Anyone have a XOOM?

mithrilG60 · 06-02-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I thought that the "no flash" thing was going to be a real problem for me too. After some experimenting on my wife's (gen 1) iPad I have not yet found a site that caused a problem for me.

QFT. I can think of precisely 1 site that I use on an infrequent but semi-regular (ie. visit 2 - 3 times a month) basis that doesn't render on my iPad2 because of the "lack" of Flash support. Every other website works just like it does on any desktop and laptop. Flash is a dying medium, thank god! The lack of support for it on any platform is hardly a reason to not buy that product.

In my personal opinion I don't think any of the Droid tablets are really able to compete with the iPad on an equal level, they all still feel very much like 1st gen technology with all the headaches, hiccups and gotchas that come along with that. The best way I can compare the 2 is that right now the Droids are best suited to the semi-geek, the kind of personal that buys an new computer then reinstall it with a Linux variant and spends hours reworking the GUI and interface to be "just so". The iPad is more suited to the person who doesn't care about the ability to do all the customization and would rather pick it up and have it "just work". The Playbook falls as a good alternative to the iPad if you don't want the geek factor of the Droids, and have a Blackberry already. It's great hardware with a few missing things due to it's rush to market and a couple really weird GUI decisions (video clips keep playing the background when you switch apps instead of auto-pausing for example).

To the OP, Blueface's advice is the most sensible you're going to get here: head to a BestBuy and actually play with the various tablets available to find the size and platform that makes the most sense for your needs, hell you may even find that none of them are quite there yet for what you want to get out of them.

Sawyer · 06-02-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I thought that the "no flash" thing was going to be a real problem for me too. After some experimenting on my wife's (gen 1) iPad I have not yet found a site that caused a problem for me.

The one problem I have with the Xoom is that people say that they have to root it in order to get it to work the way they want. I am not interested in a device that I have to root/jailbreak in order to make it usable...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithrilG60

QFT. I can think of precisely 1 site that I use on an infrequent but semi-regular (ie. visit 2 - 3 times a month) basis that doesn't render on my iPad2 because of the "lack" of Flash support. Every other website works just like it does on any desktop and laptop. Flash is a dying medium, thank god! The lack of support for it on any platform is hardly a reason to not buy that product.

There are several sites a week that I get links to that will not work correctly on my iphone and I have to go to my laptop or desktop to check them because of lack of flash. When flash actually does die, then the iPad will become a viable option for me. For now, since there are still quite a few sites use flash to some extent, whether it be menus or animation/video, it is not on the list. I can see why it may not bother some people because most of the major sites have moved away from flash, but my browsing habits are not limited to major sites.

Blueface · 06-02-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer

There are several sites a week that I get links to that will not work correctly on my iphone and I have to go to my laptop or desktop to check them because of lack of flash. When flash actually does die, then the iPad will become a viable option for me. For now, since there are still quite a few sites use flash to some extent, whether it be menus or animation/video, it is not on the list. I can see why it may not bother some people because most of the major sites have moved away from flash, but my browsing habits are not limited to major sites.

Two Apps that solve that.

Puffin browser allows Flash content.
OplayerHDLite allows you to open any of those QuickTime videos we often can't normally open.

Lack of Flash is a moot point.

CigarNut · 06-02-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Two Apps that solve that.

Puffin browser allows Flash content.
OplayerHDLite allows you to open any of those QuickTime videos we often can't normally open.

Lack of Flash is a moot point.

The SkyFire browser also provides Flash support. It used to be free but at the moment it is $2.99...

Blueface · 06-02-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

The SkyFire browser also provides Flash support. It used to be free but at the moment it is $2.99...

Yup.
I think I got it back when it was free.
Decent browser.

I tell you, that 10" Galaxy that was posted here does look nice but pricey if you consider the contract.

AD720 · 06-02-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Yup.
I think I got it back when it was free.
Decent browser.

I tell you, that 10" Galaxy that was posted here does look nice but pricey if you consider the contract.

Same price as the iPad2 for the WIFI only though, which is what the OP is interested in. Seems to be the sweet spot in the market.

Blueface · 06-02-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AD720

Same price as the iPad2 for the WIFI only though, which is what the OP is interested in. Seems to be the sweet spot in the market.

I could be wrong but I think the price is comparable to the iPad only with the contract.
You then have to account for that monthly fee for two years.
No contract on wifi only iPad.

Sawyer · 06-02-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Two Apps that solve that.

Puffin browser allows Flash content.
OplayerHDLite allows you to open any of those QuickTime videos we often can't normally open.

Lack of Flash is a moot point.

Puffin and skyfire are both buggy, slow and choppy when it comes to flash. Both also require you to use a crappy browser. So no, it is not a moot point.

Blueface · 06-02-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer

Puffin and skyfire are both buggy, slow and choppy when it comes to flash. Both also require you to use a crappy browser. So no, it is not a moot point.

Depends on what side of the fence you are I guess.

I find they work very well for the overall limited few times I have needed flash.
In my personal case, using primarily an iPad for everything, not having flash does not hinder me.

My point would primarily be to choose a tablet for whatever preferences make you happiest but not having Flash, that will soon be obsolete should not be one.