New SONY Tablet S

[ZeroID]

Just had a look at the new SONY Tablet S about to be released end of October.Why I am interested is that I am not a big fan of Apple products, they are too restrictive with their licensing and applications but I'd like an 'always-on' device in the lounge dining area that lets me browse recipes and event information etc. SONYs tablet is running Android OS and as we are a SONY household, TV, PS3, etc this tablet also will control these via WiFi and play all the games, browse the web etc.

What I'd like to know is there any good astro software being written for Android devices. It has GPS so I am guessing it may also be capable of the point and identify type function.

Went to the SONY shop yesterday and had a play with one, very impressive. Might be a Xmas pressie to ourselves if it works as good as it looks and says. Price NZ for a 32 gig model as nearly $1000. Not sure whether to wait a bit for generation 2 although this looks quite well featured. Only missing capability I noticed is mobile via cellular connection.

[Omaroo]

I keep hearing this said from some non-Apple owners as a reason they don't own. Not sure what you call half a million iDevice apps - too restrictive? What licensing restrictions? I'm at a bit of a loss to see how how one can call the most successful device "restrictive" - otherwise it simply wouldn't be where it is.

My company and I are tablet app developers for the publishing industry (magazines and newspapers) and I have to say that we enjoy the decent rule set, decent APIs and tools and a rigid standardised structure. Working with Android is a bit of a mess by comparison. I think that there are a couple of astronomy planetarium apps for you though.

[ZeroID]

With all due respect Chris, 'rigid standardised structure' kind of belies the point here. I don't want to be trapped into the iTunes lockdown syndrome that Apple requires or the forced updates to versions I don't want to implement.
I do admire Apple gear for the user interface and the way they have insinuated themselves into our existence (I love my iPod) but you must admit they make it very difficult for developers if they won't conform to the Apple business plan, ie give all your money to Apple.

[Omaroo]

Likewise Brent. Apple's business caters to real people on the street - not directly to tech-heads per se. If you require and are looking for the flexibility as you have indicated, then it is not the best model, I agree. I just detest some people stating that because this is required by them it should apply to everyone, because it certainly doesn't. You didn't give that impression in your post I'll admit.

As a developer, I'm more than happy for Apple to take their agreed share - if it weren't for their monstrous platform reach, my market would be oh-so much smaller than it is. Developers are generally in it for the money too. Hobbyists aren't catered-to, no. There are other platforms for that.

[AndyK]

Apple's tight rein on things might well be a pain to some ... but is a real bonus to others.
Keeping control of things prevents people fiddling with things to the point of failure.
I work in IT so I can confidently fiddle ... but sometimes it's easier and more productive to have a device which I can just pick up and use and rely on it to simply work ... always.
I grew very weary of the constant battle with a variety of smartphones from different vendors ... which is why I'll now stick with my iPhone.
I've played with various tablets ... as our department gets to try out the offerings from many vendors ... which is why I'll now stick with my iPad.

[ZeroID]

You have to admit they are all moving towrds a more common interface\usabilty model. The current Samsung\Apple legal wrangle worldwide says the user wants ease of operation etc and that model is pretty much universal, they all look\work the same to a very large extent including the SONY I played with. The only real difference is how open' you want your system to be so you can install and manage the apps you want to use.
I guess the PC\tablet world is rapidly moving away from geekdom and just becoming another appliance in the domestic scene.
I too, am in the IT support\test\build industry. Gotten to play with some very clever hardware and built business projects that use the technology very effectively. Even at my advanced age I can still teach the young fellas some tricks.

[Colin D]

Coming to android...
http://www.southernstars.com/products/skysafari_android/
One of the best iOS astro apps available.

[Omaroo]

Sorry Colin, I put up a post on this today and didn't see yours here. Good news for Android users, finally.

[gbeal]

I'll bat for the iPad team here sorry Brent. Each to their own, but I am a dyed in the wool believer, and cannot see what you are disliking about the brand. In as much as a go anywhere device, it is difficult to beat. And (unless I am wrong) your "forced updates" don't have to occur, you elect to or not, same as Windoze Updates surely?
You're partway there with an iPod, go the whole hog.
SkySafari on the iPad (or iPhone) controlling the mount is the bees knees.
Gary

[ZeroID]

I've only got the iPod for my screaming Tinnitus Gary. It's the only way I can get any sleep and it's easy to control volume with the little circular touch system. It's all about usabilty in the end.

[Omaroo]

Just to repeat what Southern Stars (and my developers who work for me) say about the challenge of porting to Android:



Our company won't be porting ours to Android any time soon. Problem I see is that it will become even more divergent as the platform grows. Hell... what a mess.

[OICURMT]

Just bought my missus an Asus Slate PC (Windows 7)... she's quite impressed with it.

A$1499 at Harvey-Norman's. Price includes a BT Keyboard, but no mouse (has a stylus), so I had to buy a BT Mouse separately (went with the Logitech)

A bit pricey I know, but she does real work on it and it (*obviously*) support the Office products.

As for astro-programs, Win7, take your pick ! ;)


http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Slate_EP121/

http://www.logitechshop.com.au/logitech-m555-bluetooth-mouse.html

[Octane]

OIC,

If you get the chance, please watch a video on Apple's Pages, Numbers and Keynote applications (for Macs as well as iOS devices).

For "real work", they absolutely beat the crap out of any Microsoft Office product. :eyepop:

Not only are they awesome, they are a joy to use.

H

[OICURMT]

Yep, will check it out, but I doubt if they have the applications she requires (the software has not been ported to the Mac yet). Might be good for my son, who's an Apple fan...

[Octane]

Yay. :)

H