Tablet Computer Advice Needed

[AlanHo]

I have just placed an order for a Google Nexus 10 Tablet computer which will be a birthday gift for my wife.

She will expect and need me to be an expert at setting it up and showing her how to use it. She will mainly use it for Email, web browsing and showing off her photos (taken on her digital camera and not the tablet) to friends and family.

I have an Android smartphone which I am slowly getting to grips with but the one aspect of using the Android tablet I am not sure about is how to transfer her photos from the camera SD card and save them on the tablet for viewing later.

I have read conflicting views on the web regarding two methods - one which requires the tablet to be rooted plus some associated software - whatever that is - which sounds dangerous for the uninitiated.

The other method is to buy an OTG cable which is plugged into the tablet's mini USB port to allow a standard SD card reader to be connected in conjunction with obtaining some file transfer software.


Any experts out there with some advice that will turn me into an "Expert" and impress management.

[Gandalph]

I've had a sniff around Alan and came up with this Forum, asking just the same question. Might be worth a read through. It will give you some ideas. http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-nexus-7-tablet/205179-transfer-photos-camera-nexus-tablet.html

[AlanHo]

Thanks Gandalph - I have been having a good Google for a couple of days and have seen lots of similar advice on various forums. I'm not sure whether I have seen the one you found though.

I don't fancy any solution that requires the tablet to be rooted - I can't risk finished up with a dead tablet because from what I have read it's a bit like flashing a BIOS or meddling with the registry on a PC - one slip and it's curtains.

[MANEMAN]

Hi Alan. - No need to root. (Well. - depends what sort of rooting you like of course.)

Follow below advice and I can almost guarantee that you will be on a promise come the Birthday eve. :D

( If you do get stuck at all just give me a ring mate.)

Very first thing is to set up a GMail account if you haven't got one already. - You are going exactly nowhere without one !

On one of your computers, as a Bookmark / Favourite, - bookmark Google Play (App Store) ( https://play.google.com/store )

You are now able to install Apps from either your Nexus device or your home computer, - straight to the Nexus 10 - Clever !

Install " Airdroid" on the Nexus 10 from the store. ( https://play.google.com/store/search?q=airdroid ) Free !

You can read about what it does in the following link. Basically you can move files straight from your computer wirelessly to the Nexus 10 just using your normal browser, also you can have a dig around the file system of the Nexus from the comfort of a home computer browser - Again clever stuff ! - http://www.airdroid.com/

Purchase your OTG USB Cable. Then. - Go to the Google store Purchase / Install the Nexus Media Importer (about £ 3.99 I think) You can now start storing stuff on a USB stick or Flash Card and streaming it straight to the Nexus.

It has got to be an OTG Cable. They are wired differently to a normal USB cable Alan. ( Pins 4&5 Strapped)

That's about it really Alan. It is simple to handle like Linux or a Mac in many ways. No complicated installations or uninstalls like Windows.

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To make the Nexus really worth having spent out the money on. :D

Go also for - Apps - : In the Google Play Area (Store)

Avast Mobile security - Obvious what this is !

Camera Launcher for Nexus (by MODACO) - 'Cos Nexus didn't put one on !

TV Catchup. (by GZERO) - Gives you "all" the Freeview Channels

BBC iPlayer - (ITV have yet to come up with anything for Android)

Tune in Radio (by Tune In Inc) - A Radio

Met Office App

Soundwire (by Georgie Labs) - Lets you stream music from your computer to the Nexus whilst you are in the garden sipping the G&T's. :)

Koi Free (by Kittehface software) - For a really excellent animated desktop wallpaper.

Cool Reader (by Vadim Lopatim) - As a book reader that works well without too much bloat or bull***t.

UK Newspapers (by Baris EFE)

Wi-Fi Finder (by JI Wire Inc)

Bubble Level (by Antoine Vianey) - Make sure that any erections are level and plum.

Task Manager (by Sand Studio) - Lets you close all apps with the touch of a button.

[AlanHo]

Thanks John

That is a great help.

It would appear I have a bit of a learning curve to climb - but you have made it much easier. All Libby's friends have got iPads and I am hoping she will not be disappointed with the Nexus. On paper it looks the dog's whatsits and I recall you were happy with your's.

[D4\/!d]

MANEMAN, we'll see if this site will allow me to ppst.

The above is guidance for a Nexus.

My wife has a Kindle Fire.

What guidance can you offer for a Kindle Fire?

Esp the bit about copying files, such as books and films, from my PC to her Kindle Fire.

Umm, what did AlanHo mean.

On paper it looks the dog's whatsits and I recall you were happy with your's.

I didn't know you were unhappy with your whatsits.

[MANEMAN]

:)

OK. Here we go again. The Kindle fire in fact is perhaps even easier because just like the Kindle reader, as soon as you connect it via a USB lead to the computer it shows up as a drive in "My Computer". The only problem being that I dont think they give a USB cable away with the "Fire" (At least they didn't) cheap buggers. So if you want one you'll have to buy one. I've got the Kindle Reader and file transfer is very simple.- Drag and drop.
The "Fire" works in the same way but obviously there are different areas (Folders) for Books, Movies, Mp3's etc; or you can create new folders

So, all you would do is connect the Kindle to the PC via USB, Open "My Computer", find the drive that says "Kindle" expand that out to see the folders and then drag or copy the files from your computer into the appropriate folders.

The other way is wirelessly. (It is of course required that you have WiFi Router/Network) Go to the Amazon Store. Download WiFi Explorer Pro this will cost you about £1 (Dont choose the free one !)
You have to have set up an Amazon account before you can purchase. Here is how the app works:


"Setup for WiFi File Explorer PRO is simple and easy. When you open the app, it automatically detects nearby Wi-Fi networks and supplies you with a URL address to enter into the Web browser of your computer. You'll also be prompted to enter a password (which you will create when you first begin using the app).
Once your phone Kindle Fire is connected to the Wi-Fi network, it's easy to go to the computer (which must also be connected to the network) and access the Web address. You'll find that your phone's Kindle's files are there to be browsed, downloaded, or even streamed whenever you wish.
In this PRO version, you can also upload, sync, delete, copy, and zip or unzip all the files on your Android phone Kindle and computer, which makes it a great overall file manager."

This App will also work with other Android devices.

On paper it looks the dog's whatsits and I recall you were happy with your's.

I was drunk, i was happy, I had finished my fish and chips, I used the chip paper to satisfy a fetish, end of story !

I have paid my fine to the court, and would rather the whole episode was now forgotten.

[MANEMAN]

All of the above, both for Nexus and Kindle Fire seems perhaps complicated when written down in so many words. In actual fact it is far easier to understand than Microsoft Windows.

The Google Nexus tries to keep you tied in to Google. The Kindle Fire tries to keep you tied into Amazon.
Only when you "Root" them can you start to pull away from those ties. Both of these devices are Android, both can be rooted.

I.E. - There is no steep learning curve to using either of them. The terminology is perhaps a bit different because we are saying things like "Root". Describing programs as "Apps", and giving them a file extenstion of ".apk", and a few other things that Linux and Mac users are more comfortable with.

What does "Rooting" mean ? Lowest explanation is that once rooted you can do what you like with your device. You are not tied.

You can learn a lot more about it and Android in general. Here ! - What is Rooting on an Android ?

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iPad users seem quite impressed with the Nexus 7&10 Alan (Across the Internet, - and my kids. :D )

When you first turn the Nexus on you may be asked to update to the latest version of the operating system. - Do it.

Russian equivalent of Google (Yanex) opened up their own version of an App Store last week. The Apps are gradually getting more and more. - Cheap too.

John.

[MANEMAN]

Yandex story: Links

http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2013/02/25/yandex-store-shell-android-launch-mwc/

http://www.yandex.com/

[AlanHo]

I have another question - how do you print photos or documents stored on the Nexus directly to your home printer?.

I am assuming that I can print stuff indirectly by hooking up the Nexus to a PC via USB - but it would be nice to do it direct without the go-between.

At home we have two PC's with colour laser and inkjet printers connected to my computer by USB and shared over the home network. Both printers are capable of being connected by Ethernet if it helps (provided I ever get to grips with the faff of getting them set up that way)

Is there a way to do it without learning Russian................ :lol:

[Irene]

You could use an 'App':

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=cloud+print&c=apps

[MANEMAN]

Irene is correct Alan.

She has spoiled the whole thing though because I had just found a Czechoslovakian Android Printer app with audio instructions only, which had a very heavy and annoying sound delay on it.

To keep the thread going a bit longer I will add a few more things that may be useful for the future.

One of the things that I look at when I buy something is, - if it goes wrong, can I fix it myself ?
Main concern for me is battery life. I don't want to be left with a brick just because a battery has failed.
I found a very good website for my Nexus 7 which covered this theme. They haven't got around to doing the Nexus 10 yet but I expect they will. Here is the website which covers a lot of Tablets, - including the iPad

The website is here: http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Tablet

This is well worth a read also Alan: Why Android Geeks Buy Nexus Devices

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Alternative Battery Solutions

[AlanHo]

Thanks for the printing tips.

The Nexus arrived a couple of hours ago - madam is out shopping with her sister - and I am getting it set up.

My first impressions are very favourable - the 2560 x 1600 (300 ppi) display is stunning. Her photos are displayed in great colour, contrast and definition.

No wonder Apple are rapidly losing ground to Samsung - the Nexus 10 is better in almost every respect than an iPad and £100 cheaper.

[AlanHo]

I bought this gadget for my wife's tablet to transfer her pictures from the camera SD card.

It works a treat in conjunction with the "Nexus Media Importer" app.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007SKG9MS/ref=pe_217191_31005151_3p_dp_1

[MANEMAN]

Nice find Alan.

I think what I have been most impressed with is the clarity of these things as you have already said.

Watching TV on the previously mentioned "TV Catchup app" is great, and I have also been downloading YouTube Videos and Documentaries for those times when you are sitting about perhaps waiting for someone to finish shopping, or waiting at the doctors or hospital.

There are lots of YouTube downloaders out there, but I found that one of the best and fastest is on the free portable
Slimbrowser
Start the YouTube movie a button appears (Download) press that, and the movie is downloaded almost as fast as the first 20 seconds of the film !

Good sources of Documentary type films can also be found at the following:

http://fulldocumentary.com/

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/

http://www.sprword.com/mustwatch.html

http://www.documentary24.com/

You may have to hunt around to find downloaders for some of them on Google.

One good 'un is: iWisoft Free Video Downloader