‘T for Terrific – Telstra T-Hub 2 brings Android to everyone.’

When Telstra launched the original T-Hub, there were many owners who initially loved it, but wanted more from it. Sure it could take calls, access some apps such as the White and Yellow Pages and some other basic tasks. However, there was no substance, no real platform on which to build. Then, with the great tablet wars between Apple and Android, the T-Hub was quickly left behind.

We are pleased to say, that with the T-Hub 2, Telstra has enlisted to bring Android to everyone. What Telstra have done with the T-Hub 2 is put Android front and centre in the home. They have delivered a terrific platform for everyone to enjoy; one that is central to everyone’s needs.

T-Hub 2 consists of a 7″ Android powered Gingerbread tablet with a 1Ghz Dual Core CPU and 1GB of RAM and a 1024 x 600 resolution. OK, so those specs aren’t going to get you forgetting your Nexus or Galaxy Tab. But the specs work, and like the Galaxy Nexus, the T-Hub 2 punches far above its spec sheet. Telstra have left well enough alone, and Gingerbread is allowed to exist in all its vanilla glory. Without some huge UI to bog it down, the T-Hub 2 just works, and works well.

WHAT WE LIKED

The T-Hub 2 from Telstra is a real multi-tasker due in part to its loudspeaker dock. Yes that’s right, Telstra have thrown in a quality loudspeaker charging dock as the base for the T-Hub 2. It has a home, and I found most often using the T-Hub 2 in its loudspeaker dock housing.

First thing I found myself doing was looking for a radio app, of which Telstra have included as standard. Tune In is a fantastically simple radio that that finds all your local stations and more in a couple of clicks. It allows you to record songs and store them for later playback and set a list of top stations for easy access. The sound from the loudspeaker dock is ample to hear through the house and even out in the backyard – it certainly has saved me from investing in a DAB!

My second most used app was YouTube. This was simply because I could queue up a favourite or search my channels. I could play a movie whilst doing the cooking, eating or cleaning up; even queue up some music videos! Such is the versatility of the T-Hub 2 in its loudspeaker dock!

I found the sound from the speakerdock equal to our Logitech iPod clock/radio system which is usually more than enough for around the home. The fact the tablet docks straight in is, dare I say, Apple-esque and does not require any further leads or plug-ins was really refreshing from an Android product.

Being Android based is of course my other major like! I found in no time I had customised the T-Hub 2 with all of my favourite apps, widgets and wallpapers. Browsing the net, using Telstra’s apps or even checking my accounts with QuickBooks was all achieved simply and easily on the 7″ Tablet, which is just the right size for almost all tasks.

Graphics-wise I found the tablet coping well with games such as Angry Birds Space, Where’s My Water and Temple Run. No lag, no fuss. The display was impressive too with the 7″ 1024 x 600 screen.

And let’s not forget the main purpose of the T-Hub 2. It is as an extension via DECT of your home phone! Yes that’s right, call up your contacts (synced to both your Bigpond and Gmail accounts) using your Telstra full service home phone account. This is particularly useful again on the loudspeaker dock for those that may require some assistance with their hearing or for busy mums and dads!

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

My only real gripes with the T-Hub 2 were:

1. Weight: At 216 x 127 x 14.5mm, the T-Hub 2 is small yet thick and very solidly built in the hand. This on the one hand is good as it does have great build quality, but after a while, for a 7″ Tablet, it really starts to weigh down on you.
2. Heat: I found when undocked and sitting on the couch browsing the net, Facebooking or YouTubing, the T-Hub 2 did get quite warm in my hands, which is a little discomforting for a 1Ghz stock standard tablet.
3. Sensitivity. Whilst sporting a capacitive touch screen, I found that at times either the touchscreen was way too over-sensitive, or at other times did not respond at all. It took quite some time to get used to the amount of touch required to scroll up and down screens, and especially removing and placing Widgets on the home screen. I found trying to remove Widgets from the home screen to be infuriating at least once or twice. You see, when you long hold on a Widget, the Recycle Bin takes the place of the Gingerbread dock, however then dragging a Widget over to the Recycle Bin would more often than that call up the Dock and place the Widget back in its place. After some time I mastered it though! 4) Resolution. Most of the time the lower resolution really didn’t matter with Apps able to scale without an issue. The only real app I had an issue with was Facebook, which seemingly just could not scale to fit either landscape or portrait, although it was much better in portrait mode, as was Flipboard.

THE SPECIFICATIONS

OTHER NOTABLES

THE GOOD

From time to time, the screen is either not responsive enough, or too responsive, depending on the app. The low (ish) res screen has trouble sometime scaling photos correctly in Facebook hence not leaving a lot of real estate for scrolling with, which mean you’re often opening photos up when you wanted to scroll down the page for example.

But really, as I said above, these are really just some things I noticed when using or found mildly frustrating; they certainly shouldn’t be a reason to avoid a solid product.

THE CONCLUSION

With all things considered, I am glad I was given the opportunity to test the T-Hub 2 from Telstra. I have come away very pleasantly surprised. As I stated earlier on, it is easy on paper to criticize the tablet as low spec and behind the times (1Ghz Dual Core and Gingerbread), however due to the fact that Telstra have let Android shine and not bog it down with some overly memory intensive UI is very rewarding and refreshing.

It also supports external memory and has HDMI out!

The T-Hub 2 is a real family entertainer and will no doubt bring much usefulness and entertainment to those that take ownership. Bear in mind, T-Hub 2 does require a full service home phone and internet from Telstra.

The cost is $15 per month in a bundle or $360 outright. You really do get a lot for your money and I could certainly see a place for the T-Hub 2 in my own household!