What kind of use can you give a tablet?

There are many users who have not yet entered the tablet format. In a way, with the combination of a computer and a powerful smartphone we can do most of the operations that a tablet offers us, however, the value of the format has a lot to do with use. Today we are going to reflect on the main uses that we can give to a tablet and that justify buying one.

In this text, we are going to talk about differential uses. We could highlight others in which other devices would serve us the same or better, such as an electronic book reader, but in this case we will not.

The tablet for convenient email and browsing

Although some tablets have the option of connectivity through mobile networks, the truth is that they only represent 12% of the total. This means that we use them in the home or at work near a WiFi connection to access information on the internet.

The operations of check email, surf the internet and check our status on social networks can be done with the mobile or with a laptop and desktop, however, with a tablet these actions are much more comfortable and carefree.

Compared to a smartphone, the difference is in the size of the screen. A larger screen shows us more information at a glance and is easier to operate by touch.

Compared to a computer there are many advantages to these actions. Firstly the Stand by of tablets makes them faster, that is, we get what we want in a few seconds. In the case that we start from the total shutdown, usually, its ignition is also faster than that of many PCs.

On the other hand, they are a lot lighter and we can take where we want to the sofa, the bed, the kitchen or, in some cases, to the bathtub. When the applications for navigation, mail and social networks are well designed, the touch control is more intuitive and light-hearted than in the web version of the desktop browser. We get to the information we want in fewer steps.

The tablet as a console (portable)

Although initially there was a lot of distance between the mobile games and for consoles or PC, the truth is that this abyss is closing. Every time we find more complete and complex games on mobile devices. The big video game developers are taking notice and are increasing the offer of titles. Another advantage is that the price of these is usually much lower than the other two platforms. Finally, many independent developers have turned their efforts towards this new landscape by being very open and having great distribution potential thanks to the application stores.

As far as use is concerned, in tablets we also have the advantage of having a screen larger than that of a smartphone that gives us, again, better vision and more comfort in touch control.

Along with mobiles, the tablet is seriously depressing sales of handheld consoles traditional, like recently recognized the president of Nintendo. And it is that especially a compact tablet of 7 or 8 inches can be a great substitute for equipment that is exclusively valid for playing and which this format surpasses in functionalities.  Nvidia SHIELD it could be considered a hybridization of the old format and what the future holds.

In many cases, we can extend the gameplay connecting controllers and moving the image to a large screen through different types of connectivities. Android consoles like OUYA They exploit this idea and we have seen that more manufacturers have been encouraged by this idea.

This principle leads us to the next use.

The tablet as Media Center

The three main mobile ecosystems, Android, iOS and Windows, have a spectacular digital content offer. Movies, books, video games and music in abundance with shopping facilities, recurring promotions and low prices for the digital format.

This wealth can transcend the screen of your tablet and acquire a more social component if we export those contents to the living room. At this time we transform our tablet into a Media Center. To perform that streaming, we need good connectivity from our device and for our platform to be as friendly as possible with universal connectors. Without a doubt, in this variable comes Android first, then Windows and finally iOS.

The idea is that we use our tablet to watch movies on a large screen, to listen to high-quality music on large speakers or to enjoy video games as we would with a traditional console. We can also surf the internet and access applications using the tablet as a touch remote control. The main idea and advantage over hard drives, media box and the like, is to have stored and streaming digital content in a single device, as well as an internet connection that we manage through a very accessible interface.

There are many applications that help to stream local content on all platforms, but again, Android is the one that more options gives.

Furthermore, Google has taken a step forward with chromecast, a device with an HDMI connector that turns any television into a Smart TV, thanks to Google Cast technology.

The tablet as a cheap phone or intercom

There are tablets that include the function of making calls such as BQ Elcano or the ASUS PhonePad, but we are not referring to this ability.

Although in many houses we have a flat rate for calls to landlines, it is not always the same with mobile phones. In this sense, there are many applications that we can use that give us free calls if we have an internet connection through WiFi and in some cases also through mobile networks.

Then there are the VoIP services with free calls between users and prices much lower than those of the operators in calls to landlines and national and international mobiles. Google Hangouts, Skype and ViberThey especially have this functionality.

Finally, video calls can be made without having to turn on the computer and with the advantage of being able to move around and use two cameras in some applications to show our contacts what we are seeing.

The tablet as an educational tool

Tablets can be a fundamental tool to educate your children. In the application stores of the different operating systems there is a huge amount of content with which to learn. Compared to other traditional formats, they have the advantage of being interactive and that their control is tactile, appealing directly to the intuition of the little ones.

Many manufacturers and educational institutions have joined forces in different projects to make the most of this symbiosis. The Steve Jobs Schools are a good example of this, but Google is also giving its heart in the United States with a specific program for schools, Like Intel.

Ok i want a tablet

If you have decided to buy a tablet. Here we give you some helpful tips for buying, those aspects to assess to decide if you are choosing the correct model. You may want to ask yourself in advance which platform is right for you. For this you can do this personal test that will guide you based on your answers.