Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Here's a cool app that shows live traffic feeds while navigating, and traffic congestion alerts. This is the Bell Galaxy Tab in Canada:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhD2yuq-GCk

The UI could use some refinement (a lot actually), but it's a pretty cool concept.

It indicates possible police speed traps, which is REALLY cool.

HAHAHA... It shows that the DVP (becomes Highway 404 - Toronto) is slow moving. I don't think anyone needs an advanced app to relay that bit of information! :p

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

This is neat: Virgin Atlantic is offering a complimentary Tab to use before flight in one of their high-end, flagship airport lounges @ heathrow in England:
http://images2.pocket-lint.com/image...0101104-150812
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/3661...ung-galaxy-tab

Quite a perk! I would imagine that a good selection of magazines/movies/books would be available for use whilst waiting. Very cool.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

FAQ: Why You Shouldn’t Be Using a Task Killer with Android

Here's a nice writeup on how Android handles tasks and highlites the perils of excessive task killing:
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/3...ylifecycle.png
http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-b...-with-android/

Android apps are designed to handle rapid starts and seamless sleeps, making paranoid task management much less necessary.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Here's a post with 5 excellent Android racing games that will work well with the Tab!
http://androidandme.com/wp-content/u...es-android.jpg
http://androidandme.com/2010/11/game...droid-devices/

Just to note, at least two of these games will require the compatibility-mode to run them fullscreen! Other than that, enjoy.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

The date has been set! Opera Mobile for Android is landing on Nov 9th!

http://images.androidcentral.com/sit...era-mobile.PNG
http://www.opera.com/mobile/next/

It likely won't ship with GPU acceleration, but it's a mighty good start and makes the browser a very nice alternative for the stock browser! Even without GPU acceleration, it's quite fast.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Here's a great app for the Tab or for Android devices in general:

This is a One Time Password generator for two-factor secure logins. It implements mOTP (http://motp.sourceforge.net/) HOTP (RFC 4226), & TOTP:
http://cdn-2.androidzoom.com/screenshots/22702-1.jpg
http://cdn-2.androidzoom.com/screenshots/22702-2.jpg
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_a...eotp_cbqw.html

Basically using a OTP for services that support it adds a layer of security on top of your private password. Even if your password should become compromised (discovered or guessed), your device acts like a physical key that must be used for an authentication grant. In the end, both your private password (something you know), and your device (something you have) must be present or authentication fails. This increases security significantly! Add in a firewall and you're locked down.

Good for administrators or the generally paranoid. But it's nice to be able to have this function on your mobile device, rather than needing to purchase a separate device to perform this function!

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

This is a BIG one for Canadians! Rogers has just changed the name of their iPad plan to 'Pay In Advance Data Plans' and extended coverage to their 'Rocket Stick' (USB 3G radio for laptops).
http://www.rogers.com/web/content/wireless_plan_landing (the bottom right of this page)
http://www.rogers.com/web/content/ipad-dataplans

This is WONDERFUL as they offer $15/month for 250MB of data, or $35/month for 5GB! If these prices are the same for the rocket stick, then you can bet that these rates will apply to the Galaxy Tab as well!

That's a GREAT rate and a very flexible service for those that don't want to get locked into a plan --> me.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Now this is a NICE bit of innovation from Rogers Communications:

Rogers is offering 'data sharing', which basically extends data to more than one device! Rather than paying for two separate plans, you can share data across your smartphone/laptop/tablet all from one plan.
http://www.rogers.com/cms/images/en/...ing_Banner.png
http://www.rogers.com/web/content/dataSharing

From what I can tell, it costs $15/mo to add a device, though some plans have the service built in.

Not bad, Rogers. But I'm not forgiving you for being one of the most expensive wireless companies on the face of the planet.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Here's a firefox for android preview by Ars Techinca:

http://static.arstechnica.net/assets...auto-17689.jpg
http://arstechnica.com/open-source/r...and-smooth.ars

http://static.arstechnica.com/android4b4t/device.png
http://static.arstechnica.com/android4b4t/device3.png
http://static.arstechnica.com/android4b4t/device4.png
http://static.arstechnica.com/android4b4t/device5.png
Firefox is looking good! It should be welcome on the Tab, especially when it gets GL acceleration for very smooth browsing.

Here's a video via Pocketnow.com!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPl3jA9iMl4

It's nice to know that there are options.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Oh... my GOD, screw the rest of those screenshots... I love that Android Firefox logo. I'm sold on that alone. ;)

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Rogers is making waves today! It looks as if their roadmap for the Tab and the Streak has been leaked!
http://www-bgr-com.vimg.net/wp-conte...0/10/c8753.gif
http://www-bgr-com.vimg.net/wp-conte...amsung-tab.jpg
http://www-bgr-com.vimg.net/wp-conte...-sharing-2.jpg
http://www.bgr.com/2010/11/05/rogers...admap-revealed

Interestingly BGR leaks that the price for the Tab may be $299 on a 2yr or $199 on a 3yr contract! Wow. But I'm still not going subsidized.

Also, they make mention to their 'Data Sharing' feature that requires one account for multiple devices. Very nice.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Slashgear gives the Tab a thumbs up in its review (complete with video):
http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/..._1-580x493.jpg
http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-gal...view-31111323/

A good read, but nothing you don't know already ;)!

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Pretty lukewarm review on Trusted Reviews
http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptop...-Galaxy-Tab/p1
or should that be 'realistic'?

I haven't seen a Tab in the flesh yet, I called into my local Carphone Warehouse on the day of launch but they didn't have one in stock.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

When I read things like this....

... it's hard to take the review seriously. Who gives a flying **** about the 'identity' of the device?! Should we start judging our devices based on their market positioning? This paragraph alone is enough to make me ignore the review.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

It's quite clear that the review was biased. Here's the author's personal blog where he states that he 'dislikes the Tab'.
http://gordonkelly.com/news/problems...ng-galaxy-tab/

He even includes two videos showing touchscreen 'lag'. The first video, he's trying to swipe the homescreen and it's not moving (he's swiping incredibly fast -- there may be a software limit on the swipe rate -- I would put one if I designed the UI). In the second video he's showing the slow scrolling with flash in the browser.

This is hardly adequate fodder to completely 'dislike' a device, though I can understand that they take away from the user-experience, especially if he was accustomed to the iPad.

It seems from this blog post, his tweets, and comments on the review, that he's suffering from fanboyitis.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

I also question the authority of such a statement. Who is he to define what a tablet is? What specific criteria does a tablet have that a smartphone does not and vice versa? Is it the size of the device? If so, wouldn't that effectively make the Internet Tablet a misnomer in the case of the 770/N8x0's and the Archos Internet Tablets? Is is that the device has a cellular radio? If so, wouldn't that effectively discredit every iPad with a cellular radio and every netbook or laptop with a cellular radio? What, pray tell me, is the difference between a tablet and a cellphone?

Me, personally: I always figured that a "cellphone" was a function of a device's firmware or software to let you make calls. The form factor of a cell phone could be a physical phone-like device, or it could be a piece of software that you run on a tablet, laptop or anything else--much like we treat VOIP. Because, as far as I'm concerned, cellular phone *IS* not far removed from basically a VOIP service. Why can't the Samsung Tab, then, be a TABLET form factor.. with CELL PHONE services?

In my opinion, the writer is obviously a little confused about these technical and logical subjects and should stick to writing children's books where there are far fewer technical arguments to get mired in.

GOOD DAY! ;)

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

I wish I could have posted my previous comment to this thread to the comment section of his article but they don't allow any reader to comment--only the ones with accounts. Just as well, it's not worth getting an account there given the plethora of reviews that conflict with his observations. Some were merit-worthy observations but far too many were clearly iFan inspired blatherings of opinion.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Well said. I was just about to write the same thing in my post!

I agree 100%. With a handful of devices on the market there is no agreed upon dictum of what constitutes a 'tablet'. And what does classificaiton matter -- I mean really? If it does the job, it does the job. Were we rating a conglomerates marketing efforts, this argument would have some weight, but in a device review, it's miles off-topic.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Yes, but would the cut of your jibe have been so sharp? I re-read what I wrote earlier and I could almost see the crimson dripping from between the sharp lines of my criticism. I can't help feeling as if, even without reading what I'd said, somewhere out there the author of that article probably felt it. :)

Wellllll... I don't know about that. As I'd pointed out, I think a tablet is a generally accepted idea of a flat "tablet-like" form factor that you use a stylus or finger on. I would argue that everything from the old Newtons and Palm computers (referred to as PDA's) were still "tablets" in the classic and technical sense.

The main point of argument that I have is that he said it isn't a tablet, not so much that he called it a cellphone. Had he argued that the Palm Tungsten Tx is not a tablet, it's a PDA, I would have made a similar argument of, "What disqualifies this device as a tablet? Why can't a tablet be a PDA?"

It just seems to me that he's disqualifying an apple as food. You can clearly and successfully argue that all apples are food, but you can't successfully argue that all food are apples. Also, Android is eating Apple's lunch and I get the feeling that he doesn't like that. :)

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Sadly 'what constitutes a tablet' seems to be the heart of many a debate these days. It's eerily reminiscent of the great netbook debate of 2008. Eventually an extremely confining definition will be agreed upon by the gregs, but many would be quick to argue with your current definition of a tablet. What makes a PDA a PDA, or a tablet a tablet, afterall, if they contain the same parts/interface/software? My point is: if you ask anybody they'll likely argue that a tablet is something more specific.

I remember the debates that raged in these golden forums about the N900 not being a NIT, but a phone -- largely due to the cellular radio and smaller screen. Why couldn't it be both?

But I too agree with your definition and acceptance that this title can easily be inclusive to many other devices. I suppose what I was trying to convey is the inanity of excessive classification and how little bearing it has is general upon anything other than debates of definition.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Hey Rebski, I found you a Tab in a Tesco supermarket in the UK for £529:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDhEMY5PXBQ

The supermarkets around here don't carry things half as cool as that....

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Wow! The Rogers Tab has a black back!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOwAXb76Vas&NR=1

I was watching this review and it clearly says Rogers on the back!

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Part of the problem is that so many reviewers, bloggers, gadget sites are so far up Apple's backside that they can only see things through Apple eyes. As Apple have only released a 10 inch tablet this means a like device which is 7 inches cannot be a tablet. Don't worry if Apple ever release a 7 inch ipad they will all come to accept that a 7 inch device is a tablet.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

I prefer the black back to the white by a long way. Pity it is not available in the UK.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Here's a nice informal video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-WM8_ZdZTM

I think this device will resonate quite well with consumers. Samsung is hoping to move 1M by the end of the year. I think they'll hit this number.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

This is actually awesome. A guy using the Galaxy Tab as a guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDyp_hEoNdM&translated=1

Pretty cool stuff. It's like a real instrument! Wow.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Listen to me people: the Tab is a great device. Reviewers are paid people imho, paid from one or the other tech company, and don't buy devices with their own money. I've had the tab in the last month, and I'm thinking it's an equilibrium point between big and small, desktop and phone, perfect! I only wish I could have a real linux on it, too.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

That's awesome! Have you considered installing debian/ubuntu on thee device? When you say 'linux' are you referring to the CLI or Xorg?

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Here's a music player with a VERY nice user interface. It's called PowerAmp. I wonder how it would on a Tablet?!

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4531/poweramp.png
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=813504

It doesn't seem to be available via the market.

Here's a video of it in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQRURmS3Lv0

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Has the 3 part review on the carrypad website been posted already? Not sure.

Anyway here are the links to part 1 and 2. Part 3 is not yet out.

What really got me interested in Part 1 is that the portrait mode keyboard is apparently amazing and better than most slide out keyboards. That interests me because I use my N900 for taking notes in church but unfortunately the N900 does not have youversion app so I do not have access to NKJV which is the version of the Bible we use at my church. With the Tab having such an amazing keyboard and presumably just as good as the N900's I would have a device I can use to take notes and have access to the needed Bible version. Only problem is I do not think Android has a fully functioning version of Tomboy notes like the N900 does (Conboy) and all my notes are in Tomboy format. Last time I checked there was Tomdroid but this can only be used to view your notes and not to create and edit.
http://carrypad.com/2010/10/28/samsu...reen-keyboard/

http://carrypad.com/2010/10/31/samsu...-applications/

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

I don't know how to install debian yet, but I'll do it for sure once I have an howto available. I'd love to get access to all the debian applications - this would make the Tab as good as a creation device as it is a consumption device.
I mean, docstogo is nice, google docs is nice too, but they're not on par with a full fledged openoffice, and I'd love to be able to write seriously or make a presentation with the tab.

Hence, when I say linux I'd better say gnu-linux, with debian on top, with cli, xorg, and the chance to make my own hacking with bash scripting and messing with config files.

What do you think of that?

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

That's great! If you're feeling adventurous, and don't mind rooting your device, this guide on XDA may help you install Ubuntu on your Tab!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=754258

My only concern is that this the GUI requires VNC to view, which is bound to be slower than a native client.

I'm right there with you, by the way -- I would love to see GNU/linux on the Tab. The Tabs processor, isn't as fast as an ATOM, but it should be adequate for certain GUI apps. The next generation of these devices will certainly be capable of a full Xorg experience without compromise. However, the CLI would be PERFECT on the 1024x600 screen, which is enough for me.... for now. :).

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Thanks, Capt'n. Do you have also any hint on how to root the Tab?

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

No problem! Apparently it's pretty easy to root the Tab:
http://www.addictivetips.com/compute...k-rooting-app/

I have no experience with this, so please be careful! Other than that, let us know now it goes!

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

I'm mildly scared. What is this going to do to the firmware in the 5-10 minutes it works?
Also, there's a objective risk of being killed by wife if something goes wrong.
I'm going to ponderate the thing and I'll let you know. Having a second Tab for hacking would be great at this time!

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

I would hold off for a few weeks, and let an experienced member of XDA take on this challenge first. Tabs are now starting to roll out, so it won't be long until rooting happens and concrete instructions are in place.

By the way: How does your wife like the Tab?

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

She loves it almost more than she loves me :o and consider she's not as geek as I'm...
It's difficult to separate her from it when she's back home :D
Only thing, she'd like to disallow certain apps to be run when she lends it to someone at the office - e.g. gmail and other things with her own personal data inside. I'll look into that - aka there must be an app for that (TM) :cool:

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

Please don't mind my musings about SIP, and my upcoming Galaxy Tab.

http://www.rogers.com/cms/images/en/.../table-new.gif
I'm getting excited about the Rogers Pay In Advance Plan for the iPad and the fact that it may be available for the Tab as well. For $15 it offers a measly 200MB/mo, but for $35 it offers a very capacious 5GB of bandwidth!

After doing some calculations, this equates to an unbelievable ~178 HOURS of talk time per month or ~6 HOURS per day (I've tried to compensate for the SIP protocol overhead). Put in carrier speak, this offers ~10,680 minutes of talk time per month! It looks even more ridiculous, when you consider that this is *wireless* talk time, and not used when around a WiFi AP.

Best of all? It's prepaid. There is no contract, no recurring bills, etc. For me, this is PERFECT and gives me the ability to control costs depending on my usage needs. It also gives me a redundant solution for those times when my internet connection goes down (infrequent, but it happens from time to time).

Now of course, these numbers assume that you'd *only* be talking on the Tab, which is not likely the case if you own a Tab. Thankfully, this is a comfortable limit for mobile on the go, and would even be a fine tether-ific compliment to my ubuntu-running netbook for those tasks that the Tab cannot easily accommodate (ie. linux productivity work).

On a bit of a different note.....

So my mobile productivity toolkit is looking to include a BT keyboard, a BT headset, BT stylus/handset (pending review), a Galaxy Tab, and a netbook. With this formidable combination of hardware, I'd be able to do pretty much anything on the road.

My only concern is battery ilfe. I'm going to have to carry some power cords for heavy usage, which I would like to leave behind. But for normal days, I should be able to make it without. Hopefully Android v2.3 extends the longevity of the Tab, as I would like to avoid carrying a cord at all costs.

It would be perfect if I didn't have to carry the netbook, but I suspect that next years Tab will eliminate that need ;). Still this is as close to convergence that I've seen.

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

That's good to know that she's enjoying it. I would be too :o. I can't wait until I get this device.

This procedure may help you regarding hiding your accounts when sharing the Tab with others.
http://maketecheasier.com/log-out-of...oid/2010/01/29

It's not perfect for a number of reasons:
1) The interface stinks
2) Your app data is still exposed
3) There's nothing to prevent a malicious user from installing malware to compromise your security autonomously.

It's clear that Android has been designed as a single-user system, not intended for sharing, but this offers a tiny bit of protection.

Here's hoping that Google includes multi-user capabilities in the future. While the change wouldn't be trivial, I suspect that it wouldn't be impossible either. I'm sure this will be more useful as Android grows to encapsulate other devices.

Hope this helps!

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab Info Thread
 

1000th post!

Thanks everyone for contributing to this thread! A lot has happened in a short time!