ABOVE: Samsung's Tab in scale against an average size human male, caught on NBR's camera* at Vodafone NZ. The Google Android-powered tablet has a 7-inch screen to the iPad's 9.7-inch.
ABOVE: Samsung's Tab in scale against an average size human male, caught on NBR's camera* at Vodafone NZ. The Google Android-powered tablet has a 7-inch screen to the iPad's 9.7-inch.
READ ALSO:
RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet plans for NZ
iPad update a no-show; wi-fi bug blamed for iOS 4.2 delay
It’s the gadget that got around the planet buzzing yesterday: Samsung’s long-anticipated Galaxy Tab – a touchscreen tablet that will compete with Apple’s iPad.
Now, Vodafone has confirmed to NBR that it will sell the Tab in New Zealand.
The Samsung tablet will be available “before Christmas”.
The carrier couldn't offering any pricing, but across the ditch Vodafone Australia has already gone public with a price of $A995 ($NZ1225), falling halfway between the wi-fi iPad and the 3G iPad; all Tabs come with 3G data.
And Telecom?
Telecom wouldn't be drawn on its Galaxy Tab plans, but given its close relationship with Samsung, and general enthusiasm for Android, NBR would be shocked if the tablet doesn't also appear for XT.
Certainly, it supports XT's 850MHz frequency, so there's not technical barrier to official (or unofficial) use on Telecom's 3G network (see full tech specs here).
Critics rave
US reviewers – who published their first thoughts on the Tab yesterday and this morning – raved about the Samsung device (see links end of story). The only constant gripe was the price.
Does size matter?
There are many differences between the Tab and the iPad.
The most obvious is the Tab has a 7-inch touchscreen to the iPad’s 9.7-inch (measured diagonally, and in imperial in the way of the tech world).
Apple boss Steve Jobs was dismissive of the Tab’s smaller form factor, saying earlier this year ““This size is useless unless you include sandpaper so users can sand their fingers down to a quarter of their size.”
The New York Times rejected that criticism), saying “the Galaxy doesn’t feel like a cramped iPad. It feels like an extra-spacious Android phone”.
iOS vs Android
The other major difference is that where the iPad runs on Apple’s iOS software, the Tab is one of the first of many tablets that run on Google’s Android mobile software.
Struck out with Streak
A second Android tablet contender is Dell’s Streak, which sports a 5-inch display (and which has been spotted locally in the hands of pathological early-adopter Rod Dury; read the Rich Lister's early impression's here).
The Samsung Galaxy Tab won’t let you make phone calls (unless you count Skype via its 3G data connection – although there seem to be glitches on that front so far); the Dell Streak can double as a giant cellphone.
But although the Streak has now been confirmed for Australian release, Dell yesterday told NBR that there are no New Zealand plans at this point.
It's a pity given that Dell senior global executive Andy Lark - a Kiwi ex-pat - has talked up the Streak during his frequent visits home.
*Actually, iPhone 4
FIRST REVIEWS
The New York Times It’s a Tablet. It’s Gorgeous. It’s Costly.
pcworld.com Samsung's Galaxy Tab: Elegant, Promising Android Tablet
Sydney Morning Herald Streaks ahead but can you put it in your pocket
Samsung: Official Tab video demo
Samsung: Tech specs
