Android vs iOS tablet apps

[saguran]

Hi guys,

I want to get the new Nexus 7, but from what I've read on the interbuts, the tablet apps for Android are horrendous I have a SII, so I don't notice this with the small screen.

My dad has an iPad, so I've seen the apps on there and they are really designed well and especially for a bigger screen size.

What are your experiences with Android tablets apps? How do they compare to the iOS counterparts? I really want the Nexus 7 but if the apps aren't great, it's pointless.

Thanks in advance,
saguran

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

There is no doubt that currently there are tons more tablet optimized apps for iOS but Android is catching up quite rapidly. Also depends a lot on what apps you'll be using, most popular apps will already have tablet apps for both ecosystems.

 

[saguran]

There is no doubt that currently there are tons more tablet optimized apps for iOS but Android is catching up quite rapidly. Also depends a lot on what apps you'll be using, most popular apps will already have tablet apps for both ecosystems.

Woah thanks for the quick reply DrJohnZoidberg, we meet again So do you have a Android tablet? Here are some of the apps I would use, not much of a tablet gamer, that's why there are pc's

Any.Do
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Evernote
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Skype
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Google:

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[DrJohnZoidberg]

Woah thanks for the quick reply DrJohnZoidberg, we meet again So do you have a Android tablet? Here are some of the apps I would use, not much of a tablet gamer, that's why there are pc's

Any.Do
Dropbox
Evernote
Feedly
Flipboard
Skype
Twitter
Swiftkey

Google:

Gmail
Drive
Hangouts
Maps
Navigation
Youtube

The doctor's on call

No, I don't have an Android tablet, I do have an iPad though and know people with Android tablets. I'm pretty sure (but not 100% certain all the Google apps will have tablet apps) but the rest we would have to get feedback from folks using them on Android tablets. Not everyone is as prompt as me though

 

[saguran]

Woah thanks for the quick reply DrJohnZoidberg, we meet again So do you have a Android tablet? Here are some of the apps I would use, not much of a tablet gamer, that's why there are pc's

Any.Do
Dropbox
Evernote
Feedly
Flipboard
Skype
Twitter
Swiftkey

Google:

Gmail
Drive
Hangouts
Maps
Navigation
Youtube

Although my wife would like to read magazines, I see for example the National Geographic magazine is only available on iOS

 

[saguran]

The doctor's on call

No, I don't have an Android tablet, I do have an iPad though and know people with Android tablets. I'm pretty sure (but not 100% certain all the Google apps will have tablet apps) but the rest we would have to get feedback from folks using them on Android tablets. Not everyone is as prompt as me though

Heh thanks man, yeah I just included them but I'm pretty sure Google would optimise their apps for tablets, would be really silly if the didn't.

Yeah would have to wait for more feedback. What is your opinion of the iPad and the apps selection? Since I know have and love your S2, I assume I can get a unbiased opinion from you

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Heh thanks man, yeah I just included them but I'm pretty sure Google would optimise their apps for tablets, would be really silly if the didn't.

Yeah would have to wait for more feedback. What is your opinion of the iPad and the apps selection? Since I know have and love your S2, I assume I can get a unbiased opinion from you

There is an endless amount of tablet apps for iPad and the quality is generally very high. Last time I checked the tablet apps on Android it was laughable compared to Apples selection but as I said with the huge uptake in Anrdoid tablets lately a lot of developers have started bringing out tablet apps for both ecosystems. There is still however a huge gap between the two with regards to this.

 

[saguran]

There is an endless amount of tablet apps for iPad and the quality is generally very high. Last time I checked the tablet apps on Android it was laughable compared to Apples selection but as I said with the huge uptake in Anrdoid tablets lately a lot of developers have started bringing out tablet apps for both ecosystems. There is still however a huge gap between the two with regards to this.

That sad to hear really, the new Nexus 7 looks amazing, it's a tablet I would consider purchasing and that price point! $230 compared to the $330 of the Mini, that's what really attracts me. I think the Nexus 7 would probably be fine for me, I just want a bigger screen to read some internet in the bed, post on MyBB and maybe check some series. My wife though would like to use things like cooking apps, magazines etc, which I think is better on the iPad. We can only afford one though I can do all the thing I want to on the iPad, so that would probably be the choice. Hopefully the iPad Mini 2 has a retina screen, the current screen is

The obvious choice would be to get a new Nexus 7 for me and a iPad Mini 2 for my wife

 

[saguran]

I just want to add, if anybody should reply, I'm only looking for a discussion on the quality of the apps, not the tablets themselves Let's not start that please.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I would also get the Nexus 7. The mainstream apps should be tablet ready and if they're not already I know it would just be a matter of time.

 

[saguran]

I would also get the Nexus 7. The mainstream apps should be tablet ready and if they're not already I know it would just be a matter of time.

I'm still leaning towards it, love the new screen, perfect resolution at something like 320ppi. Just enough. The price stills sways me. We got a iPad from a friend to play with, so we'll see how that goes. Can obviously look at the apps on it but I can't compare it to the Android couterparts, so the reason for the thread.

 

[Paul Hjul]

I have an iPad - well I am the owner of an iPad, my mother actually tends to have the iPad; my brother in law has an Android based 8" tablet which I have played around with. I've also had a decent dabble with a 10" galaxy (not sure its exact size) my general view is that there is a form factor thing at play here:

Tablets between 6-9" Android kicks ass on. The iPad mini is cool but from a value proposition its real benefit is the Apple ecosystem (which is also a curse) but tablets at the iPad size just don't compete all that well.
The iPad is well the iPad. iPad with retina a big improvement over iPad2 (played with an iPad2 with a considerable app library and a lot of memory [IIRC 64gig over my plithy 16gig] while having my iPad "3" with me and could feel the improvement). The iPad is worth every cent and no device for the same price and size bracket comes close to competing.
Above 12" Windows8 and possibly even RT - - RT needs to mature.

I'd like a midsized cheap Android tablet and the general indication is that there are really enough cool apps for android to take down Apple on that front - except when you look at paid premium monster cool apps.

 

[saguran]

I have an iPad - well I am the owner of an iPad, my mother actually tends to have the iPad; my brother in law has an Android based 8" tablet which I have played around with. I've also had a decent dabble with a 10" galaxy (not sure its exact size) my general view is that there is a form factor thing at play here:

Tablets between 6-9" Android kicks ass on. The iPad mini is cool but from a value proposition its real benefit is the Apple ecosystem (which is also a curse) but tablets at the iPad size just don't compete all that well.
The iPad is well the iPad. iPad with retina a big improvement over iPad2 (played with an iPad2 with a considerable app library and a lot of memory [IIRC 64gig over my plithy 16gig] while having my iPad "3" with me and could feel the improvement). The iPad is worth every cent and no device for the same price and size bracket comes close to competing.
Above 12" Windows8 and possibly even RT - - RT needs to mature.

I'd like a midsized cheap Android tablet and the general indication is that there are really enough cool apps for android to take down Apple on that front - except when you look at paid premium monster cool apps.

Cool thanks for the reply, we're currently looking at either the Nexus 7 or Mini (2 perhaps) form factor. Will have to start doing research on apps I see.

 

[saguran]

The more I read, the better it's looking for iOS tablet apps. ffs. I love Android. I don't understand why the developers aren't putting effort into the Android tablet apps. Android tab sales have gone up a lot, they could really benefit from it. Most Android tablet users would pay as well, I would.

 

[FreeStanler]

The more I read, the better it's looking for iOS tablet apps. ffs. I love Android. I don't understand why the developers aren't putting effort into the Android tablet apps. Android tab sales have gone up a lot, they could really benefit from it. Most Android tablet users would pay as well, I would.

The Nexus 7, with its 7 inch screen, will be fine for you. If the apps you want to use aren't 'tablet optimised', it won't matter, as 7 inch is still very small. Some 'phablets' coming out are 6.3 and 6.5 inches!

That's partly why Google went first with a great value 7 inch tablet and not first a similar 10 inch tablet - they knew that there weren't enough tablet optimised apps yet. And that's why the Nexus 7 selled and sells so extremely well - mere phone optimised apps still look very pretty and functional on that screen size.

Also, I have Android phones and an iPad 3. I am intensely frustrated with the iPad, I can't use it for serious work... It just is not that functional to me. Wish I could swap it for a Galaxy Note 10.1 or something. The iPad is very nice for internet browsing with its 'retina display' , but I really dislike it for most everything else, despite having more tablet optimised apps.

You also have much greater syncing options available to you, should you stick with Android. You may not have to repurchase apps if you use your same Google account. Although there are apps that utilise the cloud that sync between Android and iOS.

Given your reasons, the Nexus 7 is still a no brainer to me! Just my 2c's.

 

[saguran]

The Nexus 7, with its 7 inch screen, will be fine for you. If the apps you want to use aren't 'tablet optimised', it won't matter, as 7 inch is still very small. Some 'phablets' coming out are 6.3 and 6.5 inches!

That's partly why Google went first with a great value 7 inch tablet and not first a similar 10 inch tablet - they knew that there weren't enough tablet optimised apps yet. And that's why the Nexus 7 selled and sells so extremely well - mere phone optimised apps still look very pretty and functional on that screen size.

Also, I have Android phones and an iPad 3. I am intensely frustrated with the iPad, I can't use it for serious work... It just is not that functional to me. Wish I could swap it for a Galaxy Note 10.1 or something. The iPad is very nice for internet browsing with its 'retina display' , but I really dislike it for most everything else, despite having more tablet optimised apps.

You also have much greater syncing options available to you, should you stick with Android. You may not have to repurchase apps if you use your same Google account. Although there are apps that utilise the cloud that sync between Android and iOS.

Given your reasons, the Nexus 7 is still a no brainer to me! Just my 2c's.

Great response thanks. My issues are iTunes and the "closed" system, which can be cool for normal people but I feel it limits me. I'm borrowing an iPad from a friend, which helps me to check out the apps. This is going to be a difficult decision

 

[maumau]

Note 8, note 8, note 8..... but it's expensive.

 

[TJ99]

Hi guys,

I want to get the new Nexus 7, but from what I've read on the interbuts, the tablet apps for Android are horrendous I have a SII, so I don't notice this with the small screen.

You heard wrong. Stop speaking to iTards and see for yourself.

 

[DominionZA]

I have had multiple Android and iPod tablets. Even ditched my Nexus 7 for a while for an iPad 4. While I enjoyed the iPad, I missed my android tab.
Am back on the Nexus 7 now and looking to upgrade to the new one.

I use most of the apps you listed there and have no issues. They run and look great on the N7.
The few games I enjoyed on the iPad are also on Android too.

For me it is a no brainer. New Nexus 7.

 

[gdot]

I have a nexus 7 and love it. Had a work iPad - felt a bit caged in by it. Especially when watching movies. The apps on android though being of a smaller selection, are great. My only problem so far has been the upgrade from g talk to hangout. Not a fan of hangout.

Watching movies, email, internet, Skype, music. All great.

Oh and and I love the swipe typing!