Nexus 9 Alternatives - Your Opinion Matters! - Nexus 9 General

Hi everyone.
I'm very excited for getting a Nexus 9 this year, at this could be my first 4:3 Android device, and I'm generallyinterested in how this device would get incorporated into my everyday life.
However I'm kinda in a struggle to justify the 550$ for the 32GB LTE version (well, that's probably a common thing now) AND considering I'm planning to get the LTE version - I'm kinda worried that this model may not be the quickest one to receive the updates, as is seen with the N7 LTE, which by the way STILL hasn't gotten a 5.0 official ROM, and there's already 5.0.1 out, plus the fact that T-Mobile announced today that it's getting delayed, so basically I might not even be lucky enough to get one before Christmas (as I live outside the US).
All of this has me thinking - are there really good alternatives to Nexus 9 today?
I know there are great tablets such as Tab Pro 10.1 and Tab Pro 12.2, as well as Xperia Tablet Z2 and I think Asus has one or two good 10-inchers out there - all of the listed have failry great specs, have KitKat on board, and pack LTE inside them.
But the Nexus has me in because of the pure AOSP I'n getting with it, along with guaranteed 2 years of updates ahead
So, if you can give - please give me a list of 9-10" tablets that apply to the following requirements:
- Priced about the same as N9 LTE
- Have a 32GB or an SD-card expansion option
- Have the latest version of Android
- Have LTE support
- Have a moderately good development community, at least so the device would have an AOSP build available (such as CyanogenMod, for example)
Thanks in advance!

You have basically described the nvidia Shield except for the screen being 8 inches instead of 9.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app

Nvidia shield tablet is perfect
Hit Thanks if I Helped
-_-NAMELESS ROM 1+1-_-

I forgot to mention that I am currently rocking Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 LTE, and I am looking for a replacement of both of these tablets with one device, that's why I also looked at Nexus 9, and ideally the device should have a big display
Shield Tablet just doesn't cut it for me as the screen is too small + it's not really convenient for productivity usage such as Evernote

Fatal1ty_93_RUS said:
I forgot to mention that I am currently rocking Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 LTE, and I am looking for a replacement of both of these tablets with one device, that's why I also looked at Nexus 9, and ideally the device should have a big display
Shield Tablet just doesn't cut it for me as the screen is too small + it's not really convenient for productivity usage such as Evernote
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If big display is primary concern get the Nexus 9, but make sure you get it from somewhere you can get a replacement easily.

Do note that WiFi version already have unimpressive battery life, wonder how much poorer LTE version will be.

I'd consider an iPad Mini Retina, they're cheap right now, or an iPad Air.

Stresa said:
You have basically described the nvidia Shield except for the screen being 8 inches instead of 9.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The shield community still seems a bit early/immature. Not really much development going on.

LG G Tab 8.3 Google Play Edition

Deltadroid said:
LG G Tab 8.3 Google Play Edition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How well did the SD 600 behave its a bit old SoC!!im also looking for a tablet....im pretty consern about the battery life..as a nexus user i don't want to look over and over again about my battery stats..

The SD 600 seems to play very nicely with CM12. I actually bought the locked (but hackable) v500 model and the Google Play Edition is the v510. Both models are good, but the v500 might have a little more international support.

http://www.androidauthority.com/rumor-htc-release-new-tablet-based-nexus-9-573555/
Here's an interesting future option.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

Imho, there isn't another tablet that will rival the n9 when all things are considered. I didn't want to cough up the money as I honestly feel that the n9 is overpriced because of its limited storage, mind you I have the 32gb version. 32gb is really low for a media consumption device so 16gb is simply unacceptable and should be done away with all together. I value my timely updates and I know Google will push out updates for at least the next 2 years, how much is that worth to you? There are only 2 companies I trust with updates, Apple and Google.
Fwiw, I was leaning towards an iPad mini 2 32gb as it cost much less and is a well built product but I don't like how constrictive iOS is, weird because I've loved every Mac I've owned. Apples to oranges I suppose, no pun intended.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

Would about the Galaxy Tab S ?

flyoffacliff said:
Would about the Galaxy Tab S ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slow SoC and capacitive buttons are activated accidentally. Battery life is pretty low for everything except watching videos. Nice screen though.

Great
Great Info. Thanks

Go with a N9 WiFi-only
My 2 cents: what I've always done is have a WiFi-only tablet, because it's cheaper, and use tethering on my phone whenever I need to connect that tablet to the internet while on the move. Another advantage is that with a WiFi only tablet, your battery life will be much larger (granted, the fact you have to keep your phone in tethering mode drains a bit of battery on the phone, but it's tolerable). Right now I have a Nexus 7 WiFi only and a Nexus 5 LTE, and soon I'm thinking about upgrading to a Nexus 9 WiFi only. That way it won't be terribly expensive (the N9 WiFi 32GB is $479). Oh, and an extra advantage of a WiFi-only tablet: there is no carrier to control if you get or don't get Android system updates

bblzd said:
Slow SoC and capacitive buttons are activated accidentally. Battery life is pretty low for everything except watching videos. Nice screen though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus capacitive buttons are activated more easily, especially when they're a millimeter or two away from the Plex console buttons.
Also, when lollipop lags they go down with the ship.
Also, they take extra effort to retrieve when in full screen mode.
Also, they always cut into screen real estate (e.g. Hangouts now has 4 total toolbars on its main window, counting buttons, notification shade, tabs, and user slide out menu and call tab shortcut). This isn't a huge deal in portrait mode but it can certainly become one in landscape. When you're trying to play a game or... See first point.
I think the best competitor is the iPad Mini.
They're both running allegedly laggy 64 bit dual core processors. Either way, seems about even.
They're both touted as top of the line by their respective ecosystem owning companies.
They have identical aspect ratios and screen resolutions.
They both underwent a significant visual overhaul.
The iPad will actually net you 64gb for $500, where Google makes only a 32gb version of the Nexus 9 for a relatively outrageous $480.
Apple has famous customer service and kiosks. Google might call you if they feel like it.
iOS has App Ops built in. It lets you control your privacy with things like location. Android has Google Play Services. It never stops checking your location.
Both let you turn off background data.
Both support external storage if it's inconveniently attached with a cable or something.
Both support third party keyboards.
Both have silly slider-button combination quick toggles. Android's has more options and iOS' only needs a single swipe with a single finger to appear.
Both have an app switching screen that now shows you very few apps* unless you start sliding around.
Neither let you access your apps' Settings pages from the notification bar* .
* these features were removed in Lollipop to make comparisons to iOS devices more fitting.

primetechv2 said:
Nexus capacitive buttons are activated more easily, especially when they're a millimeter or two away from the Plex console buttons.
Also, when lollipop lags they go down with the ship.
Also, they take extra effort to retrieve when in full screen mode.
Also, they always cut into screen real estate (e.g. Hangouts now has 4 total toolbars on its main window, counting buttons, notification shade, tabs, and user slide out menu and call tab shortcut). This isn't a huge deal in portrait mode but it can certainly become one in landscape. When you're trying to play a game or... See first point.
I think the best competitor is the iPad Mini.
They're both running allegedly laggy 64 bit dual core processors. Either way, seems about even.
They're both touted as top of the line by their respective ecosystem owning companies.
They have identical aspect ratios and screen resolutions.
They both underwent a significant visual overhaul.
The iPad will actually net you 64gb for $500, where Google makes only a 32gb version of the Nexus 9 for a relatively outrageous $480.
Apple has famous customer service and kiosks. Google might call you if they feel like it.
iOS has App Ops built in. It lets you control your privacy with things like location. Android has Google Play Services. It never stops checking your location.
Both let you turn off background data.
Both support external storage if it's inconveniently attached with a cable or something.
Both support third party keyboards.
Both have silly slider-button combination quick toggles. Android's has more options and iOS' only needs a single swipe with a single finger to appear.
Both have an app switching screen that now shows you very few apps* unless you start sliding around.
Neither let you access your apps' Settings pages from the notification bar* .
* these features were removed in Lollipop to make comparisons to iOS devices more fitting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One requires you to be locked to the ball and chain called iTunes. I'd rather stick a pencil in my eye then be choked to death by iTunes.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

Semantics said:
One requires you to be locked to the ball and chain called iTunes. I'd rather stick a pencil in my eye then be choked to death by iTunes.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of the Nexus is also locked down out of the box. I've found myself tethered to the Google Play Services app in ways that can only be described as unhealthy, even as yesterday that app needed a complete deletion to stop searching for my location via GPS. and
And I'm not a huge Google's fan to begin with. It'd be an interesting experiment to test ecosystem reliance.
As for $20 limited movie licenses on both ecosystems, I'm thrilled about neither, but in my experience each company is trying somewhat desperately to imitate the other despite still being very different. That alone I think makes looking at the iPad worth a moment.

Related

Another review of the Galaxy Tab - Sprint

hey don't be grading me on this
It’s too small!! It’s too big for a phone!! It’s too expensive!! Google says Android isn’t meant for tablets!! Seems to be what a lot of people are saying to bash the Tab, whether they have actually used / seen the device we do not know but my guess is no. A lot is riding on this device as it is the first ‘true competitor' to Apple’s iPad. The question is does the Tab hold up to this high standard that Apple has put in place? I think it is important to know that the Android OS on the Tab hasn’t been completely reworked to look like a tablet, whatever that may be. It seems like that comment from Hugo Barra, director of products for mobile at Google, was taken a bit too far. The software that comes on the Galaxy Tab is pretty much the same stuff you would see on your typical Galaxy S phone or any other Andoird device. Only a few apps have been modified to take use of the extra real estate. If you already own an Android device you will immediately be at home with your Galaxy Tab as it delivers the same experience you would expect on your phone.
Initial Impressions
The first thing you will notice about the Tab when you hold it is that it is a very solid device. That seems to be what everyone who’s held mine has said, and it’s true! Its 7” size actually fits really well in your hand. Holding it with one hand and using the other for surfing the web is pefect. Contrary to what people say, having a device in this size just feels better, and more natural. The Tab is very easy to hold and very easy to type with in portrait - you don’t feel like you are stretching your fingers across the screen to hit the keys and I would consider this very important. The screen offers a much higher PPI over the competition which in turn offers stunning clarity. Now I must note that the Galaxy Tab does not offer S-AMOLED. Rumors say that this may change, but don’t let that deter you from your purchase.
Pricing
Ah, pricing. Here’s where a lot of people start to complain that it is ‘too expensive’. To be fair, look at mobile phones. Off contract they are about $500. Sprint and T-Mobile both offer this device on a 2 year contract for $400 (may have to go in store for off contract prices), while ATT offers it for $650 and VZW offers it for $600 with pay as you go data plans (no contract price offered). This seems to be pretty fair... it is good to have options. Comparatively, Apple starts their 16GB iPad 3G for $650 with a no on contract price. 32GB and 64GB devices add about $100 to the price. I’ve also noticed a lot tend to confuse the price of the iPad WiFi to the Galaxy Tab. Saying iPad starts at $499. Well, yes, it does, but we need to compare apples to apples. There is no WiFi offering as of yet for the Tab so let’s not compare it to something that that is in a different class. So pick your flavor, would you rather get the device cheaper and be locked in a data contract or would you rather pay more and pay data as you go. Side note: Personally these devices should not be locked into a 2 year contact. Actually, I think all mobile devices should be 1 year only. Life cycles of electronics are far, far less than 2 years, but I digress.
Hardware
The hardware. CPU/GPU combination is one of the strongest in the market. The Tab has the same CPU and GPU that’s found in other Galaxy S phones. The device has a MicroSD slot for user upgradable memory (up to 32GB), volume rockers, an off button (which I wish was on the top and not the side arg), and has capacitive buttons to go back, home, search, and to access settings of an app. NOTE: It would be really nice if the capacitive buttons stayed on when the screen was lit because in the dark it’s hard to find them. A front and rear facing camera is also included. The front features a 1.3mp camera and the back features a 3.2mp camera. Maybe Samsung skimped on the rear camera… but you aren’t going to be replacing your point and shoot so this is not a deal breaker. I would have been nice to see all the effects in the camera settings like the ones seen on the Galaxy S phones. Quadrant scores are only about 1000, which seems a bit low for a device that is a lot more powerful than most devices on the internet. There is a fix for this which takes scores over 2000 but overall people say the device just feels the same (from what I read). Over all the hardware is top notch.
Not going to go into memory because some carriers have different specs.
Software
The device ships with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and features Samsungs TouchWiz UI. The overall feel of the TouchWiz UI is pretty good but it would be nice to have a few more options with the app drawer though. Rather than scrolling left or right to view apps it would nice to have the option to switch to up and down scrolling. I also am not fond of the background square behind the app. My biggest issue with the TouchWiz UI is that you can’t switch which homescreen your home button goes to. You can add up to 9 screens but you can’t change the fact that number 1 is always the home screen. With it like this you can only scroll to the right from home, not left and right.
The default browser has no home button. What’s up with that? That’s a pretty big letdown. Brower performance is not stellar either. Sites that have flash can be very laggy. Being a tablet and having that extra screen real estate shouldn’t mean that sites are forced to their mobile variant. Some mobile sites don’t even have the option to do to desktop and when you are trying to view flash content (like TV shows) this can be frustrating. I recommend downloading Dolphin HD this browser seems to fix some of my issues sans the mobile site issue. The Tab comes with Swype as the standard keyboard. I don’t love it and I don’t hate it because I do use it sometimes, but the one thing that bothers me with Swype is when you tell it to predict words from the settings and then you type, it puts the words in this box rather than in the field you are typing in. With it this way I feel I am constantly making errors when I type. The Tab also has the Samsung keyboard installed. I like this one a little better but I can’t seem to figure out how to turn off the vibrating when I type. The text box for corrections keeps popping up and down when corrections are needed and it can get pretty frustrating because it moves the window you are looking at. After some research Smart Keyboard Pro fixed all my problems.
Bottom line, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is a solid device and lives up to my expections. Whether you buy it out right or on contract you will definitely love it. The pros out weight the cons and the really most cons are really just me be being picky.
Pros:
• Solid device, feels good in hand.
• Easy to type with, very mobile and light.
• Battery life is great.
• Hardware is top notch.
• Screen is great and very clear.
• Has both front and rear cameras.
• Different carriers to choose from.
• Android 2.2.
• Some stock apps are made to be more tablet friendly.
• Great for reading books.
• Very minimal bloat with Sprint version.
• Gorilla Glass for screen
• Sends and receives unlimted SMS, MMS (with data plan).
Cons:
• Not many apps made specifically for the device. Yet.
• Stock browser performance sucks, no home button.
• Samsung connector – Not necessarily a negative but mini or micro USB would have been nicer.
• Swype could use some work / no default Android keyboard.
• Phone feature taken out for US users.
• No way to assign home screens to home button. Default home screen is panel 1.
• No WiFi 'only' model.
• 2 year contracts if purchased on contract. Where’s the 1 year?!
• Emails disappear randomly.
• Samsung seems to be lagging on 2.2 for the other Galaxy S devices, will the same be true when 2.3 comes out for the Tab?
• Video Player FC on me about 6 times when watching a movie. Movie rented from Media Hub with $50 credit.
The device is definitely worth an 8.5/10. Expect the device to get better when updates are put out/new OS arrives.
I could not agree more....I initially regretted the purchase only because I felt like I didn't really need it as is still the case, but I love it nonetheless. I too have a sprint version.
The browsing experience left a bit to be desired, but Dolphin HD does help out a bit. As time passes, support for the tab will grow and we'll start seeing many more dedicated apps
Even though not perfect, I'd still pick out over an ipad any day
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
I have used the galaxy tab for a 2 weeks. I have never regretted. I have used it for reading email, ebook, surf internet and internet chat. The user experience is good.
sent from Sgp Galaxy Tab
+1 on nearly everything.
What I understand is that the connector for the tab its a PDMI port which is to become the new standard for portable media devices. If so, this shows excellent insight by samsung, ans in the future we will be able to take advantage of new accessories and tech.
Download Dolphin HD browser for faster performance.
On some versions of the Galaxy Tab (Verizon), you can set Home screens.
makami19 said:
+1 on nearly everything.
What I understand is that the connector for the tab its a PDMI port which is to become the new standard for portable media devices. If so, this shows excellent insight by samsung, ans in the future we will be able to take advantage of new accessories and tech.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dell is using it on the Streak as well, I believe.
ConceptVBS said:
Download Dolphin HD browser for faster performance.
On some versions of the Galaxy Tab (Verizon), you can set Home screens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we are gonna need someone to rip out the touchwiz apk
Croak said:
Dell is using it on the Streak as well, I believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The port on the Streak is not the same as the Tab. I believe that the Streak is PDMI.
Regards,
Dave
I agree with pretty much what you said. I got rid of touch wiz and use launcher pro. It's much more customizable. One of the things I notice on the kb (swype at least) is when I go on forums and double tap a word to edit I can't select the word. Not sure why. On others like typing a url outre other things I can select it. Just not in forums context. Weird.
mach330 said:
I agree with pretty much what you said. I got rid of touch wiz and use launcher pro. It's much more customizable. One of the things I notice on the kb (swype at least) is when I go on forums and double tap a word to edit I can't select the word. Not sure why. On others like typing a url outre other things I can select it. Just not in forums context. Weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have LauncherPro on my Incredible, but I installed ADW on the Tab and it seems to be doing well.
Excellent and honest review. I think the Tab is the least worst tablet out there, which is praise indeed. Lots of others will join the party in the next few months but Samsung have made a very good first effort. Like the OP, it annoys me when people compare this device to the cheapest wifi-only iPad. This device has much more capability. A better comparison is to the latest smartphones, and right now I can pick up a Tab for less (often a lot less) than say an HTC Desire HD or an iPhone 4 (this is unlocked prices in the UK). In that context the Tab is good value. Shame the iPad mania has blinkered people to this situation.
Even with more use I love my tab. I'm hoping 2.3 makes it to the device. Being it was made for a 'galaxy d'oeuvres phone it would be interesting to see what comes out of this.
Sent from my Droid Incredible

Multi-window?

10 inch is great for multi-window multitasking especially considering the lack of tablet optimized Android apps. But is it available on the Nexus 10 out of box considering Samsung's own Note 10.1 does split-screen, if not can it be upgraded with no root or in any other way?
Could be a dealbreaker. The 2,56k Nexus 10 is perfect for multitasking and lacking such awesomeness would be disappointing.
Something like Galaxy Note? It would be great but no mention of it in the reviews.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium HD app
It's unlikely. The thing with nexus devices is that you need to forget who manufactured it.
Unless the standard android build tree implements a multi windows feature, no nexus device will have it.
It's a trade off, because devices like my S3 and the Note etc come with fantastic Samsung features like the notes app, multi window, smart stay, additional code licences and such, but you sacrifice update frequency.
The point here is that this device gets pure, unadulterated, Android, and all the features (or lack thereof) that comes with it.
Either way, ill be buying one, and waiting for ParanoidAndroid to come along so I can get rid of the crappy Phablet UI, which I personally think is a mistake on a device like this.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
That's too bad. The crowd clearly wants multitasking and the 10" screen and high resolution is fitting for split screen, a big hit and miss by Google. Or maybe Samsung wants to keep it in house? Disappointing either way, splitting the screen into 4:3 for Chrome and 1:3 for Twitter/chat/music/calculator/notepad etc. would give enough pixels for both. To not have that option on most tablets is kinda shocking. What else do you wish to use the big screen for if not comfort?
I'm on GB on my phone. Is there a simple way to switch between apps on JB?
BoneXDA said:
That's too bad. The crowd clearly wants multitasking and the 10" screen and high resolution is fitting for split screen, a big hit and miss by Google. Or maybe Samsung wants to keep it in house? Disappointing either way, splitting the screen into 4:3 for Chrome and 1:3 for Twitter/chat/music/calculator/notepad etc. would give enough pixels for both. To not have that option on most tablets is kinda shocking. What else do you wish to use the big screen for if not comfort?
I'm on GB on my phone. Is there a simple way to switch between apps on JB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeh, the problem, is that Samsung's multi-window feature is just that, Samsung's. They paid and spent the time to develop it in house, it's their own functionality, it cost them time and effort and is a selling point for their own devices such as the Galaxy Note 2.
As for JB, there is the "recent" menu, which is usually surfaced as an on screen button on some devices, or a press and hold of home on others, for switching apps. It's really no different to that of GB, except that it gives thumbnails of the apps instead of just icons.
Samsung cheated their way to multi-screen view... only one app is in the foreground, so it's not really multi-tasking. They did a serious hack job of the android os in order to make it happen. If you want it done right, wait for Google to do it.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
I want multiview on GSIII
maybe it would be possible to run an app at qhd resolution or so as a widget on your home screen. you could put 2 or 3 on the 10 inch screen and just use them all simultaneously. anyone have any idea?
also, i found this on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOqBAfMwCAc
alias_neo said:
Yeh, the problem, is that Samsung's multi-window feature is just that, Samsung's. They paid and spent the time to develop it in house, it's their own functionality, it cost them time and effort and is a selling point for their own devices such as the Galaxy Note 2.
As for JB, there is the "recent" menu, which is usually surfaced as an on screen button on some devices, or a press and hold of home on others, for switching apps. It's really no different to that of GB, except that it gives thumbnails of the apps instead of just icons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but this is a Samsung tab, and as much as it runs "pure Android", they could've easily throw multi-view in and sell it with that feature, it's pretty evident THIS is the device to challenge the iPad, not the Note 10.1.
It also doesn't take a genius at Google to develop split-screen tasking, don't think it requires too many resources either. HW's ready, SW's ready, we are ready. Where's split screen multitasking on the 10" tablets?
BoneXDA said:
Yeah, but this is a Samsung tab, and as much as it runs "pure Android", they could've easily throw multi-view in and sell it with that feature, it's pretty evident THIS is the device to challenge the iPad, not the Note 10.1.
It also doesn't take a genius at Google to develop split-screen tasking, don't think it requires too many resources either. HW's ready, SW's ready, we are ready. Where's split screen multitasking on the 10" tablets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will repeat, Samsung hacked up the os...
Granted, there's no excuse for Google not being able to implement it if Samsung could
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
okay
If not multi-window... what apps have big tab widgets to split the screen that way?
Mobo player let's you multi screen, when watching a video you can hit the home button and it will bring you to the desktop but have the video playing in a resizeable box... Was actually really nice ,made me want it on all the apps :'(
Sadly, I don't think Google wants multi window functionality in Android. In general, they seem fine with Android for tablets just being a dumb device for media consumption. I think the tablet UI change is an example of Google dumbing down the UI by wasting screen real estate, etc.
Additionally, A developer from Google threatened CyanogenMod when they showed interest in using and improving a 3rd party's implementation of multi window for ICS. Google is worried that supporting multi window will make it harder on app developers because there would be even more size and layout variations that developers would need to test and support.
I personally think it is very important for Google to support this. Windows 8 tablets already have support for multi window.
Back to my original point, a 7" fits Google's current direction of being mostly a dumb device for media consumption. However, 10" tablets needs to be something more than that to justify the price and lack of portability compared to a 7" tablet.
Damn, the new multi-view looks better than ever!
BoneXDA said:
Damn, the new multi-view looks better than ever!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now thats som good stuff
alias_neo said:
It's unlikely. The thing with nexus devices is that you need to forget who manufactured it.
Unless the standard android build tree implements a multi windows feature, no nexus device will have it.
It's a trade off, because devices like my S3 and the Note etc come with fantastic Samsung features like the notes app, multi window, smart stay, additional code licences and such, but you sacrifice update frequency.
The point here is that this device gets pure, unadulterated, Android, and all the features (or lack thereof) that comes with it.
Either way, ill be buying one, and waiting for ParanoidAndroid to come along so I can get rid of the crappy Phablet UI, which I personally think is a mistake on a device like this.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I agree i dont like the UI on a nexus 7. For example isnt the native apps on a n7 single pane, like gmail on a phone?
On the nexus 10, gmail, talk, email, and the like are all 2 pane applications. My only complaint about the UI on the N10 is that the home back and multitask buttons allways stay in the middle of the screen. i think they should be to one side or the other for easier access with your thumb.
Also i would love to have multi window support on my n10 which is how i came opon this thread, but i will wait for google to implement it. while the different versions of android (touchwiz motoblur etc.) have come a long way none of them are as smooth or operate as clean as stock android. When and if google creates multi window support it will work flawlessly.
This is standard on the note 2 now right?
SayWhat10 said:
This is standard on the note 2 now right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the att note 2 and I can watch a movie or video in a window while texting or whatever. You can move the video around on the screen too. Had it on my international i9300 too.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium
It´s open source now. Why no one implement this in his rom for n10 ?
onskreen.com/cornerstone

Nexus 10 vs ultra book? Which to get?

Hello,
In the past few weeks I have been getting pretty excited about getting a nexus 10.
Mainly due to the large screen with its insane resolution.
I have been an android user since my first smartphone.
Currently I have a Galaxy Nexus and a nexus 7.
I love the 7. It has great portability and I take it outside often due to its small size.
I am however thinking about adding a nexus 10 to my gadgets because when at home doing mainly couch browsing, I wish for a bigger screen, especially to use chrome.
However in the last few days I saw that for just a bit more I can buy an ultra book with a 13 inch screen hard drive, 4 gb of ram and not too much weight.
On that price range the screen is just 1366x768, but for a 13 inch laptop it might be enough.
So, hanging on the fence here.
What should I go for?
Nexus 10 or ultra book?
Cheers
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I've been using a 13 inch Macbook Pro for a couple of years and am replacing it with the Nexus 10.
Having recently gotten a PC again, I've found myself using my Mac less and less. With a powerful PC, the only thing I really needed my mac for was for internet access on the go and so my mac had basically become a cumbersome internet machine - something that a tablet is far more suited to.
It all depends on what you want to use it for. I do photo editing, light pc gaming and lots of internet browsing. My PC can handle all of that and when I want to be mobile a tablet is a more practical option than a laptop. I wouldn't want to just have a tablet because of the things I do use my PC for, but if I was just internet browsing then I could probably manage with just a tablet.
If you want something for couch browsing, then why would you pay more for a laptop which is more cumbersome to use than a tablet? The specs on the ultrabook are fairly average, and if you're only planning on using it for things a tablet could easily accomplish, then you may as well save the money and buy the thing suited for the task.
I was in the same boat like you last week, i ended up buying a Asus Zenbook Prime for $1,030 with Window 8, can't compare a Android tablet to a full PC, now if you want both a tablet with a full PC i would look at something like this
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/tablet-pcs/XE700T1C-A01US
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ATIV-Smart-Pro-700T/dp/B0098O9TRO
BTW that thing has the same spec as my Zenbook but has a better SSD then my Ultrabook
Thank you for the replies.
Currently I just have my Galaxy Nexus and nexus 7.
I don't currently own a computer.
My wife has a laptop I use when I need to do something pc related like using the nexus toolkit and torrents and such.
But that kind of use is not too frequent.
I like android os as I use Google services and having everything in sync between the devices is a plus.
I use Tapatalk to browse the forums on the 7 and some apps like ebay and imdb for specific uses.
When I use my Nexus 7 at home I wish it was bigger. I find it strange bit cumbersome to use chrome with several open tabs and for more intensive Web browsing.
So the nexus 10 looks like an option to me.
I don't work with a computer at home. For Work i have the office computer.
So, my doubts:
- would a nexus 10 overlap my Nexus 7 and one of the devices become redundant?
- would the 10 inch screen of the nexus 10 be big enough to overcome the limitations I find on the 7?
- would an ultra book be more agile and faster?
- would an ultra book be comfortable to use without a table or desk? Just for couch surf?
Don't know which side to turn.
Cheers
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I dont know about this it might be dumb or you might end up challenging yourself but have you never thought of building your "own" computer, here is just one of million example, this is on the extreme side since its water cooled
http://www.overclock.net/t/1277018/build-log-first-wc-build-nzxt-switch-810-matte-black
You dont have to go crazy, this is my own pc, i built this back in February-March of this year
gdourado said:
So, my doubts:
- would a nexus 10 overlap my Nexus 7 and one of the devices become redundant?
- would the 10 inch screen of the nexus 10 be big enough to overcome the limitations I find on the 7?
- would an ultra book be more agile and faster?
- would an ultra book be comfortable to use without a table or desk? Just for couch surf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ultrabook Cons:
If you buy a Windows 8 ultrabook now, you're going to regret it in a few months once Haswell comes out. You paying about $800 - $1200 (ultrabook - ultrabook convertible) for something that will last only about 4-7 hours. Wait about half a year and the Haswell chips should allow at least 7 hours of use.
Tablets would be far more comfortable on your lap. Also considering how ultrabooks have air vents, if you block a vent on accident, your ultrabook might end up frying itself. So I'd think ultrabooks are far more comfortable to use on a table or desk.
Ultabrook Pros:
Ultrabooks are far far far far more powerful than tablets. You can't deny it. An i5 or i7 processor will blow any other mobile chips out of the water. So the performance will definitely be more "agile and faster."
My recommendation is that you either wait for the Haswell chips to be used in Ultrabooks or just go with the Nexus 10.
404 ERROR said:
Ultrabooks are far far far far more powerful than tablets. You can't deny it. An i5 or i7 processor will blow any other mobile chips out of the water. So the performance will definitely be more "agile and faster."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But who needs a far more powerful machine just for web browsing and watching videos.
If you need to be able to run demanding Windows programs, then by all means get an ultrabook. If it's just going to be used for light casual tasks like web browsing, the tablet is the better/cheaper option.
The only thing I'm concerned about with the Nexus 10 is what the screen quality is like. No, not the resolution, the black level & colours. If it's anything like the Note 10.1 it will be very good imo.
Vertron said:
But who needs a far more powerful machine just for web browsing and watching videos.
If you need to be able to run demanding Windows programs, then by all means get an ultrabook. If it's just going to be used for light casual tasks like web browsing, the tablet is the better/cheaper option.
The only thing I'm concerned about with the Nexus 10 is what the screen quality is like. No, not the resolution, the black level & colours. If it's anything like the Note 10.1 it will be very good imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had a wild idea today.
I can get a new ipad 4 for a sweet price of 400 euros.
The same price that the nexus 10 is supposed to cost from the play store.
Should I give the ipad a chance?
Or is the nexus 10 better?
How would the ipad play with my Android devices in the terms of syncing email, calendar, contacts?
Cheers
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
gdourado said:
Had a wild idea today.
I can get a new ipad 4 for a sweet price of 400 euros.
The same price that the nexus 10 is supposed to cost from the play store.
Should I give the ipad a chance?
Or is the nexus 10 better?
How would the ipad play with my Android devices in the terms of syncing email, calendar, contacts?
Cheers
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends if you can live with their walled garden eco system. But you do get more optimized apps and games.
I wouldn't get one personally. Android allows me to do almost everything I can do on my laptop. IOS is too limiting for me. I also don't like Apple, but that's another story.
Vertron said:
It depends if you can live with their walled garden eco system. But you do get more optimized apps and games.
I wouldn't get one personally. Android allows me to do almost everything I can do on my laptop. IOS is too limiting for me. I also don't like Apple, but that's another story.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to use apple computers. Sold my latest imac this year.
I liked it more than windows.
Trouble free.
I never had a ios device.
But for what I use the tablet, I guess I could make do with an ipad, and the 4:3 screen is sweet for Web browsing.
And Google has a gmail app and chrome app, so I guess it would be doable.
I guess I could buy it and if I don't like it, sell it.
Thoughs?
Cheers
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Vertron said:
But who needs a far more powerful machine just for web browsing and watching videos.
If you need to be able to run demanding Windows programs, then by all means get an ultrabook. If it's just going to be used for light casual tasks like web browsing, the tablet is the better/cheaper option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely. That is why the ultrabook is far more versatile and can become your tablet, laptop, computer, etc. But if you don't need Windows software, then you're 100% right. The money doesn't justify simple internet browsing and casual gaming.
gdourado said:
I used to use apple computers. Sold my latest imac this year.
I liked it more than windows.
Trouble free.
I never had a ios device.
But for what I use the tablet, I guess I could make do with an ipad, and the 4:3 screen is sweet for Web browsing.
And Google has a gmail app and chrome app, so I guess it would be doable.
I guess I could buy it and if I don't like it, sell it.
Thoughs?
Cheers
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to weigh in here too much since I don't own an iPad, but if you're not someone who likes tweaking things, the iPad certainly looks like the choice of your device. "Best user experience" is based on you. "Feeling walled in" to the ecosystem, while maybe true, certainly won't be a problem for someone who simply likes a trouble free device.
404 ERROR said:
Definitely. That is why the ultrabook is far more versatile and can become your tablet, laptop, computer, etc. But if you don't need Windows software, then you're 100% right. The money doesn't justify simple internet browsing and casual gaming.
I don't want to weigh in here too much since I don't own an iPad, but if you're not someone who likes tweaking things, the iPad certainly looks like the choice of your device. "Best user experience" is based on you. "Feeling walled in" to the ecosystem, while maybe true, certainly won't be a problem for someone who simply likes a trouble free device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would probably prefer the nexus 10.
The problem is that Google does not sell it trough the play store here in Portugal.
So I will probably have to resort to some sort of tricks to buy one or will have to pay more than the play store price of 399 euros.
The ipad I can pickup the new 4 here with a company cuppon for 410 euros...
So the easiness of purchase makes me want to try the ipad.
If only google could come to their senses in regard to distribution of their products...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
gdourado said:
I would probably prefer the nexus 10.
The problem is that Google does not sell it trough the play store here in Portugal.
So I will probably have to resort to some sort of tricks to buy one or will have to pay more than the play store price of 399 euros.
The ipad I can pickup the new 4 here with a company cuppon for 410 euros...
So the easiness of purchase makes me want to try the ipad.
If only google could come to their senses in regard to distribution of their products...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tbh I just can't get by the fact that ios won't let you change the default browser. Currently on my sgs3 I don't have a default browser so every time I click on something it asks me what browser I want to use. Also I like having a user accessible file system because it just makes downloading things like pdfs and such so much easier. I just wanted to throw this out there because I considered buying an ipad due to the gpu, but have decided not to due to the obvious os limitations.
gdourado said:
Hello,
In the past few weeks I have been getting pretty excited about getting a nexus 10.
Mainly due to the large screen with its insane resolution.
I have been an android user since my first smartphone.
Currently I have a Galaxy Nexus and a nexus 7.
I love the 7. It has great portability and I take it outside often due to its small size.
I am however thinking about adding a nexus 10 to my gadgets because when at home doing mainly couch browsing, I wish for a bigger screen, especially to use chrome.
However in the last few days I saw that for just a bit more I can buy an ultra book with a 13 inch screen hard drive, 4 gb of ram and not too much weight.
On that price range the screen is just 1366x768, but for a 13 inch laptop it might be enough.
So, hanging on the fence here.
What should I go for?
Nexus 10 or ultra book?
Cheers
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on what your goal is and how much you are willing to pay.
Personally, the most action packed system on the market (soon to be) is as someone else mentioned Ativ Smart Pro. Here is quick list of why:
Ativ Smart Pro
+Full HD screen - I owned Transformer Infinity and have seen iPad 3 a few times. The screen resolution jump from regular screen i.e. iPad 2, or current android tablets to Infinity's full HD screen was big. From full HD to Retina display did not seem as much. But certainly, good to have high resolution.
+Wacom stylus - I had Galaxy Note 10.1 for little. Capative screen with just stylus is markedly different in accuracy and experience compared to inductive pen technology.
+ Real windows - The Windows store market is nowhere that of Android or iOS; however, when you add legacy windows applications, things totally change.
+ Keyboard dock - Can use as real ultrabook PC
+ Expandable memory - One reason I am really holding myself back from buying Nexus 10. This was one of the major reason I jumped from iOS to Android.
Major downsides
-Price $1200 - Considering this is real ultrabook PC, and high end tablet. If you buy both, it may perhaps cost similar but still a bit too expensive. Plus as stated below, the tablet experience may not be as perfect.
-Battery life - Listed 9 hours, but in reality it may be like 4-5 hours (rumor)
- Weight - Close to 1.9 lbs is a bit heavy for pure tablet.
Alternatively, Ativ Smart PC or other atom based real Windows 8 tablet may be a valid option. It has Atom processor i.e. slower than i5; however, longer battery life, lighter weight. However, it does not have Full HD. But cost is cheaper like $600-$700. It is atom underpowered for real full blown PC power i.e. you won't be able to play skyrim or high end graphics game, but still has Wacom stylus, MS office, and even sunspider benchmark is still faster than any other Android or iPad 4.
HoushaSen said:
Major downsides
-Price $1200 - Considering this is real ultrabook PC, and high end tablet. If you buy both, it may perhaps cost similar but still a bit too expensive. Plus as stated below, the tablet experience may not be as perfect.
-Battery life - Listed 9 hours, but in reality it may be like 4-5 hours (rumor)
- Weight - Close to 1.9 lbs is a bit heavy for pure tablet.
Alternatively, Ativ Smart PC or other atom based real Windows 8 tablet may be a valid option. It has Atom processor i.e. slower than i5; however, longer battery life, lighter weight. However, it does not have Full HD. But cost is cheaper like $600-$700. It is atom underpowered for real full blown PC power i.e. you won't be able to play skyrim or high end graphics game, but still has Wacom stylus, MS office, and even sunspider benchmark is still faster than any other Android or iPad 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For $1200, I would much rather have a $400 Nexus 10 and a $800 ultrabook instead of one compromised machine. I really wouldn't recommend anyone to get a X86 tablet until Haswell comes out.
As an Android lover... if you're not interested in tweaking or customizing your device, and/or are not willing to put up with lots of workarounds and the like, get an iDevice. I'm sure android will eventually be just as polished with just as many tablet apps, but right now you'll need a thick skin and a love for the platform itself to want the N10 over a iPad4.
That said, there are certainly many advantages to the Nexus 10 for me and my uses, and I wouldn't trade it for an iPad in a million years. But if you care about a smooth experience, get an iPad.

CONFESSION: Went back to iOS and.....

Sorry for the editorial here but I just had to get this off my chest regardless if anyone reads it or responds. I love my Nexus 7 (2013) but it's been giving me a lot of problems (hardware and software). I decided to upgrade to a bigger tablet and sell my nexus 7 in the process but there weren't really any 10" tablet that enticed me. I have a Note 2 and I love it, but can't stand the hardware buttons on the Note 10.1 (2014 edition). I briefly considered getting a Nexus 10 but it's a year old hardware and I would be very angry if I bought it only for Google to get off their ass and actually announce/release a new Nexus 10 a few weeks or a months later. So....I went to my nearest Apple store and picked up an iPad Air 64gb.
I'm not gonna lie, I loved it. I haven't used iOS in so long but the feel and fluidity of the iPad just brought me back. I went through the app store buying all the apps I've ever wanted but were never ported (or were gimped) on android. Man I was flying high.......until I actually started using the apps and I fell fast and hard. Is there anyone else on here who owns even one iDevice? Because I don't know if iOS is just objectively this bad or if years on android has spoiled me.
First of all, I completely forgot what a horrible experice you can have using iTunes. Ever since I discovered MediaMonkey and sold my iPod I haven't had any experience with iTunes beyond helping my Mom here and there. I think it's been so long that I manged to convince myself that iTunes wasn't so bad. The fact that iTunes and the app store don't automatically sync my purchases still to this day is mind boggling. If I buy something on my brand new out of the box Nexus 7, it's available in my app list on the Play store and across all devices. If I buy something on my iPad then uninstall it, I can't recover it on iTunes on my computer unless i manually plug in my iPad and sync it first. I appreciate the fact that unlike the Play store web browser, iTunes actually auto suggests titles based a first few letters of my search query but what good is it if iTunes crashes ALL THE DAMN TIME. I've had iTunes crash 7 times in one hour. Hell, I've made in-app purchases that don't download to my device for over 24 hours.
In apps, I kept getting buried under menus. I had to back out over and over just to get to certain menu options. I found myself unconsciously swiping from the left. I was one of the people calling for full screen mode on android with a hidden nav bar but man I never thought I would miss it so much. I hold the iPad on the bottom and every time I wanted to go back I had reach up to hit the back button.
iPad has the best Japanese keyboard hands down. However why they wouldn't give you the option of re-sizing the keyboard on such a large device I'll never understand. My fingers can barely reach some keys. Whenever I want to type effectively I have to hold the tablet in one hand and peck with the other. Same thing goes for the home screen. Also, you would think webpages would be clearer but the text size was basically the same as on my nexus 7 (at least for the pages I regularly visit). Just little annoyances building up like pictures downloaded from the web getting saved in my camera roll. Let's not even get into the 4:3 aspect ratio.
The absolute worst thing and the one thing that has me returning the iPad? Multitasking. Trying to download my whole comic book collection was an exercise in patience. It took (honestly) 16 hours for my full library to download. Every time the iPad screen went off, the download paused. Every time I played a video in Youtube, the download paused. This is most frustrating OS experience I've had lately on such a premium well made device. The worst part is that I knew all this going in but I figured the experience just had to be better than the last time I used it, and I couldn't be more wrong. It's changed aesthetically but it's still the same software that pushed me to android to be with.
Now I'm over $1000 (cases and accessories) in and I find myself completely disenchanted by the experience. I just lost $80 in app purchases and I don't know if Apple charges a restocking fee but despite all that I'm still returning the iPad today. ::sigh:: I wish I could download half these apps on the Play store. Hell even the Bamboo Paper app I like so much is available for my Note 2 but not compatible with the Nexus 7 (????) and that's a watered down version to begin with. I think it's hilarious that the ecosystem that's so highly touted wasn't enough to keep me.
Anyway I just had to get this off my chest. For anyone who actually read it to the end, first, thanks and second, if you still use an iDevice along side your android devices then what is keeping you tied to the OS? I honestly tried, because there's nothing I hate more than returning things that aren't defective, but I'm willing to pay a restocking fee because it just isn't worth it to me right now. I wish Goggle would get their game together.
Another thing I never realized. Using the iPad feels like using a resistive screen. The glass is not glue down and so there is a gap that makes tapping on the iPad feel more hollow. Pressing down on the glass distorts the screen which is unfortunate because many of the stylus I used require so much force to work well. I kept wondering why the glass on my Nexus 7 felt more solid. I am surprised none of the reviews I watched/read have mentioned this.
That was an interesting read. I have a friend that did a similar thing. After his Android tablet was stolen he bought an iPad and then just ended up returning it to Bestbuy. Personally I've never owned any iDevice but I've used them plenty and it just doesn't feel as natural to me. In my opinion they are just pretty devices that suffer terribly from software annoyances and lack of functionality.
I was long time ago a iPhone, iPod and iPad user, but even with the advances in IOS7 I'm still feel this platform is not for me, too many constrains and limitation to my taste. Right now I love every aspect of my Nexus 7 (2013) and even the lack of ext SD is not a bummer for me, but I have the 32GB version.
Still I recommend the iPad to those of my friends that grow up under the Apple umbrella. I got a couple of former iPad users converted to the Nexus, but only when I feel they want a change or are open to test different shores. I see some advantages using iPad for some users, so I'm not a IOS hater, just is not for me.
<-------- to much words to say nothing, damn, I becoming dumber....
I agree with basically all of your points. Multitasking is much faster on Android for sure, I can switch between apps very quickly and they will also stay open unlike iOS when they might get cut off. iTunes is horrible, as always, but I don't use it anymore. Spotify is all I need for music and everything else I can handle on the device itself. I've used Android for quite some time I'd like to think, but the same thing keeps me from using it exclusively and that's the feel when you touch the screen. It's hard to explain but it's noticeable especially in scrolling. Android has gotten much, much better lately, but it just doesn't feel as connected as iOS does and that really annoys me. I'm quite sensitive to small details like this, most people seem to not even notice these things. My older issues have been basically fixed, like inconsistent app design (Holo fixes this). I like Android, it's quick and efficient but for my usage patterns I prefer iOS. Also my most used apps, Tweetbot and Alien Blue, have good alternatives on android but not quite as good, that's also part of the reason but that's just because I'm heavily invested in the iOS ecosystem.
Go ahead and disagree, but please use some arguments with some thought put into them.
How was the low memory crashes?
"Is there anyone else on here who owns even one iDevice? Because I don't know if iOS is just objectively this bad or if years on android has spoiled me."
This statement alone made me swap my 16gig iPhone 5s (my first iPhone) for a Note 3. iOS felt "fisher-price" compared to all my years with Android. Being there with my Droid OG and seeing how far Android has come is truly amazing. I should have never doubted Android.
And for Apple to release such a fast CPU and to only gimp it with 1gig of memory across the board is ridiculous. All the "lowmem" errors in the diagnostic log and crashes was a joke.
freemini said:
I agree with basically all of your points. Multitasking is much faster on Android for sure, I can switch between apps very quickly and they will also stay open unlike iOS when they might get cut off. iTunes is horrible, as always, but I don't use it anymore. Spotify is all I need for music and everything else I can handle on the device itself. I've used Android for quite some time I'd like to think, but the same thing keeps me from using it exclusively and that's the feel when you touch the screen. It's hard to explain but it's noticeable especially in scrolling. Android has gotten much, much better lately, but it just doesn't feel as connected as iOS does and that really annoys me. I'm quite sensitive to small details like this, most people seem to not even notice these things. My older issues have been basically fixed, like inconsistent app design (Holo fixes this). I like Android, it's quick and efficient but for my usage patterns I prefer iOS. Also my most used apps, Tweetbot and Alien Blue, have good alternatives on android but not quite as good, that's also part of the reason but that's just because I'm heavily invested in the iOS ecosystem.
Go ahead and disagree, but please use some arguments with some thought put into them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android lags heavily in certain apps and it is very noticeable when you scroll. I think only dyed to the core fanboys would defend that. But that's more a Google thing than it is an Android thing. I have over 1000 pics in Quickpic and it loads and scrolls so smoothly with absolutely no hiccups. However attempting to scroll through the "All Apps" section of the Play Store is a nightmare. A lot of Google made apps lag horribly with the only exception I've found so far being surprisingly Maps and Keep. Scrolling is smoother on iOS but it has it's wealth of problems. I had 12 re-springs yesterday attempting to use Safari with only 3 tabs open. Switched to Dolphin and it was only marginally better. It also lagged though not as noticeably as Android.
I agree that iOS offers a very consistent experience and design language and some of the apps are just better designed than their counterparts will ever be on android. I blame Google here though. When I was considering 10" tablets, one of the things that swayed me, beyond the fact that they're weren't options I liked in Android, was the fact that the Play Store just doesn't have many tablet optimized apps. I know some people are going to say it's up to the devs to redesign their apps but why would they bother when Google seems be making it a moot point. Instead of incentivising them to make better optimized tablet apps, Google instead went the opposite route and made their tablet UI more like a Phablet UI. My Nexus 7 just feels like scaled up Note 2 without the Stylus or memory slot and yet my Note 2 (which I still don't understand) has access to more productivity apps than the Nexus. It can't just be because it has a stylus, those are a dime a dozen and I have 2 Bamboo stylus that work very well on my Nexus, so why the limitation when the larger screen would benefit more from handwriting and drawing.
iOS is only slightly better. They may have better optimized tablet apps but all a lot the apps do is move things around while giving you the illusion of more real estate. On my brother's iPhone 5s and my iPad Air, the Bamboo Paper app gives us the same number of lines when we open a notebook. While Android is guilty of leaving phone UI's on tablets so you're left with a lot of white space, iOS is the opposite. Every little bit of your screen is filled but a lot of times it's just by apps that scale up their visuals instead actually optimizing it. Though I should add that I am one of those people that prefers to always use my tablet in portrait mode unless an app forces landscape mode. This is even more evident on the home screen and settings and why I complained about the Keyboard. Apple literally just scaled up everything in their tablets. The keyboard, the icons, the layout...everything is exactly the same as on their phones.
I suppose it would be easy for me to get heavily invested back into the ecosystem. I have hundreds of apps I bought previously (when I was still an iPhone user) but for about 98% of those I'm forced to re-buy the tablet version if I want them again. Never thought I would say this, but if I could load the App store on my Android device while still keeping everything fundamentally android, I'd be happy as hell. I know iPad is better built but some decisions like leaving a space between the glass and the screen or putting both speakers at the bottom seem very odd to me. Sometimes the screen feels very plastic because of the give.
mi7chy said:
How was the low memory crashes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a lot of those but only using browser apps. Surprisingly none of the other 30 apps I used crashed even once but the web browsers just went crazy crashing left and right sometimes just from clicking on a link.
cdmoore74 said:
"Is there anyone else on here who owns even one iDevice? Because I don't know if iOS is just objectively this bad or if years on android has spoiled me."
This statement alone made me swap my 16gig iPhone 5s (my first iPhone) for a Note 3. iOS felt "fisher-price" compared to all my years with Android. Being there with my Droid OG and seeing how far Android has come is truly amazing. I should have never doubted Android.
And for Apple to release such a fast CPU and to only gimp it with 1gig of memory across the board is ridiculous. All the "lowmem" errors in the diagnostic log and crashes was a joke.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I would never consider iOS for a phone and to be honest unless Samsung does something really stupid to the Note line I think all my phones moving forward will a Galaxy Note (I love the Nexus line but the functionality offered by the Note line is unmatched). I just thought Apple might provide a better tablet experience and if it had I would have stuck with it. There's no loyalty in tech. I buy what works best for me and if that happens to be Apple or Android I show my support by buying their products. I'm just surprised that Apple didn't do it for me. I was really expecting to move forward with an iPad in my backpack and a Note 2 in my pocket.
I have a 5th gen iPod Touch and absolutely love it. As far as music players, I just don't think they get any better. As far as phones and tablets, I'm pretty much always going to be an Android fan. I do have an Acer Iconia W510, running Windows 8.1 but it's running an x86 processor and not using that RT crap. With its keyboard dock, I think of it as more of a laptop than a tablet, with the added bonus of being able to get the keyboard out of my way.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Analyss14 said:
I got a lot of those but only using browser apps. Surprisingly none of the other 30 apps I used crashed even once but the web browsers just went crazy crashing left and right sometimes just from clicking on a link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my experience, but it seems isolated to the iPad air. I've had my 5S for about a month and I don't have a single LowMemory log, I have a fair share of Alien Blue crashes though.
I would like a small ipod with blue tooth so I can exchange music....
But I think it s too much to ask!
I had the first ipad, an ipad 2 and an ipad4. In the end, I always come back to Android and the ipads go to the wife/kids.
I won't even consider an ipad until Apple adds a proper file management system. I have multiple file types for projects and don't want to try and keep track of what app I need to open to get to my data.
Actually, not having USB OTG would be a problem for me since I use usb-rs232 adapters that wouldn't work with idevices. I rarely use this but when I need it, it is certainly easier than carrying a laptop. I guess I'm be more inclined to get a Surface 2 Pro and a 7" android device. without a file manager, apple is useless to me.
If it wasn't Nexus, probably a Samsung Note for the S-Pen. I'd like to try it and see if it is any good.
If you are looking for a 10" tablet, I have now had many android tablets. I currently have the Note 10.1 2014 and the Nexus 7. The Shield is not really a tablet but I have it as well. The Note 10.1 2014 is far and way the most useful tablet I have owned. It has great battery life and a spectacular screen. It is smaller and lighter than the Nexus 10. I am not a fan of the home button it has but that would be my only complaint. I like the Nexus 7 a bunch also it is great for throwing in a pocket on the go. I am totally against iAnything.
The main issue I have with android apps are the pdf readers, I have tried every pdf app but non of the scroll smoothly, not even basic text books.
ios app developers have to keep their apps top notch to compete within the appstore, on google play there are threemmajor pdf apps ( paid)
Ezpdf, repligo reader, mantano reader
All of them have major problems witth either speed of rendering, highlighting difficulties , clumbsy menus and much more.
And note another weird thing, non of them have implemented immersion mode, in fact the only reader app that has enabled it is moon reader.
I get that 4.4 is on a very low share of their market but still these are paid apps, they should have taken the time to implement it.
Nexus 7 with its quadcore hits a wall when it comes to these apps
RKight said:
I have a 5th gen iPod Touch and absolutely love it. As far as music players, I just don't think they get any better. As far as phones and tablets, I'm pretty much always going to be an Android fan. I do have an Acer Iconia W510, running Windows 8.1 but it's running an x86 processor and not using that RT crap. With its keyboard dock, I think of it as more of a laptop than a tablet, with the added bonus of being able to get the keyboard out of my way.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Loved my iPod 5G in the few months I had it. Very decent camera built in as will.
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013)
---------- Post added at 06:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:16 AM ----------
Only thing I miss after selling my iOS device is the exclusive apps/games like Bastion, Limbo etc. That's all.
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013)
You should try iPhone, Once you did, you would never say this again
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Different strokes...
I've owned an iPhone and an iPad and I was a Mac developer for 17 years.
I'll never go back to Apple products again as long as I live. My experiences with the new iDevices has been execrable. But what's much worse is the attitude that Apple fans have "Try an iPhone and you'll never go back." Right. Because we're all exactly the same, want the same things - value the same things.
No wonder people call them iSheep. They want everyone to be exactly the same.
Well, screw that.
To paraphrase Edgar Friendly from Demolition Man
"You see, according to Steve Jobs' plan. *I'm* the enemy. Because I like to think, I like to read. I'm into freedom of speech, freedom of choice. I'm the kind if guy who would sit in the Best Buy and think "Gee, should I have the big screen or the 3D screen phone with the side order of 7" tablet?" I *want* high cholesterol. I want to eat bacon, butter and buckets of cheese alright? I want to smoke a Cuban cigar the size of Cincinatti in a non-smoking section. I wanna run around naked with green jell-o all over my body reading a Playboy magazine. Why? Because maybe I feel the need to, okay pal? I've *seen* the future, you know what it is? It's a 47 year-old virgin in gray pajamas soaking in a bubble bath, drinking a broccoli milkshake and thinking "I'm sophisticated because I have a fricking iPhone". You wanna live the Apple way, you gotta live Jobs' way. What he wants, when he wants, how he wants. Your other option: come down here, maybe flash your own ROMs."
Cool story. I read it till the end. We should create ex-IOS support group.
Here's my story (long one) :
I still have my launch day iPad2. Mainly since it's in pieces atm.
I've been repairing it several times since spring this year. It was poorly assembled to begin with, the glass was lifting and it'd cut my thumb every now and then.
It finally stopped charging. So I bought a replacement charge connector to fix it.
End up damaging the wifi antenna while opening it.
Bought replacement part. First one didn't work.
2 parts later, I got it fixed.
At this time, the glass was cracked beyond help. Bought a replacement part to fix it.
At this point, I ended up ripping the 4 pin speaker connector.
I'm just gonna solder the wires directly to the main board to fix it.
Then I'm going to flip it on CL.
Around the same time my iPad2 was problematic, my iPhone4 home button gave up.
Didn't feel like going through the same ordeals as the iPad, I sold the iPhone 4 with broken home button on CL for $175.
When I finally finished repairing my iPad2, I'm pretty sure I could get at least $300 for it, since others are asking $350-400.
At the same time when 2 of my iDevices gave up, I had to buy cheap replacements: LG Optimus L9 $150 and B&N Nook HD $150.
I had tried Android prior to this point, but hated them (poorly made, slow, weird interface).
When my L9 and Nook HD work great, fast, so flexible, and everything that's not iOS, I was BLOWN AWAY!
I ended up learning a lot more about Android, rooting, found Samba client app, my life is finally complete again.
I've since bought: Nexus 4, Note 2 and 2x Nexus 7 2013.
At this point, it'd take a lot of Google eff-ups (like the updated G maps), to make me want switch back to iOS.
Oh, and I also sold my iPod Nano 8GB on CL for $75, because the button was starting to wiggle on me. And the buyer bought it knowing about the problem. Bought a Clip+ & 64GB uSDXC and still left with some change.
BTW, Apple wanted $200-400 to repair the iPad2 for the stopped charging issue.
Last, I figured out why my Android experience a long time ago (2.2) was horrible: combination of immature OS and cheap Chinese made crap (don't know why, my friends had garbage like H20 and HTC at that time), was what got me.

Will you be upgrading to the new Note Tablet (Chromebook)?

Hello Note Pro users! Around February 13th, Samsung will launch a new Chromebook that appears to be the successor to our now THREE YEAR OLD TABLET!.
Some of the noteable specs that I found worthwhile.
Amoled qHD Display 3:2 Ratio
2 Type C ports.
ARM OP1 Processor,
360 degree foldlable hinge.
AFAIK, One of the first few chromebooks to allegedly support the google play store!
And of course, the MOST important thing : An s pen.
These specs are hard to find in any laptop under 500$, none of which come with a stylus with palm rejection throughout the entire OS.
You can find more information here
Personally, while the battery life on my note pro 12.2 is the best across any device I have ever used (13 hours of SOT/3 Days without charge), performance has become horrible. I can't have more than 3 apps open simultaneously, opening each of those apps takes ages compared to my OnePlus3, and the screen flickers while the cpu is under high load.
I pre-ordered my chromebook through best buy, 488$ out the door, will you be purchasing the new version? Or will you be sticking with the note pro?
Looks OK. The internal memory is listed at 32GB while my Note Pro 12.2 tablet has 64GB. I still want a tablet that looks like this cromebook and costs like this one but does MS stuff without a hiccup. I have so many work related things that only work on a PC and not doable on this tablet. Maybe someday?
treetopsranch said:
Looks OK. The internal memory is listed at 32GB while my Note Pro 12.2 tablet has 64GB. I still want a tablet that looks like this cromebook and costs like this one but does MS stuff without a hiccup. I have so many work related things that only work on a PC and not doable on this tablet. Maybe someday?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing that upset me as well..
32GB internal, probably only 23 will be made available to end user.
Not sure about the 3:2 ratio, I like 16:9 especially for taking notes and watching media..
I think this chromebook might perform pretty well with MS/Google apps. I haven't seen a fast chromebook yet, but I hope 2017 will change that.
when I get mine I'll definitely add some comments here.
It looks nice. I've never tried a Chromebook before. It would be better if it had 64gb or more and it came in black.
I had an Acer Chromebook with the Google Play store. No touchscreen but I got it to see how using Android apps would be. It was ok. Maybe it was my specific iteration (I was using the Beta channel) but it seemed like the Android apps were sandboxed. This meant I couldn't use something like, say, Fake GPS to mock location so that I can play Pokemon Go.
If you are thinking of getting the new Samsung Chromebooks, just know that the Android experience isn't as integrated as you'd think.
No, I am not going to make this change. I have a small 4 year old laptop with an SSD that works just fine when I need a full keyboard device, and for day to day work I just use my 12 inch IPAD pro... I use my Android 12.2 now for the cases where I need to use an android application that needs to use a MicroUSB port... such as my thermal scanner or my SDRs... I had the a note 7, which I miss dearly, and the USB C interface was just not compliant with the hardware devices I mentioned before...
MrWilsonxD said:
3:2 Ratio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely bloody not.
Three reasons:
1) I use this thing for films and series 99% of the time. (I'm not bringing a 40" flatscreen on a train.) Have you tried a 16:9(default size) or 21:9(cinema release) film in a 3:2 window? Go on, try it. Let me know how much you like the big black bars on the top and bottom of your screen.
2) 80% of the world uses the A paper sizes. Not the square B sizes. A-paper is an almost exact match to 16:9. In 3:2 you have to scroll half the page.
3) All websites are designed in 16:9. NOT in 3:2. Half the website will be clipped off.
If I want something that only displays half my screen, I'll could just paste ductape onto my NotePro. Same result, hell of a lot cheaper.
Samsung is trying to be Apple again. Tsk, they still haven't learned.
ShadowLea said:
Absolutely bloody not.
Three reasons:
1) I use this thing for films and series 99% of the time. (I'm not bringing a 40" flatscreen on a train.) Have you tried a 16:9(default size) or 21:9(cinema release) film in a 3:2 window? Go on, try it. Let me know how much you like the big black bars on the top and bottom of your screen.
2) 80% of the world uses the A paper sizes. Not the square B sizes. A-paper is an almost exact match to 16:9. In 3:2 you have to scroll half the page.
3) All websites are designed in 16:9. NOT in 3:2. Half the website will be clipped off.
If I want something that only displays half my screen, I'll could just paste ductape onto my NotePro. Same result, hell of a lot cheaper.
Samsung is trying to be Apple again. Tsk, they still haven't learned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see! You bring up some good points! I have, I had a Samsung 9.7 with the 4 3 ratio, and I loved the in hand feel of it. especially when I was taking notes in class. Squid has infinity zoom, so the aspect ratios for note taking don't bother me. ? (I returned the tablet because I think it had 720P resolution, that screen was awful!! I could see pixelation in pen strokes in s note!)
Movies, I'll have to get back to you on that one! I'm looking forward to seeing things on a larger oled display! I LOVE the size of our screen, but I'm not fond of the ips in this screen.
I thought most websites would simply reflow? They do this with most mobile browsers don't they?
Thanks for your response, it brought good points to light. ☺
No thanks. Look goods, but not worth the money. I think I'll stick with my Note Pro 12.2. Plus, if you try to get MS Office on that, chances are, it'll ask you for a email that has a Office365 subscriptions for it in order to use it.
Due to Samsung's abandonment of the still very capable Note 12.2 tablet they can go screw themselves, so no, I will not be buying the chrome book.
I'll take a look at it when it comes out. Right now I'm very satisfied with my Note Pro running Nougat. That operating system has improved the performance 2 fold. I do like new and shiny things, but this one will have to stand up to my Note Pro.
Chrome is one of those "Hmm... interesting.... but why?" things. Still... Hmm... Interesting.
Here's why I probably won't switch.
First, I *really* like the Note Pro 12.2. I bought mine for under 300 bucks used, and it has served me on a nearly daily basis as email reader / web reader / ebook reader (1000s of title on a handy 128g ext microsd card). Beautiful resolution. Touch screen. And Android.... which despite a few drawbacks, is also endlessly intriguing (yes I rooted my Note 12.2 and run Nougat currently). Did I mention how much I like being able to back the entire thing up in just a few minutes to my ext micro using TWRP? And battery life... even after all this time using it... is great!
Second, I'd have to find a reason to switch. And as one other commenter noted, Samsung's total abandonment of this tablet doesn't lead me to quickly invest in another tablet they make.... because won't they abandon the new one, too, if they don't like sales? If Samsung pledged to update their devices for a longer period of time, it would be more likely I'd (eventually) make the move. Instead, I'd be most likely to save up and buy a Pixel.
Third.... oh, I guess I mentioned that I really *really* like my Note Pro 12.2....
Are you kidding me? A chrome book? To replace the note pro 12.2? Are you kidding me? Did the world suddenly go insane? Did Samsung lose its mind after the last tablet that went with windows 10? And from that debacle, ...they went to chrome? I guess the cleaning dude is running that department now.
Jesus Samsung, you have truly lost your way.
NO:
I want a true tablet!
If i need that form-factor with touch and keyboard, I get a 13 inch Dell XPS ultrabook (i currently own the 15 inch XPS)
I either want a true mobile OS like Android, OR a desktop OS like windows/osx/*nix
I hate ChromeOS. and other power user hate it too, especially the modding scene
Android Apps integration is sandboxed, so forget using for example a Mock-Location android app for the whole device
4:3, are we going back in time? This is primarily a work and note-taking app: I want A4 styled sheets, and I will read Books and PDFs in A4 / A5 / A6 style to annotate them with the S-Pen, this is bull**** on 4:3 and only makes sense on 16:9 or more
The stylus doesn't come with the button on the side. Many functions lost!
Split-Screen (youtube teaching video + note taking app) is bull**** on 4:3
I received my chromebook plus Tuesday, and my goodness, it is fantastic! I like it more than the note pro in every aspect except battery life.
So here's why.
Pros:
The Display and the build quality are excellent! I really disliked watching videos on my note pro because the blacks were so washed out, while the CBP does not have as good a screen as an amoled panel on a phone, it's still much better than the note pro.
This feels like a truly premium device. The hinges are extremely sturdy, and are not easily moved by accident. The screen has a great range, bright enough that I can see it under direct sunlight and dim enough so I can read my notes from class at night without burning out my eyeballs.
Android apps are integrated very well! You can even install apks onto the chromebook Out of all the apps I use, Mobizen screen recorder was the only one that does not work. But given that the whole chromebooks having android apps is a new concept, I'm not surprised by this, I expect it will be compatible sometime in the near future. Meanwhile, I use another screen recording app.
The speakers are actually better than the note pro, which shocked me. The CBP speakers are rear facing, but still, they sound better.
The 4:3 factor? I like it, there is more room on the screen without increasing the size of the device by a large margin. The difference in the total size is hardly noticeable, but the amount of that screen that is dedicated to display is awesome. As far as signing documents are concerned, the width of documents fit the screen regardless if I am using my note pro 12.2 or CBP, but with both devices I have to scroll down to get the entirety of the document on the screen. (Assuming you are on portrait. I almost always use my tablets in landscape.)
The speed of it leaves my Note Pro in the dust. Even when my note pro is overclocked. But not only is it faster, but the CBP is also smoother and far more responsive.
I definitely consider myself a power user when it comes to phones and tablets, up until meeting the latest version of chrome os. I became a power user because I was constantly using devices that I needed or wanted to: remove bloat that carriers/manufacturers installed against my permission, squeeze out more battery life (Via xposed, root, kernels, roms etc,) and to increase system stability. But with the cbp, it's just so simple. I just don't feel the need to do any of the power use activities on it. There's no bloat that you can't uninstall [AFAIK] and performance is fantastic. It's kind of refreshing to take something out the box, use it for a few days, and be satisfied in feeling "I don't need to put cyanogenmod on this device." or "OMG. I NEEDS XPOSED RIGHT NOW!!!" Now, those feelings are dedicated to my phones. Unlike all my Samsung/ZTE/UMI/OnePlus/Nexus devices that I have owned.
The 360 degree gives you way more options of using your device than any of the cases I have tried for the note pro 12.2. It's really nice when tutoring others.
Scrolling is soooper smooth, smooth as my oneplus 3. Smoother than my i7 low end gaming laptop! >__<
Battery life is confusing. With my note pro, I would get HUGE gains when I kept my device off wi-fi all the time, only using it for tutoring others at work in math and taking notes in my math classes. The CBP almost seems invariant in battery life if I am wi-fi or off it the majority of the day. Might be because it's brand new + different operating system, only time will tell, but I'm content to get a full day of use out of a device like this before a recharge. (Especially since I can charge my phone and tablet/laptop hybrid offspring with the same charger again. )
Cons: I'm scared to death to break/drop this thing xD I believe it would survive a fall better than my note pro would, but something about the CBP just makes me afraid to drop it. I've dropped my note pro once in the year and a half of owning it, so knock on wood.
I'm worried about scuffs to the bottom of device (the keyboard) because the keyboard is essentially a stand when it's flipped into quasi-tablet mode, I think over time I might pick up a few scrapes on it. It's lipped so the keys never touch the surface you've set it on, but like I said earlier, only time will tell. (Not particularly hopeful on that)
Button doesn't work. I'm using my full size s pen with eraser (from like 2012) and I can click this thing all I want but nothing happens. Luckily, squid lets you use your finger as a tool also, so I didn't lose much functionality as far as taking notes.
Overall thoughts: For the price and experience, I would definitely suggest giving this thing a look. Our tablet cost almost twice as much at release, was a version behind in android at that, and stopped receiving updates, what, a year later? I've read chromebooks have huge support windows, five years Not even nexus devices get supported that long. Given it's a different operating system, a direct comparison cannot be made, but it's still definitely something worth taking note. The fact that I can be writing notes in math in tablet mode, flip it to type an essay, and set it upside down to watch netflix movies is fantastic.
Any other thoughts I have I will add over time, but a lot of note pro owners have upgraded to this device and have posted some rave reviews on amazon, best buy, and in the chromebook forums. I would definitely giving this device a shot!
globalsearch said:
Are you kidding me? A chrome book? To replace the note pro 12.2? Are you kidding me? Did the world suddenly go insane? Did Samsung lose its mind after the last tablet that went with windows 10? And from that debacle, ...they went to chrome? I guess the cleaning dude is running that department now.
Jesus Samsung, you have truly lost your way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should look at some of the reviews of it! A lot of people like it. And google handles the updates from what I understand, I would love more devices with samsung hardware and google software. An s7 edge or note 7 with stock android on it [and oneplus dash charge]? Take my money!!!!
I read they are also coming out with an s3 with an s pen in a 9.7screen, that's likely going to cost north of 800 dollars. If you like touchwiz and have the money to spend on a device I would recommend taking a look at that!
Can you use s-note on the CBP? I have a lot of work notes and I have found I only really enjoy using s-note because of the templates and convert to text function. I don't really like keep at all.
I picked up my Note PRO on release day and I've loved it dearly. It's starting to show its age, now, and I'm looking for an upgrade. The problem is...There hasn't been anything release in the past three years that is BETTER! This chromebook intrigues me, but I agree with other commenters that I just want a tablet.
Probably not unless my phone breaks.
Things I hate:
1. The resolution is worse
2. The aspect ratio is bad for media
3. Doesn't have built-in LTE/GPS
globalsearch said:
Are you kidding me? A chrome book? To replace the note pro 12.2? Are you kidding me? Did the world suddenly go insane? Did Samsung lose its mind after the last tablet that went with windows 10? And from that debacle, ...they went to chrome? I guess the cleaning dude is running that department now.
Jesus Samsung, you have truly lost your way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do know that this Chromebook runs Android apps, right? Whatever the Note Pro does, this one can as well. So it's not a crazy comparison at all and it's understandable if some people consider it a successor of the Note Pro.
(I'm not saying that it is a great device, btw. And my answer to the question is: no. I'm sticking with my trusty Note Pro)

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