Apple's iPad was surrounded with so much hype before its release. By the time it hit the store shelves, a lot of people went crazy and bought themselves a new one. However, little did we know that somewhere on the other side of the world, a different version of (pretty much) the same device was on the works.
Now, before you get the wrong idea, the Android MID 7" Tablet PC is not an iPad imitation. Instead, it's akin in principle to the Samsung Galaxy, both being tablet PC's running on the Android platform. In this article, let us review the product and see how good (or how bad) it is, when compared to the industry-leading iPad.
Tablet Android
Battery Life
Now, the iPad boasts more than eight hours of use without recharging, while the Android MID 7" lasts for less than four. What's more, there have been reports that many units have issues with charging, as the batteries are often defective. Thus, make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller in order to avoid getting a mobile device that is far from mobile.
On-screen Keyboard Sensitivity
One thing I noticed right away is that the on-screen keyboard is not as responsive as I wanted it to be. It takes almost half a second for a character to appear on screen, which translates to at least 2 minutes to write a single tweet. I guess I cannot expect much from a USD 100 device, but I can't help to want for more.
Connectivity
Unlike the iPad, this one does not have a SIM card slot. While many decry the iPad's being iffy about the SIM card size, this one has no SIM capability whatsoever. This becomes a problem or users like me who use SIM-based broadband Internet.
External Keyboard and Pouch
The Android MID 7" Tablet PC has optional accessories, so I decided to get an external keyboard that's installed on a carrying case. One thing I noticed is that the external keyboard has a USB connector, while the tablet PC does not. Because of this, you will still need to use an adapter (comes with the default package) so that the keyboard will work.
Now, the pouch is actually a misnomer. Why? Because the clamps that will hold the device are spaced too far apart. Because of this, the tablet can fall off of the carrying case at any given time, which defeats the purpose of the accessory in the first place.
So what's good about it?
The Price
At less than 100 USD, buying the Android MID 7" Tablet PC should be painless to most people. It can serve as a good training ground for Android OS novices. Why? Because given its price, even if you break it, you won't feel that bad.
Special Price!!! MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet (10.1-Inch, 32GB, Wi-Fi)
Nov 06, 2011 14:59:40
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MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet (10.1-Inch, 32GB, Wi-Fi) Feature
- The Android 3.0 platform and 1 GHz dual-core processor.
- It has 10.1-inch multi-touch HD display, 25 ounces.
- It has 1 GB of DDR2 RAM.
- It also consists of 802.11b/g/n, 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, 2-megapixel front-facing web cam.
MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet (10.1-Inch, 32GB, Wi-Fi) Overview
Introducing the first Android touch tablet from Motorola. With a brilliant 10.1-inch display optimized for high definition video in true 16:9 widescreen format, Motorola XOOM provides a whole new media experience for mobile uses. With a dual core chipset, everything moves faster: web browsing, video playback, gaming. Native support for both front and rear cameras provides easy access to either one. The addition of a gyroscope, along with a powerful graphics engine and built-in hardware acceleration, elevates game design to a whole new level. Motorola XOOM pushes the boundaries and opens a whole new world of what’s possible.MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet (10.1-Inch, 32GB, Wi-Fi) Specifications
Redefining the tablet by providing more ways to have fun, connect with friends and stay productive on the go, the Motorola XOOM boasts a dual core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, and ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking. Winner of the Best of Show award at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the XOOM also offers support for Adobe Flash Player--enabling you to view the web without compromise.
It runs Google's Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system, which offers a multi-touch, holographic user interface that improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization. It also offers the latest Google Mobile innovations, including Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction, access to over 3 million Google eBooks and Google Talk with video and voice chat.
The Motorola XOOM features a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi via Google Talk, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera (with LED flash for stills) that captures video in 720p HD. The 10.1-inch display delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280 x 800-pixel display, and it features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer, and adaptive lighting for new types of applications.
Other features include a 32 GB internal memory, memory expansion via optional microSD cards (with future software upgrade), 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, access to personal and corporate e-mail, HD 1080p video playback, HDMI output for connecting to a compatible HDTV or monitor, and a 3250 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi internet browsing.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb
Specifically optimized for devices with larger screen sizes such as tablets, the Android 3.0 platform (dubbed Honeycomb) introduces a brand new, truly virtual and "holographic" UI design. With five customizable home screens, you can easily access your favorite live widgets or application shortcuts. Each screen features a familiar launcher to access to all installed applications, as well as a Search box for universal search of apps, contacts, media files, web content, and more.
Multitasking in Android 3.0 is easier than ever, and you can use the Recent Apps list in the System Bar to see the tasks underway and quickly jump from one application context to another. You'll even see a snapshot of the last screen viewed in that app as a visual reminder. The Android onscreen keyboard has also been redesigned to make entering text fast and accurate on larger screen sizes.
Other features in Android 3.0 Honeycomb include:
- Scrollable and stacked widgets let you scroll or flick through content within the widget itself, on the home page, without opening the application.
- Unobtrusive notification system displays icons for different notifications (messages, downloads, system updates, etc.) in the lower right corner. Just touch the digital time display to open the entire notification panel.
- Redesigned YouTube application with a cool 3D gallery.
- Android Market for Android 3.0 is your one-stop-shop for eBooks, games, and applications.
Power Accessories beyond the Charger
The Motorola XOOM has a wide range of optional accessories to expand its power and capabilities. The "smart docks" are no longer just a place to charge your device; they make Motorola XOOM a portable play and work station that fits your lifestyle. The Standard Dock can be used for watching video content or listening to music through external speakers as the device charges. The Speaker HD Dock allows you to send HD content directly to your TV or blast your tunes without attaching external speakers.
Connectivity
- Ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
- Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP audio streaming Bluetooth profiles.
- Onboard GPS for navigation and location services.
- Integrated Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, street, satellite, and three-dimensional landscape views.
Now Upgradable to Android 3.2
- Support for the new Android Market Movie rentals service with thousands of titles available for immediate viewing on the Motorola XOOM's high-resolution display or on a larger screen via HDMI.
- Full support for the new release of Adobe Flash Player 10.2 delivering significant performance enhancements when viewing rich Flash content on the web.
- Resizable widgets to enable further customization of home screens.
- Support for USB-connected peripherals and accessories such as keyboards, mice, game controllers and digital cameras.
- Expanded Bluetooth features to support Bluetooth headsets in Google TalkTM video chats and Bluetooth mouse support in addition to additional shortcut keys with the Bluetooth keyboard
- Picture Transfer Protocol Feature support to enable easier transfer of photo files to your PC without the need for drivers.
All the Power of XOOM
- First access to Honeycomb upgrades.
- Productivity-pumping 1GHz dual-core processor
- Movie rentals and downloads from Android MarketTM
 | Communications & Internet
Design and Hardware
Memory
More Features
| Camera
Multimedia
See larger image. |
Vital Statistics
The Motorola XOOM weighs 25 ounces and measures 9.8 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches. Its 3250 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 10 hours of video playback, up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing, and up to 3.3 days of MP3 playback.
What's in the Box
Motorola XOOM handset, charger, data cable, quick start guide, user manual
Also Available for This Android Device
 | Kindle App for Android |  | MP3 for Android |  | Amazon App for Android |  | IMDB App for Android |
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