Last week we focused on the Apple iPad. Today, we are going to continue our discussion with tablet computers and dig a little deeper in the realm of Android. Unlike the Apple iPad, Android is an operating system (OS) that can be used by anyone. For instance companies who use Microsoft products may also use Android OS to widen their market. Dell, Acer, and Samsung are a few companies who sell Microsoft computers and Android tablets. For you to better understand how Android works, I am going to use the Samsung Galaxy Tab as well as the Motorola Xoom as my Android Tablets.

Android first started being developed in 2003. In 2005, Google bought Android Inc. This move appeared to set Google up for the mobile market. In the early development of the Android OS, not many details were given other than it was a mobile device OS. Android's official release to the public was on October 21, 2008. This gave public developers a chance to "play" with the Android OS and start development on apps and such.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab was the first major Android tablet to hit the market. Sure, there were other companies that offered the Android Tablet, but Samsung utilized the OS to it's fullest. The Galaxy Tab was released on September 2, 2010. The Samsung Tablet has been advertised as a media player/computer. The Galaxy Tab originally had a 7 inch version, but according to (http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxytab/) Samsung has developed an 8 and a 10 inch tablet that will be releasing soon. The main difference between the iPad and the Galaxy Tab, other than the OS, is the ability to upgrade the memory. The Galaxy Tab has a 16GB microSD card preinstalled and can be upgraded to a 32GB microSD card.

The Motorola Xoom(zoom) was the second major tablet released with the Android OS. The Xoom is the first device to run Android 3.0; the most recent version of the Android OS. Motorola has been a leader in developing and utilizing equipment for the Android OS. Motorola was one of the first major cell phone producers to release the Motorola Droid. In saying that, they have done a good job of leading the way for many mobile devices. The Xoom is a prime example of this. If I may get "techie" for a minute; the Xoom has a duel-core processor and 1GB of RAM. That's faster than some of the computers on the market right now. Like the Galaxy Tab, the Xoom can hold up to a 32GB microSD card.

Features:
All Android tablets have access to the Android Market. Here, apps can be downloaded and utilized on your Andriod Tablet. Most Android tablets, especially the newer ones, have cameras with them. The battery life of Android tablets are impresive as well. Like the iPad, they can give you at least 10 hrs. of use. Depending on what you are doing on your tablet, possibly longer. Android Tablets are also 100% touch screen. A keyboard or mouse is not needed in using an Android Tablet.

Below is a few images of the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom.

Motorola Xoom                                  Samsung Galaxy Tab

Resources/Links:
Samsung Galaxy Tab info>  http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab
Android OS info>  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)