In summary, the Android app
tablet app situation is nowhere near as bad as it was a few years ago.
But just how bad is the Android
tablet app situation?
Not exact matches
Android 3.0 is expected to offer a 1,280 - by - 760 resolution for
tablets with a screen size of 4 inches or larger, effectively fixing the
apps situation.
It also envisages Microsoft Windows - based
tablets gaining traction in future — but notes that the
apps situation needs «great improvements» before that can happen.
Right now, parents are reaching for their
tablets and buying
app books for their kids on a spur - of - the - moment, impulse decision, especially when they're looking for immediate content in a boredom - relieving
situation.
Most egregiously: the
app situation is still mediocre, with popular titles like Twitter and Facebook built for smartphones and appearing awkwardly stretched - out on the Z. Some, like Instagram, even force you into the awkward portrait orientation — a position that 16:9 16:10
tablets like this look and feel ridiculous in, lightweight or not.
Oddly enough, we found the
app situation to be worse than an Android 2.2
tablet in some respects.
This is hardly the fault of the Nexus 10 though, and no doubt the
situation will improve over time as more HD
tablets are sold and more website /
app developers cater more specifically for them.
It's possible that disabling WiFi, automatic data synchronization, or some battery - killing
app running in the background might amend the
situation, but in my experience while you can definitely get all - day use out of the XOOM battery, I wouldn't want to go on vacation with this
tablet while leaving the charger at home.
B&N might have an edge of Amazon thanks to the Play Store, but they also no longer has full control of the
app, book and content
situation on their
tablets.
A
tablet - optimized Twitter
app for Android is finally on its way, but this same
situation will repeat with many other types of
apps.
Below are our picks for the best Android
tablets for every
situation imaginable; grab your favorite, set up that device, download a few hot
apps, and you're ready to rock.
The story of Android
apps not being
tablet - ready has been told numerous times, and it's the same
situation all over again here on the Tab S2.
It's also nice to see the
app situation specific to Android
tablets constantly improving, even if some of Google's own
apps still have their own quirks when it comes to larger displays.
Other
apps aren't as solid on Android for
tablets, although the
situation seems to be improving ever so slowly.