OT: Android Tablet Thread

[wco81]

Last year, the main competitors to the iPad came out with 7-inch tablets.

This year, it's mostly been 10-inch ones.

I can see advantages for both. The 7-inch tabs would be better out in the field for using with things like GPS. Right now, they are around the same resolution so you don't lose too much screen real estate on the 7-inch models.

But if as rumored they quadruple the resolution in the next iPad, than there will be a lot of differentiation and you have to trade off screen real estate, which may enable new types of applications and uses, versus portability.

[DivotMaker]

I'm with Naples. My phone browser is great for settling a quick bar argument or looking up movie times etc. But to sit there and read an extended piece is just not a pleasant experience.

Agreed.....

[Rodster]

OK not an Android Tablet question but phone related. I have a Samsung Galaxy Prevail. I'm trying to disable the screen lock swipe. I go into settings --> Locations & Security --> Setup Screen Lock and press NONE to disable. If the screen goes blank I have to swipe to unlock. OK what am I doing something wrong because it isn't disabling the phone lock feature?

I got around it by installing the NO LOCK app which DB mentioned for the Galaxy Tab.

[dbdynsty25]

You cannot disable the swipe to unlock on android phones unless you use "no lock" which is free, or widget locker which is a few bucks.

Not sure why you're saying "no lock" is a workaround. It does exactly what you want it to do without using any resources. Stick with it and move on.

[Rodster]

Well you answered my question. I wasn't aware you can't disable the swipe. So i'll go with No Lock which you recommended.

[dbdynsty25]

And there you have it...Amazon locking their sh*t down:

http://www.androidcentral.com/amazons-k ... Central%29

[Rodster]

They had to no surprise there, just wondering though if anyone is going to go through the trouble of unlocking it.

[wco81]

They had to no surprise there, just wondering though if anyone is going to go through the trouble of unlocking it.

If it does come out at $250 with good specs -- capacitive touch screen like the Nook Color, more recent SOC -- then I'm sure the guys who unlocked the Nook Color will be on it.

Lot of people have installed Android on the Nook but presumably most Nook buyers don't install Android so Barnes and Noble is okay with it.

Unless like more than 20% of the Amazon tablets are unlocked to run stock Android, Amazon probably won't care either. But they would be subsidizing the hardware so they have to recoup the costs.

[Rodster]

Gotta give Amazon credit. At least they are enticing and giving customers a reason to buy their Tablet.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/44395511

TechCrunch, which said it had played with a testing prototype, reported that the plan was for Amazon to offer Amazon Prime — its $79-a-year Internet streaming service — for free along with the gadget.

[Rodster]

Supposedly, Google will launch Android Ice Cream Sandwich in October or November.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/new ... r-november

[dbdynsty25]

Supposedly, Google will launch Android Ice Cream Sandwich in October or November.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/new ... r-november

That's what I said like 5 pages ago. smh

[Rodster]

No it's official cause I said it.

[Rodster]

I'm not starting a new thread for this but Samsung has announced that they will collaborate with Microsoft on a Windows 8 Tablet. Looking forward to seeing that.

[Gangrel]

I settled on a Tab and love it so far. Haven't been on my desktop in tw days.

Just need to find acase for it. The Samsung one looks good but its not available in Canada.

Also needto figureout the best keyboard for me! Haven't tried Swype yet.

[Rodster]

I settled on a Tab and love it so far. Haven't been on my desktop in tw days.

Just need to find acase for it. The Samsung one looks good but its not available in Canada.

Also needto figureout the best keyboard for me! Haven't tried Swype yet.

Please tell me you don't mean as in keyboard add-on? Can't figure out why people say Tablets are taking over while they are turning their Tablets into laptops.

[Gangrel]

No no. I mean software keyboard.

Thou i can see how a bluetooth keyboard would be useful. One could almost ditch their desktop entiely then-

[Rodster]

No no. I mean software keyboard.

Thou i can see how a bluetooth keyboard would be useful. One could almost ditch their desktop entiely then-

Oh OK, still don't use a bluetooth kybd for your Tablet, man up.

[dbdynsty25]

No no. I mean software keyboard.

Thou i can see how a bluetooth keyboard would be useful. One could almost ditch their desktop entiely then-

For the fourth time in this thread...thumb keyboard. Seriously awesome.

[ScoopBrady]

I settled on a Tab and love it so far. Haven't been on my desktop in tw days.

Just need to find acase for it. The Samsung one looks good but its not available in Canada.

Also needto figureout the best keyboard for me! Haven't tried Swype yet.

This is the case I settled on. It'a a little pricey but it is by far the best case I saw for the Galaxy Tab. A guy at at work had it and I was sold.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Leather-C ... 122&sr=8-4

[Gangrel]

that's what I want I can't find it or get it in canada. it's not listed on amazon.ca.and com won't send it to me.

[Gangrel]

Alright. I downloaded thumb key and it's pretty damn cool. Funny story. I was using iit in landscape mode and wondered why the keys were so far away. Then I clued in and flipped my tab around lol.

[dbdynsty25]

Alright. I downloaded thumb key and it's pretty damn cool. Funny story. I was using iit in landscape mode and wondered why the keys were so far away. Then I clued in and flipped my tab around lol.

You adjust the width of the keyboard, to push the keys towards the edges or towards the middle. It's supposed to be far away in landscape...hence the name thumb keyboard. You just use your thumbs, so it puts the keys towards the edges. I actually moved mine further towards the edges so that my little ass thumbs could reach.

[Gangrel]

Yea, I know, but I have little ass thumbs too and couldn't reach all the keys in landscape mode. When i turned it around to portrait mode, it's fine. But ya, I realized after I posted this that I can also adjust the size, so I will play around with it some.


The NFL for Honeycomb app is cool. It rocks to be able to check out other games while you're flipping around on TV. I hope the NHL comes out with something for Android tablets too.....

[dbdynsty25]

The NFL for Honeycomb app is cool. It rocks to be able to check out other games while you're flipping around on TV. I hope the NHL comes out with something for Android tablets too.....

The DirecTV Sunday Ticket app is even better. Red Zone channel...free streaming of all games, etc. Can't beat it while sitting here watching the Braves get beat again.

[RobVarak]

Engadget has a How Would You Change feature on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. I found this comment interesting, and I'm wondering if any of you who have one have any thoughts about it:

I have the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the iPad 2 and I use both daily. The single biggest issue with Honeycomb tablets is fragmentation. I have an Evo 4G and I can't download all the same apps to my tablet...that I use on my cell phone.

No HBO Go, no Cinemax Go, no Crackle, no iheartradio, and no Crackle. Even worse is the fact that the ESPN live app and the MLB app don't play videos. My iPad 2 has no problem playing any of those apps and they all work great.

The iPad 2 has more apps, games, movie choices, music choices, books, and overall entertainment options.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 has a slightly better screen but videos are shown in letterbox and rarely appear in full screen
and the Galaxy Tab has better cameras by a wide margin.

The Galaxy Tab and Android tablets have nice specs but Honeycomb has less than 500 tablet apps and doesn't come close to iPad 2 as far as content, entertainment options, or user experience. Widgets and live wallpaper are cool for about a week but that doesn't erase the fact that the iPad 2 has a better selection of apps and games.