Screen size & flash question - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm currently still using my Nook Color as 7" device and it works well, but I've outgrown the performance a long time ago. The Nexus 7 with Tegra 3 really seems to bump the performance and I already like the 7" form.
When I see the Nexus 7 Screen in videos it actuallly looks like the screen is noticeably smaller than my Nook Color's screen. I don't know if it's the jellybean software or something in the way the Nexus 7 was designed.
My questions are
1) Is my smaller screen perception accurate ?
In terms of daily use, is the screen size pretty much exactly as my Nook Color's, or is there something in the design / or software that makes the usable screen on Nexus 7 that's smaller than my Nook ( still haven't seen one in person yet ).
2) When using a browser other than Chrome ( i.e. Mozilla, Opera, Dolphin ), how usable is flash on this device ( one that's not rooted ). I rely on flash quite a bit in my daily use, and wouldn't want the device if it doesn't fully support Adobe Flash right now.
Thanks

Can't answer your first question because the Amazon products aren't marketed here, but as for your flash question, I use flash on a non-rooted device as well. Works pretty well, though you need to use it on a browser that isn't Chrome (the default browser, which no longer supports flash). I use the mobile version of Firefox, which works plenty well with flash so far.
To install flash:
1. Download the apk on your tablet
2. Install flash by checking allow off market applications in settings, and finding the apk using a file viewer such as Astro
3. Install a non chrome browser (such as Firefox). For firefox, you might want to go to settings to allow all plugins, or you will have to press 'allow this plugin' everytime flash is used.

Related

[Q] Lack of RAM - any solutions? HTC DZ

I'm getting quite annoyed at my phone's lack of RAM.
I browse the internet and constantly open new windows (up to the max 4 allowed by the HTC browser, but that's another story) so that I can quickly go back a page when I need to.
If for some reason I go and use a couple of other apps on the phone, and then come back to the browser I constantly find that the oldest 3 pages have dropped completely out of RAM, and the 4th one has as well, and that last one alone loads up again.
This is annoying, time-consuming and messes up my browsing session. Is there some way I can prioritise the browser so that most other apps get killed off before it does?
setspeed said:
I'm getting quite annoyed at my phone's lack of RAM.
I browse the internet and constantly open new windows (up to the max 4 allowed by the HTC browser, but that's another story) so that I can quickly go back a page when I need to.
If for some reason I go and use a couple of other apps on the phone, and then come back to the browser I constantly find that the oldest 3 pages have dropped completely out of RAM, and the 4th one has as well, and that last one alone loads up again.
This is annoying, time-consuming and messes up my browsing session. Is there some way I can prioritise the browser so that most other apps get killed off before it does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using firefox instead on the defualt browser .its not perfect yet but its getting
better and better with every beta release .
I don't think an alternate browser will help with Android unwantedly killing off processes.
Incidentally, I tried Firefox a couple of months ago and found it to be completely unusable - I take it it's worth checking out again now then?
Another possibility is to set the Android memory manager to be less aggressive in removing things from memory (you can use an app like AutoKiller to change the settings easily---try tweaking the settings to see if helps with your usage model).
I know AutoKiller will also allow you to lower the oom value for the process (the lower the oom, the less likely the memory manager will kill it in the background), but I don't think this will help for the browser (since the OS will dynamically change its oom each time you bring it to the foreground and send it to the background again). If someone knows a way to make the oom value permanently lower, that sounds like exactly what you want.
Maybe someone else has some ideas. I know often times launchers will have the option to keep themselves in memory, and CM6 has the option to keep messaging in memory (more like your situation), so it should be doable.
setspeed said:
I don't think an alternate browser will help with Android unwantedly killing off processes.
Incidentally, I tried Firefox a couple of months ago and found it to be completely unusable - I take it it's worth checking out again now then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
defo ,its much better now i figured since you were annoyed by 4 tab limit
you might find firefox helpful. because it doesnt have limit or if it does its more than 4 for sure also it has an aption called (your tabs from last time) which again i think
you will find it usefull ,you can also sync it with you pcs firefox too .
EDIT: I just tried it to make sure, even if you reboot your phone
and open firefox again you can just press on (your tabs from last time)
and it will restore them all.
The way I see it there are a few things you can do...
Firstly, you could try a renice script. It does what other people have suggested and changes the oomph value to what you like. It was commonly used on the g1 for the dialer so that you wouldn't miss phone calls lol. Its easy to do if you know the syntax, I would make you one myself if I was near a computer lol.
Another thing you could do is try an aosp/CM based rom, as those generally have much, much lower ram usage compared to sense.
Lastly you could try a different browser. There are so many to choose from I'm sure one will fit your needs.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
I use autokiller on my DZ, you have to have root to use this tho... quite satisfied about it, almost all the time 90+ free ram even when doing heavy stuff... quits the unused shizzle...
cheers
I HIGHLY recommend Dolphin Browser HD.
It is significantly faster than the stock Browser and I have had no issues with Android closing it down. One feature I like is that there is actually an 'Exit' button in the menu for those individuals who have OCD like me and don't like the Browser running in the background when not wanted.
Thus far, this is the best mobile Browser I have used. That being said, I have not tried Firefox and have been a regular user of Opera Mini in the past on other devices.
You should try miren browser once, i'm using it now instead of dolphin hd, and there is a exit button in the menu to. I think its better styled, it has got all the features of dolphin HD without all the bloating around... no gestures tho
cheers
I think its more of poorly optimized software because im pretty sure that google devs don't even utilize the full 512mb of RAM in 2.2. Chances are its the HTC sense limiting you.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Yeah I don't think this issue is anything to do with a lack of RAM.
I may try another ROM, however I'm just not up for flashing all the time like I used to with my old Desire or G1 before that. I want a 100% working ROM, preferably something that allows overclocking with a kernel that doesn't break stuff.
And I also want my HTC phone dialler/contacts as well, not vanilla or a cheap copy from the Market. Oh, and I hate the vanilla lockscreen - it's just hard to operate compared to the Sense one. I don't know why it's so hard to unlock side to side on Android - the iPhone takes a little flick and it's unlocked - vanilla Android is like a mission to ensure I've dragged it far enough across to unlock.
And I don't want my keyboard or capacitive keys or quick keys mullered up (I am running a Euro DZ).
If these issues can be dealt with easily when setting up the ROM/phone then I'm prepared to devote a little time to doing it.
So - any suggestions, please?
dont use htc sense roms.
I'm running the virtuous sense rom with his advanced kernel, ive ran the normal rom about 2 weeks, and ive yet to see differences other then a huuuuuuuge speed increase... i would just try it once if i were you its such a relieve...
I played with the latest over the weekend. I ended up uninstalling it. I'd hit a page with scripting and then firefox would lock up and crash.
Web2Go isn't perfect, but at least it doesn't crash as often.
This has nothing to do with RAM. This phone handles RAM just fine. Use Miren and thank me later. It's the best browser by far!
mr.boonet said:
You should try miren browser once, i'm using it now instead of dolphin hd, and there is a exit button in the menu to. I think its better styled, it has got all the features of dolphin HD without all the bloating around... no gestures tho
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No text reflow = showstopper.
Unless I'm just being blind, I can't find any way to enable this in the settings for Miren.
It's sense. Sense roms use way more RAM than vanilla roms do. Also check out dolphin HD or dolphin mini browser.
Another issue I'm having which points to lack of RAM (whether this is due to Sense sucking it all up or not) is that programs do not stay in in RAM for that long, ie I go away from an app then return after using a few other apps (not massive games or anything) and when I return the first app's UI has been kicked out of memory and has to load up again, causing anything between a momentary (dialler, mesaging) to an annoyingly long (browser, maps, market) white screen, as data is downloaded again.
People talk a lot of sh*t about the iPhone, but cacheing (caching? sp?) a copy of the last screen for each app before it's closed so you instantly get a visual image of the UI of the app following the opening animation is a pretty good idea IMO.
Has anyone here used the Desire HD? I would think with the 768MB of RAM on that badboy this would be less of a problem.
setspeed said:
Another issue I'm having which points to lack of RAM (whether this is due to Sense sucking it all up or not) is that programs do not stay in in RAM for that long, ie I go away from an app then return after using a few other apps (not massive games or anything) and when I return the first app's UI has been kicked out of memory and has to load up again, causing anything between a momentary (dialler, mesaging) to an annoyingly long (browser, maps, market) white screen, as data is downloaded again.
People talk a lot of sh*t about the iPhone, but cacheing (caching? sp?) a copy of the last screen for each app before it's closed so you instantly get a visual image of the UI of the app following the opening animation is a pretty good idea IMO.
Has anyone here used the Desire HD? I would think with the 768MB of RAM on that badboy this would be less of a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've now installed Enomther's Official rom - what a difference to the speed of the phone! It absolutely flies, even when clocked at a lower CPU speed, and it appears to retain stuff in memory a lot better than the standard Sense rom. Also, there's over 100MB more of free RAM afte a fresh boot.
I'm definitely sold on the efficiency of stock Android, but I'm now missing some of my HTC goodies... I don't think anyone can deny that the HTC dialler is a different level to the rudimentary Android one. And I am missing my HTC browser - that seems a bit smoother, and the text reflow is more reliable, the stock browser seems a bit temperamental on that front.
Other than that, I can live without all the other Sense stuff. So my next question is, can the dialler and browser be installed on my new rom? Do they have any dependencies which would prevent me using them? How would I go about ripping the apps from the HTC rom? I'm an ADB noob so I need some kind expert to tell me how

[Q] opinion on browsers

Just wanted to ask the people:
What is your browser of choice and why?
Stock Honeycomb - Fast, stable, good for most websites, allows setting UA.
Stock ICS - Fast, stable, great for most websites. For better functionality, get ICS Browser+ addon (UA and gestures)
Opera Mobile - Not too bad. Best choice for file sharing sites which require captcha's to download.
Dolphin HD - Great for phones, but the UI doesn't really work well for tablets
Dolphin for Tablets Beta - Works pretty good, but lacks in features. Also, it hasn't been updated since the initial release.
Firefox - Unique UI, but not in a good way (tabs should be on the top, not side). Also missing Flash support
Chrome beta - Great so far, but still lacking some features. Has potential to become the best after some updates. No Flash support, but HTML5 is superb!
I've tried several other browsers, but ditched them right away because they either had a terrible UI, they were slow, unstable, or didn't allow setting UA string. Of course, when it comes right down to it, just try every browser you can find and decide which works best for you! Everyone will have their own opinion, and these are just my own. Good luck
Stock browser cuz it has Quick Controls.
I will use Firefox when i will be able to sync it with my BB Firefox. Mozilla has already added sync feature to the mobile version but I failed to get it working.
xScope - just suits my needs better than the rest
Firefox was my main browser but seems to be getting 'clunky' and slow. Still use it for 1 site though as is the only browser that will load said site (Adblocker / hosts issue)
I run Maxthon. For some reason it seems to load everything just a little better for me. Its not perfect, but none of the browsers are. I watch lots of flash content on my tablet and it seems to work the best for me.
Opera Mobile because its fast, stable, has speed dials, and because I can sync my Phone and Tab browser. I like to use a desktop UA when I'm on my tab and I've found that Opera Mobile is the fastest for this.
But make sure you turn the "Opera Turbo" feature off.
Win 7 : Chrome
Kubuntu (Linux) : Chrome
Acer Iconia A500 : Dolphin HD for Tablets
I havent tried Chrome beta on Android ,but I will
love Dolphin HD, would love opera, love the style but does not render CSS on websites that well, fixed divs do not display correctly for example., also love that maxthon, love the themes, just dolphin is better quality. Want to try chrome when we get ICS.

[Q] Regarding Rooting, Memory Management, and Launcher

[Rooting]
I regret not rooting right away. I don't want a custom rom because I hate wiping, but I do want root access. What's the easiest way to back everything up and restore after root for a minimum of headache?
[Memory Management]
I gave my iPad to a family member because I wanted to keep the Nexus 10, and I used both with the browser open and on "reader" mode often. For some reason it seems to me the iPad kept my current page in memory for much longer. I often read long pages of lots of text so it's annoying to open firefox or dolphin again and have the tablet re-load my page and start me at the top again. This usually doesn't happen if I've only gone and used 1 or 2 other apps, usually it opens to the middle of the page where I had it before, but if I do too many other apps when I switch back to my browser it has to reload my page. Am I correct in assuming this is a memory management problem? Best fix? (and I'm assuming it'll be easier to fix with root?)
[Launchers]
I love the features of Apex/Nova launchers, but both of them are resizing my icons to a standard size. This is most obvious with the "KickassTorrents" app icon, but since not everyone will have that, go look at the Pulse app icon in both vanilla launcher, as compared to Apex or Nova. You will notice the default launcher leaves a ring of transparent space around the icon, whereas Nova/Apex seem to ignore the transparent space and stretch the icon to fill up the whole of a grid box. Of course on such a high ppi screen that looks awful. Any known fix?
rievna said:
[Rooting]
I regret not rooting right away. I don't want a custom rom because I hate wiping, but I do want root access. What's the easiest way to back everything up and restore after root for a minimum of headache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use adb backup for it. There is already out this great guide ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351) , so you can follow it . Any questions just post here.
rievna said:
[Memory Management]
I gave my iPad to a family member because I wanted to keep the Nexus 10, and I used both with the browser open and on "reader" mode often. For some reason it seems to me the iPad kept my current page in memory for much longer. I often read long pages of lots of text so it's annoying to open firefox or dolphin again and have the tablet re-load my page and start me at the top again. This usually doesn't happen if I've only gone and used 1 or 2 other apps, usually it opens to the middle of the page where I had it before, but if I do too many other apps when I switch back to my browser it has to reload my page. Am I correct in assuming this is a memory management problem? Best fix? (and I'm assuming it'll be easier to fix with root?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually don't mind it, but you may want to find a browser that saves the page (offline mode) or install an app like Advanced Task Killer (I usually don't recommend, but in your case I think it may do the job) and then change the settings to don't kill your browser . Good luck with this!! If I find more info I'll give to you.
rievna said:
[Launchers]
I love the features of Apex/Nova launchers, but both of them are resizing my icons to a standard size. This is most obvious with the "KickassTorrents" app icon, but since not everyone will have that, go look at the Pulse app icon in both vanilla launcher, as compared to Apex or Nova. You will notice the default launcher leaves a ring of transparent space around the icon, whereas Nova/Apex seem to ignore the transparent space and stretch the icon to fill up the whole of a grid box. Of course on such a high ppi screen that looks awful. Any known fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can find something in settings, I use NOVA in my Xoom and S4, however in Nexus 10 I still didn't configure enough to be good for me, so I'm still stick with the normal launcher. AFAIK there are settings in NOVA to change the icon size, I edited mine on Xoom and looked really good, I'll find it and send a new reply for you later.
Hope this covers up enough for you .
"We think so supersonic and we make our bombs atomic" - Eagle Fly Free (Helloween)
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

[Q] REQUEST: Closest browser experience to the Sense 5 browser?

Just like the title says, i'm looking for a browser that functions as well as the Sense 5 browser and its silky smooth scrolling, instant text re-flow, fast page loading, and even it's pleasing visual design. I own an HTC One and while I do enjoy it, I choose to carry the Nexus 4 most days because of better battery life and my preference of Google's stock UI. I've accepted that the Nexus is going to have some short-comings compared to other devices, but the browser experience has never been a factor for me and now it is. I've always used the AOSP browser and it wasn't until Google began packaging Chrome as Android's browser that I realized just how much I liked the AOSP option. I've tried several times to like chrome as it' my desktop preference, but it's just a terrible mobile experience for me I purchased an HTC One first for my Wife and the day she received it I feel in love with the browser after using it. I compared it side by side with the AOSP browser and also Dolphin browser and it seemed to well outperform both. I've done some Googling and confirmed that I won't be able to pull the APK and get it running on a device that doesn't have the Sense framework, or at least not in any simple or straight forward way.
So does anyone that has used the HTC's browser know of any comparable alternative? I've gone to the Play Store and installed at least 15 or so of the most popular options, and some less popular but highly rated browsers, and nothing seems to compare. Dolphin or Dolphin Beta have long been my secondary browsers and they are far superior to anything else available but still fall a little short in my opinion. I run into trouble sometimes with secured site log ins, embedded video bugs even with flash installed & enabled properly, and its lack of force enabled zoom which is problematic when visiting any mobile site because I have very poor vision and the text on many mobile sites is often unreadable for me. The AOSP browser has seemed to develop it's share of compatibility issues with certain pages as well, and one of those often issues is the page turning blank & reloading continuously when I either zoom in or select a field to enter text in, but it only happens on desktop sites and not mobile. I believe it's probable lacking support,updates, and security since Google dropped it quite some time ago?
So I'm sure it's clear that I'm frustrated jumping between two browsers just for casual web surfing. I understand a secondary browser is pretty much necessary on almost any platform, but it shouldn't be required to alternate constantly just to browse my bookmarks and catch up on the news.
I feel it's unlikely that there's a solution in the Play Store for what I need, but with all of the app development and testing here on XDA I'm hopeful that someone has come across a browser here that's close to what I'm wanting in performance and features. I can't imagine that I'm the only one frustrated with lack of a high quality browsers on mobile, I just never realized it could be so much better before using HTC's.....Sigh!

Best internet browser for the XTZ

I have tried them all and by top 5 is the following:
1- Next browser - fast loading pages, reliable and smooth, lacking some sync
2- Chome - fast loading pages, reliable, amazing sync, but sometimes sluggish
3- Dolphin browser - slow loading pages, reliable, but sometimes sluggish
4- Opera - slow loading pages, reliable, but sometimes sluggish
5- UC browser - fast loading pages, unreliable and sometimes sluggish
What about your experience?
miguelsantos1979 said:
I have tried them all and by top 5 is the following:
1- Next browser - fast loading pages, reliable and smooth, lacking some sync
2- Chome - fast loading pages, reliable, amazing sync, but sometimes sluggish
3- Dolphin browser - slow loading pages, reliable, but sometimes sluggish
4- Opera - slow loading pages, reliable, but sometimes sluggish
5- UC browser - fast loading pages, unreliable and sometimes sluggish
What about your experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also prefer Next browser and think it is the best so far. UC Browser seemed very fast though. Some sites had trouble and the lack of google sync seemed to suck.
What lack of sync do you experience with next browser? With the newest version it syncs all my bookmarks and folders from PC chrome wich is great.
hello you should try Naked Browser Pro its still the fastest browser with full flash support i had never a crash. it just looks simple but has alot of configs and it shows pages in real tablet ui and not in phone ui like the others. Its worth a try. There is no other browser with such a flash support and it works very good with adaway.
I just can't tear myself away from Firefox on the desktop (far and away the best there, IMO), so as much as it feels a bit sluggish sometimes on Android, I still stick with it on my phone and tablet because it syncs nicely.
My experience so far :
Chrome - Would be nice for bookmark sync (I use it on my PC) but no flash support - so I tried...
AOSP : basic but fast - but Flash support seems to be getting troublesome, causing broswer FCs, so I tried...
FireFox : Looks good, can use Flash - but I had problems with :
slow-rendering of pages (text would be blurred for a while as you scroll)
inputting text in text boxes - the number of timmes I was prodding the screen trying to get a text input cursor...ARGHH!
"selection" buttons not working on many websites (would work fine with AOSP / OPERA)
Shame, I liked it for a while. And finally...
OPERA : Quite liking it seems fast, most things work, but no Flash ...so I may try....???? Naked Browser ???
if you want opera im using opera mobile 12.02 wich still has flash support and real tablet ui but its not the fastest but its ok for me. il use it for daly browsing and for flash videos i use naked browser its the best for flash.
I've always had very good luck with Dolphin. Maybe not the fastest, but fast enough for me and reliable. I value stable over quick. Interface is minimal and clean. Gestures rock. Flash works. Love it.
I do, however, use Firefox for work. I keep all my work bookmarks sync'd up.
I was a chrome/dolphin user before but after seeing this thread a few days ago and trying out next browser, it's officially become my default.
chrome beta is the best 100% full desktop web site still few bug but I have been using this for a long time.... but no flash support
There is only 1 browser that has real desktop rendering its called opera classic or an old version of opera mobile.
i tried every browser and none of them uses real desktop website even if switched on not even chrome.
you should remember that the screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 and websites shouldn`t look like balloons.
here is a screen of real desktop ui from opera
Does Opera classic have flash support? Flash is as much as importance to me as with Stable rather the browser being quick
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
The best browser I had so far is Naked Browser / Naked Browser Pro.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fevdev.nakedbrowser&hl=de
Its EXTREMELY lightweight, fast and stable. It supports mobile and desktop mode. It does what its supposed to.
The app icon is ugly, ui is minimalistic and handling is straight and smooth. Surely it does flash. Very few Permissions.
I use(d) it on HTC Sensation XE, Sony Xperia Z an Tablet Z.
My browser search has come to an end.
The Pro version is worth every cent. Just try the free app first.
Tried probably every single browser available but finally settled on this one as the best. Boat Browser Tablet. I think its new - try it!!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.boatbrowser.tablet
I used to use Dolphin, but on later versions and on some of my favorite sites, it got soooo slow. Eventually I settled on Next browser, which does most of what I need except Flash.
I used CHrome a bit too, but it also had some smaller performance issues, but is my second browser on the tablet.
TempestDK said:
I used to use Dolphin, but on later versions and on some of my favorite sites, it got soooo slow. Eventually I settled on Next browser, which does most of what I need except Flash.
I used CHrome a bit too, but it also had some smaller performance issues, but is my second browser on the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next does flash

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