Tablets Android tablets are dead

[jimimac71]

A CRT monitor worked better with my eyesight. With my G3 iMac, I was able to lower the default screen resolution from 800x600 to 680x480. Flat-screen monitors don't like that. With my Dell AIO at 23 inch, I can't change the resolution without it getting blurry. So I instead bump the DPI to 125%.
I guess we all have a different favorite OS. I liked the bright colors in XP the most. Windows 7 overall. As for the Mac, I never went past High Sierra. Favorite was Leopard.
Funny how people do use their phone to stream TV content.
I did watch all of season one of Lost In Space when The Roku Channel had it. Watched it on my original 2017 Fire 10.
Season two was in color, meaning season one was not. I didn't like season two as they seemed to place too much effort in the color versus content. At the time, The Roku Channel placed ads anywhere and the volume was too loud.
I worked at Radio Shack when the "tummy TV," as a customer called it, was new. Most of the screens were B&W and small. We eventually sold color sets as well. Good luck with the battery option with color. Ah, 1980!

 

[lepidotós]

Prysm's laser phosphor display technology I think is really interesting, they're CRTs without the actual CRT -- instead of an electron beam, it's a laser. Plus at 75% more energy efficient than an LCD, I think they're the future for desktop displays, and I guess QD-microLED for laptops.
My favorite Windows is probably 2000 SP4 followed by Vista, but my favorite OS overall is either Slackware or Mandriva 2009, depending on if we're talking about using now or nostalgic memories. Favorite for Mac is probably Jaguar.
I mostly watch my content on my phone, but that's less to do with anything and more just I'm staying somewhere without broadband or even DSL, so I have to use a wi-fi hotspot or tether. At 72KB/s I don't have enough bandwidth to really watch video at good framerates.​

 

[nickdalzell1]

I still got a disc copy of Mandriva 2009 that I last ran on a Dell D610 laptop. I remember being a bit upset it wasn't the Mandrake distro I was expecting. Ah, BearShare ISOs!

My favorite Linux distro will always be VectorLinux 6. I could literally make it anything I wanted, and it wasn't idiot proofed, it required command line to do anything even though it sported the best version of KDE, before all that 'plasma' bloat. I tried later revisions like Vector 7 and 8 but they changed far too much. Any change I notice just bothers me. I could use Vector 6 blind much like any of my 2010's tech. Even get mixed up and mistakenly type 'slapt-get install [package name]' in Ubuntu to find out the real command is 'sudo apt-get install [package name]'. In Vector, I could login as root. Ubuntu that's not possible. Could also boot into a command line first instead of X first. Vector became my mainstay when 98 SE became truly obsolete ~ 2011. I didn't even play with Vista until probably 2013.

I sure hope a tech innovation comes along soon, because I'm kinda sick of it having been stuck in a standstill since 2015. Even my 2010 tech feels more fancy and innovative than modern tech (it certainly has more features!)

 

[lepidotós]

Seems like Slackware with the Trinity desktop would be a good fit for you. Or maybe Void if you like setting everything up yourself just the way you like it, but it's rolling and Slackware is so stable that between 14.2 and 15.0, six years passed and the earliest supported version, 14.0, is 10 years old with no end of support in sight. Both are very comamandline heavy distros; Slackware doesn't force you to install a dm, or at least 14.2 didn't. Actually, it uses cli by default and you have to kind of go out of your way to get a desktop. Not enough that a 14 year old couldn't do it, because I was and did, but not automatic.
Trinity (and by extension KDE 3.5) is great and I only learned that this year, I always just used GNOME 2 with Mandriva or MATE with Ubuntu. The only time I derivated from that was when I used Slackware myself, I used Xfce at the time.
I'd have said that Plasma 5 is actually not that bloated anymore, it runs acceptably on my MacBook2,1 rendered with llvmpipe and I've seen Action Retro run it on his G4s very smoothly, but it's still very Windowsy (specifically Windows 10ey) compared to KDE3.5/TDE so it'd likely be a bad fit in other ways.
I'm keeping an eye peeled on OpenPOWER, especially libre-SoC, since it's well and truly open as it's now owned by the Linux Foundation. RISC-V was at some point of interest to me, but SiFive always seemed like a skeevy company to me that washes their products in a libre coat for profit rather than principle and now RVI themselves personally endorsed the Actual Literal Scam™ Xcalibyte ROMA laptop so it's totally dead to me. And it's a shame because more architectures are better than fewer.​

 

[jimimac71]

Nick! This will make you laugh/smile. I got my NEW SanDisk 8GB Clip Jam MP3 Player. It doesn't work at all with Windows 11 or my old Mac. BUT, my old SanDisk Clip+ from 2005 boots in Windows 11. It won't hold a battery charge, but works while hooked up to USB. So it is the only way I can get stuff from my micro SD cards to the new player. I will not have access to the 8GB of internal storage. I think it boils down to MSC versus MTP, which is not an option with the new player. Kind of like using an app versus drag and drop.
The new SanDisk is okay. The FM works just fine. A little better than before. It can display artist/song titles one word at a time. Not as hardy a product as my old SanDisk player.
So all your comments about older versus newer are holding water in my case. Glad I didn't pitch the old SanDisk player. I kept the cable too, as it is a propitiatory look-a-like micro USB.
EDIT: OOPS! Bad USB cable. All Good!

 

[jimimac71]

I've been busy and my SanDisk Clip Jam is almost full with stuff to listen to.
For less than $30, I like it. Screen is bigger meaning the text is bigger.
I used a different USB-C cable and was able to use connect my Nokia T20 to Windows 11.
Had to change the setting from charge only to file transfer.

 

[nickdalzell1]

FYI You can still buy MP3 players at Walmart, along with cassette walkmans (their ONN brand) and CD players...even a Transister Radio.

Vector was based on Slackware. But that time has sadly come and gone. I got a few distros up and running my way; one for gaming (it runs all but one of my Steam games), another themed to look exactly like Windows Vista. Both are Ubuntu-based but are still set up my way (although it was far more a headache inducing nightmare in doing so given Ubuntu has stupid idiot proofing installed). That includes outright disabling any app stores and all updates are disabled as well. I no longer believe in updates. Been burned too often. Thanks for the suggestions though. That Vector install was themed to resemble the computers in the movie Jurassic Park, and that took effort. I still got the HDD safely stored, but the PC is long gone. I've tried booting the HDD in another system with IDE support (the others are SATA only) but it always kernel panics. I guess it depends on the exact configuration of that long-gone PC. I can't just up and toss it though. There has to be some way to revive and reuse it.

It was booting fine in the long-gone PC, but the error is some variation of:

Kernel Panic: Unable to mount root fs: Not Syncing

It won't even go to initramfs if that were even a thing in 2010.

Any OS has to be skeuo. Must be glossy, lickable skeuomorphism. I think it's too fun to just let go and flat is too boring, bland, dystopian for me. Even if I use a modern tablet, I theme it or sideload tons of older APKs to it to bring it to the year 2010. Linux has sadly become almost impossible to skeuo today, even though it can be done, it's something you only do once (or twice) and not ever again. But that pretty much invalidates trying another version and dealing with whatever is different about it. Also keeps me using 2010 hardware.

 

[Benlurks1010]

I used to really like using Android tablets, it’s a shame to see them in such a poorly supported state now. I had a Nexus 7, replaced later with an 8” Asus Zenpad which had this swappable backplate design that I thought was pretty snazzy.

 

[jimimac71]

A funny thing. Apple is telling people to update all their devices. Everything!
Nokia has promised monthly security updates for my T20, which they have not done.
The entire support system seems to be broken.
Apple's big thing is security, which has a big hole in it right now.
Android receives 2 or 3 years of updates.
Google updates their own products a little longer.
My Amazon 10 (2017) is EOL. 2019 Amazon 10 received a recent update.
Same OS version, but updates.
2019 Samsung did get a security update too.
No updates since my T20 was new and everyone else is saying the same thing.
I've heard they are breaking the law in the UK.
I remember buying a DVD of Mac OS X Mountain Lion ($19.99), which is still for sale from Apple.
I support paying a small fee for an upgrade.
Then again, both Apple and Google have a lot more more money than me.
Free updates means the companies don't get any money for the OS until you buy another device.
So Microsoft is making many computers unable to receive Windows 11.

 

[polyphenol]

So Microsoft is making many computers unable to receive Windows 11.

Really? Even the very cheapest one available from Microsoft in the UK claims Windows 11.

ASUS E410MA-EB008TS 14-inch Laptop​

 

[jimimac71]

Really? Even the very cheapest one available from Microsoft in the UK claims Windows 11.

ASUS E410MA-EB008TS 14-inch Laptop​

That's different from Windows 10 computers being upgraded to Windows 11.

 

[polyphenol]

That's different from Windows 10 computers being upgraded to Windows 11.

Of course it is. The bit I quoted said "is making" - which I suggest implies "is selling"!

And not that at some point in the past they sold W10 machines that couldn't be updated to W11.

 

[jimimac71]

Of course it is. The bit I quoted said "is making" - which I suggest implies "is selling"!

And not that at some point in the past they sold W10 machines that couldn't be updated to W11.

Okay, my phraseology was wrong.
I did a new/clean install of Windows 11 using a method to circumvent the requirements that my PC doesn't meet. It may all fall apart with the next big update in September.
While I like my Nokia T20, their customer service is a mess.
I was able to comment on their forum, but now I'm unable to log into my account.
It's like Samsung is the only real game in town for a good Android tablet.
Their prices are high without a trade-in.
Keeping in mind my T20 was on sale for $179!
About what my 2019 Galaxy Tab A was on sale for.
My 2019 iPad was $209 (refurbished).
For my price of a new iPad Air, I'd invest in a Windows notebook, maybe a 2 in 1, but not a tablet.

 

[polyphenol]

Okay, my phraseology was wrong.
I did a new/clean install of Windows 11 using a method to circumvent the requirements that my PC doesn't meet. It may all fall apart with the next big update in September.
While I like my Nokia T20, their customer service is a mess.
I was able to comment on their forum, but now I'm unable to log into my account.
It's like Samsung is the only real game in town for a good Android tablet.
Their prices are high without a trade-in.
Keeping in mind my T20 was on sale for $179!
About what my 2019 Galaxy Tab A was on sale for.
My 2019 iPad was $209 (refurbished).
For my price of a new iPad Air, I'd invest in a Windows notebook, maybe a 2 in 1, but not a tablet.

A while back I was looking around and the Xiaomi Pad 5 looked quite promising - but I decided a refurb iPad Pro was better suited to my needs/wants. And, yes, Samsung are expensive.

 

[nickdalzell1]

If anyone really wants to play with Windows 11, Walmart has $100 Gateway (in name only) 2-in-1 laptops (folds into a tablet) that are Windows 11 based. The specs aren't nothing special but if you just need the basics, say, Office, OneDrive, or the ability to play YouTube or Netflix, they work. I got one just for work stuff (PDFs, OnDemand diagnostic software, etc) it mainly stays offline to avoid updates. Nothing I use it for really depends on the internet.

 

[jimimac71]

If anyone really wants to play with Windows 11, Walmart has $100 Gateway (in name only) 2-in-1 laptops (folds into a tablet) that are Windows 11 based. The specs aren't nothing special but if you just need the basics, say, Office, OneDrive, or the ability to play YouTube or Netflix, they work. I got one just for work stuff (PDFs, OnDemand diagnostic software, etc) it mainly stays offline to avoid updates. Nothing I use it for really depends on the internet.

I found a $109 Gateway running Windows 10 S. How can Walmart do that? I realize they are cheap, but $109 is really cheap. My computer uses 4 GB RAM just for Windows and 55 GB for Windows and some apps. No photos, music, etc.

 

[ozaz]

I'd like to try a low-cost Android tablet after not having used Android for several years (probably 5 or more years).
By low-cost I mean something around the price of the low end iPad (or lower).

The two key features for me are
1. Biometric login that is secure enough for banking apps - i.e. not simply 2d camera-based face recognition.
2. Multi-user account support - I want it use it as a shared household tablet.

From what I can tell, low cost Android tablets don't always have secure biometric login.
When I last used Android several years ago, not all Android devices supported multiple user accounts/profiles. I'm not sure if I can now assume that all Android devices support multiple users?

Screen size isn't crucial - something in the range 8-11" would be fine.
Performance not crucial - won't be used for productivity or gaming.

Can anyone recommend any tablets for me to check out?

 

[Benlurks1010]

I'd like to try a low-cost Android tablet after not having used Android for several years (probably 5 or more years).
By low-cost I mean something around the price of the low end iPad (or lower).

The two key features for me are
1. Biometric login that is secure enough for banking apps - i.e. not simply 2d camera-based face recognition.
2. Multi-user account support - I want it use it as a shared household tablet.

From what I can tell, low cost Android tablets don't always have secure biometric login.
When I last used Android several years ago, not all Android devices supported multiple user accounts/profiles. I'm not sure if I can now assume that all Android devices support multiple users?

Screen size isn't crucial - something in the range 8-11" would be fine.
Performance not crucial - won't be used for productivity or gaming.

Can anyone recommend any tablets for me to checkout?

Nokia T20 | Android 11 | 10-Inch Screen | Tablet | US Version | 4/64GB | 8MP Camera | Ocean Blue

The Nokia T20 brings the classic Nokia quality to the big screen and helps you find better work-life balance. Its crystal clear 2K screen lets you see both work presentations and movie marathons in stunning detail and enhanced speakers and dual microphones help you hear and be heard better. Take ...

www.amazon.com

Maybe this one? I can’t vouch for it personally, but it just got a price cut and seems to be a good fit.

 

[jimimac71]

I own the Nokia T20. It does not have Touch ID.
I've never attempted multiple users on any device.
The T20 is on sale for $149 ($100 off) on the Nokia site.
I can't suggest anything but looking around at Samsung.

 

[ozaz]

Nokia T20 | Android 11 | 10-Inch Screen | Tablet | US Version | 4/64GB | 8MP Camera | Ocean Blue

The Nokia T20 brings the classic Nokia quality to the big screen and helps you find better work-life balance. Its crystal clear 2K screen lets you see both work presentations and movie marathons in stunning detail and enhanced speakers and dual microphones help you hear and be heard better. Take ...

www.amazon.com

Maybe this one? I can’t vouch for it personally, but it just got a price cut and seems to be a good fit.

It uses an insecure version of face unlock, and no fingerprint sensor. But otherwise would be a good option assuming multi user support.

I own the Nokia T20. It does not have Touch ID.
I've never attempted multiple users on any device.
The T20 is on sale for $149 ($100 off) on the Nokia site.
I can't suggest anything but looking around at Samsung.

For secure biometric login would it have to be Tab S series rather than Tab A series?

 

[jimimac71]

I could not get face unlock to work, even in landscape mode.
Reviews claim the same. Nokia support has been poor at best.
The promised monthly updates for security have not happened, at least here in the US.
Still running Android 11 with the month of May being the most recent update.

 

[ozaz]

Have done a bit more searching. As far as I can tell, the only recent (2020 onwards) Android tablets with fingerprint sensors are:

* Samsung Galaxy Tab S series (excluding the budget models like S6 Lite and S7 FE)
* Samsung Galaxy Active 3
* Lenovo Tab P11 Pro and P12 Pro

All these devices are significantly more expensive than the base iPad. Frustrating that there doesn't appear to be any Android options with secure biometrics in the sub $400 price range.

 

[Benlurks1010]

Oh yea, I forgot the Lenovo ones had sensors. I was looking at those too while shopping for tablets last month, and I got my iPad after reaching a similar conclusion. There‘s just no Android hitting the right price : performance anymore, just cheap $50 stuff for kids or overpriced “high end” tablets with woefully outdated tech.

 

[jimimac71]

I just received the August Android 11 update for my Nokia T20.
I still think iPad is the best bang for the buck. I suspect Apple knows that.
I will probably always want an affordable version of both Apple and Android tablets.
My T20 and 2019 iPad are mostly identical in performance.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I found a $109 Gateway running Windows 10 S. How can Walmart do that? I realize they are cheap, but $109 is really cheap. My computer uses 4 GB RAM just for Windows and 55 GB for Windows and some apps. No photos, music, etc.

Mine came with Windows 10 S, but I disabled "S Mode" which made if full Windows 10 home, and I downloaded the update assistant from Microsoft's website for Windows 11 and it worked. The PC was supposed to get a 'free upgrade' to Windows 11 anyway but I wanted it that instant, not a few days later as it 'verified compatibility'.

Still the cheapest Windows 11 laptop I have. Works well for what I bought it for.

FYI 'face unlock' on Android sucks donkey balls. It only allows you to use it for an hour after smart lock ends (smart lock allows instant unlock for four hours after you lock the phone in specific locations you specify, or when connected to a specific bluetooth device such as a smartwatch) and usually by the time you need to use your phone all that has expired and forces you to use your PIN or password (more for myself since my phone spends far more time in my pocket than in my hand!)

Couple that with horrible quality front-facing cameras on Android phones, which haven't improved since 2012, and poor lighting indoors and you have the worst face unlock ever.