Galaxy Tab 8.9
Right on schedule, Samsung has announced the new Galaxy Tab 8.9 at its CTIA event. The Tab 8.9 isn't alone, though, as Sammy also revealed a revised Galaxy Tab 10.1. In the past, we heard one Samsung exec mention that Apple had made the iPad 2 "very thin," and it appears that that caused Sammy to strive to make their own tablets extremely svelte: both the 8.9 and 10.1 measure in at 8.6 mm thick, while the iPad 2 is 8.8 mm thick. Both of the new Tabs will sport 1280x800 displays, dual-core 1GHz processors, 3 megapixel rear cameras with LED flash, 2 megapixel front-facing shooters, and Honeycomb beneath Samsung's new TouchWiz UI. Additionally, the 8.9 will be available with a 6000mAh battery, while the 10.1-incher will sport a 6860mAh battery pack. Expect the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to launch on June 8th for $499 for the 16GB model or $599 for the 32GB version, while the Tab 8.9 will hit "early this summer" for $469/16GB or $569/32GB. Check out the full press release below.
The fact that Samsung managed to get the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 so thin and light, at 1.03 and 1.39 pounds each, is no small feat, and those two features alone are sure to get the new slates some attention. Some folks will probably be upset that Sammy has put their own UI on top of Honeycomb, but so far it doesn't look like they've messed with Android 3.0 too much. So, what do you all think of the newest members of the Galaxy Tab family?
UPDATE: Our own Aaron Baker just spent some hands-on time with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 at CTIA. Check out the clip below.
Galaxy Tab 10.1
Samsung Unveils GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9,
World’s Thinnest Mobile Tablets
Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9
to feature the first customized Android™ 3.0 experience
ORLANDO, March 22, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the global leader in Android™ mobile devices, announced two new additions to its family of GALAXY Tabs, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9, the world’s thinnest mobile tablets, measuring just 8.6 millimeters.
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature Samsung’s own TouchWiz user interface implemented on the Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb) platform, offering superior multi-tasking and enhanced user interaction and navigation.
“The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are remarkable examples of Samsung’s constant innovation and show our dedication to designing premium tablets that fit the unique needs of consumers around the world”, said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “By combining Samsung’s innovations in design and display with
our exciting new user experience, we’ve created a new class of products that will lead the tablet market.”
Thinner & Lighter
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are the thinnest mobile tablets available. The GALAXY Tab 10.1 weighs 595 grams and 8.9 weighs 470 grams. Combining the GALAXY Tabs’ ultra-thin form factor with a lightweight design adds to the outstanding mobility of these two products.
Super Fast
The new GALAXY Tabs will support HSPA+ network speeds of up to 21Mbps as well as Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. Also, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 include a 1GHz dual core application processor for a powerful multimedia and web browsing experience.
Customized User Experience “Samsung TouchWiz UX”
Samsung’s TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu users can customize to display a variety of content on the home screen including digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.
In addition, the interface includes an application tray of commonly used features such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other major applications are also in use, including large file downloads and document editing. This Mini Apps Tray provides a mixture of convenience and flexibility previously unheard of with tablet devices.
The Ultimate Entertainment Hub
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are pre-loaded with Readers Hub and Music Hub giving consumers instant access to more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspaper (49 languages), 2,300 magazines (22 languages), and 13 million songs. The devices are also designed with Samsung’s Social Hub, which will aggregate email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface.
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, providing smooth transition and seamless 1080p HD video and Flash playback for a rich entertainment experience.
Ready for Business
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 will include an industry leading suite of solutions designed to give enterprise customers and IT managers more security. Developed in collaboration with industry-leading partners such as Cisco, Sybase, SAP and Citrix, Samsung's enterprise mobility solutions will provide flexibility and connectivity for mobile workforces, ensuring that users are able to operate more efficiently on–the-move.
GALAXY Tab 10.1
GALAXY Tab 10.1, with its WXGA TFT LCD display (1280 x 800) powered by 1GHz dual core AP, is 8.6mm thin and weighs only 595g. It is the perfect device for sharing and enjoying media content with family and friends. In addition, with its surround-sound stereo speakers and support for Flash 10.2, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 will deliver premium entertainment experience whether watching videos, movies or playing games.
GALAXY Tab 8.9
At just 8.6mm thin and weighing only 470g, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 is the perfect device for today’s mobile professional. Whether writing emails on a trip or reading an eBook on the couch, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 provides the ultimate tablet experience without compromising mobility.
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 now join the original 7-inch GALAXY Tab to provide consumers with an unmatched array of choices to select the mobile tablet experience that fits their needs the best.
Samsung’s entire line of GALAXY Tabs will be on display at the Samsung booth (#2440) at CTIA Wireless 2011, March 22 through March 24.
For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com
Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1
Network
HSPA+ 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
OS
Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Display
10.1” WXGA 1280x800
Processor
1GHz Dual Core application processor
Camera
Main(Rear) : 3.0-Mega Pixel Camera AF with LED Flash
Front : 2.0-Mega Pixel Camera
Video
Format : MPEG4/H263/H264,Divx/Xvid
Playback : 1080p Full HD Video @ 30fps
Recording : 720p HD Video
Audio
MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, OGG, MIDI, AMR-NB/WB
3.5mm Ear Jack, Surround Sound Stereo Speakers
Enterprise Solutions
Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
Quickoffice HD Editor
Value-added Features
Android Market™
Google Mobile Services :
Google™ Talk Video Chat, Google™ Maps, Books, etc.
Samsung TouchWiz UX
Samsung Mini Apps Tray
Social Hub, Music Hub, Readers Hub
*Availability differs by region
Adobe Flash Player 10.2
Connectivity
Bluetooth® technology v 2.1 + EDR
USB 2.0
WiFi 802.11 (a/b/g/n)
Sensor
Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Ambient Light sensor
Memory
16G / 32G / 64G, microSD slot (up to 32GB)
*Size
256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 mm, 595g
Battery
6800mAh
Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9
Network
HSPA+ 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
OS
Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Display
8.9” WXGA 1280x800
Processor
1GHz Dual Core application processor
Camera
Main(Rear) : 3.0-Mega Pixel Camera AF with LED Flash
Front : 2.0-Mega Pixel Camera
Video
Format : MPEG4/H263/H264, Divx/Xvid
Playback : 1080p Full HD Video @ 30fps
Recording : 720p HD Video
Audio
MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, OGG, MIDI, AMR-NB/WB
3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo Speaker
Enterprise Solutions
Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
Quickoffice HD Editor
Value-added Features
Android Market™
Google Mobile Services :
Google™ Talk Video Chat, Google™ Maps, Books, etc
Samsung TouchWiz UX
Samsung Mini Apps Tray
Social Hub, Music Hub, Readers Hub
*Availability differs by region
Adobe Flash Player 10.2
Connectivity
Bluetooth® technology v 3.0
USB 2.0
WiFi 802.11 (a/b/g/n)
Sensor
Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Ambient Light sensor
Memory
16G / 32G / 64G, microSD slot (up to 32GB)
*Size
230.9 x 157.8 x 8.6 mm, 470g
Battery
6000mAh
