Wait, you can still sideload apps on iOS just like on Android, jailbreak and you are good to go. Google also has strict control over their OS and apps on the app store, look at the whole Huawei saga, it showed us just how wrong we were about Android being "open". Android might be Open Source, but the apps that we rely on on a daily basis is Google apps, without Gapps the experience will be dismal to say the least. The device will still be usable, but lots of the fundamentals that make Android what it is is not so Open Source.
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Chinese Tablet Buyers Guide.
- Thread starter wizardofid
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A common issue I picked up was that in many cases the drivers are not available to third parties meaning getting another rom is close to impossible in some cases.Ah, OK thanks for explaining
wizardofid
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AND THAT IS MY BIGGEST ISSUE WITH APPLE.Why should I have to void warranty to be able to do what I want app wise by default.
Do you have to use Huawei ? Do you have to use the google store. ? The fact that you don't have to use google or even have google play installed unless you have an app that requires it, makes the argument moot, in fact I have several games installed on my amazon tablet that works just fine without having ANY google services installed, Does it limit the pool of apps is it needs google services, by rather small margin.
Some of the alternatives.
Aptoide
Amazon Appstore
F-Droid
SlideMe
ApkMirror
GetJar
Besides if it's on the google play store and it's popular, it's a good bet you will find it on the amazon app store.Point is you don't ever have to use or have ANY google services installed to get the exact same experience you would normally with google services install, unless you want to use an app that requires certain services.The fact that the amount of apps you can choose from else where and considering just how riddled the google apps store is with ad based apps and fake apps even paywall apps, by factor of 10 compared to apple.
Who in their right mind want to use app store any ways.
Besides even if an app requires google services you can hack an app a remove various things you don't want and create a new installation of the app with in a few minutes without any tech knowledge.
jailbreak some thing I can do by default.......lol
There are a million alternatives to the google apple, compared to the 100's on apple.
You ranted on earlier on in this thread that Stock Android is the best thing ever, yet you seem to forget that Stock Android has a very high level of dependence on Google Play Services, like it or not, without Google Play Services you are in for a not so fun time. As for your assumption that one can simply remove google dependencies from an app in a couple of minutes is so far from the truth is terrifying. Most of the core Android applications building blocks is using the Google implementation of packages and libraries above the Android libraries. Google play services gets updated every now and then, whereas the Android libraries can only be updated with OS upgrades, so your illusion of just "removing Google play services without any tech knowledge" is very wrong, especially considering most apps that are published is ran through proGuard making it near impossible to quickly remove something".
wizardofid
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Lucky Patcher
/end rant.
Depending the app you can bypass proguard entirely, and have been using luck patcher since android 5.In fact lucky patcher was kind enough to allow hacking google play services and associated libraries.What luck patcher can't hack is services on the server side.
Considering most apps on the store are from indie and smaller companies who can't run server side services, the number of apps that can't be patched isn't all that many.
Fire OS while modified still runs a bucket load of android code in fact so much so that apps that works on android will work on fire os.
LineageOS is actually as close to stock as you can get and doesn't have various google play services and associated libraries installed.In fact quite a few china tablets comes without google play services at all and running a stock android, as you need to pay google and play by their rules, play services isn't that ingrained in the OS that you can't remove it entirely.
The fact that you have amazon app store makes your argument of a tough time moot, as amazon app store doesn't use play services and dependencies at all and like I said if it's a popular app you most likely find it there.It is after all the second largest app store outside of google.
As I said before, you can pretty much run amazon apps on a normal android device without much fuss.Then there is Fdroid which is pretty much anti google any thing, and entirely open source and free.
Play services a must..........lol How long having you been using android, clearly not long enough......lol
/End rant
Before any one bitches and moans, I use lucky patcher almost exclusively to remove ads, especially MX player which can be annoying with ads, rarely if ever if a game is behind a unfair or odds stacked against you paywall do I even bother with the app or try and patch it.Besides I don't game heavily on my tablet any ways rarely use the play store, fdroid and amazon store to the rescue.
These are the apps I have installed on my tablets at any given time. Prime world defenders, bejeweled 3 classic, solitaire collection, chess, backgammon and kingdom rush, city islands( match 3 game like 700 odd levels) MX player, chrome or firefox, and a GPS navigational app.
My tablets are almost entirely for viewing pleasure, browsing the internet and playing a game as an after thought.I enjoy bejewel 3 classic immensely especially diamond mine, which I can play hours on end.Don't care for any thing else, have a dedicated portable gaming console which does exactly what it needs to do.
My phone is a damn phone and I use it as such, there is no games, no extra pointless apps or crap, it's stock and I have disabled and uninstalled as much of the apps/services as possible, the phone hasn't been on the internet since Jan this year, every few months I might go on just to check for updates and that is it.If could I would most definitely go back to a nokia 5110. A phone is a phone not a fashion accessory or bling, it's the reason I have a tablet, dedicated gaming device and a simple entry/mid range phone, without all the bells and crap, that lasts me 3 or 4 days or more on a single charge.In fact battery saving mode is almost exclusively enabled on the phone.I have 2 gig ram and some fancy snapdragon CPU and GPU, which I couldn't give a damn about.
On a tablet, ram, rom cpu/gpu is important because I use the device more actively, you could give me a phone with android 4 on it and I wouldn't and couldn't be bothered.I don't even have my phone on me half of the time, as I forget it in my room, when I go to my office. I think the only active features I used on the phone is the times it automatically goes to silent and blocking spam numbers, that is how far I tweaked the phone.
Sadly I haven't been able to order my tablet yet still waiting for paypal funds got a confirmation it will be some time tomorrow. I hope there is enough stock till then.....
Arthur
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Wife and I use this:
wizardofid
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Arthur
I flirted with the idea of getting a surface tablet (secondhand) and they are actually pretty awesome, already have 3 PC's with windows. Found refurbished surface tablet without keyboard with shipping for 2.2K on ebay.
There is always the jumper ezpad with keyboard/cover for just over 3.2K on gearbest which isn't half bad at all. I have a desktop while adding the tablet to the desktop ecosystem would definitely be a plus, decided against windows based tablet and stick with android.
Personally would love a surface pro, as semi desktop replacement especially with power failures here, would be handy to just continue with work unhindered, perhaps one day.
I flirted with the idea of getting a surface tablet (secondhand) and they are actually pretty awesome, already have 3 PC's with windows. Found refurbished surface tablet without keyboard with shipping for 2.2K on ebay.
There is always the jumper ezpad with keyboard/cover for just over 3.2K on gearbest which isn't half bad at all. I have a desktop while adding the tablet to the desktop ecosystem would definitely be a plus, decided against windows based tablet and stick with android.
Personally would love a surface pro, as semi desktop replacement especially with power failures here, would be handy to just continue with work unhindered, perhaps one day.
Arthur
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Hi Wizard. The machine in the pic is the little Surface Go with a 10-inch screen. Light, thin, USB, full access to file system, lekker screen. Win10 Pro runs just fine, and when I don't use the keyboard Win10 has a useful Tablet Mode.Arthur
I flirted with the idea of getting a surface tablet (secondhand) and they are actually pretty awesome, already have 3 PC's with windows. Found refurbished surface tablet without keyboard with shipping for 2.2K on ebay.
There is always the jumper ezpad with keyboard/cover for just over 3.2K on gearbest which isn't half bad at all. I have a desktop while adding the tablet to the desktop ecosystem would definitely be a plus, decided against windows based tablet and stick with android.
Personally would love a surface pro, as semi desktop replacement especially with power failures here, would be handy to just continue with work unhindered, perhaps one day.
I had a Surface Pro 4 a while back. Great device.
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wizardofid
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Outside the budget, some thing to keep in mind for a another time ☺
wizardofid
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And ordered, my neighbor also wanted this tablet, so got him one as well, splitting shipping costs ect.
ordered screen protector and as well as a case and used a 15% voucher discount and some GB.
Total worked out to 2.8K per person. Thoroughly chuffed, we can use the expedited shipping as well.
Specs for the tablet
MT6797 (X23) Deca Core
Android 8
4gig ram
128gig rom
1920 x 1200
Dual sim 2g/3g/4g
Can't wait to get my hands on this
ordered screen protector and as well as a case and used a 15% voucher discount and some GB.
Total worked out to 2.8K per person. Thoroughly chuffed, we can use the expedited shipping as well.
Specs for the tablet
MT6797 (X23) Deca Core
Android 8
4gig ram
128gig rom
1920 x 1200
Dual sim 2g/3g/4g
Can't wait to get my hands on this
Last edited:
wizardofid
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So I have a bit of a gripe, with gearbest.
I noticed some thing that some sellers inflate their discount and RRP prices on gearbest, especially with the device I ordered.I did my research and I did get around R500-R700 discount unlike the 31% discount it touted to have.
General prices are around 2.6K to 3K, the 4g 64gig version between 2.3k and 2.6k.
This isn't the only item that I have noticed with inflated RRP and discount prices, there are quite a few of them.
Regardless at 2.5K, for 4gig ram and 128gig rom and helio X23 isn't half bad considering, this is considered a budget tablet.I had quite a laugh when watching reviews and the reviewers all mentioning this is a budget tablet.
Compared to the cheap crap that gets sold here with the exception of samsung and apple, huawei and some lenovo stuff maybe another brand or two, it is any thing but budget here. If some one would to start importing them and selling it here I would expect that they would add a decent mark up on it, and it will still be cheaper then what we consider as midrange/high endish.
These two both nearly double in price, about the closest performance wise, makes me wonder what the actual SA mark up is for these devices.I bet the screen quality and hardware quality is better, however these devices are actually over a year old already. The M20 I ordered was updated in june this year with a new version, are they really worth the price gap. ?
The helio X23 almost 3 years old, Kirin 659, over 2 years and the snapdragon 450 also just over two year, in tech terms all 3 are pretty old, with similar performance. I wonder if you are paying for the brand name or the hardware.
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I just think we are getting royally screwed over here, tablets with 1gig ram and 16gig roms in some cases still with android 4 or 5 some times 6 is pretty much the norm here, some still with mali 400mp graphics and still some have a price premium in some cases. I very much suspect it is going to be awhile before we even remotely starting seeing 6 and 8 core cpu's in budget tablets.
I noticed some thing that some sellers inflate their discount and RRP prices on gearbest, especially with the device I ordered.I did my research and I did get around R500-R700 discount unlike the 31% discount it touted to have.
General prices are around 2.6K to 3K, the 4g 64gig version between 2.3k and 2.6k.
This isn't the only item that I have noticed with inflated RRP and discount prices, there are quite a few of them.
Regardless at 2.5K, for 4gig ram and 128gig rom and helio X23 isn't half bad considering, this is considered a budget tablet.I had quite a laugh when watching reviews and the reviewers all mentioning this is a budget tablet.
Compared to the cheap crap that gets sold here with the exception of samsung and apple, huawei and some lenovo stuff maybe another brand or two, it is any thing but budget here. If some one would to start importing them and selling it here I would expect that they would add a decent mark up on it, and it will still be cheaper then what we consider as midrange/high endish.
These two both nearly double in price, about the closest performance wise, makes me wonder what the actual SA mark up is for these devices.I bet the screen quality and hardware quality is better, however these devices are actually over a year old already. The M20 I ordered was updated in june this year with a new version, are they really worth the price gap. ?
The helio X23 almost 3 years old, Kirin 659, over 2 years and the snapdragon 450 also just over two year, in tech terms all 3 are pretty old, with similar performance. I wonder if you are paying for the brand name or the hardware.
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Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store
South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
I just think we are getting royally screwed over here, tablets with 1gig ram and 16gig roms in some cases still with android 4 or 5 some times 6 is pretty much the norm here, some still with mali 400mp graphics and still some have a price premium in some cases. I very much suspect it is going to be awhile before we even remotely starting seeing 6 and 8 core cpu's in budget tablets.
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Dan C
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wizardofid
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lol I hate you, mine however has a lead time of 7 days, for the cover and extra screen protector, should have made it a separate order, lead time on the tablet is two days max.I find it strange as the order is all from the same wharehouse and seller, go figure.
Dan C
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I just have the flip cover. Nice thing about the cover is it switches the tab on and off when closed or opened. You can however still use the fingerprint for extra security.
wizardofid
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Late reply on my part, was going to reply once I have gotten the tablet.I saw on reviews with the T10 with that cover it switches on and off.
Definitely would have gotten the T10, but lacking cellular connection was an issue for me, the T20 which is basically the same tablet more or less with the helio X27, was a bit pointless, sure the screen is laminated on both the T10 and T20, which would have made a huge difference with screen reflection for one and outdoor or very bright areas, the M20 has a helio X23 with exactly same GPU Mali T880mp4. Performance difference between the X27 and X23 is basically clock speed and not all that much in it. Camera's are way better, but It doesn't bother me or the reason I got it.
The 2k display does make a difference, but the 1080p screen of the M20 should be more then enough.
Cover I ordered is quite nice as well nothing like turning it self on and off.
That said, with sale they having right now, things have gone to shyt, if you asked me, order still haven't shipped, and will likely only shipping maybe tomorrow as they like shipping on Friday's for some reason ( last 2 orders in the last month or so, all shipped on a Friday after a Monday order(cheaper discount on shipping a specific country at one shot ?), so should have it by next week Friday with DHL. I hope.
Dan C
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The T20 I have is stuck on Android 7 , bit of a pity. As for the cover it's no biggie, that cover you ordered is just fine. My tablet and cover arrived via Buffalo with no duties in about a week. Hope you get yours soon.
wizardofid
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Just kinda makes expedited little pointless, I forgot the t20 is android 7, m20 has android 8, regardless have 7 on my phone and is still quite functional, I don't know the differences between 7 and 8. I do however know with 8 you can do split screens which I guess is quite handy.But from reviews this can be a bit laggy on either the helio x23 or x27 pending what you are doing on the tablet.From reviews pubg is supported on lower settings so definitely some thing I am going to give a bash.
BTW I read up on google play store support apparently even if not registered you can still manually register the device on the play store, just requires the device ID from what I read can be bit of a hassle if you can't get the I'd via normal methods some times requires rooting the tablet first.
Either way on the tablet sales pages it does mention support for google play store whether or not it comes preinstalled remains to be seen.
BTW I read up on google play store support apparently even if not registered you can still manually register the device on the play store, just requires the device ID from what I read can be bit of a hassle if you can't get the I'd via normal methods some times requires rooting the tablet first.
Either way on the tablet sales pages it does mention support for google play store whether or not it comes preinstalled remains to be seen.
wizardofid
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Sigh I should have made the cover and screen protector a separate order. They only partly shipped today thank goodness the tablets and the screen protectors.I can only assume the cover is on back order and would have taken much longer. I think lesson learned, ship device separately. Covers are usually cheap enough to ship via buff couriers without much hassle.This however increases the costs my side if they ship via dhl again.
If all goes well by Friday next week.
Dan C
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They won't charge you extra for partly shipped items. If you ordered via DHL, then it will be in your hands by Wednesday hopefully. They are very quick.