Brand New HP TouchPad owner!

[Jahjah440]

Hey guys, I'm around these parts. I just got my TouchPad from the Dec.11 firesale (UPS guy just left 3 minutes ago!) I have yet to open it, but WILL install Android ASAP. I have a few questions for you TouchPad masters:
Does USB work in Android?
Does flash work in Android?
Which build of Android is the best? I see some say Alpha 3, but some say they went back to Alpha 2.

I'm kinda a noob when it comes to Android, I have a Samsung Moment (worst phone ever) rooted running Android 2.1 (the only version I have ever used). What does the TouchPad build run on?

Thanks everyone!

 

[btc0526]

The TouchPad builds are Gingerbread (2.3) I think as of alpha 1 every thing was working except for the minor bugs that are always present in alphas. If you aren't experienced I would suggest waiting till it releases as a final so you don't have to deal with the bugs

 

[Jahjah440]

The TouchPad builds are Gingerbread (2.3) I think as of alpha 1 every thing was working except for the minor bugs that are always present in alphas. If you aren't experienced I would suggest waiting till it releases as a final so you don't have to deal with the bugs

thanks, i'll just install 3.5 beta. Can you tell me if there is USB Flash Drive support in WebOS and/or android? I'm just seeing info from like August, and that's just about keyboards..

 

[C5Longhorn]

I'm in the same boat, just got my Touchpad also. I installed Alpha 3.5 last night and am still learning about the new release and Gingerbread.

Question, after I did the install, should I immediately back it up? If so, how?

Second question, how can I tell how much space is in the partition for Android?

Thanks, I plan to read up on this forum over the holidays.

Rick

 

[Jahjah440]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to the first question.
I read that WebOS and Android share the same partition. So you should have the same amount of space that you have for WebOS.

How is the 3.5 working for ya? I just installed it.

 

[C5Longhorn]

So far so good. I've only had it on since last night, but I like it. I'm a newb with Android other than messing around with my Father in Law's Samsung Galaxy.

I guess I thought there was a limit on space for apps, etc. But it sounds like you can use whatever is necessary and both OS's share available space.

Rick

 

[Mutoidi]

Wecome to TouchPad land!
There is no direct USB flash drive support in the Touchpad as it does not PROVIDE power internally to its USB port. However with an external power supply, such as a powered USB Hub and the right leads, you can work with it in webOS anyway.. I am also new to Android (CM7 3.5/Xron) but assume that the same applies.

I think Android sets aside a partition of about 1.5Gb for Android-specific Apps/data etc. whilst also accessing files (Photos, Docs, Vids etc) 'shared' with webOS.

 

[C5Longhorn]

hmm,so if you load many apps you will run out of space or is it possible to expand the partition?

Rick

 

[Mutoidi]

hmm,so if you load many apps you will run out of space or is it possible to expand the partition?

Rick

If the space is there for it and you need it.. of course it would be possible to expand the partition.. exactly HOW I am not yet sure, as I haven't yet needed to!
Possibly through the webOS 'Tailor' App or an Android partition manager equivalent?
I imagine CM7 was designed not to 'hog' too much disc-space' initially.

 

[DemonHighwayman]

CM7 partitions 2gb for itself and apps, but it also sees all the rest of your touchpads memory as an sd card, which gets shared with webos. There was a bug in the earlier roms which limits your marketplace downloads to 50, I'm not sure if they have that fixed yet though If you want to see the details of what memory you have got go to settings/storage (while using android).

I've seen posts that other people have used the USB in CM7, but as Mutoidi said you will need a specific USB cable and a power source such as a powered usb hub.

Flash works fine but you will need to get the latest version from the Android market.

As for the best ROM, that is something you will need to experiment with, personally I've found Xronified vB1.3 the best for my T-Pad so far.

 

[Mutoidi]

Yes.. a powered hub, OTG Micro to USB adaptor cable & a USB 'Y' cable should allow the TP to see, work with and use a USB 'flash drive'.

 

[mgm1979]

Just got mine last night, as well...came with 1.02, so should I upgrade the webOS software before throwing the CM7v3.5 on there, or does it not matter which webOS version I have?

This is a gift for the wifey, so I want to get everything setup and ready to go for her by Saturday night.

 

[DemonHighwayman]

Just got mine last night, as well...came with 1.02, so should I upgrade the webOS software before throwing the CM7v3.5 on there, or does it not matter which webOS version I have?

This is a gift for the wifey, so I want to get everything setup and ready to go for her by Saturday night.

Yes update to 3.0.4 because it will screw up android if it's done later

 

[mgm1979]

Yes update to 3.0.4 because it will screw up android if it's done later

Ahhh...exactly why I asked...guess I'll get on that then. thanks.

 

[Jahjah440]

Played around with Android today, very smooth! There is some problems though:
No sound! Installed N64oid apk, and not a peep. Pressing volume up and down does make any noise either!

Wi-Fi won't stay connected! I have WPA2 connection. Any fixes or tips for these two problems? thanks!

Edit: Installed Kron ROM, works better than Cyanogenmod 7. Still, no sound. Also, internet IS SO SLOWWWW! Market downloads slow, internet browsing slow, etc. Everything! Any advice for sound and slow internet? Thanks a bundle!

 

[Badassforever]

I also Just got my touch pad, I Updated it with Webos 3.0.4 and installed android as well. I have the CM7 + 3.5 Alpha, I then installed XRONified 3.3.2 That is working great... But my Question for the boys is!

is vB2.2 an addon pack to alpha 3.5
Did i just skip Alpha 3.5 when i installed XRONified 3.3.2

Just like to point a few things out, i have my touch overclocked to 1500ghz and i dont have any problems with my internet connection, i get over 1.2mbs

ONLY issue i have is it falls into deep sleep if i leave it for more then 20+ mins. i have to do a hard reset. Idea's? something im doing wrong?

 

[dignitary]

The TouchPad builds are Gingerbread (2.3) I think as of alpha 1 every thing was working except for the minor bugs that are always present in alphas. If you aren't experienced I would suggest waiting till it releases as a final so you don't have to deal with the bugs

Compass doesn't appear to be working, but that's a minor quibble depending on the apps you need. I'd certainly prefer it to be working so I could use Star Chart correctly.

 

[dignitary]

I also Just got my touch pad, I Updated it with Webos 3.0.4 and installed android as well. I have the CM7 + 3.5 Alpha, I then installed XRONified 3.3.2 That is working great... But my Question for the boys is!

is vB2.2 an addon pack to alpha 3.5
Did i just skip Alpha 3.5 when i installed XRONified 3.3.2

ONLY issue i have is it falls into deep sleep if i leave it for more then 20+ mins. i have to do a hard reset. Idea's? something im doing wrong?

I'm sticking with CM-only releases, and since i'm using Alpha 3.5 fine with no need for hard resets, I'd guess your problem is with the non-CM ROM you installed. I have no idea why people would install anything other than clean CyanogenMod releases when they're the ones heading the effort toward the first ICS/CM9 release. Everything else (xRON, MIUI) just gets in the way.

All xRON does is add a theme, a couple of tweaks, and a few apps not included in the base CM7 install. No reason to be installing it at all IMO. It may look pretty, but you could do almost everything that ROM does with 20 minutes of your time in the Google Market. And you wouldn't have to screw with your upgrade path in the process, either.

 

[DemonHighwayman]

I'm sticking with CM-only releases, and since i'm using Alpha 3.5 fine with no need for hard resets, I'd guess your problem is with the non-CM ROM you installed. I have no idea why people would install anything other than clean CyanogenMod releases when they're the ones heading the effort toward the first ICS/CM9 release. Everything else (xRON, MIUI) just gets in the way.

All xRON does is add a theme, a couple of tweaks, and a few apps not included in the base CM7 install. No reason to be installing it at all IMO. It may look pretty, but you could do almost everything that ROM does with 20 minutes of your time in the Google Market. And you wouldn't have to screw with your upgrade path in the process, either.

The tweaks made in Xron made some of my games playable again which CM7 A2 onwards screwed up, although the newest release of Xron is also now causing the same problem.
The Problem with the touchpad is that there seems to be too many variations in the hardware which is making rom development hard. I'd recommend anyone wanting to go the android route, to try out the different roms and see what works best on there own touchpad.

 

[Jahjah440]

A small rant.

OK guys, please don't flame me when I say this:
I'm very grateful for what Cyanogen Mod Team has done for us all porting Android to the TP. Unfortunately, I am very disappointed. I frequently found in Alpha 3.5 that sound was non-existant, and Wi-Fi speeds were ridiculously slow. Taking more than a minute to load Google.com, A half hour to download a 1.8MB file from the Android market. I tried Xron, and that was even worse. Same turtle speeds, but a auto reset when sleeping every few minutes.

The actually Android on the TP running regular CM7 was great, very smooth scrolling and sideloaded apps were great. But, I just can't live with the turtle like speeds I was getting. For now, I have gone back to WebOS, to browse the interwebz at decent speeds.

I understand that it was an Alpha build, so I should have expected flaws. I will be patiently waiting for a stable BETA or FINAL build. Until then, farewell CM7!

P.S - If anyone has any tips for my slow internet, please, let me know! :-\