Tablet VS Smartphone

jsmoke

jsmoke

jsmoke

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17 Jun 2012
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Bit knew to this, from a bit of research a tablet is virtually the same as a smartphone expect it can't call and can draw, anyway to convert the tablet to make and recieve calls?
 
After another quick bit of research I see google voice can make calls to landlines for about 2.4p/m, can't see if it makes calls to mobiles or 0845/0800 number, if it does does this effectively make allow a tablet to become a phone via 3g?

Which also makes me ask the question what is the difference between a call i.e/ typical landline of mobile call and 2g/3/4g technology etc?
 
jsmoke said:
Which also makes me ask the question what is the difference between a call i.e/ typical landline of mobile call and 2g/3/4g technology etc?
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Technically the difference is huge but the idea of telcos is to make it seamless to the customer. They use different ways of encoding the sound and signaling chiefly although there are other differences like time keeping and the path they take over a network to deliver the sound packets (known as media).

These differences are also different between Mobile, Fixed PSTN and IP (although slightly confusingly, it's possible to do an IP call over a mobile IP connection).

Going back to your original question,

  • tablets can always become IP phone devices (eg skype, google voice, viber) because that only needs a data connection and tablets always come with a minimum of wifi.
  • Some tablets can also do voice calls like a mobile phone (use a bluetooth hs though please) because they have the radio equipment to handle mobile calls too. These will need a SIM. These devices will also be able to use the SIM for data.
  • Some tablets again can take a SIM but only use it for data (and not calls)
 
It's something that has always been asked about ipods Vs iphones etc but I don't see how you can ever get away from the fact that you can buy a really good tablet for £200 and a phone for £10.
 
mame said:
It's something that has always been asked about ipods Vs iphones etc but I don't see how you can ever get away from the fact that you can buy a really good tablet for £200 and a phone for £10.
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pretty much this, why bother spending all that money on a tablet then use it for calling when you could just buy a phone for a tenner to go along with it?

or if you don't want to do that then buy a phablet like a Note 3 which is a 5.7 inch screen phone.

tablets also come in 2 different variations usually 7 or 10 inch, 10 inch is rather big and bulky and only really useful when your sitting down tbh, using it when on the move and transporting it is a pain due to it's size. 7 inch however can just about fit in large pockets, etc although no chance on slim jeans or trousers, etc, im talking big jacket pockets here or hoodies, etc.

my point being there is no way you are going to want to lug about a 10 inch tablet with you all the time as you would a mobile phone, it's just simply not feasible, a 7 inch one is doable but again not really suitable imo.

a note 3 imo is probably the biggest you could get away with for day to day usage.

you could probably pick up the original note now for peanuts but again, what is the point? i would rather own a decent tablet like the original nexus 7 and cheap ZTE or Huwaei smartphone than just a Note 1 tbh.
 
mame said:
It's something that has always been asked about ipods Vs iphones etc but I don't see how you can ever get away from the fact that you can buy a really good tablet for £200 and a phone for £10.
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That's a good point, never even thought of that.
 
There's also the FonePad from Asus. It's litterally a larger phone (uses a SIM card with normal calling/texting functions).
 
Psycho Sonny said:
pretty much this, why bother spending all that money on a tablet then use it for calling when you could just buy a phone for a tenner to go along with it?

or if you don't want to do that then buy a phablet like a Note 3 which is a 5.7 inch screen phone.

tablets also come in 2 different variations usually 7 or 10 inch, 10 inch is rather big and bulky and only really useful when your sitting down tbh, using it when on the move and transporting it is a pain due to it's size. 7 inch however can just about fit in large pockets, etc although no chance on slim jeans or trousers, etc, im talking big jacket pockets here or hoodies, etc.

my point being there is no way you are going to want to lug about a 10 inch tablet with you all the time as you would a mobile phone, it's just simply not feasible, a 7 inch one is doable but again not really suitable imo.

a note 3 imo is probably the biggest you could get away with for day to day usage.

you could probably pick up the original note now for peanuts but again, what is the point? i would rather own a decent tablet like the original nexus 7 and cheap ZTE or Huwaei smartphone than just a Note 1 tbh.
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I've got a Note 1 which needs replacing as I've owned it two years and it has been used heavily during that time. But I've today bought a 2013 Nexus 7 32gb for £209 and will probably be getting a midrange Android phone. It just seems the best of both worlds. I love the Note and it's been fantastic but with tablets like the Nexus it's just such good value and great on a train while commuting. Unfortunately I missed the drecent deals on the Nexus phones
 
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