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[Q] Are you getting an Android Tablet this year? Which one?

With so many tablets coming out over the next few months, it seems to be a task just to find out which is the best value. We have some dual-cores, which are about 2X as much as the Archos 101 tablet; Google employees stating that Android's current state is not meant for the tablet form-factor; Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) on the horizon, which should be optimized for tablet-use.
The ones that I know about (and I'm sure I'm missing some)
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Archos 101
Archos 71
eLocity
Folio
So with all that said, for those of you planning on buying an Android tablet, which are you going to get? Are you going to be looking for one thing in particular (i.e. dual-core, or the first Gingerbread tablet), or are you just going to get the first one out?
I'm a little torn right now. With Google TV coming out soon (expected within one month), I honestly don't know if I can find the money for all of these gadgets, including getting the first dual-core 3.0 phone. I'm in need of other peoples' opinions.

Yesterday I was 100% certain I was going to get a Galaxy Tab. I woke up this morning and my RSS feeds are telling me it won't have voice capabilities, so now there is a 0% chance I will be picking one up. Even with the 4 carrier blitz, I suspect the Galaxy Tab will be a flop, but who knows..
I'll probably just get a Windows Phone 7 phone and wait for HTC's Q1 2011 tablet. Hopefully there will be native VOIP in Android by that time and I can get a Wi-Fi only tab off-contract for less than $300. I think the 7" form factor is the way to go too.

A part of me hopes WP7 flops just so I'm not tempted to get one. We'll find out soon.
I'm also with you that 7" seems to be the way to go. I'd still like to do a side-by-side comparison with a 10" though.

Tired of waiting.
When I heard Google saying that Froyo wasn't for tablets I realized I'd be waiting a while for an Android based tablet. Or I'd be looking at a Chrome OS tablet and I said screw it and bought an iPad.

Ipad is a little too large, and Tab is a little too small. I want something 9x6, just like a steno pad. I also wouldn't mind Chrome instead of Android as the operating system.
PS: Video chat and VOIP over wifi only? WTF is Samsung thinking? Why would Android owners buy a 3G model when our phones are freakin' hotspots?

Notionink Adam

Since the launch of iPad, sometimes I stop and think - why the hell would anyone need a tablet, and what exactly is this oversized phone good for?
Its functionality is lacking severely when compared to any normal laptop, but these things still require a bag to carry them around, because of their size. And if I want some productivity and have to carry a bag anyway - I'll most definitely be taking my laptop with me. For anything else, I have my phone that doesn't require a bag. So what's good in them? What can you do with one? Surf the web and watch videos? That's all?

Jack_R1 said:
Since the launch of iPad, sometimes I stop and think - why the hell would anyone need a tablet, and what exactly is this oversized phone good for?
Its functionality is lacking severely when compared to any normal laptop, but these things still require a bag to carry them around, because of their size. And if I want some productivity and have to carry a bag anyway - I'll most definitely be taking my laptop with me. For anything else, I have my phone that doesn't require a bag. So what's good in them? What can you do with one? Surf the web and watch videos? That's all?
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Click to collapse
With my Nexus, I would say I use it 5% of the time as a phone (SMS, calls), the other 95% of the time is spent surfing the web, playing games, and watching videos. I feel like I am an ideal candidate for a person who would find a tablet extremely useful. It's not about productivity for me, and when it is I go straight to my laptop. For me it's about the leisure time, killing time, comfortably -- and not having to squint when reading webpages.
I think a tablet would be simply my home go-to device. If I'm the type of person who would rather surf the web on my phone vs. my 17", 5 lb laptop (due to size, weight, convenience), then I'm definitely the type of person who would prefer a 7-10" tablet over my 3.7" phone.

bigmout said:
Ipad is a little too large, and Tab is a little too small. I want something 9x6, just like a steno pad. I also wouldn't mind Chrome instead of Android as the operating system.
PS: Video chat and VOIP over wifi only? WTF is Samsung thinking? Why would Android owners buy a 3G model when our phones are freakin' hotspots?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a wifi iPad because of my N1! I agree 9x6 would be nice. But, games on a bigger screen and books is what did it for me.
I think Google should pick ONE manufacture and create devices like they did with the n1. Android is getting to be a little to all over the place, especially now that tablets are becoming something the general public wants. If Google wants Android or Chrome on tabs, they need to figure it out now.
I love Google products but I also would rather spend my money on something I know will work great and look great. I would like to see my Android apps on a bigger screen, but not if they look like crap.

I'm looking at the Archos 101, as long as I can fenagle the Android market onto it.
Jack_R1 said:
Since the launch of iPad, sometimes I stop and think - why the hell would anyone need a tablet, and what exactly is this oversized phone good for?
Its functionality is lacking severely when compared to any normal laptop, but these things still require a bag to carry them around, because of their size. And if I want some productivity and have to carry a bag anyway - I'll most definitely be taking my laptop with me. For anything else, I have my phone that doesn't require a bag. So what's good in them? What can you do with one? Surf the web and watch videos? That's all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have it on a dock in my living room....it will serve as a toy for my 3-year-old daughter (she loves my n1...even more than my mom's iphone! xD), laptop "replacement", as well as my universal remote once I get my Google TV set-top box.

Now that I have an Android phone...

...I can understand the "Why would I want a tablet?" crowd a little better. I'm late to the smartphone party; my half-bright phone (SE Walkman 760) kept me happy for quite a while, with first a netbook and then the NC filling the gap between phone and PC. The other day, though, I snagged a used Xperia X10 on craigslist, and I'm starting to wonder how much use my NC will see aside from e-reading, which would be served as well or better by an e-ink device.
I mean, if the phone and the tablet are both in arm's reach, sure, I'll go for the bigger screen, but their uses are almost 100% redundant now. The only thing I couldn't see doing on the phone is reading comic books, which I rarely do on the NC anyway, and I could still read b&w comics on e-ink. Some games would be kind of pointless on the X10, but overall the two devices break even there, given the NC's bigger screen and the X10's better touch response. The same could be said for web-browsing; the NC's screen is a gorgeous klutz, as touch screens go. That trade-off doesn't apply to tablets in general, but the rest pretty much do; many phones are at least as capable as any tablet near the NC's price range.
The NC is a great platform for exploring ROMs and mods to a greater extent than I'd be comfortable doing on my phone--really, the NC has been a hobby unto itself in the time I've had it, but I think I've covered all the mods I care to explore. I may well sell it off and pick up a N2E or other rootable Android e-ink device (are there any others yet?) in the near future.

I started with the smartphone, then picked up my NC a year later. The Nook is very much my reader of choice. On long hauls, I'm OK with running down my Nook's battery, while keeping my phone for "serious" use.
Of course, the phone does SMS more cleanly. The phone is always with me, whereas the Nook is more for planned long periods of downtime. While I could do it all on my phone, the larger Nook screen has made reading and browsing more of something I enjoy doing.
- Bob

Battery life is the upside of redundancy, for sure, but for reading at least, an e-ink device would have substantial advantages over the NC in that department. Something like the STR that can be rooted to display pretty much any document format and has some limited browsing capability might end up absorbing more of my juice-intensive activities than the NC. It's also somewhat relevant, for me, that the STR would be more efficient in terms of my personal power consumption, drawing much less juice off the grid.
I'm not decided on shelving the NC--I've had the phone less than a week, so I'll see how my usage patterns shake out. Still, it's tempting to go e-ink. It would also give me a new device to mod

I use my phone on the go and my Nook at home. I like having a bigger screen to do my browsing, movie watching, book read etc.
I don't don't see why you would drop the nook for an e-ink as the nook can do almost anything while a stand alone reader does one thing.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

koopakid08 said:
I don't don't see why you would drop the nook for an e-ink as the nook can do almost anything while a stand alone reader does one thing.
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Click to collapse
What it can do is immaterial if I do not in fact use it to do those things--most of my uses for the larger display would be met by the STR, primarily reading and some browsing.
I don't know, though--I probably will end up sticking with the NC. A lot of my reading is at night, where the backlight is a plus, and every once in a while I do get into some dumb game on the NC (often sitting less than six feet away from a PC with probably 20 real games installed ).
Mainly, I just have more sympathy for the people who are baffled by the tablet phenomenon. A decent Android phone is an extremely capable device, and all a tablet really brings to the table are those extra inches.

Since I flash my phone quite often I try to keep the installed apps to a minimum while my nook is loaded to the hilt. Since it (the Nook) fits in my back pocket I take it everywhere so it keeps me from draining my phone's battery as well.

My $.02 with data being so expensive for phones now I actually save money by using the nook everywhere and not using phone data. I love my nook, I can hardly even stand browsing the web on my phone now that I have been spoiled with the nooks brilliant screen. I use my phone primarily when I am super bored in class and to keep updated on email everywhere. And my phone is a mytouch.4g so not a bad phone for comparison. I don't even understand the hype on the Amazon tablet except for the price, if you ask me the brilliant people that designed the nook color should be receiving all the press. Everything but dual core almost a year in advance, am I wrong?

Cant agree more, I found myself using nook more than my EVO.

ncmt4g64 said:
My $.02 with data being so expensive for phones now I actually save money by using the nook everywhere and not using phone data.
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Would you please elaborate on that? I don't have a data plan for my phone because I have almost universal access to good WiFi networks, and it doesn't cost me any.

inportb said:
Would you please elaborate on that? I don't have a data plan for my phone because I have almost universal access to good WiFi networks, and it doesn't cost me any.
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Right, you can always use both when there is wifi, I would choose nook everytime. But since I started using my nook so much, I reduced my phone data plan to 2.5gb instead of 5gb, mostly because I tend to hold off using my phone for internet and stuff especially on data since the nook is so much bigger and also my primary Android device now.

I watched about 4 hours worth of Archer on my NC while flying from Raleigh to Denver recently. Can't imagine doing that (enjoyably) on my phone. Video quality its pretty darn good on the Nook.

bagelicious said:
I watched about 4 hours worth of Archer on my NC while flying from Raleigh to Denver recently. Can't imagine doing that (enjoyably) on my phone. Video quality its pretty darn good on the Nook.
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For frequent flyers who aren't trying to work on the plane, tablets are great, no question. Me, I take a 2-hour trip every month or two, and while it's not out of the question I would want to watch a movie, more often I end up reading or listening to music or audiobooks, and/or napping.

ncmt4g64 said:
My $.02 with data being so expensive for phones now I actually save money by using the nook everywhere and not using phone data.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, $$ is still my primary concern, I'm no luddite (if that's not obvious from running a hacked nook), but the required data plans for phones add up to hundreds, sometimes thousands a year (eg; family). Personally, I'd rather spend that money on other areas (travel / retirement), so I'm seeing how long I can go for feature phone + nook.

NCKevo said:
I'm seeing how long I can go for feature phone + nook.
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That's what I was doing when I picked up the NC in May; no way was I getting a smart phone on contract. Since I ditched my contract, though, getting a smartphone actually lowered my phone bill, or at least forced me to look into my options and discover it could be lower. I was doing AT&T/GoPhone's $50 prepaid unlimited they introduced this summer, but they blocked my data when I got the X10, so I'm looking at what I can do, and they'd introduced another new plan last month, with 250 min. and unlimited texts for $25. I don't have to carry any data, but I got a 10MB/$5 "emergency" plan in case I need a map in a tight spot...or want to check Facebook at a bus stop
At any rate, I'm in love with my NC again, mostly because I found an app that handles both epubs and pdfs really well (Mantano) and another one that can read my rtfs (CoolReader). I'm still taking Mantano for a test drive, but I expect it will replace Aldiko and ezPDF. I swear I have about ten reader apps

You guys looking for cheap smartphones. Check out Virgin Mobile. $35 a month unlimited data, and texting with 300 minutes. It's on Sprints network so depends where you are but I have great coverage everywhere I go. Also its prepaid so no evil contracts!
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Sent from my LG Optimus V using Tapatalk
If this post helped you don't forget to say thanks!

Taosaur said:
Battery life is the upside of redundancy, for sure, but for reading at least, an e-ink device would have substantial advantages over the NC in that department. Something like the STR that can be rooted to display pretty much any document format and has some limited browsing capability might end up absorbing more of my juice-intensive activities than the NC. It's also somewhat relevant, for me, that the STR would be more efficient in terms of my personal power consumption, drawing much less juice off the grid.
I'm not decided on shelving the NC--I've had the phone less than a week, so I'll see how my usage patterns shake out. Still, it's tempting to go e-ink. It would also give me a new device to mod
Click to expand...
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I think you'll find that once the novelty wears off you won't want to deal with the tiny screen unless it's your only option (ie at the dr, lunch etc.). I use my fascinate for phone calls, wifi hotspot and personal email and gchat at work (blocked on my work laptop) or when I have nothing else. The 7"screen is the right compromise between comfort and big enough text to be comfortable for extended use where the phone isn't, even with the beautiful amoled screen on the fascinate. I use the NC at home for most browsing and reading (and for tracking my fantasy football team on sundays).

Taosaur said:
At any rate, I'm in love with my NC again, mostly because I found an app that handles both epubs and pdfs really well (Mantano) and another one that can read my rtfs (CoolReader). I'm still taking Mantano for a test drive, but I expect it will replace Aldiko and ezPDF. I swear I have about ten reader apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy hell! I LOVE mantano! It's an immediate new favorite over aldiko and already has all the things I loved about aldiko, but it handles the PDFs soooo much better. The hint on using coolreader for rtf's was also good, as i gave up looking for something that could handle that format.
Now i'm going to go whole hog and couple mantano to calibre and be in heaven...
A hundred shiny new internets to you for such a great find, sir!

koopakid08 said:
You guys looking for cheap smartphones. Check out Virgin Mobile. $35 a month unlimited data, and texting with 300 minutes. It's on Sprints network so depends where you are but I have great coverage everywhere I go. Also its prepaid so no evil contracts!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I considered them (and could have sworn it was $25 when I looked at it), but the only Android they had was the LG Optimus V, which didn't look so hot, and while their service is decent right where I live, it's extremely spotty everywhere else I go. "Unlimited" sounds great, but "enough" is just as good for all practical purposes, and the aftermarket for AT&T phones is quite solid.
skwalas said:
Holy hell! I LOVE mantano! It's an immediate new favorite over aldiko and already has all the things I loved about aldiko, but it handles the PDFs soooo much better. The hint on using coolreader for rtf's was also good, as i gave up looking for something that could handle that format.
Now i'm going to go whole hog and couple mantano to calibre and be in heaven...
A hundred shiny new internets to you for such a great find, sir!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mantano CS/development is very engaged, too, and making constant improvements. They're active in this thread over on mobileread: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131997
I wish I could find a rtf editor for Android. I don't have a keyboard for the NC right now, but it is my preferred medium for word processing, and I'm thinking about doing NaNoWriMo this year, so it would come in handy when I'm on the road around Thanksgiving.

Taosaur said:
I considered them (and could have sworn it was $25 when I looked at it), but the only Android they had was the LG Optimus V, which didn't look so hot, and while their service is decent right where I live, it's extremely spotty everywhere else I go. "Unlimited" sounds great, but "enough" is just as good for all practical purposes, and the aftermarket for AT&T phones is quite solid.
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Click to collapse
Yes it was $25 and I'm still grandfathered into that price. They do have other Androids now the Moto Triumph looks pretty good but they also got some HTC phone and the optimus slider.
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If this post helped you don't forget to say thanks!

Goodbye Nexus 7

I loved the design and hardware of the Nexus 7 but unfortunately, I barely used/am barely using the tablet; I know it's wasn't exactly expensive but I use my PC a lot to the point where tablets and even mobile phones don't really get much use. I am getting a full refund from Tesco. I played the odd game but apart from that I've done everything else on my PC. I feel the exact same as I did before I bought it; I want to get rid of it because I barely use it but I don't want to get rid of it at the same time (It's hard to explain)
Anyone else in the same position?

Yeah kind of.. I was reading a thread about 7 exchanges for numerous faults when I spotted a dead pixel, so I thought I would go for a replacement, the replacement has light bleed. Now I am just thinking about getting a refund. I barely use it and I bought the 8 GB version which really does not have enough space. I like the tab, but I feel I have no real need for it. If Google can't sort it out soon I will get my money back..
Either way I am not too bothered.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Tricky103 said:
Yeah kind of.. I was reading a thread about 7 exchanges for numerous faults when I spotted a dead pixel, so I thought I would go for a replacement, the replacement has light bleed. Now I am just thinking about getting a refund. I barely use it and I bought the 8 GB version which really does not have enough space. I like the tab, but I feel I have no real need for it. If Google can't sort it out soon I will get my money back..
Either way I am not too bothered.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly how I feel. Mine has no issues whatsoever; It's a 'perfect' device. I don't know if it's just a case of sticking with it and trying to find a use for it or just get a refund while I can.

It depends on your usage. For just general browsing I was using my computer which was fine but I'd have to sit down and plug it in all the time. This allows me to be more efficient and get other things down while reading the news and stuff.
Sent from my paranoid Nexus 7.

I use my desktop most of the time when I'm home, but I do find the Nexus 7 nice when I'm walking about, traveling, and etc.

Sorry to hear that. I also prefer to use the PC as well - much faster to get things done.
Have you considered it for sofa/bed use?

Whats the point of this thread ?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Salty Wagyu said:
Sorry to hear that. I also prefer to use the PC as well - much faster to get things done.
Have you considered it for sofa/bed use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah sure. But also have a s3,
....
Actually I probably would miss it a bit. Xmbc works well and I can also hear Tune In Radio whilst in the shower (which I can't on the s3). I knew before I bought it that it would be switched off more than it was on.. I thought the internet was supposed to stop impulse buying but this was my first . It is only £168 and in a years time I will have a 7" tab running the next OS.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Salty Wagyu said:
Sorry to hear that. I also prefer to use the PC as well - much faster to get things done.
Have you considered it for sofa/bed use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm honest, I don't really spend a lot of time downstairs/on the sofa and I don't really like using gadgets in bed. For me, my bed is for sleep and that's it. I currently don't have a mobile phone and to be honest, it's not like I need the money from the refund, I just don't think that the amount I will use it justifies me having it.

Yeah there a big toy for me, I have a gaming pc, a laptop, and a smart phone. I don't need one but they are fun mess with lol
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah I mean, it's not like I hated using it; It's really fun to use but honestly, I prefer using my PC for like 90% of tasks.

>Anyone else in the same position?
+1. I think N7 hardware is great, even if missing a few features. The problem is that Android underwhelms me. It's been two years since 2.x, 1.5 years since the first official Android tab, and there isn't much new functionality. HC was a beta, ICS unifies phone+tablet, and JB adds some UI speed (and a Siri-alike). Multiuser is still missing along with networking, periphs support, etc etc. App support is still abysmal. It's still pretty much a phone OS, just like iOS.
I think my largest disappointment was from this year's I/O, where the main pitch was Google peddling its Play store wares, and the N7 was basically a kiosk for that--ie a carbon copy of Amazon's strategy. There's nothing about the tablet as a future computing device, just a consumption device (of Google content).
Gadget lust aside, my uses for Android tabs given their present limitations are pretty sparse as well. E-reading is great, and light web browse. My ultraportable does everything else, albeit with a bit less portability.
I'll probably pick up another tab or two this fall when more stuff shows up. But Android isn't a lock. the rumored iPad mini is appealing, and I'm also in a holding pattern to see how WinRT/Win8 toys pan out.
>Xmbc works well
I prefer vids on a big screen, so am aiming for a settop or a stick PC for this.

I don't really like using gadgets in bed. For me, my bed is for sleep and that's it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
Someone doesn't get laid.

I'm the opposite. My netbook and top of the line desktop PC's are hardly ever used anymore. I take my tablets with me everywhere I go, and only use the desktop when I really have to.

I'm using mine frequently enough, but only when I could be reading instead, which would be healthier and a better use of my time.
That's true for the desktop as well to an extent, but before I had a tablet reading before bed was part of my routine. Lately I've been streaming over the network or watching Netflix instead. And that's not a good way to fall asleep.
It's like those instant versus delayed gratification studies where people choose to watch Mrs. Doubtfire today and Schindler's List tomorrow.
http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/10/27/procrastination/
So I guess I'm sort of having the opposite problem. I should be reading Confederacy of Dunces in bed, but I'm watching Deadwood and Archer on my Nexus instead, regardless of my priorities.
If I can't trust my own preference for when I choose to use it, then what's the point of having it.

You must retrain your mind and think of the tablet as a read-only device.. Use it to read news, rss feeds (using pulse), books, mags, anything/site that doesn't require a lot of interaction, etc.. It's not made to replace your computer, or even be used the same way.. Once you get in the habit of using it for what it makes faster, it ends up saving you time.. On the other hand if you sit and force yourself to do things on it that are normally done faster on a PC/Notebook (ie. typing a lot of emails, or really anything to do with a lot of typing) - you will not be getting any advantage.
Perfect use examples..
Pulling up a manual, and working on something w/ it there next to you.. it fits in places a notebook/pc just aren't practical.
Monitoring Blogs via RSS (using pulse reader where you can see a lot of blogs/posts at the same time, and skim fast)
Monitoring News, etc using widgets on home screen.. real time data from multiple sources updated and presented on a single screen.
Texting using Google Voice
Reading emails - writing them is not always fun.
GPS navigation using tethered phone in car.
Slacker, Pandora, etc in car using tethered phone - the screen size makes for easier to use interface when driving (if you have the right mount, etc)
Reading books / mags, etc of course (helps get rid of that paper / mag clutter in your home)
Makes for the perfect thing to manage tasks, and calendar, etc - (use Gtasks to sync with gmail's built in tasks)
Start off by training yourself that its a Read-only device and delegate those tasks to it, and you will "Get it"..
Just some thoughts!

>think of the tablet as a read-only device
Yes, "content consumption." The question is whether your consumption is such an overriding need that you must have access everywhere. If you don't do much social media, or online news/RSS, much of the tablet's advantage is obviated.
That's not to say that tablets won't be popular. They obviously are, if iPad (and plateauing laptop) sales are any indicator. But I take it to mean that for most of the population, "consumption" is and has been their main use for PCs, not "computing" per se.

I work in IT, work in computers all day long, sit at a desk a lot. So when I get home, I do spend some more time at my desktop. But I love having a tablet, so I can get away from the desk and keyboard. I like to grab my tablet, stretch out on the sofa or on the lawn chair on the back porch and just surf the web or watch YouTube or something.

Ravynmagi said:
I work in IT, work in computers all day long, sit at a desk a lot. So when I get home, I do spend some more time at my desktop. But I love having a tablet, so I can get away from the desk and keyboard. I like to grab my tablet, stretch out on the sofa or on the lawn chair on the back porch and just surf the web or watch YouTube or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
My tablet has pretty much replaced my laptop for general web viewing. And since it's uber portable, I find myself having it in places I used to take my GS3 and usually wouldn't take my laptop. Yeah, I could just use my phone, as I did for years for most things, but the tab is a lot easier on my eyes.
One place I really wanted to use my tab is at school. But after using a stylus for the first time, I'm not sure that I can use it for serious note taking, which sucks as I would love to get rid of paper notebooks.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I guess I'm sort of in two minds as to whether I should keep it or not.

[Q] Would you recommend the Nexus 7?

I'm a Java developer who'd like to start fiddling around with making Android apps (finally). I've had an iPad 2 for a long while, but think I'm ready to make the switch. A smaller device than the iPad is attractive to me for portability, but I also need one large enough for my stubby fingers to still type on, so the 7" form factor seems like a sweet spot. I'm also an avid GMail, Chrome, and Google Calendar user, and I need to be able to read graphic intensive PDFs regularly.
I chose to come here and ask about the device since I know I'll end up fiddling with it quite a bit and have a tendency to be a "power user." There's been a few complaints I've seen, and was wondering if they actually merit concern or not.
First, does the lack of Corning Gorilla Glass leave the N7 susceptible to scratching?
I've heard that the latest Android update (4.2) left out some functions for the N7 that the other Nexus devices received. True? Do they impact anything, or are they just cosmetic?
I've read a few complaints about Chrome not working well on the N7. Any truth to that?
Can the N7 play AAC files from my iTunes music collection?
Finally, from the information I've provided, would you recommend the N7 to someone like me?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Yes, its a great device, especially for the price point.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

First, does the lack of Corning Gorilla Glass leave the N7 susceptible to scratching?
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Click to collapse
Mine hasn't scratched yet after about two and a half months and it still has a "scratch resistant corning glass", but it's supposedly less resistant than Gorilla Glass.
I've heard that the latest Android update (4.2) left out some functions for the N7 that the other Nexus devices received. True? Do they impact anything, or are they just cosmetic?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one feature it's missing from 4.2 is Miracast, but the Nexus 4 is pretty much the only device getting it.
I've read a few complaints about Chrome not working well on the N7. Any truth to that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rendering is good, but it lags when scrolling on some heavier websites. The stock android browser is much faster, but not included on the Nexus 7.
elias4444 said:
Can the N7 play AAC files from my iTunes music collection?
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Click to collapse
It does as far as I know, but most likely only those without DRM.

Best $200 I ever spent. And happened to buy it the day they lowered prices so scored a 16gigger.
My screen protector and case haven't arrived yet, and I've been throwing it in my bag with my keys and e-cig. Not a scratch to be seen yet.
4.2 didn't really change all that much to be honest except multi user, which I won't use, and broke some apps which I imagine will be fixed soon.
Chrome is fine IMO it just doensn't support Flash. The newest beta of Firefox runs fine on 4.2 and does support flash (which you have to sideload). Never tried AAC files but if it doesn't natively play them (and I bet it does) then you can find an app to play them. Doubletwist is what I use for all my media and I moved a bunch of my DRM free itunes music on.

I'm pretty happy with mine and use it frequently for media (movies, music, Netflix), e-mail, browsing, stock market stuff, some shopping, working on PC's (using Teamviewer full commercial version), and some other tasks. I use it both at home and at work because I can access my Drobo-FS at home and the servers at work.
I rarely use my actual computer anymore unless I'm doing case notes for work, working on my book, or anything that requires a lot of typing.
I also have an iPad 2 in the house and try and try as I might to like it and use it for my tasks...it just...seems lacking. It's too big, awkward, and the way it handles media and files in general just pisses me off to no end and accessing servers/file shares is a complete and utter joke in iOS (sorry...soap boxing a bit here).
So anyway, yeah...I would recommend it to certain people...most people in fact. Yet, there are those few where you just know that the best thing for them would be a different, non-Android tablet...but that's more about that person than the device itself.

I definitely would recommend it.
-Brought to you by Marino's Nexus 7-

very nice device for the price point. especially with the 32gb HSPA+ version.

elias4444 said:
I'm a Java developer who'd like to start fiddling around with making Android apps (finally). I've had an iPad 2 for a long while, but think I'm ready to make the switch. A smaller device than the iPad is attractive to me for portability, but I also need one large enough for my stubby fingers to still type on, so the 7" form factor seems like a sweet spot. I'm also an avid GMail, Chrome, and Google Calendar user, and I need to be able to read graphic intensive PDFs regularly.
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Some PDF readers lag some don't I'm not entirely sure which ones as I don't use em very often but the typical think free suite that is built in works quite nice. Chrome has recently started running surprisingly smooth so that is a must. At least on the N7 still laggy on my Gnex.
There's been a few complaints I've seen, and was wondering if they actually merit concern or not.
First, does the lack of Corning Gorilla Glass leave the N7 susceptible to scratching?
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Not really but if you're that concerned get a screen protector I used my shirts quite often to clean the bare screen not one scratch yet.
I've heard that the latest Android update (4.2) left out some functions for the N7 that the other Nexus devices received. True? Do they impact anything, or are they just cosmetic?
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Just miracast as its been noted. Which may or may not get added later. I would think so as its been advertised on tegra platform.
I've read a few complaints about Chrome not working well on the N7. Any truth to that?
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It used to be very choppy its since been updated and seems to work tons better. If anything switch to the stock android browser or boat browser or any other third party browser.
Can the N7 play AAC files from my iTunes music collection?
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Convert them and NEVER look back to iTunes. Its a monopoly.
Finally, from the information I've provided, would you recommend the N7 to someone like me?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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Absolutely!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

If you want play apple formats use power amp. I use apple lossless with that music player
.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I've owned several android tablets over the last couple of years and I can safely say this is one of, if not the best. Previously I'd have made the complaint that 16gb of storage is inadequate, although recently Google have fixed that problem of course.
Currently I also have a Note 10.1 and the Nexus is noticeably faster than that tablet (although the Note is no slouch either). I know on paper the exynos quad is faster than Tegra 3, but Touch Wiz slows it down a bit. While the s-pen is awesome, the overall experience on the Note is inferior anytime you are doing something other than drawing or writing with the pen.
7 inches is the sweet spot for a tablet. I can hold it comfortably while also typing on the screen quickly. I have to put the Note on a surface if I want to type comfortably on it. Any smaller and Web pages and the like are a pain to navigate.
This is also easily the best Nexus device. The Galaxy Nexus is dated, Nexus 10 is too big, and the Nexus 4 is made by LG (who suck at making phones).
Certainly there have been some issues but the percentage of defective units out there in the wild is actually quite low. You never hear from people saying how they got a perfect unit, and only those who receive defective units tend to be vocal.
The one thing I'd be wary of is a screen lift. If at all possible, buy your N7 from a physical store and check the left side of the screen for separation before you buy it, or at least before you leave.
Never had a problem with screen scratching, but I do have a screen protector and use the official flip front case. Even if it was gorilla glass I'd still use a screen protector as scratches are a pita and hard to repair.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks
Big thanks for all the advice! Looks like I'm ordering one in the next couple of days here.
Any ideas where the best place to buy one is? I was considering Walmart with their added protection plan, but it sounds like a lot of people consider it a ripoff.

Play store is a good bet, depending on how sales tax works in your state.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Going digital, trying to make decision...

I've been amassing a huge collection of DVDs and blu-rays, over the years, both of movies and my favorite TV shows, but I'm looking to go digital, moving forward in the future. The problem is, I can't decide which "ecosystem" I want to commit to, and I was hoping to have people give some input.
I'm mainly an Android user, so I have no interest in going with Apple. That said, I have a Roku 3, and a couple Chromecasts in my home, and I'm also an Amazon Prime subscriber. So, that seems to leave my choice between Google Play and Amazon. Google Play seems to have a higher level of compatibility with my devices; obviously, it works with the Chromecast, along with my phone and tablet, and I *think* I can cast to the Roku as well (but I'm not sure about that one?), while Amazon only works on the Roku.
At the same time, though, I'm also very interested in getting stuff on sale (more so full TV seasons, than movies). I know when I was buying physical DVD sets for TV seasons, if I waited for the holiday season, Amazon would do some good deals on them, like $20 and under. But I wonder, do either Amazon or Google Play ever put full TV seasons on sale, digitally? Sometimes, I feel like Amazon is more inclined to have sales, but I haven't really paid enough attention to know that for sure.
So, any input?

mrw1215 said:
I've been amassing a huge collection of DVDs and blu-rays, over the years, both of movies and my favorite TV shows, but I'm looking to go digital, moving forward in the future. The problem is, I can't decide which "ecosystem" I want to commit to, and I was hoping to have people give some input.
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It sounds like you've pretty much gotten the two best choices out there for you.
I'm in the same boat with slightly different criteria. I don't mind Apple. Also I mostly watch my digital goods at home through the consoles and Google isn't really present in those places. In my house that gives Amazon a pretty huge edge. I can watch my Amazon library and Prime on the XBox One, PS4, PS3 and iPad. Plus Prime has a lot of real world benefit (streaming and free shipping). Amazon seems to have merged better with other services and devices, so even though I don't own any Amazon devices I'm still able to use my digital stuff. Since you have a lot of Google devices maybe that's a better fit, I'd just worry about 5-10 years down the road when perhaps Google isn't making the same devices you love today. The Play service so far hasn't played well with others and seems a lot more dependent on you using their devices to some extent.
Personally I'm waiting for one of the huge mega corps to win out and establish themselves everywhere. So far Amazon is winning in my home, though they have a ways to go yet. The problem I've had is that just when a single service seems poised to take over my digital future, a lot of content becomes unavailable or moves to other services. In the meantime I'm paying a little more attention to physical discs that come with codes to let you add them to your digital library. Lately a lot of Disney Blu-Rays have included options to add those titles to Amazon, iTunes and to their own new streaming service as well. Also most of the Blu-Rays I've been picking up lately have included codes for UltraViolet so I've been amassing a large digital library there as well, but it still isn't available everywhere I want it to be. And once again Amazon has a big benefit with audio, buying most CDs there will automatically add those songs into your Amazon mp3 account. Also it's worth noting that while I am amassing a lot of digital content in a lot of places, none of those digital codes worked with Google Play.
There's still a long way to go before any service really comes out as a one size fits all solution. I'd recommend holding out as long as you can and enjoy the benefits of the competition. Let those corporations fight it out for a while, reap the benefits and in the end when the right solution comes along you'll know. At least that's how it's been working for me.