APMA News - July 2011 - (Page 44)

Technofile Tablets: How to Decide Tablet computers are all the rage, but how do you decide if you need one and which is best for you? While tablets are more portable than a laptop or even a netbook, they don’t include some of the functionality laptops offer. In fact, tablets are probably best for e-mail, videos, games, books, and some limited productivity functions. So before you take the plunge, make sure you know exactly what the tablet you are purchasing can and cannot do. This article will look at a few of the major tablets on the market. By James Christina, DPM n Motorola Xoom This Android-based tablet was the first to feature the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system. Speciﬁcations: Operating system: Android 3.0 (Honeycomb); 1 GHz dual core NVIDIA Tegra processor; 1 GB RAM; 32 GB internal storage; micro SD; 10.1 inch screen; frontand back-facing cameras; tethering to mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Use: The Xoom is the first Android tablet that uses a tablet-optimized operating system. The interface is very userfriendly with native apps and widgets that work well. Web browsing on the Xoom offers tabbed browsing, so you can flip between Web pages as you do on a desktop. The performance on the Xoom is fast, with no issues with animation, search, loading videos, viewing photos, or browsing. Battery life is good, as well, approaching 10 hours. A 3G version is available through Verizon. Cons: Flash did not work at launch but is scheduled to be added. Some bugs are present that produce strange error messages, and the device crashes at times. Limited apps and a fairly high-priced data plan also are negatives for the Xoom. n iPad2 This second-generation tablet from Apple is the one most people are familiar with, and Apple continues to lead the way in marketing. Speciﬁcations: Operating system: Apple iOS 4.3 (iOS 5.0 due out in the fall); 1 GHz dual core Apple A5 processor; 512 MB RAM; 16, 32, or 64 GB internal storage with no SD expansion slot; 9.7 inch LED display; front- and back-facing cameras. Use: If you are familiar with the iPhone, you will be familiar with the iPad. The home screen button and touch pad icons are simple to use. The iPad2 is thinner and lighter than the original and adds a camera. Like all Apple products, the iPad links to iTunes for updates and relies on the apps available through the App Store. Battery life is good, at about 10 hours. Both Wi-Fi only and 3G models are available with carrier support from AT&T and Verizon. You can purchase a data plan as you do for your mobile phone, and if Wi-Fi is not available, you can access the Internet the same way your phone does: through the carrier’s network. Cons: Tied to Apple apps. The cameras are fairly low quality. n Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Like the Xoom, the Samsung Galaxy is an Android-based tablet. Samsung claims it is the slimmest tablet, and it is slightly slimmer than the iPad2. Speciﬁcations: Operating system: Android 3.1; 1 GB RAM; 1 GHz dual core processor; 16 or 32 GB internal storage; front and back-facing cameras; 10.1-inch screen. Use: The Samsung Galaxy tablet is a redesign in response to the iPad2. It is thinner and lighter than the iPad2 and has the updated Android operating system 3.1 (Honeycomb), which is a vast improvement over the original Android operating system. It is similar to the Xoom in that it will run Android apps and should deliver a good Web browsing and video viewing experience. Cons: Like the Xoom, the paucity of Android apps for tablets is a downside. Deciding which tablet to go with will ultimately depend on your own tastes. If you are familiar with Apple products, the iPad2 will seem like an old friend. BlackBerry users may see the PlayBook as an extension of their phones, and those familiar with the Android operating system will be comfortable with the Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Do your own hands-on testing to be sure you get the tablet that is most comfortable for you and best suits your needs. n n BlackBerry PlayBook Research in Motion (RIM) enters the tablet world with the seven-inch BlackBerry PlayBook. Speciﬁcations: Operating system: QNX; 1 GHz dual core Texas Instruments processor; 1 GB RAM; 16, 32, or 64 GB internal storage with no SD expansion slot; seven-inch display; frontand back-facing cameras; tethering to a BlackBerry smartphone. Use: The smaller screen of the PlayBook is a plus for some and a drawback for others. It makes it very portable, and the PlayBook includes top-notch Web browsing and multimedia capabilities. The Javascript and Flash performance on the PlayBook are excellent—smooth and stable. You really do not have to use any buttons—just touch or swipe to move from one application to another. The standout feature is the ability to bridge to your phone, so e-mail on your BlackBerry can be viewed on your PlayBook screen. The bridge browser lets you surf the Internet over your phone when you cannot connect to Wi-Fi. Cons: Seven-inch screen size for some. Lack of apps. Currently only Wi-Fi versions are available, although 3G/4G versions are slated for later this year. Battery life is about eight hours (slightly less than the iPad2). 44 APMA News July/August 2011 Contact Dr. Christina at jrchristina@apma.org.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - July 2011

APMA News - July 2011
President’s Message
Contents
PICA Reflects on its Past, Looks to the Future
APMA Media Event Wrap-Up: Toning Shoes Are All The Rage, Along with Podiatrists' Expert Advice
APMA Member Testifi es Before Congressional Committee on Health IT
Stepping Up to Prevent Falls: Part II
Resident Experts: CPME's Residency Evaluators Share Their Stories
Strategic Planning Retreat Underscores APMA Direction
Reimbursement
Can They Really Do That?
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Federal Advocacy Forum
Small Business 101
CPME Update
APMAPAC Chair Report
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Committee Nominations
Bylaws Propositions Due
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
Ten Questions

APMA News - July 2011