Related
Years ago, my elderly parents decided to get a computer and become "high tech". And ever since, I've been having trouble to get them to understand the basic functions of a pc. I still occasionally get the phone call from my dad asking me how to perform the most basic functions like downloading pdf files or downloading music. Just the other day, I was asked again how to get into email.
I recently got them a tablet so they could surf, check email, and eventually skype (when it finally comes out) while sitting comfortably on the couch watching tv. Somehow, they're not having trouble with the tablet.
I don't get it. They've been having trouble with the pc for years. I've always figured it's because of the multi-function aspect of the pc that's been giving them trouble. Almost everything else in the house (microwave, washing machine, dish washer, oven, toaster, tv, dvd player, bluray, etc.) has a perfect hardware-software integration and only serves 1 purpose.
But for some reason, they're not having any trouble with their first touch screen device. They're actually able to explore and find new ways at doing things with the gtab. I've been watching in awe as my parents do one thing after another with the gtab. Never seen them so technical before.
I can't seem to find a pattern here. How come they're still having trouble with the PC and yet they have no trouble with an android tablet? Anyone else observing this in their elderly parents?
PS - My 80 yr old uncle is thinking of getting a tablet after seeing how my parents have been playing with a tablet.
Doing the same thing with my mom too. Recluse and giving up on life at 71. The grab has really changed things alot. I put Facebook as a icon on the main screen and she now pecks away talking to my sister 1200 miles away. And her grandson too. Trying video calls next with Skype but haven't got there with working 2 jobs. The gtab has been a God send for me. Even jewels helps with mental abilities and now she is addicted. I can't get it away from her. I am really greatful for this wonderful device. Took it to work and a coworker bought 2 at woot where I bought mine. She asked me to flash them for her. I told her I would show her since she is like me working in lab and IT. Its a wonderful thing. Dan
The more I think about I think its about ease of use. Giving mom a laptop. She is afraid she would break it. Also size. Desktop means sitting at a desk etc. And a keyboard. She can't type. And oh I am going to break this big expensive machine. But she is good at hunt and peck.
Fear factor. By giving her something small, thin and eyecandy takes the fear out of it. Its more like a microwave screen than a huge desktop or even a laptop. Also her gtab has become personal. This is mine and I like it. Its fun and functional at the same time. You should see her playing stuntcar and steering the screen like a car. I also like to say she is partially blind in one eye and bad in the other. This has really helped her visual aquity alot in the month we have had our devices.
I have had the same experience with my mother. She is a complete technophobe. So much so that she retired early from her career as a nurse because she was about to start having to use a Palm Pilot to monitor prescriptions and such. She's wanted email for years and we've tried computers, laptops, etc, all to no avail. She's intimidated by them or something and after a very short period she just stops using them. This is a woman who's scared to program numbers into her cell phone and usually asks me or my brother to do it for her when she needs someone added.
My brother broke down and bought her an iPad for Christmas this year and it's really stuck with her. She's using it everyday to email people (it's the first time we've been able to get her to email consistently) and search recipes on the Internet. For whatever reason, it doesn't intimidate her like every thing else, including her basic, no-frills cell phone. I don't know what it is, but it's working and I'm not complaining.
I'm starting to wonder if it isn't the touch screen that allows a lot of this. Is it that non-techies are actually more comfortable manipulating things this way? Perhaps a more natural method of input allows them to have a higher comfort level and the higher comfort level allows them to push the boundaries of what they know a little harder. I don't know, but it sure seems to be a common theme.
Technology tots
Funny how the elderly and the very young take to tablets/itouch but probably for very different reasons. My 4 year old grandson just bought $60 worth of extras off my daughters iTouch while playing a game.
Not to take your thread off topic, but yahoo messenger + video plugin works great on the gtab if you didn't want to wait for Skype to get their butts in gear. My wife and I use it everyday when I travel.
crispyone said:
Not to take your thread off topic, but yahoo messenger + video plugin works great on the gtab if you didn't want to wait for Skype to get their butts in gear. My wife and I use it everyday when I travel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you any idea how many hours I put in to showing, explaining, showing again, explaining again, etc... my elderly parents, elderly uncles, elderly aunts, and all their computer illiterates how to use skype? Just last week, they had issues with hearing my parents. My parents had to call me and tell me about it. I, in turn, called all the way to the other side of the world to tell them to turn up their volume.
No, I think I will wait for skype on android, thank you very much.
goodintentions said:
I, in turn, called all the way to the other side of the world to tell them to turn up their volume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or turn up their hearing aid!
To the computer illiterates, something as simple as double clicking on an exe file is a world of confusion. Those who live in a modern country like the USA have trouble understanding this. Usually, when I tell people that my folks back in my home country have trouble finding the print button or even have trouble understanding the print button concept people don't believe me. Surely, they thought, nobody in the world would have trouble with clicking on print and out comes a printed paper.
Last month, one of our relatives back in my home country paid a couple of guys to set up their computer for them to yahoo vid with us. The dumbasses (the guys who got paid to set up their system) put the camera facing the front window. Those who have the least experience with cameras should know that you never shoot anyone with the sun as the background. Won't see anything. It took me about half an hour to instruct them to move the camera to face somewhere else for this side of the family to see them.
You know how when someone calls you on skype there's a big green button that says "accept"? Well, some people have trouble understanding the concept of a virtual button, so even something as simple as moving the mouse cursor to the accept button and press it requires time, explanation, and frustration.
You think you have it bad dealing with android newbies? Try dealing with people who until the last couple years never even know what a computer was. Now, try explaning what a mouse cursor is over the phone with the other side of the line being 3 thousand miles away.
Edit.
And to the previous post, have you any idea how painful it was to instruct them to press the Fn button while pressing the + sign to up the volume? They even had trouble understanding the concept of pressing 2 buttons simultaneously. And no doubt, some people here will not believe me. Again, surely, they thought, everybody in the world knows how to turn up the volume.
My guess is that you've already used some sort of remote PC app, but if not,
I would suggest trying out Teamviewer.
It's free for personal use and is dead simple to set up (you might consider setting it to auto-start when they turn on the PC - just put good PW protection on the service.)
I like TV better than any other Remote app.
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
My guess is that you've already used some sort of remote PC app, but if not,
I would suggest trying out Teamviewer.
It's free for personal use and is dead simple to set up (you might consider setting it to auto-start when they turn on the PC - just put good PW protection on the service.)
I like TV better than any other Remote app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using VNC pro. But again, the problem is trying to get them to install and give me their ip address. If I can remote control their PCs without having them install the software and giving me their ip's, then I might as well hack into banking systems and make myself rich.
goodintentions said:
Been using VNC pro. But again, the problem is trying to get them to install and give me their ip address. If I can remote control their PCs without having them install the software and giving me their ip's, then I might as well hack into banking systems and make myself rich.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know we went way OT here, but that's why I like TV. It uses the TV server's as an intermediary, so you don't need their IP. All you need is the ID for their install (which never changes) and their password. If you can get it set up the one time, then you'll never have that issue again.
You can even set up a profile/login to store all of the ID's that you commonly connect to (and their passwords) to make connecting/logging in very easy.
I have a small company with 5 remote employees who are at varying degrees of tech savvy. Once I got TV set up with all the ID's, I can take over their computer anytime I want ... Doesn't need their intervention at all.
Can you please tell me what TV stand for? Don't tell me to google. Every google result has something to do with television.
goodintentions said:
Can you please tell me what TV stand for? Don't tell me to google. Every google result has something to do with television.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TeamViewer
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
TeamViewer
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just spent the last 2 hours trying to instruct relatives how to run teamviewer on their vista pc. No go. I gave up after an hour trying to explain to them what a window was. I even showed them my screen showing them step by step instruction. They just couldn't understand why I couldn't "remote control" their pc because I already knew their email pass.
Again, you people think its bad dealing with droid noobs? Try being tech support for people who don't know what a mouse cursor is on the other side of the world.
TV is no go. Any other suggestion? Apparently, checking a box and clicking next is too complicated.
goodintentions said:
Just spent the last 2 hours trying to instruct relatives how to run teamviewer on their vista pc. No go. I gave up after an hour trying to explain to them what a window was. I even showed them my screen showing them step by step instruction. They just couldn't understand why I couldn't "remote control" their pc because I already knew their email pass.
Again, you people think its bad dealing with droid noobs? Try being tech support for people who don't know what a mouse cursor is on the other side of the world.
TV is no go. Any other suggestion? Apparently, checking a box and clicking next is too complicated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm surprised they can turn the computer on.
I really don't know of anything easier than TeamViewer.
Did you try using the QuickSession? I think you can download the QuickSession app and pre-configure it to 'auto-dial' back to your system. 'all' you have to do is get them to run the app (which sounds like a chore in and of itself).
If you figure out how to get through this pain one time and get control of the system, TeamViewer will be your best friend forever
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
I'm surprised they can turn the computer on.
I really don't know of anything easier than TeamViewer.
Did you try using the QuickSession? I think you can download the QuickSession app and pre-configure it to 'auto-dial' back to your system. 'all' you have to do is get them to run the app (which sounds like a chore in and of itself).
If you figure out how to get through this pain one time and get control of the system, TeamViewer will be your best friend forever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, most of the problem is getting them to run the damn app.
See, we have to understand the fact that some parts of the world just haven't dealt much with a multitasking machine. A tv, vcr, frige, radio, etc. all have perfect software-hardware integration. people don't even notice the software part. They think the hardware is all of it. But with a computer they have to deal directly with software. Huge part of my problem was getting them to press software buttons. They just can't wrap their heads around soft buttons.
This is why back in my home country people get paid ridiculously high for teaching basic microsoft office skills. Heck I should quit my job and go back there and be a professor there.
God that was frustrating.
My mother just moved, and her old WinXP PC didn't survive the move. I built her a new one using an dual core Atom/ION2 mobo, and since she only browsed and checked email I installed Ubuntu. She is 84 years old.
I had made shortcuts for Firefox and Yahoo email on her WinXP box, so I did the same with the Ubuntu one. I even installed a WinXP-looking desktop wallpaper.
She had U-verse internet installed, and the tech booted the PC to do the online registration. He had to call me and said he had looked all over and couldn't find Internet explorer on the PC. I had to tell him that he was using a Linux OS, and not a Microsoft OS!
I considered offering my second Woot g-tablet to my mom, but not sure if she would really use it.
Wow, great thread reading about technology touching people in a positive way...
IMHO, LogMeIn Hamachi is hands down easier than ANYTHING else. Install, join network, finished.
It works similar to TV, but with less 'stuff'.
Install on your computer an create "My Hamachi Group"
Create a password for "My Hamachi Group"
Give your group name "My Hamachi Group" and "group password" to whom ever you wish to join your network
They simply install, enter "My Hamachi Group" and the "group password" and are now on your virtual private network.
Use good old native remote desktop to view remote computers, not another program. Works excellent with Vista and Seven when installed with right-click and Run as Administrator, no special tricks for XP.
Runs by default at startup and you can see who is available and connected at all times.
tenet420 said:
IMHO, LogMeIn Hamachi is hands down easier than ANYTHING else. Install, join network, finished.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looks like that is a windows program. I, and now my mother, use Linux. Fortunately (for her) she lives close enough that I can just go over to her apartment. If she ever starts to actually use her Ubuntu PC for something other than browsing/email, then I'm screwed!!
Hey all,
I'm looking into the possibility of using my Xoom as my daily computer and making a current PC more of a home theater setup in the living room. I don't do anything heavy on the computer (besides occasionally gaming but no big deal) it's all mostly web browsing, IMing, Facebook, etc, so I don't see too much of a reason why I couldn't do this.
My question is this: Have any of you done it? Made the switch from the PC (or mac) being your primary computer to the Xoom? If so, thoughts? Anything to pay attention to? If I do go through with this, I will end up getting a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, I'm sure... but I'd rather not waste 100 bucks on something I end up not using often.
i use my laptop just to root my xoom =)
Anything I should pay attention to, or an accessory that will make a huge difference or anything? Besides the bluetooth keyboard/mouse, obviously.
thank you for the reply, but I already have a xoom... just trying to decide if it is feasible to use as an everyday computer.
Advise Only
This thread and the linked thread reminds me of the discussions an older man like myself would have with so called computer sales persons. If I'd listened to all their talk about specs and hardware I'd owned a missile launcher capable of high end mathematical computations !
What I'm saying is my advise is to list your requirements and expectations first. Look at the specs and hardware and decide what you'll need.
I am a retired engineer and I spend most of my time on my Xoom. A properly installed version of ICS, personally like EOS, I have NO problems surfing, emailing, playing some games and yes I even break out a spreadsheet once in a while.
Yes there are netbooks and laptops that can offer more...just be sure to aim those missiles correctly!!
TheRandom1 said:
thank you for the reply, but I already have a xoom... just trying to decide if it is feasible to use as an everyday computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, there was no need for AngryBulleteyeTruth to be so negative. I makes me wonder why he is even lurking the xoom forum if it is no use to him. Anyway.
I use my xoom more than I use my laptop and desktop. It Is wonderful for Im/text, typing documents to later be altered on a laptop/desktop, some games and media. I use my xoom everyday. The battery life is also great. Yes the document editing isn't on par with desktop suites but is an android tablet, not a laptop. The simplicity comes with its drawbacks but the portability, battery and ease of use is unmatched.
Also if you really need to run desktop quality apps you can just use an app like pocketcloud or splashtop hd to vnc into your laptop/desktop and do what you must. The internal 32gb + a 16gb micro sD card is more than enough room for me. You also have cloud storage available. There is even a app called pocketcloud explorer that will allow you to download and upload files remotely from your machines, with the addition of their companion software. AngryBulleteyeTruth just lacks creativity and the will to find a solution. Don't let his negativity drag you down. Also take a look at when he joined. Feb 2012 means he is fairly new to the community and possibly butt hurt by his unrealistic dream of his xoom transforming into a tiny robot and being his sidekick didn't work out as planned.
I love my xoom! With Team EOS nightlys + undervolting + some simple but useful apps to automate certain task at certain locations = WIN for me. I have a 4g xoom so I can pop my sim card from my HTC thunderbolt in there and use all of that unlimited data. Or tether via Bluetooth if I am on the go.
My uses also include: gps, scanning/PDFing documents on the fly, video chat, voip, portable netflix/media play w/ my micro hdmi cable, getting my fix on reddit, sexytime material and more. People are working hard and doing great things with this device. There will also be more to come. The device is an awesome tool but but you can't expect Apple like commercials that spoon feed what you can use it for.
Tips: checkout androidpolice.com and droid-life.com for explanations, news, reviews, tips and tweaks. Lifehacker also has some good android stuff from time to time. I use justreader to subscribe to the rss feeds.
Search YouTube for useful tablet apps.
Check out the Themes and Apps forum sections for other popular android tablets on XDA. I use tapatalk to subscribe to the Samsung galaxy tab 10.1, Asus prime, Asus transformer and nook color Themes and Apps sections.
Finally share your discoveries and leave constructive comments on XDA. This keeps the community going, makes you feel involved and spread the knowledge to others in your situation.
May you and your xoom find happiness.
AngryBulleteyeTruth said:
Did you write it on a xoom or on a netbook?
Just imagine my 50+ tabs on opera working on any xoom browser, and making my 5+ pages documents on it
...not ignoring the embeded video browsing other than you tube
runhopskipjump - I'm not ashamed of being disappointed. That's the point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote on a xoom with swiftkeys while eating some carrot cake if you must know. I currently have 23 tabs open in opera from looking at reddit links that I would get back to later. And a couple more in chrome because I am downloading some music from beemp3 and prefer that the native download manager handles it. Yes I have typed 5+ pages with and without a Bluetooth keyboard on Docs to Go. My grammar isn't that shyty that I would require a stronger office suite to highlight the crap out of my paragraphs. You can always embed media at a later point or vnc into a desktop to complete the task as desired.
I hated netbooks. But that is not the point. The OP asked if it was viable to use the Xoom as his main device, not his only device. Yet you saw it fit to run your mouth, blabbering about your opinion, disappointment and flawed understanding of what the device is meant to achieve. I hope this exchange between us will be our last because I am not hear to convince you. You have made it clear that you aren't ashamed by your crys for attention using BOLD red font, linking to your own poorly placed Microsoft Dic-Riding thoughts on another thread and your clear inability to find a solution.
On Ice Cream Sandwich, this machine is a powerhouse. If you can't hang, Get Out. Good day sir/madam.
I feel dirty... like I am standing in the middle of a p***in match.
For what it is worth, I ordered a keyboard today and turned off my monitor to my computer to test this. I installed an rdc app on the xoom, and have done everything on it since I got home. So far, so good. I have a desktop at work I can work with if needed, however, I really do only use my computer for email, web browsing chatting, Facebook and other similar very light duty things. I honestly don't care if i can keep 30 tabs open...because I dont do it anyways. Same for documents. With a keyboard, it should be pretty easy, but I am not in school and do not type long essays, so it doesn't matter. If I have something super long to post, I have other options.
And yes... I typed this post on the xoom. It is on its dock in front of me, and I am using the hunt and peck method of typing on the on screen keyboard.
TheRandom1 said:
I feel dirty... like I am standing in the middle of a p***in match.
For what it is worth, I ordered a keyboard today and turned off my monitor to my computer to test this. I installed an rdc app on the xoom, and have done everything on it since I got home. So far, so good. I have a desktop at work I can work with if needed, however, I really do only use my computer for email, web browsing chatting, Facebook and other similar very light duty things. I honestly don't care if i can keep 30 tabs open...because I dont do it anyways. Same for documents. With a keyboard, it should be pretty easy, but I am not in school and do not type long essays, so it doesn't matter. If I have something super long to post, I have other options.
And yes... I typed this post on the xoom. It is on its dock in front of me, and I am using the hunt and peck method of typing on the on screen keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avert your eyes my child from the darkness and bickering that may arise on these public forums. Lol.
May I suggest that you invest some coin in Swiftkeys Tablet X, Thumb Keyboard and Swype to have a more pleasant on screen experience. You won't regret it.
Also I use Keyboard Manager (only like $1) to automatically change keyboard when you switch from landscape to portrait and back. Swiftkeys Tablet X has a pretty good prediction/auto-correct function but I don't like the way it is displayed in portrait mode. Thumb Keyboard has a better layout (i use it in portrait mode) but the prediction/auto-correct isn't even close to Swiftkeys Tablet X. And Swype is free so why not try it. My experience with the stock keyboard is a dreadful one. All three are worth getting and are a wonderful investment.
Cheers.
I use my Xoom probably 90% of the time when I'm at home. Occasionally I will sit down and use my desktop for other stuff - BUT I already had a desktop at the time I bought my Xoom. If something must to happen to my desktop, I seriously doubt I would replace it. There is an app out there for practically everything now with a little time spent setting the Xoom up like I wanted it, it has almost replaced my desktop (and at some point it will probably replace it). I work in IT on a daily basis and I'm a power user and I'm very impressed with Android and what it can do.
OK then... time to ignore the obvious troll.
Anybody else have an opinion on this?
What Troll?
Looks like I owe you some thanks Andy!
That's what were here for.
Every device forum has them. We just need to keep an eye on them.
sold my netbook and kindle and ipod when i got the Xoom!
Well, I got the keyboard in today and it is awesome... when it works. For some reason keys keep randomly not working, specifically the r, l, g' z and backspace keys. Anybody else ever have this issue?
TheRandom1 said:
Well, I got the keyboard in today and it is awesome... when it works. For some reason keys keep randomly not working, specifically the r, l, g' z and backspace keys. Anybody else ever have this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What ROM are you running? I had this issue in the stock honeycomb ROM with an apple keyboard. I no longer have such issues on team EOS ICS nightlys.
Tip: swiftkeys Tablet X work great with an external keyboard. I say this because when an external keyboard is present, swiftkeys Tablet X only displays the predictions and auto corrections. Hitting the space bar selects the highlighted word. Is is very convenient and not something people speak of.
I haven't rooted yet, still on stock honeycomb
TheRandom1 said:
I haven't rooted yet, still on stock honeycomb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take some time to root it. Trust me, it is worth it. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Backing up apps, settings and game saves with titanium backup is so awesome. Android police has a wonderful set of articles about rooting, why you should do it and essential apps for rooted devices. Droid-life and lifehacker have some articles and pieces on the topic as well. Team EOS ICS nightlys are also one of the most up to date roms I have ever encountered. Rooting is even easier with tools like xoot and cornea, which will take you through the steps with a couple of clicks. I personally haven't tried those methods since I was rooted before they came out but others have been successful with them.
I will probably do that today just to see if the keyboard works better, it's so incredibly frustrating to only be able to type half a word! Hm... maybe I should root my Revo...again...
I use XMouse - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stripe1.xmouse - for remote control of my laptop from my phone. Linux-only, but windows versions of similar programs exist, of course.
I haven't found anything similar for smartwatches. In principle it'd only be useful as a mousepad, and a small one at that, but I think it'd be cool. Has anyone found anything similar?
ngoonee said:
I use XMouse - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stripe1.xmouse - for remote control of my laptop from my phone. Linux-only, but windows versions of similar programs exist, of course.
I haven't found anything similar for smartwatches. In principle it'd only be useful as a mousepad, and a small one at that, but I think it'd be cool. Has anyone found anything similar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think we people are trying to do so much with these smartwatches that are not intented for. I can not see any use for what you are describing especially practicality of it. First of all, any app that you use on the watch is actually running on the phone. So if you want to remotely control your PC, just use the phone itself. Using your watch for that purpose will be extremely slow and would be much of an hassle rather than convenient. The touchscreen on the watch is nowhere close to the sensitivity of the touchsreen of any modern day smartphone. That is another issue. If you are really keen on using it as a mousepad only, without seeing anything on the watch, maybe than it maybe faster but than again it has to first communicate with the phone than the phone will communicate with the PC so again there will be hell of a lag...
But my answer to your question is I don't know any app that can do that at the moment.
It depends on what you wanna do
Well, that might answer your question. As far as I know, no "mouse" exists on watch but that doesn't mean you can't control your PC with your watch.
You might use Unified Remote, tasker and it's smartwatch's version. Unified remote is an app that enables you to control your PC wirelessly from your phone (for example, you can play or pause windows media center, launch any program...), very useful and customizable with paid version. Then, tasker is a really really useful app (maybe a bit hard to understand at first) with which you'll be able to activate only few options of your apps. Tasker live extension shows these options on the watch. I've never tried myself but give it a try and let us know.
I don't know if it's clear enough but, for example, I use sonos system (those are speakers connected to wifi that you control with a special app on your phone), using tasker and tasker extension, I can control sonos (play, pause, skip, volume,...) using my watch.
Of course, as the guy above me said, this will never as easy and fast as on your phone. However there are apps that are intended for controlling your PC.
PS : excuse me for my not-that-good-english.
I'm well aware of unified remote and tasker, I've bought tasker since years ago.
The problem is that there's no real way to translate mousepad-type movements to instructions. I have an idea using multiple hotzones in a UCCW widget so that the further away the touch is from the center of the screen, the further the mouse moves. Like a touch nib, the lenovo type.
In answer to the usefulness, why not use it to remote control the phone, not the pc? Android devices can be fairly big nowadays. Mine is 7.7 inches, if I had a 10 inch tab I can see wanting to put it up on the table, lean back, and remote control it.
ngoonee said:
I'm well aware of unified remote and tasker, I've bought tasker since years ago.
The problem is that there's no real way to translate mousepad-type movements to instructions. I have an idea using multiple hotzones in a UCCW widget so that the further away the touch is from the center of the screen, the further the mouse moves. Like a touch nib, the lenovo type.
In answer to the usefulness, why not use it to remote control the phone, not the pc? Android devices can be fairly big nowadays. Mine is 7.7 inches, if I had a 10 inch tab I can see wanting to put it up on the table, lean back, and remote control it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can already do this, buy logitec wireless mouse and keyboard with the unify usb dongle, I have this for my laptop and it works on my Z1, I have a usb adaptor with a full size usb socket on the end and micro usb on the other - plugging into my Z1 gives full control using the mouse and keyboard
Geoffxx said:
you can already do this, buy logitec wireless mouse and keyboard with the unify usb dongle, I have this for my laptop and it works on my Z1, I have a usb adaptor with a full size usb socket on the end and micro usb on the other - plugging into my Z1 gives full control using the mouse and keyboard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, my objective is to use what I'm already wearing rather than carry more gadgets =) already use a wireless mouse myself sometimes. Having peripherals which are the same size as my tablet isn't fun though
Sent from my GT-P6800 using Tapatalk
As soon as I find one, I WILL let you know
I'm on a quest to find an app that can REMOTE CONTROL my phone like a mouse or track pad...and as soon as I find it or build it...I will let everyone know about it. FOR THOSE OF YOU good for nothing, pessimist, dream killers, lack of vision, non-dreamers ...I say this...SOME OF US advanced business, guru, tech-geeks have projector phones or need to do presentations and have a phone machine that can do it. Besides my 2013 retina macbook pro or my i7 HP laptop, which im sure could do a fine job presenting or showing presentations through its screen or projector (attachment), I prefer to minimize my load of carrying stuff, specially when I ride my R6 to work meetings. So Mr. ngoonee YOU KEEP on searching and as soon as I find this coveted app I will let you know. Cheers
MonacodesAffaires said:
I'm on a quest to find an app that can REMOTE CONTROL my phone like a mouse or track pad...and as soon as I find it or build it...I will let everyone know about it. FOR THOSE OF YOU good for nothing, pessimist, dream killers, lack of vision, non-dreamers ...I say this...SOME OF US advanced business, guru, tech-geeks have projector phones or need to do presentations and have a phone machine that can do it. Besides my 2013 retina macbook pro or my i7 HP laptop, which im sure could do a fine job presenting or showing presentations through its screen or projector (attachment), I prefer to minimize my load of carrying stuff, specially when I ride my R6 to work meetings. So Mr. ngoonee YOU KEEP on searching and as soon as I find this coveted app I will let you know. Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I am one of those dream killers you mention. First of all, I am not trying to discourage anyone trying to do anything.
You can for sure use smartwatch as a presentation controller with buttons like the Logitech ones. It will work. But for practicality, I simply don't see sw2 being used as a mousepad. It is just my opinion and you don't have to agree with me.
So good luck with your search/app development.
Sent from my HTC One SV using Tapatalk
ngoonee said:
I use XMouse - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stripe1.xmouse - for remote control of my laptop from my phone. Linux-only, but windows versions of similar programs exist, of course.
I haven't found anything similar for smartwatches. In principle it'd only be useful as a mousepad, and a small one at that, but I think it'd be cool. Has anyone found anything similar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this actually work? i cant seem to use the app and theres no guides
brooker88 said:
How does this actually work? i cant seem to use the app and theres no guides
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't understand it it's not meant for you, only works with an X server meaning for Linux computers (possibly can be used for X apps in a mac)
Sent from my GT-P6800 using Tapatalk
ngoonee said:
If you don't understand it it's not meant for you, only works with an X server meaning for Linux computers (possibly can be used for X apps in a mac)
Sent from my GT-P6800 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted to use it on Linux mint 17 but I'm new to Linux so guess I should give it a miss for now
brooker88 said:
I wanted to use it on Linux mint 17 but I'm new to Linux so guess I should give it a miss for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, basically....
1) SSH on the laptop
2) Profit
If you don't understand that then don't bother.
Lol
Lähetetty minun GT-N8000 laitteesta Tapatalkilla
Virtual Trackpad Mouse
Connect the Gear 2 / Gear 2 Neo to another device, ie Laptop, Car PC, etc, via bluetooth, so that you can use the watch as a mouse. You can map the home button to the left mouse key and long clicking the button for right mouse key.
I think the smart watch would be a great platform for a wearable mouse.
Interesting idea, not sure how practical that would be though. Why not just use a mouse?
Pirateguybrush said:
Interesting idea, not sure how practical that would be though. Why not just use a mouse?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the idea, and for a laptop it would be great, as I never carry a mouse with mine, as I use a thin laptop sleeve and not a larger case where you can carry other items in it.
I would like it and even to use it as a mouse pointer for my note
Lazy as hell but holding my note in left hand(same as gear) then holding my right hand on the wrist and swiping on gear with my fingers. That would be extremely comfortable!
Skickat från min GT-N7100 via Tapatalk
Pirateguybrush said:
Interesting idea, not sure how practical that would be though. Why not just use a mouse?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure there would be several uses for it. Me personally, since I can now turn on my TV and control my Directv box with my watch, it would also be nice to control my music/video server, which uses my TV as a 60" display, from my watch when I want to play/pause a movie, select a new music track, etc.
I also know people with tablets or car pcs in their vehicles, it would be a great interface to control those as well.
It could also be used as a "mouse" for people doing simple laptop to screen presentations.
Saying "Why not just use a mouse?" is like saying, "Why buy a smart watch, why not just use your cellphone?" - I think the answer is clear, we are tech nuts who like shiny new toys and love to tinker around and find more uses for them. If the dev made this app, I'd use it daily.
Breach said:
I am sure there would be several uses for it. Me personally, since I can now turn on my TV and control my Directv box with my watch, it would also be nice to control my music/video server, which uses my TV as a 60" display, from my watch when I want to play/pause a movie, select a new music track, etc.
I also know people with tablets or car pcs in their vehicles, it would be a great interface to control those as well.
It could also be used as a "mouse" for people doing simple laptop to screen presentations.
Saying "Why not just use a mouse?" is like saying, "Why buy a smart watch, why not just use your cellphone?" - I think the answer is clear, we are tech nuts who like shiny new toys and love to tinker around and find more uses for them. If the dev made this app, I'd use it daily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said! One of the things I miss from my Pebble was using my watch to pause/unpause my XBMC (I have a gaming/HTPC connected to my 144" projector & screen). That's actually a thing that I would say the physical buttons on the Pebble would do better than the touchscreen, is that I expect it to be more reliable and easy to hit a physical button in the dark without having to look at the watch and focus enough to hit a small touch target. This is also something I noticed when working out and changing music tracks - I could do it without looking on m Pebble because of the buttons while the Gear forces me to slow my pace and focus on the screen so I can touch just the right spot for the music control UI. I often hit the wrong spot and invoke the wrong action with the Gear's small screen.
I use Unified Remote on my Android phone to control my HTPCs though and it's pretty handy. There's a mode of that app that does exactly what OP is asking for, which is give a virtual touchpad and keyboard that controls the PC. If those guys would just port a version to the watch, that would be awesome, although what could be accomplished in duplicating functionality in a much smaller form factor is questionable.
Breach said:
Virtual Trackpad Mouse
Connect the Gear 2 / Gear 2 Neo to another device, ie Laptop, Car PC, etc, via bluetooth, so that you can use the watch as a mouse. You can map the home button to the left mouse key and long clicking the button for right mouse key.
I think the smart watch would be a great platform for a wearable mouse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've found this functionality useful in GMote when watching movies on a pc-connected tv. I'm not sure how much legs something like this would have on a smartwatch though.
recovery mode
Gear neo have recovery mode pleas wee what the root
Offline calendar and contacts
Sometimes it would be really nice to be able to access my calendar/appointments and contacts when offline (not connected to my phone).... ideal would be if appointment alarms go off and remind me even when not connected to a phone. The Gear 2 has plenty of processing power and storage to handle such apps.
This would essentially be an important step to for the Gear 2 to become independent of a phone (but the phone/calling functionality). A small organizer on my wrist so to speak.
Other suggestions: a password storage app (encrypted and protected and sync with PC: something like eWallet or "Safe in Cloud"), chess game, world clock with alarms,...
I am sure there are plenty of other ideas.
A laptop Has a built in mouse right at your fingertips kinda of a hassle
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
chuko303 said:
A laptop Has a built in mouse right at your fingertips kinda of a hassle
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A laptop does but things like home theatre PCs don't. I can see it being handy for people with those kind of setups. Especially with stuff like the Steambox likely to make some inroads into front rooms this year. I wouldn't have much use for a mouse app myself but I can see a potential market for one if it's possible.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
GPS/location/navigation app.
We really need an app for navigation or location. Glympse is able to do it so why not make a navigation app even if you have to input then info on the phone first.
Also the keyboard app that was stated to be on gear 2 at launch still hasn't arrived. So a keyboard would be great. That way we could reply to texts, though I know that wouldn't be so simple.
Another would me a browser app. Sony sw2 has one. Would be nice to have.
I know is easier said than done but hey....
Also what's up with this shealth crap not working at all. I got an email from samsung support telling me it SHOULD work on my sprint note 3 and gave me four different troubleshooting processes to try and none worked. Told me to call but I do not get hom until 2am. This is one thing that should have worked from the start.
chuko303 said:
A laptop Has a built in mouse right at your fingertips kinda of a hassle
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people will hook their laptop up to a projector to do a presentation and need to be at the front of the room away from the laptop. This solution would be very helpful to them.
2048 tile game will be awesome
Woops actually there is a lot of 2048game in store I saw them this morning
Sent from my SM-N9000Q using Tapatalk
hey I thought of this first!! two weeks ago and yes it seems to be rather hard to find a way to implement this idea with a feture rich app. like Power point control for projector with VC(voice commands) and virtual trackpad with possible fleksy like key board or voice input. for not only PC.. but for HTPC . or mirroring or MHL connection for the phone its self. how great would it be to hook up(I have SGN3) via mhl 2.0 and jumping to the couch and contrilling a Virtual mouse with the Gear 2 swiping with 2 finger or something of the sort plus possiple use of voice to text dictation as an alternative to a tiny keyboard. it would gimickly exite even the most callus of Gadget Enthusiasts for at leasy 10 seconds (-;.
Anyway I am still trying to pull something like this together if anyone want to team up hit me up with a PM
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
chuko303 said:
A laptop Has a built in mouse right at your fingertips kinda of a hassle
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm, nice observation
I'm working on a similar thing, just making gear as hotkeys of my laptop.
rafalniski said:
I'm working on a similar thing, just making gear as hotkeys of my laptop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey let me know if you need help testing this. Since I went over to the Gear, I miss being able to pause/unpause movies in XBMC like I could w/ my Pebble (it just sent the same codes that the pc accepts as the media control hotkeys). That's all I need for now, although with the Gear having a touchscreen I would've hoped someone could make it behave as the remote touchpad for a pc.
How about using the builtin camera sensor to automatically adjust the screen brightness level. That probably has to go into the firmware rather than an wgt type up.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
another app idea
Id like an app for sailing
Simply program waypoints into phone and watch displays distance and bearing to next waypoint swipe sideways and it moves navigation to next waypoint swipe other direction it gives direcyions to previous waypoint add speed over the ground in knots and ill be a very happy bunny i frequently do yacht races that use 4 waypoints done in various orders to complete course now yes i could just look at my phone but it would be so much easier to be able to look at my wrist change the speed unit and it could be used by hikers aswell add a save my position function and you have the perfect app
Good day to all
Well, just as the title says, that's what I am hoping to do. This is for my church I am doing this btw.
Scenario is this: my pastor has a tablet with an app he generally uses every now and then for certain quotes as he preaches. I'm the I.T guy there, so i have a setup where he can display his tablet on our projector for the congregation to follow. The projector is used, well to display lyrics and scripture throughout the service. The new aim is now to have the song leader view lyrics displayed through the projector that he may not know, especially newly written songs for example plus other things. So now I have a dedicated tablet for use at the pulpit and I have gotten apps setup for displaying purposes, in addition to the app my pastor uses.
Thing is now, he has some bookmarks in it (the app) that he uses to save time when looking for his desired quote. During the song service, he prepares the quotes which he won't be able to do with the new tablet while the song leader has it. The tablet he uses, his personal device, is a samsung galaxy tab 3 and what i got is the fire hd 8 (which is faster and doesn't lock up like that samsung does with apps open).
So I am wondering and hoping if it is possible, to share the data of the app on the samsung with that of the fire hd 8. I came across some things but the device must be rooted which the fire hd 8 is not and I am not sure if it can. What I have not tried yet is the google app sync, came across it some minutes ago (which I am hoping it will do) but I am looking for the best solution for this, without root. My main desire is for the data to be shared speedily. And in case you are wondering, I do have a wifi network setup.
ALSO: Something else that I would like some input on. I want an app that I can use to say, send notes with requests (prayer request for example) or just a note to the tablet at the pulpit. We tend to have it written down and someone will walk to the pulpit to deliver it but I am looking for an app for that. Would like the app to be really fast as far as updating itself with new notes. I am trying evernote but I find it takes too long (at least my from stand point) to resync and what not. There is a notification alert which I don't find efficient especially if the song leader is using the app i setup to view the projector.
Hope my comment isn't too long but I tend to be detailed in things like this. Thanks
In desperate need here x_x
AnoitedOne347 said:
In desperate need here x_x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SmartSwitch will help out because it's used to share backups between galaxy device's and other devices also
good luck