The Apple iPad may have a true (real) competitor on its hands as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10-inch was revealed today at the Google IO conference in San Fransisco. Here’s what you can look forward to if you are waiting to get your first Android tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10-Inch
[via BGR]
The folks from Boy Genius Report got to try out the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10-inch (limited edition) today and they had only great things to say about it. The current selling model of the Galaxy Tab is the 7-inch and it has actually done quite well being the first real tablet that was smaller than the iPad.
In March, the folks at Samsung showed off the first iteration of the 10-inch Tab running Android 3.0 Honeycomb and today, there was a special limited edition of that very tablet that people could hold and play around with. The one that was shown off was running Honeycomb 3.0 but as we reported earlier today, Honeycomb 3.1 is available for upgrade with new features.
The first impression of the new Tab was that it was “thin….very thin” and felt solid. It was also described as being “absolutely gorgeous” with it’s nice darkened chrome bezel front and a textured polymer backing. Those that got to use it said it was fast, responsive, and it was clear Samsung had really taken the extra steps at making this Tab a direct head-to-head competitor with the iPad.
According to Samsung, the 10-inch Tab is mean for blistering fast Internet access, has HD resolution (1280 x 800) and can shoot video in 720p resolution via a 3MP back camera or a 2MP front-facing camera. The new Tab also comes with a 1GH dual-core processor and has Bluetooth, Wifi and of course 3G/4G for cellular data connections. It is also 1.3 lbs and is just .33″ thin.
In defense to the iPad, these specs are really no different that what the current iPad 2 other than the cameras. In terms of applications, the Samsung Tab will have all the integrations as the iPad does with Cisco, Exchange Active Sync, and access to their own Social “hub”. The one thing still lacking, however, are the tablet apps. I have yet to see anything impressive in terms of the Android Tablet apps. Unfortunately, that is where there is some serious attention needed before the Tab is a real competitor to the current shipping iPad 2.
Oh and the new Galaxy Tab 10-inch supports Flash. There is still no official release date but we hear it will be Summer (2011).
What do you think? Is this a competitor to the iPad 2? Why or Why not?
Hi Shane, I’m not sure why anyone would buy any of these new tablets and then wait for any decent collection of apps to be developed so they can realize the tablets potential. Until the Android apps development efforts start to catch up with the Apple app store, I think these competitors are going to have a tough time accumulating customers. I’m sure there are lots of people who don’t want to support Apple and so will look to these iPad “killers” as their choice. Too bad, they’re missing out on a whole lot of fun they could be enjoying on an iPad.
Hi there Roland. I agree and I do wonder that the plans are for the Apps…no where during the IO show did I hear anything addressing that fact. Just this week, I went over to the Android app store and got frustrated because the navigation and the lack of categories for tablet apps is so bad I wanted to scream.
I think that when you have a popular product like the iPad – then the defenses go up and people begin wanting an alternative do they don’t have to succumb to the masses….call it rebellion if you will
I have had people ask me what makes the iPad so much greater than some of these new tablets. I give them some of the “Why Apple” answers but then I point out the Apple ecosystem and the large library of mature apps. Then leave at that for them to make up their mind.
Hey Robert…and in the end, that’s all you can really do – because in my experience people have already made up their mind…but when I’m working away on my Apple and they are on their 3rd hour of work after crashing…..well…i guess it speaks for itself
I think both of you hit the main issue with Android tablets right now. They’re all trying to position themselves as iPad killers, and to be honest, that’s really not going to happen. The main selling point for Android that most manufacturers currently is the Flash factor and their raw specs. Android has so much more potential and it would be nice if the manufacturers were to try and play to it’s strengths rather than try and out-gun Apple.
I think to Robert’s point, the ecosystem is a major issue for Android. Android is a bit more challenging to develop for because Android is suffering from what happened with Microsoft Windows Mobile – too much hardware variation. I hear from developers how difficult it is to ensure their apps work on all the various devices out there. Now Apple’s problem is the shear glut of apps, and Apple’s lack of a good way to sift through all of them. Apple could do so much more improve the management of apps.
Hey Dower…I think you are 100% correct as well…everyone is trying to be an apple killer and the reality is that you cannot and never will be able to duplicate success…all you can do is find how to make it better or find something else and make it better than everyone else
In true Samsung fashion they made it look like an iPad. Pretty sad Samsung. Most people will see no reason to buy an Android tablet over an iPad. UNless they like having no apps, malware, and terrible service and support from Samsung.
hahaha that’s awesome Darwin….and I hear there are over 400 malware viruses for android at this point…so much for openness….
Wow! I did not know that.
Maybe the Samsung is faster? I find the iPad to be terribly slow, especially at loading web pages.
Hi Liz…I suppose it could be but ideally it all depends on the network speed, and really a lot depends on resources as well…sometimes…if there are a lot of apps running or a lot going on in the background it can affect it…also…the particular website might be an issue too
Forgive my ignorance Shane , but what protects the iPad from malware and viruses ?
@the other Chris. The app store approval process mostly protects the iPad from malware. There has been at least one instance of an app having hidden malware or time delayed malware but overall the instances of malware on the iPad has been almost non-existent.
The secure nature of the file-system and not being able to side-load apps also protects the device. Of course, jail broken iPads are more susceptible.
Of course, nothing is immune. The macs which have long enjoyed an almost virus free existence have recently come under attack with the macdefender virus and it’s only time before they become more prevalent on this platform.
Of course, I’m ignoring the most hideous and prevalent Mac virus of them all, which is called iTunes.
As always very useful……..thanks
The ipad is not a competitor to the Gtab 10.1, that’s what should be in the title. NO FLASH!!! On the ipad that is. It’s not a true tablet if it can’t run video from a website. Gets your facts straight.
Whoa Mark…….a more irenic approach is appropriate………
Shane, you have one of the best iPad, er tablet sites out there. I like it so much because it isn’t clogged with speculative reviews by other reviewers on a product that isn’t out yet with no firm date for release. What’s happening?
@dower Nice comments
I think the Galaxy Tablet might very well be a serious competitor for the iPad.
Some say the iPad 2 is too much of a novelty and once it wears off… people start using it less. The biggest missed opportunity of the iPad 2 is that it doesn’t even support flash. It’s lagging behind.
http://yourmobilesite.net/is-the-ipad-really-doomed/
The Galaxy Tab runs flash just fine, so at least you can surf and browse without getting annoyed at flash pages not running.
However, there is no doubt that Apple will come up with more iPads in the future. And they’ll be better. It’s a constant race between Apple and Android… who has the most features?
Both Apple as well as Android have a large and loyal fanbase. But Apple was first and Android is snooping at its market share. Steve Jobs will have to watch out for sure.
This is a good situation for consumers. Lots of competition translates to lots of cool new features and lower prices.
So I’m not complaining!