Samsung's 5-inch Galaxy Wi-Fi Tablet Launched
It's cute. No, it's adorable! But can it kill iPod touch?
Despite delaying Nexus prime out of respect to the recent passing of Steve Jobs, and its apparent surrender in the Australian front, Samsung continues to go after Apple where they live - no, really! 3 months after promising us a cute lil' 5-inch tablet, they've finally delivered the adorable little guy, a new Galaxy tab that is basically an enlarged smartphone without phone capabilities. Call it Galaxypod Touch, or something that doesn't risk another Apple infringement lawsuit.
The 5-inch device retails in the UK for £162 (around $262.99) and will soon be followed by an even smaller 3-inch device selling for £146 (approx. $227.50). Both lil' cuties run Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), ship with a 1GHZ processor, offer Bluetooth support and Wi-Fi, and allow for optional 8 and 16gb storage, but the 5-nch version has a better camera to go along with its bigger screen.
Samsung's Simon Stanford added this eloquent boilerplate:
"With the Galaxy Wi-Fi we have created a device that allows consumers all the fun and freedom of our other Android Galaxy devices. Consumers can choose from thousands of exciting apps and communicate with friends using the Social Hub or even services such as Skype. The different size options mean there is something for everyone."
The new Galaxy looks like a winner, though the price is going to have to come down a bit in the States if they want to remain competitive with the recently reduced iPod touch. Whether or not that happens, odds are 500 to 1 that their ongoing legal battle with Apple will soon open another front. Popcorn and rubbernecking will available to your right.
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what is the hardware spec? is the processor dual core, single core? what gpu? how much RAM, what is the camera? screen resolution?
I guess i can google it but then, what is the point of reading the article. I guess, you could always provide, "the specs are not available" somewhere in the article
LOL @ "tablet"
This should have come out 5 years ago.
No, it won't kill the iPod touch. Any moron could tell you that. This thing will be forgotten in a month.
With the Amazon Kindle Fire about to launch, this thing just doesn't seem like a good deal.
So it's basically a big phone?
So it's basically a big phone?
Don't forget "without the phone" part too. So you can pay over $250 for a 5" tablet with a single core processor and no cell service to tag along with your smartphone, or buy a nice large Kindle Fire with a better dual-core processor and a 7" screen for just $199. Now that's a tough decision...
what is the hardware spec? is the processor dual core, single core? what gpu? how much RAM, what is the camera? screen resolution?I guess i can google it but then, what is the point of reading the article. I guess, you could always provide, "the specs are not available" somewhere in the article
Think Galaxy S minus the phone capabilities.
Hmm, I could be looking for a replacement for my Zune HD (just in case), but if it doesn't have 64 GB of storage...
bring it down to $175 and i'll pick one up. I don't want to spend extra on a phone when i have one already, wi-fi capable with a sizeable screen is all i need. does it have dual core goodness on it? i don't know i want more info...
Don't forget "without the phone" part too. So you can pay over $250 for a 5" tablet with a single core processor and no cell service to tag along with your smartphone, or buy a nice large Kindle Fire with a better dual-core processor and a 7" screen for just $199. Now that's a tough decision...
+1 to that
Well, its competition for the iPod Touch...and that's a good thing. ...but I wonder how many people in the market for either an iPod Touch or this will choose this.
so why should i get this if i have a 4" phone ? , im sure the the extra inch from any phone 'dnt make that diff.
so why should i get this if i have a 4" phone ? , im sure the the extra inch from any phone 'dnt make that diff.
You probably shouldn't get this.
...but if you're looking for a non-phone MP3 device that you can surf the net on and get apps for...this might appeal....
Oh great, another phone that doesn't make phone calls.
So a device similar in specs to the ipod touch with full android market support and expandable memory?
Not bad, I love what i can do with my Galaxy S, media beaming to devices, full network browsing with file copy, no chain to some proprietary application, my music gets synced to my pc when i connect to the wifi connection...
Assuming the lack of phone features means an increase in battery life (the one thing that sucks about my galaxy s) I'd say Samsung should have a winner in the PMD market, especially at the price point they've listed here.
I had been reading all your comments about how great Android was, so when it came time to upgrade my phone, I got a new Motorola Atrix 4g. I love the phone, but the Android apps all want access to the "internet, phone number and phone serial number, number you are calling, etc,etc. Everytime you install and Android App, read what it requires access to on your phone. If they want to they can track everything you do because you just agreed to it by installing the app, even Angry Birds. It might be the same on IOS, don't have any Apple products so I don't know. But to me afte finding this out Android is not "all that".
I had been reading all your comments about how great Android was, so when it came time to upgrade my phone, I got a new Motorola Atrix 4g. I love the phone, but the Android apps all want access to the "internet, phone number and phone serial number, number you are calling, etc,etc. Everytime you install and Android App, read what it requires access to on your phone. If they want to they can track everything you do because you just agreed to it by installing the app, even Angry Birds. It might be the same on IOS, don't have any Apple products so I don't know. But to me afte finding this out Android is not "all that".
While I also find that annoying, don't blame Android. The permissions are all set up by the software writers. Android just makes sure that you are aware of what those developers are getting into on your phone. If you don't like what it is asking for permissions to, don't install it and thank android for telling you before you gave away all those permissions. And remember, internet access is requested on a lot of freeware because the apps are ad supported so it needs the access to get to the ads.
Is this going to be instead of the Galaxy Player (PMP) they were rumoured last year to be making? If so, im buying
Really makes you wonder how adding phone capabilities adds $250 to the price tag.. A wireless 4G radio cost's about $20 and that's from an expensive manufacturer.
A 3" one on the way?
WTF?
I assume this will be targeted at anyone who doesn't already have a smartphone, which begs the question, if you don't have a smartphone already why would you get this and not a smartphone?
...
Surely there are smartphones with a 3" screens or bigger, running Gingerbread, that can be bought contract free and just don't put a sim card in them, that cost less than this tablet.
Tablet? So Touch is a tablet now?
No, it won't kill the iPod touch. Any moron could tell you that. This thing will be forgotten in a month.
you just told us.
i have a use for a ipod touch or an android alternative, but i need the cost to be in the 100$ range before i get it.
i have barcode scanning applications that i want to use. and other code readers, but not for over 100$
Well, its competition for the iPod Touch...and that's a good thing. ...but I wonder how many people in the market for either an iPod Touch or this will choose this.
That depends.
If the 5" model has a micro SD slot it will be a hell of a deal, relative to the iPod touch at least.
Keep in mind, Europe usually has their toys over priced when looking at the €/£ to $ conversion.
If it is released in the states, I would expect it to start around $220ish.
This has been out for a while - it is not just available - you can buy the "Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5 Inch 8GB" on Amazon for £185. There are reviews from early September.
I have the 5" and I love the thing. It's small enough that it can be carried in a pocket, although big enough you won't want to carry it there all the time. However, the larger screen makes a HUGE difference in usability, especially when it comes to the on screen keyboard. The big downside? Price. Although the price listed in the article is less than the original msrp was rumored at being, it's still too much.
A 3" one on the way?WTF?I assume this will be targeted at anyone who doesn't already have a smartphone, which begs the question, if you don't have a smartphone already why would you get this and not a smartphone?...Surely there are smartphones with a 3" screens or bigger, running Gingerbread, that can be bought contract free and just don't put a sim card in them, that cost less than this tablet.
you're not bound by a 2yr contract for ~$100/month, same reason why the ipod/pad exist
It looks like the end of the iPod touch, except for the isheep that have never tried a different device because they are in love with Apple. They love how Apple bends them over and screws them from behind everytime they buy any of there over priced products.
It looks like the end of the iPod touch, except for the isheep that have never tried a different device because they are in love with Apple. They love how Apple bends them over and screws them from behind everytime they buy any of there over priced products.
Why? The iPod is already in it's 4th generation - some may have bought some software for it (like VPN/SSH apps, games, etc) so why on earth would they scrap there iPod for this? Personally, along with the fact that most of my acquaintances have iPods/iPads and we can use facetime to chat, I can see no reason to get this.
That is no tablet, its a tabphone. Except it has no phone capabilities.
Really it is a form factor thing. My wife's Kindle fire just arrived and is very nice but is hard for me to carry as a guy. This fits in a pocket or belt pack and is still bigger and easier to read than her Ipod touch for email and web browsing. I am fine with $250 range cost but hate having to buy data package from a cell company at $20-30 a month when wifi is really all I need.