Tablet apps

[StreakTheQuad]

This is probably more of a general Honeycomb 3.0 question, but since the XOOM will be the first 3.0 tablet, it makes sense to start the discussion here.

What tablet specific apps will be available for the XOOM? Obviously, the new Google apps demo'd in the video (gmail, browser, youtube, books, maps, etc) will be loaded up, but what about third party apps?

So far, I've read about the nVidia Tegra Zone, which highlights games optimized for the Tegra 2 and sounds really cool. I know that there are a limited number of Tablet apps for the Galaxy Tab, but those were built on 2.2.

How will existing Froyo 2.2 apps and below work? During my short experience with the Galaxy Tab, I found that some apps filled the 7 inch screen perfectly (Angry Birds Seasons was awesome), while some did not scale well or at all. Will Honeycomb blow old apps up to the full screen, or display them in multiple smartphone size "windows" (did Rubin call them fragments?) on your main screen? If this is the case, you could have some real desktop-like multi-tasking potential.

Early adopters may be faced not only with high prices but a limited stock of available and quality tablet apps. I think this is the biggest problem of the high price point; third party developers may not prioritize 3.0 app development if only ckeegan and a few other people are willing to pay the rumored price. Of course, the 3.0 experience and Chrome-like browser may be worth it by itself.

 

[Homan13PSU]

I have to imagine much like the iPad did, we'll eventually see an Angry Birds HD version.

 

[Old Member]

If I remember correctly, and I am clearly not a developer, I think they said that current apps will have the ability built into them to be optimized for the Xoom/Tablets. Maybe someone that is a developer or someone that remembers more of that interview can speak to it. I think it was on the video where the Xoom was introduced and the two apple fanboys were there on stage with it.

 

[ckeegan]

if only ckeegan and a few other people are willing to pay the rumored price.

Thanks for the shout-out, but I hardly think only me and a few others will be the early adopters. If people are willing to spend $300 on a Galaxy Tab from Sprint or $250 on T-Mobile (not to mention the million+ people who spent $650), and be strapped to a 2-year agreement, it's ridiculous to think others wouldn't be willing to spend $700-800 for the Xoom with no contract. The Xoom ends up being cheaper, and you can even defer the cost over 18 months if you get it at Best Buy. While I think 18 months same as cash is stupid, people still have the option.

As for apps though, definitely something I've considered. However, obviously it's in Google's best interests to plan ahead. We already know a game like Dungeon Defenders is running very well on the Xoom, so it's definitely safe to assume that Google has allowed certain major developers access to what they need to get the ball rolling. It wouldn't surprise me at all if devs like Rovio, Pandora, EA, Facebook, etc are already working on their respective apps.

 

[murraj2]

Facebook, etc are already working on their respective apps.

Well Facebook would surprise me, as they've refused to release an App for the iPad, saying that it's a computer not a mobile device.

 

[ckeegan]

Well Facebook would surprise me, as they've refused to release an App for the iPad, saying that it's a computer not a mobile device.

Good point, forgot about that. Then again, maybe Zuckerberg just knows the iPad is stupid, and is waiting for the Xoom!

 

[StreakTheQuad]

A netflix app would be nice. Or the ability to stream netflix instant movies through the new browser.

 

[StreakTheQuad]

Interesting article:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/217776-2/tablet_wars_developers_speak_out.html

"Despite recent complaints about developing for multiple Android devices, mobile developers were more concerned about price than device fragmentation. The survey found that 57 percent of mobile developers said success for Android tablets was tied to pricing. That doesn't bode well for the recently announced Microsoft Xoom, which has a rumored price tag of $800."

 

[ckeegan]

I just want an app that will let me complete and sign pdf files on the Xoom. That's going to be my #1 request.

 

[Homan13PSU]

I just want an app that will let me complete and sign pdf files on the Xoom. That's going to be my #1 request.

Doesn't Google Apps let you do that?

 

[ckeegan]

From the official Honeycomb SDK preview:

Compatibility with existing apps

Android 3.0 brings a new UI designed for tablets and other larger screen devices, but it also is fully compatible with applications developed for earlier versions of the platform, or for smaller screen sizes. Existing applications can seamlessly participate in the new holographic UI theme without code changes, by adding a single attribute in their manifest files. The platform emulates the Menu key, which is replaced by the overflow menu in the Action Bar in the new UI. Developers wanting to take fuller advantage of larger screen sizes can also create dedicated layouts and assets for larger screens and add them to their existing applications.

Doesn't Google Apps let you do that?

Don't know, never tried on my phone. I'll review pdfs on my phone, but filling one out and signing on a 3.7" screen never appealed to me.

 

[melantus]

So with the LG Revo getting netflix since it's using snapdragon CPU. I wonder if the Xoom with nvidia chip will get the netflix app as well?

 

[Air Force One]

just a fwiw, but if you go to the new web based Android Market and search for "Tablet" you get some quite good results of apps that have a tablet version or are tablet compatible. Of course you also get some apps that say they are not compatible with tablets since the result are based on terms in the app description. I actually didn't know that the NYTimes has a completely different app for tablets in the market since I've only ever searched on my Nexus, the tablet version never showed up.

They really need to make a tablet section in the web based market. imo

 

[blozout]

So WTF...am I supposed to believe that we will not see a Netflix app for the XOOM or any Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablet? This is f*cking ridiculous. I've been waiting on this app for my Evo and especially for the Xoom. This could actually be a deal breaker for me as I love my Watch Instant...

Netflix for Android Previewed on LG Revolution, Quick Look at Qualcomm’s Next-Gen Multi-Core CPU [MWC] [Video] | Android Phone Fans

 

[melantus]

So WTF...am I supposed to believe that we will not see a Netflix app for the XOOM or any Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablet? This is f*cking ridiculous. I've been waiting on this app for my Evo and especially for the Xoom. This could actually be a deal breaker for me as I love my Watch Instant...

This should be a deal breaker for you to ditch netflix. They are the ones who are making this a problem to get onto android devices. There rational for this is so damn stupid.

 

[rjoudrey]

How will existing Froyo 2.2 apps and below work?

After using honeycomb on my Nook most apk's loaded just fine only a few mostly games could not use the entire screen.

May have to sideload on the Xoom. Let's hope the Xoom does not block this.

 

[kenyu73]

As long as developers dont hardcode screensizes, then most apps with just stretch (not the icons or graphics). Basically, the apps will look the same, but you'll have larger voids between justified sections of the app.

For the most part, apps will be fine. The only issues we will see are widgets. That was the biggest issue I saw when I used the Galaxy Tab.

 

[Dunbar]

Apple is going to start forcing content providers (such as Amazon) to stop providing links to their web pages inside of apps as a way to sell content. This is so Apple can get its 30% cut from all in-app transactions. Content providers have to agree to sell their products at equal prices in and outside of their apps, so they cannot just raise their prices 30% for Apple users.

I think this is great news for Android users. Developers will now be much more inclined to release apps for Android as opposed to the ipad.

 

[redshift1]

Following the news for updates on the Kindle and Netflix apps for honeycomb .... nothing yet.

 

[Vehtemas]

Who else is waiting for WoW to be made an application for Android/iPad?

With the way these graphics chips are doing it is entirely feasible you could play on low graphics settings utilizing a Tegra 2 and maybe even higher running a tegra 3.

(I do not truly know the graphics power of the Tegra 2, but it seems feasible to me.)

 

[Ezra]

Xoom Games Interesting video from MWC with some Tegra 2 optimized games on the Xoom.

 

[kenyu73]

Thanks for the post, it good to see some real graphic games hitting android. I especially love the iPad graphic comparison.

 

[zetroc]

It's a real shame that no word or progress has been made on the Netflix Instant Streaming front. I want to get this tablet, but the inability to do this may deter me from it, and may make me wait for (dare I say) a better Android 3.0 tablet that will stream Netflix... sigh...

 

[marctronixx]

| PlayOn | Watch Hulu, CBS.com, MLB.tv, Netflix, and more on your TV with PlayOn!

It's a real shame that no word or progress has been made on the Netflix Instant Streaming front. I want to get this tablet, but the inability to do this may deter me from it, and may make me wait for (dare I say) a better Android 3.0 tablet that will stream Netflix... sigh...

 

[Mitchrapp]

PlayOn is a great thing to use. Been using it for 2 years now. But now there is an android app, hopefully it works on the Xoom well, I wouldn't be too worried. This device looks sweets as hell. Can't wait.