# What fun things do you do with your tablet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538 "2013-09-23T19:47:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/21 "2013-09-24T14:11:15Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yep. I’ve struggled for years with printouts and hints scribbled on pieces of paper. My car was littered with the remains of previous trips. GPS is so much nicer. Yes, well, we only have one GPS unit, and I did not bring it this time. I wish I had, but honestly, it wasn’t that hard to get there. It was just hard to actually find the place. And it was a beautiful sunny day, and I had no set time to get back to the office, so I didn’t mind. I just bought a car about 18 months ago, so it won’t be for several years, but my next car will DEFINITELY have an in-dash GPS. ---
**Author:** ![Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3be4f8/32.png) [@Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obnoxious_Hood_Ornament)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/22 "2013-09-24T14:45:35Z")
Aside from it functioning as a PDA on steroids (its primary function for me) I use it to control my HTPC. The Nexus 7 is a sweet little piece of kit, especially running 4.3. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/23 "2013-09-24T20:02:20Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > There are various astronomy apps for iOS and I assume similar for Android. [Sky Map](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.stardroid&hl=en) is free and pretty good. This was originally developed by Google but it’s been “donated” to the public and now maintained as an open source software. But if you’re a serious amateur astronomer, the [SkySafari series](https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Southern%20Stars&hl=en) has larger databases, and the high-end versions have more functions like telescope control. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/24 "2013-09-24T20:07:44Z")
[Osmos](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hemispheregames.osmos) is a great game, if you like this kind of game. So is [Bridge Constructor](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.headupgames.bridgeconstructorplayground). ---
**Author:** ![Virgil\_Tibbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@Virgil\_Tibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Virgil_Tibbs)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/25 "2013-09-24T20:37:42Z")
I have a Surface RT, so I use it for carrying drinks and rolling joints on. Pity me. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/26 "2013-09-24T20:40:24Z")
> [@Virgil\_Tibbs](#): > > I have a Surface RT, so I use it for carrying drinks and rolling joints on. Pity me. Silly Virgil. The drinks are fine, but you are supposed to have the joints rolled between a beautiful woman’s thighs. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/27 "2013-09-24T20:41:28Z")
I’ve been loving the Hell out of the game [Elder Signs: Omens.](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fantasyflightgames.ESAndroid) It’s an adaptation of the board game Elder Signs, which itself is sort of an adapted, streamlined version of Arkham Horror. And I do mean streamlined…I’ve never played the board version, but on the Android one, you can finish a game in less than 30 minutes easily, if not closer to 15 or 20 (by comparison, if you’ve never played Arkham Horror, games typically take 2-4 hours.) It’s designed for one player (as opposed to the board game which is for 2-6, I think,) but you can make it for more just by having someone else control other characters (each game has you using 4 characters) and handing the tablet off to them. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/28 "2013-09-25T14:44:23Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Whoa, wait, everything I want to play on mine says I need flash, and I can’t seem to figure out how to download it!! Assuming you’re not joking, start playing games using the native applications found in your app store/Google Play. Flash was for the original default Browser and support was dropped a long time ago, which would include the Chrome browser. It never was developed for iOS. To that end, while it was adapted to mobile, most of the actual web content wasn’t (instead designed for a mouse and keyboard), so for the most part, it was pretty awful. If you must have it, you can side-load it after downloading online, but…it’s really not that good, especially on older devices. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/29 "2013-09-25T14:55:12Z")
I suggest you take a look at this complete list of the best Android programs: > **[Gizmo's Best Android Apps - Gizmo's Best](https://www.techsupportalert.com/gizmos-best-android-apps/)** > > That’s what we think. Check out the following 10 best rated Android apps by our editors. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/30 "2013-09-25T15:33:22Z")
I watch tv or movies (using MX Player or streaming using an app) when [del]in bed[/del] relaxing, and read online if I’m outside, near a wifi connection. If I’m not near a wifi connection I have Offline Browser and will have downloaded a few newspapers and websites. While out I can use AK Notepad if inspired. If none of those appeal I have Aldiko and many books and magazines to look through, and tv and movies saved. It instantly checks my 4 email addresses when ‘woken up’ so I don’t have to manually on my laptop. I pay a small fee to have LastPass on it and my phone which comes in handy when out. Occasionally I’ll play games on it (Jewels Saga and Lazors are pretty good), and use Skype if I want to call overseas and am away from my laptop. I get notifications from ETF Investor which I sometimes look at. I also use it to check the weather forecast. I find the app _Music_ is much better than the standard issued one. Oh, and subway maps! They can really come in handy and give fastest routes or routes with the least connections. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/31 "2013-09-25T16:12:52Z")
I will also suggest Flipboard for reading your daily news. It is simply amazing and extremely customizable to whatever feeds you want. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/32 "2013-09-25T18:55:53Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I just bought a car about 18 months ago, so it won’t be for several years, but my next car will DEFINITELY have an in-dash GPS. May not be the best option; who knows how will it be then, but nowadays onboard GPS cost a kidney and half the other if you want to keep the maps updated. On the other hand, yesterday I got Mom her “fire baptism” on my tablet by making her use Google Maps as a GPS and it worked beautifully. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/33 "2013-09-25T21:03:56Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Kindle, Nook, and Stanza(if you can get it) are essential e-reading apps. > > I use it sometimes as a remote for my Roku. > > It’s board games all the way for me as well. If you’re on an iPad, “Marvin” (that’s the name of the app. “Marvin”. Yeah, it’s a stupid name for an eReader) is, not only a Stanza replacement, but a vast, VAST improvement. I loved Stanza, but the Marvin author seemed to look at Stanza, say “It’s great. But how could I make it better?” and succeeded. I can’t recommend it enough. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/34 "2013-09-25T21:17:37Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > If you’re on an iPad, “Marvin” (that’s the name of the app. “Marvin”. Yeah, it’s a stupid name for an eReader) is, not only a Stanza replacement, but a vast, VAST improvement.\ Named for Marvin the Paranoid Android in Hitchhiker’s Guide? I think it’s time to read that again; maybe I should read it on my tablet with Marvin? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/35 "2013-09-25T21:45:49Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Named for Marvin the Paranoid Android in Hitchhiker’s Guide? > I think it’s time to read that again; maybe I should read it on my tablet with Marvin? I tried rereading HHGTTG a few months ago and simply couldn’t get through it. I found it hilarious when I first read it years ago, but for some reason I begin to zone out almost immediately now. I’ve picked it up again 3 or 4 times since, but I found it such a slog to get through just a few pages that I now know I won’t go back to it again. Too bad. ☹ Sorry for the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/36 "2013-09-25T22:38:13Z")
I use mine for reading, watching movies and tv shows, playing Words With Friends, and occasionally as a sat-nav. I’ve got a few games (Infinity Blade, Bejeweled). It’s so small and durable, it’s great for taking on the bike, riding to the middle of nowhere, and sitting somewhere to relax and have a snack. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/37 "2013-09-26T02:00:50Z")
> [@Dragwyr](#): > > I will also suggest Flipboard for reading your daily news. It is simply amazing and extremely customizable to whatever feeds you want. Just tried it, it’s awesome! ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/38 "2013-09-26T03:09:45Z")
Webex for real time meetings, viewing shared Excel files with 12 people, etc… After hours, X-plane flight sim. Very realistic. About $10. The control surfaces (trim, speed brake, flaps, etc) actually move via your cockpit input, landing up and down and tires puff smoke on contact when landing. 747, A380, F18, F16, F15, F22, B52, B2, Cessna, Sea Planes, and helicopters with realistic collector controls. You can pick weight, difficulty level, weather, region…and you can let it throw random faults like engine out, wind sheer, cross wind crab landing. Gauges and controls are realistic and work. Inside, outside views. Replay. ATC’S tower voices. 3D mountains and skyscrapers, made from 2d photos. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/39 "2013-09-26T03:15:38Z")
5-0 radio…it has many many police radio frequencies. The gray area with it, is it is a felony to have a police scanner with you while committing a crime, but now perps can quickly turn off the app if a bust is certain, - no evidence . Great to keep up on your city of choice PD activity while being anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538/40 "2013-09-26T03:15:47Z")
Zombie Gunship is out for 'Droid! Thats about my last reason for keeping an Apple product gone 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fun-things-do-you-do-with-your-tablet/669538.md?page=3)