Document reader

[BigLizzie]

I have used an iPad for some time and have become so dependent on it that I have decided to buy a disaster recovery tablet.

It makes sense not to buy another iOS device, as the same OS update could screw both over at the same time.

So I am planning to get a Nexus 7.

I have checked that most of the functionality I am used to on the iPad is available on Android, but there seems to be a massive hole which I cannot believe has not been filled.

I go to a lot of meetings and all of them follow a similar pattern. I am sent in the days or weeks ahead a variety of documents in a variety of formats - PDF, Word, Excel, JPG - even sometimes PPT.

I need to be able to:

1. Send these documents very quickly and easily to the tablet
2. Be able to see all of those documents in one environment and flick between them very quickly and easily.

This must be a requirement for millions of tablet users every day, all over the world.

I achieve it on the iPad using DropBox and GoodReader. It is remarkably smooth and works faultlessly.

Can anyone recommend anything that works as well in Android? There are plenty of PDF readers but I don't want to have to spend time converting everything to PDF before transferring it.

 

[chanchan05]

The difference with Android is that you don't need to use the same app for all those. From Dropbox, you can access all your files, while each file type will open whatever default program you set them to open. For example, I can open dropbox, go to a folder with several file types and just tap the one I want. Tapping on a PPT, excel or word file opens Polaris Office. Pressing back gets me to Dropbox again, and tapping a jpg file opens QuickPic, or a PDF file to open ezPDF reader.

Also, on Android, dropbox works more like the PC version. If you open something in the dropbox folder and edit it, the edit syncs across everything immediately after you save your work.

 

[BigLizzie]

Thank you.

My problem is the speed of flicking between documents. If I am chairing a meeting I am constantly jumping between the agenda, the minutes of last meeting, management accounts and directors' reports. That needs to be instant, not in and out of different apps.

Is there nothing like GoodReader for Android?

 

[chanchan05]

Polaris Office handles PDF, word, ppt and excel, but not JPEG. However instant jumping between ezPDF, a picture viewer and a Word document is near instant on Android. Just tap on the recent apps button and you can switch between all three apps at an instant. With the RAM of the Nexus 7, all three apps can run side by side. If you even get a Note 10.1, you can use Multi-Window function and have a PDF reader and Word reader on the screen as separate windows.

Here is an example of the recent apps screen on an Android tablet (when you press the button on the bottom that looks like two stacked squares)

And here is an example of the Samsung Note 10.1 with 3 apps open. Be reminded however that not all apps support the Multi-window view.

 

[BigLizzie]

Thank you.

It seems like Google Drive will do the trick. I have been playing with it on iPad and, assuming it is much the same on Android, it will be fine.

So, the Nexus order goes in, and I will soon have a foot in each camp. I will then be able to compare and contrast from a neutral standpoint.

 

[chanchan05]

Your call. Though by experience I always felt Google drive slower than having all three apps loaded at the same time.