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Google quits selling tablets

techcrunch.com

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Re: Google quits selling tablets

#51

Post by trumped »

gruez wrote: post #13
sliken wrote: post #4

I loved my nexus-7, and the 2nd gen nexus-7 even more. Inexpensive, pure android, decent hardware spec, and a usefully larger display than a phone. Anyone know of a current table that avoids the adware, crapware, and 3d contact managers where each card flies around in 3D? I just want android with the current security updates and 7-9" display.

go over to https://download.lineageos.org/ and find a supported tablet. pros: no crapware (nearly stock android), weekly updates cons: needs unlocked bootloader, not the newest and greatest (manufacturers take their sweet time to release kernel sources), weekly rolling release

It would be nice if there was a law forcing manufacturers to unlock your bootloader if you request it for a device that you own 100%... it's getting harder and harder to find unlockable devices (without having to resort to bugs in the system).

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#52

Post by Shank »

lalos wrote: post #49

Is somebody keeping track of all the projects that Google quits? Back in the day we had this infographic https://www.wordstream.com/articles/retired-google-projects

Gwern tracks Google's services, but not necessarily cancelled hardware: http://www.gwern.net/Google-shutdowns

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#53

Post by duxup »

limeblack wrote: post #32
duxup wrote: post #27

My Chromebook that runs Android apps has replaced any need for a tablet for me. It is lighter than my bug laptop but still can get a lot done and if I want I fold it into tablet mode and I'm set.

This is not a serious solution at the time I tried this several months ago. Most of the apps I downloaded for Android were not optimized well for a Chromebook with text/window sizing, prevented resizing of the windows and were downright buggy(not registering presses and sometimes would even crash.)

What model did you try?

I'm using a Chromebook Plus, outside of the very first release when it supported apps, I haven't had any issues.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#54

Post by namibj »

sliken wrote: post #4

I loved my nexus-7, and the 2nd gen nexus-7 even more. Inexpensive, pure android, decent hardware spec, and a usefully larger display than a phone. Anyone know of a current table that avoids the adware, crapware, and 3d contact managers where each card flies around in 3D? I just want android with the current security updates and 7-9" display.

Slightly below the range, you find e.g. Lenovo's Phab 2 Pro, on which i yo date don't remember encountering crapware (of any kind). I can comfortably run an 80-column terminal on it (wireless even), and it still (barely) fits in my front pocket.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#55

Post by mortdeus »

Im just happy that tablets are finally dead. You have a super supped up desktop computer at home sitting on your desk, and you have a relatively supped up smart phone sitting in your pocket when you cant be sitting at your desk.

Where does tablets fit into this scenario?

It doesn't. All tablets do is make app developers think they can somehow make app experiences you can only achieve on the desktop, somehow attainable on the go.

sorry for the bad grammar. kinda tipsy

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#56

Post by akhilcacharya »

derefr wrote: post #50

> Cheap Kindle tablets from Amazon have proliferated somewhat, presumably as distractions for kids who would otherwise get fingerprints all over mom’s new phone, or for ultra-compact time-wasting on airplanes. Why does everybody think of only consumer-electronics uses for a $40 tablet? I think it would be quite obvious what the real use for these is: IoT control surfaces (the “smart fridge” upgrade), POS systems, inv…

I agree completely! I've been thinking about why the rise of the ultra-cheap Fire tablets haven't created a new maker revolution so to speak. They can be had for cheaper than the RPi for Black Friday with a built in screen!

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#57

Post by foobaw »

I used to work on Tablets with Google. Tablets have higher margins so it's a very attractive business for OEMs but compatibility was definitely an issue.

Tons of Android apps weren't developed with screen compatibility in mind so QA was a nightmare (Sending massive emails to app developers asking them to fix their apps).

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#58

Post by 013a »

Microsoft seems like the only company that understands tablets right now. They should be more like computers, not more like phones.

There's also a pretty great argument that given all of our phones are absolute powerhouses nowadays, phones should also be less like phones and more like computers. I'm hopeful Microsoft can also move to spur on this change; maybe soon the market will be ready for the return of Windows Phone.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#59

Post by mindslight »

akhilcacharya wrote: post #56
derefr wrote: post #50

> Cheap Kindle tablets from Amazon have proliferated somewhat, presumably as distractions for kids who would otherwise get fingerprints all over mom’s new phone, or for ultra-compact time-wasting on airplanes. Why does everybody think of only consumer-electronics uses for a $40 tablet? I think it would be quite obvious what the real use for these is: IoT control surfaces (the “smart fridge” upgrade), POS systems, inv…

I agree completely! I've been thinking about why the rise of the ultra-cheap Fire tablets haven't created a new maker revolution so to speak. They can be had for cheaper than the RPi for Black Friday with a built in screen!

I thought those things were defective-by-design, and nobody had really succeeded in fixing them?

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#60

Post by namibj »

derefr wrote: post #50

> Cheap Kindle tablets from Amazon have proliferated somewhat, presumably as distractions for kids who would otherwise get fingerprints all over mom’s new phone, or for ultra-compact time-wasting on airplanes. Why does everybody think of only consumer-electronics uses for a $40 tablet? I think it would be quite obvious what the real use for these is: IoT control surfaces (the “smart fridge” upgrade), POS systems, inv…

The "hand-out" case seems to be particularily promising. Are there radios that could complement a few miles of range, be it only with simple chat / send-coordinates? Come to think of it, opus doesn't take much either. A sub-100$ kit with voice+tablet should be feasible.
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