iOS vs. Android

Tablets: part smartphone, part laptop, but fully packed for work productivity or procrastination. With so many available options, which is right for you? I'm Jon Rettinger, here with a close-up look at the world of tablets. Tablets are a consumer phenomenon, causing numerous device makers to jump into the market that Apple took control of in 2010. Competition is great, but it makes it even tougher to pick the right one. All tablets share many features; touchscreen technologies, compact size for portability, email and web access, and all types of media players. You also run a wide array of apps. So, what separates one tablet from the other? The main difference is the operating system, or OS for short. The main players are Apple's iOS on the iPad going head-to-head against Android, which powers a whole crowd of different devices. With BlackBerry's PlayBook falling just short of going mainstream, and Microsoft Windows 8 platform still in development, iOS and Android are all the talk of the tablet town. Choosing the right OS is a tough decision, even harder than deciding which of your favorite rockabilly songs to use as your ringtone. iOs is a tightly-controlled operating system that runs on the iPad. The device and the operating system are packaged together and exclusively controlled by Apple, making it the most streamlined experience available. In addition to having the most mature OS, Apple keeps its edge by offering the largest app and media content libraries available, for one of the sleekest devices out there. But, there are tradeoffs to iOS, which Apple tightly controls. You only have access to Apple-approved applications, and are limited in customization options. Also, there's no support for flash, which many popular websites use to display their content. If iOS is the cool kid in school who picks only certain people to play with, Android is the exact opposite. It plays nicely with everyone. Android relies on the open source communities to expand the experience, and embraces user choice. Perhaps the best aspect of Android is its support for Widgets, customizable shortcuts that display information, such as bookmarks, status updates for apps, like Facebook or Twitter, and email, right there on your home screen. Its app and media content is growing fast, and its latest OS iteration, enticingly called Ice Cream Sandwich, is a deliciously crafted platform. The entire experience may not be as fluid as the iPad, and it's got a steeper learning curve, but once you get a handle on it, you'll be able to boast to all of those iPad users about the freedom of open platforms louder than a drag race on main street. iOS and Android are both well-thought-out systems, designed to be versatile for both work and play. The decision comes down to this, do you want the simplicity and maturity of industry-leading iPad, or are you willing to jump the learning hurdles and seek out the flexibility and openness of Android? Either way, you really can't go wrong. The hardest thing you'll have to do with your new tablet is to share it with the restless toddler you get stuck next to on your upcoming long-distance flight. With this understanding of OSes now under your belt, stay tuned for more details about tablets, right here on eHow Tech.