Samsung Galaxy Tab

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by LakeLoon

The premium space is a nice place to be. Just ask Apple.

For sure. They've found enough people who don't mind paying more for a product than it's worth. About the only thing they make that's reasonably priced is the iPod touch. Who else makes a $215 PDA with such a huge assortment of free software? Pretty much everything else is a rip off.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

But it doesn't have enough so-called premium features to justify such a ridiculously high price.

CPU/GPU for the Nook Color is just a bit less than the iPad and Galaxy; not substantially less. Likewise, it's display is their equal.

The major drawback for the Color is lack of an established app store; and that's not worth an extra $250 in my opinion. Others may feel differently.

I compare differently:
a.) In which area is iPad "better" than Galaxy Tab? If I compare both, their prices are in line and make sense.
(I agree, iTunes for now is ahead of the Android market. But that doesn't directly influence the hardware).
b.) Apple is one of the few companies, keeping their prices up over the entire lifecycle of a product. Most other manufacturers drop their prices briefly after introduction. Dell Streak for example (in Germany) already is € 60 cheaper than when being introduced only a month ago. As an early adopter you pay a premium, in 3 months Galaxy Tab probably will be € 100 cheaper.
c.) Personally, I spend way more money afterwards, with apps, eBooks, movies, TV shows, accessories, ..... than with the original unit. Usually, my ratio of hardware to "add-ons" is maybe 1:5 or even 1:10. So I don't care that much about the initial price of the hardware, but availability of add-ons. As much as I enjoy iPad and iPhone4, I'm more than happy about exchanging apps between Dell Streak and Samsung Galaxy tab for example. Pay once - and then use on the unit which fits best. Between iPhone and iPad there's way less difference - and way less fun in experimenting. To me, that's worth something...

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I use this on all my devices. 2 weeks ago, I've watched half a dozen episodes of "Friends" and "Two and a half men" in my hotel room. I've used my iPod classic for that. But sometimes I have to travel "light" and just want to take a single unit with me. Then it's great to connect your gadget to your hotel's TV in the evening instead of watching PayTV or sometimes strange shows in a foreign language.

Interesting; I'm never been in a motel room long enough to worry about possible poor television programming.

Do you think the average (non-tech) person does that while traveling?

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Interesting; I'm never been in a motel room long enough to worry about possible poor television programming.

Do you think the average (non-tech) person does that while traveling?

I don't think it's that common yet. My parents certainly wouldn't know how to hook up my gadgets to the TV.
But it's getting easier. Samsung Galaxy Tab for example is able to stream directly to Samsung TVs. I admit, I don't see that much Samsung TVs in hotels, but it's an interesting concept of course.
And with docking stations and such, I'm pretty sure it will become more common. For now, streaming and downloading still is somewhat behind purchasing or renting DVDs or Blue-Rays, but I'm pretty sure this will change rapidly.
And I already use it quite intensively.

BTW: I've been 3 days/2 nights in that hotel. I've prepared some presentations there and did enjoy my favorite shows as "background noise".

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

BTW: I've been 3 days/2 nights in that hotel. I've prepared some presentations there and did enjoy my favorite shows as "background noise".

And that's why the Color isn't for you. What B&N did was to strip out the features most people don't need, while still providing a premium device at a bargain price.

I'd love to have a Galaxy Tab, but it's not worth $500. $350 maybe, but no more than that.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Out of curiosity, I've copied a HD movie ("Horton", ca. 4GB) to Dell Streak and Samsung Galaxy Tab. On Dell Streak, with it's smaller screen, it's spectacular. But the unit struggles, it's no "smooth experience" (maybe 2.2 will change it a bit, using 2.1 for now). Samsung Galaxy Tab plays it perfectly. Won't be my main use, I'm mainly using more compact units like iPhone4 or iPod classic as my movie library. But it's good to know, I could do with a single unit.

I'm anxious to see how the Color does. How it handles multimedia and web surfing is very important to me.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

a.) In which area is iPad "better" than Galaxy Tab?

The Galaxy is the better device, and the one I'd get if I had to choose between the two.

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Samsung Galaxy Tab for example is able to stream directly to Samsung TVs. I admit, I don't see that much Samsung TVs in hotels, but it's an interesting concept of course.

I might be mistaken but any Television supporting DLNA should be able to stream content from the Galaxy.

DLNA which is supported by the Galaxy is further explained here:
http://www.dlna.org/digital_living/how_it_works/

[rhari79]

If the Tab had come out maybe 2weeks back, i "may" have considered getting it.
But still may have rejected it for lack of a decent pdf reader. I have a dell streak and i still cant find a pdf reader that can render pdf at a decent speed(among the free apps at least).

Desperately needing a big reader, i got a 2nd ipad (my first is back@home).
With GoodReader, i cant regret getting the ipad.

My existing appstore collection is touching 300. That and limera1n were the final straw.
I decided against pocketbook/entourage edge etc.,

Also personally i like the IOS much more than the android(but so far have only used the 1.6 on streak and archos, Waiting for 2.2 on streak).

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by rhari79

Also personally i like the IOS much more than the android(but so far have only used the 1.6 on streak and archos, Waiting for 2.2 on streak).

Why didn't you upgrade to 2.1 at least? That runs extremely well on my device.The included QuickOffice works great with PDF files. The only thing I miss is flash. But anyway, the official 2.2 upgrade should be here shortly.

[rhari79]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Why didn't you upgrade to 2.1 at least? That runs extremely well on my device.The included QuickOffice works great with PDF files. The only thing I miss is flash. But anyway, the official 2.2 upgrade should be here shortly.

I just got my Streak. I use it on Three PAYG and have managed to get the Three skype app working on 1.6. I am not sure if this will work out in 2.1. There are contrasting claims.
Also 2.2 is a bigger jump from 1.6 compared to 2.1 Am not sure if Stephen Hyde's 2.2 has the phone module working, but bigger question is about Three Skype.
So am holding out for a while.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by rhari79

I just got my Streak. I use it on Three PAYG and have managed to get the Three skype app working on 1.6. I am not sure if this will work out in 2.1. There are contrasting claims.
Also 2.2 is a bigger jump from 1.6 compared to 2.1 Am not sure if Stephen Hyde's 2.2 has the phone module working, but bigger question is about Three Skype.
So am holding out for a while.

Are you talking about Skype, the VOIP app? If so, can you see video on Skype?

I can't see Skype video on the iDevices that I have, and it sucks to be tethered to a netbook or laptop to see it. I'm on an opposite time zone from my young niece and nephew, and I wanna see the little buggers during their waking hours. I might get a Streak if I can conveniently see Skype video on the go.

[rhari79]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Are you talking about Skype, the VOIP app? If so, can you see video on Skype?

Hi, no skype still doesnt do video.
Facetime will be your best bet(works on macs, itouch 4 and iphone 4). You can also check out fring; not sure if it does video.

Also there is a skype beta floating around, for Froyo. Maybe that has video.
Interesting to see if that works on the Galaxy Tab.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by rhari79

Hi, no skype still doesnt do video.
Facetime will be your best bet(works on macs, itouch 4 and iphone 4). You can also check out fring; not sure if it does video.

Also there is a skype beta floating around, for Froyo. Maybe that has video.
Interesting to see if that works on the Galaxy Tab.

Thanks for the info. I'll hold out to see what comes out.

I'm abroad and was told that the Galaxy tab will be out mid-month where I am now. Looking forward to hearing early adopters' reports and to tire-kicking at the store.

Facetime requires both ends to use iDevices on wi-fi, as I understand it, so the combo doesn't work for my circumstances. Bummer.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Thanks for the info. I'll hold out to see what comes out.

I'm abroad and was told that the Galaxy tab will be out mid-month where I am now. Looking forward to hearing early adopters' reports and to tire-kicking at the store.

Facetime requires both ends to use iDevices on wi-fi, as I understand it, so the combo doesn't work for my circumstances. Bummer.

As a quick summary:
I haven't touched my iPad for weeks now.
For reading, iPad is too heavy and bulky for me. Some say "I've found a reading position, I'm balancing it this and that way". Huh? I don't want to change my reading habits or positions, to make my gadget work...
I like the UI and design. But iPad isn't anything "special" anymore in this area either.
I'd love Dell Streak. The ratio of resolution to screen size is spectacular. Unfortunately, even Android 2.1 isn't quite there yet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab with Android 2.2 out of the box shows the potential and by far is my favorite now.

iOS still is a bit more "polished" than Android. But in general, I prefer Galaxy Tab's from factor, weight and usability. For example, 1 hour ago on the train I've had perfect reception on Galaxy Tab (even made a phone call) and no connection at all on iPhone4 (very same provider/Multi SIM).

I easily can hold Galaxy Tab for hours in one hand. I don't have to find some strange position, it simply only weighs half of iPad.

What I dislike on all tablets for now: Software, in my opinion, mainly is inferior to what we have on PCs or MACs. Not because of limitations of the hardware, but because it's mainly "no-names" in the appstores.
There are some highlights, for example "Navigon" for navigation.
But for most parts I really struggle to find what I want. Most of the times I have to try 3 or even 5 apps, before I find an acceptable one. They all are extremely cheap. But what can you really expect for 3 US Dollars? I hope, we'll find way more quality products on all of these platforms. For now, iTunes is ahead of Android's market place. But (as we say in Germany) that's the "one eyed guy under blinds".

Anyway, I'll certainly go for the next Samsung tablet (most likely they'll have 9" and later on 5"versions of Galaxy Tab within 3 months).

BTW: Slight criticism aside, iPad still by far is my favorite Apple product. iPhone4 on the other hand, in my experience, is the same '*§/$§(/) as all iPhones before. Business phone without profiles? They must be kidding...