Picked Tab over iPad2, help needed with basic Android questions

[gordita]

So I need to buy a tablet within the next week and as of right now, I'm picking the new samsung tab 10.1 over the ipad2.
However, I need to understand some of the basic workings of Android to make sure I've picked the right tablet for my dad.
So, here goes:

1) If I understand correctly, with the tab, my dad will be able to connect it to his windows xp pc at home and at work via usb?
He will be able to add, delete and change ALL mp3, avi, xvid and jpeg files from either of his PC's? even his pdf files?

Presently, my iphone and my in-laws iPad2 is limited in this case. After syncing all my music and photos from my home pc to my phone, I cannot add music or jpeg from my work pc to the phone. This ticks me off big time. however, dropbox is helpful.

2) what is the software interface or user client to connect the tablet to the pc? so, is there an iTunes equivalent?

3) since my dad is not based in the US, what is the process to buy apps from the android market? he does have a google account but when he tries to buy apps, how does he pay for it each time?

4) Apps bought under his gmail account can be installed on his tab and his lg optimus T legally?? (if the app can be installed on the phone, ofcourse)

5) Currently, his windows xp desktop contains all his music and movies. what options does he have to stream them to his tab over wifi? does anyone do this today successfully?

6) frequently, he needs to take short notes. I purchased a spg stylus for my in-laws ipad, can I do the same for the samsung and what apps are available?

7) I love how the apple software updates are non-discriminatory. Everyone can update as soon as it's available. with regards to the Android OS, how frequent are these updates? I understand 3.1 just came out, do we know when and what can be expected in the next update and even when it's released, will samsung allow us to pull this update or we must wait for the updates to be pushed by samsung?

Thanks in advance!
All help will be greatly appreciated.
I intend to go to a bestbuy store first thing friday morning to purchase this tablet. I hope they have some in stock.
btw, what is BB's return policy on this tablet, can I return it without a restocking fee?

Thanks

 

[tatteredpotato]

So I need to buy a tablet within the next week and as of right now, I'm picking the new samsung tab 10.1 over the ipad2.
However, I need to understand some of the basic workings of Android to make sure I've picked the right tablet for my dad.
So, here goes:

1) If I understand correctly, with the tab, my dad will be able to connect it to his windows xp pc at home and at work via usb?
He will be able to add, delete and change ALL mp3, avi, xvid and jpeg files from either of his PC's? even his pdf files?

Presently, my iphone and my in-laws iPad2 is limited in this case. After syncing all my music and photos from my home pc to my phone, I cannot add music or jpeg from my work pc to the phone. This ticks me off big time. however, dropbox is helpful.

2) what is the software interface or user client to connect the tablet to the pc? so, is there an iTunes equivalent?

3) since my dad is not based in the US, what is the process to buy apps from the android market? he does have a google account but when he tries to buy apps, how does he pay for it each time?

4) Apps bought under his gmail account can be installed on his tab and his lg optimus T legally?? (if the app can be installed on the phone, ofcourse)

5) Currently, his windows xp desktop contains all his music and movies. what options does he have to stream them to his tab over wifi? does anyone do this today successfully?

6) frequently, he needs to take short notes. I purchased a spg stylus for my in-laws ipad, can I do the same for the samsung and what apps are available?

7) I love how the apple software updates are non-discriminatory. Everyone can update as soon as it's available. with regards to the Android OS, how frequent are these updates? I understand 3.1 just came out, do we know when and what can be expected in the next update and even when it's released, will samsung allow us to pull this update or we must wait for the updates to be pushed by samsung?

Thanks in advance!
All help will be greatly appreciated.
I intend to go to a bestbuy store first thing friday morning to purchase this tablet. I hope they have some in stock.
btw, what is BB's return policy on this tablet, can I return it without a restocking fee?

Thanks

I don't have an Android Tablet, but I assume it's mostly similar to Android phones.

1/2) There isn't a client for android, it just shows up as mass storage (the SD card on my phone), so no limitations on what can be loaded/unloaded.

3/4) Now sure how it works internationally, but you typically associate a credit card with your account, all purchases are billed to the card. I've never seen a limit to redownloading apps (I reflash and redownload my paid apps all the time)

7) Updates you're at the mercy of the device manufacturer. Some companies keep up support and some don't. Google provides the code for Samsung to make an update, but Google can't/won't force Samsung to do so.

 

[Doboji]

1) If I understand correctly, with the tab, my dad will be able to connect it to his windows xp pc at home and at work via usb?
He will be able to add, delete and change ALL mp3, avi, xvid and jpeg files from either of his PC's? even his pdf files?Presently, my iphone and my in-laws iPad2 is limited in this case. After syncing all my music and photos from my home pc to my phone, I cannot add music or jpeg from my work pc to the phone. This ticks me off big time. however, dropbox is helpful.

To his windows PC the Tab will appear just like a USB drive. He will be able to add and delete any files at will. You'll just need to make sure he has the appropriate App so that he can view each file once it's available on the Tab.


2) what is the software interface or user client to connect the tablet to the pc? so, is there an iTunes equivalent?

When you connect the USB cable, you simply tell the Tablet to allow itself to be used as mass storage.

3) since my dad is not based in the US, what is the process to buy apps from the android market? he does have a google account but when he tries to buy apps, how does he pay for it each time?

You just to need to associate a credit card.

4) Apps bought under his gmail account can be installed on his tab and his lg optimus T legally?? (if the app can be installed on the phone, ofcourse)

Once you buy an app through the android market that app is available to any Android device you associate with your registered account. Regardless of whether it's a tablet or a phone.

5) Currently, his windows xp desktop contains all his music and movies. what options does he have to stream them to his tab over wifi? does anyone do this today successfully?

There are Apps to do this... I think I read Subsonic being one of them

6) frequently, he needs to take short notes. I purchased a spg stylus for my in-laws ipad, can I do the same for the samsung and what apps are available?

Not sure, I'd have to look into that.

7) I love how the apple software updates are non-discriminatory. Everyone can update as soon as it's available. with regards to the Android OS, how frequent are these updates? I understand 3.1 just came out, do we know when and what can be expected in the next update and even when it's released, will samsung allow us to pull this update or we must wait for the updates to be pushed by samsung?

Nope this is the same as apple... The market is independent of the manufacturer as soon as it's in the market you can download it.

Thanks in advance!
All help will be greatly appreciated.
I intend to go to a bestbuy store first thing friday morning to purchase this tablet. I hope they have some in stock.
btw, what is BB's return policy on this tablet, can I return it without a restocking fee?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

 

[s44]

You don't need a special app for streaming: the built-in DLNA client (allshare) will work with any DLNA server program on his desktop. Try Serviio...

 

[poofyhairguy]

I will take on 4, 5, and 6.

4. Apps bought on one can work on both, with the exception of apps that aren't compatible with the phone: tablet specific applications, and application made for the tablet CPU (games).

5. The easiest way without fussing is just to use Splashtop Desktop to make the tablet a remote desktop client for the PC. Then he can play all his videos, watch Netflix, etc. As far as playing on the device the only decent streaming app is called Plex. I use it to stream pictures, tunes, and movies- but it just decent and not excellent. I run into issues often. Using Splashtop is easier if he is willing to leave the PC on.

6. You can get an iPad pen and try it, but results are hit and miss with other tablets and we don't know about the Galaxy Tab yet. The only Android tablet that has a guaranteed working pen is HTC's, and its a poor value otherwise.

These apps work well if the pen does:

http://www.appbrain.com/app/genial-writing/com.zenpie.genialwriting

http://www.appbrain.com/app/graffiti-for-android/com.access_company.graffiti

 

[gordita]

Thanks to s44, doboji and to ObscureCaucasian.
I feel good about my choice and pumped up for friday!

I normally order through newegg to save on tax but am willing to give my business to BB this time around...it's all for a good cause...)

 

[Binky]

To add to point #1, if he has a wireless network at home that he's connecting the tablet to, and the files he wants to regularly transfer to/from the tablet are in a shared folder on the desktop computer, then there is no reason that he can't easily transfer files over the network directly to his tablet's SD card.

There are several very good file managers available and one in particular that is specifically made for the tablet form factor (check out File Manager HD linked below). There may even be a built in file manager that works over the network on that tablet.

File Manager HD (very nice on the tablet)
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd&feature=search_result

ES File Explorer (my choice for phones)
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&feature=search_result

 

[preslove]

7) I love how the apple software updates are non-discriminatory. Everyone can update as soon as it's available. with regards to the Android OS, how frequent are these updates? I understand 3.1 just came out, do we know when and what can be expected in the next update and even when it's released, will samsung allow us to pull this update or we must wait for the updates to be pushed by samsung?

Samsung has said that they're going to put out touchwiz on an update, so I assume that they're just going to put Touchwiz on top of the next Android update. This will probably delay the update release a bit, but probably not as much as for phones, because there aren't carriers to make stupid demands that have to met.

 

[Ns1]

n/m

 

[QueBert]

2. the iTunes equivalent would be Doubletwist, whoever made it did their best job at trying to make an exact iTunes clone. I haven't used it in ages so I can't comment on newer versions. But it was buggy and slow back when I did. It allows you to import iTunes playlists and such.