Acer Iconia a500 Nav/GPS Features

Since the update to Honeycomb 3.2, the only feature I hadn't tested out on my Acer Iconia a500 was the GPS or navigation features of the tablet.  One of the things I have been curious about was how the tablet would go about using the GPS features in conjunction with Google Maps (or equivalent) without having a Wifi signal.

In my test this afternoon, not so good.  In fact, I never managed to get the GPS signal to lock.  I tried twice (mostly due to my battery already being low in the first place).  The first time I let it poll for a GPS signal for about 5 minutes while I was in our local UPS Store.  The second attempt, I let it poll for about 3 minutes or so while pumping gas.  Neither attempt was successful.

Despite not getting a lock on a GPS Signal, I did attempt this using two different apps.  The first being Google Maps and the second being Mapdroyd.  Both did nothing when it came to using the GPS feature.  If anybody out there has gotten it to work, drop me a comment and let me know if I'm doing something wrong.

read more

So what is the Honeycomb 3.2 Update for the Acer Iconia a500 good for?

So, as mentioned in a previous post; I received the Honeycomb 3.2 OTA Update last night on my stock Acer Iconia a500.  It weighed in a little over 350MB's, and took four attempts to download before completing successfully.

One of the big questions with every Honeycomb Update is: 'What does it do/change/fix?'

Apparently, there isn't too much significant included in the update.  It improves SD and USB notifications when attaching these devices, smoother scrolling, and proper stretching/zooming for apps designed for smaller screens (the a500 sports a 10.1 inch screen).  So far, that seems to be about it.

I have one recommendation for Google or Acer concerning Honeycomb Updates: How about including a change notice with the Update Dialog when the device gets prompted for the new OTA Updates?  Theoretically, it should be fairly easy, it could be handled the same way permissions are displayed prior to installing a new app or .apk file.  Right now we just get to see the name of the update and what the download size is.  A little more info would be nice, just a thought.

For those who root or run ROM'd versions of the Acer Iconia a500; you better hold off on updating (as of this writing) since there currently isn't a way to root Honeycomb 3.2 on the Iconia yet.  And you will loose your custom ROM should you apply the OTA 3.2 upgrade.

And it appears that Netflix still isn't supported on the Iconia a500 (as we guessed).

read more

Acer Iconia a500 OTA Honeycomb 3.2 Update rolls out!

Tonight my Acer Iconia a500 tablet pulled down the latest Over The Air update contains Honeycomb 3. It is rather large at a little over 350MB's in download size.  I did bump into a little issue when I downloaded about 250MB worth of the download and it would either mysteriously end the download or it would restart by itself.

After four attempts I am finally running Honeycomb 3.2.  I'll do some digging around and see what has changed or been added and will update tomorrow or so.

read more

ASUS Transformer Getting Honeycomb 3.2...Today?!

Actually I guess owner's of the supported ASUS Transformer tablet will be getting the Honeycomb 3.2 update rolled out today (7-28-11).  This is great news for proud Transformer owners.  It was released a few weeks ago that Honeycomb 3.2 was being tested by Motorola and ASUS for the tablets: the Xoom and Transformer (respectively).

Meanwhile, those of us proud owners of the Iconia a500 (made by the other company whose name starts with the letter 'A'; just received the Honeycomb 3.1 update.  And from what I've beem seeing and reading a lot of the Iconia a500 owners are still awaiting the update for 3.1.  At this rate we'll probably see 3.2 on our Iconia a500's by October and maybe the release of Ice Cream by the end of the year (if this rate of updating continues).

On another note, apparently Honeycomb 3.2 is rumored to bring Netflix streaming support to the Transformer tablet.  Maybe one day fellow Iconia users.

read more

Honeycomb 3.1 on my Acer Iconia a500 Review

I have been using my Acer Iconia a500 tablet for a couple of days now since it updated to Honeycomb 3.1earlier this week.  I feel like I've had enough hands on to develop an initial impression of it, even if I may miss some features.  I'll hit the high points that I have encountered with my brief hands-on time.

It's no secret that the update process was somewhat painful (if not self induced by me) as you can read in my previous posts concerning the matter.  However, all the trouble was worth it.  So what do we get in Honeycomb 3.1?  A couple of apps, wifi improvements' and a few other little things.  First up, if you haven't gotten the update yet, make sure you are in a good wifi area.  The update is large weighing in a little over 330MB's.  But once it's downloaded the installl is pretty quick.

As far as apps go, we get two noticeable ones. Now we have Google's Movie Editor and Google Videos.  The Movie Editor allows some basic editing of video shot with the devices camera (which works pretty well).  And Google Videos allows you to not only rent movies and tv shows via the Android Market for a price, but also gives you a central place to show off any video you may have stored locally on the tablet.  Also to note (I don't remember downloading either of these apps myself so I assume they were in the update); I now have both the Nook ereader app and Zinio for digital magazine subscriptions.  So if they weren't actually in the update, just overlook me.  lol

A couple of the other things I have noticed is the 'Cell Standby' process that was reporting battery usage (10% to 20% at times) is now gone.  The transitions from the 'Apps' menu back to the Home Screen seem to be a little snappier.  And the overall battery life seems to be just a little bit better (of course this could be due to my usage this week as well).  But overall, the tablet just feels a little more responsive.

Despite the issues I have had with the Honeycomb Upgrade rollout from Acer, the Iconia a500 tablet is a wonderful device and I have no complaints with the hardware itself (or Honeycomb for that fact).  Hopefully, whenever 3.2 is rolled out, my experience will be a little better (of course, as soon as I'm prompted for the next update I'll take it right away instead of 'Remind Me Later').

read more

Acer Iconia Tab a500 Update Complete

So after downloading a hefty 356MB download, and sitting through the install, my a500 is rocking Honeycomb 3.1.  Some apps have been added: Movie Editor, Google Videos, Nook reader to name a few.

I'll get some more hands on with it tonight and tomorrow and then I'll post up a quick review of the update and a couple of the apps.

read more

Acer Iconia Tablet a500 Update Woes...UPDATE is Green Lighted!

Acer Iconia a500 users who have yet to get the Honeycomb 3.1 Update, go ahead and manually check for the update.  I just did and I'm downloading it right now.  Hopefully the install will go smooth and 3.1 isn't too far away.

More to come soon.

read more

Acer Iconia Tablet a500 Update Woes...Weekend Update

Still no news as far as the Honeycomb 3.1 Update goes.  But to be fair, I haven't had a lot of time this weekend to bug Acer Support about my update woes.  I'll be hot on the trail again on Monday afternoon, so more to come!

read more

"Honeycomb 3.1? Not for you Acer a500 Owner! " -Acer

Well, got home from work today and thought for some crazy reason I would check and see if my Iconia a500 tablet had prompted me for the Honeycomb 3.1 update...And nope, still nothing.  Also, it still says my device is up to date when attempting to manually search for the update as well.

It's about time for a scathing email to be sent to support and possibly another Live Chat just for kicks.  Also, the unveiling of the new 'Mad-Droid' is now:

read more

Acer Iconia Tablet a500 Update Woes... UPDATE

At 11:00pm eastern standard time, still no update.

Did find a blog that rumored Acer estimates the Honeycomb 3.1 update to not be completely rolled out until sometime in August.  I'm not sure of the credibility of the blog, but I hope that isn't so...

read more

Update on the Non-Update for my Acer Tablet...Tick-Tock

Just checking in with an update.  My Acer Iconia Tablet a500 still has yet to notify me of an update for Honeycomb 3.1 floating around out there anywhere.  If anyone has seen a lost update walking down the street, how about doing me a favor and sending it my way.  LOL.

Seriously though:
As of 5:10pm Wed. (7-13-11) still no update.  I'll give it one more day before contacting Acer Support again.

read more

Acer Iconia Tablet a500 Update Woes...

A quick update on my issues with receiving the Honeycomb 3.1 update after selecting "Remind Me Later" in the notification dialog box that popped up on my tablet.

As of 1:00am on Wed. 7-13-2011: Performed numerous manual checks throughout the day and evening.  Still no update available.

Per my live chat dialog from yesterday, the Acer Representative I chatted with told me to not be surprised if the update rolls out to my device "either tomorrow or the next day".  Well, looks like "the next day" just started. We shall see if by the days end I have been prompted to download the update.

I'll report back later.

read more

Coming Soon?

Life has been fairly busy over the last few weeks.  Between work and being on vacation (away from any and all internet connections, yes I survived) my blog hasn't been very accessible.  So what's ahead for the TechieSmarts Blog?

One of the things I'm hoping to do in the near future is be able to bring a full review of Android Honeycomb.  I'm aiming to get my hands on one of the very nice Honeycomb tablets.  More than likely it'll be the Acer Iconia Tab (unless ASUS spits out a few Transformer tablets and they happen to land in my town, chances are unlikely).

With the access to Honeycomb I'll be able to review Android apps as well (most apps apparently run under Honeycomb) so I'll be able to cater to the Android crowd along with the iDevice crowd as well.

I'm looking forward to making blog posts and videos for this site using solely the Honeycomb tablet (I accomplished this on the iPod Touch and the iPad already).  I'll chronicle this adventure as it happens.

Along with mobile apps and capabilities, I plan on reviewing both 'Global Agenda' and 'Lord of The Rings Online' in the near future.  Especially since both of these titles now have Free2Play offerings, if you've been looking into getting in an online game this is a good time to do so.

Overall it's a fantastic time to be a tech freak and gadget fan.  Holding true to my gaming roots look for more reviews from the mobile genre to be coming soon.  So, sit back and relax and drop by soon for some fresh new content.

Happy surfing!

read more