Some Google Nexus 7 advice please, thanks!

[vshah]

OK, thanks. So is there anything else I should know before we open these bad boys up?

you may want to pit a PIN on the play store so they can't make purchases without your authorization
play store > menu > settings > set or change PIN > check "use pin for purchases"

also while in settings, uncheck "google admob ads"

 

[Pr0d1gy]

you may want to pit a PIN on the play store so they can't make purchases without your authorization
play store > menu > settings > set or change PIN > check "use pin for purchases"

also while in settings, uncheck "google admob ads"

Thanks for all the advice vshah. I think we're going to just use the prepaid cards to avoid any issues. I'd rather not have my kids walking around with someone that has our credit card/bank account info on it. heh

Sounds good about the malware. I really don't see any reason to root it if that isn't needed to play old school games, so they should be safe there.

Part of the reason I got these is so they would have a browser to look up things for school. Are the browsers on these pretty useful/competent? I imagine it uses Google, right?

Eug, thanks for the heads up. I will do some research to see which is best for my needs.

 

[vshah]

yes, the stock browser is google chrome, it works fine. other popular options are dolphin browser, firefox, and opera - all free on the play store.

 

[lopri]

Thanks for all the advice vshah. I think we're going to just use the prepaid cards to avoid any issues. I'd rather not have my kids walking around with someone that has our credit card/bank account info on it. heh

A very good idea.

Part of the reason I got these is so they would have a browser to look up things for school. Are the browsers on these pretty useful/competent? I imagine it uses Google, right?

It comes with Chrome which can be sync'ed with Desktop Chrome (which is optional). Other than phone-oriented miniature browsers (such as Opera mini, Dolphin mini), it's the fastest browser.

One thing to remember: In order to gain access to the Nexus' folders from PC when connected via a USB cable, you need to do 2 things.

- USB Debugging Enabled
- USB Media Device (MTP) Enabled

I believe MTP is enabled by default. If not, you can go to "Settings -> Storage" and click on the upper right corner for options. Choose MTP.

For USB debug mode, you need to go to "Developer Options" and check on "USB debugging." As of Android 4.2, Google hid developer options for some reason (i.e. not visible in the Settings) but you can get it back through a silly method. Go to "Settings -> About tablet" and look for "Android version." Tab a few times and you will get a silly message saying "You're 4 steps away from being a developer!" or some such. Just keep tapping and be proud to be a developer!

Once that's done your Nexus works just like a USB thumb drive when connected to a PC. You will be greeted with familiar folder structures like Windows Explorer. Many people like Airdroid as well. It lets you access the Nexus in a web browser via WiFi in a ridiculous simple manner.

There are tons of apps and games for your kids to choose, but keep in mind the storage is not unlimited. Big games can eat up the storage very fast. Android lets you check up on storage usage under the settings so you can check on it as the storage gets filled.

One app I'd recommend is Autodesk's Pixlr Express. There are many free/non-free image editing software, but I find it one of the best. It doubles as a camera launcher on Nexus 7, so you can pass on additional camera launchers. (Nexus 7 doesn't ship with a native camera app)

 

[Pr0d1gy]

A very good idea.


It comes with Chrome which can be sync'ed with Desktop Chrome (which is optional). Other than phone-oriented miniature browsers (such as Opera mini, Dolphin mini), it's the fastest browser.

One thing to remember: In order to gain access to the Nexus' folders from PC when connected via a USB cable, you need to do 2 things.

- USB Debugging Enabled
- USB Media Device (MTP) Enabled

I believe MTP is enabled by default. If not, you can go to "Settings -> Storage" and click on the upper right corner for options. Choose MTP.

For USB debug mode, you need to go to "Developer Options" and check on "USB debugging." As of Android 4.2, Google hid developer options for some reason (i.e. not visible in the Settings) but you can get it back through a silly method. Go to "Settings -> About tablet" and look for "Android version." Tab a few times and you will get a silly message saying "You're 4 steps away from being a developer!" or some such. Just keep tapping and be proud to be a developer!

Once that's done your Nexus works just like a USB thumb drive when connected to a PC. You will be greeted with familiar folder structures like Windows Explorer. Many people like Airdroid as well. It lets you access the Nexus in a web browser via WiFi in a ridiculous simple manner.

There are tons of apps and games for your kids to choose, but keep in mind the storage is not unlimited. Big games can eat up the storage very fast. Android lets you check up on storage usage under the settings so you can check on it as the storage gets filled.

One app I'd recommend is Autodesk's Pixlr Express. There are many free/non-free image editing software, but I find it one of the best. It doubles as a camera launcher on Nexus 7, so you can pass on additional camera launchers. (Nexus 7 doesn't ship with a native camera app)

Such a useful post. Seriously, I can't thank you enough for actually taking the time to do all of that for me. You're good people as they say in the streets .