Database Info

Official Flash delayed until "Late January"

I just noticed that Viewsonic moved Adobe Flash support for the G Tablet from "expected 12/19" to "Expected late-January".
Until then, I've been happily using the Flash version from the Folio with no issues whatsoever.
Thanks to everyone on XDA for helping to make this G-Tab awesome until Android catches up. Viewsonic has made tons of software progress since I bought the G-tab on Thanksgiving weekend, all they're still missing is flash, Gapps, and ad-hoc wifi. Hopefully Viewsonic offers a full Android 2.4 upgrade in January, so that I can revert to stock software.

I read where Hanin said they would post the Flash beta for folks to install. I think it was from the Engadget article or another one from this week.

This is Adam's blurb from Engadge, "Viewsonic will be releasing an over-the-air software update before the end of the week and will also provide links for users to manually download and install a beta version of Flash on its support page."
Now more than every I am CONVINCED that there are some backroom deals going on to keep Flash off every tablet except for the Galaxy until post holiday.
Lets look at some things that make you go hmmm...
[long rant]
Google says "Android not for tablets"...we don't support the form factor, and more importantly, will block all apps and marketplace from these devices. So because the Galaxy Tab has a 3G radio in it makes it NOT a tablet form factor? Smart planning on Samsung's part or convienient way for Google to grant an exception?
Google, the company blocking all tablets except Galaxy Tab from all things Google is the same company that said we don't care how carriers modify (Bing) or use Android. Its open source and it would be unopen of us to try and restrict how other companies want to use it.
Samsung drops WiFi only version of Tab for 2011. Unless subsidized (read hidden carrier fees) Tab 3G price point makes the larger, faster iPad seem like a bargain. There is a lot of cash to be made from these carriers by having the only "google/adobe" approved iPad competitor on the market for the holidays and a lot of cash at their disposal to make that a reality.
Adobe decides tablet hardware requires certification to run Flash - as they want to maintain quality control. However, rule does not apply to phones. Phones (or any old laptop) are free to download and install Flash no matter what the user experience. Remember, because Google blocks tablets from Market that means tablets will not be able to easily circumvent Adobe's restriction. Any tablet maker will need to go through Adobe to put Flash on their tablet.
On Adobe's website there is only a single tablet 'certified' for Flash. Yeah, the Galaxy Tab. So where is the quality control ? From every indication Flash runs horribly on the Galaxy Tab. Tiegra 2 would be a much better showcase for Flash yet Adobe has been slow to adopt/certify it. In fact, they have agressively attacked manufacturers that have integrated Flash (Advent).
So...I am just saying there are a lot of oddities and contradition in these events. Android and Flash aren't exactly cash cows yet in the circumstances above Google or Adobe or both could have stood to make a nice paycheck by keep things "exclusive". Game developers cut timed exclusive deals all the time so why does everyone put it past Google/Adobe? Granted, MS and Sony love to brag about their 'exclusives' and it might not look so good if 'open source loving' Google or 'self declared internet standard' Adobe were seen brokering exclusive deals. Then again, those deals don't have to be public if nobody wants them to be. Simply fabricate a few new guidelines that will hold the compitition up in some red tape and come out looking like the good guy while cashing a nice holiday bonus.
[/long rant]

I agree with Lnin0. Something is very fishy here. The goal seems to be for Google and Adobe to try and give Samsung a "head start" establishing a name for itself in selling tablets.
The only thing I can think of is that Samsung makes a crap-ton of televisions, and Google might be very interested in brokering a deal with them to include GoogleTV like what is being done on Sony.
Unclear why Adobe is slow-rolling flash for tablets....

zerozed99 said:
I agree with Lnin0. Something is very fishy here. The goal seems to be for Google and Adobe to try and give Samsung a "head start" establishing a name for itself in selling tablets.
The only thing I can think of is that Samsung makes a crap-ton of televisions, and Google might be very interested in brokering a deal with them to include GoogleTV like what is being done on Sony.
Unclear why Adobe is slow-rolling flash for tablets....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably just Adobe & Samsung as it's pretty much certain that Tegra 2 is going to be the flagship SoC as the only shipping multi-core A9... who knows anyways, maybe Adobe is trying to fully optimize flash for the Tegra 2 as well...

All I know for sure is the Gtablet plays Flash better than:
Droid
Droid X
Incredible
Galaxy Tab
Galaxy S
Archos 101
NO comparison. VS should release the beta- Archos has Flash, but not tegra, of course.

rushless said:
All I know for sure is the Gtablet plays Flash better than:
Droid
Droid X
Incredible
Galaxy Tab
Galaxy S
Archos 101
NO comparison. VS should release the beta- Archos has Flash, but not tegra, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does better than the Evo 4 as well. Love my Evo but my G-tab kicks its arse in flash

ml_boston said:
I just noticed that Viewsonic moved Adobe Flash support for the G Tablet from "expected 12/19" to "Expected late-January".
Until then, I've been happily using the Flash version from the Folio with no issues whatsoever.
Thanks to everyone on XDA for helping to make this G-Tab awesome until Android catches up. Viewsonic has made tons of software progress since I bought the G-tab on Thanksgiving weekend, all they're still missing is flash, Gapps, and ad-hoc wifi. Hopefully Viewsonic offers a full Android 2.4 upgrade in January, so that I can revert to stock software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I'm in I/T, I'm a total noob w/Droid, tablets, etc. Had b'day on Sunday (50th!?) and wife and kids gave me a gtablet. Although only a 15-yr-old HS frosh, my son astutely advised my wife to NOT buy an iPad, if only because I am somewhat a contrarian &&|| doubting_Thomas.
Anyway, I'm still working thru the greatly-appreciated info/recommendations/updates (z4root, clockwork, titanium, vegan-tab ...). Delay is mostly because the only sdcard I have in the house is in my Blackberry.
FWIW, I did get Adobe Flash Player 10.1.120.1.apk d/l'd and woking last night. However, I had some issues with 10.2x, which seemed to (force?) close both the browser and FB upon completion of page-load. So, I dumped the 10.2 and tried 10.1. Eureka! I can now view my Armadillo on the trail (sorry, can't post outside url yet but lemme' say that I have now had multiple armadillo encounters along the same east Memphis trail ...) and other vidz fm FB.

Steve in Memphis said:
Although I'm in I/T, I'm a total noob w/Droid, tablets, etc. Had b'day on Sunday (50th!?) and wife and kids gave me a gtablet. Although only a 15-yr-old HS frosh, my son astutely advised my wife to NOT buy an iPad, if only because I am somewhat a contrarian &&|| doubting_Thomas.
Anyway, I'm still working thru the greatly-appreciated info/recommendations/updates (z4root, clockwork, titanium, vegan-tab ...). Delay is mostly because the only sdcard I have in the house is in my Blackberry.
FWIW, I did get Adobe Flash Player 10.1.120.1.apk d/l'd and woking last night. However, I had some issues with 10.2x, which seemed to (force?) close both the browser and FB upon completion of page-load. So, I dumped the 10.2 and tried 10.1. Eureka! I can now view my Armadillo on the trail (sorry, can't post outside url yet but lemme' say that I have now had multiple armadillo encounters along the same east Memphis trail ...) and other vidz fm FB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry NOOB here - did you sideload the Flash Player? I am just learning about the Andoid mods and although there is a lot of information here, it can get confusing really fast for someone who is not a software person.

Does anyone want to post a video showcasing flash performance? I had a G-Tablet but had to return it because I wasn't willing to risk a dud. If it has stable or semi-stable workable flash perhaps I should look for one again.
And on the conspiracy note. Remember that the Galaxy Tab is ceritified because it is up to google phone specs/hardware in all but the resolution. Since flash apparently must be written for the processor, and tegra is an architecture with no mature flash port, we have to wait for certification. Viewsonic is being flogged for not being dicks like samsung, who released a tablet no better(in performance) than the current phones. I won't but a Galaxy Tab because my EVO a 4" can run at the same speed.

Hello my first post

I am considering the Viewsonic G tablet, looks like it can be really fast with an OS upgrade. Those that own one are you happy with its performance and are you using the stock OS? Also can you send and receive text messages with this tablet?
Thanks!
ED

I picked one up from sears yesterday. I had read that the stock os was not very good so I didn't bother with it I upgraded straight to tnt lite 2.2 and then today upgraded to 3.1.2 I like for the brief amount of time that I have had it. There is a lot of help here so all you have to do is read the post =) I spent the last couple of weeks doing that before I purchased mine. Only problem I have with it is that I can't put it down because if I do one of my family members takes it and I won't get it back for a while.

fasteddie58 said:
I am considering the Viewsonic G tablet, looks like it can be really fast with an OS upgrade. Those that own one are you happy with its performance and are you using the stock OS? Also can you send and receive text messages with this tablet?
Thanks!
ED
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to xda-developers. You will see things move pretty quick here so hang on tight.
I have run all the ROMs available and like VEGAn the best. It is currently in the beta phase but it really improves performance.
The only way I'm aware of to send and receive text is to use Google Voice. The problem I see with Google Voice is that it you selecte one of their phone numbers which you have to give to your contacts (so they know it's you). I find it easier to just text from my Droid 1.

I've had my gtab since Nov 21nd. The developers here at XDA have done an excellent job in getting the most out of the gtab. The earlier version of the out of the box software ran like a dog (I never understood this phrase... Some dogs run really fast...) I received the OTA update on Nov 22nd, which made the out of the box software somewhat usable, although performance was struggling to get to 1000 on the Quadrant Standard benchmark. Using any of the custom roms such as VEGAn (beta), ZPAD, or TnT Lite, we see Quadrant Standard benchmark scores around 2400, which is one of the fastest devices today running on the Android OS.
Viewsonic provided another software update on Dec 23rd, which was much improved. Performance for the stock rom is running around 1800, which is pretty good in itself.
Most applications run smooth. Web browsing with the out of the box browser is so-so. Other folks use browsers like Dolphin and xScope. I particularly don't care for either one. Video (e.g. ripped movies, YouTube) run smooth. Video running in a Adobe Flash Player is a mixed bag. We're all hoping that the official release of the flash player next month will support Tegra 2, and will address the video chopiness issues we see.
All-in-all, I'm very impressed with the gtab performance.

[Q] Thoughts on the latest firmware release from Viewsonic?

Just like to get some feedback on what you guys think of the latest firmware release from Viewsonic that supposedly makes it run quite a bit better. I'm one of the 10K wooters and I'm wondering if the fixes make it tolerable. Really the wife is going to be using it mostly for the internet and book reader. I know I'll also have a few games on there for me and the kids
I've never jailbreaked a phone or rooted a device but I'm sure I can handle the mod from some of the light reading I've done already. I had already figured that I'd go with TnT Lite since it looks like Vegan is a little more involved and probably more than I really need. Its been my experiance that these things are like classic cars, once you start tinkering it never ends and the wifey isn't gonna like having her tab in the "shop" constantly.
Any MUST HAVE apps??
Looking at Repligo "need to view pdfs"
Titanium backup
Toddler Lock and AirAttack HD
Thanx all
DJ

Looked harder and of course found good answers to my question in the following threads.
[Q] Is alt rom still needed to make gtab better
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=978494
G Tablet update question
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1002949
No doubt the excellent talent on here and other places have helped pave the way for a better stock ROM and will continue to do so.

Sub $100 tablets?

Hi everyone. I have a 4 year old who keeps taking my phone and my kids (his older brother and sister) ipod touches. He uses them to play games and go on youtube. I've been looking online for a cheap tablet for him to have and on craigslist there are a few for sale in my area for anywhere from $75-$100. I want to know if anyone has any experience with these cheaper android tabs. There's one by Sylvania and some others that just say ePad.
Does anyone have any experience with these and if so, do you think it will be ok for a 4 year old? Keep in mind, it doesn't have to be anything special. Just something that can play youtube and games like angry birds.
Any information is appreciated.
Sent from my MB860

Well you'd probably be best googling the models and seeing if they are real. I had a friend who got a fake off ebay. They work alright. Not great for myself. But if they are a proper tablet I don't see you having any problem as long as its not a scam haha
Sent from my Galaxy S running Galnet's MIUI v2.2 @ 1.3ghz!

Hmm just had a quick Google of the sylviana branded tablet you mentioned and from what I read it seems to function alright. Some are having problems but seems to be functional haha. Sorry if its what you already know
Sent from my Galaxy S running Galnet's MIUI v2.2 @ 1.3ghz!

A scam on craigslist? Never.
Being serious though, I did do some searching on google and with the information I got it figured it would be better to come ask the experts. I really dont care about the software that's installed on these tabs as long as they can be rooted and/or have access to the android market. Its just more important to me that they run decently. They are not very expensive but it's still money and I would like to know what I'm getting into.
Sent from my MB860

Hey,
I was recently setting up a home network for a co-worker and she "paid" me by giving me a White 7" Pandigital Novel "eReader". Its android based and from what I can tell it can be rooted and used as a low cost alternative to an Android tablet. They sell for as low as $100. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my own since I just got a HTC Inspire 4G...
Guess I can try and hack it. I can let you know how well it takes being rooted.

Please do let me know. I would really appreciate it.
Sent from my MB860

Hey,
Sorry for the delay but I got a little busy with school. I was able to sit down for a bit with the White Pan digital Novel and I must say I was impressed. Due to the extremely low cost and decent spec of this machine it has gotten a lot of love from developers. Its extremely easy to flash ROM's for root access (just place .ZIP on SDCARD, remove internal SD, boot to recovery, and flash it). The guys over at Slatedroid even put Cyanogenmod 6.x on it.
I tested a number of ROM's but most had weird issues. The Slatedriod Cyanogenmod 6.x ROM actually only ran crisp (for now) in landscape mode. Its a bit too weak to play games from Android Market and that's assuming the the ROM you choose has a working Market (most don't by default). They used a mod called the non-ugly hack to fix this I think. Another issue with a lot of these ROM's involved the wifi going into a infinite loop, repeatedly turning itself on and off. Despite the fact that I love Cyanogenmon on my Optimus V, I had to find another full time ROM.
That's when I stumbled across an Eclair-based ROM ported from teh popular Cruz Reader. It was awesome. Smooth in all view modes and even video ran great on the thing. I haven't attempted to OC the device yet, but I would assume it would only make it better. This ROM is rooted of course, and had a working Android Market (and Cruz Market) installed from the start. With this ROM the device becomes a comparable tablet, far exceeding the value placed on its tag. Just use regular apps to manage the power usage and overclock it with Set CPU or something and you'll have quite a machine for $50 something .
A big downside is that for an "eReader" the battery life was horrid, a little better than an android phone (and that's even with the stock ROM). You are going to have to hack this thing to get any decent performance out of it as the stock ROM is laggy. The rooting worked for fixing a lot of these issues.
Em still a bit unfamiliar with the rules on posting links to other forums here, so I wont. Let me know if you have any questions on need the links and we'll set up some sort of arrangement.

Thanks for that info. Gives me a lot to consider. I may end up getting one of those units.
Sent from my MB860

Makes me want to check one out too
Sent from my PG86100-EVO3D-using Tapatalk

[Q] Debating Xoom...

Would you guys say it'd be wise getting a Xoom at this point? I love the connectivity and dont mind the weight. Its the screen im not sure about...u guys happy with it?
Now that its been around for a wile do you guys have any regrets or would you recommend it instead of other, more recent and lightweight tablets?
I'd appreciate your thoughts...

tivchev said:
Would you guys say it'd be wise getting a Xoom at this point? I love the connectivity and dont mind the weight. Its the screen im not sure about...u guys happy with it?
Now that its been around for a wile do you guys have any regrets or would you recommend it instead of other, more recent and lightweight tablets?
I'd appreciate your thoughts...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll jump right in and say that I love mine. I've got a great screen, and there are some that seem a bit washed out, so you might want to look at the one you're getting just to make sure you like the colors and saturation is ok. Xoom has a more natural level of saturation than some of the other tabs that are going for drama. I think this is a great time to get a Xoom because Ice Cream Sandwich is coming and I think it will solve many of the issues people have been having with stock Honeycomb. Those of us who are rooted and use custom Roms/kernels already have a taste of ICS as the developers have tweaked and added lots of functionality to the basic Honeycomb OS, but with the ICS source code to be released, we'll have lots of great custom roms, because the xoom is a developer's tablet. This tab is only getting better. Still has great hardware specs, is tough, almost un-brickable and does just about all I could ask for. There is room for improvement though, especially on the software side, so it will be an exciting time.
If you can get a good deal on a new or gently used Xoom, I advise that you go for it.

Don't have a xoom wish i had wait a week later, i do enjoy my acer 500.

I just bought one from Ebay - UK one originally from John Lewis. It has 3g and Wifi - very excited and it only cost me £280.
I currently have a rooted, overclocked and tweaked HTC Desire HD and absolutely love it. I get 2 days battery life out of it, lots of great tweaks and am so glad that I had my iPhone stolen 8 months ago! I would have ignored Android if it weren't for those theives!
I am now looking forward to rooting and tinkering about with my Xoom once it arrives.... Monday hopefully!
Any recommendations root and rom wise for a complete and utter noob?

32G, right? I hope so!
Looks like you guys are getting the 3.2 update OTA for those that are not rooted. You could accept the update and then unlock, fastboot flash CWM recovery (I prefer the solarnz R4c v3.2.0.0, myself) and then root using solarnz' Universal Xoom Root zip and then flash Tiamat Moray Rom, etc...
here is a guide that can help...it's a lot to digest but it sounds like you have experience:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1249798
Also, check out this thread for lots of great info, and app suggestions:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1209341
Happy Xooming!