Lenovo P10 Android Tablet For Christmas - Some Handholding Please - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 10:48:21 am
content: Santa brought me an Android tablet for Christmas but having been brought up in the world of MS Windows and Linux this all seems very different. The whole interface seems to be dumbed down and after a day with the thing I have a host of questions:1. There is no file browser and when I insert a working SD card no icon appears anywhere on the screen. How do I read files imported from outside the machine via SD card or USB connection rather than downloaded? Note that I have tried the files:/// trick with Chrome but I get a permissions error.2. How do I setup a printer?3. Everything including setting up additional software appears to be done via the Google Play store. Is there any way around this or do I finally need to surrender to the Google way of life?4. How do I type a text file and then save it somewhere on the machine?5. Google Maps works and so does the GPS (which is more accurate than the one in the car). As this tablet does not have a SIM socket (WiFi only) is it possible to use it for navigation?Yeah, I know, this sort of thing is common knowledge to some folk but this is my first Android device so I need some hand holding here. Once the laughter has died down is anyone prepared to step up and help?

author: StillTrying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 10:59:10 am
content: "the Google Play store. Is there any way around this or do I finally need to surrender to the Google way of life?"Dunno, but I was reading this a few days ago.A Guide to Using Android Without Selling Your Soul to Googlehttps://gizmodo.com/a-guide-to-using-android-without-selling-your-soul-to-g-1827875582

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 01:17:23 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on December 26, 2019, 10:48:21 amSimplest thing to do is install a 3rd party file browser/manager. Search Google Play for the same. I've no particular recommendations to offer.I will however recommend the app "AndSMB" for uploading/downloading from Windows/Samba network shares - saves all that juggling with SD cards. Not the easiest thing in the world to use initially, but once set up with a library of network shares to access it is quick and easy to use.QuoteSee if your particular printer vendor offers their own app for managing printers. Search Google Play by your vendor's name. (Yup, this is going to rapidly get repetitive, let's just shorten that to "SGP" shall we?)QuoteThere's a Google Play alternative available atf-droid.orgthat provides an app like Google Play but that just catalogues free and open software. Usefully it lists when apps have what it describes as "anti-features" such as privacy risks. Ironically you can download the f-droid app from the Google play store. SGP for "f-droid"You can also "side load" individual apps but that's a bit more involved and requires care if you're not going to acquire spy-ware and other nasties along your way. Best leave that until you're more familiar with the basic territory.QuoteYou'll need an app for that. Google already supplies "Docs" and "KeepNotes" apps and there are plenty of third party alternatives available, from ports of the classic vi/vim UNIX text editors to more tablet friendly alternatives.QuoteYes. Google maps will let you download areas of interest as off-line maps and save them to the device. There are a number of Google maps alternatives such as Open Street Map.Quote

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 06:28:55 pm
content: Thanks for the replies so far.1. has been solved. I have a file browsing program but it needed permissions setting for the app to browse the SSD, after which I can see files transferred over USB in one folder. Supplying a file browser that can't browse is kinda crazy.5. has sort of been resolved but not in a way I would like. You can only download google maps for offline use if you have a google account.Printing, text editing and avoiding Google Play Store remains on the list.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2019, 07:08:35 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on December 26, 2019, 06:28:55 pmGo for Open Street Map instead then. Not as slick, a bit crusty in some corners but completely open, free, and devoid of any surveillance capitalism.Or, if you are prepared to pay for a mapping/navigation app then I can recommend Sygic which I've used for a few years and is one of the best. There's a free version, only the "advanced navigation" feature requires paying for. You can side load it fromwww.apkmirror.comif you want to avoid the Google store. You can download maps country by country.