Samsung Galaxy Tab
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Samsung Smart View shrinks Smart TV down for your Galaxy S II
We're not sure how many of you happen to own both a Galaxy S II and a Samsung Smart TV but, if you do, you'll probably want to download Smart View from the Android market. Like now -- don't worry, we'll wait. This handy app lets you stream content from your set to your smartphone over WiFi, and can even be used as a controller for games from the Samsung app store. Unfortunately, you're limited to either mirroring the content shown on the TV or watching an optional second stream from a Sammy-branded Blu-ray player but, hey, at least you won't have to miss a single second of Game of Thrones just because that box of Cheez-Its keeps whispering your name. Like any good TV-connected app, Smart View can also act as a remote with a program guide and the ability to change channels, and even more functionality is promised for the future. Eventually, it will make its way to Galaxy Player, Galaxy S, and Galaxy Tab owners but, while you wait, check out the gallery and PR below. %Gallery-125150%
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits Best Buy's site, decorative Androids fall off in the process
Remember the Android tablet we said might be the first real competitor to the iPad 2 earlier this month? Well, it just made its debut on the Best Buy site, and while the big "Coming Soon" button has crushed our dreams of pre-ordering one today, the site is offering up a few more details on the thing -- or at least some confirmation of what we already knew. For one thing, it looks like the system will indeed pack Android 3.1, unlike the version we tested, which was rocking the 3.0.1. Also, on a more disappointing note, the adorable Android army on the model we picked up at Google I/O is gone, with a plain white back or metallic gray in its place, unlike the black one we were expecting -- perhaps Samsung will offer up both color options when the device actually ships. In the meantime, we'll see if we can find the number of a good laser engraver. Update: If you had any doubt that this would be shipping with 3.1, this should put that to rest. Enchante wrote in to let us know the Amazon Germany pages for the 10.1 and 8.9 Galaxy Tab, which previously indicated 3.0, have been updated to state Android 3.1. [Thanks, Jeff]
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 priced at €606 by Amazon.de, joined by 10.1 model in a pre-order dance
The US already knows when Samsung will launch its updated Galaxy Tab models and for how much, but that picture hasn't been quite as lucid over in Europe. Amazon.de is doing its best to dissipate the mists of unknowing by listing the 16GB Galaxy Tab 8.9 at a price of €606.50 ($852), whether you're buying the version with a black or white back. That sounds a relatively steep price, but it's not clear whether we're talking about the WiFi-only or 3G-equipped model. Notably, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 option is also listed alongside its 8.9-inch brethren, but there's no price attached to it yet. All we can really say for now is that the wheels are in motion and these Honeycomb tablets look to be on their way to the Euro market at about the same time as they'll hit the American one. Égalité!
Samsung Germany puts cart before horse: Galaxy Tab 10.1 peripherals on sale now
Like what you've seen of Sammy's slim new slate, but aren't so psyched about typing sans tactile feedback? Well, worry no more, as Samsung Germany is showing off some peripherals for the ten-inch Galaxy Tab. There's a €150 ($213) case with an integrated Bluetooth keyboard to give it that Transformer-esqe form factor or an €80 ($114) keyboard dock ("available soon") that should also sate your phalanges' physical desires. Other accoutrement includes USB adapters, protective cases and sleeves, a docking station, and an HDMI adapter for viewing video on screens of all sizes. So now that Samsung's selling some of the sides, we've got one question. Where's our entree?
Galaxy Tab 8.9 keyboard dock spied in Russia, TouchWiz poked on video
Hey, look at that: it's a keyboard dock for the Galaxy Tab 8.9. The folks at mforum.ru caught this guy on camera at the Russian launch of Samsung's latest slates. We don't have a lot of details here, but it looks a heck of a lot like the dock for the original Tab. In fact, the only difference we could spot is that it seems to cradle the tablet in landscape mode instead of portrait, which is a small but very welcome change -- Sammy probably just pulled out the plastic insert used to prop up the older model and called it a day. As for price or ship date, only Samsung knows for sure but, so you don't walk away feeling cheated, there's a lengthy hands on video after the break. We don't speak Russian, so we've got no idea what the handler's impressions are, but you get a pretty thorough tour of the TouchWiz tweaks for Honeycomb.
Next Issue Media brings magazine subscriptions to Samsung Galaxy Tabs, but not all of them
It's been a busy month in the world of e-publishing. First, Time Inc. inked a deal to bring magazine subscriptions to the iPad, with both Hearst and Conde Nast following suit. And now, a consortium of publishing powerhouses known as Next Issue Media is looking to expand its tablet-based readership to Android users, as well. Beginning tomorrow, people who bought a wireless-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab from Verizon will be able to purchase single copies of, or monthly subscriptions to seven magazines from the so-called "Hulu of Magazines," which includes Conde Nast, Hearst, Meredith, Time Inc., and News Corp. Users already subscribing to print editions will receive free digital subscriptions, though they won't be able to purchase both print and digital combo packages (that's on the way). Publishers, meanwhile, will be able to set their own prices and, according to Next Issue CEO Morgan Guenther, will receive "at least" 70-percent of all transactions -- the same percentage that Apple offers. Under this new Android deal, however, all of Next Issue's members will be able to freely access their subscribers' credit card information and other personal data -- something that Apple has steadfastly denied them. Obviously, it's far too early to tell whether or not this deal will give publishers more leverage in their negotiations with Cupertino, as the service will only be available to a small slice of Android tablet users. But Guenther says his organization is planning on releasing more titles for more devices this fall, with at least 40 magazines due out by year's end, along with an app for HP's WebOS.
Galaxy Tab 10.1 goes up for pre-order at J&R, joined by Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 and 4.0
Remember that little GT-P7510 project Samsung seems to have on the backburner? You know, the ultraslim Tegra 2 tablet that makes Honeycomb finally feel ready for public consumption? Yeah, well, that's gotten its pre-order papers now, courtesy of J&R. Pricing of the WiFi-only Galaxy Tab 10.1 matches the $500 for 16GB and $600 for 32GB that Samsung announced in March, and though delivery dates aren't listed, we'll go ahead and assume the promised June 8th launch remains on track. Also ready for pre-order at J&R today are Samsung's 8GB Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 and 4.0 media players, priced at $270 and $220, respectively, though the only info about availability that's provided is a boilerplate "coming soon" note. Check out the source links for more details.
Official: Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab getting Gingerbread update in mid-May
After encountering a little hitch with its mid-April Gingerbread delivery, Samsung is now ready to boot up Kies for another try. The company has this morning released word that it intends to update its entire Galaxy S family line, starting with models in the UK and Nordic countries from the middle of this month. The rest of the globe, including North America, will follow suit "according to the regional plan." Also benefiting from a Gingerbread upgrade will be the 7-inch Galaxy Tab, which already got a taste of Android 2.3 in Italy, and the company's bevy of budget Galaxy devices, the Ace, Gio, Fit and mini. Read the full PR after the break.
Working Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 spotted, handled in Germany (video)
We had a chance to peek at a glass-protected dummy version of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 8.9 at CTIA, but the real thing popped up at an event in Germany over the weekend, in all its svelte gadget glory. Our friend Johannes went hands-on with the tablet in Frankfurt, and liked what he saw. The version he saw was noticeably thinner than the prototype 8.9-incher that we got to smudge up in March (it's even slimmer than the iPad 2), and if this Europe appearance is any indication, Sammy may be on track to launch these sometime this summer, as promised.
Motorola Xoom, Nexus S 4G hitting Sprint in early May?
Sprint service the only thing standing between you and a Motorola Xoom? Good news -- a tipster passed along an internal calendar showing an April 25th employee training date for the Honeycomb tablet, and while we're still taking it with a grain of salt, it seems like the real deal. If past products are any indication, it should hit Sprint stores a fortnight later, in early May, lining up nicely with those Xoom cases that were spotted a week back. The Nexus S 4G also looks to be slotted for employee training the same day, foreshadowing busy times ahead for the Now Network cashiers. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Galaxy Tab 10.1v up for pre-order at Vodafone Australia, shipping to start May 1st
Oh, sure -- it's pretty much an ultrathin Galaxy Tab 10.1, but then again, it's an ultrathin Galaxy Tab 10.1. The newly-christened Galaxy Tab 10.1v has finally found itself a pre-order host over at Vodafone Australia, with select customers receiving the newsletter shown above in their email accounts. Purportedly, this "exclusive" offer enables Vodafone customers camped out in the Land Down Under to pre-order the Honeycomb-based slate, with a trio of payment options available. A two-year agreement will cost you zilch upfront (but AU$39 a month over 12 months), a one-year plan dings your credit card for AU$259, and an off-contract option will demand a far stiffer AU$729. A book cover seems to be included with each option, and if you get your order in today, shipping should commence on May 1st. One nation down, six five continents to go. (Sorry, penguins.) [Thanks, Jeremy]
Verizon pushes out update for Galaxy Tab, promises improved battery life, browser performance
Feeling less than enthused with your Galaxy Tab? Verizon is rolling out an update to the tablet, whose forthcoming LTE radio and higher-resolution rear camera took us by surprise at CES. In particular, the tweaks promise to speed up browser performance and extend battery life, particularly when searching for WiFi hotspots. The update also packs a slew of improvements to the non-Gmail email app (if you even use it), including better font sizing and linking, a line in the status bar indicating the time the email was received, larger attachment openings, Word doc downloads, and the ability to send multiple name cards. If your Tab hasn't received the update yet, well, keep your eyes peeled. Update: Verizon's LTE Galaxy Tab is still in the works; this fix will help conserve the current 3G Tab's battery life, particularly while it searches for WiFi hotspots.
Samsung's CTIA press conference posted online, skinny new Galaxy Tabs shown off (video)
We were there, talking you through the entire thing in our liveblog, but if you want a more personal taste of what Samsung's CTIA Wireless 2011 keynote was like, the company's thoughtfully put it up on YouTube for general consumption. It features the introduction of the audacious new Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 models, both ever so slightly thinner than Apple's iPad 2, with the latter also claiming the title of being "the thinnest and lightest large-screen tablet in the industry." You can see it above, right alongside the Galaxy S II, which is in itself one of the skinniest smartphones you can hope to buy. Make your way past the break for the full presentation.
Samsung's original Galaxy Tab 10.1 renamed the Tab 10.1V, thicker Galaxy Tab 8.9 no more than a trade show dummy
Samsung certainly stole the award for best tablet at CTIA this year, but it didn't do so without confusing us a bit. Sure, its new rail thin Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 are impressive and we're loving those price points, but the company also had its older and thicker Galaxy Tab 10.1 on display to show off its TouchWiz 4.0 software. On top of that, it also had a heftier versions of the 8.9 on display at its booth for similar demo purposes. So, what happens to those older models? Well, the 10.1 will still be hitting Vodafone overseas, and as such it's being renamed the 10.1V. In fact, Pocket-Lint has heard that the UK won't actually get the new thin version, although we're guessing that could always change in the future. As for the thicker 8.9-inch model pictured above, Samsung was making it quite clear at its booth that it wasn't planning to release that product to the public. It even had that nice little sign up there to make sure it crystal clear to any onlookers. Whether that 8.9-inch tablet was intended for release and then scrapped after the iPad launch, we'll never know, but we will always have the pictures and video of it below. %Gallery-119710%
Samsung vows to "not be outdone" by skinny iPad
Samsung introduced a revamped version of its Android-powered Galaxy Tab 10.1 at CTIA this week. The Korean manufacturer originally unveiled the 10-inch Galaxy Tab in February at Mobile World Congress and quickly revised its plans for the tablet when Apple unveiled its iPad 2. Apparently afraid that its bulky tablet (shown above) could not compete with the iPad 2, Samsung engineered a last-minute redesign that trimmed several millimeters from the thickness of the device, dropping it from a thick 10.9 mm to an incredibly thin 8.6 mm. This change makes the Galaxy 10.1 the thinnest tablet device headed to the market, beating out the 8.8 mm of the iPad 2. This move to outdo the iPad 2 comes with a cost. The original Galaxy 10.1 tablet was expected to debut in Europe and Asia in March with a global launch shortly thereafter. This thick version is still slated to land as a Vodafone exclusive as planned, while the new and improved version will hit the market in June.
Verizon waives Xoom and Galaxy Tab activation fees on contracts from March 1st in a limited time offer
In an unforeseen act of generosity, Verizon has decided to scrap the $35 activation fee it charges with purchases of the 3G-equipped Motorola Xoom and Galaxy Tab tablets, leaving customers' wallets a little heavier and hearts a little lighter. This change will be effective on month-to-month contracts starting from the first of this month or later -- meaning a nice little refund for anyone acquiring an Android tablet through Big Red after March 1st -- however we're also hearing it'll be a limited time offer. The intel has been communicated via email to Mobile Burn, and Droid-Life has also obtained a document saying as much, while we're in the process of confirming it ourselves. All the same, it looks safe to get the (modest) celebrations going.
Samsung says Galaxy Tab 10.1 is still on schedule, iPad 2 be darned
Samsung may have been humbled by Apple's iPad 2, but the company's apparently not letting that affect its plans -- without directly refuting statements by a Samsung VP that the upcoming Galaxy Tab 10.1 was "inadequate" or might be priced cheaper than originally intended, the company told the Yonhap News Agency that the tablet will be released on schedule. In other words, the Honeycomb tablet's not getting any thinner or lighter, but something's gotta give, and Samsung's not quite ready to say just what that is.
iPad 2 prompts Samsung to rethink the Galaxy Tablet
A senior official for Samsung Electronics on Friday admitted his company would have to rethink its line of Galaxy tablets to compete with Apple's thinner, more affordable iPad 2. "We will have to improve the parts that are inadequate," Lee Don-joo, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile division, told Yonhap News Agency. "Apple made it very thin." Earlier this week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the second generation iPad. At only 8.8 millimeters thick, the iPad 2 is one-third thinner than the original. Impressively, the iPad 2 maintains its aggressive price points starting at US$499. In contrast, Samsung currently offers a 7-inch tablet device that is 11.9 millimeters thick and priced at nearly $900 $600 without a 2-year contract from a mobile carrier. The recently announced Galaxy Tab 10.1 will feature a larger display and faster processor when it ships this spring, but the device is still 24% thicker than the iPad 2. Samsung hasn't announced pricing details for its 10-inch tablet, but Lee revealed the original plan was to offer it at an even higher price. "The 10-inch [Galaxy Tab 10.1] was to be priced higher than the 7-inch [Galaxy Tab] but we will have to think that over," Lee said. During Apple's iPad 2 announcement, Jobs claimed competitors were "flummoxed" by the original iPad's success and pricing. It seems the iPad 2 will continue to befuddle Apple's rivals in the tablet market for awhile longer or, at the very least, inspire the competition to create innovative new features at much lower prices. Ultimately, the rumble in the tablet market will lead to more-affordable devices packed with awesomeness. And that's good for all of us --- Apple fans or not. Apple sold a staggering 15 million iPads from April to December, 2010. Since launching its tablet in October, 2010, Samsung has sold approximately 2 million Galaxy Tabs. Forecasts predict overall tablet sales to reach approximately 55 million units in 2011. Wall Street analysts predict Apple will continue to dominate the tablet market by selling as many as 40 million iPads this year. [via Engadget and Physorg]
Samsung's 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab likely to launch at CTIA
Torn between the 7-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab? Well, it looks like Samsung is about to solve that problem for you come March 22nd. According to an invite making the rounds, the Samsung Mobile team is planning to hold a Mobile Unpacked event at CTIA in Orlando, and as the graphic suggests, the focus will be a new sized Tab. We're assuming it will be an 8.9-inch version, since the invite shows an 8 and 9 flanked by a 7 and 10. That sure lines up with what we've heard before, but we have to admit, it does seems like a lot of tablet offerings for one company. For some odd reason, we haven't received this invitation yet, but we're assuming we're invited (obviously, it's not a party without Engadget!) and thus will be there covering all the action live. Stay tuned.
Verizon now offering 7-inch Galaxy Tab for $300 on a two-year contract
Verizon is bringing a nice bit of consistency to its tablet offerings today by introducing a new two-year deal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The 7-inch tablet was previously available only on an unsubsidized basis, however now that the Motorola Xoom has become purchasable with a $200 subsidy in exchange for a 24-month commitment, Verizon is extending the same courtesy to potential Tab buyers as well. That means you now have a choice between the $500 strings-free Galaxy Tab or a $300 version that binds you to Verizon for a good little while. [Thanks, Austin and Mario]
