Quickoffice and Polaris Office - Any way to retain edits when multitasking? - Eee Pad Transformer Themes and Apps

I've been waiting for 3.1, hoping that the "enhanced multitasking" would help with apps like Quickoffice and Polaris Office saving edits. Basically, it seems that if you are editing a document in either app and open/use other apps without saving each and every time you're ready to open another app, you run the real risk of losing those edits.
I've been running some tests with 3.1 on my TF, and it doesn't seem to matter where the app is in the recent apps list (meaning, whether it was the last app or the 10th app ago), more often than not edits (changed/added text) are simply lost. Sometimes a doc is returned completely empty, even if it was saved (but opening the saved doc does return to the last saved point).
This is really, really frustrating and a real weakness of the platform if there's no workaround. Perhaps both developers need to change their app to work better in this regard, but this is the first time since switching to Android that I've missed webOS. Such things just don't happen with webOS...
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

This is a big problem.

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[Q] Polaris Office and Google Docs Performance

Hey everyone,
I've been looking closely at the Transformer and it looks like an excellent tablet. The only qualm I have is if I'm going to have it replace some of my other devices for frequent use, it needs to handle Google Docs (or in this case, I suspect the syncing with Polaris Office is the better way to go).
Could anyone tell me how the experience is with syncing between Google Docs? Most importantly, I'm hoping that it can handle relatively complex spreadsheets.
I was going to post an example of the complexity I'm talking about, but I guess I'm too much of a noob to do so yet If you do a Google search for "Epizephyrii Pathfinder Character Sheet" it'll be the first result.
Regular documents are of interest too, but I suspect if it can handle spreadsheets well it'll handle text docs just fine.
Alternatively, how is direct access to docs and spreadsheets on the Transformer? I have an Archos 101 at the moment and haven't been impressed with the lagginess that seems to haunt Google Docs on it.
Thanks!
Locri said:
The only qualm I have is if I'm going to have it replace some of my other devices for frequent use, it needs to handle Google Docs (or in this case, I suspect the syncing with Polaris Office is the better way to go).
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Click to collapse
I'd prefer using Google Docs directly - it's MUCH safer (Polaris Office doesn't auto save). Could someone tell if it's fast enough?
If you mean the Google docs website then I just tried it and it was basically unusable. Not sure why they don't have an app for it :S
Edit - just tried mobile site version and it was useable but really basic compared to the proper site
case0 said:
If you mean the Google docs website then I just tried it and it was basically unusable. Not sure why they don't have an app for it :S
Edit - just tried mobile site version and it was useable but really basic compared to the proper site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats really bad news. Why was it unusable? Slow? Or problems with input?
Yeah, I would forget about using the Google Docs site, especially with those complex spreadsheets. I pulled it up on the stock browser and while it would display it, you couldn't really navigate or scroll around it.
I tried to log into to my Google Docs account through Polaris, but kept getting a log in error. Not sure if others are having this problem, but meant that I couldn't really test out that example spreadsheet.
However I do have two paid Office suites available (Docs to Go and Quick Office Pro HD) so I accessed the spreadsheet through those. Docs to Go struggled, in fact made the file read only since there were so many elements it couldn't display. Quick Office fared much better, it displayed the spreadsheet, I could navigate around it and enter text into the cells. Not sure how close it looks to the desktop version.
I would imagine that if a paid app like Docs to Go is struggling, then the free Polaris might also have some issues. At the moment Quick Office seems like your best bet.
You mean it's hard to navigate (touchpad/mouse and keyboard should help then) or doesn't work properly at all? I'm interested in the writing app more than spreadsheet (but simple spreadsheets must work too). Maybe it's better in some other browser? Firefox?
Magnesus said:
You mean it's hard to navigate (touchpad/mouse and keyboard should help then) or doesn't work properly at all? I'm interested in the writing app more than spreadsheet (but simple spreadsheets must work too). Maybe it's better in some other browser? Firefox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found it hard to navigate because of lag, but text input didn't work for me either. Firefox displays websites in their mobile formats so couldn't test it on that browser.
Now that a few more people have the Transformer in their hands (lucky arses ), can anyone answer this question? How well does Polaris Office interact with Google Docs and especially spreadsheets?
I don't care so much that it doesn't auto-save, I can do that myself, but considering the poor showing of Google's Docs app, I'm hoping there will be something much better.
Thanks!
I have the Eee Pad Transformer and I have used the Polaris Office, however you can access the files and download them. I cannot seem to sync it back up though and so that means that the word doc has to be sent via gmail. Does anyone know what you are meant to do to get it to sync back up with Google Docs?
Polaris Office syncs very well with Dropbox... you open any Dropbox Doc or Spreadsheet, it opens, you make changes, close Polaris and Dropbox automatically uploads the doc with updated changes. Dropbox handles this very well. (I imagine the same is true for HD & QuickOffice)
However, Polaris's ability to edit Excel spreadsheets is very limited. I had been hoping to use this on the go, but in my few days of experimenting Polaris changes the format of cells and does not retain formulas, etc. For example, I have billing spreadsheet for work that need to update on the fly. I can update from the TF on Polaris, and access pretty quickly, view the spreadsheet fine. Dropbox uploads the edits just fine, but when I get back to the desktop I have lost formatting, the time and date formatted fields have changed to decimal numbers, date fields are no longer dates (as in 05/07/2011 changes to .40670). It is really more frustrating than useful, so for me it is not usable.
I'd love to hear more about others experiences with other Office apps.
I'm still experimenting with Google Docs... there is a new Google Docs app that I'm hoping will be my solution (although I haven't had a chance yet). I'll update in this thread when I do.
Edit: I also learned Polaris does not like .xlsx spreadsheets... saving as .xls 2003 format seems to work much better; although not fix the formatting problem
case0 said:
If you mean the Google docs website then I just tried it and it was basically unusable. Not sure why they don't have an app for it :S
Edit - just tried mobile site version and it was useable but really basic compared to the proper site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dled one on the market made by Google...
But yes, it's very simplistic with no options. Not even bold or font change.
Also, with Polaris, is there a quick save option on the keyboard like ctrl+something? That can be an alternative to autosave.
And how come there is no spell checker?!
I finally got my Transformer yesterday and have done some quick informal testing on this issue (along with some testing already done by another forum member who helped me out outside of this thread).
The big takeaway is that while you can open documents from Google Docs, you can't sync them with Google Docs. Anything you modify has to be saved in an Office format and can only be saved locally not to the cloud. For the spreadsheet I was asking about it rendered okay, but I couldn't change any numbers relating to formulas without it sputtering out on me and some sheets it downloaded wrong and left me with a mess.
I'm interested in trying a combo of DropBox and Office, but for Google Docs it sucks.
I also tested Google Docs on various browsers to see how they all performed. The default Android browser rendered everything fine, but was dog slow. Dolphin HD was similarly pretty slow, although not as bad. Opera did a better job yet, but the top of the pack without a doubt ended up being Firefox! I had some problems with it constantly wanting to pop up the keyboard and editing things was a pain, but much less of a pain then the other browsers. For viewing only it was actually really good.
I still have hopes that Google will make some improvements with both the Android browser (why is it, again, that it can't just be a direct Chrome port? why are they bothering with the Chrome OS?), but at the moment there is no way that this could be my only portable device for lack of good Google Docs support alone. Or maybe some other online docs system will work better.
Locri said:
but the top of the pack without a doubt ended up being Firefox! I had some problems with it constantly wanting to pop up the keyboard and editing things was a pain, but much less of a pain then the other browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder how it will work with normal keyboard (keyboard dock or bluethooth/usb one).
but at the moment there is no way that this could be my only portable device for lack of good Google Docs support alone.
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Click to collapse
The same here. And if Google Docs doesn't work other web application will have problems too. Judging by the SunSpider test the tablet should be more than capable of working with such web apps.
A quick test between Polaris and quickoffice. Polaris has a much better ui for viewing and editing docs. As mentioned Polaris only downloads from google docs. It does not save. Quickofficehas a lot more syncing features with docs, dropbox and more.
Edit : I also wanted to point out that quickoffice has a phone and tablet version. You have to buy them separately though. (Just like docs to go). It seems that quickoffice HD has been ported from the mobile version with only some basic tablet features added. This is the likely the reason the ui isn't as good as Polaris. I would hope they update it to be better in the future.
I'm struggling with this too. I do all my school work (uni assignments and document storage) on google docs and I often jump between workstations (home, work, and now the eee pad). Currently the eee pad is the only one I can't just start working then stop and change where I'm working.
I'm going to try the dropbox solution.
RonSykes said:
I'm struggling with this too. I do all my school work (uni assignments and document storage) on google docs and I often jump between workstations (home, work, and now the eee pad). Currently the eee pad is the only one I can't just start working then stop and change where I'm working.
I'm going to try the dropbox solution.
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Click to collapse
I've found that Docs to Go works pretty well. In terms of Google docs integration, it doesn't auto-save, so you have to go File - Save. Unlike Polaris though, it re-saves to the cloud directly.
That means that yes, you could pick up and work on stuff anywhere you go now
Dan76 said:
Polaris Office syncs very well with Dropbox... you open any Dropbox Doc or Spreadsheet, it opens, you make changes, close Polaris and Dropbox automatically uploads the doc with updated changes. Dropbox handles this very well.
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Click to collapse
I cant get this to work. How do you do?
When i opnå docindropbox it open in polaris office, but when i save i get savede on the tablet not in dropbox
michaeltryl said:
I cant get this to work. How do you do?
When i opnå docindropbox it open in polaris office, but when i save i get savede on the tablet not in dropbox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just re-tested it and there's no configuring necessary... it just works. You have dropbox installed, open dropbox and tap on the doc to open it, it will open in Polaris. Edit any way you like, the make sure you click "save" in Polaris on the upper left. Dropbox will then automatically upload the file. I tested and can verify that this works perfectly!
A caveat though, Polaris can only edit Word and Excel 2003 documents. So if you have newer versions on your computer, save it as 2003 first. Otherwise Polaris will crash; in my experience.
I hope that helps.
thanks i used office 2010 doc.it works perfekt with 2003.

Better App than Polaris?

I REALLY dislike this Polaris app. My first real-world experience with it was today and I was taking notes on it. First thing that bother me is that it randomly indented the first bullet in a list and wouldn't unindent it. Its features aren't that great and are pretty clunky to get around.
BUT, the worst part and a HUGE issue is: no auto-save!!!
I was typing my notes, closed the TF for a while, opened it back up and my notes were GONE. The page was blank!
Point is: Where can I get a REAL Office app for honeycomb? I'll pay if I have to.
not saving is just a bad habit, period, i wouldnt blame that on the app.
rhettnis said:
not saving is just a bad habit, period, i wouldnt blame that on the app.
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Click to collapse
Great sentiment. Fact is, you can never predict what's going to happen, so it's very easy just to blame it on him. Maybe an answer to his question next time?
Documents To Go, QuickOffice, and ThinkFree, are a couple of recommended ones, though I've never used any.
In my experience, documents saved with polaris office don't open in anything else (except perhaps, MS Office apps, which I have not tried); quickoffice fails to open them, as does openoffice and libreoffice.
This is completely unacceptable to me, so despite the nice UI and so on, I use quickoffice when I need to edit docs (though its far from ideal, and doesn't integrate that well with the keyboard dock).
doronster195 said:
I REALLY dislike this Polaris app. My first real-world experience with it was today and I was taking notes on it. First thing that bother me is that it randomly indented the first bullet in a list and wouldn't unindent it. Its features aren't that great and are pretty clunky to get around.
BUT, the worst part and a HUGE issue is: no auto-save!!!
I was typing my notes, closed the TF for a while, opened it back up and my notes were GONE. The page was blank!
Point is: Where can I get a REAL Office app for honeycomb? I'll pay if I have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you dislike Polaris then you probably won't be very happy with any other current office suite. Check out my comparison (link is in the signature).
Sent from my TF101
Just had a look at your comparison (excellent, by the way!), and I think I'll be sticking with Polaris myself when my TF arrives.
Polaris is definately the most productive office suite yet on honeycomb.. and I have no problem opening its file in either google doc or ms office
*Daedalus said:
Just had a look at your comparison (excellent, by the way!), and I think I'll be sticking with Polaris myself when my TF arrives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just updated the comparison and put it in the TF forum. New link is in my signature!
How about Google Documents? I use it and it autosaves
doronster195 said:
I was typing my notes, closed the TF for a while, opened it back up and my notes were GONE. The page was blank!
Point is: Where can I get a REAL Office app for honeycomb? I'll pay if I have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This same thing happened to me. I typed some sentences in an existing document, the TF locked in power save and then when I unlocked, the document reverted back to the original document with the new sentences gone.
Just based on this, it isn't ready for prime time. This has nothing to do with the user.
just wait till Softmakers SoftOffice comes out for Android. their windows mobile version of Word was as featureful as Ms word.
haupman said:
This same thing happened to me. I typed some sentences in an existing document, the TF locked in power save and then when I unlocked, the document reverted back to the original document with the new sentences gone.
Just based on this, it isn't ready for prime time. This has nothing to do with the user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically exactly what happened to me. Was in class, started typing, then listened to my teachers lecture. Screen turned off. Turned back on to continue typing, all work was gone.
Have there been any new updates in the mobile word processing field?
Anyone notice you can't copy paste the text you have typed into Polaris office into anywhere else on the tablet? Like, you CAN copy paste within the application itself, but if you copy something and then try to paste it into, say, gmail, or something, it won't paste. It has its own clipboard or something. Very annoying.
I've been using "Jota Text Editor" because I can use the keyboard dock to hit ctrl+s or ctrl+o etc to save and open a document, but unfortunately the dev hasn't added support for bolding or italicizing, etc.
I wish in Polaris I could ctrl+b and ctrl+i and ctrl+u to activate and deactivate bold on things I highlight, that is a big thing for me. If this other text editor can register ctrl+o and such to open a file why can't Polaris?
Jota still has the same copy paste problem as Polaris however, but it is more user-friendly for me. It's like using Notepad on Windows, just a simple text editor.
/end mini-rant
Quick office seems good.....
Sent from my XT720 using XDA App
klau1 said:
just wait till Softmakers SoftOffice comes out for Android. their windows mobile version of Word was as featureful as Ms word.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The beta of TextMaker for Android works very well in retaining document formats from Word & having a decent set of features, it is just very slow at the moment & not ready for release. I don't think it will be long though.
I have tried all the Office apps I can find, SoftMaker are the best for WP, not sure on spreadsheet. QuickOffice has a nice interface but screw up Word documents.
You can always just go to docs.google.com in the browser and use that, it works fine and has all these features.
the one flaw it has is that it cant save word 07 or docx files, docstogo can. But docstogo is to simple and cant insert pictures. i still like polaris a little better.
I was liking Polaris, until I discovered that you can't save a google doc back to the cloud without deleting it and re-uploading it (wiping out the revision history and any sharing settings). Are there any editors that handle this better (other than the crappy official gdocs app or the website)?

Apps crashes

Hey guys/gals. Just got my Sensation and so far no problems, well except for certain apps. Right now I downloaded Pandora and for some reason, without even using it, a screen would pop up and say it has stop and is now terminated. It did it a few times so I uninstalled it. I was wondering if any other apps that anybody here downloaded is doing this. I wonder if gingerbread has anything to do with it. So post up any apps that you have installed on you Sensation that has done this.
Thanks.
my two bits..........
purchased quickoffice pro from android market and it turns out the "office" can't handle simple addition, subtraction formula in excel sheets. same excel file working flawlessly in polaris office and documents to go both, made a a mistake of buying quickoffice for it's added feature of a file browser etc.
wrote to the customer care, no response yet.

Couple of queries to help me switch from SGSII to a WP7

Hey all,
I’m thinking of switching from my Galaxy SII to a Windows Phone 7 based phone. As of now, the switch is temporary till SIII comes out but maybe who knows if I like it, I might just stick to WP7 after all.
Major usage of my phone is in Emailing, Messaging, VOIP, Calls, Navigation, Music, Browsing and News reading. I’m dependant on the following apps on the Android :
Swype
Google Reader
Gmail
Google Docs
Google Maps
Google Talk
YouTube
Any.do (Task management Application)
Dropbox
Polaris Office (Full fledged document editor)
IMO (Multi-messenger)
Skype
Teamviewer (Remote desktop)
My Data Manager (App to keep a track on bandwidth consumption)
and some less frequently used :
Zedge (just an easy to use source for wallpapers and ringtones)
SoundHound
Facebook
So given the above usage pattern and apps that I’m on dependant on, do you think I could switch to WP7 painlessly ? Are there any alternatives available for my apps ? (Swype or something similar is a must)
Couple of more queries..
Also, I’m thinking of getting the Samsung Focus so if I get an unclocked device would there be a possible scare of getting it locked again once I update the firmware (either officially or custom) ?
How is the battery life on the Focus ?
I am not much aware of Sideloading/Jailbreaking of a WP7 device and the Custom ROM scene , is it similar to Android ?
Can I debrand Focus or should I consider Omnia 7 instead ? (I’d prefer Focus as its thinner than Omnia)
What is the best ROM out there and when updating to a newer ROM does it wipes all the data ?
Is there any lag in the phone ? Maybe after installing too many apps (like how some Android phones lag)
Is multi-tasking experience (apps/services running in the background) similar to Android ?
are there any other limitations worth mentioning on WP7 / Samsung Focus?
and what about the plus side of WP7 when comparing to iOS and Android ?
Thanks
There is currently nothing remotely similar to Swype on WP7.
WP7, currently being a closed OS, does not have the option of swapping the native keypad for a Swype version. There's an app called Slyde that attempts to be like Swype, but it cannot until the ecosystem changes.
You will have access to document editing for Word and Excel docs via Office. It's quite handy, especially being able to pin files to your home screen.
Dropbox isn't so dandy yet, IIRC, but you will have access to 25GB of SkyDrive storage.
With what you've mentioned, I'm not sure WP7 will be a smooth transition for you. It's definitely worth a shot to see if you might like it, but will take some getting used to. See what you can live with and what would be a deal breaker.
The WP7 software keyboard is much nicer than I expected, expecially on a largish phone (I have an HD7) but it's true that there's currently no Swype or equivalent available.
There are lots of Google Reader apps available, some quite good.
Gmail integrates pretty well with the phone when you add a Google account. My phone is the primary way I access my Gmail now.
You might be able to access Google Docs through the web browser; I haven't tried. For actually reading and editing Microsoft Office documents, Office Mobile wors very well indeed.
Google Maps is available (via apps, or somewhat awkwardly via the web); Bing Maps is built into the phone and works well for me.
There are IM clients that support GTalk on the phone, but the only messenger network currently built into the phone is Live. That said, IM+ handles my GTalk-using friends very well.
There are a multitude of YouTube apps. You can also use HTML5 on YouTube via the browser just fine.
I don't know Any.do. There are a lot of task management apps on WP7, but I don't know how they compare.
Not sure how good Dropbox access is on the phone (obviously, you can download via the browser, and there are apps which use it as a way to transfer data, but I've never looked for a real DropBox client).
I would be quite shocked if Polaris Office is more full-fledged than Office on WP7. It's not impossible, but for a phone-based office suite it would be very impressive.
I don't know IMO, but there are a number of multi-network IM clients on WP7. My preferred choice is IM+ but that's just personal preference.
Skype is (finally) coming to WP7. The current app is actually pretty good, and it's still in beta. Considering MS now owns Skype, the future for Skype on WP7 should be very good.
I don't know if TeamViewer is available for WP7 yet. Remote Desktop (as in, Terminal Services Client, the built-in Windows feature) is, though... Also, SSH clients.
T-Mobile provides an app for tracking usage for my phone. I don't know what's availble for whatever carrier you'd be on.
There are a couple of cool apps that provide wallpapers and ringtones, with frequent updates (weekly or more). Never heard of Zedge, though.
There's a SoundHound-like feature built into WP7. Shazam is also available. SoundHound might be; I'm not sure.
Facebook is definitely available (both as OS integration, and through a now very good app).
Responses to a few select questions:
3. The homebrew and custom ROM scene is smaller than Android (though growing) but the Focus (gen1 phone, not the Focus S or Focus Flash) does support "interop-unlock" hacks through WindowBreak, can run WP7 Root Tools (run any app with full privileges, under your control though), and has custom ROMs.
4. If for some reason you get a branded Focus, yes, it can be de-branded. I'm not convinced that it's a good idea to do so (without just installing a custom ROM or some such anyhow) but it's possible. The update story on WP7 is generally much better than on Android, and you can force updates anyhow if the carrier is taking too long. Not many other reasons to debrand are coming to mind...
5. I can't answer the first part, but as for the second, yes you will completely erase the phone when installing a custom ROM. If you want to do so, I suggest making it one of the first things you do (this will save on trying to back up and later restore things, which - aside from contacts and media files - sadly is not automatic on WP7).
6. No. There are a number of technical reasons, but the simple fact is that a single-core 1GHz WP7 device has a significantly smoother UI than a (for example) 1.5GHz Android device. Since apps are *extremely* limited on what they can do in the background (by default), there's no risk of them slowing the phone's UI down no matter how many you install.
7. Not really. It's much closer to Apple's approach. The advantages are better battery life and no lag. The disadvantages are that apps pretty much can't do anything real-time while backgrounded, and need to resume (although it's very fast on apps built for Mango or later) when returned to the foreground. You can switch between apps quickly, though.
8. SD cards don't work the same as on Android. They are used for permanent increases to device storage. You can't use them to transfer data onto or off of the phone, and if you want to add or remove/replace one, you'll need to hard-reset the phone. That's the main thing not already mentioned that an Android user might find odd. Oh, and stock ROMs don't allow replacing things like the dialer and such (you can install alternates, you just can't replace the built-in one completely).
9. Faster, and smoother UI (even with theoretically slower hardware). Essentially no risk of malware from the Marketplace (apps are checked before approval). Timely updates, even for older phones (of course, "older" for WP7 only means about 18 months so far). Xbox Live games. Zune Pass streaming (costs money but it's awesome). Great integration with Facebook (pretty good with Twitter and can pull LinkedIn contacts, too). Excellent email and calendar, especially if you use any Exchange servers. Hardware-accelerated rendering in the browser. Consistent UI style in apps. All phones have very similar hardware specs, so fragmentation is not a problem. Live Tiles are great for at-a-glance info, and the app list is (for me) much clearer to use than the "grid of icons". Dedicated double-action camera button and dedicated rocker buttons. Local Scout is a pretty cool built-in feature. Really good developer tools make writing apps very easy and quick.
I'm sure there's a lot more, but it's 5AM and I need to sleep.
Swype -None, WP7 native keyboard prediction works impressively!
Google Reader - 6 or more apps available. Fuse seems to be popular.
Gmail - Syncs natively without any glitch.
Google Docs - You might have to save your docs onto Skydrive which integrates natively on the WP7 (free 25GB storage too!)
Google Maps - GMaps Pro or Bingle maps. But Bing works fine, integrated too.
Google Talk - IM+
YouTube - YouTube Pro or Prime Tube.
Any.do (Task management Application) - don't know this app's functionality.
Dropbox - BoxShot for Dropbox, 3rd party client, works without any issues for me.
Polaris Office (Full fledged document editor) - I've heard of this one. But Office built-in won't make you feel the need of Polaris. However, what sort of editing do you normally do?
IMO (Multi-messenger) - again IM+ (?)
Skype - there is a beta that won't run in background, but otherwise very much working, excellent call quality. It should come as an app in a month or two and hopefully integrated with Apollo (rumour).
Teamviewer (Remote desktop) - RemoteDesktop7
My Data Manager (App to keep a track on bandwidth consumption)- Very limited apps, one that might work is - Call Credits, but never tried it. Only read a review.
Zedge (just an easy to use source for wallpapers and ringtones) - Plenty of these sort of apps and can easily sync other websites too other than Zedge. Ringtones is an app that uses 3 different clients in a single app.
SoundHound - Yes, you won't need it though, music search is inbuilt.
Facebook - Yes inbuilt and there is an app.
Plus side of any windows phone in my opinion is, it's rapidly developing new platform which is a fresh UI, security is top-notch, integration works well, it's never frozen on me, I did not have to restart my phone once in last 7 months of using it, Zune and Xbox integration is amazing if you are a music freak or a gamer, 25GB of Skydrive access from your phone for documents, pics, music streaming - will only get better once you start using it. Integrated Bing maps, local scout, music discovery and search, accessing camera without unlocking the phone, search from lockscreen etc.
"You don't need an app for this or that and it just works!"
GoodDayToDie said:
Responses to a few select questions:
The disadvantages are that apps pretty much can't do anything real-time while backgrounded, and need to resume (although it's very fast on apps built for Mango or later) when returned to the foreground. You can switch between apps quickly, though.
I'm sure there's a lot more, but it's 5AM and I need to sleep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the indepth response, it cleared a lot.
When you say that apps can't do pretty much anything, I hope at least apps like IM+ and Whatsapp can retrieve and send messages in the background.
drupad2drupad said:
Polaris Office (Full fledged document editor) - I've heard of this one. But Office built-in won't make you feel the need of Polaris. However, what sort of editing do you normally do?
Plus side of any windows phone in my opinion is, it's rapidly developing new platform which is a fresh UI, security is top-notch, integration works well, it's never frozen on me, I did not have to restart my phone once in last 7 months of using it, Zune and Xbox integration is amazing if you are a music freak or a gamer, 25GB of Skydrive access from your phone for documents, pics, music streaming - will only get better once you start using it. Integrated Bing maps, local scout, music discovery and search, accessing camera without unlocking the phone, search from lockscreen etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sometimes edit Word and PPTs on the move.
Not much but basic formatting in word and the ability to edit the layout and slide design is what I need.
Yeah thats the most exciting part of WP7. Its a rapidly developing platform and on top there's gonna be a unification of the mobile and desktop OS. I hope they build a deep seamless integration between the two and they play well with each other.
anseio said:
There's an app called Slyde that attempts to be like Swype, but it cannot until the ecosystem changes.
With what you've mentioned, I'm not sure WP7 will be a smooth transition for you. It's definitely worth a shot to see if you might like it, but will take some getting used to. See what you can live with and what would be a deal breaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't find any info on Slyde app ?
Well, the responses here have cleared a lot for me. I m definitely gonna give it a shot. Now my only gripe is Swype, I'm far too dependent on that. I hope there is something out there in the homebrew community.
Btw, is there a possibility that the current generation phones would get the WP8 update ? Well there are rumors that it wouldn't but then Windows Tango is primarily being released to make sure WP7 can run on lower spec devices.
It is confirmed all WP models will get Apollo update will pretty much be like with iOS some features will not be available. The next major update is no promise but that is over 2 years so if you have not updated your phone by then not much can be said.
tricurious said:
I couldn't find any info on Slyde app ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad. It's called Slydr, not Slyde.
It is NOTHING like Swype. Since it cannot replace the native keyboard, in order to use it you have launch the app, type what you want, put it on the clipboard or choose an option to send it as sms or email.
It does not work from within SMS or email, so replying while using slydr will mean that you have to leave the message, open the app, type what you what, copy it, return to the email using back arrow long press and then paste.
Looking forward to the options that WP8 may make for.
IM+ and Whatsapp and the like can use Push Notifications to receive messages while the app is not in the the foreground. Technically it's not the app doing the receiving (it's not running); instead the app tells the OS to listen for messages from a specific server, and to mark them as being intended for that app. When the messages arrive, the phone will display a notification and, if the app's tile is pinned to the Start screen, can also show a number of waiting notifications (typically, the number of messages received). When the app is run again (either resumed, or launched anew, or launched directly by tapping on a notification "toast" popup) the app will check with its server for all the messages that arrived while it was "out".
The overall effect is very much like the app continuing to receive messages in the background, except in weird edge cases (for example, if you try to resume the app while there's no data connection available, it won't be able to retrieve the messages that arrived earlier). On the plus side, the push notification system is much easier on the battery than almost any third-party app running in the background would be. It is technically possible to have apps actually run in the background (there are a couple ways, with varying degrees of official support and different limitations) but the battery hit for doing so tends to be pretty harsh (one reason why Android has a reputation for awful battery life).
Everybody is welcome to post their opinions but flame is against the forum rules.
PLEASE USE REPORT BUTTON.

[Q] With a tablet like the TF300T and Dock, what software is missing...

I am a software developer, and have been creating Android apps for businesses since 2008. Up until recently all of the apps I have created have been for businesses to serve specific needs.
When I recently bought my TF300T I quickly wanted to start leaving the laptop home, but there are just a few things left I still cannot do on Android.
So my question to you is, what would you like to be able to do in Android that you cannot yet do?
I'd like to see a word processor that supports features such as: multiple columns, page numbering, a ruler, fonts, spacing, margins, multiple paper sizes, printing directly to a wireless or shared printer etc.
Some of these features are available for various Office suite word processors, but I have yet to find one that supports them all. It's getting better, but we're not there yet.
A robust office suite, really, is the only thing that's missing for me.
Google bought quickoffice, so I hope to see a Drive/office hybrid. MS is also working on office for android tablets afaik.
So office apps might not be the best choice as a software dev.
Has someone made a nice music player app that takes advantage of the tablet screen? Basically multiple frames so you can see what's playing (with basic controls) on one side of the screen, and be able scroll through your playlist or music directory on the other side of the screen.
Something like that with pop up windows (or frames) for additional features (like an Equalizer) would be pretty nice.
Actually not sure if the TF300 has a good music player, as I haven't received mine yet, but on my other tablet, everything I've found seems to be made for phones, and I hate having to cycle through different screens just to browse the playlist
I really want an app that synchronises handwritten note taking with audio, like the echo smartpen does. Then I could use it in meetings really effectively.
I think there is an ipad app that does this (grr...) but nothing for Android
mike-y said:
Has someone made a nice music player app that takes advantage of the tablet screen? Basically multiple frames so you can see what's playing (with basic controls) on one side of the screen, and be able scroll through your playlist or music directory on the other side of the screen.
Something like that with pop up windows (or frames) for additional features (like an Equalizer) would be pretty nice.
Actually not sure if the TF300 has a good music player, as I haven't received mine yet, but on my other tablet, everything I've found seems to be made for phones, and I hate having to cycle through different screens just to browse the playlist
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play Music, which comes on the tablet, is tablet-optimized. The tablet also comes with MusicFX, which is an equalizer, and it integrates with Play Music.
EndlessDissent said:
Google Play Music, which comes on the tablet, is tablet-optimized. The tablet also comes with MusicFX, which is an equalizer, and it integrates with Play Music.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd hardly call Google Music tablet optimized, it scales well but doesnt use space very efficiently.
This is the only one I know of, but its really ugly
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...jects.musicplayerforpad&feature=search_result
But yeah, I'd also like to see a better office editor. Quickoffice is a little too light on features to be taken seriously for more than minor edits.
The docks USB port does not recognize my camera and I do not like the way the tablet just puts your pictures in one big conglomeration. I would like a tablet that recognizes any digital camera and places your photos into files by date like a PC does. I use the tablet for work and I have to upload photos to my reports and then send the reports to my office. I have been able to type reports but it takes so many steps to get pictures from my camera into the tablet and then load them onto my reports that I am not able to do my reports quickly unless I am at home at my compute doing them.
I would love to get my hands on an Android clone of the airsketch app another teacher in my building has for his ipad.
Sent from my jitterbug using tapatalk.
I would like to have an app was functionally similar to Quicken. Personal financial tracking that was not web based. I have to carry a netbook to get that currently.
Mike
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA
Biggest problem with Android apps right now is they aren't optimized for tablets. Most of the apps are designed for phones.
Yeah, but that should change as tablets get cheaper and more popular.
I would like at least a word processor (if not a whole office suite) That;
1: Had all but the most advanced of a PC's word processors features such as full formatting, the ability to add fonts, full text options; the whole nine yards.
2: It having a nice ICS tablet layout. Not a clunky phone UI that has the features but not the layout to be of any use.
3: Full usb (or our dock) and bluetooth keyboard support with hotkeys and shortcuts (ie: Ctrl+V for paste etc etc...)
4: A supportive dev who would listen to community input and have a way to contact them easily where the other members of the community could also see the discussion (ie: a forums).
If you actually intend to do this (I REALLLLLLLY hope you do, its sorely needed) then I myself will plan on donating to the projects development as it goes along.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T
SilentStormer said:
I would like at least a word processor (if not a whole office suite) That;
1: Had all but the most advanced of a PC's word processors features such as full formatting, the ability to add fonts, full text options; the whole nine yards.
2: It having a nice ICS tablet layout. Not a clunky phone UI that has the features but not the layout to be of any use.
3: Full usb (or our dock) and bluetooth keyboard support with hotkeys and shortcuts (ie: Ctrl+V for paste etc etc...)
4: A supportive dev who would listen to community input and have a way to contact them easily where the other members of the community could also see the discussion (ie: a forums).
If you actually intend to do this (I REALLLLLLLY hope you do, its sorely needed) then I myself will plan on donating to the projects development as it goes along.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now I am putting the finishing touches on a project I hope to release this coming week sometime. It will be a tool specifically for Tablets and geared towards software developers mostly.
I am responding to you because the app I am about to release does support all of the typical hotkeys like Ctrl-V etc.
The biggest problem with creating an office suite for tablets is supporting all of the various file types that are out there (Office 2000/2003/2007 etc.) If it was just a matter of supporting one file type, and having the ability to import/convert from/to the other file types than it would be much easier. The problem is that would add an extra step for users to deal with.
I also think that Google will be releasing a very nice Office Suite for Android very soon. I think with the push for Chrome OS, and the already stated fact that Google plans to merge Chrome OS into Android points to that even more.
sgrant said:
Right now I am putting the finishing touches on a project I hope to release this coming week sometime. It will be a tool specifically for Tablets and geared towards software developers mostly.
I am responding to you because the app I am about to release does support all of the typical hotkeys like Ctrl-V etc.
The biggest problem with creating an office suite for tablets is supporting all of the various file types that are out there (Office 2000/2003/2007 etc.) If it was just a matter of supporting one file type, and having the ability to import/convert from/to the other file types than it would be much easier. The problem is that would add an extra step for users to deal with.
I also think that Google will be releasing a very nice Office Suite for Android very soon. I think with the push for Chrome OS, and the already stated fact that Google plans to merge Chrome OS into Android points to that even more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Im excited for whatever Google has up it's sleeve. (maybe a built-in office suite in jelly bean? )
sounds like an interesting app and Ill be sure and give it a try!
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T
some apps require sd card to work (like this one or this one), because they put the data on sd card, so i want an app that have the abiltiy to use the internal memory as an "virtual sd card",
i know sd cards are not expensive, but i just feel like it's not necessary to use a sd card while there's still a lot of space on my device (like this one has 32 GB) and sometimes you forget your sd card or because of whatever reason you don't want to use your sd card.
so an app like that would be very useful (at least for me, i really need it )
i'd also like to see the list of apps you've created
I would like a virtual server running.
I have a particular need and idea to get some of my phone apps working on the tablet.
My idea is to create a virtual space something like Stick It! or Super Video, those app allow you to open a window and play your videos inside a hovering and movable window.
I took a measurement, and since owning an Asus TF300T with the keyboard dock, my tablet is mostly in landscape mode .
In landscape mode I can fit 3 windows of virtual space (or however you want to call it technically) of my phone in portrait mode.
So the apps on my phone where the developer is; for whatever reason, not interested in making those apps tablet ready, I can run those apps and see them the way they would look on the phone.
Because of the space that I measured, I can run 3 portrait phone apps at once. And just tap to switch between windows.
Does this sound like something that would benefit users?
Thanks
Rob
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
pepperonihead said:
The docks USB port does not recognize my camera and I do not like the way the tablet just puts your pictures in one big conglomeration. I would like a tablet that recognizes any digital camera and places your photos into files by date like a PC does. I use the tablet for work and I have to upload photos to my reports and then send the reports to my office. I have been able to type reports but it takes so many steps to get pictures from my camera into the tablet and then load them onto my reports that I am not able to do my reports quickly unless I am at home at my compute doing them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
There's a few apps I can think of off the top of my head. A gallery, a calculator & an app that brings all your social feeds together.
For the gallery, I'd like something similar to the stock gallery app except with the option to view it in list or folder view or something similar. Sorting options like sort by name, type etc and the ability to flick through them in that order would be good too.
For the calculator, heaps of buttons on the screen would be nice, and maybe they could be scrollable to reveal more buttons. Right now most calculators are just simple calculators with giant buttons lol. I'd really appreciate a scientific or graphic calculator on Android.
I'm also yet to find a decent tablet app that brings all your social feeds together. Something like the desktop Tweetdeck where you can have multiple panes would be great plus the ability to view profiles, messages, notifications etc.
I'd be willing to pay for any of these as long as their recently priced. (Not gonna pay $20 for a gallery lol)
If any of these are already on the market a reply or link would be appreciated lol, maybe I'm not digging hard enough.
---------- Post added at 09:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 PM ----------
rlanza1054 said:
I would like a virtual server running.
I have a particular need and idea to get some of my phone apps working on the tablet.
My idea is to create a virtual space something like Stick It! or Super Video, those app allow you to open a window and play your videos inside a hovering and movable window.
I took a measurement, and since owning an Asus TF300T with the keyboard dock, my tablet is mostly in landscape mode .
In landscape mode I can fit 3 windows of virtual space (or however you want to call it technically) of my phone in portrait mode.
So the apps on my phone where the developer is; for whatever reason, not interested in making those apps tablet ready, I can run those apps and see them the way they would look on the phone.
Because of the space that I measured, I can run 3 portrait phone apps at once. And just tap to switch between windows.
Does this sound like something that would benefit users?
Thanks
Rob
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for double post but I'd love something like this. Like multitasking with 3 vertical apps running in phone mode would be beautiful. Maybe not a virtual server (do you mean online?), but just running an app in a phone version rather than tablet. That way we could have apps like Launcher 7 etc run on tabs. Or maybe have 2/3 of the screen having a browser and the other 1/3 of space occupying a phone app. Great idea man.
It would seem pretty hard to code or implement though.
+1

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