Tips: How to choose a full-featured Android tablet

With more and more low-cost tablets cropping up, you might be tempted to stuff a stocking or two with one of these tiny portables. But think twice: Many lack capabilities you'd expect in a tablet, because they don't have the necessary hardware, or they use an older version of the Android operating system.

For example, if you buy a tablet that runs Android 1.6 or earlier, you'll probably encounter two problems: You won't be able to run Adobe's Flash video, and you won't have access to Google's primary app store, the Android Market.

Even Android 2.2, the latest version of Android available on smart phones, may have limitations. Google product managers have admitted as much. Hugo Barra, director of products for mobile at tGoogle told TechRadar in September that Android Market won't be available "on devices that don't allow applications to run correctly." He added, "Which devices do and which don't will be unit specific, but Froyo [Android 2.2] is not optimised for use on tablets."

Samsung, apparently, isn't worried that Android 2.2 will limit its tablet, the Galaxy Tab, slated for release next week. The Galaxy Tab has full support for Android Market apps, though most of the current crop are designed for the smaller displays on smart phones, so they will look coarse. Odds are that the Galaxy Tab will be upgradeable to Android 3.0, the next version that some think is imminent. We'll have a full review of the Galaxy Tab once it's launched.

One reason Google-watchers think Android 3.0 is imminent is the appearance of a gingerbread man statue at Google's headquarters a few days ago. Android 3.0 is code-named Gingerbread, and baked goods and desserts representing prior versions of Android—frozen yogurt (Froyo), an éclair, and a donut—have shown up immediately before those versions launched.

Meanwhile, if you want a tablet that Google considers compatible with Android 2.2 and is thus able to download apps from Android Market, make sure any tablet you buy includes these features:

• The ability to change the display's orientation from landscape to portrait
• A touch screen with an on-screen QWERTY keyboard
• Home, Menu, and Back functions that are always available to the user
• A rear-facing camera of at least 2 megapixels
• An accelerometer for measuring movement, a compass for measuring direction, and a GPS receiver for measuring location
• Bluetooth
• A method for updating software
• The ability to connect to a computer with a USB port

Exercise caution when buying, even after the release of Android 3.0. Older, incompatible tablets could still be out there. Or manufacturers who want to cut corners might produce new tablets that don't meet the more-demanding specs. It's also a good idea to check whether the tablet will be upgradeable to Android 3.0.<

—Donna Tapellini