Best cheap Android tablets (June 2015)
While high-end devices are generally the stars of the Android world, there is a growing emphasis on quality on a budget, and that’s very visible in the tablet arena.
From companies that are willing to sacrifice profits for the sake of market share, to established players looking to improve their game in the mid-range, several companies have brought to market affordable Android tablets that are actually worth buying. Unfortunately, for every great cheap Android tablet, there are tons of poorly made, clunky, and underpowered slates out there, which can make buying tablets on a budget a pain. We’re here to help.
No budget limitations? See The best Android tablets money can buy
If you’re looking for a good budget-friendly gift for a loved one, or just want to treat yourself, check out our list of best affordable Android tablets. Let’s get started!
Update, June 2015: Joining the Nexus 7 (2013) and the Asus MemoPad 8 on our list, are some new devices like the 10-inch Lenovo Tab 2 A10, as well as tablets that have received significant price cut that put them in the range of $200 or below, including the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4.
Nexus 7 (2013)
Despite being almost two years old, the Nexus 7 (2013) is still one of the best tablets you can buy, and with newer tablets making their way to consumers, the already attractive price tag of the Nexus 7 (2013) is bound to get even better.
The Nexus 7 (2013)’s quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM is still more than capable of handling all but the most processor-intensive activities. Its display resolution is still the highest you can get in this size category, and most importantly, you get a great software experience, helped along by the guarantee of timely updates, including Android 5.0 Lollipop. This is why the Nexus 7 (2013) opens our list of best cheap Android tablets.
Specs
- 7-inch LCD IPS display with 1920 x 1200 resolution (323ppi)
- 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
- Adreno 320 GPU
- 2GB RAM
- 16/32GB storage
- 5 MP rear camera, 1.2 MP front-facing camera
- 200 x 114 x 8.7 mm, 290 grams
- 3,950 mAh
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read more
- Nexus 7 (2013) review
- Best Nexus 7 (2013) cases
- Best Nexus 7 (2013) accessories
- Common Nexus 7 (2013) problems and how to fix them
Asus MeMO Pad 8
Asus refreshed the affordable Android tablet it first launched last year, bringing to the new MeMO Pad 8 improved specifications and a better overall performance. The new MeMO Pad 8 combines a 8-inch IPS LCD screen with a quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor running at 1.33 GHz and 1GB of RAM. A thin and light design makes this tablet very portable, and a ton of extra goodies worth around $270 makes this a good choice for budget buyers.
Specs
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with 1200 x 800 resolution (189 ppi)
- 1.33 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 16 GB internal storage, expandable
- 5 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 211.7 x 124.9 x 8.3 mm, 320 grams
- 3,040 mAh battery
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4
While the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is priced slightly above $200, it’s a difficult device to ignore, given all that it offers for only a slightly higher price tag compared to the other devices on this list of cheap Android tablets. With its very high resolution display, making it a fantastic media-consumption companion, and a processing package that powered flagship devices only a short time ago, the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is more than impressive when you consider its price point.
Samsung is known for packing their devices to the hilt with software features, and that is also available here for those that are looking for it. Samsung has refreshed their mid-range tablet portfolio since the release of this device, but the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 remains one of the best choices of the lot, and not only because of its comparatively cheaper price point.
Specs
- 8.4-inch Super Clear LCD display with 2560 x 1600 resolution (359 ppi)
- 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
- Adreno 330 GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16/32 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 8 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 219 x 128.5 x 7.2 mm, 331 grams
- 4,800 mAh
- Android 4.4 Kitkat (upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop arriving in Q3 2015)
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 Review
- Best Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 Cases
- Quick look: Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 8.4 vs Nexus 7 (2013)
Dell Venue 8
The already budget-friendly Dell Venue 8 saw a significant price cut following the release of its successor, making this one of the cheapest Android tablets currently available. Powered by an Intel processor that is backed by 1 GB of RAM, the specifications of this tablet may not be as impressive as some of the others on this list, but it is still quite a capable performer, with a display resolution that is great for watching videos or gaming. Of course, it is hard to overlook its unbeatable sub-$130 price point, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
Specs
- 8-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (283 ppi)
- 2.1 GHz dual-core Intel Z3480 processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD by up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 1.2 MP front-facing camera
- 130 x 216 x 8.95 mm
- 4,550 mAh battery
- Android 4.4 KitKat
LG G Pad 8 (LGV480)
Following the success of the LG G Pad 8.3, LG added three new devices to their G Pad tablet line last year, featuring three different display sizes. Falling in the middle of the pack was the LG G Pad 8.0, with its 8-inch display big enough to enjoy gaming and video watching, without being too unwieldy. On the specifications front, the device may not feature a display with a particularly high resolution, but the Snapdragon 400 processor has proven itself to be a very reliable processing package.
This is also one of the few budget-friendly tablets to receive an upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop, making for a very compelling package overall.
Specs
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with 1280 x 800 resolution (189 ppi)
- 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
- Adreno 305 GPU
- 1 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD by up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 1.3 MP front-facing camera
- 4,200 mAh battery
- 210.8 x 124.2 x 9.9 mm, 342 grams
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Acer Iconia Tab 8
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is another great option for those looking for a low-cost tablet that offers solid specifications and performance. The device also comes with a premium design and build quality that goes beyond what its price point suggests, a high resolution display, and dual rear speakers that allow for a good audio experience, along with a large battery and the promise of an impressive battery life. Overall, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is certainly one of the best options when it comes to cheap Android tablets.
Specs
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (283 ppi)
- 1.33 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor (1.86 GHz Turbo)
- Intel Gen 7 (Ivy Bridge) GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16/32 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 4,600 mAh battery
- 215 x 130 x 8.5 mm, 360 grams
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7
The Kindle Fire HDX was another fantastic addition to the popular tablet line from Amazon, offering features and specifications that allow for solid performance and a high resolution display and dual Dolby Digital speakers that makes it a great media-consumption companion. While the software iteration is far removed from the traditional Android experience, this take on Android is ideal to take advantage of the Amazon ecosystem and everything it entails, including games, books, movies, and more. If you’re in the market for a low-cost Android tablet, the Kindle Fire HDX is a great choice for you.
Specs
- 7-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (323 ppi)
- 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
- Adreno 330 GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16/32/64 GB storage
- 1.3 MP front-facing camera
- battery allows for battery life up to 11 hours
- 186 x 128 x 9 mm, 303 grams
- Fire OS 4
Read more
- Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 review
- 9 common problems with the Kindle Fire HD and how to fix them
- Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HDX tablets official: specs, features, pricing and availability
Lenovo Tab 2 A10
The Lenovo Tab 2 A10 has a lot going for it when compared to the rest of the devices on this list. For starters, this is the only device to be released in 2015, introduced back at MWC this year, while being the only 10-inch tablet in this roundup as well. This is also the first tablets to feature Dolby ATMOS 3D Cinema audio enhancements, which aims to make your audio experience much clearer, while taking advantage of the beautiful, large Full HD display. Performance is impressively smooth, and while mobile photography isn’t a key feature when it comes to tablets, this device does offer a solid camera experience. If you’re looking for a large-screen tablet experience on a budget, look no further than the Lenovo Tab 2 A10.
Specs
- 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (218 ppi)
- 1.7 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8165 processor
- 2 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front-facing camera
- 7,000 mAh battery
- 247 x 171 x 8.9 mm, 509 grams
- Android 4.4 Kitkat (planned upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop at the end of June)
Read more
- Lenovo announces the Tab 2 A10 and Tab 2 A8 tablets at MWC 2015
- Lenovo Tab 2 A10 hands-on and first impressions
And there you have it – our list of the nicest affordable tablets on the market right now! We’ll be keeping this post updated, so be sure to check back. You can’t really go wrong with any of the tablets listed above. Let us know what you think are the best cheap Android tablets!
FEMA recruits Google, Microsoft for new disaster initiative program
Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new program, Tech Corps. Beyond rescue operations, food, clothes, and shelter, people need access to Internet to find their loved ones in the event of a disaster. FEMA aims to accomplish this and much more with Tech Corps.
FEMA has brought on a handful of big-name companies, such as Google, Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco Systems. The goal is that these companies will provide volunteers with the appropriate skills to accomplish the goals of Tech Corps. Not only that, but by partnering with Tech Corps, these companies are also agreeing to train others that are willing to help with the needs of Tech Corps.
Senator Ron Wyden, who first proposed the new initiative, said:
“Tech Corps harnesses a deep well of technical expertise and private-sector manpower to make sure every resource is available immediately when disaster strikes. Information technology is often critical to saving lives, and this program ensures that red tape won’t stand in the way of volunteer experts who can stand up temporary cell networks and Wi-Fi solutions that are so important in disaster areas. I’m hopeful today’s partners are the first of many to sign up to work hand-in-hand with emergency responders to help craft more resilient and effective responses to future disasters.”
While natural disasters are a horrible thing, they’re a fact of life. But, with something like the Tech Corps program, victims may not have to go days or even weeks without knowing where a loved one is. Not only that, but with temporary cell networks available in the event of an emergency, it might just make the search and rescue process a bit easier than it has been before.
As Senator Wyden said, in our day and age, “technology is often critical to saving lives.” And hopefully the Tech Corps is able to help with just that.
Come comment on this article: FEMA recruits Google, Microsoft for new disaster initiative program
Hands-on with YouTube Gaming at E3 2015
Amazon-owned Twitch may dominate the market right now, but Google wants in on the gaming video action. Enter YouTube Gaming, the gaming video service launching later this summer, that we were able to try out on Day 3 of the E3 2015 show in Los Angeles.
We tested a “dogfood” (pre-release) version of YouTube Gaming on a Nexus 6, and straight from the beginning we could see it’s clearly distinct (with some resemblances) from the omnipresent YouTube. Visually, the Material Design UI features a black and orange color scheme, with a search bar at the top, a carousel showing featured content, a menu bar with links to games, channels, and feeds, and a list of current videos at the bottom.
Opening up a video reveals a tabbed interface with details, comments, and suggested content. You can also browse content by game, in which case you can see reviews, Let’s Play videos, a description of the game, popular content, and an Explore section. Or, you can follow your favorite gaming channels, including all the big popular ones, like PewDiePie, and thousands others.
Like on YouTube, there will be ads for monetization – we spotted a 15 second un-skippable ad playing before the beginning of a live feed video, though there will probably be other kinds of ads as well.
Google plans to release YouTube Gaming apps across major platforms, both for content creators and for users. Besides the Android app, we took a brief look at the desktop version of the YouTube Gaming web app running on a Chromebook, and we were really impressed with its fresh and fluid interface that was reminiscent of the Play Store design.
Users stand to win when two strong players go head to head, and from what we’ve seen so far, it looks like YouTube Gaming will be able to mount a serious assault on the reigning Twitch. Let us know your thoughts and stay tuned for more content from E3 2015!
Google, Microsoft join government’s disaster response program
People hit by storms and other disasters need more than food, clothes or shelter in the days following the unfortunate event. They also need access to working internet or cellular networks to find family and friends who (heaven forbid) might be missing or to get in touch with people who might be worried sick about them. Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hopes to supply the need for tech-savvy volunteers who can help out in those situations. That’s why it has launched the Tech Corps program and enlisted the help of several big-name companies in the industry, including Cisco Systems, Google, Intel and Microsoft.
These companies will not only provide volunteers with the skills to carry out tasks the Tech Corps needs to do, but also train others willing to help out. According to FEMA, the Tech Corps will be in charge of setting up temporary networks to bring back internet connectivity and enable telephone and radio communications in disaster areas. Some of the program partners have previous experience helping out in times of need, such as after the earthquakes in Nepal and Haiti, as well as during Hurricane Sandy. Hopefully, this initiative enables them to organize bigger disaster response operations.
According to Senator Ron Wyden, who first proposed the idea:
Tech Corps harnesses a deep well of technical expertise and private-sector manpower to make sure every resource is available immediately when disaster strikes. Information technology is often critical to saving lives, and this program ensures that red tape won’t stand in the way of volunteer experts who can stand up temporary cell networks and Wi-Fi solutions that are so important in disaster areas. I’m hopeful today’s partners are the first of many to sign up to work hand-in-hand with emergency responders to help craft more resilient and effective responses to future disasters.
[Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Misc, Microsoft, Google
Source: FEMA
Timed exclusive games: Does anybody win?
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
We recently found out that Fallout Shelter, recently crowned #1 game on the Apple App Store, would eventually be arriving on Android in a few months. I postulated that it was ridiculous that big developers were still delaying Android games after their iOS counterparts, but I completely forgot the possibility that Fallout Shelter might have timed exclusivity attached to it. Certainly, this isn’t the first time that this has happened, if true, though it often happens the same way: iOS game gets released, Android release comes months later. Which got me thinking about the question – timed exclusive games: Does anybody win?
Whether it’s a monetary bonus that’s offered to the developers, or some other assurance, we’re honestly baffled why this is still a thing. Sure, if you are Microsoft and Sony and you’re still trying to sell your relatively new game console hardware, that makes sense – however, if you are the two most established mobile platforms in the world and hardware is not really a question anymore (besides eking out percentage points of market share every year) and games aren’t a major selling point, it kind of stops making sense.
If you only release your game on one mobile platform, you’re potentially short-changing yourself of immediate profit – it’s not like users are going to flock to the other platform if they don’t release their game on that platform immediately. If you release your product on both platforms at the same time, you’re going to make more money right now. Is the amount of money Apple is offering Bethesda going to offset the loss of sales due to the delayed launch – possibly. However, one thing’s for sure: smartphones and tablets aren’t like game consoles – while they still polarize people, they are considerably more expensive than a game console, which really makes the notion of video game exclusivity on a mobile platform even more moot.
There’s perhaps only one scenario where this practice would make sense – if Apple were pushing the iPhone and iPad as a gaming platform. Is Apple selling Fallout Shelter as an iOS exclusive? No. And even if they were, what difference does it make? – after all, they’re only denying the other platform’s profit by a few months. Keep in mind that I’m not having a go at small development studios that can only afford to develop one game at a time. But when you’re backed by a huge publisher like Bethesda in the case of Fallout Shelter, that’s not really an excuse anymore.
The only reason I can see that either Apple or Google would bother to do something like this is to engage in their (at times) medieval pursuit of dominance over the other, which I think is as disappointing in the 21st century as it is backwards. Nobody wins with time exclusivity, and we’d all be better off without it.
That’s my rant over. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts about timed exclusive games in the comments below.
The post Timed exclusive games: Does anybody win? appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
YouTube’s multi-angle video meets Boeing’s acrobatic 787 flight
At the Paris Air Show earlier this week, Boeing showed off a few of its 787-9 Dreamliner’s tricks, including a near vertical takeoff. This new YouTube video shows the flight demo from several angles: one has the fuel-efficient plane in full view, another gives you the chance to watch what went on inside the cockpit and the last one shows the flight from the plane’s perspective. YouTube launched multiple camera angles as an experimental feature earlier this year, making the option available to select users. It uses an algorithm that syncs all the angles as you play the video, and you only have to either click on any of them or press their respective numbers on the keyboard to switch views.
The transitions were pretty smooth during our tests, so long as you allow the video to load a bit first before hitting play. However, the feature’s only accessible from computers, doesn’t work on mobile devices yet and isn’t ready to be embedded (you can see the regular vid below, but click here for the multi-angle version). Couldn’t care less about planes? Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube also has a Choose Your View video, if you’d rather learn how to cook beer-battered corn dogs like a pro.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KYbM-3E11Qo?rel=0
Source: YouTube
Redditor gives us an adorable reason why Android M should be Android Marshmellow
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Every year, around this time, we’re often pondering what dessert Google is going to name their next version of Android after. This year with Android M, we’ve had great suggestions like Milkshake, Mint and Milk Chocolate, but one Redditor has put his 2 cents in about why he thinks it should be called Android Marshmellow. CaptGarfield provided the following image he created to illustrate his point of view and his argument is… well, adorable.
In the style of Stay Puft Marshmellow Man from Ghostbusters, you can almost see a life-size version of this marshmellow Andy sitting on the Google HQ front lawn. Too bad that licensing and trademarks would make this a minefield for Google to navigate and get the rights to, but it’s always nice to imagine. What do you think Android M should be? Do you like Android Marshmellow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Redditor gives us an adorable reason why Android M should be Android Marshmellow appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
California U-turns, DMV releases self-driving car crash data
Facing pressure from the Associated Press, the California Department of Motor Vehicles released incident reports for self-driving cars on Thursday. The department had previously refused to do so, as state law regards collision reports as confidential. Per the initial DMV release, a majority of the accidents occurred when the car was in self-driving mode but were caused by the other vehicles involved. None of the accidents mentioned were serious enough to injure passengers in either car. Google, which has a team of companies working on its upcoming self-driving car prototype (pictured above), released its own crash report earlier this month at the behest of curious observers. In all, Google’s 23 vehicles have traveled 1.8 million miles of California highways (1.1 million in self-driving mode), and were involved in a total of 12 fender benders over that time span.
[Image Credit: AP]
Source: Associated Press
Google’s ‘My Ramadan Companion’ offers tips during the holy month
The holy month of Ramadan began for Muslims this week, which includes fasting from all food and drink during the day. In order to keep you informed of the exact times for sunrise and sunset, Google launched My Ramadan Companion. In addition to the time info, the site also collects recipes, local restaurant listings, YouTube content and other useful items in a card-based format for easy browsing. What’s more, the site pushes its findings to Google Now so the info you need is just a few swipes away on your phone. The digital assistant will suggest apps that can help you make the most of Ramadan — like reminding you to wake up for Sahur. The site is live so you can peruse as needed through the 30-day period that ends the evening of July 17th.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: My Ramadan Companion, Google
Google reportedly acquires Agawi, a startup that lets users stream apps from the cloud
Although downloading applications and games directly to our mobile devices has become par for the course for most smartphone users, that might change sometime relatively soon. According to a new report from The Information, Google last year secretly acquired a startup called Agawi, which has previously created certain technologies that would allow users to stream mobile apps and games from the cloud to mobile devices.
Agawi, which stands for “any game, anywhere, instantly”, actually had partnerships with a number of companies before the acquisition. While the acquisition has not been previously reported, TechCrunch explains that Agawi has not only ceased as a live business, but also three former employees of the startup are now listed as working at Google on their respective LinkedIn pages.
This could be Google’s big push away from native apps
So why did Google acquire this company? The report states that this could be the search giant’s first big step in moving users away from downloading apps natively and bringing them back to using the web for most entertainment purposes, which is where Google makes its money. Not only that, but Google could also use these new technologies to implement a “try before you buy” system with apps, allowing folks to test applications from the cloud before downloading them to their mobile devices. If this system is put in place, it would help developers make more money and help users’ phones run much smoother, which would both make Google happy in the long run. Details are pretty scarce regarding the rumored acquisition at the moment, though it absolutely makes sense as to why the company would invest in such technologies.
We might have to wait some time before we see Agawi’s tech roll out to devices, and these rumors might not even prove true. Even so, it’s still an interesting concept that’s worth some speculation.
AIVAnet 