New Android Tablet: I've never owned a tablet and have yet to find a need to do so; however, got a free one with my just purchased new Dell desktop. So, I'm completely in the dark on...

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I've never owned a tablet and have yet to find a need to do so; however, got a free one with my just purchased new Dell desktop. So, I'm completely in the dark on just what this thing can do or not do. My guess is not much considering it's a freebie.

This thing is a Dell Venue 7 with 1 gig ram and 16 gig rom. There appears to be little "locally installed" software. Most of the menu is composed of specific (and useless to me) web sites like Amazon. I have not yet managed to sign on to the internet. When I select "Browser" I get a menu asking me to create an account on Google.

The tablet has a slot to connect the battery charger cable and one Micro Sd card slot. That's it. No Simms slot, which I assume means no additional memory.

Right now I would like to know if this thing is capable of installing and operating any true productive software; such as word processing, spreadsheets or graphic programs.

Any info I can use will be greatly appreciated.

JerseyJim Loc: New Jersey, USA

Billbobboy42 wrote:

When I select "Browser" I get a menu asking me to create an account on Google.

The tablet has a slot to connect the battery charger cable and one Micro Sd card slot. That's it. No Simms slot, which I assume means no additional memory.

Right now I would like to know if this thing is capable of installing and operating any true productive software; such as word processing, spreadsheets or graphic programs.

Any info I can use will be greatly appreciated.

Try this link:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/Android-Tablets/Getting-Started-with-Android-Tablets.html

As for memory, you are right. The MicroSD will add filespace but the internal RAM is probably not upgradable.

old man 88 Loc: Palmview, TX when not on road

This should help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT4deexAI_Y

To get on line

Go to settings, WI-Fi turn on, pick your wi-fi Co. and click connrct.

You should now be on line.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Tablets are useful in many ways, but not like a computer. The first thing you should do is create a Google account. If you already have a google account on your PC, then just establish that on your new tablet.

The tablet is good for surfing the net, watching a movie if you have a fast internet connection while away from home, downloading pictures or movie clips to show friends, reading books from Amazon, Kindle, or Nook, sending and receiving email from your easy chair in the living room instead of a heavy lap top computer, keeping your calendar up to date, updating your contacts list if you use gmail contacts, or google contacts, and it can be used to receive pictures from your camera if you use a eyefi card. I'm up in the air about how useful this is but I've tried it a few times and always had some difficulty. I hope this gives you some ideas on uses for your tablet.

Billbobboy42 wrote:

I've never owned a tablet and have yet to find a n... (show quote)

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

JerseyJim wrote:

Try this link:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/Android-Tablets/Getting-Started-with-Android-Tablets.html

As for memory, you are right. The MicroSD will add filespace but the internal RAM is probably not upgradable.

Thanks. Looking that reference over, little was said about loading software. If I remember correctly, what ever is available/useable is on Google. I have a Google Email account, but is that the same as a "Google" account?

JerseyJim Loc: New Jersey, USA

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Thanks. Looking that reference over, little was said about loading software. If I remember correctly, what ever is available/useable is on Google. I have a Google Email account, but is that the same as a "Google" account?

There is a portal called Google Play that should be pre-installed with Android. Once you establish your Google login, you can browse and download many apps. Most are free.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

jeep_daddy wrote:

Tablets are useful in many ways, but not like a co... (show quote)

Thanks. Surfing the net is useful, assuming I can get there. Also, email is doable, but have not yet managed to access the web, where I would need a browser (I use Firefox on my pc) to access Verizon, my internet provider and email. I suspected that the Android operating system would be limiting. I had hoped I could use Microsoft Office 365, but it's only for a Windows operating system. If I ever get a "real" tablet, such as a loaded iPad, I would hope I could use some serious productive software.

Again, thanks.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

JerseyJim wrote:

There is a portal called Google Play that should be pre-installed with Android. Once you establish your Google login, you can browse and download many apps. Most are free.

I have found no "Google Play"; only "Google", "Google Settings","Google+" and "Chrome". All do the same thing: request to open an existing account or establish new account. In all cases, the message is "not connected to a network". Yet, the network status indicates a strong connection. But after trying the Google log in, the connection shows "authenticating" after which it shows a conection.

I am close to donating this thing to Salvation Army and claiming $50.00 on my itemized deductions. I have spent at least 3 hours with no progress. And the owner's manual that I downloaded has not helped me either.

I am currently using a laptop until I can set up the new desktop. The laptop has not exactly been my favorite product, but at least it connects to the internet. This tablet is the worst piece of computer hardware I have owned.

FYI, I have had visitors with their laptops and smart phones log on to my WiFi internet with no problems.

To all who have responded: Thanks for your posts. I am now beyond help and need to get to more productive actions.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

If there is nothing really wrong with it, in other words it operates properly I would be interested in giving you a few bucks for it if you just want to unload it.
Let me know.

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

I am lying in bed perusing this forum at 6 AM and typing this reply on my tablet. No need to get out of bed. I can surf the web, listen to XM or iheart radio thru my router or check the weather without having to get out of bed. Also reading the morning newspaper.

picturesofdogs Loc: Dallas, Texas.

Go to the store you bought your computer from and let them help you set it up.

GeneinChi Loc: Chicago, IL

My suggestion is find a five year old. They know all about how to use these things!

Billbobboy42 wrote:

I've never owned a tablet and have yet to find a n... (show quote)

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

picturesofdogs wrote:

Go to the store you bought your computer from and let them help you set it up.

I have a minor problem with that: I live in Md and purchased the computer from Dell via phone. So, store in Austin, Tx would be a bit of a drive. :roll:

picturesofdogs Loc: Dallas, Texas.

YouTube video on setup, maybe.

mikec89 Loc: Upper Michigan

Your current gmail address and password would be your google account.

For Google Play, the icon I have on my tablet is just "Play Store".

For WiFi - go to Settings and then WiFi and make sure you are on your own network. You will have to type in your network password if you have one.

I hope this info helps you.

Sorry if I'm telling you stuff you already know.