How much is an Android tablet?
This is going to be the big question for anyone hoping to purchase the Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab on a SIM-free deal these days. According to various sources, the price tag on the touch screen tablet will be a hefty 799 Pounds. That is more than enough to buy three low end smart phones, and still have change left over. However, considering all the features and capabilities of the Galaxy Tab, there might some better reason as to why the tablet is a full 100 Pounds more expensive than even Apple’s iPad.
The Apple iPad, a first glance, will seem like the more useful device. It has got that typical Apple branded look and of course, a larger touch screen display. At 9.7 inches, the iPad screen is almost three inches larger than the screen on the Galaxy Tab which only has a 7 inch touch screen display.
Looking up close however, reveals that the Tab has a lot more to offer than meets the eye. Sure, it may have a smaller touch screen but as an Android device, the Tab brings plenty of features and extras that are not included by default in the iPad (which uses the iOS). It also supports voice calls, a feature that is not commonly supported in tablet devices.
Still, despite all the additional content, there is still the matter of the expensive price tag, and 100 Pounds is a big difference in price –particularly a tablet that will be seeing less use than a significantly cheaper, but still high end Android smart phone.
For now, the general consensus about the Galaxy Tab is that it is a great device for those planning to get it on a tariff –which reduces the cost by an incredible amount or by simply purchasing a high end smart phone instead (Samsung’s very own i9000 Galaxy S is often a good choice).
Posts Tagged ‘Apple-iPad’
Samsung Galaxy Tab to Cost almost 800 Pounds
Thursday, September 16th, 2010Flash Coming to a Whole Range of Mobile Platforms
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
According to Steve Jobs, millions of people have bought his products even though they do not support Flash. He considers this as a testament for supporting his argument that Flash is no longer needed. He also seems to forget that he could removed phone call capabilities, text messaging and even taken out the camera and still would have sold millions of the iPad and the iPhone. This is not about Flash at all, but just how powerful the Apple branding is.
For a real measure of understanding where Flash stands in today’s standards: it is still being used. In fact, it is expected that in the span of a year (or even shorter), there will almost be no smart phones that will not support Flash aside from the Apple iPhone.
The Android is obviously getting Flash support; they clearly made their stand and alliance with the developer pretty early on when the argument between Apple and Adobe was just starting to brew. Microsoft also jumped into Flash bandwagon. While support for Flash will not be present in the very first version of the Windows Phone 7 mobile platform, it is expected to appear in one of the first updates for the OS.
It has also been confirmed that other operating systems will also be getting a compatible version of Adobe’s flash player. Among the systems that have been reported to be getting a flash Player update later on are the MeeGo, Linux Mobile, the Symbian OS, RIM’s BlackBerry OS and the Palm WebOS. The only OS missing from the list is Samsung’s Bada and the Brew though it is likely that the Samsung OS will also be getting a Flash update too.
Adobe has already released a downloadable version of the Flash Player version 10.1 for Google Android Froyo –well ahead of the first Android Froyo updates for other handsets aside from the Nexus One.
iPhone 4G: Double the RAM, Double the Fun
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
iPhone fans all over the world have been hanging onto every iPhone tidbit coming their way since the little device has been announced to the masses. The latest in the iPhone family, the iPhone 4G, is the current star of the show. Stealing the limelight from even the iPad, the iPhone 4 has features like multitask capabilities as well as a killer 5 megapixel camera. That being said, the latest spec to hit the airwaves is focused on the Apple device’s RAM.
Reports say that the latest Apple device sports double the RAM of the iPhone 3GS. Since the iPhone 4 boasts a 512 MB RAM, this also makes it double the iPad’s 256 MB RAM.
The technologically savvy Apple buffs had to figure this one out on their own first however, because Apple has kept mum about the device’s hardware. Since the original iPhone’s debut, the company has increased their efforts in shielding the actual tech specs of upcoming devices from the public and the media. This may be to discourage people from scrutinizing the numbers too much that they fail to see the company’s overall intention for the device.
Since then, the rumor has been confirmed. This is further supported by the fact that iOS 4’s native functions such as its multitasking capability was announced to be incompatible with older (like 3G and 3GS) models. To put it simply, older devices do not have enough RAM to run the functions efficiently.
At the very least, this is better than previously expected. The prototype model which has found its way to the press before only had a 256 MB RAM on board. The added power should help with most of its operations and add exclusive stuff such as the ability to run the iMovie video editing app as well as the device’s multitasking support without any hiccups.
Samsung Galaxy Tape Brings New Standards
Friday, June 18th, 2010
There are a wide variety of products that are available in the mobile phone industry. There are smart phones that have been designed for people on a budget, devices that are re-makes of older successful models that bring out better improvements, there are devices that use a typical yet highly accepted combination of hardware and features that makes it a really good high end option. Lastly, there are also devices that change the way we perceive mobile devices.
These handsets and gadgets are few and far in between, with each one often being the first device for a new era of technology, the Samsung Galaxy Tape is one such device.
Many would argue that when it comes to tablet devices, it is the Apple iPad that is the true pioneer. Which is actually wrong, since it was not Apple that first conceived the notion of a tablet device for all –in fact, it was actually Bill Gates who first saw the potential of having a tablet form device. By the time Apple was working on the iPad, many other companies were also working on their own tablet devices. Apple simply had a really good head start in bringing a product out to the market first.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Tape however, is a device that one can set standards to. The half tablet, half smart phone features a nicely balanced 7 inch capacitive touch screen display which makes used of Samsung’s super AMOLED screen technology. It also promises to have a high speed 1.2 GHz CPU (which is reportedly going to be using ARM architecture), and will also have a front facing camera as well.
Google’s Android 2.2 Froyo will be the OS for this tablet phone bringing users all the features of the mobile platform –including native support for Adobe Flash and AIR, something both the Apple iPad and upcoming iPhone 4 are lacking. It has also been confirmed that the Tape will allow users to make and receive calls.
Details of New Samsung Tablet Emerge
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
It is not a secret that Samsung is about to come out with a brand new touch screen tablet that will be competing with the Apple iPad, and most of you also already know that this tablet will come packed with the Android operating system and will have a nice big 7 inch touch screen display. Right now, this Android tablet with phone call support is considered to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and Samsung just made a wait a whole lot more exciting.
With nothing to go on beyond existing reports and rumors, details on the new Galaxy tablet device was pretty much hard to come by until Samsung finally stepped in and made their own official announcements.
It appears that the tablet device is going to be everything that it was promised to be, and in fact, it will be a lot better than what was originally expected. The 7 inch touch screen display is retained of course, and while there are hints that this device will come in various screen sizes, the real news is the announcement that it will be making use of the super AMOLED touch screen technology featured in the Wave and Galaxy S devices.
The device also gets a new name: Galaxy Tape, no explanations on the new name, but it certainly sounds a lot less literal than Galaxy Tab. This tablet is also reported to be using an ARM A8 CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz, giving the device plenty of processing power. And it will be using that power too; Samsung has stated that the handset will automatically come with the Android 2.2 operating system, nicknamed Froyo.
This version of the open source mobile platform brings plenty of new features, a faster OS, better browsing with enhanced Java, tethering and most importantly, native support for Adobe Flash and AIR.
Android Half-Tablets: Smart Phones with 5 Inch Displays
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
A recently leaked image of a Sony Ericsson Android smart phone is gaining plenty of attention. The device is rumored to be a new handset that will not only have the Google open source operating system, but it will be able to be used as a mini tablet and also as a mini netbook.
These are made possible by a few basic features of the Android devices. The slide out QWERTY keyboard is the first part, while the large 5 inch display and the tilting upper face of the device make up for the whole ensemble. In many ways, there is plenty to be excited about with regards to the new Android device –if it turns out to be true. For now, we can expect plenty of focus on their new device.
Of course, Sony Ericsson is not the only manufacturer planning to strap in the Android operating system on a smart phone with a large screen. Dell has already released this Streak handset which comes with a 5 inch touch screen. The lack of a slide out keyboard and its overall looks makes it seem like a very small tablet as opposed to a phone.
Speaking of looking like a tablet, no other large screen Android device looks closer to the Apple iPad than the Samsung Galaxy Tab. As with all the other devices mentioned above, the Galaxy Tab is also a smart phone –the device allows for the making and receiving of phone calls, but sports a 7 inch touch screen display.
So far, the Galaxy Tab seems to be classified as a tablet –even the name says as much, but with the device’s ability to handle phone features, the line between tablet and smart phone is getting harder to define. And if this trend keeps up, there may come a time when there is no line at all.
Free Dell Streak: All it takes is a Contract
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Having a tablet phone means that you are able to combine the power of a laptop with the portability of a mobile phone. Because it ties together the best of both worlds, tablet phones like the Dell Streak are currently the mobile phone community’s hot commodity.
The Dell Streak runs on a lightning speed 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and carries a myriad of quality features such as a 5 megapixel snapper complete with a built in image editor. To top it off, the Streak has connectivity support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G.
For those in the UK, you will not have to wait very long to be able to get your hands on the Streak. Thanks to The Carphone Warehouse, the Dell Streak will be available for 429 GBP without the need to purchase a plan. While that costs the same as an Apple iPad, the Dell Streak does have the advantages of being an open Android device.
Meaning, you will be able to tweak it just the way you want. You will also be able to enjoy apps which are not permitted into the strict Apple App Store. Plus, it has Flash 10.1. Need we say more?
For those who cannot afford to shell out 429 GBP in one go, you may opt to go for a data plan instead. By going for a 25 GBP mobile broadband contract or even a 35 GBP voice call and unlimited data plan, you will be able to get a Dell Streak at no extra cost. This is definitely a bargain for those who plan to be online all the time or to use their Dell Streak as their primary internet buddy on the go.
You will not have to wait very long to get your very own Dell Streak. It is going to be available from June 4 onwards.
Google Android: 2010 Recap, So Far
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Mobile platform developer Google is basically one of the most active companies in the world. Putting aside their significance as an internet search engine, Google has also been a strong competitor in the phone industry –particularly with the development of the Android operating system.
The open source mobile platform has become a major player in the industry thanks to its wide distribution and of course, innovative features. Google’s web services such as maps, talk, mail and others are key components to the success of the operating system.
Aside from Google’s own innovation, Apple’s aggressive strategies are one of the reasons why the Android is getting even better. The year opened up with an early announcement from Apple that they were suing HTC for patent infringement. Naturally, Google announced that they completely support HTC in case –many believe that the lawsuit was simply a way for Apple to strike at Google.
Last April, as Apple claimed to the world that Adobe’s Flash was obsolete, Google found itself a new ally in the form of the Flash developer. Thanks to this, the new Android update will come not only with impressive new features, but also with native support for Flash and AIR content.
Apple’s newly launched iPad will also become a direct competition for Google as the search engine company also plans to release a touch screen tablet that runs the Android operating system. A similar device has already been debuted at the Web 2.0 Expo and it showed the world how Flash content would appear on a touch screen device.
Right now, the only Android handset which features Android 2.2 is the Nexus One; an update for the HTC Desire will be coming out this June 23 while other handsets are expected to get the new version in the following weeks.
Apple Needs to Exert a New Kind of Control
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Developers are already choking a lot on the yoke of the license agreement of Apple’s SDK’s and of course, app submission rules. But since Apple currently provides the largest market of actual paying customers for smart phones, it has been hard for developers to move away. However, these past few months has been seeing a large increase in the number of users for the Android and BlackBerry OS –two platforms that already have larger user base than the iPhone to begin with.
With the growth of these markets, it will not be long before Google and RIM are able to offer developers the same consistent cash flow that Apple alone used to have. In a three way competition, developers would be hard pressed to stick with Apple.
Still, things are not completely hopeless for the Cupertino based company. After all, they only have retention issues to deal with (as opposed to actually attracting new customers which will be the focus of their competitors), and there are a couple of things that Apple can do to make their iTunes store a whole lot better.
The first part is already obvious; giving the developers a little more slack in terms of tools of choice (we all know the arguments with that), and of course, what gets approved. Maintaining a solid iPhone user experience is one thing, but simply banning an app because there is no appropriate category for it is very alienating.
Another major issue with iPhone apps is the actual user experience. Apple provides no control standards for functions such as zooming and scrolling, each app developer follows their own style. The iTunes store itself is a smorgasbord of approved apps that have been arranged in a haphazard manner. More often than not, people find themselves wasting money purchasing several apps for a single function in the search of one that is actually easy and fun to use.
What People are Saying About the Apple iPad
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Thinking about lining up for the Apple iPad this Friday? You might want to take a step back from your plans and take a moment before fully deciding on this little tech investment. Even the cheapest version of the iPad is certain to set users back by a few hundred Pounds, and this is why it pays to research ahead of time.
Anyway, the Apple iPad is the first touch screen standalone tablet. While there are similar touch screen devices, none are like the iPad, and in many ways it is the pioneer in its own niche. While that is essentially a good thing, the lack of competition has dulled Apple’s innovative edge.
For one thing, this device focuses heavily on internet access. In fact, without web access, a great portion of the tablet’s functionality is lost. While the onboard browser is fast and efficient, it still lacks some key factors that prevent it from being successful –the most important of which is lack of Flash support. Apple has been very loud about stating that HTML5 is the new direction. While that may be true, the iPad’s lack of Flash support is like selling a television that can only play HD signals and will not support SD.
The same applies for Flash, while HTML5 may be the new format of the next generation, there is a vast number of websites that are require Flash to be accessed, a majority of streaming video on the internet also requires it as well as many Facebook apps –including the very famous Farmville. The device also lacks multi tasking and requires the use of Apple’s iTunes software to hook up to a computer.
In its’ other functions, the iPad is an excellent eBook reading tool, application platform and of course, media center. Owners are exceptionally happy about the iPad’s long battery life –lasting up to the advertised ten hours.