[arizona98tj]

I've been using my Tab 2 now for about 1 1/2 weeks. It is the GT-P3113 model. Some things I've noticed:

1. The main camera does now focused, as was mentioned in another thread. Stinks if you wanted to use a bar code scanner app.

2. Some of the software I've used on my HTC Incredible phone simply doesn't work on ICS. I've written some of the developers (paid for software) to inquire as to their fixing their apps. No responses yet.

3. I found a file manager that works well and really does recognize the externals SD card. It is called "File Manager HD (Tablet" and is from Rhythm Software. I've no affiliation with them other than a happy user who enjoys their software.

4. Google Calendar events will sync down to the S Planner calendar that comes on the Tab 2. S Planner will not sync back up to Google Calendar.

5. The GPS receiver locks in sats very quickly....impressive.

6. Since I had 32GB to play with, I installed a map app called "Maps (-)", by Coderminus, whose eye catching comment of "Cache maps to SD card and use them when traveling without network coverage" caused me to give it a try. Unfortunately, it does NOT cache the maps on the external SD card but rather regular memory.

7. My favorite podcast app, "Pocket Casts" runs nicely on ICS except that it too can't access the external SD card.

While I've worked with PCs since the late 1980s, and currently work in IT as a software developer, this is my first tablet. Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the Tab 2 and for the price offered, it was too good to pass up. I honestly can't imagine someone making a camera device that can't focus. How much did that save? I am beginning to understand the infamous first line of a post you see in so many forum threads...."Excuse my crappy cell phone pics.....".

Wi-Fi seems to work quite well. We have an employee Wi-Fi network at my work site (I work in the electrical power generation industry). Sitting in the parking lot, I can connect. All in all, that isn't too bad given the distance and metal industrial buildings that the access points reside in.

GPS - nice receiver. As fast as I can turn on the GPS and switch over to a GPS app, I have 4 sats on the screen. Within 3 to 5 seconds, all 12 channels are populated. This performance was observed while sitting in my single story home.

I have used a Sling box at home for several years. Since they android app is kind of pricey, and I already had it for my phone, I installed the same version on my Tab 2. I'm guessing the difference between the tablet and phone versions is the resolution. It won't go full screen and when it is expanded to max size, it looks a little "fuzzy". I'm not too worried since it is not likely I'll be using the tablet that much for Slingbox. If I'm on the road, using my HTC phone as a hot-spot, it might choke on the higher bandwidth signal the tablet version would create. Perhaps?

OK...enough ramblings for now. If anyone wishes to add their findings, please do so.

Best regards!


Thanks for taking the time to offer this feedback, I'm sure it will be appreciated. Blast

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[Bart Laroc]

arizona98tj, on 06 May 2012 - 02:54 AM, said:

4. Google Calendar events will sync down to the S Planner calendar that comes on the Tab 2. S Planner will not sync back up to Google Calendar.

Open S Planner, go into the settings of the S Planner:

First tap "Calendars" & check your calendars listed. See if you have your Google calendar checked there, If not then check it.
(back to settings) & tap "Calendar sync, tap your "username@gmail.com", make sure "Sync Calendar" is checked,
close out & then Open S Calendar

select a date later in the month & tap + (add event),
Enter Title ie: "Sync Test"
check "All Day" (or set From - To time)
now tap "Calendar" & ensure "username@gmail.com" is selected
tap "Done"

after a couple of minutes, check your Google Calendar to see if the "Sync Test" has appeared in there

[rhackenb]

GPS - nice receiver. As fast as I can turn on the GPS and switch over to a GPS app, I have 4 sats on the screen. Within 3 to 5 seconds, all 12 channels are populated. This performance was observed while sitting in my single story home.


How do you see how many satellites?

[Moderator Blast]

"GPS test " available in the Google play store.

[ICS-man]

GPS test is great, thanks !

[hjstme]

I have Galaxy Tab 2 7.0(GT-P3113)US Android version 4.0.3 and can't find the GPS test on Google Play Store and also on-line on my PC says not compatible,anybody know why? Thanks.

[bralph]

Bart Laroc, on 06 May 2012 - 11:04 AM, said:

Open S Planner, go into the settings of the S Planner:

First tap "Calendars" & check your calendars listed. See if you have your Google calendar checked there, If not then check it.
(back to settings) & tap "Calendar sync, tap your "username@gmail.com", make sure "Sync Calendar" is checked,
close out & then Open S Calendar

select a date later in the month & tap + (add event),
Enter Title ie: "Sync Test"
check "All Day" (or set From - To time)
now tap "Calendar" & ensure "username@gmail.com" is selected
tap "Done"

after a couple of minutes, check your Google Calendar to see if the "Sync Test" has appeared in there

I can not thank you enough for this response! I have 5 calendars feeding into S-planner with no problem but i was totally baffled about how to get S-Planner events back up to my primary Gmail calendar. Followed your instructions and all is working well. Thanks again!!
Bob

[BrianG]

arizona98tj, on 06 May 2012 - 02:54 AM, said:

1. The main camera does now focused, as was mentioned in another thread. Stinks if you wanted to use a bar code scanner app.

2. Some of the software I've used on my HTC Incredible phone simply doesn't work on ICS. I've written some of the developers (paid for software) to inquire as to their fixing their apps. No responses yet.

3. I found a file manager that works well and really does recognize the externals SD card. It is called "File Manager HD (Tablet" and is from Rhythm Software. I've no affiliation with them other than a happy user who enjoys their software.

#1: I agree with you there. Why put a camera without auto-focus? Might as well not have it IMO. Even though I don't see myself using a tablet to scan bar codes (my phone is more portable and easier to use for this), it still would have been nice to have auto-focus. It's like buying a car with seats that don't adjust; you can use it, but it's not easy.

#2: I've come across this as well. Some apps work, some don't - it's a crap shoot. I wonder if the incompatibility is related to ICS or it being a tablet with a larger screen? Either way, as tablets and more current android versions are being used more and more, the devs will have to get things working if they want people to use/buy their software.

#3: I've never tried File Manager HD, but I can say that ES File Explorer works really well too. I like the fact I can set up favorites/bookmarks that point to shared folders on my home network so I don't have to go through the paths every time I want to access them. Those work for SDCard and extSDCard locations as well. The program also allows you to view root files, but can't delete/update them unless the tablet is rooted of course.

When I originally got my tablet a few weeks ago, I got it as more of a "neat toy", but I find myself reaching for it more and more when at home instead of waking up my sleeping desktop behemoth (which takes a LOT more power). The 7" inch screen is perfect compromise between a large screen and portability; I can even fit it in most of my pant pockets if I wanted. Although, to replace a laptop, I would probably spring for a tablet that is larger, more powerful, and has more/better features - but the 7" version is a perfect complement IMO.

[kensammy]

I received this Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 as a gift about a week ago and as yet can't find out what use it is. Camera is useless, what is the point of a Hi Def screen with a camera that takes images like this ( I would have said pictures but you can't make them out). My Samsung Galaxy S2 does everything this can, only better, plus it can make phone calls and take decent photos.
Thought I found a use for it catalogueing my DVD collection but no, camera dosen't auto focus so won't read bar codes.

Anyone know of a camera app for this machine that will allow it to auto focus?

[gtab72]

kensammy, on 19 January 2013 - 02:13 PM, said:

I received this Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 as a gift about a week ago and as yet can't find out what use it is. Camera is useless, what is the point of a Hi Def screen with a camera that takes images like this ( I would have said pictures but you can't make them out). My Samsung Galaxy S2 does everything this can, only better, plus it can make phone calls and take decent photos.
Thought I found a use for it catalogueing my DVD collection but no, camera dosen't auto focus so won't read bar codes.

Anyone know of a camera app for this machine that will allow it to auto focus?

There is not going to be an app that would allow it to autofocus, simply because you cannot do in software that which requires hardware, otherwise Samsung would already have done it! I would therefore definitely use your Samsung Phone to do the DVD cataloging.

You have to remember that this is a low cost tablet and very few down in this price range come with a rear facing camera. Look at the Nexus 7 for example. Low cost devices nearly always use a Fixed Focus cameras. You also can't compare this tablet with a subsized phone that would normally cost twice the price.

As to your question of "as yet can't find out what use it is.", some of us want a device that is not a mobile phone with a data contract, has a decently large screen while still being relatively easy to carry around and also does double duty as an inexpensive GPS device. The camera is merely a bonus and shouldn't be the reason anyone should get this. Having said that, while I agree it's pretty poor as far as cameras go (and certainly useless indoors due to excessive noise), it works reasonably well enough in good light outside to serve as a sort of backup camera. The Video it takes has been acceptable whenever I have used it outside for situations where I didn't have my better cameras with me.

You already have a decent phone, so I can see why this device wouldn't make sense for your particular situation