iPad iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina announced

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by PatNY

I'll give you that, Harry. I've tested at least 7 or 8 apps on Android for PDFs looking for an ideal one. The best I've found that I like is the native Nook reader app, which shows each page in large thumbnails on a sliding strip on the bottom. It has bookmarks, but doesn't have other annotations like notes or highlighting. Otherwise I think it is almost perfect.

What does Goodreader have for PDFs that you particularly like?

EDIT: Harry, here's what I think an ideal PDF reader should have:

--Large thumbnail navigation
--Bookmarks
--Highlighting
--Notes
--Be able to save the bookmarks, highlighting and notes to the PDF
--Be able to export the notes and highlighting to a text or Word-compatible format.

Does Goodreader do all that?

--Pat

Hi Pat,

Goodreader has a shed-load of features, almost all of which I never use .

The reason I like it is that I need to read numerous PDFs for academic purposes (I'm studying part-time for a degree in Egyptology), and, when doing research, one of the most important things one needs is the ability to have multiple reference sources open, and rapidly flip between them.

Goodreader has a tabbed interface (like the tabs on modern web browsers) and allows you to have multiple documents open, instantly flip between them, copy sections for pasting to a "master document" elsewhere, easily highlight areas of the document, quickly flip through a document by dragging a slider, and so on. It's just a great tool for getting real work done, and that's why I use it.

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The reason I like it is that I need to read numerous PDFs for academic purposes (I'm studying part-time for a degree in Egyptology), and, when doing research, one of the most important things one needs is the ability to have multiple reference sources open, and rapidly flip between them.

OK, you have specialized needs (academic research) which I don't have. I primarily want to read consumer magazines in pdf format. However, I'm still intrigued and will get someone I know who owns an iPad to let me try Goodreader on their device.

I do have Goodreader installed on my 3.5" iPod Touch. But I am not going to even try to read a pdf on a screen that size. However, I opened it up out of curiosity just now and ironically the fist message that popped up was a tip about saving annotations (highlighting and notes) inside the pdf. So at least it has that feature.

A degree in Egyptology? I am impressed.

--Pat

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by PatNY

A degree in Egyptology? I am impressed.

--Pat

A life-long passion which I've finally taken the plunge to start studying formally (purely for interest's sake - I'm an IT consultant in the "real world").

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by HarryT

A life-long passion which I've finally taken the plunge to start studying formally (purely for interest's sake - I'm an IT consultant in the "real world").

Yes, definitely fascinating. A visit to the pyramids are something I've always wanted to do. Hopefully I will make it there one day.

--Pat

[afv011]

Originally Posted by PatNY

Ditto. Same thing for my 9" tablet. Not only do all the apps I've tried on Android scale well. But I've yet to encounter one that doesn't "look" good in terms of resolution either.

Between my 7" HD and 9" HD+ I've tried over 300 Android apps.

--Pat

The only app I have that is not tablet optimized is Dropbox. Dropbox should get on with the times and offer a tablet layout. All other apps I have installed have a tablet layout.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Links to both are there.

And it's total number of apps in their respective stores. The original statement made no mention of tablet optimized apps. You're introducing that parameter now.

Funny how Apple stressed overall quantity when they were in the lead. Now that Android has surpassed them in that category, tablet optimized apps are the all important figure. Go figure...

My point is about numbers for Apple optimized apps for 10 inches iPad vs any 10 inches Android tablets.

Sorry, but there is no way that Google can claim that. Like I said, the numbers are an aggregation. I do not see such claim on any of those links.

The quality is another important thing that is not taken into consideration on any of these metrics.

It is my personal opinion that iOs applications, optimized for 10 inches iPads are better (design and functionality) than the Android counterpart.

[Klim Chugunkin]

Originally Posted by jocampo

The quality is another important thing that is not taken into consideration on any of these metrics.

Such a typical (cr)apple fanboy argument. Whenever there is a stat that is in apple's favor, it is stressed all over (such as having more apps available). When that stat is no longer in apple's favor, the story changes to: well, it's not important at all, what really matters is ... The next month what really mattered now becomes not important at all, but what really matters is ... Perpetuum mobile.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Klim Chugunkin

Such a typical (cr)apple fanboy argument. Perpetuum mobile.

?

why you need to take this personal? I will appreciate if you do not insult me for giving my opinion, i.e . calling me fanboy, as you don't know me.

The fact is that the provided links do not specify or go in detail and that's not also true for Google but it is also true for Apple as well.

If you take your time and browse the forum, you will see that I've own and use Android devices. I have zero interests in being biased to Apple's devices.

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by jocampo

My point is about numbers for Apple optimized apps for 10 inches iPad vs any 10 inches Android tablets.

Sorry, but there is no way that Google can claim that. Like I said, the numbers are an aggregation. I do not see such claim on any of those links.

The quality is another important thing that is not taken into consideration on any of these metrics.

It is my personal opinion that iOs applications, optimized for 10 inches iPads are better (design and functionality) than the Android counterpart.

But no one made any claims in reference to tablet-optimized apps. And that would have little relation to the issue which brought this up -- the market demand for Android developers vs. iOS developers. You got off track.

The relevant point to the hiring practices of companies for mobile app development is that Android app development has been much more active in recent years than iOS app development. The sheer number of apps in the relevant app stores would tend to support that, especially if you consider the actual growth trends.

As far as tablet-optimized apps, can you support the claim that iOS has more of them? Even if they did, I would bet that is a temporary situation, and that eventually Android will overtake iOS again -- just like it did in terms of sheer numbers.

--Pat

You

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The apps may have more features, but I'm more interested in device features; such as GPS and NFC. They're available on my N7.2, but not on base iPads. To get GPS, you need to spend another $130; and NFC is non-existent.

this is one point I would agree on. While you can get GPS at less that $130 using Bluetooth or direct connection to the interface port you much always buy an Apple certified version as they made a change in Bluetooth to not allow generic Bluetooth GPS devices which ups the price so Apple can take a cut. I prefer the Bluetooth solution as a separate device permits better reception and is more accurate.

Dale

[afv011]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

I prefer the Bluetooth solution as a separate device permits better reception and is more accurate.

Do you find the integrated GPS chip sub optimal? On my phone, I get a lock within seconds and the accuracy is 3m (10ft for those using the archaic imperial system... get on with the times! )

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by afv011

Do you find the integrated GPS chip sub optimal? On my phone, I get a lock within seconds and the accuracy is 3m (10ft for those using the archaic imperial system... get on with the times! )

AGPS gives very fast lock times but you won't get those startup times without cellphone reception. The antenna in the builtin is sub optimal. And battery life is impacted.

Dale

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by afv011

Do you find the integrated GPS chip sub optimal? On my phone, I get a lock within seconds and the accuracy is 3m (10ft for those using the archaic imperial system... get on with the times! )

Thanks to AGPS, my WiFi+Cellular iPad can all get a lock way faster than the TomTom or Magellan GPS we have in the car. Granted, so do the Android phones.

[tomsem]

More grist for the mill:
http://stevecheney.com/why-android-first-is-a-myth/

[tomsem]

And more:
http://geardiary.com/2013/10/22/ipad...announcements/