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Samsung's Galaxy Tab said to be debuting at IFA next month
We'd already heard that Samsung's 7-inch Android-based tablet (apparently known as the Galaxy Tab) would be rolling out sometime in the third quarter of this year, and it looks like we now also know when it'll be making its official debut. According to South Korea's JoongAng Daily, an unnamed "high-ranking official" at Samsung has confirmed that the device will be officially unveiled at IFA, which kicks off September 3rd in Berlin. No more new details beyond that, unfortunately, but previous reports have suggested that the device will match its smartphone counterpart with an AMOLED display, and boast some decent specs across the board, including Android 2.2, a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 processor, 16GB of on-board memory, and both WiFi and 3G connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy U and Galaxy K add to the alphabet soup in South Korea
SK Telecom already offers a version of the Galaxy S -- but it's often the case that two or all three of Korea's top wireless players want in on the same hot handsets, so it's no surprise to hear that rivals LG U+ and KT are both working on flavors of their own. Confusingly, they'll be called the Galaxy U and the Galaxy K -- apparently in tribute to their carriers' names -- but they'll both be a touch smaller than the original S, clocking in at 3.7 inches (see the U pictured next to an S above). Word on the street is that they'll both be hitting between August and September, so the wait's a mercifully short one. Ironically, it's the supply of Samsung's 3.7-inch AMOLED displays that forced HTC's hand on moving into SLCD -- so we guess this is where part of that supply's being diverted. Check another picture of the U after the break. [Thanks, Pete]
Samsung's Q3-bound tablet to boast 7-inch display, Android OS
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]
Bell's Galaxy S gets front-facing camera, rumored August 6 launch date
It's a crying shame that the American flavors of Samsung's otherwise stunning Galaxy S lack a front facing camera, but even those camped out in the Great White North should know that the European versions (i9000) do have such a feature. Lucky for them, Bell's Galaxy S Vibrant will also have a camera mounted on the front, enabling video chats with a lot less hassle. Oh, and if you're wondering exactly when you'll be able to grab hold of one and brag to your friends down south, a contest from Bell is providing reason to believe that August 6th is the day to watch. Furthermore, the fine print makes mention of a CAD$599 retail value, so we're guessing that you may be able to pick up an off-contract Vibrant for that very price. Fingers crossed, right? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Visualized: Boeing's CST-100 gets you and six friends to space... for cheap!
It's not expected to make its first jaunt to outer space before 2014, but Boeing's "low-cost" Crew Space Transportation-100 (CST-100) will allow up to seven Earthlings to travel up to 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The best part? Once you spend up to seven months docked at the International Space Station, you'll rely on "the aid of parachutes [as you head] to an airbag-cushioned landing on dry ground." Something tells us the crew of Jackass will be all over this in just a few years.
Samsung Captivate now shipping from AT&T, right on cue
Sure, the Samsung Vibrant came out three days earlier, but you don't care if T-Mobile customers beat you to the Galaxy S punch -- you're on AT&T, and it's about time you had (another) high-end Android smartphone to call your own. Our recent hands-on showed it was a bit sluggish, so you might want to wait for our full review, but if your heart's set on that 4-inch Super AMOLED screen and 1GHz Hummingbird core, you're only two clicks away from adding the Android 2.1 handset to your virtual shopping cart. Click one is our source link, immediately below. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung Galaxy Teos and Naos rush in to relieve aging Spica
Actually, calling the i5700 Galaxy Spica from Samsung "aging" isn't entirely fair -- the Android-powered handset was only introduced in November of last year. Thing is, Android moves at the pace of a speeding green robot -- and considering Sammy's reputation for flooding the market with hardware, we're not surprised to see a couple replacements leak out already. The so-called Galaxy Teos and Naos (pictured left and right, respectively) both feature WQVGA displays and 3 megapixel cameras paired with Android 2.1 and TouchWiz; the latter is apparently an affordable Orange exclusive in your choice of black or white. Samsung certainly has the high end covered right now with the Galaxy S series, so if we had to guess, these little guys (and their various siblings around the world) will help fill in the midrange. Update: Samsung Hub points out that these are the same as the Galaxy 3 and Galaxy Apollo sold in other markets. The company's certainly no stranger to changing phone names in different countries, so it's not much of a surprise to see 'em do it here.
Samsung T-Mobile Vibrant and Verizon Fascinate preview
You'd think we'd be totally sick of Samsung's Galaxy S phones after seeing AT&T's Captivate and Sprint's Epic 4G, but we're just not done lovin' the 4-inch Super AMOLED, Android devices. Verizon's Fascinate and T-Mobile's Vibrant happen to be the last two Sammy phones to jump into our hands-on, but coincidentally, they're also the most alike. Design-wise, both remind us of the iPhone 3G / 3GS -- they're all screen on the front, strikingly thin, and have black shiny backs. And just like the Captivate and Epic 4G, they've got four touch sensitive buttons along the bottom edge. The Super AMOLED screens continue to impress, and watching a clip of Avatar on both versions was pretty breathtaking. (No, we didn't have an iPhone 4 on hand for comparisons, but make sure to check out the post where we put them head-to-head). We didn't get to put the 1GHz Hummingbird CPU to the test in our short hands-on time, though both Android 2.1-running phones seemed to perform briskly when opening videos and pulling up the browser. Beyond Samsung's TouchWiz skin, both are preloaded with Swype and other carrier apps -- Verizon's version had Skype Mobile as well as a number of VCAST applications. Oh, and unlike most of the other Galaxy S phones, the Fascinate had a flash on its backside. We don't have much more on these bad boys for now -- we're still waiting on pricing and availability -- but the pictures and videos after the break should hold you over. %Gallery-96589% %Gallery-96590% Note: Pay no attention to the background -- there isn't any intended symbolism to draw here, it was just the best lighting arrangement we could muster.
Exclusive: Samsung Captivate for AT&T preview
AT&T may have been accused of crippling its Android phones, but the Samsung Captivate -- one of the US versions of the Galaxy S -- is about to change all of that. Oh sure, the company released the specs last week, but us resourceful folk got some hands-on time with the Super AMOLED-boasting, Android 2.1 phone prior to its unknown stateside launch. The model we got to play with was clearly an early build (it wasn't even branded Samsung or AT&T), but that didn't stop us from putting it through the paces at a local Starbucks. Hit the break for a bulleted breakdown of our impressions and a short hands-on video. Oh, and don't forget to make a pit stop at the gallery below before getting into the good stuff. %Gallery-95992%
Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs leak out?
Can't confirm these ourselves, but if Android Central's sources are to be believed, these Samsung Galaxy S Pro specs are mighty impressive. Here's what we're looking at: a Sammy-borne 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, a Super AMOLED screen that may or may not be the same 4-inch, 800 x 480 window on the Galaxy S, a strong QWERTY slider with raised keys, front-facing VGA camera, 5 megapixel back camera with 720p video recording capabilities, WiMAX support, and Android 2.1 with some TouchWiz 3.0 customizations. As for qualms, the source does drop "plastic-y" a couple times in a none-too-flattering light. Still, for those who find a lack of physical keys a dealbreaker for the EVO 4G, this might end up being a proper alternate. We'll have to wait and see -- not too long, right Sammy? [Thanks, Ulf S.]
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 tablet sports WiFi and 3G data, about as thick as an iPhone?
Samsung's 7-inch Tab has certainly captured everyone's attention as another possible anti-iPad tablet. So far, Samsung's only saying that its Galaxy Tab will launch in Q3 without providing much in the way of detail other than this picture tweeted (and then pulled) by a Samsung's official Twitter account in South Africa. Since then we've seen rumored specs that include Android 2.2, a 7-inch Super AMOLED display, 1.2GHz A8 processor, 4,000mAH battery, 370-gram weight, and 16GB of on-board memory with up to 32GB of microSD expansion. Today we've received an anonymous tip with even more info. After a series of communications with this person, we're confident enough to at least pass along what was said. Mind you, we're still classifying it as rumor until we see further evidence. First off, our source claims to have spent time with the same four-button device we saw in the video yesterday. The "sturdy and well-built" tablet was "very thin," described as about the same thickness as an iPhone. Our source says that the P1000 model is correct and that it will indeed feature "full phone functionality" albeit without a dedicated earpiece on the bezel -- for audio, you'll have to rely on a Bluetooth headset or the P1000's speaker. Thank gawd... the last thing we want to see is someone screaming into a 7-inch tablet held to the side of their head. There's a front-facing camera for video calling and a 3.2 megapixel camera around back for shooting pictures and video. Granted, 3.2 megapixels seems suspiciously low for the notoriously pixel greedy Samsung. Besides Bluetooth, we're told that the Galaxy Tab will also feature WiFi and 3G data, a standard SIM slot, and can tether over USB or WiFi. Oh, and the battery can't be removed and the version our source used had a 6x4 icon layout and appeared to be running stock Android 2.2 Froyo. Interesting, eh? P.S. GPS too.
Samsung Galaxy S preview
Just because the US has gone gaming crazy these past couple of days doesn't mean the smartphone world has stopped turning. Samsung trotted out its Galaxy S handset last night in London, and we were naturally there to try and glean a better understanding of where this 4-inch Android 2.1 device fits in our wishlist hierarchy. It's quite the stat sheet stuffer, as we're sure you're aware, and it strikes an alluring figure for those looking to get on the true do-it-all smartphone bandwagon. Check out our latest impressions -- replete with video and a whole gallery dedicated to the Super AMOLED screen's performance in sunlight -- just past the break.%Gallery-95331%
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 caught on video looking like a giant cellphone
Ready to see Samsung's 7-inch Tab tablet do its thing on video? Sure you are. However, this isn't the same Galaxy Tab that we saw in the picture teased by Samsung. First of all, it has a different collection of Android-friendly "buttons" along the bottom and seems to be void of Samsung's TouchWiz UI skin. It's also carrying a P1000 model number. Well, at least the 7-inch Super AMOLED remains the same. See the quick action go by in a blur after the break. P.S. The dialer pictured above seems to confirm that the Tab can be used like a giant phone. No, really. We've heard this previously as rumor but didn't believe it until now. The second video perfectly illustrates the reason for our concern. [Thanks, Saad]
Samsung executive confirms: Galaxy Tab tablet coming by Q3
We had more than a hunch that Samsung was toiling away on a tablet of some sort, and while we'd been loosely referring to its as the S-Pad and Tab, it looks as if the latter moniker is the one that'll stick. J.K. Shin, president of Samsung's mobile communications division, recently affirmed as much during a sit-down with the Wall Street Journal, stating the following: "I can also say that we are planning to launch a tablet computer, named Galaxy Tab, no later than in the third quarter of this year." He didn't elaborate beyond that, so we're still on pins and needles waiting to find out if it'll run Windows 7, Bada or BeOS, but we ought to know much, much more in just a few months. An IFA debut, perhaps?
Samsung Galaxy Beam: world's first Android projector phone on sale in July
Ah, here we go, Samsung's other cellphone with an integrated projector just got an official launch date. The Galaxy Beam (codename: Halo) with its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display is now slated to hit Singapore in July. That means that the European and broader launch across Asia should be just around the corner if Samsung's claims from Feburary hold true. At launch, the world's first Android phone with a built-in DLP pico projector will be served version 2.1 of Google's confectionary delight. Specwise, we're talking 7.2Mbps HSPA data on 900/1900/2100MHz and quad-band GSM/EDGE, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11n WiFi, an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with flash (front-facing VGA) and HD video recording, A-GPS, FM Radio, and an 1,800mAH battery. Memory is confusingly listed as "4Gb + 2Gb + 1Gb + 16Gb MoviNAND" made worse by no mention of microSD though it was definitely there when we went hands-on with Beam at Mobile World Congress. Specs after the break.
Samsung's 7-inch 'Galaxy Tape' to run Android 2.2 on 1.2GHz A8 processor?
More details about Samsung's new tablet have emerged courtesy of Tinh te and from what it claims is a highly reliable source. This time around, the Vietnamese site is claiming that Samsung's 7-inch Tab will be running Android 2.2 (Froyo) on an A8 processor clocked to a peppy 1.2GHz. It's all powered by a 4,000mAH battery that contributes to the tablet's 370-gram weight with 16GB of on-board storage and up to 32GB of microSD expansion. Oh, and the 7-inch panel is said to be of Samsung's Super AMOLED variety which should make it readable outdoors judging by its smaller sibs. Sounds hot, but we'll have to see how Samsung's TouchWiz UI holds up to being stretched across all that very expensive screen-estate. P.S. We've also been told that it'll be called the "Galaxy Tape," not Tab or S-Tab as previously rumored.
Samsung Galaxy S gets torn down, looks equally beautiful on the inside (video)
You'll be hard pressed to find a sane individual who'd argue that Samsung's Galaxy S isn't a lust-worthy piece of kit on the outside, and after watching the video past the break, we doubt you'll get too many takers on proving things unsightly within. Equipped with a Super AMOLED display and a bit of that Hummingbird goodness within, there weren't too many bits and pieces to tear apart. What was found, however, leaves a new appreciation for steady hands. Go on, give it a look-see -- the real deal will be out and about before you know it.
Samsung Galaxy Tab comes in three sizes, ships this fall?
In the left corner, the 4-inch Samsung Galaxy S smartphone. In the right, the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab. Not pictured: the tablets that will dwarf both. According to a South Korean newspaper, the Galaxy Tab is only one of three touchscreen tablet devices Sammy's got planned: while the 7-inch model is slated for August, 8-inch and 10-inch varieties are rumored to appear in November and December respectively. Though the "high-ranking industry official" who informed the publication sadly failed to mention a price, he or she did add that the devices will launch with SK Telecom -- the second time we've heard that -- meaning if any of this is true, they've almost certainly got cellular modems inside. All we need now is some official confirmation, and perhaps a nice, binding promise of OTA Froyo.
Samsung Galaxy Tab revealed
If only there were more tablets in the world, you know? Samsung has heard the call, and truth be told they might have a nice crack at creating something desirable. The 7-inch Galaxy Tab (previously referred to as the S-Pad), runs Android with Samsung's TouchWiz UI on top (similar to the Galaxy S sitting next to it). According to the Tweets by Samsung Blog South Africa -- an odd place indeed to make this sort of unveiling -- it has a "high resolution" screen, and it's supposed to be AMOLED if an earlier leak on the "S-Pad" is to be believed. That S-Pad info also mentioned a Samsung Apps store, which would make sense because as far as we know Google isn't letting "official" Android Market-equipped, Google-blessed tablets out of the gate just yet. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
NVIDIA brings a dual GTX 470 prototype to Computex, causes power shortages in Taipei
We'll hit the pause button on all the power-sipping tablet talk for a moment to show you NVIDIA's maddest and baddest beast yet. This is a dual GeForce GTX 470 card, meaning that two Fermi dies reside on the same board, along with the necessary circuitry and an apparently beefed up apportionment of GDDR5 RAM as well. Measuring in at 12 inches long, this prototype is being shown off at Computex by add-in board partner Galaxy -- probably just to prove that the mammoth undertaking is even possible. You'll be forgiven for mistaking it for one of 3dfx's final ill-fated productions, and with a requirement for two 8-pin power connectors and a doubling of the standard 470's 215W TDP, this dualie card sure looks set for a similar future of pretty pictures and no retail viability. All the same, if you happen to have a nuclear reactor and a wind farm in your backyard, this could be just the GPU for you.
