The Samsung Galaxy Tab—the company’s new mobile device that is based
on Google Android and ready to take on Apple’s iPad—is slated for a
September debut, according to several published reports.
On June 7, Samsung confirmed that it will launch the Galaxy Tab
during the second half of 2010, though offered few other details.
Unconfirmed reports later put the device’s introductory date—since come
and gone—at Aug. 11, and now PC World is reporting that Samsung is likely to unveil the tablet at the IFA 2010 consumer electronics show in Berlin, which starts Sept. 3.
While it has been rumored that the Galaxy Tab will arrive on the
United Kingdom’s Vodafone network in the fall, a Berlin debut would
suggest that Vodafone may not be alone—or not at the very head of the
receiving line.
PC World additionally pointed to findings by the Samsung Firmware site, which in an Aug. 14 post reported getting its hands on some “new special firmware” belonging to Samsung’s new tablet.
“This tablet, aka P100 Galaxy Tab, is running on Android 2.2,” the
site reported. It also determined that the resolution of the tablet’s
display will be 480 by 800, and that the tablet will include WiFi and
Bluetooth connectivity, GPS functionality via Google Maps, and run
JavaScript 1.5 and Adobe Flash Player.
It’s also said to feature rear and front-facing cameras—the latter
with a maximum resolution of 240 by 320—and to include a 1GHz ARM CPU.
Previous reports have speculated
that the Galaxy Tab will feature a 7-inch AMOLED display, include 16GB
of memory, expandable up to 48GB, and include Samsung’s TouchWiz user
interface.
Analysts expect a number of tablet competitors to arrive in time for
fourth-quarter holiday shopping—ABI Research has forecast sales of 11
million tablets in 2010—and a September launch date could certainly
give Samsung a jump on competitors.
A 7-inch display—were the Galaxy Tab to truly feature one—could also
enable Samsung to avoid the criticism and even confusion that Dell has
faced with its Streak. While Dell may consider the Streak a hybrid
device, analysts have debated whether, with its 5-inch display, it’s
more smartphone or tablet.
Ultimately, analysts have said that the success of the Streak may be
determined less by its features than its price tag—which for the moment
is $550 unlocked, or $300 with a two-year AT&T service contract—and
the same may apply the Galaxy Tab.
As with the other details pertaining to its tablet project, however,
Samsung has so far offered no pricing information for the Galaxy Tab.
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