Samsung comes correct with a full size tablet... now it's getting hot in here!
Ok, this is it, this is what every Android fan has been waiting for since you first saw Mr Jobs holding an iPad. Yes, this is Samsung’s new 10.1-inch Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Sure, Motorola got there first, but we all know Samsung’s Android track record which makes the new Galaxy Tab just that tiny bit more exciting. Although it was photographed in the “wild” at the Mobile World Congress earlier today, Samsung have now officially outed the device with full fanfare and much rejoicing.The tablet is “With Google” branded, meaning it runs an untouched Android 3.0 Honeycomb. (We think it’s great to see manufactures embracing stock Google software). The screen is a 1280 x 800 TFT LCD, and the whole package is powered by a 1Ghz dual-core Tegra 2 processor. The new Galaxy Tab thickness measures only 10.9mm and weighs a mere 599g beating both the Apple iPad and the Motorola Xoom in both respects.
March is scheduled as a release date for Europe and Asia and Vodafone seem to have snagged an exclusivity deal on this one with the official press release reporting that
“Vodafone customers in over 20 markets around the world will be the first to get the Galaxy Tab 10.1 when it goes on sale this spring”
Nevermind all that Samsung, when can we get a WiFi only version? Pricing, on contract or otherwise, is unknown at this point in time, but was reported to be ‘competitive’ by Samsung themselves.
Well, it looks like the Android tablet market just got exciting with the launch of the new Galaxy Tab. Although it shows every indication of being a fantastic piece of gadgetry, it’s success vs the Motorola Xoom could inevitably hinge on what price point Samsung and Motorola can deliver the devices at, and whether they prioritize subsidized network deals or outright hardware sales.
Here’s a full spec rundown:
- Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
- 10.1” 1280 x 800 (WXGA) TFT Display
- 1GHz Dual Core application processor
- Rear Camera: 8.0-Mega Pixel Camera AF with LED Flash
- Front Camera: 2.0-Mega Pixel Camera
- Memory: 16GB/32GB
- Size: 246.2 x 170.4 x 10.9mm (599g)
- Battery: 6860mAh
Full Press Release
BARCELONA, February 13, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a provider of smart media devices and the global leader in Android™ tablets, in partnership with Vodafone Group, today announced the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 (Model: P7100), a powerful Dual-Core Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Smart Media Device, designed to deliver the ultimate mobile entertainment experience.
“As a leader in the Android-powered tablet market, Samsung is committed to providing a variety of feature-rich, always-on devices” said DJ Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales & Marketing. He continued, “The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is a valuable addition to our expanding portfolio of smart media devices. Sporting a large 10.1 screen and dual surround-sound speakers, it enables users to enjoy multimedia to the maximum extent without having to compromise mobility.
Patrick Chomet, Vodafone’s Group Director of Terminals, said: “Vodafone customers in over 20 markets around the world will be the first to get the GALAXY Tab 10.1 when it goes on sale this spring. Samsung have produced a stylish, market-leading implementation of the new Android 3.0 platform which will be the first Honeycomb device to arrive in many of those markets. Vodafone’s competitive data tariffs and reliable, high-speed networks make using the GALAXY Tab 10.1 a great experience.”
“Samsung continues to develop innovative products that contribute to the continued growth of the Android ecosystem,” said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google.
As the tablet market experiences unprecedented interest, Samsung and Vodafone have partnered to cater to customer demand and offer them the perfect way to enjoy the huge variety of opportunities the Android platform provides. Whether playing games, reading eBooks or updating your Facebook status, the lightweight, ultra-slim Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is the ultimate entertainer and builds on the industry-wide success of the two million-selling Samsung GALAXY Tab.
“As more employees are empowered with mobile access to enterprise systems, applications and data through their device of choice, the requirement for IT to support the widening array of device types can be extremely complex and unwieldy,” said Willie Jow, vice president enterprise mobility, Sybase. “The combination of Samsung’s leading devices and Sybase’s best-in-class management and security solution now bring Android to the level enterprises require for full-scale deployments.”
The Ultimate Entertainment ExperienceA 10.1” (WXGA TFT LCD) display with crystal clear resolution (1280 x 800) makes the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 an unrivalled device for experiencing the hundreds of thousands of games and applications available from Android Market™. To compliment the amazing visual quality of the device, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 includes dual surround-sound speakers to immerse you even more fully.
The device also includes an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with Auto Focus and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera which lets users capture experiences with the best-in-market full HD record and play as well as easily share them. With the Android browser and Flash 10.1, the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is the perfect tool for consuming the world of the internet content wherever you are.
Performance and SpeedCombined with the latest version of Android’s tablet-optimized operating system, Honeycomb, Samsung has created a device that is powerful and lightning fast.
The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 includes a 1GHz Dual Core application processor, giving you the kind of fast and powerful multimedia and web browsing experience. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1’s Dual Core processor, low power DDR2 memory and 6860mAh battery, make it perfect for task management in an energy efficient way.
Maximized PortabilityAt just 599g in weight and mere 10.9mm- slimness, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is lighter, slimmer and more portable, meaning users are free to enjoy its many features while on the move. With the need to remain constantly connected, Samsung has also included super-fast HSPA+ 21Mbps, Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to support rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times.
