If your intention is to use the tablet as a toy. But I don't play games on my iPad or my android phone.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Motorola Xoom launching Feb 17th at Best Buy!
- Thread starter thesmoth
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If your intention is to use the tablet as a toy. But I don't play games on my iPad or my android phone.
See, even hacking your phone and stealing apps is more efficient on iOS!
Seriously, though, most Android apps are garbage, and that was sort of my original point when the subject of development came up. Even with around half the marketshare of mobile phone OS usage, developers have not flocked to the platform because there isn't the money to be made like there is on iOS.
In light of this, I don't think we'll see very much in the way of great Android tablet software for the Xoom or Honeycomb made for sale. I often wonder what is it exactly that people will do with all of these bloated hardware specs in the end...
I am sticking with iPad 2. iOS is mature and has plenty. I might consider in adding another tablet (HP maybe). I do have ps3,psp,will have psp2, ds lite, will have 3ds, xbox360, Wii, iPad, macbook pro. At least, there are exclusive games on each platform, except iPad vs. google or webos. So, I don't see a need or want, unless the 3d is so awesome on the LG pad.
That is true, but in the android market you don't really have the option to pirate OR buy, cause it's all crap, lulz.
If it comes in around $600 for a WiFi model I'll be all over it.
For those saying the Android Market is not 'up to par' I don't exactly agree. For people that love to pay for applications, then Apple's market is really nice. But if you prefer to shop the free section only, then I think Android has the upper hand. It all depends on what you are looking to download.
Since Android is 'new' to tablets, it will take a little time for apps to come up for Android based tablets. But I think after they get the ball rolling, Apple will have a contender on their hands. I don't think there will be one manufacturer that will be a huge threat. But just like phones, Android based tablets will give iPads a run for their money.
For those saying the Android Market is not 'up to par' I don't exactly agree. For people that love to pay for applications, then Apple's market is really nice. But if you prefer to shop the free section only, then I think Android has the upper hand. It all depends on what you are looking to download.
Since Android is 'new' to tablets, it will take a little time for apps to come up for Android based tablets. But I think after they get the ball rolling, Apple will have a contender on their hands. I don't think there will be one manufacturer that will be a huge threat. But just like phones, Android based tablets will give iPads a run for their money.
That is more than reasonable if the Honeycomb OS is stable and the battery life is comparable.
Just being able to expand your storage via SD slot is HUGE.
I'm an Android user and the problem with the Android market is a lot of those nice free apps are system-related utilities such as task manager, launcher, file manager, etc. When it comes to apps that actually do stuff outside the phone management, the Android market selection isn't all that great and the Apple app store is superior all around and the apps are often so much more polished: Awesome note, Goodreader, AirVideo, etc.
Depends on your needs I suppose. I suspect a part of the reason the iOS is more stable and smoother than Android is because they don't have to account for about battery and SD card being pulled out, sometimes with programs stores on it.
Again, it all depends on what YOU want from an application. What I want on my phone (EVO 4G) vs what I want from my tablet (iPad) is going to be different in some ways.
But that's exactly the problem. The Android market falls short in almost in every category and especially in the productivity and games applications, unless you count file managers and task managers as "productivity apps." With the tablets those types of apps will be even more of an importance and Android just doesn't have the same developer backing. As much as people knock the iPad version of iWork for being not good enough, will Android have something remotely as polished and usable on its tablet soon?
I didn't think Android users actually purchased apps. Don't most of these 14 year-old boys just root and steal them?
I'm an android user and I'm certainly not a 14 year old boy (though I wish I was again). I've purchased apps.
These blind apple fanboy comments really do not add to the dialog. I know many people who opted for an android based phone over the iPhone and many of them have purchased apps.
As to the subject matter, an android based tablet needs to bring more to the table then what apple is already providing. I think honeycomb and the different designs offer consumers a choice.
I know of some people who love their galaxy tab tablet because the 7" display is perfect for them. Jobs came out harshly against the 7" display saying its too small. That's his opinion, but others want something that apple is not providing. I'm not sure if Xoom is that answer but its nice to see the envelope being pushed.
My question on the Xoom is this: What apps are going to be optimized for the device at launch?
A cool "new" OS is great but without good software there is no point in using the OS.
Apps like Netflix are only available for certain phone hardware. Will they be releasing an app at launch (Or even close to launch?)
I know it should be able to run Android apps but again if you are running apps that are designed for a smartphone and are just directly scaled up then you are still just running smartphone apps. For example, a twitter app with one column will scale up and still have one column versus the Twitter app for iPad which has an interface designed for a large screen.
A cool "new" OS is great but without good software there is no point in using the OS.
Apps like Netflix are only available for certain phone hardware. Will they be releasing an app at launch (Or even close to launch?)
I know it should be able to run Android apps but again if you are running apps that are designed for a smartphone and are just directly scaled up then you are still just running smartphone apps. For example, a twitter app with one column will scale up and still have one column versus the Twitter app for iPad which has an interface designed for a large screen.
@jclardy, as Android is not specifically restricted to a fixed resolution, I think this is less of an issue (not saying it's not an issue). Applications will need optimization for tablet, but existing applications will also scale (not blocky 2x scale). Although, blockyness will still affect any bitmap resources..
Numbers does this. It even has an example with an image in a spreadsheet.
I'm not sure what merged cells has to do with a graphic? Did you mean as a separate feature?
It sounds like you have tremendous insight. I mean after all, Apple only sold 15 million iPad's last year. There is no way the Xoom will ever overtake iPad sales.
The reason Android phones sell so well is because you can get one for free with cell phone contract. Don't think they will be giving away to many Xoom's
It had nothing to do with a graphic. Merging cells is the joining together or locking together of cells in a spreadsheet. Its mostly used in forms. Select A1 & B1, merge them, now you have one large cell and have not affected the other cells in the column.
Merge a couple of cells Number balks. Try an office program the supports cell merge and they don't support graphics.
Just to make sure we are on the same page, I am talking about Numbers for the iPad.
I agree with most of what people have been saying so far.
I agree the android market is poor, and most of the apps are basically widgets/UI tweaks, etc... Having said that, I love my android PHONE and think it's a great communications device. I have an LG Optimus T that I paid $250 brand new off contract for, and for me it's a better phone and communications device (swiftkey keyboard, notifications bar, widgets, more internet browser options, etc...) than and iPhone by far (and doesn't cost nearly $700 with no contract), but it's poor for multimedia and games and good apps (the ones that actually act like programs). In that sense, I want my phone based on android and my tablet based on iOS with access to the app store.