Samsung's Q3-bound tablet to boast 7-inch display, Android OS
By Darren Murph 
posted July 30th 2010 4:47PM
posted July 30th 2010 4:47PM
Slowly but surely, Samsung's future as a tablet PC provider is taking shape. Details on the outfit's foray into the world of the slate has been trickling out over the past few months, and shortly after learning that a so-called Galaxy Tab would be out and about in Q3, now we're finding out two more critical details: screen size and operating system. According to the company, the Q3-bound device (assumed to be the aforesaid Galaxy Tab) will boast a smaller-than-average 7-inch screen, and rather than humming along on Bada or Windows 7, Google's Android will be at the helm. We're being forced to wait for further information, but given the proximity to Q3, all should be crystal clear in the not-too-distant future.[Thanks, Keith]
Look forward to seeing full specs! Hoping for something beyond the typical
@mrnicksta Prepare for the flood of tablets.... now that Steve Jobs paved the way. (up-rank please)
This better have 2.2 right off the bat, as having flash on such a pretty tablet is a must for me..
@mrnicksta I hope it has a hummingbird processor that is clocked at 1.6GHz-ish
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
Android is still in its growing phase. It will get better. Some of the iPhone cool factor has rubbed off on it even if it is inferior. It seems like it has single handedly resurrected companies like Motorola that were dying. Its making Verizon and Sprint money, and helping them add subscribers. Android will be to the cell phone market what Windows is to the PC market. It does not have to be good now. It just has to be good enough like Windows.
@iPhone 4 ha. you specifically asked to be up ranked and you got down ranked. irony!
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
You do make valid points, but you fail to realize UI is not everything. As someone else said, it's exactly what happened between Windows and Mac. Windows = productivity, Mac = niceness. Who won?
And, really, I have experience with both iPhone and Android. And yes, the iPhone's UI looks tons better, there's no denying that. But Android is tons more productive. And that's what ultimately matters.
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
@iPhone 4
Android OS and iOS are practically par with eachother with android maybe pulling a hair ahead because it isn't forced proprietary or Apple!
Furthermore, the only mobile OS that could in any concept truly be ported up from a phone is the WebOS. This is due to several general design points and a single major factor that the other mobile OS's don't fully support true multitasking. As a graphics design and animation hobbyist I find that when I wish to browse, reference my works, or present my portfolio I don't have to exit and restart.
@mrnicksta If this has the super Amoled screen that's on the galaxy phones... this is a win. And I think 7 inches is a much better size than 10 for a tablet.
@tad604
Not me. I'm fine with 7 inch tablets, but I'd prefer they cover the same range as laptop screen sizes. And 7 inches is on the small size in that regard. After using an iPad for a while I've not once wished the screen were smaller, only bigger... or at least a bit higher res. The tablet looks great, but I want something a bit bigger.
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
It actually makes me wonder what you find attractive. The iPhone UI is the same garbage bubbly fisher-price toy it was in 2007. The initial 'wow' has died off and it's 'simple' interface is now dated and, dare I say, ugly too. That blue gradient with vertical stripes looks like a throwback to OSX 10.2.
However, I will agree that in it's initial stages, Android was a visual clusterfuck; but since 2.0 the UI is more refined, cleaner and easier to navigate. It's quick, responsive and helpful.. you just have to step out of your iBox to realize that not everything has to be 20 icons in a grid whacking you over the head with simplicity.
@Znupi
Just curious as to what things in Android are more productive than iOS? Isn't that what apps are for? I do agree that Android has more freedom in customizing, but I don't get how one or the other is better, when not talking about security. Seriously curious.
@robotshmobot
@ ok android whatever..
I just read your other post which was downranked into oblivion and I have to say you've furthermore proved your simplistic in the iBox views. Your view is, if it doesn't function like an iPhone, it's shit. I moved from being an iPhone user for 2 years to a Nexus One running 2.1 (now 2.2).. and while the initial stage was a little weird, I had to open my mind and release the old rotten habits I got from the fruitPhone.
I now work faster, with less distractions (ie, ever try doing something when a notification comes in on iPhone? you want a design disaster? there's your answer).. I use more of my monthly data now because I can multitask, do something, then move on.
The iPhone is a phone everyone. Android is a phone for everyone who wants to get shit done.
@Znupi for me 2.2 looks better than the iphone ui
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun god forbid win7 phone is shit when it comes out you'll probly commit suicide or something.
@mrnicksta
Am I the only person who noticed the Phone icon on it? Kickass.
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
Edit video? who cares? What a gimmick.. OMG I went to the bar, I got so wasted and took a video of Davey puking on a sidewalk. But I have to edit that out so my mom doesn't see it on Facebook.
Really.
I also write quite a fair amount on my phone too, use it as a mobile hotspot, play games that don't need an approval and never need to hook it up to iBloatware to sync.
If you're not an iPhone fan, what are you? Because BB is ugly. WM6.5 is.. WM6.5? WebOS is dead and Symbian is well.. fuck, it's Symbian.
If you're a WP7 fan, someone call the leg factory, you need something to stand on.
@Spectrality
Seriously, you want a phone with an 8" screen and another 3G phone contract? It would be like walking around holding a slice of toast on your face.
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
Windows phone 7 is already dead, nobody knows about it, nobody wants to know about it, and the only people who'll have it work for Microsoft. Haha keep flogging your dead horse idiot!
@mrnicksta
Android is vomit
@iPhone 4
So, you're saying the tablet PC had no influence in the idea of an Apple tablet?
At all?
Then the TouchBook started it all.
Shut up.
@ZebriahKarr I'm a designer. I animate and write music. Have done so for 15 years. I have a gallery full of illustrations and animations on my phones as well as art on the web. I don't have to exit and restart apps on my N1 or my Vibrant to present my work. Am I missing something?
@iPhone 4 Come on, if we all bought phones for a killer UI we'd all be carrying around Palm Pre's.
@EliteMonsterHunter
Yes you are. While I did not say that android doesn't have multitasking. I did say it did not have true multitasking. Having the ability to remember where you left off in an app when you "re-launch" it. Having certain codes take advantage of or a hand full of apps that utilize running in the background isn't true multitasking. I use my phone for showing my portfolio and researching online too. The point of a tablet is just about the same as a netbook or laptop for that instance. To do more then your phone and almost as much as your desktop. Tablets built to do the exact same thing your phone is built for (without the calling part) is pointless.
@tombstorm Notification bar is way more handy then those freaking anoying pop ups!! You know why i have a pop up killer in my browser?
And they somehow reinvented the fucking pop up..
Notification bar wins it ANYTIME over those popups. And multitasking is way faster on android. Anyway. android 2.1 is a draw with iOS 4. But android 2.2 blows the iPhone away.. it's such a great piece of software.
Android is way mature now. More of an Tablet OS then iOS.
@ZebriahKarr hmmm, ok. well last I checked and I know I'm not qualified to really speak on this because I've only been using Android since the G1 debuted...but my phones run processes in the background/at the same time as well as remembering "states"(?) as it were. It always depended on the app, it's function and the parameters that are set for the app to perform its specific task. I dunno, I guess running the browser for research (which I tend to try to do a lot of myself), downloading at the same time and editing photos in PicSay Pro isn't multitasking. My bad. Now I know. That's good info, thanks for sharing.
It's ironic because I just emailed a Android developer about how much I loved his app (Handcent) because I was on the phone using a bluetooth headset, while I was playing a game and I got a SMS and the quick view/quick reply window popped up, pausing my game. I was able to quickly answer the text while I was still talking on the phone and go right back into the game without skipping a beat. I always loved the Handcent notification system. But hell, I guess I can email the developer again and tell him I was mistaken because...go figure...it's not TRUE multitasking. I guess the game should continue to play as the quick reply window blocks your view, then it would be TRUE multitasking. Or maybe just eliminate the quick reply window entirely and have users quick out of the game, drop the call and launch Handcent just to answer the text, then exit Handcent, relaunch the game, call the person back only to have...another text message come through. Now exit the game, drop the call, relaunch Handcent....
I see my error. Thanks again *jerk off motion*
@ok Android looks so ugly its fun
Wrong... iPhone is dying.
And Steve Jobs killed it with his need 4 total control.
...Sure the sales of the iPhone 4 are great now, much thanks to the effects of the hype. But the damage to Apple reputation when Steve Jobs forced the iPhone 4 out on the market with a faulty antenna and non-functional software for proximity sensors and signal measurement has cost them a lot more than you can even imagine. Just see how other phones like the Samsung Galaxy S, Motorola and HTC Droid's are selling now, because of the attention *other* options are getting, now that people realize Apple are as lousy as ever when it comes to actually bring that functional device they always claim they provide.
I would guess the Andriods has outsold the iphone 4:1 during the last month, globally, based on what you in the stores and on the street. And that's really just the beginning. When Android Froyo starts to become the dominating OS on phones within the next month or two, people will really realize how inferior and slow evolving Apple's walled garden is, just like we did in the mid 90's with Mac OS.
@ZebriahKarr Android does multitasking in the truest possible sense, what are you talking about?
@Vidikron at 10" I think I'd rather just be holding my laptop. 7" can fit in my cargo shorts pocket or my gf's purse or be held in one hand easily.
Windows Phone 7 you mean? Windows 7 can't run on the Hummingbird.
@tad604
I guess we just have different opinions of tablets. IMO they are a more convenient form factor for laptop type devices. Sort of how you can get convertible laptops... But these are just without the keyboards. At 7" I fail to see a big enough difference from a smart phone or iPod Touch. I want as close to a desktop web performance as possible in a convenient portable form factor. Laptops are fine, but still cumbersome for basic web browsing. Smart phones just don't have the physical size to make browsing easy... I don't want to scroll a hundred times on a single web page or have to zoom way in to deal with text. Thus, a larger tablet fits the bill perfectly.
@robotshmobot
Let's be honest. The iOS is 10x better than Android when it comes to games.
For now iPhone also has the advantage of a better camera and better media player as well. Overall, iPhone is still better in my opinion
@gargle
The galaxy s browser already has flash.. And its damn well good at it. I'm thinking that why engadget was having a problem with speed not being that good in their review.
@Apple Google Microsoft If you think the general public understand Android, it's you who is seriously mistaken. People are far more likely to feel comfortable with an MS OS. Android is for geeks, it appears to exist solely to satisfy this who have an irrational dislike of Apple products.
@pabloda
I agree, not sure what it is but the layouts different (home screen etc.)
@gristan Do you think Engadget readers are stupid enough to download that app? You're wasting your time, especially digging up WSJ and Macworld articles. We know how unbiased they can be *rolls eyes*
@tombstorm Well, just to name a couple: multitasking and notifications are MUCH better. Also, now with Android 2.2 we're getting push notification support, which will rock your pants.
Why does everyone think we all care about tablets? Same with 3D. If it's there ill take it, if not i don't care much
@mikemanblah 3 millions iPads sold. People care about tablets. You know all those people buying those netbooks.
This looks awesome. And I actually prefer 7 inch to 9.7 on a personal tablet.
@forHim247
errmmmm... that's what she said?
FEAR THE DOWN RANK!
Will larger handsets make android tablets irrelevant with people thinking of them as bigger evos? or will they emerge like the ipad did, despite being thought of as a bigger iphone?
i personally would like to see a solid Win7 tablet, but I'm also happy seeing more android in the world
As long as it's not PoS TouchWiz (and thereby holding back Android updates)...
Stock Android FroYo (or Gingerbread) + sub-$200 price tag = instant win.
@Johnny Rockets A Galaxy S phone will cost $500 without a contract. If you want things like 3G, built-in GPS and camera. Sub $200, keep dreaming. Don't expect a quality product at that price. The iTouch can be had at that price, but is significantly crippled compared to the iPhone.
@Johnny Rockets I don't think touch wiz is entirely a POS. I think I'd prefer stock, but from what I've seen it's actually got some nice features.
@tad604 It does have some really nice features indeed, like the enhanced contact list.
I also think it looks a tad gaudy and simply overly colorful, but luckily that can be fixed very easily by using another launcher on top.
@iPhone 4 How so? iPhone can't make calls so they are practically the same.
@Johnny Rockets So, I don't think you'll see it sub $200. I got to work with one last week for an app samsung is wanting to see launch with it. The prototype we had has dual cameras, can act as a phone, and is definitely running samsung's skin. Also, it was only running 2.1.
Well you might see it $200 or lower, but only if your snagging a phone contract with it.
"will boast a smaller-than-average 7-inch screen"
I think a 7" screen is the ideal size for a tablet. Also the screen looks to have a widescreen format which is a bonus. Why any company would make a media device without a widescreen makes no sense to me.
@baltwade
It apparently doesn't make sense to any manufacturer either because we have not seen 1 media player with a square screen. Non-issue