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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:56 am Post subject: Could a 7-inch tablet be the perfect satnav? |
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7-inch tablets, a device format that many pundits claimed had 'no market' are selling like hot cakes. Google's Asus manufactured Nexus 7 tablet is selling at a rate of over a million per month and Apple's entrant in this sector, the iPad mini goes on sale tomorrow.
I've long since desired a device that was larger than a smartphone but smaller than an iPad. My thinking being that they're great media consumption devices, small enough to hold and read a book, browse the web, check your email etc and big enough to make the ideal in-car satnav.
So I've invested in a Google Nexus 7. The latest variant went on sale Monday with the 32GB Wi-Fi only version a bargain £199.00. There is a cellular radio equipped option coming later this month but the most important distinction here is that all the Nexus 7's are equipped with GPS. On the iPad that's reserved for the Wi-Fi plus Cellular models only.
Source: Google Play - Nexus 7
So what's it like? Very very good is the answer. It's well built, has a great screen and everything works nicely. Being a Google branded device it has the latest release of Android 4.1.2. Android is now a very smooth and polished operating system.
I've also invested in a Brodit active cradle which provides power. The Nexus 7 sits nicely on the dash without being too intrusive or obscuring anything important. Being that bit larger, all the icons and buttons are easier to locate and select as well, an added bonus.
On the navigation front, Navigon and TomTom don't support the high-res screen in the Nexus 7 (yet) so for the UK I'd suggest looking at Sygic or CoPilot, both work well on the large screen.
Having a larger display makes the whole experience so much nicer and when you're not driving you have a tablet that you can use to watch movies, listen to podcasts etc. I have my music library and a range of podcasts loaded and can stream over Bluetooth to my car. If you need an internet connection, you can tether to your smartphone or await the cellular version due soon. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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adamwolfe Lifetime Member
Joined: Apr 26, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Scottish Borders
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peterc10 Frequent Visitor
Joined: Aug 21, 2005 Posts: 1761 Location: Kent, England
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Yes but the free version isn't really a sat nav, given that it has no voice directions. For that (essential) you have to pay. _________________ Peter
HTC Sensation
Sygic GPS for Europe (No more TT "support"!)
Copilot for USA
Bury CC9060 bluetooth car kit & Brodit mount |
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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It's a pity Navigon doesn't support the Nexus 7. Google Nav works of course but is limited without a data connection although you can always tether to your phone for data.
Pleasantly surprised by the Nexus 7. So much so I've actually gone and bought some apps, a first despite having owned a number for Android handsets.
Invested in Swiftkey for Tablets as the stock keyboard is a PoS! Also Pocket Casts as I'm an avid podcast listener. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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253 Lifetime Member
Joined: Mar 05, 2007 Posts: 1058 Location: The green bit between the M40, M4 and M25.
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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Good article Darren.
Can you keep us updated as to how you get on with it?
I am interested in purchasing one myself, but worried about the 16Gb and no SD card slot.
Have a Galaxy S3 since June, 105 apps - no big games - and down to just under 5Gb free. _________________ Triumph Tbird 1700. And now a Bonnie T100. |
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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The latest Nexus 7 is 32GB and still £199.00. That's what I got. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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253 Lifetime Member
Joined: Mar 05, 2007 Posts: 1058 Location: The green bit between the M40, M4 and M25.
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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Darren wrote: | The latest Nexus 7 is 32GB and still £199.00. That's what I got. |
Ahhhhhh - better.
Cheers for that, thought they were still only 16Gb. _________________ Triumph Tbird 1700. And now a Bonnie T100. |
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Eiffel Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 02, 2006 Posts: 1 Location: London
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 11:54 pm Post subject: Navfree |
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I've used Navfree with great success. Quality of the routing in the UK seems about on par with TomTom based on my experience using both at the same time |
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travisb Regular Visitor
Joined: Nov 02, 2004 Posts: 111 Location: North Wales
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:47 am Post subject: |
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An alternative to tethering your phone could be to get something like the MiFi dongle that Three do.
Must admit I'm very tempted by a Nexus 7 for just this sort of thing. Or I might wait until my current mobile contract expires and go for something like the Galaxy Note 2.
Decisions _________________ LG G4, Google Nexus 9, Garmin Oregon 600T |
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norm2002 Regular Visitor
Joined: Aug 13, 2005 Posts: 147 Location: Panama City
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:01 am Post subject: Welcome to the 7" world! |
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Welcome to the 7" world, Darren. I have been using the original Samsung Galaxy Tab with Sygic (and, of course, CamerAlert in the background) for a long time. I also have a Brodit cradle although this is rather large. My Tab can take a SIM but I don't currently have a SIM in it and it is really not necessary. I just make sure my CamerAlert database is up to date and it's good to go.
So much nicer to look at, and easier to glance at while concentrating on driving, than my old Garmin.
News Team wrote: |
and Apple's entrant in this sector, the iPad mini goes on sale tomorrow.
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And I remember Steve Jobs saying Apple would NEVER make a 7" tablet - no one wants them or needs them! |
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subvertbeats Occasional Visitor
Joined: May 19, 2006 Posts: 18
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:47 am Post subject: |
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Nice, which app are using for the ODBII data? BUT ODBII dongle too? _________________ Darren Griffin |
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subvertbeats Occasional Visitor
Joined: May 19, 2006 Posts: 18
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:08 am Post subject: |
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That one is DashCommand, but I use Torque also.
OBDII dongle is a Kiwi bluetooth |
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Major_Route Occasional Visitor
Joined: Oct 25, 2006 Posts: 8
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:13 am Post subject: |
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I've got a 16gb nexus 7 and don't find storage an issue. Get a cheap otg cable and plug in a usb mem stick, hdd or card reader. Alternatively you could get Seagate's wifi 2.5" hdd (500gb) and stream movies, music, photos etc from that. I copy across a whole series of TV like Dexter or 24 in one go and still have room for my music and apps. More memory is always desirable though, it's just 16gb is workable. |
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adamwolfe Lifetime Member
Joined: Apr 26, 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Scottish Borders
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Major_Route wrote: | I've got a 16gb nexus 7 and don't find storage an issue. Get a cheap otg cable and plug in a usb mem stick, hdd or card reader. Alternatively you could get Seagate's wifi 2.5" hdd (500gb) and stream movies, music, photos etc from that. I copy across a whole series of TV like Dexter or 24 in one go and still have room for my music and apps. More memory is always desirable though, it's just 16gb is workable. |
I have the 16Gb too. No storage problems yet. OTG cable from Amazon and a 64GB usb stick. Perfect for movies etc. Also best to use "Nexus Media Importer" (free on Play) which allows media to be played directly from a stick/card etc. You can also use Google Docs too. _________________ Adam |
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