Hi everyone! I didn't see any section on the site for the Trio tablets so I thought I'd post this here.
I recently picked up a Trio 4.3" tablet for my son. Big Lots had them on sale for President's Day for $49.99. (Normally $59.99). Since I don't see much out there on these tablets I thought I'd share my thoughts and an "easy" way to
My son likes the small size he can put in his pocket..plus since he's dropped/stepped on one tablet and his Polaroid's touchscreen mysteriously stopped responding, he "needed" a new one.
For those interested here are the stats off of The Trio Website:
4GB Internal Storage - Expandable to 32GB with external Micro SD
OS: Android 4.0
CPU: A10 Cortex A8 1.2GHz Processor
RAM: 512MB DDR3
Files supported:
Audio Support: MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, AAC, FLAC, WAV
Video Support: MPEG1/2/4, H.263/H.264, RMVB, RM, MOV, DAT, VOB, EMV/VC-1, MVC, AVS, MJPEG, AVI, ASF, TS
Picture Support: JPG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Battery: 3.7V/1400mAh
Appears to come semi-rooted like most of these low end tablets do.
This tablet does not come Google Play installed so of course that was the first thing I wanted to do. Here's how I did it. It's really very similar to how we manage to do this on the Polaroid tablets and MANY other tablets.
How to install Google Play on Trio 4.3" M4302 tablet:
I provide this for informational use only. Follow these directions at your own risk, don't blame me if your tablet spontaneously combusts..yadda yadda
Here's the ADHD version for those of you familiar with working with android tablets. It's followed by a much more long and drawn out version for those who may need a little more hand holding.
(Steps 3-6 can all be done via Root Explorer)
Here's the unnecessary long version. It's all the SAME exact steps...I've just taken the time to explain each one more thoroughly for those who aren't very experienced or comfortable with doing this stuff.
1. You need to be rooted or have a way to access system files to temporarily mount them and change them from read only to "Read only" to "R/W"
Since I was in a hurry to get this to my son I didn't mess around with a full root on this tablet yet. It's not really necessary just to install Google Play. Also I don't see any firmware files for download on the manufacturer's website and I prefer to wait around until I have a way to recover if I would screw up.
I personally already have the paid full version of the app "Root Explorer" so that's what I used, but there are similar free alternatives out there. Finding the "Root Explorer" apk via a Google search is NOT difficult.
2. Download the Google Play Installation Files:
I used the ones I downloaded here. There are MANY versions of the Google Play store installation files available. Just Google for gapps signed and you'll find more than you could ever want. Just make sure the file name mentions "signed" and "ICS" (since this tablet runs Ice Cream Sandwich OS).
3. Extract the Google Play (gapps) files you just downloaded.
I download files on PC and extract them there, then I only move the files I need over to the tablet. Extract the downloaded .zip folder to your computer's desktop. (Try 7zip if you use Windows and need free software to unzip and zip files)
4. Transfer "Vending.apk" to your tablet.
Find the file folder you just extracted and navigate to the system>app subfolder. Find "Vending.apk" and transfer it to your tablet.
If you're really new at all this here's how you do that. You can transfer the file to a micro sd card on your computer and then insert the microsd card into your tablet. Alternatively, you can connect the USB cable to your tablet and plug it in to your computer. A message that says "USB connected" will show on your tablet.
Tap the "Turn on USB storage" button on your tablet's screen. You should now see a new window on your computer with the file contents of your tablet. If not, look where you normally access your hard drive and other removable storage on your computer. You should see a new drive listed, which is the storage on your tablet.
You can now simply find the extracted file folder, go to the system and then app subfolders and find "Vending.apk". Cut or copy that file and then navigate to your tablet files on your computer and "paste" the vending.apk file there. Tap "Turn off USB storage" on your tablet screen and you can now disconnect the USB cable. If it's been a few minutes and your tablet screen has gone black to save power, simply quickly press the power button on the side quickly one time and then swipe to unlock the screen.
5. Mount the system/app folder as R/W.
Open the Root Explorer app on your tablet (or whatever option you're using) and navigate to the /system/app folder of your tablet. Tap the grey "Mount R/W" button at the top left/corner of the screen. The text next to it should read "Mounted as r/w" once you've done that.
6. Move "Vending.apk" to the /system/app folder on your tablet.
Still using Root Explorer (or your own root level file manager of choice) find the "Vending.apk" app you placed on on your tablet. Long-press (just press down with your finger for a few seconds) on the Vending.apk filename. Scroll down and select the "Move" option on the pop-up menu that appears.
Now that the file is "cut" for pasting, navigate to the /system/app folder while stile within the Root Explorer app. Tap the "Paste" button to paste Vending.apk into the /system/app folder.
7.Change permissions on Vending.apk
Now that the file is moved to its final location change file permissions to match the rest of the folder. Long-press Vending.apk then scroll down and select "Permissions" from the pop-up menu. In the next screen change permissions so the first two boxes (Read and Write) are checked under "Owner". "Group" and "Other" should only have the first box checked (read). When done tap "ok" and the permissions should now match all the other apps in this folder (rw-r--r--).
8. Install Vending.apk
Now tap on "Vending.apk" and tap the "Install" button.
9. Open "Google Market".
After install things are titled "Google Market" but it will update itself to "Google Play" later on. Tap to open. If you haven't yet you'll need to add your Google Play account info.
10. Reboot your tablet. (If you have issues Reboot, open market, and then reboot again) I had to reboot twice to get things to work properly and get Market to update itself to Google Play. At first use after install I would get "Unfortunately Market has Stopped" error messages and crashes. A reboot fixed this. A second reboot fixed things completely and "Market" updated itself to Google Play.
11. Enjoy!
Hope that helps! I know this works and will get a working Google Play store on this tablet. As I said earlier this is nothing new and really just basically the same technique we use on a bunch of other tablets. I certainly didn't do anything but try it out and take the time to post my results.
I'm not if there are any apps that won't work due to make/model incompatibility issues with this tablet since I haven't had much time to play around with it, but so far so good.
I recently picked up a Trio 4.3" tablet for my son. Big Lots had them on sale for President's Day for $49.99. (Normally $59.99). Since I don't see much out there on these tablets I thought I'd share my thoughts and an "easy" way to
My son likes the small size he can put in his pocket..plus since he's dropped/stepped on one tablet and his Polaroid's touchscreen mysteriously stopped responding, he "needed" a new one.
For those interested here are the stats off of The Trio Website:
4GB Internal Storage - Expandable to 32GB with external Micro SD
OS: Android 4.0
CPU: A10 Cortex A8 1.2GHz Processor
RAM: 512MB DDR3
Files supported:
Audio Support: MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, AAC, FLAC, WAV
Video Support: MPEG1/2/4, H.263/H.264, RMVB, RM, MOV, DAT, VOB, EMV/VC-1, MVC, AVS, MJPEG, AVI, ASF, TS
Picture Support: JPG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Battery: 3.7V/1400mAh
Appears to come semi-rooted like most of these low end tablets do.
This tablet does not come Google Play installed so of course that was the first thing I wanted to do. Here's how I did it. It's really very similar to how we manage to do this on the Polaroid tablets and MANY other tablets.
How to install Google Play on Trio 4.3" M4302 tablet:
I provide this for informational use only. Follow these directions at your own risk, don't blame me if your tablet spontaneously combusts..yadda yadda
Here's the ADHD version for those of you familiar with working with android tablets. It's followed by a much more long and drawn out version for those who may need a little more hand holding.
- Download google play files and extract them. I used THESE.
- Put the "Vending.apk" file on your tablet
- Using Root Explorer or a similar alternative navigate to the /system/app folder on your tablet and mount it as R/W instead of R/O
- Move "Vending.apk" to the /system/app folder on your tablet.
- Change file permissions of "Vending.apk" to rw-r--r--
- Install "Vending.apk"
- Open "Market", exit, then reboot your tablet
- Repeat step 7 (May not be necessary, but you can do if you encounter any issues. I think it also might help "Market" update itself to the Play store if it hasn't yet.)
(Steps 3-6 can all be done via Root Explorer)
Here's the unnecessary long version. It's all the SAME exact steps...I've just taken the time to explain each one more thoroughly for those who aren't very experienced or comfortable with doing this stuff.
1. You need to be rooted or have a way to access system files to temporarily mount them and change them from read only to "Read only" to "R/W"
Since I was in a hurry to get this to my son I didn't mess around with a full root on this tablet yet. It's not really necessary just to install Google Play. Also I don't see any firmware files for download on the manufacturer's website and I prefer to wait around until I have a way to recover if I would screw up.
I personally already have the paid full version of the app "Root Explorer" so that's what I used, but there are similar free alternatives out there. Finding the "Root Explorer" apk via a Google search is NOT difficult.
2. Download the Google Play Installation Files:
I used the ones I downloaded here. There are MANY versions of the Google Play store installation files available. Just Google for gapps signed and you'll find more than you could ever want. Just make sure the file name mentions "signed" and "ICS" (since this tablet runs Ice Cream Sandwich OS).
3. Extract the Google Play (gapps) files you just downloaded.
I download files on PC and extract them there, then I only move the files I need over to the tablet. Extract the downloaded .zip folder to your computer's desktop. (Try 7zip if you use Windows and need free software to unzip and zip files)
4. Transfer "Vending.apk" to your tablet.
Find the file folder you just extracted and navigate to the system>app subfolder. Find "Vending.apk" and transfer it to your tablet.
If you're really new at all this here's how you do that. You can transfer the file to a micro sd card on your computer and then insert the microsd card into your tablet. Alternatively, you can connect the USB cable to your tablet and plug it in to your computer. A message that says "USB connected" will show on your tablet.
Tap the "Turn on USB storage" button on your tablet's screen. You should now see a new window on your computer with the file contents of your tablet. If not, look where you normally access your hard drive and other removable storage on your computer. You should see a new drive listed, which is the storage on your tablet.
You can now simply find the extracted file folder, go to the system and then app subfolders and find "Vending.apk". Cut or copy that file and then navigate to your tablet files on your computer and "paste" the vending.apk file there. Tap "Turn off USB storage" on your tablet screen and you can now disconnect the USB cable. If it's been a few minutes and your tablet screen has gone black to save power, simply quickly press the power button on the side quickly one time and then swipe to unlock the screen.
5. Mount the system/app folder as R/W.
Open the Root Explorer app on your tablet (or whatever option you're using) and navigate to the /system/app folder of your tablet. Tap the grey "Mount R/W" button at the top left/corner of the screen. The text next to it should read "Mounted as r/w" once you've done that.
6. Move "Vending.apk" to the /system/app folder on your tablet.
Still using Root Explorer (or your own root level file manager of choice) find the "Vending.apk" app you placed on on your tablet. Long-press (just press down with your finger for a few seconds) on the Vending.apk filename. Scroll down and select the "Move" option on the pop-up menu that appears.
Now that the file is "cut" for pasting, navigate to the /system/app folder while stile within the Root Explorer app. Tap the "Paste" button to paste Vending.apk into the /system/app folder.
7.Change permissions on Vending.apk
Now that the file is moved to its final location change file permissions to match the rest of the folder. Long-press Vending.apk then scroll down and select "Permissions" from the pop-up menu. In the next screen change permissions so the first two boxes (Read and Write) are checked under "Owner". "Group" and "Other" should only have the first box checked (read). When done tap "ok" and the permissions should now match all the other apps in this folder (rw-r--r--).
8. Install Vending.apk
Now tap on "Vending.apk" and tap the "Install" button.
9. Open "Google Market".
After install things are titled "Google Market" but it will update itself to "Google Play" later on. Tap to open. If you haven't yet you'll need to add your Google Play account info.
10. Reboot your tablet. (If you have issues Reboot, open market, and then reboot again) I had to reboot twice to get things to work properly and get Market to update itself to Google Play. At first use after install I would get "Unfortunately Market has Stopped" error messages and crashes. A reboot fixed this. A second reboot fixed things completely and "Market" updated itself to Google Play.
11. Enjoy!
Hope that helps! I know this works and will get a working Google Play store on this tablet. As I said earlier this is nothing new and really just basically the same technique we use on a bunch of other tablets. I certainly didn't do anything but try it out and take the time to post my results.
I'm not if there are any apps that won't work due to make/model incompatibility issues with this tablet since I haven't had much time to play around with it, but so far so good.
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