The tablet, while still unable to replace the functionality of a desktop PC, yet, is a great device for media consumption. You can use it as an ebook reader, movie player or even a dedicated device for browsing the web. If you own an Android tablet (running Honeycomb), when you open the browser app and surf the web, you will notice that some of the sites are still rendered in the mobile mode, despite the fact that the screen resolution is big enough to display the desktop version.
The good thing is, the rendering ability is dependent on the capabilities of the browser. All you have to do is to change the user-agent of the browser and you can easily switch between mobile and desktop mode. Here is how you do it.
Default Honeycomb browser
Open the browser app. Tap on the menu icon at the top right corner. Select “Settings”.
On the left pane, select “Advanced”. On the right pane, select “User Agents”.
Select “Desktop” in the pop-up window.
Done. Now press the Back button until you reach back the main screen. Continue your web surfing. All websites will be rendered in the desktop mode now.
Dolphin For Pad
Dolphin browser is one of the most popular browser in the Android market and the Dolphin For Pad is the version specially for Honeycomb tablet. If you are using it, here is how you can change its user agent.
Open the Dolphin for Pad app. Tap the Menu icon at the bottom panel (fourth icon from the left corner). Select “More -> Settings”.
Select the first option “User Agent”. Set it to “Desktop”.
That’s it.
I have tried several browsers from the Android market (Firefox beta, Opera, Maxthon, Miren) and all of them have similar ways to configure the user-agents. The only challenge is to find out where their settings page lie. In Opera, the Settings button is hidden under the “O” icon beside the address bar. In Firefox, there is no Settings. You have to go to the Preferences page. Once you locate the configuration page, you should have no problem changing the user-agent, regardless of the browser you are using.
Damien Oh started writing tech articles since 2007 and has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He is proficient in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS, and worked as a part time WordPress Developer. He is currently the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Make Tech Easier.
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
