Bloggers peeling away the onion layers that comprise
Samsung's Galaxy Tab have learned that the widely anticipated, Android-based
iPad challenger is launching on Verizon Wireless.
Boy Genius Report snared this screenshot of a listing for "Sam Galaxy Tab Demos" from Verizon's
internal systems.
A spokesperson for Verizon Wireless declined to confirm
the news for eWEEK Aug. 31, but the world should know in the next couple days.
This video published on Samsung's Website hints that the device will be
formally unveiled at an event in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2 at the IFA 2010
consumer electronics and home appliances tradeshow.
The video itself has all the marketing aesthetic of a Verizon
Wireless Droid smartphone commercial, as the device's features are accompanied by futuristic-sounding
robot music.
The Galaxy Tab will run Android 2.2 on a 7-inch screen, according
to the Samsung video.
The device will support augmented reality applications
and video calling, which means it has a front-facing camera which Apple's iPad
currently lacks. The tablet also sports SDHC memory expandability and a
DMB tuner for TV viewing.
The Verizon Wireless tie to the Samsung Galaxy Tab is
also interesting because Google CEO Eric Schmidt is scheduled to provide the
closing keynote Sept. 7 at IFA. Read more on Android tablets expected at IFA on GigaOm here.
Schmidt's ties with Verizon Wireless go back to last
October, when he appeared with the No. 1 carrier's CEO Lowell McAdam to
announce a deep partnership to provide mobile devices based on Android.
Since that time, Verizon Wireless has launched the
successful Droid line. Schmidt also popped in a a guest speaker for the
carrier's launch of the Motorola Droid X June 23 in New York City.
That Samsung's Galaxy Tab would drop on Verizon Wireless
shouldn't be a surprise. McAdam told The New York Times in May it was
working on an Android tablet.
Moreover, Verizon already supports the Samsung Galaxy S
smartphone line with the as-yet-unreleased Fascinate model.
BGR unearthed this Verizon roadmap earlier this month
with evidence that Verizon is launching a Samsung tablet.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab will have competition in the form of
a a 7-inch, Android 2.2 tablet from ViewSonic in October, as well as a tablet from Motorola that is reportedly based
on Android 3.0.
This device isn't expected until February 2011.
Enterprise Mobility News & Reviews 
