Four months after the device launched, Verizon has just begun rolling out Marshmallow for its Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0 (via SamMobile). The update, with software version T377VVRU1BPD6, brings all of the best features of Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow along with a June security patch…
While last week’s Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge announcement will undoubtedly be the highlight of Samsung’s year, it seems the company is still showing interest in the tablet market. Evan Blass leaked a set of press renders for upcoming 2016 models of the Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab E.
Last year, Samsung and Barnes & Noble introduced the lower-end Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook, and just last month the same companies partnered to launch the Galaxy Tab S2 Nook on the other end of the spectrum. Today, Barnes & Noble has announced that there’s now a Samsung Nook offering that joins the two halfway: the Galaxy Tab E Nook… Expand
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Samsung recently announced a brand new tablet range dubbed the Galaxy Tab S2, and today, the company has announced that its new 8.0-inch and 9.7-inch tablets are going to be available to pre-order from Samsung, Amazon and Best Buy starting today. They’re expected to launch at partner retailers and carriers on September 3rd. Pricing starts at $399 for the Wi-Fi only 8-inch model with 32GB storage, with the 9.7-inch 32GB Wi-Fi only version costing $499.
T-Mobile is one of the first U.S. carriers to announce that it will be selling the LTE-equipped versions of the tablets from September for $649 full retail, or $0 down and 24 monthly payments of around $27.
As revealed previously, apart from size, the two Galaxy Tab S2 models share almost identical specifications. Both 4:3 ratio screens have a resolution of 2048 x 1536, both have 8MP rear cameras and 2.1MP front cameras. Both are also powered by the same octa-core processor, feature 32GB storage (expandable up to 218GB) and 3GB RAM, although there is a 64GB storage option for the 9.7-inch version. Both also have 802.11 Wi-Fi up to AC standard with 2.4GHz and 5GHz compatibility and have Bluetooth 4.1 radios, fingerprint scanners and a bunch of the usual motion and light sensors. Both, incredibly, are also just 5.6mm thin. The only other real difference is the battery capacity: The small version features 4,000mAh while the larger one has 5,870mAh.
So far, we’ve ben unable to locate any pre-order pages, but we’ll update the post with links to those as soon as they go live.
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This morning in Seoul, Korea, Samsung announced its latest Galaxy Tab, and it’s ludicrously thin. Both models of Samsung’s metal-framed Galaxy Tab S2 measure in at just 5.6mm thin and feature either a 9.7-inch or 8.0-inch, 2084×1536 resolution Super AMOLED screen. The S2 will be available to buy across the globe from August.
Other specifications include an 8MP rear camera, 2.1MP front-facing camera and an octacore processor made up of a 1.9GHz quad-core and a 1.3GHz quad-core chip. The Tab S2 will ship with a fingerprint sensor built-in, 3GB RAM and either 32GB or 64GB inbuilt storage, expandable up to an extra 128GB. If you go with the larger 9.7-inch model, you’ll get a 5,870mAh battery while the 8-inch has a 4,000mAh cell. There will be LTE and Wi-Fi only models available at launch.
As first reported by Android Police and listed on a Samsung support page for the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, it seems that Verizon’s variant of the tablet is now receiving an OTA update to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.
The software version for the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 becomes T707VVRU1BOD4, and to check if the Lollipop update has reached your device you need to open your Settings app and select About device.
We would’ve hoped this update would be to 5.1.1, as earlier 5.0 versions have been known to cause a bevy of problems for many devices, but alas we can only hope that Samsung did extensive enough testing to fish out any significant problems.
A report from earlier this month said that both 8-inch and 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 tablets are in Samsung’s pipeline, and today we have our first look at what very well might be the 9.7-inch variant of the device. On first look, it appears that the device’s screen has an iPad-like 4:3 aspect ratio…
Samsung is reportedly planning to introduce two new tablets— the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and Galaxy Tab S2 9.7— sometime next month. Some details have leaked previously, including specs that come in thinner than Apple’s latest iPad Air, but today SamMobile reports that the tablets will get an official debut in June: Expand
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New products & more:
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Granted that isn’t Samsung’s official reason for launching the ruggedized version of the Galaxy Tab, which is both water and dust resistant, and protected against 1.2 metre drops. Samsung says that the Galaxy Tab Active is likely to appeal to business users who need to use tablets in places like construction sites and transport depots.
Along with the protective casing, the device has what is described as a tougher C-Pen stylus. You might wonder how many Galaxy Tab variants are needed, but the company says that it consulted with Fortune 500 companies to determine what was needed from a professional tablet … Expand
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After 8-inch and 10.1-inch variants arriving on T-Mobile, AT&T and elsewhere in recent months, today Sprint announced that it will be launching Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 this Friday on August 15.
The tablet, which packs in a 1.2 GHz Quad-core processor, Android 4.4 KitKat, 1.5GB RAM, and a 1280×800 WXGA display, will be available through Sprint for $299.99 or $0 down and 24 monthly payments of $12.50 on its installment plan.
Sprint also notes that for a limited time it will offer customers “a $10 monthly service plan credit for 24 months, or a $240 value, with qualifying tablet and data plan of $10 or higher.”
Galaxy Tab 4 can be activated on one of the Sprint tablet data plans, including a special limited-time offer featuring 100MB of data for $10; other tablet data plans include 1GB for $14.99; 3GB for $34.99; 6GB for $49.99; 12GB for $79.99; and 30GB for $109.99 (all pricing excludes taxes and surcharges).
Sprint points out that the tablet is its first to take advantage of the Sprint Spark network:
Sprint Spark is an enhanced LTE service that’s built for data and designed to deliver average wireless speeds of 6-15Mbps and peak wireless speeds of 50-60Mbps today on capable devices, with increasing speed potential over time.5 Sprint plans to reach 100 million Americans by year-end with the service. The capability is available in the following 27 cities: Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Fort Worth, Texas; Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Newark, N.J.; Oakland, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Provo, Utah; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; St. Louis; Tacoma, Wash.; Tampa, Fla.; Trenton, N.J; Waukegan, Ill.; Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C.; and West Palm Beach, Fla.
The Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 will be available through all Sprint channels starting this Friday.
We recently gave you an early hands-on video look at Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S announced earlier this month and due to go on sale on 27th June from $400. With the reviews now in, we thought we’d give you a round-up of the verdicts …
Engadget loved the screen, the battery-life and portability, but criticized the performance, ‘temperamental’ fingerprint scanner and fiddliness of the optional case connection.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S is good. Really good. With long battery life, a stunning screen and an especially thin and light design, it’s a near-perfect product. My main hang-up is that the performance doesn’t always feel as brisk as it should […]
In addition, the fingerprint scanner, though nice to have, can be temperamental — so much so that I’ve more than once locked myself out of my own tablet. That said, I believe Samsung can address these two minor performance issues via a software update. And even if it doesn’t, this is still an excellent piece of kit …
Samsung’s latest 10-inch tablet is here, but in a slightly different size than the 10.1 Pro series tablet that was released a few months back. The larger Galaxy Tab S features a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. This is essentially a larger version of the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and packs very similar specifications…
After the recent Tab Into Color event put on by Samsung in New York City, we had a chance to get hands-on with both of the new tablets coming to market in the near future. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is very similar to the Tab Pro 8.4, but it features a vivid Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, all new accessory attachments, and overall may be a better buy than the Pro models…
Samsung announced today that its WiFi-only models of the new Galaxy Tab 4 lineup will arrive in the U.S. on May 1. That includes the 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10.1-inch models in both black and white with preorders starting tomorrow through a handful of major retailers. As for the LTE models of the tablets, Samsung says this summer AT&T is getting the Tab 4, Sprint is getting the Tab 4 7.0, Verizon is getting the Tab 4 8.0 and 10.1, and T-Mobile is getting the 8.0.
All of the tablets pack in a 1.2 GHz Quad-core processor, Android 4.4 KitKat, 1.5GB RAM, and a 1280×800 WXGA display. Preorders officially kick off tomorrow starting at $199.99, $269.99 and $349.99 for the 7, 8, 10.1-inch models through Samsung.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Fry’s, Office Depot, OfficeMax, PC Richard and Son, Sears, and Tiger Direct. Expand
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Following the introduction of its new line of Galaxy Pro tablets during CES, today Samsung introduced a new 7-inch tablet on the opposite end of the lineup with the new entry-level Galaxy Tab3 Lite.
The two-years ago specs are certainly nothing to brag about, but depending on how close Samsung prices the tablet to $100, it won’t look all that bad next to its competition in the low-cost tablet category. Unfortunately the company hasn’t announced pricing, but looking at the specs below, we think it could be its most affordable Galaxy Tab yet. That’s especially considering the current 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 has been going for as low as $140 lately. It did confirm the tablet will be available globally in both black and white, but there’s no word on exact availability or markets.
Full specs for the Galaxy Tab3 Lite below: Expand
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Samsung has put up banners at CES for a new Galaxy Note PRO and Tab PRO, which it is expected to unveil tonight (photo courtesy of Engadget) – and thanks to leaked specs from the generally dependable @evleaks, we think we have a good idea what to expect.
The leak suggests that four new models will be launched, with 3G and LTE variants, in 8.4-, 10.1- and 12.2-inch sizes.
[tweet https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/420094062390431744]
The 12.2-inch NotePRO and TabPRO devices appear to be identical bar the S-Pen of the former. Specs are said to be a quad-core Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz processor for the LTE version, and Samsung’s own quad-core Exynos 5 Octa chip running at 1.9GHz in the Wifi/3G variant. Other specs are said to be identical for both versions … Expand
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Update: JD Power’s math seems a little off, when you delve into the scores …
Samsung got 18 stars, Apple 18, with Samsung only ahead on price, yet took the overall lead.
J.D. Power has released its 2013 U.S. Tablet Satisfaction Study–Volume 2 today with Samsung edging out Apple’s iPad for the top spot. Apple has in the past ranked number one in the company’s customer stratification surveys for tablets, but this time Samsung has jumped up from number 3 in April to take the first position from the iPad.
Samsung ranks highest with a score of 835 and is the only manufacturer to improve across all five factors since the previous reporting period in April 2013. Samsung showed particularly strong improvement in the cost factor (25-point increase). Apple ranks second scoring 833 and performs particularly well in performance and ease of operation.
While Samsung only slightly beat out Apple with 835 points vs 833 points on a 1000 point scale, the outcome is quite notable for Samsung who in April ranked even lower than Amazon. The study measures customer satisfaction based on five metrics for 3,375 tablet owners: performance (26%); ease of operation (22%); styling and design (19%); features (17%); and cost (16%). Expand
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The generally reliable @evleaks is reporting that Samsung is working on 10-inch and 12.2-inch tablets, each with a resolution of 2560×1600.
The claim appears to be confirmed by SM-P900 and SM-P600 user-agent profiles on the Samsung site which match the resolution. GSMarena also pointed us to an Indian shipping website which appears to show prototypes of two versions of the 12.2-inch tablet entering the country.
Given the screen size and resolution, it seems more than possible that the 10-inch tablet is the new Samsung-made Nexus 10, while the 12.2-inch monster may be a new Galaxy Tab or (gack) a Windows Tablet. If so, the smart money is on the latter being released at the IFA in September.
Apple, FWIW, is working on a 13-inch tablet, or so the rumor goes. Expand
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Reports from last week noted that Samsung’s attempt to lift Apple’s preliminary injunction placed on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the United States was rejected by District Judge Lucy Koh. Today, in Apple’s ongoing patent cases with Samsung in the United Kingdom, Bloomberg reported Judge Colin Birss ruled against Apple, claiming Sammy’s Galaxy Tabs “are not as cool.” It is hard to imagine Apple losing in any more of a complimentary way, as Judge Birss claimed his decision was based partly on the fact Galaxy tablets “do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity.”
The Galaxy tablet doesn’t infringe Apple’s registered design, Judge Colin Birss said in a ruling today in London. He said that consumers weren’t likely to get the two tablet computers mixed up.
The Galaxy tablets “do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design,” Birss said. “They are not as cool.”
The company provided a full email statement regarding today’s decision (via Pocket-lint). Samsung explained the court referred to roughly 50 pieces of prior art when dismissing Apple’s case:
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Not entirely surprising, but worth a note: A new survey indicated Amazon’s $199 Kindle Fire tablet turned into a formidable competitor to the best-selling Android tablet series Samsung’s Galaxy Tab rather than Apple’s iPad. While the Fire did take some of the shine away from the iPad, Apple’s executives (and some analysts) are not terribly worried about the Fire’s long-term impact on Apple’s tablet sales. Mobile analytics firm Flurry, tapping device-specific ad impressions in its network, found that of all Android tablets sold in January 2012, the Kindle Fire and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab grabbed 36 percent market share each.
In fact, nitpicky types could argue that the Fire (35.7-percent) marginally edged out Samsung’s devices (35.6-percent). Another way to look at this data: These two tablet brands together accounted for nearly three-quarters of all Android tablets last month. This is in stark contrast to last November when Flurry recorded a 3 percent market share for the Fire versus a whopping 63 percent for Samsung’s Tabs…
Hop on board an American Airlines flight this holiday season and your pilot will be wielding an iPad as a flight bag replacement but you – a first-class passenger – will be treated with a Galaxy Tab 10.1 to keep you entertained. Keen on bringing balance back to the force, the airliner teamed up with South Korea-based Samsung to offer the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on their premium cabins onboard certain transcontinental flights. Here’s the sales line:
Sit back, relax, and let the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 take you to the movies or catch up on your favorite shows. The new device enables a unique viewing experience, featuring a bold and vibrant LCD, with brilliant colors and crisp definition.
Go past the fold for a list of flights serving some Galaxy Tab in-flight entertainment.
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Photos by Veronica Oggy
When the original Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 was introduced, it was hardly proof the iPad had much to worry about from the 7-inch Android market. Not because of the its 7-inch display, however, which actually turned out to be a much nicer experience than cheerleaders of Apple’s view would have you believe. If the new Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus accomplishes one task successfully, it’s proving once again a 7-inch slate is an undeniably ideal size for the majority of everyday, on-the-go tasks, and with Honeycomb 3.2 and beefed up insides, Samsung’s new 7-inch experience could be your next tablet.
Right out the gate it’s clear this is the best Android tablet I’ve used– While pretty much the same experience on the slightly scaled up Galaxy Tab 10.1 feels inferior to the iPad, the 7.0 Plus seems to stand on its own. It’s also never been more clear how much Apple needs a product in the 7-inch category, and that’s saying a lot for the short amount of time I’ve spent with the device.
Design:
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Announced at IFA this year, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 has yet to make its way into our hands, most likely due to on going legal battles. Tonight we have good news however; the Galaxy Tab 7.7 passed through the desk of the FCC this afternoon, giving us pretty nice diagrams of the device. There’s no indication of carrier bands in this instance. We’re sure there’s more to come, but in the mean time check out our hands-on of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 after the break:
The latest in the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and its key components supplier, Samsung, comes via Bloomberg which reported this morning that Apple may be pushed into revealing iPad 2 sales numbers in England and America if the company is to increase chances of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 blockage in Australia:
Apple Inc. may have to reveal iPad and iPad 2 sales figures in the U.K. and U.S. to improve its chances of barring Samsung Electronics Co. from selling the Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer in Australia, a judge said. Apple’s claim that the Samsung tablet’s release in Australia will hurt iPad sales may carry little weight if it doesn’t provide the numbers, Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett said in Sydney Federal Court today. ‘Unless Apple puts on evidence showing the impact in the U.S. or U.K., I can’t draw any positive assumptions,’ Bennett said.
Apple sought an injunction on Samsung’s tablet in Australia until the patent spat is resolved. Apple is claiming that the obvious similarities between Samsung’s family of Galaxy smartphones and tablets are hurting their sales. Apple in prior court documents referred to Samsung as the “copyist”. Recently, Samsung in America asserted Apple ripped off the iPad design from the Stanley Kubrick 1969 film “2001: A Space Odyssey” to argue Apple’s patents should be invalidated under prior art. Judge Bennett would leave it up to Apple to determine whether or not it would be willing to provide court with sales figures. Whichever way you look at it, that’s an interesting twist in this litigation…
Samsung has released an official media statement (via Gizmodo) regarding their ongoing legal spat with Apple related to their Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. The company is quick to point out the court did not issue an “injunction against the sale of the GALAXY Tab 10.1” like many have reported, but rather Samsung voluntarily delayed the launch “pending the court’s decision in the week commencing September 26, 2011”.
It will definitely be interesting to see how this case plays out in the coming months. Especially with Samsung excepted to launch new variations of the Galaxy Tab at this year’s IFA. Full statement from Samsung below, if you’re interested:
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Samsung on Monday promised to challenge Apple’s copyright infringement claims in Australia. Specifically, news agencies report, the Korean consumer electronics maker said today it “will continue to actively defend its right to launch the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia”. Reuters reports that the company confirmed plans to delay the Galaxy Tab 10.1 launch in Australia until after a court ruling in late September on its ongoing legal spat with Apple. Furthermore, Samsung will file a counterclaim with the Australian court in the coming days, seeking to invalidate Apple’s patents plus another one asserting a patent infringement on Apple’s part:
Today, Samsung informed the Federal Court of Australia it intends to file a cross claim against Apple Australia and Apple Inc regarding the invalidity of the patents previously asserted by Apple and also a cross claim against Apple regarding violation of patents held by Samsung by selling its iPhones and iPads
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a hearing before the Australian court is due September 26 and 29 and Samsung agreed “not to sell or advertise” the tablet before September 30. The article also mentions the possibility of a high-profile testimony by both parties:
Apple and Samsung returned to court this afternoon, with Samsung agreeing not to sell or advertise the Galaxy Tab 10.1 before September 30. Apple will detail the specific patents involved in the case by this Friday and will provide a more comprehensive statement of facts by September 5. Samsung will provide points in answer by September 16, with the case going to a formal hearing on September 26 and 29. It was indicated today that top executives and inventors from both Apple and Samsung may appear in person or over video link to explain their patents.
It’s an interesting strategy on Samsung’s part…
An.droid Life has exclusively leaked the first images of the new Galaxy Tab 7.7, which is expected to be announced at IFA next week. There aren’t many details on the new device, except the fact it uses a 30-pin connector to charge like the Galaxy Tab 1o.1. How can we tell the difference between this and the 10.1? The 7.7 is charging on the side/small panel, while the 10.1 is on the bottom. Also, the device is rumored to be packing a Super AMOLED screen. Only time will tell, so stick with us next week as we cover IFA. Yeah, we’ll be there!
Check out the other shot after the break:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUinl4Wclr4&feature=player_embedded]
Samsung already told us “something big is coming” on September 1st during this year’s IFA in an announcement accompanied by two extremely vague teaser videos. While we’re still unsure which of the many rumoured devices will be unveiled, the teaser vid above released by the company today indicates their upcoming August 29 announcement in New York will be focused on bringing the Samsung Galaxy S II to US carriers.
We’re not exactly impressed with the creativity in the ad/teaser vid, but at least it isn’t the typical iPhone/Apple commercial knock off. There are many that hope the September 1st announcement would bring that mysterious Ice Cream Sandwich-powered, 4.65-inch (hybrid tablet/phone?) “GT-I9250” device we’ve heard about. There is definitely still a possibility Samsung will take time to unveil new products other than the Galaxy S II at IFA, we’re hoping to get a sneak peek at a new tablet (perhaps a 7-inch Galaxy tab refresh). We’ll be on hand on August 29 for the New York event as well as during IFA to bring you the latest updates.
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Mobili Inija has leaked Samsung’s roadmap, leaving us very impressed with what’s ahead. A 7-inch Galaxy Tab, supercharged smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich, and entry level phones are coming up soon — hopefully by the end of the year.
The supposed 7-inch Galaxy Tab is codenamed the P6200, running Honeycomb on a 1024 x 600 display, with HSPA+, a 3-megapixel shooter on the back, and 2-megapixels up front. Samsung will also make it available in a Wi-Fi only version — the P610. We’re assuming it will be much thinner and faster than the current model which also carries the above specs.
As for the supercharged smartphones, there will be two. The GT-I9250 packs a 4-inch screen with a 1280 x 720 resolution, 5-megapixel camera, an unspecified processor (probably dual-core), and Ice Cream Sandwich. The GT-I9220 is the bigger version, packing a 5-inch screen with a 1280 x 820 Super AMOLED Plus panel, dual-core 1.4GHz processor, 8-megapixel camera, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread (where’s the ICS LOVE!). These phones look very similar to HTC’s rumored Vigor. Could this be the Nexus 4G?
Lastly, the GT-I8150 will pack a 3.7-inch screen, 4GB of internal storage, HSPA+ connectivity, and a 5-megapixel camera. It will have a VGA front-facing camera and 720p 30fps HD video recording.
According to the leaks there are also entry level devices coming up in Samsung’s lineup. Hear about those after the break. (via Slashgear)
Update: Samsung has issued the following statement (via TNW) addressing the court’s decision to grant Apple the preliminary injunction:
Samsung is disappointed with the court’s decision and we intend to act immediately to defend our intellectual property rights through the ongoing legal proceedings in Germany and will continue to actively defend these rights throughout the world.
The request for injunction was filed with no notice to Samsung, and the order was issued without any hearing or presentation of evidence from Samsung.
We will take all necessary measures to ensure Samsung’s innovative mobile communications devices are available to customers in Europe and around the world.
This decision by the court in Germany in no way influences other legal proceedings filed with the courts in Europe and elsewhere.
Reports are coming in that Apple has been granted a preliminary injunction for the entire European Union (excluding Netherlands) that will halt distribution of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1. This comes on the heels of a postponed launch of the device in Australia due to a lawsuit with Apple. If you’ve been in the market for an Android-based tablet, you might have to grab one of those new Vizio tablets or wait for the rumored Kal-El Honeycomb powered “Motorola Kore”.
The decision by the Regional Court of Dusseldorf in Germany to block sales of the device comes after a judge sided with Apple on claims that Galaxy Tab copied key design components related to the iPad 2. While Samsung can appeal the court’s decision sometime in the next month, the Telegraph’s Shane Richmond is quick to point out it would be heard by the same judge. Apple is also said to have a separate lawsuit filed in the Netherlands as well.
Samsung had this to say in a recent statement about their legal disputes with Apple:
“Samsung believes that there is no legal basis for this assertion. We will continue to serve our customers and distributors and the sale of Samsung products will be continued.”
And Apple has made their stance on the situation clear…
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A new report from Digitimes says non-Apple tablet sales are expected to rise a solid 134% in 2012, higher than Apple’s projected growth rate for the same period. For 2011, the sale of Android tablets are expected to top 19-20 million units and the iPad’s expected to hit 35-36 million units. With the 134% rise this mean there could be 44-45 million Android units sold in 2012 and 54-55 million iPad units sold in 2012 — perhaps marginalizing Apple’s lead.
To help push Android (and others) to parity, many manufacturers will be releasing new hardware in the upcoming months, like Nvidia’s Kal-El quadcore processor slated for later this fall. On the software front, Google is expected to release Ice Cream Sandwich(Android 4.0) late fall or early 2012. With competition heating up, prices are already beginning to fall.
Who said 2011 was the year of the tablet? Just wait for 2012. Expand
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlLP3RXkmUQ&]
We brought you our 5-minute video walkthrough of the new TouchWiz UX update for Samsung’s Honeycomb-powered Galaxy Tab 10.1, and now the somewhat underwhelming 188mb firmware refresh is available as an over-the-air update.
Some of the more notable features include a new dock-like application launcher, the Swype for tablets app, and mobile printing. You may, however, want to wait this one out, as Samsung’s Gavin Kim confirms to the WSJ the OTA update will not be reversible:
Users, who will receive the over-the-air download for their WiFi devices beginning Friday, won’t be able to remove the Samsung features even if they desire to return to the standard Android platform, Mr. Kim said.
If you’re having trouble getting the update, make sure you’ve set up a Samsung account on your Galaxy Tab. Full list of features from the official press release below, if you’re interested.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyJIbTVEkp8]
Samsung is showing no signs of downplaying their tablet marketing amid the ugly patent spat with Apple. On Thursday the company aired a trio of new adverts that pitch its Galaxy Tab tablet as being “thinner”, “lighter” and “faster”, presumably compared to the market-leading iPad. The “Lighter” commercial brags about the Galaxy Tab weighing in “at a dainty 565 grams – as light and portable as they come“. iPad 2 weighs in at 601 grams.
The “Thinner” advert says their tablet “does what other tablets can only dream of”, underscoring “the sleek design you’ve come to expect of all Samsung Galaxy Tabs”. iPad 2’s profile measures 8.8mm versus 8.6mm for Samsung’s device. Interestingly, design is one of the treats Apple said Samsung “slavishly copied” from them.
The “Faster” commercial touts Galaxy Tab’s processors capable of “handling even the largest of video files with ease” and making “buffering a relic of the past”. Go past the fold to check out the remaining two Galaxy Tab commercials.
Update: Samsung issued a statement and a “workaround”
In a surprising turn of events to anyone following the ongoing Apple vs. Samsung spat, Bloomberg reported this morning that Samsung has agreed to temporarily cease sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet until their legal dispute with Apple is settled or they win court approval:
Apple Inc. escalated a patent dispute against Samsung Electronics Co. and won an agreement that the South Korean company won’t sell the newest version of its tablet computer in Australia until a lawsuit is resolved. Samsung, based in Suwon, South Korea, agreed to stop advertising the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia and not to sell the device until it wins court approval or the lawsuit is resolved.
It’s interesting because Samsung was advertising the Galaxy Tab 10.1 launch in the country since July 20. Still, carriers Vodafone and Optus both hinted at plans to offer the device to their Australian customers “soon”. Samsung’s decision came as a lawyer for Apple sought an injunction before Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett in Sydney, claiming Samsung’s tablet infringes ten Apple patents. With that in mind, Samsung’s clearly on the defensive here. Apple also wants wants to “stop Samsung from selling the tablet in other countries” and Samsung’s conceding to Apple may have set an important precedence for other countries. Of course…
It ain’t Honeycomb, and it might not be a good idea to ever expect it, but the original Android Tablet, the Galaxy Tab by Samsung is getting its Gingerbread on next week, just after some barbecuing and some fireworks.
Now, how about some Netflix and some Hulu to go along with it? Expand
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