iPad Mini getting destroyed by Nexus 7

[cynics]

I'm gonna pick up a mini at a discount when the 2nd gen comes out.

I went from thinking Apples walled garden was dumb, to having nearly every product they make minus a laptop of any sort.

Absolutely love it. Is it restrictive at times? Yes but for me I find the benefits far exceed the drawbacks.

The new 7 looks great but if I can't get iMessage on it then that's a deal breaker from the start. The overall convenience of use is what sells me this day in age.

 

[aristobrat]

A [website, blog] just did a comparison of the [Apple product] and the [competitor]. The [competitor] won in almost every category and completely destroyed the [Apple product]. It is also $[xxx] less. IMO, Apple needs to wake up and start making better decisions or they will go the way of the [Palm, Blackberry].

Your post above is pretty much from a fill-in-the-blank template that people have been using on here since 2007, when the original iPhone came out.

If your logic (that if the iPad/iPhone has competition that rates higher than them, then Apple will cease to exist) were true, then Apple would be out of business by now.

I mean, it's been what -- seven years?? -- since competitors have been putting out some devices that beat the iPhone/iPad in online "shoot-outs".

 

[nixiemaiden]

I just got the new Nexus 7 and it has me seriously considering switching back to Android. Things that I really like about Android are

1.) being able to put widgets on your lock screen. I have the Google Sound search on my lock screen and I think something like that would come in handy if you are driving and a song you like comes on the radio but you don't know the name. No need to fumble with your phone, unlock, find app etc.

2.) SwiftKey

3.) Being able to preview apps for a few minutes. Most of the apps on my iPhone or iPad I paid for and then it wasn't really what I was looking for.

4.) App drawer. When I look at my iPhone, I feel like it is just a cluttered desktop. I can't even find apps half the time without using the search function. Partly my fault...I could probably delete 90% of the apps on my phone but still. I really like being able to determine what apps show up on my desktop and then have everything in the drawer in alphabetical order.

I am going to give it a few more months because I used to have Android phones and ended up giving up on it because I was tired of having to reset everything every few months. I have heard that this is fixed with the new version and if it is, I will probably go back. I am hoping Google continues their Nexus line of phones.

Also, I don't really use much as far as apps go. So far the only app I haven't had an equal experience with is Bejeweled because all I can find is Bejeweled Blitz and I am addicted to the butterflies game. I have a hard time giving up my iPhone because I am 1/4 of the way to 1,000,000 gems badge. I know pathetic but I don't want to start over....I have a lot of hours into this over the past year and a half.

 

[jrswizzle]

I just got the new Nexus 7 and it has me seriously considering switching back to Android. Things that I really like about Android are

1.) being able to put widgets on your lock screen. I have the Google Sound search on my lock screen and I think something like that would come in handy if you are driving and a song you like comes on the radio but you don't know the name. No need to fumble with your phone, unlock, find app etc.

Siri - hold down home button, "Open Shazam", done.

2.) SwiftKey

Aye - though I have no problem with the iPhone keyboard, there obviously isn't another option on iOS.

3.) Being able to preview apps for a few minutes. Most of the apps on my iPhone or iPad I paid for and then it wasn't really what I was looking for.

Most apps have pretty detailed descriptions with pictures and such on the App Store. Most of the time, I find its easier to know what I'm buying on the App Store because App titles make more sense and match the app functions. Just me though. Would be nice for Apple to implement a refund option anyways.

4.) App drawer. When I look at my iPhone, I feel like it is just a cluttered desktop. I can't even find apps half the time without using the search function. Partly my fault...I could probably delete 90% of the apps on my phone but still. I really like being able to determine what apps show up on my desktop and then have everything in the drawer in alphabetical order.

Lol - see I find it better on iOS. I spend so much time messing with my home screens on Android, when the reality is the screen is there for me to access apps from. Siri - "open *app*" also works really well here. No need to fumble through the drawers if they aren't organized. The search function is also quite nice in iOS 7 (pull down from any screen)

I am going to give it a few more months because I used to have Android phones and ended up giving up on it because I was tired of having to reset everything every few months. I have heard that this is fixed with the new version and if it is, I will probably go back. I am hoping Google continues their Nexus line of phones.

Also, I don't really use much as far as apps go. So far the only app I haven't had an equal experience with is Bejeweled because all I can find is Bejeweled Blitz and I am addicted to the butterflies game. I have a hard time giving up my iPhone because I am 1/4 of the way to 1,000,000 gems badge. I know pathetic but I don't want to start over....I have a lot of hours into this over the past year and a half.

Just some information - not trying to start any arguments

 

[MRU]

1.) being able to put widgets on your lock screen. I have the Google Sound search on my lock screen and I think something like that would come in handy if you are driving and a song you like comes on the radio but you don't know the name. No need to fumble with your phone, unlock, find app etc.

Remind me not to be in a car with you.....

2.) SwiftKey

3.) Being able to preview apps for a few minutes. Most of the apps on my iPhone or iPad I paid for and then it wasn't really what I was looking for.

Technically you can do the same on the iTunes Store. If you buy an app and its not what you hope it would be / or thought t would be - simply go into your account / purchases and report item. They will refund you without issue and you can do this well after the 15 minutes the PlayStore give you. Yes it's not automatic like google PlayStore, but the fact you can report items after 15 minutes more than makes up for the slight inconvenience in how you do so.


4.) App drawer. When I look at my iPhone, I feel like it is just a cluttered desktop. I can't even find apps half the time without using the search function. Partly my fault...I could probably delete 90% of the apps on my phone but still. I really like being able to determine what apps show up on my desktop and then have everything in the drawer in alphabetical order.

IOS 7's ability to have lots of Apps in folders rather than a limited number would address some of that. But at the end of the day if you have that many apps that you can't even remember where they are, then having dozens of pages in our App Drawer on Android is likely just as messy as folders in iOS.

 

[surjavarman]

I am always amazed how people can be trapped inside an ecosystem and use hundreds of apps. I am a heavy smartphone user but even I only use like 5 apps (music, phone, messages, twitter, safari). For me ios is only good for indie games. Something android lacks.

Therefor I have the flexibility to easily switch between OSes and go for the best bang for buck. Nexus 7 is retina and ipad mini is not. Its also cheaper.

I'd rather not have one company have me completely by the balls and squeeze them harder and harder as each year passes by. But thats just me.

 

[nixiemaiden]

Siri tells me I need to unlock my phone first so it doesn't really work while the phone is locked.

That might help in iOS7... What bugs me is I can only see 9 icons on the screen so I have no idea what else is in there. The app drawer keeps everything alphabetized so it is easy to find things.

 

[adnbek]

Considering Nexus 7 sold better than iMini, yes, when the iMini was released (a few months after actually, the N7 was still selling 1 MILLION each month),

Source?

but neither will do as good as the 1st gen, as 1st will almost always sell better than 2nd.

Ridiculous statement. iPad 2 sold more than the 1. Same for iPhone.
A newer, more advanced product never sells as well as its first iteration? Now that's something I've never heard before.

 

[ZBoater]

Nexus 7.2 > iPad mini. Period. No contest.

iPad Mini 2? We'll see. The app store advantage will only take you so far...

 

[aneftp]

I am gadget junkie. Owned multiple android tablets, iPads, and even touchpads and Playbook.

Until developers get on board with mainstream app development for Android, iPad will still rule. iPad tends to get the best apps and the best designed apps. Some apps are still only available on iPad months or close to a year before its release on Android.

Yes I am aware of android tablets outselling iPads these days.

But we need to take a few things into consideration. Tablets are not subsidized for the most part. People are keeping their iPad 2 longer and see no need to upgrade every 2 years. And many people have iPad 3/4 already. The mini provided a slight boost but its lagging now in sales.

So android is the growth now simply because there are cheap android tablets

If you look at the actual breakdown of tablets. Apple is still outselling their next competitor, Samsung by a wide 2 to one margin.

 

[elchorizo]

Most people in this thread are so defensive


TL : DR - I am a gadget whore, but I do like the N7.2 so far!


I love Android on my phone (Note II) but much prefer iOS on tablets. I have been coveting a Retina iPad Mini for months. I have the iPad 3 and love it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE retina displays. I also think the Mini's form factor is seriously awesome. Just about perfect in fact. Its been so hard waiting for the Mini to go retina. Then there was all the rumors that the next one wouldn't be retina either. It was really disappointing, even though it was just rumors!

Then the Nexus 7 comes out and it is retina (yes I realize that is an Apple specific marketing term, but you know what I mean). I decided to go check it out at Best Buy this weekend. Wow, I was really impressed. The screen is so nice. I decided to risk it and get an Android tablet (my last Android tablet was not nearly as good as my Android phones, which is why I got the iPad 3). Well I've been using the N7.2 for basic stuff the last couple days and its been great. For my uses, the "app situation" isn't a problem because most of the apps I use are on the N7.2 in tablet versions, and 90% of what I do on a tablet is done through a browser anyway, and I am very satisfied with Chrome and Opera Mini (to save pages for offline reading) on the new tablet.

I do have three fears about the tablet.

1. Will it slow down? My previous Android tablet did that. It just became less responsive over time. My iPad has remained just as responsive as it was on the first day!
2. Will the memory size frustrate me? It is only 32gb and I like to have lots of movies and tv shows on my tablet. I pisses me off that they don't have the ability to take micro SD like my phone (obviously I have this same complaint about my iPad).
3. Content size factor. Since its so high resolution I'm thinking video content will look great at 1080p, but that **** is HUGE. When a 1080p movie takes 5-6gbs that doesn't leave much room on a 32gb device! So, the fear is, if I put smaller movies, like DVD rips instead of blu-ray rips, will it look like ****? I'm hoping to test that soon.

I think that Apple will be fine as long as they get a retina iPad mini out sometime in the next 6 months, but any longer than that will probably annoy even some of their more loyal customers. When the retina mini eventually comes out, if it ends up being the bees knees, as I suspect it will, I can just sell the N7.2 then and move over to a Mini. The N7.2 is so inexpensive that it doesn't hurt that much to end up doing that.

Anyway, argue on brothers!

 

[jsw]

Damn it, I came here expecting to see a video of an iPad mini being brutalized with a Nexus 7 (I was particularly curious how the aluminum would be destroyed by plastic), and instead all I find is fanboyism along party lines. Imagine my surprise.

Anyone who has actually used a Nexus 7.2 for any period of time and who has also used an iPad mini for any period of time would have to conclude that they are both good tablets with a lot of common uses. That doesn't mean that everyone needs to like them both equally, but it's a simple fact that they are both nice devices.

I own a Nexus 7.2 (and original N7) as well as two Nexus 4s and a plethora of iPhones and iPads and iPods. I'm well versed in both camps. There are decided advantages to both platforms, and there are clear reasons why many people would prefer one or the other, but at the end of the day, what becomes obvious is that things are becoming more alike than different, and that nearly any flagship device you buy today, on any platform, will do virtually anything you want it to do in pretty much the same way. Not exactly the same things and not exactly in the same ways, but close enough for almost anyone.

And that's been true for a while now. Pick what you want, but just because someone else wants something different, it doesn't mean they're wrong.

Unless they choose a Blackberry.

----------

1. Will it slow down? My previous Android tablet did that. It just became less responsive over time. My iPad has remained just as responsive as it was on the first day!

It's too early to tell, but reports suggest that it won't. The 4.3 changes should prevent that from happening, and should have been in the OS years ago.

2. Will the memory size frustrate me? It is only 32gb and I like to have lots of movies and tv shows on my tablet. I pisses me off that they don't have the ability to take micro SD like my phone (obviously I have this same complaint about my iPad).

(1) The N7 supports USB OTG, meaning you can put anything you want on a flash drive. It's not great for apps but works fine for media content. Cables are less than $10.
(2) Kensington WiDrives and the like work really well also.

3. Content size factor. Since its so high resolution I'm thinking video content will look great at 1080p, but that **** is HUGE. When a 1080p movie takes 5-6gbs that doesn't leave much room on a 32gb device! So, the fear is, if I put smaller movies, like DVD rips instead of blu-ray rips, will it look like ****? I'm hoping to test that soon.

You can encode things and still have them look good at only a few GB, but I'd go the USB OTG route and/or WiDrive path. Same on an iPad, except without the USB OTG option. Also, if you're comparing a 6GB version against a 1GB version side-by-side, you'll see the differences, but if you're just watching a 1GB version on a 7" tablet, you'll probably be fine with it for most movies.

 

[Tikatika]

I just had to go into Best Buy and look at the new Nexus 7. No agenda ... I love my iPad 3, my iPad mini, and my Samsung Galaxy S4.

Screen is gorgeous. Tablet is just plain ugly, really ugly!

 

[Rodster]

Tablet is just plain ugly, really ugly!

That's too bad as I own the 1st Gen Nexus 7 and it's stylish. I went to Wally World today and they haven't arrived. I'm also waiting for the iPad 5 and the retina mini.

 

[JackieInCo]

I reserved the new Nexus 7 at MicroCenter this morning. They give you three days to pick it up and I chose to pay in store. Went down to look at it in person. I already own a 32GB cellular version of the first N7. I just don't think the new one is a worthy upgrade if you already own one. I left without buying one. I still have till Wednesday to decide to buy the one on reserve but I don't think I'll be buying it.

My iPad Mini gets all the use lately and I take it with me everywhere and leave the N7 at home.

Maybe next year if there is a new Nexus 7.

 

[Assault]

Damn it, I came here expecting to see a video of an iPad mini being brutalized with a Nexus 7 (I was particularly curious how the aluminum would be destroyed by plastic), and instead all I find is fanboyism along party lines. Imagine my surprise.

Anyone who has actually used a Nexus 7.2 for any period of time and who has also used an iPad mini for any period of time would have to conclude that they are both good tablets with a lot of common uses. That doesn't mean that everyone needs to like them both equally, but it's a simple fact that they are both nice devices.

I own a Nexus 7.2 (and original N7) as well as two Nexus 4s and a plethora of iPhones and iPads and iPods. I'm well versed in both camps. There are decided advantages to both platforms, and there are clear reasons why many people would prefer one or the other, but at the end of the day, what becomes obvious is that things are becoming more alike than different, and that nearly any flagship device you buy today, on any platform, will do virtually anything you want it to do in pretty much the same way. Not exactly the same things and not exactly in the same ways, but close enough for almost anyone.

And that's been true for a while now. Pick what you want, but just because someone else wants something different, it doesn't mean they're wrong.

Unless they choose a Blackberry.

----------


It's too early to tell, but reports suggest that it won't. The 4.3 changes should prevent that from happening, and should have been in the OS years ago.

(1) The N7 supports USB OTG, meaning you can put anything you want on a flash drive. It's not great for apps but works fine for media content. Cables are less than $10.
(2) Kensington WiDrives and the like work really well also.

You can encode things and still have them look good at only a few GB, but I'd go the USB OTG route and/or WiDrive path. Same on an iPad, except without the USB OTG option. Also, if you're comparing a 6GB version against a 1GB version side-by-side, you'll see the differences, but if you're just watching a 1GB version on a 7" tablet, you'll probably be fine with it for most movies.

This is an option I am looking at:
http://reviews.cnet.com/hard-drives/sandisk-connect-wireless-media/4505-3186_7-35823379.html

 

[Technarchy]

I don't see the appeal of the Nexus 7 personally.

The looks of the hardware and software are sorta revolting.

 

[MRU]

the looks of the hardware and software are sorta revolting.

In what sense ? Russia 1917 ?

 

[JackieInCo]

In what sense ? Russia 1917 ?

I find his comment funny as well. I would never say revolting. I just don't think it looks as nice as the first generation did. Sure it's thinner but the bezel is increased on the top and bottom. I think it just looks strange after using the original all these months.

 

[onthecouchagain]

The bezels are really not a big deal once you see it in person. In fact, I just forgot they were there. When you scrutinize pictures of the device, only then do the bezels bother.

But in use? They're really not as big as they appear, and altogether forgettable once you're into whatever you're doing on your device.

 

[AppleRobert]

Damn it, I came here expecting to see a video of an iPad mini being brutalized with a Nexus 7 (I was particularly curious how the aluminum would be destroyed by plastic), and instead all I find is fanboyism along party lines. Imagine my surprise.

Anyone who has actually used a Nexus 7.2 for any period of time and who has also used an iPad mini for any period of time would have to conclude that they are both good tablets with a lot of common uses. That doesn't mean that everyone needs to like them both equally, but it's a simple fact that they are both nice

I own a Nexus 7.2 (and original N7) as well as two Nexus 4s and a plethora of iPhones and iPads and iPods. I'm well versed in both camps. There are decided advantages to both platforms, and there are clear reasons why many people would prefer one or the other, but at the end of the day, what becomes obvious is that things are becoming more alike than different, and that nearly any flagship device you buy today, on any platform, will do virtually anything you want it to do in pretty much the same way. Not exactly the same things and not exactly in the same ways, but close enough for almost anyone."

Well I never cared for the iPads because of their price and size. The Mini changed that and I now have another OS to play with.

I also have the original and new Nexus 7" tablets. I like them as well but obviously I will not be using the original much any longer. I owed it to myself to get the new one even though I probably could live with the original. The price for the upgrade screams bargain in the small tablet market.

People say Apple had better wake up. I say Samsung needs to stop mass producing and get their act together and come out with a nicely priced great specs small tablet. The Kindle Fire can compete to some extent but without GAPPS and Play Store, well ...

 

[jrswizzle]

Nexus 7.2 > iPad mini. Period. No contest.

iPad Mini 2? We'll see. The app store advantage will only take you so far...

Agreed - and right now, it takes the iPad mini to a place the Nexus 7 and other Android tablets are desperately trying to go.

What good is a quad core processor and a high-res display when you're just looking at smartphone apps blown up?

 

[onthecouchagain]

Before I say the follow, I want to be clear that I'm all for more apps being tablet-optimized on the Android front.

Having said that, in my brief time with the Nexus 7 (I'm waiting for a replacement to ship to me -- first one had a defect), this whole lack of optimized apps didn't really bother me. Most of my main apps (Dropbox, Flipboard, Google services, etc.) on Android were already optimized.

And if I found anything that wasn't, to blow something up on a screen that is an additional ~2" is really not that serious of a problem. It's very livable and usable and acceptable for now until Android gets caught up on this front.

It's certainly not -- in my opinion -- enough of a difference to make me shell out extra money for less specs on the iPad Mini. Not to mention, having to deal with the other shortcomings of iOS.

Again, all for more optimized apps. But for now, it's really not a deal breaker.

 

[JackieInCo]

Before I say the follow, I want to be clear that I'm all for more apps being tablet-optimized on the Android front.

Having said that, in my brief time with the Nexus 7 (I'm waiting for a replacement to ship to me -- first one had a defect), this whole lack of optimized apps didn't really bother me. Most of my main apps (Dropbox, Flipboard, Google services, etc.) on Android were already optimized.

And if I found anything that wasn't, to blow something up on a screen that is an additional ~2" is really not that serious of a problem. It's very livable and usable and acceptable for now until Android gets caught up on this front.

It's certainly not -- in my opinion -- enough of a difference to make me shell out extra money for less specs on the iPad Mini. Not to mention, having to deal with the other shortcomings of iOS.

Again, all for more optimized apps. But for now, it's really not a deal breaker.

Scaled up app isn't the problem on Android. It's the problem that Android developers aren't bothering to come up with a different app for tablets then what the phones use.

Look at SiriusXM, AP News, Denver Post, iHeartRadio. These apps look so different on the iPad then they do on the iPhone.

Take a look at the screen caps. First is SiriusXM on the tablet/phone version. These are all caps from June so some of them show old news etc.

Now here is the iPad version:

Ok now look at a local app that I use, 9News. First is the phone/tablet version:

And the iPad version:

AP News Android phone/tablet app:

Ipad Version:

Now you see what we are talking about when we say that the Android developers are just being lazy? Anytime you see the standard list format on an app on Android tablets, you know the app is a phone version.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Developing a decent and usable app takes more time and resources than I think most people realize. They're not going to spend the time and money developing something if it doesn't pay off. Especially considering the difference between 5inch flagships and a narrow 7 inch tablet would hardly be worth it for them. Much easier to just scale the app 2 inches. Now if we're talking about 8 inch plus tablets like the note 8 or nexus 10 that's a different matter.