Why Choose Android / Samsung Galaxy tablets with VidaMounts?

If budget and a low initial cost is key, then building your tablet mount with Android-based options for VidaMount - like the Samsung Galaxy Tab series and Amazon Fire tablets - are probably the best bet. This isn't to say choosing less expensive tablets is bad in any way - as Samsung Galaxy Tablets do offer higher end options (like the Tab S series), which provides hardware with performance comparable to more expensive iPad options. Let's go over the pluses and minuses:

1. Wide range of price points

Are you looking for an inexpensive tablet that can handle just 1, maybe 2 very simple tasks for your VidaMount? At the time of writing, Amazon Fire 7-inch tablets can be had for as little as US$50! This is an unbeatable price - making it super affordable to put touchscreens and mount Fire tablets anywhere for basic, non-processing intensive apps like:

- Room / Visitor managament
- Timeclocks
- Sign-in stations
- Smart Home Controls

...and more! Alternatively, if we want something higher performance, something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a processing powerhouse*, and can easily handle the most graphics intensive, CPU-hungry apps! The wide array of price ranges and tablet options available on Android is something that isn't typically found on any other OS' tablet list of choices - i.e. iPads are generally more expensive, while Amazon Fire tablets are just extremely inexpensive, but relatively low performance.

* - At the time of writing; Aug 2020

2. Supports sideloading of APKs

From a programming standpoint, it may be easier to develop and test on Android devices, since a completed app can be packaged into a single APK file - which can then be quickly loaded onto any Android device + mount - whether it be an Amazon Fire Tablet mount or Samsung Galaxy Tab w. enclosure - and tested immediately.

By sideloading APKs - this also means that inexpensive Amazon Fire tablets, which lack the Google Play store, can still pretty much run whatever app you want! As long as you have the APK package/file, there's no need or requirement to download apps via the Google Play store!

3. Multi-tasking Support

On the higher end Samsung Galaxy Tabs, multi-tasking, or running (2) or more simultaneous apps at once in the foreground and the main screen, is supported. This can be quite useful if there is a specific need to run two (2) apps side-by-side - such as automation controls app on one side, with an app showing security cameras on the other side - on a single VidaMount setup w. Galaxy Tab.

Keep in mind that in most tablet-based kiosks, only (1) app is generally running and is the focus of that tablet mount. Thus, multi-tasking on Samsung Galaxy Tabs, while useful, would only be a "big plus" for power users.

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With Android's low cost and wide range of performance options / price points - why hasn't it become the world's #1 option? Some negatives about android based kiosks and choosing Amazon Fire mounts or Samsung Galaxy Tablet enclosures to consider are:

A-1. Samsung: Older / Pre-2018 tablet models - A "busy" front with un-hideable physical buttons

The older, 2018 and earlier Galaxy Tab A and tab E series generally feature the SAMSUNG logo at the top, with a set of physical or "hard" buttons for HOME, BACK, and APPS buttons for overall control. From an aesthetics stand point, the physical appearance of these buttons make the front surface look crowded, and may detract from the overall looks of the tablet setup. By using an older, Samsung Galaxy Tablet - there's no native, built-in way to disable these hard buttons - which means that one would have to seek out a 3rd party app if disabling them is desired. This may not be an option for novice technology users. On our VidaMounts, there's no way to effectively "hide" these buttons due to the way that the home button 'sticks out' - whereas the iPad's home button is recessed. It makes "unbranding" a kiosk w. older Galaxy Tablets a difficult task.

A-2. Amazon Fire & Newer, Post-2019 tablet models - No front buttons, but also no natively built-in "Guided Access" mode

So far, all Amazon Fire tablets and the latest (2019 & later) Samsung Galaxy Tablet models all have no front hard buttons - which allows the tablets to enjoy a clean, neat look. The tradeoff is that these buttons are now on the bottom of the touchscreen as soft buttons. Thus, if we are looking to "lock in" a specific app to be the only one functional on the tablet's touchscreen - that would only be possible if the app we are running natively hides the soft home/back/apps buttons or has that ability built-in (rare). Alternatively, we will need to seek out a 3rd party app to hide the "on-screen" or "soft" buttons away from view on an Amazon Fire tablet kiosk setup. (This is also why we have on-wall slim mounts only for the Amazon Fire - as it has a easily removable face plate to allow access to the physical power button.)

B. No Walled Garden = Possible Security Risk

While this is a low probability occurrence problem, Android tablets can face a higher degree of security risk due to the lack of a "Walled Garden" to run new apps. Android tablets' strength in being able to quickly and easily load apps(i.e. without an authority like the Play Store to verify the app) may become a negative in this case.

How is this a vulnerability? As previously mentioned, Android tabs can support the sideloading and installation of APKs. Thus, a malicious user or anyone who has physical access to the device can easily download an APK onto the device, enable installation of 3rd party / unverified sources - and run malware. This makes it all the more important to configure the completed Samsung Galaxy tablet kiosks / Amazon Fire tab mounts carefully before public deployment to prevent problems for the setup, and make 'locking down' the tablet a top priority. This is especially key if it's being used in Point-of-Sale / PoS Applications were financial data is being accessed.

C. Variable performance from model to model

As previously mentioned, while the low cost of tablet setups using the Amazon Fire 7-inch may seem extremely appealing for use as the "starting point," we would strongly recommend that any and all apps that are expected for constant use be tested thoroughly and under heavy load. Why? As the old adage goes - "You get what you pay for" - and that rings very true for tablet performance when it comes to hardware.

For example - keep in mind that the Amazon Fire tablet series is designed for media consumption, web browsing, and use as an eReader. Loading a graphics or CPU intensive app and expecting it to run seamlessly would be setting oneself up for disappointment. Conversely, running the same app on a more powerful Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) or the Tab S7 would likely result in a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

If the project calls for a large deployment, be sure to do extensive testing before finalizing the choice of a lower-cost tablet simply because of cost. Why? The dollar savings up front may be vaporized by technical support headaches later, if the hardware doesn't perform as expected and keeps glitching, having "hangs" or freezes.

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Do you have a current kiosk project, and aren't quite clear as to how to best proceed with your tablet selection process for a Samsung Galaxy Tab based kiosk or Amazon Fire mount? Give VidaBox a call and tell us about your project - at 844-4-KIOSKS. Any of our experts would be happy to hear about your tablet kiosk's requirements, and help launch your project with the best fitting mount and tablet choice for your setup!