Database Info

XDA Getting props... direct from ViewSonic!

Thanx to the XDA community for your support - Via @ViewSonic on Twitter!
Nice work guys!!!

It's things like this that make me so furious that I'm not the one calling the shots at ViewSonic. They are sitting on a gold mine right now but it's covered in feces and only devs/techies can see it.
No political tie is worth the amount of $$ they are losing on this product right now (the only logical reason I can think of for them to keep TapNTap alive) and all they have to do is release it with a ROM comparable to VegaN or hell even stock android and these things wouldn't be able to stay on shelves more than 5 minutes.
ViewSonic PLEASE get your sh*t together and release s/w that truly shows off the capabilities of this amazing hardware!!!

teleknEsis said:
It's things like this that make me so furious that I'm not the one calling the shots at ViewSonic. They are sitting on a gold mine right now but it's covered in feces and only devs/techies can see it.
No political tie is worth the amount of $$ they are losing on this product right now (the only logical reason I can think of for them to keep TapNTap alive) and all they have to do is release it with a ROM comparable to VegaN or hell even stock android and these things wouldn't be able to stay on shelves more than 5 minutes.
ViewSonic PLEASE get your sh*t together and release s/w that truly shows off the capabilities of this amazing hardware!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, chill the F out. Viewsonic just acknowledged that the software mods are a good thing, that they -might- open the possibility of uninstalling TnT, and most important, they're releasing the kernel sources this week.
They're giving the community the tools, giving Staples the Finger on the internet, and are saying "our hardware is badass and you guys are making us proud of our product. Go Community!".
So chill out.

cybik said:
Dude, chill the F out. Viewsonic just acknowledged that the software mods are a good thing, that they -might- open the possibility of uninstalling TnT, and most important, they're releasing the kernel sources this week.
They're giving the community the tools, giving Staples the Finger on the internet, and are saying "our hardware is badass and you guys are making us proud of our product. Go Community!".
So chill out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, your icon reminds me of something: When is Rush's new album coming out?
Though articulated in a crude manner, the points are valid. The device should not have been released as is and the FW package was a dysfunctional mess. Staples reacted to the high returns and incurred costs due to those returns- I would have done the same thing. There are more products than just this tablet to be concerned about (as I am sure you appreciate).
The grand question still remains: The CEO stated no "layers" over Android, yet the antithesis of such a position was released. Tap UI is hands down, the WORST Android layer published by a company and the hardware simply did not work correctly. Due to hardware specific to each device, some form of interface is needed so everything works... but Tap UI--- DANG!
A first product release by a company in a newer market should set a good example- that is KEY to gaining marketshare in newer markets. Well, that and price point Using the excuse that "another OEM" made the product can be used for about 90% of current consumer electronics. VS can not use the excuse- consumers are indifferent to this.

I think VS needs some props too. I mean they messed up releasing a messed up device but in a little less than 3 months they have tried to fix it. How many times have companies that said they'd release an update (albeit a sorry one) on a certain date but fail to do so. Not sure what happened to the flash update but still the effort is there which should at least give them some of their integrity back, right?
Now if they really do release the kernel source this week, I'd say they are ok in my book.

cybik said:
Dude, chill the F out. Viewsonic just acknowledged that the software mods are a good thing, that they -might- open the possibility of uninstalling TnT, and most important, they're releasing the kernel sources this week.
They're giving the community the tools, giving Staples the Finger on the internet, and are saying "our hardware is badass and you guys are making us proud of our product. Go Community!".
So chill out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes finally they are taking a step in the right direction and listening to the people but it took staples pulling the rug out from under them for it to happen. Regardless, mad props to ViewSonic for acting quickly and other oems should be playing close attention right now *cousamsunggh*

Well I hope they follow through with their promises. I hate seeing good products falling by the wayside. Once modified I can't keep this thing in my control as wife and kids use over their laptops! Viewsonic owes the developers a nod of thanks.

Pretty damn cool a big company even acknowledges us. No matter what we're a very small % of the market. In fact, most companies intentionally lock us out.

I just bought a G Tablet today at Sears, thanks to the XDA community (the ONLY reason I chose it). I went to my local Staples first to see if they had one to demo, and of course I was told they were recalled and couldn't sell them even if they hadn't sent them all back yet. So they lost my business to the only Sears (one of about 20) in my area I could find that actually had one in stock.

Android could be killed off by suppliers

Found this interesting Article on Fudzilla regarding how Android could be killed off by the suppliers of the phones. Figured I would share
http://www.fudzilla.com/mobiles/item/21611-android-could-be-killed-off-by-suppliers

Nice read but those publishers are idiots. The only way android will be killed of is if apple takes over the world and burns down google
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

I pretty much summed up the article that if, Google doesn't take tighter control of how the suppliers are updating the phones, and if Google themselves do not ease up on releasing updates, then it might drive people away from Android phones due to the lack of support.

Twoddle.
At last report (that I know of), 300,000 people a day were activating new Android phones. I'm gonna guess here, but I reckon about 90% of those people don't give a monkeys about updated ROMs and new features. They don't understand enough about their phones to care. (Not an insult - just a statement.)
They'll keep their phone for the next 12/18/24 months and then get a nice new shiny one with the same OS cos it'll remember their contacts and they can download the same apps again.
Anyone that's in the other 10% know exactly how to modify the phone to suit their needs, and will only buy another phone because of the hardware. They know full well they can put whatever OS and apps on there they want.
For every bunch of people that leave Android to go iPhone, there'll be an equally sized bunch of people that leave iPhone to go Android. Change the OS names in that last sentence for other OSs to complete the story.
Analysts don't know squat. They're paid to make predictions that are less founded in reality than astrology. Besides, you can't be an analyst without anal.

Well said and very true
johncmolyneux said:
Twoddle.
At last report (that I know of), 300,000 people a day were activating new Android phones. I'm gonna guess here, but I reckon about 90% of those people don't give a monkeys about updated ROMs and new features. They don't understand enough about their phones to care. (Not an insult - just a statement.)
They'll keep their phone for the next 12/18/24 months and then get a nice new shiny one with the same OS cos it'll remember their contacts and they can download the same apps again.
Anyone that's in the other 10% know exactly how to modify the phone to suit their needs, and will only buy another phone because of the hardware. They know full well they can put whatever OS and apps on there they want.
For every bunch of people that leave Android to go iPhone, there'll be an equally sized bunch of people that leave iPhone to go Android. Change the OS names in that last sentence for other OSs to complete the story.
Analysts don't know squat. They're paid to make predictions that are less founded in reality than astrology. Besides, you can't be an analyst without anal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

A majority of customers don't care about updating the firmware of the phone. If it works, they won't complain. If it doesn't work, they'll bring it back for a warranty repair or simply get a new phone.

johncmolyneux said:
Twoddle.
At last report (that I know of), 300,000 people a day were activating new Android phones. I'm gonna guess here, but I reckon about 90% of those people don't give a monkeys about updated ROMs and new features. They don't understand enough about their phones to care. (Not an insult - just a statement.)
They'll keep their phone for the next 12/18/24 months and then get a nice new shiny one with the same OS cos it'll remember their contacts and they can download the same apps again.
Anyone that's in the other 10% know exactly how to modify the phone to suit their needs, and will only buy another phone because of the hardware. They know full well they can put whatever OS and apps on there they want.
For every bunch of people that leave Android to go iPhone, there'll be an equally sized bunch of people that leave iPhone to go Android. Change the OS names in that last sentence for other OSs to complete the story.
Analysts don't know squat. They're paid to make predictions that are less founded in reality than astrology. Besides, you can't be an analyst without anal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely right.
On the other hand, i'm right outside that 10% bunch, but i'm just 17 and if i **** up my phone it won't be so good for me. I rooted, but i guess i am dumb enough not to know terminals and flashing and pushing stuff here and there
Anyhow- Android won't be killed. That's like when they said Linux was to be killed off in the early 2000's because Windows machines were supplied with an X amount of memory (about a 100mb extra than those running a distro)

Won't happen I mean come on what you think is the alternative? They want to pay the license? What happens if upgrade comes? who you think will pick up RIM? lol they are dead who else iOS? Sorry thats for iPanzy and who use that come on now, only other alternative is WM.
Also who wants to fight big Google? You think they will let it go easy? They can buy the ****ing company out and change the decision if they cared to just to send single message. Also then you have the user who can and is doing what they want hence you are on XDA? F the carrier support thats like saying you are bound to software hence your PC?
But the biggest problem with mobile world is the hardware which is not actually openly shared as opposed to computing world, where one can actually code the driver for support. BTW voddles your last sentence didn't make sense what so ever take it from someone who been using Slackware since it was created.

I for myself isn't that impressed of Android anymore.
Having used an X10 Mini since May 2010 (now 2.1 and some extra updates)
Wanted the Mini for the Android Hype, Spotify music streaming and smallness.
Love the phone still but getting more and more angered of lack of decent software/apps
Hate all the Android keyboards(not because of it's tiny on a 2.6" screen) but the lack of arrow keys and stupidity behavior (like unable to mark text and enter new).
Search function is limited too (In Market and others) It's impossible to editing an old search, you have to enter everything again.
Also getting more and more irritated on the Google in general.
Wanna have a new non Win, IOS, Bada, Android or Nokia stuff. Phone OS. Now.
Will not follow your guys inte 2.2 or 2.3

Journalism just seems to go down the toilet in the highly competitive virtual world of the internet.
"While HTC appears to be ahead of the game at getting new updates to uses, some outfits, particularly Motorola are developing a jolly bad name for themselves. You could upgrade yourself but he problem is getting your paws on unlocked boot loaders. Motorola's upcoming phones have locked bootloaders."
Locked bootloaders have nothing to do with official updates.
"However it looks to us like Google is going to need to put its foot down fast before the suppliers start killing off its operating system. The last thing people want is to get an Android phone and find it can't do something that has been advertised because some phone maker could not be bothered upgrading."
Put its foot down on a free OS? Ads go out advertising that all Android phones support roms? That all Android phone are upgradeable to the latest, greatest Android OS?
The whole article looks to be written by someone attempting to be sensational but really has no clue.
I remember when Android was new and you had all these manufacturers "skinning" Android. I was worried that a user may confuse a skin with the primary OS and incorrectly give credit or blame to that skin. People seem to love Sense UI and hate Motoblur. You impression of Android could vary depending on if you used an HTC vs a Motorola. That clearly did not happen.

Blåburk said:
I for myself isn't that impressed of Android anymore.
Having used an X10 Mini since May 2010 (now 2.1 and some extra updates)
Wanted the Mini for the Android Hype, Spotify music streaming and smallness.
Love the phone still but getting more and more angered of lack of decent software/apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'Lack of decent apps'?
Know why there seems to be a lack here?
You live in Sweden.
Last.fm doesn't work, Goggles doesn't work, Quickoffice doesn't work, trillian is probably locked out too...
Why didn't you get a netbook anyway?
Mine cost the same as the x10 mini did in May 2010.
Hate all the Android keyboards(not because of it's tiny on a 2.6" screen) but the lack of arrow keys and stupidity behavior (like unable to mark text and enter new).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's what you wanted when you got the phone, why didn't you turn it in right away?
Yeah, they have arrow keys - on the ones with a sliding keyboard. Idiot.
Also getting more and more irritated on the Google in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'The Google'? What does Google have to do with your Sony Ericsson phone?

Never gonna happen.
ksizzle9 said:
Nice read but those publishers are idiots. The only way android will be killed of is if apple takes over the world and burns down google
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Everything said here is somewhat true and somewhat false. We all have our opinions, we all have different expectations from our phones...
What i don't understand is, and i say this from a developer perspective, why would any mobile device manufacturer, like Sony, lock out their devices? Same goes for Apple etc etc
I mean, i think far more ppl would actually buy their products if they know that they have a open device and that it can run on all carriers. I mean, i actually bought my 1st iPhone just because of the fact that someone made an unlock tool so u could use it outside of AT&T networks...
As for the OS side, Android wont die ofc, and i believe its a good thing that Google publishes updates to it so fast. This means they are really dedicated to the project and that they really care for developers so they can make much better apps, with more features and capabilities.

voddles said:
'Lack of decent apps'?
Know why there seems to be a lack here?
You live in Sweden.
Last.fm doesn't work, Goggles doesn't work, Quickoffice doesn't work, trillian is probably locked out too...
Why didn't you get a netbook anyway?
Mine cost the same as the x10 mini did in May 2010.
If that's what you wanted when you got the phone, why didn't you turn it in right away?
Yeah, they have arrow keys - on the ones with a sliding keyboard. Idiot.
'The Google'? What does Google have to do with your Sony Ericsson phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your IQ level with the world, hopes you will be able to eat with a spoon sometimes in the future.
Just one remark a phone made by SE but using the Google Android do have a somethings with the Google to do, doesn't it.
The rest of what you wrote is not worth comments.
Sorry for upsetting you

When do you think an android OS for desktops will be created?

Blåburk said:
Thanks for sharing your IQ level with the world, hopes you will be able to eat with a spoon sometimes in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL now thats comedy.
I have to somewhat agree with you about the virtual keyboard. Now coming from HD2 which has the best stock keyboard I have ever seen. The arrow key and able to select via drag is best when you typing but on AOSP the whole idea is retarded. I can still type every fast but not fast as I once was on HD2 then again where is that whole 4.3" out there.

Nice read but those publishers are idiots.

I personally am always going to be sticking with HTC. They usually update most of there phones and even if they dont someone will have rooted it and just made a <insert android version here> rom. Plus even if no one can root it i still love Htc Sense and it looks 100x better than Motoblur or whatever Sony uses.

Blåburk said:
Thanks for sharing your IQ level with the world, hopes you will be able to eat with a spoon sometimes in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now now children... please lighten up, much more important things in this world to be getting upset or to "fight" over... honestly...
a subs0nic G2 bass cann0n blast0id via andr0id

so true.....only 10% of peopel like us know what we really want to do with our phones....

Call for Action! Viewsonic G Tablet & Honeycomb

After reading the thread and watching a Youtube video posted here regarding Viewsonic not supporting the G Tablet but migrating on to their next version of this device, that is not all true.
I called Viewsonic and expressed wanting access to Honeycomb as official release to G Tablet customers by Viewsonic and was told they are logging the calls. So people need to at least call in once, at (866) 501-6405. The info goes to their sales team and they are in contact with Google regarding getting Honeycomb. No release date as of yet but it looks favorable because it is in Google's best interest Honeycomb gives us access to Android Marketplace. We can move it along faster by increasing the numbers (immediate need) through telephoning.
Thanks, all for your support!
FYI I praised the device first, which I am happy with it, and then stated I was interested in getting an official copy of Honeycomb from them.

Wow. Sounds cool, who knows when viewsonic will get honeycomb. With that and with some marketing, the viewsonic g-tablet would be much better than most tablets in the market. XD
PS: I would call but i am in mexico. Hope many people call.

Pazzu510 said:
Wow. Sounds cool, who knows when viewsonic will get honeycomb. With that and with some marketing, the viewsonic g-tablet would be much better than most tablets in the market. XD
PS: I would call but i am in mexico. Hope many people call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's a toll free number given

dont forget to also ask for official flash support. still waiting.

Sm0k3d 0uT said:
it's a toll free number given
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For those who are not familiar with other countries and how telephones work - Toll-free numbers do not work internationally.
Some numbers are good for US and Canada, but I have never heard of a toll-free US number that can be dialed from Mexico.
LOL. Maybe smoke a little less?

What is this "Mexico" you speak of? I am pretty sure the United States and Canada are the only countries/continents on the planet Earth. I learned that in school! (I am being facetious by the way).
You might be able to call toll-free over Skype. I know they are working on getting more countries covered through Skype.

XD. Yes i am from mexico and even if we got our own toll free numbers, they are not the same as the US ones; but dont worry, i bet i am one of the only people that has a g-tablet in the country(apart from those guys in the border) and i dont think much of them know much about flashing or other things like that.
Good thing is that you dont lose much calls to viewsonic because we are minority, bad thing is that i cant help with this. XD
But i got your back(Moraly).
BTW: Viewsonic should think about selling here. People are liking tablets a lot, they have a good product for a good price and the target-market for that kind of tablet is huge. All we have is mediocre overpriced tablets like a 16gb ipad for about 1,020 dollars and galaxy for the same price; I think we would be lucky to get the xoom for less than 1350 dollars(That is why i researched and bought the great g-tablet[if you wanted to know])

nunjabusiness said:
For those who are not familiar with other countries and how telephones work - Toll-free numbers do not work internationally.
Some numbers are good for US and Canada, but I have never heard of a toll-free US number that can be dialed from Mexico.
LOL. Maybe smoke a little less?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually, there are such things as International Toll Free numbers.
Why not try it first then comment later

+1 for call in. Took less than 5 minutes.

the devs here will probably have honeycomb working long before viewsonic does (if they do decide to provide an upgrade). A lot of phones right now are just getting Froyo while Gingerbread has already been released

just called
the guy told me that it would be logical to upgrade to honeycomb,but said they have no official word on the matter. Not sure but the guy sounded optimistic to me,not really sure how to explain that.

While I applaud their commitment and determination, there are just some better benefits you get from having an official copy. Like product updates when they discover some flaws in the OS.
The devs on this site do provide a wealth of knowledge when it comes to hardware add-ons, upgrades and tweaks so I will continue to frequent the site. With any website we all realize it is a numbers game, whatever you can do to keep the frequent site visits. To each his own preference of how they would like to get their hands on Honeycomb.

Waiting on Honeycomb
If i have to buy a XOOM just get get the software; I will ; then i'll return it within 14 days to get my Money Back/

If i have to buy a XOOM just get get the software; I will ; then i'll return it within 14 days to get my Money Back/
Not necessary, it is in Google's best interest to release the software to all android tabs. How some are making this personal when it is business is beyond me.
So they didn't support using froyo, on android tabs. Quite understandable, but the bottom line is people want android so bad they are willing to support any version of it on a tab with their purchasing power. As a business owner, I would find that complimentary. Not too mention, these are potential marketplace customers ripe for the picking. Not hard to deduce they will make the OS available based on the "built-in customer" base.

So they didn't support using froyo, on android tabs. Quite understandable, but the bottom line is people want android so bad they are willing to support any version of it on a tab with their purchasing power. As a business owner, I would find that complimentary. Not too mention, these are potential marketplace customers ripe for the picking. Not hard to deduce they will make the OS available based on the "built-in customer" base.

Not to lead the thread too far away, but anyone else amused that the Xoom comes without an official Flash version on it? So our $359 tablet beats their $800 tablet when it comes to actually doing things?

EwanG said:
Not to lead the thread too far away, but anyone else amused that the Xoom comes without an official Flash version on it? So our $359 tablet beats their $800 tablet when it comes to actually doing things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I saw that I died laughing........ And no WiFi units for some time down the road. I love my G tablet.

Well...we don't have an official flash either....I'm sure xoom will work with unofficial flash also...

And the Xoom will have flash 10.2 within a few weeks...
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/02/2...e+(droid+life)&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

For all intents and purposes, unless hardware issues prevent it, there's no reason VS would have to not port Honeycomb to the G Tab eventually. It's a matter of time.
Of course what many of people have to realize is that their Android build isn't done in-house, so they don't really have 100% control of the 'timing' or direct control over the detailed elements in the UI.
For example, HTC/Motorola/LG/Samsung/Dell, etc. routes are more or less direct - Google releases their SDK, they grab it, they grab the newest drivers/fw etc from their board vendor(s) and voila, they release their own UI to various devices. This is the fastest method...even though they all take a while to release updates in any case.
Viewsonic however, seems to depend on TnT which is a customized UI from a different company designed for these type of tablets....which means it's up to someone else to incorporate the newest Tegra drivers from Nvidia and the newest software and firmware from the part manuf. of the "Harmony" build - whether that comes from Malata directly or is worked on by the TnT team/VS team, I don't know. I do know that they don't build TnT, so that's an extra step in that process.
It's not as direct a route per se, which means that it will likely take longer to see updates and that the updates are not guaranteed to include the most recent software, because of the extended 'journey' of software development.
If VS were able to cut out TnT however, and use 'good' in-house devs and a 'vanilla' OS then it would be quicker for sure and possibly better for the general consumer.
There was a response by VS the other day in here somewhere that seemed to POSSIBLY hint toward a change to that? (hopefully - but I could be reading into it incorrectly).
I'd LOVE to have a good official VS android build as well. I really appreciate the devs and what they do, but relying on xda CAN be risky business. It's not unheard of for a xda dev to move on from one device to another or from one flavor of ROM to the next. Then you find that your favorite ROM gets less time than another or that it gets left behind completely. That's human nature. If I were a dev. I would work on the device I like and the flavor of Android/UI/ROM I prefer, so I completely understand. An official 'channel' is great in that you know (more or less) that you're going to get your updates and fixes.
In a perfect Android world, these companies would just give us an option....
brand new vanilla including newest drivers/firmware and maybe at some later point, their 'flavor'. Alas, this isn't Windows 7 and I guess it's just not in the cards to play out that way. So we just have to be patient. I doubt calling in will help more so than them already seeing overwhelming interest both in twitter and in here. But I suppose when you really want something, nothing beats a fail but a try.

Is this the END of updates in our Gtablet?

i have read some post from Nvidia.. im just kinda confuse..
http://www.androidcentral.com/nvidia-stop-supporting-harmony-platform-past-froyo
do they really trashing our tablet ? no more drivers for future updates?

that's an old article and speculation has been around since it's original release. From updated stories, Nvidea claims that it WILL provide support IF the manufacturers request it. It's confusing becuase Nvidea says it wants Honeycomb from Google, Viewsonic wants drivers from Nvidea. Google won't approve use of their market or code for Viewsonic, and of course, WE want it all.
So, as it stands right now:
Google will only release Honeycomb to their approved vendors
Nvidea wants Honeycomb, and will support Harmony boards IF manufactureres request it
Viewsonic will update what they currently have, but can't advance their Harmony based products without Nvidea's cooperation.
WE are sitting with Froyo systems with no hardware acceleration becuase either Nvidea isn't providing it, or Viewsonic is not requesting it (or it cant be done) and getting Honeycomb is a pipe dream, since that all depends on Google.
I think I summed it up nicely, but there are a plethora of posts dealing with this exact topic.

That's why my next device is gonna be an apple ipad. They support their devices after more than 3 years. I will never buy anything with the damn android logo or OS on it. Screw you Google, screw you all android companies, you deserve it. I can't believe that I bought 2 new gtablets to become obsolete and without future in the moment I opened the box. If that's the "experience" that google want from android users, so well I got the "experience", now you can make a roll with android and stuck where you know, Google and Android
By the way I know this is old news, but each company is throwing the ball to others and I see they don't give a damn about users.

It's not Google's fault.

It is Google fault for not given permission to companies for using the sources needed, and the companies for no giving support to android. It is Google fault for the mess a Google Market, being not accessible to a most devices, and for the mess with all android versions.
So go and kiss Google if you a fan of them, but don't take out the blame from them because they are guilty as the companies. For me is the end of all Google related products , I'm sick of them. They become the Microsoft of the 2000's.
Bye bye Google and Android.

kekinash said:
It is Google fault for not given permission to companies for using the sources needed, and the companies for no giving support to android. It is Google fault for the mess a Google Market, being not accessible to a most devices, and for the mess with all android versions.
So go and kiss Google if you a fan of them, but don't take out the blame from them because they are guilty as the companies. For me is the end of all Google related products , I'm sick of them. They become the Microsoft of the 2000's.
Bye bye Google and Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, only "Google experience" devices get full Market access... anyone can build an Android device... anyone can use Android... but they have to partner with Google to get Market access and early access to Android... Viewsonic does not have this partnership... (No, I'm not a die hard fan of Google, but I do love Android).
It's basically up to the manufactures to ask for Google support (and pay for it)...

kekinash said:
It is Google fault for not given permission to companies for using the sources needed, and the companies for no giving support to android. It is Google fault for the mess a Google Market, being not accessible to a most devices, and for the mess with all android versions.
So go and kiss Google if you a fan of them, but don't take out the blame from them because they are guilty as the companies. For me is the end of all Google related products , I'm sick of them. They become the Microsoft of the 2000's.
Bye bye Google and Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really.
Google sets certain standards that have to be met (primarily hardware features) on a device for that device to have "google support" which it basically Market, Gmail, Gtalk, etc....all the Google provided apps.
As mentioned....anyone can build a device and run Android on it.....download the source code from AOSP and go to town. However...AOSP doesn't have or support the Google proprietary apps (Market, Gmail, etc..).
So, it's not Google's fault, it's the device manufacturers fault for being cheap and not adding the required hardware components to the devices to gain Google support.
This is also another reason why Honeycomb (OS 3.0) hasn't been released to open source yet.....hardware requirements are changing (3G not required, etc...) but they are still wanting a cohesive tablet design.
All these cheap android tablets are built to be cheap....because most people only want to pay xx amount. This gets you a "non supported" device....but if you are on this board.....you know that going in on the purchase. It's the community of developers that increase the overall function and use of these cheap "non supported" tablets.
If you wanted a "Google supported" device, buy one. Xoom, Acer Iconia, ASUS Transformer, etc.... Not a Viewsonic Gtabet, 10s, Nook Color, Coby whatever, Folio 100, etc...etc...etc...
Apple makes the iPad and the iOS running on it.....of course they support it.
Viewsonic makes neither the device or the OS.

thank you tcrews. well said

with all of this being said, I bought a G-tab knowing that it wouldn't be an exceptional piece of hardware out of the box. I knew that it took tweeking. I love my Vegan 5.1.1 system, and enjoy using it every day for games, surfing, news, adding sheet music to it, downloading PDFs for upcoming meetings. It's much more convenient than taking a binder full of music, or a stack of papers into a meeting. My son can watch movies on it, or play games, and the battery lasts longer than my Acer netbook.
Is it the best thing on the market, HELL no...but it's also not the most expensive, either.
AAs far as Google partnerships, I suspect that it's their pressure that intimidates companies. After all, as was mentioned, if you want full Google support, you need to buy a partnered piece of hardware. They typically cost more, simply due to the partnership. SO, in the case of viewsonic specifically, the great devs here have devised a way to bypass the partnership (limited bypass, but still a bypass) So, what's Viewsonic's motivation to acquiring said partnership? If Nvidea is trying to get one, perhaps it was Google that stipulated that Honeycomb will not be available on their Harmony platform.
We all know that if the devs here have hardware drivers for Harmony, and eventually code for Honeycomb, EVERY g-tab owner will have both, without requiring Viewsonic to get a partnership with Google.
So, fault lies in a few places (although definitely not warrented or deserved)
1st, to viewsonic for making such a hackable device. We ALL love the fact that we can put on it, basically, whatever we want. this thing is easier to "jailbreak" than an iPod touch.
2nd, to the devs on this site. They have done WONDERFUL work, for FREE to make our experience what it should be. Indirectly, though, the fact that they've made it "look" so easy, would certainly lead to companies doing whatever it takes to protect their assets.
Think of it this way...Since Google makes profit on the sales of their "approved" devices, why on Earth would they want to give the devs here a chance to make the G-Tablet be able to keep up with the devices that are yet to come? It would be Google that would need to explain to Asus, Motorola, HTC, etc. why people aren't buying their golden tablets, over the discount priced G-tab.
My only complaint in all of this is that Gingerbread is a potential reality on the G-tab. The Harmony board will obviously support it and run it. I would be happy if Nvidea would continue development to make a "STOCK" G-tab perform the way that it's hardware was designed to perform. After that, the devs here could tweak it to make it perform better than anticipated. Once Nvidea updates their drivers to utilize all of the hardware acceleration that the Harmony board is capable of, then I would be fine if their abandoned it.
Hell, in all of this discussion, I find that of the 3 computers I own, 2 are running XP, one is running Vista. I'm obviously not a person that is into the "MUST HAVE THE NEWEST" mentality. I'm sure my Acer would nearly explode if I tried running Windows 7 on it, but I'm not upset...XP works fantastically on it. Same with the G-tab. Honeycomb may run, it may be glitchy, it may have bugs, it may make my G-tab explode...regardless, I'm happy with what I have, but would like the hardware acceleration that I know it can handle.
Todd

Thanks tcrews for the explanation, but I think that companies must put somewhere that the device they sell you doesn't have the blessing of google, or they can't access the market and that you will end with an unsupported and obsolete device after you bough it. for a mere 150 dollars more I can have a device that I know for sure is gonna be supported for more than a year. The same happened with my 2 android phones. I bought them and didn't see any update or fix for all the mess with the Android OS, and the same happens with a lot of devices or phones. The companies just put them on the market knowing that they will not be supported in the future. When it was a cheap phone, that was OK for me, but for a phone you pay more that 400 bucks it's an insult.
Simply put Android right now is a big mess, and will stay in the future far from it, until they fix the mess and companies start giving support to what they sell.

I share your view kekinash.
I don't care who's fault it is, the point is Android is a mess unless you want to get into development, hacking, etc. (All of which I can do to an extent).
I have an android phone made by Samsung, I've got the G-tablet, and I used to have a Motorola android phone. Each device has had a number of unexplained issues, of which no one tends to take responsibility for or any level of accountability. The fingerpointing I observed with my current Samsung phone is nothing short of comical. It's AT&T's issue, oh no, it's Samsung that does the software, oh no, you have to call Google "Android support". Nonsense.
My wife has had to iphones, and as much as I despise Apple, any issues (and they were minimal) were resolved quickly. And, you don't have the issue of the same app not working on the same version of the OS. Yes, Apple will discontinue support for older devices just like anyone else, but I've never fought with the iphone as much as I have to do circus acts with these Android-based devices.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect everyone's opinion. I love the Android "concept", but the execution, for me, is far from worth my time.
That's why, whether good or bad, an ipad costs what it does.

kekinash said:
That's why my next device is gonna be an apple ipad. They support their devices after more than 3 years. I will never buy anything with the damn android logo or OS on it. Screw you Google, screw you all android companies, you deserve it. I can't believe that I bought 2 new gtablets to become obsolete and without future in the moment I opened the box. If that's the "experience" that google want from android users, so well I got the "experience", now you can make a roll with android and stuck where you know, Google and Android
By the way I know this is old news, but each company is throwing the ball to others and I see they don't give a damn about users.
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Why must we be bothered with cr-apple plugs on a Android forum? Just go over to cr-apple you don't have to announce it. These type of posts leads us to believe you are just a fanboy trolling.

Yeah, typical answer from a fanboy. I not married to either company, I just pointing the differences between both OS, on one (IOs) you get support, on the other (Android) you're at your own.
It's my right to criticize the things I see wrong, you may like it or not, agree or not, but you can't take this right from me, at least here at the States. And saying what another company is doing right is not to be a fanboy.
And by the way, if the developers here and in another places weren't doing a great job with Android, the OS will be a Sh*t, specially with the g tablet, so a big thanks goes to them. I using a non stock rom and this is the only thing that avoided to send back the 2 tables I have.

This thread is not being productive at all. Closed.

Why Viewsonic hates us

Viewsonic announced it's Honeycomb tablet @ 7 inches. Which means they have the HC source code... which means they hate the gtab community.... because we don't get it, even for modding purposes.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/12/viewsonic-7x-shrinks-honeycomb-to-7-inches-for-the-tiny-handed/

They don't hate the Gtab community. Don't try to anthropomorphize a corporation because you will only end up sad and depressed. All Viewsonic wants is to make money by putting out products and then putting out more products. We are numbers, not faces.

Fair enough. I suppose I am a bit idealistic that they would continue to support something older. Perhaps more my frustration is the lack of source code when it could be given... but that it an entitlement mentality I suppose.

forgiventhief said:
Fair enough. I suppose I am a bit idealistic that they would continue to support something older. Perhaps more my frustration is the lack of source code when it could be given... but that it an entitlement mentality I suppose.
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stop caving because one person says something!!!!
and to the user that commented to the OP, thought the info you stated (numbers, not faces) is true, STOP ACTING LIKE IT'S ACCEPTABLE.
To many 300 to 500 dollars is a lot of money and the company has a moral obligation to support it for a reasonable amount of time. This was in no way accomplished by viewsonic. Horrible business ethics and I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VIEWSONIC PRODUCT. you vote with your purchasing power and viewsonic lost mine, my family's and my friend's votes.
as an aside, I suspect seeing all the progress made viewsonic might try to "save the day" and eventually release something for our g tab honeycomb flavored. I'm not fooled and you shouldn't be either. Your support should be for the devs like roebeet. If your running honeycomb and you haven't donated to him or the adamdevs you should feel worse than viewsonic.
vote with your money, I VOTE FOR OUR DEV COMMUNITY!
(before I get any posts about talking about donation, donation doesn't imply 3,000 dollars. Even if it's only a dollar, it says something.)

You do realize viewsonic just slapped their name on the Malta, right? You're mad at the wrong company.

schettj said:
You do realize viewsonic just slapped their name on the Malta, right? You're mad at the wrong company.
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Doesn't matter, though. As soon as VS slapped their name on it, they've adopted it.
The way VS is treating the gtab is worse than just numbers. They have intentionally ignored it, not giving it any press or anything at all. There isn't even a direct link to the gtab from their main website.
The gtab is doing way better than other "real" VS devices. It's the number 1 seller on amazon for goodness sake. I'm still baffled why VS isn't putting more energy into the gtab. It's like they don't even wanna mention it.

I think it is a way to get more people to move to their ViewPad line and off of the GTab. I will not switch to their new line just because they put 3.0 on it. Our Devs will get a port over to the GTab and it will blow their new line out of the water. Shady tactics if you ask me.

goodintentions said:
Doesn't matter, though. As soon as VS slapped their name on it, they've adopted it.
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But they don't have any code... they have no development resources. They have a brand name. Whooo.
Seriously.

goodintentions said:
It's the number 1 seller on amazon for goodness sake.
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Yes, it was for the week it was on blowout $280 clearance. Look, it's a great bit of first gen tegra2 tablet hardware with a dreadful screen that would make it unsellable at any price other than "half of what everyone else charges".
That's dropping under $200-$225 now, which is probably well below the breakeven point. So enjoy it, and support the hackers hacking away, but forget about any serious support for it from VS. You'll be much happier.

yes, the code for our G-tabs belongs to Malata, but so does the code for the Vega and the Adam. They are rumored to be at least getting official GB roms WITH hardware acceleration. VS is to blame for not providing us with that as well. If they do, but are keeping it hush-hush, I'll change my opinion.
Of course, Vega and Adam are running on the new 1.2 bootloader (always have been). Now VS teases us with an update that they pull, that is on the 1.2 bootlaoder? In essence, VS provided our devs, very briefly, with the tools needed to port any updates from Adam or Vega. So, while not actually giving us what we've requested, they are letting other companies, and third party developers do their work for them.
It may be that Malata has abandoned VS for their lack of support for the G-Tab, so Malata cut them off from future development releases.

snapz54 said:
and to the user that commented to the OP, thought the info you stated (numbers, not faces) is true, STOP ACTING LIKE IT'S ACCEPTABLE.
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I didn't say it's acceptable. In fact it makes me just as mad as it seems to have made you and I have made my opinion on that fact known many times on this board and the Nvidia developer board. I'm just saying that the people who want these updates are currently in the minority. I agree that we should get updates but we have to realize that might not happen. In fact I'd much rather use homegrown software from the fine developers on XDA, Cyanogen, and any other dev website that's working for better things for the Gtab than anything Viewsonic/Malata/Nvidia puts out anyhow.
This whole frequently updated software thing is new to the world. I mean think about Apple and Microsoft. Microsoft updated like once every five years. Apple was better, but in both cases users were made to pay for the updates. Now we buy these devices and expect free software updates indefinetly? Sounds good to me, but what about these companies? Where is the money for them? What incentive to they have to churn out more software at no charge to the customer? I'm just saying that there are two sides to this argument and both should be represented.

adampdx said:
This whole frequently updated software thing is new to the world. I mean think about Apple and Microsoft. Microsoft updated like once every five years. Apple was better, but in both cases users were made to pay for the updates.
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What color is the sky in your world?
The problem with Android is exactly the problem Google is trying to get a handle on....
Fragmentation.
When you leave updates up to the the hardware manufactures, you're guaranteed to screw your customers. Because the only way the HW guys make any money at all is by having the customer buy new hardware to get the shiny new features.
Hopefully Google will be able to beat these guys into submission, but I do feel for them... they thought they were getting in on a great thing with a cheap OS for their hardware, and instead they were turned into commodity manufacturers delivering Google ad revenue to Google. Ah well.

I'd much rather use homegrown software from the fine developers on XDA, Cyanogen, and any other dev website that's working for better things for the Gtab than anything Viewsonic/Malata/Nvidia puts out anyhow.
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But it's these updates that custom rom devs use to get the information they need to make their roms. If we ever get official hardware acceleration it will be bundled into one of the officially released updates. The drivers can then be added to existing roms, or future roms. The bottom line is that we NEED official updates if we are to ever get the G-tablet to reach it's full potential.
Now we buy these devices and expect free software updates indefinetly? Sounds good to me, but what about these companies?
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These companies, namely VS knows that they put out a crap product, in regard to software. In fact, they, at one point, directed their customers HERE for support for their device. They released a product in which the hardware outclassed the software. What we paid for was hardware, plain and simple. only recently have people actually said they're using stock firmware and it doesn't suck. Prior to the latest updates (3588 and later) I would suspect that everyone that bought a G-tablet, including myself, KNEW that they were going to have to flash a custom Rom. Just a few days ago, another 850+ G-tabs were sold on Woot, again. At one point it was the top seller on Amazon. VS has to save a little face and continue to support their software, and yes, provide updates.
Fortunately for VS, Notion Ink seems more interested in updating their product for us...of course, VS had to sneak in the 1.2 dev branch that's shared by the Adam.

some good points have been made, but none of the ones supporting VS have been valid.
slapping your name on something instantly slaps responsibility on you, this "passing the buck" mentality is a big part of whats wrong with the world. Everyone can blame someone else and nothing gets done.
The consequences in some small part are now realized. Myself and others will not support viewsonic in any capacity in the future. Actions like this catch up with you, VS is a horrible company that saw an opportunity to make a quick buck without a moments thought of how it might affect anyone.
stop supporting these type of actions, they are wrong.

snapz54 said:
some good points have been made, but none of the ones supporting VS have been valid.
slapping your name on something instantly slaps responsibility on you, this "passing the buck" mentality is a big part of whats wrong with the world. Everyone can blame someone else and nothing gets done.
The consequences in some small part are now realized. Myself and others will not support viewsonic in any capacity in the future. Actions like this catch up with you, VS is a horrible company that saw an opportunity to make a quick buck without a moments thought of how it might affect anyone.
stop supporting these type of actions, they are wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you bought an $800.00 xoom?

snapz54 said:
stop supporting these type of actions, they are wrong.
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Click to collapse
That would be "don't buy the product"
Since I wanted a device I can experiment with, and didn't want to spend more than $280, this was the only device available.
I bought it knowing what it was. An orphan device with no significant Vendor support.

i thought google said they aren't going to release honeycomb SDK? so doesn't that mean manufacturers are not allowed to release it?
but i guess if we buy the next VS tablet. we can port a honeycomb rom from that to the gtab.

ninditsu said:
i thought google said they aren't going to release honeycomb SDK? so doesn't that mean manufacturers are not allowed to release it?
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You're confusing SDK (Software Development Kit) with Source Code. That said, up to this point, Google has been reluctant to release the Source Code for Honeycomb for - what I can only assume is - the purpose of reducing hardware fragmentation and QA purposes.

schettj said:
What color is the sky in your world?
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Ha! Always good to get a laugh out of these heated discussions. As far as fragmentation goes, I agree. It's a problem that Google created and now they're trying to fix. I'm not sure I can imagine a world where there are several hundred different pieces of tech floating around from different manufactures that all use software provided by a singular, separate company. Oh, wait...that sounds like WINDOWS. He he... I wouldn't dare compare our beloved Google to the likes of Microsoft. Never.

schettj said:
That would be "don't buy the product"
Since I wanted a device I can experiment with, and didn't want to spend more than $280, this was the only device available.
I bought it knowing what it was. An orphan device with no significant Vendor support.
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Thank you. These things are on clearance for a reason. A lot of people here have unrealistic expectations. Companies don't make money by pouring resources into devices that nobody bought. I remember buying an Atari Lynx back in the day and only had it for about a year before everybody stopped making games for it and they were pulled off the shelves. I never once thought that Atari hated me.