the tablet war is heating up

[John Crichton]

"Competitive" is a vague benchmark considering that iPad is considered to be the easy money platform and a number like 500 could be seen as being competitive depending on what kind of apps those 500 are.

Competitive isn't meant as a benchmark. It's meant as a comparison of similar features. Number of apps means nothing. Quality over quantity.

Fact of the matter is some apps scale perfectly while others don't because of the screen differences within the Android platform. Most of the newer phones use 800 x480 (Droids use 854x480 which was a problem when making an android air game I've been working on that lead me to just dev for honeycomb since to the memory requirements on that system make for a far better flash-based experience). Luckily it seems that Google mandated a 1280x800 screen resolution on Honeycomb since almost every tablet that has been revealed since after February are using that resolution (The Slate G appears to be the only tablet that snuck passed google's android lockdown constraints).

Not really sure what you are getting at here or if I'm being agreed with or disagreed with. Bottom line is that that comparable Android tablet apps will come in due time just like that already did for their phones.

 

[falcarrion]

Breaking news:
Apple sues Samsung for copying the Iphone and Ipad.

Verizon brings out LTE-riding MiFi 4510L, asks for $100 on a two-year contract or $270 without -- Engadget

 

[IronWolf]

And if you buy one, please come back and let us know about your experiance. The more we disscuss the various tablets, the more we learn about the good and bad things of each type.

Agreed. Even though I fell on the iPad side of the fence this time around I know the android devices will catch up as time goes on. So the information sharing about pros and cons of either device is most welcomed.

 

[IronWolf]

Thanks! It's our first

Can you replace the batteries on the iPad, and other tablets though? I know it's possible in the iPhone 4. A friend of mine is a tech for one of the cellphone companies that carries the iPhone 4, and he's told me if it comes down to it, he'll show me how to do it.

But I don't know about the other kinds of devices.

If you have Apple replace the battery in the iPad they send you a replacement iPad at a cost of $99 + shipping and handling.

 

[IronWolf]

I think the main thing holding me back is how quick all of these devices chew through batteries. If the whole "400 charge cycles before the battery capacity is permanently reduced" thing is not simply something that occurs with the iPad and iPhone batteries, then it's a big of a concern. Maybe I'm anal, but I know just *knowing* that with the iPhone has me stressing about keeping it plugged in all the time. At least I can replace the battery there, though.

My understanding is that with tablets, that's not possible.

While looking for the other battery replacement info, I found that Apple claims the iPad battery will hold 80% of it's charge after 1000 charge cycles.

 

[John Crichton]

If you have Apple replace the battery in the iPad they send you a replacement iPad at a cost of $99 + shipping and handling.

I think Applecare also covers it but only for 2 years.

 

[IronWolf]

I think Applecare also covers it but only for 2 years.

Yep, AppleCare would cover it as well.

 

[John Crichton]

Yep, AppleCare would cover it as well.

Kinda a bummer what they charge for, tho.

 

[Fast Learner]

SquareTrade has a significantly better warranty for just a bit more ($96 instead of $80): it covers not only manufacturing defects and such, like AppleCare, but also covers drops, spills, full immersion in water, running it over with your car, etc., for the same two years.

Personal experience from two different friends who've used it and had to send their devices in due to accidental damage indicates that the company does a good job with speedy replacement.

 

[John Crichton]

SquareTrade has a significantly better warranty for just a bit more ($96 instead of $80): it covers not only manufacturing defects and such, like AppleCare, but also covers drops, spills, full immersion in water, running it over with your car, etc., for the same two years.

Personal experience from two different friends who've used it and had to send their devices in due to accidental damage indicates that the company does a good job with speedy replacement.

Good to know for the next go-around if there is one.