Tablets for Business: Android vs iPad

So the big Apple "new iPad" announcement was just a few weeks ago and we all got to see the newest iPad and it was exactly what we expected it would be: a little faster, a little better resolution and it will continue to secure Apple's position as the tablet leader for both consumer and business. Rest assured it will sell like hotcakes. But this post isn't about the iPad; it's about alternatives to iPad, specifically the alternatives running on the Android OS. For the past several months I've been using the HTC Jetstream 4G LTE from AT&T to see how it compares to the iPad for business use. This is what I've found:

It's fast. Really fast. The photo below was taken while I was riding (NOT driving) down the road near my house in Atlanta on a random Saturday. Granted, the speed is more a factor of the network and not of the device itself, but this a 4G LTE tablet so I think it's fair to highlight speed. If you were wondering how fast the AT&T 4G LTE buildouts are, now you know.



Second, it's easy to use. Like the iPad, the Android has similarly paged-screen functionality that allows you to group the apps you use most. What Android is still lacking is the ability to put similar apps into folders to minimize real estate on the screen. I really like that feature of iOS and miss it on this table. The screenshot below is of my home page and all the apps I use most. Lesser used apps are accessed by flipping to other pages.



The majority of business related apps on iPad are also available via the Android Market. I use AT&T Connect to attend online meetings using the tablet. The AT&T Backup and Go app functions well, too, though I would prefer a larger interface. (I also have the AT&T Uverse app installed to control my home DVR.) However, my favorite note taking app (UPad) and news reader app (FlipBoard) were not available on the Android Market so I had to find suitable alternatives for those. For taking paperless meeting notes, I found WritePad. WritePad does a great job of allowing you to create virtual notebooks, add photos or import content from the web. You can also easily share notebooks as PDFs using the free PDF Exporter app. It's a user-friendly and functional app but not quite as versatile as it's iPad rival.



Writing on the Jetstream is virtually impossible without the use of the HTC Scribe stylus, a separate $60 purchase on Amazon. [An aside: iPad has a boatload of available accessories which is definitely an added bonus. It took me almost 6 weeks to find an online source for a cover/case for the Jetstream.] I'll add, that one could spend a similar amount on styli (styluses, more than one stylus?) for the iPad, especially if one has a two year old who tends to pry the rubber ends off of them as fast as she can. But, I digress... Here's a sample of writing using the Scribe stylus and my finger. As FoxNews says, "we report, you decide."



I do an inordinate amount of reading for my job. In addition to keeping up on the ever-changing trends in mobility, I'm also part of the team developing our go-to-market cloud strategy for our agents and I ghost write for several industry blogs. A lot of reading. On my iPad, I love the FlipBoard app. This app functions like a virtual magazine, pulling in updated content from all the places and sources on the web (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, web sites, blogs, etc.) and consolidating it in one place where you literally flip from page to page to see the headlines or read articles. A real time saver. (If you don't have a similar app for your tablet or smartphone, you need to go get one now. I'll wait for you...) But alas, FlipBoard isn't available for Android. *sigh* But Pulse is and Pulse functions almost exactly like FlipBoard, minus the flipping part.



The UI for Pulse isn't quite as friendly as it is for FlipBoard but I can still browse through the headlines on CNET, Inc., USA Today, HBR.org, Fast Company and various other news sites. If something strikes me, I just tap it and it opens up on the right side of the screen and I can view the text only version (as pictured in the photo) or I can view the full web version of the article. I can also email, Tweet or share it on Facebook right from the app.

So far so good, huh? Here's what the Jetstream doesn't do well, or at least not as well as the iPad.

* The autocorrect isn't as smart as it is on iPad - it doesn't "learn" based on what/how I type. And it doesn't offer friendly suggestions like the iPad does. It's not a deal breaker but it does take some getting used to.
* The keyboard isn't as touch friendly as on the iPad - you have to pretty much hit the letters in the center of the keys to get them to type. Again, not a deal breaker but frustrating when you're trying to type something quickly.
* My Calendar won't synch with changes to existing appointments (including time changes and cancellations) but new appointments show up with no problem. I think this is probably an active sync issue that is unrelated to the tablet, but I'm not sure.
* Overall, the OS is just not as stable as iOS. The Android OS "locks up" and forces me to do a complete power down and power back up. Unfortunately, almost every time I've done this, I get stuck in a continuous restart loop and it takes about 30 minutes to get out of it. Frustrating to say the least, especially if you're in a hurry.

So, my final verdict? While I do love the HTC Jetstream tablet, I think I love my iPad just a tiny bit more. Overall, I think that Android tablets are a fantastic alternative to iPad and can work seamlessly for business. Like most things, it ultimately boils down to personal preference. If you're proposing tablets to customers, don't shy away from pitching an Android option. Either option can fundamentally transform how a customer runs their business and that's a win for everyone!