yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Hi,

at the moment I own iPad 1 with 3G. I do not really like iOS and the way the whole device works but I bought it instead of a (any) Honeycomb tablet anyway. There were few reasons behind my decision and they are still valid.

But... from what I have seen playing in the shops with Honeycomb tablets - I really, really prefer Android to iOS (and from what I have read this will not change once the iOS 5.0 is introduced).

I am patiently waiting for a HC/ICS tablet that will meet my expectations but device itself is just a part of the success. I will also need software that I am using now. I would appreciate if you could tell me names of equivalent apps (preferable the same apps) I am using now.

Netflix - it was the main reason to get iPad instead of HC tablet. But since I am based in Poland I want to make sure Netflix app installation will be as easy on Android as it was on iPad (I just needed account in US iTunes - that is it).

I read there is an update to TF that brings Netflix support - is it for all users (regardless of location) or just for TF's in USA?

Buzz Player - beside 720p mkvs it plays everything I have stored on my NAS drive (it is using Samba protocol to access). Subtitles (people are complaining about it) are not an issue since I do not use them.

WD Photos - already know it is available on Android - any one kows how does it look/work on HC instead of smartphone with A 2.x?

VoD apps - ABC Player, BBC iPlayer, 4oD, Crackle, ITV Player - all available ass apps for iPad (unless because I will have Flash I do not need them - but will video from them work on mobile device without any hacks?)

Office - Pages and Numbers equivalent

Facebook dedicated app - as Friendly

iBooks - I got quite a lot of books on my NAS (epub format) and there was no trouble in putting them to iBooks, iTunes was not needed and they look awesome. I want app like this, with page flipping, etc....

Pandora - ?

Google Music designated app - that I do miss a lot nowe as using it through the Safari is a nightmare

XC Currency

Flipboard

MobilesRSS (or something looking as nice that works with Google Reader)

Filebrowser (to access all files on my PC's nad NAS drive)

TeamViewer

Evernote

Skype

Download manager (with support for hosting services like Rapidshare or Filesonic)

Proper support for VPN connections - all I do now is choose a connection to one of VPN servers and click connect (no need to enter password every single time).I use hem a lot because of Netflix, BBC, etc.

Basic I got access to all free apps in US, UK and Polish iTunes store and I did not had to do any Jaibrake or anything like this.

I really hope I will be able to get the same level of usability form Transformer 2 (maybe Archos Gen9) or in general a HC/ICS tablet.

Since I do not have any android based device I am unable to access Android Market myself and check if applications are there and (what is more important) how do they perform.

THANKS for help (I presume a lot my my questions are quite obvious ones - sorry).
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] asdfuogh:
I think netflix is US only at the moment if you are unwilling to root. I have no idea about some of the stuff you ask for but ive seen evernote, skype, and some of the other th ings you mentioned. I really like the office app that comes with the device (polaris) and i think i saw some threads mentioning vpn crap. Anyway, if you wanna use android, id say, expect less apps that dont really matter, but youll probably find decent apps that most normal people require. Plus, you get to tinker with it and stuff withiut fear of steve jobs haunting you at night.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Apps mentioned above or their equivalents are the ones that I require. Beside that I do not care home many millions of other software is available for iOS or that Android has a smaller choice because that is the only thing I need. If I can not use services I am using now there is no point in spending money on a new device.

Any ex-iPad owners here?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] asdfuogh:
What i really was trying to get you to do was to hit the search bar and look for these yourself.. since that's probably going tobe the difference betweeb the ipad and android devices.. Notice how i alluded to having seen peple mention these things.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] earlyberd:
That's a long list of software. :p

I'll do my best to list off what I have currently installed, or apps that I've heard will work.

Netflix - I'm not sure how to help you with that one. You'll probably need root to get it working properly.

Buzz Player - Dice Player is probably the best Android video player so far, plays 720p mkv with no hassle and has full hardware acceleration. Subtitle support is built in too, just in case you feel like using subs in the future. Currently there are less supported formats than Buzz Player, but the developer is constantly updating. As far as accessing files stored on your NAS, you will definitely need root if you want Dice Player to be able to stream. Once rooted you just have to install the cifs module, then use the Cifs Manager app to auto mount your NAS to a folder that Dice Player can see.

WD Photos - Never used it, but it is listed as being compatible with the Transformer. No idea if it will work.

VoD Apps - Availability of native Android apps is all dependent on your region. Often times though there are Flash-based workarounds for watching them through your browser.

Office - Polaris Office comes pre-installed on the Transformer, so you'll have basic functionality for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

Facebook - You can side load the phone version of the app, or use Friend Me. Personally I prefer Friend Me.

iBooks - There are several ebook readers available. Asus' MyLibrary comes pre-installed and has page turning animations and native support for epub format.

Pandora - There is a native Android app in the Market.

Google Music - Comes pre-installed on the tablet integrated into the default music player app. You just open up Music and add your Google account, and you're set.

XC (XE?) Currency - Another app that has a native Android version in the Market.

Flipboard - Feedly is a reasonable alternative. Personally I use Pulse for all of my news consumption, but that's a completely different UI.

MobilesRSS - Try the native Google Reader application.

File Browser - File Manager HD is my favorite. To browse Samba shares, you simply add one under LAN Connection in the menu.

TeamViewer - A native Android app is available.

Evernote - A native Android app is available.

Skype - A native Android app is available, although video chat has not yet been implemented on tablets. There are however several other video chat apps available, and Google Talk has native video chat capability on all Honeycomb devices.

Download manager - I would give DownDroid a try. I don't typically do a lot of downloading on my tablet, so I can't attest to how well it works.

VPN connections - Again, several different apps available that do basically the same thing. I've heard good things about NeoRouter VPN, but I would suggest trying several different apps to see which one you prefer.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] frosty5689:
PPTP VPN is supported natively (not sure about the others). I only use PPTP and OpenVPN (which requires root). For Office, look into QuickOffice HD, although it costs 19.99. I strongly suggest Splashtop HD over TeamViewer, just because its ALOT smoother. For RSS I suggest Reader HD, it looks and works better than Google Reader.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
First of all thanks for taking time...

If you do not mind I would like to add additional (NO!!! NOT APPS!!! :-) ) questions.

- so Netflix as such is still not available for HC tablets?

- Buzz Player on iPad just simply uses Samba protocol and if the Android Buzz Player can do the same than it is no problem. I do not use that many different file formats. So, Dice Player does not support Samba or uPNP (these are supported by my NAS My Book World Edition)? As to 720p mkv's... I still read comments form ppl. that they stutter on Tegra 2 based devices. I suspect that that depends on ripped file itself. But since I know I do not want a Tegra 2 based tablet (lots of threads about it already here) it is not a big problem.

Just a news. Friend of mine came over with his iPad 2 few days ago. Some of my 720p playd fine on iPad 2 but some ot them stil stutter and were unwatchable. All of them play super smooth on my netbook (Atom 330 + nVidia ION). This means that current gen. of ARM SOC's is not there yet. I am really interested how new Gen9 Archos will perform here (with TI Omap 4 1,5 Ghz under hood - all good but why are those tablets so ugly? ;-) )

In case of iTunes and iOS that simply meant - get account in US or UK store and free apps became available. Setting up such account is also no problem. Has anyone tried to get free apps from let say US in UK or the other way round or (unlike in stupid iTunes) free apps (like those players) are available to download and install for everyone (they might not work due to wrong IP but this is a different matter).

In another words (I do not know sht about rooting) how hard will it be for noob like me to get them?

And putting books (epub files) I already have on my NAS drive or PC will not be a problem?

I use it when I am next to my desktop but and app (compatible with Google reader - like this Mobile RSS) and designed for tablets is just much nicer :-)

This is hjow it works in Filebrowser and in Buzz Player. They both see NAS in the network and both use Samba to get access.

I do not have plans like that either - but just in case ;-)

Hmmmm... in iOS VPN support is built in. I do not need any additional apps to make it work as I only set-up additional connections under settings -> VPN.

So, HC does not support VPN connection on its own??? Strange as (besied ppl. like me who use VPN to watch movies from USA in EU) it is important business feature...

Also... if I need and additional app to create VPN connection... and connect to the server... question is how and if will it affect apps like Netflix Player or internet browsers as both Netflix and HULU require US IP in order to allow stream.

Thanks for that to you as well!
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] reidar.ostrem:
Ex-Ipad2 user here:

- Netflix works! On stock FW, just installed and tried :=)

- Im using MX Player and Diceplayer, nice combination.

- For Google RSS try out d9-Reader! Best there is.

- Using PPTP VPN native for US IP towards Netflix.. :)
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Netflix - are you from US or different country (after sending post saw your flag - stupid question! LOL!) By that question I mean - can anyone download app from the market or does an Android market need separate accounts for US, UK, Poland, etc?

If Netflix was part of an Asus update - was it for everyone or just US owners (than how will I get it in Poland?) - bearing in mind above - how did you get it in Norway?

PPTP protocol is offered by my VPN provider (see my signature) so that should not be a problem.

Do you have to enter password every single time you want to connect (iPad remembers passwords like this)?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] reidar.ostrem:
Android marked is differentiated in terms of country, device, os etc...

Stock NetFlix that works on latest TF update: http://db.tt/yBGwjeN :)

I also liked the ipads feature to remember the password for VPN, android does not do that unfortunally.. (as far as I know.. i have to enter pw everytime)
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jtrosky:
I own an iPad 1 and an Asus Transformer. To be honest, the apps on iOS are usually better - even for the exact same app! That does seem to be changing slowly over time, but iOS still has the upperhand in terms of App quantity & quality.

And I still cannot access my Cisco VPN @ work with my Transformerer either (Cicso IPSec w/pre-shared keys).

In my opinion, the iPad is still a better choice for business use. The apps are better and you have a much better selection on iOS.

That being said, I still haven't touched my iPad 1 since I got my Transformer!!! The Transformer is a really fun device though - and if you can live with the app quality * quantity difference right now, go for the Transformer. If you NEED certain apps, stick to the iPad for now...
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Apps liste above (beside some games that I have but are used seldom and are not essential) are the only ones I need and use.

Web broswisn (stupid Safari), e-mails (again terrible client for iOS) and TV/Video, rss new is all I need. So if I can replace them I'm cool.

Thanks mate.

Is it as easy as with iTunes to have accounts for different regions? As I said with iTunes I got account with US store to get (free) apps like ABC Player and Netflix, with UK store to get BBC iPlayer, 4oD and ITV Player and the rest (that I am actually paying for) are from my Polish account.

Will it be the same with Android Market?

Netflix that I found ther does not list any HC tablets (as supported).

Unless I can check for software updates while using changed IP...? But than again it will only give me apps from one region :-(.

Any insights here? I suppose if its doable on closed system like iOS it has to be doable on Android!

BTW: Thanks for the netflix link. Unfortunatley I do not have an Android tablet yet (waiting for something different than Tegra 2 devices). But I will meka a download and keep it for the future ;-)
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] earlyberd:
The latest Transformer update is supposed to add native support for Netflix, the problem is figuring out how to trick it into thinking you are located in the US. I just don't know from experience if the Netflix app will play nice with your VPN. And there is built-in support for VPN in Honeycomb, but again it's something I don't have a whole lot of experience with, and often times it is better implemented through third party apps.

Most Android apps at this point don't support Samba natively, so that's why you need root and manually set a mount point in Cifs Manager. Once Cifs Manager has mounted your NAS though, it should be visible to all other applications. I like to mount my Samba shares in the /sdcard directory, for instance. File Manager HD is the only application I have installed that has native Samba support, and it also allows you to browse hard drive directories like C$ if you happen to be sharing files natively from a Windows PC. But everything else will require a manually-configured mount point via cifs before you can see what's stored on your NAS.

Dice Player has given me no issues with choppy playback in 720p. It's a night and day difference compared to the stock video player, and that's because it has proper hardware acceleration.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] xsacha:
You don't need to root if you just want to stream and view files from your Samba share.

ES File Manager does this perfectly. It will show all samba files and stream videos from there without root.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] AstroTrain:
What are Samba shares everyone is talking about? Is this a Linux thing? Since I am using Windows all I know is DLNA, where ES file manager picks up the folders containing the media.

As a side note really wish those guys at XMBC would care enough to port the platform not necessarily the engine. That is where the IPad really beats Android.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] earlyberd:
It's not just streaming videos that the op wants, though. Certain apps require direct access to the share, and thus you will need to mount them to a folder they can read from. For example, the Music app won't add anything to the library unless it thinks it's stored locally on the internal sdcard or the external microsd, as in the /sdcard and /Removable/MicroSD directories. Setting a mount point in Cifs Manager means you don't have to go through a file manager every time, you can mount to a folder within /sdcard, and media libraries can be generated and organized as if reading from local storage.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] earlyberd:
Samba is the UNIX-based application for managing Windows-based SMB/CIFS shares. Windows users typically right click on a folder and select Share, and that is SMB/CIFS sharing. Samba is the UNIX equivalent.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Mr Paul:
You can view Android market.

https://market.android.com/

Have a search for what you need ;)
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Thanks a lot for all your input, it is really appreciated.

I would be very grateful for few more answers.

1. To European users - do you have Netflix and how did you got it (anyone out there has it without root?)

2. There is an app filmon (from filmon.com) that shoul allow for watching BBC and itv - can you let me know ifit is working on HC (it is on iPad).

3. My NAS drive allows either for smb access or uPNP, do I still need to root? All I have there are some documents, movies, bit of music (most of it is at Google Music already) and photos. My drive is My Book World Edition.

4. Does your stock browser syncs with Chrome? (bookmark bar is quite important to me)

5. Can Honeycomb tablet receive SMS/text messages? (with 3G on board of course...).

6. If you do not use stock browser. What do you use and can it be marked as a default in the system (iPad dose not allow for any change like this - stupid machine).

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dumbrill:
I signed up for the cheapest StrongVPN service and joined Netflix. Downloaded the '246apk' and it works fine. All done on a standard unrooted TF from the UK.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] housry23:
If you are thinking about getting a Transformer, I suggest waiting for the next batch of tablets to hit the market. I have heard that the quad core tegra tablets will be on the market by the end of the year. Even if you don't want the quad core it will make the current generation even cheaper.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] seshmaru:
Just to answer them clearly since people seem to be quite confused which only confuses the OP.

You have to sideload the netflix app, IE not download it from market.

This isn't difficult and you don't need root. All you do is put the app file (.apk files)

onto your TF101 storage and then open it through the file browser.

You might need a VPN depending on where you are.

You can access SMB without root Some file managers have this support built in.

Stock browser can sync with chrome it's quite easy to set up as well.

You can set any browser as default.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
I use HideIpVPN (please, use my signature as a link ;) ). It is $5.99/month for US IP - no limits on traffic. Works excellent for me. How much is StrongVPN?

That is why I am waiting and bought iPad 1 for now. I do not want tablet with Tegra2 SOC. I am thinking now about this new Archos gen9.... They come with OMAP4 inside (as far as I know this chip he's Netflix HD certificate).

If I do that to Netflix - will it be visible like other apps or do I have to start it like this every time?

What about this latest update ppl. Are talking about? Did it brought Netflix or not... And if so to everyone or just TF's in USA?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] seshmaru:
Latest update brought netflix SUPPORT, not the app itself. Which means if you install the app it will work.

And once you sideload the netflix app file, it will install itself and be visible at all times.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Sorry for one more stupid question.

If I open android market now, on my PC and enter Netflix I can see the app. If I would do so on a TF wouldn't I be able to download it and install? Can't I have additional accounts for android market for US and UK like now I have them on iPad and iTunes?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] seshmaru:
If you try and install it to the TF from the website it will tell you it's not compatible, if you try and install it to the TF from the app, it won't even show up in market. No matter what region your account is from.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
What if I would connect to the market under changed IP? How does "Market" knows the region and what apps to show? Or do you mean tha Netflix app is not officially available for TF at all...

How about BBC iPlayer... Can I get it of the market regardles of my location or is it a problem?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rafazafar:
hi, just stumbled across this thread. not quite sure how. but yeah anyways.

"Or do you mean tha Netflix app is not officially available for TF at all..."

-its like their are teasing us. its readily ships with some product but its not quite available for download thru the on-board market (unless ur using custom roms,lets not get into that)

so basically what u want to do is just google "netflix apk".

download the .apk file. put it in ur tablet(if you didnt download it using ur tablet) and just open it. it installs and u'r good to go.

most of the apps be it legal or cracked will have their .apk(installers) somewhere online. most of em can be found here on XDA.

example: getandroidstuff.com/bbc-iplayer-android-app-download

(this is a phone app, but it will scale nicely unpixelated unlike our fruit company)

-- and few nots on the VPN, different devices/roms support different vpn, but im sure all will support PPTP, L2TP, L2TP/IPSec PSKAdd, L2TP/IPSec CRTAdd.

and once rooted, u can get the OpenVPN as well.

-rooting is simple enough(not as simple as ipad) but shouldnt cause u much trouble. just do a search on "<product name> root" on google before buying. :)
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Thanks Mate.

At The moment I am supposed to get galaxy tab 10.1 for a 2 weeks test and review so I presume I will have few questions about HC (but will ask in GT10.1 part of the forum).
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] las5muertas:
Don't forget the archos g9 is only running on 512mb instead of the 1gb of the transformer.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] galtom:
Top of the line G9 models will be in the shops next year so it does not really matter at all.

If I have to wait for a proper tablet till 2012 it will be kal-el based Windows8 device. Win8seems to be The One :-).
[Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] speedy11131:
I flashed Trigger onto my Vibrant, all seemed well. ROM Manager was FCing, so I reinstalled from market, installed recovery from within ROM Manager, rebooted, went into the regular android recovery. Rebooted again, now it doesn't want to boot. Just loops at the Samsung Galaxy logo (after the vibrant, the little "movie" that plays after the Vibrant logo)

Stubborn bastard won't go into download mode, COM9 shows up in Odin, but it keeps looping the intro thing. If I try to flash, Odin just says SetupConnection and stays there.

Will a JIG do anything at this point?

I will admit, I got too eager and may have flashed a gingerbread ROM on top of a froyo bootloader. >.> I admit, that was stupid, but now all I want is to get the damn thing back into download mode...
[Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Dattack:
It's not bricked. Probably just in a boot loop. Just need to play around and get into download mode.
[Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kyle51:
that doesnt make a difference, i've been on simply honey like 2 month on froyo bootloaders and works fine apart from rainbow on boot and not being able to see recovery