For those thinking about Android tablets...

[NebulaClash]

So it's a bad idea when they release updates? I thought bug fixes and upgrades was what everyone wanted. Come November, the ipad would have already had 2 updates in 7 months. I have an ipad myself so I don't plan on getting a tab either way.

It's a good idea to release updates, and that's one key Apple advantage over Android: Apple releases an update centrally, everyone can upgrade whenever they want. With Android, on the other hand, your phone is under the control of the cell providers. You get the update only when they say you can have it. In some cases, that's never. So it's a fragmented market depending on what device you have and what provider you use.

 

[bass93]

Off the top of my head:

• Full Flash on demand. Very useful when a website has nothing else.
• No wired tethering required to a host computer for OS updates.
• Able to write programs for friends without paying anybody a fee.
• No nanny company deciding what apps can be available or called.
• Will have hardware and size choice from many vendors.
• Real multitasking with context and a Back key.
• Widgets possible on every homescreen.
• Freedom to customize.
• No iTunes needed.

Not to mention cost. The new Archos 101 is going to be less than $300. That's with an HDMI out, Mircro SD card for expansion, weighs less, Bigger screen, supports much more audio and video formats, has a USB port, has a webcam, has a built in stand, 1.4mm thinner than the iPad, works with Windows, Mac, and Linux. If I can find this around for $250, I just might be picking it up.

 

[phobic99]

Doubt if anyone thinking of buying one of those things is reading this forum anyway

I am, and I currently own an iPad.

Really I'd think I'd prefer using an iPhone and an Android-based tablet vs my current setup of a Droid X and an iPad

 

[azentropy]

Off the top of my head:

• Full Flash on demand. Very useful when a website has nothing else.
• No wired tethering required to a host computer for OS updates.
• Able to write programs for friends without paying anybody a fee.
• No nanny company deciding what apps can be available or called.
• Will have hardware and size choice from many vendors.
• Real multitasking with context and a Back key.
• Widgets possible on every homescreen.
• Freedom to customize.
• No iTunes needed.

Not to mention cost. The new Archos 101 is going to be less than $300. That's with an HDMI out, Mircro SD card for expansion, weighs less, Bigger screen, supports much more audio and video formats, has a USB port, has a webcam, has a built in stand, 1.4mm thinner than the iPad, works with Windows, Mac, and Linux. If I can find this around for $250, I just might be picking it up.[/QUOTE]

Decent specs for $300 although I haven't seen anything on battery life. It could have all the specs in the world but what if the battery only lasts 4-5 hrs like some are speculating? It is odd that they haven't stated the battery life on their product page. Of course without a 3G option maybe they aren't figuring people are taking it outside the home much anyway... Also most of your points are redundant. Android is open, we get that, some ways that is very good and some ways it is very bad.

 

[bass93]

Not to mention cost. The new Archos 101 is going to be less than $300. That's with an HDMI out, Mircro SD card for expansion, weighs less, Bigger screen, supports much more audio and video formats, has a USB port, has a webcam, has a built in stand, 1.4mm thinner than the iPad, works with Windows, Mac, and Linux. If I can find this around for $250, I just might be picking it up.

Decent specs for $300 although I haven't seen anything on battery life. It could have all the specs in the world but what if the battery only lasts 4-5 hrs like some are speculating? It is odd that they haven't stated the battery life on their product page. Of course without a 3G option maybe they aren't figuring people are taking it outside the home much anyway... Also most of your points are redundant. Android is open, we get that, some ways that is very good and some ways it is very bad.[/QUOTE]

Here's where it mentions battery life: http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_101it/specs.html?country=us&lang=en

 

[thedarkhorse]

Not to mention cost. The new Archos 101 is going to be less than $300. That's with an HDMI out, Mircro SD card for expansion, weighs less, Bigger screen, supports much more audio and video formats, has a USB port, has a webcam, has a built in stand, 1.4mm thinner than the iPad, works with Windows, Mac, and Linux. If I can find this around for $250, I just might be picking it up.

Google doesn’t officially let device makers bundle the Android Market on non-phone devices, so have fun with the preinstalled apps

 

[hashholly]

For those stating that the Samsung Tab comes with android market, i was under the impression that only applies for the international version with phone capabilities. Apparently the US version won't have the phone functions so i don't forsee it, nor the supposed WiFi only version having Android Market.

 

[bass93]

Google doesn’t officially let device makers bundle the Android Market on non-phone devices, so have fun with the preinstalled apps

It actually has a market place with over 5000 apps that will work perfectly on the device. No, it won't be the full marketplace, but still plenty to work with.

 

[diabolic]

Not true. There is a compatability document with rules and tests to make sure standard Android apps work on a manufacturer's implementation of any specific Android OS version. In other words, if you say you support 2.2, then any 2.2 app will work.

So does that guarantee that apps purchased on an HTC phone will work on a Samsung tablet running the same Android version?

 

[MrWillie]

So what is the purpose of hdmi output on this thing? (Read footnote 5 on the tech specs page)

1024 x 600 res.. You can keep the widescreen, and the cameras. Who doesn't carry their camera phone with them ?

Above is in ref to Archos 101 Internet tablet.

Android is not as open as you think.
www.google.com/mobile/android/market-policies.html

They already zapped two apps from everyones devices. Yes they were trojans, but they can zap any app they don't like from them. Without refund.

 

[bass93]

So what is the purpose of hdmi output on this thing? (Read footnote 5 on the tech specs page)

1024 x 600 res.. You can keep the widescreen, and the cameras. Who doesn't carry their camera phone with them ?

Above is in ref to Archos 101 Internet tablet.

The screen on the device itself is 1024 by 600. But it outputs up to full 720p HD.

 

[MrWillie]

The screen on the device itself is 1024 by 600. But it outputs up to full 720p HD.

But not protected content. (note 5).

If it is something I ripped myself, then I already have it on my network, and thus have 20 (okay, slight exageration !) ways to play it. If I bought/ rented content on an Archos, then it is protected and won't play via HDMI. So what is all the hoopla over HDMI output on any tablets and smart phones ?

 

[QCassidy352]

Apple also has fragmentation issues. It isnt just Android. iOS 4.1 now and 4.2 a little later and so on and so forth.

Totally not the same thing. Apple only sells one OS at a time, the current one. And they don't have half a dozen manufacturers each putting their own crappy skin on it.

 

[mgamber]

Doubt if anyone thinking of buying one of those things is reading this forum anyway

I'm always looking for something better and/or more interesting. And I'll tell ya, with HTML 5 dragging along at a snail's pace, a tablet with Flash support is starting to look almost as good as the Windows XP tablet I've been using for 3 years.

 

[MrWillie]

That's not exactly true, the galaxy tab does have access to the marketplace (if you don't believe me, check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaBi13FnJo8 it clearly shows a market icon on the homescreen). The only devices that don't have access to the market are the ones that are WiFi only, so if they release a WiFi only version of the Tab, I guess that version wouldn't have access to the market.

Kmart Bluelight Special tablet (and some others) has (or is it had already ?) a Skype button, but it didn't work. Marketplace is for Google partners only, and right now that is for PHONES only.

So it's a bad idea when they release updates? I thought bug fixes and upgrades was what everyone wanted. Come November, the ipad would have already had 2 updates in 7 months. I have an ipad myself so I don't plan on getting a tab either way.

I believe what the poster is trying to say is that newly released devices, such as the Streak, are being released with Droid 1.6 when 2.2 is the latest. Unlike my Windblows laptop, which I was able to upgrade from Vista to XP Pro, you are totally dependent on Dell (for the Streak at least, carriers and manufactors for others) to release updates. New iDevices come with the latest iOS installed.

 

[hcho3]

Galaxy Tab is a piece of junk. Google said that froyo is not for tablets and guess what? Samsung Tab has Android 2.2. God knows when this thing will get Android 3.0 or will it get 3.0? We know that if you wait like 2-3 more months, then there will be iPad 2 and Blackberry playbook. So, why would anyone be so stupid and buy galaxy Tab?
No way, I am jumping in to buy Galaxy Tab. Android is not ready because google said they are ready for it yet. Unless galaxy tab gets priced so low, I wouldn't even consider looking at it. It looks like piece of junk. Samsung rushed and you will see how that goes.

 

[MrWillie]

Galaxy Tab is a piece of junk. Google said that froyo is not for tablets and guess what? Samsung Tab has Android 2.2. God knows when this thing will get Android 3.0 or will it get 3.0? We know that if you wait like 2-3 more months, then there will be iPad 2 and Blackberry playbook. So, why would anyone be so stupid and buy galaxy Tab?
No way, I am jumping in to buy Galaxy Tab. Android is not ready because google said they are ready for it yet. Unless galaxy tab gets priced so low, I wouldn't even consider looking at it. It looks like piece of junk. Samsung rushed and you will see how that goes.

But the Dell Streak is already shipping with 1.6 !!! They said 2.2 isn't for tablets, but said nothing about 1.6, right?

Poor shot at being a wannabe

 

[Bernard SG]

Apple also has fragmentation issues. It isnt just Android. iOS 4.1 now and 4.2 a little later and so on and so forth.

That is not fragmentation. All the existing versions of iOS are tailored to the devices they work with.
Android fragmentation is about the fact that Android hardware come in various form factors, especially screen size, resolution, aspect ratio and the fact that each Android phone maker feels compelled to modify the OS according to their taste.
As a result, an App developed for Android will not work the same way according to the device you use it with, sometimes to a point that the app may lose most of its functionality on some devices.
There is nothing of the sort in Apple iOS devices. An iPhone app will work perfectly on the iPad either at original size or at big size with pixel-doubling.

 

[pjcforpres2020]

I love all the Android hate, especially given that most all of it is wrong and ignorant to specific features of the Android OS... mostly find it funny that choice is being blasted as a bad thing because it means "fragmentation"... as if anyone really cares whether or not all the fart noise apps work.

The big time apps work on all devices, the only ones with multi phone support issues are the small developer apps, and even then there are tons of free tools that make this a non issue if the developer takes the time to use them, not to mention the Android SDK, et al, has the ability to make multi-resolution and screen ratio apps if the developer checks the box.

And with the stated goals/features of gingerbread (and this was started with froyo) fragmentation will be a nearly non-existent with gingerbread, and totally gone with hot coco... and it is believed gingerbread will actually be such that some older devices will get updated to it (ie G1) because it will support older kernels and radios, thus have full and proper driver support (the reason you have to sit and wait for manufacturers to release updates).

 

[hcho3]

But the Dell Streak is already shipping with 1.6 !!! They said 2.2 isn't for tablets, but said nothing about 1.6, right?

Poor shot at being a wannabe

Dell? They are still in business?

 

[phobic99]

Dell? They are still in business?

Dell sells the 2nd most amount of PCs worldwide so yeah... they're still in business.

 

[Syk]

That Archos looks nice but I didn't see how much memory it has. Also if it's $300 or less then it's tempting but as tempting as it is Google says the OS isn't for tablets and you also don't have access to the full market place. That pretty much shys me away from it.

For now I'd have to pass it up. Someone posted a list, not sure if it was here or another forum with tablets and their OS's that are coming out next year.

At this point in the game I'm waiting to see what early 2011 will bring to the game. I know I'm in the minority that would like a 7" tablet and one that isn't tied to a carrier or have built in 3G, the radio seems to add another $100 to it. I have a jailbroke iphone with mywi to handle my internet.

I want to see what the iPad2 is going to bring. The PlayBook looks good but I need to see a price and a real hands on.

To do big iPad numbers the other companies are going to have to come in with something that has a good UI along with hardware specs, developer support for apps and priced under the iPad/2. If they are similar in price and specs then I'd probably pick up the ipad2 not because I'm a fan boy but if I ever needed or wanted to sell it I think it would hold it's value more so than others.

I wouldn't mind seeing a dumb down version of Win7 on a tablet especially if I could use the software I already have on it but I think it'll be too slow.

Either way 2011 looks to be an exciting year if you're looking for a tablet.

 

[japasneezemonk]

Considering how quickly Android has become a formidable competitor in the smartphone market, I expect to see some really nice tablets in Androids future.

 

[NebulaClash]

Considering how quickly Android has become a formidable competitor in the smartphone market, I expect to see some really nice tablets in Androids future.

No, Android is not meant for tablets (according to Google). Chrome is the future for tablets, not Android (which is meant temporarily for phones until they get migrated to Chrome in the future).

This is the issue with Android that most people are ignoring: Google wants Chrome to take off. Android is temporary.

 

[japasneezemonk]

No, Android is not meant for tablets (according to Google). Chrome is the future for tablets, not Android (which is meant temporarily for phones until they get migrated to Chrome in the future).

This is the issue with Android that most people are ignoring: Google wants Chrome to take off. Android is temporary.

You're Correct, but only to the extent that Hugo Barra, the director of products for mobile at google was quoted by Tech Radar as saying that "Froyo(2.2) is not optimized for use on tablets," however, he never said that future versions of Android would never be optimized for tablets. Furthermore, Chrome OS is "Stateless" and Android and iOS are also slowly becoming more and more reliant on cloud services, so maybe we won't need Chrome, and in some ways Android is already fulfilling Googles vision. On my iPhone I have Gmail, Omnifocus, Dropbox, Simplenote, and even the Kindle App all which sync with cloud services. On my retired Nexus One it's the same story, minus a few apps that are only in iOS.