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[scorcho]

it's only 30 bucks cheaper than a 3G, 16GB ipad and has around half the screen real estate.

some might prefer the smaller screen/weight once it's in their hands.

for me, the gimped experience that 2.2 will likely be in tablet form holds me back. that and the looming iPad 2.

 

[gutterboy44]

Verizon must die.

Amen, their OS muddling is the reason I left them. I loved my Motorola Slvr back in the day. When I used my classmates non Verizon version I nearly shit myself at how much faster it ran with the non Verizon bullshit OS add ons. I was going to buy my girlfriend the Galaxy S when it finally hit Verizon due to her ailing Eris but all the reports said the Verizon OS fucked it up.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr stop this shit Verizon.

 

[LCfiner]

some might prefer the smaller screen/weight once it's in their hands.

for me, the gimped experience that 2.2 will likely be in tablet form holds me back. that and the looming iPad 2.

fair point but most of the software I've seen of the Tab mimics the UI of the ipad and that was obviously designed to work on a 10 screen.

but, yeah, once it's in stores, people can hold it themselves and make that choice. a few people might prefer the smaller size.

 

[Mr.Squirrel]

I've read enough blogs from Android evangelists or tablet experts here on gaf to know that there's a big enough chunk of people honestly expecting a 200 dollar tablet to emerge in the next year or two that will be viable competition to the iPad.

I think that's bullshit. i think 400 - 500 is the minimum price that will actually pack in the speed, screen and battery life to compete.

As for software, I have more faith in Web OS getting ported over than Android 3.0 getting put to good use.





it's only 30 bucks cheaper than a 3G, 16GB ipad and has around half the screen real estate.

I believe there's already a 200 tablet by archos, but it's crappy according to reviews. The POS doesn't even have the marketplace installed on it.

 

[Blackhead]

Samsung Has Sold 5 Million Galaxy S Phones ★

That’s over a million per month. Impressive.

Paul Miller Defends the $599 Price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab ★

Not much of a defense. Consider this: Steve Jobs stated earlier this week that Apple has no interest in making a 7-inch iPad, but what if they did? How much do you think it would cost alongside the current 10-inch iPads? I don’t know, but it’d be less than $599. (My guess: an Apple 7-inch iPad would start at $299, more or less commensurate with the smaller display.)

Tim Bray on the Samsung Galaxy Tab ★

Bray works for Google as an Android developer evangelist, so feel free to take it with a grain of salt. But, as he says, given that he’s been using it for a month, this is probably “the most exhaustive Tab review on the planet”. Spoiler: Bray likes it a lot.

On the flip side, though, Jason Snell got to play with one, and tweeted:

Galaxy Tab browsing experience disappointing. Lag before scrolling, serious judder while scrolling. Breaks the spell of touch interface.

Any sort of touch lag or scrolling judder is unacceptable in iOS. Perhaps this is endemic to using Android 2.x on a tablet-size display.

Boy Genius Report on the Samsung Galaxy Tab ★

Jonathan Geller:

Browsing the web with Flash on (enabled by default) proved to be a pretty frustrating experience. Scrolling was jittery, slow, and sometimes pages just wouldn’t even finish loading. However, once we changed the browser’s plug-ins setting to on demand (think Click2Flash), the browser popped to life.

Maybe the wrong default setting, no?

Gizmodo Reviews the Samsung Galaxy Tab ★

Scathing review overall (“a pocketable train wreck”, “this thing is just a mess”), but [Matt Buchanan] does say battery life was good.

Wired’s Samsung Galaxy Tab Review ★

The headline: “Samsung’s Galaxy Tab: iPad’s First Solid Contender”.

The conclusion: “The Tab ultimately reveals itself not as a competitor to the iPad but as a new class of mobile devices: a minitablet that is designed to go everywhere you do.”

Sounds great:

In use, the Galaxy Tab performs well, but is not exemplary. It feels snappy enough, but longish load times can sometimes be tiresome, and webpages invariably loaded more slowly than the iPad — sometimes taking twice as long. We also ran into a few issues with apps hanging and the Wi-Fi connection suddenly vanishing without explanation. Reboots solved both issues.

Walt Mossberg’s Galaxy Tab Review ★

Positive review overall, but:

I found the Web browser to be a bit jerky in zooming into text and scrolling through long pages. I tested several Adobe Flash videos and websites written in Flash. Sometimes they played and sometimes they didn’t. In all cases, they slowed the browser down. On one site written in Flash, I got a warning saying I might want to “abort” lest the computer become “unresponsive.” In another case, the Tab crashed. So I conclude that while the Tab does play Flash, it needs work on that score.

Seems like Flash Player support is a feature that sounds good — “the Galaxy Tab supports Flash, the iPad doesn’t” — but actually makes the product worse in practice.

David Pogue’s Galaxy Tab Review ★

He likes it:

Samsung sweated the details on this thing. The screen is gorgeous. The touch response is immediate and reliable. The whole thing is superfast and a pleasure to use. […]

But the Galaxy doesn’t feel like a cramped iPad. It feels like an extra-spacious Android phone. And the payoff is huge. The Galaxy is much lighter than the iPad (13 ounces vs. 1.5 pounds), which makes a huge difference when you have to hold it to watch a movie on the plane. And it’s so small you can carry it in a blazer pocket.

I can’t recall a device where the reviews have been so divided. Some are saying it’s good, and a credible iPad rivals. Others are saying it’s garbage.

(Curious, too, that The Times copy desk let “superfast” through.)

The iPad appears like a specter in all the reviews, often even sharing the article title with the Galaxy Tab, but the comparisons in the write ups are very shallow. The G Tab runs Flash whilst the iPad doesn't, we get it already, but what I'd really like to know is if the G Tab can hold more browser pages in memory (all 512 MB of it) and for how much longer while multitasking. I want to know if the smaller screen and fewer pixels, but higher pixel density, means the G Tab compares unfavorably to the iPad as tablet browser or ebook reader, and how so.

Few words are given to the apps that Samsung specifically modified to fit the tablet form factor (aside from the snide observation that the apps follow Apple's own aesthetic). I want to know how well the Kobo e-reader app (or the Kindle app), the Zionio magazine app, and the Media Hub is crafted but little mention of those. I'll wait for the AnandTech review :|

 

[eznark]

so real journalists seem to like the thing? Interesting.

 

[dream]

I hate to be a "I know something you don't know" douchebag but if you don't feel a pressing need to get an Android tablet right now, you might want to hold off until February. A friend of mine is a product manager for a company that's working on an Android tablet slated for a Q1 release. From what he's told me, it's going to be a pretty healthy leap over the Galaxy Tab.

 

[Blackhead]

I hate to be a "I know something you don't know" douchebag but if you don't feel a pressing need to get an Android tablet right now, you might want to hold off until February. A friend of mine is a product manager for a company that's working on an Android tablet slated for a Q1 release. From what he's told me, it's going to be a pretty healthy leap over the Galaxy Tab.

Is it going to be cheaper and come with Android Honeycomb i.e. with the tablet optimized apps and UI . The folks here considering it as an alternative to the iPad only seem to care about price (cheapskates )

 

[Hex]

I think I will still wait for the Adam

 

[dream]

Is it going to be cheaper and come with Android Honeycomb i.e. with the tablet optimized apps and UI . The folks here considering it as an alternative to the iPad only seem to care about price (cheapskates )

From what I've been told, it's going to be Gingerbread - they want to beat the next gen iPad to market and waiting for Honeycomb would probably put them right in the middle of the iPad launch window.

The price will be more competitive than the Tab.

 

[MidnightRider]

I want.

 

[Kano on the Phone]

Oh shit, the new SamPad is out?

 

[kaching]

Is it going to be cheaper and come with Android Honeycomb i.e. with the tablet optimized apps and UI .

Just a point of distinction here: most Android apps don't need to wait until Honeycomb (or Gingerbread) to start optimizing UI for larger tablet formfactors, the current SDK already allows for it. Android developers are likely just waiting for there to be a legitimate tablet market to target. I'm sure many are watching the Galaxy Tab's reception closely.

And most of the core apps that ship with the Android OS are being progressively untethered from OS updates, so those should be able to begin to make UI changes to accomodate larger formfactors without waiting for a specific Android OS release.

 

[Diablos]

Screen is too small.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

this at $200 could have been killer

in a few years maybe the prices will drop that low

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Tried this out today. I played with it for 10 minutes then moved on to play with the iPad for 10 minutes for a comparison.

My impressions:

First off this is a far better product than you think. Don't get me wrong it is in no, way, shape, or form an "iPad killer" but it is a competent as it doesn't feel like a "cheapo" product. The touch screen is very responsive, but unfortunately that's the only positive comment on it. The screens resolution and vibrance is competent but not too impressive and isn't as good as the iPad (sorry but I need to make the comparison). And the 16:9 ratio is just above "bad". Seriously this ratio does not work as it's far too thin. Online browsing is built for a 16:10 or a 4:3 screen, and on a 16:9 screen the text is far too scrunch up. What's worse is that the screen itself is too small. 7" just doesn't do it.

Something that I found both a positive and a disappointment is the addition of 512 MB of RAM. A share of frustrated iPad owners are pissed at the measly 256 RAM. They wonder how much of an improvement 512MB would be. Well in short it's noticeable, but still not to the level you'd want it to be. And at times the iPad would go faster (though not the norm). A stressful test I did was this post). So those who are hoping to have their laptop experience when browsing GAF it's best to wait until 1GB.


Overall: A decent product but no "iPad killer". Those who want the Droid of tablets should wait a bit longer. And for the love of God people stop stating that 16:9 is a positive feature for a tablet.

 

[Blackhead]

Samsung Galaxy Tab Properly Reviewed

Grudging compliments from a MacHead that almost convinced me to get a Galaxy Tab.

 

[Blackhead]

Neither Amazon nor my local AT&T stores have the Galaxy Tab in stock. FML

 

[Tobor]

Neither Amazon nor my local AT&T stores have the Galaxy Tab in stock. FML

Knowing you, they're doing you a favor. Saves you the trouble of having to return it or sell it in a month.

 

[Maxrunner]

Tried this out today. I played with it for 10 minutes then moved on to play with the iPad for 10 minutes for a comparison.

My impressions:

First off this is a far better product than you think. Don't get me wrong it is in no, way, shape, or form an "iPad killer" but it is a competent as it doesn't feel like a "cheapo" product. The touch screen is very responsive, but unfortunately that's the only positive comment on it. The screens resolution and vibrance is competent but not too impressive and isn't as good as the iPad (sorry but I need to make the comparison). And the 16:9 ratio is just above "bad". Seriously this ratio does not work as it's far too thin. Online browsing is built for a 16:10 or a 4:3 screen, and on a 16:9 screen the text is far too scrunch up. What's worse is that the screen itself is too small. 7" just doesn't do it.

Something that I found both a positive and a disappointment is the addition of 512 MB of RAM. A share of frustrated iPad owners are pissed at the measly 256 RAM. They wonder how much of an improvement 512MB would be. Well in short it's noticeable, but still not to the level you'd want it to be. And at times the iPad would go faster (though not the norm). A stressful test I did was this post). So those who are hoping to have their laptop experience when browsing GAF it's best to wait until 1GB.


Overall: A decent product but no "iPad killer". Those who want the Droid of tablets should wait a bit longer. And for the love of God people stop stating that 16:9 is a positive feature for a tablet.

i bought one cheap, and it does most of what ipad does and then more. First i can make calls with it, second it plays full hd movies and with all share i can stream those to my samsung tv. Second its bound to receive android 2.3 and 3.0. So i dont really understand how its worse than an ipad....sure it needs more optimization regarding the browser. But as soon as i root and new roms start to appear it all goes for the better.

 

[Blackhead]

Knowing you, they're doing you a favor. Saves you the trouble of having to return it or sell it in a month.

yeah, if that Motorola 7" tablet running Honeycomb does come out in January, I'll drop the Samsung Tab in a flash :lol . It's a bit freaky how popular the Tab is. I've been trying to get the AT&T Tab on craigslist for weeks but every time one becomes available it's sold before the end of the day (when I usually check). Now I can afford to buy to buy it full price it's still sold out! I'm going to get a cheap phone and wait till CES for more news. I can't deal with my back up Motofone for another day.

 

[Tobor]

yeah, if that Motorola 7" tablet running Honeycomb does come out in January, I'll drop the Samsung Tab in a flash :lol . It's a bit freaky how popular the Tab is. I've been trying to get the AT&T Tab on craigslist for weeks but every time one becomes available it's sold before the end of the day (when I usually check). Now I can afford to buy to buy it full price it's still sold out! I'm going to get a cheap phone and wait till CES for more news. I can't deal with my back up Motofone for another day.

I'm not seeing it anecdotally. By this point in the iPad's release, they were all over the office. I've yet to see a single Tab in the wild, anywhere. I'm guessing they didn't make very many?

 

[Futureman]

I'm not seeing it anecdotally. By this point in the iPad's release, they were all over the office. I've yet to see a single Tab in the wild, anywhere. I'm guessing they didn't make very many?

Pretty sure Samsung announced they sold over one million. Just ignore the iPad, who cares. The Tab is very successful.

 

[Tobor]

Pretty sure Samsung announced they sold over one million. Just ignore the iPad, who cares. The Tab is very successful.

Yeah, that's not bad.

 

[Anticitizen One]

i played with this for a few minutes the other day and found it to be slow and unresponsive and the screen was too small. Nowhere near as good as ipad

 

[MetalAlien]

some might prefer the smaller screen/weight once it's in their hands.

for me, the gimped experience that 2.2 will likely be in tablet form holds me back. that and the looming iPad 2.

I played with one at Best Buy. They are nice, the speakers were fucking loud. I could hear the video I left playing all over the store, but it was 600 bucks without a contract. Fuck that. I also saw an ipad for the first time, those things are friggen huge! I'd rather just stick to my netbook!

If the tab was half as cheap, and took normal memory cards instead of those micro cards you can lose if you sneeze, I'd get one.

 

[tino]

I went to the Columbus Circle's Samsung experience place, sat on a big comfy coach and played with it for hours. They also have two of those wrap around 6-monitor tv and let you play Dirt2 on it unlimited, I played at least 1 hour of it and now I don't want to play driving game on anything else.

The Tab it's slightly lighter than the Nook Color and its easier for 1 hand browsing on the coach. And as far as operation goes, is slower than my Moto Droid, which is slower than the Galaxy S. The battery life is however very impressive. It's at least twice as long as a regular laptop. I hope there is a overclock option soon. Also for some reason the browser crash twice. It didn't prompt the "restart/close" option.

This screen size is perfect for media consumption, not creation. But as we Android user all know the entertainment software is about 1 generation behind the iPad's side so I would not pay more than 400 for it. Nook Color is a better buy for me.

 

[Blackhead]

I went to the Columbus Circle's Samsung experience place, sat on a big comfy coach and played with it for hours. They also have two of those wrap around 6-monitor tv and let you play Dirt2 on it unlimited, I played at least 1 hour of it and now I don't want to play driving game on anything else.

The Tab it's slightly lighter than the Nook Color and its easier for 1 hand browsing on the coach. And as far as operation goes, is slower than my Moto Droid, which is slower than the Galaxy S. The battery life is however very impressive. It's at least twice as long as a regular laptop. I hope there is a overclock option soon. Also for some reason the browser crash twice. It didn't prompt the "restart/close" option.

This screen size is perfect for media consumption, not creation. But as we Android user all know the entertainment software is about 1 generation behind the iPad's side so I would not pay more than 400 for it. Nook Color is a better buy for me.

The Tab also has a curved back and with the plastic shell and gorilla glass screen so i don't feel scared that I'm going to drop and break it when holding it with one hand (unlike the NookColor and iPad). But it's really nice to have a 3g tablet on the go. I can see many people in the future choosing a reliable feature phone and pairing it with a 7in tablet on data plan.

 

[NH Apache]

So got one of these as a present for christmas. Still trying to decide if I really like it.

Any other gaffer opinions? Trying to decide whether to keep it...

 

[Blackhead]

So got one of these as a present for christmas. Still trying to decide if I really like it.

Any other gaffer opinions? Trying to decide whether to keep it...

What other devices do you have and what were you expecting from a tablet? The Samsung Tab is a decent device but not worth the price imo (unless it's replacing your phone, e-reader and other mobile gadgets). You could sell it now and put the money towards other new better cheaper (?) tablets that should be announced early next month or get some other luxury device with more value for money, like a DSLR. Or you could save the money, we're still in a recession

 

[Dice]

New Galaxy Tabs

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03...ngs-new-tablets-beat-the-ipad-2-in-key-areas/

 

[Joel Was Right]

New Galaxy Tabs

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03...ngs-new-tablets-beat-the-ipad-2-in-key-areas/

Good lengthy video.

 

[Blackhead]

Good lengthy video.

Generic. Did it even show Touchwiz? The devices are just renders at this point, I refuse to get hyped.

Spoiler

8.9" sounds awesome, don't want to get my hopes up and be disappointed

 

[Commanche Raisin Toast]

does anyone know if the wifi-only versions of the new 10.1 and 8.9 Tabs have been priced and/or are up for preorder yet?

finally decided i want a tablet, and the 8.9 has everything i need.