Which Tablets are the Most Open?

[Rizla]

I want a tablet where I can easily move my data on and off the device easily, either via a USB-cabled device (external drive, USB key, etc) or via an SD-card.

I do not want to be restricted to a proprietary cloud.

Presumably having this facility will reduce my need for internal memory space as I can move my data on and off. Though it would be nice to be able to expand internal storage using an SD-card.

I also want to be able to purchase media from a variety of sources (including using my ripped DVD's / CD's and reading my existing DRM-purged ebooks) and importing and using them on the device. I don't want to be locked into one vendor's store.

I don't care about the size or the speed particularly. I'm am concerned with 'openess.' I appreciate there is no such thing as an open device, but some devices are more open than others.

[FinancialWar]

Ipad isn't too bad

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by FinancialWar

Ipad isn't too bad

Are they difficult to transfer data to and from PC's?

[Sregener]

Google Nexus is a very open device. The iPad lets you transfer files using iTunes on either a PC or a Mac, and isn't terribly difficult, but the catch is the files have to be transferred to an application, not merely stored on the device. The Nexus becomes just another hard drive that you can copy files to/from with any file manager program.

If you have access to the Apple Market or the Google Play Store, you have a device that is not dependent on a single provider for your content, since these stores have apps for all the content providers (including free ones.)

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Sregener

Google Nexus is a very open device. The iPad lets you transfer files using iTunes on either a PC or a Mac, and isn't terribly difficult, but the catch is the files have to be transferred to an application, not merely stored on the device. The Nexus becomes just another hard drive that you can copy files to/from with any file manager program.

If you have access to the Apple Market or the Google Play Store, you have a device that is not dependent on a single provider for your content, since these stores have apps for all the content providers (including free ones.)

How can one transfer files from a PC to the Nexus?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Rizla

How can one transfer files from a PC to the Nexus?

You would just connect the supplied USB cable between the Nexus 7 and the PC. An explorer window will open on the PC just like with any other USB device, and you can drag and drop files between the PC and the internal storage folders on the Nexus.

Once you've got them across:

Your apps on the Nexus should then recognise the files (though sometimes you may need to drop them in specific folders).

Alternatively, you can install a file manager app (I find ES File Explorer to be particularly good) on the Android device, and then navigate to your files. Opening one will pop up a list of the apps that you have installed that can handle it. Pick the one you want and the file will open in that app.

Graham

[Rizla]

Okay, thanks. I didn't realize it was that simple to move data on and off a Nexus. I'd got the impression data could only be loaded onto it via the cloud.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Okay, thanks. I didn't realize it was that simple to move data on and off a Nexus. I'd got the impression data could only be loaded onto it via the cloud.

I should add the disclaimer that I don't have a Nexus (sorry) so please if I've got this wrong above someone jump in and correct me. However, all four other Android devices in our household work this way.

Having said that, bringing things in from the cloud is often a better way of doing it than using a cable. Dropbox and Google Drive both work very well with Android devices. I used to use a cable a lot, but now I find that I simply open the relevant file from Dropbox and a local copy is made automatically.

Graham

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Graham

I should add the disclaimer that I don't have a Nexus (sorry) so please if I've got this wrong above someone jump in and correct me. However, all four other Android devices in our household work this way.

Having said that, bringing things in from the cloud is often a better way of doing it than using a cable. Dropbox and Google Drive both work very well with Android devices. I used to use a cable a lot, but now I find that I simply open the relevant file from Dropbox and a local copy is made automatically.

Graham

There's an additional, even easier way for Nexus 7:
You can connect (more or less) any USB storage directly to the Nexus' Micro-USB-connector.
In Google Play, you find a Nexus 7 specific file handler: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...aW1wb3J0ZXIiXQ..
Whether you connect any USB stick, harddrive or whatever mass storage you may have: You directly can process the files. No PC needed, only any standard USB-OTG-cable and some USB mass storage. And some files of course.

[wallcraft]

I was concerned about file transfers to my Nexus 10, but as Graham said, when connected via USB to a Windows PC you have to option of treating the device as a USB drive. The transfers also seem faster than I am used to with a Kindle Fire and various ebook readers.