Desktops and Notebooks: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Joins Android Tablet Ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9
Samsung will offer the Galaxy Tab 8.9 in two flavors: 16GB and 32GB. It will be WiFi-only, with a metallic-gray backing, and will run Android 3.1 ("Honeycomb").
Side-by-Side View
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (top) alongside the Galaxy Tab 10.1 (bottom): The Tab 8.9 feels lighter than its larger brother, and can be held more easily in one hand.??Ã
Tab vs. iPad
The Galaxy Tab 8.9 is a significant departure from the iPad (right, in case), both in terms of size and lack of a mechanical "Home" button.??Ã
TouchWiz
Samsung has surfaced the Tabs' Android operating system with its TouchWiz interface, which is a significant aesthetic departure from the "default" Android look.
App Screen
The fundamentals of the Android operating system remain the same, however, such as the grid-like screens of apps.
Samsung Apps
Samsung is also offering Tab-specific features such as the preloaded Social Hub, which syncs email delivery to a single inbox and integrates social-networking accounts such as Facebook and LinkedIn.??Ã
Dual Cameras
The Galaxy Tab 8.9 features two cameras: a 2-megapixel in front, and a 3-megapixel in the rear (with flash and auto-focus).
Resolution
The Galaxy Tab 8.9 boasts a screen resolution of 1,280x800, with the capability for 1,080p video playback. That's good enough for e-reading as well as watching movies.??Ã
Processor
The Galaxy Tab 8.9's 1.4GHz dual-core processor powers speedy app-loading and Web browsing.
Ecosystem
Samsung is rapidly building out an ecosystem that includes not only the two versions of the Galaxy Tab, but also smartphones (the Samsung Galaxy S series) and media players (shown here, the Galaxy Player, which will hit the market in October).??Ã
