Samsung’s Answer To iPad Expected Next Month

A number of reports have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the South Korean’s tablet answer to the popular Apple iPad, is slated for a September debut.

Reports of the tablet device first surfaced in early June. Then on 7 June, Samsung confirmed that it will launch the Galaxy Tab during the second half of 2010, though offered few other details. Unconfirmed reports later put the device’s introductory date (since come and gone) at 11 August, and now PC World is reporting that Samsung is likely to unveil the tablet at the IFA 2010 consumer electronics show in Berlin, which starts 3 September.

While it has been rumoured that the Galaxy Tab will arrive on the United Kingdom’s Vodafone network in the Autumn, a Berlin debut would suggest that Vodafone may not be alone – or not at the very head of the receiving line.

Android 2.2

PC World additionally pointed to findings by the Samsung Firmware site, which in an 14 August post reported getting its hands on some “new special firmware” belonging to Samsung’s new tablet.

“This tablet, aka P100 Galaxy Tab, is running on Android 2.2,” the site reported. It also determined that the resolution of the tablet’s display will be 480 by 800, and that the tablet will include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS functionality via Google Maps, and run JavaScript 1.5 and Adobe Flash Player.

It’s also said to feature rear and front-facing cameras – the latter with a maximum resolution of 240 by 320 – and to include a 1GHz ARM CPU.

Previous reports have speculated that the Galaxy Tab will feature a 7-inch AMOLED display, include 16GB of memory, expandable up to 48GB, and include Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface.

Tablet Competition

Analysts expect a number of tablet competitors to arrive in time for fourth-quarter holiday shopping – ABI Research has forecast sales of 11 million tablets in 2010 – and a September launch date could certainly give Samsung a jump on competitors.

A 7-inch display – were the Galaxy Tab to truly feature one – could also enable Samsung to avoid the criticism and even confusion that Dell has faced with its Streak. While Dell may consider the Streak a hybrid device, analysts have debated whether, with its 5-inch display, it’s more smartphone or tablet.

Ultimately, analysts have said that the success of the Streak may be determined less by its features than its price tag – which for the moment is $550 (£353) unlocked, or $300 (£192) with a two-year AT&T service contract – and the same may apply the Galaxy Tab.

As with the other details pertaining to its tablet project, however, Samsung has so far offered no pricing information for the Galaxy Tab.