Load Desktop Websites on Android Honeycomb Tablet

Optimizing Web Browsing on Android Tablets

Tablets offer a compelling experience for both reading and navigating the internet. Their touchpad controls are generally user-friendly, and the larger screen real estate overcomes the constraints often found on mobile phones.

Despite these advantages, a common issue arises when browsing the web on a tablet: websites frequently default to loading their mobile-optimized versions.

This occurs because the browser transmits information identifying itself as a mobile application to the websites you access.

The Drawbacks of Mobile Website Versions

Accessing the mobile version of a website can be frustrating. These versions often have reduced functionality compared to their desktop counterparts.

Users may find essential features are missing or limited when using a mobile site.

Viewing Desktop Websites on Honeycomb Tablets

If you own a Google Android Honeycomb tablet and prefer the full functionality of desktop websites, you’ll be pleased to learn there are straightforward methods to switch between mobile and desktop views.

The following instructions detail how to toggle between these versions on your device.

Methods for Switching Website Views

There are two primary approaches to viewing desktop websites on your Honeycomb tablet. Both are easily implemented and allow for a customized browsing experience.

Browser Settings: Most browsers offer a setting to request the desktop version of a website.
User Agent Modification: Advanced users can modify the user agent string to trick websites into thinking they are accessing from a desktop computer.

By utilizing either of these techniques, you can ensure you are always viewing the website version that best suits your needs.

Modifying the User Agent in the Honeycomb Browser

The Honeycomb browser identifies itself as 'Android' by default. Many websites interpret this as an indication of a smartphone, and consequently present a mobile-optimized version of their content. Altering the browser’s user agent string is necessary to request the desktop site.

Launch the built-in browser application on your Android Honeycomb tablet.
In the address bar, type about:debug and press Enter.
Observe that the interface will likely appear unchanged; no immediate visual feedback is provided.
Proceed to access the browser’s settings by tapping the icon located in the upper-right corner of the screen.

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From the presented options, choose Settings.
Navigate to the Debug tab, typically found within a left-hand menu.
Within the debug settings, locate and select UAString.
Choose the Desktop option.

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Press the Back button, usually positioned in the lower-left corner, to save your changes and exit the settings menu.
Repeat the process from step 2 to disable debugging mode.

It’s important to note that this setting may revert to its default value upon each device restart.

The user agent string on Android smartphones differs, reading 'Android Mobile'. This distinction enables websites to differentiate between tablet and smartphone users. However, not all websites implement this differentiation, and notably, Google Mail is among those that do not.

Understanding User Agents

A user agent is a string of text that your browser sends to a web server to identify itself. Websites use this information to tailor the content they deliver.

Why Change the User Agent?

Changing the user agent allows you to bypass mobile-specific formatting and view the full desktop version of websites on your Honeycomb tablet, potentially improving the browsing experience.

Utilizing an Alternative Browser for Website Views

It's possible that certain websites, when accessed through their mobile versions, offer a more user-friendly experience than their desktop counterparts. In such instances, frequently altering the user agent setting can be cumbersome. A viable alternative involves employing a different browser that facilitates seamless switching between desktop and mobile website views.

Dolphin Browser HD is a browser I would strongly suggest. To quickly alternate between the mobile and desktop iterations of a website, the Dolphin Desktop Toggle add-on is also necessary. Upon installation, a toggle button will appear within the browser's right-hand menu.

Accessing the Toggle Button

The right-hand menu is activated by sliding the browser window towards the left. Activating the toggle button will then load the corresponding alternate version of the website, provided it exists.

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Still unsure about which tablet to purchase? Consider these 5 Things To Consider Before Buying A Tablet PC. You might also be interested in Trying Google’s Android Mobile OS on Your Computer with Live CD.

If you've decided on an Android Tablet, reviewing The 3 Best Android Tablets Available Today That A Buyer Should Check Out is recommended.