My Nook Tablet review posted to Amazon and Best Buy product pages

[mohawkx]

Oh, that's right.  I saw it on a Samsung Galaxy site.  You can register your device and create an account and there was a very large update to the 7plus plus a user's manual.

[flyingtoastr Scribe]

Some subscriptions (in particular the "enhanced" ones which are actually apps, not PDFs) won't work on the app the way they do on a stock NOOK.

[moose_tracker]

Thanks guys for helping.. I made my purchase, I am pretty sure I got the right model.. But, I got detoured and thought one vendor on Amazon was selling it for $320.. But found out it was for Sprint, so backed out..  I did see the page on amazon that had (I guess the original) for $405.00, I missed the small link underneath that the plus was for on sale for $349.00..

And now they are coming out with a new one the is Galaxy 7.7 ???   Can't anyone at Samsung think of any new names... What confusion!!

And I am now unsure what this has on it as all the reviews I saw were the original, or the Sprint one or what... From the Amazon reviews for the Galaxy Plus  I believe it has a GPS because a reviewer mentioned it, but who knows if everyone hit the right product when they did their reviews..

[floridaphil]

Yes, it has GPS. Here's a lengthy review to help you out.

The 7.0 or 7.7 or 8.9 or 10.1 in the name (yes they all really do exist and yes, they are all legitimate Samsung Galaxy Tabs!) is not  random - it refers to the diagonal screen measurement of the device.

It's part of what is known as 'fragmentation' and Samsung seems to be a particular offender. Google is having a real problem keeping the Android system compatible with so many different models of tablets and phones - something that Apple doesn't face with the iPad because they are the sole supplier of their own devices.

What Amazon & B&N have down with their tablets is known as 'Forking' - where they run a heavily modified version of Android, which is one reason they have curated app stores.

Ice Cream Sandwich - the new Android 4.0 operating system - is supposed to be the start of pulling it all back together again with tighter standards.  I'm dubious.

[raqball]

The model # you want for USA Wifi version is GTP6210

[moose_tracker]

I was good with the Galaxy 7 & 10 & 8.9 etc...  It was the Galaxy 7 Sprint/Verizon version & Galaxy 7 WiFi  vs Galaxy 7plus WiFi (and all combinations between those variables)

[Nom-de-Nook]

to make it worse, Samsung actually had different hardware specs on the original 7 depending on whether it was wifi only or not.  I remember people really panning the wifi only because of inferior hardware compared to the tabs provided to the cell carriers.  I don't remember what all was different but I do specifically remember the bluetooth being different (3.0 vs 2.0)

[gilgomez]

Samsung - Galaxy Tab 8.9 with 16GB Memory - Metallic Gray Model: GT-P7310MAYXAR SKU: 3070224

The 8.9" Galx Tablet is on sale at Best Buy for $399 and I am leaning towards returning my NT tonight and then running over to BB and placing my order.  It is on back order; this tablet has turned out to be extremely popular.

The 8.9" tab has outstanding reviews and the size is awesome for reading plus web surfing.  It is still small enough to carry around (I always have my ereader or NT in my bag!).  Cnet and PC Mag have posted reviews on that tab.  It runs Honeycomb 3.1 and Samsung has announced the upgrade to 4.0 ICS will be available, probably 2nd qtr 2012.

I will be making the BB visit this evening, testing all their tabs and if I find myself loving it, then will run to B&N and return my NT.  Oooooh.....exciting!    I currently use a Samsung Galaxy 4g phone and own lots of useful apps and utilities.  It will be really nice to be able to use all those apps on my ereader/tab without having to pay again for them.  Plus, I will be able to easily sync my ereader/tab with my PC and Office 2010 to access my Outlook contacts, calendar and documents. 

Most of all, the 8.9 has received amazing reviews regarding its beautiful screen, rich colors and crisp text for reading.  And like someone else noted on this thread, Samsung fabricates the NT's screen so you know it will be responsive and beautiful.

Will it be worth the extra $150 ($399 on sale at BB)?  I think so as it will have greater functionality and I will not be restricted to only purchasing books from B&N.  Don't get me wrong, I really like the B&N format and ebook store but I also own loads of books from Amazon and have an extensive library of ebooks that I use Calibre to manage.  I want to have access to all of this using one device.

Happy new year to all of you!!!!

[BytheNook]

floridaphil posted:  As it happens, I picked up a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7+ yesterday from Bestbuy for just $100 more than the Nook Tablet (now $350 down from $400) and it is everything the NT isn't.... its smaller, lighter, thinner, open and has more features. And it's running Honeycomb out of the box with ICS update in the works.

I have some questions about the Galaxy...  It's not tied to a cell phone company is it?  It can be used stand alone without a monthly subscription, right? 

Also, can I use the apps that I purchased from the B&N app store on it?  I purchased several...

How's the battery life on it?

I'm returning my Nook Tablet because of the lockdown that B&N has restricted us to... if I wanted that, I would have purchased an iPad.

[flyingtoastr Scribe]

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gilgomez wrote:

Samsung fabricates the NT's screen so you know it will be responsive and beautiful.

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No, LG produces the screens for BN.

[moose_tracker]

ByTheNook.. I can answer some of that, as I went around in circles yesterday over some of those very issues..  The Galaxy 7 is very confusing as it makes many different devices of the same name.. You want the Galaxy 7 PLUS WiFi   or as posted above, "The model # you want for USA Wifi version is GTP6210"..

They have an older Galaxy 7 that needs a subscription to an external device for WiFi Hotspots, and a Galaxy 7 (normally tied to Sprint or Verizon selling it, but is not WiFi but set up where you need to get a celluar phone plan with it..).. Very confusing.. My BB did not have the right Galaxy 7 Plus WiFi, but Amazon is carrying it for the same price..

Battery life was rated for 8 hours which I think the NT was 7, so that is a little better.

Do not know specifically about the apps, someone else will need to answer with more certanty.. But, my guess is that they should work, as B&N did not make propriatary app formats that only worked on their devices, they locked their devices so Nook users could not buy from other vendors.. 

[flyingtoastr Scribe]

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moose_tracker wrote:

Battery life was rated for 8 hours which I think the NT was 7, so that is a little better.

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NT battery is rated at 11 hours. CNET did movie tests - with the WiFi on and streaming from Netflix a NT got about 6.5 hours on a charge. A Galaxy Tab with Airplane mode on and playing a movie from a file got only 7 hours.

I'm willing to bet the NT gets better battery life.

[BytheNook]

moose_tracker posted: 

ByTheNook.. I can answer some of that, as I went around in circles yesterday over some of those very issues..  The Galaxy 7 is very confusing as it makes many different devices of the same name.. You want the Galaxy 7 PLUS WiFi  or as posted above, "The model # you want for USA Wifi version is GTP6210"..

They have an older Galaxy 7 that needs a subscription to an external device for WiFi Hotspots, and a Galaxy 7 (normally tied to Sprint or Verizon selling it, but is not WiFi but set up where you need to get a celluar phone plan with it..).. Very confusing.. My BB did not have the right Galaxy 7 Plus WiFi, but Amazon is carrying it for the same price..

Battery life was rated for 8 hours which I think the NT was 7, so that is a little better.

Do not know specifically about the apps, someone else will need to answer with more certanty.. But, my guess is that they should work, as B&N did not make propriatary app formats that only worked on their devices, they locked their devices so Nook users could not buy from other vendors..

Thanks!  It is the GT7 Plus that I would want.  I give enough money to cell phone companies right now... 

I have everything backed up with Titanium Pro on my NT - I suppose I could try to put Titanium Pro on the GT7 Plus and see if I can restore them there.  Do you think that would be possible?  I would have to root it first I guess.

[moose_tracker]

Just remember you want WiFi version..

[Nom-de-Nook]

I thought I read the 8.9 does not have an expansion slot for the microSD.  So you are limited to whatever storage the device comes with.  The 7 does have a slot and as such I would assume is the better deal.

[raqball]

@BytheNook.. The 7.0 Plus has a very easy root process if you look at XDA but I would be cautious when doing a restore via Titaniunlm... Far easier to start fresh with the Tablet and download from the Market.. Most aops you have on your Android phone should be available, but not all... I am missing a few but this is easily solved by Googling for the apk or pulling it from Titanium and installing.. I was missing one, my banking application, but all others showed in Market no problem...

[BytheNook]

raqball posted:  @BytheNook.. The 7.0 Plus has a very easy root process if you look at XDA but I would be cautious when doing a restore via Titaniunlm... Far easier to start fresh with the Tablet and download from the Market.. Most aops you have on your Android phone should be available, but not all... I am missing a few but this is easily solved by Googling for the apk or pulling it from Titanium and installing.. I was missing one, my banking application, but all others showed in Market no problem...              

My main concern - the apps that I paid for already (from B&N, about 8 apps).  I really hate paying for the same stuff over and over again. 

[mohawkx]

I've been using the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus For 2 days now and I can say it is a very nice unit.  Most the apps I needed are free in the android market.  The user manual which I downloaded to my computer is very extensive and runs 200 pages.  The screen is crisp and the interface is elegant and intuitive.  I just ordered a 32gig micro sdhc card from Amazon for 25.00 and a cover for it that swivels for either portrait or landscape.  I must honestly admit that i'm very impressed with the device.  I spent about 4 hours last night reading in bed on the device using the Kindle app that came preloaded and there was no eye strain.  It read very well.  I was all in with the Nook Tablet and was prepared to root the device to get the functionality I needed but honestly,  the Tab 7plus is a game changer for me.  I can afford the extra 100.00 especially with the features the tab7p has. 

For me there's too much drama involved in the Nook tablet environment at the present time.  I don't think B&N senior management, their B&M front end sales and service and the apps and perifials available on the Nook tablet are ready for prime time.  The uncertainty involed concerning the capabilities of the tablet and how B&N will support it going forward are unnecessary roadblocks to it being a good device.  Odds are that the dev, open source advocates will crack the device but odds are also that B&N will issue another blockage of the device with future updates.  I don't need an ongoing pi$$ing match over a product I buy.

When I came to this site, I was confused and irritated that the device I bought was changed, (For whatever reason or justification) and I needed support and advice.  The over riding response I recieved exposed the B&N customer service values.  "Quit yer bitc#ing and just take the device back for a refund".  This seemed to eminate from top to bottom exampled by the B&N management decision to extend the return/refund period to Jan 31st.  Also the line supporters of the Tablet parroted the same philosophy.  "Just take it back and leave us alone".

In the end, by using your wonderful hardware device while it was still sideloadable I realized what I really wanted in an ereader/tablet.  Once I realized that B&N would continue to lock it down tight with upgrades I realized that what I really wanted was a tablet/ereader that was open to the whole experience available.

I took the advice I recieved from the good people on this forum and returned it this morning.  I wish all the B&N advocates and Tablet owners the very best now and in the future.  Good Luck.  I'll stop by now and then to see how B&N and the tablet progresses.  Great bunch of people here on both sides of the fence. 

[raqball]

@BytheNook.. None of the apps you purchased from the BN app shop will show in android market.. If you have a titanium backup on SD card the .apk's should be there.. Not sure if that will cause issues or not though.. @flying.. So far in my day and a half of use I'd say you are correct as the NT appears to have slightly better battery life.. Most Androids do however require a little time before they settle into a normal battery cycle so I will wait and see how it pans out..

[flyingtoastr Scribe]

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mohawkx wrote:

This seemed to eminate from top to bottom exampled by the B&N management decision to extend the return/refund period to Jan 31st. 

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This is actually completely independant of NOOK and has been the BN return policy for all gifts during the holiday period for quite a while.