I figured it was about time I paid some special attention to the latest generation of computers: the tablets and the smartphones. So, it’s only proper that I write this special report on my almost-new iPad 3. Last week I purchased a Bluetooth Keyboard to turn my iPad from a consumption device into a full blown production device. Now, admittedly I am not quite used to this smaller keyboard, but I am getting there.
But back to the matter at hand. For about 13-15 years (I’ve lost track), I've written this newsletter/blog mainly for desktop and laptop PC's. But the times are-a-changin'. Many of you are using a tablet and/or a smartphone to enhance your computing and bring that computing power with you wherever you go. So it is time I paid this area more attention.
For this edition I will focus on the iPad, the iPhone, Android devices of both types, with a special hello to the Kindle Fire. Although the Fire is technically an Android device, it is its own master as many standard Android apps will not work on it. And as there are a few million Fires out there, I must include them. I am not including Windows Smartphones or any Windows 8 tablets. There market share is tiny, but I think they will grow in market share as time goes on.
For your information, I personally use an iPad 3 and an Android smartphone (Motorola Droid X). I like them both, but think I will get a iPhone when my contract expires next year. I love the iCloud feature that keeps all Apple devices synced instantaneously. If I had the money, I might even consider buying a new Apple desktop computer. The Windows 8 system and Microsoft's direction has turned me off, as readers of this blog know.
As for Android, I like my Android phone and use many of its apps on a regular basis. But Android itself is a mess. For instance, my phone uses Android 2.3. There are two updates above that version that I don't have and cannot get...Android 3 (called Gingerbread) and Android 4 (called "Ice Cream Sandwich). Why can't I get it? Because my cell carrier won't let me have it. They control the process of upgrades. That has contributed greatly to the mess that is today’s Android.
So, the bottom line is that the Android system itself is very fragmented. If you want to purchase a smartphone or an Android tablet,make sure you are getting one with the latest version installed. However, it's surprising that very few Android devices have the latest version. It was this ridiculous fragmentation of the system that made me finally decide on the iPad.
It is also a concern for Google, originators of the Android system, as there are strong hints they are moving away from the open source Android model into a different system that they control, called “Play.” You will see their new tablet in July. As for the Kindle Fire, it is Version 1 of that product and newer ones will be out this year. Although it is a good product now, it will definitely improve in value and capabilities.
All tablets and smartphones are about the applications. So I have compiled a list of the best rated applications for each environment. But, remember the following…almost all iPhone and iPad apps will work on each device, but if you have an iPad, there are apps that are best on it…and watch for updates that take advantage of the hi-res screen on the iPad 3. All Apple products (free or otherwise) are obtained through the iTunes store, which gives you great info about each product.
As for Android, you must absolutely know which version of the system you have and make sure the app you choose will work on your device. If you buy your apps from the Google Play Store and you have registered your device, the store will tell you whether the app will work on your device. Amazon also has an Android store, but it does not give you that information. But if you read the product description, it will usually tell you what you need to know.
As for the Kindle Fire…although it is basically an Android system, not all Android Apps work on the fire. You can only obtain Kindle Fire apps from the Amazon Store…but there are plenty of them.
So remember, when you look below at the applications listed below, not all Android Apps will work on your phone or tablet…be sure and check before you download. I hope all this is of great use to you.
Apple Apps
Best iPad Apps
On this page, you will find the best 102 iPad apps for all your needs. We’ve taken the effort to categorize the apps and picked only those we believe to be the best ones and which will most likely be useful to you.
Best Free iPad Apps
In Apple’s App Store, there are now more than 500,000 commercial and free iOS apps available for download. But here at Gizmo’s Freeware, we only select the best from the free ones running in full screen on your iPad, while iPhone apps running on the iPad in 1x or 2x mode are excluded from this list.
iPad Apps Tracker: Top 200 for All iPad Apps
This web site shows you the most popular Apple iPad applications...both free and paids apps.
Seven 'must have' productivity apps for the iPad
These are all apps that I turn to on a daily basis and they transform my iPad from a content consumption device into a piece of kit that is capable of doing real work.
The Best iPad Tips and Tricks
A mobile device has changed the ways you interact with the computer. It neither needs a mouse nor a giant physical keyboard any more, but you still can find the ways to work around with it.
Top 200 best iPad apps 2012 from TechRadar
If you've just bought yourself a new iPad, you're going to want to start downloading the best apps straight away. It's the Apps that really set iOS apart from other platforms - there are far more apps available for the iPad than any other tablet. So which which ones are worth your cash? And which are the best free apps?
The 100 Best iPad Apps from PCMag.com
The iTunes App Store is packed to the brim with dozens upon dozens of quality apps. We'll help you wade through the slush to find them.
Best iPhone Apps
Here you will find the best 100+ iPhone apps for all your needs. We’ve taken the effort to categorize the apps and picked only those we believe to be the best ones and which will most likely be useful to you.
Android Apps
Best Free Android Apps
Since Android was introduced, more than 400,000 Android apps have been developed and most of them are available for download from Google Play—the online store hosted by Google—but not all are free. To help you get the best of the free ones, we have selected some gems in each category and added them here in a convenient list with clear and brief descriptions of each application item.
Best Tablet Apps for Android
Review of the Best Android Tablet Apps for your android tablets running on Honeycomb 3.0 and above. These best tablet applications will surely spice up the experience on your android tablet.
The top 50 Android tablet apps
Whether you've got a Samsung Galaxy Tab, Amazon's Kindle Fire or another Android tablet, you'll be looking for some great apps. We've picked some of the best.
Android Apps - 101 Best Android Apps
Another list of of the best Android Apps.
Best Android Apps
On this page, you will find the best 100 Android applications for all your needs. We’ve taken the effort to categorize the apps and picked only those we believe to be the best ones and which will most likely be useful to you.
11 awesome Android tablet widgets
Give your home screen a power boost with these 11 excellent widgets for Android tablets
Kindle Fire Apps
101 Best Amazon Kindle Fire Apps List
If you have bought an Amazon Kindle Fire. You might be surprised to know that you can't buy any application from Android market. You can only buy it from Amazon Appstore for Android.
The Best Kindle Fire Apps: A Starter Kit
If you're a new Kindle Fire owner, you need a starter kit.
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