No Play Store on cheap Android tablet…

My father has bought a cheap Android tablet from Sainsburys (an @Tab) but there is no Google Play store on in, only an Amazon App Store.

This Amazon one doesn’t seem to have Gmail, Chrome, Spotify or any other major apps. After a bit of googling its looks like corner have been cut and the OS isn’t affiliated to Google.

This means I either faff about with the OS to get Play Store installed* – or tell him to take it back.

I’m not keen on the faffing option as I don’t know which are the reputable downloads sites for the Play app package. I also don’t want to be technical support for another device in the family (I am the only one who is techy!)

What options do I have?

Cheers

I think this is the model…
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop/technology/technology_sale/125922404_tab-7-dual-core-8gb-tablet.html?hnav=4294890814#

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome&pcampaignid=shortlink&hl=en-GB

Father-in-law did the same: bought himself an iPad but bought the MiL some crappy Android-ish “media” tablet with proprietary app and no Play store etc.

I spent a long time rooting it and installing a package on it that then gave access to Play store, then installing decent apps on it.

Next visit he announced he’d had a small problem but “fixed” it himself, though he “seemed to have lost the nice weather app you installed”.

He’d reset the whole thing – wiping everything back to the off-the-shelf version.

I’m inclined just to go out and buy him another tablet!

My inclination would be to return the tablet to Sainsburys and ask for a refund using the argument that one would expect to have access to apps from Google Play if you bought an Android computer running Jelly Bean. The details on the website make no mention of this fact, nor that it is only linked to Amazon. If he bought it online he will be covered by distance selling regulations.

Hudl is good value and does have the Play Store.

Though does have a load of Tescos shite on it 🙂

My nephew has a Hudl which seems fine – but he’s on his 3rd one since they were launched due to problems with it!

Has anyone got any eperience of the Nook HD? Seems a very good spec for the cash…
http://www.very.co.uk/nook-hd-8gb-7-inch-tablet-snow-white/1216529352.prd?aff=google&gclid=CIbjubKZ87sCFRLMtAodMDkAJg&affsrc=acquisition&cm_mmc=google-_-PLA_Electricals-_-computers+tablet+pc-_-3thGsstb_29821791074

You don’t need to root it to get the apps from Google complete waste of time and void your warrentee

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/11/01/download-latest-google-play-store-4-4-22/

(Could’ve sworn I’d just posted this. Odd.)

I have a nook 9″ hd, just browse on it, does get slow on ad-filled stw.

Nexus 7 2013 here and it is fantastic!

Or if as seems likely and he doesn’t need many apps, you can just download the apks for the ones you need (eg Gmail) and install them directly.

does get slow on ad-filled stw.

You’re a ‘P’ – you shouldn’t be seeing ads…

I have a nook 9″ hd, just browse on it, does get slow on ad-filled stw.

Try the “gifs you could watch all day” thread – it makes tablets cry!

Has anyone got any eperience of the Nook HD? Seems a very good spec for the cash…

I have the Nook HD+ (9″ version) and love it, although I removed the default Nook flavoured OS and stuck CyanogenMod on it.

There’s no camera or GPS, but I can live without them for the price (£129 when I bought it). The processor isn’t cutting edge, but is nippy enough for most things and the screen is very high res.

Nook are currently selling off all their accessories for £5 each, I just got a fancy case for it that should have been £35!

My only niggle is that it uses a proprietary charging cable, so if it breaks I’m stuffed (although reduced to £5 for a spare at the mo).

Cougar
(Could’ve sworn I’d just posted this. Odd.)

Did you call the OP a **** in the post – mods are a bit sniffy about that 🙂

Clubber – I don’t, but I used to.

GrahamS – tell me about it! The phone is worse.

verses – did your mod speed it up?

It’s entirely possible pre-coffee. Gotta watch them mods.

If you do want to take it back I’m sure Sainsbury’s have one of those “If you’re not entirely satisfied then return it for a full refund” things. So you can probably do it easily rather than wrangling with SOGA/distance selling etc.

verses – did your mod speed it up?

Running CyanogenMod is noticeably quicker, but it’s not 100% quicker or anything that dramatic. The best benefits are that you have the flexibility of the full Android OS and that the Play store becomes unrestricted – my MiL bought one on my recommendation but she’s kept the Nook OS and there’re various apps that won’t install on hers that are fine on mine.

It’s not all plain sailing though; while CM seems very stable I do get annoying, occasional, flickers on the screen (a couple of times every 1-5mins) BUT that only happens when I use it while it’s charging. I’m happy to live with that for the speed boost and functionality increase.

EDIT: I followed this guide;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317500