezound will have these enhancements with their 4.x update.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dinan said:
Yep, pretty much accurate info here but this is only regarding browser smoothness. Responsiveness is another issue android seems to have. When you scroll in iOS the contents are almost always directly below your finger, not "lagging" behind your swipes trying to catch up as you normally see in Android. I'm no expert so I have no idea what the cause of this is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the device. This was absolutely true of my HTC Incredible on Android 2.1. With 2.2/2.3 and bloatware removed, the UI outside of the browser is more responsive than my wife's old iPhone 4, but a hair behind her new 4s (The 4 slowed down with iOS 5 due to the new notification shade). This goes back to a previous post I made in another thread where the iPhone's entire UI is GPU accelerated due to not having high requirements. Android's UI is more complex which causes OEMs to decide which elements are accelerated and which are not. In most newer phones the notification shade is always accelerated, the wallpaper is not, but the homescreens are to varying degrees. There is a fill-rate budget and the OEM has to decide what is accelerated and what isn't within this budget.
A prime example is the Nexus S vs. the Galaxy Nexus. While both use the SGX540 GPU, the Galaxy Nexus version is clocked higher and has MUCH higher performance. As such, the entire Galaxy Nexus UI is accelerated. However, for the Nexus S ICS build, only certain parts of the UI are accelerated. Google has gone on record as saying that this is due to hardware limitations.
I'd be willing to bet that this is why the Nexus One isn't getting ICS. The Adreno 200 GPU was subpar even when it came out. With the new overlays in ICS, the UI in the N1 would become laggier rather than smoother, as with previous releases. Google may have felt that the user experience of GB on the N1 is superior to that of ICS due to the new features. Even budget phones today using scaled down Snapdragon S2s or the older OMAP4 have a better GPU than what the N1 had.
sounds like a disgruntled employee speaking half truths.
Guess this guy never tried an sgs2. No lag whatsoever!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Pretty much spot on. You cnt disagree that ios is muuuuuch smoother than android and that it does lag at times. Student nailed it in my opinion. Well written. Ive always said it has a long way to go and quad core wont b much differnt to dual core phones. When i used a iphone 4s for a while.... it blew me away how slick it was. Future versions will hopefully only get better. But iphone cnt match android open source fun lol. .
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Fizzerr said:
Guess this guy never tried an sgs2. No lag whatsoever!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since when u have your s2? Cuz on my s2.. I get lag.. and you know when? UI. When unlocking.. when i close an app it takes some time to get to UI...and so on. And I am on stock firmware.
Cristitamas said:
Since when u have your s2? Cuz on my s2.. I get lag.. and you know when? UI. When unlocking.. when i close an app it takes some time to get to UI...and so on. And I am on stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No lag whatsoever on my GSII. And on my iPhone 4S there is also no lag. Both aee extremely fluid in my opinion. Galaxy Nexus, GSII, and the 4S are the fastest phones on the market right now.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Fizzerr said:
Guess this guy never tried an sgs2. No lag whatsoever!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact, when scroll in tapatalk lags, when im moving in desktop and receive a message of whats app or miyowa messenger lags too.
iNeri said:
In fact, when scroll in tapatalk lags, when im moving in desktop and receive a message of whats app or miyowa messenger lags too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It lags...period lol
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
androidkid311 said:
It lags...period lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. So far any Android device lags. Any phone, any tablet, all of them. Sure, we are lucky to have one of the more lag-less devices but anybody who says the SGS2 doesn't lag at all either:
a) is ignorant
b) is very easy to please
c) is blinded by Android fanboyism
d) hasn't seen a true lag free device yet.
The SGS2 lags. Sometimes a little, sometimes like crazy, so be it. Don't claim otherwise.
Yes, my old xperia x10 lagged all the time. But my custom-ROM-running sgs2 doesn't lag. Yes, I've had an iPhone 4 for 8 months so I can compare them.
IMHO, lag is mostly placebo and expecting too much these days. Ugly code can cause the UI to stutter on every platform, including iOS.
# Galaxy S II w/ tapatalk
Pfeffernuss said:
The SGS2 lags. Sometimes a little, sometimes like crazy, so be it. Don't claim otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. You must have a heap of bloatware on that thing. Either that or you've flashed a dodgy ROM. I get no lag at all. I think you are getting lag confused with app loading time. If you fire up Asphalt 6 and it takes 10 seconds to load that's not lag. Have a play with a Galaxy S on one of the earlier ROM's. Then you will see lag.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Fizzerr said:
LOL. You must have a heap of bloatware on that thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bloatware whatsoever.
Either that or you've flashed a dodgy ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried many many Roms, many many kernels, many many Launchers, etc. All the same thing. The phone will once in a while lag and/or show micro-stutters.
I get no lag at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None at all, really. A statement like that makes all the other things you say worthless. Every Android device will once in a while lag and/or expose micro-stutters.
I think you are getting lag confused with app loading time. If you fire up Asphalt 6 and it takes 10 seconds to load that's not lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what lag is, thank you.
It's exactly the same as when people say "my screen is perfect. I have no yellow/darker left side on my panel". When you check it yourself of course the panel isn't even. Usual reply? "Well, I don't see it so it doesn't bother me". That's not the point, it's there. The fact that the phone is 100% smooth for you is nice, only it is not.
Your SGS2 also will have occasional lag/micro stutters. In all apps/all the time? No. In most apps/usually? No. In some apps/occasionally? Yes.
Is it still an amazing phone? For sure. Probably the best/smoothest Android so far? Guess so. Does it sometimes lag and/or stutter? Absolutely.

[Q] My thoughts on Android vs iOS apps

I recently got myself a Nexus 4, my first Android phone, and had been using it as my main phone for the past five days. I come from the iOS world (keen jailbreaker) and my initial reactions were very positive:
Love widgets and how convenient they can be
Love the extent of customisation
Love the big screen and clean UI in general
Love the hardware (camera and speed)
Love Google service integration (maps, contact, calendar) = just works
However, there is one aspect that really bothers me and I wanted to hear what other people think.
APPS.
iOS apps are often more polished than their Android equivalent, in another word they contain less bugs. I find Android apps crash more often and some of the functions don’t always work. Example: I found a bug in Skype that the ringing tone continues to sound even after the call is connected. Skype has been around for so many years and yet there is a bug?
.
Android don’t always get the newest or most updated apps because it is easier for developers to create apps on iOS. This can lead to some core function of an apps missing compare to their equivalent on iOS. Example: I have a Synology NAS at home that acts as my media hub, which can be remotely accessed by Synology-made streaming apps on the iOS. On Android, the video app isn’t available and the music app is very buggy and lacks some very core functions.
.
Due to the ever increasing range of Android devices, that is at a pace faster than iOS devices, I feel there is a greater chance of an Android device becoming unsupported by an app than an iOS device. This means potentially one has to upgrade to a new Android device sooner than they can afford or wish to.
.
There is a greater range of apps, including games, on iOS. Example: I really would like a decent photo editing app, such as Snapseed, on my Android but can’t seem to find one that I like. Official Simplenotes app is also unavailable on Android.
I suspect the defragmentation of the Android ecosystem is, in part, responsible for the problems I mentioned and it’s something I don’t see Google can do much about anytime soon. Therefore, in my mind, the situation is likely to remain the same for a while which makes Android less appealing to me. Understandably, it is a complex and widespread issue that is inherent in the Android world.
Sorry about my boring post but I have two days left to refund my Nexus 4. Should I keep it or refund it?
Thanks guys
hankdu said:
I recently got myself a Nexus 4, my first Android phone, and had been using it as my main phone for the past five days. I come from the iOS world (keen jailbreaker) and my initial reactions were very positive:
Love widgets and how convenient they can be
Love the extent of customisation
Love the big screen and clean UI in general
Love the hardware (camera and speed)
Love Google service integration (maps, contact, calendar) = just works
However, there is one aspect that really bothers me and I wanted to hear what other people think.
APPS.
iOS apps are often more polished than their Android equivalent, in another word they contain less bugs. I find Android apps crash more often and some of the functions don’t always work. Example: I found a bug in Skype that the ringing tone continues to sound even after the call is connected. Skype has been around for so many years and yet there is a bug?
.
Android don’t always get the newest or most updated apps because it is easier for developers to create apps on iOS. This can lead to some core function of an apps missing compare to their equivalent on iOS. Example: I have a Synology NAS at home that acts as my media hub, which can be remotely accessed by Synology-made streaming apps on the iOS. On Android, the video app isn’t available and the music app is very buggy and lacks some very core functions.
.
Due to the ever increasing range of Android devices, that is at a pace faster than iOS devices, I feel there is a greater chance of an Android device becoming unsupported by an app than an iOS device. This means potentially one has to upgrade to a new Android device sooner than they can afford or wish to.
.
There is a greater range of apps, including games, on iOS. Example: I really would like a decent photo editing app, such as Snapseed, on my Android but can’t seem to find one that I like. Official Simplenotes app is also unavailable on Android.
I suspect the defragmentation of the Android ecosystem is, in part, responsible for the problems I mentioned and it’s something I don’t see Google can do much about anytime soon. Therefore, in my mind, the situation is likely to remain the same for a while which makes Android less appealing to me. Understandably, it is a complex and widespread issue that is inherent in the Android world.
Sorry about my boring post but I have two days left to refund my Nexus 4. Should I keep it or refund it?
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, it's easy to develop a "polished" app with no bugs when your consumer audience is using a handful of IOS-based devices. The reason Android apps SEEM more buggy is that there are hundreds of different devices that use the Android OS. Problems are going to arise due to differences in hardware, but a good developer nails these problems and their app will evolve into a polished, bug-free work of art.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:03 PM ----------
hankdu said:
Sorry about my boring post but I have two days left to refund my Nexus 4. Should I keep it or refund it?
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer your question, though, you should keep it. There's not a WHOLE lot going on with the nexus yet because of availability issues, but bugs will be squashed. Have patience. As more devs get their hands on it, it will get a lot better.
Refund it - that is one more device available for us on the play store ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I won't tell you that you're a fan boy, or that you're stupid for thinking the way you do. It's clear.
Ask yourself this: are apps what you need to make your phone productive and useful?
I asked myself this question and found out, no. I use core apps like chrome, power amp, twitter and they're all well polished apps.
The freedom of the OS matters more to me than the apps, then again android apps are that bad.
Good luck
Return it. You want to just use the phone, as a phone.
ios is for you.
Photo apps
hankdu said:
I recently got myself a Nexus 4, my first Android phone, and had been using it as my main phone for the past five days. I come from the iOS world (keen jailbreaker) and my initial reactions were very positive:
Love widgets and how convenient they can be
Love the extent of customisation
Love the big screen and clean UI in general
Love the hardware (camera and speed)
Love Google service integration (maps, contact, calendar) = just works
However, there is one aspect that really bothers me and I wanted to hear what other people think.
APPS.
iOS apps are often more polished than their Android equivalent, in another word they contain less bugs. I find Android apps crash more often and some of the functions don’t always work. Example: I found a bug in Skype that the ringing tone continues to sound even after the call is connected. Skype has been around for so many years and yet there is a bug?
.
Android don’t always get the newest or most updated apps because it is easier for developers to create apps on iOS. This can lead to some core function of an apps missing compare to their equivalent on iOS. Example: I have a Synology NAS at home that acts as my media hub, which can be remotely accessed by Synology-made streaming apps on the iOS. On Android, the video app isn’t available and the music app is very buggy and lacks some very core functions.
.
Due to the ever increasing range of Android devices, that is at a pace faster than iOS devices, I feel there is a greater chance of an Android device becoming unsupported by an app than an iOS device. This means potentially one has to upgrade to a new Android device sooner than they can afford or wish to.
.
There is a greater range of apps, including games, on iOS. Example: I really would like a decent photo editing app, such as Snapseed, on my Android but can’t seem to find one that I like. Official Simplenotes app is also unavailable on Android.
I suspect the defragmentation of the Android ecosystem is, in part, responsible for the problems I mentioned and it’s something I don’t see Google can do much about anytime soon. Therefore, in my mind, the situation is likely to remain the same for a while which makes Android less appealing to me. Understandably, it is a complex and widespread issue that is inherent in the Android world.
Sorry about my boring post but I have two days left to refund my Nexus 4. Should I keep it or refund it?
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here comes a list of photo apps I hope you will like. I have them all installed on my Note 2 and am often forced to use more than one of them to get the results i wish. This does not however bother me. Nor does it bother me that some cost over a whole $1 to buy.
PicsPlayPro + great for making basic adjustments - no sharpness or fine rotation
Pixlr - this is brand new and very promising. Has both fine rotation and sharpness - no historgram or curves like PicsPlayPro
TouchRetouch +fantastic at removing annoying objects or people from plain backgrounds - you must know it's limits
Afterfocus + the best I know of for getting that shallow portrait depth of field.
Aviary
SketchBookPro - this is more of an art program but you can import pictures add layers, text and paint to retouch. - you need the S-Pen
PicSayPro: lots of gimmicky filters and effect +++layer masks!!
The following are a collection that are both camera and filters or just cameras
Vignette
LittlePhoto
MagicHour
HDRPro ProHDR? +++very good for landscapes, interior architecture -don't try photo people
Picturesque + some amazing effects can be achieved with this app. Check out #picturesque on Instagram
Lastly Cymera needs to be mention for its 5 different cameras, its fun filters
Hope this helps. Welcome to android.
Oh, I almost forgot my favourite camera FV-5. Silly name great camera.
I would never get an Android tablet because of the lack of premium quality apps. I would want apps like Garage Band which Android has nothing remotely close to. Like on a PC the app selection for a tablet is the most important aspect of the device, and iOS crushes Android in that department.
I can live with the limited premium app selection for a phone because I dont use my phone as a computer or for doing serious tasks.
dankoman said:
Sure, it's easy to develop a "polished" app with no bugs when your consumer audience is using a handful of IOS-based devices. The reason Android apps SEEM more buggy is that there are hundreds of different devices that use the Android OS. Problems are going to arise due to differences in hardware, but a good developer nails these problems and their app will evolve into a polished, bug-free work of art.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:03 PM ----------
To answer your question, though, you should keep it. There's not a WHOLE lot going on with the nexus yet because of availability issues, but bugs will be squashed. Have patience. As more devs get their hands on it, it will get a lot better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After some thoughts and insightful opinions from other android users - I have decided to keep the device. You are right, the availability is an issue at the moment and I believe android apps are only going to be come more polished as time pasts.
qwahchees said:
I won't tell you that you're a fan boy, or that you're stupid for thinking the way you do. It's clear.
Ask yourself this: are apps what you need to make your phone productive and useful?
I asked myself this question and found out, no. I use core apps like chrome, power amp, twitter and they're all well polished apps.
The freedom of the OS matters more to me than the apps, then again android apps are that bad.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've made some very good points and I seemed to have forgotten the key here is how I intend to use the device. All the core apps I use are all very polished on Android and, in fact, I like them more than on iOS because of all the available customization options. iOS at the moment has no jailbreak for many of their new devices and I foresee jailbreaking becoming more and more difficult. I enjoy the freedom on Android. Thanks for your advice :good:
Dmwitz said:
Here comes a list of photo apps I hope you will like. I have them all installed on my Note 2 and am often forced to use more than one of them to get the results i wish. This does not however bother me. Nor does it bother me that some cost over a whole $1 to buy.
PicsPlayPro + great for making basic adjustments - no sharpness or fine rotation
Pixlr - this is brand new and very promising. Has both fine rotation and sharpness - no historgram or curves like PicsPlayPro
TouchRetouch +fantastic at removing annoying objects or people from plain backgrounds - you must know it's limits
Afterfocus + the best I know of for getting that shallow portrait depth of field.
Aviary
SketchBookPro - this is more of an art program but you can import pictures add layers, text and paint to retouch. - you need the S-Pen
PicSayPro: lots of gimmicky filters and effect +++layer masks!!
The following are a collection that are both camera and filters or just cameras
Vignette
LittlePhoto
MagicHour
HDRPro ProHDR? +++very good for landscapes, interior architecture -don't try photo people
Picturesque + some amazing effects can be achieved with this app. Check out #picturesque on Instagram
Lastly Cymera needs to be mention for its 5 different cameras, its fun filters
Hope this helps. Welcome to android.
Oh, I almost forgot my favourite camera FV-5. Silly name great camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW! THANK YOU! That has saved me so much time and they all look very intriguing! One of the positive things about Android is that there seems to always be a lite version to try out before one decides to upgrade to the full version. I may be wrong with what I said earlier about couldn't find a good photo editing app. Again, much appreciated for your recommendations :good:
idividebyzero said:
I would never get an Android tablet because of the lack of premium quality apps. I would want apps like Garage Band which Android has nothing remotely close to. Like on a PC the app selection for a tablet is the most important aspect of the device, and iOS crushes Android in that department.
I can live with the limited premium app selection for a phone because I dont use my phone as a computer or for doing serious tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean - i got an ipad and that is what I use if there is an iOS app that I really want to try out. Its very hard to give up ios completely.
After reading the responses I got from this thread, I have decided not to return my N4. Here goes why:
None of the android apps is buggy to the extent that they are unusable. I suspect since JB has only just been released, bugs will be ironed out gradually. Android apps may not have all the functions as their iOS equivalent but the missing functions are not absolutely vital to me. There are usually some work around for the missing feature, such as use another app or just simply use a laptop. Many of the core apps I regularly use on my phone are polished on Android. In fact, I actually prefer the experience of these core apps on Android more than on iOS. The amount of tweaking I can do is simply too much to give up after having enjoyed the freedom of doing so. When I first unzipped a file on the N4, oh my, I was like “sweet!”.
I had forgotten that the key to my choice between iOS and Android was how I intended to use my phone. Having recognized this the choice between the two systems was an easy one - Android was clearly better (for me):
gmail and youtube apps were both better
video playback supported more format
reading experience was amazing thanks to the amazing screen
web browsing was wayyyyy smoother
apps were better integrated into each other
Looks like the N4 is here to stay
Thanks everyone for your input!
idividebyzero said:
I would never get an Android tablet because of the lack of premium quality apps. I would want apps like Garage Band which Android has nothing remotely close to. Like on a PC the app selection for a tablet is the most important aspect of the device, and iOS crushes Android in that department.
I can live with the limited premium app selection for a phone because I dont use my phone as a computer or for doing serious tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am exactly the opposite. I can't really do anything on iPad since what I do need jailbreak at least. I need a Tab that could run Linux, or access one. I'm waiting for the day it comes to some Android Tablet and then buy 1. I now have an iPad that is sitting somewhere. Ever since I received my Nexus 4 I have never touched the iPad again. I don't have an Android tab to compare, but my friend's tab are pretty bland. It's pretty much a blown up version of the phone.
You can run Ubuntu on N7.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I would defiantly agree with you. iOS apps are more polished on the whole. While this isn't 100% true, I feel like many apps on iOS are more trustworthy and more likely to just work. Android on the other hand you have to filter through a ton of crap...
But then a polished Android app is just as functional as a polished iOS app. There is no reason why a well made app for iOS would be better than a well made Android app.
hankdu said:
I
[*]Due to the ever increasing range of Android devices, that is at a pace faster than iOS devices, I feel there is a greater chance of an Android device becoming unsupported by an app than an iOS device. This means potentially one has to upgrade to a new Android device sooner than they can afford or wish to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you feel this way because you come from the Apple ecosystem. As a quick and dirty Apple developer I find myself getting increasingly frustrated with our newer OS updates breaking things. Even pulling sysinfo seems to be different with every OS they release.
Google as well as their app developers are both well aware that most of the android community is still running on Gingerbread, so I don't think you'll see your Nexus 4 go out of style anytime soon. Keep in mind that you also have a Nexus device, and will in all likeliness be one of the first to taste Key Lime Pie whenever it's released.
Warrior1975 said:
You can run Ubuntu on N7.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know. Thats why i said that. Wait until the day you can run Ubuntu on iPad.
sent from my straight out of limbo 2 Nexus 4 using XDA-premium
wngmv said:
I know. Thats why i said that. Wait until the day you can run Ubuntu on iPad.
sent from my straight out of limbo 2 Nexus 4 using XDA-premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must have misunderstood your post. It seemed like you were waiting for Ubuntu to come to an android tab from the way you worded it.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
You chose well. I had every iPhone from the original to the 4s and I do agree with you that apps seem more polished, but that's not everything. I've actually read articles where iOS apps crash more than android, but apple's way of programming will hold a still of the last image on the screen until the app restarts, all without the user knowing... Now, I have no proof of this, it's just something I read.
As for android, there's just more that can be done even without rooting. I was so tired of the jailbreak cat and mouse game with apple, but everything that I couldn't get on iOS, is all right there on android.
My last point in beating this dead horse I'd that this entire response was easily written by using Google's stock swiping keyboard! Nothing like that with apple....
Sent from my De-Sensed HTC Vivid using xda premium
I consider myself lucky to have a jail broken ipad 3. Jailbreak is declining and it's a pity.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

jury's still out on N7

So far I do like this tablet. Its speed and some of the new features in jellybean are pretty neat like enhancing the size of small radio boxes so you can press them on the small screen. I also like the improved keyboard, as my last android experience was on a droid x.
I literally put my WiFi iPad 2 up for sale on ebay today but I think maybe I might have jumped the gun.
Reason being is that I had no idea there were screen issues with some of the Nexus 7 until I came to the form today. I don't seem to have these issues but it makes me uneasy.
Now granted, I came from iOS devices and still have an iPhone so I have been trying very hard to get my calendar and contacts synced up. I've been trying to use Smoothsync for contacts and it is not been going well. The app constantly crashes and I'm finding myself having to go nerdwank with settings and workarounds all over again in 2013 just to get basic syncing happening.
Before you clown me or defend the N7 I do realize that trying to use apple specific syncing with android is not the most ideal Solution so I expected some Issues.
Then I find that without fail the OEM "mail" app is crashing when I try to reply to messages. Text editing is god awful on this thing and this message took 45 minutes with the blue editing markers jumping below the page and doing odd ****. Part of this can be forgiven duento the screen size and inherent limitations and I realize this.
I didn't intend to make this a rant but I must say that android is still not ready for prime time.
I really wanted this to be a great tablet but I think in the end the software is still half baked and I find myself once again being a Google beta tester. Let the hate begin I guess.
Are you sure the apps are optimized for 4.3? Have you talked to the developer or searched around for a solution to the crashes/problems?
I wanted to clown you, but sometimes I find clowns to be sorta funny. Mimes on the other hand. Never. Not once. No Funny. So I will mime you instead.
Worst first post? I don't think you'll win. There was this guy once that posted and stuff was just and then click and wow blue! Everywhere. ADB.
you say android isn't prime yet... well you're quite wrong. There are literally millions of devices running android, and out of those, only few have reported issues, which are once in a blue moon. These devices are often out of the league. Like this new nexus, or HTC One, or Nexus 10. These devices have extraordinarily large display sizes, and yes, android probably isn't ready for these resolutions. Think of the iOS coming out 11 yrs ago, and so much of suing to get their stuff perfected and totally unparalleled. Now think of android, coming out just five years ago, and suffering much of the suing bussiness, and outclassing every other platform there. In just 5 years, we have these extraordinary devices, that probably still sound like magic to me, though I admit reading the fantasy literature toomuch, but still, you can well imagine the limits android has crossed.
gotta disagree about not being prime time. I enjoy android much more than apple on every level from hardware to os. save one tiny, very annoying thing and I give you props for bringing it up on a non stylus tablet you are quite right. text editing does indeed suck. omg I just sided with an apple lover, I feel so...dirty.
na when your right your right, the blue cursor of doom is annoying at times. but from there well I gotta say android rules
i'll take it easy on you since i use to like apple myself. But android is better than apple and will take some time getting use to. the more you use it you will like it a lot more than ios. the only feature i like about apple is using itunes with putting music on your device but i dont need that so much now since im always using tune in radio. now as for typing and using the keyboard you can always try different keyboard apps from the playstore. im personally using swiftkey tablet edition and like it the most. for syncing your information there are more than one app that will let you do that so try other ones.
45 minutes ? I am slow also. But 45 minutes????
Haven't you heard of swype record made by a woman two years back. He I think he wrote that much in 45 seconds. And, was accurate.
I am not using swype particularly currently, but on my lowest end lg optimus two years back, I could write very fast. And that was on 2.2.
I have to state that upon reading that it took you 45 minutes to write a few sentences, well i have to take your criticisms with a grain of salt. 45 minutes? come on. I don't think that's a problem with android. I still use my htc desire with 2.2 (if 4.3 isn't ready for prime then heavens knows what 2.2 would be described as) and it wouldn't have taken me 10 minutes to write that.
diddicus said:
So far I do like this tablet. Its speed and some of the new features in jellybean are pretty neat like enhancing the size of small radio boxes so you can press them on the small screen. I also like the improved keyboard, as my last android experience was on a droid x.
I literally put my WiFi iPad 2 up for sale on ebay today but I think maybe I might have jumped the gun.
Reason being is that I had no idea there were screen issues with some of the Nexus 7 until I came to the form today. I don't seem to have these issues but it makes me uneasy.
Now granted, I came from iOS devices and still have an iPhone so I have been trying very hard to get my calendar and contacts synced up. I've been trying to use Smoothsync for contacts and it is not been going well. The app constantly crashes and I'm finding myself having to go nerdwank with settings and workarounds all over again in 2013 just to get basic syncing happening.
Before you clown me or defend the N7 I do realize that trying to use apple specific syncing with android is not the most ideal Solution so I expected some Issues.
Then I find that without fail the OEM "mail" app is crashing when I try to reply to messages. Text editing is god awful on this thing and this message took 45 minutes with the blue editing markers jumping below the page and doing odd ****. Part of this can be forgiven duento the screen size and inherent limitations and I realize this.
I didn't intend to make this a rant but I must say that android is still not ready for prime time.
I really wanted this to be a great tablet but I think in the end the software is still half baked and I find myself once again being a Google beta tester. Let the hate begin I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like my Ipad ? not
but there are many great features like live wallpaper or widgets ? not
the OEM keyboard sucks but you can change it for another one on the Apple Store right ? no ??
I want iTunes to copy and sync everything i have on my android phone on my iPad, is it possible ?? WHAT ?? NO ??
OK damnit, I just want the %$?& OEM video player to play a basic DivX video... is it possible ?? OMG
ok it is time for a big conclusion :
I didn't intend to make this a rant but I must say that iOS is still not ready for prime time.
Why are you trying to use some 3rd party contact hack? Ipad, sync it to google with your contacts. Nexus, sync it to google for your contacts. Tada, contacts are sync'd up between them. ( same with your calendar ).
45 minutes? Perhaps apple is for you then. ( Really? 45 minutes? I am pretty sure my dog can do better... )
Troll.......
The OP is better off with iOS.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
@OP
>android is still not ready for prime time
There are things you don't say in a fan forum. The above is one of those. It's flame bait, and it renders everything else you've said into noise, because this is the only thing people will respond to.
>Text editing is god awful on this thing
Of course it is. You're comparing a 7" to a 9.7" which has over twice the surface area. For fiddly things like editing, larger (display) is better, especially if you have large hands. 7" is better for certain uses, and 10" is better for others.
Another issue is that Android isn't iOS, and has different routines for tasks. Some people get frustrated when switching to a different platform, because all of the routines they're familiar with are now useless, and have to be relearned.
Re: Syncing and other issues - As above, it's part of the learning curve when switching platform--finding new tools and ways to do things. It's more productive to dispense with the rant and flamebait, and just simply ask for help.
Kinda harsh for a new Android user.
Anyway the best option is to sync your Apple stuff with Google first. You can use a PC to access Gmail and make edits there. Once your Calendar and Contacts are satisfactory, then sync with Android (or it should automatically).
I've had no problems with the mail app. So I'm not sure what you are talking about. You also mention text messaging...? Gmail is for Gmail.
Email is for Corporate Exchange or Alt Emails. You can also setup Gmail in here but the Gmail app is better geared to take advantage of the Google Mail slew of features.
I'm not sure why its taking you 45 min to write an email. I've typed all this out in less then 4. If your keyboard is pressing all sorts of crazy letters and symbols then you may have a whacky touchscreen. Its not common but some have reported touch issues.
The move from iOS to Android is a learning curve because there are more options and freedom. Once you grasp the concepts of a few things and get familiar with the layout, you'll appreciate it more. You'll soon find iOS frustrating.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
You'll soon find iOS frustrating.
This ^
I think I get the problem with typing. I find sometimes if I'm typing onto a website in chrome its almost impossible to move the cursor to another bit of text. It takes on a life of its own jumping about or refusing to move.
No problems though other than within chrome on some sites.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
No.
diddicus said:
Let the hate begin I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why bother registering and making a post just to be hated? Are you a masochist by any chance?
You are right, Android needs 3+ years to stagnate and do minimal incremental updates with zero innovation in order to be stable.
Wow, he comes to XDA and makes one post, this post. Can somebody please close this thread. I feel dumber for having read what that guy had to say. What a waste of time.
Cool since your the jury let me know if I can enjoy my tablet. Seriously do we need literally useless posts from ishills in here.
Go back to your phone made in a Nazi death camp shill, bet you didn't even root
edit I just reread your peasant like review, you used software to manually sync contacts, yeah you need to stick with icrap shill.. you don't deserve the #HOLO
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
diddicus said:
So far I do like this tablet. Its speed and some of the new features in jellybean are pretty neat like enhancing the size of small radio boxes so you can press them on the small screen. I also like the improved keyboard, as my last android experience was on a droid x.
I literally put my WiFi iPad 2 up for sale on ebay today but I think maybe I might have jumped the gun.
Reason being is that I had no idea there were screen issues with some of the Nexus 7 until I came to the form today. I don't seem to have these issues but it makes me uneasy.
Now granted, I came from iOS devices and still have an iPhone so I have been trying very hard to get my calendar and contacts synced up. I've been trying to use Smoothsync for contacts and it is not been going well. The app constantly crashes and I'm finding myself having to go nerdwank with settings and workarounds all over again in 2013 just to get basic syncing happening.
Before you clown me or defend the N7 I do realize that trying to use apple specific syncing with android is not the most ideal Solution so I expected some Issues.
Then I find that without fail the OEM "mail" app is crashing when I try to reply to messages. Text editing is god awful on this thing and this message took 45 minutes with the blue editing markers jumping below the page and doing odd ****. Part of this can be forgiven duento the screen size and inherent limitations and I realize this.
I didn't intend to make this a rant but I must say that android is still not ready for prime time.
I really wanted this to be a great tablet but I think in the end the software is still half baked and I find myself once again being a Google beta tester. Let the hate begin I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely user error.
Import your contacts into Gmail. Login with your phone. Sync. Take a 4 minute nap. Done.
Also... Ibtl
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

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