Tablets, eReaders, Media Players - 2016

[issybird]

Originally Posted by booklover6

You people lucked out. I found out that with android 6, apps can't be moved to the sd card. So a device with 8gb would be really awful.

Wow! Glad to know - and very glad that apparently the phone I ordered will have 16 gb of memory. 8 gb would make the phone next to useless.

As an aside, I ordered it at approximately 1:05 AM on Thanksgiving. It got to a postal facility in a city 30 miles away on Saturday, but it's not going to be delivered until Wednesday! Four days to go 30 miles; what are they using, Tortoise Express?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Best Buy -- Visa Checkout Promo -- exp 25 Dec --> promo ended 28 Nov

You can stack this on top of current sales.

Visa Checkout Promo -- $25 off $100 purchase

This promo is now over. It was valid while supplies lasted and it went fast.

SORRY, THIS PROMOTION HAS ENDED

Due to popular demand, this offer is no longer available, but you can still pay with Visa Checkout on BestBuy.com anytime.

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by booklover6

You people lucked out. I found out that with android 6, apps can't be moved to the sd card. So a device with 8gb would be really awful.

That's not entirely correct. In Android 6.0 Marshmallow SD cards can either be portable storage or internal storage. (Also referred to as adoptable storage, because the device "adopts" the SD card as part of its internal storage.) Portable storage is how SD cards have always worked. You can remove it at any time and copy files from it onto another device, computer, etc. (Also can copy files to it.) Apps can no longer be moved to portable storage SD cards.

Internal storage is new and works differently. The device will reformat the SD card with an EXT4 filesystem (as opposed to VFAT that's normally used) and encrypt it. Afterwards it will be treated as internal storage for the device. The best article I could find is this page from a review of Android 6.0. This section describes what happens once the device has finished adopting the new internal storage card:

Once the format is complete, you'll be prompted to move all applicable data from the internal storage to the "adopted" storage. We had a device with 9GB worth of stuff, and the prompt offered to move over about 800MB of data. This also seems to flag the external storage as the "primary" storage—apps and media all preferred the new storage space. The "Storage" section of the settings shows the drive and internal storage as a shared storage pool, but it still gives breakdowns for each device.

After this the device will be quite unhappy if you remove the SD card and will ask you to put it back in. You'll have apps misbehave, or not even run if you have the card out. And since it's using a different filesystem and encrypted you won't be able to access the card from your PC or any other devices. But if all you want to do is expand your internal storage, this will work great for you. Put in a card and leave it permanently.

That said, some phones deliberately disable this option. This isn't Android's fault, this is the manufacturer that makes the device deciding consumers will be "confused" by the feature. Or, if you're as cynical as I am, it's them wanting to make sure you pay big bucks to them for a device with more internal storage, and not just adding in a cheap SD card.

If internal storage for SD cards is unavailable on your device, do some searching to see if it can be re-enabled. You might be able to do so with rooting the device if nothing else. While that can be a pain, if you really need more space for apps, it'll be worth it.

[Red Falcon]

Originally Posted by Manabi

Or, if you're as cynical as I am, it's them wanting to make sure you pay big bucks to them for a device with more internal storage, and not just adding in a cheap SD card. :

I go with this being the most likely.

[Alohamora]

Originally Posted by Alohamora

What are the chances a device spec'ed for 32gb will work with a 64gb card? I think I've read this will sometimes work. Not that I've ever filled up 32gb. yet....

As it turns out, both the LG phoenix 2 and the Alcatel pop 4 just need to reformat a 64gb card and then seem to recognize and use it just fine.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Alohamora

As it turns out, both the LG phoenix 2 and the Alcatel pop 4 just need to reformat a 64gb card and then seem to recognize and use it just fine.

The LG Tribute HD and Moto E2 (both 32GB rated) can use 64GB cards.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Prime -- Gift Card Offer -- exp unknown

• $100 -- Amazon Gift Card w/ Holiday Teddy Bear --> Prime Members only

Get a free teddy bear with the purchase of a $100, $150, $200, or $250 gift card.

The Amazon.com Gift Card with an exclusive Gund Teddy Bear, is the ideal gift.

Since 1898, Gund has been producing lovable, plush toys for children of all ages. This year's Amazon exclusive bear, is decked-out for the holidays with a festive, pom-pom adorned hat with snowflakes, on top of an endearing and adorable face. This bear is the latest in the Gund Amazon Exclusive Holiday Bears and features the Amazon logo embroidered on his paw-pad. Start a collection, add to an existing collection, or simply give a gift that’s sure to be treasured.

Exclusively for Prime Members

This item at $100.00 is reserved for Prime members.

• Limited quantity available per customer
• Gift Card is tied to plush bear with a red ribbon
• Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
• No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards
• Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
• Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
• Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 10 inches

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Amazon Prime -- Gift Card Offer -- exp unknown

• $100 -- Amazon Gift Card w/ Holiday Teddy Bear --> Prime Members only

Get a free teddy bear with the purchase of a $100, $150, $200, or $250 gift card.

Anything to stop one from applying the gift card to the same account that bought the gift card? In 2-3 weeks maybe ?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Anything to stop one from applying the gift card to the same account that bought the gift card? In 2-3 weeks maybe ?

You should be able to apply it immediately. I've done that in the past with similar offers. YMMV

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Amazon Prime -- Gift Card Offer -- exp unknown

• $100 -- Amazon Gift Card w/ Holiday Teddy Bear --> Prime Members only

Get a free teddy bear with the purchase of a $100, $150, $200, or $250 gift card.

• Limited quantity available per customer
• Gift Card is tied to plush bear with a red ribbon
• Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
• No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards
• Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
• Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
• Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 10 inches

I sometimes feel left out when a deal is Prime only. There's a cooler I want to buy that is prime only, for example. But throwing in a teddy bear? I'm okay with not getting that deal. Not that it isn't cute and all, but I really don't need a teddy bear. I have two cats. Close enough...

[badgoodDeb]

Yeah, I have no need of a teddy bear either. BUT since I can easily spend the amount on that card, it's basically a free teddy bear. I *still* don't need it, but "free" is drawing me there ....

[issybird]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Yeah, I have no need of a teddy bear either. BUT since I can easily spend the amount on that card, it's basically a free teddy bear. I *still* don't need it, but "free" is drawing me there ....

The Amazon swoosh on the bear's foot bugs me. It's so obviously a promotional item that it's ungiftable.

[badgoodDeb]

Ahhh ... I think the swoosh is cute. But I decided against getting it, because my youngest gift-ee is 9 and pretty much beyond teddy bears. And I myself don't need any more clutter.

[BearMountainBooks]

I'm not so sure 9 is past teddy bears...very personality dependent! I didn't notice the swish, but those things can definitely annoy me.

[tubemonkey]

I rather like the Amazon branding on its foot