Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Official US Release Date!

June 2nd, 2011 Aaron View Comments

Samsung has really stepped up its game with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, starting as just another tablet this offering from Sammy looks to be one that will put them at the head of the Honeycomb Tablet game… Launching June 8th (Exclusively at the Union Station Best Buy in NYC and available Nationwide Starting June 17th) the Tab 10.1 took to heart the features announced for the iPad2 and decided to change their initial offering as it was shown at MWC and CTIA. The Tab 10.1 has a 7000mAh battery which should give plenty of usable time, It is also launching with Honeycomb 3.1 the absolute latest available version of Android. Its also launching as a WiFi only tablet like everyone wanted with the Original Galaxy Tab. There will be 3G versions and it looks like Verizon is also planning to offer a 4G/LTE Model as well.

Here is the Press Release from Samsung:

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, World’s Thinnest Mobile Tablet,

Makes Official Landing in U.S.

Premium Android Honeycomb Tablet with Ultra-slim, Lightweight Design and Brilliant

10-inch Touchscreen Available Exclusively at Best Buy Union Square Store in New York City Starting June 8; Available Nationwide Starting June 17
DALLAS, June 2, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.[1], and Samsung Electronics America, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the upcoming retail availability of the Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, starting June 8. The WiFi-enabled tablet measures at just 8.6 millimeters slim, making it the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world. The 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available for $599, while the 16GB version of the device will be available for $499.

A limited quantity of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available for purchase exclusively at the Best Buy Union Square store in New York City on June 8. Best Buy customers may also pre-order the Galaxy Tab 10.1 online or in-store beginning that day.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is powered by Android™ 3.1, Honeycomb offering faster and smoother transitions between different applications, more intuitive navigation to and from home screens and broader support of USB accessories, external keyboards, joysticks and gamepads.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world, measuring in at an ultra-slim 8.6 millimeters. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also boasts an incredibly light weight of just 1.25 pounds (565 grams) for outstanding mobility and comfort in the user’s hands.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is designed with a brilliant 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display with WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution delivering vibrant colors and crisp clarity. This expansive screen is centered inside a narrow bezel to enhance the wide viewing angle.

“Ensuring that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 launched with Android 3.1 Honeycomb was part of our constant commitment to meeting the needs of our customers,” said Dale Sohn, President and CEO of Samsung Mobile. “The Galaxy Tab 10.1’s ultra-thin design and 10-inch touchscreen are impressive differentiators in the tablet market place. We’re going to make the Galaxy Tab 10.1 even more powerful, entertaining and secure through a series of upgrades coming to this device.”

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will receive these new upgrades through a software update that customers can access over the air in the near future. Those upgrades are currently scheduled to include:

FEATURES/SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH FUTURE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Customized User Experience “Samsung TouchWiz UX”

Samsung’s TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu for customizing the home screen of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.

In addition, the TouchWiz UX includes a “Mini Apps” tray of commonly used features such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other major applications are already in use.

Samsung Media Hub

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 software upgrade will introduce the evolution of Samsung’s popular movie and TV content service, known as Media Hub. Media Hub has been redesigned with a new user interface for even easier downloads of rented or purchased content. The new version of Media Hub also includes an HD Extender which allows the user to playback Media Hub content on TV through an HDMI cable from the Galaxy Tab 10.1 dock or adaptor.

Readers Hub & Social Hub

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will also gain access to Samsung’s Readers Hub service, which is a robust library filled with more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspapers and 2,300 magazines. Also, the software upgrade will install Samsung’s Social Hub service, which aggregates email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface.

Versatile Content Sharing

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will also receive Samsung’s Allshare service, for seamless content transfer between the tablet and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTV’s, monitors and digital cameras. The software upgrade will also transform the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 into a device capable of accepting streaming content from a TV to the tablet itself.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES AVAILABLE AT PRODUCT LAUNCH

Impressive Speed, Power & Battery Life

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also includes a Nvidia Tegra 1GHz dual core application processor for powerful gaming and multimedia performance. The Tab’s ultra-thin design does not sacrifice battery life, thanks to a 7000 mAh battery providing up to 9 hours of continuous use on a single charge[2].

Full Adobe Flash Player Compatibility

The device offers extensive Web browsing access through Adobe® Flash® Player compatibility. Flash Player delivers beautiful HD video, faster graphics rendering, and high performance on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and is designed to take advantage of native device capabilities — enabling richer, more immersive user experiences.

Optimal Enterprise Solutions

In addition, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 integrates several enterprise solutions to provide support for exchange device management policies, improve the security of data and services maintained on the tablet and meet IT guidelines for remote device access. The enterprise solutions include:

  • On-device encryption of user data
  • Cisco AnyConnect SSL VPN
  • F5 SSL VPN
  • Enhanced Exchange ActiveSync Support

Quality Cameras and Sound

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera providing smooth video chat capabilities and seamless 1080p HD video playback[3]. High quality speakers are positioned on the right and left sides of the device for a rich, deep audio experience.

Google™ Mobile Services

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is preloaded with the full suite of Google Mobile Services including access to more than 60,000 Android Market™ applications for Galaxy Tab 10.1[4], Gmail™, Google Search™, Google Maps™ 5.0 with 3D maps, and Google Talk™ with video and voice chat.

Availability & Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available exclusively starting June 8 at the Best Buy Union Square location in New York City. Starting June 17, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available at Best Buy online and in-store along with Fry’s Electronics, Amazon.com, Micro Center, Tiger Direct and Newegg. These retail outlets will have the 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition available for $599, and the 16GB version of the device will be available for $499. In addition, the WiFi version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available through Sprint starting mid-summer 2011. Visit www.samsung.com for additional details.

1 Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q1 2011 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.

2 Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, and frequency of data and other application usage patterns.

3 1080p video playback on an HD TV or other 1080p HD device.

4 Based on a statistical analysis of existing Android Market™ applications

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines.  A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S.  Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Android, Google, Android Market, Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Talk are trademarks of Google, Inc.

Adobe and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

Categories: Hardware News, Press Releases, Tablets Tags: , ,

Shift in focus – [Wanted] Opinion Columnists

April 2nd, 2011 Aaron View Comments

AndroidDose.com is changing its focus, we will still bring you news and reviews as they come in but lets be honest, there are a billion Android news sites and more popping up everyday. I say if you want the latest in Android news you should head over to AndroidGuys.com or AndroidAndMe.com those 2 sites have the news game on lock down and post some really good articles! So since I feel that competition is just a little crowded in the sea of blogs I am changing the focus of AndroidDose.com to a community sourced opinion and editorial site. What does this mean to you? Our articles remain the intellectual property of their respective author and that ANYONE that wants to share their opinion can contact me and we will get your article published for everyone to see. We will from time to time continue to post news and reviews though as it has in recent months will not be our main source of articles. I hope to grow this to involve many different authors with varying opinions from around the world. Is there a catch? NOPE!!! ok well there might be one… I from time to time use some explicit language and would like to see that any authors limit (notice I didn’t say eliminate) explicit language. I will not edit articles so your bad grammar and structure will remain your own unless you ask me or my associate editor to review it, in which case you will be required to “approve” it before it is published, As I said the articles will remain the authors intellectual property. So please step up to the podium and take the mic the Android Community wants to hear what you have to say!

You can contact me on Twitter @AndroidDose or via email at aaronb at androiddose.com

Categories: Featured, Site Announcements Tags:

My Thoughts on AT&T-Mobile

March 21st, 2011 mardenator View Comments

If you haven’t heard about the AT&T/Tmobile merge, then I advise you to crawl out from that rock under which you are hiding. In a recent announcement, AT&T plans to purchase T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for a whopping $39 billion. Now, before I get into my rant (you’ve been warned), I have to stress that this deal is by no means final. It has to clear the Department of Justice as well as the FCC, and then there’s all the paperwork and proper proceedings that have to take place. Bottom line, it could take up to a year for this merge to happen, that is, if it clears the aforementioned departments. With that being said, i’ve had some time to collect my thoughts after the initial shock of the announcement, and I’ve come to a few conclusions..

First, we have to look at it from all perspectives. From AT&T’s viewpoint, it’s a genius move. As much as I hate AT&T, I have to admit that this is a very smart business move on their part. It takes months, sometimes years to gain approval to build new cell towers, and AT&T didn’t want to wait for it. They found the most simple solution possible: they bought towers. Since AT&T and Tmobile are both GSM carriers, it was a no-brainer for AT&T to purchase Tmo, who we’ve noticed has been struggling financially as of late. All AT&T has to do is reconfigure the Tmobile towers, and they’ve got a lot more coverage and the potential for faster speeds. I hate AT&T with a passion, but I must give them their dues here.

Now, from the most common perspective (and mine, I might add), the current Tmobile customer. I, for one, am trying to stay optimistic. Maybe AT&T will change for the better through this deal. Maybe their services will improve, and they’ll grow in a positive way. Obviously, this is not as likely as AT&T staying the same, and just gaining some more towers, but I’ll let you sort that out for yourself. So, as a Tmo customer, what do you do? Stay with AT&T/Tmobile, or head to another carrier, like Sprint or Verizon? Well, that all depends on you. I know some Android enthusiasts who are already planning the move to another carrier, and I can’t say I blame them. While Tmobile is trying its best to ensure a smooth transaction for customers, I doubt it’ll be as easy as they’re making it out to be. Tmobile phones that use Tmo 3G won’t get 3G after the merge, meaning they’ll have to switch to an AT&T 3G (or 4G) phone. This is not a popular aspect among Tmobile customers, myself included.

And finally, we have to look at it from the CDMA carriers’ points of view. At the moment, Verizon is the largest carrier, with AT&T trailing, and Sprint in 3rd. If this deal goes through, AT&T will vastly increase the size of its network, surpassing Verizon. Vzw and Sprint have to be worried about their market shares, and how the merge will force them to step up their game to stay in it. Of course, the HTC Thunderbolt is certainly luring in many Android users from Tmobile to Verizon lately, so don’t count the CDMA carriers out just yet.

Now, what do I think about the merge? I hate it, plain and simple. I’ve been a Tmo user for nearly 4 years now, and I’ve never had a single complaint. Why? Because Tmobile offers the best customer service, bar none. That’s why I’ve stuck with them all these years. You won’t find quality customer service like that anywhere else. And now, Tmobile is being bought out by the company that’s notorious for terrible customer service. That’s not something that will brighten my day.  But like I said, I’m being optimistic. There’s a chance that AT&T will learn from it’s restrictive mistakes and be more carefree with Android. And with the addition of all those Tmobile towers, AT&T’s network can only get stronger from here. What are my plans as a Tmobile customer? For now, I’m staying where I am. If things take a turn for the worse, my contract runs out in November, at which point I’ll move to Sprint.

So, all in all, a smart move for AT&T, sucks for Tmo customers, and worries CDMA carriers. Any questions?

Categories: Smartphones Tags:

T-Mobile Announces Sidekick 4G – Android powered Samsung device sporting 4G Speeds

March 14th, 2011 Aaron View Comments

According to a late night press release T-Mobile has joined forces with Samsung to deliver yet another Samsung mobile device powered by Android. Sadly thought the Sidekick 4G seems to be lacking many of the newer features we are seeing in other manufacturers offerings. Sporting Android 2.2 and a Single Core Hummingbird processor and a small 3.5″ screen. To me it doesn’t seem like a lot of innovation except for the 4G Speeds, even though Samsung just released the Galaxy S 4G on T-Mobile recently.  Well here is the original press release.

T-Mobile Sidekick Is Reborn

New Sidekick 4G is a Lightning-Fast and Stylish Communication Hub,

Delivering Evolved Messaging and Entertainment at 4G Speeds

BELLEVUE, Wash., and DALLAS — March 15, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.,1 today unveiled the new T-Mobile Sidekick® 4G™ by Samsung. The new Android™-powered smartphone pays tribute to its heritage with its stylish good looks and a killer keyboard while redefining messaging and upgrading to 4G speeds. One of T-Mobile’s fastest smartphones running on America’s Largest 4G Network™, the new Sidekick 4G is capable of delivering theoretical peak download speeds of up to 21 Mbps.

The T-Mobile Sidekick has long been known for its innovative and distinctive design, and the Sidekick 4G does not disappoint. The 3.5-inch display marks the first Sidekick to feature a touch screen and its sturdy “pop-tilt” hinge reveals the previously acclaimed, five-row QWERTY keyboard that has long been a Sidekick hallmark and the reason behind its status as an exceptional messaging device.

The new Sidekick 4G leverages its quality keyboard along with Sidekick Group Text™ and Cloud Text™ to redefine messaging. Sidekick’s Group Text feature lets customers create, name, manage and participate in reply-all group text conversations, enabling them to lead their network in conversation and social planning. Group Text breathes new life into one of the most popular forms of messaging allowing Sidekick 4G customers to initiate and share the benefit of the application with SMS-capable devices from flip phones to smartphones. In addition, Cloud Text provides the option to text with friends or groups across platforms, whether from the comfort of their PC’s large screen and keyboard, or from their new Sidekick 4G.

“Backed by the faster speeds on T-Mobile’s 4G network, the new Sidekick 4G offers customers both speed and style,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “We’ve reinvented the messaging experience that made the Sidekick such an iconic device, and supercharged it with communication and entertainment experiences that take full advantage of our 4G network.”

Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile, said, “We are proud that T-Mobile selected Samsung to help create the next-generation Sidekick and carry the iconic Sidekick brand and device to the next level. Samsung redesigned the new Sidekick 4G with our best-in-class hardware, combined with T-Mobile’s 4G network speeds, the Android operating system, and unique messaging and entertainment features, to make this a perfect match for both loyal Sidekick fans and new Sidekick owners.”

The new Sidekick 4G also comes preloaded with Facebook® and Twitter™ applications, and provides easy interaction with customers’ social networks by allowing them to update their status from the notification pane and browse their feeds from the home screen. They have the ability to sync their social network contacts to the phone’s address book, which lets them post to their friends’ walls or comment on their status. And multitasking is easier than ever with the Sidekick 4G’s jump key, an easy-to-access physical button that enables customers to quickly switch between active applications, even during a phone call, or assign keyboard shortcuts to their favorite functions or applications.

In addition to a communication hub, the new Sidekick 4G is now an entertainment hub. With speeds as fast as home broadband, enjoying a favorite TV show or surfing the Web on the go is a breeze. Sidekick’s Media Room features one place to enjoy music, videos, movies, YouTube®, T-Mobile TV® and Slacker Radio, and to search for content regardless of the source. The integrated media player, also accessible through the Media Room, spans across all media including music, video and Internet radio. Customers also have the option to rent or purchase their favorite movies and TV programs directly from the Samsung Media Hub, which offers a robust collection of movie and next-day TV show titles from CBS, Fox, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. Customers now have the option to place Media Hub charges directly to their monthly T-Mobile service bill.

Complementing the messaging communication features, the new Sidekick 4G is equipped with a VGA front-facing camera and pre-installed T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik™, to ensure you are always present with your social circle. Powered by Android 2.2 (Froyo) and a speedy 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, so consumers can keep up with their favorite blogs while on the move, search for the must-try dinner spots and map the way to their next destination — all at blazing fast speeds. The new smartphone will also offer dynamic media features and integrated Google™ services, including Gmail™, Google Maps™ and access to thousands of applications on Android Market™.

The new Sidekick 4G also comes equipped with DriveSmart™ from T-Mobile, a first-of-its kind service from a U.S. carrier, that helps prevent distracted driving. When initiated, DriveSmart Basic provides automatic incoming call and message management, sending a customizable note to callers and senders, letting them know that the recipient is driving and will respond when it’s safe. DriveSmart Plus offers the same functionality, with the added capability to automatically activate when the handset is in a moving vehicle, as well as advanced parental controls for enhanced peace of mind when teen drivers are behind the wheel.

Offered exclusively to T‑Mobile customers, the new T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is expected to be available later this spring in two stylish colors — matte black or pearl magenta. Customers can visit http://sidekick.t-mobile.com/ for more information.

Categories: Android OS, Carrier News, Smartphones Tags: , , ,

Web Comic pokes fun at our new digital life

February 24th, 2011 Aaron View Comments

The widely popular WebComic XKCD has a great comic today asking the age old question “Where is my flying car?”

No seriously I kinda have to agree, Don’t you?

No its not really news, No its not really Android specific, But we all need a laugh now and then and who doesn’t like the occasional Angry Birds reference

Categories: Off Topic Tags: , ,