Samsung Galaxy Tablet

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

This is all pointless until 3.0 and hopefully a new marketplace not reliant on cellular data access.

Like you, I had always assumed that Android Market permission depended on a device having cellular data access. However, I have just quickly scanned through the Android 2.2 Compatibility Definition document, and that *may* not actually be the case. The 20 page document lists all the requirements for a device to be considered compatible to Android 2.2. Section 8.13 says "Android 2.2 MAY be used on devices that do not include telephony hardware." Things that MUST be included include USB, GPS, Bluetooth, 3 axis compass, accelerometer, 2 megapixel or more camera, wireless data networking (can be WiFi),etc.,etc.. In addition, the device "MUST pass the most recent version of the Android Compatibility Test Suite". The list of MUST have hardware and software requirements is fairly long, and I do not think that that I have seen any of the tablets currently being excluded from the Android Market meeting all of those hardware requirements.
http://static.googleusercontent.com/...id-2.2-cdd.pdf

FWIW, the document for Android 2.1 looks quite similar.

[Xerxes]

GPS is probably whats holding things up? So I can run google maps right? -_-

[krischik]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

GPS is probably whats holding things up? So I can run google maps right? -_-

Yes, that seem to be it:

Device implementations MUST include a GPS receiver, and SHOULD include some form of "assisted GPS" technique to minimize GPS lock-on time.

The Archos tablets don't have GPS.

Martin

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by krischik

The Archos tablets don't have GPS.

Just looking quickly at the Archos specifications for the 7" version, it also seems to be missing the 3 axis compass and a qualifying camera. It has a VGA camera, which is MUCH less than the required 2 megapixels. Of course, there is no way that I could tell from their specifications if their software could pass the Android Compatibility Test Suite either.

[Xerxes]

But google, I don't want you to know where I am when I'm reading books. >_<

[RoboRay]

I remember reading a few months ago that only members of Gooogle's Open Handet Alliance can sell devices with Android Market access, but I don't recall where I read that. Samsung is a member, anyway. I'm sure there are other hardware-specific requirements, as well.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by krischik

I have looked up IPS. It is just a variation of TFT LCD. The full name would be “In-plane switching Thin film transistor liquid crystal display” (IPS-TFT-LCD).

Like all LCD it is optically passive (it does not emit photons by itself) and need additional light (usually build in). And it is a pretty old technology (1996).

...

So long talk short meaning: The real difference is LCD vs LED no matter how many extra letters you put in front of the name.

Martin

IPS offers noticeably superior viewing angles than regular TFT (I use both), which matters a lot for a tablet. The main reason IPS was not popular was that it was too expensive until recently (it was found in $4k+ monitors). In the last year and a bit both Apple and Dell brought out much more reasonably priced models (still $500+).

I hadn't noticed that Samsung is putting Sony's Super-LCD on the Tab, which is comparable to IPS.

But still, the Galaxy Tab is a poor buy -- smaller resolution and screen, poorer battery life than the iPad. IMO at least.

[T_Frain_K]

Originally Posted by krischik

So long talk short meaning: ...

Originally Posted by Sonist

But still, the Galaxy Tab is a poor buy -- smaller resolution and screen, poorer battery life than the iPad. IMO at least.

Just let the child be born before you decide it´s ugly.
The good news is, Samsung has upped their capacity to manufacture AMOLED screens by the factor 10 recently (Engadget link) - So one might make it in Tab 2.0 (or whatever).
Interesting sidenote: The Super-AMOLED screen, which the Galaxy S phones boast (which, by the way, is just gorgeous, I tell you), is not exclusively for Samsung devices - every manufacturer could use it on his devices. They just seemed to be on short supply and therefore more expensive.