Database Users

Apps Confusing the Note as a Full Size Tablet

Has anyone else run into this problem? Care to list such apps?
Google Music's interface is much different on the Note than it is on an S2 (at least for me). Where on the S2 artists, albums, etc are displayed in a long list of names, on the Note they are displayed in a long list of thumbnails of the artist, album, etc. This layout would make sense on a full size tablet and horizontal scrolling but it is very inefficient on the Note. Also much more taxing on the hardware (not that the Note is lacking in this department though). I would much prefer the S2's layout to quickly find an artist or scroll through the list.
Swiftkey X gives a warning when installed saying the phone version is incorrect for this device (the Note), use the tablet version. However, skipping the warning is not detrimental and the phone version works perfectly on the Note (have not tried the tablet version).
I assume this has to do with the resolution of the Note and apps confusing it as a Full Size Tablet. Anybody else seen this problem? On what apps? Workarounds?

JoyR2 said:
Has anyone else run into this problem? Care to list such apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if it's a 'problem'.
I don't necessarily like it with certain programs (some games are a bit painful to play), but I don't consider it a bug or anything.
It's a matter of detected screen resolution and how the app decides to use it. I don't see any workaround for it, unlike windows where you can use a selected resolution.
It would be nice for there to be an option to set screen resolution.
I imagine there are some people interested in the note because they want the larger size (larger icons/text/buttons/etc) but not necessarily the higher resolution. You can't always set that.
- Frank

it has full tablet resolution so it should run like that

kromosto said:
it has full tablet resolution so it should run like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, I know. But for some apps it really is not optimal. Just trying to get a feel for how many apps are going to encounter this "problem" (for lack of a better word).

Use spare parts to make the adjustment
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

Plume thought that my note was a tablet. However the support team gave me a corrected version and said that it will be sorted in their next release

iPad one user, looking for advice :)

Ok, I did originally post a thread in the Nexus 10 forum, as originally I was planning to upgrade to either a Nexus 10 or an iPad 4 (largely due to the high powered processors and the lovely high-def screens).
However, as one of the things I use my iPad for is drawing (mostly vector based at the moment) someone pointed out that the Note10.1 might be a better option.
The relatively low-resolution screen (barely more than my ipad1) put me off though... but seeing as I can pick up a Note10.1 for £268 at the moment.... this is in its favour.
And something else also grabbed me when I researched, and that is this video... (hope this link works)
edit: link didnt work, so I put this one up.
http://youtu.be/LZ3krff1JCE
The multi-window and dual-view things... which I *believe* is not in the standard android toolkit? Though originally I was happy with the android floating apps, like lilypad and stickit, for having videos floating over my work etc...
So basically, I had become intrigued by this tablet, and I wanted the thoughts of professional Note users like you guys!
my art style is shown here -- niiru.deviantart.com
in case that helps. All the newer stuff was done on a vector program on the iPad, the older stuff is sketchbook pro (also iPad).
Vector program means the S-Pen is not needed for me... though if it is good, it could help me to develop more techniques, which would be a good thing.
Things I'd like answers to:
- Is the screen any good? I know the resolution is low... if you dual-view two apps, do they become blurred? etc...
- Is is powerful enough to multi-task apps, or play high-spec stuff, without slowdown or lag? I need this to be fairly future-proofed if possible..
- Considering the main (if not only) reason to get this over a Nexus10 is the SPen... how good is it really?? I have heard that, due to some problems with interference in certain parts of the screen, it loses accuracy in certain places? Which would be pretty much terrible...
(link to this - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1970470)
Thanks guys, I hope you can convince me or if not, recommend either the Nexus or the iPad for me!! haha

28 pages of comparison to the N10. A lot focused on the display.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952512

BarryH_GEG said:
28 pages of comparison to the N10. A lot focused on the display.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952512
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did start reading this, though a lot of it did not seem to be related to what I needed (a lot of it is pre-nexus release anyway). I'm still reading through the last few pages though.
Seems like the screen being low resolution is not to bad a downside.. mainly due to the lower drag on processor power. However I would like to hear peoples opinions on wether dual-viewing items makes them blurry. I'm hoping not.

nirurin said:
I did start reading this, though a lot of it did not seem to be related to what I needed (a lot of it is pre-nexus release anyway). I'm still reading through the last few pages though.
Seems like the screen being low resolution is not to bad a downside.. mainly due to the lower drag on processor power. However I would like to hear peoples opinions on wether dual-viewing items makes them blurry. I'm hoping not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This pretty much sums it up. For all but text and the UI the additional pixels won't make much of a difference. Most of the apps in multiview display the same size fonts and graphics only in 50% less space. The browser resizes text in multiview and a higher PPI display would definitely help. In everyday use the lower res display isn't a problem. But if it weren't for the S-Pen and the rest of the features Samsung's added which I personally get a lot of use out of I'd probably go with N10. If a FHD version of the Note comes out next year I'll definitely upgrade to it. Until then the other stuff means more to me than FHD.
When it comes to 1080p on a smartphone, he admits that it might not matter for the most casual users. "For some people, it is possible to tell the difference if we were to sit down and study a [1080p] display and a [720p] display, side-by-side," he said in a phone interview with Ars. "If you’re really a fanatic and you study images, or you have some professional applications and you’re really into displays, then it may make a visual difference for you."
For most people, though, it won't matter. Photos are inherently fuzzy, so it won’t matter whether they’re viewed on a 1920×1080 or 1280×720 smartphone display; you’ll still see their imperfections. "Even the tiniest image detail in a photograph is always spread over more than one pixel," Dr. Soneira explained in a follow-up e-mail. "The image detail is never perfectly aligned with the pixel structure of the display." Videos are even worse: not only are they fuzzy like photographs, but the pictures are constantly moving. Even if the images were sharp, the human brain couldn’t zero in on content that’s appearing for only a fraction of a second on such a small display. "For ordinary viewing of videos, 1920×1080 is really not going to make a visual difference," adds Dr. Soneira.
Where a 1080p smartphone display could really make an impact is with computer-generated content—that is, the user interface, buttons, and text. "Only computer-generated images make full use of the pixel resolution of the display," says Dr. Soneira. "For graphics and text, maybe you want that kind of sharpness." Like desktop computers, smartphone displays can also utilize sub-pixel rendering, which helps improve the visual sharpness of computer-generated graphics.
After about 15 inches, "the much higher 326 ppi is 'wasted' because the eye can't resolve sharpness above 229 ppi." The further away a person gets, the more gradual the reduction in perceived image sharpness.
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/10/1080p-on-a-smartphone-screencan-it-possibly-matter/​

Mind if I ask what "other stuff" you use from the samsung list? Dualview and multi-windows from the new update does seem very nice, what else is there that might tip my balance?
being able to get one for £270 is nice too, so if anyone knows of a recommended case too thats not too expensive?

nirurin said:
Mind if I ask what "other stuff" you use from the samsung list? Dualview and multi-windows from the new update does seem very nice, what else is there that might tip my balance?
being able to get one for £270 is nice too, so if anyone knows of a recommended case too thats not too expensive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the laundry lost of what the Note can do. What I find particularly useful is in red. People use their devices differently and may have different hot buttons.
- Multiview (enhanced in JB)
- Pop up play
- S-Pen/S-Note
- AllShare Play and Cast
- Enhanced camera features (smile/face/blink detection, buddy shot)
- Mini apps (enhanced in JB)
- Enhanced audio and video codec support
- IR port
- Browser h/w acceleration
- S-Voice (added in JB)
- Air View (added in JB)
- Group Cast (added in JB)
Video Air View – Preview videos without opening them. View future/past scenes in a playing video via the timeline without stopping it.
Photo Air View – Pictures contained in folders will display in thumbnails when you hover over the folder. They advance nine at a time.
E-Mail Air View – Hover the pen over a heading or contents of an e-mail summary (including via the widget) to see an exploded view of the contents without opening it.
S-Planner Air View – Hover the pen over an event or task to see an exploded view without opening it.
Pop Up Note – Tap the screen twice with the S-Pen button depressed and a pop up note will be displayed. Even on the lock screen when the device is locked. On the N8000, if you’re in a call and remove the S-Pen from its holder, a pop up note automatically opens.
Easy Clip – Capture anything on the display (lasso) anywhere and save it to the clipboard or send it an application (including S-Note).
Draw/Write on an e-mail – As it says.
Draw/Write in S-Planner – As it says (Month View only)
Color Picker – In S-Note, set the ink color to a color selected from a picture.
Pen Switch – Select multiple pen types (color, texture, weight) and toggle through them without opening the menu by pressing the button on the S-Pen once.
Sketch Affect – Change any picture to an outline, color sketch, pencil sketch and more from within S-Note.
Share S-Notes – Convert S-Notes to plain text, PDFs, or pictures and share them via Facebook etc. in one step.
Photo Note – Write personal notes on the back of photos
Gallery Organizer – Create folders and drag and drop pictures between them.[/INDENT]

Hmm... the multi-view stuff was a definite draw to me, and the mini-apps is interesting? I'll look into that one.
The ability to chuck down a pop-up note anywhere is also *very* interesting to me. I tend to use evernote for my small notes...
I believe that the multi-windows and dual-view is limited to only a few specific apps, is this still true with JB? (I did see a thread where someone had made a program to add multi-view to a lot of other .apks... which might be good as an alternative anyway)
At the moment, despite the screen resolution, the Note is edging ahead of the Nexus for me. The potential for the pen to make me improve my work is intriguing.
I'm going to check the accessories thread to find out about case recommendations etc

nirurin said:
I believe that the multi-windows and dual-view is limited to only a few specific apps, is this still true with JB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mini apps and multiview were merged in JB. Mini apps pre-JB were a bunch of utility apps like calculator, alarm, mini note, etc. To access them you'd hit the up carrot in the notification bar. They were fixed in size but could be moved and stacked across the screen.
Pre-JB multiview was limited to six apps and they were fixed in a 50/50 split.
Post-JB all the supported multivew apps are treated the same way. They can be viewed as "mini apps" floating on the screen (they're resizable now too) or can be viewed side-by-side the way they use to in "dual view." The split in dual view is changeable now by moving the dividing line between the two open apps left or right. The push pin allows you set one or more apps as always on top.
The apps supported in multiview are: stock e-mail client, messaging (N8000), phone (N8000), contacts, S-Planner, S-Note, stock browser, Polaris Office, Gallery, My Files, Music Player, stock video player, calculator, alarm, task manager, and world clock. As you noticed there's thread running on a tweak that enables third party apps to be added to multiview.
Another big benefit because of the inductive display is hover. As an example, you can hover the S-Pen over a menu and it'll drop down so you can make a selection. It allows you to use things like the browser the same way you would on a desktop PC.

I think the main thing you want to think about is how the stylus may help your sketching. If you've ever used a capacitive stylus (like the adonit jot), then think about that, and multiply the usefulness and ease by about 10. If you don't think the stylus will be any use to you, then I think you're probably better off looking at the Nexus 10 or iPad. Anyway, you ought to check out the thread on Note sketches before making a decision, it's like a couple threads down from this one.

BarryH_GEG said:
The apps supported in multiview are: stock e-mail client, messaging (N8000), phone (N8000), contacts, S-Planner, S-Note, stock browser, Polaris Office, Gallery, My Files, Music Player, stock video player, calculator, alarm, task manager, and world clock. As you noticed there's thread running on a tweak that enables third party apps to be added to multiview.
Another big benefit because of the inductive display is hover. As an example, you can hover the S-Pen over a menu and it'll drop down so you can make a selection. It allows you to use things like the browser the same way you would on a desktop PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou, I did know about the changes to the dual-view in JB (eg. resizing the width) but I didnt know about the multi-view stuff. I'm glad there are more apps now, though if the tweak I read about that adds multi-view to third party apps continues to work decently, that would be a really decent plus-point to this tablet Although obviously I wouldn't try and multi-view a highspec app like photoshop, it would be nice to be able to have my kindle app and a web browser open simultaneously sometimes.
And talking of browsers, the MAIN FLAW I always find with my iPad is that, on sites with drop-down lists, you cant hover over them to drop them, you have to click and load the next page instead. (deviantart has this for instance).
Being able to actually hover... this might well swing it for me haha
edit:
asdfuogh said:
I think the main thing you want to think about is how the stylus may help your sketching. If you've ever used a capacitive stylus (like the adonit jot), then think about that, and multiply the usefulness and ease by about 10. If you don't think the stylus will be any use to you, then I think you're probably better off looking at the Nexus 10 or iPad. Anyway, you ought to check out the thread on Note sketches before making a decision, it's like a couple threads down from this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a boxwave stylus when I draw on the ipad, never liked finger-drawing. it doesnt do any pressure sensitive stuff, I just preferred the pen feel.
http://www.boxwave.com/ipad-stylus/capacitive-ipad-stylus/bwpdd/tgz-tmmw/
Thats the kind of thing I had (mines a bit better but still). The rubbery tip was so much better than the solid flat plastic ones I have seen (much like I believe the Jot uses?) which just felt strange and clicked a lot. The other one I tried had a little blob of foam on the end, which just felt horrible.
I suppose really I should try the Note stylus before making my mind up, but I assume its a fairly typical inductive-screen stylus. Fine point, much like a wacom tablet one.
This reminds me... the nexus and ipad have gorrilla glass screens, I assume the Note doesnt though obviously.... does this mean I should get a screen protector? Will this effect the pen usage?
Ideally I would prefer to avoid a protector, and use a folio case instead (its what I did with my iPad, and the screen is still pristine after 2 years) but I'm not sure if the pen is likely to leave marks... I will have to search

It's simple.
If you honestly believe that having high resolution display makes ANY difference when it comes to drawing... or that your enjoyment of the tablet will be reduced for not having it - get an iPad or a Nexus 10. You'll be happier not knowing better and you'll save us tons of pointless discussion.
If, on the other hand, you put a "low resolution" screen next to an iPad 3 or 4 and notice that for most things - it's not really much of a difference - except maybe for small text - which isn't going to be the focus of your use anyway - then it's even simpler.
There is no other ARM tablet that uses a Wacom pen.
It's just that simple.
And if you're a digital artist - I don't even have to waste time explaining why having a Wacom pen blows away any sausage or capacitive disk pen on an iPad - regardless of resolution. The Note 10.1 is essentially a compact, portable Cintiq for 1/2 the price. No other argument should be necessary,
The pen has 1024 pressure levels. It works with *any* penenabled system pen (Samsung sells one for its Series 7 Slates, for example) giving you a full sized pen with an eraser - which works perfectly on the Note 10.1.
The only other question is: what software do you use to draw. And even that's simple: go to play.google.com and see if it's available - or if there's an equivalent that's close enough that you'll be ok with it.The Note comes with Photoshop Touch and Sketchbook Pro is available as well, but neither of these are vector drawing apps. The reality is, since the iPad is seen as an 'artists' tablet, you'll be waiting for the more esoteric art apps on the Note. For example: Colors doesn't exist on the Note yet.
And there you have it. I draw a lot on my Note. But I use it and a Samsung Series 7 Slate together. The Note is for sketching and details to a certain point - then I switch to the Slate for more complex effects and details that require more horsepower.
Finally - as I pointed out when I got an HP Slate 500 - a good artist isn't about his or her tools - it's about what they do with those tools. I know an artist on FA who draws on a Nintendo DS with 16 pressure levels using Colors.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
A NINTENDO DS.
WITH COLORS.
I hope that puts this entire silly discussion into perspective.

TheWerewolf said:
It's simple.
The only other question is: what software do you use to draw. And even that's simple: go to play.google.com and see if it's available - or if there's an equivalent that's close enough that you'll be ok with it.The Note comes with Photoshop Touch and Sketchbook Pro is available as well, but neither of these are vector drawing apps. The reality is, since the iPad is seen as an 'artists' tablet, you'll be waiting for the more esoteric art apps on the Note. For example: Colors doesn't exist on the Note yet.
And there you have it. I draw a lot on my Note. But I use it and a Samsung Series 7 Slate together. The Note is for sketching and details to a certain point - then I switch to the Slate for more complex effects and details that require more horsepower.
Finally - as I pointed out when I got an HP Slate 500 - a good artist isn't about his or her tools - it's about what they do with those tools. I know an artist on FA who draws on a Nintendo DS with 16 pressure levels using Colors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The vector app I researched into (on android) was one called Infinite Design. It seems to tick all the required boxes (pen tool, layers, impor/export .SVG files.)
Having the SPen will mean I can venture back into sketchbook as well though.
I'm going to go into town tomorrow and check out a Note, as it seems to be the best for what I need. Just got to find a decent case, and decide between white and grey...

EPD Flashing frequency change

Can somebody pleasy help me out, I have just recieved my YP2 and I would really like to find a way to control the frequency of the flashing/full screen refresh on the e-ink display as you can do on most kindles. I would like to decrease this/make it as un-frequent as possible. I do understand it will cause ghosting issues.
All help will bbe greately appreciated

Help needed
there must be a simple way to disable the 'full screen refreash' on the EPD? I suffer from a very peculiar form of motion sickness when e-ink screens flash to black and thats why i couldnt use the early kindles.
If anybody can give me any guidance/advice in this regard it would be very helpfull.
Ive done al imited amount of playing about with linux based source codes and was able to fully disable the full screen refresh on my kindle when used as a vnc monitor. Can anybody tell me if this would be dont by playing around with the kernel source code for the yotaphone, or if there is an app that can do this function?
Regards

Things I can answer:
a - no such app exists yet (and given dev interest in this phone is minimal, by all appearances, it doesn't seem likely to be created. The phone is getting close to (if not already there) being low-spec comparatively, so further adoption of this phone by the masses seems unlikely. To me, that's a shame (I use a yp2 as a daily driver, but I keep other phones around as needed (for lte speed for video, proc intensive gaming, etc)))
b - while a sdk for the yp2 exists, it doesn't appear to address low-level epd function (which your request would seem to be). The kernel sources, at least of current date, have yet to be released; whether they ever will be is an open question. It's already difficult getting a large-scale manufacturer to release source, getting a small-scale shop like yota would be even harder for multiple reasons.
I'm sorry the epd in its current state isn't working for you; that's a shame.
(I was super excited by the project ara phone, since it seemed likely that someone would release an epd main screen at some point, so I could switch out between screens as the whim took me; the current plan for ara has dashed my hopes, c'est la vie. I still hold out hope for future epd-screened phones.)

staphoent said:
Can somebody pleasy help me out, I have just recieved my YP2 and I would really like to find a way to control the frequency of the flashing/full screen refresh on the e-ink display as you can do on most kindles. I would like to decrease this/make it as un-frequent as possible. I do understand it will cause ghosting issues.
All help will bbe greately appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no setting for modifying the full screen flash frequency. However, the older Kitkat flashed only when the content of the entire screen changed. The periodical screen flashing was introduced in the Lollipop update. So if you think that would be of any help, you could try downgrading to some older Kitkat.

a- that is a shame as i love the non reflective aspect of the e-ink screen, and it functions quite well for browsing/reading (apart form the refresh for me)
b- where can i find the sdk for this phone?
What is the 'ara phone' you are reffering to?
shogzilla said:
Things I can answer:
a - no such app exists yet (and given dev interest in this phone is minimal, by all appearances, it doesn't seem likely to be created. The phone is getting close to (if not already there) being low-spec comparatively, so further adoption of this phone by the masses seems unlikely. To me, that's a shame (I use a yp2 as a daily driver, but I keep other phones around as needed (for lte speed for video, proc intensive gaming, etc)))
b - while a sdk for the yp2 exists, it doesn't appear to address low-level epd function (which your request would seem to be). The kernel sources, at least of current date, have yet to be released; whether they ever will be is an open question. It's already difficult getting a large-scale manufacturer to release source, getting a small-scale shop like yota would be even harder for multiple reasons.
I'm sorry the epd in its current state isn't working for you; that's a shame.
(I was super excited by the project ara phone, since it seemed likely that someone would release an epd main screen at some point, so I could switch out between screens as the whim took me; the current plan for ara has dashed my hopes, c'est la vie. I still hold out hope for future epd-screened phones.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for the reply, was their a noticable difference between the frequency of the flash on kitkat and lollipop?
In order to change back to kitkat will it require me to root my YP2?
Regards
Jeopardy said:
There's no setting for modifying the full screen flash frequency. However, the older Kitkat flashed only when the content of the entire screen changed. The periodical screen flashing was introduced in the Lollipop update. So if you think that would be of any help, you could try downgrading to some older Kitkat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

staphoent said:
a- that is a shame as i love the non reflective aspect of the e-ink screen, and it functions quite well for browsing/reading (apart form the refresh for me)
b- where can i find the sdk for this phone?
What is the 'ara phone' you are reffering to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sdk: on yota's website, developer section (search term: 'yotaphone 2 sdk')
ara: google project, currently specced for release q4 this year, iirc. (search term: 'project ara')

EPD flashing frequency
Hi, I have a similar motion sickness problem. I just got a YP2 and was wondering if you ever figured out how to change the refresh/flashing of the EPD?

Alexey Zakharchenko might help he has produced several apps on the play store
yotaclock+ has a epd screen refresh
contact via play store or [email protected]
hope this helps

Nougat Screenshots

anyone who did the nougat update, can you post some screenshots? i am debating whether to do the upgrade or leave well enough alone. one post mentioned that th recent apps window was sub-standard. any other good and bad?

mark2573 said:
anyone who did the nougat update, can you post some screenshots? i am debating whether to do the upgrade or leave well enough alone. one post mentioned that th recent apps window was sub-standard. any other good and bad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm curious as well..i want to know if this update is going to be worth it

I did update to Nougat. My use is very limited but I find battery timing much improved and multi window is way better.

first of all - if you're satisfied with your device as it is don't update! It (unfortunately) doesn't get any better. They removed two important features - at least for me. There are no floating apps anymore - so if you want to use the small version of (for example) the google play music player while you're browsing you will have to use the splitscreen with dramatically decreased space for your browser left. So basically this means less convenience for you. The other thing is the (absolutely) useless "recent apps" view. In the past the whole screen was used by displaying the apps as tiles - now you only see them in the (for big tablet screens) useless card view.
Sorry - i always hate it when something really good just gets abandoned and replaced by something far inferior
I also found out, that manufacturers of 10"+ Tablets are encouraged to implement the native Android N freeform mode - so why has lenovo left this out of their update? I hope it gets back on the device with a later update.
P.S.: Android 7.0 CDD states that:
Device implementations with screen size xlarge SHOULD support freeform mode.
In the parlance of this CDD, there appear to be three levels of endorsement: SHOULD, STRONLY ENCOURAGED, and MUST. SHOULD is the weakest of the three, but it is still an endorsement.

NiffStipples said:
first of all - if you're satisfied with your device as it is don't update! It (unfortunately) doesn't get any better. They removed two important features - at least for me. There are no floating apps anymore - so if you want to use the small version of (for example) the google play music player while you're browsing you will have to use the splitscreen with dramatically decreased space for your browser left. So basically this means less convenience for you. The other thing is the (absolutely) useless "recent apps" view. In the past the whole screen was used by displaying the apps as tiles - now you only see them in the (for big tablet screens) useless card view.
Sorry - i always hate it when something really good just gets abandoned and replaced by something far inferior
I also found out, that manufacturers of 10"+ Tablets are encouraged to implement the native Android N freeform mode - so why has lenovo left this out of their update? I hope it gets back on the device with a later update.
P.S.: Android 7.0 CDD states that:
Device implementations with screen size xlarge SHOULD support freeform mode.
In the parlance of this CDD, there appear to be three levels of endorsement: SHOULD, STRONLY ENCOURAGED, and MUST. SHOULD is the weakest of the three, but it is still an endorsement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks buddy. I think I'm better off skipping this update.

Wrong, wrong, wrong
NiffStipples said:
first of all - if you're satisfied with your device as it is don't update! It (unfortunately) doesn't get any better. They removed two important features - at least for me. There are no floating apps anymore - so if you want to use the small version of (for example) the google play music player while you're browsing you will have to use the splitscreen with dramatically decreased space for your browser left. So basically this means less convenience for you. The other thing is the (absolutely) useless "recent apps" view. In the past the whole screen was used by displaying the apps as tiles - now you only see them in the (for big tablet screens) useless card view.
Sorry - i always hate it when something really good just gets abandoned and replaced by something far inferior
I also found out, that manufacturers of 10"+ Tablets are encouraged to implement the native Android N freeform mode - so why has lenovo left this out of their update? I hope it gets back on the device with a later update.
P.S.: Android 7.0 CDD states that:
Device implementations with screen size xlarge SHOULD support freeform mode.
In the parlance of this CDD, there appear to be three levels of endorsement: SHOULD, STRONLY ENCOURAGED, and MUST. SHOULD is the weakest of the three, but it is still an endorsement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, updates are really important for android devices in general. And especially for manufacturers like Lenovo which is known to let their product outdated pretty early. Personally, I'm impressed this time they updated to Android N even before schedule, and I'm hoping they continue releasing updates not to let this amazing product die.
As for the features you talk about:
1) floating windows in freeform is natively supported in android N and just need to be enabled in developer options (one of the last entries under App category). You can install "Taskbar" app to launch all of your apps in window mode by using the native method, and resize them as you like by dragging on the bottom-right corner (which previously was not possible).
2) It is true that Task manager with tiles view was a more clean way to switch between apps on this device, but the needing of double-pressing the TAB button when alt-tabbing beween apps, always made it uneffective and uncomfortable to me. Now ALT-TAB switch between apps just flawlessly as in a standard computer. Hence, i'm really happy with that.
3) I find overall performance have gotten slightly better with the recent N update: i can notice that in the UI and in games too! other users on other threads are talking about a slightly better battery performance too, so it seems like they optimized the hardware support somehow.

morrolinux said:
First of all, updates are really important for android devices in general. And especially for manufacturers like Lenovo which is known to let their product outdated pretty early. Personally, I'm impressed this time they updated to Android N even before schedule, and I'm hoping they continue releasing updates not to let this amazing product die.
As for the features you talk about:
1) floating windows in freeform is natively supported in android N and just need to be enabled in developer options (one of the last entries under App category). You can install "Taskbar" app to launch all of your apps in window mode by using the native method, and resize them as you like by dragging on the bottom-right corner (which previously was not possible).
2) It is true that Task manager with tiles view was a more clean way to switch between apps on this device, but the needing of double-pressing the TAB button when alt-tabbing beween apps, always made it uneffective and uncomfortable to me. Now ALT-TAB switch between apps just flawlessly as in a standard computer. Hence, i'm really happy with that.
3) I find overall performance have gotten slightly better with the recent N update: i can notice that in the UI and in games too! other users on other threads are talking about a slightly better battery performance too, so it seems like they optimized the hardware support somehow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion of taskbar - i've already tried it before and imho it's just not that convenient as a rom included solution. Beside the fact that you would have to use an unnecessary extra app for a native android function, it's not really intuitive in it's handling - but i have to admit, that every user will see that different depending on their needs My question is just why lenovo hasn't implemented this standard feature in a neat and handy way?
Speaking of different user needs/requirements - i've personally never used the Alt-Tab combi on my tab. In my daily use i use it most of the time in tent mode without the keyboard.
As to the performance - i didn't really noticed a change here. But in my opinion it was already really snappy before the update so maybe i can't rate that improvement. Maybe the animations between app switches got nicer but it's possible that i deactivated them before the update by myself - so nevermind

Guys, can somebody upload Noughat update otapackage?
I do not have a device but i need this to borrow graphic drivers.

After update to Nougat, battery drain in idle status doesn`t happen anymore. After a day idle, it takes only like 1-2% of battery. At least it is worth to me.

Software (ease of use, features, etc)

When you hand your phone to granny to take a photo of you, can she get the job done? Rate this thread to express how you deem the Planet Gemini PDA's camera software. A higher rating indicates that the software is easy to use, fast, uncluttered, and inclusive of advanced features for when you need them.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

Basic android. No extras, as expected.

yes, quite basic. That is not bad, but it would not help granny
Until now the software is not ultimately polished. The gemini keyboard app for instance is buggy, the NOTES app is not very nice, but functional. Time will show if that gets better. Until now this is beta...

A lot of the software is pretty buggy. I think it's mostly usable for my needs, but I'm waiting for the lineage OS port to work better (RIL) and then I will be switching and running mostly emacs for all my needs in termux.

The SMS app is too full of trivial options. An Android smart phone problem apparently."Android apps for Ludddites" would be a good idea, everything in capitalis quadrata black and white , no bubble options.
I like to handle one sms at a time, not to have a whole past library open. the Google chrome browser risks getting a list of search finds instead of a website if one is not precise enough. More so than the same browser on a laptop. The planet ribbon of options does not show in its entirety, and there is no specific setting for phone volume, only for riingtones while for those, it claims that an aac format is unreadable. Integration with filehandling on a laptop works fine while a simple usbto usbc adapter + mouse makes it possible to avoid the imprecision of a touch screen. On the positive side, net connection is easy & stable.
p.

neoluddite corrigendum
PAUL h. said:
The SMS app is too full of trivial options. An Android smart phone problem apparently."Android apps for Ludddites" would be a good idea, everything in capitalis quadrata black and white , no bubble options.
I like to handle one sms at a time, not to have a whole past library open. the Google chrome browser risks getting a list of search finds instead of a website if one is not precise enough. More so than the same browser on a laptop. The planet ribbon of options does not show in its entirety, and there is no specific setting for phone volume, only for riingtones while for those, it claims that an aac format is unreadable. Integration with filehandling on a laptop works fine while a simple usbto usbc adapter + mouse makes it possible to avoid the imprecision of a touch screen. On the positive side, net connection is easy & stable.
p.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I discovered that when entered at another point in the menu, an aac soundfile was not rejected, but succesfully decoded.. My previous criticism, however, still stands. Usage as phone is severely hampered in noisy envionments; yes background noise is suppressed when transmitting, but received audio cannot be increased. Not in the general sound settings, not under accesibility, not even in the "about phone" menu. In contrast, the subroutines ("Apps" to initiates), are still too full of options of dubious utilitythat cannot be disabled. Otherwise it still can imitate my old psion 5 except for the lack of precision by having to use a touch screeen. (Arrow keys inoperative on the display).
p.

yet another corrigendum
PAUL h. said:
I discovered that when entered at another point in the menu, an aac soundfile was not rejected, but succesfully decoded.. My previous criticism, however, still stands. Usage as phone is severely hampered in noisy envionments; yes background noise is suppressed when transmitting, but received audio cannot be increased. Not in the general sound settings, not under accesibility, not even in the "about phone" menu. In contrast, the subroutines ("Apps" to initiates), are still too full of options of dubious utilitythat cannot be disabled. Otherwise it still can imitate my old psion 5 except for the lack of precision by having to use a touch screeen. (Arrow keys inoperative on the display).
p.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found that receive- end volume can be adjusted when on the phone. Well hidden feature.
I am struggling with the file handler which seeems to have delete and print as its main features. perhaps the google store has an MC - like file handler? The gemini hardware is stable and androids subroutines disappoints equally stably. SMSs do not appear in order, but new ones are announced and the first line is visible but otherwise need searching to discover. Most inconvenient.
p.

addendum:
Most unusual (since men are presumed to never read instructions), but I have now bothered to seek info on how to use the inconvenient touch-screen and discovered how to deleta all extraneous junk info. One prsistent gripe is that the presumtive capacitive sensing is not sensitive enough to always react in the same way, and for tiny script, babyfingers seem to be necessary. Otherwise, the machine works well enough to replace my previous phone. One final gripe: Googles insistence on spying on pictures . diary etc. even if I will only ever transmit texts.
p.