A Look at the Google Nexus 10

In Android and Tablet Articles

At AppsAustin, we like to keep up with developments in the world of mobile technology. It moves along at an almost crazy pace, but we consider the time and effort justified in order to maintain our reputation as one of the best app developers in the business.

During that time, it's become apparent that mobile consumers need not live on smartphones alone. The tablet computer is on the rise, and it's carving a nice niche market between the PC and the smartphone. Apple's iPad has the most publicity and exposure among tablets right now, but there's competition from other quarters, too. And that's why we're here today.

We've combed through dozens of Android tablet reviews, both from consumers and tech experts, and we've narrowed our discussion possibilities for this article down to five or six models. To pare it even further, we went with the device that the majority of reviewers claimed would give the iPad the biggest run for its money. With that in mind, we'd like to take a look at the Google Nexus 10. (Even though the device is manufactured by Samsung, it carries Google's branding, as well.)

CNet breaks down the comparison between the Nexus 10 and the iPad in their review:

It's the first question anyone asks when they're interested in a tablet: "Is it as good as the current iPad?” For the Google Nexus 10, the overall answer is "no." The iPad is still the best tablet experience one can have, thanks to its still unmatched performance and robust app and media ecosystem.

That said, if you have no interest in owning an Apple product anyway, but are still in the market for a premium tablet, the Nexus 10 should be at or near the top of your list.

So, what makes the Nexus 10 stand out among the other Android tablets out there? The majority of reviewers are in agreement on the following points:

Case Design. The back of the Nexus 10's case is rubberized, as opposed to the metal backing on many other tablets. This not only allows for added shock protection, but guards against scratches that can result from daily wear and tear. Its screen also features enhanced damage protection; it's made of Corning's Gorilla Glass 2.

Resolution: The Nexus 10's screen has a pixel-per-inch (ppi) count of 300, compared to the iPad's 263. This allows for an easily-detectable difference in sharpness and clarity. Trusted Reviews proclaims it's the most readable screen of any tablet on the market.

Speed: The operating system here is Android 4.2 (better known as “Jelly Bean”), and its processing speed stacks up favorably against the other tablet computers currently available. Jelly Bean also supports multiple user accounts, which is unique among tablets, and is something iPads aren't likely to ever do, according to Expert Reviews. Having a tablet be a shared device seems to be a fairly new concept, and the Nexus 10 stands ready to blaze the trail. On the “con” side of Android 4.2, it seems to have freezing and random reboot issues.

Sound. The Nexus 10 has two front-facing stereo speakers, a first among tablet computers, most of which feature mono sound. (The iPad Mini has stereo speakers, whereas the iPad itself is mono.)

So, are there any negatives? Well, of course! Have you ever encountered a computing device that made everyone happy? The common complaints we've been able to filter from all the reviews we read were:

Battery Life. About eight-and-a-half hours between charges, which is decent for a tablet—but it's easily topped by several other models. Recharging is comparatively slow, especially if the tablet is in use while charging.

Camera: Though reviewers rave about the camera setup and accompanying software, it seems to be quite difficult to take non-shaky photos with the Nexus 10.

Gaming. The Jelly Bean operating system can handle gaming up to a point, but at the time of this writing, the iPad is still the go-to device for serious gamers who crave smooth and quick game play.

Balancing out its features and shortcomings, APC Magazine concludes the following regarding the Nexus 10: “If you’ve been waiting for an iPad-beating Android alternative, this is the closest yet.” We couldn't have put it better ourselves.

Now for the disclaimer: We're presenting this collection of reviews for the Nexus 10 for comparative and informational purposes only. This article does not serve as an endorsement by AppsAustin or any of its representatives of this or any other tablet computer.

Comments

  1. Not a member? Get started today! You can post comments here and join in the discussion over at out forums.
    Login or Register