Nov
30th
2013
Got a tablet, now what? o_0 · 7:27pm Nov 30th, 2013
A delayed foalday present arrived from my parents, a Polaroid 4.3" internet tablet, with Android 4.1
Mmkay, this could be a great help in getting back in touch with some of you out there until such time as my laptop is resurrected or the data rescued. (There seems to be a dearth of functional ports to skypechat with on Zecora, my "new" PC...)
One of the setup items is "Download an App store." Among the options it gives is Amazon Appstore, 1 Mobile market, Opera 12 (wait, isnt this an OS?), and Getjar.
Does anypony have any advise for this poor noob on which to choose and what apps to get?
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Boss_Hoss1 · 369 views
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The amazon app store would be the most user-friendly choice. Probably. Lots of free apps and things.
As for apps... depends what you want. Most of the time I just use the browser on my tablet. I have the tumblr app for tumblr, and I have a drawing app because it has a wacom digitizer in the screen, but apart from that I've not got much at all.
Use Google Play Store if you have Android OS.
Greenify and many other apps recommended on lifehacks are a good idea.
Skype app. Andchat for other IRC. Youtube App. EqD has an app as does tumblr. A lot of sites have apps that are kore convenient than browser on tablets. Coolreader for downloaded epub fics...
Dearth of functional ports to skypechat with? I can't imagine how you'd have a dearth of functional TCP/IP ports in a way which would break Skype, so I'll assume you mean you're having trouble plugging in a microphone.
I'm a value-conscious techie so I can probably help you out there.
If you've got a USB-attached mic (eg. as part of a webcam) and you're out of working USB ports, you can pick up a USB hub off eBay or DealExtreme for $2-5 (shipping included) depending on the model and whether your devices draw enough current to require the hub to have its own AC adapter.
If your mic is using the traditional microphone jack but that's not working, pick up one of these $3 USB sound cards. They give clearer mic audio than every motherboard I've ever tried.
If you don't even have a mic, you should be able to find one of acceptable quality (nothing to write home about, but perfectly usable... especially with the aforementioned USB sound card) for $2-3 at either your local dollar store or on DealExtreme.
(I advise buying two of these sorts of cheap things if you can afford them since, being cheap Chinese things, you do get a defective one on occasion and, while they'll ship you a replacement, that still means waiting 4-10 weeks rather than 2-5.)
If you're really in a bad situation and all your USB ports are broken and you're using a PS/2 mouse and keyboard, grab this $8 USB 2.0 PCI card off DealExtreme to get some new ones.
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Ohhh! Ive never even HEARD of a USB microphone! Ive never looked for any because i didnt even know they existed.
the only audio jacks are in the back and the sound jack is occupied by the speakers. Its no fun to contemplate swapping out every time I want to skype since this beast is 50lbs or more.
Thanks for the headsup on USB Mikes and/or headsets...
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No problem. Generally speaking, you can get anything and everything for USB.
As for the headphones, if it's just reaching behind to plug and unplug things that's the problem, the other option would be to check your local shops for speaker/headset switchboxes. (They tend to be $15 in stores and I'm having trouble finding lower prices online after shipping)
My brother has one of the Radio Shack models. It plugs into his computer's speaker and microphone ports via a 6-foot cable and sits on his desk, then he plugs his speakers, microphone, and headphones into it. One-touch switching.
...or you could buy a couple of cheap extension lines off eBay for $1 each and twist-tie them to your keyboard's cable to relocate your audio jacks to somewhere easier to reach.