Team-BHP - The Quintessential Tablet PC Thread (Android, Apple, BB et al)

Guys need some help with iPad2. I'm getting one of these from Dubai and the UAE apple site clearly says "FaceTime is not available in the United Arab Emirates". Why is this !??? I'm assuming lots of other features might also be blocked. Is there any way I can flash India/US specific iOS on this. It also says free upgrade to iOS5 on the site.

Lenovo IdeaPad A1 vs Reliance 3G Tab - Tablets

The Lenovo ideapad A1 seemed to be a pretty well priced 7" tablet that was supposed to launch in November, but I still cannot find this tablet anywhere in the market, neither at Croma/E-Zone nor any Lenovo outlets. Any idea where to find this tablet in Bangalore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOR (Post 2568628)

Guys got this tablet a few days back and i must say that i am mighty impressed.

Pros:

-snappy 1.2Ghz processor
-4GB on board memory-now expanded with an old 8gb card-so now 12GB
-plays all video formats with proper scaling, the only video that did not play was a 3.85GB MP4 rip from a Blue ray disc.
-brisk internet on a EDGE USB Model with a regular airtel 2G card.
-Gingerbread native.
-plays all games as it supports OpenGL-no lag
-got a 1600 score with quadrant
-one year Indian Warranty with onsite support
-costs only 6.5K !!
-above average built quality
-ebay has sold more than 250 of these in 20 days !

Cons:

-poor viewing angle
-resistive touch screen could have been better-but not complaining at this price.

I am planning to buy this. Need some inputs from you:
How is the performance so far? Any issues faced?
Did you try any experiments like:
Connecting a USB GPS dongle
Connecting a mobile phone and using phone's internet
Connecting a USB - AV in adapter
How is the movie playback on this. Is 7" sufficient or should i go for 10.1"
Is any memory card included in the box (apart from 4 GB internal flash memory)
I am planning to use this as an in car entertainment and also carry it outside for transfering videos and photos from camera.
Do let me know your comments. Thanks in advance.

My dad had wanted to use a tablet for some time, just to see if it has any utility for it.
He'd tried my p1000 a couple of times, and there was a bit of joy every time he found "oh, you can do this too?"

So finally after some oblique inquiries I managed to get it out of him that he WILL not carry a phone AND a tab!

Sim accepting tabs, choice is quite limited in good brands, isnt it?

got him a p1000 only, y'day,
cost 19k.
good enough.

I was slightly sad, cos it wasnt some NEW toy that i would get to play around with, considering i had done all i could on the one already with me.

Happy birthday!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak (Post 2584309)

I am planning to buy this. Need some inputs from you:
How is the performance so far? Any issues faced?
performance is great, battery lasts 2 days with movies/games etc(no net)-the built is speaker is weak/tinny-but sound through headphones are beyond reproach
Did you try any experiments like:
Connecting a USB GPS dongle
did not try
Connecting a mobile phone and using phone's internet
this is an android problem as the os does not allow tethering-net through the usb modem is just fine-actually great with the flash support
Connecting a USB - AV in adapter
cant help
How is the movie playback on this. Is 7" sufficient or should i go for 10.1"
movies are excellent-plays everything you thrown at it, if you want a 10" you would be better off with a netbook-this slides inside a pant pocket!
Is any memory card included in the box (apart from 4 GB internal flash memory)
no card-only 4 gb inbuilt
I am planning to use this as an in car entertainment and also carry it outside for transfering videos and photos from camera.
the only concern here would be viewing angles
Do let me know your comments. Thanks in advance.

please find the replies in bold

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOR (Post 2584350)

please find the replies in bold

Hey,
After doing some research, found a way to connect the tab to 3G (or any) phone. There's a software called Joikuspot, this will turn your phone into a wireless transmitter so that any external device can connect to it through wifi.
Just tried on my Nokia 5800 and was able to connect from a friends mobile over wifi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak (Post 2584590)

Joikuspot will not work with android-unless you go for some real modding. Have tried with Joiku premium on 5800 and several android devices-wont work.

Can one buy a cheaper Android 2.2 / 2.3 tablet and then root it for Honeycomb? Most of the 2.2 / 2.3 tablets are not dual core - will that make a difference apart from performance.

So is this upgrade / rooting possible? After rooting does one have access to the market?

Any pointers to this will be helpful.

~maniac

Ok guys please exuse an old man but can a tablet replace a laptop?

For what I have understood so far a tablet is only a slave like an ipod and needs to be synced to a master like a laptop/desktop. Right?

So if one is already carrying an ipod (music, photos, video, etc..), a phone (email, internet, etc..) and a laptop (master for the above as well as larger screen for non mobile use) what does the tablet do that these 3 devices cant.

I dont mean to offend anyone but I need to understand the need for this device class. A phone I can understand (you feel the need to make aphone call from your car, airport, etc), an ipod/media device I figure ok one wants to carry their music, video and photos around, and a laptop is sorta essential for a connected traveller (as it also is the master for the phone and media device). Where does a tablet fit in?

Disclaimer:
I have a Lenovo thinkpad, which replaced a thinkpad, which replaced a thinkpad which replaced an IBM thinkpad.
I have a phone (last man in my office to get a WhiteApple - my euphimisim for Blackberry) but no one calls me anyway (everyone who needs me knows my landline and when I am mobile I dont like being disturbed).
I have an ipod too even if MP3s dont sound as nice as FLAC or CD. Besides I dont carry my phone or ipod when I go for a walk or to a local park to stare at the sea and daydream.

Navin,

I have similar thoughts, but on another perspective.

I dont own a laptop and use either my desktop or wifey's laptop, for browsing. I have a budget of ~20K (<20K actually) and have been contemplating whether I should buy a new mobile or keep my existing one and buy a tablet.

I am using HTC TD2 for the past 2+ yrs, and it is serving my purpose (mostly calls, occasional browsing and almost nill sms). I was looking to buy the SE Neo V, until my wifey suggested if tablet can be of use. I dont have a wi-fi router at home and use USB Modem for net connectivity.

I am in splits if the 20K should be spent at a mobile or a tablet!

Guys, suggestion phlease.
TIA.

Edit:

Thanks Navin for the suggestion.
I remember reading that these mini-laptops were terrible compared to the regular ones. And if my (or future) employer provides one, I wouldnt need another laptop for personal use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky_Balboa (Post 2586435)

I am in splits if the 20K should be spent at a mobile or a tablet!

What about those Atom laptops. I see them advertised for 15-16K. They have Wifi etc.. but if you need more get one of those USB Photon thingies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin (Post 2586411)

Ok guys please exuse an old man but can a tablet replace a laptop?

That depends on usage. E.g. If you are a "Content producer"; I.e. have to write lengthy reports/emails, then it does not.

For emails,browsing, reading documents or minor edits it does replace laptops.

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin (Post 2586411)

For what I have understood so far a tablet is only a slave like an ipod and needs to be synced to a master like a laptop/desktop. Right?

Fortunately not. tablets now sync directly to servers and do not need a PC as a go-between. If you trust Google/Apple/Blackberry's servers with your data, then its a benefit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin (Post 2586411)

I need to understand the need for this device class. Where does a tablet fit in?

In my opinion, tablet is not a need at this point. It is a "convenience".

It keeps its charge for 6 -9 hours (v.s. couple of hours for laptops), has a good enough screen to read/consume content, you can play games on it and it is far more interactive than a laptop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak (Post 2584590)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOR (Post 2584822)

Joikuspot will not work with android-unless you go for some real modding. Have tried with Joiku premium on 5800 and several android devices-wont work.

My age old optimus (P500) never needed any apps to tether with any device tablet/laptop via either USB and/or Wifi while on froyo(2.2) , it always had an inbuilt service even without rooting.

now after upgrading to GB(2.3) all these service has become faster and butterlike.

Hope this helps

cheers