
So, let's see...
It's the same price as the equivalent iPad but with a smaller screen? And less apps...
What was its USP again?
Carphone Warehouse has updated its Samsung Galaxy Tab sales page with a price: £530 without a data contract, or £500 if you take out a tenner-a-month data deal with Talk Mobile. Carphone Warehouse's Galaxy Tab offer That's certainly less than the £600 Amazon.co.uk wants - marked down from an £800 RRP, the site states - for …
Extra storage up to 32GB via microSD slot, 3.2MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, use as mobile phone, Bluetooth 3.0, full Adobe Flash support, almost half the weight (0.84 lbs), has USB port, output to TV, (and it runs Android).
Technically it offers a lot more than the ipad. Whether you can download 20 thousand or 20 billion apps is irrelevant. Just check that apps are available for what YOU want to use your pad/tab for and make your decision based on that along with the hardware itself.
Now that Adobe have released the Andoid SDK for AIR there will be 1000's of new Android apps coming out as it's so easy to build apps using Air and Air is cross-platform compatible with PCs and Macs alike. (But not iphone because of obvious Apple hatred of Flash)
Samsung Mobile Strategist:
"Well we can't sell it for less than a Galaxy S - it's got a bigger screen."
Samsung Sales:
"Oh bugger."
Potential Samsung Customers:
"Forget it."
Oh what a mess the mobile vendors have got themselves into with the "subsidised" handset pricing model. Gadgets like this should sell for £300.
Why the hell is this thing so expensive? It's running an OS for low power devices so isn't going to be as powerful as a standard laptop and a mobile phone radio must only be a few quid these days (after all you can buy a pay-as-you-go phone for 50quid or so).
The laptop I'm using has a 17 inch screen and a core 2 duo processor - and that only cost 600 quid.
We all know that Apple charge what they do because they *can* - not because the hardware's worth it so I can't see Samsung shifting many of these at the same price...
I've had a play with a hardware testing model and its a lovely piece of kit, much more useful in size than an iPad (its *just* pocketable), and the screen is excellent. I could actually see myself reading and using it for video every day, but 500 quid? I'd find that pretty much impossible to justify for a (admittedly good) PMP.
The iPad doesn't look comfortable to hold and use one handed and is bigger than I would prefer. For me 7" with good resolution screen is the right size for a consumer tablet for casual web browsing while on the sofa. The iPad also seems too heavy for comfort over long periods if not propped on something, this is much lighter.
I still think its expensive but more tempting to me than the current iPad. I don't need the 3G, just Wifi will do, so I think I'll wait for something that fits the bill. I use an iPhone for mobile browsing but the bigger screen would be nice when I don't have to carry it.
Regarding laptop comparisons I don't know what the cost of a quality touchscreen is but its not an area that should be skimped on. I hate anything with those old shove it three times because it doesn't respond.
thing is, it's a samsung... who aren't noted for the longevity of the *support* of their products. that is to say, will there be a newer model in 6 months time with samsung losing interest in this one?
it still irks me that Dell did a deal with O2 for the streak, only arguably the worst provider of 3G services in the UK...and the streak is also overpriced.
I think I will ride out early adopter price premiums and see what happens.