my company (fairly large but will remain nameless) is testing the gtablet with intents to use it as a inventory/shipping tool. I have some HIGH up people asking if its possible and my answer at the time is "NO"....the hardware as we all know is plenty solid but the OS is TERRIBLE! Im looking to streamline this thing (if possible) to make it responsive and reliable with what you want it to do. So the real question is what do i need to do? I of course tried the stock OS and that doesnt work. right now im on the CyanogenMod OS and it is still just to clunky to work in a business. Any ideas of what i need to do or try? Any help would be great guys...and thanks in advance
Chuddly
chuddly said:
my company (fairly large but will remain nameless) is testing the gtablet with intents to use it as a inventory/shipping tool. I have some HIGH up people asking if its possible and my answer at the time is "NO"....the hardware as we all know is plenty solid but the OS is TERRIBLE! Im looking to streamline this thing (if possible) to make it responsive and reliable with what you want it to do. So the real question is what do i need to do? I of course tried the stock OS and that doesnt work. right now im on the CyanogenMod OS and it is still just to clunky to work in a business. Any ideas of what i need to do or try? Any help would be great guys...and thanks in advance
Chuddly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably best served using Vegan b3. It is super stable - very fast. and supports enterprise WPA2.
I think your biggest problem is going to be the size of it. Recently I wandered into an Apple store and was shocked to see ipads strapped to the hands of most of the workers, even with a case with a handstrap the devices looked a bit bulky and awkward to use. The gtab is certainly no smaller than the ipad and without some kind of case that gives it some protection and allows it to be attached to the worker (ie. handstrap), I can't see this being easily used in a shipping or inventory environment. I think really a 5"-7" device would be easier to use in that type of situation. Just my 2 cents.
akodoreign said:
Probably best served using Vegan b3. It is super stable - very fast. and supports enterprise WPA2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it sounds like what i am looking for but where do i get it and all that? any problems with it that i should know about? any limitations?
cshehan said:
I think your biggest problem is going to be the size of it. Recently I wandered into an Apple store and was shocked to see ipads strapped to the hands of most of the workers, even with a case with a handstrap the devices looked a bit bulky and awkward to use. The gtab is certainly no smaller than the ipad and without some kind of case that gives it some protection and allows it to be attached to the worker (ie. handstrap), I can't see this being easily used in a shipping or inventory environment. I think really a 5"-7" device would be easier to use in that type of situation. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the size is actually to our advantage (with the use of a case/strap device i have found) because our inventory system uses MANY lines of part numbers that would be impossible to see well (without zooming) on the smaller tablets
chuddly said:
it sounds like what i am looking for but where do i get it and all that? any problems with it that i should know about? any limitations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the development section of this forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=859884
Some graphics tearing (Only between screens, like when the browser first loads), is fixed in prototype 12 but that isn't released yet.
Quick office and angry birds works flawlessly.
far as limit's go... *Shrug* I use it at work all the time.
When its in my homemade stand it's playing tune - in radio while I rebuild computers.
When I'm in the field i use it to access our intranet and check on and close service tickets.
I can download drivers and put them on a flash drive.
I can surf the web and do google searches on it to do feild trouble shooting.
It's not heavy at all, so it doesn't weigh down my satchel (as I call it my man purse).
So in my line of work it's a perfect companion, But I have no idea if it would work for you
My 2 cents: As soon as you mention the enterprise, you should really talk to Adam Hanin ("OfficialViewSonic", here in XDA). It's mainly a support concern - these mods are built with the idea that its for personal use, but rolling them out to users in a large company means that you'd want the build being used to be fully supported by Viewsonic.
Right off the bat, you'll have issues with support hours, since their CS is not 24/7. What would happen, for example, if you deployed this and you had issues on a Sunday? Or at 11pm on a weekday? Things like that. Plus, they wouldn't support a modded build, unless you managed to sign some type of contract with them.
i understand the full support but in a larger company we are testing ONLY at this point and it could be some time before we get to a product that rolls out to the work force of our company. Right now we are just trying to prove that it can be done with the gtablet on a basic level (kind of one of those show them what they want to see things). and i do believe the gtablet can produce that given a stable and responsive OS and the VEGAn seems to be a good prospect for testing at least. Anyone have a link to a walkthrough on installing it? I think its worth a shot. if worse comes to worse i just reinstall the stock OS
I don't think anyone has written anything extensive on the VEGAn, yet. There's some documentation for TnT Lite that would apply to VEGAn:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
The only difference would be the ZIP file being used for the build.
chuddly said:
i understand the full support but in a larger company we are testing ONLY at this point and it could be some time before we get to a product that rolls out to the work force of our company. Right now we are just trying to prove that it can be done with the gtablet on a basic level (kind of one of those show them what they want to see things). and i do believe the gtablet can produce that given a stable and responsive OS and the VEGAn seems to be a good prospect for testing at least. Anyone have a link to a walkthrough on installing it? I think its worth a shot. if worse comes to worse i just reinstall the stock OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would def mention to your management that Vegan is a hacked version of the G tab and not the way they would get it out of the box. Like Roebeet just stated usually large companies want something fully supported by the manufacturer in case an issue arrises. For example, your running Vegan and call viewsonic tech support and they cant help you with anything since you are using a hacked version of the device. I would think large companies would steer clear of using something like this regardless if its just a testing phase or not.
Acturbo said:
I would def mention to your management that Vegan is a hacked version of the G tab and not the way they would get it out of the box. Like Roebeet just stated usually large companies want something fully supported by the manufacturer in case an issue arrises. For example, your running Vegan and call viewsonic tech support and they cant help you with anything since you are using a hacked version of the device. I would think large companies would steer clear of using something like this regardless if its just a testing phase or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...plus according to A. Hanin this week's update will allow booting in stock fw to a more vanillalike Android experience, but if you need flash you'd still have to sideload it, plus you'd maybe want to re-package the current fw anyways to include clockwork mod as a better backup/restore option... unless VS does the smart thing and ships something similar in recovery functionality in stock fw...
Related
http://wiki.gnashdev.org/Building_for_Android
This looks downright beastly right now. But it'd be phenomenal if we could start adding a working build of this into some of the ROMs out there -- as sort of a "finger in the eye" to the "Big A's".
while I'd love to see gnash (or even swfdec) ported to android, it's also kinda useless at the same time. Have you ever used gnash or swfdec on a pc? The performance is terrible.
I'm sure there will be an official flash release at some point. We actually will probably have better luck with HTML5 though... Youtube's already working on it, and you can test it on a PC. HTML5 video uses ogg/theora, so the codecs are already built in. All we'd need is a HTML5 compatible browser.
Have you ever used gnash or swfdec on a pc? The performance is terrible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it any worse than flash-nonfree on a Linux box? They've always seemed comparable to me. Though granted the compatability isn't 100%
Certainly it's better than waiting for another release date only to be told that they didn't meet it... again. And in the meantime, we might be able to encourage that extra tiny bit of open-source goodness on one of the only mainstream open-source platforms out there.
Well we certainly don't need flash for performance/video/games/uselesscrap. What it is required for is sites that present LINKS in flash files. That way at least you'll at least be able to use the functionality.
Please add to this, wanted to make a list of fixes / changes and what's not fixed. This was compiled by a few of us, already (for example, ncbenhk who I am referencing, here).
- Timezone issue is fixed.
- Game install issues (ie. Angry Birds) is fixed. Mapping issue seems to be resolved.
- Angry Birds does NOT work, however. Video is blank. We know how to fix that, however.
- Speakers are now in stereo.
- Camera is MUCH improved.
- WiFi issues may be corrected. They definitely changed the driver.
- Some overall UI changes - ie some of the dialog boxes and there's a sleep at shutdown option, now.
- Games are still 90 degrees off.
- There is a new App Store (Handango). I personally don't plan on using it, however.
- There is still no official Flash support. Again, we have a fix for that.
- Holding the home button now longer shows most recent applications.
Please add more stuff, as you find them!
Do not use the viewsonic update
this update is pathetic, nothing less than a failed attempt to fix the device. the tablet is slow and non responsive with this update applied. i am going back to the last full rothnic build as i have robeets last build on the other and my build on my third gtab. view sonic you have dropped the ball again. worthless update, what it breaks that already worked is not worth a camera fix, as wifi is not fixed, nor is the sdcard issue.
UPDATE: the kernal is still the same stock crap kernal, they fixed nothing inside the kernal. tells me they do not know how. they modified android is what the have in this update nothing else and by doing so made the device less functional fcfcfcfc.
There's now a "Downloaded Applications" tab under the Manage Applications tab that wasn't there before.
And turning on USB Storage now pops up a dialog box instead of a full-screen window.
ijustbrickeditithink said:
this update is pathetic, nothing less than a failed attempt to fix the device. the tablet is slow and non responsive with this update applied. i am going back to the last full rothnic build as i have robeets last build on the other and my build on my third gtab. view sonic you have dropped the ball again. worthless update, what it breaks that already worked is not worth a camera fix, as wifi is not fixed, nor is the sdcard issue.
UPDATE: the kernal is still the same stock crap kernal, they fixed nothing inside the kernal. tells me they do not know how. they modified android is what the have in this update nothing else and by doing so made the device less functional fcfcfcfc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you still have wifi errors or was it something else. I think I might merge the changes into zpad and see how it works.
They removed all languages from Android except for British and American English.
rothnic said:
So you still have wifi errors or was it something else. I think I might merge the changes into zpad and see how it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long until we see another Zpad version? That's the ROM I have been using with the most success recently, would love to see another update .
The game G-sensor issue, don't really know how this can be fixed.
I saw some of the cheap China Made that does not have this issue, but the g-sensor really only have 270 degree...
As I explained to Rothnic, in our Zpad group, we have a experience user who nod the game App's x-y axis ( by swithing them), we have about 15 games that is working properly now.
we think it's more about how the game define the thress axis as it seems phone and tablet define this thress axis differently.
ijustbrickeditithink said:
this update is pathetic, nothing less than a failed attempt to fix the device. the tablet is slow and non responsive with this update applied. i am going back to the last full rothnic build as i have robeets last build on the other and my build on my third gtab. view sonic you have dropped the ball again. worthless update, what it breaks that already worked is not worth a camera fix, as wifi is not fixed, nor is the sdcard issue.
UPDATE: the kernal is still the same stock crap kernal, they fixed nothing inside the kernal. tells me they do not know how. they modified android is what the have in this update nothing else and by doing so made the device less functional fcfcfcfc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1+1+1!!! I feel so let down by this update! I was led 2. Believe great things were being done with this one and only to be severely disappointed. Were my expectations too high?!?! I'm not even upset about flash. I was told upfront where that stands. Device is still sluggish. Too frustrated 2 try anything else. And what is this app garbage?!?! Weren't we told all along it would be pocketgear?!?! And he11...I can create my own favorites for Facebook & handango. What the hell?!?! Do you really call a shortcut to a webpage an app?!?! Who are they trying to fool here?!?!
jmfrost said:
+1+1+1!!! I feel so let down by this update! I was led 2. Believe great things were being done with this one and only to be severely disappointed. Were my expectations too high?!?! I'm not even upset about flash. I was told upfront where that stands. Device is still sluggish. Too frustrated 2 try anything else. And what is this app garbage?!?! Weren't we told all along it would be pocketgear?!?! And he11...I can create my own favorites for Facebook & handango. What the hell?!?! Do you really call a shortcut to a webpage an app?!?! Who are they trying to fool here?!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash it to TnT LITE, side load Flash 10.1, perform a slight manual hack to get the official market and be happy!
roebeet said:
- Camera is MUCH improved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How so? It looks like the bad old fuzzy cam to me :-( and I still have no idea where TnT save the video files
flipper9 said:
Flash it to TnT LITE, side load Flash 10.1, perform a slight manual hack to get the official market and be happy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jm knows this, I think he is being rhetorical in that the update is a tad lame and the paid app market process truly is pathetic and will cause returns, just for this lame effort.
For rooters, the device is already fairly solid (sans common sense about g-sensor).
Still, for non rooters:
1. UI is a pathetic slow mess and is an anchor to the experience of using it
2. No Angry Birds (it IS huge, so there you go)
3. No Flash (still on the box, apparently)
4. Craptastic app portal and paid app process
5. G Sensor. This ALONE makes the device broken.
How ironic is this. Unpaid for their effort hobbyists (kings here) have turned the device into a solid piece of gear with Flash, Nvidia fix, minimal Tap UI and market.
The paid folks..... not so much Irony sometimes is killa
I love my G and like how is is set up, but to save at least $100, I may just return it and troll for a refurb. Thing is, I luv the device and mods:
1. Best performing Flash of any current Android device: CHECK!
2. Market: CHECK!
3. Great sound quality: CHECK!
4. Smooth browser: CHECK!
5. Comics & PDFs, regardless of size, smooth: CHECK!
6. PSX4Droid smooth for 3D games: Using PSX4Droid 1.5, CHECK! (1.7 sucks)
7. Capcom 1 & 2 and ALL Neo Geo games playing super fine: CHECK (TigerMAME)
Archos 101 has a 3630 and half the ram of the Droid X. Droid X does not play Flash as smoothly, nor the games in items 6 & 7 anywhere near as well.
Gtablet rocks- warts and all Looking forward to TnT Lite 2.0
Rushless,
I agree, I am buying 2 for Christmas. 1 for me and 1 to replace wifey's laptop. I am going into this knowing they need to be rooted and modded. Once that's done, it's a great tablet.
rushless said:
jm knows this, I think he is being rhetorical in that the update is a tad lame and the paid app market process truly is pathetic and will cause returns, just for this lame effort.
For rooters, the device is already fairly solid (sans common sense about g-sensor).
Still, for non rooters:
1. UI is a pathetic slow mess and is an anchor to the experience of using it
2. No Angry Birds (it IS huge, so there you go)
3. No Flash (still on the box, apparently)
4. Craptastic app portal and paid app process
5. G Sensor. This ALONE makes the device broken.
How ironic is this. Unpaid for their effort hobbyists (kings here) have turned the device into a solid piece of gear with Flash, Nvidia fix, minimal Tap UI and market.
The paid folks..... not so much Irony sometimes is killa
I love my G and like how is is set up, but to save at least $100, I may just return it and troll for a refurb. Thing is, I luv the device and mods:
1. Best performing Flash of any current Android device: CHECK!
2. Market: CHECK!
3. Great sound quality: CHECK!
4. Smooth browser: CHECK!
5. Comics & PDFs, regardless of size, smooth: CHECK!
6. PSX4Droid smooth for 3D games: Using PSX4Droid 1.5, CHECK! (1.7 sucks)
7. Capcom 1 & 2 and ALL Neo Geo games playing super fine: CHECK (TigerMAME)
Archos 101 has a 3630 and half the ram of the Droid X. Droid X does not play Flash as smoothly, nor the games in items 6 & 7 anywhere near as well.
Gtablet rocks- warts and all Looking forward to TnT Lite 2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very rhetorical. My fear is that it will be EOL long before it should be without large public acceptance. And at this point I don't see it being widely accepted.
The camera is definitely improved - didn't anyone test this but me? The original firmware was AWFUL - the thing was crippled. I'm not saying that this records in HiDef now, but at least it's usable.
As for all the hate on this new firmware, I don't get it. Yes, I know that the game accelerometer issue is still a problem, but they did fix some things. From a modding standpoint, I think it was a good first update and overall I'm happy with it.
TnT UI is slow. So what, I'm ripping it out, anyway.
Horrible App Store. So what, I have the real Marketplace.
No Flash. Sure we do, it's just not official but it works.
Angry Birds doesn't work. It will in TnT Lite 2.00, just relax. I've already built it out and I'm testing it, now.
roebeet said:
The camera is definitely improved - didn't anyone test this but me? The original firmware was AWFUL - the thing was crippled. I'm not saying that this records in HiDef now, but at least it's usable.
As for all the hate on this new firmware, I don't get it. Yes, I know that the game accelerometer issue is still a problem, but they did fix some things. From a modding standpoint, I think it was a good first update and overall I'm happy with it.
TnT UI is slow. So what, I'm ripping it out, anyway.
Horrible App Store. So what, I have the real Marketplace.
No Flash. Sure we do, it's just not official but it works.
Angry Birds doesn't work. It will in TnT Lite 2.00, just relax. I've already built it out and I'm testing it, now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think TnT Lite 2.0 will be my first ROM with this unit. Does syncing contacts with an Exchange server work?
liquidcaffeine said:
I think TnT Lite 2.0 will be my first ROM with this unit. Does syncing contacts with an Exchange server work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not certain - I did get a Contacts apk from another user here, but I haven't tested it farther than just making sure it ran.
Btw, TnT Lite 2.00 is released.
roebeet said:
The camera is definitely improved - didn't anyone test this but me? The original firmware was AWFUL - the thing was crippled. I'm not saying that this records in HiDef now, but at least it's usable.
As for all the hate on this new firmware, I don't get it. Yes, I know that the game accelerometer issue is still a problem, but they did fix some things. From a modding standpoint, I think it was a good first update and overall I'm happy with it.
TnT UI is slow. So what, I'm ripping it out, anyway.
Horrible App Store. So what, I have the real Marketplace.
No Flash. Sure we do, it's just not official but it works.
Angry Birds doesn't work. It will in TnT Lite 2.00, just relax. I've already built it out and I'm testing it, now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ray: Smart move
jm: Ditto, but think of the wealth of refurbs!
Roeb: I think people logically thought they would fix obvious things like the Gsensor and apply the Nvidia fix, just to name two and the app market.... what VS did (as proxy from their OEM devs) defies any common business sense.
This device would sell HUGE if the device shipped with TnT Lite 1.03 and updated with 2.0. THIS DEVICE DESERVES BETTER and consumers are going to miss out on a great value. They will return it without knowing what it really can do.
I hope that VS appreciates the amount of CS calls and returns will be staggering and create some very bad blood with Kmart/Sears, Office Depot and Staples purchasing departments. This product may result in VS losing some future bids and shelf space. That is what I would direct and I am a materials manager for a large company.
I am a geek, but business is the stuff
Seriously, VS should pay you folks and use your package. Instant consumer goodwill and a LOT less product return grief. So simple it hurts.
added: Sorry being too hard on VS, but their approach to fixing the rom package is not logical for a device pushing on Black Friday. The lack of a web download option is pure Greek tragedy and stubborn (or naive?).
liquidcaffeine said:
I think TnT Lite 2.0 will be my first ROM with this unit. Does syncing contacts with an Exchange server work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The contacts app and calendar app that roebeet is refering to, sync great for me on tnt lite 1.02 that i modded them to. THE hope is they will work in his next build
roebeet said:
Not certain - I did get a Contacts apk from another user here, but I haven't tested it farther than just making sure it ran.
Btw, TnT Lite 2.00 is released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great news!!! Upgrading the wifey's Samsung Galaxy S to a new ROM then getting to Lite 2.00.
rushless said:
ray: Smart move
jm: Ditto, but think of the wealth of refurbs!
Roeb: I think people logically thought they would fix obvious things like the Gsensor and apply the Nvidia fix, just to name two and the app market.... what VS did (as proxy from their OEM devs) defies any common business sense.
This device would sell HUGE if the device shipped with TnT Lite 1.03 and updated with 2.0. THIS DEVICE DESERVES BETTER and consumers are going to miss out on a great value. They will return it without knowing what it really can do.
I hope that VS appreciates the amount of CS calls and returns will be staggering and create some very bad blood with Kmart/Sears, Office Depot and Staples purchasing departments. This product may result in VS losing some future bids and shelf space. That is what I would direct and I am a materials manager for a large company.
I am a geek, but business is the stuff
Seriously, VS should pay you folks and use your package. Instant consumer goodwill and a LOT less product return grief. So simple it hurts.
added: Sorry being too hard on VS, but their approach to fixing the rom package is not logical for a device pushing on Black Friday. The lack of a web download option is pure Greek tragedy and stubborn (or naive?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good points and I totally agree. My only point before is that, as users in this XDA forum, the fixes are pretty good with the exception of the g-sensor bug that remains. But, for consumers who will be purchasing this device this week and into the holiday season, it's just not enough. VS management should be flogged with the bone-headed decisions that they've been making, so far.
I actually called CS to tell them that we had already grabbed the OTA update and posted it. From my dealings with them, I know that they are frustrated trying to support this thing and I don't blame them -- I blame their B&D team and the management in that area.
I am concerned that VS kills this thing off because of massive returns, but I think that, eventually, the software will catch up and make this device even better than it already is. If not from Viewsonic, then at least the zPad firmware updates will.
By the time I got 3116 downloaded, several other people had made varying comments so I didn't really know what to expect.
Here are my observations:
1. Update was flawless and no instability afterward that can see.
2. I wouldn't say it seems "fast" -- but I definitely would call it smoother and more polished.
3. I neither like nor dislike the TnT launcher, but I do appreciate that they put the Android-like option in there. I'll use that more than the stock launcher.
4. They should have put flash in. From a public perspective, it was hugely necessary. And it it was an Adobe holdup, they need to get their PR flacks on line making sure people know they tried!
5. All the apps I have added since the update seem to have loaded and are working fine.
6. I'm still exploring, but I put an SD card in /sdcard2 with a couple of albums on it. Told the music app to start -- it said it was searching -- it found my music and played!!! That was nice. Now will have to test photos, videos, etc.
7. It just runs and that helps!
Summary: Given what's in and not in the update, I suspect this is an effort by the TapNTap people to get out from under the whole situation. It looks to my eye (and I have done a fair amount of programming) like when the furor over the interface started, someone started working real hard to make TapNTap work well. I do agree with somebody that while I am not happy with what came in the package, I believe it probably will be enough to satisfy casual, non-tech users if the VS marketing people can get the word out and generate some interest.
I'd give it a thumbs up with the proviso that somebody better bring some meat and potatoes before long to go with the appetizer!
Rev
I agree.
The stock Android-like launcher is nice. The speed and stability is much improved. We are spoiled with the speed-fix that all the aftermarket roms have in them. I have used TNT lite and Vegan since I got the tab new. I have installed this update and have been usingit for the afternoon. I think it is nice and this can be a mainstream tablet now. The only thing it needs is the flash, which will be forthcoming.
I was one of the people that was very down on the stock firmware. This device is now able to compete head to head with any other android tablet and can go head to head against the Ipad. Once flash is added, this is much better than the Ipad.
It seemed very usable. Pretty nice for people who want something that just works rather than learning how to use Android. The only instability I experienced was some incompatibility with my Exchange mail crashing the mail app every time.
upgrade
Is this the so called 12 19 update??
2insane,
Yes, apparently Roebeet caught it early and D/Led it and posted the link for others who wanted to try it.
There are quite a few posts explaining people's opinions about it.
Rev
A vast improvement.
I only used the new update shortly after install today. I believe for most people purchasing the tablet the update will be enough to keep them from returning the product. It's not going to show the potential of the Tegra processor, but the unit is usable.
The one glaring issue I think is when changing orientation. The gpad is slow and unsure, both the iPad and Samsung tab are instant.
Even though it is a vast improvement it should be more. How is that a few developers on this site can come up with much better software with limited resources and access to key information than the company selling the product?
I had given up my tablet and found the update looking for the stock flash to return the unit. It was fun tweaking it, but I was using time that I really couldn't spare trying to get it work. Not sure I would have followed through with returning yet.
I did a complete wipe and reformat of the system and partitioned the sd card. Installed the update then installed VEGAn Beta 3 without wiping and all I can say fantastic.. Not sure what changed, but VEGAn runs even better now. I have been using my tab for about 6 hours now trying to get it to act up, so far no problems. I have not attempted the Adobe Flash install. Flash would be nice to have, but really is not all that important for my use.
Some of you like numbers, here are some Quadrant scores. Viewsonic Gtablet 2538. My Samsung Galaxy Tab 976. I can assure you that in daily use the speed difference is not as dramatic as the numbers suggest.
To those of you who are frustrated and thinking of returning the unit, you might give it a few more tries. At least give the update a try, it won't run at full potential, but the update appears to make it a very usable device. Even with just the Viewsonic update I have trouble believing that this is the same piece of junk I brought home 7 days ago.
I believe I have a keeper now thanks to the people on this site that share there work and knowledge, with a little credit due to Viewsonic.
Link: http://conclave.notionink.com/showthread.php?767-Honeycomb (I assume this is OK, as you don't need to register to get the ROM. I haven't registered).
This will boot off a 1.2-based GTAB, I used 4349 stock as my baseline. Requires a data wipe, post install. Gsensor and camera are broken with this ROM, FYI. I haven't tried a 1.1-based GTAB but I'm fairly certain it would soft-brick - there's a boot.img in the ROM.
Initial thoughts: Seems similar to the Tabletroms HC16 / Beast kernel already in existence. Haven't gotten to Flash video yet, but high-def video playback is broken for me, so far. Google Market is missing, for reasons unknown (legal reasons? Not sure).
Just a heads up that they did release this.
Damn. It doesn't sound any different from the ports we already have.
I haven't found anything of major importance yet. Mostly HC16 with some tweaks to make it more "Adam" branded.
Still, it's refreshing to see a company making the attempt. Viewsonic, you watching? Where's that new 1.2 ROM?
i thought the biggest thing would be drivers.... guess not. looks like if you have to install gapps after installing the rom the second post had the gapps dl
roebeet said:
I haven't found anything of major importance yet. Mostly HC16 with some tweaks to make it more "Adam" branded.
Still, it's refreshing to see a company making the attempt. Viewsonic, you watching? Where's that new 1.2 ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
roebeet,
You know I'm a big fan, but isn't what NI did, essentially releasing the work of the Tabletrom guys, the same as if Viewsonic took one of your roms, made a new bootscreen, and released it?
I'm just sayin...
MC
I think you're not far off the mark - I haven't done a diff yet, but it does seem very similar.
Granted, I can't really say anything since my BoS mod is essentially the same thing. But I actually give those devs a nod not only in my update.zip, but also in my boot up screen. In NI's defense however, they've mentioned Tabletroms several times in their recent blog posts.
My bigger concern is whether or not Google will stand up and take notice of this NI ROM (and I don't mean in a good way, I mean in a "cease and desist" kind of way).
Roebeet, I know you are very busy. Didn't a big shot at Viewsonic like a VP of marketing used to read this site. Has something changed. When I called Viewsonic recently the phone messaging system seemed like it was a fifth party support for a fourth party support of a third party support company. I hope you get my meaning. I have not heard or seen anything from Viewsonic in a long time. The news release on their web site makes a big deal out of releasing 3588. Which was actually a recall of the 1.2 bootloader. Have they stopped all support for the G tablet?
roebeet said:
My bigger concern is whether or not Google will stand up and take notice of this NI ROM (and I don't mean in a good way, I mean in a "cease and desist" kind of way).
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I wouldn't be surprised if you're right there.
I think where we've all been failed, and I've been a long time droid owner, now a droid thunderbolt, is Google's release cycle. The original droid came out with 2.0 on it and it was ok, but within a month of any official release of the OS, the code was released on AOSP, and so you could count on the devs to release good ROMS way before the handset manufacturers and carriers did. In the period between release on any one handset, and AOSP you would get the "kang'd" roms. Those are roms cobbled together with bits and bobs from releases for other phones, or betas, etc., and they were pretty good, certainly good enough to hold you over until AOSP became the latest Cyanogenmod and other assorted roms.
So I bought my GTab based on the assumption (mine, and incorrect), that shortly after the XOOM came out there would be kang'd roms that worked pretty well, followed by an AOSP release that the devs turned in to something better than what the XOOM had on it.
I never really cared what Viewsonic did from the standpoint of support because I assumed the minute I bought the GTab that it would be rooted and run better ROMS than they would ever put out, and that was true for Froyo, and is almost there for Gingerbread. HC, we'll see...
Everything that's happened, Google not releasing HC to AOSP, NVidia not getting drivers to devs, has lead to a much more disappointing experience than I expected on this particular device.
Eh, the more I write the more frustrated I sound. I'll stop for now.
MC
guitar geek said:
Roebeet, I know you are very busy. Didn't a big shot at Viewsonic like a VP of marketing used to read this site. Has something changed. When I called Viewsonic recently the phone messaging system seemed like it was a fifth party support for a fourth party support of a third party support company. I hope you get my meaning. I have not heard or seen anything from Viewsonic in a long time. The news release on their web site makes a big deal out of releasing 3588. Which was actually a recall of the 1.2 bootloader. Have they stopped all support for the G tablet?
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Click to collapse
The Viewsonic from December 2010 is not the same Viewsonic post-April 2011. Yes, they used to read this forum and their customer service area did too. When we were grumbling about things like Angry Birds support and Flash back then, they (or whoever was developing for them) delivered and right before Christmas, I might add. I had hopes that they would give us continued support. You don't even want to know what I think now -- I've actually been retrained here and in Slatedroid, believe it or not. If I wrote how I really feel, the moderators would have to delete the post due to language.
As for Notion Ink, I have mixed feelings. I am certainly disappointed with both the GB and HC efforts so far, but at least they've had recent Froyo updates. At least they have a vendor blog and a forum. That's more than what we have with our vendor. I know that Google's stance on HC is partly to blame for all this, but Viewsonic's silence isn't helping.
Well that sucks. Way to over hype a release Notion Ink! Pee on you!
roebeet said:
My bigger concern is whether or not Google will stand up and take notice of this NI ROM (and I don't mean in a good way, I mean in a "cease and desist" kind of way).
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Yeah, I've been wondering that too. When I first heard NI was officially releasing a Honeycomb ROM, I assumed they got the source code, because how can you have an official release of it without getting google's permission (from a legal standpoint)? But when I read their blog post earlier today and realized they were essentially using the tabletrom effort, I thought "uh oh, this won't last very long". I hope google doesn't step in to stop continued progress, because I'm still wishing for a fully functional version of Honeycomb for the gtab (or at least mostly functional with flash; that's the only thing that's prevented me from switching already).
I apologize if this has been discussed already, but why can't notion ink get honeycomb source? I mean jeez, asus, acer, toshiba, viewsonic etc... are all releasing honeycomb tablets. Seems like if you are a legit company, ask and you shall receive.
Seems to me either
1. Google refused them source. Or..
2. Already focusing on adam 2, they are content with just lazily releasing a community mod as their own.
I'd be ticked if I was an adam owner. Gtab owners knew going in that the community was going to be their sole support. But if I put up with that circus that was the notion ink adam, I expected at least official honeycomb support.
Sent from my T-mobile G2
It's not the vendor, I think it's the hardware. Elocity, Gtablet, Olipad, Hannspad, Folio, VEGA and yes the Adam - all Harmony devices. Google has seemingly ignored that platform, as well as Nvidia. I almost wonder if Notion Ink wants to get caught with their hands in the Honeycomb jar - would at least make Google stand up and finally take notice to a Harmony vendor.
I know that us GTAB'ers didn't expect much of a future, but we know Honeycomb can work given enough resources. This whole situation has totally soured me in regards to Android tablets, and Nvidia devices in particular.
I didn't expect much when I got my GTab just wanted a cool tab to read and play a few games. I personally am probably gonna get an hp touchpad and give my mom my GTab so she can play games and video chat with her BF when he is in Iraq
Notion Ink Blog
Read the June 25th entry:
http://notionink.wordpress.com/
roebeet said:
My bigger concern is whether or not Google will stand up and take notice of this NI ROM (and I don't mean in a good way, I mean in a "cease and desist" kind of way).
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What would their motivations be? To make us buy more tablets?
That doesn't seem inline with their "do-no-evil" philosophy, though I wouldn't be surprised if it were to happen, for this reason ;;
But would it be Google that would issue such a request, or the companies that took the Honeycomb platform and developed firmware specifically for their products? I would guess the latter, since it's probably with them that we entered a "thou shalt not reverse compile thine firmware, for it is holy" agreement, not with Google.
scyld said:
What would their motivations be? To make us buy more tablets?
That doesn't seem inline with their "do-no-evil" philosophy, though I wouldn't be surprised if it were to happen, for this reason ;;
But would it be Google that would issue such a request, or the companies that took the Honeycomb platform and developed firmware specifically for their products? I would guess the latter, since it's probably with them that we entered a "thou shalt not reverse compile thine firmware, for it is holy" agreement, not with Google.
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I think you're saying, if someone takes a ROM and modifies it to run on the Notion Adam, and then the folks at Notion stick that ROM on their website, Notion might get served a request to take that ROM down. I dunno, it's open source so other parties have every right to take the code, modify it, and distribute it.
Hello I have the gtab the stock rom, if I make the root with SuperOneClick I can then apply honeycomb update.zip?
StereoD said:
Hello I have the gtab the stock rom, if I make the root with SuperOneClick I can then apply honeycomb update.zip?
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You don't have to root the device before running one of these ROM updates - the GTAB's stock recovery is not locked down and can accept custom ROM's.
As always, read the modder's directions as they might require things as a pre-requisite. For example, cyanagenmod usually requires clockworkmod as a pre-req. Again, best to ask the modder if it's not stated in their post.
roebeet said:
You don't have to root the device before running one of these ROM updates - the GTAB's stock recovery is not locked down and can accept custom ROM's.
As always, read the modder's directions as they might require things as a pre-requisite. For example, cyanagenmod usually requires clockworkmod as a pre-req. Again, best to ask the modder if it's not stated in their post.
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Means that it is possible to apply the update.zip in the stock rom on gtab? I can download the file and then apply it in recovery mode?
I am looking to upgrade from my HP TouchPad running CM10 and am considering buying an Infinity soon as I really like it over the N10 because of the dock. I am however concerned regarding all the lag and I/O comments I read. IMy HP TouchPad running CM10 and primarily it is used when I travel and while watching TV to surf the web and answer emails rather than use my large laptop. I am able to have 8-10 tabs in the stock browser open at a time without really seeing much of an issue. Will this be something I am able to still do with the Infinity or will it cause the browser to constantly crash? I do not play games hardly at all on it and will sometimes watch divx videos while traveling as well. My main worry is about the web browsing experience compared to what I am using now. I hope it will be as good or better so hopefully someone can answer that for me.
Another thing I use a lot is Eye-Fi to transfer all my pictures from my camera to my tablet to look when I am not home. Would transferring large 10MP files to it be an issue? They go pretty fast right now when I transfer them to my Galaxy Nexus.
cccoltsicehockey said:
I am looking to upgrade from my HP TouchPad running CM10 and am considering buying an Infinity soon as I really like it over the N10 because of the dock. I am however concerned regarding all the lag and I/O comments I read. IMy HP TouchPad running CM10 and primarily it is used when I travel and while watching TV to surf the web and answer emails rather than use my large laptop. I am able to have 8-10 tabs in the stock browser open at a time without really seeing much of an issue. Will this be something I am able to still do with the Infinity or will it cause the browser to constantly crash? I do not play games hardly at all on it and will sometimes watch divx videos while traveling as well. My main worry is about the web browsing experience compared to what I am using now. I hope it will be as good or better so hopefully someone can answer that for me.
Another thing I use a lot is Eye-Fi to transfer all my pictures from my camera to my tablet to look when I am not home. Would transferring large 10MP files to it be an issue? They go pretty fast right now when I transfer them to my Galaxy Nexus.
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I can't help you with that Eye-Fi question,
but I can try to answer your upgrade-related question
Anyway, I think that as long as you're experienced in flashing custom roms (in your case, I am sure you are, looking at the Rom you are running ) the I/O issue is no issue at all and most (if not all) lag is gone after installing CleanRom Inheritance.
It really boosts your device, without having to sacrifice battery life!
On top of that, it has also improved video/streaming playback drastically, making this device as top-tier as Asus claimed it is
adelancker said:
I can't help you with that Eye-Fi question,
but I can try to answer your upgrade-related question
Anyway, I think that as long as you're experienced in flashing custom roms (in your case, I am sure you are, looking at the Rom you are running ) the I/O issue is no issue at all and most (if not all) lag is gone after installing CleanRom Inheritance.
It really boosts your device, without having to sacrifice battery life!
On top of that, it has also improved video/streaming playback drastically, making this device as top-tier as Asus claimed it is
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Click to collapse
+1. Also disable animation, makes you think you have the fastest tablet in the world!! super snappy!
I'll agree with the above!
There's quite a following going here.
This is a ROM flashers tablet IMO.
For myself I gave up on the OTA's from the manufacturer and started going the route of custom ROMs.
Been extremely happy with the work done in development.
Hope to see you join on!
Ok good to know. I assume then though I will be disappointed until I flash I custom ROM to it then? Will I most likely get a version that I can unlock it with NVFlash out of the box as long as I don't do the updates and unlock/root/flash it right away?
Also any specific reason for CleanROM over CM?
cccoltsicehockey said:
I assume then though I will be disappointed until I flash I custom ROM to it then?
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I would say you may not necessarily be displeased with JellyBean in stock form.
A great number of users are more than happy with this tab in it's pure Android state.
cccoltsicehockey said:
Will I most likely get a version that I can unlock it with NVFlash out of the box as long as I don't do the updates and unlock/root/flash it right away?
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Yes
I will state that you will be able to bring home an ICS 4.03 version with the .26 firmware.
True don't allow OTA updating until you weave thru the NVFlash process.
I wasn't able to do NVFlash because of updating then finding out about it afterward.
Good luck if you decide to leap!
Alright went to Best Buy last night and played with the Infinity for about 30min. It definitely seemed pretty slow compared to my touchpad running CM and it didn't even want to load 3-4 webpages at a time. I did not however get the wait/close pop up at all. The screen was amazing (one major reason for wanting to upgrade, 1024x768 just isn't cutting it anymore) and the keyboard is a lot better to type on than what a lot of people seem to say. It didn't seem overly small to me.
Thats OK said:
Yes
I will state that you will be able to bring home an ICS 4.03 version with the .26 firmware.
True don't allow OTA updating until you weave thru the NVFlash process.
I wasn't able to do NVFlash because of updating then finding out about it afterward.
Good luck if you decide to leap!
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That is great to know I will be able to do the NVFlash though as that is really the only way I would want to root and flash this tablet. I like the fact it can't be bricked doing that.
Is it correct that I have read once I have the blobs from doing NVFlash I can manually upgrade to the most current firmware and NVFlash will still work? If so it seems I will actually finally have made up my mind of what tablet to get.
cccoltsicehockey said:
Also any specific reason for CleanROM over CM?
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Yes, I think it's overal nicer and faster with CR.
Not to mention that it has a bit better implementation with the keyboard dock (if you have decided to buy that). You also get amazing support from the developer of CleanRom and the Rom Installer gives you the ability to choose what you want and what tweaks you like. Therefore, it's really nice to use it.
Besides, sometimes it's handy having the 3 'performance' modes and IPS+ toggle in the notification bar. Asus did some things right, so we should give them credit for that