Tablets 101

I'm Emily Davenport, and this is Tech Know. Today, we're going to show you the basics of tablet computers. Tablet computers have actually been around for more than a decade, but it wasn't until Apple's release of the original iPad that these compact devices became the top must have item on just about everyone's wish list. Tablets land somewhere between smartphones and laptops. They range in size from around five inches to ten inches, weight around a pound and a half and offer 16, 32 or 64 gigabytes of internal storage for video, music and other media and most devices include the features you'd expect, speakers and headphone ports, Wi-Fi radio and GPS antenna and rear facing cameras. Some models also offer front facing cameras for video chat. Tablets are designed to be personal mobile media centers with options for basic computing like checking email, taking notes, surfing the web, using social media, streaming video, reading e-publications and playing games specifically designed for a touch screen interface. But more complex computing tasks like extensive document editing or detailed photo retouching can be difficult. Tablets simply aren't built for precision touch work or resource intensive apps, not yet anyway. With the market for tablets exploding over the past couple years, the thing that ultimately distinguishes one device from the next is usability. Apple's iPads set the bar for tablet computers and continues to dominate the market. The iPad syncs with Apple products like iCloud for sharing files and settings and provides instant access to the large app store with thousands of free and low cost apps designed specifically for the iPad including games and productivity tools. The iPad's closest competition comes from tablets using Google's Android operating system. Though older versions of the popular software were intended for smartphones, recent updates have optimized Android for the tablet experience. There's considerable overlap between popular iPad and Android applications. Check the markets to make sure the apps you need exist for the tablet operating system you're considering. Business minded BlackBerry users looking for a small tablet should check out the RIM PlayBook. This device syncs with your BlackBerry phone to share emails, calendar items and other data and if you want a low cost tablet designed for media consumption, Amazon's Kindle Fire or the Nook Color from Barnes and Noble may be just the thing. These next generation eBook readers use Android to run simple apps and browse the web, while boasting fewer features than general purpose tablets, they are directly integrated into the media stores for Amazon and Barnes and Noble to make downloading eBooks, music, video and apps more efficient than with other tablets. Even Microsoft is entering the tablet game with Windows 8, the latest version of their classic operating system promises a radical new approach including the innovative metro interface currently used by Windows Phone 7's smartphones. But usability and access to apps and media are not the only considerations when shopping for a tablet. Prices can range from a couple hundred dollars to over a thousand and though WiFi is a standard feature with most devices, tablets with access to a 3G or 4G mobile data network, usually costs more and require a contract with the cellular service provider. Knowing the basics of tablet computers can help narrow the search to models that fit your needs and integrate with your devices. But make sure to try out a few different devices. The tablet you like best is probably the tablet that's right for you. For Tech Know, I'm Emily Davenport. See you next time.