Related
This is my question to those who over see the G-tablet at Viewsonic. Will we
be getting the a Google Android Honeycomb update? I am not asking for a date,
just simpley asking will we see the update, and if not why not. In my opinio,
It would be dumb not to update this tablet to Honeycomb, due to the amazing
hardware this tablet possess. (Again JMO, FWIW)
Unless I missed some posts they've said what all major companies say. We can't discuss it right now but it is possible.
In another thread official viewsonic member said they were looking at "other oses" (aka honeycomb)
official viewsonic response to US retail accessories would be good as well.
1- OTA updater has been broken for six days, now (it started on Monday). This is completely unacceptable, given that this is the ONLY way to get updates from them officially. What if you got the item from Tiger Direct in the last week at $299, and have build 2963 on it? If you didn't go to XDA and fix this manually yourself, you'd be SOOL.
2- The last official firmware was in mid January. We are going on three months since the last stock update. We know there was a UAT that was significantly better than the one in January, but it was never released (and eventually pulled from the TapnTap servers) with a "TBD" for the new ETA.
I'm going to very blunt, and I hope that Viewsonic is reading this. I'm very disappointed in how this is all going down, ESPECIALLY given that you've had a big bump in user numbers in the last two weeks or so. You and I both know this, and yet you can't seem to get your act together, here.
I'm not your developer - you are not paying me, or XDA, to do your support work for you. And we certainly should not be the place to send users to get their stock updates - that's just ridiculous. Please get a meeting together with TapnTap, or whoever you need to, early next week and get them to fix these issues, please. If I were running the show over there, I'd have them on the phone a week ago asking for an ETA ASAP, and updating that web site with details on what's going on and when it will be fixed. Seriously, your web site still talks about the December firmware release (the one, btw, that the poor Tiger Direct users haven't been able to even get, since Monday) - are your web developers asleep over there?
If it wasn't for the user base here in XDA, my device would have probably been wiped and cleaned up right about now, and I would have put this thing up for sale. I actually know at least one dev here in XDA who's already done this. And, as time goes on, I'll be more inclined to do this if you've made the decision to completely abandon this device. Because, to be blunt, this is the perception that I'm starting to get, as the days drag on with no resolution.
I'm not asking for Honeycomb - I just want you to get your current problems fixed and at least get that 1.2 dev branch released. I know you have an account here, so maybe a reply to this thread would set all our minds at ease.
Thank you.
4/11/2011 EDIT -- agree with me and want your voice heard?
twitter: @viewsonic
contact us page: http://www.viewsonic.com/contact/
Phone Number: 866-501-6405 / 310-228-4000. (thanks snapz54 and chili_red!)
4/12/2011 EDIT -- OTA updater is still borked, as of this writing. And the next firmware update, as per their web site, is now "anticipated" in May.
4/13/2011 EDIT -- Even more details on who you can contact (thanks snapz54!): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12843221&postcount=189 The OTA Updater is still down, but should be up tomorrow (allegedly).
4/14/2011 EDIT -- OTA updater is up, finally. Showing "3588" as the latest, so no new update (this was not a surprise).
4/15/2011 EDIT -- I think it's time to change the title of this post.
6/22/2011 EDIT -- Thread is still alive? 4349 was pulled in mid-April, still no word on an update from them 2 months later. 3588 (from January) is still technically their "latest", as per the OTA updater. I am actually beyone aggravated, I am apathetic at this point.
I am going to return mine soon too, even at 299.99 , lack support = nth
Op why did you post this in the dev section
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
roebeet
+1 from Russia
roebeet said:
1- OTA updater has been broken for six days, now (it started on Monday). This is completely unacceptable, given that this is the ONLY way to get updates from them officially. What if you got the item from Tiger Direct in the last week at $299, and have build 2963 on it? If you didn't go to XDA and fix this manually yourself, you'd be SOOL.
2- The last official firmware was in mid January. We are going on three months since the last stock update. We know there was a UAT that was significantly better than the one in January, but it was never released (and eventually pulled from the TapnTap servers) with a "TBD" for the new ETA.
I'm going to very blunt, and I hope that Viewsonic is reading this. I'm very disappointed in how this is all going down, ESPECIALLY given that you've had a big bump in user numbers in the last two weeks or so. You and I both know this, and yet you can't seem to get your act together, here.
I'm not your developer - you are not paying me, or XDA, to do your support work for you. And we certainly should not be the place to send users to get their stock updates - that's just ridiculous. Please get a meeting together with TapnTap, or whoever you need to, early next week and get them to fix these issues, please. If I were running the show over there, I'd have them on the phone a week ago asking for an ETA ASAP, and updating that web site with details on what's going on and when it will be fixed. Seriously, your web site still talks about the December firmware release - are your web developers asleep over there?
If it wasn't for the user base here in XDA, my device would have probably been wiped and cleaned up right about now, and I would have put this thing up for sale. I actually know at least one dev here in XDA who's already done this. And, as time goes on, I'll be more inclined to do this if you've made the decision to completely abandon this device. Because, to be blunt, this is the perception that I'm starting to get, as the days drag on with no resolution.
I'm not asking for Honeycomb - I just want you to get your current problems fixed and at least get that 1.2 dev branch released. I know you have an account here, so maybe a reply to this thread would set all our minds at ease.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an IMPORTANT post!! I think it should be voted to the front page. Viewsonic and for that matter all suppliers should have a commitment to their users/buyers. Our $$$$ is what support them and they should respect the user community. If they want to be selling more they should make what they have work!!!!
Please vote the post to first page, have them take note and take us seriously.
Thank you roebeet!!
roebeet
+1
I suppose if I wanted to keep it stock I'd be mad too, but I purchased this device specifically due to the hardware specs and the decent set of developers here at XDA.
My tab was rooted as soon as the battery was fully charged.
My Moto droid was rooted about a month into ownership and is currently running a gingerbread rom Moto claims the device can't handle (so we can go buy a new one).
What I'm trying to point out is that there is little incentive for companies to spend time and money supporting equipment that is out in the field unless somehing is seriously wrong with it.
Viewsonic's decision to cripple (lack of full market, etc...) the stock device is really similar to VZ's decision to do the same to their phones (bloatware, etc...).
My advice to you is follow the simple instructions posted here and elsewhere on the net and install a custom rom (vegantab 5.1 is a very nice place to start).
It is very difficult to screw up and your device will be all it can be months if not years sooner than it would be waiting for a stock upgrade.
Gumby,
Roebeet is a dev here. He's responsible for the TNT Lite and GADAM ROMs and was involved with Vegan as well. He's concerned about his ability to support us, not the performance of his tablet.
I believe the majority of modders are on TNT Lite because it is the most stable and well-supported ROM available. Viewsonic/TapnTap are making his job difficult. I'm guessing, but Viewsonic/TapnTap are probably stretched trying to deliver their next devices and have basically let GTablet development come to a screeching halt.
This is a shame and will probably cause many of us to look elsewhere for our next slate.
100 % Agree
Roebeet, thanks for bringing this up. I have been discussing this we others this past week. We were wondering exactly the same thing - Where is Viewsonic? They have not put out any updates or updated the website nor given us any information. I personally cannot understand this. They have a great product and could take the lead in the tablet market but are doing nothing.
Thanks for bringing this to everyones attention Roebeet. I am behind you 100%.
The fact it is on sale at woot and tigerdirect should be enough clues that viewsonic is moving dev resources away and probably to their next tablet product.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
We aren't waiting for stock updates, the updates just give the devs more goodies to work with.
thank you roebeet, for making it feel like this community has a voice. My other device is a Locked down droid X so I know the feeling of being abandoned and laughed at by the manufacturer of your product. All these companies get a little success, but they quickly forget where they came from. I don't see anyone rushing out to line up for a viewpad and maybe it will stay that way if we continue to voice our opinions and the truth about viewsonic.
I think these companies think they can operate on the standalone GPS model of update frequency, once a year. That is not the world we live in though. I'd say two years is fair support table with a firmware update a minimum of every six months and above all else, CONSTANT OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT DEVELOPS AROUND YOUR PRODUCT.
We will fall off gradually at first, then a bit quicker, then a bit quicker still until there is an avalanche of gtabs on ebay and craigslist. Selling at 40 dollars each and being repursposed and sold as digital frames to the housewives of the world.
You've been warned Viewsonic, this is a direct clear threat. Come to the community or lose your established base and hope for anything more than a bargain bin future.
Think of how many people would have returned this product day 1 without a community, seriously consider that, the number is high. If not for the selfless efforts of people like roebeet. With no where to go, the people give up hope.
So what is it going to be?
Thanks Roebeet, very well stated. They do need to get their **** together. We know right now the product isn't up to par with competition so if they want to compete it better be in the way of support. All we ask Viewsonic, is to keep us informed!
doctorisin said:
Gumby,
Roebeet is a dev here. He's responsible for the TNT Lite and GADAM ROMs and was involved with Vegan as well. He's concerned about his ability to support us, not the performance of his tablet.
I believe the majority of modders are on TNT Lite because it is the most stable and well-supported ROM available. Viewsonic/TapnTap are making his job difficult. I'm guessing, but Viewsonic/TapnTap are probably stretched trying to deliver their next devices and have basically let GTablet development come to a screeching halt.
This is a shame and will probably cause many of us to look elsewhere for our next slate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... didn't know he was a dev. Appologies, but the main points of my post are still valid (as you also noted in your speculation about their lack of support).
I guess I am wondering what they need to update that is holding up development of anything else? GB roms are out there now (and honeycomb ones won't be far off either) so what froyo fixes are showstopping?
Im_Gumby said:
Hmmm... didn't know he was a dev. Appologies, but the main points of my post are still valid (as you also noted in your speculation about their lack of support).
I guess I am wondering what they need to update that is holding up development of anything else? GB roms are out there now (and honeycomb ones won't be far off either) so what froyo fixes are showstopping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude, do you realize everything you say has no basis in fact? You are telling one of the guys that is our only hope of possibly running honeycomb on the gtab his own future. How do you know we'll get the source code? How do you know it will be usable? How do you know there will be a similar device we can port from? How do you know anything?
the simple answer is you don't. You seem to be arrogant and uneducated on the subject, so kindly back out of this conversation unless you have something relevant to add. You're stealing focus from an important topic.
Im_Gumby said:
..... so what froyo fixes are showstopping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about in sleep mode the gTab sucks up the battery like there's no tomorrow?
Hey Roebeet, I always thought it was SOL? But I do agree with you.
Exactly right, lets not lose focus... The scariest thing to me is that Robert is the originator of this thread. If he feels this way, then we may all be screwed as far as future support is concerned.
@Robeet -thanks for leading the charge and giving us a voice.
@Viewsonic. Please respond to this thread and keep an open dialogue with this community.
seems as if @roebeet got viewsonics attention on twitter?
any contact?
snapz54 said:
dude, do you realize everything you say has no basis in fact? You are telling one of the guys that is our only hope of possibly running honeycomb on the gtab his own future. How do you know we'll get the source code? How do you know it will be usable? How do you know there will be a similar device we can port from? How do you know anything?
the simple answer is you don't. You seem to be arrogant and uneducated on the subject, so kindly back out of this conversation unless you have something relevant to add. You're stealing focus from an important topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right... google COULD decide not to release any more source codes.
And you might decide to be less of a tool.
Neither seems very likely.
My bad on the location - I thought I was in General when I posted this.
If a mod could move this, I'd appreciate it.
doctorisin said:
Gumby,
Roebeet is a dev here. He's responsible for the TNT Lite and GADAM ROMs and was involved with Vegan as well. He's concerned about his ability to support us, not the performance of his tablet.
I believe the majority of modders are on TNT Lite because it is the most stable and well-supported ROM available. Viewsonic/TapnTap are making his job difficult. I'm guessing, but Viewsonic/TapnTap are probably stretched trying to deliver their next devices and have basically let GTablet development come to a screeching halt.
This is a shame and will probably cause many of us to look elsewhere for our next slate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You nailed it. TNT Lite is basically an extension of stock - it gets updated, in general, when stock gets updated. If Viewsonic development dies, then TNT Lite dies - it's that simple.
We need the vendor to keep on top with updates as there are things that they can do for us, even to this day. UAT 3991 build was a perfect example (before they pulled it) - it's a MUCH better baseline to work off of than 3389 / 3588.
I know many are using the GB mods, and those would survive even if the vendor abandoned the device. But TNT Lite and anything else based off stock would fall by the wayside, and we really don't want that. Options are a good thing.
I want a response from them tomorrow or Tuesday - I don't like how they are treating their userbase right now (which includes me, as I own one) and I think we deserve an explanation and an ETA, at this point. If this happened at my day job, heads would be rolling by now.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about -- Pandigital. Their "Novel" white device was released in May and they are STILL releasing updates to it, to this day. Granted, they are still stuck on Android 2.0, but the fact they they just released an update a few weeks ago is a good sign that they haven't abandoned the device, yet. This is what I'd like to see from Viewsonic.
Im_Gumby said:
Hmmm... didn't know he was a dev. Appologies, but the main points of my post are still valid (as you also noted in your speculation about their lack of support).
I guess I am wondering what they need to update that is holding up development of anything else? GB roms are out there now (and honeycomb ones won't be far off either) so what froyo fixes are showstopping?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you lose your XDA devs, then there IS no more development for this product. One dev here has already sold their device, and mine has been relegated as a dev unit since February (which I'm A-OK with, btw). If Viewsonic abandons this product, then the developers will eventually move on. In my case, stock updates are critical to keep TNT Lite relevant - once those are gone, TNT Lite will become stale and die. gADAM can stick around as long as Notion Ink supplies updates, and that remains to be seen as well. So don't think vendor support isn't important, because it actually is.
Well said, roebeet.
There are a couple big issues facing the gtablet currently. One is the apparent end of life for the gtablet and Viewsonic all but ignoring its users. The other is nvidia blatantly leaving harmony behind as a platform and not providing even the basics needed for the open source community to fill the gaping hole in their support. In light of ViewSonic responding maybe lay off of them a bit and let's focus on nvidia
(replace (at) with the actual at symbol... forum wouldn't let me use them in this post).
viewsonic fail:
Support seems to have disappeared for the gtablet. (at)ViewSonic seems to have abandoned its customers. #ViewSonicFail #gtabletFail
nvidia fail:
Tegra2 isnt all its cracked up to be when (at)nvidia states no support for harmony platform no Android 2.3/3.0 ever #Tegra2Fail #nvidiaFail
Tweet away... you don't have to use those specific messages but something using those tags would maybe get us some traction.
Done and Done.
I would also encourage people to sign up at Nvidia and ask for an official explanation why Harmony is being given end-of-life treatment:
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/honeycomb-harmony
it only takes a few minutes to sign up.
Without the drivers for harmony devices the Gtablet will basically be frozen in time at 2.2 (unless you don't need any hardware acceleration)
This is a pretty big issue and something they NEED to at least address WHY they feel that Harmony isn't worth their time supporting.
pr0cs said:
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/fo...eycomb-harmony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fixing your link
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/honeycomb-harmony
Trying to post in their forum is like an act of congress.
Done, done and done.
MC
Adding my voice, as well.
pr0cs said:
I would also encourage people to sign up at Nvidia and ask for an official explanation why Harmony is being given end-of-life treatment:
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/honeycomb-harmony
it only takes a few minutes to sign up.
Without the drivers for harmony devices the Gtablet will basically be frozen in time at 2.2 (unless you don't need any hardware acceleration)
This is a pretty big issue and something they NEED to at least address WHY they feel that Harmony isn't worth their time supporting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done.
Let's try to get that thread as long as the Viewsonic one on this board.
Posted. This community should be heard!
Posted this and another link on their Facebook page. 5 minutes later it was gone.
OP - Maybe you could include the link to the Nvidia thread in your post?
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/honeycomb-harmony
I also signed up and showed my support.
My point being - Is what we have really a "Tegra 2"? Then why not support it OR at least give the dev community some help.
Just on twitter
@ViewSonic is standing by the GTablet and is not abandoning our customers. Yes, we are selling new tablet products, but the GTablet is still an awesome piece of hardware that users can continue to enjoy for a long time to come. Please see our updated favorites page: http://bit.ly/eJB4Ob
@8:49 pm EST
clankfu said:
OP - Maybe you could include the link to the Nvidia thread in your post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will update it and add the link once I get enough posts under my belt to be allowed to post links. That's the problem of being a non-posting member since 2009... now that I've started making posts I haven't posted enough to be trusted yet.
I've submitted to reddit.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/go017/nvidia_drops_support_for_tegra2_platform_harmony/
Vote up and make your comments!
Nvidia have updated the tegra developers post:
UPDATE 12 APRIL 2011:
Sorry folks looks like I caused a bit of confusion. Since this is a developer forum my comments
were targeted at Tegra Honeycomb developers and for this we’d like to focus on Ventana. For shipping or production products, customers should contact the device makers directly for OS support plans. They are responsible for the OS shipping on their device.
In relation to our linux kernel git repository, NVIDIA will continue to provide full open-source support for all of our kernel components and will push more of that upstream over time.
Andrew Edelsten
Tegra Developer Relations
NVIDIA Corporation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Passing the buck I guess. But NotionInk is saying that the Adam will still get honeycomb. Still no word from Viewsonic that I can find
StrangeAttractor said:
Nvidia have updated the tegra developers post:
Passing the buck I guess. But NotionInk is saying that the Adam will still get honeycomb. Still no word from Viewsonic that I can find
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what does all the mean though? will we or will we not get drivers compatable with gingerbread and/or honeycomb?
StrangeAttractor said:
Nvidia have updated the tegra developers post:
Passing the buck I guess. But NotionInk is saying that the Adam will still get honeycomb. Still no word from Viewsonic that I can find
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the Adam is getting honeycomb then I want it too!! Come on ViewSonic!!
Hey All,
I just got off the phone with VS support ((310) 228-4000) and i was informed that they had a big meeting with the techs and Nvidia yesterday about honeycomb for Gtablet. The rep said that it is coming but not sure what the date is. So that is some good news. I am suppose to get a call back from her either today or tomorrow with a def answer about honeycomb. Also the update servers are going online today or tomorrow according to her and the latest update is 3588.
I also recieved and email from Nvidia and they are looking in to the issue as well.
this is Bruce's response:
Hi – we’re still looking into this, sorry for the delay.
cd112 said:
Hey All,
I just got off the phone with VS support ((310) 228-4000) and i was informed that they had a big meeting with the techs and Nvidia yesterday about honeycomb for Gtablet. The rep said that it is coming but not sure what the date is. So that is some good news. I am suppose to get a call back from her either today or tomorrow with a def answer about honeycomb. Also the update servers are going online today or tomorrow according to her and the latest update is 3588.
I also recieved and email from Nvidia and they are looking in to the issue as well.
this is Bruce's response:
Hi – we’re still looking into this, sorry for the delay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry forget to add one thing.. If many people call in to this they might push the release date closer and may release it sooner.
cd112 said:
Sorry forget to add one thing.. If many people call in to this they might push the release date closer and may release it sooner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, given that nVidia has stated they will not put Honeycomb on anything less than Ventana.
While I appreciate your willingness to push this, I still don't see NV helping out. To VS the Gtab is dead, why do they care about pushing NV for HC?
Well, keep in mind. nVidia said they would not be officially supporting HC on Harmony. They then later said that it was up to the Manufacturer. If Viewsonic really told him GTablet will get Honeycomb, I wonder if this means that nVidia will be releasing the driver source to the OEMs to support as they see fit? It's also possible that the Ventana drivers will work on Honeycomb with some modifications, since it sounds like the only difference is in the ancillary components on the board, not the chip itself.
Cautiously optimistic. Until I see a ROM I'm not going to hold my breath.
jerdog said:
Interesting, given that nVidia has stated they will not put Honeycomb on anything less than Ventana.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure.. It was a shocking news to me as well when the rep Her name is SUE told me that they had a big meeting yesterday about releasing honeycomb for Gtablet and she also mentioned that they were in conference calls with nvidia about it. She said that she doesn't have the full story but she took my number and name and said that if i cant get you this info by today one her engineers will call me tomorrow with the info.
Lets see what happens.
CodeNinja said:
It's also possible that the Ventana drivers will work on Honeycomb with some modifications, since it sounds like the only difference is in the ancillary components on the board, not the chip itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. That was exactly my point in the "Look Ahead" thread.
I called in just to ask if honeycomb was coming. hope it helps.
r4ph said:
I called in just to ask if honeycomb was coming. hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did they say to you if you don't mind sharing.
CodeNinja said:
Well, keep in mind. nVidia said they would not be officially supporting HC on Harmony. They then later said that it was up to the Manufacturer. If Viewsonic really told him GTablet will get Honeycomb, I wonder if this means that nVidia will be releasing the driver source to the OEMs to support as they see fit? It's also possible that the Ventana drivers will work on Honeycomb with some modifications, since it sounds like the only difference is in the ancillary components on the board, not the chip itself.
Cautiously optimistic. Until I see a ROM I'm not going to hold my breath.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has there not already been drivers written for Ventana/Honeycomb by nVidia? I guess there has been they just haven't been released to the wild yet?
I too am cautiously optimistic about this...
I would not trust anything that their new CS department says, yet - I have my reasons for that. But I hope I am wrong.
The Nvidia dev forum posted an update yesterday stating that they will stop developing an OS (ie the rom) based on the prior generation tegra 2.
They completely acknowledge the fact that the kernel sources will be provided.
---
Mar 16 2011 at 12:07 AM #1 .NVIDIA is only supporting the Ventana platform for android releases going forward. At the moment we have released Froyo and Gingerbread OS images for Ventana and will release Honeycomb after Google has done so.
UPDATE 12 APRIL 2011:
Sorry folks looks like I caused a bit of confusion. Since this is a developer forum my comments
were targeted at Tegra Honeycomb developers and for this we’d like to focus on Ventana. For shipping or production products, customers should contact the device makers directly for OS support plans. They are responsible for the OS shipping on their device.
In relation to our linux kernel git repository, NVIDIA will continue to provide full open-source support for all of our kernel components and will push more of that upstream over time.
Andrew Edelsten
Tegra Developer Relations
NVIDIA Corporation
msignor said:
The Nvidia dev forum posted an update yesterday stating that they will stop developing an OS (ie the rom) based on the prior generation tegra 2.
They completely acknowledge the fact that the kernel sources will be provided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But nvidia never develops these roms in the first place, right? they just develop the chipset and drivers?
What does it mean for us that the kernel sources will be provided. Does that mean we'll be able to port Gingerbread and/or honeycomb with hardware acceleration?
sundar2012 said:
But nvidia never develops these roms in the first place, right? they just develop the chipset and drivers?
What does it mean for us that the kernel sources will be provided. Does that mean we'll be able to port Gingerbread and/or honeycomb with hardware acceleration?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect they develop ROMs for their development hardware. However if what they meant is that they won't be developing any new development hardware ROMs, but will continue to provide driver kernel support to manufacturers, they really screwed up how they worded it.
Indistinctly this sounds like really f***ing good news!!!
sorry for the wording, but Im happy again (I bought mean a week ago)
cd112 said:
What did they say to you if you don't mind sharing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for a call back.... ... .. .
we MIGHT have actually started something here folks. 1000 whispers = a scream.
Hopefully this is true. I'm not holding my breath though.
From Viewsonic's Twiiter:
Folks- we can't comment on future OS updates to our tablets- too many variables. We'll let you know if updates are available.
16 minutes ago via CoTweet
I guess we'll wait and hope
This is entirely, my opinion.
I consider both good and bad news about Honeycomb and the future updates to the drivers for Harmony all rumors until there's a clear cut answer. Both responses from Viewsonic and Nvidia are not facts since they both seem to be flip flopping their answers.
I consider myself a positive person so I will remain that way while others may not share the same stance. The only thing that both negative and positive people may have in common is that all of our posts are assumptions at this point.
A few months ago, during the whole nVidia Harmony forum post fiasco, there seemed to be a pretty decent campaign by some members of XDA and other forums to get Viewsonic to support their product. That caused them to (at least temporarily) release the 1.2 branch.
This helped push forward ROMs by Roebeet and others. The future looked bright for Honeycomb on the Harmony platform.
Now, after asking a question on their Twitter post today, I am not so sure about Viewsonic's commitment to support a product that still has a lot of potential.
Here is the Twitter timeline:
ViewSonic
What do YOU use your tablet for the most? Tell us on Facebook! on.fb.me/ViewSonicCorp
tomsliwowski
@ViewSonic I'd love to use my GTab for Honeycomb. Are you ever going to support the GTab at all?
ViewSonic
@tomsliwowski The GTablet was never promoted as a Honeycomb product. There are multiple business and technical issues with both nVidia
ViewSonic
@tomsliwowski and Google that prevent later versions of the Android OS from being implemented on the GTablet.
tomsliwowski
@ViewSonic I'm sorry but that is simply not true. Customers of yours on XDA, SlateDroid and TabletROMs have versions of HC running.
ViewSonic
@tomsliwowski There are 3rd party companies that have hacked the device, however, Honeycomb is not support by ViewSonic on the gTablet.
tomsliwowski
@ViewSonic All they need is for you to release Harmony drivers which nVidia already publicly stated they will provide upon request from you
ViewSonic
@tomsliwowski For further support on this matter, please contact the gTablet support team at (310) 228-4000.
Frankly I didn't expect them to reply to me and to offload the blame to their partners that quickly. I know that if they don't put at least a fully working (i.e. minimally buggy) official 2.2 ROM I will not even consider Viewsonic for future hardware purchases.
Time to get on Twitter
Maybe ask Tom about an article on Viewsonic's commitment to the Gtab, on their own website.
viewsonic.com/company/news/vs_press_release_443666.htm
viewsonic is right on the first part but wrong when they dont provide the drivers
Well, this is a bummer.
Maybe we should be talking to Malata instead of Viewsonic.
Well if you want to make a vow to never buy another Viewsonic product do it now. Here is my hand, I pledge to never buy another Viewsonic product again.
Let's not just vow not to buy, we need to all start calling, emailing viewsonic, make sure you let them know you indend to not only stop buying their products but to also stop reccomending them to friends, family, customers, random people on the street. Let's tie up their phone lines, email and twitter accounts with our vocal displeasure.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I tried this with HP. My Dv6000 laptop was part of a whole batch of bad laptops. Not just dv6000 but a ton of the dv lines. Basically the laptops all overheated and eventually died within 1-2 years of use or less. I called, emailed, did everything and HP basically told me to eff off. I paid $1200 for the laptop as well. Companies suck these days. I will never buy an HP computer ever again because of this. So at least they are losing the customer and I do bad mouth them to people looking at computers because of how bad their customer service is. Google Dv6000 overheat 3 beeps, etc and you'll just see how many people out there had the same problem. HP are crooks.
To who it may concern,,,
The following is a letter that I emailed, faxed, snail mailed and posted on their forum:
I am or should I say was a loyal ViewSonic customer. That was until I learned that ViewSonic would not only release a version of HoneyComb for the GTablet, but that you would also not assist the development community in their endeavors to create at least a working HoneyComb-like OS by releasing the Harmony driver sets per Nvidia. Now I know who ever receives this will probably initially discount this as the ravings of one disgruntled customer. I would ask that you consider the following:
1) I am a techie. As such I enjoy big ticket techie items. I am in the market for a large screen television. Guess who I will no longer consider? You're now probably thinking, "Big deal so we lose one customer."
2) Also consider this, as a techie a lot of my friends and family often refer to my judgement on ALL things technical including purchases of electronics.
3) Oh yeah, I also posted this letter on every forum and blog that I am a member of. At last count we are talking 82 sites world wide.
Good luck in your future endeavors.
Signed,
A former customer
Never Again
Never again, I say, to viewsonic. That company is a rip off, and even if they improved their ethics, I will not buy. As long as I have self respect, I will not give them one cent, because I will not allow myself to be treated like I am worthless and alive only to service those a**'s. Already, I declined to buy a 24" monitor simply because it has the viewsonic brand.
My Pledge - 30 tweets in 30 days @viewsonic, with a msg similar to No customer care, no product support, cant be trusted, never make that mistake again, boycott, boycott, boycott, remember the gTab.
It would be really cool if at least five or ten people on this site joined in with me.
I too thought the same way when i purchased a Gtab. I am now rooted with Alpha Bottle Of Smoke rom and love it! all the honeycomb i want
I went ahead and sent a tweet @ViewSonic as well, asking them if they will ever provide support for a current or future Android OS
Im hoping they will eventually release an update and bring us up to at least gingerbread...
maybe we will get lucky and they will update the GTab with ice cream sandwich...
im expecting nothing though and hoping for something
Swaggasaurus said:
I too thought the same way when i purchased a Gtab. I am now rooted with Alpha Bottle Of Smoke rom and love it! all the honeycomb i want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except for hardware acceleration which is a big deal
Sent from my GtabComb using Tapatalk
I think we might be better off hounding Andrew over at Nvidia for the drivers. He didnt want to give out any Google files but it sounded like he could help with the Nvidia stuff. Now that HC is ported maybe he can help with the drivers.
What's a good email address for viewsonic?
we should all just blow them up.
Swaggasaurus said:
I too thought the same way when i purchased a Gtab. I am now rooted with Alpha Bottle Of Smoke rom and love it! all the honeycomb i want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Bottle of Smoke Rom allow USB access for transferring files and MicroSD card access?
If so, I will definitely check it out.
I had an interesting Chat conversation with Viewsonic technical support this evening. I knew that Viewsonic doesn't handle the tech support of the Gtablet any longer, but didn't want the support guy, Aljhon (I called him AL) to know that I knew that.
I simply wanted to ask him if Viewsonic was planning on releasing any other firmware updates for the stock TNT Firmware.
his Answer:
"Actually, have dedicated department that supports our G-Tablets. We do not have any information for Gtablet here."
"You may contact them directly at 310-228-4000 between 9AM-5PM PST, Monday through Friday."
I know that is US Merchants contact information, and figured he would probably provide it. I expanded my questioning, explaining that I didn't have any issues with the Gtablet and htat it works fine, just htat I was simply wanting to know if the development team had any plans to update the stock firmware any time soon.
"Honestly Mr. Evans, I would really glad to assist you regarding this but I do no have any information here in my resources."
I made the point that the Tablets are still selling, with the Viewsonic name on the back, and the Viewsonic logo shown at startup...
" I am unable to answer your concern because we do not have any information here for Gtablet."
then he just kept barking the "dedicated department" BS to me with US Merchants phone number.
Why was this conversation important? It says, to me at least, that Viewsonic has indeed abandoned this product. Their support team doesn't have "any information" regarding it. If they were planning on providing a stock firmware update, then that informaiton should be available, right? By stating that he doesn't have ANY information, I took it as Viewsonic washing their hands of the Gtablet, and letting it remain at the latest released firmware (1.1.3588).
I informed him that I would never recommend a Viewsonic product to anyone I know...though now, it seems that US Merchants has their stock, and is the only company profitting from Gtablets.
I highly doubt that US Merchants is developing anything, nor even has the resources to request anything that the community wants. Their contact was Viewsonic, and Viewsonic had the contacts.
Gtablet 1.1.3588 is the farthest that this thing will go, with support from it's manufacturer...
Why dont we start a petition and link it to viewsonics forums. Let the world speak. And that makes 10!
DKS1282 said:
Why dont we start a petition and link it to viewsonics forums. Let the world speak. And that makes 10!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because petitions don't mean anything if the other side doesn't listen. All VS has to do is ignore us and time will make people forget about us.
Unfortunately, I do not think that the number of disatisfied g-tablet users will affect them globally enough to change their stand.
We got a tablet with similar hardware at a much cheaper price and I would say that you get what you pay for.