Android Tablets

So, in the wake of the rampant success of the iPad, you can count on Android tablets flooding the market soon. Personally, I can't wait to get one. So far, Android as an OS isn't really optimized for a tablet environment, but the next major revision is supposed to fix this.

Apparently, the Nook Color (which runs a modified, crippled Android under the covers) has been rooted. So as long as B&N doesn't clamp down on this, A nice 7" Android tablet can be had for $249.

It's only an 800mhz processor, which is the same speed as a Samsung Moment I have (albeit with twice the memory at 512mb, which should greatly ease the use of apps like the ACV comic book reader, something that chokes on larger images on my Moment), but that's pretty zippy for most applications I've run across. Video playback stutters a bit, though.

Here's hoping they come up with a streamlined, "for dummies" process for rooting the Nook, because right now it seems like a headache.

I'm still not biting on Android tablets at the $500 and up range. Considering that with every new generation of Android phones you're be able to get the past crop for peanuts, it's just not worth the extra $200-300 for a clunkier, less capable, shorter battery life device with a larger screen. You can snag a Galaxy S for around $300 on eBay. That's about my sweet spot (so the Nook is definitely a candidate.)

If you're somewhat of a tinkerer, the viewsonic G tablet seems to be a good way to go. They launched the thing with TERRIBLE software on it. However, it is a 10.1 inch tablet that is being powered by a 1Ghz Tegra 2 dual-core setup.

The process of rooting and getting custom firmware on the thing can be discovered over at XDA Developers. With these changes running it turns into a fantastic tablet that has scored upwards of 2500 on the quadrant benchmark (even running on Froyo 2.2, which doesn't use the second processor core).

Video of the modified tablet can be seen here. YouTube

Keep in mind that without going through these steps. This is NOT a product to be purchased.

Oh and did I mention that it can be found as low as $279 due to returns after Black Friday. Normal price is $379 - $400 and it can be purchased at Sears, Office Depot, Staples, etc...

Where are they available for that low? In-store only?

I really wish this thread was about robots that came in pill form.

om nom nom... technology!

I picked up a Nook Color a few days ago. The screen is extremely nice and the hardware is attractively designed and well-built. As a backlit color eReader with web browser I'm already happy with the current functionality at $249, but if a layman's root becomes available that would be a great bonus obviously.

I was reading up on the aforementioned G-Tablet and apparently it's setup like a normal desktop piece of hardware. No bootlocker, no nothing. You just put the image you want to flash on the SD Card and... that's it.

I'm definitely tempted to pick one up in the $300 range, if anyone decides they can't stand the default software and eBays it.

Here's an overview of how to root your Nook Color. It's definitely not the most complex process out there, but it's also a lot harder than "click this".

Samsung priced themselves out of the market with the Tab. $500 for a tablet is ridiculous for a WiFi tablet.

Archos just updated all their tabs to 2.2, but they have been getting terrible reviews with bad screens (resistive?) and hardware.

I went driving around to all of the Staples and Sears stores while I was out today, and none of them had any open box/returned G Tablets. Bleh. $399 is just outside my comfort zone; 299 and I'd be all over it like you unntrl.

baggachipz wrote:

I went driving around to all of the Staples and Sears stores while I was out today, and none of them had any open box/returned G Tablets. Bleh. $399 is just outside my comfort zone; 299 and I'd be all over it like you unntrl.

Ha, I was thinking of doing the same thing. But I might just call (it's a bit hard for me to hit up all the box stores on my bicycle during normal business hours.)

Well, the thing to remember is that even though you only found them for full retail. It's still a good deal based on the hardware in it.

lancejt wrote:

Well, the thing to remember is that even though you only found them for full retail. It's still a good deal based on the hardware in it.

$300 would be a good deal, $400+9.5% sales tax is only mildly tempting. For an item you have to hack to make useful, iPad territory pricing isn't an easy sale for me.

So essentially, in 3-6 months it'll be a fantastic deal.

Does anyone actually have one of these tablets? What's the battery life like? How long can it idle? The Android phones seem to die in a matter of days, which is pretty inconvenient. If you could eke a week out of the Nook Color, that'd be pretty useful.

I played with a Galaxy Tab at Costco and it's really nice. But it's also really expensive.

I, too, got Nook Color. Not for myself, but for my brother as gift. I played with it however, and I liked what I saw. It's plenty responsive, the screen is great, and the form-factor is spot on. Reading application is very well designed. The browser is simple, but completely adequate. We already have an iPad in the household (I am typing this post on it right now), so there in so pressure to get another tablet, however I sort of see myself grabbing a device like Nook Color to read e-books and e-newspapers during my commute, or reading/surfing web in bed before going to sleep. I am very interesting what opportunities will be opened by the rooting.

unntrlaffinity wrote:

Does anyone actually have one of these tablets? What's the battery life like? How long can it idle? The Android phones seem to die in a matter of days, which is pretty inconvenient. If you could eke a week out of the Nook Color, that'd be pretty useful.

Nook Color battery life is nowhere near as good as an iPad. It's lasting me a few days between charges, but I think if I had it rooted and were using it more as a tablet than just a reader, I'd probably be charging it at least every other day.

Archos 70 is 7 inch capacative and is under the $300 mark.
Wifi, 2.2, multi touch, but is locked out of accessing the android market so installing apps natively has to be done through sideways means (through download links) which should then give you the access you need. visit Appbrain.com in a browser should do it.

Anyways, this is much better in price.
I expet it would not be long for XDA to report a hack to get it unlocked.

Ah, XDA...making stuff better for years! Now that I'm all Apple'd up, I do find that I miss messing about on their forums, looking for improvements. My old WinMo devices looked different every week!

It's almost worth getting an android device just for that! The site definitely needs to rebrand, though.

It might be interesting to note that since the Overdrive app for Android now supports eBooks and not just audiobooks, once you root the Nook color you'll have access to essentially any eBook known to man. Which is kind of cool.

That'd be true for anything Android, too, but I thought it was an interesting development.

I'd also be curious to know what the Nook Color's battery life is for video playback, since it's only rated at 8 hours for just reading with wifi off.

Edit: Just for kicks, I've been watching for G-Tablets and the Nook Color on eBay. I officially have no idea how the eBay economy works, since even on non-international shipping orders, most of them are selling for more than they would if you just ordered the devices directly from the Sears or B&N website. Even if you include shipping.

I believe the original Nook ALREADY supported Overdrive books via sideloading.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

I believe the original Nook ALREADY supported Overdrive books via sideloading.

It did, but it occurred to me that if you root a Nook Color and essentially turn it into an Android Tablet rather than a B&N device, you'd lose features such as Overdrive compatibility. I do wonder if B&N free wifi still works if you root, too.

Edit: another word of caution on the Nook Color as an Android Tablet. Apparently there are currently issues running services that need to be associated with a Google account. Which kind of makes sense.

Also, Aldiko has Adobe Digital Editions support in the works. That could mean that library books could be read using Aldiko in the future (although since the Overdrive app works that would just be icing.)

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guides/2010/12/nook-color-will-get-froyo-update-become-a-real-tablet.ars

Edit: Busted. B&N is promising an update in 2011, not January. And no promises on Marketplace access.

I was eying the G tab too, I did a short drive around and none of the stores near me had any returns.

unntrlaffinity wrote:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guides/2010/12/nook-color-will-get-froyo-update-become-a-real-tablet.ars

Edit: Busted. B&N is promising an update in 2011, not January. And no promises on Marketplace access.

Perhaps, but they're also selling them on eBay for $50 less than usual. Not that I'm advocating anyone buy hardware based on the "promise" of future updates, but I'm sure some would be interested in a $200 Android tablet that's actually built well.