Samsung to Challenge Apple With Innovative 'Galaxy Tab' Android Tablet

*See photos of the Samsung Galaxy Tab below*
Berlin -- It's hard to know if Samsung's Galaxy Tab Android tablet will take much marketshare from Apple's iPad but based on the demonstration I saw at the announcement in Berlin, it does appear to be a serious contender.

The new tablet, which was announced at the IFA consumer technology show, is a tablet with a 7 inch TFT display that runs Android 2.2 ("Froyo"). The device, which weighs 13.4 ounces is not only lighter than the 1.6 pound iPad, it's also smaller, measuring 7.5 by 4.7 by .5 inches which makes it quite a bit narrower than the 9.6 by 7.5 by .5 inch-wide iPad. The Samsung executive who showed off the device pulled it out the inside pocket of a suit-coat and, though a bit tight, it does fit in the pocket on my sports coat. Samsung is positioning the Galaxy Tab as a device you can hold in one hand and use as you walk around.

While the iPad has no camera, the Galaxy Tab has two -- including a front-facing camera for video conferencing. It's also a phone. Samsung plans to sell the device though cellular carriers. Pricing for the tablet and the service hasn't been announced. The phone's price will be subsidized by carriers, but it's not clear whether the service plans will require that you buy a voice plan along with a data plan. The tablet is also a phone although I'm not sure there are too many people who want a phone that's too big to fit in most pockets or to hold up to your ear without looking pretty strange.

Another thing that's not clear is how well the device will work with most Android Apps. Samsung, of course, will bundle several apps that are optimized for the tablet but not all apps will work well with the tablet's larger screen size. Google is reportedly working on a tablet version of Android (called HoneyComb). In response to a question, a Samsung executive said that the company is working a separate HoneyComb tablet for "next year," even though Google has yet to confirm that it's working on HoneyComb.

The device will be bundled with an e-reader and Samsung's media hub but should work with any compatible Android apps including the Kindle e-reader and any Android media players.

Samsung expects the device to go on sale in October in Europe but did not give a specific date for the U.S. Exact timing and pricing is up to the cellular carriers. Samsung did not specify the names of the carriers that will offer the product.

The Galaxy Tab is powered by a Samsung Cortex A8 1.0GHz processor. Samsung said that it makes all the major components for the device.

First Impression

Click here for my hands-on first impressions

Disclosure: I'm speaking on a couple of panels at the IFA and the show's organizers are paying my travel expenses.

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Samsung's Galaxy Tab Tablet

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Thomas Richter, Head of Portfolio Management for Telecommunications Europe of Samsung presents the new Samsung Galaxy Tab, a tablet computer to compete with the Apple iPad, at IFA, the world's largest trade fair for consumer electronics and electrical home appliances, in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. IFA takes place from Sept. 3 to Sept. 8 2010 on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

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Thomas Richter, Head of Portfolio Management for Telecommunications Europe of Samsung presents the new Samsung Galaxy Tab, a tablet computer to compete with the Apple iPad, at IFA, the world's largest trade fair for consumer electronics and electrical home appliances, in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. IFA takes place from Sept. 3 to Sept. 8 2010 on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

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Comments

[BadBadKitten]

04:11 PM on 09/07/2010

I'm going to buy one. I love Samsung products.

[SuperGeeks]

02:41 AM on 09/07/2010

This market I'd heating up! Good for consumer..­.

[kellysans]

09:56 PM on 09/06/2010

I made a comment earlier only to find out that, all the price of this tablet will depend on your carrier. And that 1k USD price, might go low. As a samsung official confirms yesterday, the original price of a Galaxy Tab is only 300-400 USD. http://bit­.ly/9NDyY6

[Miguel Villafana]

03:04 PM on 09/06/2010

Apple has a funny way of creating a herd mentality w/their admittedly well-made (and well-adver­tised) products.

That said I get the strong impression that Apple's going to face very serious competitio­n in the tablet department­.

Personally­, I'm waiting for notionink'­s Adam!

[JasonMcl]

04:59 PM on 09/06/2010

"Personall­y, I'm waiting for notionink'­s Adam!"

I think they may be having trouble with the display and/or production­. They had a working model half a year ago but I'm not terribly optimistic it will ever see a shelf. Maybe if they were to simply sell the technology to another manufactur­er we would finally see it in stores.

[zooperman]

10:01 AM on 09/06/2010

Smaller than the iPad?? Then it is doomed. iPad is too small.

[SuperGeeks]

02:45 AM on 09/06/2010

I want.

[WestCactus]

06:53 PM on 09/05/2010

I love how you Apple fanbois come out of the woodwork to drop snarky little comments about every product that bears any resemblanc­e to something your Dear Leader put on the market "first," likening them to garbage and techno-eff­luvia without even the slightest intention of trying them out.

THEY ARE CONSUMER ELECTRONIC­S. NOT A WAY OF LIFE. APPLE WANTS YOUR MONEY, NOT TO ENLIGHTEN YOU.

P.S. I am typing this on my iTouch. Which I really really like.

[JasonMcl]

11:56 PM on 09/05/2010

Those iPod touches are going to be pretty damn awesome once they get cameras.

I like to spoil my little cousins and nieces with technology­. This year they are probably getting iPod touches. But only if I can rig up some kind of free SMS for them. I heard that Apple has bestirred itself to allow Google voice back into the store. I wonder if they left the SMS feature intact?

[CrimsonIdol]

09:06 AM on 09/06/2010

There are quite a few of apps for the iPod Touch to send and receive texts, I use all the time, the only thing tho is you have to be around wi-fi for it to work but wi-fi is all over these days. Just search the iTunes store and you'll find them.

[John Kramarz]

02:25 PM on 09/06/2010

Why don't you just write one for yourself to give the cousins? You should be able to knock one out in no time.
I mean, if it's so easy that it has no value to you, that you want it free, and 99 cents or $1,99 is just pure greed on the part of a developer. DIY!

[Winski]

06:17 PM on 09/05/2010

This device is of NO RELEVANCE in the iPad market. Screen size alone will make sure it is NOT accepted by the public... Maybe you can give it away as paper weights..

[kellysans]

03:58 PM on 09/05/2010

New updates for this one confirming another feature that would make the iPad Cringe. Tablet From Samsung Impression­: http://bit­.ly/cBpgsZ

[obtusegoose]

07:03 PM on 09/05/2010

That website says the retail cost of a Galaxy Tab will be around $975. A comparable iPad is $629 (16GB) or $729 (32GB). Even the highest end iPad is cheaper at $829 (64GB)... and you're not locked into a 3G contract like the Samsung product ...and the iPad has a larger screen ...and more available apps.

[JasonMcl]

09:10 PM on 09/05/2010

The 975 Price is an Off-contra­ct price. You can probably expect the subsidized price to be 299 / 399.

Rumor has it that Sprint will be getting it first, whereas Verizon will pick up the motorola tablet which will come shortly after.

The reason for the size is portabilit­y. It is intended to be an All-in-one solution which is why it has a voice antenna as well as 3g.

[edmond dantes]

12:50 PM on 09/05/2010

This ridiculous imitation is an iPad-kille­r just as the Zune was an iPod-kille­r.

[CBPatriot]

02:22 PM on 09/05/2010

competitio­n makes for better products all around...

do you not agree?

[JasonMcl]

04:09 PM on 09/05/2010

Most sensible people do.

[Acert]

11:26 PM on 09/05/2010

"This ridiculous imitation is an iPad-kille­r just as the Zune was an iPod-kille­r."

You say that as if the iPad wasn't an imitation itself.

[John Kramarz]

11:23 AM on 09/05/2010

Any idea of the PRICE of this Galaxy?
Everyone jumps on Apple for being overpriced­, so you think this would be known if it's a "challenge­r"

[John Kramarz]

10:56 AM on 09/05/2010

"Google is reportedly working on a tablet version of Android (called HoneyComb)­. In response to a question, a Samsung executive said that the company is working a separate HoneyComb tablet for "next year," even though Google has yet to confirm that it's working on HoneyComb.­"

I wonder what Google will tell it's shareholde­rs it's spending on this project that generates no direct revenue?

[JasonMcl]

02:08 PM on 09/05/2010

"I wonder what Google will tell it's shareholde­rs it's spending on this project that generates no direct revenue?"

They will tell them that it does. Because it does.

[John Kramarz]

04:09 PM on 09/05/2010

If they give it away doe free, I don't see how it directly generates any revenue.

[Sabum]

04:46 AM on 09/05/2010

too small.

[SadButWiser]

01:46 AM on 09/05/2010

One thing for sure will happen. the new iPad will either be cheaper or will have more features. I always wait for at least the 3rd generation of any new gadget. It isn't like we cannot live without them. Competitio­n is good for us the consumers. Let the big boys fight for our hard earned cash.

[mcmingus]

08:26 PM on 09/04/2010

Apple's initial main differenti­ator is gone in about six months. Windows 7 fairly mimics the current Mac/OS.

Apple's personal computer days are long since done as an ongoing part of its income..

Jobs was hip to that a few years ago and recreated Apple around the iPod and iTunes, then the iPhone (latter day Newton) and most recently around the iPad. Smart and successful­.

Those niche initiative­s which have remade Apple won't last much longer as advantages in the marketplac­e. Google, RIM, even Microsoft and HP, are all on Apple's heels in this race.

Apple's surely got the lead for now, but it won't last long.

[auramac]

12:27 AM on 09/05/2010

Whatever you've got for sale, I.m not buying. Only one company deserves the adjective "innovativ­e" as part of its descriptio­n, and it is painfully clear to the geeks and the nerds, to the pimps on the streets- that company is Apple. I don't reward mediocrity­, nor evildoers. Could it be... Satam?!...­. or maybe, just maybe....

IT's GOOGLE!!!

[Ciri]

04:54 AM on 09/05/2010

so far Apple is the innovator.­..if anyone can make a cheaper model it will be China or Japan..and I will not spend my $$ to china ..come on you Americans do something.­..stop bitching about our economy when you perpetuate buying products made in....Chia Korea...Ja­pan....Ind­ia blah blah blah

[HenryDubb]

10:14 AM on 09/05/2010

WTF have you ever ordered an Apple product. The mailing address is from China direct with no stops in between. One should feel lucky if their Apple product outlines their 1 year warranty.

[JasonMcl]

10:49 AM on 09/05/2010

Guess who makes every last one of your Apple Products?

Blah blah blah indeed.