Database Info

I want one, is it worth it?

I want one of these and I can go get one from my local staples. Is this tablet worth it?
I know we have root and such but is the tablet going to be fast enough to support 2.3 or 3.0 when it launches. I know its the dual core tegra but all the reviews say this thing is slow.
Feedback ?

its slow with the stock interface. once you root and replace that with zpad, its pretty zippy. ive got no regrets yet, and i almost constantly have regrets after spending a little cash on electronics.

I'm in the same boat... I've been looking for a tablet, non iPad, and saw this in the black friday ads for Staples. Just noticed that there is no price difference between now and those ads. $400. So I'm tempted to pick one up. I have a Epic 4g and enjoy how android 2.1 works so far. I think the hardware sounds good just hesitant because of software issues... but as much as I know those will be ironed out by the smart people on these forums. I may just pick one up tonight.

bmasephol said:
I'm in the same boat... I've been looking for a tablet, non iPad, and saw this in the black friday ads for Staples. Just noticed that there is no price difference between now and those ads. $400. So I'm tempted to pick one up. I have a Epic 4g and enjoy how android 2.1 works so far. I think the hardware sounds good just hesitant because of software issues... but as much as I know those will be ironed out by the smart people on these forums. I may just pick one up tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
379 sears (thanksgiving, not black friday 7am-9am) source bfads.net, with 2 micro SD cards and a case.

I added a general FAQ here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842899
I tried to lay out some of the current pros and cons, so feel free to look it over. Everyone's needs are different. I happen to like mine and plan on keeping it.

i originally purchased one, then i was lucky to grab 2 more that were refurbs, and i have been using all the builds here plus ones i have been trying to get stable of my own, only to find that it is nearly impossible to truelly screw this thing up beyond repair, not saying it isnt possible, just saying it is hard to do it.
i like the rothnic builds as the zpad builds are based on hardware that is identical to the gtab, but sold under another name malata i think. that is not to say that all the hard work robeet has done is not great as his builds are highly stable as well. Great job to both guys.
i currently have 7 builds of my own. the first two are not based on zpad, which are the ones i am having a major issue in figuring out what i am screwing up. on the 5 other builds, i am using zpad as my base and adding a very trimmed version of andriod 2.2. i am trying to keep everything to only what works all the time everytime in my zpad builds, where the two non zpad builds are based on my own version of the kernal, could be my whole problem, but neither are stable yet. for me to release my 5 versions, small differences with how games load, flash, utube, and some office stuff...apks...would not help anyone as rothnics builds and those who helped him are superior to mine as of today. hopefully, i will figure out my culprit that is causing my issues within the builds.
i will only release what will work 100% of the time that i create, otherwise, i am only congesting the forum with useless crap and not actually helping anyone...

akodoreign said:
379 sears (thanksgiving, not black friday 7am-9am) source bfads.net, with 2 micro SD cards and a case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nearest sears that will probably carry it on thanksgiving is about 100 miles away... so I might just bite the $20 bullet and freebie SD cards and case and pick one up tonight.
If I ever get free time I'd love to get involved with the development... just always busy with other stuff.

The core of the tablet is a dual core 1Ghz Tegra 2 w/ 512 mb of ram. Its very close to the fastest ARM hardware running Android atm so 2.3 will be no problem. Nobody can tell whether 3.0 will require dramatically more powerful hardware but its doubtful considering 600mhz Droid 1s are running 2.2 just fine.
That said, the ability to support isn't the issue here. The problem is with official support from Viewsonic. They need to release their source for any devs to be able to get deep enough to upgrade to a new build (correct me if I'm wrong here). Barring that they would have to release their own version of updated Android. Considering the condition of the initial build I am not hopeful Viewsonic or the OEM will supply this support so long after purchase.
While not having the latest Android version is going to suck, its not going to reduce the functionality of the device. I think this hits a sweet spot atm. Its not nearly as expensive as the Galaxy Tab but it gives you something to mess around with until the real Tier 1 tablets come out next year. The Galaxy Tab is still build on the same non-tablet OS so investing $600 at this time doesn't seem wise. In addition, the powerful hardware keeps hope alive that this tablet can be brought up to snuff even in a year when we'll likely have 1.2 dual core 1gb tablets.

i do not think they will support it, or only for a very short duration, which is why i am trying to develop something.
according to a customer service person, it is cosmetic issues nothing highly important, which leaves me unsettled.

picked mine up today, with high hopes for this tegra chip... but so far viewsonic has managed to destroy what could and should be a sweet set up... havent been able to push a rom onto it yet, still looking to root but even still my EVO blows this thing out of the ocean, lets be honest here... did they pull this screen from some speak and spell from the 80's?
and you with guys with the epics are going to laugh when a movies playing on it
its late, so in the morning i'll get back with how it fairs with a root and rom dosage
ohh ya... whats with the constant wifi error? out of the box a wifi device should at least connect to WIFI, unless viewsonic was going for a true 80's speak and spell

Stopped at staples last night and grabbed one. I'm looking for an instant on web browser/video player. Coming from my epic the screen sucks but nothing I've seen compares to my epics screen. The stock device is pretty laggy but I'm about to flash a custom rom and try that out. I have 14 days to return and staples said they would take it back no questions asked. Ill post more later.

I think with the upgraded rom with the dell home and flash is great, and now that we have the full market I can't bring my self to return it. .. lol
Sent from my UPC300-2.2 using Tapatalk

rodzero said:
its slow with the stock interface. once you root and replace that with zpad, its pretty zippy. ive got no regrets yet, and i almost constantly have regrets after spending a little cash on electronics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
Get it at Sears for $340 with a $50 replacement plan. Can't go wrong there if you flash it and break it... No regrets here either. If you are like most of us cruising this forums for cool stuff, you will love.
Can't see myself owning and iPad and be just like everyone else. I have yet to see to Android devices (from Android fans) that look the same....

If you install all the fixs here this thing rocks.

mopar said:
If you install all the fixs here this thing rocks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Returned 1st one after 2 days due to constant loops (wanted to exchange but no stock).
Lots of force closes with stock firmware + external sdcard / usb stick unrecognized.
- Picked up 2nd one and replaced with Zpad 1106 firmware:
* Very Zippy, have not experienced FC's so far.
* External sdcard / usb thumbdrive work fine.
- Now my son can have my old 12" Dell XT!

New Gtab, Noob user.

Hello,
First want to thank everyone on this forum for the wealth of information and work you guys do. This is an outstanding site.
First saw the Gtab at staples around Thanksgiving and I was excited from the beginning. I've been wanting a tablet for a while but I did not want an iPad and 7 inch tablets didn't interest me. I knew my wife would most likely get one for me so I've been lurking around the site for almost a month now.
I'd like to point out that I have never used an Android powered device, not even looked at a smart phone in the store, so this OS is completely new and foreign to me. I still don't know what "side-loading" is, but I have learned a lot from the sight so far.
Out of the box nothing wanted to run. First thing I did was run the update and that made all the difference in the world. I'm really pleased with this device. It's responsive and easy to use.
The screen sensitivity seemed fine but I ran the calibration.ini/reboot routine anyway. I also managed to load Adobe flash which was far easier than I expected. It surprised me because I had no idea where I was supposed to copy the file or what I was to do with it when I got it on the tablet.
Anyway, again thanks to everyone for all the information. Hopefully soon I'll be able to figure out how to install new apps and even get an alternate system running. I really like this tablet, easy to use, fast and very responsive and that's running the stock system.
Side note: My wife has been messing with her bosses iPad and just last week she was trying to convince me to reconsider getting one. Now she's completely changed her mind. She thinks the Gtab is faster, smoother and more responsive than his iPad.
Neudle

Is Xoom DOA?

I have a wifi xoom and although it has some great features but the force closes and the non functioning sd card (from the factory) is very annoying. I thought Moto and google would have a fix by now. The force closes make me mad. I have 15 days left to return and will do so if there is not a major update before then. I should have know better than to expect Moto to do anything right.
Here is an quote from an article in the Wall Street Journal about xoom sales.
"Global Equities analyst Trip Chowdry estimates that Motorola Mobility has manufactured between 500,000 and 800,000 Xooms, but has sold only 5 to 15 percent of them.
Best case scenario then, according to Chowdry, is that Motorola has sold 120,000 Xooms; worse case scenario, it’s sold just 25,000. Now, admittedly, that’s a very large range, and one could argue that it makes Chowdry’s estimate largely meaningless. But remember that original forecasts suggested Motorola would sell between 3 and 5 million Xooms this year and earlier this month some analysts were calling for first quarter sales of 300,000.
In other words, even Chowdry’s best case scenario is a worst case scenario. It’s just a bit less ugly."

Personally, I could care less how many have been sold. I love my Xoom and maybe I'm lucky but I haven't faced many of the problems I read about here.
As for SD card support, I'm not bothered by that either. I have no need for a SD card at this time. 32GB is plenty of storage for me.
I'm treating Honeycomb the same way I did with android 1.0. Its basically a new platform and the apps and fixes will come as more tablets hit the market.
I heard all the same jargon in the media after I pre-ordered my G1. Well look at android now.

El Daddy said:
Personally, I could care less how many have been sold. I love my Xoom and maybe I'm lucky but I haven't faced many of the problems I read about here.
As for SD card support, I'm not bothered by that either. I have no need for a SD card at this time. 32GB is plenty of storage for me.
I'm treating Honeycomb the same way I did with android 1.0. Its basically a new platform and the apps and fixes will come as more tablets hit the market.
I heard all the same jargon in the media after I pre-ordered my G1. Well look at android now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same way. No announcement was made as to when an update would come. I'm sure everyone knew the SD slot wasn't functioning way before they purchased the device.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

It will be DOA if we keep starting threads like "Is the XOOM DOA" and prospective customers see all these threads in search engines.
Then prospective customers start having unfounded doubts and the XOOM's demise becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.

First of all, many of us knew that Xoom won't sell that well. This is because it's new, OS is new, hardware is new, everything about it is new and many people don't want to be lab rats. But with Moto rolling out Xoom on other networks in many countries will help sales. And we will have to wait till Thursday for Motorola to announce their earnings and see how many they sold.
Secondly, I understand the frustration of lacking SD support but I personally don't really care since I never really used my microSD on my N900.
And about force closes, like I said everything about Xoom is new and it was first to the punch. Other honeycomb tabs will have everything working, but Xoom was still first and that what counts.
I would never return mine, I would never even sell mine after Xoom2 arrives. Why? Because it is the first and maybe even one of the only "Pure Google Experience" devices that will be available.

Simple answer. No.
Sent from my Xoom the way it should be, rooted and with SD card.

Google needs to release a big Honeycomb update including one that enables the mircoSD card slot, Motorola needs to lower the price and release 16GB models and more manufactures need to release more tablets which will bring in more tablet apps. If you had your Xoom since day one like I have, you will already see the improvement in the selection of tablet apps. I hope that the microSD card slot is fixed soon though. Watching the new tablets come out with working slots is starting to make the Xoom look abandoned.
Despite this, I love my Xoom and it will get better with time. Who else has a working Barometer by the way? lol

i don't care about the sd card function cause i still have 32GB for my media. however, i have a terrible experience with my xoom's web browser ( even i tried another web browser apps like dophin...)Yes, surfing web is the main point for me to buy this tablet. Web browser is FC a lot (besides, it made my xoom rebooted once), stuck at loading pages (i have to go to app manager=> force close web browser..), Flash doesn't work properly. I never had this terrible experience with my android devices before. I understand that Honeycomb is a new OS, and it will be improved over by next updates but how can't google/motorola/ adobe make sure some basic functions work well before selling their products ?

What would have all the customers who went to buy an ipad2 have done when they got to the store and were told they would have to take a number and wait a month or more? BUY A XOOM!!! This was great timing for Moto to deliver the product but kinda sucks for the consumer at first. However, this is not the first time a company has done this. And as someone laready pointed out, if you have had the Xoom from day one you will have already seen the improvement in the app market. Also remember that the honeycomb source has not been released yet. When that happens you will see things explode here on XDA. So if you have filled up your 32g internal storage, and their just are not enough apps for you at this time and so on........return your Xoom and take a number for the ipad! (it has Netflix out of the box). If you are one of those people who just like to complain, well then I got nothing for you. Otherwise be patient and enjoy what you have. Good things WILL come to our Xoom's!!!
For the record: I have NEVER considered an ipad. And I am very happy with my Xoom!

I just don't get these type of posts. So because you hated the xoom or the wsj says it hasn't sold enough everyone else should go and return their xooms. What should I get an I pad 2? What if I want my websites to work with flash? What if I want actual multitasking? So get an I pad 2 that doesn't even have an SD slot forget when it will be activated.
Anyway, I have been happy with the xoom.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

tumbes20000 said:
I just don't get these type of posts. So because you hated the xoom or the wsj says it hasn't sold enough everyone else should go and return their xooms. What should I get an I pad 2? What if I want my websites to work with flash? What if I want actual multitasking? So get an I pad 2 that doesn't even have an SD slot forget when it will be activated.
Anyway, I have been happy with the xoom.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't want to get a lot of FC on my web browser. this is the only thing i complain.

I want the Xoom to work. I do not own a single Apple product. I am not patient enough to wait months for the Xoom and Honeycomb to work. I want to be able to root and load new themes and Myn's Warm Honeycomb but Google has already said they would not release the sources code anytime soon.
If no one is buying the Xoom, the developers will not develop apps and it may never reach the point where it is a commercial success. I will stick with the Xoom if a significant upgrade comes very soon.

Everywhere I go the xoom seems to be sold out and people are constantly asking for it. It may not have that "Apple" demand but people are interested, I love mine, cant wait for some more apps and updates to come out so it will be a beast!

this post is DOA
This is the beauty of Android, It doesn't matter about the Xoom Google will keep developing 3.0 and onward.
with Apple if interest in a new product dips it dies!
Thats why clean OS's like the xoom will always win the day and thats why extra software just slows down development!
there is more sense in nonsense
remember that!

We do need a way to release frustration and these blogs are it. This is a first honeycomb version, effectively a beta. On the other hand, I feel for Motorola, as when that update comes long, they will have to spend millions double handling the already sold Xoom.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Xoom, and I can see its potential.
I am sure one of the reasons people are not buying Xooms is that thay'd rather wait until it is finished, and some more of bugs are squashed (See googles bug tracket) the SD card is one of the lesser problems.
When that happens we will be riding a steeper adoption curve that will scare apple a little.

I found that every store in the st. Louis area that carries the xoom was sold out so I had to order mine from amazon (not a big fan). So its a bit shocking to hear that sales are bad. Maybe they just didn't make enough. Maybe its been selling fine for motorola and its the market that had unrealistic expectations.
In any case, I think as more manufactures produce more honeycomb tablets the momentum will pick up just like what happened with android phones. The g1 did not exactly fly off the self when it was introduced. Hell I didn't which from blackberry until recently.
Some of this is part of being an early adopter. I mine the ipad2 is simiply a scaled up iphone so no surprise that it works well the os has been out for some time. Honeycomb is a much bigger jump for android and therefore the problems
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

The crazy amount of FUD surrounding the xoom makes me wonder if there's some propaganda machine in operation.

I don't even think that the problem is the software or bugs. I think the main thing that hurt the Xoom is price. After announcing the price Motorola did not listen to consumers and they stuck with their pricing, which ultimately hurt the success of the xoom. Prime example is the Asus Transformer, they are flying of shelves, not because of the dock as much as the price.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

tumbes20000 said:
I found that every store in the st. Louis area that carries the xoom was sold out so I had to order mine from amazon (not a big fan). So its a bit shocking to hear that sales are bad. Maybe they just didn't make enough. Maybe its been selling fine for motorola and its the market that had unrealistic expectations.
In any case, I think as more manufactures produce more honeycomb tablets the momentum will pick up just like what happened with android phones. The g1 did not exactly fly off the self when it was introduced. Hell I didn't which from blackberry until recently.
Some of this is part of being an early adopter. I mine the ipad2 is simiply a scaled up iphone so no surprise that it works well the os has been out for some time. Honeycomb is a much bigger jump for android and therefore the problems
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HC is new, but overall it is still based on android. Why does it have a lot of bugs?
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA Premium App

From what I have seen so far ... stores are sold out, dont have accesories, (which means it is obviously selling out) and in best buy the tablets are with the computers (not with the tablets!), how are people/consumers supposed to know about it and that it is a tablet that is better than the pad when there is a big ipad2 display while the xoom is over by all the laptops and when you ask for it they take you to the zune stuff?
Oh well, and from what i have seen lately, displays are popping up, I have seen more commercials on tv, and now I hope store start stocking it to show it off.. that is the only way to sell it. I think the xoom will do just fine and as it was mentioned earlier in this thread, xoom will not die because android will not die, just wait and see
XOOM FTW!

Wait for the new potential Transformer 2?

Hi,
I'm looking at the current Transformer and wondering whether to buy it now or wait for the rumoured release of the thinner and faster Transformer 2.
Secondly how good is the productivity of the tablet with the dock keyboard. Does it work like a NetBook? I'm thinking of getting it instead of a small laptop or NetBook for university lecture use as i'm going to be taking my desktop with me so I don't need a fully fledged computer.
And finally i'm looking to root and customise it just like my Nexus S but have read something about different versions not being rootable, is this true?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
P.s. Any good places to buy it from in the UK, looking st Amazon at the moment.

It can replace a netbook but it depends on what tasks you want to use it for. Android has a lot of apps but not all of them are as powerful as the desktop software which a traditional netbook is capable of running (albiet slowly). The dock is great in the sense it makes typing easier and gives you some extra battery life but sometimes the touchpad is a pain in the rear as its easy to accidentally activate. You can turn it off and its not so bad since you can interact via the touch screen of course.
Sometimes though the dock can actually get in the way since you cant freely rotate the tablet with it attached and it adds extra bulk making the tablet less nice to hold.
The newer Transformers cannot be rooted yet but some people are working on it. The ones that cannot be rooted yet all have serial numbers begining with B70 or later (B80 and the B90's which started rolling off the production line today). Actually the earliest batches of B70s can be rooted but its really a matter of trial and error. I have an unrootable one and I'm not really missing root yet. The new update to Android 3.2 is really very good.

Amazon is definitely a good idea.
I got mine from comet when transformer was first release and their customer service has been very subpar.
EDIT: Oh and I use mine for uni use along with a desktop - when it was working (been in repairs since 15th July to present) it was a good note taker - battery lasts forever and starts up way faster than a PC which is useful.
You definitely need a proper PC along with it though.

dr.m0x said:
The newer Transformers cannot be rooted yet but some people are working on it. The ones that cannot be rooted yet all have serial numbers begining with B70 or later (B80 and the B90's which started rolling off the production line today). Actually the earliest batches of B70s can be rooted but its really a matter of trial and error. I have an unrootable one and I'm not really missing root yet. The new update to Android 3.2 is really very good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just picked up my TF and it is a B70KA machine. Maybe, as you say, it is an earlier version, but I was able to get root.
Sorry, don't remember whose method...all i know was the first time I tried it and booted up, i got the screen artifact thing, but then I found a newer boot.img which I re-did the root steps and was rooted.
Just offering my .02

[Q] Is Android possible on the Palm Pre 2 / HP Pre 3?

I was just wondering whether anything was happening regarding Android on the Palm Pre mobile phones?
There are plenty of people asking, but has anyone started the project? It's already coming to the TouchPad, so will anyone be making Android for it?
Thanks and sorry if this is in the wrong place.

it is 100% completely and utterly possible.
It's a relatively small task to undertake, but nobody has a pre 3 unfortunately. They sold out before a price cut in the hope that people would get refunds, and they did.
I'm buying an HP Pre 3 as we speak, and I'll be trying to learn how to port and develop ASAP, but it will be a huge undertaking for me, as I'm only 16 and I'm busy with A-Levels and **** like that associated with school. Don't count on anything from me though, I might not be even able to get my head round all this computer speak... (I bet my brother '£30 + a slap' that I'd become a recognized developer one day, so I really want to do it, I just don't know if I have the time.)
I'm not very literate when it comes to android, but I know how it works (I run an old HTC Hero GSM and have seen and helped with about 12098201 billion ports) so I could get it done. Just be patient. I really hope someone beats me to the punch though, cos if it's left to me I couldn't deal with the pressure...
Please don't thank any of my posts by the way, I don't want to be that guy who talks alot and gets nothing done, but still gets credit for stuff.
ehh ignore my ramblings if you want, just know that, one way or another, there will be a port of android to the Pre 3 some day.

Great news !
I could do some tests for you if you need it since I own a Pre 3.
Actually, the Pre 3 hardware is really good but I miss the Android Market and its apps...

the pre 2 has the came processor as the droid x so wouldnt that make an android port easier?

n anything from me though, I might not be even able to get my head round all this computer speak... (I bet my brother '£30 + a slap' that I'd become a recognized developer one day, so I really want to do it, I just don't know if I have the time.)
I'm not very literate when it comes to android, but I know how it works (I run an old HTC Hero GSM and have seen and helped with about 12098201 billion ports) so I could get it done. Just be patient. I really hope someone beats me to the punch though, cos if it's left to me I couldn't deal with the pressure...

can we get a legitamate resonce for this please...ICS will be out soon and i want to see how it is.

This would be a dream to me.

any takers? i dont wanna have to get a new phone already after buying this pre 2 -___-

Yesterday I backed up everything on both my Touchpad and my Pre3 (Veer I put on a separate palm account and Isync'd everything via google). Today I put android a3 on my Touchpad (as a hedge against full blown demise of webOS ...I have deplored the failure of the backup server of late as a possible sign of that sorry end). Now, at least, I know it will have a life in a webOSless world. I would love to see it go on my Pre3 as well to be somewhat secure (Pre3 cost me more than Touchpad). I note with interest the openings that "seem" to be for future microSD and/or SIM and will watch the secondary market offering these items and others (i.e. replacement batteries, parts) for DIY if the thing gets a new lease on life.