Question What to do with Android 4 Tablet

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swissc

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Nov 10, 2018
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Hi,

I have a Huawei T1 701w table that I got a couple of years ago. I use it only when traveling for watching movies and a little internet browsing. However it seems to be now very limited in what apps I can now use. For example the Swisscom TV app is not longer useable, as it says I need to upgrade it and when I try says my version of android is no longer supported by the app (and stays in a loop between the two). Similar issue with Kodi which also I can no longer use.

I had a look and it seems there is no easy way to root this device to put stock current android on it. Does any one have any suggestions or should I just replace it? If it is replacement time what would you recommend as a 7inch cheap tab, something that will remain updatable for quite some time.

Thanks
SwissC
 
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i hold onto an old android 4 phone simply to use miracast. google nerfed that ability with version 5 and it's something i still use a lot.

if it is not able to do what you want, then it is time to upgrade. pretty simple really. but just like the one you have now, updates will only come for a short time. then that tablet will be just as obsolete and the cycle will repeat.

this is planned by the companies and nothing you can do about it if you can't root it and get a newer OS installed. honestly if you are looking for it to be useful as long as possible, then apple is the way to go. they get updates a lot longer and will be usable much longer than any android tablet you could buy.

they cost more for sure, but if you average that cost over how long you get to use it, it might end up cheaper than a quality android tablet. i say quality since of course you can find some generic $100 tablet and use it for a year before replacing it and so on.

don't think this is what you are asking about so i won't go there. a solid $4-500 android tablet you use for 2 years vs a $700 ipad you can use for 4 -5 years averages out to a better buy. of course if you want top of the line, you'll pay for it and some with apple.

also of note if you plan on a good android tablet again. look to be sure it can be rooted. also chose a somewhat popular model. these are the ones developers will spend time keeping up to date. some random brand cheap model may not get any attention and while possible may never get an updated OS. the brand itself does not release it, so it is up to independent developers to make a new version work on old hardware. they tend to put their time into popular models with a wide audience.
 
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Cheers, I think I will replace. Currently thinking maybe a Fire 7, as these seem able to be rootable and are cheap and I assume popular with developers due to their price point. It does not have to be anything special so basically easily rootable and cheap are my requirements.
 
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Well, take a look at xda-developers.com and androidforums.com to get a really good sense as to whether this device is popular among the custom ROM creators.

Those two sites tend to give a very clear picture, very quickly, as to the status of any given device as far as ease of rooting and ease of finding a custom ROM go.
 
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those are the sites i use myself. XDA is pretty much where the major developers work from. a quick model search there will show what is available and if anyone is working on it.

popular with sales does not mean popular with developers. for instance my old phone is an old LG volt. prepaid budget phone but it got a ton of work put into it and was still getting OS updates 6 months ago last time i looked. and that phone is VERY old now.
 
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Rooting and installing Stock android on such an old smartphone may not be worth it. If thinking to replace it, look for something decent and new. It will not only be more powerful, but also be upgradable for at least 1 year or may be 2.

Buying anything underpowered will make you regret.

Now a days tablets are also getting bigger so you probably won't be able to find a modern 7 inch tab.
At best you can get Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 (2016). It's nowhere near 2019 tabs in terms of performance but should be enough for your needs.
 
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Math Geek said:
it is a bit slow but it runs VLC and streams with no problem
Click to expand...

And if that's all you need it for, then that's just fine!

One of the things that saddens me as a tech support person is seeing just how many people get taken in by sales pitches for "fire power" they just don't need. I've got senior citizen clients who have $2K laptops for reading e-mail and browsing the web.

Feature matching, allowing some room for growth as it would likely unfold for the actual user, is key to selecting the correct technology.

You don't need the Rolls-Royce of technology to make proverbial trips to the local grocery store. A Smart car would be more than sufficient.
 
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xda is where i got everything i needed for the tab 7. rooting guide, OS and so on.

as noted though it is already an older tablet and may not be too useful for much longer. but if your expectations are low and all you want is a streamer/video player, then it'll do fine at this time.

i watched first episode of Good Omens on it last night as i waited for my class to start :)
 
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