Google's mobile operating system has proven to be a big hit since it was launched back in 2008. However, there are a growing number of alternatives hitting the market, such as HP's WebOS and the BlackBerry Tablet OS. And let's not forget Apple's iOS. So why choose an Android device?
For starters, the operating system is hugely appealing to both handset manufacturers and software developers; the former because they can create their own ‘skinned' version of Android, while the latter can get their apps onto the Android Market with the minimum of fuss. Anyone who wants to sell an app on iTunes needs to get it approved by Apple first. And because there's such a wide range of Android devices and apps, the operating system is proving a hit with consumers too.
Google Android: The Hardware
Back in 2008, Nokia declared that the smartphone was today's computer. While that claim may have stretched the imagination, even back then it wasn't a huge overstatement. Processing power is now up to 1GHz with the nVidia Tegra 2 chip, while quad-core processing, 3D video gaming and the ability to output a whole Blu-ray movie stored on a microSD card and show it on a vast silver screen are all mooted.
The Motorola Atrix handset has 16GB of internal memory and can take another 32GB via a microSD card. Remember when laptops first began touting gigabytes of storage? It's only about five years since dual-core computing arrived, yet smartphones already have dual- and even quad-core chips.
Features such as HD video-out and real-time 3D processing and output were showcased at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February.
While all this rich multimedia is staggeringly impressive, for the most part it's not the primary reason why you might choose a particular device in the first place. Most of us would sooner have a dependable phone that allows us to make clear calls, easily access our contacts and call, text or email them, than plump for a really fancy gadget on which calling and connectivity take a back seat.
Similarly, an impressively large or bright screen may not be the best choice if you're unlikely to be able to give your smartphone daily mains-power sustenance. These multimedia showcases require an awful lot of power, despite what smartphone chip makers say. And while you may occasionally want to kick back and catch up on the latest episode of Spooks on the Android version of the BBC iPlayer, that shiny 4in touchscreen needs powering every moment that the device is switched on and in active use, even if you're just having a chat via text or jotting down a note for later.
In general, a 600MHz or faster processor, expandable storage, a capacitive touchscreen – with or without a separate slide-out keypad – and 512MB of RAM will be your basic hardware requirements. A 3.5in screen with a WVGA resolution of 800x480 pixels should suffice. Check the actual pixel resolution rather than the screen size – VGA resolution on a large 3.8in-plus display will not be crisp, and may look blocky. It's worth visiting your local phone shop and comparing screen for screen – there's a big variation in quality.
A touchscreen with a zoom in/out on-screen slider is a given, but multitouch gives you more navigation control – and will drain the battery faster, too. If you're torn between two similar handsets, the one with the higher mAh battery rating will usually provide more power, so should last longer. However, some smartphone makers do a better job than others of battery management. On Android phones the device settings can be adjusted as you please.
Look for 802.11n Wi-Fi; 3G is useful only if you live in an area where there's solid coverage – consult maps for your area at the respective network operator's website. There are also now defined data?usage limits in place for most 3G contracts, so be mindful of this when choosing your contract and deciding whether 3G is for you.
Most Android 2.1 phones come with 5Mp cameras or better, and some can take better video than others. A VGA?resolution video mode is fine for conducting web chats, but it won't bear muster on even a laptop screen. If you're likely to want to do more than watch your footage on your smartphone or in a browser window on YouTube, choose a handset that offers 720p (HD) video capture. Some offer 1080p (full-HD) video, but this remains a luxury feature.
Google Android: Plain or fancy?
As we briefly mentioned earlier one of Android's advantages is that the operating system can be ‘skinned'. This means that handset manufacturers can not only change the overall look of icons, but also decide which apps will appear on the home screens. They can also change how many home screens are on offer – an unskinned version of Android has five, whereas HTC increases this to seven.
The Taiwanese company has one of the most highly regarded third-party skins in its HTC Sense. This includes a popular weather widget that can provide the temperature and a weather outlook for the home screen. This includes animations that, while they don't actually add to the information content, do add to the wow factor.
By comparison, the weather widget that's provided on the Google Nexus S is a fairly dull and staid affair, though it does display news headlines.
Google Android: Market matters
This brings us on to one of Android's main attractions. If you don't like a particular app or widget, you can get hold of another from the Android Market.
This is Google's equivalent to the iTunes store and is packed full of apps. There is, however, an important point that you need to bear in mind. While the Android Market comes pre-installed on all smartphones, it isn't available on every tablet, the Advent Vega cannot access the Market, for instance. You, therefore, need to double-check with the retailer before you purchase a Google Android Tablet.
Another point to remember is that early versions of Android were designed for use on smartphones and not for devices with larger screens. This means that tablet owners won't be able to download some apps. However, with the release of Google Android 3.0 'Honeycomb', which was designed specifically for tablets, there are a growing number of apps that can be used on tablets.
Google Android: All about friends
Any smartphone needs to be able to keep you in contact with your friends, and these days that means not just by voice and text, but also by using things such as mobile email and social networking. Your Android device will have mobile email capability built in, and you'll be able to use this and any social networking apps either with a SIM or Wi-Fi to get regular updates.
Setting up mobile email is easy. Gmail is handled separately from other email, and after you've entered your address and password, your Gmail account will automatically sync with your Android device.
Both personal POP and IMAP email and Microsoft Exchange (work based) email is also supported and you can set up multiple accounts. You may need some login information (SMTP and POP servers for personal email), but that's easily obtained from your email address provider if you don't have it to hand.
Your Android device may come with social networking apps, such as Twitter and Facebook, built in. You can also put widgets, such as TweetDeck, on a home screen to help you stay in touch.
Google Android: Photography
Back in the old days when phones weren't as smart as they are now, photography was an important aspect of mobile phones, with the ability to take a snap and send an MMS a key feature of handsets. That remains the case, but Android smartphones often now provide a 5Mp camera, some even have 8Mp on offer, and 720p video is increasingly available. With these improvements come the ability to share photos wirelessly via DLNA, upload direct to services lick Facebook, Picasa, Flickr and YouTube, attach photos to email and, of course to edit on the device before you do any of those things.
The big screens of smartphones and tablets lend themselves to slideshows, so that they are a good place to store and view photos you have snapped.
Google Android: GPS and navigation
Something that's a strong feature of smartphones is GPS. It's not so widespread in tablets, but it is in some, for example the Samsung Galaxy Tab. This lets you use location information in apps such as Google Maps for navigations. And there are more alternatives too.
Google Android: Apps galore
We've mentioned apps and they are a key feature of Google Android. With the caveat already noted that you need to check out your chosen Android tablet to find out about its app support, we think that apps are a key reason for choosing an Android smartphone or tablet over the competition.
Other operating systems may have apps on offer, but Android benefits from literally thousands that are free, so you can experiment and find out what suits you best.
Comments
Matt Egan said: If I could be so immodesthttpwwwpcadvisorcoukopiI quite agree Tablets arent the single device that solves all issues theyre another device to carry around
rwniel said: I usually make a concerted effort to avoid PC World unless its something I need straight away The advice Ive overheard while Ive been in there has been pretty shocking and the stuff is generally overpriced especiallyconsumablesand accessoriesI wouldnt want to tar all the staff with the same brush as some probably do give out good advice but it doesnt surprise me how they would push the Vega After all the awareness of the iPad is pretty strong even amongst non-techy people so the idea that you can have an iPad-like device for half the price would be a compelling prospect Id say that was more an expectation versus advertising issueIf you say enough nice things about Apple perhaps youll get back on Steve Jobs Christmas card list Regarding the transformer I do think well see more hybrid devices in the future Perhaps even from Apple in the longer term bridging the gap between iOS and Mac OS X Prior to the Asus there was the Always Innovating Touchbook but theimplementationwas less than robustThe question is do users need an in-between device part way between smartphone and laptop I suspect well see more devices like the Motorola Atrix After all how much further cansmart-phonesreally evolve in their present form factor you can only make a screen so large before it becomes toocumbersomefor example
Matt Egan said: Hmmm If like me you make a habit of popping in to PC World and playing dumb my wife is a lucky woman you will have noticed that in the run up to last Christmas the Vega was being pushed as an alternative to the iPad It is but only in the sense that a Nokia feature phone is an alternative to the iPhone Now look what you made me do Im saying nice things about Apple dagnammitTotally agree about the Transformer Very nice piece of kit although I could live without the laptop bit
rwniel said: I wouldnt say it was oversold just you have to understand what it is that youre buying Given its significantly lower cost obviously something has to give It offers most of what people require day to day in a tablet but its harder to get there than say the iPad and in a less slick package Its the whole Apple ecosystem that makes the iPad compelling something that Android is still in the process of evolvingThe Vega thanks to vibrant and inventive developer community has given it a life that it otherwise wouldnt have had Since its initial release theres been numerous improvements USB host support for being able to read files off of a flash drive for example not just for PC syncing NTFS file system for wider compatibility USB 3G modembluetooth GPS support overclocking plus various performance enhancements and now honeycomb So it really is the device that keeps on giving Ive largely moved on from the Vega to an Asus transformer which is a much nicer experience overall but then it should be because its twice the cost
Matt Egan said: Yup Nothing wrong with the Vega It is what it is But it is oversold I suspect a few people with iPad-sized packages under the tree were disappointed last Christmas
rwniel said: Point taken In that case I would suggest avoiding the Advent Vega because the out of the box experience isnt that great Its more a device for tinkerers when it becomes a much nicer product apart from the screen which is the main area where its limited Otherwise treat it for what it is - as a basic introduction to tablets if you happen to be unsure how or whether one is going to be useful Apps can still be sideloaded where necessary but consumers do need to understand why its so inexpensive Expecting the same experience as an iPad would be unrealistic If you want an iPad experience buy an iPad - the first generation model if you want to keep cost down
Matt Egan said: Its straightforward compared to rooting an Android smartphone but its not going to be straightforward to the myriad people who walk into Dixons or PC World on a Saturday afternoon and buy what they think is a cheap iPad For what it is the Vega is a bargain but I wouldnt want consumers to be confused its a cheap limited device
rwniel said: You can get the Android market on the Advent Vega its a fairly straightforward processWoody you could argue that Microsoft Windows has fragmentation plus numerous updates Even so it hasnt done too badly
Woody said: Yes and with all that fragmentation plus inaccessible updates your Android device is sure to be a totally unsecued hit Yay