Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
1 | ... | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | ... | 46

CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #508500 18-Aug-2011 12:20
Send private message

Yeah it uses Google Maps.
Didn't have to download anythnig other than the voice add-on app, which it prompted.
The pre-loaded app is called 'Navigation'. It automaically detects where you are, but you need to be connected (wifi) to provide a destination address. It then plots a route. Then you can drive off (outside Wifi range) and it seems to already have what it needs to get you there. Not sure at what point it downloads all the maps. Even without providing a destination it keeps updating maps as you drive along, so clearly the provision of a destination (when within Wifi range) isn't the trigger. Must just be magic!
Might help that I'm driving in central(ish) Auckland (going from Upper Queen Street to Mt Albert and back)? Haven't been anywhere else to see how it fares.

 
 
 
 

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #508504 18-Aug-2011 12:25
Send private message

Most of my video files are avi. I can't seem to play them over MyNet streaming from PC (even though music plays ok that way??!) but the upnPlay app plays them all. Either via MoboPlayer or RockPlayer Lite.
Likewise, via usb the ones I have tried have played ok.
Name a file type and I'd be happy to try streaming it via a PC and also playing it via a usb stick and report back. Most likely tonight though.

timmmay
20477 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #508508 18-Aug-2011 12:27
Send private message

http://Handbrake.fr is a pretty good way to transcode things to mp4, which the transformer should support. I'll put some video onto it tonight and see how it goes, i'll report back if there are problems.

Is the built in player fine? I know Jay recommended a video player about 17 pages back, or maybe on the other thread, I should check that out. Moboplayer is what I think he said, same as CM has just said.



CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #508519 18-Aug-2011 12:40
Send private message

Yeah I just went with recommendations. Got MoboPlayer and RockPlayer Lite. Last night I saw somewhere that they are pretty much identical, because one is just some guys that split up from the other guys after a fight and created their own version of the same thing. No idea how true that is. Everything that works in one seems to work in the other (that I've tried anyway). Before the file starts playing it prompts me to choose which one. Moboplayer has a 'lock' feature so you have to touch the menu icon (those lines) once or twice before the fast-forward, play, rewind etc buttons appears. That seems to be the difference so far.
I can't be arsed converting stuff.

CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #508566 18-Aug-2011 13:48
Send private message

Starting to sound like a company shill here (I'm not one!), but I'm impressed with the battery life so far. Yesterday I had the Transformer connected to the dock and sitting here next to me at work. Mucked around once or twice an hour or so through the day. After 8 hours the dock was on about 3%, with the tablet itself still on 100%. Awesome how it drains the dock first.

timmmay
20477 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #508569 18-Aug-2011 13:52
Send private message

Battery life seems ok, but LiIon batteries take a few cycles to get to full capacity, so I hear, so I won't judge it yet. Gut feel is battery life is ok, given the massive screen and fast processor.

timmmay
20477 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #508585 18-Aug-2011 14:22
Send private message

I just noticed something weird about the memory. In settings -> applications -> running services it says 207MB used, 341MB free, which is a total of 548MB. Earlier the sum was 566MB. I'm just curious why it doesn't add to 1024MB, which is the amount of RAM it's meant to have.



CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #508592 18-Aug-2011 14:30
Send private message

Mine says 131MB used, 457MB free. Maybe only half is reserved for running services....?

timmmay
20477 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #508596 18-Aug-2011 14:45
Send private message

I was just poking around there to see if they knew, thanks :)

timmmay
20477 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #508619 18-Aug-2011 15:22
Send private message

Here's a good thread on google maps offline use

http://www.transformerforums.com/forum/asus-transformer-general-discussions/2040-maps-without-net-co...

You just turn on the offline maps feature, click and hold on a map, and it will download map data for everything in a 10 mile radius for offline use. That'll come in handy!

CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #508660 18-Aug-2011 16:50
Send private message

crackrdbycracku: What is it like adding video content and playing it?

This would be a major use I can see myself putting a tablet to. I have had file support problems trying to load and view video on my Motorola Defy (I am not that keen to watch video on a 3.7" screen so it isn't a bother).

But I am weary of buying a tablet and having similar problems. I know file support is an issue. Is there an idiot proof way of converting files to something an the Transformer will play?



This converter apparently works well.
http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/android/download/

NZtechfreak
4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #508670 18-Aug-2011 17:14
Send private message

For video players Dice Player is Androids best, good support for range of formats and uses hardware decoding (should be able to play up to 720p MKVs without problems).




Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org


CM

CM
141 posts

Master Geek


  #511018 24-Aug-2011 10:03
Send private message

Hi all - I assume we've all got the new firmware update (well two updates for those who have the dock)?

Looks like a good one. Love having the mouse cursor instead of that dumb circle, and the compass error issue (which came up constantly when using anythign GPS related, and also during some games like Air Attack HD) seems to have disappeared.
Apparently the keyboard lag has also improved noticably, there are reductions in RAM use, and the space-bar issue in the YouTube ap seems to be fixed too (although I needed to do a 'hard reset'* to get that one sorted).

In the US they are all excited as they can use Netflix now.

I guess the next big thing to look out for is the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android (4.x), expected in less 90 days now.

*Hard reset: Unplug the power cord and shut the unit off and Press and Hold the power button and the "Down" volume button together until after the normal start up screen appears and is joined by some small print at the top of the screen then let them both go. After a few seconds you should see a couple of shapes in the middle of the screen called "Wipe Data" and "Android". Wait a few more seconds until the term "Cold Boot" appears in the list near the top of the screens and just press and release the "Down" volume button again and let it reboot. If you own the dock be sure and do this with the dock connected.

jjnz1
1356 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #511023 24-Aug-2011 10:07
Send private message

NZtechfreak: For video players Dice Player is Androids best, good support for range of formats and uses hardware decoding (should be able to play up to 720p MKVs without problems).


Yes, but only for 720p MKV's under 5-6GB 

1 | ... | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | ... | 46
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Māori Artists Launch Design Collection with Cricut ahead of Matariki Day
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:19


LG Launches Upgraded webOS Hub With Advanced AI
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:13


One NZ Satellite IoT goes live for customers
Posted 15-Jun-2025 11:10


Bolt Launches in New Zealand
Posted 11-Jun-2025 00:00


Suunto Run Review
Posted 10-Jun-2025 10:44


Freeview Satellite TV Brings HD Viewing to More New Zealanders
Posted 5-Jun-2025 11:50


HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch Review
Posted 3-Jun-2025 14:40


Flip Phones Are Back as HMD Reimagines an Iconic Style
Posted 30-May-2025 17:06


Hundreds of School Students Receive Laptops Through Spark Partnership With Quadrent's Green Lease
Posted 30-May-2025 16:57


AI Report Reveals Trust Is Key to Unlocking Its Potential in Aotearoa
Posted 30-May-2025 16:55


Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series Brings Intelligent Experiences to the Forefront with Premium, Versatile Design
Posted 30-May-2025 16:14


New OPPO Watch X2 Launches in New Zealand
Posted 29-May-2025 16:08


Synology Premiers a New Lineup of Advanced Data Management Solutions
Posted 29-May-2025 16:04


Dyson Launches Its Slimmest Vaccum Cleaner PencilVac
Posted 29-May-2025 15:50


OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G Review 
Posted 29-May-2025 15:33









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.







Backblaze unlimited backup