subject: Move Over iPad, here Comes Galaxy Tab [print this page] According to CNN news, Samsung just debuted its Galaxy Tab claiming "the device is at least as good as today's dominant tablet, Apple's iPad." The Galaxy Tab, Samsung execs say, may even be better. How is that?
For one, it permits both picture-taking and video chat with front and back mounted cameras. The front-facing camera is 1.3 mega pixel and the rear-facing is a 3 mega pixel camera. It is lighter than the iPad in that it weighs 0.8 pounds (the iPad weighs 1.5 pounds). The Galaxy Pad also comes with a powerful Cortex A8 1.0GHz processor and supports HD video. The device will offer 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage and will have MicroSD expansion for up to 32 GB of additional storage.
The Galaxy Tab will support 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with push e-mail. It will not offer voice calling features (except via VoIP apps).
The Galaxy Tab runs Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and has a 7-inch LCD display with a 1024 x 600 resolution. It also supports Adobe's Flash Player 10.1 so it can display web pages that run Flashsomething the iPad can't.
And about the Android system.as Android continues to successfully compete with iPhone, this will be a boost for the Galaxy Tab. The system will include Android 2.2, called Froyo, and will be upgradable to Android 3.0, called Gingerbread, Samsung Executives said. Honeycomb won't be available on the first Galaxy Tab models though. The company was trying to emphasize portability and mobility and focus on applying a smartphone platform instead of a tablet platform. Honeycomb is more specifically optimized for a different type of tablet right now, but Samsung hopes to integrate it quickly into future models.
Despite not having Honeycomb, execs at Samsung say that almost all independent apps in the Android Market will work for the Galaxy Tab. Users can buy the tablet and immediately have apps they can download and play with. Execs then add, "But we will have to test this to see if it will work for all apps in the Market."
While Android was made specifically for smartphones, experts say Samsung seems to have done a good job of making the Android OS work on the tablet form factor.
What else does the Samsung have and do? The Galaxy Tab also includes an e-reading application powered by Kobothe e-reader sold at Borders. The tablet has a Media Hub' for video clips and movies, which Samsung hopes to offer as rentals or downloads that users can buy.
So how does Apple's iPad compare? Will it be able to match the iPad's overall user experience. With Apple's complete integration of hardware, software, operating system and applications - it could be difficult for anybody to compete.
How about battery life? Samsung hasn't bragged to much about it. The company claims it can play high-definition video for at least 7 hours on a single charge and perform less strenuous tasks for much more than 10 hours. The iPad can last 10 hours running a combination of video, book reading and web surfing.
How much will the Galaxy Tab cost? Samsung execs say it will span a range of prices. "Next year, you might be able to see a variety of different tablets coming from our company." Even with that, Samsung wouldn't reveal its prices, leaving it to telecommunication companies to price them.
Samsung plans to launch the device in Europe in mid September, and in the U.S. and Asia shortly thereafter.
