Samsung Galaxy Tab

Specifications
OS Android 2.2
CONNECTIVITY HSDPA 7.2, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, A-GPS, 3.5mm, DLNA
SCREEN 7-inch, 600x1024 pixels
PROCESSOR 1 GHz
CAMERA 3-megapixel with LED flash, 1.3-megapixel for video calls
STORAGE 16/32GB internal, microSD slot
BATTERY LIFE 4000 mAh, 1000 minuite talk, 1500 hours standby
SIZE/WEIGHT 190x120x12mm/380g


The star attraction at IFA (the world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics and home appliances) this year was the hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Tab. It’s slated to make its Indian debut right this month, just in time for Diwali!

The open Android platform is working wonders for a lot of manufacturers, not only in the handset space but also tablets. The OS is highly customisable and gives access to the smorgasbord of apps already available — critical from a functionality point of view. The 7-inch tablet runs the latest version of Android, i.e. 2.2, and Samsung seems to have got the basics right from the word go. You can make voice calls, even video calls thanks to the front-facing camera, a feature that its nemesis, the Apple iPad missed out on. The 7-inch screen is perfect for video conferencing. Of course, having a large screen works equally great for other things like Web browsing, multimedia and navigation. Flash 10.1 is supported, and you can work on multiple windows as well, using multi-touch to organise your view with ease. As with their flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S, Swype is pre-loaded for text input, and Samsung’s “Social Hub” integrates all your communication: e-mail, SMSes, IM and social networking updates. The split-screen layout works well for previewing your e-mails.

Thinkfree Office lets you view, edit and create office docs, while the calendar syncs smoothly with Google, Facebook, and MS Exchange. “Readers Hub” aggregates e-books, magazines and newspapers in a single app, and is perhaps, the most useful and exciting app on the Tab. If you like your dose of entertainment on the go, it makes for a great portable media player too.

The SoundAlive 3D audio offers 5.2 surround sound. Not only can this baby play full HD videos, it supports DivX and other popular codecs right out of the box! For TV connectivity, you’ll need a separate dock though. However, if you have a DLNA-compliant TV, you can use its AllShare feature to stream media wirelessly. Samsung plans to have a range of accessories, right from docks to external keyboards available for the Tab. And though it still remains to be seen how it prices it in India, nothing will take away the fact that the Tab is a drool-worthy device and on the top of our shopping list for this season.