This is a continuation from the article iPad vs the Many Tablet PCs of Android Part 1 which displayed the list of devices hosting the operating system Android compared to the very few of Apple’s own devices.
iOS vs Android Honeycomb
Apple’s latest tablet PC release was the iPad 2. Its contender, and one that is set to be a favourite on the market according to the media, is the Motorola Xoom which supports Android 3.0. As Android is featured on a range of mobile devices, what makes the Xoom the most worthy contender against iPad 2 over all of the other Android models, is because it is the first to host Android’s new tablet PC operating system Android 3.0 “Honeycomb”.
Connectivity Options
The iPad 2 is available on AT&T and a Wi-Fi + 3G on Version. The Motorola Xoom promotes a free 4G upgrade but is only supported by wireless Version.
Both have wireless connectivity WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n), on the iPad 2 this promoted via their feature AirPlay which is the wireless technology that lets users stream content from their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to their HDTV via Apple TV.
An alternative is Bluetooth, the iPad 2 supports 2.1 + EDR technology and the Xoom hosts Stereo Bluetooth technology 2.1+EDR+HID.
Multitasking and Folders
The iPad 2 has more enhanced Multitasking tools enabling the user to run all of their favorite apps and switch between them instantly without slowing down the performance. Folders are advertised on iPad 2 to help keep apps organised on the home screens. Whilst there is no mention on the Motorola website about whether the Xoom has similar features, as Android has a competing app store, one would think that there are appropriate tools in place.
Video Calling
A new edition to the hardware of the iPad was two cameras. The Xoom as standard has cameras too. Apple’s iPad 2 has their feature called FaceTime that displays video calling on its 9.7 inch screen. The back camera deals with video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; whilst the front camera concentrates on stills with 5x digital zoom.
The Xoom displays Androids version on a HD 10.1 inch screen, and has video capable and video capture at 720p video playback and also VGA is up to 30 frames per second with audio as well as a VGA-quality still camera.
Battery life
Batteries are always important as the operating system is there to help maximise battery life. Apple’s iPad 2 has a built-in 25-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, with up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music. The battery can last up to 9 hours of surfing the web using 3G data network as well. The new A5 chip was described at the launch presentation by Steve Jobs to help optimise battery life.
Where the iPad 2 has the A5 chip, the Xoom has a dual processor holding a 24.5 W-hr battery, browsing up to 9 hours, browsing over WiFi is up to approximately 10 hours, MP3 playback is 3.3 days, standby time 14 days and video playback time 10 hours.
Both can be charged via power adapter or USB to computer system.
Custom Features
There are several custom features these two devices have with their operating systems but two interesting ones are as follows:
- Gyroscopes is the same feature included on the iPhone and iPod touch. The iPad 2 has a built-in accelerometer, meaning that the user can rotate the device to portrait or landscape, or even upside down, and the screen adjusts. With iPad 2, the accelerometer three-axis gyroscope, and compass all work together sensing which direction iPad is heading making it easily more sensitive and interactive.
- As Android is developed by Google the Xoom has GoogleMaps which is very similar to the search engine GoogleMaps, as well the Xoom has its own GPS location mapping system in place.
Upcoming Models Containing AndroidSome of the mobiles devices supporting Android soon to be released on to the market are:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1;
- HTC;
- Dell Streak 7;
- Advent Vega;
- Archos 32 Internet Table;
- ViewSonic ViewPad 7;
- HP Touchpad (to be released in summer 2011); and
- ZTE V9.
The upcoming versions of Android are:
• 2.4 (Gingerbread), an update to 2.3 is anticipated to be released in April 2011.
• Ice-cream sandwich which is a combination of 2.3 Gingerbread and 3.0 Honeycomb into a "cohesive whole", with a possible release in the middle of 2011.
Android and iOS are very compatible, whether one purchases the iPad 2 or Xoom it is clear they will not be disappointed, the only preferences would be the names and the price tags. Price is predicted to be the common dominator here as where Apple have kept the iPad 2 at the same price as the original iPad, the Motorola Xoom is being advertised at $799, and rumours are that it will be £450 in the UK.
Overall the iPad 2 has kept Apple on the throne by its mobile devices but maybe it is time Google release their own competitive product for Android rather than relying on other mobile device manufacturers.
Motorola Xoom can be ordered in the US from the Motorola website, but UK residents will have to wait a little longer. This is the same with the iPad 2 as it is currently available in the US but is set to be released in the UK on 25 March 2011.
Kelly Foxhall - Kelly by trade is an IT Training Manager at a London law firm. She is also an Internet Journalist that writes about technology, law and ...
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