Forget the iPad: The Galaxy Tab is nearly here
Mikey 28 comments Poll
Like many others, I like the idea of the iPad but I don't want to partake in the closed, limited Apple ecosystem. So what are the alternatives? Luckily the big wigs in charge at other companies have recognised the market potential for a tablet (although Microsoft failed in the tablet game once before), and now Samsung is set to deliver the Galaxy Tab, powered by none other than the deliciously cool Android OS.
Warning: Extreme bias follows.
Android for those unaware is Google's mobile phone operating system, and those familiar with it will testify to just how fricking great it is. I concur.
The Galaxy tab (7 inch) although smaller than the iPad (9.7 inch) unsurprisingly has more to offer. Two cameras for starters (back and front facing for conference calls) and 30fps video recording at full DVD resolution. It weighs only 380 grams as opposed to the iPad weighing 1.5 pounds.
16gb and 32gb models will be released and there is an SD expansion slot to increase it to another 32gb if you want too. And my personal favourite feature is the 1080p HDMI output - wow.
Without harping on too long, basically it has everything the iPad has (and doesn't have) and more.
Anyway - back to the point of this article: are you even interested in a tablet of any brand? Or are they just something you can't find a need for?
You already know my answer, and assuming the price is right I'd be happy to pick up one for me and one for my significant other.
Vote below.
Kathi K
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 08:57 AMLooks cute but I'll stick with my ipad thanks, which sadly makes me ineligible to vote :-(
Kathi K
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 09:00 AM...in response to this comment by Kathi K. Oh wait - that means I like kittens :-)
Jono
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 09:06 AMYou're not biased at all Mikey!
...in response to this comment by Jono. Yeah it's true. I'm totally gay for enthusiastic about Android.
I saw and played with my first Ipad at a Best Buy in Chicagoland just last weekend. It was very cool indeed. I liked it allot. I have known about Mikey's bias for some time, and it hasn't bothered me much, as although I have owned what I thought was a way cool Mac Book Pro, one would have to call me a P.C. guy.
Today, I have an android EVO 4G phone, and it's pretty cool, but it will not run the apps I need to use templates to respond to internet inquires that are work related. My peers who have Blackberries have an SMS/Templates program that works great for them. I am unable to use email templates to respond to incoming emails on my Evo phone which uses the Android operating system.
So, for me, the Apple operating system that comes with the Ipad is more computer-like, and able to do the things I need it to do. My perception is that when I consider using something with this Android OS, I will be restricted to having more of a phone than a real computer. Does any of this make sense?
I would like to have something other than an Ipad, but what I want is a real OS that will support the apps I need. So I guess my answer to the poll will have to be: "I need more convincing for any kind of tab or pad." But I need not to be convinced to buy one, it's that I want it to have an OS that will work for me.
f~
Frederico
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 11:17 AM...in response to this comment by Friendo. You mean something like the Android SMS Autoresponder? http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/communication/sms-auto-responder_kllm.html
...in response to this comment by Frederico. Frederico...Very nice, and thank you. BUT, I have a couple questions about the app. I just don't want to go downloading it and then find out it wont do what I want. There seems to be no Help, Contact, or much of a Help Forum along with that page, and the Author links do not go to a way to contact the author.
Do you know if this app will allow several different templates that can be selected for response to any given inquiry? I've got a set of templates I would like to choose from, depending on the request.
Why not contact me through my "About this author" page so we can chat as you seem to be so knowledgeable. https://rustylime.com/profile.php?id=104
Go well, and once again, thanks.
f~
...in response to this comment by Friendo. Hey mate. Looks like Frederico just sent you a link to some random Android spam blog. The best thing to do is search the official Android Market on your actual handset for the app name (or even a variant of the name as you might find something similar). From there you'll have a direct link to the official developers page.
Good luck.
TVBIZ(BOB)
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 07:27 PMNothing wrong with the iPad other than it is very limited.
Like Mikey I do know that the Android operating system is very flexible.
I was so close to buying the HTC Android Desire but found that it had no video calling function. I was very disappointed with that because I use this function all of the time to see my Son who lives in another Australian state.
Knowing that Samsung has a new Android phone being released soon with the video calling function I went ahead and purchased the iPhone 4. I have never had an Apple product for my own usage so I hope I have done the right thing.
My Son has an iPad which I never use. I did touch it once when I found out that his mother purchased it without me knowing. I found it big and awkward to handle. I wouldn't like to drop it on a hard surface because I think it would just shatter into many pieces. I am not saying that the Samsung unit would be stronger but I feel that the smaller size would be a bit easier to handle.
It's quite funny when you look at these pics of the Samsung touch pad because it looks like my non-smart phone Samsung that I currently have. The same with the IPad - just a bigger version of the iPhone.
I don't care who the company really is, I just want a touch pad that has all of the functions that I am accustomed too now.
The Samsung unit has the thumbs up from me.
Rodney
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 08:51 PM"380 grams as opposed to the iPad weighing 1.5 pounds"
Probably better said as: "380 grams as opposed to the iPad weighing 680.3 grams".
But Friendo, don't write off Andriod as feeling like a phone. Because it's not as limited and locked down as the Apple iOS, it feels more like it should. Each device is customised to work they way that feels best with that device.
There's a reason Mikey & I are Driod zealots. For the foreseeable future, all my mobile (non laptop) devices will run Android.
...in response to this comment by Rodney. Probably better said as: "380 grams as opposed to the iPad weighing 680.3 grams".
Yes but that would sound less bias :-)
...in response to this comment by Ben. Galaxy tab is better:
Open vs Closed
Hold in one hand vs hold with 2 hands
Expandable memory vs stuck with what you buy
Android vs IOS
2 cameras vs 0 cameras
Video calls vs no video calls
USB vs no USB
Flash vs no Flash
Light vs heavy
1080 output vs no output
...and the list goes on...
Peter
Monday 13th September 2010 | 06:17 PMMikey,
stuff the samsung, this is the one I'm waiting for...
http://www.notionink.in/
Rodney
Monday 13th September 2010 | 07:06 PM...in response to this comment by Peter. Looks nice but at least the Samsung actually exists. That "Adam" product is all 3D CG images - which screams "vapour-ware", to me. If you're selling a product, you should be able to produce a real photo of it...
...in response to this comment by Peter. Looks great, and the specs are almost as good as the Galaxy, but as Rodney pointed out it's vapour-ware until real photos appear. I've seen oodles of CG images of pads over the years and almost none of them have actually seen production.
Ben
Tuesday 14th September 2010 | 06:45 AM...in response to this comment by Mikey. I personally prefer a big screen - I'm tired of squinting at my videos while commuting but the iPad is much easier to watch. There will be other tablets with a big screen too and they will be better than an iPad if flexibility is important to you.
...in response to this comment by Ben. Yeah for sure. I know bigger screen devices are coming with Android, but I've always been an early adopter of good technology. I'll get the Galaxy and sell it as soon the larger screen Android tabs start to show up.
Wowie..."Vapour-Ware" I gotta' get me some o' dat. Don't seem to be able to find any on e-bay though.
On the bright side, I almost have the templates thing figured out on my EVO Phone. Almost.
f~
Peter
Tuesday 14th September 2010 | 09:09 PMI'll tell you what though, for the first time in a while I'm excited about the innovations and products to come in the next 5 years.
...in response to this comment by Peter. Ditto
Adam Johnson
Monday 1st November 2010 | 12:36 AMNice article! Love the pro Galaxy Tab bias. I completely agree with you - I cant wait till the Tab gets released. It looks incredible and I really hope it knocks Apple off the top spot!
Iv already started searching the internet for the . Hopefully I'll be able to get one as soon as it is released!
...in response to this comment by Rodney. Rodney, this comment is reprinted from a few weeks ago on another related post.
I am still having trouble with this Pad/Tablet thing. I want one!
The Apple is too big and looks cumbersome. There's a ton of hardware features it doesn't have. It's too big. It looks like I would have to buy all the software for it from the Apple store. I want Stereo, USB, camera, slots, jacks, headphones, and a video output. Did I mention I think the IPad is too big?
The problem is, I am already totally convinced, the Android OS will not do what I need. Why is it that Apple can use their familiar OS on their tablet, but Samsung and others have to go with this Android thing? Why is it the Apple that has the computer tablet, and the others have the phone tablet? This is what it seems like to me anyway. Why can't I have Windows7 on my tablet?
O.K.-O.K. I see a ton of Win7 Tabs on ebay, but not a single one of them have a brand name that I have ever heard of. (vapor ware)Not even Compaq, or E-machine. Also, the ones I see are on ebay are suspiciously too inexpensive.
Is anyone going to come out with a Name brand Windows Tablet soon?
I know all my techno guru friends on RL are going to think me a dunce, but I can't get any real answers to this dilemma....HELPPPPPPPPPpppp!!!!...
f~
...in response to this comment by Friendo. Well friends, I've been using mine extensively for a week now and I will have a video review of it soon.
Rodney
Monday 1st November 2010 | 02:58 PM...in response to this comment by Friendo. http://techlogg.com/2010/11/asus-to-launch-new-tablets-in-december-report/1677
That is a Tablet due for release by Asus (a well known, major brand) running Windows 7, that is supposed to be reasonably good.
As for your comments that Apple can use their "familiar OS" on their tablet - they are not. Their "familiar OS" is OSX, which is what you get on an a MacBook or the like. What ships on the iPad is the same OS from the iPhone - i.e. iOS (if that's not too many "i's" for you!).
So indeed Apple are running a "phone" OS on the iPad. Apple have simply chosen, in true Apple fashion, to cripple the iPad so that it has all the software functionality of a phone - but you're not allowed to use it as such. The key difference with the Android is, you're allowed to do with it as you please.
Returning to your original question, of the Windows 7 table, again, be aware, this is a "phone OS", as well - it's Windows 7 *Mobile*, not "normal" Windows 7. So I wouldn't hold your breath that you will be able to get a table that acts like a PC. Additionally, Windows 7 Mobile has not gone very well with multi-touch devices as it only works with pressure sensitive touch screens, not capacitive ones (like the iPhone and HTC type phones use). This means the touch experience is no where near as nice.
...in response to this comment by Rodney. Rodney,
It's hard not to look at the HP ® TouchSmart PC ad of to the side of the Asus article, and wish that I couldn't just get one of those shrunk down. I don't think I would like a touchscreen computer as a primary machine. There's just something about being attached to the bright screen when it sits on a desk. I'm just to dialed into the Keyboard.
Not being a power user, I'm sure the Windows7 tablets will be fine for me. As far as the pressure required to activate a button/icon, I don't think that will be a problem, as I have a tendency to press anything too hard anyway.
Of course, it's the big one that's coming out first, and not the 7"er that I will want. I will go online later and see where I can pre-order one.
Thanks to both of you for your help and suggestions.
f~
I just read this: A dual boot tablet running Android (1.6) and Windows 7 Premium.
http://androidandme.com/2010/11/tablet/viewsonic-announces-two-android-tablets-viewpad-7-and-viewpad-10/
Though neither seem that interesting.
Kimble
Saturday 11th September 2010 | 08:53 AMThe galaxy looks great but a tad small. I'll probably wait for some larger models to come out.