Amazon's Android App Store: Steve Jobs Just Doesn't Get It - Page 2

kennyc · 03-19-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soondai

no kidding.
small-timer like Jones has no business on that list

.

kennyc · 03-20-2011, 04:57 PM

and

What if Amazon released Android Kindle tablet?

http://www.betanews.com/joewilcox/ar...let/1300640997

HansTWN · 03-21-2011, 09:29 PM

Well, I decided to just do away with all the restrictions that both Android and iOS still force on me. No more waiting for "an app for that", "the hardware isn't ready yet", or "wait for the next software upgrade". I got a tablet PC, and it is a screaming machine that lets me do absolutely everything I want to. Real background multitasking, working encrypted PPTP (Google still hasn't fixed that), etc. Full office, CAD, etc., ready to do any work. And all the apps that cost a lot of money on the mobile OS's are free. No worries about reading any file formats or books from any seller.

Since I travel a lot I can also carry just one device instead of laptop and tablet. I will stay with Android for my phone, but a tablet should be a real computer. In two years both will probably converge (except for Apple, of course, the MAC will be turned into a big phone, too) as full computers will be small enough and with batteries that last long enough. Or with Android becoming a full featured OS, but they probably don't want to. They would prefer the Chrome OS model which would tie users into their realm.

kennyc · 03-21-2011, 09:30 PM

Congratulations and good for you! Give us the details. which model etc.

Please keep us updated on your use/thoughts/take on it!

HansTWN · 03-21-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Congratulations and good for you! Give us the details. which model etc.

Please keep us updated on your use/thoughts/take on it!

The model is in my signature (I thought I should put it in there early before you start hounding me, as you have with the Apple fans, hehe), an HP 2740p, 12.1 inch, 1280x768 resolution. Core i7, full Wacom pen functionality. My unit has no finger touch capabilities (they do have that option for the Core i5 model, but the screen is not quite as crisp).

The screen is a dream, matte with wonderful colors (reading National Geographic on it), easily visible from every angle. The main reason I decided on this unit. Text is very crisp, I read the paper on it every day, Kindle app works great. This being a unit with a keyboard and swivel type screen has a big advantage, for reading watching video I can also prop it up on my lap or a table with the screen right in front of me and the keyboard facing backwards.

Cons are weight (3.7 pounds) and battery life (for reading around 5 hours; video over WiFi 2 1/2 to 3 hours). The unit is quite thick, but for me that actually makes it more convenient to hold onto -- and I have small hands. There is an add-on battery available for this unit, a plate that just attaches to the bottom of the unit and will more than double the original battery life.

Weight is not a big issue for me since I always rest it on my chest in bed, my lap, or somewhere else for prolonged use. It gets slightly warm, but no problem to keep it on my lap for hours. It starts up very quickly.

It is a business unit, which means pricey but it also means the built quality is outstanding. Perfect finish, very high end materials. Many nice small touches like a scroll and an escape button for tablet use, browsing and e-mail without starting up Windows, 3 USB ports, an expansion slot. Spill proof keyboard. 3G is an option. Only thing I miss is an HDMI port (VGA only or DVI via the expansion base) and a gamer wouldn't be happy with the graphics.

There are cheaper options, of course, and slates without keyboard. I found them to be a little slow and can afford to buy the best, but they definitely are worthy of consideration. The Asus Slate is 2.5 pounds, only. In the end, I believe Windows is the way to go for a tablet that should do more than just the basics. Even simple things like running a newscast video in one window while browsing in another one are impossible on mobile OS's.

kjk · 03-21-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Well, I decided to just do away with all the restrictions that both Android and iOS still force on me. No more waiting for "an app for that", "the hardware isn't ready yet", or "wait for the next software upgrade". I got a tablet PC, and it is a screaming machine that lets me do absolutely everything I want to. Real background multitasking, working encrypted PPTP (Google still hasn't fixed that), etc. Full office, CAD, etc., ready to do any work. And all the apps that cost a lot of money on the mobile OS's are free. No worries about reading any file formats or books from any seller.

Since I travel a lot I can also carry just one device instead of laptop and tablet. I will stay with Android for my phone, but a tablet should be a real computer. In two years both will probably converge (except for Apple, of course, the MAC will be turned into a big phone, too) as full computers will be small enough and with batteries that last long enough. Or with Android becoming a full featured OS, but they probably don't want to. They would prefer the Chrome OS model which would tie users into their realm.

Glad you finally found a device that suits how you work, without compromise!

HansTWN · 03-21-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

Glad you finally found a device that suits how you work, without compromise!

Thanks! We still might have to get an iPad2 for my wife. Her needs just extend to browsing, e-mail, and media consumption. An iPad would fit those needs well enough, she wouldn't appreciate the extra power of a Windows device.

jocampo · 03-21-2011, 11:07 PM

Hans,

How's the market in Taiwan for tablets and eink readers? In other words , which one is the leader there on each market....

HansTWN · 03-21-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocampo

Hans,

How's the market in Taiwan for tablets and eink readers? In other words , which one is the leader there on each market....

E-ink never was very popular here because

1 -- very few Chinese language books were available. (Simplified Chinese books from the darknet over in China offer more choices, but with atrociously bad formatting and a high risk of catching viruses. And illegal downloading is not main stream. Besides, those books are from mainland authors, only).

2 -- Pbooks are quite cheap and a lot of people use bookstores as libraries (meaning they walk in, take a book from the shelves, sit down and read it)

3 -- most e-ink readers need tweaking to display Chinese fonts (except for PDF files which do not display well on small screens). Tablets, of course, don't have this problem.

Lately a few new online bookstores have appeared and BenQ has a new e-ink reader with bookstore.

The iPad sells well, but is generally only used for browsing and media. You see the Galaxy tab on display everywhere, too. As are local brands like Gigabyte and Viewsonic. Archos as well. No idea how well they sell.

The most important factor will be making books available at prices that can compete with pbooks. As we all know publishers are not very keen on pushing ebooks, so it things may change slowly. Taiwanese people read a lot and are gadget friendly, so the market would be there.

wodin · 03-22-2011, 01:34 PM

Wow, congrats Hans! Nice machine, TigerDirect has the i5 model for $1649. I bought an Asus T-91 MT about a year ago, and found that I had wasted $500. It’s way too wimpy to do what I need, which is take handwritten notes->*.pdf in meetings, then email them to my work account. I still haven’t found a really good solution for that, but a LiveScribe smart pen comes close.

That being said, the Asus slate works well as a reader, but any netbook would do the same, more quickly and for $150 less. And my Galaxy Tab does it better; but alas, no note taking ability.

I have been watching the Asus Eee-note, supposedly coming to the US for under $200. That one might work for me, we’ll see.

kennyc · 03-22-2011, 04:14 PM

The Amazon App Store is open.

See other thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=126605

8annika.yael · 03-22-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dopedangel

With the Google Android Market the apps are sold to your Google ID not your phone so if you change phones you don't loose your apps where as if you buy from outside the google Market like from Gameloft your app is tied to a device one of the reasons I am unwilling to buy from outside the Google Market despite the fact I can't buy from inside the market as I don't have credit card.

1. you're probably the smartest person on the planet for not having a credit card.
2. i think that Google has the right idea about selling apps. the company has established such a presence in the technological arena. Gameloft would have to go to great lengths to go head-to-head with a powerhouse such as Google. unfortunately, GameLoft customers are left feeling involuntarily loyal to the company OR uncontrollably loyal to Google.

TallMomof2 · 03-22-2011, 08:01 PM

The Amazon app store is tied to your Amazon ID so an app you buy on one device is available on your other devices. Works like the Google Market.

kennyc · 03-22-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

The Amazon app store is tied to your Amazon ID so an app you buy on one device is available on your other devices. Works like the Google Market.

Or like kindle books.

wodin · 03-22-2011, 08:52 PM

Yes, but when I tried to download a free app from Amazon App Store, it wanted to know my phone number. Since my SGT has a data plan, it's got a default but otherwise useless phone number.

Does that mean that devices that don't have 3G (Rooted Nook Colors or WiFi only Xooms and SGTs) won't have access to AAS?

03-21-2011, 09:29 PM	#18
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	Well, I decided to just do away with all the restrictions that both Android and iOS still force on me. No more waiting for "an app for that", "the hardware isn't ready yet", or "wait for the next software upgrade". I got a tablet PC, and it is a screaming machine that lets me do absolutely everything I want to. Real background multitasking, working encrypted PPTP (Google still hasn't fixed that), etc. Full office, CAD, etc., ready to do any work. And all the apps that cost a lot of money on the mobile OS's are free. No worries about reading any file formats or books from any seller. Since I travel a lot I can also carry just one device instead of laptop and tablet. I will stay with Android for my phone, but a tablet should be a real computer. In two years both will probably converge (except for Apple, of course, the MAC will be turned into a big phone, too) as full computers will be small enough and with batteries that last long enough. Or with Android becoming a full featured OS, but they probably don't want to. They would prefer the Chrome OS model which would tie users into their realm. Last edited by HansTWN; 03-21-2011 at 09:31 PM.

03-21-2011, 09:30 PM	#19
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Congratulations and good for you! Give us the details. which model etc. Please keep us updated on your use/thoughts/take on it! Last edited by kennyc; 03-21-2011 at 09:34 PM.

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03-20-2011, 04:57 PM	#17
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	and What if Amazon released Android Kindle tablet? http://www.betanews.com/joewilcox/ar...let/1300640997

03-21-2011, 11:07 PM	#23
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Hans, How's the market in Taiwan for tablets and eink readers? In other words , which one is the leader there on each market....

03-22-2011, 01:34 PM	#25
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Wow, congrats Hans! Nice machine, TigerDirect has the i5 model for $1649. I bought an Asus T-91 MT about a year ago, and found that I had wasted $500. It’s way too wimpy to do what I need, which is take handwritten notes->*.pdf in meetings, then email them to my work account. I still haven’t found a really good solution for that, but a LiveScribe smart pen comes close. That being said, the Asus slate works well as a reader, but any netbook would do the same, more quickly and for $150 less. And my Galaxy Tab does it better; but alas, no note taking ability. I have been watching the Asus Eee-note, supposedly coming to the US for under $200. That one might work for me, we’ll see.

03-22-2011, 04:14 PM	#26
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	The Amazon App Store is open. See other thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=126605

03-22-2011, 08:01 PM	#28
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	The Amazon app store is tied to your Amazon ID so an app you buy on one device is available on your other devices. Works like the Google Market.

03-22-2011, 08:52 PM	#30
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Yes, but when I tried to download a free app from Amazon App Store, it wanted to know my phone number. Since my SGT has a data plan, it's got a default but otherwise useless phone number. Does that mean that devices that don't have 3G (Rooted Nook Colors or WiFi only Xooms and SGTs) won't have access to AAS?