By Keri Algar
SYDNEY, NSW: Samsung this morning offered a sneak peak at the Galaxy Tab on Australian shores, hours after it’s unveiling at IFA in Berlin.
The tablet features a 7-inch display and weighs 380 grams – that’s 3 inches smaller and 200 grams lighter than Apple’s iPad – and fits in a man’s suit pocket.
The Galaxy Tab also represents a new category for Samsung, which has bundled a host of features into the portable media device targeted at mobile pioneers, tech enthusiasts and business professionals.
The tablet incorporates communication via email, voice and video call with an optimised user interface.
Samsung today confirmed that major operators Vodafone Hutchison Australia, Telstra and Optus have signed on and the tablet will be made available through their respective channels. The device is currently in the testing stage with the operators.
Samsung is still in discussions with retailers for distribution rights.
Samsung is hesitant to confirm exactly when the tablet will be released in Australian stores, or for how much, only saying that it would be in the fourth quarter, well in time for Christmas sales.
Todd Hardie, head of product engineering at Samsung Australia and New Zealand, said the new Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system combined with 1.0GHz processor and 512 RAM facilitate fast, clear images and videos.
Key features include:
-3 MP Camera with Auto-Focus and LED flash.
-1.3 MP front camera with video telephony.
-Expandable memory, 16 GB on board.
-Seven-hour movie play battery life.
-Readers Hub offering over 1,600 newspapers, 2,500 magazines and 2 million books.
-Google Mobile Services.
-Social Hub.