The Google Android operating system is going big with the upcoming launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab. According to initial speculations, the new touch screen tablet will be sporting the new Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and the device will be supporting voice call functionality effectively making it one large mobile phone –which is probably why Samsung still includes the device in the Galaxy line up.
In any case, the Korean phone maker has yet to reveal other details about this upcoming gadget.
Speaking of upcoming, Apple has an interesting little patent that was put into focus by the tech website Patently Apple. The new technology being developed (on paper at least) is a way to combine the microphone with the audio jack.
The innovation will help mobile phones by adding in a secondary audio source and could be used to help filter out noise much like a dual speaker system would be capable of doing.
This technology seems to have been in the Apple patent cupboards for quite some time and it is actually quite a shame that they did not implement the technology on the recently released iPhone 4. Hopefully, other upcoming devices for Apple would be able to integrate the feature or some derivation of it.
Last on our news updates is a quick update from Nokia. Apparently, a Bulgarian operator accidentally placed the image of the Nokia C6-01 on an ad that was meant for the C6-00. The issue was quickly rectified and the image of the C6-01 is now associated with the right name.
While initial concepts for the Nokia C6-01 where showcasing a physical slide out QWERTY keyboard, the final product loses this add-on for a sleeker form factor. Since the older C6-00 already sports a keyboard, it is nice to see a small degree of variation when it comes to choosing a handset from the entire Nokia C-series.
Posts Tagged ‘Samsung-Galaxy-Tab’
Apple’s New Patent, Nokia C6-01 and Samsung’s G-Tab
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010This Week in Mobile: Samsung Tablet, Apple’s Anti Jailbreak
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Apple is about to take some very important steps in their war against jail breakers.
Anyone familiar with the smart phone industry would realize that apps are where the money is at these days. In fact, it has been reported that the general value of downloaded apps are slowly surpassing the profit generated by voice call technology. This has led to a deeper and stronger focus of many companies on the development of apps and related technology.
Jail breaking is a serious issue for Apple as it undermines the very structure of the iTunes store. Sure, not everyone wants to pay for certain apps, but being able to protect their developers is a prerogative that the company should take. On the other hand, the public announcement of the kill switch has led to plenty of concern from all iPhone users as it renders their device vulnerable.
In other mobile news, it seems that the Samsung Galaxy Tab device is finally in the testing phase as a recently uploaded video shows a man who was spotted as carrying the device around. While the video was shot on a train and was not as clear as we had hoped, the output remains the same: the Galaxy Tab is officially confirmed.
The device will sport a massive 7 inch capacitive touch screen display (no word yet if this will be using super AMOLED technology like the Galaxy S) and according to the initial spec sheet, it should be able to handle incoming and outgoing voice calls as well –making it the first tablet phone hybrid device.
Samsung’s Galaxy series of devices all use the Android operating system so expect to see Google’s mobile platform to fully support all the new features that are to be included in the tablet device. In terms of size, the Galaxy Tab is small but many believe that the 7 inch size is perfect in terms of ergonomics.
Corby i5500 Brings Android on a Budget
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
With all the latest headlines filled with the upcoming Apple iPhone 4 (which will be arriving in almost all network operators, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U this June 24), as well as the announcement of many high end Android handsets (Motorola Shadow, a new 5 inch touch screen handset from Sony Ericsson, the Samsung Galaxy Tab) and the upcoming Windows Phone 7 handsets (HTC Mondrian, LG Panther), it is not surprising that the average handset user has very little choice to put in their list.
Simply put, as impressive as all of these devices are, what the majority of mobile phone users really want are affordable mid to low range handsets. Thankfully, it seems that the number of available choices in this range is increasing once again. HTC has brought out the Wildfire, Sony Ericsson has the X10 Mini (and the upcoming Mini Pro) and now, Samsung has finally unveiled the new i5500 Corby handset.
This snazzy little Android is still awaiting a UK release date, but with Italy launch already set for the handset, it is likely that the unit will be available locally in a matter of weeks.
The phone comes with a very nice 2.8 inch TFT capacitive touch screen display, a 600MHz CPU and of course, the new Android 2.1 Éclair operating system -no word yet on whether the device will be getting an update for version 2.2 Froyo.
The 2 mega pixel camera may be a little low end for some user’s tastes, but for basic, geo-tagged photo uploads it already delivers a pretty good resolution. As expected, the handset supports 3G and WiFi for internet connectivity. Overall, this new Corby is a decent Android handset. While not as stylish looking as the X10 Mini, it does have an updated version of the Android OS (the Mini only has version 1.6 Donut).
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab: Weird Tablet or Oversized Smart Phone
Monday, June 7th, 2010
While the Apple iPad and the Apple iPhone represent two very different and separate devices –one is a media access tablet device and the other is a smart phone, Samsung’s recently leaked tablet device is something that borders beyond the hybrid idea of bringing mobile phone technology for a large sized tablet.
In fact, if we are just looking for hybrid devices, then the Dell Streak is a good fit. The device is a functional smart phone and still qualifies for a mini tablet thanks to its 5 inch touch screen. The Samsung Galaxy Tab however, is a completely different story. According to reports, the new tablet device from Samsung has a massive 7 inch screen –about 2.7 inches smaller than the iPad. At that size, this tablet device is definitely beyond the typical smart phone range.
At the same time however, it does a couple of things that the iPad cannot. First off, as a Google Android device (it is a Samsung Galaxy after all) it will be able to play Flash content. Second –and more importantly, the Galaxy Tab can make and receive phone calls.
Yep, the Galaxy Tab is indeed an oversized smart phone device and not a just a tablet as one might assume. Of course, there is the logical question –would you be putting the device up to your ear just to make a phone call? Experts believe that making calls on the Galaxy Tab will require the use of a Bluetooth headset or a similar accessory as it would be uncomfortable to bring the whole device up to hear the person you are talking too. Also, the device features a front facing camera –which means that it is possible that video chat options will also be available.
In any case, it looks like Samsung just might be the first manufacturer to bring the Android operating system to such as large screen.