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I am trying to justify spending $350~ on a android tablet. What do you guys use your tablet for? Use it a lot?
I have a work laptop that is bogged down with corporate crap. I have my own personal desktop in the basement. My wife and I will use our tabs for browsing, video chat, games, movies and music. Much easier to browse in bed on a tab then a laptop.
Where to start?
- web browsing (replaced my awesome little netbook)
- casual emailing
- ebook reader
- cooking (much easier to hit www.cooks.com with this puppy)
- gaming (just getting my feet wet with this)
- development (just trying this out coming from a windows mobile dev background)
And I've only had this unit since the 19th, lol.
It's my sitting on the sofa toy, replacing my laptop and my Nexus One. Easier to hold than a laptop, easier to look at than a phone. Surfing, ebooks, Angry Birds, all the usual stuff. I'll also prop it by my desk for an "extra window," with Tweetdeck open.
Running TNTLite and fixing Flash and Market has turned it into just what I want.
In fact, I'm using it to write this!
Mostly wasting time
Sprdtyf350 said:
Mostly wasting time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1... that's what it really comes down to. When the Ipad came out, I was so against it. I said to myself, I have a laptop, why do I need that. Now I just can't wait to get my hands on a g-tab. Just another gadget I guess, but for me it means my boss won't see all the porn I am looking at on my company laptop anymore! LOL!
I use it for things I could do on my phone or on a laptop with the quickness and ease of an Android phone but the larger display like a laptop.
Checking email, quick browse of the web, checking IMDB (app) while watching TV, Facebook, etc...
I like it for reading Kindle or Nook books as well.
Sent from my UPC300-2.2 using Tapatalk
Browsing xda on my couch without a laptop cooking my credentials.
The wife loves it for angry birds.
I plan to do some development for it eventually.
We're evaluating tablets for non-technical users that travel as laptop replacements. Must:
Connect and sync email, calandar, contacts and calendar with exchange FAIL
We'll review this now that the update is out
Read and edit office documents Pass
Read PDF's Pass
Ebook Reader Pass
Load and watch Video Pass
Oddly enough the Ipad connects much easier to exchange and does most of the other stuff natively. You buy the office App and the ability to edit Doc's and excel works great.
Given the hardware specs I'm mystified why Viewsonic is treating these as toys. Sure they're great for home use but we buys units in the hundreds so why make the primary business need to connect to exchange so damn difficult.
Use mine for ticket tracking (tech support).
Webradio
Surfing the web
WhiskeyJac said:
We're evaluating tablets for non-technical users that travel as laptop replacements. Must:
Connect and sync email, calandar, contacts and calendar with exchange FAIL
We'll review this now that the update is out
Read and edit office documents Pass
Read PDF's Pass
Ebook Reader Pass
Load and watch Video Pass
Oddly enough the Ipad connects much easier to exchange and does most of the other stuff natively. You buy the office App and the ability to edit Doc's and excel works great.
Given the hardware specs I'm mystified why Viewsonic is treating these as toys. Sure they're great for home use but we buys units in the hundreds so why make the primary business need to connect to exchange so damn difficult.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please send me a PM or something if you figure out the Exchange pieces. That's going to be crucial for me. Have you tried VPN or remote desktop yet? That's next on my list.
jmfrost said:
Please send me a PM or something if you figure out the Exchange pieces. That's going to be crucial for me. Have you tried VPN or remote desktop yet? That's next on my list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. My calendar syncs without issue with our Exchange server, but a complete no-go on contacts. I also noticed there is a constant little sync icon in the taskbar near the battery icon, but it looks grayed out and nothing happens when I tap it.
For those complaining about exchange access.. have you tried OWA? I currently don't have access to exchange since I bought the g tab, but i know from experience OWA should work just fine. (If not, I know firefox mobile will run it, as will Opera) Quick shortcut on the dock and it will run. Just a thought.
I currently use my Gtab for a number of things:
* Ebook reading. The G Tablet, despite the awful view angels in the widescreen position have excellent viewing angels in the length wise position. I normally have technical documents open at all times when I'm working on a project (for when my desktop monitors are all busy)
* Music. A bit hefty, but allows access to Pandora which my Creative Zen lacks.
* TV. Sometimes I just want to lay down and watch TV. I use to use my Netbook for this task, but the Gtab provides a better experience.
* SNES/NES/Gameboy Emulation. With the onscreen controls, it makes an excellent platform for this. Works for all but the most dexterity demanding games. (Still have trouble with SF Uppercuts and 360 movements. Would like a emulation speedup button too. Makes grinding levels in Chrono Trigger/Pokemon so much easier.. same with autofire. One day maybe)
* Magic the Gathering: Save paper. Keep life totals tracked via Paint application. (and Saved for later disputes, used it this weekend, came in very handy)
* Web Browsing. I'm moving around quite a bit. Great for checking stuff, keeping up with Slashdot news and the like.
* Email. Adding to the list of devices I keep on me that can access email. Its funny to hear new email sounds from 5 different places. This one allows decent replys and html email. (Compared to my phone)
* Terminal. Connecting to terminal machines works well. Keyboard is a bit of a pain, but it works in a pinch. VNC connections work as well. If this thing had 3g (like the ipad was supposed to have, before at&t screwed it) I'd have no need for my netbook and phone.
* Google Voice. I use it for a lot of calls, via web interface I can check voicemail/text messages and make calls. Very useful.
The only things really missing from the Gtab is a good Wimax/3G connection. If it had one, and wasn't by AT&T, I'd have a replacement for my phone, netbook and Laptop. (Yeah I carry both.. Linux Netbook, Windows Laptop, mostly for games and programs I need that wont run in wine) And a GPS for wardriving.
TL;DR: Lots of stuff I normally use my desktop for when Im not at my desktop and a Laptop would be too bulky.
Cyhawk said:
For those complaining about exchange access.. have you tried OWA? I currently don't have access to exchange since I bought the g tab, but i know from experience OWA should work just fine. (If not, I know firefox mobile will run it, as will Opera) Quick shortcut on the dock and it will run. Just a thought.
I currently use my Gtab for a number of things:
* Ebook reading. The G Tablet, despite the awful view angels in the widescreen position have excellent viewing angels in the length wise position. I normally have technical documents open at all times when I'm working on a project (for when my desktop monitors are all busy)
* Music. A bit hefty, but allows access to Pandora which my Creative Zen lacks.
* TV. Sometimes I just want to lay down and watch TV. I use to use my Netbook for this task, but the Gtab provides a better experience.
* SNES/NES/Gameboy Emulation. With the onscreen controls, it makes an excellent platform for this. Works for all but the most dexterity demanding games. (Still have trouble with SF Uppercuts and 360 movements. Would like a emulation speedup button too. Makes grinding levels in Chrono Trigger/Pokemon so much easier.. same with autofire. One day maybe)
* Magic the Gathering: Save paper. Keep life totals tracked via Paint application. (and Saved for later disputes, used it this weekend, came in very handy)
* Web Browsing. I'm moving around quite a bit. Great for checking stuff, keeping up with Slashdot news and the like.
* Email. Adding to the list of devices I keep on me that can access email. Its funny to hear new email sounds from 5 different places. This one allows decent replys and html email. (Compared to my phone)
* Terminal. Connecting to terminal machines works well. Keyboard is a bit of a pain, but it works in a pinch. VNC connections work as well. If this thing had 3g (like the ipad was supposed to have, before at&t screwed it) I'd have no need for my netbook and phone.
* Google Voice. I use it for a lot of calls, via web interface I can check voicemail/text messages and make calls. Very useful.
The only things really missing from the Gtab is a good Wimax/3G connection. If it had one, and wasn't by AT&T, I'd have a replacement for my phone, netbook and Laptop. (Yeah I carry both.. Linux Netbook, Windows Laptop, mostly for games and programs I need that wont run in wine) And a GPS for wardriving.
TL;DR: Lots of stuff I normally use my desktop for when Im not at my desktop and a Laptop would be too bulky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you use google voice to make calls?
-TV - slingbox client (not hd but great anyway)
-Web
-Roku box remote - for netflix, hulu plus, pandora
-Music - I use rhapsody which works well, plan on a BT receiver for my home theater
-games - let my wife use it for angry birds, keeps her off my ass about it
-development- testing some very basic med charting programs on it
-Log me in ignition - I leave my laptop at the office now but can get to it in a pinch
-ebook -using kindle software
-email
-radio - streaming radio from tunein app works very well
-chat - gtalk
-news reader - i get my morning news aggregate on this instead of my phone
More little things everyday but basically I have found a comfortable area between my large 17 inch laptop and my phone. I now have the best of both I think and that is coming from someone who thought the ipad was useless. I am now a tablet convert.
I am looking to acquire this tablet for use at school. Bought a 17" ASUS in 2007, just too big to lug around campus.
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
I truly hope this is the right solution for what I need! I got my first Android phone in April (Epic 4g) and am learning new stuff everyday.
I'm not sure about your other questions but I do know about the dock/tablet charging. You can charge both of them at the same time if you have the tablet docked, just insert the charging cable into the dock and it will charge both. Also, you can keep the tablet docked to the keyboard forever if you wanted to.
Basically, the dock charges your tablet until it reaches 100%, then doesn't charge it unless the tablet battery gets below 95%. The tablet draws power only from the dock until it reaches 3%, then it starts taking power from it's own battery.
Hope this answers your questions about the dock+tablet functionality
EDIT: also check this thread to see which office app is best for excel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1085173
i2IDIUM said:
I am looking to acquire this tablet for use at school. Bought a 17" ASUS in 2007, just too big to lug around campus.
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
I truly hope this is the right solution for what I need! I got my first Android phone in April (Epic 4g) and am learning new stuff everyday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Trust me you wouldn't want to use stylus to write down stuff. It's more efficient to type notes.
- The office software that comes with eee pad doesn't have print option, but I've seen apps on android market that let you print.
- Not sure about 100% full functionality, but there is a nice excel alternative that is part of the office package.
- no MATLAB
- I connected to ad-hoc networks just fine. Didn't use them for sharing internet though.
- Both charge at the same time just fine.
- Some docks were sold with broken charging. But most of them charge just fine. It even charges without tablet part.
For printing needs check out PrinterShare on the market it is not free, but it works very well.
I am not gonna lie to you, TF is a great piece of hardware, Honeycomb it the best Tablet OS outhere, but for studying you will be limited with the office applications compare to a regular Windows/mac notebook... apart from that I don't see a problem as you can have all sorts of compatibility with regards to http, ftp exchange etc.. other stuff commonly used on campus.
Thanks for the input.
My final question is where is the best place to but it? The way I see it I have two options.
Newegg. No sales tax, saves me ~$40
Best Buy (brick n mortar). Sales tax, but also ability to get a full refund it not pleased within 14 days.
Any suggestions on this?
On where to buy it, this may be of interest to you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1177461
According to that thread, some other shops will also accept the coupon thanks to some kind of "price match" system.
i2IDIUM said:
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Typing would be much faster
- If by HW you mean writing up simple papers and doing online research, then yes.
- There are few Android apps that lets you print to network printers, but not sure what kind of file types they support or if they work well on honeycomb
- There are office apps with spreadsheet support, but they are no where close to MS office, don't expect to draw fancy graphs n stuff
- No MATLAB, and I don't think you'll see any scientific simulation tool for honeycomb anytime soon.
- Adhoc tethering has problems, but there are workarounds.
- Dock always charges the tablet, so I dont think there is going to be any issues with not being able to charge the dock and the tablet at once.
- I dont have a dock, so cant explain more.
Bottom line : you are better off with a regular notebook (12~13”) or even a netbook for that matter. Right now, I cant recommend an android tablet for a technology/science major student.
to respectfully disagree with some of the above.
you can print from TF. Google cloud print works great. Plenty of apps for note taking.
Polaris or gdocs for excel....
TF is great option for a student
I will say with a stylus you do get the handwriting experience, I use it for taking notes down during meetings and works great. But for classes yes typing might be better unless you need to draw out a diagram or word problem or something like that then stylus would be nice to have.
I believe you can do everything you need to with a transformer, it has definitely bridged the gap between a tablet for consuming data and a tablet that consumes and creates data. Just need to find the right apps that get you what you want, and don't shy away from remoteing into a machine if need be using splashtop.
Personal Experience
Using it for school, overall functions as well as a laptop. Unable to do CAD work or any high end windows program, but for relative usage its good.
Oh and the best part. File transfer without worries for viruses.
Posting from my new tablet
What is best way to sell used laptop? Posted on FB, posting in local classifieds... anything else?
At my work i've gotten the responsibility to create a workshop about how to use the samsung note 10.1 at work. Many people (about 400) bought a note 10.1 but many have no idea how to use it and still prefer to print out everything and work with a pen.
So, last few days i've been looking for easy ways to use the tablet........it's not easy.
Many problems occur that non-technical people just don't understand.
Example problem: I've received an email with a pdf file... I open the file by selecting it and shows polaris, adobe reader(the one i use) and other apps. After opening it I insert some 'free draw' and wish to save it....no 'save button'... when i 'go back' it says document saved......where did it save it?.. maybe i can apply the same logic? maybe it saved it in the email where i pressed the PDF in the first place.... So i reply the mail, assuming it saved the PDF... it didn't
other such problems occur and so i thought... how do you people use the tablet at work? or is it still just a gadget toy, not really helping at work? Is this high tech device really only good at angry birds?
For people like me, who like to tinker and play with the device, it's usable... but what apps do you use to make work easy?
We have just over 20 tablets at our office and I recently had to give a quick usage course on it. A couple apps that I highly recommended to our users eas ES File Explorer as it gives the option of browsing the network for files. When adding a VPN app (NCP VPN Client is what I use) then they can access the files from anywhere just as on their laptops.
I don't know how much it will help you but here was the topics I covered:
1. Basic Introduction to the Device/Android
a. Home Screens
i. Widgets and app icons
ii. Customizationb. App Drawer
i. Sorting
ii. Foldersc. Settings
i. Accounts
ii. Apps
iii. Sounds/Notificationsd. Apps2. Notes – S-Note and other Apps
a. Folders and Note Structures
b. S-Pen enhanced features
i. Easy select text
ii. Copy image
iii. Quick Actions
iv. Air Viewc. Printing and emailing
i. PrintBot appd. Audio Notes of Meetings3. Multi-Apps
a. Positioning and sizing windows
b. Multi-window vs. dual view4. Business Uses
a. Polaris Office and other apps
b. JDE access – Dolphin Browser
c. Calendar/Agenda
d. Network File access
i. ES File Explorer
ii. VPN access5. Conference & Meeting Apps
a. Fuze, Skype, etc
b. Group Play6. Support – TV QuickSupport
7. Q&A
I have an AT&T Home Manager by Samsung, Model SMT - i8110 and am wondering if anyone knows what OS Samsung used on this unit and if it can be converted to something that will allow the web access to work with again. The desk frame/phone unit is the i8110 number. I am not sure what the base station is that connects to the actual Ethernet connection of the Internet router. These were supported for limited web access by AT&T when they were being sold but that access was discontinued not long after AT&T stopped selling the units. If they could have a version of Android put on them they would be great for desk or counter top access for things like appointment calendar, weather, and recipe access through the available apps. Since I am not a dev, and know nothing about coding and development I have to ask those here that are much smarter than myself.
Thanks,
Gary
Greetings,
I have been on the look out for a tablet for quite some time now.
Some background information:
I am currently a University student, and I enjoy power hungry video games like Diablo3 (if you think d3 isn't power hungry, ok. It isn't the point of the thread.)
I owe a gaming pc - Nvidia 660Ti, and a Tablet / Ultrabook Hybrid - Asus Taichi 31.
I live in Malta. (A&T and T-Mobiles are not available, I have yet to contact them wheter they are willing to offer their services from abroad regarding a data plan) (to my knowledge acquired from these forums, there is currently no possible way to integrate voice calling / smsing with the mini sim. The mini sim is only used for data transfer correct?)
I understand barely nothing about android, roms and kernals, I am studying for a pharmacist. What little I know is mostly about desktops from my interest and sources are typically the internet and some local technicians I enjoy chatting with. (if any1 can point me to a good beginner guide, that would be great)
I am currently looking for something that is able to:
replace my phone - just calls and sms. My lack of education on android devices and a very narrow google search lead me to believe there are apps with this ability if you are always connected to an internet connection? which wouldnt be a problem with the LTE/4G?
good alternative for an mp3 player - main issue: buttery life - size doesn't matter because I use bluetooth headphones
use XBMC hub - i think this tablet can easily handle it
take decent quality photos
stream games from long distances (when I am at university example, from my home) - is the only limiting factor the speed of the internet connection? Is it possible to connect the internet via a cable? (ethernet to mini usb converter?)
My two main priorities are calling/texting and battery life.
I am yet to find a store who has this tablet on display so I can have a feel of the tablet, I do not know if 8'' is ridiculously large to carry around. And I think it also falls within personal preference.
What would you, if in my shoes, get? Should I look for a phablet? I personally find smart phones have a small screen, and the only use I have out of a phone is to text and call, so I would like to have the good out of both ends.
Thank you.
botno4 said:
Greetings,
I have been on the look out for a tablet for quite some time now.
Some background information:
I am currently a University student, and I enjoy power hungry video games like Diablo3 (if you think d3 isn't power hungry, ok. It isn't the point of the thread.)
I owe a gaming pc - Nvidia 660Ti, and a Tablet / Ultrabook Hybrid - Asus Taichi 31.
I live in Malta. (A&T and T-Mobiles are not available, I have yet to contact them wheter they are willing to offer their services from abroad regarding a data plan) (to my knowledge acquired from these forums, there is currently no possible way to integrate voice calling / smsing with the mini sim. The mini sim is only used for data transfer correct?)
I understand barely nothing about android, roms and kernals, I am studying for a pharmacist. What little I know is mostly about desktops from my interest and sources are typically the internet and some local technicians I enjoy chatting with. (if any1 can point me to a good beginner guide, that would be great)
I am currently looking for something that is able to:
replace my phone - just calls and sms. My lack of education on android devices and a very narrow google search lead me to believe there are apps with this ability if you are always connected to an internet connection? which wouldnt be a problem with the LTE/4G?
good alternative for an mp3 player - main issue: buttery life - size doesn't matter because I use bluetooth headphones
use XBMC hub - i think this tablet can easily handle it
take decent quality photos
stream games from long distances (when I am at university example, from my home) - is the only limiting factor the speed of the internet connection? Is it possible to connect the internet via a cable? (ethernet to mini usb converter?)
My two main priorities are calling/texting and battery life.
I am yet to find a store who has this tablet on display so I can have a feel of the tablet, I do not know if 8'' is ridiculously large to carry around. And I think it also falls within personal preference.
What would you, if in my shoes, get? Should I look for a phablet? I personally find smart phones have a small screen, and the only use I have out of a phone is to text and call, so I would like to have the good out of both ends.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can meet your needs. You can use Google Voice # and hangouts to make/receive calls. It is a beast at gaming and the nvidia game stream is great, however its huge. In my opinion WAY to big to be used as an everyday phone, and would only allow speak phone calls or through a blue tooth. The call quality is good though.
If you want a tablet I recommend it. However if you want a phone I suggest using a phone.
I would get the tablet then get a Moto G or a Moto E for free and use it as your phone.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
OP did say they were in Malta. GV numbers are not available outside the US.
gerrykv said:
OP did say they were in Malta. GV numbers are not available outside the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GV is google voice? Yes I live in Malta, and thank you I didn't know that.
Is there any other way possible to have voice call / texting possibilities on this tablet?