Internetpilot's new toy: Acer Iconia A500 Tablet

[NetBrakr]

Netflix works on some Android tabs, right? Not a big deal for me, as I don't use Netflix; but it would be nice.

Netflix was preloaded in my Samsung Galaxy Tab, though I haven't use it yet.

[internetpilot]

Congratulations. I've mentioned a few times that I think this is the class of the Android tablet field. I didn't realize Netflix wasn't supported though. Do they actually do that on a device by device basis? Maybe because Honeycomb is relatively new, it's not supported yet? Netflix works on some Android tabs, right? Not a big deal for me, as I don't use Netflix; but it would be nice.

Anyone know if Slingbox is keeping up with updates on mobile player software?

I'm rather annoyed with Netflix over this whole Android app. I've been a Netflix customer since the first year they started up the business, but they screwed up with this app thing.

They put the app out for Apple and Windows (which is one of the most hacked OSes out there), but don't put an app out for Android citing DRM and security issues. Huh?! The irony of it is that their old nemesis, Blockbuster, puts out a streaming app for Android and offers basically the same content. So much for it being the content providers causing the problem. Finally Netflix releases an app for Android, but then limits it to only certain devices (a very short list) -- and it's not like they limited it to new devices where the app came on the ROM as bloatware. So the app is available for my Evo, but not for my A500, which has significantly superior hardware specs and is a better platform for watching movies. It just doesn't make sense.

Oh, well. Again, not a huge deal for me. With the storage options and hardware specs of the A500, watching movies is easier than ever (converting from DVD). I don't even have to worry about formats, containers, etc., because RockPlayer plays them all. I just don't tolerate stupidity well.

[Hook]

Weird. So far Netflix works just fine on my Nexus One, unless there is something about CM7 that enables it.

[internetpilot]

Weird. So far Netflix works just fine on my Nexus One, unless there is something about CM7 that enables it.

There is definitely a whole lotta magic in those Cyanogen ROMs!

I'm finding myself longing for CM7 on my HTC Evo again since getting the Acer A500. Gingerbread and Honeycomb are very similar, and I find myself getting used to the advancements in Honeycomb on the A500 and then getting a little frustrated with my Evo. The only thing stopping me now is that the CM7 camera app can't hold a candle to the stock HTC camera app. Since getting my Evo I've found myself leaving my DSLR kit at home more (I used to ALWAYS have it with me), so I rely on the Evo camera a lot. Definitely not the best camera, but for family, school, etc. "happy snaps" it does a good enough job. But the CM7 camera app would have me bringing the DSLR bag with me again... I guess I could go with an aftermarket camera app. I'll have to look into that.

Speaking of, thanks for the previous recommendation of Beautiful Widgets, Hook -- works great on my A500 and really gives it a SenseUI feel. Definitely puts me just that much closer to putting CM7 on my Evo (once I resolve the camera app issue).

[questionfear]

Weird. So far Netflix works just fine on my Nexus One, unless there is something about CM7 that enables it.

Works beautifully on the NOOKcolor too.

Supposedly the netflix app doesn't do a device check anymore; if your hardware can handle it then it runs fine, despite the restrictions they list on the marketplace.

[internetpilot]

Works beautifully on the NOOKcolor too.

Supposedly the netflix app doesn't do a device check anymore; if your hardware can handle it then it runs fine, despite the restrictions they list on the marketplace.

Yeah, I was excited when I saw that in the release notes on the update for my Evo, but it doesn't show up in the market for my Acer A500, and even when I go around that I get a warning message when installing it that the Netflix app is not supported on this device. When I try to run it I get the same message and then streaming doesn't work.

Not sure what the real issue is, but it's a little ridiculous that a Nook Color can run it but my dual-core tablet can't....haha. Might be a Honeycomb thing. It will probably be fixed or worked around soon.

[questionfear]

Yeah, I was excited when I saw that in the release notes on the update for my Evo, but it doesn't show up in the market for my Acer A500, and even when I go around that I get a warning message when installing it that the Netflix app is not supported on this device. When I try to run it I get the same message and then streaming doesn't work.

Not sure what the real issue is, but it's a little ridiculous that a Nook Color can run it but my dual-core tablet can't....haha. Might be a Honeycomb thing. It will probably be fixed or worked around soon.

Check around XDA...I know there was an APK floating around that fixed the device check, and it might still work if the updated app is a fail for you.

[internetpilot]

Check around XDA...I know there was an APK floating around that fixed the device check, and it might still work if the updated app is a fail for you.

Thanks -- I've tried them all currently, but I suspect that someone on XDA will figure it out before Netflix does, so I'm watching all the appropriate threads.

[internetpilot]

Just providing an update after close to a couple month's use of my A500. I'm still in love with this tablet!

Acer released the 3.1 update, which improved mostly minor things, but none that were affecting me too much other than improved USB hosting and accessories. The original 3.01 OS (for whatever reason) included the 3G service software even on the A500 models that didn't include 3G hardware. Allegedly, this software service constantly running and trying to find 3G service was (again, allegedly) putting extra drain on the battery. The 3G software service was removed from with the 3.1 OTA update, but I haven't seen much, if anymore improvement in battery performance. Actually, I thought the battery charge life was fine before the update, so....

I got a great deal on a 32gb Class 4 memory card ($40), so I'm now finding myself not using thumbdrives as much for movies. However, that USB port is still getting a lot of use by way of three different digital cameras. Still loving the full-size USB port!

The ability to root v3.1 was available before the official 3.1 OTA release, so I'm rooted again. I still have not felt the need to flash a custom ROM, so even though a custom recovery is now available (Clockwork Mod) I'm still using the stock recovery.

Basically, the device just works as intended and does that very well. After diving head over heels into flashing custom ROMs/kernels on my HTC Evo 4G, owning this device is boring by comparison, since I just don't feel the need to do that with this tablet or Honeycomb in general. Haha. I guess boring is good.

Good news for everyone else -- Acer has reduced the price of both the 16gb and 32gb models by US$50 (likely to compete with the Asus Transformer). Makes me wish I'd bought mine from Costco, as they would have honored the price reduction for up to 90 days -- not so with Target. Oh, well. I think this is the first time ever that I've paid full msrp for something, and I'd have to say it was worth it.

I never did put a screen protector on it and so far I haven't regretted that. It does have gorilla glass, but the reason I didn't put a protector on it was the installation horror stories. Some people had them "professionally" installed, but I know from some of my iPad owning friends that the procedure involves basically soaking the device in a soap/water mixture and that just goes against my most basic rules of not mixing electronics and water. This is the first device in a long time that I've let go naked. When not in use, I store it in a small sleeve style case that's well padded.

Other than that, I'm just using the heck out of it daily. It has become my primary daily use computer. Other than it working so well that it becomes a boring, useful device (versus having to constantly hack around/tweak it, which us what I've gotten used to doing with portable electronics), I'm very happy with it and have zero regrets!

[jigwashere]

Thanks for the update! I want one. I don't think I can get spousal approval for one, though.

I need to go back through this thread for your other comments, but wondering if at this point, how would you compare the Iconia to the Transformer and other tablets?

One other consideration for me regarding tablets: size. I tend to lean more toward the smaller tablets. I don't plan on upgrading my TP2 smartphone not just because of the cost of a new one, but because of the additional $10 or $20/month my Sprint contract would require. That adds up to quite a lot over time, so "deconverging" by getting a tablet makes some sense (at least in my head -- not when I discuss it with my wife). I fear that with a larger tablet, it would stay home most of the time. Well, I already have a netbook w/bad battery at home, so why would I need a tablet? (Dang, that's spousal logic!!!) Sigh. Nevermind. I gotta stop reading threads like this.