Android tablets are expected to take off (perhaps some will actually become that fabled "iPad killer"), and for good reason -- there's a great variety of tablet sizes and features to choose from, as well as thousands of apps available in the Android Market. Here, some of the best Android tablets, chosen for their feature set and capabilities. (January 10, 2011; note: most of the tablets listed here were announced at CES 2011 and not in retail stores at the time of this writing, but they showcase Android tablets' great potential, especially with the upcoming Android tablet-specific operating system version 3.0.)
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab
Samsung
2. Motorola XOOM
Motorola
The first tablet to feature the Android OS specifically designed for tablets, the XOOM won Best of Show at CES and promises to really increase the competition for Apple. Launching as a 3G/wi-fi device in the first quarter of 2011, the XOOM will also work over Verizon's 4G LTE as it rolls out. Other powerful features of the XOOM include a dual core processor, 10.1" widescreen HD display, front and rear cameras (the rear camera is 5MP and captures video in 720p HD), and a gorgeous 1280X800 display. A demo of HD video running on the XOOM at CES was very sharp and smooth.
3. Notion Ink Adam
Notion Ink
The Notion Ink Adam is one of the more intriguing tablets, with a Pixel Qi display that's sunlight-friendly and helps account for a great 15-hour battery life, a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor (great for graphics), and an ingenius swiveling camera. The Adam has sold out in pre-order before it even hit the market. It's expected to ship with Android 2.2 and be upgradeable to 3.0, though Notion Ink has also created a custom UI called Eden for the device, which features a home panel mode similar to Honeycomb. Prices for the pre-orders started at around $375 for the wi-fi LCD version to $549.99 for the 3G tablet with Pixel Qi.
4. Dell Streak 7
Dell
5. ASUS Eee Pad Slider
ASUS
The ASUS Eee Pad Slider has both a 10.1" touchscreen display and a nifty slide-out QWERTY keyboard for more comfortable and extended typing. It also offers the Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor and dual cameras.
6. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer
ASUS
7. ASUS Eee Pad MeMO
ASUS
8. Acer Iconia Tab A500
The Iconia Tab A500 will debut in spring of 2011 with Android 3.0 and feature a 10.1" display, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, and Verizon 4G LTE service capabilities. I saw the tablet showcased at the Verizon booth at CES, and both HD video and gaming looked pretty sweet on the device. Custom Acer UI and Clear.fi media sharing are pre-loaded on the Iconia Tab A500.9. T-Mobile G-Slate by LG
The G-Slate is T-Mobile's and LG's first 4G Android 3.0 tablet. Slated for release sometime early in 2011, actual tech specs and other details (other than running Honeycomb, working on T-Mobile's 4G network, and sporting a front-facing camera) are still to come at the time of this writing.
