http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218075/Mystery_of_the_missing_Honeycomb_apps
Really good, looks like they did their homework...not that I feel much better about hoping more apps come along shortly after reading this-lol
Question: Tegra Zone is mentioned as a place to, also, get apps. Is anyone familiar with them as in do I have to be rooted, etc....I've never heard of them.
sunsetbay said:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218075/Mystery_of_the_missing_Honeycomb_apps
Really good, looks like they did their homework...not that I feel much better about hoping more apps come along after reading this-lol
Question: Tegra Zone is mentioned as a place to, also, get apps. Is anyone familiar with them as in do I have to be rooted, etc....I've never heard of them.
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Click to collapse
They sure did, and as you say...there won't be a rush for more apps on the market.
For the tegra zone:
You do not need to have your TF rooted. It's listed at googlemarket
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nvidia.tegrazone&feature=search_result
sparven89 said:
They sure did, and as you say...there won't be a rush for more apps on the market.
For the tegra zone:
You do not need to have your TF rooted. It's listed at googlemarket
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nvidia.tegrazone&feature=search_result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, sparven89
I think I will give this app a try and I see they have a couple of games I might want to try.
Thanks!
I enjoy crapshooting and refunding apps. I bought over 500 apps, refunded over 300. It is a fun process
frosty5689 said:
I enjoy crapshooting and refunding apps. I bought over 500 apps, refunded over 300. It is a fun process
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Click to collapse
+1, if only Google gave you a bit more than 15 minutes before you could refund the app you don't want .
Yup it's odd how Google are known for their great search engine, yet have the worst search function ever in the android market. I don't buy that bit in the article about there not being enough demand for developers to want to create apps for HC though. There's loads of demand for apps in just about every section (other than for twitter, enough already!).
Everyone,
I found another new article about Android apps vs HP Touchpad having 400 at release on July 1st - (Android around 200+):
"Does the HP TouchPad Have More Tablet Apps Than Android?" (Apparently it may have and how they did it...yet I wonder if this is true)
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387999,00.asp
I do like this part in the article "Google, as I've said before, wouldn't comment. But I've heard through the grapevine that they're working on improvements for the Android Market—it's just nothing they'll confirm. It's an obvious move, though."
On the personal side, I love my TF and number of apps isn't an issue for me-I have plenty(s). But, I am following the posts of others and some apps they want, so I find the whole subject interesting.
Google has so much riding on this...changes have to coming shortly that helps the developers and what they're waiting for. Well, just my 2 cents(s) and interesting to follow.
frosty5689 said:
I enjoy crapshooting and refunding apps. I bought over 500 apps, refunded over 300. It is a fun process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jonitfcfan said:
+1, if only Google gave you a bit more than 15 minutes before you could refund the app you don't want .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems more behind the scenes on this front happening, at least in Taiwan:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/07/01/2003507141
Apple is complying with Taiwan's 7 day refund policy on their stores and Google
has pulled their paid apps, so far, rather than comply...well!?? Google has to July 14th, certainly hope they don't handle it like this.
I agree with you both 100% that 15 minutes is not enough time. I've already
been caught on an app Moon+Reader Pro $4.99 causing my screen to flash repeatedly when I used the Text to Speech, so I immediately deleted it.
Since it took me almost an hour to get to this point, I wrote the developer for a refund...very polite & I'd be willing to try again if it was fixed. I waited 3 days and no response, then I left a 1 star review in the marketplace, again polite & details.
My review days later never showed up either. Call me skeptic, but I have wondered if I was censored by the 1 star rating & possibly because I said the developer hadn't responded to refund request...ah, guess that's a clue-lol.
So what are you going to do, just being honest & following the rules Google set in place, didn't work for me.
Shame because other's experience is what I reply on when purchasing an app.
Actually, this has been my one and only problem. But, it was a biggie the way it fell through the cracks when I actually asked for a refund.
sunsetbay said:
Seems more behind the scenes on this front happening, at least in Taiwan:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/07/01/2003507141
Apple is complying with Taiwan's 7 day refund policy on their stores and Google
has pulled their paid apps, so far, rather than comply...well!?? Google has to July 14th, certainly hope they don't handle it like this.
I agree with you both 100% that 15 minutes is not enough time. I've already
been caught on an app Moon+Reader Pro $4.99 causing my screen to flash repeatedly when I used the Text to Speech, so I immediately deleted it.
Since it took me almost an hour to get to this point, I wrote the developer for a refund...very polite & I'd be willing to try again if it was fixed. I waited 3 days and no response, then I left a 1 star review in the marketplace, again polite & details.
My review days later never showed up either. Call me skeptic, but I have wondered if I was censored by the 1 star rating & possibly because I said the developer hadn't responded to refund request...ah, guess that's a clue-lol.
So what are you going to do, just being honest & following the rules Google set in place, didn't work for me.
Shame because other's experience is what I reply on when purchasing an app.
Actually, this has been my one and only problem. But, it was a biggie the way it fell through the cracks when I actually asked for a refund.
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Click to collapse
am i being daft ? ive got no 'optimised for tablet' section in my market app ????
wilbur-force said:
am i being daft ? ive got no 'optimised for tablet' section in my market app ????
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Click to collapse
I'm not aware of anything like this either. Is there supposed to be one ?
I think the tablet section is only for the USA.
Damn those Yanks, getting everything first...well, almost .
Misleading
There are several things mentioned in the article (like every other article decrying the state of HC apps) that are false or misleading:
The number of Honeycomb-optimized apps remains in the low hundreds. By comparison, there are over 100,000 apps optimized for the iPad.
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Of course the iPad has been out for a full year longer, that number was much lower three months after its release (which is approximately how long its been since the Xoom was released). It looks like it was about 10,000 based on a quick googling. That's quite a big difference from 100,000 (like, an order of magnitude).
There is also the question of how they are counting these "Honeycomb-optimized apps". There is no provision in the market, or in the metadata that describes an app to determine if it is "optimized" or not. Unless a developer explicitly denies the app for a certain screen size, a certain device, or requires a feature that the device doesn't have, then it will most likely run. If its just a question of "will it run?" then we have tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands of Honeycomb apps. Beyond that, where can you draw the line to say that an app is "optimized"? This is a subjective question that can't be used as the basis for such an empirical evaluation.
I can offer my own apps (linked in sig) as an anecdotal example. Both worked on day one on Honeycomb, with no changes needed. All the text and graphics were crisp, clean and appropriately sized. They did not look ugly, just not as efficiently designed as they could have. Shortly after HC dropped, I updated them with a minor change to make use of the native Action Bar in HC for menu items. The rest of the UI (mostly list views), while great for a small phone screen, wastes a lot of space on a tablet screen that is several times larger. I'm currently working on refactoring the UI components into fragments, to improve the HC experience. At this point, all the fragments are in, and working, but I have not yet implemented a new activity/layout for HC devices which will make use of the extra screen space to place multiple fragments on the screen at once. At what point is my app then "optimized"? Day one (when it worked)? Once it made use of the action bar (more consistent UI)? When it was refactored into fragments (easier to detect this automatically)? Or when I add separate layouts that make use of a larger screen's real estate (most of us would say this is "optimized", but the point is we don't have any way to tell besides looking at it and making a judgement).
All Android 2.x apps will run on Android 3.x, but oftentimes the text just looks awkwardly small and clunky; this is because the Android SDK does not automatically scale fonts, so developers must create their own code to get their fonts to scale up or down within their apps, which can be extremely tricky.
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As long as fonts are specified in "sp" (scale independent pixels) units, this happens automatically.
When graphics are involved, you must use higher-resolution graphics and program them to be scalable, so that when they are on a larger screen they won't become pixilated. However, this requires the size of your app to be larger, and it may put more of a strain on the device's processor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Having different resources for different screen densities or sizes is well documented and as easy as putting them in specially named folders. This was already done to make apps look good on LDPI, MDPI, and HDPI devices. It does increase the size of the app, but it will have virtually no performance penalty.
Many pundits have speculated that perhaps the holdup is in anticipation of Ice Cream Sandwich, which will theoretically merge Android's phone and tablet platforms, helping to end fragmentation, and which is due to arrive this fall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if this were true, its not the release of ICS developers are waiting on, but the point where adoption is widespread enough that they can safely drop support for previous versions (this wont happen for quite a while, as we've seen from the last several releases of Android).
To the author's credit, they acknowledge this and state that none of the developers they talked to felt this was a roadblock, but I have seen other articles promoting this idea.
This article was one of the more fair and balanced looks at the subject I have seen, but still upholds some myths about Android app development. The fact is, most any app that was built following the Android UI guidelines worked and looked fine without any changes for Honeycomb. Their UI may just not have been the most efficient for a tablet sized screen. In comparison, iPhone apps, using the 2x scaling on the iPad, look pretty terrible. This, combined with faster hardware adoption by consumers, is what prompted developers to port more apps to the iPad quicker than we are seeing for Honeycomb. The fact that my apps looked "good enough" on HC is why I didn't feel like there was much of a rush to put in the work to "optimize" them. Google made the right call by making Android as resolution/density agnostic as possible, as opposed to iOS's initial assumption of a single screen size and resolution. While iOS developers had to scramble to get iPad optimized versions of their apps out quickly, Android developers are able to take their time and (hopefully) do it right. There will be more HC "optimized" apps, as more tablets are sold, and more developers decide its worth their time to invest in it.
maxpower47, Thank you as a developer jumping in and adding clarification. I've reread your post several times and now I'm clearer on understanding the article and difference between optimized and 'working apps' as the article seemed to implied to be very low in number.
"Even if this were true, its not the release of ICS developers are waiting on, but the point where adoption is widespread enough that they can safely drop support for previous versions (this wont happen for quite a while, as we've seen from the last several releases of Android).
To the author's credit, they acknowledge this and state that none of the developers they talked to felt this was a roadblock, but I have seen other articles promoting this idea."
Interesting!
"This article was one of the more fair and balanced looks at the subject I have seen, but still upholds some myths about Android app development. The fact is, most any app that was built following the Android UI guidelines worked and looked fine without any changes for Honeycomb."
This sure is a myth that I was holding, so again I appreciate your contribution to understanding this better...much appreciated!
sunsetbay said:
Everyone,
I found another new article about Android apps vs HP Touchpad having 400 at release on July 1st - (Android around 200+):
"Does the HP TouchPad Have More Tablet Apps Than Android?" (Apparently it may have and how they did it...yet I wonder if this is true)
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387999,00.asp
I do like this part in the article "Google, as I've said before, wouldn't comment. But I've heard through the grapevine that they're working on improvements for the Android Market—it's just nothing they'll confirm. It's an obvious move, though."
On the personal side, I love my TF and number of apps isn't an issue for me-I have plenty(s). But, I am following the posts of others and some apps they want, so I find the whole subject interesting.
Google has so much riding on this...changes have to coming shortly that helps the developers and what they're waiting for. Well, just my 2 cents(s) and interesting to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android SDK sucks balls.
WebOS SDK does not.
Result = More WebOS apps.
JCopernicus said:
Android SDK sucks balls.
WebOS SDK does not.
Result = More WebOS apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, er... what? More webOS apps than Android apps? In which universe?
I'll tell you, I stuck with webOS for 18 months before giving up because the app situation over there is such a mess. I think there's still only about 6,000 official (non-homebrew) apps for webOS, and many (most?) of those don't run on the TouchPad outside of a silly little emulation window. And there's as much junk in the webOS App Catalog as there are good apps. I think the only category with good apps is Twitter clients, which is why you'll find most webOS entusiasts constantly talking about the latest Twitter app.
I'm also astounded that there are only 300 or so TouchPad-optimized apps, given that HP is the world's largest tech company and has a huge vested interest in seeing webOS succeed. Couldn't they do SOMETHING to get more apps written before launching the TouchPad?
My golly, but saying that the webOS SDK being good (which is hugely debatable, given all of the SDK's limitations since webOS was announced) resulting in more webOS apps is just laughable. I have thousands of apps available for my TF, across every major category. If I were to swap my TF for a TouchPad, I'd be giving up a wide variety of useful apps and would essentially give up most of the value of owning a tablet.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
I meant in terms of "tablet" apps.
(which I know just means XL v11 support).
maxpower47 said:
Or when I add separate layouts that make use of a larger screen's real estate (most of us would say this is "optimized", but the point is we don't have any way to tell besides looking at it and making a judgement).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is definitely "Optimized" to me. As much as function is important, I think it's equally as important for an app to utilize screen real-estate properly.
The fact is, most any app that was built following the Android UI guidelines worked and looked fine without any changes for Honeycomb. Their UI may just not have been the most efficient for a tablet sized screen. In comparison, iPhone apps, using the 2x scaling on the iPad, look pretty terrible. This, combined with faster hardware adoption by consumers, is what prompted developers to port more apps to the iPad quicker than we are seeing for Honeycomb. The fact that my apps looked "good enough" on HC is why I didn't feel like there was much of a rush to put in the work to "optimize" them. Google made the right call by making Android as resolution/density agnostic as possible, as opposed to iOS's initial assumption of a single screen size and resolution. While iOS developers had to scramble to get iPad optimized versions of their apps out quickly, Android developers are able to take their time and (hopefully) do it right. There will be more HC "optimized" apps, as more tablets are sold, and more developers decide its worth their time to invest in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This all makes a lot of sense.
What doesn't make sense, as a consumer, though... there is no way for us to search for apps that *are* optimized for tablets. Even with "optimized" being hard to define, there needs to be a way for a user to head into the market and search for apps that work nicely on their tablet. It kills me that I have to depend on forums to find apps that fit my screen well.
HA!!!
I just find what I like from my phone and use that.
Or I think of other things to be done with my amazement machine I: study, download, try, and if I like it buy! If your not an informed consumer then you dont belong on android anyways. Sorry if that sounds crass, but if you want someone to tell you what to by then by all means have fun following the heard.
haensgn said:
HA!!!
I just find what I like from my phone and use that.
Or I think of other things to be done with my amazement machine I: study, download, try, and if I like it buy! If your not an informed consumer then you dont belong on android anyways. Sorry if that sounds crass, but if you want someone to tell you what to by then by all means have fun following the heard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*I* am obviously fine, as I'm here and other places researching apps.
But from a general user population point of view, it's extremely consumer unfriendly to not have a way to find "native" (using that term loosely) apps for your new "hot" products.
Also, there is no reason to be rude about it, imo. It's simply an opinion on customer service, which I think Google has a poor track record of, unfortunately.
Honeycomb is absolutely great, some of the tablets released also great (I love my TF).... but the Android Market needs some serious work, imo, especially in terms of the search engine (ironic hah).
Related
Chanced across this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5uhnJxmKqU
Shows how BAD the stock rom (even its successors) are. Tablet lagged, wifi failed, browser didn't load and something force closed during its show case.
But the guy said "we are expected to be on gingerbread and honeycomb by mid year." Good news?
They should just hire the developers her on XDA (roebeet, rothnic, pershoot, gojimi) to get even a chance.
Actually, the way viewsonic operates looks more like communism than anything else. We know what they came out with doesn't work. They know what they came out with doesn't work. And yet, they insist on continuing to do the same damn thing over and over. It's like having a 5 year plan on top of a 5 year plan over and over even though millions people are starving. They (viewsonic) insist on continuing with TapnTap UI even though it caused the biggest return rate they ever saw. Communism!
The xda community is like capitalism. This is an open market environment where people who are capable contribute what they have and users are presented with many different choices to choose from. Take OC, for example. We can either use Persh's or we can use Clem's kernel.
We've learned from history that communism simply doesn't work. Why? Because people have no choice. What's given to people to use isn't the best but rather what the originator could present to the premiere. We all know how sucky TapnTap UI is, but the fact of the matter is TapnTap has access to the premiere, aka Viewsonic's board. It doesn't matter if TapnTap suck ass. Just like that submarine called the widow maker. It doesn't matter if people keep dying from radiation exposure and all of that good stuff. The premiere says people have to use it and people use it. That's how communism works.
Not to turn this into a political thread, but we have never witnessed pure Communism.
What we have witnessed in history are Authoritarian governments using the term Communism or Socialism and even Democracy, as a way to deceive the people into supporting them, until the people realize too late; that they have given away their freedoms.
Many countries claim to be democracies, except they rig the ballot box and 'disappear' people who oppose them. Communism, Socialism, Democracies; the labels don't matter, the results do.
Does Apple or Microsoft allow end users the ability to easily 'root' their devices or even offer their code to the community, like ViewSonic has? If not, are they communist-like?
ViewSonic has created a truly bad UI. That's because they're not in the UI business and unfortunately have made several bad choices. Do you really believe they wanted to take back all those devices and receive the bad press? They have paid for those choices in market-share and reputation, just as the free market demands.
Further, they have responded to recent user demands and have in the past released their code, which allows the 'capitalism' on XDA you cheer about. Without code, you can have no choice. Without Nvidia releasing their drivers, Gingerbread will be doomed not to have hardware acceleration. If they don't release their code, is Nvidia communist-like?
A truly Authoritarian company would not have responded to the emails, tweets and phone calls of average users and they certainly wouldn't have offered any code or tried to deal with the users on this forum.
Try getting that response from Apple or Microsoft.
What you are witnessing in ViewSonic is not some take on Communism, but the typical results of a business that merely 'rebrands' merchandise with no real understanding of what the device does and more importantly what it should do.
It's no different than a company sending a job lot of talking Barbies to South America and not bothering to check if the dolls spoke English or Spanish. Bad research? Yes, but if I have razor thin profit margins, do I really invest more money into the hole I am already in or do I just fill it in and start digging somewhere else?
I guarantee you, someone looked at the numbers involved in this mess and decided to band-aid just enough to shut the community up, while positioning the community to help them push their next product.
You have to remember that for the average user and there are many on the board who have said so, the latest TNT UI, is 'good enough' and that's all ViewSonic needs to produce... Good enough.
jholmes5 said:
Not to turn this into a political thread, but we have never witnessed pure Communism.
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Click to collapse
I completely agree. I was using the word communism to avoid this very thing... a political debate. That said, I was comparing one specific aspect of these communist/authoritarian/goo-gaga/hoogabooga (call it whatever you want) to what we're seeing in VS in regard to the gtab.
Everyone, including VS, knows that TapnTap UI simply is sluggish and doesn't do the gtab's hardware justice. And yet, VS continues to use the TapnTap UI.
It's like the 5 year plan on top of the 5 year plan that starved millions of people. Everyone knew that those plans never worked, and yet those communist/authoritarian/goo-gaga/hoogabooga (call it whatever you want) kept using those plans. Sure, they eventually improved upon those plans to a "good enough" state.
Does Apple or Microsoft allow end users the ability to easily 'root' their devices or even offer their code to the community, like ViewSonic has? If not, are they communist-like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but you're forgetting something. By law, VS had to release the source code under the GNU license. There have been companies completely liquidated because they broke this law.
ViewSonic has created a truly bad UI. That's because they're not in the UI business and unfortunately have made several bad choices. Do you really believe they wanted to take back all those devices and receive the bad press? They have paid for those choices in market-share and reputation, just as the free market demands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And again, I was comparing this one aspect of the whole gtab return rate fiasco to those communist/authoritarian/goo-gaga/hoogabooga (call it whatever you want) regimes. Do you think those regimes wanted to see millions of their people starve to death? And yet there they were kept making the same mistakes over and over. We're seeing the same damn thing with VS. They don't want to see those high return rates, and yet here we are with VS continuing to use TapnTap UI.
Further, they have responded to recent user demands and have in the past released their code, which allows the 'capitalism' on XDA you cheer about. Without code, you can have no choice. Without Nvidia releasing their drivers, Gingerbread will be doomed not to have hardware acceleration. If they don't release their code, is Nvidia communist-like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've a different comparison to this one particular thing as well. The gtab to VS seems to be that one child that the parent wanted to become a doctor but then he ended up being an engineer so the parent is ashamed and doesn't want to mention him at gatherings. When it comes to it, the parent proclaims that he hasn't disowned his son. That said, he isn't fond of his son either.
The gtab is very popular because of the hardware. And yet VS continues to shy away from the device. They only mention it once or twice when they are pressured to do so by the community.
A truly Authoritarian company would not have responded to the emails, tweets and phone calls of average users and they certainly wouldn't have offered any code or tried to deal with the users on this forum.
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Click to collapse
Oh, please, a truly anything wouldn't do a lot of things. A truly android tablet would have market right out of the box. A truly dog wouldn't eat vegatable (my dog last year went through and ate all my veg in the garden). A truly cat wouldn't come when you call it (my friend's cat comes when you call her). What's your point?
Try getting that response from Apple or Microsoft.
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Click to collapse
I never said those companies don't resemble communist/authoritarian/goo-gaga/hoogabooga (call it whatever you want) in certain areas. Take windows vista, for example. To this day after update after update and service pack, it's still a piece of crap.
What you are witnessing in ViewSonic is not some take on Communism, but the typical results of a business that merely 'rebrands' merchandise with no real understanding of what the device does and more importantly what it should do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, what I'm witnessing is you not seeing my point in comparing just one aspect of the matter and instead nitpick other things. For example, suppose I say "Like you, I need to use the bathroom on a daily basis." Imagine how annoyed I'd be if you respond with "But you're not like me because I was born here and you weren't." Sure, I can't dispute that, but that's not what I was talking about.
Ok guys.... let's get back to the topic of the OP or else we'll close this thread
I was quite happy with my stock G tablet until this latest update. Back to being sluggish at least on web surfing.
If this was Apple they would try to shame you for believing anything is even wrong.
Woah haha...we've digressed quite a bit eh. Anyway, i think Viewsonic or the OEM just contracted TapnTap to do this for the g tab. Can't really blame VS for everything -> if the startup was a little more capable, everything would be fine.
amusedkid said:
Woah haha...we've digressed quite a bit eh. Anyway, i think Viewsonic or the OEM just contracted TapnTap to do this for the g tab. Can't really blame VS for everything -> if the startup was a little more capable, everything would be fine.
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Click to collapse
Why can't we blame them for everything? They were the one who decided to put that terrible TapnTap UI. And even after that initial mass returns because of the sluggish UI performance, all they did to try to fix it was change all the later ones to classic view.
In engineering, we call this the no-common-sense engineer. Do something, see that it doesn't work, try to do it again and again and again.
Go ahead then.changes nothing though.
Sent from my GTablet-TnT-Lite using Tapatalk
amusedkid said:
Go ahead then.changes nothing though.
Sent from my GTablet-TnT-Lite using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it changes nothing. VS doesn't seem to feel bad about keep putting the TapnTap UI on there, so it doesn't matter what we think.
goodintentions said:
I know it changes nothing. VS doesn't seem to feel bad about keep putting the TapnTap UI on there, so it doesn't matter what we think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are plenty of tablets out there without the TapnTap, why do you stick with it?
As far I'm concern, that TapnTap makes the ViewSonic WAF capable tablet. I have mine on the Fidge and she can't live without it now. This is a great software, not perfect yet but lot more user friendly than the majority at this price tag. If we have a tablet today, it's because of TapnTap, that about it.
I feel you will be better served with an Android no name tablet that you can dismantle and hack the way you want.
Again, this tablet is not for you.
Charles
cjean said:
There are plenty of tablets out there without the TapnTap, why do you stick with it?
As far I'm concern, that TapnTap makes the ViewSonic WAF capable tablet. I have mine on the Fidge and she can't live without it now. This is a great software, not perfect yet but lot more user friendly than the majority at this price tag. If we have a tablet today, it's because of TapnTap, that about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yet the high return rates because of TapnTap tells us otherwise. In this case, TapnTap decided to sacrifice speed and efficiency for the sake of user friendliness.
goodintentions said:
And yet the high return rates because of TapnTap tells us otherwise. In this case, TapnTap decided to sacrifice speed and efficiency for the sake of user friendliness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like the "Evolution" of Windows....
This is just a PSA to all you vicious Android fanboys on this forum that hound anyone who asks the question "what phone should I get", especially when one of those options includes an iOS device or a WP7 device.
So let me get this started. I love Android. But Android is not perfect. Take a deep breath, and say it with me again, out loud.
"Android is not perfect." Was that too hard? If so the following explanation is for you.
Ever since Android first came out, people were hailing it as the iPhone killer. But in reality? It's really not. It may be getting there, and may be getting there quickly, but that's not that point.
It may be a surprise to many of you, but there are actually other human beings outside of XDA that use smartphones. Human beings that are not interested in rooting their phones or spending a lot of time completely customizing them or pushing them to the limit. These human beings want their phones to work when they need them, and that's all. Whether these phones are iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile/7 phones is completely irrelevant to them.
Except, it actually is. But see, not in the way most of you seem to think it is.
People shop for phones nowadays because the have an end they need to reach and they need the means to get to that end. Whether it's something as simple as checking an email message or quenching a thirst to play a game, they take into consideration what is the quickest, most hassle-free way to do this. This requirement is not because they are stupid. Most XDA users seem to think that anyone off XDA just buys iPhones because they are uneducated about "the true power of Android" and all that jazz. Guess what? That's not the case.
Yes. Here at XDA, we can do a lot with our phones. We root them, we build custom ROMs for them, we use features that were locked before, or get versions of our OS that aren't out yet.
But please be damn sure you understand that we are the minority. We will always be the minority. Your experience here doesn't define the mobile landscape, it only improves your personal experience with your phone. Just because you took a few hours to root your phone, find the perfect custom ROM, and settle down with it doesn't make the average Joe who just bought an iPhone (because it does what he wants easily and has all the apps he likes) a stupid user.
Here is the meat of this newsflash; Android wouldn't be here if it wasn't for iOS. (Going further, iOS wouldn't be there without Windows Mobile, and etc etc etc until we reached the very first man who asked 'why can't I see my email from my phone'). Apple took a chance on what people wanted, and realized they had something. They built an OS that was based on the ideals of OS X; simple, straight-forward, good looking, and well received. And so began the App and Data revolution. All of a sudden, the idea of having mobile data became real. These wonderful delicious little things called "apps" made the mobile world much more exciting than it had even been before. And so Apple hit a goldmine, and the mobile landscape had been painted. These apps were well-designed, fun, informative, useful, and people liked them so much, they started to buy paid apps. Apple knows how to market to people, and there success showed.
So then. Android.
Android was birthed out of the idea that Google could cash in on this app world. You may think the intentions were noble, with the idea that it was some pipe dream in the same way linux was; completely open mobile platform. After all, if Apple could have the success with a closed system, Google obviously could rock the world with an open one.
But it's not. Android, or at least what most people come to think of as Android these days, is not "open". It's open to phone manufacturers, and carriers, but that's it. It' snot open to the end user. Why else do we have locked down features, closed-source OEM skins that hinder future firmware upgrades? Why else do we have carrier-controlled Market restrictions? Why do some phones not ship with developer tools, or the ability to install from unknown sources?
Let me be frank. I love Android, but Android is a mess. It's a mess of a bunch of wonderful ideas that would have shined like nothing else in the perfect world, but a mess that didn't anticipate a simple fact; businesses like to make money.
The truth of the matter is that we don't have freedom with Android. Every little part of it has a restriction we need to bypass. Do you buy an expensive high end phone, or a cheaper low-end phone? Will you still be able to play those cool games on that low end phone? Will it get software updates? Is it safe from malware? Buying an Android phone has become the same as trying to buy a Windows PC.
It suffers from the same problem that Microsoft does when compared to Apple's line of computers. Apple builds its hardware AND its software, so they interface with complete precision and function. People with iPhones don't need to worry about security updates, or whether their phone will be obsolete. Apple may release a new phone every year, but the point is that those phones are made to last, both in terms of hardware and software. They even went the next step further and made the iPod touch, which gave phone users who weren't ready for smartphones a taste of what it was like.
My Sprint Hero came out on October 11th, 2009. The iPhone 3GS came out in June of the same year. Both were priced around the same amount, but what stands out to me the most when I think back to when I tested both that year? The fact it took Google this long to make an operating system which took ages to mature enough to be used by HTC to make a phone that STILL could not even give me a smooth web browser, something that the very first iPhone was able to do. Games on the Hero sucked in comparison to the 3D games that were playable on the iPhone.
Now then, Android smartphone hardware has advanced to a significant level, but the point of this whole rant is that Google has always been following in Apple's footsteps in the mobile world, and it's going to be that way for some time.
Be a bit humble about the begginings of Android and what it's become, and for f***'s sake, be a bit mature than just saying "LOLOLOL APPLE SUCKS GG GET ANDROID".
Because it's the rest of the world outside of XDA that defines the success of these mobile platforms, because I hate to say this, but you and I are not part of that outside world of mobile phone users, and we never will be.
The truth is, no one can really say what the "perfect" mobile OS is. All we can do is say what works best for us or what we prefer, but when we state it as fact, as though it's not arguable, that's when we become the fanboys that we so dearly hate. Just keep that in mind.
Opinions welcome, fanboyism from either side not wanted at all. Congrats on finishing this post.
Excellent post. Would read again.
Great things said there. I can see a point in it. But still, I don't either see Ios higher as Android since Ios is a mess too. Let me just take this simple statement. Music on a Ipod/Iphone needs to be converted from the computer to the device, you can't random download a song(on the device) from Internet and play it. Same as the file exploring.. if you want to search for a file, you find a file in some folder like: im/af/on/ar/qr, or just some folders which are messy, and the file types are unknown for the computer. All those small things give me the excuse to stay at Windows Mobile. Simply cause we can download music files and play it, simply cause there is great development on it, simply cause it can be customized how we want it.
Cool story bro
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
d12unk13astard said:
Cool story bro
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job. That must have taken some serious thought to come up with.
This is something I 100% agree with.
When I had a Samsung Moment, I had problems galore with it. Keyboard wouldn't type, horrible support, and the big network lockup. Mind you, a network lockup where you can't call out to anyone is against FCC laws. But just to get some type of damn support for the thing, I almost had to root it. And I'm sorry, but I shouldn't have to depend on an online community for support for a phone when the carrier and manufacturer of the phone should be doing that. What the hell is the point in buying the phone and paying damn near $70 a month if I can't use the damn thing?
Let's also talk about performance of the Moment and how unoptimized it was. The Moment uses the same SoC found in the Iphone 2g, and 3g. The only difference, stock 2g and 3g SoC is 600 mhz, clocked down to about 422 mhz for battery, while the Moment was 800 mhz. Both arm11 cpu cores. The Iphone 2g and 3g despite having almost half the clocked frequency of the Moment, was smoother and had actual hardware support and acceleration. Even this day, Samsung still does not have proper hardware support for the SoC being used in the Moment, Intercept, Transform, Spica, etc etc.
If done right, Android is pretty awesome I'll admit. But if I want a phone to work, I'll get something that actually works.
big advantage of android, but also a weakness:
it works well on many devices, but its not optimised for the spezific hardware of each phone...
gosualex said:
big advantage of android, but also a weakness:
it works well on many devices, but its not optimised for the spezific hardware of each phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good understanding
I love android because I love to tinker. Nothing could ever change my mind short of the os aging. I will say this flaws or not I refuse to give apple my money. So it's either wp7 or android.
My words to live buy if I can't hack it I don't want it. Just my 2cents
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium Apps
I would agree iPhones support is a lot longer no network changes added, updates can brick the phones though.
Android need some love. Fragmentation. Networks slow to update. Ui 's being to sluggish to update the phone to higher levels.
All android phones should be aosp no extras from makers or networks.
Love my cm7/miui.us phone but most people would want to flash it or know how to. They would just think might as well get an iPhone.
Just my feelings. I own apple computers. Custom built pcs android phones had iPhones I still use an iPod touch in the kitchen as you can get the best speaker docks for them. Use what works best for the situation.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Android security warning !!
I think android is the best system, but its very insecure if you let it on stock and don't secure it, root it, get rid of some apps and optimize it.
Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
-gps location
-contacts
-logs
-screenshots
-hidden camerashots
-sms/mms
-emails
-photos
-etc
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS FACT !!!
There was a test in germany, where a developer made a app with all the rights to do the things above and send them hidden in the backround to a specified server to that he had access. So he could read and see all the things above and it was even updating immidiatly after a new sms or something came in and the testuser who installed it had no clue at all and was shocked when they told it to her.
The App itself was just making photos with a black censor stripe in the eyes and it seemed that it never could do that, but all the real action is going on in the backround.
By the way, he sayd it was very easy and many apps could do that and most of them really do that.
And what I know, many of you don't know or don't care and spread all your information to some companys that like to have them alot. And they allways want more.
Maybe you should spread this information by quoting this post or linking to it, because many people don't like to be ripped of their information.
Or do you like it, when someone is standing close to you and listens all what you say to your friends, when you have a private conversation ? I think not!
check out my signature also.
and be safe!
edit: i think i should post this as a new thread!
Great post, good read!!
Hard to say any mobile OS is perfect. But the world of mobile OS is developing quickly in recent years.
Haven't played extensively with Android and IOS. Currenly, I still think IOS is more polish. Android definitely have a lot of features and I am looking forward to where they take the OS to in the future. It seems like it's an OS that has a lot of support and has had to "grow up" really rapidly.
I actually agrer with everything in this post. Fact is the best technology in the world is technology that is stable, works, and allows the user to complete what ever task is needed.
Last night it was decided my wife and I are switching to verizon why? Cause the wife wants IOS and I am more partial to android and BB and thats the only carrier that has all 3.
Now to add on what was already said I think google needs to pick one manufacture purchase them then do exactly what apple does marry the hardware amd software together to get rid of what can be a problematic OS simply cause with some manufactures android is worse then on others.
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
(•.•) said:
I think android is the best system, but its very insecure if you let it on stock and don't secure it, root it, get rid of some apps and optimize it.
Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You give apps on an iphone or WM phone permissions to do these things too right, so this is a more general problem in the new mobile world...
BTW, I like you're post LiquidSolstice, you could almost call it a fact, it's not that the one is better than the other. It's just that they are different and the majority of people likes easy and simple...
I agree with alot of what LS mentions in the first post. My wife is one of those who could really care less about rooting, overclocking, mem management, or even what version of Android she is using for that matter. She just wants to be able to send that text without the keyboard "hicupping", or to make that phone call without the dialer lagging, etc. I like Android, but I don't like Google's.. well let's say "less than kosher" business practices and corporate involvements. I think a big point to remember is that there will always be people like us that get a huge kick out of toying with electronics. For some, it's a hobby, for others, a career. With that being said, there will also always be those doofies that get on sites like this one and annoy the living crap out of you. Everything needs to be taken in stride, and though there are those who appear to be clueless on a subject, always remember that we all have to learn somehow. Knowledge is not obtained through osmosis.
Android feels like a permanent beta. I prefer iOS for simple tasks plusSbsettings is unmatched. WP7 seems more like a feature phone, it doesn't tell you 'I'm smart.'
I mostly agree
I don't think the problem with android is really the fact that more than one company is involved in developing phones for android. The problem is that those companies, (OEMs & carriers) have been given way to much freedom to decide not only what processor & RAM the phone would have but to put their "stamp" on android. I think the blame for that partially falls on Google for not putting a stop to OEMs & carriers putting their bloatware on phones. Google has been asked multiple times to do something about the "fragmentation" issue & they've refused, so ultimately they are partly responsible for the "mess" android has become.
tsaxda said:
I don't think the problem with android is really the fact that more than one company is involved in developing phones for android. The problem is that those companies, (OEMs & carriers) have been given way to much freedom to decide not only what processor & RAM the phone would have but to put their "stamp" on android. I think the blame for that partially falls on Google for not putting a stop to OEMs & carriers putting their bloatware on phones. Google has been asked multiple times to do something about the "fragmentation" issue & they've refused, so ultimately they are partly responsible for the "mess" android has become.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, carrier "bloat" --I put that in quotes because the current three major skins bring much needed features to Android (whether or not the execution is done well or not is a different argument)-- isn't quite what's killing it, it's the time spent optimizing the hardware for Android.
Android gets slapped on as many devices as possible and then sold as a low end affordable smartphone, and that's the issue, but that's the essence of Android at the same time.
ZeGuitarist said:
Excellent post. Would read again.
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Click to collapse
+1 Outstanding post. Completely agree.
Removed the OP in protest due to the abusive I endured by some XDA members. In spite of reporting them to the moderates of the forums in question and my views were shared with more members than the abusers one of my threads was closed instead.
To those truly care about technology and its surrounding matters, please accept my sincere apologies for this inconvenience. I will no longer be part of the XDA community. Thank you.
Holy ****, someone here has a massive grudge against Google and Android.
CSharpHeaven said:
Part 2
Applications & Games
The very exaggerated figure (over 400,000) by Google is only to generate market hypes and to give an impression how popular the Android platform is.
The truth is Google has used hundreds of thousands of hopeful individuals with prospect of success to submit anything to fight back Apple's App Store, only in terms of numbers that is. The chance to success, financially, on Google's Play Store is only very small for established vendors and even smaller for individuals when the competition exceeds by vast numbers. Think of the odds in lottery to come to the same conclusion.
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Click to collapse
You see, you seem to be making contradictions on your own writing.
They never said 400,000 amazing super duper apps, they said 400,000 apps, no matter what quality.
Spell checker?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
nejc121 said:
Holy ****, someone here has a massive grudge against Google and Android.
You see, you seem to be making contradictions on your own writing.
They never said 400,000 amazing super duper apps, they said 400,000 apps, no matter what quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you are not the only XDA member that can read.
what boggles me is that android is the first os that has gotten my trust, for better or for worse. as strange as it may sound, i like updates, i am happy when notifications drop in and i certainly read the changelogs and see what's new. no other OS has ever been able to do that to me. i am using windows at work, macosx at home and linux for website-server stuff. some of these systems are here for decades, and yet they have never really taken care of my needs. i have no trust in them and never had, i click away update nagscreens whenever i see them, i hate when firefox bugs me with it, i dont trust any application, i know they put their dump onto my harddrives, mess it all up from inside, they have brought their own installation/deinstallation scripts and deamons for updates that clog my ram and suck my bandwidth, they are unsigned and unsafe, they spam my screen with popups, i do not know what permissions they require and what api's they call - they do whatever the hell they want. i use them because i have to.
yes, android has kinks and problems, but this is the cleanest OS, from a users standpoint, i have seen and used. my technical background may be lacking but this was my first impression. and because of that i can deal with buggy apps just fine, i either tollerate it or uninstall and search for something works on the market. and for some crazy reason i enjoy it, although i hated it on pc/mac/linux. so in this regard i think the app-market is doing great. it is true of course that the quality from app to app varies alot, but many do have high standards and work flawlessly. i for one think it is good that the android market does not have severe restrictions, because updates can get pushed when a defect is found. you have the opposite on apple and i did read reports that state their apps generally crash more often, which makes absolute sense because each update must go through an odyssey of admittance. bugs itself will always happen, every programmer knows that, but the android market has made sure that we do not suffer from them as much as on other systems. the underbelly of android with its signing-mechanisms, permission-transparency, packet-installer, subtle notifications, etc., all this works for me and im using my desktop less and less for a reason.
molesarecoming said:
what boggles me is that android is the first os that has gotten my trust, for better or for worse. as strange as it may sound, i like updates, i am happy when notifications drop in and i certainly read the changelogs and see what's new. no other OS has ever been able to do that to me. i am using windows at work, macosx at home and linux for website stuff. some of these systems are here for decades, and yet they have never really taken care of my needs. i have no trust in them and never had, i click away update nagscreens whenever i see them, i hate when firefox bugs me with it, i dont trust any application, i know they put their dump into my systems, mess it up from inside, they have brought their own installation/deinstallation scripts and deamons for updates that clog my ram and suck my bandwidth, they are unsigned and unsafe, they spam my screen with popups, i do not know what permissions they require and what api's they call - they do whatever they want. i use them because i have to.
yes, android has kinks and problems, but this is the cleanest OS, from a users standpoint, i have seen and used. my technical background may be lacking but this is the first impression. and because of that i can deal with buggy apps just fine, i either tollerate it or uninstall and search for something works on the market. and for some crazy reason i enjoy it, although i hated it on pc/mac/linux. so in this regard i think the app-market is doing great. it is true of course that the quality of the apps varies alot, but many do have high standards and work flawlessly. i for one think it is good that the android market does not have severe restrictions, because updates can get pushed when a defect is found. you have the opposite on apple and i did read reports that state their apps generally crash more often, which makes absolute sense because each update must go through an odyssey of admittance. bugs itself will always happen, every programmer knows that, but the android market has made sure that we do not suffer from them as much as on other systems.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for your inputs. I would like to clarify a couple of things, if you don't mind.
I have never made a comment about the Google Play Store's update process that updates the downloaded applications. Since you did, I do agree with you regarding the advantages you rightly addressed. What I might not agree with you is the trust where my credit card details can be added to the profile Google creates for all the citizens.
My point, that you responded to, was about the inability Android OS has to update itself the way, for example, Microsoft Windows or Apple's iOS can. Also the only thing Android can update on any Android handsets is the Google Play Store app. I found this very unfair when thousands of users, behalf the rest, were campaigning to push their respective manufacturers to release the next version of Android. During such campaign I fell ill from the distress. I cannot recall going through such similar experience in my 20+ in I.T. Believe me, being a software developer I can tolerate high mental pressures but that experience was something else. I don't wish anyone else go through the same experience ever and they shouldn't really.
I've been writing this article with the consideration of the bigger issues. I cannot conclude Android is a good platform based on a small technical convenience when I have vivid visions on what Google is doing with Android and beyond the mobile space.
If my ID suggests I must be a Microsoft's fan then allow me to say to the readers that I have only two Android phones which I use one of them to write my article and this response. Also I use an Android phone as my primary device, using up to three 1930mAh batteries a day. No, I don't watch movies on my phones but listen to music from time to time.
nejc121 said:
Holy ****, someone here has a massive grudge against Google and Android.
You see, you seem to be making contradictions on your own writing.
They never said 400,000 amazing super duper apps, they said 400,000 apps, no matter what quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
His name leads me to believe Microsoft Fanboi - C# is a Microsoft language very similar to java - but has enough similarities to be it's own language.
edit - you posted at a similar time to me.
I will read this from now on, but probably won't comment. I enjoy hearing what ppl have to say.
i have to use c# daily in my job, its great, my favourite until now. did you know that google once played with the thought to make it androids base language? read it somewhere. must be a myth though.
---------- Post added at 11:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------
CSharpHeaven said:
I found this very unfair when thousands of users, behalf the rest, were campaigning to push their respective manufacturers to release the next version of Android. During such campaign I fell ill from the distress. I cannot recall going through such similar experience in my 20+ in I.T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i am certainly pissed that my older handset, the s2, caught a disease called touchwizz recently instead of the modern operatig system i was hoping for. but falling ill? come on, get another phone, an iphone maybe, or if you still have hopes for android a nexus, and all will be fine. i learned my lesson from this, i'll never, ever buy something that is not directly maintained by google itself. i heard some people really loved touchwiz and samsungs efforts, to each his own. i thing its nice though that you have the choice.
Hello all. First time post. Let me start off by thanking you for accepting me into this fine community.
I had to chuckle while reading some excellent posts on the good and bad points when it came to some of the performance and features of the Infinity.
The reason for the chuckle was because I had this forum opened in one tab of my browser, and Amazon opened in another. I had actually been looking over the contents on my shopping cart. In it was one(1) ASUS Infinity tablet. I placed the item there a few days ago, but for some reason I couldn't get myself to hit the "Submit Order" button. Something just didn't feel right about the purchase. The decision over which tablet to choose is becoming more and more confusing. With talk about what may or may not be available in the not too distant future re: New iPad, Windows 8, etc etc really has me hesitating at this juncture.
My two daughters each purchased the new iPad so at least I have an opportunity to get a feel of what that product has to offer. Unfortunately, detaching them from their new toy has been a struggle all its own. One of the main reasons for my looking at products other than Apple is that their products seems SO proprietary.
In any case, I think that I will keep visiting this forum for a while longer before I make a final decision as to which tablet to choose. My apologies for the long-winded post. Peter
Hi Peter,
Deciding what Tablet you want for yourself is a very personal decision. If you really don't care about the environment (iOS vs Android) and are just a casual user - I do have a recommendation. At the risk of being flamed, I would say to get an iPad.
It comes down to this: Apps make the ecosystem. While android is gaining in applications and games, and just put out a huge checklist for Tablet developers, apple has a better application and gaming experience for the average user. You are absolutely subject to the proprietary OS, but most people don't care. It's good enough.
I love android (and I suspect that many others do as well) for a few reasons. It's mine. It's fully customizable and I can but really cool community built OS's Recovieries, etc on it. I've learned a lot about how devices work and the things most people don't see. That said, I've had my share of problems too. Many users don't know enough and brick their devices trying to do something that sounds cool but they don't fully understand. If you're a casual user there is no need to get caught up in it. Apple does in fact set the standard for hardware and Android will briefly surpass it, but it's always a tight race. Also, there are a lot more accessories for the iPad then any tablet device. I also love it because I enjoy pushing the envelope and making things better. Finally I love the community around android. It's awesome that I see the same usernames popping up across our little section of XDA helping each other out, supporting each other, joking around, and disagreeing even. It's fun.
Also, for the casual user you can go to a nearby apple store and get your issues fixed if you mess something up.
The first decision you make should be an ecosystem/environmental one. Also, if you don't have itunes there is a bit of a learning curve. I don't think that Apple products have that "intuitive feel" everyone claims. Android just seems harder because there is more customization that can take place.
Before I get flamed - I'm not advocating for Apple or the iPad, but I am advocating for really thinking about what kind of device you want and what you want to get out of it before you make your decision.
Good luck and if you have you have more questions, we're happy to help!
Osteele said:
Hello all. First time post. Let me start off by thanking you for accepting me into this fine community.
I had to chuckle while reading some excellent posts on the good and bad points when it came to some of the performance and features of the Infinity.
The reason for the chuckle was because I had this forum opened in one tab of my browser, and Amazon opened in another. I had actually been looking over the contents on my shopping cart. In it was one(1) ASUS Infinity tablet. I placed the item there a few days ago, but for some reason I couldn't get myself to hit the "Submit Order" button. Something just didn't feel right about the purchase. The decision over which tablet to choose is becoming more and more confusing. With talk about what may or may not be available in the not too distant future re: New iPad, Windows 8, etc etc really has me hesitating at this juncture.
My two daughters each purchased the new iPad so at least I have an opportunity to get a feel of what that product has to offer. Unfortunately, detaching them from their new toy has been a struggle all its own. One of the main reasons for my looking at products other than Apple is that their products seems SO proprietary.
In any case, I think that I will keep visiting this forum for a while longer before I make a final decision as to which tablet to choose. My apologies for the long-winded post. Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are welcome here, whatever you decide, but if you go with another tablet or OS, please don't come and tease us about how much better/faster/cooler yours is than ours. that really gets on my nerves, lol!
But I'm sure you would never do that.
I would advocate that if you are interested in customising your tablet, the Infinity is a good one. First of all, it has a beautiful screen, will continue to receive firmware/OS updates and is finally starting to be well supported by some of the best developers in the Android ecosystem. Personally, I don't care about iOS on any level. It's far to closed a system for me, too limited. My Infinity , running CleanROM v1.3 with TWRP 2.3.0.0. recovery absolutely flies. It is super fluid and very powerful. I keep it connected to its keyboard dock and I take it off the charger at 5:30 a.m. and never have to charge again though 17 hour day of almost constant use. Much of that use is internet browsing and with the CleanROM tweaks, the stock browser performs incredibly well. I also have a flawless tablet and dock. Never any problems. I also take care of it, but nothing out of the ordinary...just keep it in its case...don't drop it or spill on it.
I've been using it instead of a laptop, and it just about replaces my desktop. Browsing is actually faster on the Infinity, and watching videos is a lot nicer. I haven't used the HDMI port, so I can't comment on it, but having the micro sd, the fullsize sd and full size USB ports means I never have to worry about not having enough storage...my 750GB WD Passport works perfectly in the USB port. That's a lot of movies.
Well, I know some people are worried about unlocking and voiding their asus warranty in order to flash custom software, but I found that a 2 year square deal warranty with accidental damage coverage works better for me anyway. It cost me $99, but I found out later that with a coupon I could have saved $30. Oh well.
Anyway, good luck with your decision!
wolfman87 said:
Hi Peter,
Deciding what Tablet you want for yourself is a very personal decision. If you really don't care about the environment (iOS vs Android) and are just a casual user - I do have a recommendation. At the risk of being flamed, I would say to get an iPad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the quick response wolfman87. I wish that I could say that you've helped me move closer my ultimate decision. But of course you are absolutely right about that decision being a very personal one.
I suppose that there are so many factors that one may have to consider. It's so bizarre because I have been in IT for quite a while now and whenever a client asks for a quote on a new piece of hardware for example, the first question that I ask is: What exactly do you plan on doing with this new piece of hardware?
A liitle bit about myself:
Spend most of my time in a Windows client / server environment. (For better or worse my clients have dictated my skill-level)
Which is probably the reason that I am always looking to learn new things. Lately that has been:
Ubuntu desktop and server.
Virtual PBX (freePBX and Asterisk and PIAF)
Video Tutorials. Everything from Linux, jQuery, ASP .NET, Visual Studio, javascript.
Some of the things that I would like for a tablet to be able to do for me:
Receive and send email. Multiple Microsoft Exchange accounts required.
Connect remotely to client machines.
Browse the internet (many sites still require Flash)
Read all of the epub and pdf material that I now have sitting on my HP laptop
Would like to use a SIP client in order to dial thru my home based PBX with a secure VPN tunnel.
I enjoy recording music on my SSL Soundscape DAW.
Things that I found interesting about the Infinity:
Connectivity eg. HDMI - External storage - Dock
So far, I do not think that the iPad can offer any of these things. Unless I am wrong of course !!!
Once again, let me apologize for this long-winded response as well.
I thank you so much for your time and input. It is greatly appreciated.
Peter
okantomi said:
You are welcome here, whatever you decide, but if you go with another tablet or OS, please don't come and tease us about how much better/faster/cooler yours is than ours. that really gets on my nerves, lol!
But I'm sure you would never do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are absolutely right okantomi, I would never come back to do such a thing. By the way, thank you for the great response. I suppose that some of the negative stuff that I read in certain sections of this forum got me a little nervous. I should know better. We don't live in a perfect world, and no ONE item is going to please everyone. This phenomema is what brings about change and improvement.
I will give it another day or two, discuss the purchase with my better half, then see what we come up with.
Have a great weekend. Peter
Here's my two cents... Above, someone mentioned apps... Basically, an iPad is just that - an interface to run apps. On the other hand, Android does so much more. Besides running apps, the OS itself is actually useful and a great productivity tool. The widgets that run on your desktop are simply awesome. Just by looking at my home screen, I can see my upcoming appointments, the time, the date, the weather, my Gmail account and my work email account (exchange). I can do all of that simply by turning the device on! When you turn on an Ipad you see icons - that's about it.
Add to that the features of the Transformer series, such as a keyboard dock with an extra battery, a trackpad, memory card readers, HDMI-out and a USB port and I think you can see just how powerful a Transformer running Android can be. I actually started out with an iPad 1 (as it was basically the first tablet available) - it was a great device - until I stumbled upon Android and the Transformer line! You really can do so much more with a Transformer than you can with an iPad. Hell - even this post - just try typing this on an iPad - it would take forever with the on-screen keyboard!
Like had already been stated - it all depends on what you want the device to do. For me, the iPad is just way too limiting. It may have more apps (for now - although that's beginning to change), but that is literally all that you can do with it - runs apps. There are no widgets. There is no way to expand upon the hardware (I.E. extra ports). It's very "basic".
Anyway, good luck deciding - I have a feeling that we'll be seeing you around these parts soon enough though!
By the way, don't let the "complainers" in this forum scare you off - it's mainly just so same few posters complaining over and over again. Or, it's folks that don't even own the TF700! It is deceiving - there are *many* happy TF700 users out there!
Sorry for the long post - it's just so easy to get long winded when you have a real keyboard to type with!
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
Osteele said:
Thank you so much for the quick response wolfman87. I wish that I could say that you've helped me move closer my ultimate decision. But of course you are absolutely right about that decision being a very personal one.
I suppose that there are so many factors that one may have to consider. It's so bizarre because I have been in IT for quite a while now and whenever a client asks for a quote on a new piece of hardware for example, the first question that I ask is: What exactly do you plan on doing with this new piece of hardware?
A liitle bit about myself:
Spend most of my time in a Windows client / server environment. (For better or worse my clients have dictated my skill-level)
Which is probably the reason that I am always looking to learn new things. Lately that has been:
Ubuntu desktop and server.
Virtual PBX (freePBX and Asterisk and PIAF)
Video Tutorials. Everything from Linux, jQuery, ASP .NET, Visual Studio, javascript.
Some of the things that I would like for a tablet to be able to do for me:
Receive and send email. Multiple Microsoft Exchange accounts required.
Connect remotely to client machines.
Browse the internet (many sites still require Flash)
Read all of the epub and pdf material that I now have sitting on my HP laptop
Would like to use a SIP client in order to dial thru my home based PBX with a secure VPN tunnel.
I enjoy recording music on my SSL Soundscape DAW.
Things that I found interesting about the Infinity:
Connectivity eg. HDMI - External storage - Dock
So far, I do not think that the iPad can offer any of these things. Unless I am wrong of course !!!
Once again, let me apologize for this long-winded response as well.
I thank you so much for your time and input. It is greatly appreciated.
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might be a jumble of thoughts - sorry in advance:
That's really good information actually. From the first post it sounded much more casual. Since the needs that you have are more technical I would lean towards the Android side of things (I think that there are more IT based applications for Android). You can definitely set up exchange accounts (not sure how many, but I know you can). You can also remote into other machines (VPN, I think RDP, etc.). Of course web browsing comes standard, even on the base model
If you are going to be doing a lot of emails the dock absolutely is worth it. for ~$100 (if you get the 201) you get basically a netbook KB and the extra battery life. I have a friend who uses a bluetooth KB for his iPad and it lasts a while itself, but doesn't increase the tablet uptime.
Also a few people are working on getting a distro of linux up on this. It's harder since the bootloader isn't the same as the older models, but I don't think that it's something you can do on the iPad.
If you aren't running any iDevices right now it makes sense to stick with Android/Windows as an ecosystem. My other advice is go to play.google.com and look around at the apps, specifically for what you want to do: (for example: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=SIP&c=apps). This will help you get a feel for what is out there and what you can do.
For hooking up to HDMI - I actually may have blown the port on mine recently - I still haven't tested it again. But I got the Square Trade warranty through amazon (2 years plus accidental damage) for about $75. They're a solid provider and while I hope I don't have to use them, they don't care if you voided your ASUS warranty with unlocking, etc.
If you you and your better half will be using the tablet, I would say to stick to the infinity since the screen is super crisp (I assume that for emails, PDF's, remote PBXing, you aren't worried too much about the resolution) and it gets bright in the outdoors (IPS+). I have an iPad 2 for work and it really is much better than even that screen. Not as good as the iPads, but the best on the market for android.
If you really don't care about the screen, there are other good models out there. The Infinity rocks in terms of horsepower and as I mentioned the screen. Those are probably the two BEST things about it. I figure (for me) it will last at least 2 maybe 3 years. (hopefully more)
Oh, as a note - try before you buy. The headset jack is a bit weird and if you do a lot of audio it takes a bit to get used to holding it closer to the top.
Oh, and no need to apologize for being long winded
To all you great folks who have taken the time to respond to my lenghty posts, my heartfelt thanks. I have to be very honest, and I hope that this doesn't come off sounding strange, I am not a huge APPS kinda guy. Maybe I am not up to speed with that whole apps thing, but I just can't see why some folks put so much emphasis on the procurement of apps. Let's face it, how many are you really going to need / use. Once you find the ones that do exactly what you need for them to do that should pretty much do it.
Well, that's just me talking of course. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that most of the time I am using my machines for work and not so much for play.
Have yourselves a safe and enjoyable weekend!
Thank you
Peter
Osteele said:
I wish that I could say that you've helped me move closer my ultimate decision.
[...]
It's so bizarre because I have been in IT for quite a while now and whenever a client asks for a quote on a new piece of hardware for example, the first question that I ask is: What exactly do you plan on doing with this new piece of hardware?
[...]
Ubuntu desktop and server.
Virtual PBX (freePBX and Asterisk and PIAF)
Video Tutorials. Everything from Linux, jQuery, ASP .NET, Visual Studio, javascript.
Some of the things that I would like for a tablet to be able to do for me:
Receive and send email. Multiple Microsoft Exchange accounts required.
Connect remotely to client machines.
Browse the internet (many sites still require Flash)
Read all of the epub and pdf material that I now have sitting on my HP laptop
Would like to use a SIP client in order to dial thru my home based PBX with a secure VPN tunnel.
I enjoy recording music on my SSL Soundscape DAW.
Things that I found interesting about the Infinity:
Connectivity eg. HDMI - External storage - Dock
So far, I do not think that the iPad can offer any of these things. Unless I am wrong of course !!!
Once again, let me apologize for this long-winded response as well.
I thank you so much for your time and input. It is greatly appreciated.
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If web browsing is a must -- and for most of us, it is -- then pretty much any Android machine wins over any iDevice because of Flash support (even with the support detracted on JB devices, you can still sideload the apk and it will still work).
Shell connection has several (free) apps available. I do that from home, mostly, so I do not have really extensive experience with them.
EPub and PDF -- Mantano all the way (I use it for both technical reading (medical and biochemical literature, mostly) and leisure reading (although that is non-fiction as well, mainly (astro)physics, quantum dynamics, archeology -- the high resolution screen REALLY helps in that corner, for it renders formulae, graphs, tables, and such just beautifully!).
To me, given both private and work use, TF700 hands-down, but as has been said oftentimes on this thread already, it's your choice. And indeed you are welcome in here anyway.
Osteele said:
[...]I am not a huge APPS kinda guy. Maybe I am not up to speed with that whole apps thing, but I just can't see why some folks put so much emphasis on the procurement of apps. Let's face it, how many are you really going to need / use. Once you find the ones that do exactly what you need for them to do that should pretty much do it.
Well, that's just me talking of course. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that most of the time I am using my machines for work and not so much for play.
Have yourselves a safe and enjoyable weekend!
Thank you
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does make a major difference whether you use the 700 for work alone or also for leisure activity. I have two kids, aged 4 and 2, and they love tablet -- and they're ever handier than me. :S The app thingy is an ongoing search for the best-performing launcher, the best-performing office application, etc. -- and a lot of it is hoarding (I have enough games purchased-but-not-played-yet to last me for the next decade-and-a-half, hahaha!).
(Oh, and sometimes, an app is really good for all things it does, but it doesn't incorporate a feature you need. You then find another app that does, but that one either has a clunky interface (preventing everyday use) or misses some feature the other app did provide... and so on, and so on. )
Jtrosky already tackled this, but I wanted to emphasize it a bit: currently, only a small minority has devices that display major faults. Don't let the few posts about them detract you from trusting the TF700.
I was one of the many that noticed low I/O performance, which is the one issue that is faithfully reproducible, I guess -- and although not eliminated entirely, it has been greatly improved upon by recent updates. I was one of the instigators of the "I/O pressure" -- I unashamedly admit -- and I think we did the right thing in being so vocal. I love my 700, though, and I am easily standing up against the many friends carrying iDevices around (with regards to both screen quality, battery life, physical keyboard, and connection options (main USB, (micro)SD cards)...
Have a good and merry weekend yourself as well!
MartyHulskemper said:
If web browsing is a must -- and for most of us, it is -- then pretty much any Android machine wins over any iDevice because of Flash support (even with the support detracted on JB devices, you can still sideload the apk and it will still work).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good morning Marty, and thank you for your valuable input. Undoubtedly, you seem to be getting the most out of your trusty tablet. I am happy to hear that.
I am going to take in all I can about tablets in general this weekend. I know that can probably set me a back a while. I am currently delving into a little .NET programming. So, there is always WIndows 8 tablets.
Came across this article last nite:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010050/leaked-windows-8-tablet-pricing-suggests-asus-is-targeting-big-spenders.html
Will most likely add to my confusion though. No one is holding a gun to my head, right?
Have a wonderful day wherever you may be!
Peter
Osteele said:
Good morning Marty, and thank you for your valuable input. Undoubtedly, you seem to be getting the most out of your trusty tablet. I am happy to hear that.
I am going to take in all I can about tablets in general this weekend. I know that can probably set me a back a while. I am currently delving into a little .NET programming. So, there is always WIndows 8 tablets.
Came across this article last nite:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010050/leaked-windows-8-tablet-pricing-suggests-asus-is-targeting-big-spenders.html
Will most likely add to my confusion though. No one is holding a gun to my head, right?
Have a wonderful day wherever you may be!
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, no, you're only in as much hurry as you put yourself in -- that Intel-based ASUS tablet is priced outrageously high -- 1399 dollars for a tablet? Meh. The people that would pay that )to include the dock accessory) would rather pay 1100 dollars for a really good laptop instead. I'd that swell, and I'd gain Windows gaming in the process (Borderlands 2 on the train commute ftw, hahaha! ) and a crapload of ecosystem apps that have been refined over many years instead of the 2 years we have had Android tablet apps and 0, nada, zilch for Windows 8 tablet apps.
If they price it lower, though, it might even be very tempting (especially when they do not break compatibility with Windows 7 applications -- I haven't been paying much attention to Windows 8. I guess I have some catching up to do...
And as far as your catching up goes: yes, I'd expect you to be busy reading for a week or two, at least. As we say in Holland: it will, at the very least, keep you off the streets.
MartyHulskemper said:
Oh, no, you're only in as much hurry as you put yourself in -- that Intel-based ASUS tablet is priced outrageously high -- 1399 dollars for a tablet? Meh.
If they price it lower, though, it might even be very tempting (especially when they do not break compatibility with Windows 7 applications -- I haven't been paying much attention to Windows 8. I guess I have some catching up to do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello again Marty. I was under the impression that the pricing was somewhere in the vicinity of:
Pricing for Asus' Vivo Tab RT will start at $599
As was mentioned here as well:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/12/3495334/asus-vivo-tab-rt-pre-sales-begin-first-windows-rt-tablet-starts-at
IT's going to take more than a tablet to keep me off the streets. :laugh: :laugh:
Have a wonderful day. Peter
Osteele said:
Hello again Marty. I was under the impression that the pricing was somewhere in the vicinity of:
Pricing for Asus' Vivo Tab RT will start at $599
As was mentioned here as well:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/12/3495334/asus-vivo-tab-rt-pre-sales-begin-first-windows-rt-tablet-starts-at
IT's going to take more than a tablet to keep me off the streets. :laugh: :laugh:
Have a wonderful day. Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Peter!
Yes, it did say that in the article, but the RT versions of Windows 8 are the versions that carry ONLY the Metro interface, and are able to run ONLY apps that have been specifically programmed to run on that particular version (although I might have understood all that totally wrong, in which case somebody will undoubtedly be so friendly as to point me to my errors. The more usable versions will cost you significantly more, and the dock will set you back even more...
MartyHulskemper said:
Hi Peter!
Yes, it did say that in the article, but the RT versions of Windows 8 are the versions that carry ONLY the Metro interface, and are able to run ONLY apps that have been specifically programmed to run on that particular version (although I might have understood all that totally wrong, in which case somebody will undoubtedly be so friendly as to point me to my errors. The more usable versions will cost you significantly more, and the dock will set you back even more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha !!! Gotcha. Thanks to you, I will be going to bed a little smarter this evening. Thank you. Peter
Update
Well folks, I just wanted to stop by to let you know that I took the plung today at approx 18:00. After spending a considerable amount of time scouring the internet and reading reviews ad nauseam, I finally decided upon the Infinity. Should arrive in a few days and I must say that I am excited. Nice to feel like a kid again.
There is a good possibility that I may have a few questions once I have spent a little time with the unit. Hope you all don't mind if I post those questions here on this forum.
Thank you all again for being so helpful. I hope that I have made the right decision.
Peter
Osteele said:
Well folks, I just wanted to stop by to let you know that I took the plung today at approx 18:00. After spending a considerable amount of time scouring the internet and reading reviews ad nauseam, I finally decided upon the Infinity. Should arrive in a few days and I must say that I am excited. Nice to feel like a kid again.
There is a good possibility that I may have a few questions once I have spent a little time with the unit. Hope you all don't mind if I post those questions here on this forum.
Thank you all again for being so helpful. I hope that I have made the right decision.
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bring it on bro.....We are waiting!!!
buhohitr said:
Bring it on bro.....We are waiting!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Sir. I really appreciate that.
Congrats! Welcome to the club
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Welcome to the Infinity family.
As a .NET Developer myself, I find this device comes in handy sometimes with the supernote it saves alot of papers and keep them all in one place. I use Supernote for writing pseudo code, brainstorming, UML diagram etc. Maybe you will find this method useful or maybe not. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the infinity!
Cheers
Osteele said:
Well folks, I just wanted to stop by to let you know that I took the plung today at approx 18:00. After spending a considerable amount of time scouring the internet and reading reviews ad nauseam, I finally decided upon the Infinity. Should arrive in a few days and I must say that I am excited. Nice to feel like a kid again.
There is a good possibility that I may have a few questions once I have spent a little time with the unit. Hope you all don't mind if I post those questions here on this forum.
Thank you all again for being so helpful. I hope that I have made the right decision.
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so, too, Peter -- you'll find out soon enough, I guess. ; ) It does come pretty sudden, so after your initial resolve to wait it out and inform and inform and inform. I know the feeling of waiting, however, mostly gets the best of me -- I guess us gadgeteers are not the most resilient to marketing and spec sheets. Hahaha!
Welcome to the club, and don't fret about posting your questions. It's not your type of user we get fed up with, and to be honest, I think you'll be fine with the guides that have sprung up -- at least as far as unlocking woes, Nvflash, custom recoveries and custom ROMs, etc. go. It's going to take a fair bit of Play Store scavenging to find apps that suit your needs and style optimally, but we'll get there. Relish the kid feeling, and don't lose the fun in finding your way.
By the way: I assume you ordered it with the dock?
I've lurked around these forums for a while, occasionally dabbling in various models that I've owned or had an interest in. I've now decided that it's high time a complete fleet of apps were developed with CM in mind.
Introducing tinyApps!
The concept is relatively simple. Cyanogen is often a means of experiencing a newer version of Android on a device that is otherwise unsupported. For example: I have an HTC Desire Z as a daily driver. I run CM10.1 (or android 4.2.2) and it performs pretty damned well. I've also owned much less powerful phones, such as the Optimus ME P350 from LG, on which I ran 4.0.4, and found most apps very demanding.
I'm going to be developing, over the course of several months, the following apps:
tRadio
tMusic
tWeb
tFiles
tFilms
and last, but by no means least, tGallery.
These are all applications that I have found to be reasonably demanding, or unsuccessful in meeting my expectations.
I'm gonna get paid!
I'm not going to canvas for donations, that isn't my style. Instead, I'm going to fund these apps by adverts. I'll be sure to keep these as unintrusive as possible, eg:
No full-screen adverts (if possible)
In the same place across all applications
placed so as to avoid accidental clicks
as static as possible, to avoid excess data charges
removable by a fee made as small as possible - e.g 50p UK sterling
I'm very keen to hear suggestions and feature requests, although please keep in mind that these apps are designed to be as small as possible. If all goes well, we can perhaps push for them to be included as part of CyanogenMod (Nobody ever said I wasn't aspirational, no?).
&Delinquent[$] said:
I've lurked around these forums for a while, occasionally dabbling in various models that I've owned or had an interest in. I've now decided that it's high time a complete fleet of apps were developed with CM in mind.
Introducing tinyApps!
The concept is relatively simple. Cyanogen is often a means of experiencing a newer version of Android on a device that is otherwise unsupported. For example: I have an HTC Desire Z as a daily driver. I run CM10.1 (or android 4.2.2) and it performs pretty damned well. I've also owned much less powerful phones, such as the Optimus ME P350 from LG, on which I ran 4.0.4, and found most apps very demanding.
I'm going to be developing, over the course of several months, the following apps:
tRadio
tMusic
tWeb
tFiles
tFilms
and last, but by no means least, tGallery.
These are all applications that I have found to be reasonably demanding, or unsuccessful in meeting my expectations.
I'm gonna get paid!
I'm not going to canvas for donations, that isn't my style. Instead, I'm going to fund these apps by adverts. I'll be sure to keep these as unintrusive as possible, eg:
No full-screen adverts (if possible)
In the same place across all applications
placed so as to avoid accidental clicks
as static as possible, to avoid excess data charges
removable by a fee made as small as possible - e.g 50p UK sterling
I'm very keen to hear suggestions and feature requests, although please keep in mind that these apps are designed to be as small as possible. If all goes well, we can perhaps push for them to be included as part of CyanogenMod (Nobody ever said I wasn't aspirational, no?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting concept but really just an empty thread. It would be awesome if you could update others on what the project looks like and more detail!
If you ever need any help in designs and such, do contact me. I'm also interested in the development of (what now seems very alpha) the app. :good:
Nice.
I suggest that you can access that application in "small" window like Sony smart app do. I'd be great
Araragi said:
Nice.
I suggest that you can access that application in "small" window like Sony smart app do. I'd be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thatll take a lot if effort though
XD.
I'd be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its: That'll be great
Araragi said:
Nice.
I suggest that you can access that application in "small" window like Sony smart app do. I'd be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll second this idea!
Also a video player or is that films?
OlinB said:
I'll second this idea!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Creating a Sony styled Small apps requires something along the Sony framework for those things to work so gd luck!
Look out! tRadio is coming sometime next month!
Interested to see what you have what in store
Sent from my C5303 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app