Computer Expert, Mobile Device Noob

[wisnoskij]

Hello,

I am a long time computer expert, who has had jobs and higher education in IT and other computer related fields.

But I have near to zero knowledge or experience with any mobile device. Which is actuality sort of strange and ironic since used to work for and was a mobile device software developer. But I never did pick up how to use that darn things or have any real understanding of the marketplace, hardware, or software.

Earlier this year I did poke my head into the realm of tablets when I had to recommend a tablet to my mother. I went with the Nexus 7, and now have at least a few hours experience using one. Now I would like to expand my knowledge particularly in the area of which one would be right for me.

Android really seems like the only choice, but I really do not know too much about the alternatives (iOS is just out of the question, though).

Having used a standard Android tablet I have a few questions. There seemed to be a distinct lack of a right click. Tell me that there are tablets/android variants that have right click. Because having been without it I can say with absolutely certain that a computer without it is hardly usable, you might be able to muddle through emails and photo taking, but that is about it.

All in all, I fail to see why a tablet should not have all the functionality of a normal computer, just with a touch-screen for a mouse and keyboard (and some button, I guess, to turn left click into right click). Does this exist?

Also, why are all the Android apps so beta-y. Android has been around for years right? So why can't I send group emails or use any of Google Drives apps. Hell, even the browser is nearly unusable without changing some of the settings. But then maybe this is just a problem with official Google Apps?

 

[codesplice]

In general, the long-press action performs the same function as a right-click (providing a short contextual menu of options).

As for beta-y apps... I suppose it really depends on the app. There are a variety of alternative email clients available; surely one of them supports sending "group emails" (though I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that). What Google Drive apps are you unable to use? Google Drive does a pretty good job of editing/creating documents, spreadsheets, etc on the go. And the browser (both stock Android and Chrome) work fine for me - what makes them unusable for you?

The great thing about Android is the freedom of choice that comes along with it. If you don't like the included browser, try a different one. If you don't like the included keyboard, there are plenty of options there too. The same goes for email clients, messaging apps, music apps, launchers and homescreen, lockscreens, and just about anything else you can think of.

 

[Slug]

Welcome to Android Forums.

There seemed to be a distinct lack of a right click.

There's no left-click either.

Tell me that there are tablets/android variants that have right click.

Nope, because the usage paradigm is completely different.

a computer without it is hardly usable, you might be able to muddle through emails and photo taking, but that is about it.

Understandable, because most computer UIs are designed around use of mouse and keyboard. Mobile UIs, otoh, rely on multi-touch; a long-press (tap-and-hold), double-tap and pinch/spread gestures are equivalents.

Also, why are all the Android apps so beta-y

They're not, I can assure you. Not that I've used anything like "all" Android apps, just enough to know there's a lot of quality and innovation available.

why can't I send group emails or use any of Google Drives apps.

I don't know - I'm able to send emails to multiple recipients using Gmail. I'm not sure what you mean by Google Drive apps; Drive is cloud storage.

even the browser is nearly unusable without changing some of the settings

I never really liked the stock browser's rendering of pages, so switched to Chrome some time ago. Other users prefer other solutions.... the great thing with Android is that there's always a choice.

 

[wisnoskij]

A group email is an email send to a group (a group of contacts, that have previously been bundled under one name, like "college friends").

The Google Drive app just seemed generally broken to me. The whole thing was just handled strangely, and badly. And must have some strange default settings, as I could add to documents, or create new ones, but not edit existing text in existing documents. And a bunch of other usability problems. The only way to actually use Google drive, in a semi sane manner, was to just use the browser, but then I also had to request the non mobile version of the webpage, because 90% of the mobile versions of all webpages are nearly unusable.

 

[wisnoskij]

Understandable, because most computer UIs are designed around use of mouse and keyboard. Mobile UIs, otoh, rely on multi-touch; a long-press (tap-and-hold), double-tap and pinch/spread gestures are equivalents.

OK, I see what you are saying. but let me counter with, there just seems like a huge lack of options. An easy quick way to bring up a list of options is pretty important to me. Being able to select some text and easily copy it to the clipboard is incredibly important to me, which seems pretty hit and miss in many Android situations. Being able to superscript some text or create a link in a document is important to me, and quickness and easiness is very important.

To me it seems that Android has pretty much just given up all ability to do anything except plain text, emails, and pictures. And I am sure there are some apps that allow you to do more, but when you have no standard solutions, and everything is just arbitrarily decided by individual app developers, that is not a good solution.

Are there power user versions of Android, with compatible apps? Any groups of developers who have gotten together and all use a some standard UI?

 

[Slug]

To send an email to a Group:

Select "Groups" in your contact list
Tap the Group you wish to send the email to
Select "Send group email" at the top of the list

 

[codesplice]

To select some text and copy it to the clipboard:

Long-press on the text.
Drag the handles at either end to expand the selection.
Touch the Copy button.



If you're expecting Android to be a full-up desktop/laptop replacement, you're going to be disappointed. That's not what the OS is for. Neither is iOS, or Windows Phone.

A tablet running Windows 8 RT sounds like closer to what you want.

 

[wisnoskij]

A tablet running Windows 8 RT sounds like closer to what you want.

Hmm. I was just thinking. There must be a way to just install some Linux version on an Android device. And set the sound/other button to change the normal click behaviour to right click.

And if you could temporarily assign screen locations to specific keyboard buttons, you could even play games designed for keyboards.

Or maybe just this already designed Window 8 solution would be easier. Will have to look into how they solved the right-click problem. But overall windows seems like overkill for a small mobile device. One of the minimalist Linux distros would be a much better fit.

 

[codesplice]

On that note, https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/Install

(P.S. - I just copied and pasted that link on my phone with zero difficulty ;-) )

 

[mikedt]

Hello,

I am a long time computer expert, who has had jobs and higher education in IT and other computer related fields.

But I have near to zero knowledge or experience with any mobile device. Which is actuality sort of strange and ironic since used to work for and was a mobile device software developer. But I never did pick up how to use that darn things or have any real understanding of the marketplace, hardware, or software.

Earlier this year I did poke my head into the realm of tablets when I had to recommend a tablet to my mother. I went with the Nexus 7, and now have at least a few hours experience using one. Now I would like to expand my knowledge particularly in the area of which one would be right for me.

Android really seems like the only choice, but I really do not know too much about the alternatives (iOS is just out of the question, though).

Having used a standard Android tablet I have a few questions. There seemed to be a distinct lack of a right click. Tell me that there are tablets/android variants that have right click.

Because there's no mouse and arrow on the screen. Touch screen devices like Android tablets have a different method of usage. TBH I find it very intuitive and no problem. And I've been using mice on PCs for over 20 years now. ...if you want, you can actually use a Bluetooth mouse with an Android device, and it will function pretty much as it does on a PC. Although most apps are not specifically designed for that.

Because having been without it I can say with absolutely certain that a computer without it is hardly usable, you might be able to muddle through emails and photo taking, but that is about it.

All in all, I fail to see why a tablet should not have all the functionality of a normal computer, just with a touch-screen for a mouse and keyboard (and some button, I guess, to turn left click into right click). Does this exist?

Also, why are all the Android apps so beta-y.

What apps have you tried? With over a million apps in the Play Store, I'm sure there's more than a few that rather sub-par. There's a lot of really good stuff as well. We have forums dedicated to apps and games, they're often worth reading.

Android has been around for years right? So why can't I send group emails or use any of Google Drives apps. Hell, even the browser is nearly unusable without changing some of the settings. But then maybe this is just a problem with official Google Apps?

Google Drive doesn't work for me either(China). What country are you in? ...things like censoring or more likely geographic restrictions.

 

[wisnoskij]

Google Drive doesn't work for me either(China). What country are you in? ...things like censoring or more likely geographic restrictions.

I think it just might be the Google apps that I find less than desired. And I did not mean that I could not physically use them, but that they were not designed or finished into a usable state, Canada.

 

[funkylogik]

Im glad im a total computer idiot lol or maybe id have found it hard moving to android and touch UI lol.
Just wait until you find out how RAM works on android... thatl throw you a bit

I say the same thing to people who go from iOs to android,. Start with a completely open mind or youll never be happy with it. Dont try to recreate your previous experience. Its different and works well for what it is

 

[Stuntman]

Just wait until you find out how RAM works on android... thatl throw you a bit

That is going to be the biggest culture shock for someone trained in computers.

 

[funkylogik]

Lol yeah

 

[bjacks12]

The traditional PC experience is dying. FWIW, I've been heavily ingrained into the PC/Windows world since 3.1, and I've had ZERO trouble using Android.

 

[bjacks12]

To send an email to a Group:

Select "Groups" in your contact list
Tap the Group you wish to send the email to
Select "Send group email" at the top of the list

Doesn't work on stock android.

There is no way to send a text or email to a group using the stock apps in stock Android. Samsung, HTC, et all seem to have added this in their skins, but Google decided we don't deserve it, I guess. Seems like an easy feature to add in. It's annoying having to send a group message by adding each person individually. IT ENTIRELY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF CONTACT GROUPS.

 

[wisnoskij]

Oh, I just clicked to install a new Android version, and lost the ability to attach files to my emails....

Thanks Google for showing us how awesome you are at developing software. The ability to send documents and spreadsheets over email was obviously a bug that needed removing.

 

[Demache]

All in all, I fail to see why a tablet should not have all the functionality of a normal computer, just with a touch-screen for a mouse and keyboard (and some button, I guess, to turn left click into right click). Does this exist?

Here's your biggest roadblock right here. Your assuming tablets should have all the capabilities of a normal computer. Technically they do. They can even use regular USB/Bluetooth keyboards and mice. And they recognize most special keys and do recognize left/right click and scroll wheel. Right click is equivalent to long pressing the area your cursor is on if you were wondering.

But they are NOT designed with that in mind. Your going in with the mentality that it must act like a full fledged desktop OS. Which is what Android isn't. Even though Android is definitely the most computer-like of the 3 "smart" OS's, it was never meant to be a desktop OS replacement. A Nexus 7 is designed to be ultra-portable low power media consumption devices. It a device meant for watching Youtube, casual internet browsing, ebook reading, and communication. And primarily marketed as such.

Productivity is possible, but your much better off with an actual laptop or tablet hybrid with a desktop OS if that is going to be a common use for it. I'm sure installing a full ARM Linux distro is possible, but at that point, I wonder why you didn't put it on a laptop or netbook.

Oh, I just clicked to install a new Android version, and lost the ability to attach files to my emails....

Thanks Google for showing us how awesome you are at developing software. The ability to send documents and spreadsheets over email was obviously a bug that needed removing.

That's just Google doing what Google does best. Randomly inserting and removing features is essentially a trademark.

 

[Goodspike]

Oh, I just clicked to install a new Android version, and lost the ability to attach files to my emails....

Thanks Google for showing us how awesome you are at developing software. The ability to send documents and spreadsheets over email was obviously a bug that needed removing.

That would be dependent on your email client, or at least it is on my phone with 4.3. It would be helpful in the future if you would describe what upgrade you did when you mention an upgrade, and what app you are talking about. It may be there is a way to do something you simply are not seeing.

Even for an email client that doesn't support attachments of other file types, there may be work arounds. For example, I recently had a video that I couldn't send as an attachment because it was too large, but I could upload it to Dropbox and then send it as a link.

 

[Goodspike]

Will have to look into how they solved the right-click problem..

I can only assume that the joke above that there's also no left click went over your head. There is no right click problem.

Right clicking is a way to accomplish something on a device that has a two button mouse, trackball or touchpad. The lack of such buttons does not mean that there is no way to accomplish the particular task, just as it also doesn't mean that if you can do something by right clicking on a device with two buttons, that right clicking is the only way to accomplish that task.

 

[wisnoskij]

Stock android 4.4. And actually it appears to be built into the file picker, even the desktop version of gmail through chrome completely disallows all non image files to be picked.

So hotmail, etc would as well, and even non email file picking. I just went to Google drive to check, and it would not allow me to upload a spreadsheet any longer...

So basically, stock android does not allow you to use or manage any files that are not images or videos apparently.

 

[Demache]

That would be dependent on your email client, or at least it is on my phone with 4.3. It would be helpful in the future if you would describe what upgrade you did when you mention an upgrade, and what app you are talking about. It may be there is a way to do something you simply are not seeing.

Even for an email client that doesn't support attachments of other file types, there may be work arounds. For example, I recently had a video that I couldn't send as an attachment because it was too large, but I could upload it to Dropbox and then send it as a link.

I actually found a workaround that doesn't even involve using cloud services. Use a file manager app (like ES Explorer). Select the file you want. Select Share. Select the Email client. Boom! Email attached with any file.

 

[mikedt]

The traditional PC experience is dying. FWIW, I've been heavily ingrained into the PC/Windows world since 3.1, and I've had ZERO trouble using Android.

I'm absolutely sure that's happening...Windows 8...it's what Microsoft wants. Same here I have no problem using Android, but I do still need a laptop for preparing lessons and teaching in the classroom...not Windows though.

 

[bjacks12]

Yeah, I still primarily use my laptop for most things. My Kindle Fire tablet largely sits unused.

The right-click issue isn't so much the loss of a feature, but rather changing how things are done. It was only the means to an end. We now have new means. So to grieve its absence is akin to pining for a rotor dial on our phones.

 

[Slug]

even the desktop version of gmail through chrome completely disallows all non image files to be picked.

Are you using the most recent version of Chrome? I'm able to attach any file type to a Gmail message here.

The Android Gmail app only shows menu options for attaching pictures or video, but installing a file manager will allow you to find and 'share' any desired file via Gmail.