Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK

[daffyducknj]

Anyone else have this? I just bought one a few hours ago.

Still waiting to charge fully before I use it. I do realize that it's branded with the Barnes & Noble stuff. I've been researching a few tablets, and am fine with the screen size and branding. (I have a NOOK account.) Comes loaded with KitKat 4.4.2, 8 GB memory. Looks like it should have enough space for apps. Will take out a 32 GB MicroSD card from my Kyocera Event to expand storage ATM. If I like it, I may order a 64 or 128 GB card online and put it on the Tab 4. Yes, those cards will work in newer Android devices, reformat them to FAT32 LBA, DONE!

Nice to see that Google Play Store is included. This should let me load the Kindle app. I probably won't load it up as much as my rooted LG Optimus F3 phone. Maybe 30 apps max.

Battery life should be good... perhaps as long as I don't load the facebook app. 4,000 mA seems plenty. 1.2 GHz dual core processor is the same as my F3, am OK with that.

Any other owners of this tablet out there?

 

[daffyducknj]

This does not run like the older nook tablets. It's pure Samsung, with Google Play and nook apps included. Many preinstalled apps can be turned off (including the nook and some Samsung apps), and reduced to their factory counterparts. Not as good as completely deleting unwanted apps, but it does give some breathing room as far as expanding memory a little.

Can you believe this, the nook apps can be turned off? I had a laugh at this... but anyway. Yes, I do have a B&N account. Back to the review!

Running more or less pure KitKat with Touchwiz may turn off diehard nook users. I don't blame them; this is my first tablet. Still, if you are a long time nook user, and are looking for a more capable device at a good price point (or something newer), there are many reasons to upgrade. Getting Google Play to work without rooting your nook could be one. Two, I'm willing to bet that some of you might have an amazon account, and want to read or watch video from that site. I'll honestly say that the Fire HD has better hardware specs, and direct support via Mayday. I prefer more of a pure Android experience, and this tablet gives me that without having to root.

So far, I've had no need to even want to root this. That's because around 4 GB of the 8 GB internal memory is free. If you turn off enough of the preinstalled apps that allow it, you can get a few hundred MB back. Thankfully Google reinstated its App2SD function with KitKat, so now some downloaded apps can really be moved to SD. Like before, a part of the app remains in internal memory. I've moved to SD about 20 apps, onto a 32 GB MicroSD card that I took from a Kyocera Event and reformatted for the Tab 4. I'm liking this tablet so much, that I may get a Class 10 64 GB card for this phone. That's more than enough room for video and music (for me).

My tablet has the latest update on it, and that does improve some of the video issues that some reviewers online experienced. The kernel is upgraded on that one (from Aug. 10, I think). I also run some games on it, and surfing on the web is nearly as fast as my laptop PC. This is not a tablet for a hardcore gamer. Go somewhere else if that's your idea of a good time. 720p video runs fine, and I installed Adobe Flash on my Tab 4. That still doesn't work with Chrome though... Works great with Dolphin Jetpack!

You want good sound? Use your favorite headphones, earbuds, external speakers...

Chromecast works as intended. Now I don't have to use my PC or phone (but I still can).
Having a 7 inch screen enables me to use the virtual keyboard in the same manner as a phone, in portrait mode. Unless your hands are unusually large, this can be an advantage when typing memos or surfing the web. I might look for a bluetooth keyboard sometime. That would be useful with Office apps and hacking apps like Terminal IDE that don't require rooting.

Battery life is great with the 4000mA unit. I can get about 2 days out of it with moderate use. It's bright enough for me with the slider at around 25%, quite a bright screen if you ask me!

A good value overall, especially if you have a sizable nook library.

 

[daffyducknj]

Any moderators out there? I'd highly appreciate it if this entire post could be moved to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 forum. Thanks a bunch!

 

[bkttk2]

This does not run like the older nook tablets. It's pure Samsung, with Google Play and nook apps included. Many preinstalled apps can be turned off (including the nook and some Samsung apps), and reduced to their factory counterparts. Not as good as completely deleting unwanted apps, but it does give some breathing room as far as expanding memory a little.

Can you believe this, the nook apps can be turned off? I had a laugh at this... but anyway. Yes, I do have a B&N account. Back to the review!

Running more or less pure KitKat with Touchwiz may turn off diehard nook users. I don't blame them; this is my first tablet. Still, if you are a long time nook user, and are looking for a more capable device at a good price point (or something newer), there are many reasons to upgrade. Getting Google Play to work without rooting your nook could be one. Two, I'm willing to bet that some of you might have an amazon account, and want to read or watch video from that site. I'll honestly say that the Fire HD has better hardware specs, and direct support via Mayday. I prefer more of a pure Android experience, and this tablet gives me that without having to root.

So far, I've had no need to even want to root this. That's because around 4 GB of the 8 GB internal memory is free. If you turn off enough of the preinstalled apps that allow it, you can get a few hundred MB back. Thankfully Google reinstated its App2SD function with KitKat, so now some downloaded apps can really be moved to SD. Like before, a part of the app remains in internal memory. I've moved to SD about 20 apps, onto a 32 GB MicroSD card that I took from a Kyocera Event and reformatted for the Tab 4. I'm liking this tablet so much, that I may get a Class 10 64 GB card for this phone. That's more than enough room for video and music (for me).

My tablet has the latest update on it, and that does improve some of the video issues that some reviewers online experienced. The kernel is upgraded on that one (from Aug. 10, I think). I also run some games on it, and surfing on the web is nearly as fast as my laptop PC. This is not a tablet for a hardcore gamer. Go somewhere else if that's your idea of a good time. 720p video runs fine, and I installed Adobe Flash on my Tab 4. That still doesn't work with Chrome though... Works great with Dolphin Jetpack!

You want good sound? Use your favorite headphones, earbuds, external speakers...

Chromecast works as intended. Now I don't have to use my PC or phone (but I still can).
Having a 7 inch screen enables me to use the virtual keyboard in the same manner as a phone, in portrait mode. Unless your hands are unusually large, this can be an advantage when typing memos or surfing the web. I might look for a bluetooth keyboard sometime. That would be useful with Office apps and hacking apps like Terminal IDE that don't require rooting.

Battery life is great with the 4000mA unit. I can get about 2 days out of it with moderate use. It's bright enough for me with the slider at around 25%, quite a bright screen if you ask me!

A good value overall, especially if you have a sizable nook library.

Thanks for the info. I picked one up as well when they went on sale. Haven't gone all the way through it yet so appreciate your info.

Still have your Opt F3 or have you moved on?

 

[daffyducknj]

Thanks for the info. I picked one up as well when they went on sale. Haven't gone all the way through it yet so appreciate your info.

Still have your Opt F3 or have you moved on?

I have my F3, of course! Can't make phone calls or text messages on my Tab 4 unless I'm near a WiFi hotspot

 

[bkttk2]

I have my F3, of course! Can't make phone calls or text messages on my Tab 4 unless I'm near a WiFi hotspot

Always the jokester. I meant did you upgrade your phone when you upgraded your nook?

Never know?

Let me know please if you identify a root method.

 

[daffyducknj]

Always the jokester. I meant did you upgrade your phone when you upgraded your nook?

Never know?

Let me know please if you identify a root method.

Actually this is my first tablet. I've sampled other nooks, but never owned one. I still use my F3 as the daily driver. Haven't upgraded from it. Hope kitkat still comes to our VM F3's.

Not sure I want to root my tab 4. I've fit most of the apps I want to run on it. No ginormous games. Tested Asphalt 8 on it... runs well for a tablet of this. spec.

 

[daffyducknj]

Ok Asphalt 8 is huge... if anyone wants to root, running games like that would be a good reason to. Gl2sd would be useful here.