I have a Amazon FireHD8 with Google play store installed on it. However, it is old and beginning to have performance issues. I am happy with GrapheneOS on my Pixel 6, and I'm considering a Pixel tablet to install GrapheneOS on it. I am thinking of picking it up as part of a Black Friday sale.
Any user experiences here?
Even though Google discontinued it, would it be worth getting? I almost never use my phone, but I use my tablet alot.
It has the same performance as my Pixel 7 phone, (Tensor G2) it has the strenght to emulate NGC and PS2 games and anything below.
I also like the speaker which also charges the tablet while at the same time the USB-type C port can connect to a USB-hub, which is a good solution for a desktop experience. (By adding a wired keyboard, mouse and gamepad)
Getting the Smart Dock application for a desktop-like interface is also neat.
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/cu.axel.smartdock/
https://github.com/axel358/smartdock
The screen size prevents eye trouble, this way, when I am at home, I don't have to hurt my eyes with the small screen of a smartphone.
On a trip I connect the tablet to my Pixel 7 WiFi hotspot.
GrapheneOS functions very well on my tablet as it does on my phone and the tablet even has the embedded Titan-M2 security chip just like its mobile counterparts.
Pocketstar
Futhermore, I do have to mention that the USB-C port option under settings->security and privacy->exploit protection has to be set to "charging-only when locked" or lower in order to enable the docked speaker audio. (Even though the dock will still charge on the "charging-only" setting)
This is because the port on the back are essentially just another USB connection just like the one on the side of the tablet, so the exploit protection prevents attacks through this port as well.
The four speakers on the sides emit a rich sound however in case you want to set it to charging-only.
I did also purchase the rubbery Google case, the one with the metal prong on the back which will act as a stand and has metal connectors in the back that act as a passthrough for the speaker connection.
Also one more thing worth mentioning is that the dock only has slow charge, which is better for the battery's lifespan. The USB-C port on the side does support fast-charge, both connectors cannot charge at the same time, which prevents overloads, yet OTG (connecting USB pheriperals) and speakerdock-charging do work at the same time like I mention earlier. (As long as "charging-only when locked" or lower is enabled)
Pocketstar would be great if we had a connector that would just carry audio and nothing else...
Oh we had that? And Google removed it? Strange
Everything works fine on my tablet.
Using
Browsers
Mail Apps
Banking Software and respective Security app to allow transactions
Usng stuff like Grayjay and NewPipe
Scanning stuff to pdf
PDF editing
Sending my health bills in their apps as PDFs or scanned QR codes.
Everything works as supposed.
Xarcell I use it every day for several hours too. Smartphone only for calls, Messaging, Navigation and payment.
missing-root If you are referring to the headphone jacket; that is correct, Google did not install this even though there is plenty of room left to embed a 3.5" headphone port to the device, which reduces the mount of options we have to connect external peripherals.
A solution could be a USB-based speaker while the main speakerdock connects the tablet to the mains.
However, it is not the easiest solution, and not everone has access to an external USB speaker.
missing-root Ah, you meant the connectors on the back of the device? Indeed.
My apologies, I've must've read it too hastily...
Xarcell iv just got one and its better than expected. Iv removed all apps that distract me off my phone and onto the tablet and leave it in the kitchen on the dock.
Even though Google discontinued it, would it be worth getting?
Has it been discontinued? I hope not. I love my pixel tablet and now use it for everything that I used to do on my Linux laptop which is now gathering dust.
I'm not big on using tons of apps and mainly use the Vanadium browser and I find it super portable and convenient. When away I hotspot it to my phone without issue.
The only thing I miss, and it's not a GrapheneOS issue, is that the Signal app only works on Android phones and not tablets. I think it can be linked on Apple phones and tablets but you cannot link the tablet Android app to your phone's app.
Tablet has worked great for me and has replaced 90% of my use case for a computer. Performance is good and battery life is okay. I really like the screen on it and the built in speakers. GrapheneOS runs amazing on it with only a few minor bugs.
Lack of 1st party or quality keyboard cases is annoying. An external Bluetooth keyboard works fine, but is not ideal. I bought mine without the speaker and I am considering buying the speaker now mainly for charging.
The navigating gestures for switching between apps and going to home screen are quite inferior to iPadOS gestures, which are very intuitive and always work. Android should have different gesture for phones and tablets, as the phone gestures do not translate well to tablet. Gestures often do not even register when I try them, no idea why.
MotherShipton Good to know! I did not realize you couldn't link Signal app to your Pixel tablet.
You can use Molly to link your phone and tablet. Molly can be obtained via Accrescent.
Emerald
I did not know that, thanks
Do you know if there is there a version of Molly that uses google play services for push notifications?
treenutz68 Yes. You can find it on their Github page (https://github.com/mollyim/mollyim-android)
Also the FOSS version using web socket only.
Scanning stuff to pdf, PDF editing
What apps do you use for this?
Sending my health bills in their apps as PDFs or scanned QR codes.
What do you have in mind?
mogacy-nadproza0m PDF Doc Scan from LittleTrickster via Obtainium.
For health bills the app of my health care company. Had to pretend the tablet is a P7a in Aurora Store though.
