{"id":15940,"date":"2010-09-17T09:26:42","date_gmt":"2010-09-17T17:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.46.88.49\/?p=15940"},"modified":"2010-09-17T09:26:42","modified_gmt":"2010-09-17T17:26:42","slug":"samsung-galaxy-tab-coming-to-all-major-us-carriers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/198.46.88.49\/electrotech\/samsung-galaxy-tab-coming-to-all-major-us-carriers","title":{"rendered":"Samsung Galaxy Tab Coming To All Major US Carriers"},"content":{"rendered":"

$\"\"$ The Samsung Galaxy Tab officially debuted a few weeks ago in Berlin at IFA, and now it has finally been announced for American release. \u00c2\u00a0The US version is a bit different than the European offering in terms of features, but the tablet is essentially the same.<\/p>\n

The main difference between the US and European is that the US version of the Galaxy Tab loses the voice functionality that can be found in the European versions. \u00c2\u00a0The US Galaxy Tab will be available on all US carriers, but those contracts will be data-only, so you can’t use the Galaxy Tab as a huge smartphone (which would have been cool). \u00c2\u00a0The only option you have is to use Skype (assuming you have a Verizon Tab), or video-conferencing apps like Fring or Qik. {Engadget<\/a>}<\/p>\n

If you’d rather not be tethered to a two-year contract on a data-only tablet, Samsung has said a WiFi only version is in the works as well. \u00c2\u00a0The WiFi only version would be more expensive, since it lacks the subsidy the carriers would provide. \u00c2\u00a0Note that those prices have not yet been announced. \u00c2\u00a0Also, the Galaxy Tab will work on 3G networks, but not Sprint’s 4G network, so you’re probably best just sticking with a Verizon version for pure coverage availability and the exclusive apps.<\/p>\n

Speaking of prices, the only ones we have for the Galaxy Tab are for accessories and they’re quite expensive to say the least. \u00c2\u00a0The cheapest accessory announced by Samsung is the Desktop Dock, which will prop the device up to make it easier to view content, and charge the device. \u00c2\u00a0The Desktop Dock also includes an HDMI port, and will cost $49.99. \u00c2\u00a0The other two accessories are the Keyboard Dock (has a full-size keyboard, and includes a stereo output jack), and the Car\/GPS Dock (seems self-explanatory), both of which cost $99.99 each. \u00c2\u00a0By comparison, Apple charges $29 for an iPad Dock and $69 for an iPad Keyboard Dock.<\/p>\n

To better compete with the iPad, Samsung has added the Media Hub to the US version of the device (replacing the Reader Hub), which will give users a chance to buy or rent movies and TV shows. \u00c2\u00a0Samsung has announced that it will have next-day content available from MTV Networks, NBC, Universal and Paramount at launch. \u00c2\u00a0The content will be viewable on any Media Hub device (read: Galaxy S devices), and can be output via HDMI to be viewed on a TV screen. \u00c2\u00a0Not as universal as the iTunes Store, but it’s a nice addition.<\/p>\n

Oh yeah, the device itself is pretty good as well. \u00c2\u00a0Dual cameras (5 MP on the back, and 1.3 MP on the front), Android 2.2, \u00c2\u00a0and a 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1024×600 (better pixel-density than the iPad, but still lacking compared to the iPhone 4). \u00c2\u00a0It weighs about 13 ounces, and is only 12 mm thick, so slightly heavier and thicker than the newest Amazon Kindle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Samsung Galaxy Tab officially debuted a few weeks ago in Berlin at IFA, and now it has finally been announced for American release. The US version is a bit different than the European offering in terms of features, but the tablet is essentially the same.<\/p>\n