Ask HN: How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?

#1

Post by HansTheOne » Tue, Nov 28, 2023, 6:10 PM UTC

I'm looking for advice on how to optimally set up/customize an Android Tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ in my case).

I mean it in all possible ways, Launchers, Apps, Wallpapers, Cases, Pens, Pen nibs, Screen protectors, Holders, etc ...

Tell me how you completely obsessed over certain things until you finally got it set up exactly how you wanted it. Tell me about the time you tried out 7 different screen protectors until you found the right one. (Also don't ask me how many icon packs I looked at until I found "Rondo")

I'd also appreciate any links to deep-dive articles or blog posts about this topic.

Re: Ask HN: How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?

#2

Post by smoldesu » Tue, Nov 28, 2023, 6:28 PM UTC

For my money, less is more. Minimalist ROMs like LineageOS are a must-have, and when it's not available I use Android Debloater[0]. Usually I bounce all the unnecessary Google/OEM services and install better alternatives like Newpipe for YouTube and Firefox instead of Chrome. Media apps will be a matter of opinion, but I'm perfectly content with VLC. I do syncing with Syncthing, which is perfect if you spend most of your time on the same network.

Besides that though, I don't do a whole lot. The Android 12 UI colors are nice to play with, but I don't think there are any game-changing tips that will blow your mind. Maybe set up Termux so you can do programming on the side?

[0] https://github.com/0x192/universal-android-debloater

Re: Ask HN: How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?

#3

Post by theandrewbailey » Tue, Nov 28, 2023, 6:36 PM UTC

smoldesu wrote: post #2

For my money, less is more. Minimalist ROMs like LineageOS are a must-have, and when it's not available I use Android Debloater[0]. Usually I bounce all the unnecessary Google/OEM services and install better alternatives like Newpipe for YouTube and Firefox instead of Chrome. Media apps will be a matter of opinion, but I'm perfectly content with VLC. I do syncing with Syncthing, which is perfect if you spend most of…

I second LineageOS. I put it on my Kindle Fire 7, and it became fast enough to be usable for the first time. Flashed it again without Google Play services, and it got a bit faster. I use it to read email (Fastmail), listen to music (VLC), and occasionally watch youtube (NewPipe). I can recommend FDroid and Aptoide to replace Google Play.

Re: Ask HN: How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?

#4

Post by smoldesu » Tue, Nov 28, 2023, 6:43 PM UTC

theandrewbailey wrote: post #3

smoldesu wrote: post #2

For my money, less is more. Minimalist ROMs like LineageOS are a must-have, and when it's not available I use Android Debloater[0]. Usually I bounce all the unnecessary Google/OEM services and install better alternatives like Newpipe for YouTube and Firefox instead of Chrome. Media apps will be a matter of opinion, but I'm perfectly content with VLC. I do syncing with Syncthing, which is perfect if you spend most of…

I second LineageOS. I put it on my Kindle Fire 7, and it became fast enough to be usable for the first time. Flashed it again without Google Play services, and it got a bit faster. I use it to read email (Fastmail), listen to music (VLC), and occasionally watch youtube (NewPipe). I can recommend FDroid and Aptoide to replace Google Play.

I ran LineageOS on my Nintendo Switch for a few months, and it was uncannily stable. I had accelerated video playback, ran Obsidian and got all my other apps working mostly fine. A good LineageOS build can really change an older device for the better (but my Switch runs OEM firmware today because I despise fun).

Re: Ask HN: How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?

#5

Post by devicelimit » Tue, Nov 28, 2023, 11:38 PM UTC

smoldesu wrote: post #2

For my money, less is more. Minimalist ROMs like LineageOS are a must-have, and when it's not available I use Android Debloater[0]. Usually I bounce all the unnecessary Google/OEM services and install better alternatives like Newpipe for YouTube and Firefox instead of Chrome. Media apps will be a matter of opinion, but I'm perfectly content with VLC. I do syncing with Syncthing, which is perfect if you spend most of…

I use the Newpipe x Sponserblock app from the Izzy on Droid FDroid repo. https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/org.polymorphicshad...

Re: Ask HN: How to optimally set up an Android Tablet?

#6

Post by KetoManx64 » Wed, Nov 29, 2023, 4:07 AM UTC

smoldesu wrote: post #2

For my money, less is more. Minimalist ROMs like LineageOS are a must-have, and when it's not available I use Android Debloater[0]. Usually I bounce all the unnecessary Google/OEM services and install better alternatives like Newpipe for YouTube and Firefox instead of Chrome. Media apps will be a matter of opinion, but I'm perfectly content with VLC. I do syncing with Syncthing, which is perfect if you spend most of…

Another vote for LineageOS from me, i'm running it on my Galaxy Tab S6. Smooth as butter, better battery life than Touchwiz and no bloatware. I run without Google apps and use Aurora Store and Fdroid for applications.