Tablets Android tablets are dead

[jimimac71]

I believe my Android skills are decent but nothing like being able to root a device. I am a wimp with Linux but still love it, especially now that Windows 11 is getting bad reviews about forcing people (almost) to use the Edge browser.
I do update everything on all my devices. I suspect doing a clean install on an Android device is possibly a good idea. Maybe once a year or something. I remember HP actually recommending that with Windows years ago.
My Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10 inch is slower than my iPad. Both are 2019 models.
I have an app to read my newspaper. It is in PDF format and the iPad stays in focus where the Samsung delays clear focus briefly.
My 2019 Amazon 10 inch is the slowest at just 2 GB RAM. Both my Samsung and iPad are 3 GB RAM.
Of course the iPad has a speedier processor.
I believe a product is obsolete (Nick) when it is broken and can't be fixed.
That is mostly the case with my first tablet, the 2017 Amazon 10 inch. The charging USB port is unstable.
It still works though.

 

[nickdalzell1]

OMG Amazon tablets these days are garbage. I remember the O.G. Kindle Fire. It was a much better product. I rooted that thing and made it run Lineage once. But today? yeesh Laggy mess it is, and that's without Google Play Services--which is what kills performance on Android. I disable that on first run along with the Play Store. I sideload my APKs and disable updates at the root level so nothing moves my cheese. I agree with you on the Amazon trash. Also, you aren't forced to use Edge, but it will nag you endlessly about it if you dare try something like Firefox to load Bing or something. Make mine Linux! No nags, no forced updates. nothing. My OS, my smartphone, my tablets, my TV, MY WAY. Skeuomorphism and all. I am so glad I learned Android development and ADB and rooting back in the Android 2.1 era. Android 2.3 remains my favorite version, with Holu UX (Android 4.0-4.4) being a close second, at least it did flat UI design right.

 

[jimimac71]

A funny thing: Apple is thinking about a 15 inch iPad that can run Mac apps and this website has said nothing about it.
It is meant to compete with Samsung.
So Android tablets are not dead.
I can’t call the Amazon tablet garbage. My first tabby was $99.
I installed the Play Store on my Amazon tablets.
Our house was almost lost in 2017, which is why I wanted a grab n go evacuation device. I used my tablet to evacuate with in 2019.
I have a good reason to avoid calling their tablet Fire. HA!

 

[nickdalzell1]

Installing Play Store on Amazon Fires. How to kill even more performance and privacy in one go! It's the lag and stutter caused by Amazon Bloatware that has a similar affect that Google Services does on stock Android. Take both out, you get a perfectly, iPad-style fluid UI. Problem is, on a modern Amazon tablet, I haven't been able to root or remove completely the Amazon garbage. Plus they use very oudated SoCs. Android tablets are obviously still made, but the all but complete lack of tablet apps and the total loss of tablet UI after version 5.0 really sucks. Plus, a lot of modern tablets tend to force updates, with no means to turn them of other than fill up internal storage enough that the 'low disk space' notification comes on and stops it from downloading anything.

 

[jimimac71]

Nick: You’re not a run of the mill user. That would be me. Just smart enough to get into trouble with my devices.
I don’t feel iPad OS is superior to Android. Even as a novice, I seem to have more control of the look and feel of Android versus iPad OS.
My only problem with Android are apps not being compatible with my tablet.
At least half a dozen. Only once did I find a compatible APK.
I will probably return to Android.
Dollar for dollar, Android seems better.
I don’t believe an iPhone or iPad is better than a comparable Android product.
For me, a guy who wants everything up to date, I feel Samsung is my best bet.
I started relying on my tablet after surgery that kept me for sitting at the computer. Not a problem now, but I still like my tablets.
Predictive text on iPad is terrible compared to the Google keyboard, which doesn’t work well on the iPad but rocks on Android, even my Amazon tabby.

 

[nickdalzell1]

There are plenty of 'compatible' apps. The issue is they're just blown up phone apps. Even on Samsung, who used to do real tablet UI (of course, this was when Tablet UI was a part of Android code!) their modern tablet apps are limited to the web browser and S Note (either installed later on Tab S tablets or in-built into Note tablets). Any app will run, including my old 'Dolphin Mini' (A third party phone web browser intended for phones and used low amounts of RAM, hence 'mini.' a separate 'HD' version existed for tablets, but required Tablet UI and won't run at all on modern variants). But most, unlike an iPad, will just blow up to the size of the tablet screen, and tend to get blurry on extremely high resolution tablets like high-end Samsungs. If Google hadn't killed Tablet UI (why do I even expect them to do anything that makes sense these days?!) this issue would have never existed, and we might have proper competition with iPads. Unfortunately, Google incorrectly assumes a gargantuan-sized 6"+ smartphone can replace tablets and laptops.

 

[The Game 161]

The hope is android 12L would help improve apps for tablet UI. Guess we will see when it’s out.

 

[polyphenol]

Why do I have a tablet? (An iPad Pro - as well as two old Android devices I no longer use.)

One reason dominates - and that is the need to have something if I am ill. Phone is too small and not good for watching video, reading books, etc. It can do those things, but it is not pleasant using one for hours - even a larger screen device. Laptop is great but likely over the top. And I'd not be too happy about taking one into a hospital should that be needed.

A neighbour spent several weeks of the past year under cancer treatment - in various hospitals, travelling many miles back and forth, etc. He always made sure he had his tablet with him. It was a huge asset.

Of course, I use it in other ways as well!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

There are plenty of 'compatible' apps. The issue is they're just blown up phone apps. Even on Samsung, who used to do real tablet UI (of course, this was when Tablet UI was a part of Android code!) their modern tablet apps are limited to the web browser and S Note (either installed later on Tab S tablets or in-built into Note tablets). Any app will run, including my old 'Dolphin Mini' (A third party phone web browser intended for phones and used low amounts of RAM, hence 'mini.' a separate 'HD' version existed for tablets, but required Tablet UI and won't run at all on modern variants). But most, unlike an iPad, will just blow up to the size of the tablet screen, and tend to get blurry on extremely high resolution tablets like high-end Samsungs. If Google hadn't killed Tablet UI (why do I even expect them to do anything that makes sense these days?!) this issue would have never existed, and we might have proper competition with iPads. Unfortunately, Google incorrectly assumes a gargantuan-sized 6"+ smartphone can replace tablets and laptops.

That really doesn't bother me as much even using a Samsung S7+. The apps still look good enough and tbf, I have seen similar stuff on the iPad although not as much. If you go to the iPad or iPadOS forums you will find such complaints as well especially when the user has a 12.9" iPad. The bottom line is that mobile operating systems will get the priority in app development for smartphones. Tablets back in 2012 were all the rage, now, not so much and that includes the iPad. That was partly because phones were not as big as they are today with companies trying to find ways to make phone screen sizes double with foldable phones.

 

[TrancyGoose]

I know why Google is isn't putting any effort into android tablets, cause they are working on chrome OS tablets. That is the future.

Bougth a Chrome OS 2 in 1 for mother in law, much better than an Android tablet 100%.

 

[kaardowiq]

After several month with in Android tablet in a full Apple ecosystem I got a new iPad mini Gen 6. sorry, never want to use any android tablet again - especially when using the full Apple stack with AirPods, iCloud etc.

 

[macfacts]

After several month with in Android tablet in a full Apple ecosystem I got a new iPad mini Gen 6. sorry, never want to use any android tablet again - especially when using the full Apple stack with AirPods, iCloud etc.

I'm guessing you're comparing a super cheap android tablet to an iPad with all the add-ons (airpod, iCloud, charging brick, etc).

 

[kaardowiq]

I'm guessing you're comparing a super cheap android tablet to an iPad with all the add-ons (airpod, iCloud, charging brick, etc).

S20 as phone, Galaxy buds and galaxy tab s6… tried to get away from the apple

 

[cuzo]

Android tablets are pretty terrible I use a s6 lite and the battery is terrible with major drain from YouTube.

It's a glorified bootleg Downloader and I'm not saying to download those but realistically they have little purpose pretty terrible with good specs operating system is terrible on a tablet.

 

[skaertus]

That really doesn't bother me as much even using a Samsung S7+. The apps still look good enough and tbf, I have seen similar stuff on the iPad although not as much. If you go to the iPad or iPadOS forums you will find such complaints as well especially when the user has a 12.9" iPad. The bottom line is that mobile operating systems will get the priority in app development for smartphones. Tablets back in 2012 were all the rage, now, not so much and that includes the iPad. That was partly because phones were not as big as they are today with companies trying to find ways to make phone screen sizes double with foldable phones.

Yes, it is true. But not only because smartphones are larger now, although this may have contributed.

I suppose tablets were still a novelty in 2012, and the iPad was doing very well. Everybody was buying one.

But then the market, even for the iPad, stagnated. The iPad has always been very successful, but the huge sales in the early years suggested ever increasing sales in the future, which ended up not happening. People eventually came to the conclusion that there is little an iPad can do that a smartphone cannot.

 

[skaertus]

Android tablets are pretty terrible I use a s6 lite and the battery is terrible with major drain from YouTube.

It's a glorified bootleg Downloader and I'm not saying to download those but realistically they have little purpose pretty terrible with good specs operating system is terrible on a tablet.

I have a Samsung S7 tablet and it is not terrible. To be honest, I use it for watching videos on YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and little else. And that is pretty much the use I had for my iPad.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Yes, it is true. But not only because smartphones are larger now, although this may have contributed.

I suppose tablets were still a novelty in 2012, and the iPad was doing very well. Everybody was buying one.

But then the market, even for the iPad, stagnated. The iPad has always been very successful, but the huge sales in the early years suggested ever increasing sales in the future, which ended up not happening. People eventually came to the conclusion that there is little an iPad can do that a smartphone cannot.

Yes I totally agree with the above. The iPad is still king. My first tablet was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 back in 2012. Shortly after I purchased an iPad 2 and then the iPad 3. I thought they were the future. Now the platform has stagnated but the same can be said for smartphones as well. There is only so much you can do with the hardware besides incremental upgrades after the product enters a mature state.

 

[pixelultra]

But chrome OS tablets can run android apps too

They do, but they make for a clunky experience. I tried running android apps on my i5 Pixel Slate, and it took me back to the early days of Asus Transformer I used to own in terms of smoothness - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/852329-REG/ASUS_TF300T_B1_BL_32GB_Transformer_Pad_TF300T.html

 

[pixelultra]

View attachment 1875654

I suggest that you still be excited but hold off buying the S8 at launch. Samsung is notorious for deeply discounting their products. For example: on last year's Black Friday I scored a Tab S6 (128GB storage, 6GB RAM, etc.) for $325 on their website (NOT a doorbuster sale either)... a book cover for $15 and book cover keyboard for $45.

There is sure to be deep discounts on the S7 line soon if you'd be interested in that at a discount... or wait 3-4 months after the S8 is released and knock off 20%.

Same here, scored a Tab S7+ 512 GB, a Buds Live, and Buds Pro for $570 with tax; no trade in. Samsung can sometimes go crazy with their deals.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I think it's more that modern tablets aren't doing anything a 2012 tablet can't do. Most of the time I see my sister's two kids playing on an old first-generation iPad Mini or a 2nd Gen iPad, and all they're doing is watching Netflix or playing some games.

That's pretty much all I use mine for, only for ebook reading and browsing certain sites or watching video on YouTube. Not only can my 2012-era Samsungs do all those things and with a proper tablet UI, but so can those ancient iPads at mother's when my sister brings her kids over. The use-case for a tablet has not changed that much and a modern tablet is a waste of money. Might explain the low sale numbers.

I would argue similar for smartphones. There's nothing a modern phone can do that my Galaxy Note II or Galaxy S5 can't do. Why spend the money?

 

[skaertus]

I think it's more that modern tablets aren't doing anything a 2012 tablet can't do. Most of the time I see my sister's two kids playing on an old first-generation iPad Mini or a 2nd Gen iPad, and all they're doing is watching Netflix or playing some games.

That's pretty much all I use mine for, only for ebook reading and browsing certain sites or watching video on YouTube. Not only can my 2012-era Samsungs do all those things and with a proper tablet UI, but so can those ancient iPads at mother's when my sister brings her kids over. The use-case for a tablet has not changed that much and a modern tablet is a waste of money. Might explain the low sale numbers.

I would argue similar for smartphones. There's nothing a modern phone can do that my Galaxy Note II or Galaxy S5 can't do. Why spend the money?

As for tablets, I kind of agree. I basically use my tablet for reading ebooks and PDFs, watching videos (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+), listening to music, and browsing the web. That is basically it. However, I do not think a 2012 tablet would be able to keep up, as the latest version of the apps will probably no longer run.

I also found out recently that I can extend the screen to my Galaxy Tab S7 seamlessly and without the need of any additional software. I probably cannot do that on other tablets.

Other than that, I agree that, at least for me, tablets are mostly a waste of money. I do not intend to buy another one for the time being. And, if I buy another one in the future, it will likely be a lower-end model. I certainly do not need an iPad with an M1 processor.

As for smartphones, I have to disagree. Basically, the functions are the same. However, apps get updated. The camera gets better. There is more storage. They become faster. Now they have 5G support. Updating the phone becomes a no-brainer, at least for me.

By this metric, we could say the same about computers. A 10-year old computer can do everything a modern computer can. You can browse the web, write text, edit photos and videos. There is nothing you cannot do. But you upgrade anyway.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Actually, YouTube, YouTube Music, and the latest version of Chrome work fine on the Note II (which runs Android 4.4) and I can use YouTube via the browser and play many older versions of Facebook games, and run a very old version of Facebook to connect with those games fine on a 2012 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 running Android 4.0.1. I also got a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 that does podcasts and Spotify just fine (older APKs installed). None of the built in versions of Kindle or Google Books were ever updated and still work fine. Not updating also preserves the speed so the devices run just as good as they did in 2012. I just used my Galaxy S5 to pay via Kroger Pay just fine, and during the 2 mile walk there I had YouTube Music running on my Note II, and tracked my exercise via a Galaxy Gear from 2013. You don't need to update anything. Updates slow stuff down eventually by taxing the limited resources. I'm still impressed I can get a full day out of the phones, and over 6-7 hours of video playback on the tablets.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Android tablets on a whole are still terrible. The exception being the Sasmung S line. They are catching up to iPad more than the iPad is pulling away. When it comes to power, Apple is light years ahead and probably always will be. But it's to the point where it's wasted power for 99% of users because it's limited by the OS.

The biggest hurdle Sasmung faces are lack of tablet app development on Android. They've done their best to mitigate it using Labs. And actually, for apps on iOS that don't have a specific tablet version, the Android version is better because of Labs. The hope is that the growth in the foldable market will force Android to provide better tools for deva to develope for bigger screens, and we're seeing that starting with Android 12L. I think we could see big improvements on the Android tablet/foldable apps in the next year or so.

And if you look at hardware, Sasmung has already passed Apple in a lot of ways with their tablets. Better displays, better speakers, etc. And at least Samsung it trying to provide tools for those who want to use the device as a portable PC like Dex.

I'm hopeful for Android tablets still. They're a step behind the iPad right now, but the gap is closing.

 

[skaertus]

Android tablets on a whole are still terrible. The exception being the Sasmung S line. They are catching up to iPad more than the iPad is pulling away. When it comes to power, Apple is light years ahead and probably always will be. But it's to the point where it's wasted power for 99% of users because it's limited by the OS.

The biggest hurdle Sasmung faces are lack of tablet app development on Android. They've done their best to mitigate it using Labs. And actually, for apps on iOS that don't have a specific tablet version, the Android version is better because of Labs. The hope is that the growth in the foldable market will force Android to provide better tools for deva to develope for bigger screens, and we're seeing that starting with Android 12L. I think we could see big improvements on the Android tablet/foldable apps in the next year or so.

And if you look at hardware, Sasmung has already passed Apple in a lot of ways with their tablets. Better displays, better speakers, etc. And at least Samsung it trying to provide tools for those who want to use the device as a portable PC like Dex.

I'm hopeful for Android tablets still. They're a step behind the iPad right now, but the gap is closing.

You are right, Samsung seems to be investing a lot in tablets. I do have a Samsung Tab S7 which cost me less than the lowest end iPad. It is a very good tablet, and I can do with it basically the same stuff I did with my previous iPad (but I confess I did not do much).

 

[Awesomesince86]

You are right, Samsung seems to be investing a lot in tablets. I do have a Samsung Tab S7 which cost me less than the lowest end iPad. It is a very good tablet, and I can do with it basically the same stuff I did with my previous iPad (but I confess I did not do much).

My issue with the iPad is that they keep making it more powerful but cripple it with the OS. They act like it can be used as a PC replacement, but you dont even have basic file browsing. They'll never do this, but if they equipped a iPad Pro with MacOS or some hybrid version that could run desktop apps, it would blow away the rest of the power user tablet market for good.