Tablets Android tablets are dead

[jimimac71]

I have used a tablet as not just my go to device, but for a while, my only device.
My iPad is not as capable of replacing my computer or my Android tablets. Predictive text on the iPad is terrible compared to the Google keyboard.
This could easily be my first and last iPad.
I am very interested in the new HP Chromebase.
I’m of the opinion a Chrome device might serve my needs better than anything else.

 

[Awesomesince86]

The iPad Pro is fine for your only device if the only productivity work you need to do is emails and simple Word or Excel work. Anything more, its just not capable enough. That goes for android tablets as well.

 

[jimimac71]

Almost everything I do is with a web browser. Even my original Amazon 10 tablet from 2017 was capable enough.
I do not want a Mac or a Windows 11 computer. If I got a Chrome product, there is no iTunes or iCloud app, which is pretty important for the iPad.

 

[Ludatyk]

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.

What is your definition of basic file browsing? iPadOS has the Files App that is able to:

• Browse
• Create New Folders
• Open (it can direct you to a 3rd party app)
• Copy
• Move
• Open Zips/Compress files

Then there are third party apps such as FileBrowser, GoodReader and FileExplorer to name a few. Don't get me wrong... I do want more out of iPadOS, but there are people out there that use the iPad as their PC replacement. And I don't think Apple is in a rush to push iPadOS further along especially when there's macOS that can handle the heavy lifting.

 

[Awesomesince86]

What is your definition of basic file browsing? iPadOS has the Files App that is able to:

• Browse
• Create New Folders
• Open (it can direct you to a 3rd party app)
• Copy
• Move
• Open Zips/Compress files

Then there are third party apps such as FileBrowser, GoodReader and FileExplorer to name a few. Don't get me wrong... I do want more out of iPadOS, but there are people out there that use the iPad as their PC replacement. And I don't think Apple is in a rush to push iPadOS further along especially when there's macOS that can handle the heavy lifting.

They just recently added a file browser and its still limited. And the way you browse files, open things with 3rd party apps, and share things between apps is still really bad. Compare it with say the Galaxy Tab S7 that lets you browse the complete file structure.

 

[TrancyGoose]

The iPad Pro is fine for your only device if the only productivity work you need to do is emails and simple Word or Excel work. Anything more, its just not capable enough. That goes for android tablets as well.

Yet they stuck a M1 chip in to it
My wife owns an iPad Air 4 and it meets her needs of browsing, emailing and she even made her CV in it. Granted it's accompanied with a Magic Keyboard, an Apple Pencil and a Logitech MX Anywhhere 3 mouse. So yeah, this cost us .... Could have easily gotten a massively powerful Chrome device or even a Windows laptop. But were Apple ecosystem slaves at this point ...

 

[jimimac71]

I can connect any of my Android tablets to my Windows PC and transfer files.
If the iPad can do that, please enlighten me.
I use File Manager Plus for Android. It has out of the way ads.
Works very well!
I don’t want a Mac or Windows 11 PC.
I’m somewhat disappointed with iPad and very disappointed with Apple TV.
I got an audiobook from Apple Books and it has DRM!
I will never be an Apple slave!
I can buy audiobooks all day long from a fine company that only does audiobooks, with no DRM!
Apple seems to put a lock on everything.
Don’t get me started on 2-step verification.

 

[Ludatyk]

They just recently added a file browser and its still limited. And the way you browse files, open things with 3rd party apps, and share things between apps is still really bad. Compare it with say the Galaxy Tab S7 that lets you browse the complete file structure.

Maybe you are looking at it from a power user perspective, but for basic file browsing for which most users really care about it does the job. And I use Android and iPadOS daily, sharing various files between apps on iPadOS isn't bad. It works as intended... however, it's up to the developer to give access to the Files App.

I use the Files App quite a bit, but as far as Android... it's totally different. Heck, people can still root Android phones... add custom ROMs. But I don't care to take away from the subject at hand. I recall you mentioning Google needs to do better with developing for tablets. But I argue... it's more on the developers than Google.

The tools are there for developers to optimize their app for tablet support... perhaps, there's more work they have to do in order to optimize it. And it could be why Android 12L is there to make it easier. But creating apps that offer 2 or 3 column layouts isn't up to Google or designing the app to utilize bigger displays, it's up to the developers.

 

[TrancyGoose]

I can feel the Android fanboy squeeling here .... it can be heard a mile away.
OK, so as an example.
A Chrome OS 2 in 1 device, when tablet mode (keyboard detached) puts Google Chrome in to a mobile interface, and there is no way to stop it. Have you ever tried to use Google Chrome in Mobile version on a 10 inch or larger screen? You need several taps just to move between tabs. If it's in docked mode with a keyboard, it works like a desktop.
On an iPad, you get desktop Safari, websites don't display mobile view and you can do pretty much anything.
I have had android tables, and while for watching youtube or answering email, it's fine, you can hardly get any work done.
iPad is a far superior device in tablet world, it's just the way it is.
Android tablets, to this day, still just look like a large phone. Chrome OS is the answer I guess, but has a long way to go. My mother in law, we got her a Chromebook Duet, and you would not beleive how difficult was it to explain to an older person that with keyboard attached: This is how you must go through tabs but when you remove it, you must make 2-3 extra taps just to switch tabs.

This is just one example of many, and there are several others.
Point is, if you are in Apple ecosystem, you will benefit from an iPad, if you are not, it's still a cool device to get some work done and entertain yourself.

 

[jimimac71]

I don’t have a Mac or iPhone, so I don’t know if the iPad Safari app is a desktop browser or just one that defaults to the desktop sites.
The Opera browser for Android is the best.
For me it works flawlessly by defaulting to desktop websites all the time and automatically word wraps.
The only benefit to the iPad is battery life.
I get 3 days with iPad and just 2 days with my Android tablets.
Otherwise, feature for feature, Android is better, even an Amazon tablet.

 

[macfacts]

What is your definition of basic file browsing? iPadOS has the Files App that is able to:

• Browse
• Create New Folders
• Open (it can direct you to a 3rd party app)
• Copy
• Move
• Open Zips/Compress files

Then there are third party apps such as FileBrowser, GoodReader and FileExplorer to name a few. Don't get me wrong... I do want more out of iPadOS, but there are people out there that use the iPad as their PC replacement. And I don't think Apple is in a rush to push iPadOS further along especially when there's macOS that can handle the heavy lifting.

I like being able to "put files" on my home screen. I think they are just short cuts/link to the file. I haven't tried on ios

 

[twdawson]

Not updating also preserves the speed so the devices run just as good as they did in 2012.

And also leaves you open to security flaws.

 

[kaardowiq]

I can connect any of my Android tablets to my Windows PC and transfer files.
If the iPad can do that, please enlighten me.

Just open the files app and connect to the server / share. That’s it ?

 

[nickdalzell1]

And also leaves you open to security flaws.

Yeah if you truly wanna believe that FUD. I have used 'old' software and devices for a long time and my identity hasn't been stolen yet. Smarter browsing habits wins far more than trusting your AV software to protect you from yourself.

 

[jimimac71]

If Tim Cook says side loading is bad, it must be true.

 

[skaertus]

If Tim Cook says side loading is bad, it must be true.

Well, every time I tried running apps not available on the App Store, they were always subpar.

I am usually happy to use the apps available on the the official stores.

 

[jimimac71]

Of the apps not compatible with the Google Play Store, only one had an APK I could use.
I still don’t feel the iPad is better.
I like the Amazon tablets but they don’t cast. Pretty stupid when you can’t cast, even to Amazon Fire TV.
Price matters and Amazon is a leader in usable (cheap) tablets.
My Samsung tablet has GPS and can cast to both Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
I can’t find a good Android tablet with an FM tuner.
I also believe a back camera flash is good. Hard to find as well.
EDIT: I purchased an audiobook from Apple. I can't find any non-Apple way of playing it.
I thought this DRM "Fair Play" stuff was behind us, but Apple locks down audiobooks the same way they did originally with songs from iTunes.
When the day comes, and it's coming, when I no longer have any Apple devices and/or iTunes for Windows, I won't have access to an audiobook I paid for. It is an Apple exclusive.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Play Store's compatibility filter has been broken ever since it replaced the 'Android Market' in 2011. There's three examples of apps 'not compatibile with my device' (Galaxy Note II running Android 4.4) that worked fine by sideloading the APK. Samsung Health is one, Google Home is another, and YouTube Music. Another bonus to sideloading is running a more compatible older version which won't render your device an unusable, laggy mess. A lot of those aforementioned apps run fine on their older versions, far more compatible with whatever limits the Note II has. Apple just completely cuts you off, and if you run older iOS long enough, even installed apps suddenly refuse to open, claiming you must update the iOS to keep using them, even if they would run fine.

 

[twdawson]

Smarter browsing habits wins far more than trusting your AV software to protect you from yourself.

I don't need any software to protect me from myself, I know what I am doing and have done for the last 30 years as I have made a good living in IT.

I always practice safe browsing and always just use the browser, rather than an app. Its more secure that way.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I don't need any software to protect me from myself, I know what I am doing and have done for the last 30 years as I have made a good living in IT. I always practice safe browsing and always just use the browser, rather than an app. Its more secure that way.

Exactly my point. But tell that to the multitude of folks who probably enjoy Porn Hub or Pirate Bay/Torrents/P2P who claim that running say, Android 4.4 in 2022 means 'YoUrE GoNnA gEt HaCkEd!' over and over and over and over again. All over the internet.

 

[twdawson]

Exactly my point. But tell that to the multitude of folks who probably enjoy Porn Hub or Pirate Bay/Torrents/P2P who claim that running say, Android 4.4 in 2022 means 'YoUrE GoNnA gEt HaCkEd!' over and over and over and over again. All over the internet.

Well if people go on those sites they deserve what they get.
There is no app or software that can fix stupidity.

 

[Romain_H]

Yeah if you truly wanna believe that FUD. I have used 'old' software and devices for a long time and my identity hasn't been stolen yet. Smarter browsing habits wins far more than trusting your AV software to protect you from yourself.

As someone who did/does/teaches pentesting I can tell you that you are dangerously wrong

 

[nickdalzell1]

Oh really? Then why am I not experiencing malware or any sign of identity issues much less my credit cards being drained just because I run a Galaxy Note II and a few Linux boxes that run 2010 software? I also use my Xbox 360 to Netflix and a 2013 PlayStation 4 to take the place of a malfunctioning Apple TV? I must be doing something correct, like not browsing shady sites, eh?

 

[Romain_H]

Oh really? Then why am I not experiencing malware or any sign of identity issues much less my credit cards being drained just because I run a Galaxy Note II and a few Linux boxes that run 2010 software? I also use my Xbox 360 to Netflix and a 2013 PlayStation 4 to take the place of a malfunctioning Apple TV? I must be doing something correct, like not browsing shady sites, eh?

Nothing to do with shady sites. If there is a remote exploit you‘re screwed. My take is: you are just lucky, probably not a valuable target.
I could tell multiple tales about companies that have been targeted successfully. There is a reason why companies have update policies. Or just check how many vulnerabilities there are in Win 7 alone. Nobody would seriously argue its safe to run Win 7. Or any other outdated system for that matter

 

[jimimac71]

Compared to my iPad, I love my Samsung Galaxy Tab A so much more. Everything I need done is faster and easier with my Galaxy. Because my iPad is from 2019, it has just 32 GB RAM. But I saved $120 by going refurbished.
My Samsung is 64 GB and has a micro SD card slot.
The Google Play Store is all new in appearance and I like it.
I use Malwarebytes on my Android tablets. The app is stupid for my iPad.
I will not sell my iPad until I can get a fair price based on it's age, etc.
Some time ago, my brother, an IT guy, said: "Get a Chromebook."
I shoulda listen.
A 2 in 1 Chromebook can do what I want. A desktop Google browser, right?
I believe there is access to Linux apps. Everything on my tablet now from the Google Play Store.
So the Android tablet isn't dead or dying, but Chrome devices will probably keep growing fast.
This is the best Android thread!
To think it's on a Mac site!