New Samsung Galaxy Tablet PC Finally Revealed

X

The device will be shown in Australia tomorrow morning (Friday) at an event scheduled at the Establishment in Sydney.

The Galaxy Tab, which runs on Google’s  Android software is tipped to be sold by Telstra and Optus as well as several mass retailers, it will have a 3G SIM capability as well as wireless and Bluetooth capability.

The device which has a 7 inch screen which is smaller than the iPad is expected to retail in Australia for between $295 and $395 dollars however the final price would vary depending on different carrier subsidies with some carriers tipped to offer it on a plan for $0 upfront. 

Samsung claims that they expect to ship 10 million units in the first 12 months.

Specifications for the device are interesting. Apart from coming with a  7-inch screen the device, which runs on Android 2.2, will have a USB port which allows other devices to be attached to the tablet. 

It also supports Adobe Flash which is a big advantage over the iPad as most video content on sites like YouTube are designed for Flash players. It also has a camera on both sides and can also be used to make phone calls.

 Users will be able to access over 75,000 Android Marketplace applications however many of these applications have not been specifically designed for a Tablet PC.

Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi told the Wall Street Journal that she was concerned about how many apps will be designed specifically for the device. The iPad already benefits from a number of third-party apps that utilize its larger screen.

The WSJ said that like the iPad, the Galaxy Tab customises core applications, such as email and contacts, to take advantage of the larger screen, offers Wi-Fi capabilities, and provides a hub for reading magazines, books and newspapers. Like the iPad it lacks a removable battery and requires a proprietary dock to connect to a PC.

Samsung is currently exploring the possibility of a tablet with a 10-inch or 6-inch screen.