Capt'n Corrupt | # 1281 | 2010-11-24, 11:50 | Report

Here's a 2010 Google IO talk on Writing Speedy Android apps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4znvD-7VDA

I've not watched it, but it seems that it will be exciting!

Google should take it's own advice and update the stock browser

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1282 | 2010-11-24, 14:22 | Report

Ain't Android grand? Here's an online keyboard that implements Grafiti (think Palm OS of old):

http://www.androidcentral.com/graffi...cement-fun-use

With the stylus and the Tab, this could prove to be a VERY useful tool for input. As the input is at the bottom of the screen, there would be no need for 'palm protection' for unwanted input.

Very interesting.

Here's a direct link to a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tflKs...layer_embedded

My only complaint is that it looks slow. It should be much more responsive.

---

Last edited by Capt'n Corrupt; 2010-11-24 at 14:48.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1283 | 2010-11-24, 14:27 | Report

This looks mega-cool. Take a look at this home screen replacement:

http://www.xda-developers.com/androi...r-for-android/
Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX96RbxNMeg

This is a REALLY nice launcher, though I wouldn't use it as I'm not big on social networking.

I *love* the box app launcher widget, and would love that functionality as a widget to be used on other launchers.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1284 | 2010-11-24, 14:34 | Report

Woah! This is cool. Here's a Galaxy Tab embedded in the car dash.

Quite the mod! Very, very, nice!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyBi-rJgNHs

Needs a better car, though...

lemmyslender | # 1285 | 2010-11-24, 14:48 | Report

Watching this review, I saw something I hadn't noticed before. Speaker placement. It appears that the stereo speakers are both on the same short side.

Won't this somewhat affect watching media? For most uses, the speaker location wouldn't matter. But for videos, wouldn't you primarily be watching in landscape? You won't get real stereo sound with both speakers on one side. Even listening to music would likely sound better with a larger separation of speakers. Seems like that is a big use case oversight? I would guess if you want to watch a movie, earphones are in order. Otherwise, it'll be just like having mono output, and potentially distracting.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1286 | 2010-11-24, 15:03 | Report

I've thought about this to, but it doesn't appear to be a problem. As the speakers in either case will be rather close to each other, you're bound to lose a great deal of separation regardless of where they are. On my N810, with speakers on either end of the device, the only occasions where I truly notice separation, is if the device is literally resting on my forehead -- not practical. Otherwise it may as well be a mono speaker.

Thankfully people seem to enjoy the external speakers on the Tab. Tim Bray was shocked by the outstanding balance in his review.

For true separation, though, you'll want to get a good set of cans (headphones) -- and not all headphones are created equal. You should check out headphone.com for great recommendations. Set your spending limit for headphones to around $100 and make a purchase that you will not regret for YEARS to come.
Here's a very good set: http://www.headphone.com/headphones/etymotic-mc5.php ($80)

As I understand it, the Galaxy Tab has Bluetooth v3.0 which is SIGNIFICANT when it comes to audio. As I understand it, it uses the WiFi frequencies to deliver superior bandwidth than previous versions of bluetooth. The reason this is significant in this case, is that wireless audio via the A2DP protocol, while adequate, must be compressed before sending which results in audio quality loss.

Sadly, it doesn't seem that there are protocols/devices that take advantage of BT3.0 -- it's a young technology (apr 2009). But I'm eagerly awaiting a good pair of BT3.0 headphones that can carry lossless audio. Good headphones are a life altering experience, especially when they block out external noises. Wireless makes it *that* much better.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1287 | 2010-11-24, 15:13 | Report

Ah, my apologies. I just read this on Wikipedia:
Essentially the Galaxy Tab is listed as having "BT3", but not "BT3 +HS", so it seems that it won't be able to take advantage of 802.11 network for high bandwidth transport.

The bottom line? For the best audio, get a good pair of corded headphones. If you must go wireless, get a good pair of cans that have their own transmitter.

If you're not *that* picky about audio quality, try to find a good BT set. But based on what I've heard, you'll spend a lot of money for a fundamentally flawed product. I'd stick with the corded headsets to be safe.

lemmyslender | # 1288 | 2010-11-24, 16:18 | Report

Capt'n

Thanks for the info. I'm not really that much of an audio nut to spend $100 on headphones. I'd agree, on the N8x0 you won't get much separation. But on the Tab, you'd get around 7.5" between speakers, plus being side facing (N800 are front facing, N810?), would give the illusion of more separation. Hard to tell on my N900, but that's only around 4.25" (about 75% smaller).

I suspect tablet use will be mainly landscape as people get more used to them. In that case, it'd make sense to have a speaker on either end (longways), pretty easy to do as well. I'm guessing that most of the reviewers (based on what I've seen and read) were more concerned with how the visual portion of videos looked. Smooth, played high bit rate, etc. Sure, it sounded good, but did they really sit and watch a whole show (not just a minute of this and a minute of that).

I don't know, but I've got a suspicion that with the larger screen, and probable viewing distance, somethings may sound a little off center.

Anyone here that has a Tab care to elaborate?

debernardis | # 1289 | 2010-11-24, 16:30 | Report

Well, I have only watched some youtube videos in landscape mode, and must say I was not that bothered by the speakers being both on one side. Some kind of stereo separation is still present, maybe due to the different reverberation of the two speakers (one near the base, the other higher). Agree that it's not perfect, but... you can always attach some external amplified speakers if you like.

AndyG | # 1290 | 2010-11-24, 17:19 | Report

FWIW I've tried all the browsers on the Tab and Opera Mobile is by far the best, for me personally. As the only one to use hardware acceleration it has the instant response and smooth scrolling which is important to me. It takes the Tab browsing experience up to, even past, the iPad one imo.