Android phone as mini-tablet?

[adamnmurad]

Hello,

I kinda have to use a BlackBerry as my primary phone for work. However, every time I've played with an Android phone I've walked away impressed and I really do want in on that OS's action. I'd actually prefer a tablet (along the lines of the Archos 101), but it looks like Android tablets are a bit away from being a mature, got the bugs out product. So, I'm considering buying an Android smartphone on eBay and just using it over wi-fi as a mini-tablet/PDA/iPod Touch. I have two questions:

1) Will this actually work, or will the thing be completely useless as a wi-fi only device? How stupid of an idea is this?
2) If I do end up loving the Android, how easy is it to upgrade/switch between Android devices as far as transferring all data and settings? Blackberry makes this super-easy with its desktop software - just back the old phone up onto your computer, and restore that file onto your new phone. Does Android offer anything similar between Android devices? It would be awesome if this functionality was so extensive I'd be able to switch from the smartphone to a larger Android tablet when that market matures.

Thanks!

P.S. The two devices that have caught my eye are the T-Mobile G2 and Sony X10 if you wanna weigh in on that too.

 

[sitlet]

1) Will this actually work, or will the thing be completely useless as a wi-fi only device? How stupid of an idea is this?

It will work fine. You wont be able to make calls with the cell radio, but you can with google talk over wifi.

2) If I do end up loving the Android, how easy is it to upgrade/switch between Android devices as far as transferring all data and settings?

Contacts and calendar entries are backed up to google. Apps you download to the market will be remembered when you switch phones, you just have to redownload them.

 

[adamnmurad]

Contacts and calendar entries are backed up to google. Apps you download to the market will be remembered when you switch phones, you just have to redownload them.

Thanks! On that last point though, is there any utility that allows you to transfer everything? (Text messages, wallpaper settings, pictures, call history...the works!) For example, Windows computers also have a Windows Easy Transfer wizard. Blackberry's desktop software also offers a device transfer wizard.

 

[sitlet]

You would have to root and use Titanium Backup to backup everything all at once.

 

[toomuchgame441]

Do you absolutely need a keyboard? I think devices such as the Evo, Droid X or MyTouch 4G would be excellent mini tab devices. I love my Evo and I consider it my mini computer for all that it can do. I've had my desktop PC off for near 2 days because most of my uses for the internet can be done on my Evo.

If you do need a keyboard then the G2 is a great device, plus it will help if you won't to adapt to an on-screen keyboard.

 

[adamnmurad]

You would have to root and use Titanium Backup to backup everything all at once.

Thanks! One more question - would this solution work for moving between Android devices as well?

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Thanks! One more question - would this solution work for moving between Android devices as well?

No, but using google services it's extremely easy to move between Android devices.

I just switched from my Epic that I had for a week back to my Evo tonight, all without missing a beat.

 

[lordofthereef]

No, but using google services it's extremely easy to move between Android devices.

I just switched from my Epic that I had for a week back to my Evo tonight, all without missing a beat.

I think it is noting that, while Google's service is great, their service alone isn't going to keep your settings and such. It really depends on what all the OP means by saying "switch between android devices". Google, for the most part, will transfer calendars, contacts, etc., but I suspect since this won't be a phone most of that isn't really what the OP considers important.

 

[sitlet]

Thanks! One more question - would this solution work for moving between Android devices as well?

Yes, if both phones are rooted. If you are on the same phone and are rooted, you can do a Nandroid backup, which backs up EVERYTHING on the phone into one file. this can be useful if you need to restore the phone you have. However, this cannot be used to transfer between phones, as it will mess up your radio information, and you will never be able to use the phone again.

But like I said, if you are moving between phones, Titanium Backup will basically do the same thing, except it wont be in one file, and will take a while to restore.

 

[dan330]

there are some apps that require cell network data to work. not many.. but some.

GPS maps will have issues. but you can get a stand alone GPS app like CoPilot.

 

[adamnmurad]

Yes, if both phones are rooted. If you are on the same phone and are rooted, you can do a Nandroid backup, which backs up EVERYTHING on the phone into one file. this can be useful if you need to restore the phone you have. However, this cannot be used to transfer between phones, as it will mess up your radio information, and you will never be able to use the phone again.

But like I said, if you are moving between phones, Titanium Backup will basically do the same thing, except it wont be in one file, and will take a while to restore.

Thanks! I think you got what I'm saying and Titanium backup would be the answer. Contacts, calendar, etc. would be great, but there are other things I'd like to move with one click too, like text messages, photos I took, mp3s I put on there, etc.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Photos / MP3's are on the microSD card and can simply be moved to the new phone.

Text messages can be backed up by apps like SMS backup, and restored on the new device.

Recent voicemail may or may not carry over depending on the carrier. Older voicemail can be sent to gmail / email and be saved that way.

There is no device that does one click moves, not Android, not iPhone / iPod Touch, not Blackberry, not Palm, not Win Mobile, no body.

That said, it's not a big deal to manually set up some of the stuff. I have several Android phones and moving between them is a piece of cake, far easier than with any other device I have ever used. It's about as seamless as it gets.

 

[adamnmurad]

There is no device that does one click moves, not Android, not iPhone / iPod Touch, not Blackberry, not Palm, not Win Mobile, no body.

Thank you! The only thing that I'd add is that the Blackberry Desktop Software's device transfer wizard is exactly the functionality I'm looking for, and I believe Sprite used to have this functionality when I was a Windows phone user (don't quote me on the latter, though). One-click might be an exaggeration (more like four or five), but these come close! So, I was wondering if there was anything similar for Android.

 

[PureLoneWolf]

I have never used it myself, but Android Manager Wifi would seem to tick the boxes you are looking for...

Product Information - MobileAction

Cheers