Tablets & eReaders

[cchicken]

Do I dare ask what the 'ice cream sandwich' is in the android world?? or is that just an inside joke??

[billmorr22]

It is the codename for the next operating system.

[NoNoBadDog]

Yup, Ice Cream Sandwich is tne codename for Android 4.0

[Entropy]

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cchicken wrote:

Do I dare ask what the 'ice cream sandwich' is in the android world?? or is that just an inside joke??

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Google code names major releases after desserts in increasing alphabetical order.

1.6 = Donut

2.1 = Eclair

2.2 = Froyo

2.3 = Gingerbread

3.x = Honeycomb (Google's tablet-specific version)

4.0 = Ice Cream Sandwich (Merges the tablet and phone branches into one)

I'm not sure if Android 2.0 ever really hit the wild, which might be why it has no apparent codename.

[flammulation]

There are a lot of options when it comes to tablets.  You will need to consider what you are looking to use the tablet for.  If you want the ease of use that goes with apple products, the ipad2 may be the best option for you.  I would suggest looking at the Acer Iconia and the Asus Transformer Prime if you want an option with android.(i would skip on the Motorola Xoom or Samsung Galaxy unless you really want the 3g/4g internet)  There are tablets that run full windows 7 as well.  The Asus EP121 is a great tablet with full funtionality.  If you were mainly looking for music and e-books, the Kindle or the Nook would do well for you. However, chances are if he wanted an IPad then the IPad2 would be the best choice as a gift. (or a BBY gift card for that amount and he could choose his own)

Hopefully that helps a little bit

[NoNoBadDog]

I own an iPad, but I will tell you that the Asus Transformer Prime kicks iPad butt.  Wish I had waited for it...

[Hoogie]

+3 (CChicken, that means I'm the 3rd to agree with the 2 above)

I am a long time PC and Laptop user that has never owned a Tablet, although I have been watching that market for something of interest to come out.  The Asus Transformer Prime IS what I have been waiting for and I have pre-ordered one.  Before your husband even opens the iPad2 box have him check the specifications of the Asus Transformer Prime to see if it is something he will have more interest in; I think he will be impressed with what he will know he can do with it.  Only $499 for the 32GB Tablet and you/he can add a docking keyboard for another $149 that adds additional battery life and a USB port (key for me).  After he reviews the spec's, he can easily tell if it is more up his alley.

The key features for me are:

New faster Quad-core processor

At least Andriod 3.2 and upgradeable to 4.0 for free (might even ship with 4.0 installed; it's still unclear to me?)

8.0 Megapixel higher quality camera for easy photos on a screen that you can actualy see (I'm 50 something now...)

Huge battery life and the keyboard adds even more (great for plane trips or long use away from plugs)

USB and SD memory slots (not all Tablets have these useful ports)

Very light weight and thin

The whole package of Tablet and Keyboard is $100 less than what you spent on the iPad2 with extended warranty.

Maybe he will be completely happy with an iPad2, only he knows, but the Asus Transformer Prime is more likely something he will have for many years and not have to upgrade to iPad3 in a few months.

Just my presonal thoughts to hopefully assist you.  Have a very Merry Christmas.  You husband is a lucky guy!

[flammulation]

The Prime is stated to not ship with 4.0 but the upgrade is supposed to be available immediately when it releases in the U.S. The Prime is the #1 tablet in my mind. (i pre ordered one too) There will be an acer tablet and the ipad3 to compete with it next year, but as of now the Prime is the one to get. Up to 18 hours of battery life with the keyboard dock. And the HMDI out was an important addition to me because I would like to be able to output to a TV or projector. I think the Prime beats the Ipad2 in all the specs, but some people wouldn't buy the Prime because they like apple software and their app market, but to each their own.

[NoNoBadDog]

I would like to but a Prime as well.  To be truthful, the battery life on the Prime is less than the iPad 2 (without the dock).  I like my iPad, but hate iTunes (the single worst piece of malware ever written), and the walled garden philosophy that Apple has.

[Entropy]

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flammulation wrote:

There are a lot of options when it comes to tablets.  You will need to consider what you are looking to use the tablet for.  If you want the ease of use that goes with apple products, the ipad2 may be the best option for you.  I would suggest looking at the Acer Iconia and the Asus Transformer Prime if you want an option with android.(i would skip on the Motorola Xoom or Samsung Galaxy unless you really want the 3g/4g internet)  There are tablets that run full windows 7 as well.  The Asus EP121 is a great tablet with full funtionality.  If you were mainly looking for music and e-books, the Kindle or the Nook would do well for you. However, chances are if he wanted an IPad then the IPad2 would be the best choice as a gift. (or a BBY gift card for that amount and he could choose his own)

Hopefully that helps a little bit

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The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a lot lighter than the Iconia A500.

However, it is a bit old so I probably wouldn't recommend it.  There are now multiple Galaxy Tab variants - the 8.9 (slightly smaller screen, which means lighter and more portable) and the new 7.0 Plus (much smaller screen, which means significantly better portability - it also has Samsung's 1.2 GHz Exynos chip, which makes it a BEAST compared to the Tegra2-based Android tablets.)