General question about tablet computers

[Julius Caesar]

If you buy an app for your tablet computer and then replace it with another model made by the same company, do you need to buy the same app all over again? In other words, can an app be transferred from a device to another?

[kennyc]

Generally yes, but depends on app store and device. i.e. you can't transfer an iPad app to an Android device or vice versa.

[AnemicOak]

Apps from the Google Play store, Amazon Appstore for Android and iTunes app store for iThings are assigned to the account, not the device. There are some Fire specific apps in the Amazon store that probably wouldn't be downloadable to another device brand (they're labeled as for the Fire). The same for Nook tablet devices except only Nook devices work with that store. There are other Android app stores out there and although I assume they work the same way I have no real experience with them. Don't know anything about the app stores for other OS's.

[Penforhire]

As kenny mentioned, you need to be aware of the operating system (OS). Doesn't Asus make both Android and Windows tablets? Same manufacturer but apps won't transfer.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

As kenny mentioned, you need to be aware of the operating system (OS). Doesn't Asus make both Android and Windows tablets? Same manufacturer but apps won't transfer.

Yes, as does Samsung; I have a Samsung phone and Samsung Tab with different versions of Android as well as a Samsung ATIV with Windows 8.

The Tab and the phone can run the same apps which are tied to my account, but the ATIV has to have it's own apps/programs,

[sakura-panda]

Originally Posted by Julius Caesar

If you buy an app for your tablet computer and then replace it with another model made by the same company, do you need to buy the same app all over again? In other words, can an app be transferred from a device to another?

The short answer is that your apps are tied to your account.

If you have an Apple ID, any apps you buy with that ID can me installed on any Apple iOS device that is linked with that account.

Android apps are tied to a Google Account and can be installed on any compatible Android device that is linked to that account.

I don't know how Windows or any other tablet operating systems work, but I would expect it to be similar if they want you to commit to their systems (and to upgrade your devices as frequently as possible. )

edited after I read the posts that appeared while I was typing: I forgot about the Amazon Appstore. I suppose the short answer is actually that you apps are tied to the ID that you have associated with whatever app store you are using on your device. They are account-specific, not device-specific.