Samsung Galaxy Tab Targets iPad

By Joseph Palenchar On Sep 13 2010 - 4:01am

BERLIN– Samsung Mobile plans U.S. shipments in the coming months of a 3G-equipped Android-powered tablet with 7-inch 1,024 by 600 pixel LCD screen, video chat over 3G and Wi-Fi, cellular voice calls via speakerphone or Bluetooth headset, and ability to wirelessly download movies, music and e-books.

The 13.3-ounce Galaxy Tab, powered by the Cortex A8 1.0GHz processor, will be the first in a series of tablet devices by the company, which touted the superiority of its first model over the Apple iPad here at the IFA electronics show.

The Tab will launch in Europe in mid-September, followed “in the coming months” in other markets including the U.S. and Asia, the company said. The device will be sold through wireless carriers, who will set consumer pricing.

The Tab features the latest 2.2 version of Android and will come in 16GB and 32GB versions. Both versions also have a 32GB MicroSD memory card slot. Other features include Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0, full Adobe Flash 10.1, gyroscope, accelerometer and HD video capture.

Built-in GPS supports such Google services as Google Maps Navigation turn-by-turn driving instructions.

The device will download apps from the Android Marketplace, and although those apps were written mainly for small-screen smartphones, about 85 percent to 90 percent of the apps are compatible with the screen.

The device will also be equipped with the Samsung Readers Hub, which taps into the Kobo, PressDisplay and Zinio download sites to access books, magazines and newspapers. The Samsung Media Hub accesses movies and videos, and the Music Hub accesses music. Media Hub details will be announced Sept. 16.