Samsung today announced the highly anticipated launch of the Samsung GALAXY Tab (GT-P1000). Powered by the Android Operating System 2.2, the GALAXY Tab is the first of the company's tablet devices, representing a new category of mobile products for Samsung.

 

The GALAXY tab will incorporate a number of features, including a 7” display, email, voice, video call, SMS/MMS, browsing and social networking functionality.

 

 

"Samsung recognises the tremendous growth potential in this newly created market and we believe that the Samsung GALAXY Tab brings a unique and open proposition to market. There is a new and emerging consumer demand that Samsung can satisfy since mobile is in our DNA. This demand continues to grow and develop as users tap its limitless potential," said Simon Stanford, head of mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland. 

 

"The Samsung GALAXY Tab has been designed to enable consumers to maximise their online experience wherever that may be. The Samsung GALAXY Tab is pushing the market in new directions and Samsung believes this is only the beginning of its innovations as pioneers in smart media devices."

 

In terms of features it will incorporate a 7” TFT LCD display, will weigh in at just 380 grams and will, unlike Apple’s iPad, support Adobe Flash Player 10.1. It will also ship with 3G HSUPA connectivity, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0 and is powered by an impressive Cortex A8 1.0GHz application processor. HD video content is also supported by a number of multimedia formats including DivX, XviD, MPEG4, H.263 and H.264.

 

 

Although Samsung’s GALAXY Tab is smaller and arguably less equipped that Apple’s iPad, it will almost certainly have the edge on the device in terms of price. In addition, the GALAXY Tab will support voice calling and SMS as well as Flash, which the iPad cannot boast. 

 

No word yet on local release dates or if South African operators will support the device has yet been given.