Topic: Everything Android - The Official Android Thread

[tendoboy1984]

The Streak was ahead of it's time (both models).

So Dell is a good choice for a tablet? Because those specs are pretty decent, considering the cheap price.

[BranDonk Kong]

I have no idea, but they're certainly cheap. The Streak 5 and 7 were pretty cool, but those came out years ago so they can't really serve as a basis. Plus it's more important to look what's under the hood rather than printed on the outside.

On a side note, Samsung is charging ridiculous prices for the Note 3 tablets.

[tendoboy1984]

I have no idea, but they're certainly cheap. The Streak 5 and 7 were pretty cool, but those came out years ago so they can't really serve as a basis. Plus it's more important to look what's under the hood rather than printed on the outside.

On a side note, Samsung is charging ridiculous prices for the Note 3 tablets.

Samsumg is charging ridiculous prices for all their tablets. $200 for a Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 that has a 1200x600 screen and only 8GB storage? WTF?!

[pokepal148]

i'm considering picking up the Galaxy Note 8.0, seems to be a good fit for my usage

[shingi_70]

I'd say go with the Nexus 7 or the Kindle HDX.


Comixology updates their Android App with a new look and support for comics HD.


Supported devices are
Galaxy Note 2+Samsung S3+Nexus 10Nexus 7 2013HTC OneKindle Fire HDX 8.9" (3rd Gen)Kindle Fire HDX 7" (3rd Gen)Kindle Fire HD 7" (3rd Gen)Kindle Fire HD 8.9" (2nd Gen)LG G2Nexus 4
[/color]Nexus 5 and KitKat will probably be shown next month. KitKat won't be big ios 7 change but it lookslike the rest of the UI elements are going to the white background on various colors that the rest of Googl's UI has become. Google and HP also just announced the new Chromebook 11 for $279 which is also probably my next Laptop.I was going to save for a Surface 2 or Pro but for the $1 less I can get a an HP chromebook and a 32GB nexus 7.My main problem with chrome as a Browser is that google toucts so much about how great the Web should be and they have the best solution for the web and they're desktop app doesn't support touch support in chrome or chrome os. Yes the guys who putout a touchscreen laptop is lacking this support. I can move the page around but gestures and pinch to aren't possible yet. They're also stepping up how soon cases and stuff are available. [size=78%] [/size][/color]

[tendoboy1984]

So apparently Sony isn't focused on the US market right now. How are they going to be successful against HTC and LG if they're limiting their global presence in the smartphone market?
 
Who am I supposed to turn to for my first Android phone? Samsung plans on abandoning Android for their own Tizen OS (if it even comes out), HTC is dying, most of Motorola's phones are exclusive to Verizon, and Sony doesn't really about the US market. So who's left? LG's Optimus phones are supposedly good, so maybe I'll try them.

[Shorty McNostril]

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/10/12/nexus-5-gets-the-full-hands-on-treatment-in-7-minute-video/

A look at an early Nexus 5 build. 

[shingi_70]

So apparently Sony isn't focused on the US market right now. How are they going to be successful against HTC and LG if they're limiting their global presence in the smartphone market?
 
Who am I supposed to turn to for my first Android phone? Samsung plans on abandoning Android for their own Tizen OS (if it even comes out), HTC is dying, most of Motorola's phones are exclusive to Verizon, and Sony doesn't really about the US market. So who's left? LG's Optimus phones are supposedly good, so maybe I'll try them.

Hyperbole for the win I guess. Samsung isn't abandoning Android and if your so worried about future support of your phone after a company dies your doing it wrong anyway.


You have three choices


Nexus 4
Nexus 5
Moto X (on every carrier)

[Plugabugz]

You have three choices


Nexus 4
Nexus 5
Moto X (on every american carrier)

Fixed.

[shingi_70]

http://readwrite.com/2013/10/08/chromecast-apps-google-holdup#awesm=~okm1DllyVgnePK


Interesting article on why Chromecast isn't seeing as much app support as we thought it would. I mean the thing is really openable and there was a miracast app for it that got killed by Google. Seems like Googl wants to keep the big boys happy and content.

[shingi_70]

So the current speculation was that the Nexus 5, kitkat 4.4, and a Nexus 10 refresh were due this week but google had to postpone everything after the government shutdown closed the FCC. Nestle who's in charge of Kitkat marketing had been hyping something up for this week, and with the chromebooks being refreshed next week it makes sense.


The current rumor is that the Nexus 5 will go 350 for 16GB and presumably $400 the 32GB model.


Here's what the phone looks like




Killing all the Black chrome and pushing more toward the lighter Google UI design.

[Oblivion]

Just bought the Nook HD 8GB for 18 bucks sealed at my Kmart. Now how do I root this thing?

[shingi_70]

Just bought the Nook HD 8GB for 18 bucks sealed at my Kmart. Now how do I root this thing?

You shouldn't have to since Barnes and Noble sent out an update that allows play store access, unless you want to get rid of the UI which a simple launch like apex or Nova should do for you.

[Oblivion]

I just hate the way the OS looks. I'd much rather have Android.

[Ceric]

Alright I'm going to say it.  The Nexus this time looks boring.  As in a Phone designed to show a specific tech and design was an afterthought.

[shingi_70]

I like it a bit better than the nexus 4. The matte back and bezel are probably the biggest improvements over the glass ones of the 4.

[tendoboy1984]

I'll just say screw it and just get a Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HDX, or the Dell Venue 8 (Android tablet). The Venue 8 comes with 32 GB storage for $200, which is a great deal, but the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX have much better hardware.
 
So what should I do? Go for the best hardware while sacrificing internal storage (Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HDX), or go for the device with more internal storage (Venue 8 ) at a cheaper price?

[shingi_70]

Go with the Nexus 7 friend.  Like I've said before the Nexus 7 is the best bet of the three your looking at.  It has the actual play store and gets updates and app compatibility.


Like I've said before if your not buying a device on contract I'd recommend going with the Nexus line or the Moto X. But with Google decoupling the important android bits from Android and the google experience launcher being rumored.


I'd say go with the Nexus just for the better quality screen


So this week's Google Play event won't be showing any new Hardware at all.  It's likely going to be for the next version of the Google Play store which will be taking ques from the web app. Plus they're going to be likley launching Google Play education and Google Play newstand.

[tendoboy1984]

I've been looking at the Asus Memo Pad Smart 10 and the Lenovo IdeaTab S6000. Both 10" tablets are under $300 (the MemoPad is only $236 at Walmart), and they have similar specs.

Lenovo IdeaTab S6000:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/529287761908694328?hl=en&q=lenovo+s6000&oq=len&sa=X&ei=MjdpUomHCqHOyAGvg4FQ&ved=0CBcQ8wIwAw#hsec:online
 
Asus Memo Pad Smart 10:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1247831192944433945?hl=en&q=memo+pad+10&oq=memo+pad+10&sa=X&ei=vTZpUuWgEsTWyQHu24HQAg&ved=0CAcQqA0oAjAA#hsec:local
 
Do any of you guys have them or have used them?

[shingi_70]

Nope but if your going to go with an Asus 10 inch tablet I'd say go with the Transformer series for the dock. Incidentally Asus is rumored to be working on the new nexus 10. 

[tendoboy1984]

Nope but if your going to go with an Asus 10 inch tablet I'd say go with the Transformer series for the dock. Incidentally Asus is rumored to be working on the new nexus 10.

My budget limit is $250. I'm leaning towards the Lenovo S6000, since it's only $240 at most stores (including Walmart), but Office Depot sells it for only $230. The Asus Memo Pad Smart 10 ranges from $235 (Walmart) to $280 everywhere else.
 
I'll probably just buy the tablets at an actual store, then I won't have to pay high shipping fees.

[BranDonk Kong]

If your limit is $250, then get a Nexus 7. You can probably find a 32GB for $250 if you look hard enough, they were less than that from Office Depot a few weeks ago.

[shingi_70]

For tour budget the Nexus 7 is the way to go. The 32GB 2013 model is only $269 and it can probably be found cheaper elsewhere.


So the Google Play event was only a party but people are saying that the Nexus 5 was there behind clothes doors, and that Kitkat is releasing tomorrow.

[pokepal148]

I've had my note 8.0 for about a day and I love it. As much as I would enjoy updates and stuff for what i'm going for the note seems like a better fit.

[Plugabugz]

The Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat has been announced.

UK price is £299 for 16gb (only £20 more than the Nexus 4 at 16gb).