android vs apple

The WiFi only version of the Motorola Xoom, which is currently only available only in 3G/4G form with form Verizon is headed to retailers finally! Sources are saying the tablet may launch as soon as March 27th and I for one can't wait.  I will likely be picking one of these up launch day! Hopefully other manufacturers will get their WiFi only options to market soon. The WiFi only flavored versions of these tablets will be critical if manufacturers want to move units and gain market share.  There is a large segment of customers who want tablets but have no need for an additional data plan and contract with ANY carrier who will be glad to snatch these tablets up.  I really don't know what they were thinking launching the VZW only model first. Staples and Best Buy have both had ads leaked listing the WiFi Xoom at $599.99 while Sam's Club has had ads leaked listing it at $549.99.... good thing I have a Sam's Club card

  

I know I just posted about the iPad 2 and it's tablet-goodness but it looks like it won't be an available option for those in search of a tablet for a few more weeks either; that is assuming you didn't wait in line and get one launch day.... Online orders are saying it may take as much as 3 to 4 weeks before the devices ship, though some have received reports saying their devices will ship sooner. Either way I'm sure the wait is unbearable for early adopters. I'm sure competitors appreciate the chance to readjust their launch strategies over the next few weeks before the iPad 2 flood gates reopen.

  

This past Friday the iPad2 dropped upping the ante once again in the tablet game. Just as Google's tablet version of Android, Honeycomb (Android 3.0) gets out the door with its first tablet the Motorola Xoom Apple unleashes the iPad that is everything the original should have been.

  The iPad 2 has cranked up the specs in almost every area over the original.  It has an A5 dual-core 1Ghz processor, front and back cameras is 33% thinner (and thinner than the iPhone 4!) while maintaining the same (industry leading) 10hr battery life and all of this at the same price as the original iPad! It's not the complete overhaul I'd have like to have seen in a second generation iPad, more like an iPad 1.5, but thats standard Apple procedure.  Complaints aside it is an undeniable beast of a tablet! Reviews state that it is blazing fast and super smooth just like most other Apple products.  There's nothing exceptionally new or exclusive here but it does say a lot for the tablet market as a  whole.  I played with the iPad 2 and I was very impressed, it has great build quality and instantly grabs you with it's Apple ascetic perfection. This is definitely a quality tablet and it puts more pressure on the competition to catch up.... Again!




This is sure to be a huge year for tablets. Last year saw the launch of the first tablet with mass commercial success (iPad) and this year we will see an onslaught of many more tablets.  With Apple raising the bar and at very least matching most of the perceived technical advantages that other tablets where boasting and doing so at a very competitive price it will force other manufactures to price their tablets more competitively. So despite the fact that I don't feel the iPad (1 or 2) is for me I am glad that Apple is applying the heat.  I'm sure that after watching how quickly Android closed the gap in the smart phone market Apple wasn't going to sit back and let the same happen with Tablets.  Samsung has already announced that due to the competitive pricing of the iPad 2, they will be reconsidering their own pricing strategy.

 I'm sure other manufactures are feeling that same heat, and will be adjusting pricing where possible as well as their release schedules... at least they better be if they are smart. Otherwise they may stand to lose many customers, who like me, are waiting to purchase a quality tablet at a competitive price. Tablets running Android from Mototola, LG, Samsung, HTC, Asus and many more, as well as Tablets from Blackberry, and HP/Palm are all on the way, but can they hit the market soon enough an priced competitively enough to survive in a world where iPad is becoming synonymous with tablet?

At the end of the day I really hope that other manufacturers get it together and get their tablets on the market. I really like the iPad 2, but want to stay in the Android family since I've already invested in their app system and personally prefer Android so I am waiting on a competitively spec'd and priced Android 3.0 Honeycomb (WIFI ONLY!!!!!!!) tablet. I'm also looking forward to the offerings from Blackberry and HP/Palm.  I hope they understand that now that we want tablets it'd be wise to get their devices out before Apple snatches up the entire market.  I WILL be getting a tablet soon; don't lose just because you delay or price yourself out of consideration....... WiFi-only Xoom - cough - cough.....

More on Tablets:















More in depth iPad 2 review via Mashable
More detailed review of Motorola Xoom via BGR
More on Blackberry Playbook via Crackberry
More on LG's 3D Tablet the G-Slate via Android Tapp
More on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 via Android Tapp
More on HP TouchPad via Cnet Reviews
More on HTC Flyer (may be branded as an  Evo Tablet) via Mobile World Congress


  

If you've been holding out and waiting for an Android tablet with Google's tablet-centric Android 3.0 Honeycomb and a super snappy dual-core processor the wait is almost over!  Best Buy has the Motorola Xoom listed as $799, this is the Verizon 3G model that will get a free upgrade to 4G in the near future. This isn't the first time Best Buy has listed the Xoom as available for pre-order but this time looks legit. Come February 24th you will be able to pick up a Moto Xoom as well as a number of different accessories, including cases and docks. Unfortunately the Wi-Fi only version (rumored to be $600) will not be available on the 24th. This model should be released soon after the Verizon model along with GSM friendly versions.  Oh yeah and if you think you'll just buy the VZW 3G model and use it as Wi-Fi only, Know that Verizon will require at least one month of 3G service be purchased before it can be used as a Wi-Fi only device.  This will definitely be an exciting launch, I for one however will be holding out for a Wi-Fi only dual-core Honeycomb tablet.  Not quite sure if it will be the Xoom or not yet but it does look really appealing.

Motorola Xoom Specs at a glance:

• Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), designed specifically for tablets
• Large 10.1" widescreen HD display
• Super-fast, dual-core processor for advance performance and superior graphics
• Front- and rear-facing cameras
• Multitask with ease and PC-like performance
• Full-functioning HD camcorder for great videos
• Supports Adobe Flash Player for optimal browsing
• Monthly 3G Verizon Wireless rate plans available (3G upgradable to 4G LTE)
• Compatible with Wi-Fi networks*
• Variety of Motorola XOOM accessories available online and in store

Check out Best Buy's page for details and accessories here
If Feb 24th is too far off for you maybe a glance at the Xoom user manual will hold you over.

  

HTC's Verizon flavored Evo 4G, the Thunderbolt will be released this Monday February 14th and will bring with it the lightning fast speeds of LTE 4G.  It is rumored to get 5 to 12 Mbps download speeds!  Adittionally, it'll be packaged with a 32GB microSD card, Skype video calling and DLNA!! Check out the video un-boxing.



Source: Android Healines

  

This was some very shocking news for me but T-Mobile is looking to revive the Sidekick brand! They will be realsing the Sidekick 4G with Android in the place of the throwback Danger Hiptop OS.  The phone will run on T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network and should be very interesting if nothing else. I can't wait to see how this one turns out. It'll be interesting to see the once king of mobile communication make its return to the world of smart phones. But is it still a Sidekick if it's running Android? How many of you are going to be copping one of these when they come out?!

Source: Engadget

  

In typical Samsung fashion a revised version of their T-Mobile flavored Galaxy S device the Samsung Vibrant will be released toting 4G HSPA+ functionality.  The new Vibrant 4G appears to be very similar to the original Vibrant but adds a front facing camera, 4G, and possibly Android 2.3 Gingerbread.  I for one wouldn't touch a Samsung device with a 10 foot pole, but for those of you in love with the vivid Super-Amoled display and already on T-Mobile this could be the phone for you.  "Upgrades" like this are exactly why I don't like Samsung. Why didn't the original Vibrant have this functionality and why do customers have to buy a new phone to get the latest Android versions?  Any way it should be a good device for those just entering the smartphone market on T-Mobile and a slap in the face to those who just purchased a Vibrant and locked themselves into a contract.

Source: Engadget