Mobile Device Recommendation

Howdy and good morning. At least I believe it is morning. After this past weekend, I’m not totally sure.

Anyway, this time the boss man has gone off the deep end and wants a comparison between iPhones and Android tablets. (Here is a pause and a long stare). There is no comparison between a phone and a tablet.

We have been using iPhones here, and now because “boss” finds “droids” below the $400 dollar price; he thinks we would be better off switching to the Android tablet. So fine, let’s switch and buy the lower price tablet, and new phones to boot. Well, after much venting, I shall try to prove my point and let the chips fall where they may.

First point: a tablet is not a phone.

When Steve Jobs ended years of speculation in 2010 by announcing the iPad tablet device, he helped launch a new era in computer hardware. Though tablet PCs have been around for years, the iPad was the first device to use the form factor successfully in the consumer market. And Apple's success benefitted other companies as well as tech enthusiasts looked for alternatives to Apple's approach.

So what exactly is a tablet? At its most basic level, a tablet PC is a mobile computing device that's larger than a smartphone or personal digital assistant. There's not a strict cutoff size for tablet devices -- the iPad line sports a screen size of just under 10 inches but other tablets can be larger or smaller. In general, if the computing device uses an on-screen interface and doesn't include a phone, it's a tablet.

"How Tablets Work." HowStuffWorks. 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

Second point: A phone is not a tablet.

OK, so here is where I eat crow… I believe I have said in the past that research into any subject is of great importance, if I haven’t - I am now. And most importantly – ask the right question. (Is a phone a tablet?) Earlier I asked is a tablet a phone? Evidently not according to “HowStuff Works”. However, if one asks is a phone a tablet; one gets the reply: if you have the right apps.

Once again… I bow to the master. This may be why he teaches and I student. I was going to say learn, but sometimes I question that theory.

How to use your tablet as a phone.

You can make phone calls and send texts with a tablet—even if it’s not connected to a cellular network. Just connect to Wi-Fi and use one of these apps to turn your tablet into a phone:

Verizon Messages

Verizon Messages comes pre-installed on Verizon Android™ tablets, so you don’t even need to download it. If you use HD Voice on your phone, you can connect your number to the Verizon Messages app on your tablet—your phone and tablet will ring simultaneously. You can even alternate between your phone and tablet during a call.

ooVoo

With ooVoo, you can use your tablet to connect with family and friends. The app’s video-chatting capabilities include making group calls with up to 12 people at once in a four-way display. Create video messages and share them on your profile page.

Talk in wireless comfort

Ensure you sound loud and clear by using a Bluetooth® headset with your tablet and your phone. Look for a wireless headset with “multipoint” technology to pair with two devices at the same time.

Tango

The Tango app is another great way to use your tablet as a phone. It’s easy to navigate and has a simple design. Tango lets you make high-quality voice and video calls, and you can even import Facebook® friends or your phone’s contacts and group them (family, friends, coworkers, etc.), so it’s easy to find everyone on your list.

Skype

You can use Skype for video and traditional calls, and to exchange instant messages, all from your tablet (or phone, desktop computer, TV or gaming console—Skype is compatible with them all).

Vonage Mobile®

Keep in touch with your international friends with Vonage Mobile, which lets you make voice and video calls on your tablet to fellow Vonage Mobile users throughout the world. Use group messaging and video chat.

Hangouts™ Dialer

Google’s Hangouts Dialer app lets you make and receive phone calls when you set up a Google Voice™ number.

"How to Use Your Tablet as a Phone." Mobile Living by Verizon Wireless. 2016. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

So there, the chips fell as cow patties. However, I think I am still partial to iPhones.

Android Tablets:

The 10.1-inch Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70 ($199.99; 16GB) bucks this trend with the sort of bright, high-resolution screen you typically only find on higher priced tablets. That makes it an affordable option for multimedia consumption, though its performance leaves a bit to be desired. If you're looking for an Android tablet with an impressive display and performance to match, you're better off spending a little more on the Asus ZenPad S 8.0 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 The best price was found on Amazon.

The 10.1-inch screen is the big selling point here. It's a 1,920-by-1,200-pixel display with a premium look and feel you don't usually find for $200. With 224 pixels per inch, everything looks sharp and crisp. This is a great screen for watching Hulu Plus, Netflix, or YouTube. It's still no match for the 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2, however, which features 2,048-by-1,536 resolution for 320 pixels per inch.

This is taken from the article I read on these devices. How wonderful it would be to have a 10.1- inch screen that is sharp and clear to watch videos while you work. It seems to me that the whole idea behind having these tablets at work is productivity, not TV watching.

I found an article comparing the best Android Tablets [which can be used as a phone :-)].

This device has a projector in the round handle. The projector would be nice for road trips if one is in sales. The following snips are being used as comparison for the 16 best Android tablets on the market as viewed by PC Magazine.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2495800,00.asp

I think if I had to pick the device, I would probably go with the Android tablet. The phone app will make it usable for voice communication, and the WiFi Analyzer app makes it usable for the network set ups or site surveys which have to be done. I checked the Android App Store, and found a bunch of other useful applications also.

So to sum this up, I might just have to get over the "fear" of using something new, save the boss man a few hundred dollars by purchasing the "droid". In fact with the larger sized screen, my old eyes just might be happier also.

Thanks once again for dropping in. I hope this blog helps you in your search for an economical and useful purchase. "Happy Researching!"