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Help Issues with new 10.1-inch Acer tablet (Honeycomb)

cookdav

cookdav

Newbie
Just purchased a new Acer tablet (at Best-Buy).

I'd been reading up on Android for at least a year. I do NOT own
a 'smart'phone and don't plan to in the foreseeable future.

(I'm totally happy with my 'dumb' LG cellphone. Don't need/want
a 'data plan'. I already pay decent money for Internet-connection
at home, with router for both wired and wireless (WIFI) access.)

Why pay 'twice', if you're a laptop-junkie, who always thought maybe he
wanted a 'fuller-sized' wifi-capable tablet for his couch, to maybe someday
replace his dual-boot laptop (Linux and Vista, in that order)?

After about 8 hours 'evaluation' of this Honeycomb-based (i.e Android 3.0)
Acer tablet, with its 10.1-inch 'iPad-sized' screen, I'm (strongly) leaning
towards bailing out, and returning it.

Two major issues I have are:

1: Yikes! This thing is NOT multi-user! (I SHOULD have known, since
Android / Honeycomb is just a 'grown-up' smartphone OS.) Unlike the
Google 'Chrome OS', which DOES appear to have full 'sessions' that
you 'Log-in' to, etc, Android is clearly 'single-user' device/OS.
[Was hoping/expecting that multiple members of the house-hold could
each grab the tablet and have their separate desktop layouts, etc. NOPE.]

2. Was expecting that if I inserted a USB-flashdrive, containing either my
whole series of music (MP3) files, or a flashdrive containing a
transcoded MOVIE file, that a dialog would popup, allowing me to
copy those 'files' onto Androids 'storage'. And, then, LATER, I would associate
that data with whatever 'apps' I wanted to access that data with. :confused: :confused:

Seems Android doesn't work that way!? After reading the 'user-manual'
[which wasn't, but should have been, included in the box], I'm sorta getting
the feeling that maybe I need to FIRST run the 'app' that I want to use
to operate on my 'data', and that (maybe?) the app is supposed to then
know how to help me 'import' the data from the flashdrive?

This second issue is probably the MORE IMPORTANT to me. The first
issue (non-multi-user), I may be able to get over. But, this second one
is my current 'show-stopper'.

TIA...
 
Ok, my 'theory/understanding' was indeed correct. One must launch an
app FIRST, and let the app encounter the data, NOT the other way.

[Android seems to be an 'APP-centric' system. Not at all 'data-centric'.]

So,if i launch the 'Clear.fi' app (built-in) that Acer puts there, and then plug
in a flashdrive, then the app DOES find and can play music-videos, etc
that are on the flash-drive.

So, the questions/issues now boil down to:

How do I transfer the files from the flash-drive into Android storage? :confused:
[i.e. I do NOT want to keep having a flashdrive plugged into the side of the tablet.]

And, what if one wanted to have their MP3 music files on the system, but on one day,
they'ed want to use 'music-player-1' app, but the next day, they want instead
to use 'music-player-2' app?
[This lack of data-centric-ness appears (right now) to 'suck'.]
 
cookdav said:
Ok, my 'theory/understanding' was indeed correct. One must launch an
app FIRST, and let the app encounter the data, NOT the other way.

[Android seems to be an 'APP-centric' system. Not at all 'data-centric'.]

So,if i launch the 'Clear.fi' app (built-in) that Acer puts there, and then plug
in a flashdrive, then the app DOES find and can play music-videos, etc
that are on the flash-drive.

So, the questions/issues now boil down to:

How do I transfer the files from the flash-drive into Android storage? :confused:
[i.e. I do NOT want to keep having a flashdrive plugged into the side of the tablet.]

And, what if one wanted to have their MP3 music files on the system, but on one day,
they'ed want to use 'music-player-1' app, but the next day, they want instead
to use 'music-player-2' app?
[This lack of data-centric-ness appears (right now) to 'suck'.]
Click to expand...

Not sure if the Acer has a built-in in file manager but if it doesn't you can download one from the app store? Astro file manager is one of the more popular ones. You should be able to transfer files between those two storage options.
 
xmr405o said:
Not sure if the Acer has a built-in in file manager but if it doesn't you can download one from the app store? Astro file manager is one of the more popular ones. You should be able to transfer files between those two storage options.
Click to expand...

Hmm, yeah. I see this 'Astro' file-mgr you speak of. [$3.99] :p

Maybe there are also some 'less-popular' file-mgrs that are free!? :confused:

But, this is starting to feel a bit like a 'plot' of some kind. Thanks, Google, (and Acer)
for NOT building a 'file-mgr' into the system. Instead, let's leave out important
parts of the system, and then have each user go out and PAY for the
missing pieces!

This may be another 'vote' for returning this thing, back to Best-Buy/(Acer).

That said, a big thank-you to you, xmr405o, for pointing out my options/solution. :cool:

[What's the recommended way to mark these threads 'resolved'?]
 
cookdav said:
Hmm, yeah. I see this 'Astro' file-mgr you speak of. [$3.99] :p

Maybe there are also some 'less-popular' file-mgrs that are free!? :confused:

But, this is starting to feel a bit like a 'plot' of some kind. Thanks, Google, (and Acer)
for NOT building a 'file-mgr' into the system. Instead, let's leave out important
parts of the system, and then have each user go out and PAY for the
missing pieces!

This may be another 'vote' for returning this thing, back to Best-Buy/(Acer).

That said, I big thank-you to you, xmr405o, for pointing out my options/solution. :cool:

[What's the recommended way to mark these threads 'resolved'?]
Click to expand...

Should have bought the Xoom. I played with the Acer and the Xoom next to each other yesterday and the difference was absolutely astounding.

Also, sounds like you need to think about waiting for the upcoming Windows 7 tablets to start dropping.
 
cookdav said:
Hmm, yeah. I see this 'Astro' file-mgr you speak of. [$3.99] :p

Maybe there are also some 'less-popular' file-mgrs that are free!? :confused:

But, this is starting to feel a bit like a 'plot' of some kind. Thanks, Google, (and Acer)
for NOT building a 'file-mgr' into the system. Instead, let's leave out important
parts of the system, and then have each user go out and PAY for the
missing pieces!

This may be another 'vote' for returning this thing, back to Best-Buy/(Acer).

That said, I big thank-you to you, xmr405o, for pointing out my options/solution. :cool:

[What's the recommended way to mark these threads 'resolved'?]
Click to expand...

That's a donate key. There's a free version.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/astro-file-manager/com.metago.astro

I know this is your first Android device so returning this unit without trying to learn more about the Android OS would be such a waste. You should have some sort of time period to try this tablet out so I suggest to spend time and learn about it since you bought it already.

There's a ton of free apps and so many cool things you can do with Android.
 
Thanks for that. I happened upon that free edition, just before I saw your reply.

And, yes, I have '14-days' to return it, no-questions-asked, and I DO plan to use
the full 14-days. I may come around to keeping it. Still too soon to tell.
[That said, I wouldn't simply return it...the plan would be to instead SWAP it, for
a much nicer Lenovo 'Intel-7'-CPU laptop, with Win-7 (bye-bye, Vista!) and
an HDMI-port, etc.]

For now, I guess I can live with 'ads' in my 'file-mgr'. :rolleyes:

[Gmail has ads, over on the right-side, and I get a chuckle out of how
clever Google is, at associating ads to the content
of my email msgs. :) ]
 
cookdav said:
Thanks for that. I happened upon that free edition, just before I saw your reply.

I guess I can live with 'ads' in my 'file-mgr'. :rolleyes:

[Gmail has ads, over on the right-side, and I get a chuckle out of how
clever Google is, at associating ads to the content
of my email msgs. :) ]
Click to expand...

Really? I didn't know they had ads on the google apps. Must be a honeycomb thing. Ads shouldn't be too much of a problem for your Acer. It's a pretty powerful device (IMO) so ads won't lag your apps too much. Just as long as it doesn't cover your whole screen. haha.

As for Xoom vs Acer, my opinion, the better value is with the Acer. Not sure why he said the differences were "astounding". My only knock would be the size of the Acer compared to the Xoom but that's a minor.

I'm telling you. Learn the Android OS first, take your time. Have fun! Find the good things about it too!

Oh one last thing, head over to the Acer tablet forum. You will probably get more helpful advice from them than from me. I'm still a lurker over at that forum. haha.

http://androidforums.com/acer-tablets/
 
cookdav said:
That's a nice 'one-liner'. Care to share any 'details' of the astounding differences
that you noticed? :confused:
Click to expand...

Speed mostly. I don't understand it, they bother use the same processor, but the Xoom seems much more optimized for some reason. Honeycomb definitely has its flaws, but it was a very smooth experience in my opinion on the Xoom. Like I said however, some of your demands are not going to happen on the aOS platform and you should probably wait until Windows 7 tablets come out, it should function the way that you're wishing for in that it will be more of a desktop experience.
 
Android Honeycomb is very new and for the most parts in beta. I could imagine how overwhelming it must be for you with no android experience. I am at times very frustrated with honeycomb even with 2 years android experience.

With that said it is an awesome OS. For the most part, the possibilities on android are endless. You can pretty much play/load any file type you want, it has flash, the Dev community is top notch, and there is always someone to help you out.

Use the device and ask questions as much as you need to. This is a good forum for beginners to intermediate users, XDA is a great forum for you to unlock advanced features which I wont get in to right now.

Like I said ask questions, we are here to help, don't give up so soon.
 
I use ES Explorer as my file manger, I find it easier to use when connecting to my network drives (SAN)/PCs. I tried Astro but I find ES Explorer more user friendly.
 
There's an AD blocker app in the market that blocks ads on your device. Also a modified NTFS support apk was just posted on xda-developers forums for the Iconia. Click to install>plug in say a 500GB HDD that you have movies stored on>open app>find device and mount and you're viewing movies on your Iconia, from your HDD. Gotta love Android and the devs who make it what it is.
 
zerocool79346 said:
Speed mostly. I don't understand it, they bother use the same processor, but the Xoom seems much more optimized for some reason. Honeycomb definitely has its flaws, but it was a very smooth experience in my opinion on the Xoom. Like I said however, some of your demands are not going to happen on the aOS platform and you should probably wait until Windows 7 tablets come out, it should function the way that you're wishing for in that it will be more of a desktop experience.
Click to expand...

Seem same speed to me and I have messed with both a lot. The lack of USB host, $150 more cost and a non-functioning microsd, killed the Xoom for me. None the less, both are same speed with similar benchmarks.
 
rushmore said:
Seem same speed to me and I have messed with both a lot. The lack of USB host, $150 more cost and a non-functioning microsd, killed the Xoom for me. None the less, both are same speed with similar benchmarks.
Click to expand...

Yes but the Xoom is "astounding"
 
you can plug your acer into your computer and it shows you the files on the tablet. it also lets you put files, pics, movies, etc on it. so theres your free file manager with no ads
 
xmr405o said:
[.....]
I'm telling you. Learn the Android OS first, take your time. Have fun! Find the good things about it too!

Oh one last thing, head over to the Acer tablet forum. You will probably get more helpful advice from them than from me. I'm still a lurker over at that forum. haha.

Acer Tablets - Android Forums
Click to expand...


Ok, somewhere along the way, 'magic-happened', So, now I'm NO LONGER
in danger of returning it. (Well, down to 20% chance, maybe/) :o

I'm really starting to 'grok' (understand) it now. It's very 'different', but now
I'm more 'viva la differance!' :cool:
 
cookdav said:
Ok, somewhere along the way, 'magic-happened', So, now I'm NO LONGER
in danger of returning it. (Well, down to 20% chance, maybe/) :o

I'm really starting to 'grok' (understand) it now. It's very 'different', but now
I'm more 'viva la differance!' :cool:
Click to expand...

Honeycomb is different enough that all of us are in a learning curve. I prefer it, but "hate" how some apps that scale to tablets fine with Froyo, are little windows with Honeycomb.

The IGN and TigerArcade apps are two examples that scale fine on my gTablet, but are tiny windows on the Iconia.

I sure wish Acer shipped the Iconia with an optional skin for a better grip. As others have mentioned, the extra weight makes it even more slippery than an iPad 1 and 2.
 
rushmore said:
Honeycomb is different enough that all of us are in a learning curve. I prefer it, but "hate" how some apps that scale to tablets fine with Froyo, are little windows with Honeycomb.

The IGN and TigerArcade apps are two examples that scale fine on my gTablet, but are tiny windows on the Iconia.

I sure wish Acer shipped the Iconia with an optional skin for a better grip. As others have mentioned, the extra weight makes it even more slippery than an iPad 1 and 2.
Click to expand...

Hey Rush

So spare parts doesn't fix the scaling issue?
 
xmr405o said:
Hey Rush

So spare parts doesn't fix the scaling issue?
Click to expand...

Nope :( Tried both versions and rebooted as stated. Not having my beloved TigerArcade is a dark gaming moment for me. All of the oid apps and FPse scale fine on the Iconia, but the one I luv the most is but a weeee tiny window :(

Apparently the same result on the Xoom, but not heard about the Transformer yet. Seems a Honeycomb issue and the dev has not updated to support it.
 
First tablet and im loving it. But I have a problem with it not reading word documents through a flash drive, it will get pictures, movies and music from a flash drive as quoted from the manual. I haven't tryed straight from the computer yet but what would be the point then. I also got doc to go to see if that would help and it only reads them off your email or that are saved to the device.

I just want to be able to read a word doc on the go, makes it a lot easyer to show it to people.

PS the keyboard was a fey keys laggy when I type this (on the A500)
 
Anyone know how to delete browser bookmarks on Android?

[Want to loan the unit to someone else, so trying to permanently prevent them from following
bookmarks that auto-login to websites, by deleting the bookmarks.]
 
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