What's next after rooting your galaxy tab 7 (P1000) ?

Warning: I do not held any resposibility if this article has damage/bricked your device. Android version that are currently running in this article is Gingerbread 2.3.3.

I can flash a custom rom if I want to but I find the time it takes is just too exhausting and not to mention there is a possibility of bricking my tab. So, I better not go there until I have a backup android device. Furthermore, some of the custom roms are not 100% working and there are some compatibility issue with certain apps. Anyway, to cut down all these inconvenience (a.k.a I'm lazy), I find it much better if I can improve my current stock rom as much as possible after rooting it. Let's get started.

1.Titanium Backup
This wonderful app allows backup apps with data. So, if something goes wrong on your tab at least you can restore the app + data back to its original form. Another plus point about this backup is that you can remove apps/games temporary if you run out of space (e.g. backup all angry birds apps and uninstall. Install other games. Remove other games after finished and restore angry birds.)

2. Remove bloatware
Using the Titanium Backup, I found I can remove system apps. Please be caution on the apps you're about to remove. Below are the apps that I have removed and the tab still able to boot into homescreen. They are found hogging in the memory and not used; or they are just there not doing any good.

-Built-in English dictionary and Ebook (Alternative Colordict and Kobo works much better)
-Daily Briefing (Not using this apps but I found it was running in memory)
-Date, time or weather widget (I got beautiful widget from market)
-Home screen tips (Unused widget)
-AccuWeather Clock (Unused widget)
-Y!Finance Clock (Unused widget)
-Calendar Clock (Unused widget)
-Allshare (I'm using Linux most of the time and allshare does not support Linux desktop app)
-ThinkFree Office (Kingsoft office free from Market works better)
-Pulse
-Social hub
-Feeds and Updates

-AdService (It can be removed without root)
-Samsung Push Service (It can be removed without root)

3. ES Task Manager (Free)
There are many tools come with this small app. It consists of Task Manager, Cache Cleaner, Startup Manger and Power Optimizer. The tools that requires root access is the Startup Manager, which is very handy to disable some of the unnecessary startup service such as Skype. I find there is no reason why Skype has to be initiate very time i restart my tab and therefore it was disabled. After that, rebooting to homescreen become very snappy.

4. Autokiller Memory Optimizer Pro (optional, paid apps)
Better memory management. There are pre-define preset and currently I'm using the optimum preset. This app comes with a restart widget, that allows you to have a quick restart (not reboot) on the galaxy tab.

5. Voodoo Control Plus (optional, paid apps)
This app is for the hifi quality sound output. If you're a music lover, this is a must to install after rooting the device. Works best with Poweramp music player.

5.1 Change the stock phone to a better earphone
Like Shure SE215.

6. SwitchPro Widget (optional, paid apps)
This app will put all the shortcut at homescreen included the root require restart button. It comes very handy with shortcut for air plane mode, wifi and  mobile data on/off switch.

7. Install Cyanogenmod 9.1 (optional, no root required)
Link Cyanogenmod 9.1 for Galaxy Tab p1000 review

Avoid
1. One Click Lag Fix. There have been reported problems on this app that caused the tab unable to boot for Gingerbread. If you really want the lagfix, I suggest flash it with custom roms that comes with this feature.

Summary
After removing the bloatware, the memory seems to have more space after reboot and startup becomes much faster. Beside that I only used web version of facebook because I do not need constant update from them. Facebook apps also runs in memory waiting stuff to happen which I find it pointless. (You may want to keep it if you're uploading a lot of photos and check-in),

Is a 7 inch screen phone fit for you?

I thought of writting this article after using using my Galaxy Tab 7 as phone for 6 months. Below are my findings:

1. For people who has large pocket.
I'm a tall guy and fitting the galaxy tab into my pants was no problem. Or you don't mind carry a bag around for putting it in.

2. For people who does not always talk to the phone all the time or occasionally can leave the phone behind.
I don't make a lot of call and also not expecting a lot call. Even there is one, I usually use the earphone for talking, which is not convenient. (Anyway, there is a new version call the Galaxy Tab 7 plus which comes with a ear speaker, so you can take calls without using the earphone.) Speaking of not expecting calls, on lunch hour I leave my phone behind in the office because for all those months, there is no one call came in on that hour.

3. Screen size is your top priority; for video, games, reading and web browsing.
Seriously, I'm not going to let the phone sitting idle for all day waiting for call, which hardly any calls come in. The phone now can be use for reading, casual games, video and web browsing. Games looks much more better in 7 inch screen size compared to my friends 3.7 inch screen and the control is much easier too for Cut The Rope and Where's My Water game. This alone explain the rest for video, reading and web browsing.

In short, 7 inch screen phone is NOT for people with small hand/pocket, has to carry the phone all the time for calls and mobility is top priority.

DVD player may not necessary needs hdmi

Just want to say that the old conventional DVD player video still works well on modern TV.

My home DVD player gone dead months ago. It was good,  it served my family well and it comes with a hdmi output. Most of our surprise was that hdmi connection where it does shows clarity compared to old DVD player. Until one day, the player got too heated and the picture on the screen started to black out occasionally. Finally, It becomes dead completely when I try to plug in the USB fan to cool it down (Don't try to plug into the USB port something that doesn't design for in the first place).

Well, from that day onward, we have been using mini hifi for DVD movie. Of course, I can hear complaint across the family board due to bad picture quality. "Enough is enough", said mom-in-law one day and decided to get one of the cheap DVD player available in the major store outlet.

RM 99, Sony brand, without hdmi but conventional cable with 3 color plug, small and slim form factor, comes with one year warranty, looked just the perfect piece for our living room. After the cable setup and initial DVD configuration, pop in a DVD, seat back and relax, then it was jaw dropping.

It was not just as good but even better than our previous hdmi DVD player. I don't know what Sony has done to make a cheap DVD so great but it sure worth every penny spent.

In the end, mom-in-law happy, I'm happy (I watched my movie on my laptop by the way) and I realized that hdmi shouldn't be one of the feature that affect DVDs player buying decision (Probably the price and the picture quality should be the buying decision, if you got the chance to test them on the spot).

Blackberry phone does not come with address book management

My wife recently just bought a Blackberry 9870 phone with a new Sim card. I was helping her to export her contacts from her old dump phone and import to her new Blackberry. I installed the Blackberry Desktop Software so I can help her to manage the contact easily. To my dismay, the desktop software does not comes with address book management. It relies on Microsoft Outlook or Windows 7 contacts to manage them.

WTH? My dump phone Nokia 2730 that comes with Ovi Desktop software includes a address book management. My wife dump phone sony ericsson comes with address book management software. My Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 also comes with address book management software. Blackberry phone, nothing.

I guess the reason is Blackberry targets on enterprise user which usually uses Microsoft Outlook. However, they seems to be missing the home user market. My wife wanted a Blackberry because she dislikes touch screen phone. She always missed the keys when trying to type a message. In the end, it was Blackberry keyboard that wins her heart (plus she does not plays games with her phone, no point getting a large screen).

Now I have to use the Windows 7 contact to manage the contacts although it seems not very user friendly. Anyway, I was thinking of getting another Blackberry for myself but after all this, I rather get other smartphone instead (sorry to say this but it was all the small things that count for a decision of getting a smartphone).

Traveling to China

This is a my second personal trip to China (probably around Beijing). The first one was like ~10 years ago. I was young then and couldn't get any camera gear to take good photos. Now, this coming trip (which I will boarding my flight in 12 hours) with my wife is looking forward to take some great pictures while we there. I bought an extra battery for my camera since the first battery was like more than 2 years old (I was hoping to get the Nikon 35mm 1.8G DX for some night shot but I think I'll settle it with a tripod).

The trip planning wasn't done by me so I have no idea what we're going to do there. Nevertheless, my wife's friend, who's origin there, will take us around for the first couple of days. Later we will be on our own and my wife was rather good on doing adventurous (last minute) planning. :P

Lastly, I'm recovering from flu which I caught it from yesterday. I went to see the doctor this morning and took some medication. Hopefully, it will be all well when I board the flight. Although the flu weakens me but my heart is feeling the excitement on this coming trip.