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This is more of a question or suggestion for developers. I've always had this thought and wondered why no one has implemented it yet? The big deal lately is all around Android Tablets, so I ask myself, why doesn't someone develop an accessory that turns any Android phone into a tablet. Ok, here's what I mean, I have an HTC Evo and love the phone, but oft times I find myself wanting the new Galaxy Tab by Samsung. Then when I think of it, the Galaxy Tab is basically a phone with a bigger screen. So why can someone design and sell a multi-touch screen that has a slot and connectors on the back that I could slid in my Evo and everything that would appear on my Evo's screen now appears on the larger screen. Now my Evo is a Tablet with all the access to the all the apps and functionality of the phone, it's just using a bigger screen.
The external screen would also have to contain a front camera but could use the rear camera and flash LEDs of the EVO if you left them exposed. Another option would be to include a battery in the larger screen for longer battery life.
What do you thing?
Good idea. Doubt any manufacturers would pick it up because then they wouldn't be able to sell you the same device twice. No chance of any 3rd party manufacturers picking it because of a lack of required output/input on devices.
I had the same exact idea 2day! I really want to do this for myself. Is there a way to just connect a touch screen (to display and control) to my phone via Bluetooth or the MicroUsb?
mjrex said:
I had the same exact idea 2day! I really want to do this for myself. Is there a way to just connect a touch screen (to display and control) to my phone via Bluetooth or the MicroUsb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google did it with the giant Nexus S display, but it wasn't accurate at all.
lol.. Why is this so hard to do..
lol I think the problem is how to connect the phone to the said screen? For one the micro USB port placements are not the same for all androids, so slotting is out of the question.
Im not really concerned with the mounting of a screen to my phone, ill use duck tape if i have to.. ha. But in all seriousness a simple universal enclosure can also be made..
I like the idea of having a tablet.. but don't want to spend almost 500 for a larger version of my phone..
A friend of mine told me he saw on someone else's computer he found an interesting chinise accesory: it's like a dummy tablet 10.1" where you insert or plugin your Samsung Galaxy S2 and convert it into a Full operational Tablet.
He couldn't precise the brand, link, etc or if the cellphone used was in fact a Samsung Galaxy S2.
I'll do some research. At the moment I found this :
Since I cannot paste the link here, just copy and google this: "asus-unveils-padfone-mobile-convert-tablet"
Interesting concept!
We have two Infuses in the family for all of two months now. While we still have two Iphone4s on the other two lines, we have had Iphones in the family since day 1 eons ago. I have spent considerable time looking to make the Infuse, not perfect, but 'comparable' to the way I've had my JB'd Iphones. I've made quite a bit of progress and I think this is where it ends, at least until GB which may change some things. I'm on Infused 1.6. Here are the remaining 'lacks'.
- Are they any lock screen widgets for the Android? I missed being able to control the music playbook without needing to unlock. I've on more than a few occasions fumbled to mute the music while trying to unlock and get to the app.
- Unlock screen should stay on longer than 1.5 secs. If you don't hit it right away, you'll have to press the power button again.
- Why ask for the unlock p/w again when I just locked it 2 secs ago? The Iphone is smart enough to have a internal timer set so it'll take you right in. I seem to be spending an awful lot of time unlocking my Infuse.
- Where are the Infuse docks? I have a bunch of ipod/iphone speaker/clock/charging docks around the house which I know I can't use but am I relegated to a life of using the phone jack and carrying the a/c charger ? There is the Samsung dock but it's just a pricey charging dock that costs as much as my last Logitech radio/clock/speaker/charger ipod dock.
- This one is more of a complaint; I spent almost $60 on apps alone just to get some decent working apps. With the iphones, there are better quality free apps that gets the job done. The equivalent Android apps just don't work as good as the iphone version, like CNBC stocks, IP Cam amongst others.
- Unbelievable but true, I got more work done with the iphone remote desktop app using the tiny screen compared to Pocketcloud on a much larger Infuse screen. I guess it's just the interface.
- And yes, when ATT was having issues with the cell tower in my area, the Iphones were still working better than the Infuses which couldn't even get any reception or data strengths. And the Iphone wifi strength is better.
- And seriously, I really want a physical home button. Feeling for the un-lit home virtual button is no fun.
- No complaints about the batt life for me, I'm doing ok with lowering the brightness and using Juice Defender.
- lack of a 'reasonably' priced app for syncing calendar, contacts and notes. The good one is priced at $50. I'm currently not even syncing anymore other than the occassional use of myphoneexplorer. Then I have to use Epistle with dropbox to sync my text files for notes. Tacky.
- While it's great to not use itunes, I have to remember to run Titanium backup occasionally.
But I really appreciate:
- the outstanding sound quality
- the really big sharp screen, great for reading and viewing movies
- great camera quality, in daytime
- not having to rely on itunes, copy direct, no format or screen conversion needed
- direct usb connection
- nice to have external sd but so far my current 32gb (16 + 16) matches my 32gb Iphones. The 32gb and 64gb sd cards are priced higher than the cost of the phone.
- tethering is one thing that costs less than with the iphone because it's included in Infused!! And it works great.
- Fantastic size, super slim
NE1 with any thoughts to how to address some of these points and make the Infuse even better for us?
Thanks
Why not try flashing 2.1.0 of infused? And also get go to 4shared.com and search the app name and put. Apk after it. You said apps aren't that great of quality so just download um from there without paying.
Infuse running infused v2.0.2.
bdbx18 said:
We have two Infuses in the family for all of two months now. While we still have two Iphone4s on the other two lines, we have had Iphones in the family since day 1 eons ago. I have spent considerable time looking to make the Infuse, not perfect, but 'comparable' to the way I've had my JB'd Iphones. I've made quite a bit of progress and I think this is where it ends, at least until GB which may change some things. I'm on Infused 1.6. Here are the remaining 'lacks'.
- Are they any lock screen widgets for the Android? I missed being able to control the music playbook without needing to unlock. I've on more than a few occasions fumbled to mute the music while trying to unlock and get to the app.
- Unlock screen should stay on longer than 1.5 secs. If you don't hit it right away, you'll have to press the power button again.
- Why ask for the unlock p/w again when I just locked it 2 secs ago? The Iphone is smart enough to have a internal timer set so it'll take you right in. I seem to be spending an awful lot of time unlocking my Infuse.
- Where are the Infuse docks? I have a bunch of ipod/iphone speaker/clock/charging docks around the house which I know I can't use but am I relegated to a life of using the phone jack and carrying the a/c charger ? There is the Samsung dock but it's just a pricey charging dock that costs as much as my last Logitech radio/clock/speaker/charger ipod dock.
- This one is more of a complaint; I spent almost $60 on apps alone just to get some decent working apps. With the iphones, there are better quality free apps that gets the job done. The equivalent Android apps just don't work as good as the iphone version, like CNBC stocks, IP Cam amongst others.
- Unbelievable but true, I got more work done with the iphone remote desktop app using the tiny screen compared to Pocketcloud on a much larger Infuse screen. I guess it's just the interface.
- And yes, when ATT was having issues with the cell tower in my area, the Iphones were still working better than the Infuses which couldn't even get any reception or data strengths. And the Iphone wifi strength is better.
- And seriously, I really want a physical home button. Feeling for the un-lit home virtual button is no fun.
- No complaints about the batt life for me, I'm doing ok with lowering the brightness and using Juice Defender.
- lack of a 'reasonably' priced app for syncing calendar, contacts and notes. The good one is priced at $50. I'm currently not even syncing anymore other than the occassional use of myphoneexplorer. Then I have to use Epistle with dropbox to sync my text files for notes. Tacky.
- While it's great to not use itunes, I have to remember to run Titanium backup occasionally.
But I really appreciate:
- the outstanding sound quality
- the really big sharp screen, great for reading and viewing movies
- great camera quality, in daytime
- not having to rely on itunes, copy direct, no format or screen conversion needed
- direct usb connection
- nice to have external sd but so far my current 32gb (16 + 16) matches my 32gb Iphones. The 32gb and 64gb sd cards are priced higher than the cost of the phone.
- tethering is one thing that costs less than with the iphone because it's included in Infused!! And it works great.
- Fantastic size, super slim
NE1 with any thoughts to how to address some of these points and make the Infuse even better for us?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use widget locker for lock Widgets
The music player in infused 2.1 works on lock screen
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
iruleyounow said:
And also get go to 4shared.com and search the app name and put. Apk after it. You said apps aren't that great of quality so just download um from there without paying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do this do us all a favor and not blame the ROM when you catch DroidDream. Seriously - pay for your apps!! Take some time to read reviews then make an educated decision before you whip your wallet out.
Good comparison! I have used an iPhone in the past but will never go back (FU iTunes). It probably makes life easier that I don't have to coexist with any iOS apps at home, so things like google calendar/docs can be my central location for things I need to share between devices, plus I have an always-on htpc that acts as a file/http server for whatever I need.
Docks will always be a point in iOS's favor though, because even with the rising popularity of android as a platform, the dozens of different physical form factors make it harder for third-party manufacturers to create hardware, whereas Apple releases a new shape of phone every year (or more), and even then they're close enough that a lot of iPhone peripherals can operate between the 3G/3GS/4. Just try to make hardware that can accept a Galaxy S, Infuse, Inspire, Atrix, Droid 3, Xperia, etc.
The Infused music player/lockscreen was mentioned but there are many other apps that will add widgets of any kind to your lock screen (widgetlocker is very popular, though I haven't bothered).
The Infuse does give you a few seconds' grace period if the screen turns off automatically before it locks, but I don't really know why you'd not want it to lock immediately if you push the power button. Maybe this is just different phone usage models between us, but aside from accidental pushes (stupid protruding buttons), I can't ever remember a time I've turned the phone off then wanted to unlock it within a few seconds.
I do agree that the lock screen should stay on longer after a push--maybe four or five seconds--but it isn't that big a deal really. It probably saves battery life though: since the stupid power/volume buttons stick out so much, they probably get pushed in my pocket all the time.
I hear a lot of bad things about Infused wifi, but even though I have only 2/3 bars about 20 feet away from my router, I keep one bar throughout my entire house--even up a floor and horizontally 30 yards away from the router. So I guess ymmv depending on how strong a signal you really need.
Not sure what you mean about SD cards--you can get a 32GB microSD card for under $50, and there are no 64GB microSD cards that I've heard of. SDXC is relatively new and allows full-size 64-128GB SD cards but they're still expensive (prohibitively so, if you ask me). If you're just comparing with-contract cost, a 32GB iPhone costs $300, while an infuse is ~$120-$200 depending where you buy it, plus another $20 for a 16GB microSD card to match the total capacity, meaning if you buy cheaply, you can spend less than half as much on an equal-capacity Infuse.
The bottom line for me is really the screen. I pick up someone else's Inspire or iPhone and the screen just kills me. I don't think I can ever go back to an LCD after using Samsung's AMOLED screens. #firstworldproblems
Lockscreen behaviors - Other ROMs have significantly more configuration in terms of lockscreen timeouts available.
Apps - the only non-niche apps I've found a significant urge to buy (and have bought) were TiBu and Tapatalk.
I purchased SetCPU, although probably would not have done so if I'd done a bit more research.
I also purchased Sixaxis Controller to allow pairing of PS3 controllers to my Tab 10.1, and once LB and I fix Cyanogenmod's Bluetooth, my Infuse too.
Nothing like TiBu exists for iOS. Same for SetCPU.
You can't pair PS3 controllers to iOS devices for gaming.
There are media and car docks available for the Infuse, I have the car dock for mine and it's excellent.
Physical home button - blame Apple for focusing on litigating instead of innovating for this one.
$50 for calendar/contacts sync??????? Um, you got MASSIVELY ripped off. The phone has excellent built-in sync capabilities. I sync contacts, calendars, and emails to my Google account 100% free.
Thanks! I forgot I did try widgetlocker back a few months ago. I recall now I wanted to keep my pattern lock and on the shortcuts, it would jump to the app like Mortplayer and then it will stall before it will bring me back to the lock screen. But it'll serve the purpose for now.
The sync solution we have are naturally tied to Google. But I've been syncing to Outlook forever and I want to keep that. Companionlink costs $50.
When I got my 16gb card, it was on sale for $25 but the 32gb card was more than $50. I've got to keep an eye out for a good deal and pass my 16gb card on to the other Infuse.
BTW, one more thing I sorely miss is the news alerts I used to get very frequently. The only setup I have and know of on the android is the CNN app which then just puts a 1 second blip on the status bar. Anyone know of a setup where it will do a pop-up alert?
bdbx18 said:
Thanks! I forgot I did try widgetlocker back a few months ago. I recall now I wanted to keep my pattern lock and on the shortcuts, it would jump to the app like Mortplayer and then it will stall before it will bring me back to the lock screen. But it'll serve the purpose for now.
The sync solution we have are naturally tied to Google. But I've been syncing to Outlook forever and I want to keep that. Companionlink costs $50.
When I got my 16gb card, it was on sale for $25 but the 32gb card was more than $50. I've got to keep an eye out for a good deal and pass my 16gb card on to the other Infuse.
BTW, one more thing I sorely miss is the news alerts I used to get very frequently. The only setup I have and know of on the android is the CNN app which then just puts a 1 second blip on the status bar. Anyone know of a setup where it will do a pop-up alert?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MyPhoneExplorer doesn't work for me. Could it be because I'm using Paranoid .. a custom ROM?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1776129
Try it man.
Sent from my "PIMPED" SGH-1997 running Scott's CM 10.1 JB 4.2.2.
Ditch the iPhones they are kids toys
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
Hi Surface Owners!
I am still debating which tablet to get and have recently included the Surface in the list. Of the current crop of tablets available, it's between the Nexus 10 and Surface RT. I'm not sure what will be announced at MWC, but i'll keep an eye out obviously.
I wanted to get your advice, as most of the people reading will own a surface. How do you find it now a few months on from release?
I will be selling my Macbook, so my new tablet is going to be my go to for the time being. I will be going travelling for several months, so this will be it's main use. I am wanting something that I can connect either my camera or SD card to so I can download photo's on to the device but also from the device to an external HDD. Obviously using it for entertainment will be a big thing, as well as to plan out parts of our journey and using the internet. I wouldn't mind if I could do some very minor photo editing also. Can anyone let me know what the photo app is like on the device, also if there are any decent photo apps on the marketplace.
So the surface looks like a winner in terms of the USB and SD card slots, making it easier to connect whilst travelling. But the Nexus wins on the screen and probably power. I used Android already on my phone so am used to it, but I quite like the interface on Windows 8 as it's something new. Android and IOS get a bit boring after a long time...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If anyone owns both tablets it would be great to hear your thoughts also.
Cheers,
Mike
Surface RT is my current ultra-portable computer, and it works well for that so long as it's not all that I have for an extended time. I miss the stylus that my old tablet had (an advantage of the Surface Pro) but do not find that, for example, the kickstand of the RT makes it hard to use on my lap (the way some reviewers have claimed). I have the Touch Cover (and am in fact writing this on it); it works great and you can type quite quickly and with perfect touch-typing muscle memory after a short time of using it.
Prior to the Surface RT, my most portable computer was an old Core 2 Duo ULV (1.2GHz) HP tablet, with a stylus but no touchscreen, 12" screen with 1280x800 resolution, 5 hours battery life (when new), 4GB of RAM (came with 1GB, upgraded immediately), an 80gb 4200RPM 1.8" magnetic hard disk, and 3.5lb weight. I loved it. Still use it, actually; it runs Win8 quite well aside from not being able to use Metro snapping. However, in almost every way possible, the Surface Pro blows it away. For less than the cost of old HP tablet (which was about $1500 new), I can upgrade the C2D to a quad-core chip with over twice the speed per core, I can upgrade the digitizer and add multitouch, I can trade in the 12" screen for one with far higher DPI, I can massively improve the storage by going solid-state instead of rotational (and can get 128GB), and I can keep the 5 hour battery life. The things I would lose are the ability to upgrade the RAM (4GB is a bit low, IMO) and storage (not that I ever did upgrade the old 1.8" drive) and the replaceable battery (I'll live). Oh, and swapping full SD for MicroSD and 2 USB 2.0 ports for a single USB 3.0 port, which means I'll probably want to get a hub. Still, it's tempting, and I may well buy myself one even though right now I don't really need it.
I have a Surface RT and use it as my portable device when I don't want to lug around my ultrabook. For some context, I have an iPad and an ASUS Transformer TF-101 as well. Prior to the Surface RT, I used the Transformer for that. But the lack of things that were important to me made the RT the go-to device when it came out.
For me, things like the USB port, MicroSD card, and Microsoft Office were important. Even more important was the built-in support for Bitlocker, so my MicroSD card can be encrypted at all times and easily read by my other Windows 8 machines. And my other external USB hard drives that are also encrypted can be easily opened by the Surface RT. Native VPN client and RDP helps with work as well (I know there are ways to do this with the other tablets).
I have the apps that I need at this point. I'm not a big social media person, so I can't speak to the apps for those things. But there are enough apps of interest to me that keep me satisfied. Can't speak to the photo apps, however. I don't take photos with it, though I have taken video and those were good.
Overall, I'm very happy with the RT. I got it with the Touch Cover and I can actually type fairly well on it. (I've actually had questions from iPad owners asking about the keyboard, if it was available for their devices.)
I had considered waiting for the Surface Pro, but the extra size and weight, plus the shorter battery life (I get great battery life with the RT, BTW), were concerns for me. I could just as well take my ultrabook (had an Asus Zenbook, now a Sony VAIO T13), which is quite a bit faster than the Surface Pro.
For what it's worth.
You can browse the store from any web browser:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store
For your use cases:
> I am wanting something that I can connect either my camera or SD card to so I can download photo's on to the device but also from the device to an external HDD.
You will be able to do that so long as your camera doesn't need extra drivers to show up (as a USB store) or you use a USB reader for the removable media.
> Obviously using it for entertainment will be a big thing, as well as to plan out parts of our journey and using the internet.
Great web browser. Can play most video, Audio...
> I wouldn't mind if I could do some very minor photo editing also.
Check the store...
> Can anyone let me know what the photo app is like on the device, also if there are any decent photo apps on the marketplace.
The built in photo app is pretty basic.
I would expect you could get by with the surface rt - get the 64gb one, and get a 64gb card...
I took one on a week cruise (along with a netbook for backup) and was able to use just the surface for the whole trip, including dumping GoPro video and digital camera shots to the surface and then onto an external USB disk.
Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.
Just a quick note, I meant gallery app, to look and browse / organise your photos, not the camera app to take photos. I laugh when I see people taking photos with there tablet ha ha. I like the way the ipad shows your photos by map, gallery and a journal function for example.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda app-developers app
Mikeparakh said:
Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.
Just a quick note, I meant gallery app, to look and browse / organise your photos, not the camera app to take photos. I laugh when I see people taking photos with there tablet ha ha. I like the way the ipad shows your photos by map, gallery and a journal function for example.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Photo album app that comes with the RT is very basic. You may want to check out apps in the store that have more functionality.
Mikeparakh said:
look and browse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep
/ organise your photos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
Really basic. Grid of photos, or slideshow/swipe browse full screen. That's what you get.
What you are saying about getting bored with the other operating systems is exactly why I made Surface my choice. I've been playing with android for the last 7 years. And thanks to all the devs here at xda I was able to make all of my devices do exactly what I wanted.. But it was time for something totally different. I made the right decision. To be honest, at the beginning, learning the new ui was frustrating! :crying: Because I was having trouble finding things and when I did it didn't seem be consistent through the ui.... After about 3 days it all started to come together very well... you'll find that the system is actually set up quite well. I found everything I needed in the store. I'm very pleased with the purchase.
So any 2.5" hard drive will work with the Surface RT? Wow, I'm a bit surprised here. I thought there might not be enough power to power up a hard drive. Is the USB port capable of supporting a USB hub? My plan is to connect at least a 2-port USB hub, and transfer photos from my camera to the portable hard drive. If the Surface RT can do that, then I may not need to consider the Surface Pro even though it have USB 3.0.
---------- Post added at 01:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------
Mikeparakh said:
Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.
Just a quick note, I meant gallery app, to look and browse / organise your photos, not the camera app to take photos. I laugh when I see people taking photos with there tablet ha ha. I like the way the ipad shows your photos by map, gallery and a journal function for example.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you and that's what I love about the iOS photo app. Does anyone here know of a photo app for Windows RT that can show my photos base on its location data?
So, all in all, are people happy with the device? What are the major issues to be concerned with, if any?
No major issues.
For the same price in Canada, the Asus ME400 offers Windows 8 x86 so I went with that due to needing Java/Cisco for remote connectivity to work. I did not regret owning surface. There was nothing majorly wrong with it, I loved the full USB port (which the Asus does not have). Surface RT use s a proprietary charger vs the Asus which uses micro-usb charger. Surface charges faster.
If the app you want is not in the app store, or you need drivers for your devices, that could be a problem. Note that Surface RT does not offer a full size SD card slot, only a micro. You can't put your camera card directly into Surface unless you are using microsd.
Build quality is top notch, the kickstand is great, battery life is very good, and Windows RT is pretty slick.
USB hubs work, but unless you use a powered hub (and power it from the wall or another source), you're still going to be limited by the relatively meager power of the Surface RT's single USB port. It's enough for a 2.5" disk of at least 5400 RPM (haven't tried 7200 RPM yet) but funning (for example) a mouse and a hard drive off of it might be too much.
It's sounding pretty positive so far! I keep reading reviews though and none seem to be great! But I think most of the companies doing the reviews are stuck half way up Apple's ass.
I keeping an eye on a few auctions ending on Ebay tonight, to see if I can pick up a bargain, fingers crossed! If not, I will probably purchase one from John Lewis over the next two weeks.
I've read a few sites that think Microsoft will drop the price on the RT soon, do you think this will happen? All speculation I guess, no one really knows..
The other thing is, they don't seem to hold there value well. Where as the Nexus 10, you could almost make money on if you decided to sell due to it being hard to get.
Mikeparakh said:
It's sounding pretty positive so far! I keep reading reviews though and none seem to be great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They expected an iPad with a windows logo. They got a Windows tablet instead. Coupled with the need to dogpile on the new UI, and as you said the large number of Apple Experts With Very Short Memories, and the review effect isn't shocking.
I have a Surface RT and I love it! I use it for nearly everything. I use remote desktop or team viewer for anything that requires x86 apps.
Its brilliant to use around the house! my wife has her Nexus 7 and has to switch between that and her laptop every so often while I just use the Surface.
When my laptop dies which wont be long (though it could be longer as I don't use it now) then I plan on getting a Surface Pro. The build quality of it (Surface RT) is outstanding. I had an issue with the touch cover, contacted Surface support and they were amazing, got a new touch cover no questions asked and in quick time, reported the issue at around 1400 and got the new one at around 1300 the following day! I cant recommend it enough. Everyone I show it is impressed with near enough everything it can do, the only downside is that not all the apps I used to use on Android are available, but Android is coming up to its 5th Birthday in October and that will be 1 year of Win RT.
25'879 are in the Windows Store as of writing and if, this is a big if, Microsoft can some how link the WP store and the WinRT store then it has massive potential.
I only wish that Microsoft really pushed hard on getting these into people hands. In the UK John Lewis is a very repeatable store but that is the only brick and mortar place you can get one. In nearly every store I go these day there is a gadget area selling iPads and Androids, come on Microsoft lets have you back at the top of the tech tree, where you were when you bailed out Apple!
So I've gone ahead an purchased. I managed to get a bargain! £425 for a brand new Surface RT 64GB with black touch cover! Hopefully will arrive tomorrow, fingers crossed. Really want a blue touch cover, so might sell the black and get a blue.
Anything I should know before I first switch on and setup?
After some more usage with the RT, I'm quite liking it. There's definitely lag, especially on games. "Rat On A Snowboard" even lags and there's nothing even going on with that! Something isn't right and a Tegra3 should be able to at least handle ROAS.
Otherwise, "Mobile.HD" works brilliantly so that's a major plus. I've got the UK Netflix showing on my Metro UI, and then I can access the US Netflix using the browser so very pleased with that. "Pow!" seems decent for comics. "Tome" for Goodreads.
But the games really are a letdown. Hardly any decent games and what ones are there run very poorly. I realise it's not an iPad and that'd be more suited for games etc but the Tegra3 works great on the Nexus 7 and it's just not working right in the RT. Whether that's due to the Nexus 7 using all of the Tegra3 cores and the RT not using them all, or whether it's poor coding, or a problem with RT itself, I haven't got a clue. But it's not as fluid as it could/should be.
Surface RT
Again in context I have laptop Dell Duo Flip screen. Nexus 7, Playbook 64gb ( I like gadgets). I was considering a Surface RT or Surface Pro.
But I ended up with a RM Slate 100 (EXOPC) 2gb Memory, 32gb mini pe ssd card (also spare slot for second ssd card or gps unit, 2 usb ports full size, HDMI out, SD Card slot (I added 32gb 45mb sec) 11.6 inch screen I upgraded to Windows 8 Pro. in all it cost me £180 pounds.
it was a gamble but the result is a very capable Surface Pro look alike. Any wireless keyboard will work when needed. Linked to my Nexus with a mouse and keyboard simulator it works great through plasma TV via HDMI. Skydrive adds another 48gb storage, dropbox for moving files around.
Added bonus Android for X86 works as well from SD Card .
Boot time 20 sec with Office 2010 loaded. Program start times ready to go Word 3 sec, Excel 1.8 sec, Outlook 4.5 sec, Paintshop Pro X5 31 sec.
Any one else put together a surface pro look alike.
How does a Surface compare.
I have the Asus VIVO Tab RT which uses same OS. I love it as an ultra portable tablet/laptop but one thing I really hate is the browser. I just hate IE10 on Windows 8/Windows RT and wish Chrome or Firefox would release a browser for RT.
I just received my Surface RT 64GB with a black touch cover. First impressions are fantastic! I love the look and feel of the device. Just from setting it up, i'm amazed at just how responsive the touch cover is! I think I'll get used to it very quickly. Doing the updates now so haven't played much, but very happy thus far! Still would like a blue touch cover though!
Hi all, I am currently deciding between each tablet experience and I am stuck on a decision. I have read a few times some posts here and on other websites about each device and it seems to be...
gaming/media - nexus
productivity/ s pen - note
however my needs kind of fit all four and I can live without the s pen.
I read alot
I am a teacher so I need to be able to annotate books and pdfs
I also want to plug a keyboard in a type emails/ documents from time to time
but (just incase the surface rt is mentioned) I love android and I love media and games.
I really want the best and most future proof experience.
Now I currently have a note and I do like it, but I can get a nexus for a good price but would need to sell the note.
I like both touchwiz and vanilla android (as I had a nexus 4) and for me really, speed is important (one element I do like about iOS).
So.. which device would be best? Thanks.
p.s. I plan to pair either one with either the asus fonepad or nexus 7.
A big plus for me with the note is the micro sd slot. But if space is not an issue then probably the nexus for speed and resolution.
I traded a Nexus 4 for my Note 2 and feel the Nexus 4 doesn't even come close to the Note 2 at least for me.
If you plan on plugging in a keyboard you may want to look around the edge of your note very closely.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
If you can wait a little man, I sure Samsung and Google with be releasing new variants of the devices real soon already in hearing rumours of the new nexus 7 coming with full hd, and I'm sure the new note 10.1 will have octo core with 3 gigs of ram
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
So the 2 big things for me were the not has memory expansion...
I have a 32gb internal note with 64gb sd card and am filling these up...
Because of the new additions to android and the greater resolution and capabilities of the new tablets, games are getting bigger and bigger. I downloaded a game the other day that required over 1gb of additional files, not to mention game saves... A small internal memory, 16gb, is no good as I filled that one too fast.
Now you might not get a lot of big games like that but I find a few apps fills things up pretty quick especially if you add in video files, music and text/doc/pdf files...
The 2nd for me was the ability to make and receive calls on my tablet, I have the N8000, as it can be a pain if you have to keep reaching for your phone. A bluetooth headset and my not allow me to make/receive calls and still find the data I need to share. This might not be a biggie for you but it's so easy not to have to hunt down my phone if I need to make a call.
I haven't found any problems with speed, I run a stock , rooted rom and it's blazingly fast as long as I don't fill up the internal memory too much.
The screen is fine, unless you are actually comparing screens all the time you won't see the difference as you can use the resolution its got fine. I watch shows and movies on mine all the time and no complaints here...
Love the speakers, the fact they are located on the front means the sound is directed to you, the user, not to everyone else in front of you.
Most apps work fine though I have found a few that require sideloading. There's also a few that are s-pen specific.
Interface is easy to use and if you don't like it find another like Apex or Nova...
S-pen is of course the be all and end all of why you would buy this over any other android tablet. It makes life SOOOO much easier, is fantastic when it comes to annotating PDF's and writing, makes drawing fantastic as the wacom digitiser recognises how hard or softly you press the pen to the tablet and gives a corresponding line width. Also a lot more precise than just the rubber stylus that you can get for the other tablets.
Overall I was happy with my purchase of the Note. It's a good work horse, Allows me to work or play, sometimes both at the same time, and hasn't let me down yet...
The only real complaint I have is why Samsung decided to not allow a USB HDD to run. You can plug a memory stick in with no problems but plug in a 2.5" portable HDD and you get the dreaded " A High Powered USB Has Been Detected" . Considering I have an Acer A501 that uses the 1Tb HDD with no problems this was a disappointment, but then again I have got the sd card and the USB key to use so not too much of a problem...
Can't say anything about the nexus as I don't have 1. Sorry, no help there but you might get some idea about the Note.
Cheers...
Buy either. The note is great but the screen is outdated. Better wait the the next version of the note
If you're going to be annotating more than just a little, I'd say you need the stylus to keep from going insane.. Otherwise, there isn't much I'd add for either side.
Yes, yes, it's possible to love a phone. Heck, you sleep next to it, don't you? Rate this thread to indicate your love for the Xiaomi Mi 5, all things considered. A higher rating indicates that the Xiaomi Mi 5 is an incredible phone that you enjoy tremendously. You love it.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Very good phone for the price, now i have to remove the bloatware to get a perfect phone.
I'm in love since i got it, really amazing device, but like all says, i need to remove the bloatware, but still being a monster.
Deleted
Have had the phone for a couple of days now, and I really like the phone, but there is a few problems.
- Still some Chinese text here and there
- Unable to connect to PC. Device not recognized by two win10 computers.
- Lock screen, unable to turn of the roll of Chinese pictures.
- Play Store, unable to update or download via mobile network, only via wifi
- Clock widgets tend to not being synchronized with phone clock. They stop showing correct time
These are very unique type of Mobiles that i ever see in mobile market. Here in Pakistan Xiaomi Mobiles are coming Soon. The first look i explored on the internet was quite amazing. I am keeping its rank after i phone luxury looks and feel.I will definitely buy this phone if prices would not so high.
killbox said:
Have had the phone for a couple of days now, and I really like the phone, but there is a few problems.
- Still some Chinese text here and there
- Unable to connect to PC. Device not recognized by two win10 computers.
- Lock screen, unable to turn of the roll of Chinese pictures.
- Play Store, unable to update or download via mobile network, only via wifi
- Clock widgets tend to not being synchronized with phone clock. They stop showing correct time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I can solve some problems for you.
Lock screen roll of pictures. Normally you can disable it if you put a wallpaper for lockscreen. Or to click on the small icon in the top right corner of your lockscreen.
Play Store, not able to download on mobile network. You need to disable the download limit in the settings of the "downloads" app.
Love the phone, thought the build quality was excellent BUT my daughter dropped it and the case has split. I dropped my htc one, galaxy s, nexus 4 and a whole host of other phones a 100 times and there was no problem. Really disappointed
Only other major issue is the phone gets locked out "this phone has been lost" many many times a day. Sometimes i cannot use it for hours at a time because activation does not work.
jac33au said:
Love the phone, thought the build quality was excellent BUT my daughter dropped it and the case has split. I dropped my htc one, galaxy s, nexus 4 and a whole host of other phones a 100 times and there was no problem. Really disappointed
Only other major issue is the phone gets locked out "this phone has been lost" many many times a day. Sometimes i cannot use it for hours at a time because activation does not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a real bummer to hear hope that you can get it fixed somehow.
Do you mean that the glass back had split?
Guids said:
That's a real bummer to hear hope that you can get it fixed somehow.
Do you mean that the glass back had split?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When she dropped it, it hit the top right corner. The metal body is VERY weak apparently (see bend tests), so soft it pushed in. So now the back glass panel on that corner is separated from the aluminium frame. It always felt fragile, the glass is so smooth is slides off even grippy surfaces! BUT it is meant to be a flagship top of the market phone so i did expect more. This is the problem when one of the largest smart phone producers doesn't sell in the internet exclusion zone (Australia & NZ). No repair centres, no accessories in stores probably no warranty. Long wait for new cables, cases and anything else.
I'm starting to see LOTS of software issues now too, MIUI has always been that way though. Be good when some custom roms come out. I guess you get what you pay for. It's no Galaxy s7, HTC one or LG that's forsure.
Buyers remorse right now haha...
Oh, 3 days old too... (not my daughter, the phone )
Having brands like Samsung, LG and others ask so much for their flagship phones is not an excuse, they sometimes cost 4 times less to build than they sell for.
But thinking you actually get a top of the line phone for prices like these (not talking about the prices those online import shops ask for the devices when you're not living in asia, but the actual prices Xiaomi sells the phones for) there has to be some compromise... this time it's mainly the build strength.
The moment you get this phone, GET A CASE asap! You don't want to break it when accidentally sitting on it :'(
Want a less break prone version? Get the 128 ceramic version.
Got the phone damaged? YouTube hugo barra tearing a mi5 apart, good reparability.
Love this phone! But you have to handle it like a Chinese vase!
Sent from my MI 5 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Love this phone. I was skeptical at first as their past phones were less than stellar imo but the specs at this price point was too good to pass up.
Have had it for around 2 weeks now, and though still minor quirks with software here and there, all around very happy and haven't run into any major issues.
Great battery life as well. As to be expected, the body is quite fragile but as I'm very careful with my belongings, I don't think I'll be dropping it *knock on wood*
The Mi 5 will be replacing my S7 - call me crazy, but the only downside (only taking into consideration features I use) I've found so far is that the camera is obviously worse. No biggie since I always bring my DSLR for any proper events, and this way I can save some money.
Here is my Real Live Review:
I've bought a Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro 128 GB (at tradingshenzhen.com)
I've unlocked bootloader, TWRP, rooted, and installed Mi 5 Global Developer Rom 6.5.30 (recently updatet itself to MIUI 8 6.8.11)
The Hardware looks and feels nice. Only negative point I could mention: After some days of use I recogniced a clicking sound when I softly push the center of the backside glas (ceramic).
The Software in my opinion can compete with Samsung (there I have the direct comparison) and other brands. In some Points it's better, in some points it's a little behinde the concurence.
My impressions in detail:
Positive:
+ An amazing feauture added in 6.8.11 is the "Dual Apps" function in the settings menu. If you have dual sim, thats a extreamly important feauture. Otherwhise you cannot use WhatsApp on both Numbers. Whit MIUI 8 you can. And this whitout using WhatsApp clones as WhatsAppGB (which I used bevore MIUI 8). (I don't know if other DualSim Devices have this feauture)
+ I've bought the Nillkin Backcover (black) and the Nillkin Flipcover. (Dark Grey) Both are great but the Flipcover is quite glossy, what I dont like.
+ I've bought an USB-C to USB 3 (female jack) cable to connect external storage (for TWRP-Backup etc.) and other devices. I wasn't able to save the TWRP-Backup direct on the external storage, so I made an internal backup and copied it to an external fat-harddrive. The main thing is, that I have an external backup (whitout MicroSD-Cardslot a little challange)
+ IR Sensor to controll HiFi and TV! ZaZa remote is my favourit App to use it.
Negative:
- No possibility to distinguish the SMS-Inbox of the two mobilenumbers. Sure, there is this little "1" or "2" behind the date. But what I would like to see is a "Dual App" for the Messages-App, a possibility to filter the messages by mobilenumber or two tabs on top of the Display where I can choose the two SIM-Cards. Anything like that would be verry nice!
- MIUI don't give me the possibility to add an App-Link into two different folders on the homescreen =(
- No support of ExFat formated storage via USB-C (nor NTFS or HFS+) Any tip to solve this is verry welcome!
- E-Mail App does allow me to add different arriving IMAP and outgoing SMTP server but have NO possibility to add a different login for these two servers. A verry important feauture for me. (My Samsung was able to make this difference). Any hint is verry welcome! I've tried some other E-Mail Apps but didn't find one that can handle all my needs.
- No MicroSD Cardslot. You could say it's not necessary when you have 128GB internal storage, but for example the backup-process would be easyer with it.
Fazit:
Alltogether I am happy with my new device. It is, what I was looking for. The devices helps me to disassociate Job and Personal contacts whitout a second mobile. In some Videos i've seen, that it is more or less repairable and the replacement parts are available in the "bay", an important criterion I guess.
Edited:
When I was writing text, I had this annoying red lines under words which weren’t known by the System. I wasn’t able to find a menu-point to switch them off. My search engine helped me out with this Link. You have to open an adb shell and enter „settings put secure spell_checker_enabled 0“. With „settings put secure spell_checker_enabled 1“ you can switch them back on, if needed.
short mi5 review
Really happy with mine after 3 months, had a bit of pain getting off the vendor rom and figuring out all of the battery optimizations and over zealous permissions.
Once I sorted all of that threw the google now launcher (app drawer back ,Yuss !) on it and very happy. Super snappy after my nexus 5x and the camera is great. Low light could be better but you just use the HHT low light mode and its all good. Battery life is great, I am usually at around 40% after a full day. used a nilikin case from the start and love it, the size and weight is perfect.
The rear fingerprint sensor on the nexus was way better but the mi5 but that is mostly positioning, in my opinion rear sensor wins. Great phone and very happy with it, the only issue was software niggles which are getting better and better.
Loving mine too. Really impressive phone for the price.
I have the phone with international ROM, camera is very good. But it has some bugs.. Like Bluetooth and Gmail connection which sometimes fails and always connected to Mi stuff which i dont like.Its not that fast either, im thinking to try out the nexus 5x because its in the same price region.
Sent from my MI PAD using Tapatalk
onestyle said:
I've bought a Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro 128 GB (at tradingshenzhen.com)
I've unlocked bootloader, TWRP, rooted, and installed Mi 5 Global Developer Rom 6.5.30 (recently updatet itself to MIUI 8 6.8.11)
The Hardware looks and feels nice. Only negative point I could mention: After some days of use I recogniced a clicking sound when I softly push the center of the backside glas (ceramic).
The Software in my opinion can compete with Samsung (there I have the direct comparison) and other brands. In some Points it's better, in some points it's a little behinde the concurence.
My impressions in detail:
Positive:
+ An amazing feauture added in 6.8.11 is the "Dual Apps" function in the settings menu. If you have dual sim, thats a extreamly important feauture. Otherwhise you cannot use WhatsApp on both Numbers. Whit MIUI 8 you can. And this whitout using WhatsApp clones as WhatsAppGB (which I used bevore MIUI 8). (I don't know if other DualSim Devices have this feauture)
+ I've bought the Nillkin Backcover (black) and the Nillkin Flipcover. (Dark Grey) Both are great but the Flipcover is quite glossy, what I dont like.
+ I've bought an USB-C to USB 3 (female jack) cable to connect external storage (for TWRP-Backup etc.) and other devices. I wasn't able to save the TWRP-Backup direct on the external storage, so I made an internal backup and copied it to an external fat-harddrive. The main thing is, that I have an external backup (whitout MicroSD-Cardslot a little challange)
+ IR Sensor to controll HiFi and TV! ZaZa remote is my favourit App to use it.
Negative:
- No possibility to distinguish the SMS-Inbox of the two mobilenumbers. Sure, there is this little "1" or "2" behind the date. But what I would like to see is a "Dual App" for the Messages-App, a possibility to filter the messages by mobilenumber or two tabs on top of the Display where I can choose the two SIM-Cards. Anything like that would be verry nice!
- MIUI don't give me the possibility to add an App-Link into two different folders on the homescreen =(
- No support of ExFat formated storage via USB-C (nor NTFS or HFS+) Any tip to solve this is verry welcome!
- E-Mail App does allow me to add different arriving IMAP and outgoing SMTP server but have NO possibility to add a different login for these two servers. A verry important feauture for me. (My Samsung was able to make this difference). Any hint is verry welcome! I've tried some other E-Mail Apps but didn't find one that can handle all my needs.
- No MicroSD Cardslot. You could say it's not necessary when you have 128GB internal storage, but for example the backup-process would be easyer with it.
Fazit:
Alltogether I am happy with my new device. It is, what I was looking for. The devices helps me to disassociate Job and Personal contacts whitout a second mobile. In some Videos i've seen, that it is more or less repairable and the replacement parts are available in the "bay", an important criterion I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your review.
What are the features of the e-mail app that make it superior to other e-mail apps such as Gmail, Cloud Magic or Blue Mail ?
Just updated to Miui V8.. I will watch out for bugs.
Sent from IPhone 7
@onestyle, TWRP backup by OTG works fine, I use pendrive and I did not see any problems.
Wytapatalkowane z Mi 5
lapocompris said:
Thanks for your review.
What are the features of the e-mail app that make it superior to other e-mail apps such as Gmail, Cloud Magic or Blue Mail ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've listet the eMail App as an negative point, so no superior things. The point is, that I was looking for a Mail App which chould cover my needs some years ago, and didn't found one. When I bought the Mi5 I just tried the wrong apps. BlueMail works great for my needs, thanks a lot for the hint!!! Cloud Magic I wasn't able to configure a different SMTP login (the function is existent, but it didn't accepted my server).
---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 PM ----------
maroko1980 said:
@onestyle, TWRP backup by OTG works fine, I use pendrive and I did not see any problems.
Wytapatalkowane z Mi 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, that its working with your config. Could you tell me/us which version of TWRC you are using? Maybe my cable is the problem, where did you got yours? Kind regards