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2012 Nexus 7 Discussion Forums (1st Generation) => Nexus 7 General Discussion => Topic started by: mdholm on February 21, 2013, 07:51:57 AM
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I've said before that I'm a long time Apple user. I'm comfortable with iOS; it works for me. I've been wanting a smaller, more portable, tablet, though, so I picked up a Nexus 7. I know I could've gotten an iPad Mini, but I didn't for a number of reasons. I have an iPhone5 and an iPad3; a Mini felt redundant. The mini isn't as mini as the N7; I really like the size of the Nexus. The price...16gb for $329 vs 32gb N7 for $249. And, the company I work for is getting ready to switch from Blackberry phones to Androids and I thought the N7 would be more compatible for work. Reviews I've read say that the Nexus 7 is the android tablet to have, so that's the one I went with.
So, typically I'm on my iPad every day. I've replaced my netbook with it (I do still use my desktop computer, though) and am quite happy with it. After I bought the N7 I played with it for a bit, then set it aside and picked my iPad back up. But, dang it! I bought the N7, I should learn how to use it, right? (And before you say return it, I've missed my window for that.) I put my iPad away, and started only using the N7. Its so different! And, even if I can get the same apps, they aren't the same. Two examples: Next Issue...iOS offers tons of different magazines to read via this app. The Android version only has half as many. And this one I really don't get: a band I follow has a new album out. I can find it using Spotify on my iPad and iPhone, but not on the N7. Why the variations in content?
I've come here to appeal to those of you who use and love your Nexus 7. What does an N7 do that an iPad can't? Keep in mind that I'm not very technical so I won't be rooting it or sideloading apps or doing anything beyond what it can do out of the box. I'd really like to hear from anyone who also has an iPad. What do you use the Nexus for that you can't do on the iPad? I'd love to hear about some "ah-ha" feature that totally makes me fall in love with my little device. I will say I love the size and feel of it. It fits in my hand comfortably; I've tried holding iPad Minis the same way and they are too wide.
Help me, Obi-wan, Kenobi, you're my only hope.
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Big hardware differences.
N7 has a much nicer screen with a higher PPI
N7 has a full gig of ram, apple products have half a gig still I believe
N7 has a fancy quad core processor while the mini uses a dual core that's now two years old
The N7 also has a 16:9 screen ratio which is awesome for movies.
The N7 also has NFC and when coupled with a sweet NFC phone you can have some cool results
Software
Android has some uniques features that truly allow you to make the device your own. Take a look at our screen shots thread and see what some of our members are doing.
And I'm not sure on thus but do the apple products offer WiFi direct?
And last but not least is Google. I love the Google services. Some people bitch and moan about them and I just don't understand. You get so many outstanding free services from them its unreal. Go to the play store and click and any Google app and then click more from that developer and pretty much install everything Lol.
The play store also has an awesome selection of media from books, movies, TV, and music. The best part is that when you buy these things you can download then to your PC. And any music you may buy from outside of Google you can have automatically upload from your PC to the Google cloud with Google music manger.
I just find android to be much more flexible, intuitive, but more complex than iOS. I've always said and will stand buy that iOS was designed so the technologically illiterate can pick it up and use it. Android needs more practice and the more attention you give it the better you are just like a PC VS. Mac.
And last but not least.... It fits in your pocket!!!! Hope that helps.
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<<<I just find android to be much more flexible, intuitive, but more complex than iOS. I've always said and will stand buy that iOS was designed so the technologically illiterate can pick it up and use it. Android needs more practice and the more attention you give it the better you are just like a PC VS. Mac.>>>
I did say I wasn't very technical.
Thanks for your comments.
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I personally love android, and so does my wife. The amount of customizations is great. For me its about customization, and being able to do what i want. Widgets are a godsend and I love playing with them. My wife likes being able to torrent ebooks, and then explore her android via a file explorer to find and move around the ebooks, she likes being organized. I like being able to get right into my N7 settings, even though its not rooted, and disable certain apps, or even change the launcher. I also like that I can just hook up my N7 to my computer and sideload things using windows file manager, instead of going through iTunes. Grabbing apk files off of the internet is nice too, my snes emulator iisn't on googleplay.
But that being said, perhaps android just isn't for you. You tried it, and it sound like you gave it a fair trial, nothing wrong with that! We have a iMac at work, I use it, but I dislike it... I've tried to like it, but I just can't get used to it, so I understand. Its your device, use what you like. The only thing I would say in hindsight, you should have borrowed someones android device, or tested a store one for longer.
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There's a level of depth with android that iOS doesn't that allows you to almost endlessly tinker to optimize every last processing power into your favor. iOS is straight forward, has minimal settings and only one way or a select few ways to do everything.
If your the tinkering type, love performance, love personalization, then android is for you.
If you don't have the patience for those things and just want something simplistic than stag with iOS
And what's great with android is that you can do all of these optimizations and customizations without rooting. iOS requires jail breaking to do a lot of the same features.
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It's a philosophical choice with me. In a free open source system there can be fragmentation and confusion. In a fascist closed system, the trains will run on time even though few can afford to ride.
One area that ios wins is with music apps. Android has too much system and audio lag to run apps like band in a box or multitrack recording or amp and effect modeling. Hope that changes.
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I agree with Matt on the music front. The only reason I ever considered Mac back in the day was for recording music and video. The train quote is priceless.
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It's a philosophical choice with me. In a free open source system there can be fragmentation and confusion. In a fascist closed system, the trains will run on time even though few can afford to ride.
One area that ios wins is with music apps. Android has too much system and audio lag to run apps like band in a box or multitrack recording or amp and effect modeling. Hope that changes.
I'll give you that, but that also comes with the user. I only listen to music and android is more than capable to play music. Since my needs in that department haven't exceeded that, I haven't noticed it lacking. I will say the stock music player sucks and that is the only one that is compatible with the cloud.
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The lag has gotten better, I once tried a drum machine app clipped to a mike stand but 300ms lag made it unusable. Synth and keyboard programs as well as song lyrics and tablature would be a good fit for music performance on a small stage. A classical orchestra could replace reams of sheet music with tablets, changing pages with a flick of the bow through camera gestures or audio sync and annotating changes easily by the conductor.
I've also seen wifi enabled sound mixers that can be remote controlled with an ipad. That should be doable on android.
The more uses, the better. An economy of scale.
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Ok, I gave it my best shot but I have come to the conclusion that my heart belongs to Apple. I'll be selling my Nexus 7 and getting an iPad Mini. Thanks for all your advice.
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You're going to make us all cry...
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People gave valid reasons why the Nexus outperforms the mini so... Why exactly?
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Ok, I gave it my best shot but I have come to the conclusion that my heart belongs to Apple. I'll be selling my Nexus 7 and getting an iPad Mini. Thanks for all your advice.
People who can, buy an Android device. People who can't, buy an Apple device.
Best of luck.
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Wow. People complain about iFans and how smug we are, but its nothing compared to the attitude I'm getting here. I hope you are happy, making me feel stupid because I can't figure out my Nexus 7. I came here, seeking genuine advice and support, and I ended up being made to feel small. Be proud that you are smart enough to run an Android device and rejoice in the fact that another stupid Apple user fell by the wayside.
Its funny. I have a Kindle Fire HD and I read a Kindle board. I have an iPad3 and I read an iPad forum. I got a Nexus 7, and joined this group. Out of the 3 of them the ONLY one where the members don't try to belittle people who use other tablets is the iPad forum.
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You are really being over sensitive. I don't see you being bashed or abused anywhere. Why are you badmouthing the forum and our members? Reading thru the thread folks took there time trying to give you reasons for what you asked. They did a very good job of giving many valid reasons why the Nexus is flat out a better device . You gave no reasons why the device wasn't really working out for you. You choose not to think objectively. You came with a preconceived notion, closed minded and you wasted people's time. Now you are claiming you are a victim? Cmon, get a grip.
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My "fascist" appellation was aimed at the company, not the users. My opinion only. If some program is not as good as the ios version, you can request features from the developer and wait for an update, or try a multitude of alternate programs until you find one to your liking. Android is a work in progress, not a polished perfection. If you ask what everyone's fave music streaming app is, you might find helpful responses.
I'm behind the curve, just started with Pandora to listen to bands that whine about women in song.
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This is NOT a derogatory statement? "People who can, buy an Android device. People who can't, buy an Apple device." Its about as condescending as anything I've read. Reread the thread; there are several "if you like Apple, you aren't very smart" type of comments.
And, I know the hardware specs; I can read those for myself. I came here and asked for examples of what the N7 does that an iPad doesn't. What I got were hardware specs, the fact that you can customize the screen, and a conversation between other members regarding music apps.
Why do you have to make me feel small to feel good about your choices?
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The Nexus 7 doesn't do more or less than an iPad, they're just different devices.
It's like comparing Windows, OSX and Linux.
All do the job, and you choose what you want to use.
Plus, your comment about not getting on with a Nexus and going back to iOS wasn't warranted either, especially as people had offered assistance.
I like Apple products as they do what they're supposed to, but I'd never have one as they're also too restrictive.
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I was sincerely sad to hear your decision., hence my comment. There are many things that fruity devices do well. If they can do it, so can we, if not better... If there is a specific function or task that you want to perform and are having trouble figuring out, you need to ask questions. One day is hardly enough time to figure out an entire operating system.
I don't feel that people are attacking you, but I honestly feel that it just might not be for you. You don't have to be a technical person to love it, that's the great thing about open source. There are easy ways to do things, very complex ways to do the same thing with more options, and everything in between. The support from developers in the Android community is awesome. Like others have said, you can contact an app developer and they will help you.
Have you done your part? Did you ask the right questions and provide the needed information? Have you contacted any developers?
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Some apps have more features for certain operating systems. Just a fact of life. I hear people complain about it from all ends.
I am just a little confused. You know about the hardware differences, you thought the Nexus was more comfortable, so what were the deciding factors out side of your allegiance to Apple? I am sorry if you feel like you were mistreated here. It is pretty stunning to hear because we take pride in helping everyone and being family. If you were struggling with your device, I am sure that there would be help in a matter of minutes. Your post really didn't get across that you needed help. Android takes some time to learn when coming from IOS. It isn't very difficult if you have some experience dealing with folders and moving files and such. Each system takes some time to learn. The thing I like most about my Nexus is, I am able to squeeze every ounce of goodness out of it. When I tried to do the same to my Ipad and I phone, I could barely get a drop of Apple juice.
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I don't necessarily agree with you in regards to my statement not being warranted, as I wanted to let people know that, despite their attempts, Android was not for me and I was moving on. It was not my intent to cause offense; its my choice and I don't know why that would be insulting to anyone. In hindsight, I should've just left the forum without another word.
Thank you to those who did try to help.
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To clarify, I've had the Nexus 7 for 3 weeks. I used it off and on for the first two, and completely dedicated myself to it for the third. I didn't touch my iPad once, and used my phone for calls and texting only.
Here are a few of my complaints (for lack of a "friendlier" word):
Email is difficult to use. I tried the preloaded gmail app, Kaiten, and K9 email. None of them were easy for me to navigate. For instance, how do you delete an email? I work from home, and get a lot of emails. There are times when I do have to travel, though, and I want a device that is easy to manage my emails on. I did ask about how to make "always show photos" the default setting and was told that I can't. Why not? Why do I have to tell each and every email I receive to show the pictures?
When I try to read a magazine in my Kindle app, it doesn't open up like a magazine should. It reads more like a book, and many things seem to be out of order. I can't figure out how to go back to "magazine mode", or if that's even an option.
I mentioned missing content before; which makes no sense to me. If the app is available across both platforms, shouldn't they have the same content?
There is an app called Droid TV. I have it on my Fire HD; it is one of the best apps I have an any device because it allows me to download tv shows to my Fire and I can watch them without streaming. This is especially handy for flights. I know other apps allow for downloads as well, but you have to pay for each and every show you download. Droid TV is a subscription service, like Spotify, with unlimited viewing as long as you pay you fees. For reasons not known to me, this app is no longer available.
I am not technically literate. "Open source" means nothing to me. I will never root the Nexus 7; I just want it to work well for my needs.
I AM disappointed; I had high hopes for the N7. It IS the right size for my hand, the iPad Mini is too wide to hold comfortably. I read a lot of reviews; they all said the Nexus 7 was the small tablet to beat. I wanted it to work for me. But, if I can't even perform the simple task of managing email, then what good is it for me?
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I'm sure that if you had posed questions or raised these concerns, we could have helped. Would you still be willing to accept our help and give this device another go around?
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I'm sure that if you had posed questions or raised these concerns, we could have helped. Would you still be willing to accept our help and give this device another go around?
Sure; nobody has responded to my CraigsList ad so I might as well fire it back up and give it another whirl. Thanks!
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Another thing...can you not use a stylus with a Nexus 7? Because I can't with mine no matter what I'm doing.
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Well, let's revisit your gmail issues and then I'll help you with getting Droid TV installed. In mean time, try using Google currents for magazines, and give us some feedback.
With Gmail, its not an app exclusive to the Nexus, or WiFi only devices. Because the app is also used universally on devices with limited data plans, images are not loaded by default. However, you are given the option to select "show pictures," and then "always show pictures from this sender."
To delete an email, tap on the check boxes on the left of the message instead of opening it. You will have an action toolbar on top. Click the trash can...
You should have no issues using a stylus, as long as its a capacitive stylus. This means that the body of the stylus must make electrical contact with your skin. So, no gloves. I bought a ten pack off eBay for three bucks and they work just fine.
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Ok, I'm able to delete emails now. I'm not a fan of having to show pics all the time, but I guess I can deal with that.
Google Currents seems to be like Flipbaord or Pulse. I don't see how to get subscription magazines in there. I'm frustrated that I can't read magazines through the Amazon app without having them default to this weird format.
I can use a stylus now. I couldn't at all before. I wonder if something kicked in when I reset to factory and started up again.
I figured out how to add multiple email accounts, but how do you rename them? Can that be done?
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I think it's cool you are giving this another shot . If you decide to dump Android at least it will be an educated decision.
Hopefully, you will stick with it for a while.
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Google Currents seems to be like Flipbaord or Pulse.
Flipboard is available on Android as well.
Look in Google Play.
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I feel like I'm missing something. Does the Amazon Kindle app not work with the Nexus?
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Kindle works, but its an Amazon book reader. You are using a Google device, so a Google magazine reader is your best bet full functionality. There are many free apps on the market, you just have to find the one that works for your specific needs.
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I'm lost. How do I read a paid subscription in Google Magazines without paying for it again?
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We don't get access to Google magazines or any part of the Amazon app store over here.
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When you say paid do you mean thru Amazon? Is going thru a browser any better than the Kindle app? Is there any way after you buy a file from them to actually possess it and do with it what you wish?
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You will be hard pressed to find a bigger Apple fan than myself (iphone wise). I love the iPhone, have had one version or another since it first came out in 2007. I love iOS. Love it's simplicity, love everything about it. BUT, I truly love the freedom Android/Google gives you. I love being able to make my Nexus 7, truly mine, also, I love the freedom to download things like emulators, I have a ton of games from the NES to the PS1. You have to jailbreak the iPhone/iPad to get those. I love that my Nexus 7 gets updated frequently. And, I love the different browsers I have on the Nexus 7, Chrome is so much smoother than Safari. Love reading books on my Nexus 7. Love the speed of the OS. Just love everything about it.
Maybe I'm easy to please, but I've loved my Nexus 7 since day one (got it on release date July 14th 2012). It has replaced my notebook computer.
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Maybe I just don't have enough imagination for the Nexus. I don't know.
I agree about Chrome; that's why I use it on my iPad, as well.
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<<<Well, let's revisit your gmail issues and then I'll help you with getting Droid TV installed. In mean time, try using Google currents for magazines, and give us some feedback.>>>
How do I install Droid TV?
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I found the actual app, but its no longer supported by the developer. Do you currently have this on another device? What I saw was $3.99 for a 3 month subscription.
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I have it on my Kindle Fire. It had been pulled from the Amazon App Store for a short period, but now its back. I downloaded it from there. So, I'm good there. Where did you find it? I don't know where to look for Android apps, beyond Amazon and Google Play.
So, now I just have the magazine issue to resolve and I might actually start liking this thing :D
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MD, what country do you live in? Its important to know to see what Google services are available to you. Did you get the gmail thing figured out? Part of the reason they don't always show photos is because its a security risk if you don't know who the sender is. Really handy when dealing with spam but as others said you can make it so that gmail downloads photos from a certain sender all the time. When you open the gmail it will say click to view photos, after you click it that turns into click to always view photos from this sender. Just makes life easy.
As far as your magazine issue I have no idea. And honestly I don't read magazines on my tablet. I have subscriptions but I like to read the hard copy for the same reason you said. It doesn't look right on a tablet.
Droid TV is available on the amazon app store. Check there. Its 8.99 though.
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Here's a link to what I found.
DroidTV (http://"//db.tt/SblkUKCD")
Download the file. Open it and click install. If it asks you to allow apps from unknown sources, check the box.
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Sarge, I'm in the US. I was able to download Droid TV to my Nexus from the Amazon app store. I already had it on my Fire, and the subscription carried over to the Nexus, so that was cool. Others have said that they have to get a separate account for each device; it was nice to avoid that.
I like this app because it works similar to how a music service app works. Pay a monthly fee (although in this case its a fee for 3 months, I believe) and download as many shows as you want. My company flies me around fairly often, and I like that I can download shows and watch them without having to have a wi-fi connection. So I was very sad when I couldn't put it on the Nexus. I do have it on the Fire, but I find the Fire a bit too constrictive. Which is ironic, since I find the Nexus too open.
The magazine thing is making me nuts. It just seems like I'm missing something. I have the Kindle app and the mags come through, but only in "book" format. I can't imagine that that is how all Android users want it; seems like someone would've squawked by now.
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Amazon Kindle works fine on the Nexus 7 as it does with other Android devices.
Personally I find the stock email clients easy to use, the Gmail app is not perfect but serves it's purpose. As loocid said above, you can tick the box then tap the trashcan icon, long pressing the email in list view also selects it and the activates the message action bar the bottom of the screen. Swiping the email supposedly archives one way and deletes the other but I have never got this to work (archives both directions) so I changed the settings to delete both directions, makes deleting single emails from the email list nice and easy.
Again the stock email client is simple enough, I use to use K9 exclusively on previous OEM Android phones but I actually like to stock client. Deleting emails from this is similar and east enough, in the email, tap the trashcan or in list view tick the boxes and tap the trashcan.
Email accounts can be renamed in the stock Email client (not Gmail), in the app press menu (three dots) and select settings. Select the account you wish to rename and the first option should be Account name, tap to rename.
As for apps that are available for multiple platforms, as mentioned, ask the developer. I will say though that the likes of the Amazon Kindle contribute to Android fragmentation, although based on Android, the Amazon OS is a very different beast to Android.
Droid TV, I don't use this app but there is probably a good reason it was pulled from Google Play. It's nature would make me think possibly copyright laws.
If you need anymore help, just ask.
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I guess I'm confused about the Kindle app, or not explaining myself clearly, because I can't imagine that this is the way its meant to work.
Regarding Droid TV; its a subscription service. I assumed it worked the same way as any paid music subscription app and figured they had the copyright issues worked out.
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The kindle app suckssssss. I hate it a lot. You can't control screen brightness and they can't get their act together on page numbering. Like I said, its far easier to read the print version or to buy a new digital subscription.
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IIRC, Screen Dim works with the Kindle app.
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IIRC?
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IIRC?
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If I Recall/Remember Correctly...
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It doesn't. I have a couple of text books on there and regret it. Its a bad app.
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??? I have no problems adjusting the Kindle app's screen brightness with Screen Dim or the Settings>Display>Brightness options.
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It doesn't. I have a couple of text books on there and regret it. Its a bad app.
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Go into the change font part of the kindle app and the brightness setting is at the bottom. It does need auto brightness to be off though.
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Well I guess it overrides whatever screen brightness you have on for the rest of the system. Still bad. Its just a bad app.
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Font...settings(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/01/yde3ebab.jpg)
I have a few books but only use this app. I don't know good from bad because this is adequate for my needs.
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Well I guess it overrides whatever screen brightness you have on for the rest of the system. Still bad. Its just a bad app.
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And when you close the app, the brightness returns to what was set before.