Platform options (Operating Systems)

Android Jelly Bean 4.1 & 4.2

This is quite a minor increment compared to Ice Cream Sandwich, but it has been generally well received. This version of the platform was introduced along with the first tablet to be sold directly by Google - the Nexus 7. One feature that has been particularly well received is the ability to have multiple user-profiles on one device - meaning multiple users can use the device while keeping settings and preferences walled off from each other.

Android Ice Cream (or Ice Cream Sandwich or ICS)

This is hoped to be the saviour for Android tablets. It's been launched for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Smartphone in the UK. The source code has also been released, resolving what was looking quite a big issue for Honeycomb. There is so far just one tablet available - and that's in China!

Version 3 Honeycomb

Targeted for tablets. Formally released with Motorola Xoom February 201: now improved to become 3 .1 and later 3.2.


Version 2.3 Gingerbread

Available since December 2010. Does not support dual core processors. Improvements to user interface, speed and battery life.

Version 2.2 Froyo

Available since May 2010 and finally became the most common version on Android smartphones in January 2011. Froyo supports Flash and will allow your device to work as a WiFi hotspot (if your tablet has 3G support, SIM card and contract.) The importance of these two features in particular makes tablets running earlier versions seem a poor choice.

iOS

This is Apple's wildly successful mobile operating system. While it only works on Apple hardware and does not support Flash, it has withstood the attentions of more (and more demanding) tablet users than any of the alternatives.

Notes

The Google Play Store now has 500,000 apps (July 2012). However, a number of tablets are not officially recognised by Google who appear to want all devices running Android 2.x to be fully functioning mobile phones, despite their size. As a result, many devices are not officially permitted access to the market. In most cases, the manufacturer has added some sort of library of their own. Generally, these aren't very successful. However, the more ambitious user can follow reasonably simple instructions to download an unofficial copy of the Play Store and install it. This market should work properly, giving you access to free and paid apps and taking your money in the normal way. However, paid apps are not available in all countries.

Until recently very few of the apps available were optimised for Honeycomb. Developers of the most popular apps, however, have taken the time to optimise their apps: one compendium estimates that there are around 400 apps optimised for Honeycomb (August 2011). It was also recently announced that Honeycomb 3.2 will feature a 'zoom-to-fill' compatibility mode, giving the users a chance to experience non-optimised apps in full screen.

Updates:

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