Productivity applications for android tablet - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have got a couple of questions about applications available for android tablet that might allow one to use it as a convenient replacement for a laptop. Right now, I have the HP Touchpad running CM7 as my android tablet and I really love using it.
However my current gripe with it is that I can't seem to find any productivity applications that are decent enough to be used. I have a BT keyboard which is paired with the tablet, and it was initially purchased with the intention of using the tablet as a document reader, as well as typing documents, spreadsheets, emails etc. Less of emails, but more of documents and spreadsheets.
The current applications I have tried seem to be quite unsatisfying when it comes to handling documents and spreadsheets. I have tried several office applications, such as Documents to Go, Kingsoft Office, Quickoffice, and of course Google Docs. Word documents are still barely acceptable, but spreadsheet functionality is greatly hindered. Are there other office applications which have a better word processor and spreadsheet processor?
The next issue I have would be note taking, considering it is a 10" tablet, I was thinking of getting a capacitive pen and scribble away over pdf documents and all. However I can't seem to find any applications that can allow me to do that. I find that this sort of applications are really convenient for note taking especially for students like myself. Are there applications that allow one to do such stuff which I have missed out or is there a lack of such applications in the android market?
Hope to have some recommendations to try around!

I found one called MakeNotes: https://market.android.com/details?...wxLDEwNCwiY29tLm1ha2Vtb2JpbGUubWFrZW5vdGVzIl0.
Then there's also PenSupremacy, but that one is paid: https://market.android.com/details?...51bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLmFwa2luZy51bHRpcGVuIl0.

Related

Business & Student Users: How do you use your Gtab? Tips??

I recently got a gtab last week and have been looking to use it to stream line my grad school and work life. I'm running vegan 5.1.1. So far I use
Documents to Go (Reading/editing/creating docs)
Drop Box (synching my work/school files)
Gtasks (to do list that syncs with google tasks)
Handwrite & Genial Handwriting (for use with a stylus to hand write notes, style trying to decide which one to go with)
Repligo Reader (to annotate pdf files)
Thinking Space (to make mind maps, haven't really used it much but could be useful)
Sketchbook Mobile (for drawings, mostly for fun haha, but could be good to draw up a quick diagram)
Thumb Keyboard (alternate Keyboard with lots of customizations for better use on tablets)
iDisplay Wow this app is amazing, allows you to wirelessly use your gtab (or any android device) as a second monitor for your comp. If you have a case with a stand, or an independent stand, you'll really be amazed at how useful it is
How do you guys use your tab for Business or School?
What are some other useful or productive apps you guys use for business or school?
Also, can anyone recommend a good solution for handwriting notes on the gtab? Genial Handwriting and Handrite both work pretty well. MaplePaint seems alright, but not good for longer sessions. Most of the paint apps fail for this reason.
Anyway, I just thought this thread could be really useful for the Enterprise and Educational users. I'm trying to get to the point where I can use my laptop less and less, that way I don't have to carry it with me to class or meetings.
You hit a lot of the good ones I like. Checkout Springpad for an on the fly catchall note/reminder/organizer app. I really like Business Calendar. its a paid app but looks great on the gtablet. I sometimes use mNote for the quickest possible text cloud notes (like stuff i dont need in a word doc or springpad).
Titanium Media Sync is a great app for syncing a folder to your Dropbox account. Its the app dropbox should have been. careful on the first sync though - make a new folder in dropbox jus for this because it will erase the folder and make it identical to the one on your gtab on the first try. i lost a whole day if shoulder notes that way.
I think thats the stuff i go to daily. Thumb Keyboard is a great keyboard that is optimized r tablet use. you can customize where the break is, and how tall the keys are.
Oh yea I forgot to put thumb keyboard on there. I completely agree, makes typing on the tab way more bearable. I'll check out the other ones you mentioned too
Business user
I don't do a lot of heavy lifting on the gTab. I have a beefy laptop that has enterprise apps I use for work and use LogMeIn Ignition on my gTab to remotely access my work laptop to do "real work".
Yea the gtab can't replace a laptop (no tablet as of now can). Like you I still need my laptop for the more intensive tasks. I guess a better way to think about it is rather than replace a laptop, I'm looking to better incorporate the gtab into my workflows that way I can use it for the tasks that don't require a laptop.
Another app to add to the list "Idisplay", it allows you to use your gtab as a second monitor and works insanely well. No chords needed. Its been incredibly useful when typing while having another document open to reference.
any of you know of a good pdf reader like adobe but with bookmark option?
Great list, I'm going to have to try out that iDisplay!
I've also been searching for a good stylus and note taking application to replace onenote... anyone find any comparable solutions?
I use for fun at this moment
Wuala-for password protecting mu cloud files
Team viewer-for remote dedktop access
Touchdown for full exchange sync
Lazy droid to easily transfer files beteeen computers and tabs
World mate live-for tracking my travel
For business use, I like to have lots of calendars all integrated into one, and Executive Assistant and Business Calendar are two apps that help do to that.
opnsrcaddict said:
Great list, I'm going to have to try out that iDisplay!
I've also been searching for a good stylus and note taking application to replace onenote... anyone find any comparable solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For stylus notes i've been bouncing back and forth between "genial writing" and "Handrite". Genial is prettier, but handrite seems more functional
RE: Business Presentation
Hello...I want to use my gtablet for business presentation...I want to hook my gtab to the TV to show my presentation...is there a special cable and application to do this? thanks
I set my gtab up for work. Some of my favorite apps are:
VPNC Widget for connecting to our Cisco VPN.
CifsManager for connecting to Windows file shares.
Quickoffice for viewing and editing Word docs and Excel spreadsheets.
Password Safe Pro for storing user IDs and passwords.
Daris
Foxit reader beta for android is out! I have been test-riding it and works smoothly so far. The ink annotation capabilities are better than repligo in my opinion, plus this is free! Got it directly from the foxit site (could not find it in the market):
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/mobilereader/android/
Enjoy!
As an instructor, I've loaded my lesson plans on it and use Docs2Go to read them during class. I've also used androidVNC to control my desktop and server. I've used netstat and other network tools to monitor network traffic during my class. And have used ConnectBot to access my UNIX server.
And of course I use it for entertainment purposes after class as well.
Jerome,
If you had the Malata dock, you could just use an hdmi cable to connect your Gtab to a tv. I'm not sure about other adapters, but you might be able to plug an RCA via the headphone jack. I haven't tried that, I might when I get home because I have one of those for my vibrant phone and that works.
pyro6128 said:
Yea the gtab can't replace a laptop (no tablet as of now can). Like you I still need my laptop for the more intensive tasks. I guess a better way to think about it is rather than replace a laptop, I'm looking to better incorporate the gtab into my workflows that way I can use it for the tasks that don't require a laptop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I commute everyday for work and don't want to bring with me corporate laptop. What I do is leave the laptop in my office and bring home/clients my gtab. It works fine if you only need mailing, browsing, reading,... (simple tasks). Office productivity is limited. I have tried all office suites for android. Powerpoint will only allow to read, it's impossible to edit. As for excel yesterday it took me 1 hour to make some easy spreadsheet calculations.
To all business users, I must add that android has some connectivity issue when it comes to corporate wifi. Like many other people, I'm not able to use my company's wifi PEAP network (sadly my workmates with ipad have no issue!!).
aldo.caruso said:
I agree. I commute everyday for work and don't want to bring with me corporate laptop. What I do is leave the laptop in my office and bring home/clients my gtab. It works fine if you only need mailing, browsing, reading,... (simple tasks). Office productivity is limited. I have tried all office suites for android. Powerpoint will only allow to read, it's impossible to edit. As for excel yesterday it took me 1 hour to make some easy spreadsheet calculations.
To all business users, I must add that android has some connectivity issue when it comes to corporate wifi. Like many other people, I'm not able to use my company's wifi PEAP network (sadly my workmates with ipad have no issue!!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried writing a wpasupplicant file to connect to PEAP? The TNT settings framework doesn't have the option but i believe the hardware supports it.
Thats how i connect to my university's secure network.
ønline student
Has anyone attended online school using their g tablet?if so let me know how it was or is and if it means anything im going to attend, JONES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
THANK IN ADVANCE

What do you use the Prime to do?

I am currently on my 2nd Prime. The first was returned after 4 days. This one is as close to 100% as I can imagine.
Anyway, I had grand visions of all sorts of things I could use it for; however, they haven't really come true.
I also own an Asus Netbook (slow, but at least 3 times the computer that the Prime is), and a Dell laptop running both Win 7 & Simply Mepis Linux. I also have a very good desktop box (which I triple or quad boot).
I do not have the docking station for the Prime.
I desired to use it to view Instrument Approach Plates (Aviation Stuff). They are downloadable as a very large PDF file (598 pages for Alaska) which does not have a linked index (not the fault of the Prime). As you may guess, scrolling to the "Y's" is very slow.
Without purchasing an external Bluetooth GPS, it cannot be used with a moving map--even is one can be found.
I have found it very difficult and cumbersome to move files between the Prime and any of the other computers.
I have attempted to use the bundled browser (POS, in my opinion), and Firefox for Android (FF is my preferred browser on the computers) and found it lacking on the tablet. I have finally settled on Opera Mobile--Not great, but at least useable. (It doesn't even have a HOME key/button, for goodness sakes.)
I attempted to transfer files via Bluetooth from my laptop (yes, they can see each other), but gave up in frustration.
So, without seeming to be whining, what do other owners use the Prime to do?
Jerry in Anchorage, Alaska
Undocked:
1. Random surfing
2. RSS reading
3. ebook reading (my #1 use)
4. Video watching
5. Email triage
6. XDA forum browsing
7. Light gaming
Docked:
1. Draft writing
2. Note taking in meetings, seminars, etc.
3. Responding in email
4. Posting to XDA forums
Undocked:
- browsing the web
- emails on the road or office or on the can
- some games
- Google maps and navigation
- check movie times
Docked:
- browsing the web
- documents and emails
- watch movies (MX Player is the best and NetFlix)
- transfer data from mini SD to micro SD to move files between laptop and Prime
I do video and music editing on the laptop still and if I am really getting down and dirty on writing emails or documents, I would switch to the laptop and use Word 2010. Other than that, I can't see myself using the laptop for anything and prefer the Prime as it also lasts 12 hours on the tablet alone and I have not done a full test on how long it lasts with the dock.
Just have to know what it can and cannot do and work with it. You sound like you need something a little more robust than a tablet. I wouldn't dare to think of doing any kind of video editing on the Prime or even music.
Porn. Basically just porn.
Heh, ok not really
Web surfing, email, games, watcing videos, etc. Normal stuff you would use a computer or laptop for.
Reminisce on what else I could have spent $500 on.
other than that:
Games
Web Browsing
Music
Movies
some word processing
Emails
Navigation (Oh wait thats right my prime has never seen a satelite, I dont think it knows what one is or what to even do with it if it found one) Thanks ASUS!
I think if you want to figure out whether or not a tablet is for you, it's best to consider exactly what makes a tablet different from a notebook. It's those differences that make the tablet much worse for some things, but much better for others.
They are:
1. Instant-on: tablets can be turned on and off instantly. That means they can be used for quick tasks like checking email where booting/waking a notebook is simply less convenient and/or less efficient.
2. Standby battery life: can sit there for days unused, which along with #1 makes them great for doing ad hoc stuff where often a notebook will often be out of power and need plugging in.
Note: Ultrabooks and Macbook Airs mitigate some of the advantages here, but I think even with those wake and standby times are still tablet strengths.
3. Form facter: tablets can be used in more settings and positions than notebooks. For example, lying on a couch or in bed, standing in line, etc.
4. Mobile OS: touch-based, relatively simple interface makes casual tasks easier and more pleasant. Modern tablet OSs provide a more natural interface for many things, getting rid of mice and trackpads for direct manipulation of on-screen elements.
These things combine to make tablets great for things that don't require a great deal of content creation (the Prime's keyboard dock changes that equation a bit when you're talking about raw data entry). No, they can't beat notebooks for heavy duty tasks, but then again that's not their strength: they're best for all the non-heavy-duty tasks we use computers for. If you stop and think about how you use a computer, I think you can probably come up with a good list of such tasks.
A tablet won't replace a notebook for many people, but it makes a great adjunct device. Even here at the office where I have a decent notebook (HP Envy 14), I still use my tablet for some things because it's more comfortable, efficient, and/or just more fun.
Pure entertainment:
games - Really diggin Blood and Glory right now
netflix
youtube
web searching
gmail
Haven't tried an ebook yet
To help transfer files use Dropbox. It has clients for Windows and Linux and mac and Android so very easy to move stuff around. Between that and having a freeNAS box that I can easily browse with es file explorer I have no troubles with it.
I personally use it mostly for Web browsing and forum posting. I also ssh into my university Linux system often to work on labs and whatnot. I do watch some video on it when bored and it's my primary email device.
Do you own another Android device with a GPS? Bluetooth2GPS is free and works fine between my Prime and Nexus.. solved my only 'slight' issue with the device
I run in performance at 1.5 with vc and I'm mainly in Browser -much easier to use with touch than on my notebook (Toshiba 16" i7) ive actually forgotten and touched the screen on that by accident!! just my preference I guess seems just as fast as Chrome on there. Facebook, Netflix, GTalk and Gmail ...also makes my notebook pretty much just for games now. Transferring files I simply hook up over USB and drag and drop... ASTRO or the native Asus file manager that came with it to mess with them once they are loaded.
rand4ll said:
To help transfer files use Dropbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even better, add in Dropsync, to sync files locally. I do that so I have my important files synced but available when I'm offline.

Confidential Note Organization?

I am new to my Evo View, but not to Android (Nexus 1, Viewsonic gtablet, Nook Color-rooted-CM 7.1).
My main interest in this tablet was to see if finally I can retire my paper notebook. There have been lots of good discussions about which handwriting/stylus app is best for various purposes, but (AFAIK) nothing about a secure note organization system. I want to have control over the repository/backup of my notes.
I use GDocs and Evernote all the time; most of my notes are ideally available everywhere, but there are some things I don't want synced to GDocs, Evernote, etc.
What I want is a way to easily organize handwritten notes that has this feature set:
1. Solid handwriting experience, mostly English words, an occasional graph or figure.
2. Text recognition system so I can search for keywords either from the tablet or from my computer.
3. Back-up system so that I don't loose everything if I loose my tablet, it breaks, etc.
4. Back-up system must be under my direct control. I am happy to store my notes on my personal computer(s), but don't want them out on the cloud.
5. USB sync to my computer is fine. Also syncing over the Internet is OK as long as it is SSL or comparable. I just don't want my notes easily exposed on a publicly available server which could be recovered with a cracked password.
Several years ago, when I was looking for something like this (not with a tablet, everything was PC), and I ended up using MS Onenote for my confidential notes, and Evernote for everything else. I have heard that Onenote is now out for Android, but it gets pretty poor reviews. That said, I haven't given it a fair try, so that is on my list.
Any other suggestions?
klaberte said:
I am new to my Evo View, but not to Android (Nexus 1, Viewsonic gtablet, Nook Color-rooted-CM 7.1).
My main interest in this tablet was to see if finally I can retire my paper notebook. There have been lots of good discussions about which handwriting/stylus app is best for various purposes, but (AFAIK) nothing about a secure note organization system. I want to have control over the repository/backup of my notes.
I use GDocs and Evernote all the time; most of my notes are ideally available everywhere, but there are some things I don't want synced to GDocs, Evernote, etc.
What I want is a way to easily organize handwritten notes that has this feature set:
1. Solid handwriting experience, mostly English words, an occasional graph or figure.
2. Text recognition system so I can search for keywords either from the tablet or from my computer.
3. Back-up system so that I don't loose everything if I loose my tablet, it breaks, etc.
4. Back-up system must be under my direct control. I am happy to store my notes on my personal computer(s), but don't want them out on the cloud.
5. USB sync to my computer is fine. Also syncing over the Internet is OK as long as it is SSL or comparable. I just don't want my notes easily exposed on a publicly available server which could be recovered with a cracked password.
Several years ago, when I was looking for something like this (not with a tablet, everything was PC), and I ended up using MS Onenote for my confidential notes, and Evernote for everything else. I have heard that Onenote is now out for Android, but it gets pretty poor reviews. That said, I haven't given it a fair try, so that is on my list.
Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anybody have any suggestions?

[Q] Help with editing App for School

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum. I tried posting this under the Asus transformer section, but due to me having less that enough posts it said I must post in general.
So I tried looking on the forum for exactly what I wanted and could not find it. I want an app that will let me edit any office or PDF file and let me to do it with a stylus writing freehand. I don't want to merely edit and just write in text, or highlight I want to be able to use my stylus and actually circle a word in power point, or be able to write notes freehand with the stylus on the side of the PPT. I do notice that Adobe let's me kind of do it with it's reader, but it just feels really laggy for me. If there is an APP available for me to try I don't mind if I even have to purchase it due to it being used for school.
Please give me your input! and thank you for letting me be apart of your community!
Polaris Office which is included free with your Transformer Prime let's you create and edit Word, Excel and Power Point files. I don't know about scribble-annotating them since I don't believe that the Microsoft Office Suite knows how to display that kind of notation. Also for any meaningful editing you will need the onscreen keyboard or keyboard dock.
As for editing PDF files, I don't know of any apps off the top of my head that will do what you ask. You might try searching the Play Store.
almightywhacko said:
Polaris Office which is included free with your Transformer Prime let's you create and edit Word, Excel and Power Point files. I don't know about scribble-annotating them since I don't believe that the Microsoft Office Suite knows how to display that kind of notation. Also for any meaningful editing you will need the onscreen keyboard or keyboard dock.
As for editing PDF files, I don't know of any apps off the top of my head that will do what you ask. You might try searching the Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I tried Polaris office...and I really want to do free hand scribble editing. PDF editing I am actually ok with Adobe as it lets me do what I want, but I really need something else for my office programs, because I am going to use this for school in lecture. I do have the keyboard as well, but I want to be as light as possible with just the tablet and stylus in hand.
I use ezPDF Reader Pro for PDF annotations for notes from my professors at school. I think it was $2.99 in the play store. It works great.
I havent found a good office app. Polaris Office, though it came on the prime free, is buggy and is limited on formatting. It works great for basic docs. You can only save in .doc format and docs i have created sometimes look way different when opened on a computer. But it does work.
I am still looking for the best app for an Office suite on android. Although SoftMaker Office mobile is coming along great. It is in beta still.
Find it at the following:
www.softmaker.net/down/TestMaker.apk for word
www.softmaker.net/down/PlanMaker.apk for excel
www.softmaker.net/down/Presentations.apk for powerpoint
Have you tried using the dedicated writing programs for use with the stylus already (just to see if you can even tolerate writing with the Prime)? Even with the apps to improve the TFP's response to stylus input they're still not something that's even remotely efficient to take notes with. If you just want to draw arrows or circle things or make quick (but relatively large) drawings, it's okay.
I generally annotated my pdfs using Repligo reader. I could do light annotations with the stylus and enter comments in stickies. You could easily convert powerpoints into pdfs and comment on them that way.
As far as I know there isn't any Office app that supports inking yet, which isn't that odd since most suites can't even do basic tasks like display charts properly in Excel and Powerpoint.
IMHO, Android is still pretty abysmal when it comes to doing this sort of thing.
The official adobe reader app lets you scribble annotate straight out of the box. I use it regularly
Office Pro 6
I don't know if it will solve your issues, but Office Pro 6 is on sale at the Amazon App store for $.99. It's normally $15.
http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Systems-Inc-OfficeSuite-Professional/dp/B0051UP5NQ/ref=mas_6pack_productivity_Suite_link?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=054VF38RVZ32RE41XXGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1371696742&pf_rd_i=2350149011
I think it's better than Polaris, especially on spreadsheets.
BTW first off let me thank all of you for your responses! I did know about adobe having its native edit and I had stated above I was fine with that . Although on the other hand, the power point is the BIGGEST one I have an issue with. Although punitenshu I like your idea the most which is just to convert it over to PDF...I just didn't want to do that every time I received a new lecture.....Thank you everyone you have been such a big help!
Repligo Reader hands down. If you really fussy about accuracy, use it in conjunction with touchscreen tuner.

Setting up productivity

Hi all,
So I've had this tablet for a bit of time now and I've had trouble setting it up for productivity.
I'm a high school student and this tablet is my main productivity device (the HP desktop I use has the computational power of a lemon).
So I want opinions on apps and setups that will help a high-school student like me get some serious work done over the course of this year.
Currently I use:
Google Drive, because cloud syncing documents and work is glorious and has saved my life on multiple occasions
Timetable - cause I'm still settling in to my new routine
Stock calendar/S-Planner - this syncs events with my S3
A Bluetooth keyboard that gets the job done. (seperate from the case)
USB OTG adaptors for USBs and SD cards, and a 16GB USB.
Google Drive, while allowing cloud syncing, is lacking in quite a few basic features which would actually be really helpful to me, eg. Calibri font, picture inserting/editing etc, and my exams that need written material usually have to be handed in via Word document.
Polaris office and some other suits I've tried also seem to have trouble with word formatting (on a computer, words at the end of a line are chopped off and put on the next line).
A few other things I want to add:
I do a lot of my schoolwork at home using the tablet, especially for written assignments. (not sure how this would help in any way but just in case)
I would use LectureNotes, but with a finger it is REALLY inefficient. The crappy stylus I have doesn't help either.
Some of the subjects I have chosen for this year require a LOT of writing, so apps that can handle that well are preferable as well.
I don't print too much, and when I do I use the school music department (cause its free for me ahaha)
Something that syncs with Drive would be preferable as well, as I often access files from the S3 on the go.
I want to stay on stock for the most part - however if there's a really good app that needs 4.1+ for example I can consider it...
If anyone has any ideas on how I could set my productivity suite up, please let me know of apps that could help or any links thanks!
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

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