OT: Android Tablet Thread

[Rodster]

Like db said the Tab has a lot more customization over the iPad. I'm still seriously considering one just waiting to see if the Galaxy Prevail does the trick. The two main purposes for me wanting a Tablet is GPS (can't do with Wifi) only. The Prevail gets me turn by turn Navagation and I can do light surfing if I need to.

I'm adding a Prevail when I add a new business number next month. If it gives me what I want then I may skip this round of the Tab.

edit: Btw you guys should make a dedicated Galaxy Tab thread.

[wco81]

You have to get the 3G version of the Galaxy Tab to get GPS, don't you? Then you may have to sign a contract?

Among Android tablets, products with better graphics and video performance than the Tegra 2 used in the Gingerbread tablets released this year are due later this year:

http://www.tcmagazine.com/tcm/news/hard ... agazine%29

If you plan to keep a tablet for a couple of year, might be better to wait a bit to see what shakes out.

As for Android vs. iPad, at the moment it's about things like widgets, USB ports or SD slots vs. more app. availability, better graphics and better battery life on iPad2.

If you think you'll get a mobile data plan and want LTE -- some Android tablets are suppose to support LTE this year -- you may want to sign up for a data plan from Verizon before 7/7, when they eliminate unlimited data plans. If you sign up before, you'll be grandfathered in and presumably would be able to transfer the unlimited plan to future devices.

[Murph]

Badgun, there is indeed HDMI out for iPad. Here is the adaptor:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC953#overview

It also works on iPhone and iPod Touch. It even let's you recharge while you're watching Netflix, etc.

[Rodster]

You have to get the 3G version of the Galaxy Tab to get GPS, don't you? Then you may have to sign a contract?

Yeah if you want GPS on the tab you need 3G and Google maps on the Tab looks impressive to say the least. I have been contract free going on 2 years now.

[wco81]

Do any of the Android tablets have the pay-as-you-go 3G plans like iPad? You buy them a month at a time, no contract required?

Actually, I don't think the $129 that Apple charges for the 3G version is worth it. Might be better off with a Mifi and use that to share the connection across several devices at a time. Only thing is that Mifi contracts can cost more, like the LTE Wifi plans of $50 for 5GB and $80 for 10 GB.

[dbdynsty25]

OK Scott, I've been doing some research on the Galaxy tab. First let me say that I have an iPad 1. I have been wanting to get a 2, but have held off so far. Now comes the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and my interest is definitely piqued. I've always trusted and respected your opinions on electronics so I'm asking you to tell me, other than flash, what does the Galaxy tab bring to the table that the ipad 2 doesn't? From what I can tell there is no SD card slot, is there an HDMI out?

I like the fact that the cameras on the tab are better and the tab is lighter, but reading some of the reviews on Amazon, some people are reporting a slight delay when tapping a keyboard entry and when it appears on the screen and others have confirmed it.

Also, what kind of case did you get for your tab?

So here's the rundown of the Tab after a week of use.

Yes, there are honeycomb issues and bugs. It's expected by someone like me who knows that honeycomb is a completely redesigned OS made for tablets, not a phone OS that has been stretched out like the iPad. Typing is an issue on certain forums (it's some kind of code issue with the browsers in honeycomb)...but that can be alleviated by using tapatalk (an app) if the forum supports it. Other than in the browser, the typing has been fine. It's a pretty big issue tho...and luckily the forums I frequent all are fine, or have tapatalk (DSP is fine in regular browser, OS is tapatalk, Android Central is tapatalk, XDA Developers is tapatalk and so is head-fi).

To tell you the truth, and I've mentioned it before in the iPad thread...the iPad is a better overall product and that strictly relates to the apps available. There's no denying that and if I tried to say otherwise, you'd know I'm full of sh*t. However, everything I do is through Gmail/Calendar/Contacts and the seemless integration of all of that wirelessly to my phone, my computer, etc. is the reason I went Android. That's something Apple cannot do. I NEVER have to connect my tablet to the computer for any reason if I don't want to. The only time I did is when I put some music/movies on it directly...the rest of my music is on Amazon's cloud or Google's. This is all stuff that is coming to the iPad tho...so that advantage is going away as well.

The tab is just so comfortable to use. It's really light, and the edges are not nearly as sharp as the ipads so it's more comfortable to hold...especially one handed. I also prefer the screen...it's the best tablet screen out there as far as rendering colors, viewing angle and speed. I also like the widescreen form factor over the ipad's 4:3.

Yes, there are adapters for the Tab as well. There is an SD Adapter for expanding storage and there is an HDMI out as well. These items are both included in the Xoom, but at the expense of size and weight. I much prefer the smaller/thinner/lighter form factor and if I want to use those external devices I can just connect them up.

It's all about customization on the Android tablets...being able to have your device act as you want it to is great. You're not tied into a particular screen layout and how Apple wants you to do things. There are different launchers and software packages out there and people hacking the crap out of the device at all times to make it better or more functional.

As for a case, I picked up the Samsung Sleeve and the Samsung Keyboard Dock...I really hate the portfolio style cases because I always want to just take the device out of the case because it adds so much bulk. So the sleeve is just a leather case that protects the device during transport and I just slide it out when I want to use it. If I want to use a stand, the keyboard dock works great for that, as well as giving you the keyboard.

Bottom line:

if you don't mind a few bugs, want the thinnest and lightest tablet, and like customization and gmail integration...you go Tab 10.1

if you want a completely stable OS with a ton of tablet based apps...go iPad 2

[dbdynsty25]

You have to get the 3G version of the Galaxy Tab to get GPS, don't you? Then you may have to sign a contract?

Yeah if you want GPS on the tab you need 3G and Google maps on the Tab looks impressive to say the least. I have been contract free going on 2 years now.

Absolutely incorrect. Stop spreading bad information. GPS works fine on my Tab without a data plan. In fact, Google is also working on GPS Navigation when you're offline...so it caches your entire route so you don't need a network connection at all after you leave your wifi at your house.

Do any of the Android tablets have the pay-as-you-go 3G plans like iPad? You buy them a month at a time, no contract required?

Actually, I don't think the $129 that Apple charges for the 3G version is worth it. Might be better off with a Mifi and use that to share the connection across several devices at a time. Only thing is that Mifi contracts can cost more, like the LTE Wifi plans of $50 for 5GB and $80 for 10 GB.

And yes, wco...there are pay as you go plans for all Android devices that will have cellular chips inside. The Tab that comes out this summer with the cellular is going to be a $30 dollar premium over the wifi only model, plus the monthly costs. So significantly cheaper than the apple competition @ 130 dollar premium.

And true...especially when I can add the $20 tethering charge to my 4G LTE Thunderbolt and tether my Tab...which is why I didn't' care about getting a cellular based device. Had I went iPad 2 I would have done the same thing.

[Rodster]

No sh*t?!

The BB guy who sounded like he what he was talking about said NO it needs either a hotspot or 3G to access GPS.

Confirm it db (no wifi access) before I go get one this afternoon.

edit: I meant turn by turn navigation

[dbdynsty25]

No sh*t?!

The BB guy who sounded like he what he was talking about said NO it needs either a hotspot or 3G to access GPS.

Confirm it db (no wifi access) before I go get one this afternoon.

All it will do is give you your location based on GPS...if you want to get directions or something, or use the GPS to find stores or whatever nearby then obviously you need a network connection. The GPS works to give you your location tho...and it'll track you. It just can't load data AROUND you.

Turn by turn is coming...Google announced it about a week ago...offline navigation with Google Maps.

[Rodster]

No sh*t?!

The BB guy who sounded like he what he was talking about said NO it needs either a hotspot or 3G to access GPS.

Confirm it db (no wifi access) before I go get one this afternoon.

All it will do is give you your location based on GPS...if you want to get directions or something, or use the GPS to find stores or whatever nearby then obviously you need a network connection. The GPS works to give you your location tho...and it'll track you. It just can't load data AROUND you.

Turn by turn is coming...Google announced it about a week ago...offline navigation with Google Maps.

Excellent news !

I wonder how much space the offline data will take?

[dbdynsty25]

And to reiterate for those of you who have gotten android tablets recently...you must get the thumb keyboard. It is an essential day one purchase. Makes typing a breeze.

[MizzouRah]

Galaxy Tab 10.1....wow. Holy sh*t. This thing is legit. Go get one Rod.

I think I'm picking up a 16GB version this week. I've held off and almost bought an ipad2 a few weeks ago, but from what I've read, I'm really excited to get one of these in my hands.

[FatPitcher]

I got one of the Tabs from the Google I/O conference. Sadly, I had to leave it in Budapest, so that it could be used for compatibility testing. It was pretty amazing. I'm not much on portable computing since I work from home, but I'd be gay for the Tab.

The Kal-El stuff coming out later this year is about 4x more powerful. I don't know what pricing will be like, but I imagine it will drive the prices for everything down, making the few month wait worthwhile if you're on the fence. Plug in a gamepad, connect it to your TV via HDMI, and you've got a hybrid handheld/high-end game console. Seriously.

[XXXIV]

The Kal-El stuff coming out later this year is about 4x more powerful. I don't know what pricing will be like, but I imagine it will drive the prices for everything down, making the few month wait worthwhile if you're on the fence. Plug in a gamepad, connect it to your TV via HDMI, and you've got a hybrid handheld/high-end game console. Seriously.

Very interesting.

Are we talking about a full blown computer experience on a pad?

[pk500]

I'm not much on portable computing since I work from home, but I'd be gay for the Tab.

There's something about that line that made me laugh my ass off. Well done!

[pk500]

Never heard of Kal-El, FatP. I'm not a tech geek by any stretch, but a Google search showed me it's very cool technology.

Kal-El dynamic lighting tech demo:

[Badgun]

Just saw the 32 gig Galaxy Tab on slickdeals for $529 shipped and no tax. Guess I'm taking the plunge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab- ... 4375675663

[Rodster]

That's a kickass deal. I wish they had the white version.

[dbdynsty25]

That's a kickass deal. I wish they had the white version.

The white version is whack. It's glossy and slippery as hell. The grey is textured so it feels so much better. Plus it'll scratch a lot more too.

[Rodster]

FU db I just bought one, couldn't pass up that deal. The 16GB would have cost me more with tax.

That deal also earns $21.20 in Ebay credit, sweet !

[Rodster]

Alright since db unloaded his Xoom and I just bought a Tab I guess it's time to start a Galaxy thread.

OK what apps and games do you guys recommend?

[dbdynsty25]

You'd be better off renaming it the "Android Tablet Thread" because there are so many different models to choose from right now. Product specific for Android is not a good idea...Apple, sure.

[Rodster]

Fixed !

OK list your favorite apps and games.

[dbdynsty25]

Thumb Keyboard (absolute necessity)
Friend Me (facebook app)
Newsr (Google Reader App for Tablets)
Tapatalk (for forums other than DSP)
File Manager HD
No Lock (for getting rid of the lock screen which is unneeded for tablets IMO)
Beautiful Widgets (for weather, clocks, toggles etc.)
Tweetdeck

As for games...the usual suspects Cut the Rope, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja HD as well as one my personal favorites right now, Trial X (think Trials HD on 360)

For Galaxy Tab 10.1 specific accessories, the OEM Samsung Pouch and Samsung Keyboard Dock are the only accessories I need. Both are fantastic.

[Rodster]

Nice

What's thumb keyboard and Tapatalk? Are any of those games free? Is the screen susceptible to scratches?