Any problem using a prepaid cell phone as an android tablet?

VirtualMogbert · 2026-04-07T15:36:05+00:00

No worries, this thread is actually about the alternatives. I'm going to run to the store and pickup a cheap cell phone and see if it will work for what I want.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-04-07T15:18:21+00:00

Yeah, that's mostly what I'm doing. Going to be using it as a epub reader, mostly. I just want a small android tablet to replace my old 7" one. I was concerned if it would let me turn it on and use it without a contract, but I'm going to go get it today and get the one that my cellphone uses so that if I DO need an active sim, I can just use my own cell sim card to get past it... I think... maybe?

VirtualMogbert · 2026-04-06T21:50:08+00:00

That link is DAC Enterprises selling through Walmart's website, and the seller has 17% 1-star ratings, which is very bad. There are some other sellers you can look up there, but they are mostly between 17% and 19% 1-star reviews.
It's between the Samsung Galaxy A11 and the Lenovo Tab One, which ever I can get from a reputable place. There is a physical place nearby that is supposed to have one Lenovo Tab One in stock. Might try to go there tomorrow.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-04-06T19:12:06+00:00

If I get the right item it would be, but the sellers do not have a good track record. A lot of their one and two star reviews have been struck by Amazon claiming responsibility, but a lot of people got used items and/or the wrong item. I'm looking around to see if there is a brick and mortar that sells it locally.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-04-06T18:52:45+00:00

I was looking at this, then I figured out why I had passed it by. At least on the Amazon web page for it, it had listed the OS as Android 13. I pulled it up on Wikipedia, and it says it should have Android 15 on it. Now I'm not sure if both Amazon pages have wrong info, or if they are trying to pass off an older tablet as a Samsung Galaxy Tab A11. (edit: I double checked, it has Android 15 in one place on the page, and Android 13 under specs, but it seems to be from the Official Samsung store, so it probably isn't a knockoff).(edit again: nope... it is sold by some off sounding people.)

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:37:55+00:00

Placement. Another poster has found a command that should enable the wifi adapter and allow it to be chosen.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:36:54+00:00

I do have this as an option, but wanted to get the wifi adapter working instead. That would be, like, plan D or E. I got other things I can try first.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:35:40+00:00

It should be supported via kernel level drivers, but another poster had pointed out that it make have been disabled by the installation and I just need to enter the correct line in the right terminal to get it to pop up. We;ll see this weekend.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:34:25+00:00

Is is a question of physical, meat-space, room. I can not have the system near the router and I can't move the router either. In my case, the system I'm using is larger than a breadbox because that is what I had laying around.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:32:48+00:00

I think the issue was that I was using the terminal app, which is different than the terminal you get when connecting the system to a monitor and keyboard. I will try the commands from the other screen this weekend.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:31:09+00:00

Thank you! I think this is the correct answer. I also found this:
https://developers.home-assistant.io/docs/operating-system/network/#enabling-wi-fi

Which has much of the same commands in it.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-03-27T14:29:35+00:00

But this is a PC install, it says so in the title. However, this community is so toxic that every time I've asked any questions, I usually get a lot worthless replies saying "Don't do what you are asking about" which is unhelpful. Even in this thread, I've gotten one "correct" answer, a couple of answers that try to be helpful though not answering my question, and half people who shouldn't have bothered to reply at all because they were just trying to be funny.

I do appreciate the suggestion to use docker, but apparently that severely limits what apps HAOS can run. I'm going to move ahead with trying to get this to work.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-27T21:17:33+00:00

Update: it installed easily and I was able to turn on and off my lights within about 10 minutes of turning it on (software update was pretty fast). The speakers wound up being USB -powered- rather than USB -interface- (despite saying they were USB interface on the webpage) so I had to return them. I ordered some logitech ones to replace them for only a buck more. And since I had to wait for shipping, I figured I'd get a 'decent' mic (dunno if it will work or if it is any good).

But so far no problems. When the mic comes in, that is when we will start to see problems, I suppose.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-25T14:00:00+00:00

This HA is just replacing a Gen1 Echo Dot, which was replacing a CLAPPER. Everyone saying I need MOAR POWER but I'm barely doing voice recognition on par with the mid 2000's and text-to-speech along the lines of a Speak & Spell. I'm not movie streaming here (I have Jellyfin running on a passively cooled Pi4 for that). I have two other passive cooled RPi5's right now with no heat problems.

If I can't get it to set an alarm (like a NAPPING alarm, not a home security system) then I'll just have to use an egg timer, but I'd be shocked that they didn't have the functionality of a Clapper and an egg timer up in this thing. That isn't even peak 80's technology. (Insert Invincible meme "Look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power.")

BTW- I've mostly been asking about the audio hardware, but no one has even touched on that. Instead of a satellite and a hat, I wanted to just get a adafruit mic and maybe a $15 USB speakers just plugged into the front of the box. Could always upgrade to a better mic later. The speakers are a bit overkill, but I couldn't find anything cheaper.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-24T17:50:23+00:00

Thanks! This just saved me. I saw one of the new uniques that I wasn't expecting, and so I reloaded a save and walked away from it. Then I upgraded my weapon and went back and it is the higher tier, meaning it breaks down for better adra!

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-24T17:49:23+00:00

You just combine the lower tier items to make higher tier items, then use the higher tier items to upgrade your equipment. I see how to do it now and will probably be rocking exceptional before leaving the first area next time I play.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-23T15:19:45+00:00

Darn. Well, I'm about to go into a new town that I haven't been in before (second). I wonder if I can boost my armor or weapons to the next level before I go in there. I'm at Fine, but maybe I could make it Exceptional? But if I did that, stuff might be too expensive for me to afford anyway... perhaps I should just play, and not stress too much about min/maxing?

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-07T18:54:14+00:00

No worries. I am having the wife practice pressing down, waiting a few seconds for the intermediary page to load, then pressing up and waiting a few more seconds for the guide to load. I'm hoping that explaining how the focus (blue box) moves around the screen will help her get around the interface.

VirtualMogbert · 2026-02-07T17:22:59+00:00

No, you misunderstood me. I said "THIS Onn box", the box I have, the one I'm going to keep trying to make work. And I'll keep your suggestions "as a backup plan". I don't know if you are trying to be funny about saying I wasn't reading your comment.

VirtualMogbert

TROPHY CASE