This is for the Techies out there.

Margaret Pilkington · 16-04-2011, 21:58

Can someone please tell me(without blinding me with science, and in simple terms) what exactly is Android?
And what is 3G Android....? Is it different from plain android?
Karma will be given to the person who can best explain it to me

Restless · 17-04-2011, 04:08

Android is the interface/main program/operating system that the phone uses.

3G Is the speed of the connection your phone receives.

Basically a phone's Internet is very very slow without it. Things are generally faster. I have uploaded a picture to photobucket and facebook in under 30 seconds with high reception on 3G where it took 5 mins(and often fails) on 1G

Also video calls are impossible ( to my knowledge ) without 3G

Margaret Pilkington · 17-04-2011, 07:45

Thankyou Restless.......in this instance I am talking about a Tablet, but I don't suppose it is much different from a phone....well, in the respect of the ability to connect to the internet.

These terms are bandied about willy-nilly and no-one ever seems to question what they mean/refer to.
So I thought I would show my ignorance and ask.

Studio25 · 17-04-2011, 10:44

Electronic devices always need their own "operating system" in order to function, even if they aren't capable of having additional features (apps) installed.

In the past, where you bought a phone to make calls and send texts, you had no real idea what operating system was running on your phone, because you didn't need to. That's exactly the same as (for example) a digital video recorder. Who cares what software it's running, as long as it works?

A phone is simply a small computer, so its operating system, processor speed, graphics ability, memory capacity are all factors you might look at when choosing a model - no different than the technical considerations when buying a computer. The operating system (typically ios on the apple products, windows mobile or android on the rest) will determine what type of programs can be run on the device and may be the deciding factor in which phone you choose, or if you're more concerned with style - it's the operating system that determines which apps are available to you.

Tablets such as the iPad are prime candidates for using operating systems originally destined for mobile phones because those systems are slimmed down, and optimised for low power consumption. That also means that if you're able bung a SIM into the tablet, it acquires the features of a phone. It's pointless having calls and texts - you'd just use a phone for that - but the mobile broadband capability is a useful addition to a tablet. "Android 3G" means that the version of Android shipped with the tablet is capable of communicating over the 3G mobile broadband network if the network and SIM are available.

Margaret Pilkington · 17-04-2011, 11:26

Thank you for taking the time to explain so clearly.
It has helped me a lot.....and I would guess there are a few others who have learned something from this answer.
I have been looking at e-readers.......not necessarily the Kindle, but others that have more applications...and was baffled by the jargon.
I looked it up on google too but was just as confused when I finished...........it seems that many people assume we all know what these terms mean.
It is a lot clearer to me now

Restless · 17-04-2011, 16:25

yes 3G referes mostly to mobile Internet(for us techies ive heard 4g is on its way).. It's the same for phone, mobile internet dongles, tablets or whatever

Though most tablets should have WIFI connection so it can connect to your router at home(and many other localised free wifi hotspots out and about) as well as a G connection

Android is also open sourced and based from linux operating system. This means i guess that anybody can make software/apps for it, if they have the know how, where with awful apple products you are limited to strict licensing blah blah

Margaret, I think it may be best if you don't fully understand capabilities of different tablets to post which ones you are looking at here and im sure a few of us will be happy to read reviews and specs and give you advice... Studio25, Entwisi etc will have good opinions on this

Im thinking about an android phone myself for November when my phone contract runs out, though i guess a new phone will be out by then, so I have been looking into them recentley, and i am guessing i will be going for the HTC HD Desire in november

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Thankyou Restless.......in this instance I am talking about a Tablet, but I don't suppose it is much different from a phone....well, in the respect of the ability to connect to the internet.

These terms are bandied about willy-nilly and no-one ever seems to question what they mean/refer to.
So I thought I would show my ignorance and ask.

Margaret Pilkington · 17-04-2011, 16:41

Thank you Restless, much appreciated.

entwisi · 18-04-2011, 09:05

Margaret,

Android = Windows on your PC, its responsible for taking your "human action" and translating it into "machine speak" that the physical hardware chips can do something with.

3G is one of many different connection standards used in telephony, there are slower ones ( GPRS, EDGE ) and faster ones HSDPA ( aka 3.5G ). There is a 4G standard out but no phones or telco's in the UK support this yet.

As mentioned, if you want an opinion on a device just post up the name and we'll do teh donkey work for you, as always there will be personal opinion in there but I'm sure from a couple of us you will get the jist of if its worth having or not.

I have an Android phone/tablet ( Dell Streak ) and its very good, so much so that I rarely fire up my main laptop anymore.

Ian

Studio25 · 18-04-2011, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless

...Margaret, I think it may be best if you don't fully understand capabilities of different tablets to post which ones you are looking at here and im sure a few of us will be happy to read reviews and specs and give you advice... Studio25, Entwisi etc will have good opinions on this

Steady on, now. Just because I understand much of the jargon, it doesn't mean I actually have an opinion worth listening to...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless

Im thinking about an android phone myself for November when my phone contract runs out, though i guess a new phone will be out by then, so I have been looking into them recentley, and i am guessing i will be going for the HTC HD Desire in november

My first Android phone is on its way to me right now, in a UPS van from Preston. The original HTC Desire is now free on contract because it's a year old, and I don't need the latest/sexiest phone, so it was worth waiting. (When I first decided I should have a 3G phone, it was £30 a month plus £200 for the phone).

Just need a sucker mount for the windscreen which doesn't cover the lens so I can record the zigzag parking antics of the idiot parents on the school run...

Margaret Pilkington · 18-04-2011, 10:41

My use of such a tablet would mainly be as an e-reader and music player.
I know the Kindle is currently very popular, but I am sure I have either been told or maybe have read somewhere that the Kindle only takes Amazonz own published stuff and PDF's....I know it plays music, but no colour display...this is only a drawback because I would use it with the children(they both like reading, but being young, want to see the story illustrated).
Colour would also be good for showing Ma pictures from my sister in Brisbane.

While I am not fully up to speed with technology, I am not bad and can usually work things out for myself......all my computer skills are self taught...trial and error(mainly error

).
I wasn't thinking of spending a lot of money and have been looking at genereic tablets on Flea Bay.
Think I need to keep investigating...anyway the situation might be taken out of my hands ........I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks...himself might just go out and buy me the Kindle(I'm not holding my breath though).

entwisi · 18-04-2011, 11:24

There are some very cheap ( and quite nasty ) tablets out there at the moment, be very careful if you are thinking of buying one.

There is a new technology set(new version of Android, faster processors etc) coming through at the moment on tablets that will mean that a lot will be discounted soon so I'd hang on a few weeks to see how things settle

Neil · 18-04-2011, 11:32

Look into battery life as well because some are really poor. That's another good thing about kindle, battery lasts a long time.

Margaret Pilkington · 18-04-2011, 11:40

Yes, thank you to you both......I have looked into battery life and noted the ones that are poor......I have also tried to find reviews for the tablets that I have looked at....even though I know that these should also be taken with a pinch of salt.
I rarely rush into buying things like this, and it will probably be a birthday purchase....in a couple of months.
Thank you for your input, it is very useful.

Restless · 18-04-2011, 22:23

@entwisi
I think Margaret didn't want to get too technical

@Sudio25
You're into Linux and prefer it to windows(from what I gather) that's enough for me

Margaret Pilkington · 20-04-2011, 16:22

Now then guys, you said you would cast your beady eyes over anything I spotted and would give me an opinion if it was worth a punt.
7" Google-Android Tablet PC, eBook Reader, Cam, WiFi/3G | eBay UK
What about this.........it fulfils my requirements, but is it worth buying.
I would very much value your views.

Entwisi.........I would love a dell streak, but cannot justify the cost.
If the lotto comes up then I would buy one in a flash