bergie | # 261 | 2010-09-17, 11:44 | Report

I found that idea appealing. But I'll keep waiting for the MeeGo tablets as I need a device I can actually develop stuff on.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 262 | 2010-09-17, 13:05 | Report

This is a great question!

Rather than answer one-by-one, I'll just type some of my thoughts.

I would say it really depends on how you typically use a phone.

For example, if you're inside all day and travel infrequently (or don't usually use your phone when you do), then having a BT headset or using speaker might suffice.

If you're out and about, and do use your phone frequently, then a BT headset is a solution, albeit one that many people won't want to indulge in for fear of looking silly. Also, wearing something that at best will be infrequently used (unless you're a phone warrior), seems. Of course, there are also bluetooth headphones that double as headsets, for avid music listeners.


But there's one other solution as well: a bluetooth handset. This is a sometimes-tiny handset that connects to a mobile device as a phone. These are in short supply these days, but they may become more popular as time progresses. There is one rumored to be available for the Tab in the form of a large stylus. There are also novelty items (ThinkGeek or you can hack your own. Devices like these may also work.

I don't believe that any of these devices (save for handsets) are as convenient as a phone that can do it all. Still, for some it's a small price to pay for having a wonderful mobile experience (large screen) without sacrificing phone capability or needing a second device.

As a question for anyone that can answer. Is it possible to have the 'phone' ring, but the call answered via headset? If so, it would be easy to place the headset in your pocket and only put it on when you needed to answer a call.

Personally, I use the phone infrequently, so this is not a big deal. I've been taking calls on my N810 for years now (though it doesn't work well with my BT headset, so I need the headphones -- which is a pain). I'll probably pick up a cheap handset rely on my headset for around the office use, and rely on my BT headset or have my SIP calls routed to my cheap prepaid phone when out and about.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 263 | 2010-09-17, 13:29 | Report

This is why VoIP rules for phone calls. I've saved SO MUCH CASH and headaches by having a number that follows me wherever I go. I'm not locked into any one provider, and comfortably use my phone via WiFi when available (which is 98% of the time), with scarcely a concern about my usage. Thankfully with prepaid data plans (via Rogers), I don't have to forego talk time when away from WiFi, which is perfect.

If the Tab gets a data-plan like the iPad (which is almost a certainty), then it will cost $15/month for 250MB of data. That doesn't sound like a lot, but for for calling via SIP (GSM codec, edge/3g), that should offer around 8-10hours of talk time (480-600mins)! For the actual call, it costs around $0.005 to $0.01 per minute (voip.ms, link2voip) -- unlimited incoming plans are also available. That's a crazy deal any way that you slice it, and the best part is, you don't use up your 'data-minutes' when you're around WiFi. Even better, your calls follow you wherever you go, so if you're vacationing in Spain or Australia, you can keep the same number and make/place calls as normal. Best of all, it's all data, so it consolidates phone and data into one lovely, flexible, inexpensive, and portable package.

I hear that Google Voice is offering free service, which sweetens the deal even further for casual users.

Of course, VoIP isn't perfect. It requires setup, patience and know how, and call quality can really suffer with a bad connection (lag, jitter, lost packets). But if you're willing to go the extra mile and do some investigation, it really is quite liberating, though CERTAINLY not for everyone.

This is why I want 3G in my tablet device. Now, I don't have to sacrifice phone connectivity when away from my home or office. I also get the benefit of SSH, email and web-surfing when away to stay connected. Best of all, I save TONS of cash by going this route. My only recurring bill is my home internet. If I'm between WiFi spots and I absolutely need connectivity, then a $2 data day pass is adequate. If I'm on vacation and need connectivity, a $7 week pass or $15 month pass will do.

Thankfully, the Tab has a sane screen size for extended use making it all the better, and touches like a camera for quick photos are a welcome feature. It's the moblie that I've been waiting for, and I'm confident that it can replace my laptop for many, many tasks. (Eg. me and my GF were playing marbles on my N810 last night in bed, and then we took in a movie on her macbook. With a Tab we could have done both -- with a wider selection of games--, and far more comfortably than with either of those devices. I also often read and listen to audio books in bed, and I suspect the Tab will handle both far better than my N810).

etuoyo | # 264 | 2010-09-17, 13:39 | Report

I heard about that stylus but was not sure how it worked. Does the stylus have both an ear piece and a place for you to speak into? Do you hold it up to your ear like you would a phone? If it has both the ear piece and place to speak into then it would be a good solution. However, Samsung seems to be pricing accessories at $99 which would rule it out for me.

Laughing Man | # 265 | 2010-09-17, 14:14 | Report

I admire Samsung for putting the device on all 4 companies (same for their smartphones..though I wish there wasn't as much variance as in one has a keyboard, the other has flash, etc..etc..).

Though the news of the WiFi version is great! I can just tether it to my N900 then. I think I'm with my friend Kristen though, wait till the Holiday season to see what Apple does in response (and how everyone in Android will respond to that).

Capt'n Corrupt | # 266 | 2010-09-17, 14:17 | Report

It remains to be seen how it operates, but I'm with you at $99 it would be out of my price-bounds. Here's hoping that there are other cheap alternatives on or coming to market!

My perfect BT handset would include the ability to take/make calls. It would also have a simple digital readout for caller ID (or other data from the host device), and a number pad for placing calls. Basically it would be like a *tiny* featurephone that I could wear around my neck, or put in my pocket for quick usage.

Something like this would be PERFECT if it only had a speaker built into the device! It has OLED for call display, and has a built in-mic, but it seems to require headphones for audio.
http://www.amazon.com/Sonorix-Blueto.../dp/B000V1UGZ2

Again I would use a BT headset if I didn't have to wear it all the time (ie. the tablet/phone would still ring/vibrate).

Capt'n Corrupt | # 267 | 2010-09-17, 14:49 | Report

It seems that rings and notifications are still played vie that phone speakers when BT headsets are connected. Some users see this as a flaw, I see it as a feature:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=5634

If this is still the case with Froyo on the Tab, I'll just keep my BT headset in my pocket, and pull it out when I get a call (via SIP, no doubt). This also works for me when I'm sitting at my desk, or at home.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 268 | 2010-09-17, 15:25 | Report

Here's a new ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lXBisYZOOA

These people seem really happy . It's interesting to note how portable the device looks. With the exception of the gentleman sticking it in his back pocket (yeah right), the device seems to be such a great size for casual usage scenarios.

Capt'n Corrupt | # 269 | 2010-09-17, 15:28 | Report

Here's the tab gaming with Need For Speed Shift. It looks *really* good and running at fluid speeds. Thankfully, there's an onslaught of Android games, so this title is one of many on the way!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbMbUt69x-c

Capt'n Corrupt | # 270 | 2010-09-17, 15:30 | Report

Here's a video of Omar Khan on the stage introducing Kevin Lynch demoing flash on the Tab:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60d7p0InX6I

It runs really well! This is perfect, as at 1024x600 is a great resolution for the web, and flash support is a welcome bonus.