Which Tablet

[Gerard]

Peter,

So i will have dongle's sooner than a tablet. 

Which tablet would you prefer? And what about a tablet with W8 on it.

Grtz Gerard

[PeterSt]

Gerard, I am not sure whether I am the one to answer this. Just not enough experience ...
A few thoughts :

You don't need W8 for multi touch. W7 can do that too.

W8 could be more akward than you'd ever want. With a desptop I am a little used to it by now, but to say that it's somewhere more convenient or nice or anything ... no. Not that I could find. It's merely that you must find your ways in getting the normal UI operable. Then it's okay (but what for ?).

Any Win tablet will be more thick, but it will also be able to do much more. That is ...

Any non-Win tablet will be able to do much more than you are used to for the Win environment. Of course it depends on your needs. But if it were for me than I would not take a Win tablet on purpose. I'd get the usual old stuff ...

Depending on your needs with the tablet (and how often and where you use it), focus on battery life. Not that I know how, but focus on it anyway. I expect a Win tablet never to last longer than the iPad or Android ones.
But Android too is not the best for that at all. Again, I don't know how you should arrange that focus, but notice that the things can be advertised with "plays music for 17 hours" and "plays video for 8 hours". Of course you look at that music play time, and think "okay, I don't even do that, so ...". But wrong. When you play music the screen is supposed to be off and *that* surges your battery. When you browse the whole day instead, expect your battery to be drawn as fast as video playback. Ehm, at the start. Because in a months time the battery will be worn out somewhat and battery life will be less.
And less.
For example, the iPad does very well. My Android, advertised with 37 hours of music playback lasts maybe 4 hours. And it's brandnew. Of course, I can let it switch off in two minutes and dim the screen. But I want to use it and have it readable.

Don't fall in the pitfall of 10" etc, because it will be a wide screen, and in my view that is not handy at all. Divide the height into the width (like 1024 / 768 or 800 / 600) and have a factor of 1.33. Can be somewhat higher, but 1,60 really is "wide". So, more inches (that's how it works) but less area to work with. You'll use the thing in landscape mode, but at the bottom there's always a "control bar". So, there goes more of your height.

Additionally to the latter : when you have a close to 10" with the proper ratio (wxh) you will be okay for the size and readability. The iPad complies to this. Others ? harder to find.
Zooming (enlarge the font size) solves this, but now there's less "text" per page and not all conveniently reads by zooming (like books because one page will now be spread over more).

For the real experience I better refer to others.
Peter

[PeterSt]

There's one foremost important other thing, though not many will recognize it or will even be ignorant about it :

Readability is determined by the font smoothening (like it was introduced in W7 I think). This is all related to how the sooming (or your set "scaling") works out to the scaling of the fonts. Now :

Only with a loope you will be easily able to see (thus, in a shop) how this works out. Look for even characters, which they often are not. Also look at different "documents" for it, because a browser, a book, a PDF are treated differently.
Also (but in the same realm) these devices (like e-readers) can be advertised with 800x600 while in reality there are 800 x 400 (etc.) and the remainder is faked (this is the zooming principe).
So, while this determines the sharpness of it all, besides that you may get crazy of the uneven characters. An E may have less pixles in its upright leg in one place compared to the other (one cm further). I see this right away, possibly caused by my "movie" (HTPC) experience and upscaling. Once you have this in your brain, you won't be able to look at it.

So, unless people shout outloud that this feature is right all over, go to a shop, bring that loope and compare yourself. You will see ...

Peter

[Gerard]

Ok 

I will use it only for XX nothing more.

Will be a ipad i guess.

Thanx

 

[PeterSt]

Notice that you could be ready with far under 200 euro (incl. 19% VAT) with an Andoid based tablet.

[Gerard]

Notice that you could be ready with far under 200 euro (incl. 19% VAT) with an Andoid based tablet.

That price sounds nice too. ;-) If anyone has a nice thought about which i could get.

Only for XX noting more.

 

[Stanray]

I have an iMac and windows laptop and I'm not religious concerning platforms. I will need a tablet for XX HG and occasionally for surfing and reading email while travelling, nothing more.
I'm thinking of a Android thingy (which?) or an iPad2 (which can be had for under 400 euros).
Anyone?

Thanks,
Stanley

[juanpmar]

I´m in the same situation as Gerard, I´ll get the dongles before the tablet, I never have had any tablet before so any advise from the most experienced or from the ones who understand better the XX needs will be very welcome.

So far the two candidates that I had on mind were the iPad and the Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201...

Best regards,
Juan

[Calibrator]

If anyone has a nice thought about which i could get.

If you don't currently have a tablet and are undecided what to buy, consider whether you want it exclusively for XXHE remote control use only, or perhaps you might like the idea of a bit of web browsing action while reclining in your chair listening to music. Perhaps a session of Angry Birds sounds appealing also .. hehe.

Try and look for a tablet with the highest native screen res in your budget. Something around 1024x768 would be good, 1280x800 is very nice. Of course the screen attributes comes into account, so ideally you will want to read some reviews or look up YouTube for reports.

To gauge what physical size screen would suit your needs, temporarily set your music PC screen res to that of your intended purchase, then step back from the screen until the perceived size mimics the size that your tablet might look when held in your hands at a comfortable viewing distance. If you can comfortably read the text then I would suggest that you won't have issues with the impending new remote XXHE GUI.

I have attached a screen capture below to give an idea of how readable even the current GUI can look. The trick, or rather not a trick at all, is to ensure you have no scaling required between PC res and tablet res. In other words 1 to 1 pixel mapping. In the example below I set my spare test PC test environment to 1280x720 and using Remote RDP, set the options to 1X pixel mapping. The tablet I use is 1280x800 (Samsung Tab 7.7), so the 80 extra pixels in the vertical, when used in landscape mode, accomodated the status bar always visible at the bottom while using Remote RDP.

There are a myriad of tablets appearing on the market now and it can be a challenge sifting through the junk. Stick with a recognised brand and you generally can't go wrong. Oh, and if going Android, try and get one with Ice Cream Sandwich operating system already installed (v4.x) or where the manufacturer has stated a OS upgrade to ICS is in the pipeline.

Cheers,

Russ
 

[Calibrator]

One thing I forgot to mention, and I guess it goes without saying, but make sure it has Bluetooth connectivity. I say this because some of the lower priced Chinese products do NOT have that function.

[Calibrator]

I´m in the same situation as Gerard, I´ll get the dongles before the tablet, I never have had any tablet before so any advise from the most experienced or from the ones who understand better the XX needs will be very welcome.

So far the two candidates that I had on mind were the iPad and the Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201...

Best regards,
Juan

If this is your first foray into the world of tablets you will love the experience

Both items mentioned will be more than suitable to control XXHE; the only question you need to answer is if they might be a little larger than you need if it's main function is just to control XXHE.

My suggestion would be to spend an hour at your local PC stores and have a play with some different sizes

If you enjoy reading you will find the smaller sizes are better as ebook readers also.

Cheers,

Russ 

[juanpmar]

the only question you need to answer is if they might be a little larger than you need if it's main function is just to control XXHE.

If you enjoy reading you will find the smaller sizes are better as ebook readers also.

Cheers,

Russ 

Thanks Russ,

If I only spend, let´s say around 200€ I´d use it only as XX remote but if I think around 400€ or more I´d like to use it also for reading or browsing the web. I think that I´d rather the latter option.

Regards,
Juan

[Gerard]

Russ,

Thank you that are some nice idears!

 

[manisandher]

Although I use an iPhone (mainly because there are docks for it everywhere) and although my wife has a 1st gen iPad which is OK for occasional web browsing, I have to say that I really, really don't like Apple as a company and would avoid their products if I could. About 10 years ago I had an Apple Titanium laptop and quite liked it - it looked gorgeous, worked well with MS Office for OSX and had a long battery life. But nowadays I just hate the way Apple treats people, as if we're all morons. I mean, you have to give your credit card details to Apple before you can get the iPhone to work! I can't remember if the same is true with the iPad (maybe not if you already have an Apple account).

Having said this though, I probably will order an Apple iPad 2 for XX remote control duties after all, as it seems the safest bet. Ordinarily, I'd go for the Asus EeePad, but think the 10.1" widescreen is unnecessary. Also I've read a few alarming user reviews on Amazon (cracked screens, etc).

So unless anyone can come up with another recommendation, I'll place my order for the iPad 2 later today (310 UK pounds from Amazon).

Mani.

[Gerard]

Yup after i bit thinking i have the idear too for an ipad2

388 euro.

 

[CoenP]

Fwiw, if you're going the Apple route I suggest to save for the ipad three aka 'the new ipad'. No, I urge you to!
It's screen is the best I have ever seen. Razor sharp, fantastic contrast and colours.
This should really help navigating with xx. As an every day user if it I can contest that the difference with an ipad two is night and day.

And this forum is about high resolution, eh?!

Coen

[PeterSt]

If it is for XXHighEnd only, consider the Archos Arnova 8" 8 G2 4GB. Can be bought here for 118 euro incl. 19% VAT.

I selected this one myself at first, but went for a more expensive one because of 3G, GPS and longer battery life (Archos 8" 80 G9 8GB, 199 euro).

To only try out a few things only I'd really go for the cheapest which reasonably should do the job. 118 euro is a gadget. 199 already is not, let alone 400.

So, just some thoughts again.
Peter

[manisandher]

Haha, too late for me. I already ordered the iPad3...

I would have happily settled for a cheap Android tablet, but wanted one with ICS and of course bluetooth. After a bit of time researching, it became obvious that such a device isn't that easy to find. So I opted for the iPad3.

Mani.

[PeterSt]

Good. I just came back to emphasize on the size. So, mine is 8" and it really is too small to my likings. Not for XXHighEnd control (you will see ) but for general reading. The iPad is 9.7" I think, and that really makes a difference ...

[juanpmar]

Just in case the new iPad (iPad 3) would be the final choice, could someone tell me what model to choose?. I´d use it mostly as remote for XX but also occasionally as ebook and surfing the web. I think that I don´t need 3G (or 4G)...I guess

Best regards,
Juan

[CoenP]

I've got the 32gig one without 3/4G. Wifi seems ubiquitus in urban area; coffee stores and McDs are everywhere. Only if you want to use it on the road you should consider the 3g version.

Regards, Coen

[juanpmar]

Hi Coen, thanks for the advise

Regards,
Juan

[manisandher]

Juan, one of the things I really like about my iPhone is the FaceTime feature (video phone). I travel a lot for work and it's just great connecting to a hotel's wifi and being able to spend as long as I want talking to my family back home... absolutely free. I know that Skype do a similar thing, but it's really easy on the iPhone if the recipent also has an iPhone.

It occcured to me as I placed the order for my iPad3 that FaceTime would be great on it. But I'm not actually sure it works unless you have the 3G/4G version - I mean, how would it have a phone number without a sim card?

If you want to explore video phoning then a 3G/4G might be a better option. But I really don't know about any of this so a more experienced Apple user might be able to confirm this.

Mani.

[juanpmar]

Thanks Mani, maybe a more experienced iPad user could help us about to get the 3G model or not because could be a good idea to communicate with someone else using also the image.

Best regards,
Juan

[juanpmar]

It occcured to me as I placed the order for my iPad3 that FaceTime would be great on it. But I'm not actually sure it works unless you have the 3G/4G version - I mean, how would it have a phone number without a sim card?

If you want to explore video phoning then a 3G/4G might be a better option. But I really don't know about any of this so a more experienced Apple user might be able to confirm this.

Mani.

Hi Mani, reading the iPad manual I´ve found that you only need wi-fi to use FaceTime (see pg 55 http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/ipad_user_guide.pdf.) If you are outside in a place without wi-fi you can use your iphone with 3G to provide your iPad with 3G.

That means that if I am going to use the iPad mostly as a remote the best option is the cheapest one or as much the 32gb model , although I´m not sure if I need that extra 16gb. This extra 16gb cost 100€ that I could use for example to buy an authentic ebook. I´m not going to use the iPad to store movies or to play games so probably the 16gb is my best option. I´m going to wait for a while before I order it to see other´s opinion.

At 479€ for the cheapest iPad I must add also the price of the bluetooth dongles, two in my case, and that makes a total of 579€ which is a big amount for a remote.

Best regards,
Juan

[PeterSt]

If you are outside in a place without wi-fi you can use your iphone with 3G to provide your iPad with 3G.

Are you sure about this ?

Anyway, don't think that you can thether the iPad with WiFi from the iPhone. Alost any phone will do it, but not the iPhone. That's why you "have" to by the iPad 3G version - assuming that you also will have an iPhone.

At 479€ for the cheapest iPad I must add also the price of the bluetooth dongles, two in my case, and that makes a total of 579€ which is a big amount for a remote.

Wait until you spent that other 100 for "sh*t" you will need. It starts with a cover (unavoidable) and when not careful you want a keyboard, a mouse (but you can do without) and when not more careful you like gadgets like an Apple TV (which is a must-have, but costs a 100 alone).

For a remote ?


Peter

[CoenP]

If you keep things simple 16g will do, eur100 for 16 extra gigs is a lot of money. I was running into the limits of my 16g ipad1 though, thats why I opted for the 32g version.

Keep in mind that the ipad is potentially much more than a xx remote. On my work I use it for taking notes and reading documents and mail. Though I have a laptop from my employer I find the pad much more convenient for all tasks save for the making and editing of office documents. Whether you go the apple or android route, you will be amazed by the many (free) apps.

If you want a realistic picture of the total cost I would factor in the magnetic cover and a rear protection skin. Especially when you have kids running around.

Though I don't have a 3g version I am pretty shure that the ipad-apps do not care what kind of internetconnection is available (wifi or 3g). Facetime is through your apple-id between apple divices. For skype you need your own skype account.

Regards, Coen

[juanpmar]

If you are outside in a place without wi-fi you can use your iphone with 3G to provide your iPad with 3G.

Are you sure about this ?

Anyway, don't think that you can thether the iPad with WiFi from the iPhone. Alost any phone will do it, but not the iPhone. That's why you "have" to by the iPad 3G version - assuming that you also will have an iPhone.

At 479€ for the cheapest iPad I must add also the price of the bluetooth dongles, two in my case, and that makes a total of 579€ which is a big amount for a remote.

Wait until you spent that other 100 for "sh*t" you will need. It starts with a cover (unavoidable) and when not careful you want a keyboard, a mouse (but you can do without) and when not more careful you like gadgets like an Apple TV (which is a must-have, but costs a 100 alone).

For a remote ?


Peter

No, I´m not sure, I just read that it is possible to use the iPhone to thether it to the iPad.

Of course I know that I´m going to use the iPad also for some other things, like surfing the web or reading the XX forum but you are right, there are an unlimited world of accesories that can rise the final cost.
On the other hand the difference with the cheapest device to be used as remote could be around 300€. Does this difference make it worth what the iPad offers in terms of image quality or speed surfing the web?. I need to make further investigations.

Regards,
Juan

[CoenP]

Just a last remark on the new ipad screen. Do not underestimate the importance of this for reading (ibooks, but especially surfing the web). Next to the better sharpness, the new ipad screen had far better contrast, wich helps too. I think the money is well spent in the end.

I have not seen any comparable screen yet. The best other one is the Blackberry Playbook, which is much smaller and runs on RIM. You can emulate Android on it, but that doesn't work well for most apps. Not an option really I think. On the positive side this device is a super bargain compared to the alternatives..

regards, Coen

[PeterSt]

For those who can't decide :

You have to realize that the iPad has no other connections than WiFi. So, nothing, nada, zilch. Together with some Apple policies this means that certain file types (like eBooks) can't be obtained over your network because no functionality is there to do it. So, something like "Copy" doesn't exist, but grabbing files by means of applications (say "readers") can. If you have that app(lication).

This comes down to sheer stupid possibilities of DropBox to do things. I would go cracy for sure, and I am in much luck that I don't use the iPad at all.

So ... one key decision point is that I'd say any other tablet will have a USB connection. Now you are in lack of nothing. But watch for the USB connection anyway, because possibly the cheapest devices don't have it, but then to save on costs.

And about Apple's attitude ... yes indeed. So for example, when you activate your iPad you MUST install iTunes on some other (WiFi) connected PC. Installing iTunes is the worst, already because it needs QuickTime and it goes into everything. iTunes can be thrown out after the activation, but whether you will ever be able to throw out all ... maybe not. NEVER do this on your Audio PC.

Peter

[PeterSt]

Which tablet would you prefer? And what about a tablet with W8 on it.

I now can think of one pro for a Win tablet, and that is the more direct communication with the Audio PC. So, the iPad needs a trick - Android based the same.
I am not sure what this is worth because I never tried a Win tablet ...

Peter

[juanpmar]

The other device I always had in mind is the Asus EE Pad Trasformer. It has several advantages like the possibility to use it as a tablet or as a notebook with a detachable keyboard that also add extra battery time. It also has an USB 2.0 port.

Peter, wouldn´t you mind to take a look and give me your opinion in terms of functionality as remote?: http://eee.asus.com/en/eeepad/transformer-prime/specification/

Best regards,
Juan

[PeterSt]

Hi Juan. Ok, FWIW :

I just read a test from lat February (in Dutch) and it says that it's the first tablet which can meet the iPad2 response and smoothness (only with Android 4.0 that is). BUT :
This is about the latest version, the Prime. So not your Eee and not the TF300 (I think this Prime is also called the TF700T).

These thingies cost 600 euros (incl. our 19% VAT) including the dock and 400 without dock. The dock (+ keyboard) may not be all that convenient as promised, because of incompatility issues. What I read is that earlier it was sort of unusable in the first place, while improvements till today only show a few issues left, but people say that because of these issues it may be more convenient to just use the touch screen.

What I read I recognize from my 1Kg UMPC Asus (Vista) "tablet". Things are half baked, stop working, needs reboots or doesn't start without being plugged into the mains. Physical mouse often doesn't work, physical keyboard (wired) almost never works. So, I don't read the very same things, but what I read feels "Asus".

So, can match up with iPad2's response, but is more expensive already without dock. Without dock no USB, but there's an SD card entry so still usable on that matter.

Lastly, don't think you can use such a small device (screen) for "laptop usage". Do NOT think that the higher resolution compensates for anything, because that works the other way around (start XXHighEnd on a 1920x1080 screen and you will understand).

Best regards,
Peter

[PeterSt]

Another thing :

It only last week occurred to me that you people are going to obtain tablets because I say they will be feasable as a remote from off 0.9z-7. So, many seemed to ask for it, and now it occurs that only few own one at this moment. This was not my idea about it all. Hence, now I sort of feel responsible for your 400+ spendings on a remote which obviously must be the most slick of all. Well, maybe it is, but trust me for now it won't. Or maybe it will. It is actually up to you.

On to the title of this post ...
Most probably you all have laptops. What's in my mind : djeezz, use that !
You must also remember what this actually is all about : using a form of remote which is convenient (and which is not commands only) without the LAN being active and merely : no WiFi. With that, you can already do it, but it has never been advised (explicitly rejected by me actually), so by now it may not be in your mind anymore that a laptop will do fine and possibly even better. But the whole thing -for the solution- is based upon laptop use (don't forget this sentence) and it is only that I extended this to iPads/Androids because you asked for it. Either way though, 0.9z-7 will provide those non-WiFi and non-LAN means, so ...

Stick to that laptop. Or at least at first. Wait until you have that tablet for other reasons anyway.

Lastly, I bought that Android so I can test/develop for you. Probably I won't even use it in the end, at this moment a bit depending on how "convenient" I can get it, related to eyes with glasses which makes me to put off my glasses and have my nose 10cm from the screen to ever read what I need to read for general control/settings. And yes, I increased the font size already. For example, browse this forum and type a post ? NO-WAY. Oh, my glasses are -5 for your reference.
The only reason I might stick to the tablet is because it's easy to lay in a convenient corner in the kitchen while "working" there. And yes, nice that the coverart mirror back (Unattended) shows me the tracks. But I really first need to increase the font size of that before I can ever read it from a normal distance, and *that* will cause much not to fit (read : no solution).

Again about the iPad. Yes, my wife uses it. But half of the time she's behind the laptop or another PC to do the things we are used to do. Just because the iPad doesn't allow a few things (start with torrent stuff).

Lastly and to be clear : I won't shed one tear when you won't be using XXHighEnd on a tablet while I spent some bloody hours on it. What I (all) created for it is a general thing and it was needed anyway (and that maybe took 400-500 hours). Maybe right now I need to make one tiny thing taking me 1 or 2 hours, needed explicitly for a tablet. That really is all. So don't let yourself be bothered by that.

[Gerard]

hmmmmm so does that mean a second pc in the same room can work?? W7

So buy something bluetooth stick it in a usb port and that will work one way or another?

 

[manisandher]

Hey Peter, if we use a laptop, does this have to remain switched 'on' as we play music? I mean, if the laptop goes into sleep mode, would the remote connection automatically resume on bringing the laptop back to life? Even it this works OK, I assume keeping the laptop on is useful for hot keys, etc.

The issue I have is that I hate the fan noise from laptops (and desktops). Yes, you could say that you won't hear it when music is playing, which may well be true, but it still bothers me all the same. No, a tablet that works well for XX remote duties is what I want - totally quiet, easy to operate (just for remote duties) and a long battery life. Perfect!

I'm happy to be a guinea pig to test how well the iPad3 solution works. Those who are not sure how to proceed might want to just hold off ordering an iPad2/3 until those of us with one have a chance to test it out. Meanwhile, as Peter says just use a laptop or something.

Mani.

[BertD]

hmmmmm so does that mean a second pc in the same room can work?? W7

So buy something bluetooth stick it in a usb port and that will work one way or another?

 

If this would become true...

The PC is always running anyhow because I am not "allowed" to work on the Music PC and then having a Window on my main PC to play music through the NOS1 would be very much welcome!

Bert

[PeterSt]

hmmmmm so does that mean a second pc in the same room can work?? W7

So buy something bluetooth stick it in a usb port and that will work one way or another?

 

Yes ... That is, with the dongles you will be receiving next week or so.

[Gerard]

Well that will be great for now. First see how things will work out.

 

[BertD]

Yes ... That is, with the dongles you will be receiving next week or so.

Hi Peter,

I just returned from Holidays and did not read back too far (not sure if I will be capable either...) but I did pass something about bluetooth dongles.

Am I too late for having a pair of those for my system?

Bert

[JohanZ]

hmmmmm so does that mean a second pc in the same room can work?? W7

So buy something bluetooth stick it in a usb port and that will work one way or another?

So one dongle in the audiopc and the other one in the ipad.......or
???? I had the impression that the set of dongles are also usable for the ipad. Or do we need an adapter for the ipad?
Johan

[juanpmar]

...using a form of remote which is convenient (and which is not commands only) without the LAN being active and merely : no WiFi. With that, you can already do it, but it has never been advised (explicitly rejected by me actually), so by now it may not be in your mind anymore that a laptop will do fine and possibly even better.

Stick to that laptop. Or at least at first. Wait until you have that tablet for other reasons anyway.

I think you are right Peter, I´m going to use a computer as remote and see how it works. I have two possibilities:

- As I work with a computer in the same room where I have the music system I can use this pc as a remote. I don´t use it with wi-fi or lan. This computer is absolutely silent.

- I could use also a HP netbook mini 110 that I also have although its battery doesn´t work and it has to be connected to the wall, this model doesn´t have bluetooth either, so I must buy an adapter if I want to use it.

Meanwhile let´s wait to see what others with tablets can say about their experience (thanks Mani).

Best regards,
Juan

[PeterSt]

this model doesn´t have bluetooth either, so I must buy an adapter if I want to use it

I know I am talking in secrets all the time. But didn't you order a few of those already ?

[PeterSt]

Am I too late for having a pair of those for my system?

You ?

[juanpmar]

this model doesn´t have bluetooth either, so I must buy an adapter if I want to use it

I know I am talking in secrets all the time. But didn't you order a few of those already ?

  -------> 

[Robert]

Received my dongles in 2 weeks in NZ. Cautiously waiting to apply them.

I need to purchase an Android device. I'm thinking cheap and basic to only perform remote tasks for XXhighend. Can get Archos by mail order but have noticed cheaper devices in discount computer shops.

Is there any minimum requirements or traps I need to watch out for?

[Calibrator]

I need to purchase an Android device. I'm thinking cheap and basic to only perform remote tasks for XXhighend.

For those still undecided on what tablet to get, if indeed you want to use one rather than a laptop, then the Google Nexus 7 announced last week ticks ALL the boxes at an impressive price and a small form factor. This eagerly awaited collaboration between Google ( the creators of the Android OS ) and ASUS, is richly featured and rumoured to be priced at a nil profit point.

There are a number or reviews appearing on the net for it; the following is just one typical .... ( http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406552,00.asp )

Should start shipping in a week or shortly afterwards via Google's online store .. ( http://www.google.com/nexus/#/7 )

Cheers,

Russ

[PeterSt]

I think it is a good time to wait a few weeks; what I notice (and this is only from the last 3 weeks or so) is that the tablets emerge all over now for up to under a 100 euros. Two major concerns :

How do they really behave regarding speed;
How is the screen's performance. So, there's another subject I didn't mention earlier and this is the view angle of the screen. For example, my Archos is close to impossible to watch from the right side even at some 10-20 degrees off axis only. From the left side it's okay (up to 180 degrees). And this wasn't even such a cheap thing.

Also, those 100 euro babies all seem to be 1024 x 768 (@9.7 inch (same as iPad)) which is a good (no, the best) aspect ratio IMHO.

For 100 euro you can try one or two.

Knowing the screen's performance in advance will be tough. But look for a 2 core processor. That it's 1GHz (while it can also be 1.3Ghz or around that) is not the most important. The 2 core is.

To give an example : The Medion (or anyway what we tend to call "From Aldi" overhere), will be reviewed quite "badly" but only because it's much less feature rich than its predecessor. But watching closely - none of that you will need for this little task. It would be my typicle advice right now, weren't it that I can't tell how the screen (angle) operates and whether it's smoothly operating in the first place. That latter too is a kind of moot *IF* you only use it for this remote control.

HTH
Peter

[PeterSt]

For those (from this area) who are interested in Medion/Aldi (always appreciated as the best stuff at super low prices), the one I am talking about is hard to find on the web if you don't know that it exists. It is this one : http://www.diskidee.be/2012/06/22/aldi-medion-tablet-is-goedkoop-maar-geen-goede-koop/26975/
(299 euro and not the 399 euro you will find easily)

What people may not know either is that Medion can be obtained via a webshop, and that it is not at all so that you *will* be in a queue in the physical shop to find out that whatever it was already has been sold out. See here : http://www.medion.com/nl/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE+LIFETAB%C2%AE+P9514+Tablet+%2810+inch%29/30013887A1?category=tablet&name=Tablets (which is NOT the tablet I was referring to above - it is not there yet (but should be since 4 days or so)).

Peter

[PeterSt]

The only reason I might stick to the tablet is because it's easy to lay in a convenient corner in the kitchen while "working" there. And yes, nice that the coverart mirror back (Unattended) shows me the tracks. But I really first need to increase the font size of that before I can ever read it from a normal distance, and *that* will cause much not to fit (read : no solution).

By now I'd like to withdraw this - mainly because I have it all working now such that it is a pleasure to use. Also, this is not only for laying in some corner for easy access and it is merely about carrying it anywhere and in the mean time select some music. So, stupid example : you are sitting outside, hearing music as background music. Of course your tablet is always near you, and it will at least tell you what is playing at the moment, no matter it is bearly audible because you are outside. Next of coure you can put some other album on the fire.
And put up the volume.

All the most obvious to those using it already - and then especially in the Apple environment. But for us poor bastards that is not so obvious at all. It is also not so obvious that what you're in fact doing is working on your Windows PC - or at least you can (this is more tedious but with some experience quite doable).

But still I'd say it is better to wait it out a bit. That will just save you money (for Androids - not for Apples). For example, I can't advise my Archos really. But worse, I now like the new ones on the market which are way cheaper. In how much time ? the date when this topic started I suppose.

Peter

[PeterSt]

And another criterion I can think of :

Once the tablet is going to be in the 600-700 gramms range (1.3 - 1.5 lbs), it is no fun anymore. It should be into the 500's (1.1 lbs) (or less).

[PeterSt]

[...] then the Google Nexus 7 announced last week ticks ALL the boxes at an impressive price and a small form factor.

(the emphasis is mine)

Ok, who is funny here, you or me ?

Am I wrong at saying : the larger the better ?
Or are we looking for an e-(book-)reader ?

No. This really can't do the job. 7" and 1280x800 ? waaaay too low. Draw yourself this AR and the 7" and see what's left.

This Nexus is to read books and hold it in portrait mode.
Of course this is my totally personal opinion and I don't have time to read books. But of course we have such a 7 incher somewhere, and it really is a no go.

Eh, a Nexus 10 maybe ?

[Calibrator]

No. This really can't do the job. 7" and 1280x800 ? waaaay too low.

Perhaps we should simply agree to disagree on this size point Peter The AMOLED screen on MY tablet is superb, and almost universally acclaimed as the best in the business. I have no issues browsing websites with small text, and everything is crystal clear, even at very oblique angles nearing 90 degrees. It all comes down to readability in the end, and if a particular tablet has a cr*ppy screen, regardless of size, then the usability is certainly compromised.

Cheers,

Russ

[PeterSt]

Perhaps we should simply agree to disagree on this size point Peter 

Oh no, that is not going to happen. I NEVER agree to disagree - I just want to be right. Didn't you know that ?

So Russ, what you obviously can't see - thus know, is that we need some physical height to complete our operations. So, imagine as a first, that anything in whatever XX-Remote will look like, will NOT operate by zooming. Oh you can, but if we want people to be hospitalized - ... no.
Next, you have a physical height again of the screen. You do that math or measure. Then we have the physical thickness of fingers, and of course I don't know about yours, but assumed you are not a woman, they will have "some" size, and a number of them will fit in a row in the height. I'm sure you get what I mean. Finally we have a couple of controls to do our thing. So, it is assumed that about the same number of controls can fit in the height as the amount of fingers you just carefully put together for that same height. Not quite, because the controls need a distance in between them or otherwise you will be tapping the wrong one.

Now imagine something which allows everything and all for music selection and playback. Yes, incorporate picture sizes as well, and understand that one picture is better visible than two under eachother (which obviously will be half the size as one only). But also envision some scrolling which will go 1 by 1 if there is 1, or 2 by 1 when there are 2, or 3 when there are three. Don't forget those "some controls".

8" for this at 1024/768 is quite okay. 8" for 1200x800 already will not be okay at all *is less tall). Not many will understand this easily without sitting back and think a lot, but I am sure you do. Remember, it is me who says that 1024x768 at 8" is quite okay. Not you, and you will have to believe me. Oh, "quite okay" means "rather bigger please".
And now we have to do this with *and* 1280x800 *and* at 7" ?
No way ...
There's just no vertical space.

Of course, it is not necessary to do everything and all (like I intend it) and so your phone will do the job just as well. But I will not try to tell anyone that it will be a convenient thing. Use Play, Stop, VolUp and that sort of stuff - all right. But music selection as well ? nope.
I am not saying that I couldn't have made something more smart - just that I did not and that this is explicitly *not* made for anything that small.

Now people can go out and get their Nexus7 if they want. I have said my thing ...


Peter

[Gerard]

For those (from this area) who are interested in Medion/Aldi (always appreciated as the best stuff at super low prices), the one I am talking about is hard to find on the web if you don't know that it exists. It is this one : http://www.diskidee.be/2012/06/22/aldi-medion-tablet-is-goedkoop-maar-geen-goede-koop/26975/
(299 euro and not the 399 euro you will find easily)

So you have this one Peter? And it works fine??

Looks nice for the price and if it is only meant for remote.

 

[PeterSt]

No, I don't have that one. But I think it would be a nice option *if* you'd use it for remote alone. There's nothing much further in/on that tablet, but this is exactly why the price is nice for its job. Plust that "Aldi" always presents fine stuff (IMO).

Peter

[PeterSt]

Now I'm typing in this topic anyway ...  This is what happens with sizes and inches and stuff :

iPad2 (9.7" @ 1024x768) 19.5 x 14.5 = 282.75
iPad3 (9.7" @ 2048x1536) 19.5 x 14.5 = 282.75
General (8" @ 1024x768) 16.0 x 12.0 = 192
General (7" @ 1280x800) 15.0 x 8.5 = 127.5


The size measures are in cm, but it is not important because it is about the relations. Now, a few things to take notice of :

- Using the tablet in portrait position (holding it upright) makes the width too small to be usable. Thus it must be used in landscape position
 
- The usable area of the 7" compared to the 9.7" is more than twice less (the 127.5 vs. the 282.75)

- The resolution is totally unimportant for the subject "controls and being able to tap them easily". The physical size is. But :

- The resolution determines the Aspect Ratio, which is why the 1200x800 loses height so fast. Thus, the 7" emerges because of teh "oversized width".

So it's a strange thing for you maybe, that the resolution doesn't tell a thing about the usefulness, but, as I told, without taking zooming into the equation. Thus, the higher the resolution the better the sharpness is kept when zooming - but zooming isn't in order because that is the most inconvenient thing. It works, but preferrably you are looking at a fixed screen and tap what you want to tap right away. When zoomed, the control concerned must first be "swiped" (dragged) into view by means of moving the whole screen until you see the control appearing.
Far sought it can also be taken into account that something like the iPad3 may have that high resolution all right and thus zooming doesn't degrade (much), but the source must have this resolution first, and that means that the source must have a 21" monitor attached as a prerequisite, or otherwise the resolution will be just that 1280 x 1024 or whatever it normally is - but low(er).
Keep in mind that we keep on talking "RDC" here, where the source PC determines everything. Normally browsing the internet is a complete different story and this post is not about that at all.

So, it is about the height we always need, because the width is to be assumed fixed because of using the tablet in landscape position. Of course we could use it portrait just the same, but it needs the experience to know that you won't want that. Thus, looking at e.g. the iPad with its 14.5cm width and seeing that this is about the same as the height of the 8", it almost becomes a phychological thing to not use the iPad upright just the same while having that 8" at hand with the same width and you use it like that. Almost impossible to explain, but still the iPad is used landscape, unless it is about reading a book because that depicts upright reading because of its measures (the height being taller than the width).

From this point of view it is me who decided that everybody uses his tablet in landscape position, but combined with the sheer resolution capabilities of the source PC as well. This is also a bit complicated to explain and see through, but when you want to use your remore control with a PC as source and what to do that in portrait mode, you first have to set the program concerned (your XX-Remote program in this case) in upright position so it will match the tablet's position. If we now look at our general 1280x1024 source (or otherwise a landscape source which will make the story worse) we have 1024 in the height and according the AR of the tablet 768 in the width *if* the tablet would be a 1024x768. You'd be using a surface of 768 (width) x 1024 (height) and on the source PC's monitor it will be clear that all the space to the left and right of your XX-Remote is left unused. So, available space in pixels is 1024 but you use only 768 of that. When the source monitor is a widescreen like 1280 x 768. the available space in the width is 1280 but you use 768 of it only.
Here too it is a psychological thing becase when you do the math, and the tablet is 1024x768 only anyway, it won't matter a thing because looking at the result the number of pixels used stay the same anyway.

Okay, I better stop because it becomes difficult for me to follow myself, so let's stick to those physical sizes and what they may do to you. Thus, that 7" widescreen has 8.5cm (3.5") in height and now look at your fingers to judge how many controls can be in view and which must be tappable. But not only that because there's informative stuff as well, like coverart or playlist or whatever you are actually used to. As said/implied in my earlier post - nothing wrong when a bunch (or even all) of playback controls and shortcuts are there as the only controls. All will fit easily and that will be usable (could be control by a smartphone), but if there's even one picture needed all stops. That is, if you want to see what's on the picture as well.

Lastly, and to urge you to understand and not make mistakes, would a 7" be 1024x768 it would be way better already. Is this clear ? So, never look at this 10" or 9" or 8" or 7". You must look at the aspect ratio and actually the physical width x height at the first thing. Actually the only thing, because the diagonal measure is a very moot thing.
Compare it with obtaining your first widescreen TV while being used to the old 4:3 AR, and while the old TV could be 24" and usable, the same 4:3 pictures/movies now suddenly need a mayb 34" screen to show the picture as large (with black at the sides). It is the same story.

Peter

 

[Gerard]

For those (from this area) who are interested in Medion/Aldi (always appreciated as the best stuff at super low prices), the one I am talking about is hard to find on the web if you don't know that it exists. It is this one : http://www.diskidee.be/2012/06/22/aldi-medion-tablet-is-goedkoop-maar-geen-goede-koop/26975/
(299 euro and not the 399 euro you will find easily)

What people may not know either is that Medion can be obtained via a webshop, and that it is not at all so that you *will* be in a queue in the physical shop to find out that whatever it was already has been sold out. See here : http://www.medion.com/nl/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE+LIFETAB%C2%AE+P9514+Tablet+%2810+inch%29/30013887A1?category=tablet&name=Tablets (which is NOT the tablet I was referring to above - it is not there yet (but should be since 4 days or so)).

Peter

Here it is. Little more expensive.

 

http://www.medion.com/nl/electronics/cat/Tablets/tablet_33;jsessionid=9A49ABC1BA5950CAF97A00B1EEE2B26C.appserv14

[juanpmar]

Hi Gerard,

It looks that the MEDION® LIFETAB® P9514 Tablet can only be found in Medion NL, I wonder if the tablet will have installed other languages ​​such as Spanish or English

Regards,
Juan

[Gerard]

Hi Gerard,

It looks that the MEDION® LIFETAB® P9514 Tablet can only be found in Medion NL, I wonder if the tablet will have installed other languages ​​such as Spanish or English

Regards,
Juan

Hi Juan,

I don't know but Peter does i think. 

Grtz Gerard

[PeterSt]

No, I know as much as you do. Sorry.