After using the three main competitors in the tablet market, I’ve made some interesting observations in regards to each the pros and cons. I spent a good three months with my HP Touchpad, a good week with my parent’s iPad and a few days with my new Xoom. I’m not really comparing the hardware. All tablets have dual core CPUs, the iPad and Touchpad have IPS displays and the Xoom a good LCD (although I do miss the viewing angles of the IPS).
Overall, I feel that Honeycomb has the most potential, if it solves some basic issues. WebOS would be great if there were more Apps.
iOS Pros:
Huge App Store
Ease of use
Easy to transfer music to and keep playlists
Music player is set up like a desktop iTunes so its easy to browse music
iOS Cons:
Lack of customization (widgets etc)
Restrictions on types of media that can be played
Semi-multi tasking
WebOS Pros:
Ease of use
True multitasking
Media player set up like iTunes so it is easy to browse
Best on-screen keyboard I have ever used
WebOS Cons:
Lack of Apps
Lack of customization (widgets)
Restrictions on Media
Media can be hard to transfer over and keep playlists
Battery seems to randomly drain: sometimes 15-20% overnight for no reason
Honeycomb Pros:
Customization galore
Ability to sideload apps that Google doesn’t approve
App Store has many apps
Custom ROMS
Transfer music using WMP seems to keep playlists intact
Cloud Music
True Multi-tasking
Honeycomb Cons:
No Lock Screen Widgets for Music Player
Music player “looks” nice, but is extremely hard to navigate in comparison to WebOS and iOS. Wish there was a “text” only version instead of displaying album art
Not as many tablet apps yet
Hard to tell Tablet apps from phone apps in market
Sometimes doesn’t seem as smooth as it should be, given the hardware inside
Wait until ICS comes out on the tabs, then hopefully you can tell us your thoughts on that.
good job guy
Musicmaster said:
After using the three main competitors in the tablet market, I’ve made some interesting observations in regards to each the pros and cons. I spent a good three months with my HP Touchpad, a good week with my parent’s iPad and a few days with my new Xoom. I’m not really comparing the hardware. All tablets have dual core CPUs, the iPad and Touchpad have IPS displays and the Xoom a good LCD (although I do miss the viewing angles of the IPS).
Overall, I feel that Honeycomb has the most potential, if it solves some basic issues. WebOS would be great if there were more Apps.
iOS Pros:
Huge App Store
Ease of use
Easy to transfer music to and keep playlists
Music player is set up like a desktop iTunes so its easy to browse music
iOS Cons:
Lack of customization (widgets etc)
Restrictions on types of media that can be played
Semi-multi tasking
WebOS Pros:
Ease of use
True multitasking
Media player set up like iTunes so it is easy to browse
Best on-screen keyboard I have ever used
WebOS Cons:
Lack of Apps
Lack of customization (widgets)
Restrictions on Media
Media can be hard to transfer over and keep playlists
Battery seems to randomly drain: sometimes 15-20% overnight for no reason
Honeycomb Pros:
Customization galore
Ability to sideload apps that Google doesn’t approve
App Store has many apps
Custom ROMS
Transfer music using WMP seems to keep playlists intact
Cloud Music
True Multi-tasking
Honeycomb Cons:
No Lock Screen Widgets for Music Player
Music player “looks” nice, but is extremely hard to navigate in comparison to WebOS and iOS. Wish there was a “text” only version instead of displaying album art
Not as many tablet apps yet
Hard to tell Tablet apps from phone apps in market
Sometimes doesn’t seem as smooth as it should be, given the hardware inside
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree web os is really "down"
I still feel androia good
Good writeup.... iOS, however, can suck it. I hat my wife's new ipad 2.... I still prefer to use my evolution over it.
Sent from my HTC EVO 3d using Taptalk
agree too web os is really down and ios is at downside ... if they dont work upon there os really fast and make there strategies more good then i am not surprised if they got out of the market really soon..
As a PRO for HP Touchpad, might want to consider adding the ability to also install Android (CM7) right along side and dual boot to even further expand on the utility. I love dual booting my Touchpad. I find I spend more of my time in Android though...love the ability to customize the UI with themes and widgets that I can not do in WebOS.
I was wondering the same thing.
Your research is great for people who want to buy a smartphone
its simple,
IOS = for people who are simple and do not like to bother the operating system to operate
Android = 100% the opposite of the IOS
I think it
Hello everybody!
So with all the hype of ICS source being released, there are a few things I think Google is overlooking BIG TIME!
Forgive me if you don't agree or don't care for that matter.
First. I am really digging the new Google Music app as well as the addition of the music store being added to the market. But my question to Google would be, why use your music store vs. ITunes on my CPU? There is no music management system for Google, which in my opinion is a huge short fall. I understand that Google is really hitting the cloud hard, but what if I don't want my new purchases or any music in the cloud? Manually dragging and dropping music files is a pain in the @ss. I guess my frustrations revolve mostly around their web based music player than the music app. Drop the web based music player and release an application. Make it easy for android users to flawlessly sync their phone with their CPU and CPU with the cloud. Make it easy to sync my music and playlists.
And dude what's up with your LAME music widget? Seriously? You make this beautiful UI, built from the ground up and you dont even have the decency to revamp your music widget... Com'on man!
Second. Again this is attention to detail, why did you not update the ui in the clock app? It doesn't match the ICS ui at all. It didn't even match with GB for that matter.
Don't get me wrong, I love android and Google but there are just a few things (IMHO) that need to really be tended to.
I guess that's all for now.
Good day.
I agree. Thats why I still use iTunes. Best music manager to me.
Temari x Shikamaru
Since we're on the google music kick... anyone notice you can't make individual songs available offline in the app? You can only do artists or albums (though, I really only tried from the artist view)...
And yes, they do need to redo the widget. I'm not so interested in a standalone music player for pc, though I do see the need for better pc-android syncing.
If you purchase the song, and you play it or make it available offline, you can listen to the local cached version.
No drag and drop, it's just there.
Craysh said:
If you purchase the song, and you play it or make it available offline, you can listen to the local cached version.
No drag and drop, it's just there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that, and it does work well. It's the music that is not synced to the cloud has to be manually drag/drooped to the phone. There needs to be a better music management system.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
knowledge561 said:
I agree. Thats why I still use iTunes. Best music manager to me.
Temari x Shikamaru
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Completely off-topic, but more people should know this:
CPU ≠ Computer.
The CPU is an extremely small part of a computer, it stands for Central Processing Unit, and is the brain of a computer, but again, is NOT the computer itself.
</rant>
Edit:
By the way, I completely agree with this entire post, btw. Closest I've come to an iTunes-like experience has been DoubleTwist, and has worked well for me. Give it a shot, if you like iTunes then this is the Android equivalent.
This is Google 101 my friend..Make a product that works and pretty it up at a later date..Its been like this for years..They worry about the aesthetics later on..They are just a bunch of engineers with no eye for ease of use or appealing UI.
I'm sure they will throw a coat of paint on it in the future.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Atoro said:
Completely off-topic, but more people should know this:
CPU ≠ Computer.
The CPU is an extremely small part of a computer, it stands for Central Processing Unit, and is the brain of a computer, but again, is NOT the computer itself.
</rant>
Edit:
By the way, I completely agree with this entire post, btw. Closest I've come to an iTunes-like experience has been DoubleTwist, and has worked well for me. Give it a shot, if you like iTunes then this is the Android equivalent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification
I have used numerous apps, including double twist. While double twist has its perks, there needs to be a native android music management system. The problem with using other music apps is that you can't utilize there cloud. And with that it's annoying having to use two separate apps to accomplish what should be done with one. It seems redundant having to download an alternative app.
Also when you purchase music from the market its automatically stored "in the cloud". But when you select to download it to your phone from the music app, where does it save it to? MIUI music can't find any of my purchased music, nor can I using a file explorer. TIA.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Lol I stopped reading at Itunes on your cpu hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Holy hell, you guys using itune or apple at all, that's a sin 'round here. You get burned at the stake for that. You should be embarrassed of your sinful admition.
Jk, but really using apple products, for shame feeding the beast. All your complaints will be fixed in due time.
Well Linux has a stand alone google music app. And everything is accessible from the browser in any OS. So I somewhat agree. I really don't know what the problem is but uploading music from a computer to google music is painfully slow. I 100% agree about the clock app and the music widget though. Everytime I set an alarm I cringe at the ugly UI lol
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Idc, iTunes is the best music app. Plus my first smartphone was an iphone
Temari x Shikamaru
bballer71418 said:
Well Linux has a stand alone google music app. And everything is accessible from the browser in any OS. So I somewhat agree. I really don't know what the problem is but uploading music from a computer to google music is painfully slow. I 100% agree about the clock app and the music widget though. Everytime I set an alarm I cringe at the ugly UI lol
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is like they forgot about the clock lol
All I'm trying to her across is it would be nice to have some sort of iTunes type media management system to sync music, movies, shows, ringtones etc... Until then I don't foresee Google taking over the music market. ITunes works and works well (sorry to say it) and people have been using it for years.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
knowledge561 said:
Idc, iTunes is the best music app. Plus my first smartphone was an iphone
Temari x Shikamaru
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sinner! Lol
Agreed.
Sent from my HTC EVO 3d using Taptalk
If you could just download the songs to your SD card and use any music player or release an api to allow apps like HTC music to use your Google music account. I hate having another music app because of this.
Via My HTC Evo 3D On The Now Network From Sprint.
Some it may be Google's agreements with the big record labels. I mean they make it virtually impossible to pull music you've downloaded from the store to a pc. But yes google needs to understand that although in the coming years the 'cloud' and tablets may be peoples only form of computing but until then and if they want to be successful now they need to make stand alone applications that is as robust as iTunes is for computers.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
I don't like itunes its incredibly over rated. There is nothing standout about it, plus it provides advertising and revinue for apple. I would rather use a folder on my desktop for arranging my music than use itunes.
hungry81 said:
I don't like itunes its incredibly over rated. There is nothing standout about it, plus it provides advertising and revinue for apple. I would rather use a folder on my desktop for arranging my music than use itunes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I love fanboys. You can still like Google and use apple products.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Hey guys I am contemplating on developing a media play that will be able to play both audio and video within a single app and designing it partly around the vanilla KitKat experience. I was thinking I would list it anywhere between $1 to $3. What do yall think. Is it a good idea? Do you think it would sell? Would you buy it?
Bump
I think people use their phones differently when listening to music or watching media, at least I do and the people I know do as well
So if I'm to listen to music, be it with head phones or streaming I go to one app, and I don't keep videos on my devices so all streaming is done through various apps
If you really want to do this I would suggest a free version with either limited options or ads so users can test and you will see if there is a market for it
But I think this is a case where you need to sell the user the idea that one app is better than two or three or....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
yeah i think this is a great idea especially with the kitkat UI implemented into it, and the idea to be able to have both music and videos within one app is great but what i think you should do is have different section for music and videos such as having a sub menu or something where you can select what you want to do and from that you could also implement a photo viewer and maybe even a stream type thing or something
I think a very simplistic "android player" with the new kitkat UI that plays all major video and audio would be useful. Possible features like playlists and album art would require the paid version. The focus of it would have to be the modern theme and simplicity since one app is simpler than two. It can still be very powerful without all the extra options that are in many applications.
Hello, I want to let you know I just finishes my biggest and most important app project so far. As a new develper in the android world I am eager to hear your feedback so that I can keep improving my app.
The appe is called Movie and TV suggestions and you can find it on the play store at this link.
The app is made to be the best companion for movie-goers. It allows you to look for poular and upcoming movies and tv series, see details about them, whatch trailers, add them to favorites and so on.
The app is built with a beautiful and unique Material Design, following all of Google's best practices. As a result of this the app not only is polished and elegant, but also fast and intuitive to use.
Thanks in advance to anybody who wants to check out the app
Hey guys,
I'm not really sure if this is the right place to post this question but as I don't really know where else in the web I could find help on this I'll give it a try
TL;DR:Do you know any (and I really mean any - including writing an app or other hands on approaches) method to have a permanent (tabbed) navigation at the bottom of the screen to switch between apps or websites/PWAs?
The background of this question:
I'm coming down a long road trying to hack together a DIY - privacy focused - smart speaker - mainly to switch lights and play some music. I started off back in 2018/19 and found snips.ai one of the most promising FOSS smart speaker projects for my plans and so I got me a Raspberry Pi 3b+ and a Matrix Voice board as foundation. Then half a year I later, when I found the time to put those together, I had to find out, that Sonos just bought snips.ai and their services were to be shut down...
Since then I had a long pause on this but always followed the development of FOSS voice projects including Mycroft (to expensive HW, to bloated, to tied to their web services IMHO), Sepia (to complicated to setup) as well as attempts on hacking OTS speakers like Alexa, Google Home, Sonos et al or combinations with web controllable wifi speakers like Teufel 3sixty (which is really a gold speaker but as tons of other radios has a frontier chip set with its awkward web interface) or even the awesome Squeezelite-ESP32 project. Lately I stumbled upon Rhasspy and got myself together to give my project a new try and was even kind of successful (got a self hosted voice assistant doing what I want - even if I had to learn and write some python here and there). But I figured out that 1) a smart speaker without a display is not really what I want and 2) I'm not really that kind of maker guy to 3d-print cases, plan and build circuitry and what not - or it's just missing me the time to do and especially experimenting on this
So I ended up with the idea of the software that I need (Rhasspy server side + a satellite app, Home Assistant, Logitech Media Server, Spotify/Tidal and maybe some others) and was then looking for some hackable device to serve as interface to that (display, speakers, microphone, wifi + maybe bluetooth). The Sonoff NSPanel Pro was a candidate but I didn't trust the quality of its speakers and read some reviews that were claiming a weak performance. Then I found the Lenovo ThinkSmart View that has all this and this XDA thread and immediately got me a new one for 60 bucks. Now I have a quality device better then I could ever make it with a blank(though not rooted) android, a Rhasspy Voice Assistant running on a local server ready to receive and send audio streams, a promising app to act as a Rhasspy satellite and some quality speakers to play music on. The last opponent I'm facing now is a nice UI on android that can bring all the bits together.
What I'm looking for now is a free (and ideally OSS) panel/kiosk solution with that I can seamlessly switch between Home Assistant (web UI), Spotify (web UI or their app) and some others like a self hosted Web music player. In my imagination I could switch between them with a permanent tab bar at the screen bottom but am open to other ideas. I'm not an Android developer but I consider myself a stable Java dev open to write an own app for this - I'd just need a starting point (read of Webviews, Custom Tabs, Trusted Web Activities but found them not really a solution to what I need - maybe is there some browser which's contents I can just include in an app?). Also I can write (progressive) web apps and do stuff with them but then AFAIK the only method to embed remote sites would be iframes which likely won't work with at least spotify).
I really do not want to bloat this forum with all that stuff - I'm just writing this in the hope that 1) someone is interested in this and maybe is on the same journey and 2) to give some context on my actual question above
Thank you very much in advance!
Just came across your post. I’ve been looking for something very similar and have also been considering the NsPanel pro. I don’t have as much concern for audio quality as I’m less likely to use it for playing music, just responses or notifications from Rhasspy. I have just ordered a Lenovo device as I’m sure I’ll have fun with it.
To answer your question above, I just found this in the HA companion app that might work for you: https://companion.home-assistant.io/docs/integrations/android-webview/#links It’s not perfect but could be used with a button or voice command to launch the app on the device. I’ve also seen other posts about using a key mapping app for using the volume buttons to do other tasks.
I’d be very keen to see what you’ve done for dashboards and how you’re using the Rhasspy app on your device. Has it been as responsive and accurate as you hoped?