Podcast: Play in new window | Embed
Tech News & Commentary
Hunt in Columbia, Tennessee listens on WTN 99.7 and is calling in via the App calling in from the app asks us: “I was recently loaned an iPad and got hooked on the concept of a tablet. I have always been a traditionalist and used a laptop because that would access my military e-mail and other things that I had to do with my military job. However, I refuse to drink the Kool-aid and pay twice as much for a tablet because it has the name Apple on it. I know some Android tablets have their own app store and some use the more generic Google app store. Is there a way to tell which uses the full app store and would have the most apps available. I know you get what you pay for and a more expensive tablet is likely to have more apps but I do have 4 children to think about and what you buy one, you have to buy all. I’m looking for the least expensive option that I could use and still give the widest range of apps for the kids to play with.”
Hunt, Typically, the cheap ones won’t be very good, they won’t be responsive and the won’t run every app. If you like smaller tablets, the Nexus 7 or the 8.4 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S should give you good performance and access to good apps. For bigger tablets, Samsung has a 10 inch Galaxy Tab S that may be worth a look, and the ASUS transformer is probably another one you should look at.
All of those will be cheaper than their Apple counterparts, but not by much, so make sure they actually do have everything you need.
If you just want to see what’s out there that has full access to the Google Play store, you can check the specs of any tablet you think you could be interested in and see if the Google Play store is included, most brands clarify that they do offer access to the Play Store since it’s the only store that actually has all of the apps people want on the Android tablets.
The truth of the matter, though, is that Android tablets of comparable size, capacity, and quality to the iPad cost almost exactly as much. Don’t believe us? Compare the price of the 16GB iPad Air with the Galaxy Tab S 10.5. They are both $499. Now, you could argue that the Samsung is still cheaper because its memory can be expanded, and that’s true. You’ll pay $100 more for a 32GB iPad, and you can buy a memory card to expand that Galaxy Tab to 32GB for less than $20.
But $80 of real cost difference might not seem like a bargain, if you found that you prefer the Apple App store and software. We’re not saying you should drink the Apple kool-aid, far from it! We’re suggesting that Android is a different flavor of kool-aid, and we want you to make an informed decision about which one you drink.
A 7-inch tablet like the Google Nexus 7 is generally available for around $239, has an unaltered version of Android, gets its updates directly from Google, has a fast processor and a gorgeous screen. But, it’s a 7 inch display.
There’s an old saying: good, fast, and cheap. Pick two. If you want build quality and performance equal to an iPad and the same size screen, then you’ll pay nearly the same price. If you’re willing to compromise and accept a slower tablet, one that’s not built quite as well, or one with a smaller screen, then you can indeed save some serious money with an Android tablet.
The bottom line is this, whatever Android tablet you settle on, make certain it shows the Google Play store in its feature list, and we’d recommend buying one made by a brand name you recognize (Samsung, ASUS, etc.). Good luck, and let us know what you wind up doing!
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
| Hour 1 Guests | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Jeff Joseph, Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Relationships – CEA | Bob Struble, President – HD Radio | Lucas Matheson, President & CEO – Pinshape |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Consumer Reports Feature With James McQueen
The Internet last week of course erupted with photos of bent iPhone 6s, and a viral video of a guy creasing an iPhone 6 Plus with his bare hands. But that was far too unscientific for the folks at Consumer Reports. They decided to use their lab equipment to find out just how delicate the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus really are. Their electronics spokesman James McQueen is here to rehash their findings.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
SMS Audio: Street by 50 – Over-The-Ear Headphones and earbuds
Parellels:Parallels Desktop 10 Software allows you to run Windows on your Mac
Kanex: GoPower Battery Pack – Mobile battery pack with built-in stand for smartphones