Sony Android Tablet Good? Safe? Etc?

[taxexile]

i bought one of the new sony tablet things last week, sister in law works for sony and i got it for half price. not sure how to use the thing though. never had and dont want a smartphone, so this tablet and the android system it uses is all quite new to me.

it looks ok, its light and easy to hold due to its wedge shape, its got a micro usb slot and a sd memory card slot. the speakers are terrible though, hardly any volume. need headphones for skype calls.

it seems quite good for tooling around on the internet and some of the mapping, astronomy and gps functions are fun although i suspect i will get bored with them soon, but it seems a useful gadget to take along on a trip. being able to book flights, cars and hotels whilst on the move.

my main question is is the android system safe, as in using credit cards, internet banking etc.
do i need anti virus on the thing.

the android forums give out mixed messages about security.

any advice, hints etc, for this android novice would be gratefully received.

[Unlucky Ralph]

What model is it mate ?

I wouldn't put credit card details on it.That Android system can be so easily hacked, as you will see on those forums

[taxexile]

its a sony sgpt112s

SGPT112SG : Sony Tablet

[Unlucky Ralph]

If you put your credit card details into Google Checkout, you will be insured, that's their version of Paypal

You can buy a pre paid credit card for the apps, I'm not sure if you can in Thailand though

[Unlucky Ralph]

Looks nice bud, I can't find any bad reviews about the speakers, you sure it's turned up ?

The only negative I can find is screen brightness in sunlight.
The camera is meant to be very good

[taxexile]

speakers are turned up, but the volume is low on skype and on video playback.

now i have to read up on google checkout.

[Unlucky Ralph]

Think I've found your Volume Solution bud

Originally Posted by xperiax10.awesome
hi guys, i just got the chance to play with the demo set in Singapore..n now m more confused between sony n samsung tab !!!
the thing which is bothering me most is the VOLUME of sony S...its far below standard !!!
Need genuine suggestions :-(

Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
For me, the volume is absolutely not a problem. Very loud and crisp sound, especially after turning on xLoud. Just go into settings in the music player and turn on xLoud - its very good and hardly ever do i need to turn volume all the way up. Definitely the sony tablet s over the samsungs. Not a fan of the ipad clone look and feel, plus you have access to all of sony's content offerings incl playstation suite when its released. Remote control for tv is awesome as well.

SONY TABLET S User Reviews - Page 15 - xda-developers

[Little Chuchok]

^I'm sure that a little while ago you bagged ipad uses Tax.I have a similar disdain for low renting android tablets.

Welcome to the 21st century.

[taxexile]

thanks for that xda link.

tons of stuff about the sony tablet and how to use it.

[Bettyboo]

^ Tax, what does one actually do on a tablet?

I know we all want one because, well, it is marketed well, but what do you find yourself doing on the tablet?

[harrybarracuda]

There's an Android Tab thread here (Android Tab Recommendations)

But essentially I wouldn't use it with a credit card, then again, I've never used android to pay anything except with Paypal.

You can get security software for it with Lookout or Avast

I use mine mainly as a mobile reader or web browser, occasionally to download movies or TV if the Hotel interwebnet is fast enough.

[rawlins]

I use mine mainly as a mobile reader or web browser, occasionally to download movies or TV if the Hotel interwebnet is fast enough.

I'm still getting used to a Samsung Galaxy 10.1 that I got recently.

Is there a torrent app for downloading directly to it?

[taxexile]

^ Tax, what does one actually do on a tablet?

I know we all want one because, well, it is marketed well, but what do you find yourself doing on the tablet?

good question. ive only had it for a week. it was literally put into my hands, brand new, boxed and half price. take it she said, if you dont like it after a month give it back and i'll sell it for you for a profit.

i turned it on thinking it was just like a laptop, but it isnt.
you can do the internet, but for anything else, you need to load it up with apps.

to open microsoft word or office stuff you need to download and install a dedicated app.
to open a pdf file you need a dedicated app.
to look at photos you need an app, for everything you need an app.

they are all free, for the full fat versions you may need to pay a bit, and they are downloadable from one easy to search site, they download and install quickly and leave a little icon on the desktop from which you can quickly access that app.
ive got a thai keyboard app, some good thai english dictionary apps, but you need wireless internet to be able to use the apps.

i can download videos, music and books and by using the relevant app can watch listen and read. its got a camera and video.

it has gps and can be used as a sat nav if you have 3g with it.

they are tailor made for facebook, twitter and playstation fans.
im still not sure how to delete files that i have put on it. suppose i need to find an app for that too.

the sony tablet has a usb socket and a memory card socket so files can be transferred onto it.


its lightweight and very portable.

at the moment its new to me and i need to learn my way around it. i much prefer to sit and use a laptop than use the tablet, but for something to travel with it could prove to be useful. i'll probably keep it in the car, book hotels online when travelling, look at maps, use skype and e-mail.

i see too many people who have become slave-addicts to their devices, clicking and clacking away and boring people to death with their excitement over some new app. i hope i dont get like that. i dislike gadgets and the way we are made to be dependent on them, i have a laptop and a 5 year old mobile phone, a kindle and an i-pod and a decent camera.

all of which get plenty of use, but how many more devices and capabilities does anybody need. a high power mover and shaker, big cheese or wannabe big cheese might need these things, but for most people they are luxuries that will be out of date within a year and need replacing. all that plastic, glass, chemical shit will just be thrown away. realistically speaking its not right. but thats the world right now.

at the moment this thing is just another gadget, with its cables and plugs, and time spent learning how to master it.
youd think they would have at least given the customer some decent instructions with it.

..... and i'm not yet convinced i need it, it might be useful on a trip, or when sitting waiting for a plane etc. but ive taken dozens of trips before without a tablet or smartphone and never felt that i was disadvantaged by not having such things.

welcome to the 21st century

[Bettyboo]

^ good answer, thanks.

I'd like to green you for your efforts, but I'm out of ammo...

[Unlucky Ralph]

Does it have 3g ?

If not, you can always tether your internet from a mobile phone, and chill on the beach or anywhere with it

[harrybarracuda]

I use mine mainly as a mobile reader or web browser, occasionally to download movies or TV if the Hotel interwebnet is fast enough.

I'm still getting used to a Samsung Galaxy 10.1 that I got recently.

Is there a torrent app for downloading directly to it?

tTorrent

[harrybarracuda]

..... and i'm not yet convinced i need it, it might be useful on a trip, or when sitting waiting for a plane etc. but ive taken dozens of trips before without a tablet or smartphone and never felt that i was disadvantaged by not having such things.

welcome to the 21st century

You don't need it. It doesn't contain any nutritional benefits, it doesn't generate oxygen and it doesn't cure cancer.

The fact that it comes barebones with a browser gives you the opportunity to customise it how you wish.

If you're a game fiend, you can fill it with games.

If Sports is your bag, fill it with Sports news apps.

Ordinary News, Tech News, App News, it's all there.

Check your email, Call your friends, use it as a SatNav, the choice is yours.

I bought it for a combination of things.

But if you bought it without anything in mind, and you can't be arsed to learn how to use it, then I'd say give it back and get your money back.

Spend it on paperbacks for when you're stuck next time waiting for a flight.

That's what I used to do, but now I have that and more.

[taxexile]

If not, you can always tether your internet from a mobile phone, and chill on the beach or anywhere with it

hasnt got 3g, it needs a wi fi hot spot or dongle thing. dont have internet on my phone.

Think I've found your Volume Solution bud

bud?? is that like dude or mate?

followed those instructions, volume now louder on some things, but skype and video playback still low.

[taxexile]

The fact that it comes barebones with a browser gives you the opportunity to customise it how you wish.

But if you bought it without anything in mind, and you can't be arsed to learn how to use it,

which is what i plan on doing and thats why i posted here.

[Unlucky Ralph]

hasnt got 3g, it needs a wi fi hot spot or dongle thing. dont have internet on my phone.

The phone works as the hotspot, I used to do it on an old Nokia 5800, iPhones and all android phones can do it. Don't know if you wanna buy a phone just for that though

bud?? is that like dude or mate?

Bud, pal, kidder, china plate, twinkle(i think)

followed those instructions, volume now louder on some things, but skype and video playback still low.

On the PC you can adjust your Skypes audio volume and microphone volume. I think you can on your tablet too

There are volume control apps
Volume control Apps - Android

or this
https://market.android.com/details?i...iowidget&hl=en

[baldrick]

it has gps and can be used as a sat nav if you have 3g with it.

you can use the GPS with more than just google maps - many offline ones so you can use as a traditional GPS

5 Of The Best Android Sat Nav (GPS) Apps | TechSling Weblog

as a tablet I would rather have a 7 inch device because of its portability over a 10 inch.

I use coolreader as my ebook reader and vitalplayer for video and winamp for music

[Unlucky Ralph]

as a tablet I would rather have a 7 inch device because of its portability over a 10 inch.

You saying you don't own a ManBag ?

Cue BB

[Bettyboo]

Manbags are perfect for tablets (Papillion has several different manbags to suit his tablet covers...).

[Bettyboo]

Though I do like the old style manbags: