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Coming from a TF101 OG Transformer, I was concerned that the dock would be perhaps not up to my expectations, considering the thinner design. For starters, it was only offering a single USB port, to the two on the OG Transformer, and while the first version was reasonable to type on (and hugely better than ANY soft keyboard) the new one was described as having less key travel, and and while no reviewer seemed to have major issues, and I wasn't seeing glowing reports either.
I just got my dock, less than 10 minutes ago, I and I am typing this on it right now, and and for me, and if not for everyone, it BLOWS AWAY the OG Dock. First and foremost is how it is to type on. It issignificantly better for me, and the two fingers tango I do. I am not a touch typist, in spite of 20 + yeaars in IT and support. I have to look at the keyboard, but let me just say the they keys and the travel? They could have been designed by a German engineering firm, for a BMW or Mercedes. They feel awesome! Even with the lag we see on web applications (same as OG, though FW revisons almost completely eliminted it, I suspect ICS will squash any remaining lag, coupled with the right build from ASUS.
Apart from typing, the design? I am glad it doesn't have to do any wireless, cause its aluminum back and front LOL, and looks like a billion bucks. Closed, the TP feels like a solid chunk of aluminum, and I mean SOLID. The touch pad is terrific, I LOVE the way they eliminated the "buttons" in favor of a dividing line, and in spite of it's obvious relationship to the OG, this is better in every way. I was a bit worried, but not anymore. I give this thing a 9.5 score out of ten.
For peope on the fence about getting the dock, run, don't walk to the thread that explains how to get these in a few days from Best Buy, using OMS. The DOCK ROCKS!!!
Curious to see how folks coming to the Prime as first Tablet, or replacing something other than the OG Transformer feel about the dock. What does everyone else think?
NOTE: For those that missed it, don't forget to take out the plastic tabs at the base of the tablet screen, they MUST be removed before placing it in the dock. Also, if you are feeling a slight current "buzz" when touching the metal lightly, unplucg the power supply from the wall, and turn it upside down (so the word "Asus" is upside down. This is the only workaround I m aware of for the issue.
Lastly, can asus get rid of the goofy notification that says
"Docking connected. Use Keyboard to type words"
I know what they are trying to say, I.E. Don't use the soft keyboard (duh) what do they think we would use the KB for than to type words? As a $150 back scratcher? Really unnecessary notification.
I actually received my dock a week before my tablet. Both were ordered from BB back a couple days after the first pre-orders showed up on their site. (You had to go hunting to find the dock, but it was there.)
I've got zero problems with the dock or the tablet in daily use. I would agree that the notification should either be eliminated or at least be allowed to be closed. The extra battery life it provides the tablet is fantastic. The key travel isn't that bad; I expected worse.
My only peeve is I wish the right shift was wide like the left. I find myself hitting the damn up arrow every once in awhile by accident.
Love it
The battery life when coupled with the dock is practically an eternity.
I also really like the Android specific hot-keys. ASUS did a great job picking the common actions and making them into a hot-key. I can tap a button to instantly get into "settings" as one example. It's just amazing.
With the introduction of the following three features this really becomes an enterprise class solution for mobile computing:
1) ICS support of VPN IPSec Groups
2) Ability to encrypt hard drive contents. (no not bootloader, user data)
3) Fully functional Keyboard
Who needs to carry a bulky laptop at that point. I could do almost all of my business travel with this thing and then ditch the keyboard when I get home.
don't have mine yet. how is it for those of us who ARE touch typists?
(I see my dad going at it with 2 fingers, but he grew up before PCs. I don't get how anyone under 40 isn't a touch typist these days!)
theoilman said:
don't have mine yet. how is it for those of us who ARE touch typists?
(I see my dad going at it with 2 fingers, but he grew up before PCs. I don't get how anyone under 40 isn't a touch typist these days!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean, but I'm under 40 and can touch type over 60 wpm in the best conditions.
I have rather large hands for a keyboard that small and as I mentioned, the only key that bugs is the right shift. Everything else is pretty good.
I want to know what happened to the low range speaker they said was going to be in the dock...
I was kind of looking forward to it.
soulctcher said:
I know what you mean, but I'm under 40 and can touch type over 60 wpm in the best conditions.
I have rather large hands for a keyboard that small and as I mentioned, the only key that bugs is the right shift. Everything else is pretty good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok good to hear. I almost always use the left shift anyway.
It was only a rumor. And such solution would probably be hard to create because you shouldn't connect audio equipement "live" - you would have to turn off the audio amplifier in the tablet before connecting / disconnecting the dock to avoid surge (is it a good word? dictionary was not helpful...). Unless the speaker had it's own amplifier, hm...
Got my dock a few days ago and I love it. The keyboard is a little cramped but after 5 to 10 minutes of use you'll be adjusted to it and typing as though it is a regular sized keyboard. Also I discovered that ctrl + V actually pastes! I haven't found any other common shortcuts like that, if anyone knows any please post them. ctrl + f unfortunately doesn't start a browser word find but you can just hit the option list and start one up pretty easily.
The battery life is amazing. I spent about 6 non stop hours yesterday listening to pandora with a bluetooth headset while constantly browsing reddit and chatting on windows live messenger through the beejive app. At the end of the 6 hours my tablet still had 75% battery left but the dock was completely used up.
This is how the dock battery works... when your tablet reaches 70% charge the dock will begin relaying power to the tablet and recharge it up to 98% or so. Once there the dock will stop relaying power and wait until the tablet falls to 70% and repeat the process until the dock is dead.
Magnesus said:
It was only a rumor. And such solution would probably be hard to create because you shouldn't connect audio equipement "live" - you would have to turn off the audio amplifier in the tablet before connecting / disconnecting the dock to avoid surge (is it a good word? dictionary was not helpful...). Unless the speaker had it's own amplifier, hm...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the subwoofer wasn't just a rumor. I have it on good authority (very good, in fact) that there was going to be a subwoofer in the dock but that it was dropped prior to release. No reason why, but maybe this surge issue (or something else, of course) was the reason.
It was listed on some marketing materials at launch, and then dropped pretty quickly. Many sites still listed the incorrect specs, however, and so the idea lived on for awhile.
---------- Post added at 02:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:11 PM ----------
monkeydog said:
This is how the dock battery works... when your tablet reaches 70% charge the dock will begin relaying power to the tablet and recharge it up to 98% or so. Once there the dock will stop relaying power and wait until the tablet falls to 70% and repeat the process until the dock is dead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that clarification, I was wondering. I kind of like how the TF101 dock works, by keeping the tablet topped off at 100% until it runs out. I wonder what their reasoning is...
I'm pretty happy with the dock. Certainly much thinner and lighter than the TF101. The only thing I wish they would have kept from the original was the covers for the USB port. Instead of the nifty little cover that snaps back in place there is a rubber stopper. It's petty to be sure, but I have a touch of OCD.
have any of you tested out the USB host capabilities yet? what are things you hooked up and found to work instantLy? has anyone hooked up a wireless controller by putting receiving piece in USB port? I just want to know what kinds of things are possible with dock USB host capabilities. like what's the most device you hooked up to USB hub connected to prime dock and still worked without external power source needed.
theoilman said:
don't have mine yet. how is it for those of us who ARE touch typists?
(I see my dad going at it with 2 fingers, but he grew up before PCs. I don't get how anyone under 40 isn't a touch typist these days!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and how!
I learned to touch type to argue on irc when I was in high school like, uh, 16 years ago. I can't imagine an IT pro not touch typing. It makes you look dumb in the same way as when you meet a scientist who sounds like a hillbilly.
---------- Post added at 06:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:04 PM ----------
demandarin said:
have any of you tested out the USB host capabilities yet? what are things you hooked up and found to work instantLy? has anyone hooked up a wireless controller by putting receiving piece in USB port? I just want to know what kinds of things are possible with dock USB host capabilities. like what's the most device you hooked up to USB hub connected to prime dock and still worked without external power source needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when I get mine, I'm gonna test my DWA-130 usb N adapter.
also gonna test my logitech unifying adapter and my g330 usb headset.
Got mine today, ordered from NewEgg on 1/3. Only played with it for a few minutes, but first thing I noticed is, the build quality of the trackpad is a little shoddy. It doesn't feel real solid in there, when I do a single tap in the main area it makes a little creak sound and pushes in a tiny bit. Also the paint around the edges of the trackpad looked a little scuffed in some spots - not a big deal, but kinda lame. Otherwise the dock is fine.
Anyone else have a slight creak when tapping in the main area or is it just mine? Maybe I'm just spoiled by Apple's trackpads, lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
The damn thing is beautiful, beyond what I expected, far easier and more "natural" to use than I thought it would be, a match made in heaven for the tablet, when closed makes me feel like my tablet is safer and more secure, and doesn't seem like I've added any weight or thickness at all to what I already had.
me likes
I've been a little obsessed with keeping the Prime safe from scratches and now it seems like I have one big scratch magnet, so they are currently bundled together and wrapped in a very soft micro-fleece towel. I was using a sleeve from the OG for the tablet and that worked just fine but doesn't accommodate the addition of the dock at all. I'll be much much happier when I can find the perfect case/sleeve for them both to live in.
OK, played with it for about an hour now...
Overall I like it, but the trackpad is kind of junky, think netbook quality, feels cheap. It doesn't always register the two-finger scrolls, maybe partly because your fingers have to be about 1 inch apart. I remember the OG tf101 trackpad is the same way, it's too bad Asus didn't really improve on it.
Then again, I'm a Mac user, Apple's track pads are the best out there, so maybe it's not fair to compare, lol.
The keyboard itself does feel nice though, keys have plenty of travel to them. Found a few weird quirks though, using the YouTube app, the search field doesn't seem to recognize the space bar, so I couldn't enter spaces into my search queries. It works in the browser fine though. Also 2-finger scrolling doesn't seem to work in Opera browser, all it does is zoom in on the page. Works fine in Dolphin HD though.
Really looking forward to the ICS update next week, will be interesting to see if Asus also releases a dock firmware update as well.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Keyboard dock is great, except for three minor issues for me:
- the right shift key is my default shift, for the way that I type. It's not in the usual position and it is tiny. So, I constantly hit the page up button by mistake when intending to make a cap letter. Biggest issue for me.
- you have to remember to disable the touchpad when typing most things. My thumb dangling over the spacebar would inadvertantly hit the pad, and change my cursor position while typing.
- there's not easy way to open the closed/docked TFP. The front seam is tightly closed. I'm sure I will get used to opening from the side though.
Other than that, I've gotten use to the slightly smaller key layout already, and I have decent sized hands.
Build quality is great, not scuff, as others mentioned had mentioned they had. The front by the trackpad is so thin, it's almost sharp though. I've also not had issues with reboots when docking/undocking, as another person mentioned. I did get a firmware update for the dock though.. dunno is that made a difference.
Highly recommended though. Very nice piece of kit.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
tdp252 said:
The battery life when coupled with the dock is practically an eternity.
I also really like the Android specific hot-keys. ASUS did a great job picking the common actions and making them into a hot-key. I can tap a button to instantly get into "settings" as one example. It's just amazing.
With the introduction of the following three features this really becomes an enterprise class solution for mobile computing:
1) ICS support of VPN IPSec Groups
2) Ability to encrypt hard drive contents. (no not bootloader, user data)
3) Fully functional Keyboard
Who needs to carry a bulky laptop at that point. I could do almost all of my business travel with this thing and then ditch the keyboard when I get home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VPN IPSec Groups tops my list. Just baffles me that this is even an issue. You would think it would be in both Google and Cisco's best interests.
Is the encryption located under Location and Security in settings different than what your after?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Bimboy said:
Keyboard dock is great, except for three minor issues for me:
- the right shift key is my default shift, for the way that I type. It's not in the usual position and it is tiny. So, I constantly hit the page up button by mistake when intending to make a cap letter. Biggest issue for me.
- you have to remember to disable the touchpad when typing most things. My thumb dangling over the spacebar would inadvertantly hit the pad, and change my cursor position while typing.
- there's not easy way to open the closed/docked TFP. The front seam is tightly closed. I'm sure I will get used to opening from the side though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully the left shift is decent. I only use the left!
I wonder if it's possible for them to implement an auto disable of the trackpad when typing? That would definitely be nice as opposed to having to do it manually all the time.
I got the dock on order from bestbuy (never knew about getting them to do "OMS orders"), I'll have mine in a week. Time to get my little dvorak stickers, I personally HATE typing on the touchscreen, even on the phone I don't like it that much (ICS voice typing saved my life in that case). Anyway, type slowly and lose a lot of screen real estate or type over 100 wpm and have better battery life and a full size usb seems like a no brainer to me.
Also, for people who are not touch typists, using a software keyboard isn't going to help you get past that much. Just don't look at the keyboard when you are typing and before long you will be able to type with your eyes closed and still even detect the mistakes you might make
Anyone crazy like me & would like a bigger "SCREEN" in the next G.Note 2?
Soooo.... After owning the phone for a few days and as crazy as it sounds the phone is becoming very "normal" sized to me . Now i think alot of people mis-judge this phone from Youtube comparison vids and such. I said in another post out of the 5 people i let hold it have either said wow its so light and thin or its a very nice device. I am no giant either i am about 6 foot tall lean build.
But back on topic. Now getting used to the extra real estate has been easy for me and been a pleasure to use on the go. So i was looking at my Note last night and thinking man they could prob easily expand a extra 1/4 to 1/2" if they either dropped the touch buttons at the bottom being the next generation note would run on ICS out of the box or maybe even Jelly Bean hopefully and use on screen home/back etc buttons. There is a good 1/4" worth of space up top if they removed that butt ugly At&t logo. And a good 1/2" towards the bottom.
So basically the phone wouldn't get bigger but the actual display would. I know i am on board for that. What do you guys think?
I've said for a long time that I'd like a tablet that I could make phone calls from. That is the only way I would pay for cell service for a tablet when I can just pop a wifi from my phone. I would love a full size 7-10" tablet that I simply had to use a BT or wired earpiece with since I use the phone part of my phone the absolute least of all primary features. I have a feeling that may fall into that catogory also.
Chief Geek said:
I've said for a long time that I'd like a tablet that I could make phone calls from. That is the only way I would pay for cell service for a tablet when I can just pop a wifi from my phone. I would love a full size 7-10" tablet that I simply had to use a BT or wired earpiece with since I use the phone part of my phone the absolute least of all primary features. I have a feeling that may fall into that catogory also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you seen the new & upcoming ASUS Padfone smartphone/tablet? That seems right up your alley! Not sure when or if if will be coming to the US market anytime soon.
Vcolassi said:
Have you seen the new & upcoming ASUS Padfone smartphone/tablet? That seems right up your alley! Not sure when or if if will be coming to the US market anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea there's been rumors of such devices for years and the only thing I've seen come to fruitition is generic no name devices from hong kong. Companies like to keep the dividing line drawn in the sand to keep it two different markets, but it's only a matter of time before the lynch pin breaks by one company doing it then the rest will follow to avoid losing buisness to the one that gives the consumers what they want. I love the idea of one device to do everything, and android is the ideal platform to do it with (for me atleast) as I already use it for so many things from multiple emails, work, play, travel, even as a TV remote for my GTV. So yea, that would be right up my alley, I just need someone to offer it up at a decent price and a decent data package. If T-Mobile can do unlimited everything for $50/month, why can't someone offer this up for unlimited everything $100/month, I'd gladly fork over the cash, even if it did come with a BS datacap w/ data throttle (not fees).
I am for a bigger screen.
I'm also for a thicker phone if that meant a bigger battery. ie 5000 Mah battery to power my device.
To answer the OP, yes and no. While I usually grab the phone by the edges there are times when I grip the area where the AT&T logo is, so having an otherwise non-functional edge can be useful. That said, if they lengthened the screen a little more to take up some of the logo + button areas I wouldn't complain because...
I came from the Advantage, which has a 5" screen but a 4:3 aspect ratio. That made it wider and shorter than the Note. The 16:9 aspect ratio of the Note makes it much more useable as a phone AND for web browsing (narrower so easier to hold as a phone, longer for more screen room in landscape mode). So I definintely wouldn't want the Note's body any wider than it is - and I don't think I would want it any longer either. A longer screen would be fine.
Chief Geek said:
I've said for a long time that I'd like a tablet that I could make phone calls from. That is the only way I would pay for cell service for a tablet when I can just pop a wifi from my phone. I would love a full size 7-10" tablet that I simply had to use a BT or wired earpiece with since I use the phone part of my phone the absolute least of all primary features. I have a feeling that may fall into that catogory also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Galaxy Tab 7.7 international (6800) version has a regular dialer/phone receiver. It's really awkward to use it like a normal phone, though. Combine it with something like Samsung's HM5000 Bluetooth "pen" receiver, and you have something.
The Verizon version of the 7.7 doesn't have voice calling enabled, though I suppose you could get away with using GrooveIP and Google Voice over LTE.
Vcolassi said:
Have you seen the new & upcoming ASUS Padfone smartphone/tablet? That seems right up your alley! Not sure when or if if will be coming to the US market anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup I need that padfone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
I think the maximum size for a phone would be 6 inches screen size. I hope the Note 2 increases the screen size to that
5.7" should be perfect to me.
bigger screen with a bigger battery, same size though. I wouldn't care if they did a non-removable battery if they give it like a 5000 mAh battery. oh man. that would be so sweet
I would like a biggger screen in the same form factor because this phone is almost unusable with 1 hand as it is.
burhanistan said:
My Galaxy Tab 7.7 international (6800) version has a regular dialer/phone receiver. It's really awkward to use it like a normal phone, though. Combine it with something like Samsung's HM5000 Bluetooth "pen" receiver, and you have something.
The Verizon version of the 7.7 doesn't have voice calling enabled, though I suppose you could get away with using GrooveIP and Google Voice over LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasnt aware that the international version had this enabled. This is very appealing. In a year or so I may look into the this or the aforementioned device as an alternative as the new price of these are around the price of a full blown cell/wifi tablet or close to it. Thanks for the tip.
sailador said:
I think the maximum size for a phone would be 6 inches screen size. I hope the Note 2 increases the screen size to that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree...........
a bigger screen size with basically the same device and bigger battery is what i would love to see as well i think that would be my perfect Note
Id like to see a 5.5" edge to edge display and a physical home button for the US version on the next NOTE.
-On another NOTE, Samsung goes 5.3"
swipe pad replaces the need for physical button
When i first got my hd2,i thought this is the best n max for a phone, then came my s2, now note, yes bigger is better, when you like to do all things on a single device, provided the battery is good enough for non stop 24hrs performance, yes you can surely do away with the edges because even on my s2 i hardly use home button, Coz i use swipe pad,i even turn off the phone with swipe pad,by placing screen off on the pad
I agree with the OP. If the next Note has a 5.5" - 6.0" screen AND dual front-facing speakers (like the BlackBerry PlayBook), it would be the perfect device.
I'm fine with the current size- more realestate is always cool, but any bigger and it becomes too hard to pocket it quickly...
Sent from my SGH-I717M using XDA
If battery technology would ever catch up to the battery demands of today's devices then i would like to see a 6" edge to edge screen.
So I am looking to replace my Ipad. I have been looking at the new Toshiba excite pro with the Tegra 4 CPU.
But I have come back to this Sony Tablet a few times. How do you guys like it? Does it feel snappy? Good quality?
Any negatives? Since it is water resistent, does it make it harder to use the headphone jack, charger jack, etc?
Has it been out long enough that it is considered old technology now? Should I wait?
Mine is not the international version, but the Japanese SO-03E model. Its innards are definitely a little outdated because of the Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 instead of the Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T, but it'll hold its own against almost all current generation devices (in fact it's the fastest standalone tablet I can think of until the Tegra 4 devices hit, since I don't know of any Snapdragon 600 tablets).
It's fast and smooth, but there are occasional hiccups on Sony's launcher and Socialife is noticeably blippy. These are both problems that can be easily circumvented with third party apps. I haven't yet to find quality concerns with my Japanese model, but out here on xda there have been various complaints that include bad waterproofing flaps. It definitely makes you not want to use the flaps often, since although they seem quality enough they don't entirely seem strictly durable.
It's not really old tech yet, but if you want the absolutely fastest chipsets, you have to look elsewhere. The tablet's sheer thinness comes at the expense of battery capacity and while I find the XPERIA Tablet Z has impressive battery efficiency, it has only middling run time due to the low capacity of the battery (6,000mAh) - about 6 or 7h or heavy use on middling brightness.
Hi,
It is my first tablet so my opinion is not biased by other devices. I find XTZ pretty awesome but not perfect.
First of all - the design is amazing. Slim, light and simply beautiful. But unfortunately I find it quite fragile because of that. Sometimes when holding by the edge it triggers touch screen starting stuff like settings or switching screens. It doesn't happen often but still...
Screen is awesome, bright natural colors. It is state of art and maybe not the highest resolution on the market but really more than enough. Only minus is that it is fingerprint magnet. I had few phones before and nothing attract fingerprints more than XTZ or XZ.
Bravia Engine is doing a great job and I just love to watch movies on XTZ especially that is so light that you can do it on the plane or in the bus and don't have to worry that your hand will hurt from holding it.
Overaly it is smooth device but lags sometimes during web browsing(on 30Mbits connection) which is a bit odd.
Using flaps is not problematic but can be sometimes difficult(if you are using Krusell case for it or your hands are big as loaf of bread)
If it comes to technology I've got simple answer for you. Whatever you buy it is already old If you understand that, you will not be dissapointed that your tablet is not the fastest and there is one that scores more on some benchmark
If it comes to battery life I find it very good(based on the small capacity) It last 8 hours on screen time if you browse some web and watch some movies. Probably could last longer if you just play movies as it is using more batt when surfing.
As a conclusion I want to say that I love it regardless of clicking sound of the back cover or constant need of cleaning screen form fingerprints and a few other things that could be better.
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Premium HD app
I found the North American version (32GB Wifi) to be a complete disappointment especially quality-wise:
- the backing was not stuck on properly — probably a defect, but not an unexpected one when double-sided tape is used
- the screen visibly flexed and activated the touch sensor when I pressed on the back
- erratically sensitive screen — perhaps due to tacky feel of anti-shatter film
- diagonal lines on the screen
- shadow along the bottom edge
- the Sony Android build broke Firefox Sync
I suspect the slim design of the tablet made it more prone to those defects. Needless to say, I returned it after a week.
I actually have my eye on the Toshiba Excite Write and it will definitely be the next one I try — the Xperia was for me the 5th in a run of defective tablets from various manufacturers. The decidedly unsexy design of the Excite probably means it's less defect-prone, the OS is as close as you'll get to stock Jelly Bean without a Nexus and Toshiba has promised Key Lime Pie, and finally that Wacom digitizer means it'll be great for handwritten note-taking which is exactly what I need it for. The insane rez screen, Gorilla 2 glass and the Tegra 4 are just icing on the cake for the same price as the Xperia.
the overly sensitive touch screen is due to a software issue, which was corrected in the most recent update, as for all the defects it just sounds like you got the lemon of the bunch ive had mine a couple months and not experienced any of the issues you've described. i love my XTZ i have the SGP311 16GB Wifi only version, its light, slim, super fast (coming from a cube u30gt lol) and im happy with it.
sorry to hear you had such a bad experience though
Yes, mine also has none of the aforementioned problems or defects.
Love it, works really fine.
Only thing is that one has to customize it a bit before it runs optimally (replace pre-installed laggy apps with 3rd party ones, rooting and disabling certain resource hogs etc.).
This of course is not how it should be; the out-of-the-box experience should be flawless on a high end device.
Pros: the looks, waterproofing, awesome gaming with playstation certified, stamina mode, high res screen, IR sensor(unique to this tablet), 4.2.2 update is due for the tablet in a few weeks.
cons: timescape UI is laggy and Since it is slim, you can feel the heat from the processor...
vjawsm said:
Pros: the looks, waterproofing, awesome gaming with playstation certified, stamina mode, high res screen, IR sensor(unique to this tablet), 4.2.2 update is due for the tablet in a few weeks.
cons: timescape UI is laggy and Since it is slim, you can feel the heat from the processor...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the timescape UI?
acdcking12345 said:
What is the timescape UI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Timescape was the official name for Sony's skin (just like how HTC calls their Android version Sense or Samsung names theirs TouchWhiz), but it seems they've dropped that name. The XPERIA launcher is occasionally laggy but systems apps such as Settings, Messaging, etc. all run flawlessly.
My unit has fairly flawless build quality as far as I'm concerned - buttons are slightly mushy, but that's not uncommon. Rigidity is impressive, but slight flex is possible with significant pressure (something you shouldn't be applying to any device in the first place). But what gets me is just how nice the materials feel, especially the grippy plastic back.
salanos said:
Timescape was the official name for Sony's skin (just like how HTC calls their Android version Sense or Samsung names theirs TouchWhiz), but it seems they've dropped that name. The XPERIA launcher is occasionally laggy but systems apps such as Settings, Messaging, etc. all run flawlessly.
My unit has fairly flawless build quality as far as I'm concerned - buttons are slightly mushy, but that's not uncommon. Rigidity is impressive, but slight flex is possible with significant pressure (something you shouldn't be applying to any device in the first place). But what gets me is just how nice the materials feel, especially the grippy plastic back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went ahead and ordered one. Will have it tomorrow. I hope it is easy to root, etc. As well as to flashing new ROMS on it. I shall see, I guess
acdcking12345 said:
I went ahead and ordered one. Will have it tomorrow. I hope it is easy to root, etc. As well as to flashing new ROMS on it. I shall see, I guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you ordered the Japanese SO-03E, there is a simple just-run-this tool available for it. If not, there are rooting methods discusse here at xda for older versions of international XPERIA Z tablets' firmware.
salanos said:
If you ordered the Japanese SO-03E, there is a simple just-run-this tool available for it. If not, there are rooting methods discusse here at xda for older versions of international XPERIA Z tablets' firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't know there was an international option. I just ordered it from a US company, so I figure it isn't.
Ill have to see what firmware it is running when I get it today.
acdcking12345 said:
So I am looking to replace my Ipad. I have been looking at the new Toshiba excite pro with the Tegra 4 CPU.
But I have come back to this Sony Tablet a few times. How do you guys like it? Does it feel snappy? Good quality?
Any negatives? Since it is water resistent, does it make it harder to use the headphone jack, charger jack, etc?
Has it been out long enough that it is considered old technology now? Should I wait?
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I have mine for 2 months now and apart from battery taking really too long to fully recharge (6 hours) I can't complain about this tablet. Everything works as it should. I totally recommend it!
really torn between these two devices ,
am talking about AOSP or CM on z5c , is AOSP working well on it ?
the 5x display is not that great , is the z5c display any better ?
any suggestion is appreciated .
I have just been evaluating the two side my side for the past fortnight trying to decide which to keep.
Hightlights of the z5c have been its size, speaker quality, and overall build quality. Micro SD slot is handy and waterproofness is nice to have. However I have found the camera to be very disappointing and slow to use and the results average. Also the smaller screen size can make operating Xperia keyboard and text input frustrating at times.. I dont htink the screen is as good as the one the Nexus but maybe thats just me. Excellent battery life. I have only tried Sony factory ROM and was not aware that others such as CM are available yet?
Highights of the Nexus 5x have been the crisp clean Marshmallow interface, good screen and excellent point and shoot camera. Screen is not as repsonsive as x5c when it needs to dim in a dark environment. It has a Terrific keyboard that is really accurate and easy to use. along with best fingerprint reader I have used. Downsides to it are its plasticy design with protruding lens which makes me reluctant to put it down on its back on a desk. even though I know the lens will not contact the desk. A Google Adopted TPU case fixed this though. But as soon as you encase it no-one will have any idea it is a google phone. Speaker is crappy and poor sound quality compered to z5c. USB C power cables are orphans and mean you cannot use existing A cables existing devices most people have. Couple this with a mediocre battery life can be problematic. Biggest downside for me though is its size. Too big too put into from jeans pocket and protrudes an inch or so out the top of shirt pocket.
So I ended up selling my 5x and keeping the z5c. My hope is that Sony will do something in the marshmallow update to improve the point and shoot usabilty of the camera. Hope this helps.
logger said:
I have just been evaluating the two side my side for the past fortnight trying to decide which to keep.
Hightlights of the z5c have been its size, speaker quality, and overall build quality. Micro SD slot is handy and waterproofness is nice to have. However I have found the camera to be very disappointing and slow to use and the results average. Also the smaller screen size can make operating Xperia keyboard and text input frustrating at times.. I dont htink the screen is as good as the one the Nexus but maybe thats just me. Excellent battery life. I have only tried Sony factory ROM and was not aware that others such as CM are available yet?
Highights of the Nexus 5x have been the crisp clean Marshmallow interface, good screen and excellent point and shoot camera. Screen is not as repsonsive as x5c when it needs to dim in a dark environment. It has a Terrific keyboard that is really accurate and easy to use. along with best fingerprint reader I have used. Downsides to it are its plasticy design with protruding lens which makes me reluctant to put it down on its back on a desk. even though I know the lens will not contact the desk. A Google Adopted TPU case fixed this though. But as soon as you encase it no-one will have any idea it is a google phone. Speaker is crappy and poor sound quality compered to z5c. USB C power cables are orphans and mean you cannot use existing A cables existing devices most people have. Couple this with a mediocre battery life can be problematic. Biggest downside for me though is its size. Too big too put into from jeans pocket and protrudes an inch or so out the top of shirt pocket.
So I ended up selling my 5x and keeping the z5c. My hope is that Sony will do something in the marshmallow update to improve the point and shoot usabilty of the camera. Hope this helps.
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thanks a lot , very helpful ,
and yes there is an AOSP 5.1.1 rom available for the z5c , no CM yet ( can't imagine it will be long before a release , given sony has released the binaries ) ,
here you go :
http://fxpblog.co/aosp/aosp-5-1/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/orig-development/aosp-builds-z5c-t3226266
I haven't tested the 5x yet, but have the z5c for about two weeks now and in my opinion there are two main issues with the z5c:
First the display colors really seem to be washed out, the black is more a really dark grey than a black (I don't know if this is due to a defect screen or if this is the case for all z5c's), also the display resolution of 720p isn't really enough for me as I clearly can see the edges of round app icons for example even when I'm farther away from the screen.
Also the increase of the phone temperature during prolonged use really bothers me, but that's a known issue of the Snapdragon 810. The camera is just okay, I honestly expected more, especially in low light conditions. But as far as is understand this is rather a post-processing issue than an hardware issue, I hope this improves with Marshmallow.
Two plus points are good battery live (maybe also due to the relatively low res screen) and the overall speed of the phone, which really has improved since the last firmware update.
I had both phones at the same time. Here are my thoughts:
Z5 Compact
+ I prefer the phone size much better
+ I play ingress, so prefer the better battery life and single handed use
+ I have a couple of external battery packs, which quick charge the Z5C
+ Waterproof
+ Really like that Sony went with regular micro-USB connector unlike the Z3C
+ Expandable memory. This can become expanded internal memory in Marshmallow
+ I love Tap to Wake
+ It is a sexy looking device
- Thicker than the N5X
- Not thrilled that the volume rocker is below the power button
- Surely majority of folks don't use the wrist strap feature?! It's a dust collector for me.
- Typing an issue on a smaller keyboard
- Voice recognition is iffy
- I hate that I don't have the option to turn off the notification light at when charging at night (always have to remember to place the phone facedown)
- Run hot under heavy use, but I use a case to avoid the slipper glass on the back anyway
Nexus 5X
+ Clean UI
+ Fast updates
+ Better fingerprint sensor
+ Thin and light
+ Better typing experience
+ Ambient display
- Too large for single-handed use
- Camera pops out like a nipple - could be seen as a positive
- USB-C means new expense on cables and charger (consider the added expenses here)
- My external chargers will work with N5X, but will not charge as quick as a licensed Qualcomm Quickcharge phone
- The vibration motor is a lot harsher than the Z5C. Not a fan.
- The mono speaker seems to be facing the back, but there is no opening on the back, so sound is kinda muffled.
- What's the deal with the giant bezel?!
- No expanded memory support
- The internal specs are lower (808 vs 810 in Z5C, and Adreno 418 vs 430 in Z5C). The Z5C guts are actually in the Nexus 6P, but with 3GB RAM.
I ended up returning the Nexus 5X primarily because of the size and having to make sure I have a USB-C cable handy in case I run through the battery. Even when I had the phone charging while I was playing ingress, the phone battery was discharging faster than recharging.
The Z5C is very comfortable to use. I do have an itch for a completely bloat free UI, with Marshmallow. Once unlock and root processes eventually get released/cleaned-up, the Z5C will be take a bigger bite into the Nexus 5X's main selling point.
N5X advantages:
- Camera (for photos) is in another league, look at the camera samples, the photos are very sharp compared to all Sony Z cameras.
- Fast updates.
- Stock clean Android (only Google apps that can be disabled) / Camera2 API / probably…not sure: Google Now Always ON / etc
Z5C adv:
- Battery life (If N5X battery life is less than 50% better than N5 battery, then it still really sux).
- Size (subjective)
- SoC 810 is much better.
- Long battery life when gaming.
- Some General hardware~ (mic quality / screen quality / etc).
Sent from my E5823
Finally i bought the 5x due to no AOSP roms available yet on z5c ,
thanks everyone .
So, I had nexus 5x for 1.5 month, got 5x after beloved Sony z5c international with fingerprint reader and wrist strap due to switching to verizon from ATT and it was cheapest of the semi-decent phones. I regret both.
1. While its compatible, and verizon sim works, i barely get signal 3G LTE to none while my other friends right next to me with iphones and samsung phones get high speed full bars 4g lte, so must be poor antenna or not fully compatible with verizon as claimed. And mind you its after hours on the phone with verizon i got it to even work. When i try send emails most times it flashes message every 1-2 seconds "no connection" "retry" then "connected", that creates multiple drafts when im trying to send email, nuisance to say the least. Or messages I thought were sent stuck in limbo, shown sent on device, but when login to email account from pc it isnt sent or even in drafts, so its on a device stuck, not sent even when connected while shown as sent on device.
2. giant phone not one handed. And no wrist strap hook!
3. Poor photo quality, no depth, poor resolution, only way to focus camera is to take 1 shot only then it tries to focus, any other way it would normally work on z5c with green to red focus window is not available. I tweaked it a bit using camera MX but even so, mediocre original software & hardware.
3. Pricy and no expansion memory, i got 32gb, and OS + apps already took over 20gb, and mind you i only have very few brain games and productivity apps like docsToGo that do not take much space, rest is android os itself upfront.
4. Not waterproof or resistant. Even when water droplet hits center of screen it acts out thinking its my finger, z5c did not react same way to water at all, it ignored it mostly, only responding to finger.
5. google keyboard is horrible, not even arrows to move coursor right or left within text, and gokeyboard became commercialized with adds so.. i didnt find better alternative, and you have to be precise getting it into right spot to insert extra words in between especially at the beginning of paragraph.
6. New Android version lost too many good features gaining none. Like little menu on the bottom right to close all open apps at once, gone! Now you have to manually close each app. specific to z5c mini apps like calculator, browser that can be used simultaneously with other apps window in window, shown both at once of course not included, and nothing similar available.
7. Battery life poor. I had about 5hours browsing no video out of it before it hits 20% mark from 100%, with video even faster. While usb c helps charge faster, true, but it doesnt help battery life , and no wireless charging, adapters just came to market, i do not think ill keep phone long enough to try if it works.
8. Back to memory expansion, so forget microsd, but even usb wont work. I have samsung duo usb3 to micro usb, so attempt 1 was to use anker adapter with my samsung usbduo drive and it didnt even register the drive. So i went ahead and bought an app to register usb c drive, didnt work. attempt 2 after shelling out for the nexus 5x compatible app, bought usb c flash drive guess what, only registers with that app, and even then cant just browse folders and files, open, work with file, save, ..no. you would have to copy to phone then work with file, save to phone only, and only then copy or move back to usb c drive. Really! So i scrapped that plan, went cloud, and got rid of usb c drive.
9. When plug in to pc have to manually each time select transfer files or it will only charge by default, havent found way to change that either.
10. Camera and fingerprint reader so close, guess where your fingerprint lands most times? Yup, keep wiping the camera lense.
11. Cherry on top, doesnt come with usb c to usb 2.0 or usb 3.0 cable, google store omitted that just saying charger and usb c cable, so as you discover that fact and jumping to look for a cable thats never seems available in google store site, your return time slot is closing down on you ..14 days..and you cant even test it with pc plugged in..
So, good stuff..fingerprint scanner works, usb c charge faster by 2x time.. that is about it.
Contacted google store and since its over 14 days = nonrefundable.
Conclusion, I am going back to AT&T and my beloved z5c! Yes, it doesnt have usb c and older (better version of android).. but guess what small, waterproof, has wriststrap to phone not just case, faster, better camera, better photos album layout, keyboard, LTE 4G without hangs and drops, same fingerprint scanner, and if i left out anything else, its there, on that sweet small device.
Perhaps someone else might find 5x mediocre good enough and cheap enough but for me I am ok going back to proven to be better for same price!
Edit: I didn't read the dates or the whole tread. I need sleep.
Hello,
I'm facing the same thing for a few days now; I'm hesitating between picking up a Nexus 5X or a Z5C, the first one has the advantage of frequent updates and clean Android experience but a relatively big screen while the second one has an ideal screen but I've heard about lots of overheating problems related to it.
So since it's 2016 and both phones are running Marshmallow, can you guys give me a quick update on your experiences now ? Thanks
Mephistorium said:
Hello,
I'm facing the same thing for a few days now; I'm hesitating between picking up a Nexus 5X or a Z5C, the first one has the advantage of frequent updates and clean Android experience but a relatively big screen while the second one has an ideal screen but I've heard about lots of overheating problems related to it.
So since it's 2016 and both phones are running Marshmallow, can you guys give me a quick update on your experiences now ? Thanks
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The Sony ui is still full of bugs but marshmallow performs at a decent level. Still nothing to compete with it in its size class.
Mephistorium said:
Hello,
I'm facing the same thing for a few days now; I'm hesitating between picking up a Nexus 5X or a Z5C, the first one has the advantage of frequent updates and clean Android experience but a relatively big screen while the second one has an ideal screen but I've heard about lots of overheating problems related to it.
So since it's 2016 and both phones are running Marshmallow, can you guys give me a quick update on your experiences now ? Thanks
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The z5c is a great phone, its just the battery life isn't the best in my opinion......you ever consider thinking of the Z3C? Im sure its a no since its been 2 years passed.
Thanks a lot for your feedback, As you said: the thing is that the Z5C has nothing to compete against in the small flagship category, if the battery lasts for a day on average use then I'm fine also the phone doesn't overheat from normal use as I've been reading all over the internet.
Regarding the Z3C, I think I can consider it if it's not too far from the Z5C performance, any feedback on that could be helpful!
Mephistorium said:
Thanks a lot for your feedback, As you said: the thing is that the Z5C has nothing to compete against in the small flagship category, if the battery lasts for a day on average use then I'm fine also the phone doesn't overheat from normal use as I've been reading all over the internet.
Regarding the Z3C, I think I can consider it if it's not too far from the Z5C performance, any feedback on that could be helpful!
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Z3c edges out slightly better in performance and dev support. BUT it has side charging port and flaps, not the most practical. It's all about your price range really.
Thanks a lot! Actually I have a bit of money on the side so I can get the Z5C, and in Europe the difference between the Z5C and the Z3C is like 60 dollars, the nexus 5x is the cheapest of all three phones
Mephistorium said:
Thanks a lot! Actually I have a bit of money on the side so I can get the Z5C, and in Europe the difference between the Z5C and the Z3C is like 60 dollars, the nexus 5x is the cheapest of all three phones
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Just like guy from above said, its all about your price/how much you can afford, ppl mainly go for nexus 5x for fast updates (pretty much it). If you not picky on the year, Z3C is your best bet if you want performance and best battery life and plus theres a unique developer at the Z3C forum that has been making the Z3C a perfect phone for anyone. The reason I got the Z5C is because I had screen issues on the Z3C and plus i was still in love of the compact series of the xperia. Z5C is doing fine for me
uchechris said:
Just like guy from above said, its all about your price/how much you can afford, ppl mainly go for nexus 5x for fast updates (pretty much it). If you not picky on the year, Z3C is your best bet if you want performance and best battery life and plus theres a unique developer at the Z3C forum that has been making the Z3C a perfect phone for anyone. The reason I got the Z5C is because I had screen issues on the Z3C and plus i was still in love of the compact series of the xperia. Z5C is doing fine for me
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Well thanks a lot, I do trust your ways around phones, so I've ordered a Z3C with a magnetic charger ( to avoid trouble with slot flaps ) think it's my best bet as you said.
Thanks again
Mephistorium said:
Well thanks a lot, I do trust your ways around phones, so I've ordered a Z3C with a magnetic charger ( to avoid trouble with slot flaps ) think it's my best bet as you said.
Thanks again
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Your welcome, be sure to go to the Z3C forum if you have additional questions, its really a good phone. I recommend flashing this rom to make your phone very unique but before doing that, you need root and recovery, thank God its easier to do it without unlocking the boot loader, just zoom in that forum for all of your questions, I wish you the best of luck!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/development/rom-slimm-t3359831
Mephistorium said:
Well thanks a lot, I do trust your ways around phones, so I've ordered a Z3C with a magnetic charger ( to avoid trouble with slot flaps ) think it's my best bet as you said.
Thanks again
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I suggest you cancel the z3c order. The Z3/Z3c is easy to has touch issue after 12~16 months, the touch panel life cycle is short, my friend Z3 got screen problem right after his warranty expired a few days(exactly 12 months passed) and he fuxked up and switched to Iphone, he was a Sony fans with only SE/Sony phones used in his life.
I admit Z3c got better software development, battery and thermal control. However, the camera on Z3c is worse than Z1c/Z5c. But if you only want a cheap compact and don't care buy another one after 1~2 years then Z3c is still a good choice.
TheEndHK said:
I suggest you cancel the z3c order. The Z3/Z3c is easy to has touch issue after 12~16 months, the touch panel life cycle is short, my friend Z3 got screen problem right after his warranty expired a few days(exactly 12 months passed) and he fuxked up and switched to Iphone, he was a Sony fans with only SE/Sony phones used in his life.
I admit Z3c got better software development, battery and thermal control. However, the camera on Z3c is worse than Z1c/Z5c. But if you only want a cheap compact and don't care buy another one after 1~2 years then Z3c is still a good choice.
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Hello and sorry I was on vacation )
Thank you very much though as (un)lucky as I am, I've returned the z3c via amazon but then I'm back looking, maybe I only have the z5c or something like htc m8 to go after.
I really really like that the twindock accessory has been reduced in size, and that those two huge grip, trigger handles have been removed. I've been looking for good shots of this accessory in the previews in articles and on YouTube. Engagdet's article has an embedded video that gives us the best view of this accessory, and is still poorly revealing footage, but at least shows off the back and underside. Gawd, I would have liked to have seen what the device looks like as a closed clamshell. The article itself also shows pictures from the prerelease event where a breakdown was displayed. Very helpful.
If it isn't too big, I'm probably going to carry the phone in the twindock as my EDC. Double, independent screens, both at 120hz, for epic multitasking, a total 10 amp hours of battery, crazy loudspeakers, hopefully full sized SD card support still (I use full sized SD cards a lot). I do wish that the hinge still resembled the original twindock's full length, tighter implementation.
I hope it's pocketable. If not, I might end up dissecting it and trying to build a custom, dual screen phone case out of it, or stepping into the life of a dude that carries a manbag.
I don't know why we haven't seen second-screen bearing cases like this for other phones. If a similar case with an identical screen and battery extension existed for it, I would be all over a Note series device, but as things are, such an accessory doesn't exist for any other device, as far as I know.
I'm not much of a mobile gamer, though I'm sure this will change for me once I own a top-of-the-line gaming phone, but I am definitely a power user, and a second screen accessory like this looks to deliver on the promises made by the failed foldable phone revolution in an even better implementation.
If it were offered in a 5g compatible variant, this would undoubtedly be my next 5+ years phone. My note 4 is ready to retire, and I like being able to buy the best of the best once every half decade and ride it until it's ****e.
Does anybody have a better source for info on the twindock 2? And does this kind of an EDC use case appeal to anyone else? I know, it'll be thick, but just imagine the sheer power.
https://youtu.be/zmi6uDfWa2k?t=273
Here you go.
I still want to know if you can run a regular app on the top screen, and have the keyboard on the lower screen.
Why not LG v60?
harysviewty said:
Why not LG v60?
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No extra battery.
barry99705 said:
I still want to know if you can run a regular app on the top screen, and have the keyboard on the lower screen.
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You can't use the bottom screen on as a keyboard for the top unfortunately :/ They work as entirely separate screens other than in a couple of games.
Maybe a Dev here can help with the keyboard down and an app on top ??
The 5000mah battery doesn't really extend the battery life of the phone. On balanced mode, not powerbank mode, you'll roughly get 7hrs SOT for both the phone and twinview dock, is it due to poor optimization? This is on 60hz and about 50% brightness.
It's it worth buying for everyday multitasking? Not gaming ie messenger and video? $398 Aus is price of cheap laptop
I purchased this device for $399 Aus stupid overpriced ROG.
I do like being able to watch YouTube and surfing web or play COD bottom screen and something on the top. I do wish ASUS could give a full screen two screen mode like the LG does.. multiwindow does not work while in dock mode so only two apps open on seperated screens at a time. I will be disappointed if the ROG 3 isn't backwards compatible.
It's a good device but software developers are not onboard with it with games... Would be good if Asus could run something in gamegenie to map onscreen buttons and keywords to bottomed screen.
Twinview dock 2 is a great device... There are alot of software modifications needed is extend to one screen for Chrome etc I feel $399 Aus is way to expensive for this device... Glad I tried it but there are alot of issues ie some apps do now allow to be used horizontally. I do hope ROG 3 will allow this device to be used with.... Otherwise I will Goto LGs twin screen variant. I had ROG 1 and all accessories and all were a waste of money... I do hope they try and keep there user base with ROG 3 and support this twinview dock with software modifications as stated. If anyone thinking of getting one do not it's not worth the money
does anyone else that owns the twindock have this weird issue ?
every time I connect the phone to it, it doesn't work properly the first time as the screen keeps flickering and switching off and on.
I have to unplug it and the connect again and it works fine on the 2nd try.
I thought it was the connector at first, but tested a couple of more times and the same thing happens every time.
It always works properly on the 2nd try only.
Noticed that this started happening after the phone got an update 2-3 days ago and it also updated something on the dock.
Yes have that issue... I have to undock sometimes.. on and off... Sometime also get pixel distortion... I would stay away from this accessory
---------- Post added at 01:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 AM ----------
Yes have that issue... I have to undock sometimes.. on and off... Sometime also get pixel distortion... I would stay away from this accessory... Sometimes prompts me for firmware update even though latest... It then fails lol cheap expensive plastic
anyone figure out how to hide the navigation bar on the top screen? (if it's possible)
I too have the flickering issue. I'm not really liking this accessory as it isn't implemented the right way. We should be able to stretch apps across it and such. it's too picky on how a second screen should work optimally to be worth it.
Has anyone had any issues with the dock cooling? Correct me if I'm wrong but this used to extract the hot air when the phone was docked in in Android 9. Now i play and it heats up the screen of the phone more cause it is pushing the air into the phone. Does anyone have this problem too?
Sent from my ASUS_I001DC using Tapatalk
So guys, after months using the dock, do you guys recommend to buy it? i want to buy it, found one new very cheap. The same issues keep or they solved with software updates?