Google Nexus 7 Tablet

johnmd20

mad dog
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Dec 30, 2003
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Dumb question: how do hotspots work exactly? Like, does it work w/ my wifi-only iPad via the wifi connection?
And the new Verizon Jetpack allows up to 10 devices to connect to it, although more than 4-5 will overload the Mfii and the connection will be slow. And it is worth mentioning the battery will only last 6 hours with light using and 2-3 hours under heavy video streaming. So have the plug handy. But i have the LTE mifi and it's awesome, I'm very happy with it.
 

Blacken

Robespierre in a Cape
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Jul 24, 2007
12,152
Did anybody here root theirs?

I have a custom ROM on mine and have noticed a real increase in battery life.
Root yes, flash no.

What custom ROM? And is it stock with kernel changes, or do they do stupid stuff to the rest of it as well? Because I could dig better battery life.
 

Seven Costanza

Fred Astaire of SoSH
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Apr 11, 2007
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Why root and not flash something custom?

Isn't the point of rooting to flash a custom rom? And if you don't to remove bloatware? Of which I think the 7 doesn't have any of?

I am ignorant of such matters, so forgive me.
 

Foulkey Reese

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Apr 12, 2006
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Root yes, flash no.

What custom ROM? And is it stock with kernel changes, or do they do stupid stuff to the rest of it as well? Because I could dig better battery life.
I'm using AOKP right now which I love. They definitely add stuff, but I couldn't live without the drop down controls now that I've gotten used to them. Lots of customization options including speaker volume increase, kernel settings, and the menu bar battery %.

http://aokp.co/site/

Edit: If you flash this make sure you follow their instructions and flash the gapps file as well.

 

Foulkey Reese

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Apr 12, 2006
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Why root and not flash something custom?

Isn't the point of rooting to flash a custom rom? And if you don't to remove bloatware? Of which I think the 7 doesn't have any of?

I am ignorant of such matters, so forgive me.
Custom backups and recovery make rooting worth it even if you don't flash a new rom.
 

sibpin

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Jul 20, 2005
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Fresh off the boat
I picked up one of these yesterday and I just love the Google experience. Android apps have come a long way in the last few months and I think Holo standardization has been a big part of it. Lots of good looking apps and widgets that I'm enjoying. Unfortunately, there are still a few apps that don't work on tablets, and I'll still use my original iPad for following my ESPN Fantasy Football league (their iPad app is almost better than the desktop website) and Facebook (still terrible on Android). But it's great to have a real, fast web browser (loading The Verge: <1 second on Nexus 7, 5 seconds on iPad 1) that can handle multiple tabs at once (even my friend with a new iPad complains about this issue in Safari) - the main consumer reason I picked up the tablet. It's nice to have intents and easy sharing. And honestly, I had so many force closes on my iPad apps that I just got used to them.

When I first started playing with it, I was wondering if I had made a mistake picking up a Nexus 7 - it just felt like a bigger version of my phone (Galaxy Nexus). But then I went to the core apps like Gmail and Calendar, which are designed specifically for tablets and really improve on the phone offerings. I like having a lot of screen space for my widgets, too - it almost feels cramped going back to my phone, where I have to scroll to see all of the widgets I have on one tablet screen.

The one thing I'm not sure on is if I like the 7" form factor. I don't bring the tablet out of the house, so the 10" size of the iPad was fine with me. But at $200, I can live with it. I do really like the pure Google experience and I'm not sure I would have ponied up more dollars for a bigger screen and older OS. The voice recognition is just really good on Jelly Bean - this is really a powerful OS. My Galaxy Nexus got rolled up to Jelly Bean the day before I got the Nexus 7, so it really feels like I am using the best and newest mobile software out there.

When people ask me whether to go iOS or Android, I've been convincing them to stay with what they know ecosystem-wise: if you've got an iPhone, get an iPad, and vice-versa; if they're excited about an iPhone, get an iPhone. I wouldn't have been caught dead with an Android tablet a year ago. But it's getting to the point where I think there are some really compelling reasons to try out an Android tablet or phone: widgets / live tiles (especially for weather / calendar / to-do lists / power controls), smoother sharing between apps, Google Maps, and a better web browsing experience.

Also, there's a 25c app promotion going on over the next 5 days at Google Play.
 

William Robertson

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Oct 24, 2003
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I thought the iPad mini might be my entrance into the tablet world, but much of the commentary on it said--get a Nexus 7. So here I am. A couple of questions I would love to get your input on:

--One of my primary goals is to get directions while driving (I don't have a smart phone, and don't plan to get one, yeah, I know that's weird). So with Google maps downloaded and GPS, can I do that when I'm out of Wi-Fi range? I'm so out of this world, that may not even be the right way to ask the question.

--Is this a Skype-friendly platform?

--One very specific question that people will understand: is this a good device for following/participating in a game thread while watching TV and holding it on your lap? That's actually the main task I'm interested in.

--Also, I'm not a game-player. I would use a tablet mostly for reading the news, surfing the net, etc. Is this a good device for that? Is an iPad any better, given that I'm not locked into any of the worlds by previous app commitments?

--Are there cool things you can do with a tablet that I'm not thinking about?

Yeah, I'm a geezer, and that's a lot of dumb questions. But I figured somebody might get their geek on and enjoy discussing it. Thanks in advance.

And oh, yeah, what about the Novo 7?
 

zenter

indian sweet
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Oct 11, 2005
5,641
Astoria, NY
--One of my primary goals is to get directions while driving (I don't have a smart phone, and don't plan to get one, yeah, I know that's weird). So with Google maps downloaded and GPS, can I do that when I'm out of Wi-Fi range? I'm so out of this world, that may not even be the right way to ask the question.
Honestly, this is best handled on a smartphone with data (Nexus S). Otherwise you get a tablet with data and that'll be pricey with higher upfront costs and a monthly data fee. By and large, maps apps don't download the entire library, only what you need when you search in the app. So it's all downloading on the fly. Hence phone might be better.

--Is this a Skype-friendly platform?
Yes. It has a front-facing camera.

--One very specific question that people will understand: is this a good device for following/participating in a game thread while watching TV and holding it on your lap? That's actually the main task I'm interested in.
Yes.

EDIT: One semi-annoying thing, regardless of platform, is if you change the skin while logged into your tablet/phone, you get that skin when you're on a full computer. I find myself changing themes depending on the device I'm using. Not the end of the world, but worth noting.

--Also, I'm not a game-player. I would use a tablet mostly for reading the news, surfing the net, etc. Is this a good device for that? Is an iPad any better, given that I'm not locked into any of the worlds by previous app commitments?
Full-size iPad has the advantage of the bigger screen. iPad mini's screen bump from Nexus 7 (despite Apple's protestations) is not critical. In terms of apps, you pretty much have access to all the same content. One thing worth mentioning regarding screens is that the Nexus 7 has a 16:9 aspect ratio, and iPads all have 4:3. That means watching a movie on the iPad mini will be essentially be the exact same size as on the Nexus 7.

--Are there cool things you can do with a tablet that I'm not thinking about?
Tablets are good for kitchens, for kids/spouses/you to watch Netflix/Hulu/whatever content while the TV is being used for something else. I watched Red Sox games through MLB.TV (living in NY, so mostly no blackouts) and plan on watching the Celts the same way on my Nook Color. I use my 10-in HP Touchpad (no joke) as my main note-taking tool for conferences and seminars. Much easier than paper and transferring said notes to digital. If you or anyone in your family has an Xbox, the Xbox Smart Glass app will be coming to major platforms to allow you to get additional heads-up info on the mobile device while you play the game or use a Netflix-type app on the Xbox. A nice thing for sports games, I imagine.

Hope that helps.
 

Blacken

Robespierre in a Cape
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Jul 24, 2007
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The Nexus 10 should be hitting in the near future too, bear in mind.
 

Rudi Fingers

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Jul 18, 2005
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--One of my primary goals is to get directions while driving (I don't have a smart phone, and don't plan to get one, yeah, I know that's weird). So with Google maps downloaded and GPS, can I do that when I'm out of Wi-Fi range? I'm so out of this world, that may not even be the right way to ask the question.
William -
I have (and love) my Nexus 7. It's great for a lot of uses, but (agreeing with Zenter) I wouldn't recommend that you use it for GPS,


Since you are a self-described geezer with no use for a smartphone, I would recommend that you use the money you saved by not getting an iPad to get a standalone car GPS like a Garmin - they run around $100 on Amazon. The standalone GPS will just work, will be much easier for you to work with, and you won't have to buy any kind of special stand to mount your GPS while you are in the car.

If you still want to use the Nexus as a GPS, you could buy one of the offline GPS Navigation apps like Sygic ($17) that stores a map of the entire US on the device,,, which is nice, but it leaves less space on the Nexus 7 for other apps, as well as books, movies, music, and other stuff.
 

Blacken

Robespierre in a Cape
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Jul 24, 2007
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I agree. Though I'm interested in the Nexus 10 because of the screen. 2560x1600 at that DPI would be nice for things I use my old iPad2 for.
 

ScubaSteveAvery

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Jul 29, 2007
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I have all Apple products (Macbook air, iPhone), but was unimpressed by the iPad mini (especially the price point), so like William Robertson I'm interested in this device. I'll be starting a new job and taking a bus+metro and want a smaller tablet for passing time on the commute. How well does this work with OSX? Is it pretty straightforward? Mainly, I'm just looking for a straightforward device that I can use to read using the Kindle app, check Twitter, and read some magazines, with occasional browsing to check sports scores and email. This seems like a much more robust option at $200 than the Kindle Fire HD, and if its a better deal, then I'll probably pull the trigger.
 

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
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I have an iPhone, iPad, W7 tower and a beat-to-shit 2006 Macbook and a Kindle 2. What I want to replace is the Kindle 2. I want a reader that is a smaller form factor than the iPad and more full-featured than the K2. The iPad mini price points frankly made me chuckle. I worked in digital publishing up until a few months ago and we had just gotten a N7 (right around release), so I don't know what the reader capability is. I LOVED the hardware feel, and I haven't been impressed with any of the Android boogie-board phones on the market ever. I'm near certain there's a Kindle app for the N7, but does anyone here do heavy reading on it? My main use for it would be reading, both at home, on the subway and traveling, as an iPad companion. Love to hear about support for Kindle and other formats. Like SSA, also interested in OSX compat.
 

jercra

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Jul 31, 2006
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If you do want to use your N7 as a GPS there is a car mount from Pro Clips. It's spendy but I can attest that they make a great product. Of course, for the $150 you'll spend for the clip + $50 or so for Navigon or Garmin apps you could just buy a very capable dedicated GPS.
 

smastroyin

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While I agree with zenter and Rudi that it is not preferable due to mounting issues, etc., you can absolutely do offline navigation. It requires some planning, but ever since the release of Ice Cream Sandwich, Google Maps on Android have allowed you to make maps available off-line. You have to select an area that you want to save and there is a lot of data dumped to your device, but it works and it is free. My last trip to Scotland I made the greater Glasgow area "available offline" and it worked great even though I can't connect to any service in the UK.
 

smastroyin

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Just to be clear, you have to do any point to point stuff before you go off-line, so if you are looking for live navigation, then you won't be set, but it is great for finding things.

Google announced, along with the new Nexus 4 phone, a Nexus 10 tablet. $399/$499 for 16/32GB versions. It's made my Samsung.
 

SoxScout

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So if I am at home and I want to go to the mall, I will get the directions over wifi and it will display a blue line/route to the mall... but once I start to drive the highlighted route wont change even if I decide to not follow it... is that correct?
 

mrcleanwell

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Apr 4, 2004
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Should I get the 16gb or 32gb?

I will mostly be using it for internet browsing and as an e-reader. I may add a few cds or movies if I travel but those could be deleted after. This will be my first tablet and I don't have a smartphone so I'm not sure how much space I will need.
 

Foulkey Reese

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Apr 12, 2006
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16 gigs filled up pretty fast for me and I don't even have my music collection on here. I have about 5 free gigs and all I really have installed are apps and a few small videos. I would totally get the 32 gig if I had the opportunity now.

Edit: To be clear some of the games I have installed take up a ton of space.
 

zenter

indian sweet
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Oct 11, 2005
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Astoria, NY
Should I get the 16gb or 32gb?

I will mostly be using it for internet browsing and as an e-reader. I may add a few cds or movies if I travel but those could be deleted after. This will be my first tablet and I don't have a smartphone so I'm not sure how much space I will need.
If you listen to podcasts and music, watch videos, and play games, you could fill the thing up right quick. And that's before you load it up with photos from your vacation. On my phone, just for music and podcasts, I needed to upgrade to a 32 GB microSD card... And I frequently prune podcasts.
 

Scoops Bolling

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Jun 19, 2007
5,874
Should I get the 16gb or 32gb?

I will mostly be using it for internet browsing and as an e-reader. I may add a few cds or movies if I travel but those could be deleted after. This will be my first tablet and I don't have a smartphone so I'm not sure how much space I will need.
On the inverse, I have the 16gb and haven't come close to filling it because most of my stuff is in the cloud (and I just use my phone as a mobile hotspot to access it when I'm out of wifi range).
 

Hextall

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Mar 5, 2010
189
Should I get the 16gb or 32gb?

I will mostly be using it for internet browsing and as an e-reader. I may add a few cds or movies if I travel but those could be deleted after. This will be my first tablet and I don't have a smartphone so I'm not sure how much space I will need.
I have the 16gb and have also almost filled it up. Mostly because some of the games I have on there are quite large (The Bard being the largest... at 3.5GB). I wish I had the option at the time to get a 32gb one.
 

mrcleanwell

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Apr 4, 2004
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I'm using my new 32gb nexus 7 for the first time. I'm not sure if I'll ever use the extra 16gb but for $50 it seemed worth it
 

Blacken

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Jul 24, 2007
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Got some hands-on time with the Nexus 10. The new 4.2 changes are great. Really looking forward to the update on the Nexus 7 too; I got to see (though not use) 4.2 on the Nexus 7 and it looked great.

My big beef with the iPad is that it really is a "big iPhone". The OS doesn't take advantage of the real estate, even though some applications do. Android 4.2 does, and I really dig it. I don't use widgets on my phone (like, at all), but they make a ton of sense on tablets (10" at least, maybe 7" too).
 

saintnick912

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Thanks for the recommendation. I just got an order through for the 10, though to warn anyone have your online banking ready to confirm the "wallet" step timed out visibly but then my cart was empty and there was a charge so that was the only way I knew.
 

vintage'67

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Jul 15, 2005
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So, I'm on my way to bed but wanted to try the new keyboard. Might take some getting used to, but seems cool so far.
 

Blacken

Robespierre in a Cape
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Jul 24, 2007
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Need to undo my Nexus 7's bootloader to update, apparently.

Stupid me and my stupid doing things.
 

Rudi Fingers

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Jul 18, 2005
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[quote name='vintage'67' timestamp='1352863830' post='4423820']
Just got the alert And started the update!
[/quote]

Got my update last night over the air. The swipe down from the top right for quick toggle settings is nice (similar to the choices in the AOKP screenshots above), and the lock screen widgets are a very nice touch. The system seems a bit more responsive overall. Swipe to archive in Gmail is a really well thought out idea.
 

Blacken

Robespierre in a Cape
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Jul 24, 2007
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My preliminary testing indicates something like a 30% performance improvement on memory-intensive applications on the same hardware. It's pretty great.