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Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook review: good for reading, but hardly the best budget tablet
There was a time when Barnes & Noble was so big, so dominating, that even Tom Hanks managed to look like a jerk when he played a book-chain executive. But times have changed, and as people began to order their books online -- or even download them -- B&N found itself struggling to keep up. After losing a lot of money last year, the company decided it was time for a change: It vowed to stop making its own tablets, and instead team up with some third-party company to better take on Amazon and its Kindle Fire line. Turns out, that third party was none other than Samsung, and the fruits of their partnership, the $179 Galaxy Tab 4 Nook, is basically a repackaged version of the existing Galaxy Tab 4 7.0. Well, almost, anyway. The 7-inch slate comes pre-loaded with $200 worth of free content, and the core Nook app has been redesigned to the point that it actually offers a better reading experience than the regular Nook Android app. But is that a good enough reason to buy this instead of a Kindle Fire? Or any other Android tablet, for that matter?
Samsung's Galaxy Tab 4 and Note Pro reach AT&T sporting giant price tags
Want to get one of Samsung's latest and greatest Android tablets with fast LTE data on AT&T? You can snag one very soon... but it might cost you a pretty penny. The carrier will offer both the Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 and Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 on June 6th at respective prices of $380 and $799 on-contract. While those figures are in the ballpark of what you'd expect for big, cellular-equipped slates, they're not exactly pocket change. And you'll want to be sitting down before you look at the off-contract prices. The 'budget' Tab 4 will cost $480 without obligations, while the Note Pro will set you back $900 -- $50 more than its already expensive Verizon counterpart. If you have the cash to burn, though, these are solid options for staying online during your next big trip.
Samsung's tablet for schools carries a tougher shell and extra smarts
We don't envy schools that have to go tablet shopping; many slates can't survive roughhousing by playful kids, let alone impart some wisdom. Teachers will be glad to hear, then, that Samsung has fulfilled its promise of a classroom-ready tablet by releasing the Galaxy Tab 4 Education in the US. Hardware-wise, it boils down to a Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 with a rugged case -- nothing truly special, but enough to survive a fall from a desk. The real highlight may be the software, which includes educational apps, books and videos alongside easy access to Google Play for Education. Samsung's smarter Galaxy Tab carries just a slight premium at $370, although schools will want to tack on another $30 if they want Google Play's help with their lessons.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab 4 lineup reaches the US on May 1st
Americans no longer have to splurge on the high-end Galaxy Tab Pro or Note Pro if they want a modern Samsung tablet -- the more affordable Galaxy Tab 4 range is headed to the US. WiFi versions of the Tab 4 7.0, 8.0 and 10.1 should hit shelves on May 1st at respective prices of $200, $270 and $350. Travelers craving cellular data can expect LTE variants from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon sometime this summer. Pricing hasn't surfaced for these 4G models, but it's safe to presume that they'll carry a premium over their WiFi-only counterparts.
Samsung confirms thinner and lighter Galaxy Tab 4 tablet range
Though the FCC already ruined the surprise, Samsung has just launched three new lower-tier Galaxy Tab 4 tablets. The series consists of the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, 8-inch Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 and -- wait for it -- the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 4 10.1. The design has changed substantially from the Galaxy Tab 3, instead following the lead of the Galaxy Tab Pro series with thinner bezels and less weight. Unlike the high end range, though, the Tab 4's specs are squarely aimed at the mainstream: a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1,200 x 800 WXGA graphics, Android 4.4 KitKat, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of memory, a MicroSD slot and 3/1.3-megapixel front/back cameras on all models. All three will launch with LTE Cat 4 capability from the get-go, along with Samsung services like Link and WatchOn. They're set to arrive this quarter in black and white colors, with no pricing yet -- but we'd figure on around the same as last year's $300 Galaxy Tab3 8.0.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 range inbound, likely with thinner bezels and upgraded displays
We've been hearing scraps of information about Samsung's next batch of Galaxy Tabs since February, but now we have something that helps us piece them all together: An FCC filing for what looks to be the 10-incher, with the model number "SM-T805." The official paperwork doesn't reveal much, but the same model has also appeared on internal Samsung documents that suggest it possesses a 2,560 x 1,600 display -- which would be a huge upgrade over the existing Tab 3 10.1. Smaller Tab 4 models have also leaked elsewhere, with a press render of the 7-inch version (shown above, courtesy of @evleaks) showing thinner bezels than the current Tab 3 7.0, presumably resulting in a cheaper version of the highly portable (and generally very good) Tab Pro 8.4. We could be due for an official launch event pretty soon, especially with the press renders showing a date of April 24th, so stay tuned for more numerical branding fatigue. Update: The SM-T801, likely the 8.4-inch model, just hit the FCC as well.
FCC filing hints at a couple of new Samsung Galaxy tablets
Samsung may have more than the Galaxy S 5 to show at Mobile World Congress this year. It just passed a couple of unannounced tablets through the FCC. One is a 10-inch SM-T530 that is clearly isn't one of the company's pro models; the rear camera doesn't have the telltale flash. As such, it's most likely to be a fourth-generation entry in the lower-cost Galaxy Tab line. There isn't any cellular data on this particular device, although we wouldn't rule it out for additional variants that have popped up at the Bluetooth SIG and an Indian import tracker. We also spotted what looks to be an 8-inch SM-T330, which is rumored to be the Galaxy Tab 4 and was spotted on Bluetooth SIG a few weeks ago. It too doesn't appear to sport any cellular bands, but as always, we wouldn't rule out LTE versions later down the line. No matter what, it's safe to presume that Samsung will have at least one more slate up its sleeve in the near future.
