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I absolutely love the NookColor. Its got a great design and does way more than it was intended to, thanks to the android community and developers and ofcourse even Barnes&Noble for their official Froyo release.
However, I have had it for a couple of months now. Messed around heaps, tried all the roms and the novelty is running out and I just dont know what to use it for anymore. I never actually used it much apart from for trying out new roms.
The gadgets I find myself using most on a daily basis:
- For calling and texting, I use my HTC Buzz/Wildfire.
- Due to Android's poor music capabilities and the size of the NookColor, I still use my iPod touch for on the go music.
- And I still find myself using my laptop for internet and doing university work.
This is not meant to be a complain-session but I was just wondering what you guys find yourself using your NookColor/tablets mostly for? What makes you go back to using it on a daily basis?
Just trying to find some uses for rejuvenating my interest and actually using the NookColor more on a daily basis.
Do we really need to fill the "gap between the smartphones and laptops"? Does a gap even exist?
Reading a book, watching videos are the soul reason.
Yeah, a lot easier to carry CFD/fluid mechanics/thermodynamics books in pdf format than physical format Also, it's nice for hulu and messing w/android, but I know what you mean. Out of college idk what I'd use it for. Just something around the house to look up something real quick, or to play pewpew2
im a gradstudent and working professional. they both come in handy when you can do textbooks or reference books with the e-reader apps. also, i love my laptops but when im in bed... its a lot easier to use the tablet for web surfing and email than having a really hot laptop to carry.
my gf likes it to play sudoko on a larger screen than a cell phone.
I have 2 of them, one is more or less permanently in my bathroom including charger. It has replaced all the stacks of magazines that used to clutter the place up.
-Portable real internet (BBC News, Hulu, ESPN3, etc.)
-Games (especially emulators controlled with Wiimote)
-Google Maps with Bluetooth GPS
-Creating Word documents
-I use a calculator on it a lot
-Calendar and scheduling
-Facebook and networking
-Getting Amazon's free app a day
What app do you use to create word docs?
DubiousPig said:
What app do you use to create word docs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Quickoffice HD from the notion ink apps. There is also documents to go, and a few others...
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Portable real internet indeed - handy for recipes!!
NPR news app (much easier to read).
I tend to use my phone for music, but the NC is better with Winamp (my ipod touch is in the hands of my kid now).
Youtube videos for gaming (been using for Lost Odyssey on the 360 to find treasure I missed)
Gamefaqs
checking email
Facebook once in a while
A lot of this I can't stand to do on a phone...but works great on the NC.
Making router / firewall /etc changes or grabbing the network password when someone needs it - DD-WRT router - handy and saves booting up a computer to do it.
Bank application / paypal app to check balances.
I would say #1 would be ebooks - but I read mostly on my e-ink Nook.
Killing time on the couch while the kids are watching Dora or whatever.
The Nook Color is my prefered way to surf the web. I love that I can sit back on the couch and hold it like a book while surfing.
I also read books, watch movies and play games on it. The last few meetings I've had I've used it to take a few notes.
Since getting the Nook Color I've hardly touched my netbook, and since getting the netbook I've hardly touched my laptop. My desktop is a whole different animal, however.
I honastly see no benifit of using the ipod music player over the android one. Coverflow looks nice but takes forever to get anywhere. I suppose the music u might lik erl is nice but I never touched it
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
dpakrr said:
This is not meant to be a complain-session but I was just wondering what you guys find yourself using your NookColor/tablets mostly for? What makes you go back to using it on a daily basis?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, I use it probably 70% of the time to read books. My state library (NH) has an e-book program. I have 2 weeks with each book before it self-deletes, so this kind of forces me a little to use it more as an e-reader.
However, I like having it to surf the web quickly. It's also a great planner and to-do list manager (I use the Get Things Done method with Evernote). so I find it really useful for quickly jotting down notes and tasks.
the rest of my time is used watching tv shows that I always said I wanted to watch but never had the motivation to go find them (Breaking Bad and Sunny in Philadelphia being the two I'm watching now).
Could I do this all on a laptop? probably, but I find this size tablet to be much more ergonomically friendly for when I want to use electronic media (bed... at the breakfast table... on a plane).
There's no shame in not finding a use between phone and laptop for another device. If the nook or tablets aren't for you... don't worry about it. the good thing is you can probably sell your nook for about what you bought it for. experiment over.
I got to read the news and magazines. I watch alot of movies on it. Use it every day while my wife jogs.
Sent from a super smooth captivate running andromeda
I wan to keep on topic but this is a noob question. Those that are using google maps with Bluetooth GPS. What is the GPS for? Meaning are you actually using it in your car kind of like a Garmin? I'm assuming google maps can be used without the GPS part to simply scroll around the maps.
Also is there any way to use a Bluetooth headset to make Skype calls?
klaiii said:
I use Quickoffice HD from the notion ink apps. There is also documents to go, and a few others...
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you find selecting text to be difficult? About 90% of the time I can't get that little slider to slide.
s52m3 said:
I wan to keep on topic but this is a noob question. Those that are using google maps with Bluetooth GPS. What is the GPS for? Meaning are you actually using it in your car kind of like a Garmin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. It is fun to have such a large GPS in the car.
I use mine mostly for:
1) Browsing ...
2) Email / FacebookMail
3) Gaming (but am a bit frustrated with the lack of scaling in a lot of games)
4) Getting a license to each daily Amazon free app (I could use my phone, but don't, since I don't mind cluttering up my Nook) ... never know when I might go back and actually use one of them.
I find it most useful in the car/airplane but also just as a capable carry-along device with decent screen.
I have a Samsung Captivate (which I do use more for music) ... but when able I definitely use my Nook over it for things like browsing and email. I also have a very nice ultra-portable Win7 notebook (HP 2710p) ... which when my Nook is charged I basically never use unless I need to do something over my work's VPN.
The more I use my Nook, well, the more I use my Nook. I use it enough I'm just about convinced to plunk down more $ for a "real" tablet (camera, WiFi, GPS) later this year when the 3rd gen tablets start hitting the market.
The only thing I wish for is something like the iPad case with built-in keyboard, as I would like better typing.
When home, like I am now, I still use my desktop PC almost all the time and don't see it changing. But otherwise I'm surprisingly happy to pull out my Nook.
PS. One thing that got me using the Nook MUCH MUCH more was this case (I modded mine with a leather punch to open up holes behind the speaker ... if you do this just do a circlular pattern in the center as you'll start hitting magnet/metal out to the far left/right of the speaker area). It works great in easel mode both for in-lap use as well as a VERY convenient way to rest it over my hands when holding it up.
i got it because i wanted an e-reader...the fact that it's also a tablet is just an extra perk...that being said, the only thing i really use it for in that capacity is e-mail and light web surfing...but i think it will come in especially handy when traveling and i won't have to pack several books or laptop just for i-net access
75% reading books
10% news+email
5% few games
5% youtube+IMDB movie trailers
5% other tasks
I don't have an Android phone (still working on my previous generation of 'feature phone'), mostly because I can't use one during most of the waking hours.
So the nook suffices as an android surrogate. What's it do? Probably every thing you do on a phone, but on a bigger screen and only in the confines of my wifi bubble at home.
Because I dual boot between an android OS and the nook stock experience, I spend about 50/50 in each. When I'm in nook mode, it's to read. When I'm in AndroidOS mode, it's to get real time information (weather, news, calendar/agenda, etc).
I've been looking throughout the forums and Google and haven't found anything definitive about a browser that will enable me to watch streaming video to my HD7. I'm pretty sure adobe will eventually come with a update so IE can support it but is there currently an app browser out that supports flash? Skyfire pansied out from what I hear and doesn't support any WinMo and uZard is only for 6.x. Am I stuck with YouTube app for now?
I think no one yet. I've already searched and we should wait adobe give us flash support. i think i was better with my WinMo6.1 device and uZard Web
uZard was at most ok for now, but I would have alot of issues with it accessing sites like Facebook and being the servers from my understanding, are located in Korea. So me located in Maine, my data speed suffered greatly. I couldn't stand the bug when I would close uZard without switching back to regular mode from landscape mode. Right now I've been using YouTube App and just downloading the videos and just watching them on the player, but sometime I hate to wait. Someone needs to stick a firework in Adobe's ass. They would be making so much money with flash support for WP7!!
I don't think it's all necessarily Adobe's fault. IE on WP7 doesn't support plug-iins yet. So maybe when Mango drops, people's prayers will be answered
I do think flash will never come to windows phone, because it is a security risk! And closed OS must have a lot of security.
Regards,
SL55
I purchased my TF701 last Friday and missed the boat on getting Adobe Flash installed before the August 15 Google Play cut off for Android 4.0.3 devices.
I tried following the Flash install instructions they have for JellyBean.
I've downloaded the apk files from adobe.
I tried version 11 and version 10.3.
After I install the file, it appears to have loaded, but despite trying every browser (including boat, dolphin, firefox), all I get is the blue lego with a question mark where video should be.
My device was purchased in Canada. Google Play says Adobe Flash 11 is not available in my country.
I usually open my browser after factory reset and they ask me if I want to install Adobe Flash Player. I say Yes and they take me to the Play Store to install the flash player.
yyc-roof said:
I purchased my TF701 last Friday and missed the boat on getting Adobe Flash installed before the August 15 Google Play cut off for Android 4.0.3 devices.
I tried following the Flash install instructions they have for JellyBean.
I've downloaded the apk files from adobe.
I tried version 11 and version 10.3.
After I install the file, it appears to have loaded, but despite trying every browser (including boat, dolphin, firefox), all I get is the blue lego with a question mark where video should be.
My device was purchased in Canada. Google Play says Adobe Flash 11 is not available in my country.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make sure you have the plug-ins set to On Demand, Never, or Always in the browser.
I always set mine to On Demand and it appears just like you stated above, until I click it, then it will play (hence, On Demand)
Try that...
Download Market Enabler from the Play Store.
I will try on demand tonight when I get home. I did try "never" and "Always" for plugins last night.
For those who are looking for Market Enabler, I found it at:
code.google.com/p/market-enabler
Through a combination of Rooting my device, markat enabler and/or choosing "on-demand" I got flash to work. Thanks to all for the assistance.
yyc-roof said:
I purchased my TF701 last Friday and missed the boat on getting Adobe Flash installed before the August 15 Google Play cut off for Android 4.0.3 devices.
I tried following the Flash install instructions they have for JellyBean.
I've downloaded the apk files from adobe.
I tried version 11 and version 10.3.
After I install the file, it appears to have loaded, but despite trying every browser (including boat, dolphin, firefox), all I get is the blue lego with a question mark where video should be.
My device was purchased in Canada. Google Play says Adobe Flash 11 is not available in my country.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's a tf701? I want one!
Joking aside, try chrome or opera. Those two give me the best flash anyway.
le rustle face
Keion said:
What's a tf701? I want one!
Joking aside, try chrome or opera. Those two give me the best flash anyway.
le rustle face
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa - chrome doesn't even support flash at all, does it??
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
jtrosky said:
Whoa - chrome doesn't even support flash at all, does it??
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know the default Browser is a version of Chrome and this version allows the side-load of Flash. Chrome Browser on its own, as an app, has a Flash support built in, I think! On this I could be wrong as I don't use it because the Android version doesn't allow extensions and the only reason I would use it is if I could run Adblock. :crying:
Chrome on Android does not support flash. I go to few sites that require it for viewing video and wants an updated version.
I was able to side load Flash Player, from TB. I did get my TB file from a TF700T. I confirmed it installed and was working in Dolphin for Pad.
I have no idea it made a difference or not, but I rooted my 700 first thing. It's still locked and running stock (like there's is much choice for alternative daily drivers).
Keion said:
What's a tf701? I want one!
Joking aside, try chrome or opera. Those two give me the best flash anyway.
le rustle face
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome for android does not support flash. Google has openly stated it will never support flash in preference for newer and better things to come. Flash is being phased out. Deal with it.
Try Dolphin or Boat browser on Android, those are the two highest rated ones, most people on these forums say either one is excellent depending on your needs.
pileot said:
Flash is being phased out. Deal with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to be so snippy. Flash may be phased out some time in the future, but it's not phased out right now. And some of us depend on Flash to view live newscasts such as streaming CNN, streaming a weather channel, etc.
I switched to Android several years ago specifically due to Flash support. And I will keep my Android phone and tablet on a version of Android that supports Flash so long as Flash is still being used on the sites that I visit.
On a side note, thanks to Splashtop, I can watch Flash streams and videos from my PC, even after Android stops supporting Flash.
It is confirmed that Flash is supported and working in Jellybean, so there's still some time yet.
pileot said:
Try Dolphin or Boat browser on Android, those are the two highest rated ones, most people on these forums say either one is excellent depending on your needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I use Boat for Flash without being rooted.
Chrome on Android has NO Flash support, at all. No plugin support of any kind, in fact.
The problem is that most sites are never going to get rid of Flash. A lot of webdevelopers are lazy, they don't want to learn HTML5. Thus, we'll need Flash for at least another decade, maybe two.
Did you bother following this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1774336
I love my android devices, but the lack of flash kills web browsing - and thats 50% of what many people use these tablets for.
If the new Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets have full flash support its not going to help Android or iDevice sales.
I'm getting really tired of having empty blank boxes on news sites where a video is supposed to be - even with the current adobe flash side-loaded there's still stuff that doesn't work on Android, because there is zero effort now to support it.
If the new Windows tablets provide fast web browsing with full Flash support that resembles a PC browser I will consider them.
I suppose everyone will argue that there will be zero app support. But for many people a tablet has to do only 4 things:
1. Browse the Web
2. Play audio and video files
3. Allow you to view and work with documents
4. Play games
If windows RT/8 solves the first 3 I can overlook the 4th. If it can do all 4 its a home run.
Humm...went here this morning and it seems there is a flash update?
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html
Flash Player 11.1.for Android 4.0 (11.1.115.20)
flhthemi said:
Humm...went here this morning and it seems there is a flash update?
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html
Flash Player 11.1.for Android 4.0 (11.1.115.20)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Struggled with a friend's transformer. Finally updated to Asus Jellybean. Googled helpx.adobe.com android versions. Sideloaded the latest version, and it works like a charm.
This is kinda strange.
Even the framework may be different, Flash works with Note 3 (4.3) and Note 8.0 (4.2.2) in combination with Dolphin.
Here is a Adobe Flash apk that will install on your TF701:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/46tp3wzqse7fw53/uAfYbRr5tU
I know android is droping it, but come on. Just about every video playing web site use's it and loads more do to. I know about HTML 5, but next to no one use's that crap yet.
That and I would like to know if USB tethering can work on it like android.
Thanks to all
Don't expect to see Flash Player on a WP8 device as Adobe have stopped developing Flash for mobiles a while ago now. It's also about time for websites to drop this aged format and move with the times. HTML5 is the future, like it or not.
Ray.
Flash is among the worst things that ever happened to the internet. The adobe player is clunky, hangs a lot, eats a ton of resources, makes navigation a lot harder for lower end computers/devices.
Flash should be phased out of existance, HTML5 is much better in pretty much every respect.
And to answer question 2 is yes you can tether wp8, you can already tether windows phone 7. Just go to settings - internet sharing. Not sure if its same by usb but that gives you wifi and you can plug in via usb to save battery.
I would like flash to be dead as the next guy, BUT just about every video playing web site is flash and HTML 5 won't be done intill like 2022 or some crap like that. I don't want to wait 2,3,5 or 10 years for HTML 5 Ok. If there is 0 flash on WP8, I will stick to my S3 intill they fix that crap called HTML 5.
4ktvs said:
I would like flash to be dead as the next guy, BUT just about every video playing web site is flash and HTML 5 won't be done intill like 2022 or some crap like that. I don't want to wait 2,3,5 or 10 years for HTML 5 Ok. If there is 0 flash on WP8, I will stick to my S3 intill they fix that crap called HTML 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, calm down. Number one, HTML5 isn't crap. It's far better than flash. Flash is crap. Just because none of your porn sites use it yet doesn't mean it's bad.
Number two, almost always, flash player and html5 are just handles for a video stream. It should be fairly easy to develop an app that [more thoroughly] detects and captures the stream and plays it back in the system video player, bypassing flash entirely. In fact that's what WP7 already does with sites like youtube.
Sites that don't work with this method are the ones using some form of DRM to prevent you from stealing their videos. This is a stupid thing to do and I suggest you direct your anger at the sites that have the deplorable practice of using DRM at the expense of their visitors: they are the real problem.
Given that it's not up to those sites in many cases if they use DRM protection on the content or not and given that HTML5 DRM support is also not about to happen anytime soon we can look forward to a Mobile Web that is not compatible with most Video Sites.
The current state of HTML5 support is pretty much the same tired old story we had in the days of HTML4 browser wars, with people needing to quite often use conditional CSS statements for different browsers. I guess they will have figured out how to interpret that standard some years after they start working on HTML6 - until then: prepare to be disapointed.
I was fortunate to get my hands on a Chromecast at my local BestBuy the other day, and after a full day of use it is one of the best $25 (had a $10 reward cert) I have spent since my last trip to Outback Steakhouse .
Getting the dongle up and running in my entertainment center was a bit awkward with the mini USB required for powering the device, but all went smoothly. First time set up was simple, requiring installation of the Chromecast app on my HTC One which was able to pair with the dongle and hook it up to my home WiFi network. Once connected to WiFi, it's ready to use, displaying the "Ready to Cast" home screen.
Google Play Music was the first app I tried out, and I was immediately disappointed to get the error message "Unable to Cast sideloaded content". Hopefully an update for local content will be added to phones and tablets in the near future, since it is only possible within the Chrome browser on your Mac/PC. Music playback through their Unlimited music service worked as advertise though, however the Now Playing interface displayed on the TV could use a bit more polish. It doesn't look awful, but it doesn't look very good either. Every now and then I would get an error when selecting songs saying "Could not stream your selection at this time," where I would have to kill the app from the multitask screen and restart.
Where this device thrives is video playback. Netflix, Youtube, and Google Play Videos are the only content supported so far but they deliver. Watching AMC's The Killing and The Avengers in 1080p by simply "casting" to my TV with my new Nexus 7 is a real treat. And the best part is I can use my tablet while watching for anything I want. Be it games, web browsing, reading, or music; it doesn't effect playback at all since it is being streamed by the dongle, not your phone/tablet/computer. Even better, ChromeCast has minimal effect on battery life of your device. I started an episode of The Killing with 55% battery, after the episode was over about an hour later my battery held at 54%.
I have not been able to try out screen mirroring yet, but will update once I play around with it. Overall I am satisfied with my purchase. The lack of local media support on phones/tablets are preventing it from being a serious threat to AirPlay and the Apple TV, but at the same time being 65% cheaper make it a more than reasonable trade off. The way I see this device: it makes watching Netflix on my TV simpler. Before it was turning on my PS3, navigating to the Netflix app, waiting for it to load, choosing between regular content or kids, and then finally getting to pick what I would like to watch. Now I just switch to the input my Chromecast is hooked up to, fire up the Netflix app on my phone/tablet (whichever is closer), make my selection, and then "cast" to my TV.
If you are looking for a fast simple way to watch Netflix, YouTube, and movie rentals through Google Play this device is for you. If you are expecting an Airplay/Apple TV killer, well this device isn't for you...yet. With its open API for future dev support, it is just a matter of time for local files and more streaming sites such as HBO GO and Hulu to be supported.
The oneinfour score: 7.5/10 - lack of local content playback and wacky music playback issues hold back an otherwise solid streamer.
interesting read.
I think we may be waiting a bit for Hulu to get on board. They're a bit quirky regarding the various contract and licensing agreements. To me, they should just view this as HDMI out on the Hulu app, but who knows. Sometimes they're just obtuse because one can just hook up a PC to the TV and have all content available.
It's early, so to some degree, we're going to see a lot of growing pains as the product matures. I look forward to trying it out myself when I eventually get one.
Chromecasting a chrome tab on your desktop allows HBO go (and others I presume) to work with your chromecast. I was even able to drag and drop a local mkv file into the active chrome tab and it played on my TV just fine. Some pixelation and artifacting, but mostly negligible. Audio synced up fine too. Here's a video of it in action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT2XUI-yZxE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Chromecast messes with AdBlocker
You can't expect it to be compatible with every third party app. Adblocker needs to fix on their end.
As far as Chromecast.. I went to buy one and it is sold out every where.
What would be amazing would be a device that would allow us to send screen to TV for gaming, etc.. With the higher res this would be awesome on my 1080 Bravia!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
oneinfour said:
The way I see this device: it makes watching Netflix on my TV simpler. Before it was turning on my PS3, navigating to the Netflix app, waiting for it to load, choosing between regular content or kids, and then finally getting to pick what I would like to watch. Now I just switch to the input my Chromecast is hooked up to, fire up the Netflix app on my phone/tablet (whichever is closer), make my selection, and then "cast" to my TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what makes it a potentially killer app. I own a roku, a wdtv, an htpc (out of commission because of fan noise), and I have had multiple cable boxes. In terms of interfaces, nothing has gotten it right. Interfaces are either time consuming to get working, slow, unpolished, or difficult to navigate. Worse, sometimes they rely on unstable hacks that are destroyed by API changes. The difference with chromecast is that most of the apps on your tablet and phone are fairly polished, speedy, and easy to navigate. Most importantly, the video is separated from the UI, meaning you don't stop what you're doing to look at something else. There are a lot of great ways that this can be used: Playing a movie automatically brings up more information about that movie on the tablet; it could tell you the names of the actors on the screen (I think amazon has something like this). Song lyrics could be displayed on the tablet. Sky is the limit in that respect.
Yes, screen mirroring would be nice, but I doubt it will ever work as well as we want it to on this device. Google has not released an API for windows or mac os so speed may never be something we see on the desktop. We will see though.
It would depend on the screen it was being mirrored too and would not be perfect but it would be awesome.
Ideally instead of having to stay media info chrome I would just like to my screen on the TV. That would be a huge selling point for Google.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Why do you think direct local streaming was not included? Just seems like no brainer to me... Anyway I think ill probably go pick one up once Skype gets on board with suppprt.
Great review, I agree with everything you wrote. I am loving mine so far too. If Amazon wakes up and adds support, this will be a killer little dongle. Though, if they don't, then I will just starting buying my TV shows and Movies from Google's store instead =)
I too would like to see the ability to stream local content soon, and also from the cloud services like Dropbox/Box/Drive/etc. The developers have already proven it to be possible, with great results ... it is really up to Google now to allow it to happen. The fact that they released the Chromecast without local file support has me a little worried. But I am hoping this was more a scheduling decision to get it out the door to beat the competition to the punch and get people talking.
This cheap little gadget has the potential to shake up the media industry in a big way.