jiggersgreen wrote:For what it's worth. I am still pleased with my Viewsonic gTablet I got on Woot. Tons of rom options and great forum support.Easy as pie to unbrick if you screw up. The viewing angle may not be the best but it works for me and I use it on a daily basis.

Really? I had to get rid of that thing ASAP, the screen was just awful - but you are right, lots of ROM options.

Anything the doesn't have a dual core processor these days is just too slow for a tablet, even if the GPU is good.

Having worked on Android apps for these devices, These are my favorites:

In my opinion, the 10" Androids rank:
1.) Samsung Galaxy Tab
2.) ASUS Eee Pad
3.) Moto Xoom

and the 8" Androids/eReaders

1.) Kindle Fire - With Amazon's eBook, Music, and Movie [Cloud] service, this has all the makings of something that can compete with Apple/iPad
2.) Nook Color $199 Very hackable
3.) Nook Tablet $249 Better specs, lets you do netflix, hulu, etc - but a bit late to the party

Everything else was really pushed to market too quickly and before the marketplace and Android had a chance to mature.

All of the above can be rooted and allow for custom ROMs so you can get the latest modded Android OS running on them, or keep them stock.

Lifehacker has a nice writeup on picked a ROM that's right for you!

bigbill25 wrote:You can root it. See:

DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit

--Bill

as long as the latest update hasn't been installed.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t pull your head up from the tablet computer every once in a while, you might miss it."

I wonder if Abe Froman has one of these?

A nerd with realistic expectations!

ThunderThighs wrote:OH MY GOSH! Santa's elves have heard you and they will work overtime to get this to you by Christmas. Notice the little icon is changed!

so just in time for xmas, the old...wwjd softened your hearts huh? ;-)

DisturbedOne wrote:I've only ever seen apps not scale all the way with an iPad
All the Android apps I've used (non-hd) were just blown up to fit the screen.

I forget the specifics, but I've seen it happen wit at least two games. One of a board game(it was either backgammon or Reversi), and the other was an action game.

Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but these have been selling at Walmart (in store only) for $198.

Sweet its like a slow laptop but without a keyboard. Where can I pay additional money for the keyboard. I've gotta have the newest thing!!!!!

I want to get this for ESPN3 and for viewing videos using an HDMI connected from the tablet to the TV. Does the Vizio have any problems doing this? Is there lag or quality degradation? Does anyone who currently own this use this alot for HDMI purposes? what has been your experience.

bpeterson82 wrote:Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but these have been selling at Walmart (in store only) for $198.

This is where Woot! refurbs come from.

b20050 wrote:In for 2. Having read a few different forums on tablets, there doesn't seem to be one that pleases all it's users.

Basically, find one from a reputable company that meets your price point and go with it.

Eventually, these will follow the "razor blade" model and be given away when you sign on for 3G/4G service just like phones.

"given away" = arm/leg in addtl data plan fees

mervone wrote:People, this is not a "honeycomb" tablet for the umpteenth time--it is a Android 2.3 phone based system and that is why it is being fire saled out at a 159.99. Honeycomb has recieved two upgrades and works especially for tablet sized applications. "Ice Cream" sandwich is really going to be Honeycomb 4.0 and it will be evolutionary off of 3.2. This Vizio will become a paper weight within the year. Still for 40 bucks more, buy a new Kindle Fire which will have support for the forseeable future (2 years in tech land).

Doesn't Fire run on their own OS though, not android? I have heard that it doesn't play well with others and likes it's own toys better than anyone else's. There's a reason they spent all those years building up their online business. Kinda like the ATM of the internet. We are going to get you hooked, then we are gonna make you pay! or maybe that's more like crack?

adhurt wrote:Good! I'm not the only one who just jumped in for 3 when a single iPad could cost more.

oh no sir, you are not alone. I even talked my neighbor in to buying one!

I didn't want to be antiquated and stoopid all alone ya know.

john27 wrote:It says it has an IR Blaster. Does that mean, with the right software, it could be a pretty cool home theater remote? It's priced about the same as a mid-grade remote, but should give you the "feel" of one of those neat full touch screen ones! (Assuming you have line of site to all your equipment).
I would totally use this as a home theater remote,

-John

Yes! When I bought this Tablet a few months back, I bought it mainly to use as a remote and it works great! I paid about $100 more and at the time it was the only tablet with an IR blaster. I believe it still is the only tablet on the market with one. Does just as much as any of the Logitech Harmony's (I can't remember which model I had) plus you can browse the web, YouTube, mail, etc...

jose2412 wrote:does anyone know if I would be able to update the android OS at any point??

not that I know. Returned one because of that. Does it do Angry Birds ?

Does this tablet have access to (REAL) Market?
I've ready reviews saying poor battery life. How poor?
I wonder what you do if your device is one of the 5% not supported. Can it learn? Can you feed the codes is from universal libraries?
I wonder if the remote screens can be customized with buttons that act on multiple devices, and if macros are supported (is this a REAL remote, or a gimmick)?

Anyone have info?

Thanks!

dougtaylor1 wrote:Now it says "Arrives by Christmas"

Whooo hooo, lets hope so!

YES

RE: UPGRADING TO ANDROID 3.0 (HONEYCOMB)

The official word from Vizio in June was that yes, Android 3.0 will be available once everything is "stable." The writer of this excellent article, however, shows some skepticism.

Here's an excerpt from the article"
"The 1-GHz processor poses a few questions about the device’s upgradeability to Android 3.0 Honeycomb (the tablet will launch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread). Vizio reps insisted that Honeycomb is on the device’s roadmap, but that it’s “not stable enough yet” to be used. Whether that’s the truth or just Vizio’s way of buying time to create its skin for the new operating system is anyone’s guess, as is whether a single-core, 1-GHz processor will be able to run Honeycomb fluidly. Running a non-tablet version of the Android doesn’t seem to be a problem here anyway, since Vizio customized nearly every screen we looked at, to the point where it’s barely recognizable as Android. It has full market access, though, and operates much like any other Android tablet.

For those saying that the Vizio is sluggish, there is an update that supposedly increases performance significantly.

sdc100 wrote:The specs for this are pretty good; it even has an ambient light sensor. The biggest problem is that it uses Android 2.3, which was the last Android version made specifically for phones. Android 3.0 and above were made with tablets (and phones) in mind. While Android 2.3 is perfectly serviceable, many apps will assume that you're using a phone and ask for phone functions, i.e. ringer, vi.brator, dialer, connectivity, GPS, etc. -- even when there seems to be no reason to do so. Furthermore, many apps are formatted for smartphones so they may not take advantage of the tablet's larger screen. For example, I've seen games that only use a quarter of a tablet's screen.

This tablet is very good and a bargain if you like Android 2.3. But you might want to wait for the post-holiday sales on something using Android 3.0.

PS - I wrote this without knowing if this can be upgraded to Android 3.0. If it can, then much of what I wrote is moot (as opposed to Woot ).

Shoprgyrl wrote:oh no sir, you are not alone. I even talked my neighbor in to buying one!

I didn't want to be antiquated and stoopid all alone ya know.

I've talked my sister, sister-in-law, father-in-law, co-worker, neighbor, and boss into getting one... at least they say they are/did.

Excellent device - even more so for the price.

HughHemington wrote:Does this tablet have access to (REAL) Market?
I've ready reviews saying poor battery life. How poor?
I wonder what you do if your device is one of the 5% not supported. Can it learn? Can you feed the codes is from universal libraries?
I wonder if the remote screens can be customized with buttons that act on multiple devices, and if macros are supported (is this a REAL remote, or a gimmick)?

Anyone have info?

Thanks!

As for the market, yes, this is the REAL Android Market.

HughHemington wrote:Does this tablet have access to (REAL) Market?
I've ready reviews saying poor battery life. How poor?
I wonder what you do if your device is one of the 5% not supported. Can it learn? Can you feed the codes is from universal libraries?
I wonder if the remote screens can be customized with buttons that act on multiple devices, and if macros are supported (is this a REAL remote, or a gimmick)?

Anyone have info?

Thanks!

let me think about those wonderful, insightful questions for a moment. Nope. Pick a question to apply this answer to.

I can't speak for the tablet itself, but I have a case like that for my iPad and it's really great.

In for One Ebay and HP made me do it. Originally wanted the Touchpad but I didnt get it at the price I was willing to pay and now there is no way Im giving Extra money to all the greedy F*c*ers that are sure to try and double n triple their money.

With that said, I think this Tablet is going to do All that I need it for. Of course I hope its not already updated to 1.5 and that the Android community needs to step up and get Cooking. I need Honeycomb so I can use it for Google body. I think I heard it only works for tablets running tablet only OS.

HughHemington wrote:Does this tablet have access to (REAL) Market?
I've ready reviews saying poor battery life. How poor?
I wonder what you do if your device is one of the 5% not supported. Can it learn? Can you feed the codes is from universal libraries?
I wonder if the remote screens can be customized with buttons that act on multiple devices, and if macros are supported (is this a REAL remote, or a gimmick)?

Anyone have info?

Thanks!

From what I've heard, yes, it does have access to Google's Android Market.

Speed and battery life are supposedly significantly improved after an update. See
this article.

Would this be a suitable alternative to MY iPad that my 5 and 2 year old kids have taken over? I can't justify spending another 350 on an iPad just so I can have mine back....I could see spending 150! just hoping someone has a opinion on the "tablet for kids"

Shoprgyrl wrote:Doesn't Fire run on their own OS though, not android? I have heard that it doesn't play well with others and likes it's own toys better than anyone else's. There's a reason they spent all those years building up their online business. Kinda like the ATM of the internet. We are going to get you hooked, then we are gonna make you pay! or maybe that's more like crack?

Fire runs Android - but they've customized the UI to focus on their books, movies, music, and app store (which is basically the android store)

garrettwheat wrote:Yes! When I bought this Tablet a few months back, I bought it mainly to use as a remote and it works great! I paid about $100 more and at the time it was the only tablet with an IR blaster. I believe it still is the only tablet on the market with one. Does just as much as any of the Logitech Harmony's (I can't remember which model I had) plus you can browse the web, YouTube, mail, etc...

That's mostly true, but if you're willing to go Apple (which I usually won't), you can get an L5 Universal Remote for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. It's an I/R dongle that can simulate virtually any remote with the included software. Woot sells the L5 on a regular basis.

I currently don't own anything made by Apple, but grabbed an L5 because I desperately need a replacement remote for my Pioneer DVD recorder. Despite having over 10 programmable remotes, including some Logtechs, I haven't found a good solution because I need to replicate the layout closely. The L5 with a cheap 1st generation iTouch may fit the bill since it uses a virtual keypad so the screen can look like anything you want. Simply download the correct template and customize.

domurat wrote:Really? I had to get rid of that thing ASAP, the screen was just awful - but you are right, lots of ROM options.

Anything the doesn't have a dual core processor these days is just too slow for a tablet, even if the GPU is good.

Having worked on Android apps for these devices, These are my favorites:

In my opinion, the 10" Androids rank:
1.) Samsung Galaxy Tab
2.) ASUS Eee Pad
3.) Moto Xoom

and the 8" Androids/eReaders

1.) Kindle Fire - With Amazon's eBook, Music, and Movie [Cloud] service, this has all the makings of something that can compete with Apple/iPad
2.) Nook Color $199 Very hackable
3.) Nook Tablet $249 Better specs, lets you do netflix, hulu, etc - but a bit late to the party

Everything else was really pushed to market too quickly and before the marketplace and Android had a chance to mature.

All of the above can be rooted and allow for custom ROMs so you can get the latest modded Android OS running on them, or keep them stock.

Lifehacker has a nice writeup on picked a ROM that's right for you!

I agree with almost everything except the Nook color although nice tablet is a single core processor tablet.

They appear all the time on dealnews.com

Search each day, you'll find one eventually.

constantvelocitty wrote:Sweet its like a slow laptop but without a keyboard. Where can I pay additional money for the keyboard. I've gotta have the newest thing!!!!!

Exactly! I already have a netbook (bought from woot) that I hardly use that does more of what I want than this would. I was tempted to buy one of these, but really it's because it's the newest "must have" item, and I don't need anymore crap I don't use.

does the camera in this tablet take still photos or video, or is it just basically for skyping?

Mia7 wrote:Would this be a suitable alternative to MY iPad that my 5 and 2 year old kids have taken over? I can't justify spending another 350 on an iPad just so I can have mine back....I could see spending 150! just hoping someone has a opinion on the "tablet for kids"

This might be overkill since 2 and 5 y/o's tend to drop or throw things, especially when frustrated, i.e. losing a game. There goes your $150 investment. You might want to look into one of the cheap sub $100 tablets out there. I've seen some okay ones for $69. Yes, the screens will usually be resistive but would a 2 or 5 y/o really care? Woot recently had a capacitive Cruz T301 for $79. I've also seen $79 models with cameras, which would probably fascinate your children.

You can go to Amazon's Android Market for apps. They have a children's section.

Alternatively, if they like specific iPad apps, you might consider getting them a sub $200 iTouch, which is basically a phone size tablet.

DarthJay wrote:"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t pull your head up from the tablet computer every once in a while, you might miss it."

I wonder if Abe Froman has one of these?

Sort of. He borrowed it from John Hughes, but only to make an online restaurant reservation. I don't want to name names, but somebody is very lucky Abe is a flaky mofo.

adhurt wrote:I've talked my sister, sister-in-law, father-in-law, co-worker, neighbor, and boss into getting one... at least they say they are/did.

"Gawd, whadda I gotta say to get this guy off the phone?" :P

I was just looking desperately for this bad boy just about everywhere else but here. Came here and saw this with the case and jumped, and can't wait to get it and root it -- depending on how hard XDA says it is...

for non-techies like me, what does "rooting" mean in? i've seen it mentioned several times in the messages . . . sorry . .

pohlmacs wrote:Looks like Sears has this for $149.99 +tax/shipping (no case):

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00331264000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00331264000

Sear's doesn't have inventory...

loatsie wrote:for non-techies like me, what does "rooting" mean in? i've seen it mentioned several times in the messages . . . sorry . .

It means taking full control of the device so that you can make modifications that the manufacturer never intended. This includes unofficial upgrades and the ability run things that you normally can't.

ldthaler wrote:In for 2 after reading reviews on newegg, amazon, and vizio (neg and pos), this will suit my needs, hopefully at some point I can upgrade to honeycomb or ice cream if not oh well. I ordered 2 android tablets with 2.2 and they were very glitchy and tempermental. They were 99 a peice so for peace of mind I will spend the extra 60 a piece for these. Hope WOOT is right on shipping and they make it by christmas. Boy am I glad I didn't jump on any of the Cruz offers lately. Thanks WOOT for helping me finish my shopping. I think this makes 12 diff things between all of the WOOT sites.

Mobiletechreview.com Article: Android OS and Updates

The Vizio tablet runs Android OS 2.3 Gingerbread rather than the tablet-centric Honeycomb 3.2 OS. Gingerbread is meant for Android smartphones, though we've seen it and older OS versions on several 7" tablets including HTC's decidedly classy and pricey HTC Flyer/HTC EVO View 4G. Vizio went with Gingerbread because it afforded them more room for customization (Google still keeps tight reins on Honeycomb), and because there are many more OS 2.x apps in the Android Market vs. Honeycomb apps. Vizio plans to release a Honeycomb upgrade for their first tablet at some point, and they're also aggressive with firmware updates that improve performance and may add new apps (we've been testing their beta firmware releases on our unit). Even if you're not a techie, it's nice to know the company is continuingly working to improve the product. We noted a significant speed increase in the app launcher and tweaks to the IR blaster AV remote with these updates: the launcher went from sluggish to very responsive.

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tablets/Vizio-Tablet.htm

In for one. Wanted to get one for my 3 kids to get them off of the laptop and my Epic 4G android phone.

Was looking at the Asus Transformer, but didn't want to spend $300+ on the kids, so this should fit the bill for a while and I can get the Transformer Prime 32GB when they start to drop in price in ~6 months.