The latest tablet PC to hit the street is Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Tab, bundled with customized applications and services for Indian consumers.
The Galaxy Tab runs on Google’s Android 2.2 OS, has a 7-inch TFT-LCD display that allows users to watch films, view pictures, surf the net, read e-books and is powered by a Cortex A8 1.0GHz application processor. The advantage with tablet PCs running Android is access to the 1,00,000 Android Market applications. But Samsung is betting on its own App Store for the Galaxy Tab to draw Indian users. For ebooks, the company has created an application called the 'Readers Hub', a digital library with 2 million ebooks, 3,000 magazines and 1,600 newspapers in English and vernacular languages.
Indian users of Galaxy tab can access 55 Indian newspapers in English and vernacular languages on their Galaxy Tab through the Samsung App Store. There are also 1,00,000 Indian songs available to users and the maker has also tied up with MapmyIndia to offer a navigation package free as an introductory offer along with the Tab.
The Galaxy Tab has Adobe Flash Player 10.1 pre-installed so users can experience full web pages with flash. The device boasts a small form factor at 11.98mm and weighs 385gms. It has 3G HSPA connectivity for high speed data upload and download, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0. It has a 1.3MP VT camera to enable videoconferencing. It also acts as a Wi-Fi router.
It supports multitasking, and its AllShare functionality enables a host of convergence options for the Tab with other electronic devices. Users can wirelessly sync it to their DLNA compatible TV or computers to stream movies, share photos and music files. It has a 16GB memory, which can be expanded up to 32GB, a 4000mAH battery, and is available with accessories such as a desktop dock, keyboard dock, car mount, diary case and pouch, stylus, car charger, detachable travel charger, TV-Out Cable, headset and USB cable.
Samsung has tied up with mobile operators Airtel, Aircel, Vodafone, Tata Docomo and Reliance Communication to launch offers and data plans for the Galaxy tab, which will start selling on November 10, 2010.
The Galaxy Tab is priced at `38,000, and will be available through select IT channels as well as the Samsung Smartphone Partner mobile channel
BD Park, Director, Samsung India, said, "The Samsung Galaxy tab is set to change the lifestyle of Indian consumers—the way they work, they play, the way they spend their time at home and the way they carry their world with them."
