Acer Iconia A100 7" tablet questions

[ronin688]

I bought two of these last week during a boxing day sale and am returning them tomorrow due to this issue. (Video isn't mine. Found it while googling the issues I was having.)

http://youtu.be/YrDXfj6TchM

The touchscreen works properly as long as you're holding it, but put it on a desk, couch, or in your lap, and the screen doesn't respond properly to touch input.

I had this exact same behavior on both the units I had, so I'm just returning them instead of trying for a replacement or a fix from Acer.

I'd say that conservatively 1/10 page turns didn't work while using Aldiko or Kobo (swiping). Either it wouldn't turn at all, or it'd skip 2-3 pages, or it'd trigger the menu. I quite often read on the couch with the tablet propped on my leg, or on the armrest of the couch so this was just unacceptable to me.

I could live with the viewing angles, but I read about 500 pages a week and that works out to 2500 mis-turns a year.

[robertc88]

Thanks for the recommendations about the screen. It is the deal breaker for me currently but if I can get better detail and clarity, I would much prefer to hold onto this device than the NT. Time will tell.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by ronin688

I bought two of these last week during a boxing day sale and am returning them tomorrow due to this issue. (Video isn't mine. Found it while googling the issues I was having.)

http://youtu.be/YrDXfj6TchM

The touchscreen works properly as long as you're holding it, but put it on a desk, couch, or in your lap, and the screen doesn't respond properly to touch input.

I had this exact same behavior on both the units I had, so I'm just returning them instead of trying for a replacement or a fix from Acer.

I'd say that conservatively 1/10 page turns didn't work while using Aldiko or Kobo (swiping). Either it wouldn't turn at all, or it'd skip 2-3 pages, or it'd trigger the menu. I quite often read on the couch with the tablet propped on my leg, or on the armrest of the couch so this was just unacceptable to me.

I could live with the viewing angles, but I read about 500 pages a week and that works out to 2500 mis-turns a year.

I haven't had any problems with the A100's touchscreen at all. It's usually rested on my body while holding (when reading in bed) or set on the arm of a chair (when connected to the TV).

I also haven't had any problems with page turns when e-reading, but I haven't used Aldiko or Kobo. I use the Kindle app, and I tap rather than swipe to turn pages.

There's a touch panel sensitivity setting on the Acer Iconia A500 (Apps | Settings | Screen | Touch panel sensitivity), but unfortunately, I don't see a similar adjustment for the A100. I don't know if that would help with the problem anyway, though.

[DreamWriter]

Here's a tip that may help some with viewing angle problems on the Acer Iconia A100....

Screen clarity is adversely affected when the device is tilted at a certain angle when held in landscape orientation. It may be most noticeable when the device is tilted back if you're holding the device so that the "on" button is on the upper left. If so, try turning the A100 "upside down" so that the "on" button is on the lower right instead. Depending on how you're tilting the device, this may help a lot.

[robertc88]

Well I returned the a100 and picked up the a500.

I didn't read the last post till now but I grew quite tired of trying to lock unto the ideal viewing angle. The a100 easily offers more features than the KF or NT but.......

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Well I returned the a100 and picked up the a500.

I didn't read the last post till now but I grew quite tired of trying to lock unto the ideal viewing angle. The a100 easily offers more features than the KF or NT but.......

I hope you enjoy the A500. I really like mine! There are no viewing angle problems with the A500 (that I've noticed) and the longer battery charge is very nice. It is quite heavy, especially when compared to the smaller A100, but that hasn't been a problem for me. I've been using the A500 mostly for movie-streaming to the TV via HDMI and web surfing, while I use the A100 more for ereading and watching movies on the device while in bed (it's easier to hold and I like that the speakers are on the side).

I seriously thought about getting the Kindle Fire when it first came out. It seems like a great device, but I didn't like its lack of storage and ports. And the carousel is a turn-off for me. I did research the A100 before purchasing, so I was aware of its limitations (poor viewing angle in certain positions and short battery charge). I was able to buy the A100 for a bit less than the Fire, it has all the storage and ports I wanted, and it does everything I expected—so I'm pleased.

[Venus]

Can someone please tell me what browser you are using with the Iconia? I have the a100 and I love the size. I feel challenged but I am learning fast. I have downloaded Kindle, Nook and Overdrive apps. I am used to the iPad browser and find the browser that it came with as user "unfriendly". I will use my Nook Touch for home reading, but want this tablet as a stand alone when I travel. Any suggestions and/or tips would be wonderful.

[Greg_E]

Give Firefox a try. What do you find unfriendly about the stock browser?

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by Venus

Can someone please tell me what browser you are using with the Iconia?

I use Dolphin Browser HD on my Iconia A100 and A500. I've never used the iPad, so I can't say how it compares to that, but I really like Dolphin. The "gesture" feature is fun. You can teach it a gesture to use for frequently visited web pages and then draw it on the screen to go there. I use "M" for MobileRead.

[DreamWriter]

Just thought I'd mention that this little iHome iHM60GT Rechargeable Mini Speaker sounds great with the Iconia tablets!

It has a battery that recharges via USB, and the headphone cord is longer than others I've seen (about 32"). The speaker itself is only 2.25" across, but the sound is amazing! You can daisychain two together, but one speaker seems fine to me.

Amazon sells it for $19.99, but it's currently out of stock there. More are expected in early to mid February. I was able to buy one at a local Staples store for the same price.

Right now I'm listening to Beatles music using the free TuneIn Radio app. The latest version of this app has "car mode," which you can use to speak commands. Love it!

[robertc88]

When I try listening to a radio station, I lose the broadcast when I open a new tab and try to web browse at the same time. Any way around this?

Also, I cannot watch an episode on cwtv. A square comes up with a ? inside. Not sure what file format the acer needs to reconcile.

[Venus]

Originally Posted by Greg_E

Give Firefox a try. What do you find unfriendly about the stock browser?

I don't really find anything wrong with the stock browser, it is just that if another browser offered more, I was interested. I will try Firefox and I will try DreamWriter's suggestion of the Dolphin browser. Thank you both for your helpful advice. Anything that you or DreamWriter can offer as suggestions is much appreciated. I am still struggling.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Also, I cannot watch an episode on cwtv. A square comes up with a ? inside. Not sure what file format the acer needs to reconcile.

I just tested that. I can't even get onto that website using the stock browser. I get a message about there being too many page redirects. I don't have any problems going to http://m.cwtv.com using Dolphin Browser HD and the videos there play fine. Using Dolphin, I am prompted to choose either ES Media Player or Video Player, and both work.

[robertc88]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

I just tested that. I can't even get onto that website using the stock browser. I get a message about there being too many page redirects. I don't have any problems going to http://m.cwtv.com using Dolphin Browser HD and the videos there play fine. Using Dolphin, I am prompted to choose either ES Media Player or Video Player, and both work.

It would have been nice if the site prompted me for which player the device needed to utilize to play the video when I was trying it.

ES Media or Video Player, did you installed those on your own? Or are they part of the Dolphin Browser HD?

[robertc88]

Any of you folks try these honeycomb tips?

http://zetastix.com/mobile-phone/20-...ps-and-tricks/