Thread: 7" Android tablet install

Originally Posted by Junosi

They sure do. They all come with free Google Navigation built in, which has voice guidance and an excellent interface - although it needs a data connection (3g etc - uses very very little data).

So it does not work without a 3g connection - I will not have one so this is no good

Originally Posted by Junosi

Personally I use Co-Pilot ($50 one off, no subs) which I find to be generally very good and if I'm not using Google then I'm very happy with Co-pilot. I believe Tomtom joined with Route66 to create their Android nav software - which reviews well but I haven't tried it. iGo has the 'myway' software for Android. You'd have to check for the specifics as to whether Australia maps are supported. There's a variety of others available out there too and more being added frequently

Can I take it that while there are plans for Tom Tom etc to be used - the current versions cannot be used like they can with Windows CE.

Cheers

Garry

Originally Posted by garrycol

So it does not work without a 3g connection - I will not have one so this is no good

'Google nav' and 'whereis nav' both need a data connection and won't work without it. They load their maps from the internet on demand as you move around. It's quite efficient, but as you say, if you have no data then it's no good.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Can I take it that while there are plans for Tom Tom etc to be used - the current versions cannot be used like they can with Windows CE

You can't use windows ce versions on Android no. You need an Android version (or iOS version for Apple) of whatever you plan on running. You also need to ensure you're buying an Australian map version - Co-pilot Australia/NZ for instance. Might be worth mentioning that some of the tablets are capable of running Windows CE if that's your bent, the Wits one ships with either Android or Win CE

Here's a link to Co-Pilot android version:
CoPilot Live for Android: ALK Technologies

This page has a lot of information on various Android nav apps: Android Sat Nav Apps


A quick google turned up this http://www.66.com/route66/index.php?cid=US&act=1 which is suggesting the Tomtom/Route66 version is soon to be released on Android.

Originally Posted by Junosi

Personally I use Co-Pilot ($50 one off, no subs) which I find to be generally very good a

I use Co-Pilot too but i may jailbreak the pad to use others like TomTom or Navigon that i already use with the Jailbreaked Iphone

Originally Posted by garrycol

Will these tablets run Tom Tom or Igo or some similar street turn by turn GPS software?

The Telstra Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with Telstra Sensis maps already installed I believe.

For my iphone, I downloaded the complete Metroview GPS app with turn by turn navigation and all the Australian maps. Cost $15. I don't need to use the 3G network at all unlike using Google Maps.

Yep Sensis=whereis but unless they've changed it they charge a yearly subscription and it requires a data connection like google maps. Telstra like to push it as its their baby and a money spinner for them.

The data thing can be a bit offputting but chances are high if you've got an iOS or Android device then you're already got a data plan.

One thing about Google maps/nav that I do love is that because it ties in completely with all the other google services you can use voice search and say things like 'navigate to service station' and it will start navigating you to it. Might not sound like anything new but its quite powerful - like earlier this week I said to it 'navigate to jaycar' and off we went to the nearest jaycar. Or 'map of galleries in melbourne' brings up all the galleries etc etc.

I've been wanting to do something like this ever since the factory nav system died a while ago, not that it was that good with 10 y/o maps.( looked into new maps once and they wanted $400 for ones that were only 5 y/o!!!)

In dick smith yesterday and came across the pre-paid Optus My Tab, $149 with blue tooth,wifi,gps, 7"touch screen and expandable memory up to 32GB.

I bought it with out expecting too much for the price , but it goes much better than I expected. Within half an hour I had it unlocked and updated to Andriod 2.2.

My dash trim is already scratched up from the last owners carphone cradle, so i wont feel bad cutting(stuffing) it up, I was going to try and cut the side out so that the Tab can slide in and out easily.

Tpg have data sims for $1 a month for 50mb,or 150mb if you are a DSL customer(or know someone who is......)and looks like calls 10c/min(?).

I am also going down this road with a 7 or 10" size.
I have been researching for a long time.

Pretty much any tablet with captive screen, 512MB ram for running programs, 1Ghz or better CPU and GPS chipset = a decent tab device.
The others are using either 256MB of ram which really isn't enough or using a cheap cut down CPU. Seems to be about 200+ for one which is making me think that 500ish will also serve as a laptop replacement.

Currently I am trying to decide on a china tablet - but fairly high end for about 250ish or do I go with a full brand @ 10" that will seriously replace a laptop?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Eee- ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101

Originally Posted by RaZz0R

Currently I am trying to decide on a china tablet - but fairly high end for about 250ish or do I go with a full brand @ 10" that will seriously replace a laptop?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Eee- ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101

I want that tablet/netbook... just 'coz it seems so cool dunno if it could work in the dash of a P38 though with a 10" screen plus border. Tried my iPad and it just looks silly unless you really want to modify the dash and relocate the EAS, cruise and light switches.

That ASUS unit would need a dock in the car to enable GPS, stereo integration and reversing camera to win me over as a car-tablet. If it was easily removable, but solidly docked when off-road that would be very tempting.

Laptop replacement, really? With a 32GB SSD I don't think so.

Cheers, Paul.