AndyG | # 1461 | 2010-12-03, 22:12 | Report

Correct, no N900, too chunky for me I do own a 770 and 810. 810 was effectively replaced by the iPhone 4. Air is my notebook. Tab is the perfect in between portable-but-usable-screen-and-keyboard-for-hours device, for me. I use the iPad only on the toilet now

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1462 | 2010-12-03, 22:39 | Report

I know that the Tab can do composite output with the correct cables and HDMI output with the dock, so it's safe to say that it can be used with a projector for presentations. Also, it comes bundled with ThinkFree Office, which includes a Powerpoint-compatible application for making/viewing presentations.

So yes, the Tab would make a great presentation device! You could even play videos for your students, or the output of any other app (PDFs, web, animations, calculations, etc).

Disclaimer: I don't know how slides would look via composite cables.

Another perk is that video can playback in full 1080p with the HDMI dock, though all other output will be restrained to the Tabs 1024x600 and up/down-sampled to the display resolution of the projector/tv.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1463 | 2010-12-03, 22:55 | Report

Indeed. The only downside to the Gamboid emulator on the Tab is the shoulder buttons are barely accessible! It would be nice if there was an option to position them lower.

It would be nice if emulators had controller 'skins'

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1464 | 2010-12-03, 23:50 | Report

Here's an interesting app called Locale. It basically performs actions based on time or location!

http://www.androidtapp.com/locale/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEuuLoIarE

Set your Tab to react according to your location, or according to the time! For example: have your device automatically connect to WiFi when at work based on its location and time!

danramos | # 1465 | 2010-12-04, 11:34 | Report

I used to love Graffiti on my old Palm and Handspring devices--but I tried it on the Tab and it just seemed far too slow, after using Swype, despite the fact that I was able to Graffiti just fine. Aw well.

I hope that car mod was for an in-dash holder, not installing it permanently. It would suck if it was permanent--and limit its mobility and usefulness.

I have two headsets that work GREAT for me...
Overall, my favorite is still my Motorola S305 bluetooth headset. They sound pretty good and they work GREAT for phone calls too. Callers tell me they hear me better with these than they do when I just use my phone. They appears to work great with both my Motorola Droid and with my Samsung Galaxy Tab alike.

The other pair I really like, out of my collection of bluetooth headsets, is my Samsung SBH600 Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headset. They suck miserably at phone calls (the microphones are terrible) but the audio quality for listening to music or podcasts is incredibly good! PLUS, this headset can also with with a 3.5mm plug as well, so it's not JUST for Bluetooth and can use them with my Nintendo DS, in addition to the Androids.

I can confirm that I was able to find and see this, too! (If you have USB debugging enabled, then go to the Wireless settings and choose USB Settings, you get this strange dialog box.

I actually bought that case at the Best Buy I bought my Galaxy Tab at, and used it for the entire trip I took from Massachusetts to Colorado on trains. It worked MAGNIFICENTLY! It STILL fit in my jacket and pants pockets, even with the case on... AND it propped up my Tab perfectly for watching my TV shows, standing it on the tray at my seat. Even with the train motions, it never once seemed like it would fall over or anything. EXCELLENT case, I highly recommend it. It just FEELS right on the Tab, too!

I've been using that app on my Motorola Droid for the longest time now. It works well enough on the Droid, but it does hog resources something awful and drains the battery (I always have my Droid plugged in for this app). It also manages to ruin my phone's stability once it's running and it's impossible to get back to the UI to shut it back down, if you get out of it to do anything (my resources aren't so hogged that I can't go out and smoothly do other things.. but you can still easily tell it's a pig). I haven't tried it out on my Tab yet, but I suspect that the increased resources will help IMMENSELY for this app. Still--all in all, it does what it's described to do... it's free and it's great.

You know--I kept reading that it supported BT mouse and keyboards, and I could never get mine to do it.. and I didn't see anything about Verizon gimping it up, but I can certainly confirm that mine will pair with my BT keyboards and mice, but it refuses to USE them. Anyone know if there's a way to get the Verizon version of the Tab to support them?

Why not just install the Wiimote support and use that as a controller with all the buttons and all?

danramos | # 1466 | 2010-12-04, 11:41 | Report

By the by, all... I have to tell you that having TWO Androids on my long two-day train ride (four days, if you count going and coming back) was definitely worth it. My Droid was reporting my progress to Goole Latitude for my family and friends to see, and it's where I usually read and posted my progress and observations on Facebook with the new and improved Facebook app--also, it was my telephone! Meanwhile, my Galaxy Tab was where I tended to do more of my TV viewing, Internet browsing and other things to occupy my time.

On the train, at Chicago's Union Station and everywhere else I showed up--EVERYONE kept asking me about it. Usually, it started out with something like, 'Hey--is that one of those new iPads?' And then I go into a, 'Nope! It's the brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab that just came out a few days ago. In my opinion, far better because it fits in my pocket (which I show them).'

Best of all was getting all the use-cases that people had for it. My favorite was a guy at Union Station that looked at it and said it would be an EXCELLENT replacement for the laptop he's currently using to do college schoolwork. He wanted something THAT portable to be able to take notes, track schedules, do dictation and so on.

Anyway, in the end, I used the Tab almost continuously the entire vacation and it worked spectacularly and freed my Droid up to have a far longer battery life for phone calls and text messaging.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1467 | 2010-12-04, 16:16 | Report

What a morning! I've been *itching* to respond to your post Dan, I'm so glad to have you return!

This is great news, and what I like to hear. It's funny, but I *know* that the people in my life will love one of these devices. The size is just so bang on for productivity, fun and portability, that it begs for a purchase. It also feels good in the hand and could be used for hours on end.

In fact I've been holding off buying some books via amazon, so that I can get the digital versions for the Tab!

Over the course of this thread, I've been introduced to a lot of software for Android that I didn't know existed. Just yesterday, I did an audit of sorts to see if I could safely leave my laptop at home, using the Tab exclusively on the road. The verdict was a resounding 'mostly'. There are a handful of heavy applications on my computer that simply will not run on mobile device that I frequently use and there's little that I can do in that regard. However, in terms of development, and remote administration, this machine is effing PERFECT. With my bluetooth keyboard, I would be just as productive as with a notebook, with far longer battery life, a far smaller footprint, and never having to worry about the on/off button.

But a Tab and a BT keyboard isn't enough, as the built in stand on my keyboard is designed for a far smaller device (smartphone), and is off-center (something I've always hated about it). I've been researching cases, and like what I see, though I would like a proper stand (personal preference).


I would like something like this (I don't know what this product is), though with a more portable structure. I like the fact that the Tab is raised, so I don't have to worry about my knuckles obstructing my view, and the height adds some viewing comfort for long sessions.

Here's a similar DIY stand:

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1468 | 2010-12-04, 16:26 | Report

Hmm. Now I'm seriously considering the HSP/A2DP headphones rather than a headset. Having dual purpose headphones would be better than just a headset (IMHO). Now the question is what pair. The Motorola ones look nice and light, which is a plus; when it gets hot, having a heavy pair of headphones can be a drag. On the other hand, noise cancelling cans would be far better for consuming media.

Choices, choices... Do you care to elaborate to help this old salt make up his mind?


I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the community steps in an finds a solution to this. I'm guessing that there's a library or configuration file missing, which should be short work for something that has two ROMs (one with BT and one without) or someone that knows what they're doing. I'll keep an eye out for this.

After thinking about it, lack of a BT mouse isn't a deal breaker. In fact, since Android is currently a single-window OS, a mouse positioning is a luxury, but an unecessary one. I would bet that with a little practice, scrolling and cursor repositioning would be just as easy with the finger. Of course, text highlighting would be quicker with a mouse, as the old shift and cursor is a little slower.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1469 | 2010-12-04, 16:32 | Report

Here's some more emulator action. Wow, Marvel Vs. Capcom looks amazing on the Tab (Mame)!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFq-l..._order&list=UL

Uh, I own the original, so it's ok

Capt'n Corrupt | # 1470 | 2010-12-04, 16:40 | Report

Can't get enough of the Tab? Of course you can't!

Here's a video showing the [Travel] Adapter and the usb cable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOXRaLhGbHQ