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110 Essential Tablet Features

1. A Large DisplayTablets aren’t all that useful when they feature small displays. The Dell Streak, for example, came with just a 5-inch display. The iPad, on the other hand, offers a 9.7-inch screen. Some upcoming tablets, like the Motorola Xoom, will offer 10.1-inch displays. The iPad’s screen is the right size for most customers, and moving up to a 10.1-inch display would be just as nice. But going under 7 inches would be a mistake.

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2. Built-In 3G ConnectivityA tablet is designed to be a mobile device. Realizing that, if it lacks the ability to connect to a mobile network via 3G, it’s not all that useful. Both enterprise customers and consumers should be on the lookout for devices that have 3G connectivity built-in. All others should be ignored.

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3. USB ConnectivityOne of the biggest issues with Apple’s iPad is that it lacks native support for USB connectivity. Some upcoming tablets will have USB connectivity built-in. The iPad’s omission isn’t such a big deal for consumers, but for enterprise customers it is. So, depending on the customer USB connectivity should be considered before purchase.

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4. Ample AppsOne of the key aspects of tablets is their ability to run mobile applications. The only problem is, not all of the devices scheduled to be made available this year will have so many worthwhile programs. Apple’s App Store leads the pack, but Android-based devices will likely come close to that tablet in the coming year. Customers looking for apps should be mindful of that before they head to the store.

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5. The Possibility of 4G?The advent of 4G connectivity has opened up a whole new can of worms for both enterprise customers and consumers. They’re now forced to wonder if they should be getting devices that support the technology. Making the decision a bit easier, few tablets will boast 4G connectivity in 2011. But some will by the end of the year. And those devices should be kept in mind.

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6. Cameras GaloreA major issue with the iPad is that it lacks cameras. That omission makes it impossible for users to snap images, record video, or have video conferencing. Other devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab, do have camera support. If that’s something that customers are after, they should either opt for devices boasting cameras now, or wait for Apple to announce the iPad 2, which is expected to have that feature built-in.

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7. Printing SupportApple recently added the ability to print files from its iPad with the help of its AirPrint feature. The only issue with that option is that it’s only available with certain devices. Some other products do not support printing. Considering tablets are expected to be replacements for simpler computers, having the ability to print should be paramount on customers’ lists.

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8. A Useful OSA tablet is useless without the ability to interact with solid software. That’s precisely why Apple’s iPad is so successful. The company’s iOS platform works extremely well on tablets and delivers an experience that most customers would be happy with. Google’s Android platform is another winner on tablets. RIM is promising big things from the BlackBerry PlayBook’s Tablet OS. Simply put, the better the OS, the better the experience of using a tablet.

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9. Consider Motorola’s XoomAs nice as the iPad is, it’s important to remember that other devices will be able to deliver a worthwhile experience to customers, as well. One of those highly anticipated devices is the Motorola Xoom. The device will come with Android 3.0, offer a 10.1-inch display, and come with cameras built-in. It gained top honors at CES, and it could be the closest thing to an iPad killer on the market.

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10. The Price Must Be RightWhen it’s all said and done, tablets are governed by quality. The higher the quality they offer, the more likely they will be to succeed. And as one might expect, quality depends on price. The iPad delivers relatively competitive pricing, but other devices might not. Be sure to check out the pricing on some tablets and figure out if the respective devices deliver the value they should. If not, move along.

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