List by Ti-Sheba Jordan & Jason Anderson
It’s that time of year again. Time to splurge on tech you always wanted it and call them gifts, get someone to get it for you or get them for your loved ones. Maybe you already started shopping or you’re hoping for Black Friday type deals on a day you don’t actually have to be at work. It’s not always enough to find a deal, but it’s always good to know what you should actually be looking for a deal on.
With smart phones getting bigger by the second some may think tablets are irrelevant but for others that probably haven’t gotten on the tablet train yet this has been a good year to consider picking one up. Here’s a list of tablets we suggest that are definitely worth your holiday cheer.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is a little bit bigger than your average 10” tablet, but because it’s their thinnest and lightest tablet to date you don’t notice that it’s actually larger. Keeping pace with the latest tech trends the Samsung Galaxy Tab S has a Fingerprint Scanner. Multi User Mode and has a screen resolution that’s optimized for reading and browsing magazines. The Ultra Power Saving mode will turn off non-essential apps and turn you screen to black and white if you battery reaches critically low. You can pick the Tab S in Dazzling White or Titanium Bronze with rose gold trim.
Price:$479.99 and up
Apple iPad Air 2
The iPad Air 2 is quite an upgrade from last year’s iPad Air release offerings. The second generation not only includes a much faster processor and improved WiFi, but it also includes Apple’s Touch ID technology. You can use Touch ID to make purchases in iTunes, iBooks and the App Store.
They included the new iSight camera with advanced optics with extra features like timer mode, time-lapse videos, Panorama, time-lapse videos, slo-mo and burst. Front facing FaceTime HD camera has also been upgraded with larger pixels for better performance in low light. The iPad Air 2 is lighter and thinner than its predecessor making it more portable and easier to use. iPad Air 2 comes with iOS 8 which includes new features such as Continuity, Family Sharing and adding voice memos to iMessages. The iPad Air 2 is available in Space Gray, Silver and Gold.
Price: $499 and up
Vivitar Camelio
This 7” tablet doesn’t run the latest Android OS, but what sets it apart are their personality packs. Personality packs let users customize their bumper case, lock screen, photo editor, widgets, wallpaper and even the camera. You can have up to 5 different users on the tablet all with different character “themes”. You can add as many themes as you like from a large catalog of characters such as Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Monster High, Barbie, Hot Wheels, WWE and more.
The Vivitar Camelio has all the features you would expect from an android tablet like built-in WiFi, Touch screen, Camera, HD Video and more. Not a bad purchase for the young techie or not so techie person on your list.
Price: $59.99 and up
Google’s Nexus 9
Just recently released by Google, the Nexus 9 has made it right in time for the holiday season. Sporting a subtle design that is similar to the popular Nexus 7, this time made by HTC. The Nexus 9 bring the same goodness the Nexus 7 had, but this time in a larger frame. Also the Nexus 9 was one of the first devices to sport Android’s latest OS Lollipop. There are many Android tablets out there in different sizes and prices ranges, but the Nexus stands out to be the reference tablet for what an Android Tablet should be. With the Nexus 9, you come around with Android Lollipop before any other tablet has it, dual front facing speakers, great performance, and a tablet that while is larger than the last model, it is also light. This make it great to hold and easy to use. If you or the special person you are looking to get a tablet for is an Android user, you will do quite well with the Nexus 9. Coming in both a 16GB and 32GB storage version, and colors include Indigo Black, Lunar White, and soon Sand.
Price: $399.99 and up
Google’s Nexus 7
Ahhh the Nexus 7, this is by far one of the greatest Android tablets out there! The most recently model was the 2013 edition, and while Google itself has seemed to stopped selling it, if you look around you may be able to find one. Why should you? Well the Nexus 7 is designed well, looks great, feels great to use, and comes at a very affordable price! Now with the addition of Android Lollipop, it just made an already great tablet that much better. The Nexus 7 comes in the 16GB and 32GB storage size. This is a good tablet that you can hold and operate with one hand. I personally love this one and honestly would recommend it if you was planning on picking up a tablet this season. It may be difficult to fine, but if you do, sweetness awaits you!
