She wants to face time with the grand kids, see her e-mail, maybe Facebook
I am sure someone much more tech savvy than me will set you on the right course though.
iPad vs. Android. With the iPad, you are pretty much locked into the Apple environment. The plus is that they control applications which means that there may be fewer problems seen app to app. Of course, the downside is that you pay a premium price for tablet/phone/computer as Apple is the sole source.
As far as what you mentioned your wife is interested in...absolutely no difference between Android and iOS. Those function equally well on either platform.
Edit: all those apps run exactly the same on both platforms..no difference.
Android...much more customizeable in appearance and usage. There are many very good equivalent apps for every iPad one available and the hardware is cheaper and from numerous sources. The Android OS offers a number of customizeable settings and has become about as mature an OS as the iOS. One can probably get several Android tablets with similar specs for the cost of an iPad.
If your wife has an iPhone, then probably she would be happier with an iPad.
I had both at one time, but gave up the iPad for another Android when it came time to upgrade. Of course, I use and carry my tablet around while working on our property and felt the iPad was too costly to replace if something happened (falling off tractor and getting brush hogged. LOL)
You planning on just wifi or connecting to cell data...that also should be considered. There are a number of Android tablets that have better antennas (according to some discussions I have read) than the iPad. I really have no experience in that area.