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Samsung Announces Thinner than iPad 2 Samsung 8.9 and 10.1 Inch Tablets

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Well, you can call it hands on if you count non-working units in the mix. Samsung is eager to prove that it has skin in the tablet game going forward and Engadget got to take a look at non-working models of the Samsung 8.9 and 10.1 inch tablets that are yet to come. And when they do arrive they will have Android Honeycomb, but Samsung’s own version that Samsung calls the TouchWiz UX.

Again, it is all still to come, but Samsung is quite pleased that both versions are slimmer (.33 vs .34) than the iPad 2. Everything else I’m guessing is still up for grabs to some degree including price, (See Update Below) although we know we’re looking at a dual core chipset most likely Nvidia’s Tegra.

So, here’s the question, for me how thin a device matters but not all that much. How about you? Is the battle for the thinnest tablet about to change the equation that we refer to as “size matters?”

 

UPDATE: Well we have pricing information now. Looks like the 8.9 inch will be $469 for a 16GB WiFi only model and $569 for the 32GB model. The 10.1 inch will be $499 and $599 for 16 and 32GB respectively WiFi only models. Availability is slated for June 8. Note there are no carrier ties being talked about as of yet.

Samsung really had no choice but to come in at or below the iPad 2 pricing, so this makes for a potential interesting battleground on the price front.

Press Release follows:

Samsung Unveils GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9, World’s Thinnest Mobile Tablets

Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9 to feature the first customized Android™ 3.0 experience
ORLANDO, March 22, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the global leader in Android™ mobile devices, announced two new additions to its family of GALAXY Tabs, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9, the world’s thinnest mobile tablets, measuring just 8.6 millimeters.

The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature Samsung’s own TouchWiz user interface implemented on the Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb) platform, offering superior multi-tasking and enhanced user interaction and navigation.

“The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are remarkable examples of Samsung’s constant innovation and show our dedication to designing premium tablets that fit the unique needs of consumers around the world”, said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “By combining Samsung’s innovations in design and display with
our exciting new user experience, we’ve created a new class of products that will lead the tablet market.”

Thinner & Lighter
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are the thinnest mobile tablets available. The GALAXY Tab 10.1 weighs 595 grams and 8.9 weighs 470 grams. Combining the GALAXY Tabs’ ultra-thin form factor with a lightweight design adds to the outstanding mobility of these two products.

Super Fast
The new GALAXY Tabs will support HSPA+ network speeds of up to 21Mbps as well as Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. Also, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 include a 1GHz dual core application processor for a powerful multimedia and web browsing experience.

Customized User Experience “Samsung TouchWiz UX”
Samsung’s TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu users can customize to display a variety of content on the home screen including digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.
In addition, the interface includes an application tray of commonly used features such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other major applications are also in use, including large file downloads and document editing. This Mini Apps Tray provides a mixture of convenience and flexibility previously unheard of with tablet devices.

The Ultimate Entertainment Hub
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are pre-loaded with Readers Hub and Music Hub giving consumers instant access to more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspaper (49 languages), 2,300 magazines (22 languages), and 13 million songs. The devices are also designed with Samsung’s Social Hub, which will aggregate email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface.
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, providing smooth transition and seamless 1080p HD video and Flash playback for a rich entertainment experience.

Ready for Business
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 will include an industry leading suite of solutions designed to give enterprise customers and IT managers more security. Developed in collaboration with industry-leading partners such as Cisco, Sybase, SAP and Citrix, Samsung’s enterprise mobility solutions will provide flexibility and connectivity for mobile workforces, ensuring that users are able to operate more efficiently on–the-move.

GALAXY Tab 10.1
GALAXY Tab 10.1, with its WXGA TFT LCD display (1280 x 800) powered by 1GHz dual core AP, is 8.6mm thin and weighs only 595g. It is the perfect device for sharing and enjoying media content with family and friends. In addition, with its surround-sound stereo speakers and support for Flash 10.2, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 will deliver premium entertainment experience whether watching videos, movies or playing games.

GALAXY Tab 8.9
At just 8.6mm thin and weighing only 470g, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 is the perfect device for today’s mobile professional. Whether writing emails on a trip or reading an eBook on the couch, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 provides the ultimate tablet experience without compromising mobility.

The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 now join the original 7-inch GALAXY Tab to provide consumers with an unmatched array of choices to select the mobile tablet experience that fits their needs the best.

 

 

 

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    03/22/2011 at 4:23 pm

    $469 off-contract, as thin as my kindle 3? Well played, damn you, well played.

  2. Isaac Kim

    03/22/2011 at 4:53 pm

    i want this now!
    i was thinking about the toshiba tablet
    but i’m in for this one.
    too bad its set to be released for june.

  3. Joeliphone

    03/24/2011 at 3:00 am

    I am super excited about the 10.1 Galaxy Tablet! This looks like it is going to be a hit. It already is with me. As soon as I get mine, I am going to download the DISH Remote Access app! Using the app along with my 922 SlingLoaded receiver, I can stream anywhere that I have an internet connection to my phone. As a DISH Network customer and employee, I have been using the DRA app for some time on my MyTouch 4G and I can say it would be perfect for the Galaxy Tablet. Hopefully T-Mobile becomes the provider for this amazing looking tablet!

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