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Pls enlighten this Android newbie

Hi all,
Am a newbie to Android tablets/devices both in terms of hardware and software. So if my post is posted in the wrong thread or reposted pls pardon me. I just want to understand a few basics.
As you all may know, now the market is being flooded by those Chinese made Android tablets. And many of them looks good (at least on paper) and at a very good price. But the problem is most of the time when come to chinese goods, they don't usually do what they claims (if you know what i mean). and the best part most of the salesperson don't know anything about the products they are selling especially when comes to tech gadgets like the Android tablets.
So here i am seeking help from you gurus and hoping i can start my Android journey on the right step. Below are a few questions. Hope I can get answers (links to somewhere where i can read up or anything).
1. What are the conditions (CPU make, firmware, etc) to fulfill if i wan to upgrade/root/hack the original Android OS? Cos most of the chinese made tablets are running on Android 1.5. Hoping to be able to upgrade the OS whenever a newer one comes out. Like the latest 2.1 And be able to download new apps from the apps market.
2. Which CPU chip is better and what are the common CPU chips in the market now? I know there are the Rockchips, VIA, Telechips.
3. Can we tell what are the hardware (CPU make etc) and software (OS/firmware version, etc) that are being used in the device from the system setting or something?
4. I read somewhere that not all CPU chips can be upgraded to the latest OS. i.e. that any upgrade is determined by the CPU chip. Is it true?
5. As for custom ROM, is it also device dependable? Like is there a generic ROM for all devices?
For now these are the questions which are bugging me. Hope the gurus here can enlighten this Android newbie.
Sorry for the long winded post and thanks for any help.

Hmmm. Just check that it is upgradable to froyo and it has more than 500mhz cpu
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

if you are looking for a tablet just get an ipad. the android tablets i see floating around are just 1.5 or 1.6. even if you get a tablet that can do 2.2 (froyo)... i dont see how that can be any better than an ipad.
i just feel that 2.2 isnt meant to be in tablet form. if you can wait... wait for 3.0 before you decide. the main deterrent here is the maximum resolution for android (854 x 480 or something), and that the apps were made with phones in mind.
im very happy with my nexus one... i just cant imagine having a tablet running android as of the moment unless its very very cheap ($200 or so).
i for one will get an ipad next month. my nexus one with wifi tether + the basic wifi ipad will be gadget heaven. looking to get an ipad primarily for reading magazines (zinio) and comic books. android does not have zinio yet. the android comic viewer (ACV) i use on my nexus is ok... but not great. then theres the games. games on android are still so so with less variety and choices.
as a phone the android is great! better than the iphone (yes im an apple user through and through) even. but as a tablet... not quite yet.

Hp is going to release a tablet so is samsung with 2.2
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Hopefully start seeing some of these 2.2 tablets in the 3rd Quarter...

NOOB, my wife want's a ereader... WHAT'S THE BEST ANDROID TABLET

Hi people,
This is my first post.
I am looking to purchase a 7" - 8" android tablet for my wife.
I was told that the people in xda - developers know the most about the android so that i why I am posting this question.
I plan on using it for a ereader... but would use it for games, video, etc...
I am not an apple fan, and want the android. I download alot of stuff and thought an android could handle any format I shoot at it, like pdf, txt, etc...
What's your advice? AND THANKS!!!
p.s.
even if you point me to another thread that discusses the best android to buy, that would be great.

Get a Barnes and Noble Nook color e-reader.
Root it and you can transforms it into an affordable Android tablet

Domosan said:
Get a Barnes and Noble Nook color e-reader.
Root it and you can transforms it into an affordable Android tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... THAT'S what I'm talking about. Really don't want to shell out to much $$$$
and I am a BIG pc downloader... use mostly IRC.
I will start to research this idea. Is there a thread dedicated to this?
Thanks again.

Domosan said:
Get a Barnes and Noble Nook color e-reader.
Root it and you can transforms it into an affordable Android tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I looked into it. It is cool. BUT IT'S $249!!! and for $299 you can get the ...
eLocity A7 Touchscreen 7-Inch Android 2.2 Tablet , hast HDMI, USB, nvideo GPU, dual processor.
Am I missing something?

No your not missing anything the nook color is a dedicated e reader that is meant for the average to low level using how only WA TS to read books......for you I would go and get a better suited tablet with more options and functions nook is the best dedicated. Ereader out but not even close in being a top android tablet
Sent from my LG-P509 using XDA App

The nook. Got a recovery
S.I. 77

Now this may be expensive, but I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab...I mean it lets you surf the net, games, android market, etc.
...But thats just me.

If you want an e-reader, get the Nook Color, if you want a tablet, wait for Honeycomb.

mayurolla said:
If you want an e-reader, get the Nook Color, if you want a tablet, wait for Honeycomb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I will wait for the honeycomb! Thanks...
I just started doing research. Don't understand the android market place? I would just search for cracked software to install... am I missing something?
It would be used primary as an ereader, she now has the itouch... but it is a little to small. But it will also be used for movies (on plans), reading PDF's, and all other formats. And I will use it for games...lol.
She has dozens of apps on her itouch... I am sure she will download all kinds of stuff for the android.

advice on android tablet
Hi!
For me,
the best tablets on the market are :
- Viewsonic viewpad gtablet 10.1" (android 2.2, capacitive multitouch, 1GHz CPU,512Mo RAM, USB, 16GB,Camera, G-sensor, supports :wav,wma,mp3...;avi,divx,xvid,wmv,rmvb,mkv,mp2,x264,x263; epub,pdf,...)
At OfficeDepot: $379.99
-Samsung GAlaxy Tab(Android 2.2, capacitive multitouch, 1GHz, 512 RAM, front camera,rear camera,G-Sensor, supports all the formats above).Price varies depending on the Carrier($400 to @560).
But , If you really want a very good tablet you might as well wait 6months to the newer versions with android 3.0 honeycomb(OS specially designed for tablets).
Good luck on your new tablet!

The Notion Ink Adam is another device which I think is extremely good - it uses a Pixel QI screen which makes it especially good as an E-Reader. Also it uses a specialised version of Android which makes Android amazing on it. However it is a bit expensive at $550.

I have been very happy with my Archos 70. It comes with a nice eReader and with the Google Market installed, I have the Amazon Kindle app. It is a little hard to find right now, $275 is the retail, which is what I waited for and got direct from Amazon. Although my wife picks it up to read and ends up playing Angry Birds...

I was under the impression Archos had their own market software and thus it made a bit of problems getting the real Market on it. I don´t own one though so I might be mistaken. As for Adam (Notion Ink´s device) yea theres reviews and such but IIRC Notion Ink has pushed Adam back, the pre-oder people aren´t getting their devices because Notion Ink can´t handle the demand or something it´s pushed back for one reason or another (from androidtablets.net) Android 3.0 aka Honeycomb is Android (re)designed for Tablets. My advice wait for the release of Android 3.0 and the explosion of new devices that are sure to follow in it´s wake. This, my guess is, will bring competition and make for a large selection and maybe price wars which is always good for the end users

Nook Color. End of lol.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

....apad...epad...lol hope that's more helpful. There's a variety of specs and sizes.

I've recently purchased the Amazon Kindle and it has completely replaced books for me. The e-ink technology doesn't bother your eyes so you can use the device for what its for.

Honeycomb in Eken
I have heard (and read) that Honeycomb is already released.
My questions:
1. How can I have it?
2. How to install it in a Eken tablet?
Thanks for help.

"NOOB, my wife want's a ereader..."
made me LOOL

Cheap alternative
How about Apad , Irobot?

Eken M009s - Android 2.2, 7" Resistive LCD, WiFi, WM8650 300~800Mhz, Oficial Market after updated firmware - 88.99$
Can't beat that price

Port Honeycomb the Blackberry Playbook

Hello,
I'm getting a free Blackberry Playbook, I know it runs on QNX OS, but is their away to put Honeycomb on it, seeing as it has no physical buttons.
I want a 7 inch tablet, and the Galaxy Tab and Flyer(wi-fi) is not doing it for me, seeing how the Playbook is 1.0Ghz dual core, it will keep up with every one else.
Plus the fact Android on BB would be pure swagger.
Iv spent 3 hours researching it and all i get is the fact that their porting apps.
Thanks

50 views no comment?

Since Google didn't release the Honeycomb source code, this task may be impossible.

but they will release for 4.0 ice cream sandwich... will then be someone who will be brave enough to unlock the device and port android to BB?

bsdnix said:
but they will release for 4.0 ice cream sandwich... will then be someone who will be brave enough to unlock the device and port android to BB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, maybe.

Amazon has just released their kindle fire source code. I hope it helps porting playbook to android
http://kindle-src.s3.amazonaws.com/Kindle_src_6.2_11185402.tar.gz

Instead of posting in a new thread I will post here. Where can I find anything that would help me port android as an app to the playbook since the playbook as of now has a very secure boot mechanism. I have not tried to exploit it but from what I have seen QNX is insanely restrictive, you cant even read system logs. Is it even possible to port android as an app?

Afaik RIM added Android app support to the playbook?!
The classes are identical (j2me/java) so as a developer it shouldn't be to tricky to port it.

I'm asking about running android (the entire os) as an app. The android player wont do android native sdk among some other things so not all apps will run. I'm asking if its possible to for example take android and run it through a translation layer that will take calls to the gpu and just use opengl on the playbook to render things. So kind of like vm but specific to the device and version of android so its actually fast and not an emulator.

HC source code is released comparative with ICS one. You need a good experienced dev for that type of action.

Didn't think it was supposed to go on sale until Black Friday, but just left Best Buy. It's going for $199. Android and I'd buy quickly.

if you were lucky you could've picked up a 64gb playbook for $229 before tax at best buy.

chaose said:
if you were lucky you could've picked up a 64gb playbook for $229 before tax at best buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how so? price mistake? please do tell.
edit:
Scratch that. I found it over here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=19519966
Looks like the price was either a mistake or they're out. Either way... we need some devs hacking this thing.

Does anyone know if qnx uses a bootloader/recovery layout like Android? I would be interested to know how much reworking of the firmware would be needed and even so, would it be possible?

Deleted. Wrong thread.

Got one also.
Great video quality, fast, QNX not so bad;
but
App Store a real disappointment.
RIM wants paid for Apps that are free on Android; big big fail!
There is a loader (PowerUp & Volume + and volume minus; hold for 20 seconds)
Hopefully some xda weeney will jump all over this thing.
Great hardware.
Actually faster than my Gtablet w/FB10 (which is great too)!

Picked up one when it went on sale, and has been playing around with it. hardware is nice, QNX is very smooth. The machine is a multi-tasking beast.
Some android apps work,but you have to convert it to a .bar file first. The process can be frustrating.
Apparently people have gotten android app market to work on the playbook through the app player; not exactly sure how it's done but this gives me some hope.
App World, on the other hand, subpar apps that offers a quarter the functionality of free apps on the android market have a price of >$2.99. I can't find a single decent e reader on the app world.

I'm also interested in for getting android to Playbook, even webos if it is possible...

Vote here for playbook forum,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1416406

ICS is now out and so is the source so who wants to start hacking it?
It can be found on their site. I wanted to put a link in here but I am to much of a newbie.

Going to buy a tablet within the next week or so... Grid10?

And I'm honestly thinking about getting the Grid10. The Grid10 + case + USB cable is still $20 less than the Transformer (without a case, or the dock), which was the other tablet I'm considering.
Is there any reason I shouldn't get the Grid10? Better price point for similar specs. It can sideload Android APKs, and it uses the Amazon App Store, and the OS is something that really seems to flow nicely in all the hands on videos I've seen.
Since it's based on the Android kernel, it won't be another Playbook or Touchpad, since all Android apps theoretically work on the Grid10. The only thing I'm worried about is all the negative comments I've been reading about Fusion Garage and their previous tablet. I already know I'd enjoy an Android tablet.
I am currently the owner of an original Galaxy Tab, so really, anything is an upgrade at this point (Not having a tablet OS on a tablet is really awful)

This will be my next tablet, I have been watching the Grid10 for a while now. It looks smooth and responsive to the touch. I currently own the touchpad and an Android tablet. I am planning on getting the 3g version. Fast enough for me.

On the @FusionGarage twitter, I asked a few qustions that I've been unable to find answers to:
"@FusionGarage Quick question, is the usb cable a must? Can you sync/transfer files via wifi? "
Reply: "@steckums We are currently working on an application that will sync your content via WiFi, but right now you need the USB cable. "
"@FusionGarage Good to hear. One more: how compatible is it with Android APKs? Is it essentially able to sideload any (honeycomb!?) app?"
Reply: "@steckums Yes, you can sideload any Android app, including Honeycomb apps."

Off Topic
does anyone here have modded rom for this china tablet
APAD2 with call function
i am planning to buy by the end of the month and i want it flashed with better firmware.
please someone help me

So I have heard that GridOS is based on android 2.3. If that is the case how are they running any honeycomb apps? My guess is that older versions of GridOS (pre-production) were based on 2.3 and the production version is based on honeycomb. What are other people's thoughts on this?

I bought the wifi only version - it should arrive tomorrow. I've just read a less than stunning review from Engadget though, so now I'm leery...

New Asus Qube

Hey,
Was wondering what everyone thinks of the new Asus Qube?
Engadget hands on
Newegg Hands on
I saw a video that showed it was running Android 3.2.
I can only assume that this there will still be a huge limitation on the apps that are compatible with this device.
I wonder why Google hasn't update Google TV to Android 4.x.x?
This isn't up to the device makers is it?
The video of this device looks promising. I could possibly try and pick one up myself.