6 Best Android Tablets of 2011

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: It’s time to Tab with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (not 8.9) which costs upwards from $499.99. The company may have been placing its bets on the 7” version initially, because those were times of uncertainty. It was when no one was sure whether they wanted a large Android phone or a netbook without the keyboard from a slate. Well, they could have taken a cue from the iPad and just given us the Galaxy Tab 10.1. At any rate, we’re not complaining considering its 1,280 x 800p WXGA display, Honeycomb 3.1-readiness, 1GHz dual core Tegra 2 processor, 8MP rear camera and more.

2. Motorola Xoom: The second in our queue is the Motorola Xoom which comes powered by a 1GHz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 chip and Honeycomb 3.1. A 10.1” 1280 x 800p WXGA touchscreen display stretches across the front and there’s 3G, Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. The tablet renders around 10 hours of browsing over Wi-Fi and embeds a 5MP rear snapper with 720p recording capabilities as well as a 2MP webcam on the bezel. It can be ordered from the Motorola website starting at $499 for the plain Wi-Fi flavor.

3. Asus Eee Pad Transformer: Depending on whether you’re shopping for the 16GB or 32GB Asus Eee Pad Transformer on Amazon, you’ll be shelling out approximately $394 or $469, for the respective variants. A 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor supplies all the steam for multi-tasking and HD video playback. The screen happens to be a 10.1” LED backlit WXGA one with 10-finger multi-touch accommodation. We need hardly mention that it works with Honeycomb, Android 3.2 in this case, and provides Adobe Flash 10.2 support.

4. Acer Iconia Tab A500: For those who’re totally into sleek aluminum back panels, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 has just this to proffer. It flaunts a 10.1” 1280 x 800p multi-touch screen and dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 CPU as also HD-optimized graphics from the Nvidia GeForce GPU with Flash 10.2 support. Among the many terminals decorating its edges is a microUSB 2.0 port, a USB 2.0 port and a micro HDMI out. Priced below $400 on Amazon, the tablet runs Honeycomb 3.0 and integrates a pair of cameras, one with a 5MP sensor and the other with a 2MP sensor.

5. Archos 80 G9: Because it takes all kinds to make a list of Android tablets feel complete, the Archos 80 G9 is here for everyone who wants to hook up this slate to the web through a microUSB port. The $299.99 device won’t cajole you into choosing between 3G or Wi-Fi since Archos has developed a separately purchasable 3G dongle for their G9s. On the spec front, it sports Android 3.2, a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 dual core processor, a 720p front facing webcam, 8GB storage (definitely on the lighter side) and an 8” 1,024 x 768p resolution capacitive touchscreen.

6. Sony Tablet S: Sporting a rather unusual form factor for a slate, the Sony Tablet S is on our list of the 6 best Android tablets of 2011 owing mainly to its appearance. You may want to tread cautiously around the idea of a touchscreen device without Gorilla Glass, but it’s got its highs too. These involve a 1.2GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual core processor, Honeycomb, a 9.4” LED backlit TruBlack Display, DLNA, Wi-Fi and PlayStation certification for $499.99, if you pick up the 16GB version and $599.99 for the 32GB model.

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Sony Tablet S gets Android 3.2

Sony tablet S owners who bought the 9.4in screen Android slate over the last few days will find an update is ready for download. The Sony Tablet S went onsale in the UK on 16 September and is already proving popular with technology fans. However, Sony launched the Tablet S as an Android 3.1 Honeycomb device, promising an update to 3.2 sometime afterwards.

Often, such promises disappear almost as soon as they’re made. Not so, it seems with the Sony Tablet S: an update notification for the device available today is already delivering the update. The upgrade to Android 3.2 is about 181MB.

Among the new features is support for Sony’s video store, known as Video Unlimited.Music Unlimited – a variant of the existing Qrocity service accessible to Sony Bravia customers. The 10 million-song-strong download and streaming service will be rebranded Music Unlimited powered by Qrocity.

The rollout of the Sony Entertainment Network will also see the introduction of the Sony Reader Online Store around 30 October. The Sony PlayStation services that allow Tablet S and Tablet P owners to play their PS3 games on their Android tablets, will also go live in the next month.

Sony started selling the 16GB Wi-Fi version of the Tablet S in the UK on 16 September. A 32GB version and a 16GB Wi-Fi+3G version are set to go onsale in the next few weeks and will come with Android 3.2 preinstalled. The Sony Tablet range also includes a split-screen model called the Sony Tablet P.

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Microsoft to Unveil Samsung Windows 8 tablet at BUILD Conference

Microsoft is set to introduce one of the first tablet devices running its new Windows 8 operating system at its BUILD conference commencing on September 13, a device born from the first hardware collaboration between the Redmond-based software giant and Korean electronics behemoth Samsung.

Microsoft will issue Windows 8 powered tablets at the conference, suggesting that Samsung could pursue a similar marketing opportunity similar to when it issued attendees at Google’s I/O developer conference with Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets.

Winrumors reports that the new tablet will be ARM-powered and utilise a number of sensors which Windows 8 will actively support. It is possible that the devices given away at the event will be quad-core tablets, although it is not known whether the Samsung device will feature that specific chipset.

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Toshiba Unveils AT200

The company said the AT200 is on its U.S. product roadmap, but would not give out any information on potential pricing or availability. Pricing also was not available for the European version.

The AT200 is thinner and lighter than Toshiba's Thrive tablet, 7.7mm thick and weighing 19.6 ounces.

AT200 replaced the Nvidia processor used in the Thrive with a Texas Instruments OMAP 1.2GHZ processor. It has 1GB of DDR2memory and up to 64GB of internal storage.

It has a 10.1-inch screen and will use the Android 3.2 operating system. Like the Thrive it is equipped with several ports, micro-USB, micro-SD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and micro-HDMI. There are front and rear facing cameras.

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HTC’s 10.1-inch 4G Jetstream tablet official, launching with AT&T on September 6

HTC has finally announced its latest 10-inch tablet, the HTC Jetstream, a new 10.1-inch Android Honeycomb tablet that will launch exclusively with AT&T on September 6.

The tablet is the first tablet to run Android 3.1, Google’s latest version of the tablet-specific Honeycomb firmware, after Google stopped the release of the previous version due to code issues and an admission it wasn’t ready to market. That aside, the device features a 10.1″ WXGA high-resolution display, dual-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor and an 8MP rear-facing camera and 1.3MP front-facing snapper.

HTC has also made available its HTC Sense user interface, which is likely to have received a fresh update to play nicely with Google’s latest Honeycomb release.

On September 4, the tablet will be available exclusively to AT&T customers online and in company-owned retail stores - two days before general release - for $699.99 with a new two-year contract.

For a limited time will also be able to claim a free HTC Scribe digital pen accessory.

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Sony announces new Android-powered Tablet S and Tablet P devices

Sony has finally taken the wraps off of its new Sony S and Sony P Android tablets, heralding the start of the company’s new push to combine its huge range of consumer electronics.

Launching in Europe at the end of September, the Sony Tablet S is a ships with a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, a 9.4 -inch WXGA (1280×800 pixels) TFT colour LCD, oddly shipping with a 0.3MP front-facing and 5MP rear-facing camera. Both the 16GB and 32GB WiFi models will ship with Android 3.1, but the WiFi and 3G will launch with Google’s latest Android 3.2 software.

The Tablet S’ “form factor shifts the device’s weight closer to your palm, making it feel lighter and more comfortable while reading a book or magazine” and features a small sloped rear to provide an optimum reading angle when placed upon a flat surface.

The 3G-enabled model will be available in November, possibly signalling Google’s new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

The Sony Tablet P is designed to be an entertainment device, launching with a folding design with dual screens, making it easy to slip into your pocket or bag. The tablet features the same processor but utilises two 5.5-inch Ultra Wide VGA (1024×480) screens and will only be available as a WiFi and 3G device.

Both models will ship with a USB 2.0 port and SD card slot simplify direct file transfers from other devices such as PCs, digital cameras or camcorders.

Software wise, Sony has included Quick view, to load websites quicker but also smoothly, added a large virtual keyboard, Sony Entertainment Network services – providing movie and TV downloads, unlimited music – and also PlayStation Certified games. Not stopping there, Sony will launch its new Reader Store, a catalogue of eBooks and periodicals that will be available in the UK in October and Germany by the end of the year. Other European countries will get the Store in Spring 2012.

The Sony Tablet S will be available from the end of September with the 16GB model costing $499 and the 32GB priced at $599. The Sony Tablet P will launch in November but doesn’t yet have a price. This is to be determined by AT&T, which is carrying the tablet exclusively.

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HP to bring back TouchPad for last production run

Hewlett-Packard will bring back the TouchPad for one last production run in the wake of the explosion of consumer interest in the platform.

On August 19, HP slashed the price of the 16GB TouchPad to $100, setting off a buying frenzy online and at electronics stores such as Best Buy. HP's action came after announcing the shuttering of its WebOS device business. The TouchPad uses the WebOS operating system.

In a post on a company Web page, HP said a limited supply of TouchPads will arrive in the coming weeks.

"A limited supply are coming, and it will be a few weeks before they are available. As we know more about how, when, and where TouchPads will be available, we will communicate that here and through e-mail to those who requested notification," said Mark Budgell, public relations manager at HP.

"HP will be manufacturing a limited quantity of TouchPads with WebOS during our fourth fiscal quarter 2011, which ends October 31," he said.

The surge in demand for the TouchPad--reminiscent of what Apple has seen for its iPad--has caught HP off guard, forcing the company into a reactive mode, said Bob O'Donnell, an analyst at IDC. "It's all been reaction," he said.

There is also method in the madness. "They want to maintain some value in the WebOS so if they actually sell it they can squeeze as much value out of it as possible," he said.

But the company will not continue to make more TouchPads following this production run to meet demand. "HP is discontinuing the development of WebOS devices and is winding down device operations within our fourth fiscal quarter 2011," HP's Budgell wrote.

Regarding price, Budgell said "some retailers won't price-match or drop their price to $99. Each retailer will manage their own policy and process regarding pricing and price matching. Please contact the local retailer of your choice to see what their current position is."

HP itself, however, will continue to offer the TouchPad on its retail Web site for $99 and $150, for the 16GB and 32GB versions, respectively, an HP representative told CNET today.

In related news, HP told CNET on Monday that it will deliver an update to boost the TouchPad's functionality. "We expect that HP TouchPad owners can look forward to an over-the-air update that will enhance the platform, and add functionality and a growing applications catalog," an HP representative told CNET in response to an e-mail query.

HP continues to offer free apps for the tablet.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7: Dual-Core chip, new screen

BERLIN--Samsung, the most aggressive backer of Android tablets, announced the Galaxy Tab 7.7 today, a model that brings a dual-core processor and the company's Super AMOLED Plus display technology to the line.

Apple's iPad line still dominates the tablet market, but those using Google's Android operating system are trying hard to find a place. Samsung's announcement at the IFA electronics show here follows Sony's yesterday and more from other players, too.

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 display uses the compay's active matrix organic light-emitting diode technology, which Samsung says will mean good contrast, brightness, and colors. The resolution--1280x800 with a 7.7-inch diagonal--is a bit bigger than the original 7-inch Galaxy Tab that debuted a year ago with a 1280x600 resolution.

That model was a commercial dud, though, hampered by a lack of apps designed for Android tablets, a phone-centric design for the tablet and its operating system, and arguably by its smaller screen. Google has put tablets high on its Android priority list, though, releasing its Honeycomb version of the operating system specifically for the product category, and the Galaxy Tab 7.7 comes with the latest version, 3.2.

Samsung is betting people still want the phone features, though. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 comes with HSPA+ 21 Mbps mobile network technology and can make voice and video calls, Samsung said.

It's also got Samsung's TouchWiz software, which adds a tray for frequently used apps, an ability to customize the home screen with photos or live feeds, and a compatibility mode for showing small-screen smartphone apps at larger size.

In the hardware department, the model has a dual-core processor running at 1.4GHz, 1GB of memory and support for 32GB MicroSD cards, a 5,100mAh battery good for to 10 hours of video, a front-facing 2-megapixel camera and rear-facing 3-megapixel camera with an LED flash, support for 802.11 a/b/g/n standards at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It measures 196.7x133x 7.89mm and weighs 335g.

Availability "depends on market," Samsung said--something of an understatement given the company's legal troubles with Apple's patent-related legal actions that has blocked sales of Galaxy Tab 10.1 models in Germany and hit Samsung's phones as well. Samsung didn't announce pricing.

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5 Super Back to School iPad Apps

PocketCAS – lite version free, Pro version $19.99


If you are a math major, or have a somewhat advanced math class, this app will help you with simple to complex mathematic equations and formulas. The tutorials even show you how to solve them, so that you can not only check your work but also learn how to do the assignment. The mathematical keyboard makes entering these equations and formulas much easier, although the lite version is not as feature rich in this area as the pro version.
After you finish creating a graph or chart or some special equation, you can output the content to your Photo library on the iPad, email it as a PDF, print it using Air Print, or in the pro version you can send it to an external display using a projector and the dock to VGA or HDMI adapter.

The paid version is $19.99 and outputs the results via projector and has more advanced keyboard functions.

inClass – Free


inClass is designed to keep your school work organized and on time. It costs nothing to use, but you might as well drop a buck on it to remove the annoying ads at the bottom of the screen.
inClass Keeps Your Course Schedule with Alarms.
The interface looks like a student organizer with room for your class schedule, professor contact info and homework assignment lists. You can also take notes right in the app with the ability to record audio, video and pictures. You can email notes to a friend who missed the lecture, or to yourself for backup.

inClass Lets You Type Notes and Record Audio, Video or Photos
If you are in class and need to open another app, you can keep the audio recording going by using the background function built into iOS 4. Double tap the home icon and open the other app and the recording still keeps capturing the lecture audio.

inClass is free in the app store and has an in-app purchase of $.99 to remove the annoying ads.


Evernote – Free


Evernote bills itself as “an extension of your brain” and that it is for many us. I use Evernote to store notes, tax receipts, personal information, and more. As a student you could set up a separate notebook for each semester, class, or for a project. Then import content to it using email or enter it directly by typing into the app. You can also record audio and photos.
Evernote is free in the App store and requires a free account with the Evernote service.

Audible – Free with $14.95 Monthly Subscription

With Audible you can listen to your text books instead of reading them. This can be a huge time saver especially if you have a commute of more than fifteen minutes to school every day.
Audible gives you access to a free book or two every month depending on your subscription level. You can save up credits for a couple of months so you can get a few of your books all at once. Many books do not work well as audio books, but that English Lit novel you have to read could be a great option. Even if you only find one or two books a semester, this makes the subscription worthwhile.

The iPhone app works well on the iPad and gives access to all of your books either via download or streaming.

CourseSmart eTextbooks for iPad – Free


For textbooks choose CourseSmart’s eTextbooks for iPad app. He said it has the best selection. It is free and looks like most e-book apps with a bookshelf view and easy to read interface. The app includes the following list of features taken from their App store description:

Access your eTextbooks for quick reference
Scan for images, tables, graphs & charts
Skim thumbnails or full pages
Add and Edit Notes to pages as you study
View your notes during an open book exam
Find what you need using keyword search
Get a true digital equivalent of your textbook

Those are a few of the apps which will get you and your iPad through the school year. What other apps would you suggest?

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Motorola Xoom in India

Boy oh boy! This is one tablet that I am dying to try my hands on, especially after the entire buzz it created at the Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas. From the title of the post you might have already guessed that I am talking about Motorola Xoom. On its website, the online retailer Infibeam has mentioned that it is releasing the tablet on May 10, 2011 at a pre-order price of Rs. 35000.

As the market continues to get inundated with all new range of tablets, the launch of any new tablet has now become a routine affair. But there is something special about Motorola Xoom that makes its release worth a wait. Touted as the most worthy competitor to Apple IPad (and IPad2), Xoom happens to be Google’s inaugural Honeycomb tablet- and the device that the Honeycomb team actually used to test the software. In that manner, Xoom imbibes in itself the true essence of Android Honeycomb platform, the platform that is specifically designed for tablets.

The specifications look equally impressive. Powered by a dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra SoC processor and 1GB DDR2 RAM, the 10.1-inch (display) tablet clear beats the first generation IPads in certain respects. The device also houses a 2 megapixel front facing camera, a 5 megapixel camera at back panel with 720p HD video record feature, Wi-Fi, gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and an e-Compass. The battery is powerful enough to support 10 hours of video (and up to 75 hours of music) and the company has also promised a software update that will enable Flash support for the device, something that misses from the entire IPad series.

The Big question: should you buy it?

Motorola Xoom, no doubt is an exciting device. Having said that, there are some points that you should keep in mind before actually buying it.

1) The IPad2 factor: Remember, Motorola Xoom was conceptualized before Apple IPad2 was announced. Xoom, as I mentioned earlier, beats the first generation IPad in certain aspects but not the new IPad2, the one with modified looks, refurbished features and a more powerful processor. However, the availability of IPad2 in India is still not clear and there has been no official word on it so far. So if you don’t want to wait too long, Xoom is the way to go.

2) The price factor: Xoom is available at a price of Rs. 35000. We are expecting 2011 to be the year of tablets and that could mean a flurry of lower-priced alternative, but equally good tablets in the market. So the question is whether you are willing to wait for an unknown amount of time so as to save few hundred bucks. Anyhow, it’s more of a personal judgment.

3) The Android Honeycomb factor: Motorola Xoom was launched in the US markets on 24 Feb 2011 with a very high expectation. But the expectations were not fully met and the sales were weak despite the initial buzz amongst the users. And quite contrary to the expectations, some analysts announced Android 3.0 Honeycomb to be the weakest link. According to them, Honeycomb is “extremely complicated and confusing” and not suitable for mass adoption. The reviews might seem to be little extreme but it is enough to create some doubt in the mind of a potential buyer.

Anyway, I think that it is always better to get the feel of the device first before actually buying it and since the device will now be available in India, you might get a chance to explore it.

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