Samsung used the IFA in Germany to formally launch its first major tablet device which goes up against Apple’s iPad – the Galaxy Tab – details of which were widely leaked during June. The major surprise was that Vodafone said it would carry the Tab across Europe and 3 said the same for the UK, underscoring the idea that this has been priced to be an ‘operator friendly’ alternative to the iPad. The main pitch from Samsung is that the 7 inch device can do everything a 10 inch can do, but it is still small enough to carry everywhere and with 3G throughout the multiple Tab models, can also be your phone.
Vodafone said that it would offer the Tab in most of its major European markets as of October, but no price or consumer package has yet been published. The device is powered by a Cortex A8 1.0GHz application processor and supports 2G and 3G up to HSDPA at 7.2 Mbps.
But Samsung continued the offensive saying that its research indicates that tablets will come in many shapes and sizes, appropriate for many different markets and users and that early next year we should expect more devices from Samsung, all the way up to iPad sized. The first model has a 7 inch LCD screen offering 1024 x 600, bowing to the Apple decision about screens, not to try for OLED at this point but offering a higher resolution than most smart phones.
Samsung is the world’s leader in making OLED screens, which usually come in higher screen definitions and use less power than LCD, but high OLED yields are mostly in 4 inch screens currently and although tablets may be the next design target, right now it has not been reached. Also there is a dire shortage of OLED screens in the smart phone market even at 4 inches.
The precise model number for the Galaxy Tab is the GT-P1000 and it will run Android 2.2 (Froyo) and Samsung says it offers full web browsing, supports Adobe Flash 10.1 and HTML 5, eBooks and the watching of HD videos. The inclusion of a 3 MP camera as well as a front facing 1.3MP camera shows Samsung is focusing on video telephony in the same way as Apple and that it will almost certainly release it with software to rival Apple Facetime.
Software will be supplied both from Android Market and from Samsung direct and will include Readers Hub, Media Hub, Music Hub and Social Hub, but there are currently few details on these.
There will be 16 GB and 32 GB flash memory versions with up to 32GB more memory additional through slots. The device is rated as capable of 7 hours of movie play, which will be because the surface area of the screen is so much less than the iPad and so we’d guess it eats far less battery. Samsung gives no more details of the battery life, but if it can run movies for 7 hours it is likely to be considerably longer than the iPad, probably double. It is also almost half the weight of the iPad at 380 grams. The Tab supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and has a GPS chip.
Vodafone said that it would sell the device outside Europe as well, in some key markets but has yet to name them.
‘Vodafone’s aim is to offer all customers new and attractive ways to enjoy mobile data, on the move, across a variety of devices,’ said Patrick Chomet, Group Director of Terminals at Vodafone. ‘Adding tablets as part of our device range is a natural next step that gives customers an alternative way to enjoy great content and internet services. The Galaxy Tab is another showcase for Samsung’s innovation capabilities and we’re pleased to be introducing this across a number of our markets’.
In the meantime, in the UK, 3 Group says that it has already cut a deal for the Samsung Galaxy Tab which will be offered on either phone or mobile broadband tariffs from 3 UK.
This is typical of 3’s disruptive behavior in its key European markets, where it consistently adopts emerging device formats and marries them to unconventional ‘ and affordable ‘ tariffs. Voice tariffs for the device will start at £10 and data-only tariffs start at 1Gb for £7.50 per month. The operator has not yet announced prices to buy the Tab or release dates.