No one has replied yet? Let’s hope you get other replies.
Here are a few considerations:
Battery life
Some tablets do not charge via USB, but have their own independent power ‘brick’, presumably the recharging time is more quicker. But those with USB charging can use a USB power bank so you can charge without too much problem if necessary no matter where you are. I have one in my gig bag (and cables) for emergencies (it has a flash light built in also which can be very useful) and it can usually sit on the music stand beside it. So compromising on battery life might not be as problematic as you think it will be (but I know what you mean, battery life is important.)
Having the screen brightness up (sunlight, pit orchestra lights etc.) uses up more battery life obviously.
Screen size
For reading charts in iReal Pro a 10” screen is probably adequate although it depends how far away you are from it (what instrument you play, where the music stand is). But if you are reading notation also, you might find a larger (13”) screen easier to read.
This thread may be useful:
http://www.irealb.com/forums/showthr...ons-for-Tablet
Also many people find the tablet’s aspect ratio better nearer the iPad’s (4 x 3) but most Android tablets are widescreen, more suitable for video rather than PDF viewing. Unless you create your own notation pages to that ratio, there is usually wasted space at the top and bottom of the screen because the printed page, scans etc. usually are not near widescreen proportions.
OS
Your app needs are quite simple so anything from OS 4.0.3 (currently for iReal Pro) upwards would work, but you might prefer OS Lollipop (or above) as they are more advanced. Also check what other apps you are wanting to use and that they are also compatible (or whether just any OS will be ok).
Nexus devices receive OS updates regularly from Google, Samsung a little, but most might be given a small incremental update and then just ignored by their manufacturers.
Also Android OSs have a relatively high audio latency which means app development in some areas for musicians has been thwarted. This might not be important to you initially but if you want to use certain types of music apps in the future, the OS, hardware, manufacturer and recommendations of each specific app would need to be considered. IK multimedia have started to make some apps available on Android and Samsung I think have reduced audio latency in some of their devices which a particular app might take advantage of.
Apps
The app, Mobilesheets, is arguably the best Android app for displaying music notation, chords, chord pro etc. in PDF (and other) formats. Check their forum website for recommended tablet options from users:
http://zubersoft.com/mobilesheets/forum/index.php
You can use it to display iReal Pro charts (PDF) also and with multitasking, use iReal Pro’s player in the background if needed (although MS supports attaching audio files to songs).
Storage
iReal Pro’s songs take up very little space and with the few fake books, 8GB should be enough if that is all you want to do, but over time you might find yourself wanting to add more. (You will probably want to grow into it, not out of it.)
And check a few musician Android forums to see what other apps they use because although you think you only need to use it for a couple of apps, there might be other apps that might interest you. This could impact on the required size of memory storage. (For instance you might want to use it for recording rehearsals, quick video editing (using the large screen) for uploading to your band channel or a student’s performance or as a DAW in the classroom.)
Page-turning
If you want to use Airturn (or similar) pedals for page turning, check the tablet will work with this. Currently iReal Pro (Android) does not support Airturn, but MobileSheets does (on supported tablets).
http://www.airturn.com
iPad
You mention iPad (and cost) - some thoughts on this.
For what you require Android would be adequate. But there are many more musician-related apps, and many professional ones that could be useful for you. Have you checked out ebay? Older devices are still supported by Apple, generally years longer than Android. iReal Pro still runs on iPad 2 (although it’s getting quite old now) but since then there have been iPad 3, 4, Air and Air 2.
Again check around various forums to see what iOS apps are used. If you are still happy with your Android choice then at least you have decided by being informed.
This thread might be useful:
http://www.irealb.com/forums/showthr...ny-experiences
Also because you have a MacBook Pro, you might find using your iPad as a secondary screen useful.
examples:
AstroPad
Logic remote (if you use Logic)
Duet
To be clear, I’m not trying to talk you out of Android, but you mentioned your MacBook Pro, iPad and teaching, so thought I would mention these.
Chromecast
Check which android devices can Cast to a TV, projector (etc.) if this is important to you (classroom teaching etc.) Some of the Nexus devices work of course—many of the cheaper tablets do not.
Have a search around our forum for other related threads also.
Does any of this help?
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