Taking the tablets

[Kookas]

I have the iPad, Xoom and Nexus and develop on them...... The Nexus is by far the best tablet by a mile, its more intuitive, faster and features better specs the latest Android release is also a match for the functionality of iOS... It was awarded tablet of the year for a good reason.
iOS devices such as the iPad are great if you want something to just work, if you want choice, freedom and performance they blow. The iOS ecosystem is years ahead of Android because its exceptionally restrictive and non inclusive, it works well with Apple device.. A Samsung android device can transfer pictures to a HTC android device using bump without issue, you can't do that with iOS device as it only plays well with Apple devices..... Likewise you can video chat on a variety of applications such as 'ovo' between different brands on the Android platform.. With iOS you have face time which works with what other brands exactly?

So if you want freedom, choice and performance and great specification hardware go with an android device
If you want things to just work and am willing to give up your freedom for this go with an Apple device
if you want a platform which is no longer relevant go with a Blackberry device
If you want a device which is interesting look at Windows Mobile

Apple have it right IMO. Google just don't have anywhere near integration they have, and it's got absolutely nothing to do with FOSS. Their whole company is probably pretty fragmented. You only have to look at the serious inconsistency across the UI design they have for their web services and products to see that.

Apple are a closed system, but it's a well-made one. Personally, I'm OK with limited choice as long as the choice I'm given is bloody good quality. Apple have that. Android doesn't. The apps are improving and so is the OS, but I've got to be honest some parts still feel hacked together.

On top of that, the Android team and the rest of Google seem to have entirely different ideologies, so if you do want integration, it's not going to be rock solid. Admittedly, it's improving, but Chrome OS is hardly the x86 counterpart of Android.

I'd also include Canonical in here, they've always seemed like an open-source Apple without the profit to me. They're pushing good integration, too, even beyond what Apple are doing.

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

It's true that if you want to use FaceTime you have to have another Apple device but I use Skype to call my mate on his Android tablet so it isn't really that much freedom you are giving up.

A lot of Apple hate is irrational. I believe the new Nexus phone is awesome and is being compared more favourably to the iPhone.

 

[redcard]

I have the iPad, Xoom and Nexus and develop on them...... The Nexus is by far the best tablet by a mile, its more intuitive, faster and features better specs the latest Android release is also a match for the functionality of iOS... It was awarded tablet of the year for a good reason.
iOS devices such as the iPad are great if you want something to just work, if you want choice, freedom and performance they blow. The iOS ecosystem is years ahead of Android because its exceptionally restrictive and non inclusive, it works well with Apple device.. A Samsung android device can transfer pictures to a HTC android device using bump without issue, you can't do that with iOS device as it only plays well with Apple devices..... Likewise you can video chat on a variety of applications such as 'ovo' between different brands on the Android platform.. With iOS you have face time which works with what other brands exactly?

So if you want freedom, choice and performance and great specification hardware go with an android device
If you want things to just work and am willing to give up your freedom for this go with an Apple device
if you want a platform which is no longer relevant go with a Blackberry device
If you want a device which is interesting look at Windows Mobile

The Nexus reviews would be far more mixed if the device cost the same as an iPad.
With iCloud there's no need to transfer pictures between devices.
I can't believe you think the Nexus is more intuitive. I've not come across 1 music app that's as intuitive as the iPhone / iPad app. Winamp / Amazon and the Google app are horrible and clumsy by comparison.
In what way does iPad performance 'blow'? I've not had any issues with mine, whereas my One X overheats and shuts down several times per week. The 'it's just a bit phone' argument applies a lot more to Android tablets than it does IOS.

 

[aces_up1504]

The OP does not mention apple, so mention on a product that was not asked about?

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

Truth isn't opinion

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The Nexus reviews would be far more mixed if the device cost the same as an iPad.
With iCloud there's no need to transfer pictures between devices.
I can't believe you think the Nexus is more intuitive. I've not come across 1 music app that's as intuitive as the iPhone / iPad app. Winamp / Amazon and the Google app are horrible and clumsy by comparison.
In what way does iPad performance 'blow'? I've not had any issues with mine, whereas my One X overheats and shuts down several times per week. The 'it's just a bit phone' argument applies a lot more to Android tablets than it does IOS.

But that's the point, its not the same price as an iPad.... and you forget Android has Google Drive and Google Cloud services which is available for all platforms, like 'bump' this permits connectivity to all other brands and platforms including Apple OSX and iOS..... now how do I access iCloud on my Android Phone, My Linux Server, My Windows Laptop, heck I can't even access it on my Apple Darwin Desktop which is the OS which is the basis for OSX

I stated iOS devices blow if you want performance and freedom and I stand by that. Siri was an app before apple purchased the developer and it worked and ran on iPhone 3's however apple removed it from the store for these devices and made it incompatible.. if this does not restrict freedom what does, likewise when Apple released their rubbish maps they removed choice of Google maps and only replaced it and made it an option after pressure.
Likewise iOS devices continuously lag behind the specification and hardwear of Android devices.. the iPhone 5 was released with lower specification than the S3 which had been out for months. Like wise the iPad mini remains with lower spec hardware than the Nexus 7.

I own Apple products and like them because they work, but they are as good as a house brick at communicating with non Apple products, its total vendor lock and control, two years ago Apple were the best products and easiest to use... now they are just the easiest to use.
The map fiasco and the recent iOS update which messed up connectivity to exchange servers shows they are not finishing products to the standard they once were. Apple now view the customer as a commodity which will never leave. It bit Microsoft on the arise and will bite Apple imho

 

[3narf]

So, you reckon the Playbook, then?



I have a work colleague who swears by his, plus I could get a 64gb one for something like £120. The best I could get a 32gb Nexus 7 for is about £185.

Still... I think I'll be going for one of the latter tbh.

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

Given that the Nexus is a seven inch display, what about looking at the Kindle Fire?

 

[3narf]

Yeah, I did a bit of research into that as well. I ruled it out quite early on tho as it seems to underperform compared to the iPad/Nexus/Playbook...

 

[3narf]

OK... say I went for a 3g Nexus 7, would that mean I'd need a contract to use the internet? Or can I just connect using my current phone contract?

Excuse my ignorance.

 

[chqshaitan]

OK... say I went for a 3g Nexus 7, would that mean I'd need a contract to use the internet? Or can I just connect using my current phone contract?

Excuse my ignorance.

You only need a 3g nexus if you want to put a mobile tablet sim in it and get net that way. If you have a phone which allows tethering I would suggest to go that route.

There is a good mobile data provider though if you want to down the route without having to use a phone. Check out ovivo. you basically buy the sim, and you get 500mb a month for no additional charge

 

[3narf]

That's superb! Thanks for replying so quickly.

There's 3g Nexus 7s on ebay at £219.

 

[robgul]

I got a Nexus 7 with my TESCO vouchers !! .... excellent - way better value than any of the ipads .. and as stated up-thread the apps for the Android phone (Huawei G300) work too. A big plus is that the OS mapping systems work - Memory Map, Alpinequest etc - on the Nexus where Apple has its own maps (!) or relies on the highly inaccurate Google maps,

Only downside is that with the Nexus & and the Android Kindle app is that my Kindle reader is all but redundant.

Rob

 

[chqshaitan]

cool, i was tempted to get a 3g version before crimbo but decided to save the money and go with the wifi one. You could always put the saving towards the data that you use on your phone

I suggest that you install onavo extend, as it will encrypt and compress your data so will make make your limited data quota last longer

 

[3narf]

Only downside is that with the Nexus & and the Android Kindle app is that my Kindle reader is all but redundant...

I did think about that! Shame 'cos I love my Kindle.