The strict AppStore

One point that scares many potential iPad buyers is the strict Regiment Apples over the AppStore. You can only install apps that meet the rigorous requirements of Apple. And they do not only prohibit potentially dangerous apps, but also those that have too much naked skin or are not politically opportune.


On the web


So some modem magazines come only in a censored form on the Apple tablet and also political caricatures has hit the Apple spell. Added to this is the refusal of Apple to allow Flash on the iPad, which therefore some websites can only display incomplete. Another tricky point is the comparatively high price for the iPad. The smallest version with WLAN and a only 16 GB flash memory costs already 499 euro. For the top-of-the-line model with 64 GB and 3G modules a whopping 799 euro is due.


The androids come


Not just on smartphones, even on tablets, Google's Android is so far the largest competitor for Apple. A whole series of smaller Asian manufacturers has already launched Android tablets.


The range extends from the thinnest iPad copy ePad from Zenithink with 10-inch display and the 7-inch aPad, which is also heavily based on the Apple tablet, to more independent devices such as the 7-inch Smakit S7 from Huawei or the webstation of Camangi.


Arkos is more famous in the United States. The French manufacturer currently has two Android tablets in the program: the Archos 7 Home Tablet with 7-inch display, which we also had in the editorial office, and the Archos 8 Home Tablet, which was presented at the IFA. The Archos 8 Home comes with an 8-inch display with the rather unusual resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.


To the small 7-Zollern also belongs the SmartPad, which one with Internetanbieter 1 & 1 as addition to some DSL tariffs gets or for 299 euro also individually can buy. Another IFA novelty is the 10-inch Tablet Interpad of the American manufacturer of the same name.


Its specifications with dual-core ARM processor, Nvidia Tegra2 and 16 GB flash memory let a very powerful device expect - we are excited about the first test pattern. The Interpad is intended to weigh 700 grams on the scales and manage up to 12 hours with a battery charge. The Android tablet will appear in autumn in two versions: as Interpad home with WLAN for 399 euros and later as Interpad street with WLAN and 3G.


After smaller manufacturers have submitted, the big ones such as Dell, Samsung, Asus and Motorola now come onto the market with Android tablets.


Dell brings with the Streak a device, which is rather a cross between smartphone and tablet. Unlike other Android tablets, you can not only surf or run apps with the 5-Incher Streak, but also phone calls, a headset is included with the 599 euro tablet. However, the streak with 220 grams for a smartphone would be plentifully heavy and it is also primarily served in cross-format.


Therefore, the Dell device is closer to the tablet than on the smartphone. As a CPU serves a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon with a GHz clock frequency, with the built-in GPS receiver and digital compass serves the Streak also equal as Navi. In addition, two cameras are on board: a 5-megapixel model with LED flash on the back and a VGA webcam in the front.


Note: We'll be running the Dell Streak test soon.


The Android tablet from Samsung is expected to enter the market in the third quarter of this year. It is also a 7-inch device, but with a significantly stronger processor than the tablets of Archos and 1 & 1. Samsung also has a more precise capacitive touch screen. Asus and Motorola are working on 10-inch tablets in iPad format.


However, the Asus Eee Pad will not be available until March 2011, but will be cheaper than the iPad. Whether the upcoming Motorola tablet will be available in the United States is unclear. Motorola is developing the device in cooperation with Verizon to serve Verizon's IPTV offering in the US, according to industry rumors.


In theory, the Linux-based open source operating system grants Android more freedom than the closed Apple system, but in practice, this applies only to the developers of the tablets, which can customize the Google OS according to their desires. Users can not install applications outside of a given app store without pull-pulls, or even a newer operating system version.