Living the Android Life
If you pay even the slightest attention to technology news, you’d know that the hottest topic right now is the iPad. Now wait a second, don’t leave just yet. This article isn’t about the iPad. It’s about the “new” or should I say revived genre of computing that the popularity [say what you will, can't deny the iPad is a hot product right now] of the iPad has turbo boosted! More specifically, how this genre is affecting the future of Android.
Android, from the beginning, was designed to power mobile devices. Smart phones are just the beginning. Mobile computing devices were always in the “vision”. But until the surprising success of the iPad, the focus was primarily on the net book/mini notebook segment. There hasn’t really been a serious contender in the slate genre. Microsoft was always expected to be the one to create the first successful touch screen slate computer. They have made a few close attempts but nothing close to the iPad.
Enter Android. Already, there are maybe a dozen working production models of tablet/slate computers running various incarnations of Android. The iPad has only been out a few months! True enough that the majority of these “Android pads” are being produced by the kings of knock offs in China. Does that make them any less impressive or useable? Unfortunately, in a lot of cases it does. The companies [the knock off guys] rush to get their counterfeit to the market before their competitors do. Hence not a lot is done in the R&D phase of product development. The end result is a half baked product that frankly is a piece of crap. Take my advice, don’t buy knock offs. Seriously. Unless you just have disposable income and want to send one to me for review.
On the flip side of that coin, there are a few legitimate companies that are making real contenders to the iPad. Below are a couple that may see production, or are currently in production.
Archos, HP, and Dell are some of the companies with slates in development and/or production. I’m excited about this. An ultra portable, touch screen computing device that runs Android? I would buy one, but probably not a first generation device. Any Android pad has already got some big shoes to fill. Not to say they can’t be filled, but the iPad is a tough act to follow. Good news is from what I’ve seen so far, the manufacturers are on the right track!
Pros I’ve seen on models so far: upgradable storage, USB, cameras, replaceable batteries. These are all things that an Android pad will have to have to be successful in my opinion. These are non- negotiable for me.
Cons so far: small screens, ugly aesthetics, old versions of Android (1.6? Seriously?), low end specifications or processors, small built in storage. The iPad has a 9.8″ screen. The average Android pad (so far) has a 7.6″ screen roughly. Yes this will make a difference as currently this genre of device is primarily used as a media consumption unit. Movies, music, Internet and the bigger the screen, the better. The processors have been around the 600Mhz range, which isn’t turtle slow, but next to an iPad would look like it. To the manufacturers, guys take a cue from Apple [gasp] and spend some time on how the product looks! Please.
I’m really looking forward to having one of these devices, as long as they live up to their potential. Apple makes a beautiful product, but Android has the ability to blow them away!
Is anyone else getting a de ja vu starring Microsoft and Palm, circa early 90′s? Just me? Fine.
Ciao!
My Tech Life
To read previous articles in Adonis “Living the Android Life” series click here
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