Just recently purchased an Iconia 500...and as it turns out, it's a working "demo" (display) unit. The tab completely functions (even with the demo movie lol) however I'm unable to sync my Google account as it does not give me the option. All that is present under "Accounts and Sync" is the "Acer Sync". The Mail app will obviously allow me to add Google, but the process isn't like using Google to activate the device. I assume that since this process isn't present, it's the reason why Android Market isn't on there.
Three questions:
Is there a way to "fix" this?
If I root the tab, can/will it function as a non-demo unit?
Is there still a way to place apps on the device?
Do all the factory system updates. I'm not sure why everyone wants to run out and root this device. It works just great as is. It's NOT a phone... You can do a factory reset in the settings and take it back to how it was shipped and then do all the updates and be a happy camper. I assume you have a Google acount to begin with. So you have to sign into your google acount before you can do any syncing. Do a google search on your tab and it will ask you to sign in you can go to your apps and get into the Google store from there. There should be a Google apps Market app on your home screen. If not, someone may have deleted it. All you need to do is replace it from your Apps screen. Then you will have your Google Apps Store app available to use.
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BTW. You can go into your settings and make sure it is set to allow you to install non system apps. That way you can acces all the different pps stores out there to get what ever Apps you want to use.
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Cost was roughly $250. Ended up being $288 after taxes.
I have already done a Factory data reset on the tab, and it still is in "demo mode". The actual "Build Number" is Acer_A500_1.109.02_PA_DEMO
System update tells me I'm up-to-date already, and I had already tried to reset the tab when I first received it. I've already set up my Google account through the Mail app, and signed in through the browser, but it doesn't "activate" the device. As I said in the first post, I did not have, nor still have the option to add a Google account, like when I first set up my phone.
When I attempt to download an app from Android market, my tab isn't listed as a device to download to, so I did the next best thing and actually installed Android Market.
Now though when I start market, it says, "You must add an account to the device to continue. Do you want to add one now?"
When I tap "yes", the window shuts down, but nothing pops up.
Sounds to me like you need to flash a different rom.
This should help..... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227
Method 2 is the easiest
As it says, After flashing is finished you'll have unstable Honeycomb 3.0.1 - gives errors and crashes but you can then start to upgrade from there.
or, if you want a rooted rom try this... http://www.multiupload.com/MQ6V790WUX
Just follow the instructions in the PDF contained.
(credit goes to XDA for the above links)
Last edited by pagdodd; February 6th, 2012 at 12:21 AM.
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Device(s): Moto Droid X, LG Ally, Acer Iconia A500 Tablet, Wife's Kindle Fire
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If you would like to root without having to downgrade first, you could try this:
I can't get a hyperlink to work for some reason, so find the root 3.2 thread in the first page of All Things Root for the A500. Scroll down to post #5.
__________________ - Zoandroid -
liberum enim electronic fabrica
Last edited by Zoandroid; February 8th, 2012 at 10:23 AM.
Device(s): Moto Droid X, LG Ally, Acer Iconia A500 Tablet, Wife's Kindle Fire
Thanks: 195
Thanked 119 Times in 110 Posts
Overall, it is deceptively simple, once the 'big picture' is viewed from looking at both his versions. I was surprised to find how quickly the process went once I understood that the nuts and bolts of the operation are all behind the scenes in his scripts. Very unlike all the steps I had to do to root 2 Android phones previously. But at least for me, that wasn't obvious when I initially read his later release. And I had not yet installed the Acer PC driver, which is included in his package, but not mentioned at all in the 'change' notes. I would liked to have seen complete instructions included in the later release. But by reading both releases it became clear what to do.
Android "Demo" (Display) Unit
