Will Android based tablets kill off the IPAD? Or will tablets all die off because no one can find a good use for them?
I don’t know, but I expect Android Tablets to be competitive. There main disadvantage is also their main advantage – they’re not Apples.
Android based tablets probably won’t look quite as good, they probably won’t do the very simple things quite as easily, and the marketing certainly won’t be as hip and cool. Most importantly, they won’t have the Apple halo and the Apple hype.
But why are Android devices worth a look?
- Android has an apps store too.
- The apps are not limited to products that don’t compete with Apple or Steve Jobs view of the world.
- Android handles Flash apps (and there are thousands of Flash developers out there).
- The apps are more likely to be open source – which (based on history) will result in more free education apps.
- You will able to load the apps onto your PC or Netbook, (making them more accessible to more of your students) .
- Based on everything we know about Apple they will be cheaper.
So if you really want a tablet, and can come with reason why you might need one, choose wisely.
Dell targets the IPAD
http://blogs.zdnet.com/computers/?p=2246&tag=nl.e019
Moby Table – $99 US textbook alternative.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/marvell-pitches-99-moby-tablet-as-textbook-alternative/
That’s enough about hardware for now. It’s pretty clear that a range of cheap options will appear. I think it’s time to start looking at what we’re going to put on them. I’m currently having a play with some eText software and having a look at some of the free digital texts – I’ll let you know what I find out.