New firmware on Android tablet?

petebates26

Hi there,

I've been looking at cheap Android Tablets - and the bad points of the reviews seem to be focusing on both hardware and Operating syatem version.

Obviously, the hardaware dilemma, i can get round by trying a few and choosing accordingly.

But, my question to anyone in the know is whether it is possible to (and how I would go about) downloading and updating the device with a newer release of the O/S (2.1? 2.2?)

Thanks in advance

Fifer

I don't think you can. I suspect Android has to be configured for the device by the manufacurer, so you have to wait for them to release an upgrade (if they ever do).

petebates26

Cheers Fifer - i thought it was wishful thinking!

I had read a review somewhere online that talked about flashing the device with new firmware - but I can't seem to find it again!

JJ_Egan

I had read a review somewhere online that talked about flashing the device with new firmware - but I can't seem to find it again!

Phone yes tablet dont know but it will void your warranty .
If the machine is capable of running on Froyo android 2.2 then i would expect a upgrade in the future as its still rolling out on the phones .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/index.php

Firmware and other stuff can be found on XDA .

jje

flyingscotno1

Assuming there is enough information around people have managed to install custom ROMs on their phones- for example the San Francisco which is 2.1 has a 2.2 Alpha build on Modaco. T-Mobile Pulse was (1.5?) and the community got it up to 2.1 I think.

I'd be interested in an Android Tablet if it has 9-10" capacitative screen, ran 2.2+ with flash and had decent output options for reasonable cash.

The Advent Vega seems to come close but no place for a SIM.

petebates26

That's where I thought the stumbling block might be with the cheaper tablets - I wasn't sure there'd be enough interest in them as yet for people to have put the time in!

flyingscotno1

petebates26 wrote: »

That's where I thought the stumbling block might be with the cheaper tablets - I wasn't sure there'd be enough interest in them as yet for people to have put the time in!

The cheaper Chinese made and sold ones might fall down on that, unless your handy with Chinese translations, but good value ones sold in the UK might not to the same extent if they become popular with developers. It is guess work however I mean the Android Tablet is early days.

The San Francisco phone is an example of some cheap device that was sold over here, developers picked up the baton and ran some excellent ROMs on it.

I don't know how possible that will be on the tablets yet- but I do fancy getting one if cheap after saying I didn't like the concept, but that maybe to do with £500+ iPad price rather than £250 Android.

From what I am aware the idea is that this version of Android, 2.2 is not ideal for tablets and that 2.3 Gingerbread will be more suitable.