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Help Android Virgin... A Few Questions

flutterby

Newbie
Jul 1, 2011
20
1
Hello,
I have never had an android device, so I know nothing about them. I know a great deal about Windows, so I don't think following the rooting info will be difficult. I have been watching videos on youtube and it seems most people there are using TnT.. however, reading here I think most people recommend Gingerbread. I'd like some help in deciding what I might need. Here is what I want to do:

I'm going to be in the hospital, then rehab for several months after brain surgery. I would like to have the tablet and be able to
1. Update my blog for family
2. Chat with MSN Messenger contacts (or digsby, it is has a linux version but I don't know if that means it works on android?)
3. Use skype (I sure hope)
4. Netflix is possible
5. Read ebooks (in txt or mobi format)
6. Listen to music/audio books
(EDIT: 7. Use facebook and play flash games. Does pogo flash games work?

With those things in mind, A. Are they all possible and B. Which would be the best ... oh what's it called... (root?) for me?

I don't have the tablet yet. My parents bought it from woot for me for my birthday next week, so I can't answer any questions about it except that it is new, not a refurb, but that doesn't mean it hasn't set on a shelf for a long time.

Thank you and I'm so glad to have found your site!
Brenda
 
You can do everything in that list, except I'm unsure on Netflix.

Blog: Use a browser, or if your blog provider has an app, there you go.
MSN: MSN Talk
Skype: Skype App
Netflix: Netflix App (Unsure if this works on the GTab though...)
eBoogs: I use Aldiko, but the books need to be in ePub format. Easily converted on Windows.
Music/Audio Books: Built in music player, or any other music player.
Facebook: Facebook App
Flash games: Depending on which ROM you end up running, you may not have working flash. Definitely make sure to pick a ROM with working Flash.
 
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I am running CM 7.0.3 just for Netflix but it is a great ROM for many other reasons. Also, I found a version of Netflix that doesn't need any additional mods on xda.

xda-developers - View Single Post - [APP][Updated 6/21/11] Official Netflix

That is the first one I have seen that didn't require the LCD density hack or a build.prop edit as long as you are on cyanogen 7.0.3.
 
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I'm going to ask a dummies question here, but how do you install an .apk file (like the netflix one?) I saw on google there is an app for phones called astro file manager, but I didn't know if that would work (or could be bought from) the gtab... I still don't have mine yet. My birthday isn't until Thursday, but I'm trying to learn all I can before I get it.
Thanks!
 
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LoL, I'm in Arkansas... It's required.

So I got it tonight and it's charging. I have a question though. Will it hurt if I just play with it a bit and set up my wifi and stuff to look at it before I install the new rom?

You can use the stock Rom as long as you would like, but I would not install any updates if you are prompted.
 
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LoL, I'm in Arkansas... It's required.

So I got it tonight and it's charging. I have a question though. Will it hurt if I just play with it a bit and set up my wifi and stuff to look at it before I install the new rom?

Just remember that anything you login to (WiFi/Facebook/Anything) will be wiped upon installing the new ROM and you'll have to do it again.
As for hurting anything, no it won't hurt it at all.
 
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I did. I mounted the tablet and put both zip files in the rom folder. After it didn't work I restored the backup and it worked fine with the original software. I then removed the gapps zip file and tried again (it was with the clemsyn one) and again it froze. So I restored and removed that one and tried the pershoot one and it froze again. So now it is back to factory settings. Do you have a suggestion?
 
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I did. I mounted the tablet and put both zip files in the rom folder. After it didn't work I restored the backup and it worked fine with the original software. I then removed the gapps zip file and tried again (it was with the clemsyn one) and again it froze. So I restored and removed that one and tried the pershoot one and it froze again. So now it is back to factory settings. Do you have a suggestion?

Are you using clockwormod to install the ROM? Did you wipe data/factory reset and wipe Dalvik cache before flashing?
 
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