Samsung unveils 'Tab' the tablet

Samsung Telecommunications America threw its hat officially in the tablet space with the unveiling of its creatively named Galaxy Tab. (Not to be confused with Tab, the diet soft drink.)
The device is an expansion (literally) of its Galaxy S smart phone platform that launched earlier this year. Both platforms run Google Inc.’s Android operating system, with the Tab launching the 2.2 version of the OS when it begins shipping later this year. This will allow the device to access all the cool strobe light applications available through the Android Market.
The Tab will also sport a 7-inch enhanced TFT touch screen, thus bolstering it from the 4-inch smart phone-sized screen of the Galaxy S into the realm of tablet-ness. Samsung went to great lengths to point out the “pocketability” of the 7-inch screen size compared to some other tablets on the market that use larger screens (cough, cough, Apple, cough) and that the device weighs about half of current tablets (cough, cough, Apple, cough).
Samsung noted that native applications like calendar and e-mail were enhanced to take advantage of the Tab’s larger screen size, but did not go so far as to say the same for applications downloaded from the Android Market. That optimization appears to have been left to application developers.
The Tab will be powered by the same 1 GHz “Hummingbird Application” processor as the Galaxy S and include a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera and a 1.3-megapixel forward facing camera to one can only guess support the increasingly narcissistic nature of the Facebook/Twitter/MySpace society in which we find ourselves in. Samsung plays off this feature by saying it can be used for video calling over a Wi-Fi network only as the device does not support such functionality over a cellular connection or for that matter support any form of voice communication. Peculiar.
The Tab will also sport a 4,000 mAh battery that sounds big and according to Samsung will provide up to seven hours of continuous video playing ability, or just enough to watch the director’s cut of “Avatar”.
Speaking of content, Samsung also announced the “imminent” launch of the Samsung Media Hub that will offer consumers the ability to purchase or rent television shows or movies. (Not sure exactly the definition of imminent Samsung is adhering to, but as of this morning the Media Hub offering was still not available through the company’s Galaxy S devices.) Samsung said it has already signed deals with MTV Networks, NBC, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Paramount to provide content to the service. Content pricing was said to be “competitive” with going rates, which means it will be priced similar to what Apple Inc. charges for similar content through its iTunes store.
The device will also sport HDMI-out capabilities as well as the ability to share content with up to five other Media Hub-enabled devices.
As for how consumers can get their hands on the Tab, Samsung said the device would be available in the United States through the four largest wireless operators sometime this fall. The initial run of devices would combine Wi-Fi and 3G/cellular connectivity with a Wi-Fi only model to come online in the future. Customization for the devices would be limited to some software requirements to include each carrier’s specific offerings, while hardware customization was still being worked on. Samsung did note that the devices scheduled to ship would include cellular radios for 3G networks, discounting the chance that they would be compatible with either WiMAX or LTE networks.
As for customization, only Verizon Wireless unveiled some of those plans noting its version of the device would “applications such as Vcast Music with Rhapsody, Vcast Video on Demand, Vcast Song ID, VZ Navigator, along with games ‘Let’s Golf’ and ‘N.O.V.A.’”
Pricing for the devices was being pushed off onto the carriers, as well as the possibility of any device subsidy. Since the Tab will not be supporting traditional voice services, it’s expected carriers will have a data-only plan available for the device, though that pricing is yet to be determined. Currently, most operators are charging around $30 per month for data access on their Android-powered smartphones, however the more enhanced web browsing and multimedia experience available through the larger screen on the Tab could alter that pricing approach. AT&T Mobility currently charges $30 per month – without a contract – for data access for Apple’s iPad, and does not provide any subsidy on the price of the device.
While few can honestly pinpoint a market in which a tablet device makes any sense, Samsung said it expects the market to grow 45% annually for the next five years. This does not appear to be far off the mark as Apple’s iPads have reportedly been flying off the shelves.
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