Desktops and Notebooks: Samsung Galaxy Tab Offers Media Hub, Android 2.2, Video Conferencing

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab for American audiences Sept. 17, with a high-profile event at New York City's Time Warner Center. The 7-inch tablet PC (and Apple iPad competitor) includes several features that Samsung hopes will prove a hit with audiences, including video conferencing, 3G connectivity, support for Adobe Flash and access to Samsung's Media Hub, an online storefront for renting and purchasing TV shows and movies. The Galaxy Tab also includes an enhanced TFT display with 1024x600 resolution. Samsung claims that TV shows and movies downloaded via the Media Hub have been optimized for the Galaxy's screen, and video certainly seemed crystal-clear during the event. However, the Tab's video conferencing— which comes courtesy of a front-facing 1.3-megapixel screen—also seemed a bit choppy. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile will all reportedly offer the Galaxy Tab in the near future. Samsung executives at the New York event remained tight-lipped about the device's release date, cost and potential carrier plans. A WiFi-only version of the Tab will apparently be released at some point after the 3G-enabled version.