I was going to title this thread - "Musical Kid wants Meep for the Piano - Review reading parents want better tablet" but thought better of it.
We're looking at a tablet for my 7 (almost 8) year old son. He is ADHD and Aspergers and is gifted musically. He saw the commercials for the Meep, went online, looked it up and announced that he wanted that for Christmas. Initially we said yes but then read the reviews and changed our minds. I'm not going to spend $200 for a tablet that sucks just because my son wants one thing - the piano.
I searched the site and found this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1539159 which tells me that it *can* be done. The question is, can it be done with the Meep piano accessory? As that thing is a device specific accessory, I haven't been able to locate any tech specs for it.
For the tablet side, I know I need to get something that has USB Host. Also on the list are gorilla glass and a shock case... but that's because I know my son
Thanks!
Related
It would seem reasonable that you could buy a replacement power supply for a current product from the manufacturer wouldn't it? Start on Viewsonic's web site. Try using the store - ha-ha. Now call the number. Get referred to another number. Call that number - get referred to another number. rinse and repeat. Go to their website to the gtablet page. Read call this number 866-501-6405 for anything you need. Get referred to another number call that number - get referred to another number - rinse and repeat. Get frustrated - call their corporate headquarters in Wlanut, CA. Ask for the name of the president so you can send a letter. Get told they can't give it to you for security reasons - but it is on the web. Get hung up on. Sadly, I really like my g-tablet but this is an awful company to deal with. I wonder what will happen if I need a replacement battery - will I be told to go to Radio Shack to find something that fits (like I was told to do for the power supply)? I'm really enjoying the g-tab but I can tell you that when it comes time to replace it, it won't be with another Viewsonic product. Anyone can sell you something - it is how they support it that separates the good companies from the bad. I feel better posting this and maybe someone has had a better experience but looking at the struggles here to get power supplies and docking stations, I'm going to guess that no one has much good to say about dealing with Viewsonic. Surprise me!
Unfortunately I will have to agree. Since day one the support has been far less than you would expect. There have even been times when they have referred to XDA to help out. Basically US Merchants buys from China, Viewsonic buys from US Merchants, and no one really know who's supposed to support it. I will have to say that's the beauty of open source and some of the people that are here. More times than not you can get support right here if you don't mind doing a little digging. I've only been playing with android's for about 8 months now and know more than I ever needed or wanted to all because of XDA.
But honestly, isn't that the way we've become accustomed to support? No one ever calls Microsoft anymore, we use Google.
It's truly a shame that you can't get a straight forward answer when trying to replace something so simple. I apologies on behalf of the business owners that still give a s**t.
it2steve said:
But honestly, isn't that the way we've become accustomed to support? No one ever calls Microsoft anymore, we use Google.
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That is because half the tech notes for MS are "Can not be found" when it comes to errors and such
Google search allows you to reach out to users who no these things first hand. That is why I always make a point if I can not find an answer to a question, even on line and I finally figure it out myself to post it somewhere so someone else can be helped by it.
I did that here on XDA and getting ADB to work on my win 7 64bit system. All the help was on 32b this and that. I finally figured it our myself and wrote a tutorial for others that "will" need it.
Viewsonic is a very big company that is dabbling in android based tablets that at least with thegtab did not design. I would also argue that the cost/price is such they don't really know where this is going.
same with all the other tab makers save on, the apple. Think about apple's model with iTunes, what I call a consumption model. They can actually give away the ipad at cost because they can get it from the model.
now in order for company's like viewsonic to compete they need to provide all accessories and have a hook. We know from the official viewsonic Rep that they are thinking about some kind of development site, makes no money and meanwhile Steve has to bring in accessories because viewsonic dropped the ball. So yes, basically unsupported. A lot cheaper for the hardware though.
I don't see another development site as a good thing. Viewsonic needs to spend its energies on marketing the apple way or just stick with monitors. Maybe they look at the gtab as a monitor. But we know that can't be because the screen is not in usual viewsonic quality. I'm sure they saw the ztab as quick entry and OEM'd, it.
I've got to agree..
I've been trying to find a source for the mini-vga cable for the ViewPad 10. Support told me to go to Best Buy. When I pressed them on exactly what to purchase they admitted they did not know and that Besy Buy probably did not carry them. Support handed me off to the parts dept.
Parts pointed me to a cable designed for the Viewpad 100, which was a product released in 2001. When I asked if he was sure if they cable would work, he said "probably". When I noted the website said the product was 'out of stock' he said "order it anyway, that will tell us we need more". Since the conversation did not exactly instill my confidence in the parts dept I did not order the $20 cable.
I'm still looking for a mini-vga cable for the ViewPad 10 if anyone can point me in the right direction.
Craig
Hello, I've never owned a tablet of any kind but decided that I want one. After doing some research I found the Viewsonic gtablet as one that is in my price range. I've read about the good hardware, and the modding required for the software so I understand the work required. I've done extensive work on my desktop, so the modding doesn't worry me.
My biggest concern is that the reviews go from really bad to really good. Is this tablet worth it once you do the required modding?
Thanks, appreciate the input.
the tablet is completely worth it, in my opinion. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Gtablet...
that being said...I have nothing good to say about Viewsonic. They have let us down every chance they get. We asked for updates in April...they gave us one, then pulled it a day later (that lead to the 1.1 vs 1.2 bootloader issues). We requested that they enable us to run gingerbread or honeycomb with the proper drivers. They told us that it wasn't possible. Nvidia told us that if the "hardware partner" requested drivers, that they would support it. Just reently, though, Viewsonic claimed that they DID request drivers from Nvidia, but that Nvidia claimed that they wouldn't support our hardware past Froyo. SO, who is to be believed, Viewsonic, or Nvidia. the jury is still out on that one. I've asked Nvidia to confirm whether or not Viewsonic requested anything from them, and whether Nvidia erally did deny the request.
There is no evidence that Viewsonic is working on an update to their still crippled stock firmware. There is no evidence that Viewsonic handles any customer service or technical service requests in house. They've basically tried to sweep the Gtablet under the rug and abandon all of it's users.
So, in conclusion...i love my Gtablet, but in no way would I ever recommend that anyone buy anything from Viewsonic, considering how they've treated their customers.
I recommend the ipad to everyone I talk to. That's just a personal rule I've come up with.
That said, if you decide to get the vs gtab, please visit my website linked in the signature. All necessary files are either provided free or linked to the necessary sites. A donation would be nice, but it's entirely of your choosing. The most important thing is to follow my instructions down to the letter.
The gtab is still alive because of the developers working on the rom, like this xda forum...viewsonic has basically throw them away
XDA DEVELOPER FTW
Well, the gtab is still quite popular. I received a brand new gtab as a gift and put it up for sale on amazon. Within 1 hour, I had a buyer. So, there are still lots of people who want it. If you think about it, it's still a perfectly good piece of hardware. The problem is those damn corporate dumbasses from viewsonic who couldn't look past their own corporate jets.
All we've asked for are the damn drivers and they won't even give them to us.
Thanks for the opinions. I'm not in the market for an iPad due to the price. It's hard to justify that amount for something that is a luxury rather than a necessity.
I'm going to take a look at picking up the gtab, especially since it's on sale again.
Tusck said:
Thanks for the opinions. I'm not in the market for an iPad due to the price. It's hard to justify that amount for something that is a luxury rather than a necessity.
I'm going to take a look at picking up the gtab, especially since it's on sale again.
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Really, if an iPad 2 is out of your price range, then the G Tablet is a great introduction to the world of tablets. There is a wide range of excellent custom ROMs for it.
For me, the only major feature that is lacking is video calls with Skype. Otherwise, for casual Web browsing, watching Netflix, and other common tablet-friendly stuff, it is a great option at a great price.
OK, just bought the wife a Archos 101 G9 tablet yesterday and first thing I did was upgrade it to the ICS that was available. My wife has been using an Epic 4g(slider) from sprint now for about a year. I've really done nothing with it as I'm, more or less, a windows person.
Anyway. she wants to use the Tablet as a video viewer/movie watcher when on trips, on top of using it to continue with our son's education with online courses through his school. We had thought we'd be able to link her Epic w/ Gingerbread to the tablet with Ice Cream sandwich via either BT or WiFi tethering so her phone would act as the modem. I can't seem to make that happen. When both items are searching, niether one can find each other. i tried it with my WP7 HTC Arrive and they did find each other but could not link up due to incompatibility. the usual $20+ fee extra per month from Sprint would allow her to Hot Spot her phone but I was wondering if there was another option?
My WP7 phone doesn't allow tethering but I was hoping someone, somewhere might know of an app or other means, besides fully Rooting/jailbreaking/hacking(Bricking) her phone.
Any and all help/insight is appreciated.
Thanks
John
OK, can somebody direct me to a good thread on the easiest way to root Android, or my wife's phone (Epic 4G slider). I need the absolute most simpleton, hand holding, beginner version out there. I'm pretty much new to all of this since I've never really dealt with Android before, I've always been a Windows person but now I'm my wife's tech support for her phone and now tablet.
Thanks
I today received the ZTE Open C and I have to say it is a wonderful phone. There is one really irritating thing about it though. It is branded.
Whenever you lock the phone instead of displaying the wallpaper it displays the blue wallpaper of the Firefox, no matter what wallpaper you are using.
So for the people who know Firefox OS well: Is there a way to change this?
what release is running on ZTE Open C?
could you do a short review of the device, and more importantly, where did you get yours so early?
ZTE is sending out the ebay orders starting May 23rd...
not that i am interested in buying one, as i have the 1st Open, and i'll wait for better spec devices like the Alcatel Fire S,
but i guess it would be interesting for one or other here?
linr76 said:
what release is running on ZTE Open C?
could you do a short review of the device, and more importantly, where did you get yours so early?
ZTE is sending out the ebay orders starting May 23rd...
not that i am interested in buying one, as i have the 1st Open, and i'll wait for better spec devices like the Alcatel Fire S,
but i guess it would be interesting for one or other here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw the pre-order for it on Ebay on the 3rd of April, so the ship date for me was a lot earlier. It wasn't even linked on Google I just searched for it on Ebay and by chance it was there! Firefox OS 1.3 made by ZTE, and so far it's very good, apart from the problem I have mentioned. I would like to note that there is an app on the phone called "Software Updater" with "Update Device" "Update History" and "Update Frequency" options... I believe this means they are going to keep this updated. I'm using my ZTE Open for testing, and my ZTE Open C for main use (because of the larger screen)
Google ZTE Open C to find the ebay page, all the info is there, I would review it but I've only had it for a day so far
yeah, i would not bet on them supporting this one longer.
as it seems the Open is not supported anymore.
they don't answer questions about this.
Mozilla does not really answer questions about this.
so that is in my book a pretty good sign they wont support it.
lame.
still on MDN as a "developer" device.
how on earth should you "develop" if you can't update the frekking phone because the HAL is missing for newer builds?
thanks a bunch! 80 Euro wasted on a piece of crap phone that isn't worth more than 30USD to begin with.
being "early adopter" sure doesn't pay off here.
you get crappy hardware for a high price.
i pitty all the people who actually bought a geeksphone keon for 150USD (same low hw specs as the Open)
enough rambling, hope to see your review soon?
linr76 said:
yeah, i would not bet on them supporting this one longer.
as it seems the Open is not supported anymore.
they don't answer questions about this.
Mozilla does not really answer questions about this.
so that is in my book a pretty good sign they wont support it.
lame.
still on MDN as a "developer" device.
how on earth should you "develop" if you can't update the frekking phone because the HAL is missing for newer builds?
thanks a bunch! 80 Euro wasted on a piece of crap phone that isn't worth more than 30USD to begin with.
being "early adopter" sure doesn't pay off here.
you get crappy hardware for a high price.
i pitty all the people who actually bought a geeksphone keon for 150USD (same low hw specs as the Open)
enough rambling, hope to see your review soon?
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I'm sorry to dissapoint, but after using it for a few days there isn't enough different to review. There's the Firefox OS 1.3 which we know well, basically no lag at all and everything opens really quickly. The keyboard allows you to type really fast and still be accurate (this could be due to the 4 inch screen). The speaker is a little bit better and is on the front so you don't need to turn the phone around if you're listening to music, there is an update app on the phone which guarentees updates. The update option through the settings has been removed. It comes with a few of what I can only assume are ZTE's wallpapers but none of them have a logo or anything and most are quite good.
My only problem with the phone is that the lock screen never and will never display your wallpaper. It always shows the blue firefox wallpaper even if yours is different. I emailed ZTE and they said the "Firefox System" added it not them which I assume means the official Firefox OS 1.3 carrier build.
I hope this changes, because it's ugly. Other than that the phone is really good.
linr76 said:
not that i am interested in buying one, as i have the 1st Open, and i'll wait for better spec devices like the Alcatel Fire S,
but i guess it would be interesting for one or other here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When is the fire s gonna be sold?
issue in network
i had update my phone by update.zip from this link
http://firefox.ztems.com/
which is office l one.
after that...the phone dose not read SIM any more..it keep saying searching...
and i cannot downgraded, upgrade, root at all.., what to do now?
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sorry...i just noticed it is for open c...where my phone is open onluy
This firmware for V790 (see url) Correct link is (google) "Spain OPEN C SD card upgrading instruction & software package(ebay)-250940B0668FFOS_EU_EBAY_OPENCV1.0.0B04"
(sorry, i new user and cannot insert link )
To anything can adapt the root recovery of "[How-To] ZTE Open C Android 4.4.2 + Root" (google please)?
I would like to change ringtones (and other files) but the device does not have a Root.
adb remount - not permitted
Apirl said:
How is your phone now?
I am considering have one in hand.
Where did you get it?
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its sold officially on ebay, from germany, uk, russia and china. source country should be taken into consideration (import duty, vat and charger).
ive seen it in a few online shops but in these its more pricey.
any help for ZTE open
(running KitKat) I received this for my birthday, and was advised by Linux tech friends to come straight here, greets everyone.
My goal with this tablet is to watch tutorials and grab faster bandwidth for uploads and downloads when in range - nothing too exotic.
I'm hoping to persuade the goods out of anyone familiar with this. If it's TOO bad there's time to return it, but my real concern is just battery life and if a ROM can help it to OTG while charging at the same time, or alternate means to power it if I go camping or am away from power.
All I've done in the meantime is disabled apps I know I don't want, and rooted it for a while (Kingo Root) just for AppFreeze but ditched both.
Any and all info and comments, even bad ones, are really appreciated! I have decades on Windows Mac and bits and pieces of Linux. No Android but I can find my way around.
Was this worth buying?
JoeyTablet said:
(running KitKat) I received this for my birthday, and was advised by Linux tech friends to come straight here, greets everyone.
My goal with this tablet is to watch tutorials and grab faster bandwidth for uploads and downloads when in range - nothing too exotic.
I'm hoping to persuade the goods out of anyone familiar with this. If it's TOO bad there's time to return it, but my real concern is just battery life and if a ROM can help it to OTG while charging at the same time, or alternate means to power it if I go camping or am away from power.
All I've done in the meantime is disabled apps I know I don't want, and rooted it for a while (Kingo Root) just for AppFreeze but ditched both.
Any and all info and comments, even bad ones, are really appreciated! I have decades on Windows Mac and bits and pieces of Linux. No Android but I can find my way around.
Was this worth buying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely think it was worth buying. It's fast and has a nice screen for not being HD. I was in a bad accident a month ago and my mom bought it for me to waste time in the hospital and skilled care facility. I haven't found any roms for it yet, I just opened a thread about that.
Sorry I don't have any more info for you, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for sure.
First of all I hope you recovered well - I hadn't logged in here for ages. Super nice of your mom to get you one in your time of suffering and recovery.
Lately I've hoped this could upgrade to at least Android 5 because of an app that would allow me to use the tablet as a remote control for the audio workstation Presonus Studio One.
I emailed the G5 people (they seem gone now) who told me they didn't have a ROM to upgrade the tablet.
Any upgrade is better than where I stand with Android 4.4. Nothing that matters runs on it and the tablet sees wasted with no use.