Tablets Android tablets are dead

[WriteNow]

I agree, that German cars, actually European cars in general have become overly complicated and as a result tend not to be reliable and are expensive to maintain. I would not own any euro car including a Benz.

I know I've heard the horror stories... The car is really fun...until it gets some miles and some age, and suddenly racks up massive repair bills regularly.

I'll easily take a Ford over any other American made car and any Euro car. Ford, the last 2-3 decades got it's act together and has produced some of the most reliable cars.

So Ford is no longer "Found On Road, Dead"? Or "Fix Or Repair Daily?" LOL

(More seriously, I do hear a lot of good commentary.)

My theory is European cars are status symbols

My thought, too.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

My theory is European cars are status symbols and talk to any BMW owner and they'll proudly tell you how much the car cost and they only take their cars to the dealer for service. They almost brag about it.

Interesting. BMWs here in Europe are too common to be status symbols. I have at least 10 sitting on drives in my street, they are so common, especially 3 and 5 Series. They are the sales reps car of choice. I drive an Audi which I affectionately refer to as my ‘German taxi’. It’s interesting how perceptions are different after a simple export.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Interesting. BMWs here in Europe are too common to be status symbols. I have at least 10 sitting on drives in my street, they are so common, especially 3 and 5 Series. They are the sales reps car of choice. I drive an Audi which I affectionately refer to as my ‘German taxi’. It’s interesting how perceptions are different after a simple export.

Haha, so true. You want to know something funny. A friend of my ex-wife who was Greek and went to Germany during the 80's said, German's view the 3 Series BMW like Americans view the Honda Civic's and Accord's. The BMW is NO big deal to Germans although the 7 and 8 Series BMW's are quite nice but overpriced even here in the US.

The classic Mercedes Benz 240D, he told me were used as Taxi's because they were damn near bullet proof. Americans have fallen head over heels for the BMW marketing spin, "The Ultimate Driving Machines". I wouldn't own any Euro cars even if it were given to me for free. Dealers in my area are pretty incompetent fixing German cars.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

So Ford is no longer "Found On Road, Dead"? Or "Fix Or Repair Daily?" LOL

Actually Ford now makes a damn good product and have for several decades. The worst American cars are built by Chrysler, (absolute junk) followed by GM (although GM is nowhere as bad as Chrysler).

 

[polyphenol]

Haha, so true. You want to know something funny. A friend of my ex-wife who was Greek and went to Germany during the 80's said, German's view the 3 Series BMW like Americans view the Honda Civic's and Accord's. The BMW is NO big deal to Germans although the 7 and 8 Series BMW's are quite nice but overpriced even here in the US.

The classic Mercedes Benz 240D, he told me were used as Taxi's because they were damn near bullet proof. Americans have fallen head over heels for the BMW marketing spin, "The Ultimate Driving Machines". I wouldn't own any Euro cars even if it were given to me for free. Dealers in my area are pretty incompetent fixing German cars.

The only Mercedes I ever used had a blown head gasket - I'd guess around 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Which did not inspire confidence. Fixed under warranty, but a real pain.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

The only Mercedes I ever used had a blown head gasket - I'd guess around 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Which did not inspire confidence. Fixed under warranty, but a real pain.

I have seen the new Benz and they are absolute garbage, like the headliner coming loose, the interior door panels warping from the heat. I got a chuckle when a German politician told Donald Trump when he was President that America needs to build better cars. LMAO !

I would gladly take a Hyundai Genesis Sedan over any German car. The South Koreans now build fabulous cars with 100K warranties. What's really funny is back in the mid 80's when Hyundai first sold their cars in the US at the same time that the Yugo was sold, the Hyundai's were garbage. Somehow the South Koreans learned a thing or three from the Japanese because their cars are near bullet proof.

I used to work as an oil and tire tech at Walmart and I used to see VW's come in and the bottom of the engine was leaking oil. We had BMW customers who we turned away because the car did not have an oil dipstick so Walmart didn't want the liability if we got the oil measurement wrong.

 

[TechRunner]

My next car was a 1973 VW Super Beetle

I had a '72 Super Beetle, and agree that fixing things on it was pretty easy and cheap. For my mechanic, that is.

 

[Oohara]

My dudes, car talk is great but maybe you could move it to its own thread?

 

[TechRunner]

I would gladly take a Hyundai Genesis Sedan over any German car. The South Koreans now build fabulous cars with 100K warranties. What's really funny is back in the mid 80's when Hyundai first sold their cars in the US at the same time that the Yugo was sold, the Hyundai's were garbage. Somehow the South Koreans learned a thing or three from the Japanese because their cars are near bullet proof.

I had this same conversation with my daughter last night. She's interested in the Telluride, so I gave her this same speech about the history of Hyundai/Kia autos. I had a Sportage for three years, and it was a flawless little vehicle.

 

[polyphenol]

The South Koreans now build fabulous cars with 100K warranties.

Last time I was looking at cars (not for myself - but I went round the dealers), we both found that the seats of all the Korean cars were not comfortable.

 

[TechRunner]

My dudes, car talk is great but maybe you could move it to its own thread?

Sorry. Point taken. On this topic: I'm watching with interest the development of DeX, especially in regards to the Tab S8 Ultra. I never thought I'd be interested in a tablet of that size, but even with the Tab S8 and S8+, DeX could be the differentiator that keeps Android/Samsung in the tablet game with Apple.

 

[Oohara]

Sorry. Point taken. On this topic: I'm watching with interest the development of DeX, especially in regards to the Tab S8 Ultra. I never thought I'd be interested in a tablet of that size, but even with the Tab S8 and S8+, DeX could be the differentiator that keeps Android/Samsung in the tablet game with Apple.

Hey no worries and sorry about sounding like a school teacher

About DeX: same here, and I totally agree. I really hope Samsung keep developing it to the point that it seriously gives Apple something to think about. I mean, I already have an iPad Pro 12'9" 2018, but I would have thought twice if I'd been shopping for a large tablet today. Multitasking on the iPad is so convoluted that I simply never bother using it. Especially when a mouse and keyboard are connected. Which feels really dumb.

 

[TechRunner]

Hey no worries and sorry about sounding like a school teacher

About DeX: same here, and I totally agree. I really hope Samsung keep developing it to the point that it seriously gives Apple something to think about. I mean, I already have an iPad Pro 12'9" 2018, but I would have thought twice if I'd been shopping for a large tablet today. Multitasking on the iPad is so convoluted that I simply never bother using it. Especially when a mouse and keyboard are connected. Which feels really dumb.

I'd rather hear it from you than one of the mods haha.

I agree with the iPad's limitations, which is why I think DeX can really be a factor in Samsung's survival in the space. Of course, if Apple ever decides to allow MacOS in the tablet space when a keyboard and/or mouse is attached, it will be pretty much game over, IMHO. Unless Samsung went to ChromeOS at that point...

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I'd rather hear it from you than one of the mods haha.

I agree with the iPad's limitations, which is why I think DeX can really be a factor in Samsung's survival in the space. Of course, if Apple ever decides to allow MacOS in the tablet space when a keyboard and/or mouse is attached, it will be pretty much game over, IMHO. Unless Samsung went to ChromeOS at that point...

I don’t see Apple dropping MacOS on their tablets. That would eat into their laptops. It would be redundant to offer a tablet with a keyboard running MacOS that would cost more than a Macbook Air. What’s different between Apple and Samsung is that MacOS belongs to their computers and is a commercial OS. DEX however is not a commercial OS. It’s just an Android application running on Android.

 

[TechRunner]

I don’t see Apple dropping MacOS on their tablets. That would eat into their laptops. It would be redundant to offer a tablet with a keyboard running MacOS that would cost more than a Macbook Air. What’s different between Apple and Samsung is that MacOS belongs to their computers and is a commercial OS. DEX however is not a commercial OS. It’s just an Android application running on Android.

I agree with you on MacOS coming to iPads. I was just voicing a "what if?" scenario, but like you, I think it's pretty far-fetched. I hope DeX development continues!

 

[nickdalzell1]

Interesting. BMWs here in Europe are too common to be status symbols. I have at least 10 sitting on drives in my street, they are so common, especially 3 and 5 Series. They are the sales reps car of choice. I drive an Audi which I affectionately refer to as my ‘German taxi’. It’s interesting how perceptions are different after a simple export.

My next door neighbor owns an older early naught's M5. The one with the infamous 'High Pressure Fuel Pump' issue. Hers does that infamous 'blim!' chime and has the 'half engine light' in the middle LCD and the infotainment system shows 'Engine Malfunction Reduced Power' and she can't go past 35MPH. She says the car is a pile of junk and wishes she never bought a BMW. It's pre-Battery DRM at least! It also leaks coolant.



I wouldn't go so far as to lust over cars of the 1980s. I owned a Chrysler Fifth Avenue, an older 1984 model. They still used 1960s tech in there, including a Carter 2-barrel carburetor, 3-gear transmission (the old Torqueflite, and no overdrive) and it was a total gas guzzler. I do miss those comfy couch like seats though. Trying to drive long distances in my Saturn is a lesson in pain! Many 1980s cars still dealt with 'smog pumps' and anemic HP.

As for the old joke about 'Ford means Found on Road Dead' it's just harmless redneck banter. There's also Broke My Wallet (BMW), 'More Old Parts And Rust' (MOPAR) and "Here's Y U Never Drive An Import" (Hyundai) among others. There's brand loyalty no matter what you own, be it a phone, tablet, OS or car or even aircraft (you should hear the funny banter about tricycle gear vs. tail draggers!)

 

[Ludatyk]

If there was a good quality 8" Android tablet though, I'd have pulled the trigger on that a long time ago. Regardless of what size phone I have. If on top of that it was a Note with the built in S-Pen, I'd even consider paying more than what the Mini costs.

I'd recommend pulling the trigger on a Fold 3 and use it as a tablet. Judging from your signature, the iPhone is your daily driver... so use the Fold 3 as a mini tablet.

I believe @The Game 161 is doing just that. I use my Fold unfolded majority of the time... primarily because I dislike using the narrow display.

I'd rather hear it from you than one of the mods haha.

I agree with the iPad's limitations, which is why I think DeX can really be a factor in Samsung's survival in the space. Of course, if Apple ever decides to allow MacOS in the tablet space when a keyboard and/or mouse is attached, it will be pretty much game over, IMHO. Unless Samsung went to ChromeOS at that point...

That's what I've been hoping for... Google allowing Samsung to build ChromeOS into their Galaxy devices over DeX, right now... DeX is a cool feature. But I find that Samsung doesn't push updates for DeX as frequently as Google pushes updates for ChromeOS.

 

[Oohara]

I'd recommend pulling the trigger on a Fold 3 and use it as a tablet. Judging from your signature, the iPhone is your daily driver... so use the Fold 3 as a mini tablet.

Thanks, but I need the display to be 8" in widescreen format. Otherwise I'm not getting any more viewing area for video than I already have on my Pro Max. Also for me the Fold is too expensive for a sidekick device.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Thanks, but I need the display to be 8" in widescreen format. Otherwise I'm not getting any more viewing area for video than I already have on my Pro Max. Also for me the Fold is too expensive for a sidekick device.

The Pro Max is now 6.8"? That's one big screen. I have an Honor 9X where the screen is 6.7" and in landscape mode it's big enough to watch PlutoTV. Your eyes get used to the display rather quickly. As nice as the Samsung Fold Z is, that's a lot of money for one application.

 

[Oohara]

The Pro Max is now 6.8"? That's one big screen. I have an Honor 9X where the screen is 6.7" and in landscape mode it's big enough to watch PlutoTV. Your eyes get used to the display rather quickly. As nice as the Samsung Fold Z is, that's a lot of money for one application.

Yeah sure it's big, for a phones screen. 8" is the sweet spot for me for a portable device though. Which is too big for a phone, hence my plan for a small phone + small tablet combo.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I still have to adjust to my phone's 6.5" display. It's too big for most pockets and I still can't gesture navigate the UI properly even one year later. I keep going home instead of to recent list 90% the time or when I try to swipe between my two most recent apps using the gesture pill I inadvertently open something that I hadn't used in a week or so. Maybe gestures are meant for young people or something? I'd like to get it right 100% since when you do, it looks cool what with the animations and all, I just don't have the dexterity to reach all the points on the screen. I tried 'one handed mode' but I got stuck in that mode and there was no cue to exit it. So I turned that off. Now, I use Bixby routines to open the relevant apps depending on whatever device I'm connected with (say, playing music when my Buds are in my ears, or showing Samsung Health when I exercise or going back to the home screen when arriving home) or doing so I avoid that frustration.

I wish phones would go back to 4" displays though.

A large smartphone will always be impractically large for a phone, but just too small for replacing a proper tablet (especially with battery life) so I never understood the obsession with making them huge. I keep spotting folks with their phones sticking halfway out their back pocket and it just invites being stolen or breaking when they sit, or falling out and looks really uncomfortable. I don't know how people stand it. At least put it in your front pocket where it's more secure! I cringe at that sight (quite common today) since my first device I paid a ton of money for that I could call a 'smartphone' was an older HP Jornada Pocket PC with Cellular CF card, and one expensive plan to use data (GPRS LOL) and phone calls. I had that one in my back pocket and sat on a park bench, heard the crunch and knew what had happened. over $799 down the drain in one week! Never again.

 

[jimimac71]

On my Samsung tablet, I can add bookmarks to Chrome, Firefox and Opera.
Have to use my PC to sort them.
Putting audio files on my Samsung is easy enough.
I use Amazon Photos and have since my first Amazon tablet.
Don't really use any of the Samsung apps.
Putting photos on iPad requires iCloud.
Putting audio on iPad requires iTunes.
Opera for Android word-wraps automatically.
Everything for me is more complicated and annoying with iPad.
It is a bit unfortunate Samsung is the best Android device.
I suppose the whole disposable thing can be blamed on cell providers.
I guess Apple and Samsung too.
What happens to the tons of 2 year old phones that get upgraded?
My tablet works fine. Buying a new Samsung is rather expensive without a trade-in.
My 2019 Galaxy Tab A was about $250 after a $75 discount directly from Samsung. 3 GB RAM/64 GB Storage. A 16 GB micro SD card because I already had them.
Doesn't have a MediaTek CPU.
What would buying a new one get me?
I am at Android 11? Up from original Android 9.
Is anyone but Google using Android 12?
I don't even know what Dex is?
I can cast my Samsung to Roku.
It's all good!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Is anyone but Google using Android 12?

A12 is currently on my Galaxy Tab S7+. It was made available over a month ago and the Galaxy Tab S8 series shipped with A12.

 

[macfacts]

A12 is currently on my Galaxy Tab S7+. It was made available over a month ago and the Galaxy Tab S8 series shipped with A12.

Galaxy z fold 3 is also on android 12.

 

[tbayrgs]

Google’s CTO of Android tablets sees tablet sales passing laptops ‘in the not too distant future’

I wonder if all this talk is going to actually result in something. Like Google actually making tablets.

I'm still dearly missing an Android 8" tablet. I think that size category is completely overlooked at the moment and hope that it'll become more popular again soon. I mean Apple is completely without competition for their iPad Mini. I could see Google for example making an 8" Android tablet with an OLED screen and making good profit off it + spreading the use of Android if they managed to keep it a bit cheaper than the iPad Mini (which is expensive as hell especially with cellular).

Samsung could do it too. For me, that's where the Note brand could really shine. In the 8" size category.

Personally, I'm losing interest in "phablets". Where I used to think they were the best of both worlds, now they feel like the worst of them. My iPhone 12 Pro Max is starting to feel annoyingly heavy and cumbersome for all the menial every day tasks like checking the weather, reading a text message, checking my bank account, finding another song to play. And at the same time, when I have ten minutes and want to browse the web, watch a YT video or game a bit, the display isn't big enough to really satisfy me, no matter how gorgeous the image quality is. Then, I want something bigger. But not as big as my iPad Pro, my portable work horse and TV.

So I'm about to shift to a smaller phone + an iPad Mini cellular. I just have to test it and see how it goes.

Another advantage of having a smaller phone is that it can be cheaper/less important to take care of. Regardless if I have insurance and screen protectors up the wazoo, I still treat my Pro Max with great care, its just in my spine to do so. I can never relax with it like I do when I use my old 7 Plus on the beach in the summer (I never bring a shiny new phone to sandy areas). And those moments on the beach last summer is when I realised just how much I love using a phone that I don't have to be so careful with.

So, the current plan is to pick up a used SE2020 for "small daily driver", and then a new iPad Mini 6 cellular for "big daily driver", and see how that goes. My only (huge) gripe with the iPad Mini is that the display isn't OLED, because that's one of the things I truly love about my Pro Max. But there just isn't an alternative, so I'll have to live with it. (If I can.)

Which brings me back to where I started. An 8" OLED Android tablet priced lower than the iPad Mini might just make a KILLING on the market. While spreading the use of Android. Especially now if Android L becomes a thing and is adopted by developers. I for one am keeping my fingers crossed. Because I would love to use both Android and iOS side by side, and small iPhone + small Android tablet would be the perfect way of doing it. I've tried two-phoning it several times but it just doesn't work for me.

Tl;dr please devs get into Android L and give manufacturers a great reason for making 8" Android tablets. And Google, Samsung and the rest of you, are you just going to let the iPad Mini trot all over the 8" market space forever?

I’d switch to the same setup if I wasn’t so reliant on the camera in Apple’s pro phones (I use the telephoto lens a lot). Now owning an iPad mini, I’d love an iPhone pro mini that could mostly live in my pocket or backpack until I needed to capture a photo or video. Just about everything else would be done with my Apple Watch or iPad mini.

I’d love an iPad Mini Pro even more.