April 11, 2011

GPS Vs MP4 Player Vs Android Tablet: Choose The Right Tech Gadgets

People have consistently been interested in technology and this fascination is manifested in the way folks make quite a buzz each time a new tech device comes out in the market. Just look at the number of device review websites, forums and net stores all dedicated to tech gadgets and identical products.

Gone are the days when a gizmo or gizmo is actually capable of performing one and only one sort of function. Tech gizmos today are packed with multiple functions and features, lots of which cross over or share functions with other gizmos. So that the question that will arise would be : the correct way to choose the right tech device for the job.

Preferred Tech Gadgets with Cross Over Functions

The following are 3 popular tech gadgets that have multiple functions that are similar with each other.

* GPS or world Positioning System tech gadgets have GPS tracking or receiving as its core function and most of its programming are design especially for using GPS signals to plot directions on a graphical route map from one location to another. However , many GPS units are also built with additional features like media players that will play music or movie files, a television tuner, a radio tuner, GSM and Wi-Fi connectivity for Internet access.

* MP4 Player – MP4 or what’s more technically called MPEG-4 Part 14 is a multimedia standard for digital video and digital audio as set by the MPEG or Moving Picture pros Group. MP4 Players are specially engineered to play multimedia and video files in the MP4 formats as well as audio files in the MP3 format. Although a media player is its main function, many MP4 players are also supplied with additional features like GPS, Wi-Fi, TV, Digital TV, games and a camera.

* Android Tablet – tablets are smaller versions of the laptop computer but are built as a slate or tablet with a touchscreen rather than a keyboard. An Android tablet employs the Android Operating System from Google and is a full PC in itself but is designed mainly for reading content in the Net. As a complete computer, Android tablets can also do other stuff like a multi-media player, gaming, GPS tracking and a camera.

Comparing a GPS with an MP4 Player and an Android Tablet

There are good points and bad points when using tech gadgets like GPS Units, MP4 Players and Android tablets. Each has their own advantages but these gadgets should be used only when it is acceptable and when the situation calls for it.

Just take for example the difference in screen sizes among these gadgets. Capsules have 7 to 10-inch screens which are a lot bigger than other gadgets and are good to use for web browsing. GPS units have a large range of screen sizes from the little 3-inch screens of small portable GPS receivers to the larger 7-inch models used usually within cars. But the smaller sizes of these screens aren’t as handy to use as tablets when skimming the Net. MP4 players on the other have even way smaller displays that it would be impractical to use for scanning the web.

MP4 Players cost the least among these gadgets and would be priced less than a hundred dollars. This is a better price than GPS receivers and Android tablets which can get anywhere from below $100 to as high as $500 or even more depending on the brand, inclusive features and accessories.

Battery life is another area of comparison between these widgets. Due to their multiple functions, these widgets drain their batteries faster but the smaller MP4 players consume battery juice the least. Battery life is critical especially for GPS units like folk, especially hunters or hikers, surely don’t want to get stranded in the wilderness due to batteries conking out.

Regardless of the multiple functionalities these gizmos offer, there are particular drawbacks and issues each of these devices have. MP4 players have the least function among the 3 and couldn’t be used as a communication machine. GPS units are far more complex to utilise and is dependent upon the usefulness of the installed software, otherwise not all additional features would function properly. Slates on the other hand sometimes have poor battery charge lifespan and its limited computing power would end in slow processors and shut down making it even more tough to use.

As for users, tablets are favoured by folks who require full computing power but in a smooth and portable package which they can carry around anywhere they’re going. GPS units on the other hand are required by folks who require help with coordinates, positioning and directions. MP4 players on the other hand are used by people that are engaged in certain activities that call for a smaller widget. In these kind of activities like hiking or jogging, it would be unrealistic to use slates instead.

Tech gadgets are really outstanding and this is evident with the multi-functionality of each of these devices that generally cross to another. This makes it tough to choose which of these gadgets would be right for a particular job. Each of these gizmos has weaknesses and strengths, but a widget that’s considered feeble in one area might be quite capable in another. The key thing here is to spot these strengths so you’ll know what particular tech gizmo would be acceptable for each particular need.

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