Quick look: Google Nexus 9 vs Apple iPad Mini 3
Editor’s note: this comparison originally appeared on our sister site TabTimes, your resource for tablets and convertibles running all operating systems.
We’ve spent some time recently looking at the Nexus 7, Nexus 9, iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3. As we’ve been putting these tablets side-by-side to help you determine which is best for your computing needs, it is time we pit the 8-inch iPad Mini 3 against Google’s 9-inch Nexus 9.
Welcome to the Apple iPad Mini 3 vs Google Nexus 9 shootout.
Overview
The overall approach to these two tablets is perhaps similar in that they attempt to offer an excellent overall user experience, and package it up in a fairly mobile device. Neither the iPad Mini 3, nor the Nexus 9 rock the best of specs available, but they are still well equipped and ready to rock.
When we talked about the iPad Mini 3 and the Nexus 7 last week, we presented them as pocket-sized tablets – using that as a reference, I will say that the Nexus 9 is just a little too large for most pockets.
Design
In the basic sense of a modern tablet device, the Nexus 9 and the iPad Mini 3 share similarities in being 4:3 aspect ratio devices with beyond HD displays, house a single power/data port, and have been carefully crafted in shape and materials. Both devices feel solid to the touch, with the minor exception of the Nexus 9’s little back cover loose spot.
When we take a closer look, however, the differences are many. From the top down, the Nexus 9 houses its power button on the right hand edge of the device, where the iPad Mini 3 has a power button that lives up top. Volume rockers are in about the same position on the right edge and are very easy to find by touch on the iPad Mini 3, this is not true of the Nexus 9, as the side has a slight beveling to it that protects the buttons from protruding, eliminating many accidental presses.
Audio is another design difference, while the iPad Mini 3 has speakers on the bottom edge of the device, the Nexus 9 has dual speakers, one at the very top of the device and one at the very bottom, both facing the user. iPad Mini 3 users for whom audio is of the utmost importance may want to check out our iPad speaker docks piece for ideas.
Rear facing cameras live on the back side of each of these tablets, in the top left corner. Front facing cameras are centered above the display on the front. Front bezels are fairly minimal on the sides of the display for both the Nexus 9 and the iPad Mini 3. The top and bottom bezels are a little larger, especially with the Home button in the iPad.
That charging/data port lives on the bottom edge of both of these devices, with the Nexus 9 employing a micro USB port and the iPad with Apple’s new Lightning port.
The back casing of the iPad Mini 3 is of solid metal construction. The Nexus 9, on the other hand, is a full plastic non-removable back cover with a decent soft non-stick finish to it. The full outside edge of the Nexus 9 is where you’ll find metal in HTC’s design.
Display
When Google and HTC put the plans together for the Nexus 9, they decided on a display with resolution of 2048 x 1536. We keep calling it a 9-inch display, but it actually measures in at 8.9-inches, constructed of Gorilla Glass 3.
Viewing angles and brightness are more than adequate for your everyday needs, including when you head into a dark room or head out to enjoy some sunshine. Auto brightness settings are fairly accurate, but you may occasionally need to manually adjust for optimal viewing.
As it turns out, the iPad Mini 3 also rocks 2048 x 1536 on its 4:3 aspect ratio 7.9-inch IPS display.
Auto brightness settings on the iPad Mini 3 will bring you from a dim enough display when viewed at night, to a bright enough display to also see in the sunlight. I find that the auto settings err on the side of darkness, as I’ve only ever had to manually override to turn brightness up.
Performance
As mentioned earlier, the Nexus 9 and the iPad Mini 3 each offer specs that are not exactly what you would call the latest and greatest. This is not to suggest that performance suffers on these devices, on the contrary, each plow through the basics without a stutter and only really show signs of weakness in the heaviest of operations.
The Nexus 9 is one of the first 64-bit Android tablets to hit the market, powered by the Nvidia Tegra K1 Denver, which is a well appointed dual core SoC. With some of the benefits of Google’s latest version of Android, version numbers 5 and up Android Lollipop, the tablet does well with memory management from ART. Admitting that there are some issues with Lollipop right now, we won’t talk too in-depth about the operating system performance on the Nexus 9 ta this time.
Overall, the Nexus 9 performs well, we even ran an AnTuTu benchmark on it once, it scored about 58000.
The iPad Mini 3 is a very snappy performing tablet. The operating system is fast and smooth, which speaks both to the hardware and to the rather simplistic approach to iOS on the home screens. Although only equipped with ‘last year’s’ A7 chipset, it is a well performing 64-bit SoC itself. Most applications load in a snap, while you may notice a slow down with some of the larger and more strenuous of applications and processes.
Recently updated to iOS 8.3, the iPad Mini 3 also performs very well. It has been possible to notice a speed difference between it and the larger, faster iPad Air 2, but you really have to go looking for the differences to notice.
The same goes when opening similar apps on the Nexus 9 and iPad Mini 3 side-by-side, overall performance is fairly similar.
Hardware
In terms of your user experience, the major differences between the iPad Mini 3 and the Nexus 9, aside from the 1-inch of screen size, is that the iPad has a fingerprint sensor and the Nexus 9 has big, loud speakers powered by HTC’s BoomSound.
Certainly, having a physical Home button, as the iPad Mini 3 does, to many is a huge advantage, as the Nexus 9 sacrifices a touch of the display for navigation buttons. That said, there are some, myself included, that now prefer the on-screen controls to a physical button, but that is a personal preference.
The ability to double tap the screen to wake the Nexus 9 is extremely handy, as is the dedicated instant mute switch above the volume rocker on the iPad Mini 3.
Up on top of the Nexus 9 is a standard headphone jack, and out the bottom is that micro USB port. On the inside you’ll find that 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 192-core Kepler GPU. Sensors on board include an accellerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass and ambient light sensor. In addition, this tablet is NFC capable.
Measuring 8.99-inches tall and 6.05-inches across, the Nexus 9 is a fair thickness at 7.95mm (0.31-inches) in depth. Despite having a plastic back cover, with a bit of a loose spot that bothers many users, the Nexus 9 is also a very solid feeling tablet. Once again, it feels very sturdy and shows no signs of compromise when applying a real world use twist or bending pressure.
Battery life is advertised at 9.5 hours of basic web browsing, music or video playback out of the 6700mAh battery. As most advertised tests go, our results differed, providing roughly half the advertised life. Exact numbers are coming soon, stay tuned.
The iPad Mini 3 houses a standard headphone jack and Apple’s Lightning connector port. Hidden under the Home button is a fingerprint scanner that allows for biometric authenticated access into your tablet. Audio output is by the bottom facing speakers, sound is crisp and more than loud enough for most situations.
The iPad Mini 3 measures 7.87-inches tall, 5.3-inches across and is 7.2mm (0.28-inch) thick. The full metal shell of the iPad provides the utmost in strength. It takes a fair amount of pressure to make it bend, but forgive us for not pushing it too far.
Looking inside, we see other sensors, including a gyro, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. Keeping everything running on the Mini 3 is a 6350mAh battery. Apple says it will provide upwards of 10 hours of web surfing, music or video playback. In our time with the device, it did not last quite as long as advertised, but you’ll have to stay tuned for our full battery life test to see the results.
Camera
While tablet photography is a taboo subject for many, you’ll still be able to capture fairly nice photos with these devices. The Nexus 9 houses the larger sensor of the two, clocking in at 8MP.
The iPad Mini 3 has a smaller 5MP sensor, but they are both f/2.4 with auto-focus. Video recording is at full HD and the Nexus 9 has an LED flash. Both tablets offer a panoramic capture, with the Nexus 9 also offering Google’s Photosphere.
The front side of these tablets offer up 1.2mp camera sensors, for all of your FaceTime, Skype or Hangouts needs. 720p video capture is not a premium these days, but is more than adequate for a little video conference.
As I’ve said before, there really is no better way to explain the value of the cameras than to simply put them to work. Here are a few camera samples with the Nexus 9 going first and the iPad Mini 3 following in varying good and low light situations.
Software
Android is one of the most common operating systems found on many devices around the globe today. The latest iteration is Android 5+ Lollipop, which is found on the Nexus 9 as we have it. In fact, the Nexus line is Google’s flagship device approach at showing their vision of Android and Android devices, making the Nexus 9 more than just another tablet offering.
Overall, the software performance is solid, smooth and fast. One might complain about battery life before they complain about a poor experience otherwise. There is a good selection of apps installed by default, with many more apps ready to install from the Google Play Store.
The versatility of Android is well represented on the Nexus 9, allowing you to install third party Launchers, add tweaks as might be found in our Android customization series and so much more. The general approach is to keep the device wireless in all operations, allowing you to perform almost any task without wires. Until you need to charge the battery of course.
iOS on the iPad Mini 3 is a solid and very fluid experience. The tablet benefits wholly from the vast number of apps available that are dedicated to the iPad screen sizes. Straight out of the box, one can enjoy basic web surfing and navigation with just the default apps pre-installed on the device. As you might expect, you’ll need to have an Apple ID if you want to download and install more apps from the App Store.
As with your other iOS powered devices, there is no pressing need to connect your iPad to your PC and sync data through iTunes. Although, that connection may prove the best when it comes to transferring files, such as your pictures or music.
Pricing and final thoughts
Although there are more powerful tablets on the market today, the Nexus 9 and the iPad Mini 3 represent two of the most versatile tablets you’ll find, especially if you are looking for something that is easy to hold and take with you on the go.
| Google Nexus 9, by HTC | Apple iPad Mini 3 |
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It is always important to mention that the better choice of these two tablets, for you and your needs, is possibly the one that is most compatible with your other computing devices and accessories. If you have a large iTunes library and have purchased many iOS apps, then the iPad Mini 3 certainly has an advantage for you. Just as a large Google Play library and Android app inventory make the Nexus 9 a strong consideration for your needs.
Also, be sure to watch out for deals on the Nexus 9, you can often save a couple dollars during common deals at your favorite electronics retailers.
There is no question that the larger display of the Nexus 9 lends itself to media consumption, but the pocketability of the iPad Mini 3 makes it a treat to slip into a back pocket and head out the door.
If you have had the pleasure of laying hands on both the Google Nexus 9 and the Apple iPad Mini 3, please tell us which tablet you prefer?
Google Wallet balances to get FDIC protection
If you use Google Wallet and keep a balance of funds available in your account, Google is taking steps to help make things a little bit safer for you. Google is now moving funds stored in Google Wallet accounts into FDIC-insured bank accounts. Hopefully this extra insurance would never be something users have to take advantage of, but if they do they now have insurance up to $250,000 on the funds on deposit.
Normally users would not keep a balance in Google Wallet, using the service merely as a pass-through mechanisms. This is similar to how other services like PayPal operate. However, it is possible for users to end up with balances in their account. Sometimes this may be intentional as the user wants funds to be available in the account. Other times it may be because the user has assumed funds would be moved automatically.
Google Wallet competitors like PayPal and Venmo currently do not offer to put user funds in FDIC-insured institutions. However, PayPal does offer zero liability protection against fraud which would cover most typical situations where a user’s funds might be at risk.
Does the addition of this extra layer of protection make you more likely to use Google Wallet?
source: Yahoo! Finance
Come comment on this article: Google Wallet balances to get FDIC protection
Google releases new Project Loon update video
Google’s Project Loon continues development from an audacious goal to use balloons to provide Internet service to areas traditionally un- or under-served to being a reality that provides service to 2 out of 3 Internet users. In their latest video about Project Loon, the Google team talks about how they have been working to ramp up their capabilities for a mass deployment.
Some of the challenges discussed in the video include things like the manufacture and launch of the balloons. When the project first start, producing a working balloon was a long process that frequently involved hunts for leaks. Now, the company is able to produce a functional balloon in a matter of hours. Likewise, Project Loon has improved the launch schedule from one balloon per day to a dozen.
You can check out the full video below on the status of Project Loon.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: +Project Loon
Come comment on this article: Google releases new Project Loon update video
Your Google Wallet funds are now insured
The money in your bank account is typically covered by federal insurance, but your internet payment services typically aren’t. If PayPal or Venmo went belly-up, you’d probably lose your existing balance. That won’t be a problem if you’re using Google Wallet, though. Google is now holding your Wallet funds in banks with FDIC insurance, so your digital credit is now that much safer. This isn’t to say that rivals leave you completely vulnerable — PayPal has fraud protection, for instance. However, the Wallet move means that you won’t have to go to court to get your cash back if Google goes bankrupt, no matter how unlikely that is.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Yahoo Finance
Google’s ‘balloon-powered internet for all’ is almost ready
In case you wanted another behind-the-scenes look at how Google’s internet-by-balloon service is doing, now is your chance. The Project Loon team posted a new video showing everything from how it manages its balloon fleet, the balloon creation process, their partnership with local LTE network providers abroad and a few other aspects of the initiative as well. For example, the team is keeping the airborne-internet vessels afloat for up to 100 days at a time now, can build balloons in hours instead of days, and can launch many dozens of balloon every day instead of just a single one. Nearly two years after the project’s launch, it’s gone from “will it work?” to being presented as something that will work. With thousands of balloons aloft, it can push signal into areas that can’t easily get internet service in other ways. As is typical with these status updates, it’s slickly produced and has a handful of whimsical animations and music to boot — check it out after the break.
Source: Project Loon (G+), Project Loon
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
Sponsor: TickTick – Todo and Task List
[Price: Free with in app purchases]
TickTick is a task list application that allows you to organize your day. It features cross platform support on Android, iOS, and the web via extensions so you can check your tasks anywhere. It features real-time syncing across devices, the ability to do things like create checklists for more immersive task creation, support for sub tasks, and the ability to group tasks together in a folder. You can also upload attachments and share task lists for collaborative purposes. It’s a solid application that’s very easy to use and you should check it out.
Hello and welcome back to the Android Apps Weekly show! Here are your headlines for this week:
- First up this week, Google has added new sections to the Material Design guidelines. They cover data tables, units and measurements, app structure, data truncation, and additional stuff for the floating action button.
- Reports are coming in that Microsoft is striking deals with OEMs to lower licensing fees in exchange for bundling Microsoft apps on devices. Two days later, Cyanogen announced a new partnership with Microsoft where they do exactly that.
- A few Google apps were updated this last week. You can now locate your phone by typing “Find My Phone” into a Google Search. Google Drive has been updated to add 23 new languages and easier file sharing. Google Chrome now supports site notifications and got some bug fixes.
- Speaking of Google, the Google Play Store will now be working harder to bring higher quality family friendly content to the forefront. This comes on the heels of YouTube for Kids and the manual approval process announced a couple week ago.
- In our last bit of news this week, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are working on releasing a brand new Tomb Raider game. It’ll be Freemium infinite runner and it’s been soft launched in the Netherlands with a full release coming soon.
For more Android apps and games headlines, releases, and updates, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter where we’ll have the complete list of everything app related that happened this week. If you’re so inclined, you can sign up for it with your email address to get the newsletter sent straight to your inbox every Friday.
Subscribe to our Android Apps Weekly newsletter!
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft got a huge update this last week. Among other things, the app is now available for all smartphones and not just screens that are 6-inches or larger. People have been getting around that issue on their own but it does feel nice to have actual support for smaller screens. Also with the update came some bug fixes, performance improvements, and an indicator to let you know when you’re about to lose connection.
Google Handwriting Input
[Price: Free]
Google Handwriting Input is a new keyboard app that lets you write down your messages instead of just typing them out. It works on tablets and phones and you can choose whether or not to use a stylus. It also comes in 82 languages, supports emojis, and it’s available for all Android devices running Android 4.0.3 and up. It’s a nice augment to a keyboard and voice input and it recognizes your writing even if it’s pretty bad.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Experience
[Price: Free]
If you’ve been wondering about getting a Galaxy S6, you now have the opportunity to try out the software features to see if you like them. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Experience app lets you test out various Touchwiz features and look at the design and even the accessories of the Galaxy S6. This is a fun to try if you’re considering picking up the S6 or S6 Edge and it is free to use. It should also be compatible with most Android devices.
Magica X Magica
[Price: $0.99 with in-app purchases]
Magica X Magica is a 2D infinite runner and shooter game and it’s one of the precious few with an actual story line. You play as a girl who is trying to save her kidnapped friend by shooting a bunch of bad guys. It features some decent artwork and graphics, simple mechanics, various weapons, many missions, and boss fights. It calls itself the saddest game in this genre ever made and should be an interesting pick up for runner and shooter fans.
Joe Danger
[Price: $3.38 with in-app purchases]
Joe Danger is a side-scrolling daredevil game that was a huge hit on iOS and iPad and it’s finally made it’s way to Android. The game will feature 80 levels across 10 tours to challenge your skills, online scoreboards and achievements, 29 different characters, and daily challenges. You can also replay levels to get a perfect run to earn the Pro Medals for each level. It’s a fun little game and shouldn’t be too expensive for most people.
Wrap up
If we missed any great Android apps and games news, let us know in the comments!
Groupon is holding a fantastic promotion on the Chromecast [Deal]
If you haven’t got your hands on a Chromecast yet, but have been meaning to do so, you may like to know that you can currently grab one for just $20 from Groupon. The company is also offering complimentary shipping and won’t be charging any sales tax, making this an unmissable deal.
Hit the source link below to find out more.
Source: Groupon
Come comment on this article: Groupon is holding a fantastic promotion on the Chromecast [Deal]
Google Play Service 7.3 update brings trusted places UI [APK Download]
Google has updated their Play Services app to version 7.3 with a few new features, notably one adding a user interface for trusted places.
This UI will let you select an area as “trusted” within a ring, which will disable security features in that zone. This would be useful if you wanted to remove your password on your lock screen at home but keep it on everywhere else.
Another new trick is the ability to dismiss Android Wear notifications. Prior to this update, a connected Android Wear device would put a permanent notification in your notification bar. This might not have bothered some people, but others like a clean notification shade, so being able to swipe it away is handy.
If you don’t want to wait for the update to roll out to your device, you can grab the apk below.
source: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Google Play Service 7.3 update brings trusted places UI [APK Download]
Google+ gets a Material refresh animation and updated Community page view in new update
A new update to the Google+ Android app is rolling out now, bringing a few user interface tweaks to our favorite social networking app. For folks who are members of a Google+ Community, you’ll quickly notice that the page layout is much different. Instead of showing a small white banner with the Community title on the top of the screen, you’ll now see a much larger Community title, complete with a big banner image and a sleek gray/blue color. While these UI changes are nice, the big banner images displayed on the top are very pixelated in this update.
Side note: Want to join the Android Authority Google+ Community? Head here!
The last change we’re seeing in this update is the addition of a Material Design refresh animation. When Google updated the app with its Material Design guidelines a few months ago, pulling to refresh a page would result in a colorful loading bar scrolling across the top of the screen. Thankfully Google is now adopting its own guidelines and has done away with the loading bar. The Material refresh animation can be found in the third screenshot attached above.
The update to version 5.3 is rolling out now in the Play Store, so check out the link below if you haven’t updated yet. If you’d rather sideload the APK, you can do so by following this link.
Take a chill pill: Argument over Android vs iOS sees two roommates stab each other
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Android vs iOS. Google vs Apple. These are arguments that have lasted as long as anyone in the tech community cares to remember, and it’s not a debate that’s going to be solved simply using words. Nor is it going to be solved with sharp objects, as demonstrated by two roommates who have allegedly stabbed each other in an argument over Android vs iOS and which one is better. The altercation happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma after the pair had a few (too many) drinks and proceeded to argue about their personal smartphones. The argument quickly escalated into broken bottles and the use of those broken bottles to stab each other.
Both combatants are in hospital being treated for their injuries, and no charges have been filed. It’s the kind of thing you’d imagine would happen in a movie, but for it to happen in the real world is a bit extreme, not to mention ridiculous. There’s certainly no reason to be inflicting injuries on others just because of different opinions – and if the past few years have been anything to go by, neither side of the Android vs iOS argument is easily swayed.
What do you think about this violent argument over Android vs iOS? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: KTUL via TalkAndroid
The post Take a chill pill: Argument over Android vs iOS sees two roommates stab each other appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
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