Samsung Announces Galaxy Tab For All Four US Carriers

"With the Galaxy Tab Samsung will redefine the tablet market," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America. "Samsung Mobile expects to be a major player in this market."

The Galaxy Tab

The Galaxy Tab was first announced two weeks ago in Europe, and the US models share many features with its foreign cousin. All the Galaxy Tabs are Android 2.2-powered, touch screen tablets with 7-inch, 1024x600 screens. They connect to the Internet with 3G and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (but not Sprint's 4G network.) Inside, a 1 Ghz Samsung Hummingbird processor hums away. The devices are 12 millimeters thick and weigh 13 ounces, considerably less than the iPad.

The US Tab won't make standard cellular voice calls. The mandatory 3G service will be for data, VOIP and video calling. Samsung didn't say whether the Verizon model will come with that carrier's proprietary Skype app, which would turn it into a phone, but all four models will have Bluetooth capabilities to work with voice headsets.

That said, there's a lot of custom software on the Tab line, including Samsung's own contacts and calendar programs, their Social Hub IM/social networking app and their Daily Briefing news program. Like Samsung's Galaxy S phones, the Tab will be upgradeable to use Media Hub, Samsung's upcoming movie and TV program store.

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