Spaced Out ::

The tablet urge finally hit and I went out a purchased a Google Nexus 7. There are plenty of reviews around (CNET, PCPro) so I won’t labour the point that it’s cheap, extremely good hardware (processor, screen)m runs Android 4.1 and is reasonably pleasant to look at. It lacks memory with no microSD for expandable storage. So, going beneath the skin what can we do??

• root your device: not difficult to do and works a treat
• Obligatory case: took a punt and this is excellent. Slots all in the right place, magnetic sleep latch and prop stand
• 40 tricks and tips
• use the full tablet UI (rather than Google’s fixed phone UI). ES File Explorer great to roam the file system and then use the in-built text editor to edit and save the build.prop file
• take photos with the forward facing camera: yes, amazingly, the camera only allows programmatic access. Use Camera Launcher
• mount a USB stick for extra storage: yes really! Buy yourself an OTG cable and install Easy UMS. Voila, read and write files from your USB stick.
• Kindle Reader: thus far it’s not listed as compatible with the Nexus 7. Don’t know whether this is just tardiness on Amazon’s part or deliberately designed to minimise use given the Kindle Fire. Anyway, Google it, download latest APK and sideload it. Works a treat
• MindJet: I’ve blogged briefly before about a mind mapping app for Android that is, well, brilliant, and writes MM files. This has been bought up and released to support an online service. However you don’t have to use it and it works brilliantly on its own. Not listed as compatible with the Nexus 7 yet, so download on to another device, backup and then sideload on to the Nexus.
• Quick Office Pro: used my credit with buying the Nexus to purchase Quick Office Pro. Works well, worth having
• Other useful apps: Skype, VitalPlayer, PrBoom (Doom), QuickPic, Google Reader. Repligo PDF Reader, MapDroyd, K-9 Mail, Android VNC all worthy apps to use on a tablet.

Finally, worth noting that Android 4 no longer supports UMS (i.e. accessing your device as a drive letter). Either MTP or PTP. I find this irrating, as do others. For earlier Nexus devices there are some hacks to reinstate UMS, however nothing available as yet for the Nexus 7.