iOS vs. Android

[TallMomof2]

Costco in the US is selling the Galaxy Tab for $499.99 with a month to month data agreement on Verizon. I was only required to purchase one month of data. I received a lot of Costco gift cards this year so I picked up the Galaxy Tab late this afternoon.

I'm not completely new to Android. First an Android phone, the original Droid, then the ultra cheap Maylong M-150, then a Pocketbook IQ. I looked at the Nook Color but except for the moderately improved display it reminded me too much of the IQ. I like the IQ and will keep it.

For me the Galaxy Tab is far better than the iPad simply because the typing experience on the Tab is that much better. I really like it and should've bought this one instead of fooling around with the cheaper tablets.

The Tab is fast and I can find anything I want in the Android Market.

Reading on it is fine and of course I have a choice of many reading platforms.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Costco in the US is selling the Galaxy Tab for $499.99 with a month to month data agreement on Verizon. I was only required to purchase one month of data. I received a lot of Costco gift cards this year so I picked up the Galaxy Tab late this afternoon.

I'm not completely new to Android. First an Android phone, the original Droid, then the ultra cheap Maylong M-150, then a Pocketbook IQ. I looked at the Nook Color but except for the moderately improved display it reminded me too much of the IQ. I like the IQ and will keep it.

For me the Galaxy Tab is far better than the iPad simply because the typing experience on the Tab is that much better. I really like it and should've bought this one instead of fooling around with the cheaper tablets.

The Tab is fast and I can find anything I want in the Android Market.

Reading on it is fine and of course I have a choice of many reading platforms.

Just to make sure: You should install the "Spare Parts" app. Unfortunately, Samsung doesn't mention it. But it's scaling all apps to full screen perfectly. From what I've read, it's actually already in the Samsung source, but for whatever reason they don't flick the switch by standard.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by wodin

My HTC EVO 4G has exactly two hardware buttons, (well, three if you count the volume up/down as two); the on/off button and the volume rocker. The four standard Android buttons (Home, Menu, Return, and Search) are off screen and in a fixed location, but still capacitive touch screen type buttons rather than hardware click-click ones. All other buttons are on screen "soft" buttons.

Those touch screen buttons meet the minimum requirements of the Android CDD, but they are not the best practice recommended. Only a hardware button can forcefully interrupt the OS to recover from a misbehaving app.

Originally Posted by wodin

Any app that would hang and cause those to be non-responsive would be unacceptable.

Of course, that goes without saying. Now that CoolReader is available on the Android Market, it has developed beyond the developmental stage that it was at in on the SourceForge releases, and seems to be quite reliable.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Those touch screen buttons meet the minimum requirements of the Android CDD, but they are not the best practice recommended. Only a hardware button can forcefully interrupt the OS to recover from a misbehaving app.


Of course, that goes without saying. Now that CoolReader is available on the Android Market, it has developed beyond the developmental stage that it was at in on the SourceForge releases, and seems to be quite reliable.

MGMueller, in spite of all the word games being played --- the Dell Streak is a smartphone, for me actually the perfect size phone. The biggest screen that still easily fits into my pants' front pockets. It can be used as a tablet, but I don't feel awkward holding up to my ear, neither does my wife -- she had to use it recently when her brand new iphone4 broke down.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

MGMueller, in spite of all the word games being played --- the Dell Streak is a smartphone, for me actually the perfect size phone. The biggest screen that still easily fits into my pants' front pockets. It can be used as a tablet, but I don't feel awkward holding up to my ear, neither does my wife -- she had to use it recently when her brand new iphone4 broke down.

I like Dell Streak as well and I'll certainly take a look at Dell's 7" tablet.
But I haven't found the niche for Dell Streak yet.
I think about replacing my company phone by it.
As for tablets, Galaxy Tab has the perfect form factor for me. Big enough for all demands, still small enough for being fully portable.
iPad is my alternative, for example in the evening in the hotel, when I don't have to be that mobile.

[HarryT]

Can all Android tablets with 3G connections be used as phones? As you know, although the iPad has a 3G connection, you can't make phone calls with it, or even send SMS messages.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can all Android tablets with 3G connections be used as phones?

Even without a mobile voice plan, any Android device with a data connection of any kind (UMTS, EDGE, WiFi, etc), and having the necessary audio hardware, can be used as a phone with Skype for Android. For international calling, I use Skype over WiFi when possible with my HTC Desire, since that is much less expensive than my UMTS service. I can even receive calls via Skype since I have a Skype Online Number.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Even without a mobile voice plan, any Android device with a data connection of any kind (UMTS, EDGE, WiFi, etc), and having the necessary audio hardware, can be used as a phone with Skype for Android. For international calling, I use Skype over WiFi when possible with my HTC Desire, since that is much less expensive than my UMTS service. I can even receive calls via Skype since I have a Skype Online Number.

No, that's not what I meant. Obviously I realise that one can use Skype . I was asking whether they can be used for normal voice telephone calls. ie, are they telephones?

[=X=]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can all Android tablets with 3G connections be used as phones? As you know, although the iPad has a 3G connection, you can't make phone calls with it, or even send SMS messages.

the newest Android OS has VOIP APIs built in I've seen a demo where they make a voip phone call.

Also i believe the galaxy tab is capable of making calls but it is limited to the carriers to enable disable this feature.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, that's not what I meant. Obviously I realise that one can use Skype . I was asking whether they can be used for normal voice telephone calls. ie, are they telephones?

Harry, the short answer is no.

For instance the US version of the Galaxy Tab does not have cellular voice capability. Of course as stated above, it does have VoIP capability, the leading being Skype.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can all Android tablets with 3G connections be used as phones? As you know, although the iPad has a 3G connection, you can't make phone calls with it, or even send SMS messages.

Not all of them. But Dell Streak and German/European version of Samsung Galaxy Tab.
I'm using the same Multi-SIM in Galaxy Tab and iPhone4. It's interesting to compare connection quality. In short: Galaxy Tab beats iPhone4 by lightyears, be it availability of connections or their quality. I haven't tested Dell Streak's phone capabilities intensively enough, but it definitely can do as a standard mobile phone.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can all Android tablets with 3G connections be used as phones? As you know, although the iPad has a 3G connection, you can't make phone calls with it, or even send SMS messages.

I am pretty sure that virtually all Android tablets with 3G connections could be hacked to provide cellular voice services at least with headphones. The question for each device is -- are they popular enough so that hackers take an interest in doing that?

[mgmueller]

Android Market vs. iTunes:
iTunes has a bigger selection of apps.
But in all other areas, the Android market beats iTunes hands down.
I've already mentioned the possibility, to get a full refund (no questions asked) in the Android market, whereas iTunes even for faulty apps states "not our responsibility, please contact the developer".
But there are tons of other advantages:
- When scrolling the Android market, you see a note for all the apps you've already purchased. In iTunes you only see this for the ones you've installed right now on the respective iPad/iPod/iPhone.
You can re-download from the Android market anytime, as often as you want. In iTunes you can re-purchase. If you already own it, you can re-download it for free. But as you don't see any comment for the apps you don't have installed already right now, that's just kind of guesswork.
- Most of you probably already know, but just to have mentioned it: Android isn't exclusively bound to the Android market. There are apps for opening other markets and you simply can download files within the Android browser and directly install them, similar to .exe-files on PCs.
Meaning: On Android, apps can't be banned. You always can download from other sources.
iTunes on the other hand is a closed system. You can use "Cydia" and the likes, but you have to jailbreak your unit for that. Way more complicated and way less options.

Accessories:
That's not about the OS, but aims for the hardware. Still, very important in my opinion.
Samsung is a disaster in that area. Surprisingly, Dell isn't much better. For example, even 8 weeks after having bought Samsung Galaxy Tab, the official Samsung covers still aren't available from most sources, i. e. Amazon Germany.
Apple on the other hand is (as we all very well know) marketing genius. Their own accessories had been available at they very same moment as iPad. And there are tons of 3rd party suppliers.
You've got way more options for iPad. And those options are available "right now".

[Gwen Morse]

Originally Posted by SlowRain

Thanks for posting this. I appreciate an evaluation from someone who's owned both, even though our needs and opinions may be different. I can at least see from your comments what I might expect.

I have no intention of buying an Android tablet until at least Honeycomb comes out. Even Google says that Froyo and Gingerbread aren't designed for tablets. I'm an open-source kind of guy, and I hate closed systems (à la Apple and Amazon), so my path is pretty clear (yes, I prefer apps from hobbyists, even though they may have fewer features or a few bugs; no, I'm not an Android developer). Still, I'm curious to see what HP-Palm's webOS can come up with.

You might want to check out meego as well => linux distro for phones and tablets. There's supposed to be one or two nice tablets coming out...I think it's Q2 2011.

Me, I'm waiting for the Adam with the Pixel Qi screen. The first batch are due to ship later this month. As long as they're not vaporware I want one.

[Readerlover2011]

I like the ipad. It gives me a unique feeling