And unlike last year when most seemed to be trying to play catch-up with Apple's uber tablet, with what many critics described as “oversized Android smartphones,” this time there are a number of contenders across different platforms (including a revamped Android one), each claiming to add a new dimension to the tablet experience. Adding to the tablet fun is the fact that Apple itself has launched the second version of the iPad.
Yes, if 2010 saw the tablet clouds gather, 2011 is going to see them rain down with a vengeance. And while it is no easy task to choose between the dozens of tablets that have either just hit the market or are expected in the coming days, we reckon the following seven are likely to grab the most attention:
Apple iPad 2: Act Two
Release date: March 11(International)
Yes, the appearance of Steve Jobs on stage might have overshadowed the iPad itself, but there is no doubting that the new iPad does improve the original one in more than one way, even though it retains the same screen size and resolution. There is greater processing speed beneath the hood thanks to the dual core A5 processor, better graphics, a gyroscope and something we had been predicting all along — dual cameras for video calling.
But those are just specs — where the iPad really scores is in the fact that it retains its very sleek design (it is now slimmer than the iPhone 4) and the brilliantly intuitive interface, courtesy iOS. Top that off with the fact it still serves up more apps than any other tablet and has managed to maintain its astonishing ten hour-plus battery in spite of the graphics and processing boost, and you can see why it is likely to remain the tablet to beat. A smart folding cover will be sold alongside, giving Apple a headstart over third-party accessory vendors. Some negatives remain; the cameras are not the greatest in town and it still does not have a memory expansion slot.
Motorola Xoom: Hello, Honeycomb
Release date: February 24 (international)
Seen by many as the most likely iPad killer after the Galaxy Tab was unable to shake the supremacy of the iPad last year, the Motorola Xoom is the first tablet to come out with a version of Android designed specifically for tablets — 3.0 or Honeycomb. This obviously gives it an edge over previous Android tablets with Android 2.2, as it is able to run and handle apps at a higher resolution.
On the hardware side, it packs in some very powerful specifications, including a large 10.1 inch display with a higher resolution than the iPad, a 1GHz dual core processor, a 2 MP front facing camera and 5MP camera on the back capable of HD video. It also allows storage space to be expanded upto 32 GB. And while at 12.9 mm, it is nowhere as slim as the iPad 2, it still looks very sleek indeed, coming from the company that gave us the RAZR. Where it could slip up is in the price, which at the time of writing was $599 for the Wi-Fi only version, and the fact that apps for Honeycomb are relatively limited as of now.
RIM BlackBerry Playbook: Enterprise tab?
Release date: April 10, 2011 (expected)
When it was first announced in September 2010, the PlayBook was seen by many as the perfect antidote to all the ills of the iPad. It had powerful dual cameras, a 1 GHz dual core processor, awesome multitasking, HDMI port, ran Flash effortlessly, had a stunning display—and of course, BlackBerry's formidable mail and messaging muscle. And all that holds true even today, but six months is a long time in technology, and the PlayBook has lost some of its sheen already.
Doubts have been expressed about the number of apps that will be compatible with its new operating system (support for Android apps has not been ruled out) and not everyone is happy with the fact that it will need to be paired with a BlackBerry handset to be able to access a 3G network. That said, it remains very portable thanks to its 7-inch display and at 10 mm is one of the thinnest around. It has the specs to take on any of the tablets in this list. The pricing is going to be critical though.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Bigger and better?
Release date: March 2011 (expected)
It might not have quite matched the iPad in the sales stakes (well, no tablet did), but the Samsung Galaxy Tab was considered by many to be the first real challenger to Apple's tablet with its sleek form factor and smooth interface. Samsung has attempted to up the ante with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 which comes with a larger (10.1 inch) display, a Tegra 2 processor and perhaps the most powerful cameras ever seen on a tablet — an 8.0 megapixel one on the back and a 2.0 megapixel one on the front. And from what has been seen of it so far, it retains much of the sleekness of the original tab, although slipping it into a coat pocket can be ruled out.
The fact that it runs Android 3.0 means that it will not suffer from the original Tab's inability to run all Android apps smoothly (a result of its resolution), but on the flip side, it will have fewer apps, given that Android 3.0 still has limited apps. As we go to print, all indications are that it will be priced more competitively than the original Galaxy Tab was. If it is, the iPad could have stiff competition.
LG Optimus Pad: the 3G effect
Release date: April/May 2011 (expected)
It was first expected last year but was postponed to this year. Rumor was that LG was not too comfortable with either Android 2.2 or 2.3. Well, the Optimus Pad now runs Android 3.0 and is one of the few tablets in the world to have taken neither the 7 inch display size route, nor the 10 inch one — the display is 8.9 inches, although it has almost the same resolution as seen in bigger Android 3.0 tablets.
It is very impressive in the specs department with a 1GHz dual core processor, but what really marks it out from the competition is the presence of dual 5MP cameras on the back which allow users to shoot 3D videos and still pictures (although you would need a 3D display to view them). You can also use the cameras for normal images, of course, which makes the Optimus Pad perhaps the first tablet to actually add significant value through its cameras. What's more, all this comes in a package that is definitely easy on the eye. Cynics are snarling that no one uses a tablet to shoot images or video, but who knows the Optimus Pad might set off a trend of sorts. Again, a lot depends on the price.
HP TouchPad: Web(O)Slinger!
Release date: Summer 2011 (expected)
Palm's Web OS was considered by many to have been every bit as good as iOS and Android but was unable to match the popularity of those two because of the company's limited resources at that time. So when HP took over Palm, there was great expectation that Web OS would return not just on phones but also on tablets and HP has confirmed that recently. It may look relatively bulky and even plasticky compared to its sleek competitors, but the TouchPad is no slouch, combining a very powerful processor with a display that is on par with the iPad in terms of size and resolution.
Then there is Web OS with its smooth, activity card based multi-tasking prowess. The TouchPad is also the only tablet in our list to feature just one camera — a front facing one for video-calling – which has triggered speculation that it might actually turn out to be the most economical tablet of them all when it finally gets released.
HTC Flyer: Makes Sense
Release date: Q2 2011 (expected)
With almost every Android tablet manufacturer opting for larger displays, dual core processors and Android 3.0, HTC has dug its heels in and gone for a 7-inch display, a single core 1.5 Ghz processor and Android 2.4. Suicidal, some might say (although HTC has since tweeted that the tablet will be upgraded to Android 3.0 ), but then they will have not seen the sleek aluminum frame of the Flyer which makes it one of the best looking tablets around. HTC has also placed its HTC Sense interface on top of Android, giving it a look and feel that is very similar to those seen on some of its handsets — good if you like it, bad if you do not.
What we think really works for the Flyer, however, is the fact that it is the most portable of all the tablets in this list and is also likely to be one of the first to be running Android 2.4, which is likely to support more apps than the still nascent 3.0. HTC has decided to swim against the tide in terms of size and specs with the Flyer — only time will tell if their gamble pays off!
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