[Q] Uses For Under Powered Tablets Like My Cruz t301 - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I, like many other suckers, fell for the Velocity Cruz T301 Woot offer a month or two ago... shamefully, I bought 2 of them.
Since I have had the tablets, I have rooted them, put 2.2 on them, installed market, and a few other things that were mentioned in a few threads here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1151050).
What I'm finding, however, is that this tablet is just too grossly underpowered to be USEABLE (much less, useful) even for basic web browsing… and I can’t even get it to play movies (Rock Player is not compatible).
So… what other uses are there for underpowered tablets (besides teaching the virtue of patience)? Could I turn it into a touchscreen monitor for a laptop via USB (would be great for controlling media player at work)?
OR, am I just out my $79.99 per unit and I should just donate the rotten things to [insert suggestion here, but don’t say “school” because they all seem to have iPads]?

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

I suppose the lack of reply suggests that this is now an $80 paperweight. Live & learn!

Related

[Q] Few questions before buy...

Hi!
I read that Archos 101 have some issues with Google Marketplace.
I'm between buy Archos 101 or iPad (I'm inclined to Archos)
I want to use it for read large-sized pdfs, comics (CBR and CBZ), web browsing, office productivity and read news.
My questions is:
- Is it possible to install apps like NyTimes through the apk, since it is protected market and can't be installed through the Market? I searched but nothing found (it's a bit difficult to understant since I dont have the tablet yet )
- Is it posible to install RepliGo or other fast pdf readers through the appmonster or the Market and use it with good quality (I mean, full res and full size pages?)
- Is it posible to use BT keyboard?
- Is it multitasking?
Thanks in advance!
Best Buy
There is a Tablet at Best Buy for 300 and it is made by Huawei. It includes the market and hard button home. It looks like a really good device. I would have bought that if I had know it was out before getting this.
The plus side to Best Buy is get you better support then you do from Archos. I am not sure the quality since I did not buy that one. It is something to keep in mind.
I am not saying I don't like my device but I am saying they left much to be desired that could have been better for the same price.
As far as questions go, since market is not default you have to use another app to get to the apk. I am not sure if NYtimes is working. Also there has been reported issues with BT and KB while using Wifi. I am not sure if this was fixed in the last patch. All Androids are Multitasking. I dont think they ever released on that was not. I hope this helps. You make want to go to a store and look at a 10" and 7". You may find the 10 is to cumbersome. Also Apples device is much heaver then Archos.
Faldiin
P.S. MOD can we move this to the correct forum please. They will get better Answers.
faldiin said:
There is a Tablet at Best Buy for 300 and it is made by Huawei. It includes the market and hard button home. It looks like a really good device. I would have bought that if I had know it was out before getting this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While it has built in GPS it doesn't have quite a few things that the Archos 70 and 101 have.
The 70 and 101 have capacitive screens while the Huawei is the less versatile resistive screen.
The Archos Gen8's have hdmi out while the Huawei does not.
The Archos have internal storage (8g and 16g) and supports SD cards up to 32gb, but the Huawei lacks internal storage and is limited to 16gb sd cards.
The Gen 8's are running Android 2.2 (which has JIT and flash support) while the Huawei is stuck running 2.1
The Gen 8's support many video formats that the Huawei does not.
There are additional advantages to the Archo's Gen8's over the Huawei, but for most people the list above is enough to see that the Huawei is lacking in quite a few areas.
I bought the Archos 101 mostly for the things you want them for. Reading comics and PDFs with some web browsing and simple document work. Repligo works fine for PDF, though I prefer EZPDF Reader. Has a better interface. Quality is good, full size and res. ACV works really great for comics and is free. Reading in landscape or portrait is a snap. Scrolling is smooth as is page transitions.
I had an iPad before and reading comics and PDFs was definitely not as convenient as it was with the 101. The widescreen is more conducive to reading I found and the device is actually a bit lighter as well.
And if you care, the video capabilities of the Archos blow the iPad out of the water. I'm not sorry about returning my iPad at all.
Thank you for the quick reply, guys.
(and sorry for the wrong forum )
Well, I can't test an Archos on the store, since I live in Brazil, and they don't sell it on the stores yet. My brother will gonna bring me a tablet in January, so, that's why i'm asking some simple questions.
I believe that Archos will be my better - and cheaper - choice. I'm little afraid about the comic resizing (since here, in Brazil, comic formats are different from the USA. They're most like 4:3 aspect ratio).
Last two questions:
About magazines (like MAD Magazine ), mostly then are readable at full screen?
And, most important... Does Repligo or EZPDF (or any pdf reader) have the "lock scrolling" feature, like GoodReader for iPhone? Let me clarify: if I use lock scrolling, It's not posible to make horizontal scroll, only vertical. It's useful for pdfs that have big and uniform margins.
Tks again!
mercantigo said:
Thank you for the quick reply, guys.
(and sorry for the wrong forum )
Well, I can't test an Archos on the store, since I live in Brazil, and they don't sell it on the stores yet. My brother will gonna bring me a tablet in January, so, that's why i'm asking some simple questions.
Tks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about the P.S. Part. It was not meant as a flame. I was saying that so we could get more comments for you. There is always a different opinion depending on what each uses the device for.
Like for me, I find no use in the HDMI out. I don't use it and you need a special cable. 16GB of storage, Well I never use the 8 I have in mine. Since all my stuff is compressed and on my 16gb stick. I am happy. So each has the plus and minus for what you use it for. I read the Newspaper on mine with the App. I have not tried Magazines. I would love to thou. I need to look in that. I like reading books on mine but the software buttons get int eh way of my reader. This is the down fall of the way the device was made. I still like mine thou.
Faldiin
P.S. Have your brother check it for errors before coming down. I got mine with dead pixels out of the box. Waiting to get mine back from the shop. Shipping from Brazil is probably not cheap.

Kindle Fire has root and CWM - and why that doesn't matter

Listen, I understand how people are looking at KF and thinking - man, it's already rooted, has CWM and ROMS are but a minute away. Our NT is still locked down, and we're being told it may stay this way.
So naturally, being in your return period, you're thinking about switching boats to KF.
I have one word explaining why that's a real bad idea: SPECS.
Ok, say you have a KF running CM on it.
RAM - you have 512MB RAM. That's low, not enough for GB or ICS. No need arguing that GB will run on it - yes it will, but it'll never be as smooth as a 1GB RAM device. Android will keep closing apps to free up mem, that creates response lag.
Anybody who had an original SGS with GB on it knows - you just can't make an SGSII out of it, it will always lag here and there. Read engadget review - they are complaining about how laggy it is.
Memory - You've got 6GB memory. That's it. You'll never have any more. That means you'll constantly feel deprived of space - you can't load full HD movies to watch, you can't load your music collection on it. You'll constantly be sacrificing something.
Books/Media store - you only have access to Amazon media store, since B&N doesn't have a store you can install and use. On a NT, though, without any root we already can stream Amazon content, read Kindle books, and that's all with native support of everything B&N has to offer.
No MIC - forget about using your Fire with Google Voice. There's no mic. Also forget about recording yourself reading books to your kids, to use in case you're on vacation or something.
Amazon Cloud you say? Yes, but only where you have a good WiFi connection. As soon as you're out of range - the fun stops. Phone tethering you say? Those 2GB will disappear MEGA FAST if you stream to your KF.
Amazon videos you say? Sure, but remember - that ain't free. Pay Amazon Prime membership fee, then also pay for movies themselves. And again, only when on WiFi and you don't get to keep it.
On the other hand, consider this:
With NT, even without root, we already have a device that's:
Very snappy
Able to sideload apps
Able to run a different launcher
Able to run Opera browser - nice n fast
Able to run 720p videos in browser, full screen
Able to play almost any video up to full-HD 1080p BlueRay
Able to play AVI files with free third-party players (no need for conversion)
Has 33GB+ of memory with an added SD card. I've just loaded tons of movies, books, magazines and music on it, and still have space remaining
Will be able to be used as a phone with Google Voice
Run Amazon Market (some have reported that even older Android Market APK works)
Run both Amazon's and B&N's premium content.
Think about it. Yes, KF was hacked faster than our NT was, but in the end, we already have almost everything we need, AND we have a much more powerful device.
KF was quicker at the start, but it has almost depleted its potential as a modern Android tablet, considering what future versions of Android need. Our device still has tons of untapped potential.
EDIT:
Engadget released a comparison between the two HERE.
Here are some interesting parts for the lazy:
Both tablets are a good size for one-handed reading, though the Nook edges out the Kindle here a bit, with its slightly lighter weight (14.1 ounces to the Fire's 14.6). The Nook's subtly convex back and plastic bezel make a bit easier to hold.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both devices rock 1GHz dual-core processors, but the Nook has an edge here, with its 1GB of RAM to the Fire's 512MB -- and certainly the difference is noticeable, even when booting up something as simple as a game like Angry Birds. Things are even more pronounced during video playback. We took Shutter Island for a spin via Netflix streaming on both devices, and it was really like night and day. Motion is far less choppy on the Barnes & Noble device. The HD playback on the Nook also picked up subtle imagery like patterns on ties, which were largely lost on the Fire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tl;dr version: PATIENCE!
+1 to NT and I repped you too!
oh wait..not SD. LOL
That is why everyone needs to pull their pants back up and wait.
It will be rooted.
I also voted this thread up!
How hard would it be for them to close the sideload loophole? The thing updates automatically, right? Obviously they are not going to be excited hearing about everyone using the Amazon store.
I agree the Fire is not a good alternative for exactly your reasons, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this is worth keeping if it turns out to be locked down tight.
compscure said:
How hard would it be for them to close the sideload loophole? The thing updates automatically, right? Obviously they are not going to be excited hearing about everyone using the Amazon store.
I agree the Fire is not a good alternative for exactly your reasons, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this is worth keeping if it turns out to be locked down tight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, a locked NT as it is right now is still much better than a KF running CM.
But given that they locked it down, don't you think it was a mistake/accident that they allowed apk installs through the browser? When they push the first update will that ability still be there?
DarkDvr, normally i would agree with you if the market only have two 7inch tablet to choose from (KF and NT). However this is not the case, we have tons of options in 7inch tablet market, and if B&N really is being an ass to lock down the NT, then people can choose other tablets that might fit their need better.
Last year when NC came out there was only two 7inch tablet (NC, and Samsung Tab), so we get a lot more developer support, and people are willing to be more patient, but this is no longer the case.
7inch tablets:
Nook Tablet
Kindle Fire
Samsung Tab (~$250 refurbished for 3g version, cheaper for wifi version)
Nook Color ($199)
Lenovo Idea Pad A1 (Cortext A8, 512mb ram, bluetooth, GPS, f/b camera, microsd slot, $199)
Acer Iconia Tab A100 (tegra 2, 1gb ram, Honeycomb, bluetooth, f/b camera, <$200 on BF)
Kobo Vox (Cortex A8, 512 ram, Gingerbread, MicroSd, $199)
Samsung Tab 7.0 Plus (Exynos dual core, 1gb ram, honeycomb, GPS, BT, F/B camera, $399)
Samsung Tab 7.7 (Exynos, 1gb ram, Honeycomb, GPS, BT, F/B camera, 1280x800, price?)
HTC Flyer (1.5ghz, pen input, $299)
Dell Streak 7 Tablet (Tegra 2, 800x480, Honeycomb, f/b camera)
And those are only the major brands, there are other off brands like Archos, Velocity Micro, Coby, that i didn't include.
So to me, if B&N really want to piss off the community that help make their NC a success to began with, then I will vote with my wallet and let them know that it is not a good idea to piss off the people your loyal customer, and your first adopter for the NT.
EDIT
Don't get me wrong, I still have high hope for the NT, and i really like the NC/NT simple but elegant design. However if B&N really choose to lookdown the NT's bootloader (which the dev community haven't conclusively proven yet), then i really don't want to buy a product from a company that chooses to piss off it's loyal customers.
gordon1hd1 said:
7inch tablets:
Nook Tablet
Kindle Fire
Samsung Tab (~$250 refurbished for 3g version, cheaper for wifi version)
Nook Color ($199)
Lenovo Idea Pad A1 (Cortext A8, 512mb ram, bluetooth, GPS, f/b camera, microsd slot, $199)
Acer Iconia Tab A100 (tegra 2, 1gb ram, Honeycomb, bluetooth, f/b camera, <$200 on BF)
Kobo Vox (Cortex A8, 512 ram, Gingerbread, MicroSd, $199)
Samsung Tab 7.0 Plus (Exynos dual core, 1gb ram, honeycomb, GPS, BT, F/B camera, $399)
Samsung Tab 7.7 (Exynos, 1gb ram, Honeycomb, GPS, BT, F/B camera, 1280x800, price?)
HTC Flyer (1.5ghz, pen input, $299)
Dell Streak 7 Tablet (Tegra 2, 800x480, Honeycomb, f/b camera)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, I definitely think that locking NT was a huge mistake that B&N will pay for, but for some of us NT IS the best option.
Samsung Tab - 10 inch heavy shovel - screw that
NC - too weak and laggy, even after mods
Lenovo - 512 RAM, weak
Acer Iconia - I see $330+ price even for 8GB version
Kobo Vox - 512 RAM and don't trust that brand
Samsung Tab 7.0 Plus - 400+tax for a tablet is overpriced
Samsung Tab 7.7 - even more expensive?
HTC Flyer - slow and laggy, overpriced since day 1
Dell Streak - slow and laggy, low res screen
What I'm saying is that when you, like me, are in the market for a cheap tablet, there's only 2 good options - NT and KF. Rest of them are either overpriced as a device (going into netbook or UP category, where they just can't compete) or some shady brands.
At least that's my thinking.
EDIT:
Don't get me wrong, I still have high hope for the NT, and i really like the NC/NT simple but elegant design. However if B&N really choose to lookdown the NT's bootloader (which the dev community haven't conclusively proven yet), then i really don't want to buy a product from a company that chooses to piss off it's loyal customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, and given a choice, I'd always go for a company that doesn't insult my intelligence and doesn't treat its customers as morons. However, I have full faith in XDA community and still believe this will get hacked. And when it does, I'll be pointing finger at KF and laughing maniacally.
Depending on the weather here on the forum in the next 12 days, B&N may be losing my $260 to a Samsung G 7+ (maybe even a KF if I'm feeling crazy). Or just wait a few months see what turns up after Christmas.
gordon1hd1 said:
So to me, if B&N really want to piss off the community that help make their NC a success to began with, then I will vote with my wallet and let them know that it is not a good idea to piss off the people your loyal customer, and your first adopter for the NT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw a quote linked somewhere here recently from someone from B&N and they said something about 3% of NC coming from modders. I don't know how accurate or guesstimated that number was, but we shouldn't forget that they sell millions of these devices to normal consumers and there are only thousands of us. I'd like to think they keep people like us in mind, but we certainly aren't they primary market by a long shot.
I agree that there are lots of other options, but it's disheartening when none seem to have the build quality and specs in the same price range as the Nook models, excluding BF sales that might be hard to get. The IdeaPad looks intriguing at first glance but is the same basic hardware as the year-old NC and with a worse screen (and eww: the $200 version has 2GB storage that probably won't ever fit ICS). Acer A100 looks nice but also has a cheaper screen and a small battery.
DarkDvr while i am like you, think that the NT might be the best fit for my use case also. But with so many choices out there, i think our dev and support community won't be anywhere near the same as it was with NC. Plus with the bone headed move on B&N part, i don't see many true devotee sticking to the NT like yourself. And that is the ultimate problem, without a strong dev community, the NT most likely won't get all the goodies like CM7/CM9, which is what made the NC awesome.
By the way the Samsung Tab i was referring to earlier is the 7inch model, the same one that came out right before NC. Both are rocking Cortex-A8 processor.
I am honestly VERY happy with the status of my KT right now. As it stands, with a launcher, widgetlocker app and all the other sideloaded apps I wanted I have everything i wanted.
I dont care if I lose amazon marketplace support, because honestly I can find any apk I want all amazon does is give me a way to read reviews (which i can through the browser + android market)
the only thing, and trust me it is a HUGE thing, i am terrified of is that come day 15 or 16 or even 30, B&N releases a firmware update i cannot click 'no' to and it updates my nook and closes the hole we've been using. I dont know if its possible, but I reckon it is and that would make me a very sad camper since stock, this thing is a total piece of **** software wise (nook market is worthless), i bought a tablet, not an ereader.
boomn said:
I saw a quote linked somewhere here recently from someone from B&N and they said something about 3% of NC coming from modders. I don't know how accurate or guesstimated that number was, but we shouldn't forget that they sell millions of these devices to normal consumers and there are only thousands of us. I'd like to think they keep people like us in mind, but we certainly aren't they primary market by a long shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boomn i think you underestimate the word of mouth, and unofficial advertisement B&N get from the modder community. Every few weeks there is a story on Engadget, Liliputing or Gizmodo about how great the NC community is, and the release of the a popular Rom for the NC. Or how most of the highly rated reviews on B&N, Amazon, BB are from modder who brought the NC to use as a tablet. So while we as a community might be small, but our influences on "Normal" people's purchase decision are much higher than B&N thinks.
And if B&N think that they can piss off the dev community, while taking on Amazon, and all the other 7inch tablet maker out there, and still make the NT a commercial success, they might be in for huge disappointment. Just look at how many of the NT and KF review out there mention rooting or app side-loading as part of the official review, and how much negative PR B&N got from the 1GB storage limitation on the review sites.
.
Because I live in Italy I'll receive my NT only on 26Nov. (if I will lucky), so no give back option for me
So.. I really, really hope that a hack will be found. Just the root will be enough for me
With the root we'll be able to run custom recovery, trow away what we don't need and add what is missing (settings, etc).
BTW for me realease the source and lock the bootloader is a nonsense!
First post.
I'm a full-time iOS developer with about 6 iOS devices on my desk right now. I really like iOS and love developing for it. Having said that....
I picked up a Kindle (e-ink) about a year ago and then switched to a Nook Simple Touch the day they were released. I've been watching the KF/NT release with great interest.
I eventually decided on the Nook Tablet and stumbled across this site the day I got it (the 16th). I have been blown away by the things you people have accomplished in just a couple of days and I've had a blast watching the hour-by-hour discoveries.
My main reason for getting the NT was as a reader and everything you folks are doing is icing on the cake. Very nice icing!
I'm also very optimistic that breakthroughs will continue even if the pace slows a bit. For me the KF is just too restricted in capability--even it if can be rooted.
As an aside, I also have access to a handful of Android devices including a 10.1 Galaxy Tab, and a Lenovo Ideapad K1 (it helps when the company is buying), but I prefer the Nook Tablet to either.
As long as I can keep side-loading apps I'll be happy. I certainly understand the sentiments of those not wanting to reward B&N for what appears to be a snub. At the same time as long as they continue to allow me some method to get a few more apps on the device I'm good with it.
It's been my experience that once I get a device setup--either iOS or Android--I really only end up using a handful of apps (after trying dozens)--but I want them to be very good apps that *I* get to choose.
Thank you to you all!
This thread should not exist, has nothing to do with android development and sounds more like a sales pitch than anything.
I get it you prefer the NT, me too but this thread is pointless and should be deleted...
gordon1hd1 said:
Boomn i think you underestimate the word of mouth, and unofficial advertisement B&N get from the modder community. Every few weeks there is a story on Engadget, Liliputing or Gizmodo about how great the NC community is, and the release of the a popular Rom for the NC. Or how most of the highly rated reviews on B&N, Amazon, BB are from modder who brought the NC to use as a tablet. So while we as a community might be small, but our influences on "Normal" people's purchase decision are much higher than B&N thinks.
And if B&N think that they can piss off the dev community, while taking on Amazon, and all the other 7inch tablet maker out there, and still make the NT a commercial success, they might be in for huge disappointment. Just look at how many of the NT and KF review out there mention rooting or app side-loading as part of the official review, and how much negative PR B&N got from the 1GB storage limitation on the review sites.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, we are certainly a vocal and influential bunch. However lots of those "normal" consumers would never check any place like Engadget for any review and have probably never heard of it. Mentions of modding/hacking/flashing in online store reviews go right over lots of people's heads too. Amazon and B&N are going to sell a ton of their tablets through physical stores like Walmart, Target, BestBuy, etc where most people still shop too. I agree that we probably do have more influence than just 3%... and now I'm not even sure where I was going with this point, lol
notinterested said:
This thread should not exist, has nothing to do with android development and sounds more like a sales pitch than anything.
I get it you prefer the NT, me too but this thread is pointless and should be deleted...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the general forum for the NT not the development forum. Calm down.
Knuxr said:
This is the general forum for the NT not the development forum. Calm down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake, was on the wrong tab.
Still though, pointless thread is pointless. We all know the better device.
notinterested said:
My mistake, was on the wrong tab.
Still though, pointless thread is pointless. We all know the better device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with that, but this thread serves as a reminder why it is still better than the Fire, to those that might not know.
notinterested said:
This thread should not exist, has nothing to do with android development and sounds more like a sales pitch than anything.
I get it you prefer the NT, me too but this thread is pointless and should be deleted...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...Excuse me?
Forgive me for not appreciating your "experience" on XDA since, omg, feb 2010, but this is a General NT forum, and this thread is very much important to people who are right now at a tipping point between NT and KF, considering the latest root news for both devices.
So drink some coolaid and move along, kid.

[Q] Need help with Android Tablet decision

I'm trying, (probably lot many people) to decide between the current dual core tabs and the quad core.
I will be using this tablet for most anything you can use a tablet for - lots of art applications, streaming movies and music (flash required), some sort of g-sensor/accelerometer, and bluetooth, as I already have a good bluetooth keyboard that pairs nicely with my Android Phone.
I currently own the Acer A500 but I'm still within my return period. I'm strongly leaning towards returning it and getting a quad-core tab but I like the features such as the full size usb port and I want to be able to use that for an external HD for movies, music, etc. Of course, a lot of web surfing will be included. I will be using it for some office features but mostly through Google Docs, as that's what I use on my current mini-notebook (which I'll probably get rid of once I have the tablet decided on for sure). Price is a thought but I want a 10" inch screen and front facing camera so I can use internet video chat, etc. which I think means I'm in the $500 dollar general price range.
I find the Asus Prime intriguing but I'd like to have a USB port without having to have the dock to get it. I read somewhere about either Toshiba or Lenovo coming out with a quad-core with full size usb but I can't find the release date on it now. I'm willing to wait a bit, but also know there is always something better around the corner and at some point I need to just pull the trigger as they say. Some people want to know about basic computer literacy...I'm comfortable with Android and some basic rooting etc - have had an Android phone for 2 years and followed the development closely for some time prior to that. I've rooted my phone & my husband's from about the first week we had them. In addition, I used to run a triple boot laptop with two linux distros and a Windows install so I'm fairly comfortable with the ins and out of doing something like that.
I guess my questions are, has anyone heard of any release dates for quad-core tabs beyond the Asus Prime? Are there any other tabs that you'd say "forget the quad core and go for... instead?" Any info on release dates (other than the general sometime in 2012 would be uber cool to hear).
Oh, I'll also be using it in the hospital quite a bit with multiple surgeries coming up and digital magazines and e-books are definitely part of what I'll be using it for.
Thanks so much in advance! I look forward to your advice!!
Rae
You DEFINITELY don't need a quad-core phone if you are mostly looking for reading books and watching movies.
Look for tablets with extended battery life (larger batteries).
Also you might want to take a look at eReaders on which CyanogenMod has been ported, allowing you to run Android on devices with awesome displays for extended reading.
GoodLUCK!
Ainol Elf II. 'Nuff said.

[Q] Looking for a tablet for under $100. Ideas?

Hey guys
I've been looking a LOT around amazon and such for a tablet under $100. Why under $100? I need it to be under that price because there's a very high "luxury" tax applied in my country to products over $100, and it's an extra money I would rather not give to the govt because it's plain ridiculous already. Also, I'm planning on getting two of them, and I can't afford more than $150-200 on them. Why? this stupid country only gives you a "coupon" of $400 to spend online -YEARLY-, and I don't want to use it all on just two tablets, or be left with less than $200-250 to spend on other stuff I also need.
Monetary reasons explained and set aside, I'm getting the tablet for my mom, who only needs to browse the web, get on facebook, get & reply to emails, maybe some chatting and whatnot. She doesn't need much and I'm sure a simple Zeepad or something similar would do, but I'm a power user who mods almost every device that comes across his hands, so I'm using this chance to get a tablet too -if- I like the one I'm buying to my mom.
My mom's needs are... well, the basics. Maybe playing a video or two and nothing else. Me, on the other hand, want to upgrade it to the highest android version available for it (whether it be GB or ICS, or even Froyo since some come with Eclair (Eww)) and give it lots of possible uses. These include using it as a VNC viewer, remote keyboard/mouse, some development (if I get a keyboard+case for it), some gaming (ok, maybe not THD or anything but if it runs Angry Birds I'm happy XD) etcetera.
So, to resume, I'm looking for something including these specs, if possible:
3G (optional but it would be a big plus)
WiFi (must, or if not, then 3G)
600-800Mhz CPU (ARM? Adreno? Cortex? wtf?!)
A decent GPU (PowerVR? (like my Defy)?, what's a good GPU in android devices anyways?)
No stylus-exclusive (avoid if possible)
No resistive screen (I've heard they suck, and I don't want to push a screen like if it were a button (Blackberry Storm anyone? Eww xD) and be forced to use a stylus. If I can use my fingers on a resistive screen and it feels like a capacitive one, then that's okay with me )
USB host (to be able to plug in USB drives, keyboards, mices, etc)
Ethernet port optional but cool if it has one.
Tethering ability (though I think this is more OS-dependant than anything else)
Full Android Market (stupid chinese tablets)
SD card reader
Medium-small size. My whole Nook Simple Touch has the right size for the screen size I'd like (I think that's 7-9 inches?), I don't want to carry a tablet of the size of a notebook. Something that can fit a big pocket in a jacket or a pant would be cool, like the NST . This is optional but not required.
Battery life to stand a lot. Hey, my phone lasts only a day even without WiFi turned on which sucks. I've heard their batteries are like 6 or more hours, which seems okay... I'm not really sure what is "good" in this aspect.
Camera would be cool.
Phone (or at least SMS) functions would be cool, too.
And last but not least, able to be upgraded, or at least with a good hacker community stabilished. I want to be able to upgrade the tablet to other android versions (I don't mind if they're experimental) or at least compile a version for it. With this, I'm saying I don't want to be using google translate to find info on how to install another ROM in my tablet because everything comes from chinese forums and the tablet uses a random, non-standard OMFG-9372 processor nobody knows -anything- about and have to use dodgy apps or hacks to modify it, mmkay? okay.
Now, I've done my homework and these are the items I've came up with, however I'm still looking for more devices:
EEpad MID: http://www.amazon.com/Android-Table...C2/ref=sr_1_99?ie=UTF8&qid=1334592070&sr=8-99
Elsse: http://www.amazon.com/Elsse-Interne.../ref=sr_1_125?ie=UTF8&qid=1334592099&sr=8-125
Pandigital: http://www.amazon.com/Pandigital-An...H0/ref=sr_1_60?ie=UTF8&qid=1334591812&sr=8-60
Zeepad: http://www.amazon.com/Zeepad-Tablet...7Q/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1334591744&sr=8-25
Skytex: http://www.amazon.com/Skytex-Primer...E0/ref=sr_1_50?ie=UTF8&qid=1334591812&sr=8-50
Zeepad (2): http://www.amazon.com/Zeepad-Androi...1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334592627&sr=8-3-fkmr1
Coby Kyros: http://www.amazon.com/Coby-MID7015-.../ref=sr_1_121?ie=UTF8&qid=1334593041&sr=8-121
"Random" brands:
http://www.amazon.com/Boxchip-Corte...0K/ref=sr_1_82?ie=UTF8&qid=1334592041&sr=8-82
http://www.amazon.com/Tablet-Intern...5Q/ref=sr_1_91?ie=UTF8&qid=1334592986&sr=8-91
Now, my thoughts:
EEpad MID: Looks good, but it has no reviews, so that detracts me from buying it. I can't find much info on the web on modifying it though.
Elsse: Seems like an asian tablet with no official Android Market, but eh, what do you guys say?
Pandigital: Looks like it sucks .
Zeepad: There isn't much info about it
Skytex: Looks cheap-o and low-quality :/
Zeepad (2): Seems to have good features and such.
Coby Kyros: Now, this, coming from Coby it makes me think of a cheap device like the MP3 players they make, but surprisingly, it has more reviews than the rest of the tablets and it's under $100. Also, it seems to be more powerful than the rest of the ones I've looked at (in the links here), and the reviews seem to be good. It makes me think if it's possible to upgrade it to 2.2 or 2.3, it would be really cool if it would.
---
Sorry for the long read!... in case you want a resume, I'm just looking for two tablets: A simple one for my mom to browse the web, emails, play some games, chat and etc, and another one (or the same one if possible) for a power-user who would modify/upgrade it and use it as an IT work tool (VNC viewer, dev. tool, document editing, pdf reading, flash, some gaming, etc).
Any thoughts you guys have in relation to an android tablet to get? what's something "good" and something "bad"? I'd like to see opinions, reviews or suggestions on other tablets to look for or what other keywords should I look for in Amazon?
Thanks in advance!
- DARKGuy
Bump?
Coby Kyros is listed as "resistive" on Amazon, i'm not sure you've noticed that. I think you should check the Ainol (or any allwinner based device). They have somewhat limited community and support but it should be good for performance and gaming. Or bump the price range to 150 and look at Cortex A9 devices with reputable brands..
I agree with NightWatch71 about the tablet but not the price. I found it at around $75 in some places, but that was a long time ago so I forgot. Try looking around on Google Shopping.
Prices on Amazon change so often it's almost impossible to keep up and new manufacturers are releasing tablets a dime a dozen
This list is kept up to date tabletninja.com/finding-the-best-tablets-under-100/
A lot of the same options listed with a few new options from some newbies

Are there any recent budget or midrange tablets you can install a (near) stock ROM on?

I've got an old Nvidia Shield tablet running LineageOS, but the thing is over 7 years old, it's just about completely dead; even keeping it plugged in, the battery drains. Replacing the battery would require soldering skills and tools (I don't have either), or paying several hundred dollars (which doesn't make sense for a tablet this old).
I want a budget or midrange tablet released in the last year or so that I can put a stock or near stock ROM on. I'm not looking for much, just a microsd card slot and USB C. All I wanna do is streaming, reading books, basic web browsing, watching videos, and reading comics on it. No games. LineageOS's latest supported tablet is 3 years old, and can't be found for cheaper than $300 used, which is pretty ridiculous for such an old tablet that was midrange 3 years ago. I was considering one of the Fire tablets, but since OTA updates can't be blocked anymore, there's no guarantee of even being able to put Google Play Services and the Google Play store with the Fire Toolbox in the future.
Does anything like this exist? I know the Android tablet market is pretty bare in general, but I'm hoping there's something I missed.
MultiKoopa said:
I've got an old Nvidia Shield tablet running LineageOS, but the thing is over 7 years old, it's just about completely dead; even keeping it plugged in, the battery drains. Replacing the battery would require soldering skills and tools (I don't have either), or paying several hundred dollars (which doesn't make sense for a tablet this old).
I want a budget or midrange tablet released in the last year or so that I can put a stock or near stock ROM on. I'm not looking for much, just a microsd card slot and USB C. All I wanna do is streaming, reading books, basic web browsing, watching videos, and reading comics on it. No games. LineageOS's latest supported tablet is 3 years old, and can't be found for cheaper than $300 used, which is pretty ridiculous for such an old tablet that was midrange 3 years ago. I was considering one of the Fire tablets, but since OTA updates can't be blocked anymore, there's no guarantee of even being able to put Google Play Services and the Google Play store with the Fire Toolbox in the future.
Does anything like this exist? I know the Android tablet market is pretty bare in general, but I'm hoping there's something I missed.
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Hello and good afternoon, @MultiKoopa
Prior to your next posting please read the guidances that are stuck on top of every forum like
[Read Before Posting]QUESTIONS DO NOT BELONG IN GENERAL
Hello Everybody, In order to attempt to keep this forum neat and tidy the moderation team is asking you to post your questions into the Questions and Answers (Q&A) forum and not into the General section. You can find the Q&A forum by clicking...
forum.xda-developers.com
and the others. I've moved the thread to Android Q&A.
Thanks for your cooperation!
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Oswald Boelcke
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