The first wave of tablets, which included the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab, felt like the manufacturer shoe-horned smartphone operating systems into a device with a larger screen. However, with the new iOS and Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) platforms, user interfaces have been optimized for this class of machines. New applications now not only feature multiple columns, but also come in high-resolution flavors to take advantage of the display size. Here's a look at four of the most common platforms available on tablets today.
Apple iOS
The iPad's interface may resemble the iPhone, but it is the application interface which makes the Apple tablet more than just a larger iPod touch.Advantages
Huge number of applications
Arguably the first to produce the modern tablet, Apple has the headtart in this area and have amassed a huge developer following and an extensive application library. Suffice to say, most new applications usually appear on iOS first before heading to other platforms.
Compatible with iPhone apps
If there is no dedicated iPad application, you can also use the iPhone version. It may look pixelated when expanded to full screen, but it beats not having it in the first place. This will also save you money, as you can choose not to fork out extra for an iPad version if you already have the app for the iPhone.
Blazing fast performance
Apple's iOS is very spiffy and we hardly encountered any lag or out-of-memory issues.
Disadvantages
Unable to customize home screen
The app-based interface may be fast, but not being able to put information directly on the home screen means you need to open an app whenever you want to tweet or check emails.
Not compatible with Adobe Flash
Despite Apple's insistence that HTML 5 is the future and Flash is doomed, there are still many sites which use Adobe's proprietary animation engine. It is the only tablet platform to ban Adobe Flash, even for third-party applications.
File system not accessible
The browser does not allow you to download any file it doesn't recognize, such as ZIP or EXE. Moreover, you can't just upload a previously downloaded file as you cannot access the file structure directly.
Tied to iTunes
For a device which claims to break the ties to the PC, it sure is dependent on the latter. You need iTunes to activate your tablet and upload multimedia files. However, iOS 5 is reported to free the iPad with cloud-based services in the future.
iOS tablets available
Google Android
At this time, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) is the first Google OS which was made specifically for tablets, while the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) is meant for smartphones. For this article, we will focus on the former, although Android Gingerbread devices such as the HTC Flyer do exist.Advantages
Customizable home screen
You are not only able to put information such as email message, tweets and Facebook updates on the home screen, you can also post updates without having to open an application. Moreover, there is an extensive widget library to personalize your device.
Tight integration with Google services
You do not ever need to link your tablet to a PC. As long as you have a Google account, you can upload and sync all your contacts, calendar, emails and even photos from the cloud.
Files can be downloaded and retrieved easily
The file system is accessible much like the PC, allowing you to add attachments to email, download any file and even upload content to cloud storage services.
Available on a wide range of devices
Unlike the other platforms, the open-source nature of Android means there is a huge number of devices available in the market.
Disadvantages
Occasionally laggy performance
The memory management system is not as refined as it should be, and we occasionally have to manually clear RAM when performance starts to lag.
Fewer apps compared with iOS
It may be catching up, but its application library, especially games, is still far behind iOS.
Potential OS fragmentation
It happened to its smartphone platform, and we worry it may happen to its tablets too. For Apple, any update to the OS is instantly available to all consumers. However, this may not be the case for Google, as it relies on carriers to do over-the-air updates. This may result in staggered update cycles, or even products which are stuck with outdated OS versions.
Android (Honeycomb) tablets available
HP webOS
Created by the now defunct Palm, the webOS operating system was bought over by HP and the TouchPad is the first tablet to sport this platform.Advantages
Unique Stack interface
Instead of icons to represent opened programs, webOS makes each application stack up on one another. This is a much more intuitive method for switching between apps which differentiates it from the other platforms.
Tight integration with HP webOS smartphones
Using Bluetooth, you can transfer calls and SMSes from HP smartphones to the tablet. URLs can also be easily shared between devices, allowing you to continue surfing on the move.
Resizable keyboard
A unique feature of the virtual keyboard is that it can be resized to suit different hand sizes and typing styles.
Disadvantages
Relatively fewer applications
As there was a lag between the purchase of Palm and the launch of the first webOS tablet, HP still has to woo developers back to the platform.
Adobe Flash may be laggy
If you intend to play Flash games, early reports have mentioned lag which may make the experience unbearable.
webOS tablets available
RIM BlackBerry Tablet OS
Built from ground up to support its BlackBerry services, RIM's platform is a great companion to current smartphone users, but feels incomplete as a standalone tablet.Advantages
Blazing fast performance
As buttery smooth as the iOS, RIM got it right and has made the interface zippy and uncluttered with memory management issues.
Gesture-based interface
Forget physical buttons, the PlayBook uses gestures to bring the user back to the home screen as well as switch between open applications.
Fuss-free wireless data transfer
After hooking up the PlayBook with your PC, it creates a permanent virtual drive on your desktop that allows you to transfer files wirelessly to the tablet.
Disadvantages
Few apps
As a new platform, it is unsurprising that there are relatively few apps for the tablet, although RIM has claimed that it may make the PlayBook compatible with certain Android programs.
Does not have standalone personal information management (PIM) or email clients
Possibly the biggest deal-breaker, the PlayBook does not have standalone programs for your email, calendar and contacts. Instead, it pulls these from BlackBerry smartphones. So if you do not have a RIM handset, your tablet may feel incomplete.
Via CNET
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