What is the best value iPad clone tablet?

[Rocker]

I want an iPad clone tablet but those available in Peats of Parnell Street are very expensive.

Basically I want to use it to browse the Internet using Wi-Fi and download an app that will control my Squeezebox [any suggestions on which is best?]. And perhaps there might be an app that can control my TV system [Sky box etc.]. Heres hoping anyway.

All advice and guidance appreciated.

[Fran]

There's no avoiding long and fairly tedious searches on the web to find the current state of play for these. There are numerous similar looking ones on ebay but often these vary from one to the other. The big difference though is that nearly all of these have what are known as resistive touch screens - i.e. pressure point type. The ipad and better clones use capacitive screens, more expensive, but generally work better, multi-touch, swiping etc etc. Far nicer to use in general.

Its a pity you didn't mention it when you were down - I have one here you could have had a look at! You hardly have an iphone or any android phone? They will also run the app. Make sure whatever one you get is running android 2.3, has full market access and has USB connections. Its best if it can be updated over wifi too.

This is the kind of thing I mean, but you would then need to google that particular model and see what other users are saying about it.
http://cgi.ebay.ie/CAPACITIVE-TABLET-Pa ... 186wt_1141

The other option is to keep an eye out for a 2nd hand ipad.

Fran

[Sligolad]

Have to say i am a fan of iPeng on iPad, seems to be the best App out there for Squeezebox control.

If you do go the Android route then Squeeze Commander seems to be the favourite at the moment though i have not used it myself.

[Nigel]

Rocker, Have you thought of using an i pod touch? Less pricy than the i pad or similar and second hand's on done deal, buy and sell etc.. Regards, Nigel.

[Fran]

Also, there is an official logitech app for android at least - I downloaded it last night, but as my PC is still out of action until the new HDD arrives, I haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

Will update as soon as I get it up and running. Squeeze commander mentioned earlier here is actually a paid app - but is only €2.99. Might be worth it.

Rocker, you're getting me interested in doing this now!!!


Fran

[james]

I am interested in this option too but I wonder would it work with my setup .. I am running a qnap twin disk
network storage device [which runs a linux version of slimserver] and connecting that by wireless to s transporter.
I am not sure if the various ipod applications communicate with the transporter/squeezbox or with the server
running slimserver .. any advice appreciated .. thanks .. james

[p.s. i will try emailing the company in england i bought the qnap box from].

[Fran]

As far as I know they all work back to slimserver (or whatever it is called now)..... So your ipad/touch/phone will need wifi access to your home network and be able to see the PC/mac where slimserver is running.

I had this running on an older android phone, but didn't like the layout of that particular app, plus, the wifi was flaky and was taking ages to work, very laggy and so on. So, we will see with the new app when I get my new PC up and going.


Fran

[Rocker]

Thanks for the info and feedback guys. Conducting 'research' [aka using Google] on this subject seems to suggest that this is the way to go. I have a Squeezebox Server [URL=http://localhost:9000/] which allows me to control the music from my pc screen. This would be perfect if I could get it to work on a tablet....

[Fran]

I thought I'd give a little feedback on using the mobile phone apps for squeezebox control.

I only tried out the free ones (cheapskate!)....

First up was the offical logitech one. This looked good, and seemed very "snappy", very easy to use, especially when you are used to any of the SB controls. For example, if you browse your music by "music folder" as I do, you have a long list of the artists in your collection. On the app, you have a small A-Z list on the right hand side of the screen. Pressing at approixmately "m" will land you very close to the artist you want and its easy then just to pull the screen up or down from there. However, there was one big glitch on my phone at least..... the display of the msuci list was completely gammy. When you pulled the screen up or down to scroll, the list scrolled, but the previous list also showed underneath which made it impossible to read. Now I haven't gone looking for a solution, so one might exist.

Second app is "squeezecontrol". This doesn't look as nice, nor is it quite as intuitive to use, but worked flawlessly. One slight performance issue though - it did seem slightly "laggy" in use. Other than that it was AOK. Not as nice looking as the official loitech one, but OK too. I do think its still better than the controller that comes with the duet though.


Given that both apps are 100% free, its easy to try them out....

Fran

[Fran]

I also went and had a look at another free one - squeezedroid. Initial impressions, not as nice to use as squeezecontrol - also because its free there are ads all the time....


Also, there is a definite bug with the official logitech app, its to do with the latest edition of android OS, and has been going on for months.


I have one of those chinese apads here too, so next up is to fire her up and try out the apps on that....


Fran