When it comes to tablets, are we blinded by the branding or is it really what's inside that counts?
As someone who is yet to actually own a serious 10-inch tablet, I'm still on the fence as to which tablet is in fact 'simply the best' available. In SA, like elsewhere, consumers seem to be wearing iPad- and Galaxy Tab-shaped blinkers. It has to be one or the other, or you must be using the equivalent of a “no-name brand” that's not really worth mentioning. Or is it?
Enter the Vodafone Smart Tab 10. It's not a bad-looking tablet. Not bad at all, with a textured black back and chrome frame. Sure, it's not going to be winning awards for being the thinnest or the lightest, but it's nice to look at and comfortable to hold.
The display quality is great at 800x1280 pixels - not the “resolutionary” quality of the new iPad, but for the average user who isn't looking at tablets under a microscope, that's a non-issue. Angry Birds looks good on the Smart Tab - end of discussion.
The Smart Tab supports both WiFi and 3G and takes a standard SIM card. It is also not blocked to the Vodacom network. The cover for the SIM and memory card slots does feel a bit flimsy though, and gives away the plastic finishes a bit, as you feel like it might snap off.
Thankfully though, Vodafone provides a convenient foam pouch for the Smart Tab in the box so you can keep it protected from the keys and other paraphernalia in the bottom of your bag.
The Smart Tab features stereo speakers (as well as a standard 3.5mm audio jack), which are a plus, but the sound quality itself is not something to write home about. But then again, you're not exactly looking for a home-theatre experience when snuggling up with your tablet to play Angry Birds or watch a YouTube clip. The Smart Tab is HDMI-ready, but you'll need to get yourself a cable from Vodacom.
Nifty apps
Running Android's Honeycomb 3.2 operating system, die-hard fans wanting a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich may want to keep looking. The OS, however, offers everything you'll need in terms of customisability and basic functionality - with all the usual Android widgets.
The Smart Tab has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 16GB on-board storage, which you can bump up to 32GB if you add a microSD card.
While the home and app screens are easy to navigate, there is a noticeable lag every now and then when opening apps and multitasking. I found this to be particularly frustrating when trying to type up documents in QuickOffice while running background applications. More than once the application froze and needed to be restarted.
Speaking of QuickOffice though, it is one of the useful preinstalled apps that come with the Smart Tab. In keeping with Vodafone's goal to market the Smart Tab as a tablet to help people on the go get things done, QuickOffice Pro offers some nifty features such as standard document formatting along with spreadsheets and presentations.
Don't lift a finger
The touch keyboard is responsive and a comfortable size for long periods of typing. It also has 'Swype' functionality that lets you essentially 'draw' through the keys to type words instead of tapping each individual key. I was pleasantly surprised by how accurate it was, although it does take some time to get out of the habit of lifting one's finger in between letters. It's nice to have the option though for those times when you don't want to be 'tap-tappity-tapping' the screen.
Other preinstalled apps include Dropbox, for easy file storage in the cloud, as well as Kindle and Pulse. Pulse I found to be particularly useful as it allows you to create a personalised stream of content from all of your favourite sites - including anything from news sites to 9gag. You can also create interest categories and build up your lists accordingly. Think of it as a visual, streamlined version of Google Reader.
Like the sound, the camera on the Smart Tab is not going to blow you away. With a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front-facing camera, you'll be able to have a decent video chat, but your photos will generally be a bit blurry. But then again, no one's expecting professional quality pictures from a 10-inch tablet - it's not exactly a subtle gadget to whip out at dinner with friends for a photo opportunity. On the plus side though, the camera mode does offer some special effects and the option to adjust exposure and white balance.
So all in all, the Smart Tab is a very decent tablet that is within the price range of the average consumer. It can do all the things you'd want a tablet to do - it's a jack-of-all-trades. While it's a little buggy at times, it will get things done and it offers a compelling case for looking beyond the brands that dominate tablet conversations.
The Smart Tab is available from Vodacom on prepaid or contract, and is also available in a seven-inch model.
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