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Google quits selling tablets

techcrunch.com

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Re: Google quits selling tablets

#61

Post by matt_heimer »

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

https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/ lets you easily ctrl-f for tablet

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#62

Post by jotux »

kbd wrote: post #44
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.

I still use my Nexus 7 (2nd gen) as my main tablet. That thing is a trooper. It's my book reader, Chromecast runner, Sonos controller, etc. It's big enough to comfortably watch Twitch on. It fits in my back jeans pocket so I can easily bring it with me, which lots of tablets including the ipad mini don't. I'd love to find a modern replacement for it, ideally just a little bit bigger.

I still use my Nexus 10 when traveling to watch movies. The screen looks amazing and even after ~5 years I can watch 6+ hours of video on it without a recharge.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#63

Post by ce4 »

013a wrote: post #58

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 P…

I have an Asus Chromebook flip and love the form factor. It can be used in tablet mode (360 hinges) and runs almost all Android apps.

Pro: cheap, physical keyboard, 10hrs runtime, lightweight

Con: flaky touch, proprietary charger, mine needs a new battery, no gps

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#64

Post by djrogers »

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!

Well it’s not as if Amazon lets you hack around around on them or side load apps - you’re stuck with the Amazon store unless you try a dodgy exploit based unlocking method - which leaves you with a questionable tablet.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#65

Post by throwawy2018 »

namibj wrote: post #54
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.

> don't remember encountering crapware (of any kind)

Lenovo Motorola, Huawei and others have plenty of spyware on them. Years ago there was Superfish, later Adups Technology spyware and Allwinner's root backdoor.

Not the kinds of devices you want to be doing your banking on.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#66

Post by joering2 »

Interesting thread but am I the only one here that still enjoys JooJoo tablet some 8 years later? Sure they didnt ship too many units but os is based on linux so all sorts of updates are welcome. Furthermore the batery on this thing is insane- some 6 days without charging!

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#67

Post by fireattack »

mortdeus wrote: post #55

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 attainabl…

Read books and watch videos in the bed. For me at least.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#68

Post by wepple »

mortdeus wrote: post #55

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 attainabl…

I don’t want to read a book or watch a few YouTube clips or browse twitter whilst sitting at my desk in my office, nor do I want to poke at a tiny screen.

Tablets are thriving, just not android tablets.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#69

Post by ahartmetz »

transfire wrote: post #37

The idea that the tablet is dead is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. It is probably the most useful form-factor there is -- at least ultimately. But it hasn't come to full fruition yet. Stylus writing is really necessary, and lighter weights will be a big deal. Ultimately the tablet will be ubiquitous, and therefore must necessarily become dirt cheap. There is little to no profit margin. Revenue will have to come…

Maybe we can declare laptops as tablets with integrated stand, extra powerful hardware, built-in keyboard for efficient text input, and a much larger, less regulated app ecosystem with much more featureful apps. Tablets are pretty dumb really, IMO. That has been my opinion since the beginning of the tablet hype. The only way for them to actually take over was for them to gain most features of "regular" computers - maybe in unexpected ways. It could have happened if Steve Jobs hadn't died so early.

Smartphones are very different - you can carry them in your pocket and that is a huge deal. All the compromises make sense there.

Re: Google quits selling tablets

#70

Post by sundvor »

mortdeus wrote: post #55

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 attainabl…

I love my Galaxy Tab S2 ~8" tablet for reading technical books. Absolutely gorgeous AMOLED screen, 4:3 aspect which is a delight when using black themed presentation.
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