Android n00b needs a tablet Options

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

How are you finding it?

[The Tick]

Overall, it's an improvement and I hope to spend some more time with it once I head back to Melbourne.

I love the form factor and the quality of the hardware. So far, the experience with Android has only really confirmed my issues with it. An update should not have taken this long, be this staggered or this difficult to apply. The fact that I will most likely never see Jelly Bean on this device without going around Samsung's official release sucks too.

IMHO typing on this thing is no where near as nice as that of an iOS device and it still lacks much of the polish I have gotten used to. I feel that I tend to have to forgive the faults of this device a lot more than that of the Apple counterpart and besides the size, I haven't come across one thing that makes Android a more compelling platform than iOS.

Still, early days so that opinion may sway. Besides running smoother though, I am not seeing much of an improvement. At least I can start using Chrome now I guess.

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

Overall, it's an improvement and I hope to spend some more time with it once I head back to Melbourne.

I love the form factor and the quality of the hardware. So far, the experience with Android has only really confirmed my issues with it. An update should not have taken this long, be this staggered or this difficult to apply. The fact that I will most likely never see Jelly Bean on this device without going around Samsung's official release sucks too.

IMHO typing on this thing is no where near as nice as that of an iOS device and it still lacks much of the polish I have gotten used to. I feel that I tend to have to forgive the faults of this device a lot more than that of the Apple counterpart and besides the size, I haven't come across one thing that makes Android a more compelling platform than iOS.

Still, early days so that opinion may sway. Besides running smoother though, I am not seeing much of an improvement. At least I can start using Chrome now I guess.

Are you using SwiftKey keyboard? I can't stand the iOS keyboard in comparison. I've never used a Galaxy Tab 7.7 personally, so I don't know what the experience is like. If it's anything like my Galaxy Tab 10.1, I can understand why it gives you a bad impression.

It sucks how the Nexus 7 came out just after you grabbed it, it's a fantastic little thing.

[The Tick]

I haven't installed the swift key keyboard yet. I kind if feel that the keyboard that ships with a product should be good enough. It's interesting that practically everyone I speak to all mention swift key as the first app to install. Maybe google should fix their keyboard?

I still can't figure out if the size and flexibility of transferring data can make up for the seriously dodgy user experience and lack of really useful apps.

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

I haven't installed the swift key keyboard yet. I kind if feel that the keyboard that ships with a product should be good enough. It's interesting that practically everyone I speak to all mention swift key as the first app to install. Maybe google should fix their keyboard?

I still can't figure out if the size and flexibility of transferring data can make up for the seriously dodgy user experience and lack of really useful apps.

Well SwiftKey is worth the money. It's not just better than stock, it's better than all keyboards, iOS one included.

Pity the Nexus 7 didn't come out a little earlier, it's the first truly good Android tablet.

[The Tick]

I have had a fairly long play with my brother's nexus 7. To be honest, the gripes I have with mine still exist on his.

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

*shrug* Horses for courses I guess. Personally I can't use an iPad without reaching to tear my eyes out.

[Devilsmurf]

Truer words....

It's almost the same as Windows vs OSX vs *nix. OS'es can be a very personal decision. As for the hardware side of things, I doubt you'll get many arguements that Apple makes very good hardware these days...well very good chassis at least.

This post has been edited by Devilsmurf: Aug 4 2012, 07:39 PM

[Nich...]

As the N7 is the first Android device I've really had any time alone to play with, I'm finding that I'm taking a while to learn the OS/UI. Moreso than I'd have expected/preferred, considering I've only really had this-year-so-far to use iOS with any frequency.

I love the formfactor, tho', and Apple are shooting themselves in the foot if they don't bring out a 7" tablet soon.

[The Tick]

I'd definitely agree with that.

The fact that the iPhone does such a great job when dealing with small text (which is one of my biggest gripes with the Galaxy 7.7 and Nexus 7 - poor text rendering), and that the iPad does get heavy after a while when reading it would make a brilliant companion.

FWIW, I love the 7" form factor. The build quality of the Galaxy 7.7 is great as is the weight. I like the fact that I can pretty much just load media straight into the device and the expandable storage is fantastic. The speed is great and media playback is sensational.

Text rendering on this thing is a joke and as much as I try, I can't get past it. It's something that stands out in every app be it RSS readers, web browsing or ebook reading. It's not pleasant and to be honest, my iPhone does a better job of it with it's much smaller screen.

It's also been interesting to note how Apple like connecting to this thing has been. So far I am out of pocket for a HDMI to Samsung Galaxy adaptor, a USB to Samsung galaxy adaptor. No standard USB charger will charge the thing through the normal USB-Samsung adaptor as the adaptors require an output of 2A. As much as I understand you don't get this kind of slim device when you have to include a full size USB port or HDMI port but I don't see these things receiving anywhere near the flak Apple does for not having it. From what I understand, the Nexus is in the same boat with even more limited lockdowns in place regarding directly connected USB storage.

I don't mean this to be an "iPad is better than Android" rant - it's not. Both have compromises but for me, the standout one is text legibility and font rendering which is terrible on this device. The two finger zoom in on any text instantly alleviates the problem so it's got to be a software thing right?

Speaking of software, I can't wait for Samsung to release the jellybean upgrade for the Galaxy 7.7! I mean, it's not like it's a carrier problem regarding it's release as it's the Wifi only model ... I mean, it wasn't like they dragged their feet with the ICS upgrade.

Can anyone recommend some decent business apps for Android tablets? Todo apps, note taking, office apps ...

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

Todo apps are usually person preference. I never use them. Any.DO and RTM are popular.

As for note taking, give Springpad a go. Or even Google Drive, if you like Google Docs etc.

[Nich...]

I essentially bought mine as an ebook and www reader. Maybe I'm not noticing any issues in text rendering because I'm comparing the N7 with my 3GS, rather than the ipad3 I rarely get to use.

Yet to try the N7 USB cable via a powerboard of Apple wall plug; yet to root the tablet so haven't even bothered looking for an OTG cable for external mass storage.

The only real quibbles I've actually had so far are the sheer number of applications that are marked as 'incompatible', either with the OS revision or the hardware itself or the country it resides in, and the screen brightness flickering a bit when there is low wifi reception.

Definitely interested in comparing my 7" with your 7" the next time we catch up tho', Tick. Ahem.

[.:Cyb3rGlitch:.]

Probably should get it replaced under warranty if the screen flickers. Or you can try my app Lux, which apparently fixes it.

[The Tick]

I essentially bought mine as an ebook and www reader. Maybe I'm not noticing any issues in text rendering because I'm comparing the N7 with my 3GS, rather than the ipad3 I rarely get to use.

This was one of the key tasks I was most excited about when considering a 7" form factor and probably one of the reasons I am resenting it thus far. Maybe I need to try a few more ereader apps before I cast a final judgement.

Definitely interested in comparing my 7" with your 7" the next time we catch up tho', Tick. Ahem.

:) - it wouldn't be the same if we didn't compare our 7" ....

Thanks for the suggestions cyber.

[The Tick]

I haven't installed the swift key keyboard yet. I kind if feel that the keyboard that ships with a product should be good enough. It's interesting that practically everyone I speak to all mention swift key as the first app to install. Maybe google should fix their keyboard?

I still can't figure out if the size and flexibility of transferring data can make up for the seriously dodgy user experience and lack of really useful apps.

Well SwiftKey is worth the money. It's not just better than stock, it's better than all keyboards, iOS one included.

Pity the Nexus 7 didn't come out a little earlier, it's the first truly good Android tablet.

I bought it and spent some time configuring it. It's an improvement but i woukdnt say its the best keyboard.

It frequently seems to. Miss the correct spelling of its and does some crazy shit on an incorrect keypress.

*shrugs

[Nich...]

Probably should get it replaced under warranty if the screen flickers. Or you can try my app Lux, which apparently fixes it.

TBH I wanted to wait a little longer to make sure the replacement I get is from a newer revision/batch, and not the same one prone to the same issues.

Not to mention I haven't noticed it while using Lux.

Maybe I need to try a few more ereader apps before I cast a final judgement.

What have you been using? Can you be any more specific with the issues you're noticing, and what you're comparing it to/with/on? :>

[TheFrunj]

Hey Tick, dunno what case you wound up getting, but I ordered one of these and it's great. Took about 3 weeks for delivery from the states but it's definitely worth the wait:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...em=120891361426



For what it's worth, I'm happy with the gtab 7.7, it does everything I want it to in its own slightly clunky way :)