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Hello All,
Not sure if this is the correct spot for this post, if it isn't I apologize.
I been debating if I should purchase this tablet (viewsonic g tab).
The primary reason for the purchase is so I'll have the ability to read and easily navigate pdf's on the go. The pdf's can be heavy in graphics at times and go up to 75MB in size (they are parts/technical manuals in 8.5x11" format).
For that application I thought this might be the best fit.
I'm wondering if it might be a bit of overkill though. I do need a 10" screen. The other features might be excessive and I may be better off settling on cheaper alternative.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks.
Safest bet is to buy an ipad 2. I highly recommend against the gtab for any purpose at all. Just buy an ipad 2 and there is no possibility for disappointment.
jbaur13 said:
I'm wondering if it might be a bit of overkill though. I do need a 10" screen. The other features might be excessive and I may be better off settling on cheaper alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GTablet is not ideal for "unwrap it and use it" use. For that, any of the new $400ish Honeycomb tablets with better screens, or indeed the much more expensive iPad2 would be perfect.
The gtab is like a '67 chevy you buy to restore You'll know a lot about customizing android, flashing roms, rooting, and possibly even using the android SDK after you're done getting it to a state that you can buy off the shelf for a few more $. And of course, you can't ever fix the screen.
If you had said you intended to surf the web from your couch and you wanted to spend the minimum amount of money, and you were kinda interested in tinkering with low level stuff or at least had read some threads over and thought you could do it, then yeah... go gtab!
jbaur13 said:
The primary reason for the purchase is so I'll have the ability to read and easily navigate pdf's on the go. The pdf's can be heavy in graphics at times and go up to 75MB in size (they are parts/technical manuals in 8.5x11" format).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While the new HC tabs are selling for $400 ish, slightly used gtabs is being sold for $200 shipped (some even come with accessories at this price).
If you can deal with the viewing angles of a TN screen (take a mainstream laptop/netbook and move around it and see how the color shift) or if you would use the tablet straight on most of the time then at $200 I can't help but recommend it, its a different story though if you are paying $300 + shipping + taxes (current retail)
Again pdf isn't an issue out of the box (esp. with the availability of gmarket and amazon market on it out of the box), and getting any hacked rom on it is a 10~20 minutes painless process (esp if you aren't into salvaging whatever settings/application that was already loaded on it).
Best of luck,
I feel comfortable with the hacking that must be done to the tab. I'm a service tech by trade... the instructions on this site are more thorough than the service manuals I work with everyday. I also have the forums to fall back on for support.
I'm not finding a whole lot of 10" tabs out there that are cheaper and have near the features of this one.
An Ipad is way more than I'd be willing to spend... besides that it'd probably make my boss jealous and I'd never get another raise.
Thanks for the responses... Anyone selling a g pad?
jbaur13 said:
Anyone selling a g pad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056866
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1055201
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1050026
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1051097
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1054599
Best of luck,
First: For reading PDFS this thing will be fine, the screen isn't the best (viewing angles) but it's cheap and bigger than most.
A lot of people asked me why I didn't buy an I-pad
Here's a few reasons
I dislike syncing files through I-Tunes. Drag and drop is the present I live in.
I like being able to save files from the web to my devices internal memory. Downloading a song, an emailed document or an apk for future use or even just creating a library of useful files on the go is something I can't live without.
Expandable, swappable memory.
Configurable, swappable boots.
Android community devs are doing awesome things!
USB input devices, keyboards and mice.
Flash. Seriously what was apple thinking?
Playing non itunes friendly media files.
The screen is terrible though. But on the other hand I do not want to throw a 600$ IPS screen around like I handle this tablet.
I personally wait until some of the honeycomb tabs come out. There are a lot about to come out. My biggest disappointment with the gtablet is the viewing angles (a 'bit' better with a fingerprint hiding screen protector) and the non-lit buttons (hard to use in darkness)... I would stick with android if your a hacker in general... and ipad2 if not. Netflix and huluplus make the ipad a better tablet for couch use. The apps are better there, as long as they fit in Steve's idea of the perfect app.
I decided to go ahead with the purchase, thanks for all the feedback.
jbaur13 said:
I decided to go ahead with the purchase, thanks for all the feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do us a favor and don't come back a couple weeks from now crying bloody murder about how aweful the screen is. Told you to get an ipad.
Got my Flyer yesterday. In many ways it's very impressive but I really don't understand some of the design decisions made by HTC.
The unique selling point for this tablet is undoubtedly the pen. Without the pen functionality there are plenty of other tablets (Samsung Galaxy etc) around that are more or less equivalent for about half the cost.
That presumably means that most people who have shelled out the extra cash for the Flyer have, like me, done so because of the pen. The problem is though, that having used the Flyer a couple of days, it has become clear that the pen can only be used with the limited range of bundled apps specifically developed by HTC, so basically the extra money you spend getting a pen enabled device just gets you HTC notes (which is OK but not earth shattering), the kids art package (Zoodle) and the ability to scribble on the screen and take a screenshot (not sure about anyone else but that's not really much use to me).
This creates the ludicrous situation of there being scores of Android Apps that would really benefit from the Pen Input (Handrite, Tabnotes, Writepad, MaplePaint, Magic Doodle, Budgerigar, TapeMachine) etc but if you want to use these apps on the Flyer you've still got to use your finger or a capacative (i.e. fat iPad) stylus!
This makes absolutely no sense to me - doubling the cost just for HTC notes and a kids art package makes the flyer very poor value for money. As things stand all we can do is hope against hope that developers will convert/produce enough apps to support the pen (HTC has released the API) to justify our expensive investment but the problem is they'll be investing a lot of time for a very specific section of the market and so may not get the returns to justify their efforts.
Two questions:-
(1) Why have HTC done this? There is presumably no technical reason why the Pen couldn't have been (optionally) usuable in any app and on any part of the operating system - this is the way Windows Touch tablets (including those using active digitizers like the HP Touchsmart series) have always worked and indeed the way that capacitative pens work on the iPAD. Why couldn't HTC have left the decision TO US as to whether we wanted to use finger or pen input
(2) More importantly, can this be 'fixed' by the XDA community so that the Pen can optionally be used in any app the user chooses?
Consider this the launch of the 'Free The Pen' campaign!
Are you listening HTC?
Well first of all I returned the pen a day after I bought it. Now that being said it was pretty cool for the amount off time its been out. I just didnt really see much use coming from it for me being that I already have two or three styluses (sp? Styli?) keep in mind tho that the other side does work as a regular stylus although it is awkward to use being that is metal so if you do get use(even if its just a little) of the poem side it may still be worth it to you. Give it a few months n im guessing there will be more apps then toy know what to do with. .
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using XDA Premium App
Hi,
I've the Flyer now for almost ten days and it was integrated in my usual work on the first day. Since the days of my Apple Newton (like a brick, but back in the 90s a sensation) I wished a device which I can use to make handwritten notes in a meeting, during a call or just during normal work. Making notes with an on screen keyboard does not work well for me. Takes too much time and consumes to much concentration. But with the flyer it's like on paper. And that's for now aboslutely enough for my needs. The flyer replaced my usual paper notebook and gives the power of a full mobile device on top.
Regarding other pen enabled apps. HTC just announced a Sense SDK which will include a SDK for pen apps. So hopefully we'll see some of this apps later this year.
bye
Sven
charalew said:
...
This makes absolutely no sense to me - doubling the cost just for HTC notes and a kids art package makes the flyer very poor value for money
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubling? I would agree it would suck if it actually doubled the price but that's not quite the case...
Also, I'm not a programmer but I'm guessing integrating pen functionality might be easy. I'd guess it'd be an option that can be set and if the user doesn't have a pen it won't be activated. Think of it like Qualcomm's game strategy. They help developers optimize games for Adreno GPUs which means that they will look the best they can on Adreno devices BUT they don't prevent the games from running on other devices (unlike Tegra Zone games). This in my opinion is the best way to deal with developers since you help them make a better/more functional product but don't limit them to just one section of the market. I'm hoping pen functionality will be like this, allowing more devs to choose to include it in their apps.
Returned my pen as well. Not worth $80 when a $30 pen from Fujitsu would work on the same 3 apps that are enabled for pen use. The haven't released the api they have only announced it. So it's still useless from a development standpoint.
There are lots of Reviews that show what the Flyer and can't do so there is no reason to buy one and then wonder why it can't do certain things.
Also, here in the UK there are no 7" 3G tablets with 32GB that are half price of the Flyer.
The price of all tablets is higher in the first few months.
jah said:
There are lots of Reviews that show what the Flyer and can't do so there is no reason to buy one and then wonder why it can't do certain things.
Also, here in the UK there are no 7" 3G tablets with 32GB that are half price of the Flyer.
The price of all tablets is higher in the first few months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I read a few reviews before I bought it. I took them to mean that there were only a couple of apps that had been developed to specifically take advantage of the pen - I didn't quite realise the pen couldn't be be used anywhere else! The question is WHY have HTC crippled the pen functionality in this way? I don't see any technical reason why they would have had to implement it this way (which is why I wasn't expecting it) and I'm struggling to see what they were trying to achieve by deliberately limiting the pen's functionality.
The current Amazon price for the 3G Flyer is £559.98. The price for the 7" 3G Samsung P1000 is £351.90. I admit that's not quite half the cost of the Flyer - it's actually 62% of the cost.
That's still a massive premium to pay for an extra 16GB of memory (particularly as the Galaxy, like the flyer is expandable with an SD Card) and a pen that can only be used in a couple of bundled apps! For me, the Flyer would be worth the extra money if the pen was usable everywhere but as things stand I don't really think that the price differential can be justified. Nevertheless I'll be keeping it in the hope that more apps appear or better still, that the Pen can be set free!
charalew said:
Yep I read a few reviews before I bought it. I took them to mean that there were only a couple of apps that had been developed to specifically take advantage of the pen - I didn't quite realise the pen couldn't be be used anywhere else! The question is WHY have HTC crippled the pen functionality in this way? I don't see any technical reason why they would have had to implement it this way (which is why I wasn't expecting it) and I'm struggling to see what they were trying to achieve by deliberately limiting the pen's functionality.
The current Amazon price for the 3G Flyer is £559.98. The price for the 7" 3G Samsung P1000 is £351.90. I admit that's not quite half the cost of the Flyer - it's actually 62% of the cost.
That's still a massive premium to pay for an extra 16GB of memory (particularly as the Galaxy, like the flyer is expandable with an SD Card) and a pen that can only be used in a couple of bundled apps! For me, the Flyer would be worth the extra money if the pen was usable everywhere but as things stand I don't really think that the price differential can be justified. Nevertheless I'll be keeping it in the hope that more apps appear or better still, that the Pen can be set free!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Galaxy Tab was £499.
Youtube video reviews of the Flyer I saw were very clear about what the Flyer can and can't do. Also, comments here are very clear about the Fyler's functionality.
See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=981406&highlight=scrybe&page=2
I was going to get some money as a gift and buy a used g tab...my mother who is a huge apple fan has outright offered to just buy me an ipad 2....should I do it? Save the apple bashing posts please...I don't like apple either but you can't deny it....its a great product...
I mainly want to browse the web...YouTube..games...Facebook games...Netflix.probably in that order...
Sounds like you may have trouble keeping the iPad away from her once she buys it since you say she's a huge Apple fan. She may be making the offer just so she can play with it herself.
But aside from that, if she's willing to buy it for you and there are no strings attached I'd say let her buy it. After you've had it for a while and decide that an iPad is not for you then you could always sell it and use that money to buy a new gTab and probably have money leftover for pop-tarts or whatever you may fancy.
Personally I have both (the iPad is issued from work to me and they pay the data plan as well). I used to use the work iPad only for Netflix but now since I can watch Netflix on my gTab I haven't even turned the iPad on in about three weeks.
Go for it. I don't bash apple. I think apple is a great company. My problem with their products is purely personal. I want to be able to mess around with my gadgets.
One thing, though. From a personal perspective, I wouldn't want my loved ones to spend too much money on a gift for me. If it were me, I'd stop them from buying me an ipad 2. But that's just me. If your mom has money coming out of her ears, I say go for it and let her get you an ipad 2 for you.
Gtab. Anti-apple.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Currently have an iPad (v1) and will be picking up my GTab after work. Aside from flash, the ipad is great. Yes it's a closed system and somewhat limiting, but what it does do, it does well. The screen is great and my 6 year old can figure out how everything works without much help from me. Basically, it comes down to what you want from a tablet. If you're just going to be surfing the web and watching Youtube, the ipad is great, plus there are a boatload of apps and developer support.
PS i'm neither pro or against Apple.
I would say iPad just because of the ridiculous amount of apps it has. Plus ios5 is going to put the iPad over the top in the fall.
I'm loving the responses. I was afraid of posting, because I didn't want to get flamed.
This community is so much more mature than a lot of the forums I've seen over the years!
Just say the buy.com link for a new G tab for $259!! I may just have to jump on that!
I think I was straying because I was using someone's Ipad at work this morning, and the screen is just so pretty to look at...
But in the end, I agree with one of the prior posters...its expensive, and I really don't want her spending that much money...(granted, it was going to be a combination Father's Day, Birthday, and she won some money in Atlantic City a few weeks ago type of gift) haha
The gtab is a steal for the price.
But I like to think of the gtab as a "fixer-upper." Your going to save some money, but your going to have to invest time and effort into getting it working well (assuming your new to this). If you do spend the time the gtab can perform better than the iPad 2 in my opinion. But if you only want to spend a couple of hours getting your tab ready to be a daily driver, then the iPad will be your only option.
I just purchased it! I can't wait to get it.
I love reading about these types of things and tinkering....
I've already rooted 2 of my own phones and helped a friend at work root his.
I honestly was kind of saddened about buying a used G-Tablet, because most people have rooted them already and I felt I was missing out on the experience. But now I get to do it myself and I'm very happy about that!
It sounds then that you wanted a tablet for more than simply viewing Youtube and Netflix and playing games.
Obviously if you want something customisable with broad capabilities where you're not constantly fighting in a struggle against Apple to lockdown your device, you'd do best with an Android system. But if, as your original post seemed to say you'd be interested in a device simply for watching video limited to Youtube and Netflix as well as just using apps like games, then the iPad2 probably would have been better.
Take the iPad 2 as a gift, sell it, then buy a Transformer -- problem solved!
oresteez said:
I was going to get some money as a gift and buy a used g tab...my mother who is a huge apple fan has outright offered to just buy me an ipad 2....should I do it? Save the apple bashing posts please...I don't like apple either but you can't deny it....its a great product...
I mainly want to browse the web...YouTube..games...Facebook games...Netflix.probably in that order...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's your mom so that's a factor in all this (it's not really "free" since she's paying for it).
If I were in this situation, I'd try to convince here to get me a Transformer instead (IPS screen, $100 less than the cheapest iPad2). But, if she sticks to her guns and it really came down between an iPad2 as a gift or money for a GTAB, I'd have to take the iPad2. It has a better screen, loads of apps and it will have good resale value if you decide to upgrade later on. If you compare them back to back as being no cost (to you), the iPad2 wins.
Search the net for iPad jailbreak.
I'm pretty sure that iPad 1 with iOs 4.3.3 is good with jailbreak. Not sure about iPad2. Once an iPad is jailbroken, it is the best tablet to have, nothing can compare to it. Also check with Verizon stores for special deal. Recently, I landed an 64GB iPad1 for $399. But perhaps money is not an object in your case.
BTW, jailbreak is legal in the States.
Best
Take the iPad....
Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk
GTAB
I have friends who have spent well over 100 dollars on apps for their Ipad. Other than my MLB.COM 15 dollar splurge, and a couple of bucks for TI Backup, I haven't spent a nickel. Lots of things that are legitimately free for Android cost money in Itunes/App Store.
No Apple fan here... in fact I'm anti-Apple. But I'd take the free iPad to me is a no brainer.
I say take you mom up on the offer, save the money and buy a new Android tablet next year when the new improved and more powerful tablet show up.
I agree with the Asus Transformer advocates here ;p
Also with respect to the above poster, I agree: there are just so many apps on the iPad you have to buy vs. the large selection of free ones on Android.
I also was expecting the selection of games in iTunes to be much, much better than the ones on Android. In my opinion, they aren't. Aside from a handful of gems exclusive to the iPad (which I admit could be enough to draw you to an iPad over Android), a lot of games aren't so much better, especially considering the very many number of them that rely on microtransactions, and of course a good deal of them are cross-platform. That's not to mention the smaller number of games exclusive to Android as well.
And of course, Android apps simply can do more because the device isn't completely locked down..
Well, here's the end result:
I think I'm going to make out good on the deal, haha
I would have felt bad if she spent 500 on an ipad..so I would have given some money towards it..
Instead, I bought the G tab from buy.com for 260..
I'm due for a new phone, and Verizon just changed their pricing, so I need to upgrade by July 7th if I want to keep my unlimited data.
With my New every 2 discount, I'll be able to buy it for about $200...
So instead of the ipad, I'm going to get the G Tablet and probably the Droid Charge.. and it still ends up cheaper than just getting the ipad 2
I'm in the market for a $200 Tablet. I can find many Flyers for sale for about $200. There all 16G, and come with the Pen. So I was woundering. Are you Users happy with this device? Or would you rather have another cheap tablet like the Fire or Nook.
Thank You
PS. How's N64oid handle on this Tablet?
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
AgentCherryColla said:
I'm in the market for a $200 Tablet. I can find many Flyers for sale for about $200. There all 16G, and come with the Pen. So I was woundering. Are you Users happy with this device? Or would you rather have another cheap tablet like the Fire or Nook.
Thank You
PS. How's N64oid handle on this Tablet?
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Flyer, which I bought (as many people did) around Christmas-time for $200. I use it quite often, to read pdfs, play games, bring with me to use wireless (I don't have a phone). I like it for what it is.
However, that said, I would not recommend dropping $200 for one right now. Maybe if you can grab one for $150 (there was mention of a deal like that in the general forum). Development by HTC on the Flyer has pretty much stopped, with no plans to go forward. There is some nice development going on by XDA members (like Lee's LeeDroid), but beyond that, not much more.
In my opinion, the biggest sign of the problem is with the well-known GPS problem on Honeycomb, which does not allow the device to maintain a lock. HTC is aware of the problem, but there is no fix (nevermind a statement that a fix is in progress). That's a statement of the official development going on. Other problems for me is the hurried HTC Scribe pen integration; some XDA members have created better programs (Quill and Papyrus, for instance), but again, the lack of care by HTC is apparent. The pen feature was rushed, and it shows. XDA members and development are keeping this device afloat, but that's the only reason.
It's a competitive market right now in the tablet market, and unless you have a real winner, then products will be quickly phased in and out. The HTC, as much as I hate to admit it, because as I said, I do make use of mine quite a bit...has been on its way out ever since December 2011 when the prices got slashed.
This is a hard choice for me. I like being able to hack up things, and test out roms. I was told to get this, but I will be getting a new Job soon. Paying much better, and that ASUS Prime is calling me. I just want a tablet for now, and the Kindle Fire seems the best choice. I can complile ICS, and use a 3.0 Linux kernel. :T Why's it so hard to do this. Being a ROM junkie sucks.
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
the fire is a piece of junk in comparison. If all you want is a compilled ics then ok, but every aspect of the flyer is superior to the fire and nook
mcord11758 said:
the fire is a piece of junk in comparison. If all you want is a compilled ics then ok, but every aspect of the flyer is superior to the fire and nook
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to that. I bought the Flyer a few weeks after its release for $599 and don't regret a single penny spent. In the Flyer, you are paying $200 for a $599 high quality tablet. That's a bargain, no matter how you look at it. Buying a Fire, you are just getting a crappy cheapo $200 tablet for $200. The Fire has so many features missing, its not even funny (cameras, SD slot, GPS, microphone, Bluetooth, compass, gyro).
I'm trying to sell mine via Swappa for $230.
PM me if you're interested.
16 GB Wifi only
HTC Stylus
Otterbox case
Screen protector since day one
16 GB microSD card
Original box/USB Cable/AC adapter
/shameless plug
I just bought one and love it. I love the scribe integration
(though dont drop 50-80 on the HTC pen, Get the fujitsu pen $20-30 and does the same thing.)
I will end up putting the photoshop touch app on it, not the free express one.
the 7 in form factor is perfect for me. I had a xoom and liked it for a while but it gets really heavy and hard to hold in one hand.
so the flyer feels much better in one hand, assuming you dont have toddler hands.
the CPU is adequate for anything i could throw at it, and can OC as well.
gpu is pretty good so games wont be a problem. as for n64oid, It would all depend on the game that youre emulating. most devices can handle mario64 and zelda and mariocart. hit or miss really. but its been a while since ive used n64oid (since i picked up a used n64 from my local game store
camera is mediocre. My SGS2 has a better one so i wont use it to take pics or videos but will use the front one for video chat.
im not concerned about GPS issues either, my phone does it.
all in all, I want something that i can use easily when my phones dying and needs to charge, or dont feel like looking at my phones small screen anymore for long web browsing sessions and the 7in form factor and the scribe is def a deal breaker.
Hi guys, I'm new to the (modern) tablet scene. I tried to get into tablets when I started college back in 2007 with the Fujitsu T4215 and absolutely loved handwriting and the idea of tablets back then, but unfortunately the hardware at the time proved a bit too heavy (literally) and clunky for me (e.g. low battery life, and other hardware issues I had with my laptop). I rediscovered pen and paper for some time and found I work way more effectively writing, however, it can be very hard to organize and now I just have stacks and stacks of paper. I'm just starting graduate school, and it it seems like the hardware (e.g. HTC flyer, Samsung Note) and software (e.g. Lecture Notes, Quill, ezPDF) are starting to converge to a point of being usable and affordable, so I'm thinking of giving tablets another shot.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to replace my dying laptop with a serviceable windows 8 tablet-top (I love onenote) after all the kinks of the 1st generation of windows 8 tablets have been worked out, so I've been hesitant to spring for the samsung note (despite the rave reviews) since they would be filling the same niche. This still gives me a year or so of downtime though, leading me to consider the 7 inch HTC flyer.
My dilemma right now is if you guys think the HTC flyer/view is a good investment right now. It seems like there are rumors for a 7 inch samsung note? And the HTC flyer with windows RT. Although the price for those I'm guessing is going to be $350+ and perhaps out of my student budget. But would the HTC flyer hold its value for a year or so? Should I get used or new? What would be a good price to invest in? Or should I wait for a new device? It's so hard to decide with hardware improving so quickly and everything becoming outdated in a just a few months.
My usage is fairly light. I'm coming from a slow Android 2.3 smartphone and ipod touch 2 (whose smoothness still blows my mind even though it's older than my android phone), so I feel no matter what the flyer is still a big upgrade for me. I'm just looking for a good companion to hold all my pdfs, papers (gonna start scanning all my handwritten notes), while allowing for some handy pen annotation. And if I could connect remotely to my desktop for some matlab and or mathematica I'd be ecstatic.
Thanks guys!
EnPaceRequiescat said:
Hi guys, I'm new to the (modern) tablet scene. I tried to get into tablets when I started college back in 2007 with the Fujitsu T4215 and absolutely loved handwriting and the idea of tablets back then, but unfortunately the hardware at the time proved a bit too heavy (literally) and clunky for me (e.g. low battery life, and other hardware issues I had with my laptop). I rediscovered pen and paper for some time and found I work way more effectively writing, however, it can be very hard to organize and now I just have stacks and stacks of paper. I'm just starting graduate school, and it it seems like the hardware (e.g. HTC flyer, Samsung Note) and software (e.g. Lecture Notes, Quill, ezPDF) are starting to converge to a point of being usable and affordable, so I'm thinking of giving tablets another shot.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to replace my dying laptop with a serviceable windows 8 tablet-top (I love onenote) after all the kinks of the 1st generation of windows 8 tablets have been worked out, so I've been hesitant to spring for the samsung note (despite the rave reviews) since they would be filling the same niche. This still gives me a year or so of downtime though, leading me to consider the 7 inch HTC flyer.
My dilemma right now is if you guys think the HTC flyer/view is a good investment right now. It seems like there are rumors for a 7 inch samsung note? And the HTC flyer with windows RT. Although the price for those I'm guessing is going to be $350+ and perhaps out of my student budget. But would the HTC flyer hold its value for a year or so? Should I get used or new? What would be a good price to invest in? Or should I wait for a new device? It's so hard to decide with hardware improving so quickly and everything becoming outdated in a just a few months.
My usage is fairly light. I'm coming from a slow Android 2.3 smartphone and ipod touch 2 (whose smoothness still blows my mind even though it's older than my android phone), so I feel no matter what the flyer is still a big upgrade for me. I'm just looking for a good companion to hold all my pdfs, papers (gonna start scanning all my handwritten notes), while allowing for some handy pen annotation. And if I could connect remotely to my desktop for some matlab and or mathematica I'd be ecstatic.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Flyer is dead. It's not a bad tablet par se, but cannot compare in price to the Nexus 7. There is very Iittle development going on in the Flyer.
Do yourself a favour and buy a Nexus 7 or 10.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
If you are looking for a current tablet with great writing capabilities I'd recommend the Samsung Note 10.1. If cost is your concern and 10" seems too big I think the flyer with a custom ROM, Like Leedroid HC OR Mawakious, would do you well. I've seen flyers as low as $130 on eBay, the scribe pen is on clearance at sites like buy.com for about $26, although I've seen it as low as $19 on eBay, along with a case, which I've seen some nice ones with a pen holder for $13.
So roughly you could pay as low as, pad in some shipping costs (very rough estimates here), ~$180, maybe less.
Samsung hasn't confirmed a 7" note, yet. I wouldn't base my buying on something that does not yet exist.
I still don't regret getting the flyer.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using Tapatalk 2
gersto said:
If you are looking for a current tablet with great writing capabilities I'd recommend the Samsung Note 10.1. If cost is your concern and 10" seems too big I think the flyer with a custom ROM, Like Leedroid HC OR Mawakious, would do you well. I've seen flyers as low as $130 on eBay, the scribe pen is on clearance at sites like buy.com for about $26, although I've seen it as low as $19 on eBay, along with a case, which I've seen some nice ones with a pen holder for $13.
So roughly you could pay as low as, pad in some shipping costs (very rough estimates here), ~$180, maybe less.
Samsung hasn't confirmed a 7" note, yet. I wouldn't base my buying on something that does not yet exist.
I still don't regret getting the flyer.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has confirmed the 7" note, but not when it will go on sale. I'm sure the price will be $350 + .
If you don;t need a stylus, the Samsung 7.2 tab 2 is a good deal and has current JB ROMs and development for around $149.
I don't regret getting the View a year ago. It is a solid tablet. But I certainly wouldn't recommend buying one now. There are much faster and better supported tablets available today for around the same price. I thought I would use the pen a lot, but I haven't. If I were to get a 7" tablet today, I'd get a Nexus 7, or possibly a Samsung.
If you are on budget, Flyer is a good choice. You can't expect it to have uptodate software or fancy things like window view in galaxy notes but the price/productivity can't be beat. And so far, this is the only mobile size 7inch tablet with stylus in the market. Even if Samsung release a 7 inch note in the future, it will be expensive.
I like my Flyer very much. It is the best personal electronic device that I have ever bought, although sometimes I wish it had SamsungNote software and small stylus. Btw imo, Samsung devices usually do not look good.
Thanks guys for all the comments! From what it seems the hardware definitely is quite out of date, and that the flyer is really only worth it if I make good use of the pen. I guess my media consumption is light (casual youtube, hulu, skype), so hopefully the hardware won't give me issues. For those of you for whom the flyer/view was good for productivity, how do you guys make use of the pen?
@rickwood, what did you originally intend to use the pen for? Was the pen not smooth enough for your intended uses?
Also, how would the flyer/view fare for connecting to a keyboard and remote desktopping/ssh'ing, in case I'm checking on some code on the fly?
Thanks!
EnPaceRequiescat said:
For those of you for whom the flyer/view was good for productivity, how do you guys make use of the pen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case, I usually use the pen when I take notes in class everyday. I'm using the app LectureNotes, PDFView(for pdf import to LectureNotes) and LectureRecodings(for recording with taking notes).
using :
HTC Flyer ICS yetki
HTC Desire MIUI ICS
EnPaceRequiescat said:
Thanks guys for all the comments! From what it seems the hardware definitely is quite out of date, and that the flyer is really only worth it if I make good use of the pen. I guess my media consumption is light (casual youtube, hulu, skype), so hopefully the hardware won't give me issues. For those of you for whom the flyer/view was good for productivity, how do you guys make use of the pen?
@rickwood, what did you originally intend to use the pen for? Was the pen not smooth enough for your intended uses?
Also, how would the flyer/view fare for connecting to a keyboard and remote desktopping/ssh'ing, in case I'm checking on some code on the fly?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hardware is definitely old but i have used it for numerous task, including media and games. Many "HD" games work great (and no i'm not just talking about Angry Birds, heh)
i've used Skype and Youtube and no issues with HC on those fronts. Never used Hulu Plus and Netflix seems to work fine, slight stutter here and there though.
I've used DicePlayer for playing videos loaded on the tablet and works great with the built-in hardware acceleration up to 720p HD movies.
I've tried using remote desktop, had 2X, and my job uses Citrix, they are "useful" but i think the 7" screen hinders that use more than it helps. It's good for a quick check but productivity-wise may be cumbersome to use. Having a bluetooth keyboard & mouse does help, but the screen real estate is more the issue, at least to me.
The tablet is definitely capable.
EnPaceRequiescat said:
@rickwood, what did you originally intend to use the pen for? Was the pen not smooth enough for your intended uses?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I'd use the pen for light note taking. On paper, I write really small. On the View, for some reason I had a hard time doing this - - all my text came out really big. Not sure if this was due to the small size of the pen, the resolution of the tablet, or the fact that I was using a compatible Fujitsu pen rather than a true HTC pen. In any case, I wasn't pleased with how my notes were turning out, so I rarely use the pen anymore.
Hope this helps
Its actually a kinda rule in mobile tech field and allied, to not compare gadgets with age difference more than an year (in fact 6 months)
So kindly don't compare a quite way-back-released Flyer/View with latest Nexus and note 2/3 etc
My advise, HTF flyer is one of the best-all-in-one device you would find around (in fact a very few are there)
I can keep counting on features and its usability and fill up a page or 2, with REAL-LIFE uses with just a 1 Real-Portable-Device in your Jeans/Trouser/Coat Pocket (and not in a another BAG( which is actually pseudo-portable)).
If short of money, GRAB it quick. Believe me the major rate dip and stuff for this Product is already done/over. The current prices will remain till the inventory(which is already low) gets over (except you knock off some bargained deal with a seller). If you are thinking of some stop gap arrangement (with regards to your win8 tablet..better don;t). Wait a few months..win8 pro would be out in jan 2013. Get a
MS surface pro...and if you like like Win 8, SURFACE PRO would be really a great product (Hope you are saving money for it; Price would be 2-3X times the flyer's cost)
Personally i really like MS surface PRO (not RT)
If have money and cant live without flaunting Newest OS (FYI Flyer runs Jellybean too but not with all functions AON) and Gadget to friends and allied, go for other options. Yes there are some better options and the list will keep adding with time (and more money you are ready to spent)
I advise getting a Flyer than Evo View, if you are looking to replace your phone too.(and cant carry multiple devices)
P.S. Just some experience, in case that helps. I am not a "lets-buy-a-new-phone/tablet" guy just bcoz options are there and money is there in my bank account. I always RIP a product when it is missing/making me difficult to handle some new technology/function which i/associated people need or it BREAKS down.
When i bought My HTC KAISER back in 2007 (For 600$(including shipping) importing a Tmobile MDA vario III version to my country as there were none available here) i knew i made a good choice.
That new design and functions served me for some 3 years without me feeling much to shift over EXCEPT some screen real estate shortage(which gets short with each passing year given the fact how bigger handhelds are becoming) & resistive screen
& then i bought the FLYER (after waiting for its Initial 700$ price to come down to 370$) and i knew that price is worth it for a 7 inch Capacitive HTC's Beautiful tablet with Wifi, 3G, GPS, Dual Cameras, 32Gb+Slot Storage and the Hidden GSM phone(the deal breaker for me). It has replaced my phone too HTC KAISER (which still looks at me the same way.... sometimes when i need to lend a phone to someone(with all functions working and just wear n tear damage))
Also see how i substituted a 600$ product with a 370$ product after 3-4 yrs & latter being a more smarter, more useful and lot more productive product
Thats how technology works and changes & also how usage of product/s changes!
Personally, now, I use it as my All-in-one device
- Mainly for Phone,
- Quick Internet browsing (using Wifi at home & 3G Sim outside)
- GPS
- Voice recorder for notes(in professional work) & life voice-logs(when alone)
- a Drawing Pad for my nephew (They say the "magic" Pen is great)
- Full fledged Alarm Clock
- To-Do List Reminder
- my Music Portable (Home, Office and Travel(Airplane; Trains etc)) Esp. over Wireless Stereo BT headset
Including playing my music in Car using Aux/Drive/BT input (esp. when Days of CD/Discs are long gone)
- my Video Portable playing 720p HD videos with proper 16:9 Ratio(Home, Office and Travel(Airplane; Trains etc))
- Gr8 Games when i feeling bored
and Mind you ...if 7 inch real estate is small ...get a HDMI out and you would love the stuff on a big LED or Projector screen.
- Measure Distances & Heights (Smart Rule App)
- Taking Database Backups of my blogs and websites
- Torrents
- Wifi Hot spot for other gadgets
- Occasional Written note taking (kinda to do list only) . Scribe Pen is so handy (Mine came free/included with Flyer)
- Voice controlled Commands (Still researching Voice assistants like Speak to it & utter and they are FASCINATING)
- and the list is endless with what not can be done with loads of USEFUL and PRODUCTIVE apps available esp. after ROOTING the device into a Fully-Controlled (Beautiful-)Beast!
and
LoVVVe it.
(My only gripe (for the money and beautiful device this is).. is why HTC didn't put a flash in and may be they should have added a larger battery. Camera is not good in low light & buttery runs out soon when i use these many functions )
EnPaceRequiescat said:
For those of you for whom the flyer/view was good for productivity, how do you guys make use of the pen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most useful feature for me is annotating PDF files. I use Repligo app. Another trick is that you can convert Power point (or whatever) files into PDFs and annotate them. I can't find any good app to annotate Word files. Foxit Viewer comes with the Flyer is useless.
I also use the pen for taking handwriting notes. I use Quill (you can get it for free here: http://code.google.com/p/android-quill/downloads/list), and HandyNote. But I'm reducing this load because it is difficult to search the content of handwriting text (with out handwriting recognition). And it's not easy to copy/paste them to other docs. That's not good for my purpose of tracking/reorganizing the notes later. But there are some app for handwriting recognition such as WritePad. Maybe they are good if one practices enough.
In addition, I guess the pen is very useful for people who enjoy drawing.
About the Flyer's competitors from price/(pen)productivity aspect, I don't see any at this point. Maybe there will be some in a year or two. MS Surface is promising but it will take time till the app support from the developers get to an adequate level with Android. Or maybe Apple will start to adopt real stylus and keep suing all Android OEMs, who knows..
I hope it helps.
freworld said:
Its actually a kinda rule in mobile tech field and allied, to not compare gadgets with age difference more than an year (in fact 6 months)
So kindly don't compare a quite way-back-released Flyer/View with latest Nexus and note 2/3 etc
My advise, HTF flyer is one of the best-all-in-one device you would find around (in fact a very few are there)
I can keep counting on features and its usability and fill up a page or 2, with REAL-LIFE uses with just a 1 Real-Portable-Device in your Jeans/Trouser/Coat Pocket (and not in a another BAG( which is actually pseudo-portable)).
If short of money, GRAB it quick. Believe me the major rate dip and stuff for this Product is already done/over. The current prices will remain till the inventory(which is already low) gets over (except you knock off some bargained deal with a seller). If you are thinking of some stop gap arrangement (with regards to your win8 tablet..better don;t). Wait a few months..win8 pro would be out in jan 2013. Get a
MS surface pro...and if you like like Win 8, SURFACE PRO would be really a great product (Hope you are saving money for it; Price would be 2-3X times the flyer's cost)
Personally i really like MS surface PRO (not RT)
If have money and cant live without flaunting Newest OS (FYI Flyer runs Jellybean too but not with all functions AON) and Gadget to friends and allied, go for other options. Yes there are some better options and the list will keep adding with time (and more money you are ready to spent)
I advise getting a Flyer than Evo View, if you are looking to replace your phone too.(and cant carry multiple devices)
P.S. Just some experience, in case that helps. I am not a "lets-buy-a-new-phone/tablet" guy just bcoz options are there and money is there in my bank account. I always RIP a product when it is missing/making me difficult to handle some new technology/function which i/associated people need or it BREAKS down.
When i bought My HTC KAISER back in 2007 (For 600$(including shipping) importing a Tmobile MDA vario III version to my country as there were none available here) i knew i made a good choice.
That new design and functions served me for some 3 years without me feeling much to shift over EXCEPT some screen real estate shortage(which gets short with each passing year given the fact how bigger handhelds are becoming) & resistive screen
& then i bought the FLYER (after waiting for its Initial 700$ price to come down to 370$) and i knew that price is worth it for a 7 inch Capacitive HTC's Beautiful tablet with Wifi, 3G, GPS, Dual Cameras, 32Gb+Slot Storage and the Hidden GSM phone(the deal breaker for me). It has replaced my phone too HTC KAISER (which still looks at me the same way.... sometimes when i need to lend a phone to someone(with all functions working and just wear n tear damage))
Also see how i substituted a 600$ product with a 370$ product after 3-4 yrs & latter being a more smarter, more useful and lot more productive product
Thats how technology works and changes & also how usage of product/s changes!
Personally, now, I use it as my All-in-one device
- Mainly for Phone,
- Quick Internet browsing (using Wifi at home & 3G Sim outside)
- GPS
- Voice recorder for notes(in professional work) & life voice-logs(when alone)
- a Drawing Pad for my nephew (They say the "magic" Pen is great)
- Full fledged Alarm Clock
- To-Do List Reminder
- my Music Portable (Home, Office and Travel(Airplane; Trains etc)) Esp. over Wireless Stereo BT headset
Including playing my music in Car using Aux/Drive/BT input (esp. when Days of CD/Discs are long gone)
- my Video Portable playing 720p HD videos with proper 16:9 Ratio(Home, Office and Travel(Airplane; Trains etc))
- Gr8 Games when i feeling bored
and Mind you ...if 7 inch real estate is small ...get a HDMI out and you would love the stuff on a big LED or Projector screen.
- Measure Distances & Heights (Smart Rule App)
- Taking Database Backups of my blogs and websites
- Torrents
- Wifi Hot spot for other gadgets
- Occasional Written note taking (kinda to do list only) . Scribe Pen is so handy (Mine came free/included with Flyer)
- Voice controlled Commands (Still researching Voice assistants like Speak to it & utter and they are FASCINATING)
- and the list is endless with what not can be done with loads of USEFUL and PRODUCTIVE apps available esp. after ROOTING the device into a Fully-Controlled (Beautiful-)Beast!
and
LoVVVe it.
(My only gripe (for the money and beautiful device this is).. is why HTC didn't put a flash in and may be they should have added a larger battery. Camera is not good in low light & buttery runs out soon when i use these many functions )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldnt agree more and glad I got my for christmas
Expansys.ie were doing good deals on them, less than 250euro, which is one of the cheapest places I've seen them retail for new
Simple, the flyer is a capable device that was thrown to the side immediately after release. It performs well enough to be functional at most task but does little great. For me it is a better device than a nexus 7 because the nexus is stripped of allot of functionality the flyer has. If you want to be up to date with software do not consider this device. If you are looking for a small screen tablet that is versatile this is probably still the best option although I have not spent much time with the galaxy tab 2.7
A frustrating device for me because I enjoy its abilities but miss the tweaking custom rom aspect of a device that has good after sale development from the OEM
Flyer
mcord11758 said:
Simple, the flyer is a capable device that was thrown to the side immediately after release. It performs well enough to be functional at most task but does little great. For me it is a better device than a nexus 7 because the nexus is stripped of allot of functionality the flyer has. If you want to be up to date with software do not consider this device. If you are looking for a small screen tablet that is versatile this is probably still the best option although I have not spent much time with the galaxy tab 2.7
A frustrating device for me because I enjoy its abilities but miss the tweaking custom rom aspect of a device that has good after sale development from the OEM
Flyer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, thank you guys so much for all the good input! I think I'm gonna try for the flyer -- seems like a good budget way to try things, particularly the pen. I'm hoping that I can start to use it as a scratchpad of sorts, in addition to reading scanned notes (I write large so hopefully the 7" screen is adequate even when my writing gets shrunk). The lack of usb otg (at least, without an external power source) is a slight shame, but hopefully i'll be able to live without via bluetooth and the cloud.
Also, I didnt know that the Flyer could be used as a phone! Is this through 3G VoIP, or does it actually have a cell radio?
Happy new years guys!
Both
EnPaceRequiescat said:
Also, I didnt know that the Flyer could be used as a phone! Is this through 3G VoIP, or does it actually have a cell radio?
Happy new years guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you indeed missed a major function of this beast. Through 3g Voip as well as Cell radio
Happy new year to u too. Get yourself a gift
P.S. USB OTG issue is also a minor gripe... exact situation is being discussed here ( with possible options including USB -Y cable)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1082909
I would not recommend spending your money on any tablet or smartphone device that is over 20 months old. The specs are not even last gen, they are 2 generations old.
That said, there isn't much better in the 7" form factor. I love the 7" tablet size. But unfortunately, the manufacturers have relegated this size to the budget/low-spec end of the spectrum. Mostly thanks to the low priced Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7. And Samsung has joined the "race to the bottom" with its mediocre spec'ed Galaxy Tab2 7.0. The technology of smartphones has left 7" tablets in the dust, its such a shame.
Unless the pen functionality is really important to you (I personally never use it on the Flyer) I'd probably go for the Nexus 7. Yes, its missing some big features. But its simply much better supported by both its manufacturer and the dev community. This forum has become quiet as the grave. So you won't even get much of a community here to chat with or get help if you want to root and S-Off, flash ROMs, etc. Yes, there are still a few devs that soldier on, and other community members still trying to keep this forum alive. But the Flyer's best days are long gone.
I don't regret a bit buying the Flyer when it first came out way back in the summer of 2011. And I still use it every day. But if I didn't already have the Flyer, I wouldn't buy one now. Probably I would get a Nexus 7, wait to see how good the 7" Note is, or wait to see if any higher spec 7" tablets are on the way (doubtful).
I agree with most that has been said. If you want/need the pen and want 7"... get a flyer/evo view. I have a view and use it almost daily for writing. I always had notepads and sticky notes all over the place, now its all within lecturenotes (sweet app).
If you think you'll "maybe" use the pen... get a nexus or other 7".
I use the crap out of the pen and am looking to get another flyer/view for a friend as a gift.
Only if you really need the pen should you consider the GTab 7 2 or HTC Flyer. Having played with both I think the better option now is the Samsung model. But again, only if you really need the pen. If you can live with a capcitive stylus go with a Nexus 7. It will be supported for a long time to come and will always be on the latest OS
/*
AidenM said:
Only if you really need the pen should you consider the GTab 7 2 or HTC Flyer. Having played with both I think the better option now is the Samsung model. But again, only if you really need the pen. If you can live with a capcitive stylus go with a Nexus 7. It will be supported for a long time to come and will always be on the latest OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, the galaxy tab2 7? Doesn't that only use the capacitive pen? also, it seems like i can't find that secondhand anywhere, and new costs $200, so I feel I might as well get the nexus7 if I'm foregoing the digitizer.
I'm also the kind of person who had notepads and sticky notes all over the place, and notes involve math that say, swype is not good for (though it is quite fast), which is why the digitizer is a big draw. But from the comments people are giving, and how fast technology is moving, it seems like it's almost better nowadays to just buy new (so... the samsung note7 whenever that comes out), just like how I can't imagine buying secondhand computers these days.