Are the cheap Android 4 tablets OK or junk?

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165 posts

Master Geek
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#734081 18-Dec-2012 08:23

I have tried Opera but didn't think it was any better than the Android browser. I have to remember that this is for the older in-laws to casually use so too many browsers might be a bit confusing.

I downloaded an older version of the youtube app from here http://www.androiddrawer.com/476/download-youtube-3-5-5-app-apk/
I then had to allow installation of non Google-Play apps, then set the app to not auto-update (not sure how to do that for an individual app so I've done it globally). Go into downloads and install the downloaded apk file and it overwrites the newer YouTube app. Then it's done. Don't forget to switch the security back to only allow from Google Play if necessary.

One thing I find odd is that there's no address book, contacts, people app etc. What's a good app to use with Google Contacts with syncing etc.?

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek
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#734823 19-Dec-2012 10:56

Quick update on the Zeus from Paper Plus.
I returned it, considering it to 'techy' and too slow to respond, not an ideal tablet for the in-laws.

timmmay

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#734867 19-Dec-2012 11:59

I'm tempted to buy someone an Ainol tablet for someone with a sense of humour just because it has a funny name.

RandA

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#735339 20-Dec-2012 10:22

Hope you can all help. I'm looking for a simple device under about $200 for my 9yo daughter. We are looking for an e-reader functionality and ideally some simple games (suduko, word puzzles, drawing). An e-reader would give good readability and battery life but they don't seem to have games (correct me if I'm wrong). So we're thinking about an entry level Android 4 tablet. We've looked at the Paper Plus Octavo Zeus priced at $199 and it may fit the bill but the battery life and screen glare are drawbacks. (it seems better than the Zobo Vox though).

So I've been reading these postings with great interest and it looked like the Octavo was the best option until NeilinNZ said he returned his because it was slow! So Now I'm not sure

Any thoughts out there?

PS: Can anyone tell me if standard kobo/kindle (not their tablet versions) can do simple games as this would solve our problems!

THANKS!

andrewb

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Geek
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#735347 20-Dec-2012 10:32

Can anyone tell me if standard kobo/kindle (not their tablet versions) can do simple games as this would solve our problems!

Do you mean the e-Ink versions? I have the previous generation Kindle and it doesn't have any games, just the e-reader and a very basic (and almost unusable) web browser. The Kindle Fire (the tablet version) has access to Amazon's Android store (as it's based on Android) so would have games.

I don't know a lot about the cheap tablets, it seems like quite a gamble. Personally I have an iPad 2 and love it, but if I were looking for a cheaper option I'd either consider the iPad mini or a Nexus 7 if you could get your hands on one.

SteveC

stevec
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#735357 20-Dec-2012 10:49

Update our our position ... my partner considered the excellent points raised in this forum, and checked out things that were important to her in the Octavo (took a low-end smartphone to PaperPlus to informally compare wifi sensitivity). She decided to buy one (BTW - PP are currently offering 25% off accessories purchased at the same time, and the new Lambton Quay PP gave her a screen protector at no charge too).
Overall, it is very important to read the comments here, then apply them to your own situation. Deb felt that she (and probably RandA's daughter) might be in a better position to cope with the 'techy' nature of Android than neilinnz's in-laws. She thinks the Octavo speed it OK.
Personally, I love my ASUS Transformer (though miss having the Galaxy stylus and Notes app). It is a high-end Android, but still requires a fair degree of 'techyness' & patience to master. Quite frankly, there are times when I think that a iThing is the most techy a lot of people should try - as reflecting in the popularity of the iPhone, despite price.

The other thing to consider is what school your daughter is going to. Thorndon Primary are one example of a school adopting a 'BYOD' policy for 2013. I read quite a bit about trends among schools, and iPads appear to rule very strongly in that market.

Thanks to everyone in this forum, who have really helped us feel Deb made an informed decision.

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Jaxson

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#735363 20-Dec-2012 10:58

RandA: Can anyone tell me if standard kobo/kindle (not their tablet versions) can do simple games as this would solve our problems!

I do not believe they can/should really be used for games. ebook readers are excellent at the rather narrow tasks they can do.

As before, there are ultimately two devices in this arena. One is an ebook reader, which tries to replicate a 'real' book. They're normally black and white only and the screen technology does not make them suitable for video/games etc typically.

The others are 7" tablets, running the likes of Android of the iOS equivalent with the new iPad mini. These can display ebooks, but use a standard backlit display. This makes them bright and colourful, but not the best for reading books, especially in bright sunlight etc. Very similar to a smart cellphone display for instance.

To be versatile the likes of the iPad mini are probably a very good option. You can download official ebook reader apps, so they can display ebooks, but they can also be used for web browsing, movies, music and games etc too.

neilinnz

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Master Geek
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#735368 20-Dec-2012 11:13

Just a little more about the 'slowness' I experienced on the Zeus.
I had set up Flipboard to read news, Facebook and Path for social networking for the in-laws. These three apps were sometimes painful to use but I think that the slowness was related to Wifi. If you have a great Wifi signal the apps seem much more responsive. The Wifi on the device does seem rather crippled though. Sat on a desk next to an iPhone the iPhone had 5 bars of Wifi, the Zeus flicked between no bars and one bar and as a result the data coming into those apps is slow.
Another issue I found was the text size, I upped the default text size to larger but this isn't consistent across all apps. Facebook and Path for example kept their tiny text.
I could just see endless questions like "How do I make the Facebook text larger?" questions, to which I would have to keep answering.... "I don't think you can...".

For not too tech savy in-laws, it's not a good option. For the tech savy amongst us, the tech savy kids etc. it's not a bad device. Just don't buy one, set it up and hand it over to someone who doesn't have a clue. Android is not ready for people like that in my opinion.

I've also just had a play with a neighbours $99 device he got off GrabOne which was the same size as the Zeus but was lighter, more like a Kindle and so was easier to hold one-handed. It was just as quick as the Zeus too - not sure about battery life though.

I'd be interested in others opinions of the Zeus when compared to other Android devices as I've not used any of the higher end tablets.

SteveC

stevec
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#735790 20-Dec-2012 23:28

Oh dear!
Network on Deb's brand new Octavo is totally flaky. Three bars one moment, one the next. Nothing works reliably - perhaps because of network issues. Back to Paper Plus tomorrow. :-(

SteveC

stevec
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#735853 21-Dec-2012 08:48

Minor update - we have two APs in our home. The Octavo appears to work on our Ubiquiti UniFi AP at one end of the house, but not the NETGEAR WNR834Bv2 at the other end! Suggests a design fault, rather than a product fault, so still going back at this stage! :-(

harald345

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#736192 22-Dec-2012 00:14

I bought a VIGO 7" tablet from the warehouse today. The first time I turned it on and simply held the device I noticed a "press droping" like a drip into a pool of water about an inch wide in the middle of the screen just by holding it in my hand with my fingers at normal pressure on the back! also any typing or on screen press action does the same. Dam, 30 day money back guarantee is why i bought from there. Glad I didn't have this after waiting from an overseas supplier. Phew, retuning tommorrow and will test the replacement on site before I take it home this time. It's for my 9 year old daughter for christmas. The VIGO 7" have the best budget battery, 3200mah of the budget tablet range. There was one on the Trademe with a 4200mha, but I wanted the simple exchange factor from a bricks and mortor outlet. Just as well. I'll post back tomorrow with my exchange experience from them.

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harald345

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#736193 22-Dec-2012 00:28

p.s. I just signed up now to add my thoughts on this topic. BTW, The new A13 platform tablet just released (no HDMI out, otherwise the same as A10 Dual Core) is selling in USA for as low as $50 total!!! Any one know if DLNA (to use with, eg. Universal Media Server) runs on these cheap Andriod tablets well through wifi? Sorry Sightly off topic, but in keeping with "ok or junk" in subject header. It would be cool to watch my 3D movies ('side by side format' 3D hosted by the tablet) through HDMI out onto my Panasonic VT30 3D TV. I'll tell you all tommorow anyhow if the VIGO 7" can. Best DLNA app anyone?

RandA

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#736511 23-Dec-2012 10:15

Delighted to advise that my daughter purchased a Sony T2 E-reader from Whitcoulls yesterday morning and spent the rest of the day reading! Fantastic device and highly recommended.

By the way, Whitcoulls made an error in their catalogues and these e-readers are currently prices at $130 and come with a free $20 voucher as well. Their RRP is about $229 - so anyone out there wanting an e-reader this is an opportunity to pick one up about half price.

Maybe we will look at at mini-tablet in a couple of years or so. By then there will be something new on the market anyway! The e-reader is likely to serve us well for a number of years.

KiwiME

217 posts

Master Geek
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#736987 24-Dec-2012 20:44

I just bought and returned a VIGO 9.7 tablet from Warehouse. It had a weird problem with the touchscreen - it kept going silly and entering it's own characters, and would not stay on any one menu for more than a split second.

The second tablet did the same thing but even worst - I couldn't even get it to stay on the WiFi page long enough to connect. I tried a "reset" but that made no difference. Almost every app I started went crazy as though someone was pushing random keys.

Was able to demonstrate it to the return staff and they cheerfully refunded my money. No Android tablet for me this Xmas!

Other than that it seemed like a good buy for $299. Dual core, 8GB ram, USB both ways, two cameras, a microSD slot and MiniHDMI. Came with a 230VAC charger too.

oxnsox

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#736996 24-Dec-2012 21:32

Go get a galaxy tab 2 seven whilst the sales are on. Saw them advertised for $279 (I think) in the last 30 min on television.

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