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Viewsonic Issues a Statement on G Tablet Problems

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Viewsonic is in damage control mode trying to stem a small tide of bad PR brought about by Staples pulling the Viewsonic G Tablet because of what Staples labeled manufacturing issues. Viewsonic says that’s not the case, admits that they’ve got some software problems that cause a “user experience” issue and not hardware problems. An update is promised for this week.

That would be well enough and is certainly commendable. But the press release (see below) seems to want to blame this “user experience” issue on its software partners. OK. There’s a few things wrong with the PR spin here in my view.

First, the sluggish performance seems to be caused by Viewsonic including an overlay called Tap-N-Tap by just about all accounts. Second, I do believe Viewsonic chose to include that overlay. Calling it a “user experience” issue because of software that apparently wasn’t ready (also Adobe hasn’t certified FLASH for the G Tablet yet) points to what appears to be a haste to get to market. In a statement to Engadget, a Viewsonic rep says that because Google doesn’t support this flavor of Android on Tablets, companies like Viewsonic need to  “go out and put together their own software and app stores.” Well, they could have waited until there was a supported version of Android. I’m just saying.

All of this points to what we’ve been saying all along. With the apparent exception of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, you’re better off to wait until next year for an Android Tablet.

ViewSonic Confirms High Performance of GTablet
Software Upgrade Release to Improve User Experience

WALNUT, Calif. – December 20, 2010 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today responded to recent retailer actions surrounding its GTablet 10.1″ Android 2.2 Tablet. The GTablet, based on the nVidia Tegra II chipset, is one of the fastest Android tablets on the market today, consistently leading industry benchmarks.

“We always listen to customers; while they love the hardware, they raised several issues about the user interface,” Jeff Volpe, VP and GM for ViewSonic Americas. “As a result, our software partner is releasing an upgrade that will address customer concerns. Along with great performance improvements, customers will have the flexibility to use both a standard Android interface as well as a user-customizable interface which has been significantly enhanced since the product launch.” Volpe went on to say, “ViewSonic is committed to its tablet endeavors and will continue with new announcements at CES in January.”

Current GTablet owners will automatically receive the upgrade through their WiFi connection by Friday, December 24. Users simply need to accept the request to install the upgrade. In addition, Adobe® Flash certification is targeted for the end of January, 2011. In the interim, users can download Flash from various websites that distribute android applications.

For the latest on GTablet software updates, please visit ViewSonic.com/gtablet beginning Wednesday, December 22. For general questions, please contact GTablet support at (866) 501-6405.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Charbax

    12/21/2010 at 1:16 pm

    Archos supports Google Marketplace, and Froyo is better than iOS for tablets. Since Android 1.6 SDK, all Android apps scale to 800×480 medium density ergo tablets. It actually means more Android apps fit tablets than iOS apps for the iPad.

  2. Jason

    12/23/2010 at 6:46 pm

    Check out VS’s new “favorites” site – lots of good resources for GTablet apps, flash, other issues – https://www.viewsonic.com/gtablet/favorite.htm

  3. Guest

    12/25/2010 at 2:35 am

    Was at Staples today and checked out a Viewsonic G-tablet. Actually I was pretty impressed, and didn’t really run into any “user experience” issues in my 30 minute or so test drive. $399 for one of these vs $699 for an Ipad? I’ll take this any day.

  4. Frank

    12/25/2010 at 4:52 pm

    I got the GTablet for Christmas. As soon as it boots it advises you to install the update automatically.

    So far I love it I’ve played with an iPad and the GTablet is right there in performance but not the Apps. But more and more are showing up. I’ve been reading about this for a week now.

    And there is a notice in the box stating in a future update an app store like icon will be on home screen, directing you right to one of the android app stores. It’s a little behind iPad in that respect but apple has issues too. I specifically did NOT wan an iPad. I think GTablet is a very very close match.

    When iPad 2 comes out, all the iPad 1 owners are going to be sick they spent $700 or more on something that’s outdated in a year.

    GTablet is worth looking at if your are in the market for a tablet.

  5. Deto

    01/22/2011 at 4:24 pm

    I too received the G-Tablet for Christmas and experienced none of the negative issues people have been talking about. Primarily because the ‘Update’ was one of the first things presented as I configured wireless connectivity. While this is my first exposure to any Android device, my first impression of the G-Tablet has been extremely positive. The only issue I am aware of is the Angry Birds problem. I’ve become an addict. So ashamed…

  6. Ladybugs25972

    03/09/2011 at 1:58 pm

    I have also purchased the viewsonic a few days ago, I have had a number of issues since day one. Flash is installed but you tube does not work and there are a countless number of errors popping up , i get kicked of websites with full internet strength. I am completly disapointed , but the divice it self if it was working 100% is great and well work the investment. I think i just got a bad one given there is visiable defect on the screen it self. I will be returning it to the store tomorrow and will try again. I think i just got a lemon.

  7. daniel

    05/26/2011 at 12:15 pm

    i got the g tablet and i played with it for a while but now it locked up it keeps displaying error message: Sorry! The application Home (process com.tapntap.home) has stopped unexpectedly. please try again. I dont know what to do the only thing can to is restart it and that has no effect either can somebody please help me.

  8. Rdsant453

    06/09/2011 at 6:00 pm

    I purchased a new G-TABLET, have owned mine for 3 months now.  Within that time, this tablet has been replaced with another.  And the new tablet is crashing with TanNTap problem as well.  Now I was just told they plan to replace the replacement unit.  WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A WORKING TABLET?????

    • Cynthia

      06/11/2011 at 6:42 pm

      don’t feel alone have had mine to for 3 months and have a problem with freezing along with other problems what happened to getting a help and trouble shootting manual / tech support

  9. Captwife20009

    06/11/2011 at 6:35 pm

    are they ever going to come out with good hidden object advrnture games I have only foun sport, fightig tic tac toe but know good mystry games

  10. ynthia

    06/11/2011 at 6:38 pm

    what is the problem with ordering from gmarket it doesn,t want to let me log in to do any purchasing I have had this tablet for 3 months and have yet been able to use it

  11. Jcraig

    06/20/2011 at 11:49 am

    I bought this G tablet three months ago my first impression was that the screen is not bright enough in day light conditions but I made the best of it. Now when I turn it on I get ” sorry the application calender storage (process com. android. providers. calendar) has stopped unexpectedly. please try again. then the “force close” prompt  this happens continuously even after I click force close. There was no operating manual in the package so  I don’t know how to get rid of this annoyance. any ideas?

  12. maria

    11/26/2011 at 8:39 pm

    i have a view sonic gtablet my problem is evrytime i turn it on all i can see is white scree, nothing else..NEED HELP PLS>>

  13. Tektronix

    12/04/2011 at 4:50 am

    Me tooo on the ” i have a view sonic gtablet my problem is evrytime i turn it on all i
    can see is white scree, nothing else..NEED HELP PLS>”

  14. winston

    07/07/2013 at 10:03 pm

    I have a problem on viewsonic tablet stucking please i need your help

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