Related
Hey all, Just bought the g-tab as my first android device. I liked playing with the Xoom and iPads in the store, but wanted the same experience for cheap and knew that I would have to root this g-tab thing to unleash that awesome hardware value. So far I've easily put TNT Lite 4.2 and it really is much faster and more usable then the Tap N Crap that viewsonic shipped. Thanks a bunch devs for fixing what should have never been modded in such a crappy way.
My question is will there every be Android 3.0 available for the gtab? I just read an article about how google is trying to ensure oems don't mess up the UI like viewsonic did to protect their reputation. Since the gtab wasn't even an official android device, I'm wondering if Honeycomb will even be available to viewsonic or devs here to put on the gtab.
I totally agree with this article. Google shouldn't be as totalitarian as Apple, but this lack of quality control is making Android look bad in the public sphere (not to hackers of course) So did I just buy a dead end device?
As a new user - I still can't post links, so here's the pasted article from pc world:
Why Google's Tighter Control Over Android Is a Good Thing
Limiting availability of Android 3.0 code and apparent tightening of Android smartphone standards means that Google finally gets it about the platform.
By Galen Gruman, Infoworld Apr 6, 2011 11:30 am
Last week, Google said it would not release the source for its Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" tablet to developers and would limit the OS to select hardware makers, at least initially. Now there are rumors reported by Bloomberg Businessweek that Google is requiring Android device makers to get UI changes approved by Google .
As my colleague Savio Rodrigues has written, limiting the Honeycomb code is not going to hurt the Android market . I believe reining in the custom UIs imposed on Android is a good thing. Let's be honest: They exist only so companies like Motorola, HTC, and Samsung can pretend to have any technology involvement in the Android products they sell and claim they have some differentiating feature that should make customers want their model of an Android smartphone versus the umpteenth otherwise-identical Android smartphones out there.
[ Compare mobile devices using your own criteria with InfoWorld's smartphone calculator and tablet calculator. | Keep up on key mobile developments and insights via Twitter and with theMobile Edge blog and Mobilize newsletter. ]
The reality of Android is that it is the new Windows : an operating system used by multiple hardware vendors to create essentially identical products, save for the company name printed on it. That of course is what the device makers fear -- both those like Acer that already live in the race-to-the-bottom PC market and those like Motorola and HTC that don't want to.
But these cosmetic UI differences cause confusion among users, sending the message that Android is a collection of devices, not a platform like Apple's iOS. As Android's image becomes fragmented, so does the excitement that powers adoption. Anyone who's followed the cell phone industry has seen how that plays out: There are 1 billion Java-based cell phones out there, but no one knows it, and no one cares, as each works so differently that the Java underpinnings offer no value to anyone but Oracle, which licenses the technology.
Google initially seemed to want to play the same game as Oracle (and before it Sun), providing an under-the-hood platform for manufacturers to use as they saw fit. But a couple curious things happened:
Vendors such as Best Buy started selling the Android brand, to help create a sense of a unified alternative to BlackBerry and iOS, as well as to help prevent customers from feeling overwhelmed by all the "different" phones available. Too much choice confuses people, and salespeople know that.
Several mobile device makers shipped terrible tablets based on the Android 2.2 smartphone OS -- despite Google's warnings not to -- because they were impatient with Google's slow progress in releasing Honeycomb. These tablets, such as the Galaxy Tab , were terrible products and clear hack jobs that only demonstrated the iPad's superiority . I believe they also finally got the kids at Google to understand that most device makers have no respect for the Android OS and will create the same banal products for it as they do for Windows. The kids at Google have a mission, and enabling white-box smartphones isn't it.
I've argued before that Android's fragmentation, encouraged by its open source model, was a mistake . Google should drive the platform forward and ride herd on those who use it in their devices. If it wants to make the OS available free to stmulate adoption, fine. But don't let that approach devolve into the kind of crappy results that many device makers are so clueless (or eager -- take your pick) to deliver.
So far, Google's been lucky in that the fragmentation has been largely in cosmetic UI areas, which doesn't affect most Android apps and only annoys customers when they switch to a new device. The fragmentation of Android OS versions across devices is driving many Android developers away , as are fears over a fractured set of app stores. Along these lines, Google has to break the carriers' update monopoly, as Apple did, so all Android devices can be on the same OS page.
It is true that HTC's Eris brought some useful additions to the stock Android UI, serving as a model for future improvements. But the HTC example is the exception, and Google's apparent new policy would allow such enhancements if Google judges them to be so.
More to the point is what the tablet makers such as ViewSonic, Dell, and Samsung did with their first Android tablets. Their half-baked products showed how comfortable they are soiling the Android platform. For them, Android is just another OS to throw on hardware designed for something else in a cynical attempt to capture a market wave. The consistently low sales should provide a clue that users aren't buying the junk. But do they blame the hardware makers or Google? When so many Android devices are junk, it'll be Google whose reputation suffers.
Let's not forget Google's competition, and why Google can't patiently teach these companies about user experience: Apple, a company that knows how to nurture, defend, and evangelize a platform. Let's also not forget the fate of Microsoft and Nokia , who let their Windows Mobile and Symbian OSes fragment into oblivion. And let's remember that the one company that knows how the vanilla-PC game is played, Hewlett-Packard, has decided to move away from the plain-vanilla Windows OS and stake its future on its own platform, WebOS , for both PCs and mobile devices. In that world, a fragmented, confused, soiled Android platform would have no market at all.
If Google finally understands that Android is a platform to be nurtured and defended, it has a chance of remaining a strong presence in the mobile market for more than a few faddish years. If not, it's just throwing its baby into the woods, where it will find cruel exploitation, not nurturing or defense.
I didn't read your 1000 word post, but I read your topic. HC on GTAB has NOTHING to do with Google. It has everything to do with Nvidia abandoning GTAB.
The media has an idea in their head but they are shooting the messenger. Google has no choice when Nvidia stops producing source for the proprietary elements of the system.
Nvidia simply does not care about Harmony which is the hardware reference legacy devices are built on.
So this device is going to be left behind when it comes to the new android stuff?
It is interesting that you ask. With 318 posts here you have to have followed some of the threads discussing this before. At this point in time I don't think anyone knows. Lots of speculation, lots of pent up desire and the best Devs ever so I am sure there will be improvements, Will it ever make full HC who knows?? If you read your article carefully, even the stuff out there ( Zoom and Transformer) does not have complete Honeycomb.
I wonder what Honeycomb will bring to the picture that we don't have already. I have my gtablet rooted and running TnT 4.4 and it's sufficient for almost all my tablet needs. Yesterday I was reading Kindle books to the kids, streaming movies/music from my media center PC, watching youtube and browsing the net, all with nary a hiccup. I even got a cheapo keyboard leathercase to use for editing documents. If it's the UI, the current Launcher Pro Premium and GO Launcher EX are pretty nice alternatives.
I have played with the XOOM tablet at Best Buy and thought other than some pretty UI and a nicer screen, functionally I wasn't getting much for double the price.
samaruf said:
I wonder what Honeycomb will bring to the picture that we don't have already. I have my gtablet rooted and running TnT 4.4 and it's sufficient for almost all my tablet needs. Yesterday I was reading Kindle books to the kids, streaming movies/music from my media center PC, watching youtube and browsing the net, all with nary a hiccup. I even got a cheapo keyboard leathercase to use for editing documents. If it's the UI, the current Launcher Pro Premium and GO Launcher EX are pretty nice alternatives.
I have played with the XOOM tablet at Best Buy and thought other than some pretty UI and a nicer screen, functionally I wasn't getting much for double the price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats interesting. What ROM are you running? Most of my video is choppy, and I read in the dev forum this has to do with no video acceleration yet for the Gingerbread versions.
Good point - if it does what you want it to do then so what if it's not the newest... I'm a little embarrassed, but still rockin out to my first gen iPod nano a the gym
Guess I still wanted whatever tablet specific ui improvements that honeycomb was expected to bring.
nitefallz said:
Thats interesting. What ROM are you running? Most of my video is choppy, and I read in the dev forum this has to do with no video acceleration yet for the Gingerbread versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I mentioned in my post, my ROM is TnT Lite 4.4 with Clemsyn's kernel (v9). I can stream 700 MB avi files with no stuttering or choppiness. I use GMote app on the tablet and the GMote server in the media PC. My video player is Rockplayer, which is free from the market.
I too was just at Best Buy bout a week ago and messed around with the Xoom for a little bit. Quickly I realized why its been a couple years since I've been to this store (prices?!?!), not to mention the help asking me if I had any questions and if I was looking to buy the Xoom (they left me alone after proclaiming I was completely satisfied with my gtab).
The only real difference I could notice (which in my eyes was a big one) was the interface. Its definitely more "flashy" in looks and prettier for eye-candy, but no real difference outside of that, actually seemed to lag a bit; almost comparable to the gtab out of box.
Me personally, I'm in no hurry to see any kind of honeycreams equivalent make its way to the gtab. I'm more anxious to see gojimi release their vegan ginger Beta more than anything right now. Been counting the days (sometimes hours) since reading their update about him coming back from vacation, lets do this!
Closing thread - see this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1026411
I know this question has come up before, but still looking for some opinions. I just returned a transformer prime that I purchased due to some dead pixels on the display and have been questioning what I should do.
With the time I had with the prime, I was impressed overall with the experience. The wireless was on the weak side, but I didn't have an issue using it anywhere in my house I needed to. With the upcoming 1080p displays, I am thinking I will wait to get another tablet as I would like to use it to read and I'm sure the higher resolution will make a big difference. I also know that other manufacturers will be releasing competitive devices, so I may not stick with ASUS depending on what else is out there, although I do like that it seems like they are on top of updates and bugfixes unlike some of the other companies.
I have also been considering looking at the next ipad when it is released. I am definitely an android fan, and haven't used ios much other than playing a bit on other people's iphones. I know that there isn't as much OS customization available for the device, but I am not sure if that should be a deciding factor. I know the ipad defninitely has more tablet specific apps and even though android does handle scaling any app up to tablet size, some of the games and apps aren't that great. It also seems like if a company is going to release an app or a game that it will definitely be available for ios and may or may not be for android. I don't really haven't figured out what my overall use of the tablet will be, but I would hate to limit myself because an app I want isn't available.
I'm not sure what everybody's thought is on this. I know that this is an android specific forum, but I'm also sure that a lot of people probably own or have used an ipad and know it's strengths and weaknesses.
I am in the same boat with you. I have been holding off for a while before getting a prime. I was planning on picking one up tomorrow. I do not support apple products, nor do they stick out to me. they make great stuff. But sense all the new UI with android devices is improving daily, its awesome. Both Acer and Levono are coming out with a Tegra 3 quad core powered tablet in the near future. I have been lurking these forums for a while doing my research and checking reveiws and watching issues. While i really want the transformer prime aside from any other tablet out. I feel that some of these issues weigh heavy in my decision..
In short. if you like the tablet alot, give it another shot. If you do not. Wait and see what happens soon.
I would say that if you don't need a tablet right now, and you don't need a tablet with a keyboard dock then wait until there is more selection before making a new purchase. There is no sense in buying something you are unsure about, or keeping something that you aren't completely happy with.
As for the iPad, I have used them and while they are very smooth I just wasn't impressed with the OS itself. It ran fine (better than Android in a lot of ways) and there are a lot of apps available for it that I wish were on Android but the overall experience just never got me all that excited about the device. All in all the iPad is great, though. It just wasn't for me.
One thing to consider if you are moving from Android to iOS is that you will have to buy or find replacements for any apps that you have come to rely on. For most Android apps you will be able to find a direct replacement in iOS, but it would be an added expense on top of the cost of the new hardware. Also you would lose out on most Google services, so if you have come to rely on those the transition might be a little rough. Google makes apps for iOS but they are no where near as nice as they are on Android.
Getting new apps will be a bit of a pain, but I would assume there is an equivalent ios app for everything that I rely on with my phone. The google apps may be a problem. I will have to take a look to see how they work and if they will suit my needs.
My UK Prime is due for delivery this weekend, but I'm still 50/50 whether to cancel or not.
However, when I'm on the 50% side to persue the purchase it's because I realise there are unlikely to be any other competing tablets out for at least 6 months. If competing tablets are announced in mid to late Feb, stock won't be here until June or July.
I plan on keeping my Prime for 12 months. By xmas time, the tablet market should have matured nicely with the next wave of technology in them, and I'll look to sell my Prime and upgrade.
But I'm not willing to wait 6 months for something similar or better to come out.
I want one now and the only two tablets I'd consider are the iPad 2.5 (due in March) and the Prime.
Hey Guys, just came across this article and thought it was a good read. Do you think Android will partner with Asus to make their own brand of tablets...will it be better for us as Android buyers in the future if Android had more control by being the hardware as well as software maker. or do you feel like this is turning them into Apple-lite
http://www.androidauthority.com/will-google-abandon-android-71483/
Seems like Android Authority is a bit desperate for clicks. That is all I got from it.
detta123 said:
Seems like Android Authority is a bit desperate for clicks. That is all I got from it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah basically..lol.
they taking the whole Asus Manufacturing Google Nexus tablet and spinning it into some crazy apocalyptic Android dying story. Android will be fine. Android growth has really actually just begun. we haven't seen nothing yet. Google needs a nexus tablet to instill confidence and optimism in Androids future. It can almost be guareenteed to attract more developers to android ecosystem. If android was dying, I'd seriously doubt they'd be making a tablet with Asus, restructured Google Play Store, and Making Google store purchases possible to be made online by anyone. All these recent moves Google has made is pointing to something big coming up.
Android for LIFE!
All of my current and future devices will continue to be android.
It is just way too much fun, IOS sucks.
If android goes away, I will go back to laptops.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
I dont even want to read that article Android brings profit and is a huge thing worldwide. Why would you abandon something like this? Of course its not Google's biggest income generator but it has so much potential and it serves as competition to Apple.
Google deciding to do some hardware manufacturing? I really like that. They probably learn from it and be able to improve the software/hardware.
There is one thing though they could do to android imho. I like some of the 3rd party GUI's that come with android devices. For example HTC Sense. They add alot of nice widgets and great looking uniform base apps.
BUT. At the price of getting important updates like ICS half a year later? No... No.
For me there are 2 ways those companies could handle the situation. Make custom UI's optional. Let people use vanilla Android if they want fast upgrades and let them switch to custom UI's once their done. Or just open all the bootloaders and release all kernel source and stuff to XDA so people can make their own roms and updates (which usually are better anyway...).
Apart from that Android is just totally great.
clouds5 said:
For me there are 2 ways those companies could handle the situation. Make custom UI's optional. Let people use vanilla Android if they want fast upgrades and let them switch to custom UI's once their done. Or just open all the bootloaders and release all kernel source and stuff to XDA so people can make their own roms and updates (which usually are better anyway...).
Apart from that Android is just totally great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually Google is already consdidering this. read several articles on it. it's a great idea bit one catch, Phone carriers would hate it. those companies add those GUI to devices to differentiate themselves from other similar devices. I'd rather have vanilla android experience and not have bloat ui on top of it. A GUI on top of vanilla android will never be faster out the box than a plain vanilla experience. one suggestion was to make the various companies GUI removable if the user chooses. they could use that companies GUI or go vanilla route or use one of the many launchers available on android. Usually a company GUI will be more integrated and stable than one from marketplace.
Yeah i've read about that too. i dont think custom UIs need to go away. Sometimes they're great. And with tegra3 phones coming out i guess the performance wont be such an issue anymore.
But i'd love to see some change in that situation. I think updates shouldnt be delayed more than 1 month. Not like half a year.
The article is the usual blog filler; title is admittedly clickbait. Then again, most news & blog sites have SEO'ed titles to varying degree. Yellow journalism used to be on the fringe. Now, it's the way to get clicks. That's the cost of "free" content.
Idle gossip aside, Google's strategy for tablet adoption has not worked. It will need to do something, and soon. We should know by Google I/O in June, if not earlier.
IMO, the rumors presently circulating--direct-sale of cheapo tablet & online store--aren't enough. The problems are more fundamental, and are myriad. To me, what's discouraging aren't the obstacles, but that I haven't seen any signal from Google leadership that they recognize the scope of the obstacles.
At any rate, Android won't suffer the fate of WebOS. It's entrenched on phones, and its open-source distribution will allow it to live on as a "hobbyist" OS, if nothing else.
Things move pretty fast in this mobile market, so we won't have long to wait, one way or the other.
Trolling done wrong.
A terrible excuse for either op-ed or journalism. sigh.
Seems this kid who wrote the article didn't get the point of android....
It amplifies all the Google services. It gives Google a extremely huge platform to present their products... it generates Google accounts which can be used for the almost infinite range of Google products. It helps to spread G+ and not to mention Google ad-words..
There is no essential need for a strong Google Phone brand... When you use it the normal way you pretty soon notice that Android is a Google product... you are asked to create a Google account, you have a ton of Google services pre-installed etc. .
Android could be a losing deal and it would still be worth the effort. Just because it spreads Google stuff. The power you have when 50% of the smart-phones world wide run with your is is enormous... Google does not have to worry too much about branding as long as the providers don't remove the Google-Products from it...
I see it like a commenter in the article, Google Tablet to fight the Kindle Fire... because it breaks the Google-branding... not so funny for Google...
>[Android] amplifies all the Google services. It gives Google a extremely huge platform to present their products...There is no essential need for a strong Google Phone brand...Android could be a losing deal and it would still be worth the effort.
These are all true. But IMO it misses the forest for the trees, the forest in this case being the next computing form factor, ie the tablet being a successor rather than adjunct of laptops. That should be the goal, not just an extension to sell more wares.
To be the next "computer," the OS has to do more, akin to the range of functions on desktop OS'es. Android, like iOS, lacks basic underpinnings--things like built-in networking, printing, support for peripheral devices, apps interoperability, etc etc.
The shortcoming doesn't affect Apple, because iOS has achieved critical mass on phones and tablets. Its success engenders 3rd-party support to address any deficit faced.
The other aspect not oft mentioned is that a bona fide OS needs support. One takeaway from a quick scan through these and other (official) Android forums is that OS support is grossly inadequate. As much complaints as there are in this forum, Asus is actually one of the better vendors for support. Users of Acer, Toshiba, and others, have given up on support. And these are enthusiasts. Think of how worse it would be for normal users.
The writing is on the wall: HW vendors don't have the expertise to support the OS. Google needs to do it. But with its current distribution philosophy, ie making AOSP code public and let HW vendors do what they will, Google can't do that. For it to support its OS, Google will need to follow the Microsoft path.
Getting its hands dirty with its own hardware may be a start, assuming Google better supports its product. But customer support has never been in Google's DNA, so I have my doubt that things would improve soon.
Google bought Motorolla, why would they need to partner with ASUS?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
>Google bought Motorolla, why would they need to partner with ASUS?
Because Asus can make cheap tablets, eg the rumored $199 tab, and Moto can't. Secondly, because Google still needs to maintain some degree of impartiality. With declining vendor support (on tablets), it can ill afford to piss off the few remaining.
e.mote said:
>Google bought Motorolla, why would they need to partner with ASUS?
Because Asus can make cheap tablets, eg the rumored $199 tab, and Moto can't. Secondly, because Google still needs to maintain some degree of impartiality. With declining vendor support (on tablets), it can ill afford to piss off the few remaining.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, the Motorola Xoom, great as it was(I owned one), was simply overpriced.
I do believe that in order to be widely accepted as being better than Apple, Google needs to seriously focus on getting better developer support. You can release the best tablet in the world, but if you do not have developer support, people will continue to flock to IOS. Lower the price of tablets while maintaining good quality standards, and gain developer support=win for Android
e.mote said:
>[Android] amplifies all the Google services. It gives Google a extremely huge platform to present their products...There is no essential need for a strong Google Phone brand...Android could be a losing deal and it would still be worth the effort.
These are all true. But IMO it misses the forest for the trees, the forest in this case being the next computing form factor, ie the tablet being a successor rather than adjunct of laptops. That should be the goal, not just an extension to sell more wares.
To be the next "computer," the OS has to do more, akin to the range of functions on desktop OS'es. Android, like iOS, lacks basic underpinnings--things like built-in networking, printing, support for peripheral devices, apps interoperability, etc etc.
The shortcoming doesn't affect Apple, because iOS has achieved critical mass on phones and tablets. Its success engenders 3rd-party support to address any deficit faced.
The other aspect not oft mentioned is that a bona fide OS needs support. One takeaway from a quick scan through these and other (official) Android forums is that OS support is grossly inadequate. As much complaints as there are in this forum, Asus is actually one of the better vendors for support. Users of Acer, Toshiba, and others, have given up on support. And these are enthusiasts. Think of how worse it would be for normal users.
The writing is on the wall: HW vendors don't have the expertise to support the OS. Google needs to do it. But with its current distribution philosophy, ie making AOSP code public and let HW vendors do what they will, Google can't do that. For it to support its OS, Google will need to follow the Microsoft path.
Getting its hands dirty with its own hardware may be a start, assuming Google better supports its product. But customer support has never been in Google's DNA, so I have my doubt that things would improve soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You make some interesting points, but I disagree that iOS is anywhere near being accepted as a PC replacement. In many important ways, Android is much farther along in this respect--access to the file system alone is one area. And, I think the idea that tablets will replace PCs is way overblown--having tried to use mine (even with the keyboard dock) as a replacement for my Windows notebook, I can testify that although some things are more convenient with tablets (like ebook reading, casual surfing, etc.), NOTHING is as efficient as with a "real" PC.
I could never do my job on any existing tablet, whether it's iOS or Android. I work with complex documents, use Photoshop for more than changing color tones, do some light video editing, etc. None of those are efficient (or even possible) on a tablet. Even the simple things like browsing, Twitter, etc., etc., are more efficient on a notebook or desktop. Again, a tablet is convenient--lightweight, long battery life, etc.--so it has its place alongside a real PC. But thinking it can replace a PC for most people is, I think, entirely unrealistic at this point.
Maybe that'll change in a few years, although I doubt even that. Seriously, who can imagine working EXCLUSIVELY on a 10" screen? And if a tablet becomes something that you plug into external monitors and keyboards and such, well then, ASUS is already mostly there with the Transformer series. And at that point what we'll have is just a more portable PC with external accessories. Once a tablet becomes complex enough in terms of network support, printing, peripheral devices like scanners, etc., then is it really a "tablet" any longer?
..........
demandarin said:
Actually Google is already consdidering this. read several articles on it. it's a great idea bit one catch, Phone carriers would hate it. those companies add those GUI to devices to differentiate themselves from other similar devices. I'd rather have vanilla android experience and not have bloat ui on top of it. A GUI on top of vanilla android will never be faster out the box than a plain vanilla experience. one suggestion was to make the various companies GUI removable if the user chooses. they could use that companies GUI or go vanilla route or use one of the many launchers available on android. Usually a company GUI will be more integrated and stable than one from marketplace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hearing at one point that Google was looking to simplify the custom GUI creation (just a custom GUI xml that the manufacturer can push that the vanilla OS will honor) so that even if there are large changes underneath by Google, there is no change needed by the manufacturer prior to release (assuming the manufacturer is only making GUI changes and not anything deeper).
sparkym3 said:
I was hearing at one point that Google was looking to simplify the custom GUI creation (just a custom GUI xml that the manufacturer can push that the vanilla OS will honor) so that even if there are large changes underneath by Google, there is no change needed by the manufacturer prior to release (assuming the manufacturer is only making GUI changes and not anything deeper).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that was what it was involving. thanks for pointing out those details.
Link doesn't work anymore!
So I love my nexus ten, but I do not understand what google is trying to pull here. They make it almost impossible first to track down one of these things down. Then they do little to no advertising so the only ppl that really know about the nexus line are tech geeks while the average consumer is bombarded with iPad ads on every street corner. Then on top of that they release not even one official accessory for it!! No case, no smart cover, nothing OEM, pathetic! Go to an apple store and see all the junk you can get for it. Also look at the nexus 7 dock..... so they are going to release it a year after the product drops and is obsolete by then? Its like Google is just like OK lets make an awesome tablet for fun but screw anyone actually trying to live or own one!!!
waltthizzney said:
So I love my nexus ten, but I do not understand what google is trying to pull here. They make it almost impossible first to track down one of these things down. Then they do little to no advertising so the only ppl that really know about the nexus line are tech geeks while the average consumer is bombarded with iPad ads on every street corner. Then on top of that they release not even one official accessory for it!! No case, no smart cover, nothing OEM, pathetic! Go to an apple store and see all the junk you can get for it. Also look at the nexus 7 dock..... so they are going to release it a year after the product drops and is obsolete by then? Its like Google is just like OK lets make an awesome tablet for fun but screw anyone actually trying to live or own one!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know there are plenty of cases for it on Amazon and Ebay.
waltthizzney said:
So I love my nexus ten, but I do not understand what google is trying to pull here. They make it almost impossible first to track down one of these things down. Then they do little to no advertising so the only ppl that really know about the nexus line are tech geeks while the average consumer is bombarded with iPad ads on every street corner. Then on top of that they release not even one official accessory for it!! No case, no smart cover, nothing OEM, pathetic! Go to an apple store and see all the junk you can get for it. Also look at the nexus 7 dock..... so they are going to release it a year after the product drops and is obsolete by then? Its like Google is just like OK lets make an awesome tablet for fun but screw anyone actually trying to live or own one!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree. I absolutely love my Nexus 10 tablet, and the more I use it and the more reviews I read the more I'm assured that it's just as good as the iPad 4. Yet no one other than tech geeks have even heard of it. Google ONLY makes it available on the Playstore, gives ZERO indication of what retail stores will be carrying it and when, displays NO advertising on TV or otherwise, and releases no accessories.
It's really disappointing. It has the specs to succeed. It has the OS to succeed. It has the screen to succeed. It has the name brand to succeed. All it needs is some proper marketing and to provide some availability and it will be a huge success. Judging by the fact that it's sold out on the Play Store, and that every time a few show up at a Wal Mart they're immediately picked up tells me that there's a very high demand and that people want it. Maybe Google is laying a bit low right now because they can't come anywhere close to having enough stock if the demand went up considerably right now? I don't know.
Valid statement.
digitalrelic said:
I completely agree. I absolutely love my Nexus 10 tablet, and the more I use it and the more reviews I read the more I'm assured that it's just as good as the iPad 4. Yet no one other than tech geeks have even heard of it. Google ONLY makes it available on the Playstore, gives ZERO indication of what retail stores will be carrying it and when, displays NO advertising on TV or otherwise, and releases no accessories.
It's really disappointing. It has the specs to succeed. It has the OS to succeed. It has the screen to succeed. It has the name brand to succeed. All it needs is some proper marketing and to provide some availability and it will be a huge success. Judging by the fact that it's sold out on the Play Store, and that every time a few show up at a Wal Mart they're immediately picked up tells me that there's a very high demand and that people want it. Maybe Google is laying a bit low right now because they can't come anywhere close to having enough stock if the demand went up considerably right now? I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your final statement is quite valid. They needed to launch to take some attention from the launch of the ipad mini but weren't really in a position to do so, stock wise. I also wonder wether they are trying to avoid upsetting other OEM that use android that also want to sell tablets this christmas.
This is the first Nexus line that is actually this in demand and desirable to the masses. Previous Nexus launches has very little to offer to those wanting anything other than pure android experience. This time it is coming with top of the line spec and hardware and software to match that hardware and it exploded in the market.
Google didnt predict this, neither did lot of us. Lot of us did not expect that this product will be in such a demand that it will be hard to get one. Frankly the top of the line 32GB model has not been hard to get. I ordered 3 and got all 3 within a week of order even when they estimated anything from 2 to 4 weeks as waiting time.
Google will learn from this. And the success of this line actually gives google incentive to go all out on a big launch next time around. So overall, this is good for those who swear by nexus. Maybe it will be mainstream launch next time around thanks to the success of this lineup.
Funkym0nkey said:
This is the first Nexus line that is actually this in demand and desirable to the masses. Previous Nexus launches has very little to offer to those wanting anything other than pure android experience. This time it is coming with top of the line spec and hardware and software to match that hardware and it exploded in the market.
Google didnt predict this, neither did lot of us. Lot of us did not expect that this product will be in such a demand that it will be hard to get one. Frankly the top of the line 32GB model has not been hard to get. I ordered 3 and got all 3 within a week of order even when they estimated anything from 2 to 4 weeks as waiting time.
Google will learn from this. And the success of this line actually gives google incentive to go all out on a big launch next time around. So overall, this is good for those who swear by nexus. Maybe it will be mainstream launch next time around thanks to the success of this lineup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the main aim of the Nexus 10 was to get an excellent next-gen 10 inch tablet into the hands of developers to create and update apps. They didn't push hard on the marketing because many average customers might have been disappointed by the app selection (eg Facebook, Twitter and Spotify are all borked at the moment). Apparently Key Lime Pie is focussing heavily on tablets (with all kinds of rumours around multiple apps and Chrome OS integration flying round) and with its release Google might push the Nexus 10 harder. I think the Note 10.1 II, with a Nexus 10 screen + digitiser/s-pen + expandable storage will go gangbusters and the rest of the 10 Android market will follow.
I don't think Google intended for this to be anything more than a developer reference tablet and a toy for loyal Android geeks. They're trying to gently establish a new footing in the way of optimised apps for ten inch tablets. There are hardly any apps that have been optimised for the kind of screen resolution that Android tablets will need to veer towards in order to take on the iPad. There are hardly any 10 inch tablet UIs either. You can get away with normal Android apps on the Nexus 7 but not on a ten inch tablet. Google probably didn't think the Nexus 10 was ready for a mainstream heavily marketed push, but felt that the ground work needed to be initiated in this manner. We are the guinea pigs they needed!
Once that's been achieved, Google will probably push the next Nexus 10 like they pushed the Nexus 7.
Doesn't really explain then why they would choose to offer it at Walmart, king of the mass retail chains. I agree, this launch was half-assed.
aimfire72 said:
Doesn't really explain then why they would choose to offer it at Walmart, king of the mass retail chains. I agree, this launch was half-assed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because they decided they didn't want availability restricted to online stores?
Google have pumped money into marketing Gmail, Google+, Chrome, the Chromebook and the Nexus 7. If Google felt it was currently worthwhile to push the Nexus 10 to that extent, they would have done. Maybe when the Android platform has a more respectable 10 inch ecosystem their strategy will evolve.
One thing I've noticed about sites like XDA and Android fan sites is that these communities mistakenly think their interests represent anything more than the whispering voice of an extreme minority.
I mean, why sell a developer reference device at Walmart of all places, lol.. Frys or Microcenter would be a better choice for that. By selling at Walmart, they must be going for the general public, at least somewhat. I think they are still testing the waters in terms of how to market the device.
In my country (Germany) you can't even buy a N10, mo matter which size.
So if you have a N10, calm down, buy a non-OEM case and be happy
The launch, doesnt matter for developers or not, was a complete fail. You cant hype up and then release a batch of lets say 5000 devices in a 100 million population country. In Germany, the tablet was sold out in 15 minutes. I really wanted to order it, but all im getting is frustration and anger with the Play Store. Since i wanted to have a tablet for christmas, i guess ill settle with something else (maybe even the ipad, although im an android fan), what Google is doing is just a f-in miserable failure of marketing, sales and customer service.
This would be a dev device if it wouldve costed 600 bucks, promicing cheaper versions coming up in the next 2-3 months. But releasing such a device for 400 bucks and expecting very low interest is just idiotic... Im so disappointed with Google that i cant even describe it.
I agree, i wouldn't have known about the nexus 10 if my friend didn't tell me about it (he is very big into android) as to me, i'm really new to android and this will be the first android device i will own. I used iPhones, iPads but i got to bored with there interface. (you can only do so much even with a jailbroken device) I wanted to try something different and always wanted an android, so this tablet was a wake up call to switch over. Now im currently waiting the arrival of my nexus 10, I already love it from everything i read and cant wait to get it in my hands!!
Nexus isn't your typical retail ware. It's a collaboration between Google and the OEM, but because the pricing is lower than the OEM's own products, the OEM isn't pushing it. No promotion, and no accessories. It's up to Goog to do promotion and distribution, but Goog isn't putting much effort into either. I've seen ads for N7, but none for N10 or N4.
Distribution is mostly limited to Goog Play for N10. The handfuls of $499 SKU that make it into Walmart aren't competitive against iPads (Walmart is selling iPad3 for $399). In short, N10 and N4 are mainly reference devices, and for hardcore Android fans. They're not mass-market wares.
This may be intentional, since may be the intent is for OEMs to follow-up with comparable retail products, once they see how successful the reference devices are. N7 was a hit, and I'm pretty sure we'll see Asus & Co follow-up with similar 7" at similar pricing this year. Likewise, lower-tier vendors may see demand for N4 as a template to do similar handsets.
N10 (more generally, 10" tabs) will be a harder sell for OEMs to bite on. I doubt it will have any impact at all on overall Android tablet sales. It would've been better had Goog followed the KFHD/Nook model and came out with a $300 1080p tablet. On the bright side, at least it didn't bomb like the Nexus Q-ball.
iPad Mini will be the runaway hit this Christmas, eclipsing the iPad. It has the right blend of size, portability, and price. And it's perfect for kids and those with small hands. Its 4:3 screen allows for a much more usable display than the N7, which sucked for portrait. I'm hoping OEMs will pick up that cue as well and market some Mini-clone, at least in form factor.
The one good news for Android tablets is that Windows tablets/hybrids have bombed so spectacularly. Hopefully this will get major vendors to give Android tabs a second try, after the 2011 fiasco.
e.mote said:
Nexus isn't your typical retail ware. It's a collaboration between Google and the OEM, but because the pricing is lower than the OEM's own products, the OEM isn't pushing it. No promotion, and no accessories. It's up to Goog to do promotion and distribution, but Goog isn't putting much effort into either. I've seen ads for N7, but none for N10 or N4.
Distribution is mostly limited to Goog Play for N10. The handfuls of $499 SKU that make it into Walmart aren't competitive against iPads (Walmart is selling iPad3 for $399). In short, N10 and N4 are mainly reference devices, and for hardcore Android fans. They're not mass-market wares.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally saw a commerical ad for the N10 along with N4! It was about a week or so ago but that was it.
Edit: Here is the commercial I saw on TV. YouTube had it.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Well, that didn't take long. It looks to have the same 1.7GHz SoC and display and in Samsung's naming convention "P" equals "standard" tablet and "N" equals a Note device. So it appears to be a high-end 10.1" tablet with similar specs to the N10. "00" in the model number indicates 3G and "10" is used for Wi-Fi so it's also 3G capable meaning it'll (likely) be launched internationally first. Samsung's model number for the existing N10 is P8110 so if it were to be offered in a 3G version it would become a P8100. Also, storage doesn't affect Samsung's model numbers so if it was a higher-capacity N10 it wouldn't be given a new model number. Since the P8200 is a high-end device by its specs it'll most likely offer Samsung's pretty much standard features like a SD card slot, IR port, and multiview. It'll probably use Samsung's propriatary charging port so it can share existing Samsung accessories and lose USB and HDMI in the process which Samsung hasn't (yet) included in any of their own tablets. I guess we'll know for sure next month at MWC.
The 7" and 10" G-Tab 3's which have already been leaked have also shown up in testing with entry-level displays of 1,024 x 600 and 1,280 x 800 respectively so they are definitely still being targeted at the low-end of the market.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/30/three-mystery-samsung-galaxy-tab-profiles-spotted/
Nope.. No way. No how.. Nope.. Samsung make great hardware but they are awful at supporting their own hardware. That thing will get one update only after a year of vague speculative `leaked' memos from Samsung about an update and pure silence on the official Samsung front. Then the update will roll out by the time Google releases that versions replacement.. Then another 8 months of "Will Samsung ever update this tab?" speculation and leaked internal memos... Then out of no where Samsung will release its replacement at the same time dropping upgrade support for it.
Nice
styckx said:
Nope.. No way. No how.. Nope.. Samsung make great hardware but they are awful at supporting their own hardware. That thing will get one update only after a year of vague speculative `leaked' memos from Samsung about an update and pure silence on the official Samsung front. Then the update will roll out by the time Google releases that versions replacement.. Then another 8 months of "Will Samsung ever update this tab?" speculation and leaked internal memos... Then out of no where Samsung will release its replacement at the same time dropping upgrade support for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This pretty much
Would you rather have that, or... guaranteed updates from Google (the developers of Android itself) and the best device for AOSP? Only people I see getting such a device (if it actually releases that is) are fans of Samsung, but then again even that doesn't make sense, since the Nexus 10 is Samsung... hmm. Maybe fans of Touchwiz might buy it, but still... Is there an actual reason anyone would buy that device, over a Nexus 10?
It was a given that N10's display would show up in Sammy's other GT toys, since it's the best display Sammy has available. The Note line is Sammy's high-end, and the plain GTs are value models. A dual-core N10-alike would then be a value model, with the Note counterpart getting the newer Oxy 4x4.
I'm guessing the N10-alike will show up at same pricing as N10. One likely perk is that it'll probably have a SD slot.
More interesting to me is the reversion back to 1024x600 as the baseline res, as evidenced by both Asus & Acer's low-end 7" models, and now Samsung. One would surmise that $150 is new entry price for this year, with 1280x800 7" at $200. Likewise, the 1280x800 res apparently will also populate value 10" models (at probably $250).
Good to see vendors paying more attention to the low-end, as iPad Mini at $329 leaves a big gap, and iOS popularity is starting to show signs of plateauing.
espionage724 said:
This pretty much
Would you rather have that, or... guaranteed updates from Google (the developers of Android itself) and the best device for AOSP? Only people I see getting such a device (if it actually releases that is) are fans of Samsung, but then again even that doesn't make sense, since the Nexus 10 is Samsung... hmm. Maybe fans of Touchwiz might buy it, but still... Is there an actual reason anyone would buy that device, over a Nexus 10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be inclined to agree with you, but judging from the Note vs N10 thread apparently so!
Also, forgot to mention: Nice info OP.
>Is there an actual reason anyone would buy that device, over a Nexus 10?
Yes, distribution & promotion will be better, and more people will know more about it. From the various ad-based analytics thus far, N7 is still behind both KFs and Samsung GTs. N10 would be far behind N7. That, and no SD slot.
Seriously, stop being so parochial with the "my toy is best" attitude. The N10, along with every other toy, is already old, and getting older by the day. In Internet time, it's already past middle-age. You're just feeling your mid-life crisis.
styckx said:
Samsung make great hardware but they are awful at supporting their own hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're pretty much quoting history, not the present. They've really been focusing on getting their devices updated more frequently. All their late-model tablets and smartphones are on JB; even the SGS2. Any device with an overlay is going to lag behind an AOSP device but in return you get a ton of usability features. Android 2>3>4 were major leaps. 4>5>6 will be less so simply because Android's matured to the point shocking changes to the UI do more harm than good from a usability perspective. This is especially true now that the N4/7/10 are being positioned as mainstream consumer products vs. a developer's platform. And Samsung's JB wireless stacks aren't borked like they are in AOSP. I'm sure the N10-alike as e.mote called it will have all of Samsung's features like multiview, h/w accelerated Android-based stock browser, AllShare Cast and Play, Peel IR remote, and a color calibrated display. And people (maybe not XDA) like those things as the G-Tab 2's outsell the more powerful N7. AOSP doesn't sell because people like devices that "do stuff" (relying on "Play" doesn't count) as the following chart shows. And since the N10-alike will be sold direct via Samsung's distribution system their margin will be better even if it's the same price as the N10. Hopefully that will allow them to address the QC issues; especially with the display.
Here are a handful of features in TW that aren't in AOSP from another forum's discussion. I'll take them over faster updates any day. With h/w at the level it is "speed" is no longer an issue with the difference between an AOSP and overlayed device differing in milliseconds at things like screen transitions. Ironically, Google's being outgunned by the likes of Samsung and HTC using their own open source OS as the weapon.
The ability to turn off the capacitive button lights so if you're navigating or watching flash-based video in a browser they don't distract you.
Long pressing a function in the notification bar open that function. (EG: short press Wi-Fi = toggle, long press=open Wi-Fi settings) so you have quick access to most used settings no matter where you are in the UI or an app.
Customize which functions appear in the notification bar and reorder them.
Unlock the device via voice including separate commands to unlock via voice directly in to various apps.
Use voice to control the music player, take a picture, snooze or shut off the alarm, or accept or reject an incoming call.
Launch the camera while the device is locked by holding a finger on it and rotating it from vertical to horizontal.
Smart Stay to keep the device awake when looking at it and Smart Rotation to keep it at the same orientation as your eyes if you change position.
Music Hub subscription service with locker storage (matched) for your own music and the ability to download unlimited songs (while subscribed) to the device's SD card and have them all show up in the stock music player.
Music Square which determines the "mood" of all your stored music and allows you to instantly create playlists based on the mood of a song you're currently listening to.
S Voice to control a much broader list of functions by voice than what’s supported by Google Now and dial by name or number via BT including sending MMS and e-mail.
Quick Glance to see time, date, weather, battery life, missed calls/messages, and new e-mail by waving your hand over the device without unlocking it.
Customize your e-mail signature in the stock e-mail client including different fonts, colors, and graphics.
Direct call to automatically dial a number from an open contact, MMS, or e-mail message.
Palm touch to mute the device by covering it with your hand.
Driving mode to read incoming MMS and e-mail aloud.
e.mote said:
>Is there an actual reason anyone would buy that device, over a Nexus 10?
Yes, distribution & promotion will be better, and more people will know more about it. From the various ad-based analytics thus far, N7 is still behind both KFs and Samsung GTs. N10 would be far behind N7. That, and no SD slot.
Seriously, stop being so parochial with the "my toy is best" attitude. The N10, along with every other toy, is already old, and getting older by the day. In Internet time, it's already past middle-age. You're just feeling your mid-life crisis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose you do make a good point, but I was mostly asking that question to people who might be in the position of either buying a Nexus 10, or the P8200 (the person knows of both devices). If the person does know of both devices very well, then what actual reasons would there be?
The SD card is a pretty controversial part on devices. To most people, they hear "no SD card" and automatically think that device must fail beyond belief. If (and only if) that person actually heavily relies on the SD card for their portable devices, then this is understandable imo.
My mom has a Galaxy Prevail, some VisualLand tablet, and a Galaxy Tab 2. They all have microSD card slots. She however, doesn't use the slots period nor has any use to (there's enough internal storage available, and for everything else, there's streaming). So my mom switching to a device with no SD card slot wouldn't be a big deal at all.
I'm in the same situation as well for the most part, but there was one time where I wished I had gotten the 32GB N10, since installing a bunch of games took up a good amount of space. But then I realized... the games I had installed I wasn't really going to play anyway :shrug: so I got rid of them.
But, in any case, the only thing I see so far that the P8200 has as an advantage over a Nexus 10 is just the microSD card slot. From a general consumers point of view, the P8200 would seem pretty good because of the slot, and Samsung's "intuitive" (or whatever buzzwords used to describe it) Touchwiz interface. I myself like to receive software updates more often, and to have a stock Android experience, but this isn't something a general consumer thinks about when buying a device these days...
Edit:
BarryH_GEG said:
Here are a handful of features in TW that aren't in AOSP from another forum's discussion. I'll take them over faster updates any day. With h/w at the level it is "speed" is no longer an issue with the difference between an AOSP and overlayed device differing in milliseconds at things like screen transitions. Ironically, Google's being outgunned by the likes of Samsung and HTC using their own open source OS as the weapon.
The ability to turn off the capacitive button lights so if you're navigating or watching flash-based video in a browser they don't distract you.
Long pressing a function in the notification bar open that function. (EG: short press Wi-Fi = toggle, long press=open Wi-Fi settings) so you have quick access to most used settings no matter where you are in the UI or an app.
Customize which functions appear in the notification bar and reorder them.
Unlock the device via voice including separate commands to unlock via voice directly in to various apps.
Use voice to control the music player, take a picture, snooze or shut off the alarm, or accept or reject an incoming call.
Launch the camera while the device is locked by holding a finger on it and rotating it from vertical to horizontal.
Smart Stay to keep the device awake when looking at it and Smart Rotation to keep it at the same orientation as your eyes if you change position.
Music Hub subscription service with locker storage (matched) for your own music and the ability to download unlimited songs (while subscribed) to the device's SD card and have them all show up in the stock music player.
Music Square which determines the "mood" of all your stored music and allows you to instantly create playlists based on the mood of a song you're currently listening to.
S Voice to control a much broader list of functions by voice than what’s supported by Google Now and dial by name or number via BT including sending MMS and e-mail.
Quick Glance to see time, date, weather, battery life, missed calls/messages, and new e-mail by waving your hand over the device without unlocking it.
Customize your e-mail signature in the stock e-mail client including different fonts, colors, and graphics.
Direct call to automatically dial a number from an open contact, MMS, or e-mail message.
Palm touch to mute the device by covering it with your hand.
Driving mode to read incoming MMS and e-mail aloud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of that does sound pretty cool actually Still can't say it would make me choose a P8200 over a Nexus 10 though.
>I was mostly asking that question to people who might be in the position of either buying a Nexus 10, or the P8200 (the person knows of both devices). If the person does know of both devices very well, then what actual reasons would there be?
Don't worry, the P8200 is still just a rumor. You have a few more months to play with your baby.
Anyway, if you were serious about the question, you wouldn't be asking it here, where most peeps are already N10 owners, and thus biased toward their own purchase.
N10 has the privilege of "getting it first," both in hardware and OS. But along with that is "getting it buggy," again both in hardware and software. 4.2 has had teething issues; ditto N10 hardware. Other drawbacks include lack of accessories. Determining "better" then depends on the user, whether he wants his toys fast, or having them stable and polished. Some would opt for the first, but the majority would opt for the second.
One major consideration, which Barry mentioned indirectly, is whether N10 will get an update for Miracast. For me, that, more than any other spec, is the must-have feature for high-end tablets this year.
I don't care if Samsung releases an updated version. What I care about, are the dimensions of said tablet. If the dimensions are like the N10's then everyone benefits with compatible hardware that Samsung will bring to the table. There's still the dock for the N10 that Google had shown off in one of their holiday videos. So hopefully the new one will have the same dimensions, so we will have hardware to go with the N10.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
>There's still the dock for the N10 that Google had shown off in one of their holiday videos.
N10 didn't have a dock in said video; it was a generic stand that lacks stability. The shown setup would tip over if you try to use the tablet. Contrast that against the stability of the N7 dock, shown in same vid.
Secondly, the curved N10 silhouette is unique among tablets. Sammy's GT and GT2 lines have straight edges, not curved. The GT3 line may well follow N10 style, but that would be a hypothetical.
e.mote said:
Don't worry, the P8200 is still just a rumor. You have a few more months to play with your baby.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd assume there's some window of exclusivity in Google's contract with Samsung for the N10 to prevent them from releasing a carbon copy within too short a time frame. If it's six months, the soonest you'd see a N10-alike would be April or May. Samsung selling their own version reusing many of the same components would also benefit Google in driving the N10's costs down based on the additional volume. Google's not in the h/w business; they’re in the business of selling ads and content and they'd make the same in that regard whether someone buys an N10 or P8200 so I'm sure they are fine with it.
One major consideration, which Barry mentioned indirectly, is whether N10 will get an update for Miracast. For me, that, more than any other spec, is the must-have feature for high-end tablets this year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's up to Google, not Samsung. The N10's built by Samsung to Google's spec so they are responsible for what's there or missing. The good news is that there's so little out that can receive Miracast it's not like anyone's missing anything. I'm sure the P8200 will have AllShare Cast so Samsung can sell more proprietary dongles.
e.mote said:
Secondly, the curved N10 silhouette is unique among tablets. Sammy's GT and GT2 lines have straight edges, not curved. The GT3 line may well follow N10 style, but that would be a hypothetical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll be interesting to see if Samsung goes with a different screen/bezel design for the P8200. The current one-piece unit is the source of all the QC issues and the approach hasn't been used anywhere else by Samsung. The entire unit is shaped to mirror the N10's housing so either the display has to be redone or the P8200 will be shaped like the N10.
The new G-Tab 3's are shaped like Samsung's existing tablets. Since there's already a 10" G-Tab 3, the P8200 is either going to be positioned above it as a different series or could be called a G-Tab 3 HD.
Cmorris8848 said:
everyone benefits with compatible hardware that Samsung will bring to the table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They'll almost surely use their proprietary 30-pin connector so that all the existing tablet accessories work with it. They went to universal accessories after the OG G-Tab(s) and they work on all Samsung’s tablets so that’s not going to help N10 users. Covers and stuff would work but only if they stick to the N10's design which I think is highly unlikely. It's one thing to build a tablet similar to the N10 and another thing to sell a rebadged version of the same tablet in direct competition to their partner's version.
Samsung's products always look good on paper but end up being so buggy they're frustrating to use. I really wish Samsung would iron out some of their problems since they seem to be the most innovate (IMO) manufacturer out there and have great hardware to back it up.
>I'd assume there's some window of exclusivity in Google's contract with Samsung for the N10 to prevent them from releasing a carbon copy within too short a time frame.
I don't think exclusivity matters. Nexus toys are priced below equivalent commercial products, so there's no incentive for the OEM (Samsung) to do "branded" clones of Nexus toys, as it would be undercutting its other products. If anything, Sammy would want the Nexus to have as little exposure as possible, so not to generate any price pressure on high-end Android tabs (which hasn't happened with N10).
>Samsung selling their own version reusing many of the same components would also benefit Google in driving the N10's costs down based on the additional volume.
IMO, Google isn't paying Samsung per unit. It's likely Sammy's play. Sammy gets OS development experience in working alongside Goog's design team, the prestige and exposure, and Goog's help in advertising and distribution. In return, Sammy handles the manufacturing and hardware support. So any volume-of-scale benefit would accrue to Samsung. It's probably a bit more entangled than that, being a joint venture.
>That's [Miracast] up to Google, not Samsung.
I think it's more up to the custom ROM guys. In any case, we should know by the time the new toys launch if N10 will get Mira or not.
>The good news is that there's so little out that can receive Miracast it's not like anyone's missing anything.
Miracast would be an appealing sales hook, as opposed to the usual pitch of ever-higher res and faster SoC. It's something that the buyer can see, and is an actual useful feature. I think it will have a fast ramp, and we'll see many offerings at MWC.
BTW, looks like PTV3000 works with Note 2, so you won't be stuck with just Sammy's own toys.
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/mobile/5kUFRgcEYXE
"I can confirm that the 2.2.4 firmware works with my Note 2.
PTV3000 2.2.4
Fully stock Note 2 AT&T - with the new 4.1.2 JB (multi window) update from samsung."
>Samsung's products always look good on paper but end up being so buggy they're frustrating to use.
The easy solution is don't buy toys on launch day. Wait a month for feedback from those with arrows sticking out their backside.
e.mote said:
IMO, Google isn't paying Samsung per unit. It's likely Sammy's play. Sammy gets OS development experience in working alongside Goog's design team, the prestige and exposure, and Goog's help in advertising and distribution. In return, Sammy handles the manufacturing and hardware support. So any volume-of-scale benefit would accrue to Samsung. It's probably a bit more entangled than that, being a joint venture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's the way it used to work but there's little incentive for Samsung to sell a couple of million N10's over its lifetime at reduced margins to the rest of their devices. Frankly, Samsung doesn't need prestige; they mean more to Android than Google does based on the percentage of Android devices that are Samsung branded. I'd guess Google turned to Samsung for a 10" tablet simply because the cost of high end components like the ultra-HD display and A15 SoC necessary to power it would have made the final cost too expensive if it were built by LG or Asus who would have to buy components third party. I'm sure Samsung's making a fair (but lower than their own) margin on the N10. And it came out in the Apple trial that Samsung has over 100 s/w engineers based in the U.S. working directly with Google so they've already got all the knowledge transfer they need.
If this tablet turns out to be like Nexus 10 & Note 10.1 together, this will kill the Nexus 10! Can't wait to hear more about this tablet.
>Frankly, Samsung doesn't need prestige; they mean more to Android than Google does based on the percentage of Android devices that are Samsung branded.
Prestige/exposure may not be a big deal, but working hand-in-glove with Google's development of JB certainly qualifies. Software is key to differentiation, and many of Sam's enhancements in its Note devices surely benefitted from its close relationship with Google.
Who pays whom doesn't really matter; Nexus is a joint venture. What matters is that at this point, Nexus has shown no aspiration to be a mainstream product line. The marketing isn't there. Its intentions are rather muddied, but I see a Nexus as more of a reference device + halo product, that caters to vendors/developers/enthusiasts--not joe-blow buyer. That may be by design, as Samsung/Asus/LG wouldn't be too happy if the Nexus brand becomes a full-blown competitor. It's a balancing act, like with the various "co-opetition" relationships we've seen, eg MS' Surface products.
As for who needs whom more, Android is obviously more important to Sammy than Sammy to Android. If Sammy were to disappear today, Android phones will still roll along, with HTC and other players taking up the slack. If Android disappears, Sammy would have...Tizen? WP8?
In fact, that would be a good test of the Samsung brand, to see how much WP8 sales the announced ATIV S & Odyssey can generate. Hey, may be Sammy can singlehandedly boost Win8 sales as well?
I don't think so.
BarryH_GEG said:
You're pretty much quoting history, not the present. They've really been focusing on getting their devices updated more frequently. All their late-model tablets and smartphones are on JB; even the SGS2. Any device with an overlay is going to lag behind an AOSP device but in return you get a ton of usability features. Android 2>3>4 were major leaps. 4>5>6 will be less so simply because Android's matured to the point shocking changes to the UI do more harm than good from a usability perspective. This is especially true now that the N4/7/10 are being positioned as mainstream consumer products vs. a developer's platform. And Samsung's JB wireless stacks aren't borked like they are in AOSP. I'm sure the N10-alike as e.mote called it will have all of Samsung's features like multiview, h/w accelerated Android-based stock browser, AllShare Cast and Play, Peel IR remote, and a color calibrated display. And people (maybe not XDA) like those things as the G-Tab 2's outsell the more powerful N7. AOSP doesn't sell because people like devices that "do stuff" (relying on "Play" doesn't count) as the following chart shows. And since the N10-alike will be sold direct via Samsung's distribution system their margin will be better even if it's the same price as the N10. Hopefully that will allow them to address the QC issues; especially with the display.
Here are a handful of features in TW that aren't in AOSP from another forum's discussion. I'll take them over faster updates any day. With h/w at the level it is "speed" is no longer an issue with the difference between an AOSP and overlayed device differing in milliseconds at things like screen transitions. Ironically, Google's being outgunned by the likes of Samsung and HTC using their own open source OS as the weapon.
The ability to turn off the capacitive button lights so if you're navigating or watching flash-based video in a browser they don't distract you.
Long pressing a function in the notification bar open that function. (EG: short press Wi-Fi = toggle, long press=open Wi-Fi settings) so you have quick access to most used settings no matter where you are in the UI or an app.
Customize which functions appear in the notification bar and reorder them.
Unlock the device via voice including separate commands to unlock via voice directly in to various apps.
Use voice to control the music player, take a picture, snooze or shut off the alarm, or accept or reject an incoming call.
Launch the camera while the device is locked by holding a finger on it and rotating it from vertical to horizontal.
Smart Stay to keep the device awake when looking at it and Smart Rotation to keep it at the same orientation as your eyes if you change position.
Music Hub subscription service with locker storage (matched) for your own music and the ability to download unlimited songs (while subscribed) to the device's SD card and have them all show up in the stock music player.
Music Square which determines the "mood" of all your stored music and allows you to instantly create playlists based on the mood of a song you're currently listening to.
S Voice to control a much broader list of functions by voice than what’s supported by Google Now and dial by name or number via BT including sending MMS and e-mail.
Quick Glance to see time, date, weather, battery life, missed calls/messages, and new e-mail by waving your hand over the device without unlocking it.
Customize your e-mail signature in the stock e-mail client including different fonts, colors, and graphics.
Direct call to automatically dial a number from an open contact, MMS, or e-mail message.
Palm touch to mute the device by covering it with your hand.
Driving mode to read incoming MMS and e-mail aloud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't even know where to begin... First nexus devices have no buttons so there's that.
Second 4.2 has quick settings
Third unlocking via voice can hurt battery life
Forth pretty much everything to do with voice isn't that grand. Until it is better implemented it is just a gimmick. Sure Google now can't do as much yet (one can argue it actually does more ie: getting your boarding pass and updating tracking info for packages) it does it so much more accurately and faster
Fifth smart start and smart rotation suck. They don't work well especially if you wear glasses.
Sixth did you forget about Google music?
I don't plan to mention anything else as they are just gimmicky features. I have a galaxy s3 and use a note 2 from time to time. They're all cool features but half the time they don't work. Until they are reliable I don't consider them features.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD