CM9 Alpha for HP Touchpad...

[Spoooon]

I just installed it. For some reason I can't get it to power off. Holding the sleep button worked at first, but now there's no response no matter how long I hold it. Anyone else having this problem?

I would do a hard reset and see if restarting it takes care of the problem. Or see if there is a menu option to shut it off (not sure as I haven't had to do that).

What's funny is that I used to have a problem where it would restart when I want it to power off. It apparently went away by itself sometime last night.

 

[Dulanic]

I would do a hard reset and see if restarting it takes care of the problem. Or see if there is a menu option to shut it off (not sure as I haven't had to do that).

What's funny is that I used to have a problem where it would restart when I want it to power off. It apparently went away by itself sometime last night.

Mine used to do the same thing with the reset part lol

 

[phantom404]

Did this last night and the only thing not working is Netflix and the Mic. Everything else that I do seems to be working just fine. Haven't tried Google docs yet but the Calendar is syncing properly with my gmail account. Just has to apply the google app fix zip file in recovery.

 

[L33tMasta]

Now this is what Android is good for. Low end tablets like this. That $150 I spent on my Touchpad was the best investment I ever made. CM7 was terrible on it but ICS runs like a dream. Hopefully they get some nightlies up soon.

 

[ViRGE]

CM9 on a TouchPad is surprisingly non-awful. For an alpha that was labeled fullofbugs, I was expecting a lot of trouble. But really the only thing that doesn't work that actually impacts me is hardware video acceleration. Otherwise it's humming right along. I think I already like it more than WebOS from a performance standpoint, though I do miss the cards.

While I'm thinking about it, can someone explain the DPI issue? It sounds like they have to use the wrong scaling factor to get the Android Market to think it's a tablet?

 

[Spoooon]

CM9 on a TouchPad is surprisingly non-awful. For an alpha that was labeled fullofbugs, I was expecting a lot of trouble. But really the only thing that doesn't work that actually impacts me is hardware video acceleration. Otherwise it's humming right along. I think I already like it more than WebOS from a performance standpoint, though I do miss the cards.

While I'm thinking about it, can someone explain the DPI issue? It sounds like they have to use the wrong scaling factor to get the Android Market to think it's a tablet?

I just googled this really quick and seems to be consistent with my understanding:

"Yeah, the resolution fix apparently works at 120dpi (ldpi), 160dpi (mdpi), 240dpi (hdpi), and 320dpi (xhdpi). These are the standard Android display resolutions, so most apps claim to support them. Apps that don't care about resolution should be installable with non-standard settings as well"

So, I guess using nonstandard DPI will screw up the market in terms of what apps will appear to be compatible with the device. I tried 120, but at that point some of the text looked too fuzzy, icons and stuff looked good though.

edit: For those of you interested in tweaking DPI: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/15568-rel-market-fix-dpi-compatibility/

 

[ViRGE]

I just googled this really quick and seems to be consistent with my understanding:

"Yeah, the resolution fix apparently works at 120dpi (ldpi), 160dpi (mdpi), 240dpi (hdpi), and 320dpi (xhdpi). These are the standard Android display resolutions, so most apps claim to support them. Apps that don't care about resolution should be installable with non-standard settings as well"

So, I guess using nonstandard DPI will screw up the market in terms of what apps will appear to be compatible with the device. I tried 120, but at that point some of the text looked too fuzzy, icons and stuff looked good though.

edit: For those of you interested in tweaking DPI: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/15568-rel-market-fix-dpi-compatibility/

So I'm assuming 160 is the wrong DPI? In which case what's the downside to using it, other than it drawing home screen icons at too large a size?

 

[Spoooon]

So I'm assuming 160 is the wrong DPI? In which case what's the downside to using it, other than it drawing home screen icons at too large a size?

I don't think there's any downside. I don't mind the home screen icons being a little large and all that. It does look pretty attractive and "high res" around 142 or so. But not worth screwing up the market for. I have not tried the fix I shared.

 

[Kenmitch]

I tried this on my TouchPad and it looks alot nicer than the CM7 was. Seems to run pretty good so far. I'm waiting for a more stable/functional release then it's off to Craigslist for my 32gb'r. I'm kinda think maybe a 7" or 8.9" form factor tablet would suite my needs better.

 

[Nintendesert]

Well after reading what you all stated, once they fix Netflix I'm going to get CM9 and put it on my Touchpad. That's really the only reason I'm not going forward with it now.

 

[ponyo]

I installed CM9 on one my 16 gb Touchpad. Everything is working fine except for the known bugs. I think the biggest improvement is the browser and the general smoothness. I love the quick controls feature of the browser. To enable it, go into the browser settings menu and go down to Labs and check to toggle on the Quick controls. It's like the Thumb Nav add on for the WebOS browser. I love using the stock ICS browser. It's so fast and smooth. I no longer feel the need to install Opera Mobile.

 

[Spoooon]

I installed CM9 on one my 16 gb Touchpad. Everything is working fine except for the known bugs. I think the biggest improvement is the browser and the general smoothness. I love the quick controls feature of the browser. To enable it, go into the browser settings menu and go down to Labs and check to toggle on the Quick controls. It's like the Thumb Nav add on for the WebOS browser. I love using the stock ICS browser. It's so fast and smooth. I no longer feel the need to install Opera Mobile.

Yes, the quick controls are super cool. On my Nexus and my Touchpad the stock browser is the way to go.

 

[shabby]

If you like the stock browser and launcher download these two apps, they're the original apps but with added enhancements.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1423588

Enhancement of the standard ICS browser by adding new functions. For now:
+ option to set the User Agent string
+ option to add extra quick controls. Honeycomb tablet users must know how useful the quick controls are on a tablet as compared to the ones on the phone. Well.. now you got the same controls also on the phone
+ gesture support (left, right swipe with user definable functions : back, forward and home)
+ option to use volume buttons for scrolling

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1389071

Features include:
- Custom grid size (default 5x4 on the Galaxy Nexus)
- Scrollable Dock
- User setting for auto-rotate
- Resize any widget
- All/New/Downloaded categories in App Drawer
- Widgets-in-drawer (requires install as a system app) or from system picker
- Shortcut or resizable information in Widget Drawer
- Edit App Shortcut and Folder icons and labels (Supports ADW Icon Packs)
- Wallpaper scrolling options (Disabling scrolling improves performance of live wallpapers)
- Cube desktop effect
- Infinite scroll of desktop and dock
- Various other smaller tweaks/optimizations

 

[theeedude]

Is Flash video slow? I think I am going back to CM7 for a while.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Is Flash video slow? I think I am going back to CM7 for a while.

I think pretty much all video is slow and a LOT of other stuff seems broken. I like the browsing experience enough that I'm going stick with cm9 though. This is going to be great when they get all the bugs out of it.

 

[ViRGE]

I think pretty much all video is slow and a LOT of other stuff seems broken.

Yeah, the lack of hardware decode acceleration really limits video performance. Standard definition works well enough with software decoding, but HD is another matter. With that said, Flash on Android is a pile of rubbish, so if Flash is slow it's more than a lack of hardware acceleration that's an issue.

 

[ViRGE]

edit: For those of you interested in tweaking DPI: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/15568-rel-market-fix-dpi-compatibility/

I finally got around to setting the DPI lower (I went with native: 132) and trying out the market fix. The lower DPI is definitely a nice change, and it has fixed a couple of applications that weren't really properly behaving themselves at 160. With that said, ironically the Market fix was the hardest thing I've had to install. It was easier to get CM9 and GApps installed than it was having to muck about the filesystem to get it to take the Market fix.

 

[WelshBloke]

I finally got around to setting the DPI lower (I went with native: 132) and trying out the market fix. The lower DPI is definitely a nice change, and it has fixed a couple of applications that weren't really properly behaving themselves at 160. With that said, ironically the Market fix was the hardest thing I've had to install. It was easier to get CM9 and GApps installed than it was having to muck about the filesystem to get it to take the Market fix.

It was pretty much copy and paste for me.


As said above the biggest drawback is video playback, if anyone finds a fix for that it would be great.

 

[ponyo]

Yeah, the lack of hardware decode acceleration really limits video performance. Standard definition works well enough with software decoding, but HD is another matter. With that said, Flash on Android is a pile of rubbish, so if Flash is slow it's more than a lack of hardware acceleration that's an issue.

Say what? Flash on Android works well on modern device. Maybe if you tried Flash on the original Motorola Droid or something. Flash does eat up the battery quick but saying Flash is pile of rubbish and slow is BS. Flash on alpha build of CM7/CM9 Touchpad does not equal Flash performance on other stable Android device. Do you consider Flash on WebOS Touchpad rubbish and slow? It's not desktop smooth but it's more than usable and watchable. I watch ESPN3 game replay on my WebOS Touchpad and 7" Galaxy Tab which has single core Hummingbird and videos play fine. Notice I didn't say I watch it on CM7/CM9 Touchpad. Because Flash on CM7/9 alpha doesn't work that well.

 

[ViRGE]

It was pretty much copy and paste for me.

I had to rename files in two different places, copy it over, edit the permissions, reboot, run it, clear data, reboot again, and finally make one final deletion before it would work. Compared to just throwing things in a folder and running ACME, that was hard.

Say what? Flash on Android works well on modern device. Maybe if you tried Flash on the original Motorola Droid or something. Flash does eat up the battery quick but saying Flash is pile of rubbish and slow is BS. Flash on alpha build of CM7/CM9 Touchpad does not equal Flash performance on other stable Android device. Do you consider Flash on WebOS Touchpad rubbish and slow? It's not desktop smooth but it's more than usable and watchable. I watch ESPN3 game replay on my WebOS Touchpad and 7" Galaxy Tab which has single core Hummingbird and videos play fine. Notice I didn't say I watch it on CM7/CM9 Touchpad. Because Flash on CM7/9 alpha doesn't work that well.

Actually ESPN3 is a great argument. ESPN3 is only usable on the TouchPad (under WebOS) at the lowest video setting. If you want something that's not a blocky mess, the Flash-based video player isn't able to keep up. Certainly the hardware is plenty capable though, since the native video player can play back 720P files without an issue.

 

[WelshBloke]

I had to rename files in two different places, copy it over, edit the permissions, reboot, run it, clear data, reboot again, and finally make one final deletion before it would work. Compared to just throwing things in a folder and running ACME, that was hard.

Yeah, it might be that I'm used to replacing the official Gmail.apk with a hacked insecure one using a similar method, so I pretty much knew to do the permissions thing with out thinking. Mind you I just copied the file over, set the permissions, renamed the updater and rebooted.

 

[Insomniator]

Videos is about the only thing I'd use a tablet for, so I guess I gotta wait for newer version!

PS flash works perfect on decent android hardware.... watching streaming SC2 on my Rezound all the time.

 

[ponyo]

Actually ESPN3 is a great argument. ESPN3 is only usable on the TouchPad (under WebOS) at the lowest video setting. If you want something that's not a blocky mess, the Flash-based video player isn't able to keep up. Certainly the hardware is plenty capable though, since the native video player can play back 720P files without an issue.

That has nothing to do with Flash and everything to do with your internet speed and ESPN servers. ESPN3 doesn't always play at the lowest video setting. I get 2 bars out of 4 on the video quality setting on videos majority of the time. I've also get 4 out of 4 bars too which is very clear on the Touchpad. Yes, when it drops down to 1 bar, video becomes blocky. But two bars is not bad and similar to SD and more than watchable. It doesn't always only play at 1 bar like you're saying. That just shows you don't watch watch ESPN or watch Flash videos.

I took this pic of the Touchpad playing the Syracuse and Notre Dame game. Sorry about the blurry pic. But it clearly shows 4 out of 4 bars on video quality. And 4 out 4 is smooth and clear.

Flash works well on WebOS and Android. It's not desktop smooth but it's far from crap you're claiming it to be.

 

[ViRGE]

That has nothing to do with Flash and everything to do with your internet speed and ESPN servers. ESPN3 doesn't always play at the lowest video setting. I get 2 bars out of 4 on the video quality setting on videos majority of the time. I've also get 4 out of 4 bars too which is very clear on the Touchpad. Yes, when it drops down to 1 bar, video becomes blocky. But two bars is not bad and similar to SD and more than watchable. It doesn't always only play at 1 bar like you're saying. That just shows you don't watch watch ESPN or watch Flash videos.

I took this pic of the Touchpad playing the Syracuse and Notre Dame game. Sorry about the blurry pic. But it clearly shows 4 out of 4 bars on video quality. And 4 out 4 is smooth and clear.

Flash works well on WebOS and Android. It's not desktop smooth but it's far from crap you're claiming it to be.

Honestly I don't appreciate the accusation that I have not used ESPN3. I have, and I've reported exactly what I've experienced: I can only get the lowest quality stream. When it goes up a notch, the framerate bottoms out and ESPN3 drops back to the lowest quality stream in order to keep up. The same goes for YouTube: turn out 720P and watch that baby drop frames left and right.

And all of this is Flash's fault. The hardware is clearly far more capable, and I'm looking forward to CM9 implementing hardware acceleration so that I can finally watch YouTube in HD without dropping frames.

 

[ponyo]

Honestly I don't appreciate the accusation that I have not used ESPN3. I have, and I've reported exactly what I've experienced: I can only get the lowest quality stream. When it goes up a notch, the framerate bottoms out and ESPN3 drops back to the lowest quality stream in order to keep up. The same goes for YouTube: turn out 720P and watch that baby drop frames left and right.

And all of this is Flash's fault. The hardware is clearly far more capable, and I'm looking forward to CM9 implementing hardware acceleration so that I can finally watch YouTube in HD without dropping frames.

I apologize if my tone was too harsh and aggressive. I'm sorry.

Any kind of streaming is dependent on your internet connection and the server you're connected to. Espn doesn't have the best servers. Especially during busy times. Quality can vary. But Flash on the Touchpad is capable of playing more than 1 bar. In fact if you get good connection and have fast internet, Flash videos will play great and fairly smooth. Like I said it's not desktop smooth but its nothing an average person would complain about. Espn on desktop isn't always smooth and clear either. And using YouTube HD is terrible example. It's known fact YouTube HD lags and buffers even on desktop.

Have you streamed Flash videos from Amazon Prime streaming? That uses Flash and Amazon Prime videos play smooth and clear on Touchpad. Amazon servers are more reliable and you should get fairly good experience playing flash videos from Amazon.