Best Android based tablets for those who don’t fancy an iPad

In replay to Apple iPad, the first tablet PC in the world, there emerged out several tablets on Google Android platform. A variety of manufacturers unveiled Android tablets with many brilliant features, which hoist challenges to Apple iPad. Adobe Flash support, access to millions of open source apps and an extensive Google App Store are the outstanding points with the Android-based tablets. Android is the mobile software platform of Google, the Web search engine giant. Google took over the initial developer of the software, Android Inc., in 2005. Later, Google started to use Android mobile platform to slap its major technology rival, Apple. The company designed the software in way that it can work with smartphones and tablet PCs. As a result, the software became one of leading alternative platforms in rivaling Apple iOS platform.

android slide

Motorola Xoom

motorola xoom tablet1

Motorola brought out its Xoom tablet at the CES 2011 in January. Motorola Xoom is a dual-core processor-powered tablet, which will run on Google Honeycomb, Google’s tablet-customized Android version. Motorola Xoom comes up with a 10.1-inch HD display in replay to Apple iPad’s 9.7-inch display.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7/10.1

samsung galaxy tab2

Samsung unveiled its 7-inch Galaxy Tab in 2010 being a direct hit at Apple’s first generation iPad tablet. There was only Samsung Galaxy Tab to compete with Apple iPad then in the tech market. The device sports a capacitive touchscreen with 1,024x600 Wide Super VGA (WSVGA) resolution and plays on Android 2.2 Froyo.

Later in 2011, the South Korean technology builder announced its Galaxy Tab 2, a 10.1-inch Google Honeycomb device to rival both Motorola Xoom and Apple iPad 2. It is indeed the second iteration of Galaxy Tab. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 features 8.6mm thick and weighs 595 grams.

Acer’s Iconia A100

acer3

Acer is about surface its 7-inch tablet, Iconia A100 sometime in May. The device will be running on Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb. The high-performing tablet will get both Wi-Fi and 3G versions. The Wi-Fi version will be priced at £329 (approx. $465). A 3G version will be available for an extra price of £100 (approx. $141) more, Acer said.

Toshiba Mystery Tablet

toshiba mystery tablet4

The Japanese technology firm Toshiba announced its Mystery tablet at CES 2011. The device, which will initially run on Google Android 2.2 Froyo, will sport features like 10-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1280 x 800 resolution, dual cameras, Toshiba Resolution Plus, USB/Mini USB ports, HDMI port and SD card slot. Toshiba tablet will at first play on Toshiba’s SpursEngine processor and will be upgraded to a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor later. The device may also get updated to Android Gingerbread or Honeycomb in future.

ViewPad 7

viewsonic viewpad5

American technology firm ViewSonic has developed an Android 2.2 Froyo-based ViewPad 7 with a number of spellbound features. The ViewSonic ViewPad 7 sports 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth, 3G, dual cameras, Micro SD slot, built-in G-sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor and many more. The ultra lightweight tablet with smoother edges and thin profile makes ViewPad 7 a handy product. ViewPad 7 can instantly connect more than 200,000 apps thanks to Google Mobile Services. That means access to Web services like Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube and e-readers will be far at ease. As well, office applications like Word, Excel and Spreadsheet can be wonderfully managed on the tablet.

Panasonic Viera Tablet

panasonic viera tablet 6

Panasonic showcased three models of its upcoming Viera tablet at CES 2011. Panasonic Viera tablet comes up in 4, 7 and 10-inch display sizes. Even though the difference in display size, the tablets will be identical in hardware and other specifications, the company said. Amazingly, Toshiba Viera is mainly meant as a TV companion. The device can be used as a remote to control home theater and its contents.

HTC Flyer

htc flyer front7

The Taiwanese technology leader HTC never hesitated to join the tablet flurry. The company emerged out with a 7-inch HTC Flyer, which will run on Android Gingerbread. Needless to say, HTC UI Sense will be the fantastic feature with the device. It will help the tablet offer a new range of widgets and apps. The device’s aluminum unibody makes it quite chic than most other tablets.

Creative ZiiO

creative ziio8

As we can presume, Creative’s ZiiO is ultimately an entertainment tablet. The Android tablet highlights not only the feature that it can be used for music listening on-the-move, but also it can be synchronized with Creative’s audio devices for better music experience in your home. Creative ZiiO tablet and a Creative home theater can end up in a pure music ecosystem. The tablet comes up with Creative’s X-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which indeed help realize the music ecosystem.

Dell Streak 5 / 7 / 10

dell streak hand9

Leading computer manufacturer Dell has rolled out its tablet called Dell Streak sometime back. Right now, Dell is planning to float up two more Streak tablets; a 7-inch and a 10-inch. Dell Streak’s 5-inch device runs on a dual-core Tegra processor. The advanced Dell Streak models may feature more powerful processors. Dell Streak tablets highlight features like Gorilla Glass, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Adobe Flash 10.1 support.