Samsung Galaxy Tab makes official debut: due September 2010

We're waiting for Samsung's IFA 2010 press conference to begin, but the company has already outed its much-anticipated Galaxy Tab slate. As we've seen from the teaser, the Samsung Galaxy Tab has a 7-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen, Android 2.2 Froyo and integrated 3G. The iPad rival also supports Flash Player 10.1 and runs on Samsung's own 1GHz Hummingbird processor paired with either 16GB or 32GB of flash storage.

The 3G is an HSUPA-capable triband 900/1900/2100 modem (along with quadband GSM/EDGE), paired with WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0. There's also a 3-megapixel autofocus camera on the back (with an LED flash and capable of 720p HD video), and a 1.3-megapixel webcam up front for video calls. A-GPS, a 3.5mm headphone jack, integrated speaker and microSD card slot round out the main specs.

Samsung reckon the Galaxy Tab will last for up to 1,000 minutes of talktime on its 4,000mAh battery (or 1,500hrs standby); they're positioning it as an iPad and iPhone 4 replacement, after all, so voice calls are just as much of the package as data is. The usual Android apps are loaded, together with Swype, Gmail, an HD video player capable of 1080p, ThinkFree for document editing and Google Maps Navigation. It weighs in at 380g and measures 190.1 x 120.45 x 11.98mm.

No word on pricing yet – we guess they'll tell us that during the conference itself – but Samsung says the Galaxy Tab will land in Europe in mid September, followed by Korea, the US and Asia in "the coming months".  We'll be grabbing some hands-on time with the Samsung Galaxy Tab as soon as we can after the press conference finishes.

Press Release:

Samsung GALAXY Tab Opens a New Chapter in Mobile Industry

A New Smart Media Device, surpasses mobile boundaries, allowing you to enjoy more possibilities on the go

Berlin, Germany, September 2nd, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in mobile technology, today announced the launch of the Samsung GALAXY Tab (Model: GT-P1000). Powered by Android Operating System 2.2, the Samsung GALAXY Tab is the first of the company's tablet devices, representing a new category of mobile products for Samsung.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab brings together all of Samsung's leading innovations to provide users with more capabilities while on the move. Consumers are able to experience PC-like web-browsing and enjoy all forms of multimedia content on the perfectly sized 7-inch display, wherever they go. Moreover, users can continuously communicate via e-mail, voice and video call, SMS/MMS or social network with the optimized user interface.

"Samsung recognizes 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 JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. "The Samsung GALAXY Tab has been designed to enable consumers to maximize 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."

A new concept of mobility for media

As a new category of device, the Samsung GALAXY Tab brings a wealth of mobile experiences. Its striking 7" TFT-LCD display delivers exciting mobile experience for watching films, viewing pictures, e-reading or sharing documents. In design, its light (380g) build provides perfect portability, with its svelte dimensions making it easy to grip and use. Supporting the latest Adobe Flash Player 10.1, the Samsung GALAXY Tab fully supports swift, seamless viewing of every single page of the web.

The 'Readers Hub,' Samsung's unique e-reading application, provides easy access to a vast digital library – from classical literature to the latest bestsellers and reference materials. At the same time, Samsung unveils 'Media Hub,' a gateway to a world of films and videos, and 'Music Hub,' an application giving access to a wide range of music tunes.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab has made rich communication truly mobile; it presents a level of converged technology that moves beyond mobile or PC to an entirely new category. Users have new powers to consume, create and communicate from wherever they are.

Powerful, always-on communication

With 3G HSPA connectivity, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth® 3.0, the Samsung GALAXY Tab enhances users' mobile communication on a whole new level. Video conferencing and push email on the large 7-inch display make communication more smooth and efficient. For voice telephony, the Samsung GALAXY Tab turns out to be a perfect speakerphone on the desk, or a mobile phone on the move via Bluetooth® headset.

Powered by a Cortex A8 1.0GHz application processor, the Samsung GALAXY Tab is designed to deliver high performance whenever and wherever you are. At the same time, HD video contents are supported by a wide range of multimedia formats (DivX, XviD, MPEG4, H.263, H.264 and more), which maximizes the joy of entertainment.

While the front-facing camera allows face-to-face video telephony over 3G, the rear-facing camera captures still images and video that you can edit, upload and share, all without any hassle. As online content explodes, the Samsung GALAXY Tab is the best portable solution for every lifestyle that needs a constant connection.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab will be launched in Europe in mid September, and in other markets including Korea, the US and Asia in coming months.

Note to Editors:

For multimedia content of the Samsung GALAXY Tab, please access to the Samsung GALAXY Tab Social Media News Room (http://galaxytab.samsungmobile.com/press)

Applications of the Samsung GALAXY Tab

The Samsung GALAXY Tab is packed with services to complement and enhance your life in different ways. Access to Android Marketplace lets users download apps and personalize their device infinitely. In addition, there are pre-loaded applications uniquely designed and optimized for Samsung smart phones and smart media devices.

Readers Hub – Samsung Readers Hub consolidates e-reading applications such as eBooks, magazines, and newspapers. Users can enjoy 'reading' with unified and intuitive user experience powered by global eReading service leaders, Kobo, PressDisplay and Zinio. More than 2 million books including today's best sellers, over 2,500 titles of magazines in 20 languages and more than 1,600 newspapers in 47 languages are available at launch and will grow the library gradually.

Google Mobile Services – Services like Google Maps™ Navigation (Beta) and Google Goggles are available on Google's Android platform. With useful location-based services like Google Maps, consumers can search in Standard English instead of entering an exact address. A search-by-voice function is just as intuitive, meaning searches can also be completed easily on the go. Google Goggles is a powerful, visual search tool that uses the Samsung GALAXY Tab's camera to uncover information – an image of a landmark or artwork is automatically used to perform a search, delivering relevant content like a description or history. In addition, with a camera, users can enjoy various augmented reality services which are downloadable in the application market.

More applications will be available from Samsung Apps.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab (GT-P1000) Product Specifications

Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE) : 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz

3G (HSUPA 5.76Mbps, HSDPA 7.2Mbps) : 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

OS: Android 2.2 (Froyo)

Display: 7.0 inch TFT-LCD, WSVGA (1024 x 600)

Processor: Cortex A8 1.0GHz Application Processor with PowerVR SGX540

Camera: 3 MP Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Flash

1.3MP front camera for Video Telephony

Value-added Features:

Android Market™ and Samsung Apps for more applications and contents

Readers Hub, Media Hub* , Music Hub*, Social Hub

*Availability will be decided by market preference.

Adobe Flash 10.1 player support

Full HD video playback, Thinkfree Office, Swype, Hybrid Widget

Connectivity: 30 pin connector

WiFi 802.11n / Bluetooth® 3.0

Sensor: Gyroscope sensor, Geo-magnetic sensor, Accelerometer, Light sensor

Memory: 16G / 32G internal memory with up to 32G external memory slot

RAM: 512 MB

Size: 190.09 x 120.45 x 11.98mm, 380g

Battery: 4,000mAh (7 hour movie play)

* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

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