Computer Support Blog

Samsung has debuted their Galaxy Tab, one of the first of the so-called “iPad Killers” from a major manufacturer.

The Galaxy’s specs will vary slightly from carrier to carrier, but all versions will run Google’s Android 2.2, the same OS that has helped propel some smartphones – including Samsung’s Galaxy class devices – into direct competition with the iPhone.

The announcement from Samsung also confirmed some of the other details of the Galaxy Tab.  It will:

• Be smaller and lighter than the iPad at about 7 inches
• Provide 16gb of internal memory
• Offer expandable memory through microSD
• Support Adobe Flash
• Be equipped with front and rear facing cameras
• Include Samsung’s new Media Hub service
• Have access to the Android Apps Market

While no official release date or pricing info has been released, Samsung did announce that the Galaxy Tab will be available from all the major wireless carriers.

This stands in stark contrast to Apple’s iPad, which is available exclusively on AT&T.

All told, Samsung seems to be employing much the same strategy that has made its Galaxy smartphones, and many other Android based devices, successful and viable competitors for Apple.

The multiple carrier strategy in particular has been particularly effective.  Many consumers who might already have purchased an iPad have held off because of Apple’s exclusive deal with AT&T.  Offering the Galaxy Tab on all carriers provides Samsung with a much larger customer base to access.

Avoiding any exclusive deals also continues to develop the Android reputation of being the anti-Apple.  With its open structure, customization possibilities, and overall appeal to those tech consumers who don’t like Apple’s way of doing business, Google’s Android has helped to close the gap between the iPhone and other smartphones.

Apple’s other major advantage – its significantly higher number of iPad optimized apps – will be somewhat tested by the Galaxy’s access to the Android App Market. The iPad’s head start has given it plenty of time to build up a hefty market of tablet specific apps, which has been a major part of Apple’s domination of the market.

Google, in fact, has gone on the record as stating that many of its current apps are not optimized for tablets, which could hurt the Galaxy Tab’s chances of catching the iPad in the tablet market.

Samsung, however, has compensated by specifically targeting the Galaxy as a media consumption device.  The company has signed deals with NBC Universal, MTV, and Warner to provide television and movie content, with more deals expected to be announced soon.  The Galaxy Tab will allow users to rent or buy TV shows or movies through Media Hub.

The Galaxy is the first major competitor to the iPad and will be watched closely.  The tablet market is very new, with the iPad only having been released in April.  Still, its runaway success surprised many experts – it sold 3 million units in less than 3 months.  The iPad’s success has spurred many of the major tech manufacturers, including HP, Microsoft, Dell, and now Samsung, to develop tabs of their own.

The Galaxy Tab’s success, or lack thereof, will go a long way toward determining if there really is a tablet market, or if the iPad is the market.

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Filed under: apple, hp, Microsoft, news, Samsung, smartphone, tablets