Things to consider when buying tablet phones
Smaller
than a notebook or almost the same size but bigger than a smartphone, a tablet
is compact enough to carry around. And with mobile connectivity, tablet
computers combine performance and portability. Learn about iPad, Android and
Windows tablets, plus more.
What is A
Tablet?
* A tablet is a wireless, portable
computer operated via a virtual keyboard integrated into the touch-screen,
rather than an actual physical one built-in (you can connect a keyboard via a
wireless link or USB)
* Compact and light enough to take almost
anywhere, many tablets feature up to 10 hours of battery life. It's a great mix
of computing power and portability
* Throw in Wi-Fi or, in some cases, 3G
technology which is run on a SIM card and a tablet offers entertainment on the
go and music at the palm of your hand
OPERATING SYSTEM
An
"Operating System" (OS) is the program that runs your computer's
software and hardware, giving your device its on-screen look and feel.
Different operating systems have their own unique features, tablets generally
follow the same basic user interface design irrespective of the OS used — that
is, a series of 'home screens', similar to computer desktops, with shortcut
icons.
In
the case of tablets on the market today, there are three main operating
systems:
1. Android
is an operating system created by Google
* Allows hardware enthusiasts to create
additional buttons, including keyboards, and have different form factors with
screens of various sizes.
* The software progressive framework has
been engineered to deal with a hardware eco-system that is diverse and always
evolving.
* The Developed-In-Nigeria range of Bamboo
Tablets run on the Android platform.
2. Windows based tablets allow users to run on
an operating system that many are familiar with on their laptops
* It includes touch-optimized desktop
versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.
* Owners of Windows tablets and other
Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 PCs can sign in with their Microsoft account across
different devices and view the same settings and preferences.
* It is important to note that Windows
based tablets may not have the same functionality as Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro
or more.
3. Apple iOS is the operating system used in the
iPad, as well as iPhone and iPod Touch. The biggest advantages of iOS are:
* Its
user-friendliness.
* Smooth
integration with other Apple products.
* Over
500,000 apps available through App Store.
iOS looks good and works well, but
you can't customize it. In addition many Adobe Flash content will not play on
iOS.
What Can A
Tablet Be Used For?
Portable,
practical and permanently connected, a tablet has so many benefits you can
enjoy just about anywhere:
* Work and play: Check emails, connect to social
media sites like Facebook and Twitter, watch YouTube and video streaming, play
your favourite music and the latest games.
* Apps: Hundreds of thousands of applications let you download
games, music, news, business tools and more.
* E-Reader: Like a mobile library at your
fingertips, you can download and store your favourite books, magazines or
newspapers and read them on the go.
* GPS: Some tablets offer satellite navigation with the latest
maps, street-by-street directions and up-to-the-minute traffic conditions.
What to
consider
1. Advanced Camera Integration
* Most tablets have two built-in cameras:
a front-facing one for video-calling using Skype or FaceTime (Apple), plus a
rear-facing camera for photos and video.
* The ability to play augmented reality
games, translate text and get notifications via camera flash are just a few of
the advancements we’ve seen in the past few years.
* Your tablets camera also doubles as a
handy video camera, in fact most newer devices can even record in high
definition.
2. Size, Screen and Storage
The size of the tablet you choose
will depend on just how portable you need it to be. Its physical dimensions are
important the longer you use your tablet and carry it around. Second-generation
Android tablets in particular are thinner and lighter than ever before.
* Most tablets are approximately 1cm in
thickness, weigh less than 1kg (some as little as 400gm) and come in screen
sizes from 7-inches to 12-inches.
* Multi-touchscreens can detect more than
one finger at a time for two-fingered scrolling, pinch zooming, two-finger
tapping and swipe-style gestures.
Tip! If you're planning to take your
tablet outdoors, choose a less reflective screen for use in sunlight.
3. How
much storage you need. (Depends on what you use your tablet for)
* If you intend to just surf the web,
collate photos and music, and other basic tasks, a 16GB hard drive should do
the trick.
* On the other hand, if you'll be storing
lots of large applications, high definition video and other media, more memory
will be required.
* As an approximate guide, a two-hour HD
film uses about 3.5GB, whereas 12 music albums use about 1.5GB. Most tablets
also come with a memory card slot, useful for transferring files and additional
storage space.
* The
better-spec tablets have a battery life of 10 hours or more.
Tip! If you find yourself short on
battery, turn the screen brightness down and, if convenient, switch off any
wireless connections like Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth.
4. The Importance of Apps
In order to gain the best experience from your tablet, you
will need to invest in a few apps.
* The Apple App Store has been designed
specifically to offer a large selection, and includes every popular app you can
think of.
* Google Play is similar to Apple in
regards to ease of use. Including anything from Excel, TV shows, magazines, and
games to GPS navigation, the clarity and efficiency of apps are of a high
quality.
* Microsoft’s Windows RT/8 app store is
designed for the professional in mind. Whilst social networking sites are
accessible, it is not a main feature.
* The Surface Pro is a little pricier;
however it allows users to run full-fledged Windows 8 desktop apps.
5. What is the Connection?
WiFi and 3G are both wireless methods of connecting to the
internet on the go:
* All tablets support Wi-Fi, so you can
link to the internet — minus the tangle of cables — when within range of a
wireless network at home, cafés, work, school, and so on.
* Some tablets are 3G-enabled, so with a
special SIM card in your tablet you can connect to the internet anywhere you
get a 3G signal via a mobile internet network.
* Upload music, images and other documents
by connecting additional devices (like iPods, digital cameras and the like) to
your tablet via USB cables.
* Bluetooth technology is commonly used
for connecting peripherals in place of a wired USB connection. Tablets also
feature HDMI ports, so you can watch videos stored on your tablet with high
quality pictures and sounds through your flat-screen digital TV.
* Another way to get your tablet online is
to use your 3G or 4G phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your tablet. Simply type in
the details from your phone and secure the connection.
Tip! This might drain your phone
battery, so have a charger nearby.
Tip! Not all phones and tablets are compatible, so check with your network carrier that this feature is available.
Tip! Not all phones and tablets are compatible, so check with your network carrier that this feature is available.
Edited by: AdeDanCompTech
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