It’s obvious that Apple benchmark for touchscreen phones and tablet devices as well. 3 million iPad’s were sold in the first 80 days they were on the market. That’s remarkable.
Best Buy has said iPad’s are really cutting into laptop sales (CEO Brian Dunn attempted to backtrack but never really disavowed what he said). What has the tablet device done? Here’s a question:
Heard any news about the latest and greatest netbook lately?
Me neither.
The Galaxy Tab by Samsung is the first iPad competitor that has me really interested. The question of course is, “What can it do, that the iPad cannot?” Here are some features available that are not on the iPad:
- Double the memory (512MB vs 256MB)
- It will be available in 16GB and 32GB models but the 16GB can be expanded to 32GB with an SD card.
- Multitasking is available
- 2 Cameras – 3.2MP on back and 1.3MP front facing camera
- Telephone usage via the speakerphone or bluetooth
- Will come with Android 2.2 OS which means it will support Flash
There’s an excellent graphic here that breaks the Tab and iPad down side by side. Check it out:
Sounds great.
BUT.
I don’t like that so far, it appears the only offering of this device will be through wireless carriers. Sure, they will subsidize the price but it will mean a 2 year commitment and data fees for those two years. Boo.
Hopefully they will release a wi-fi version as well.
What do you think?
Techblogger says
The real question is will the ipad be able to compete with the Samsung Galaxy? Android is on a completely different level. It can do things no other tablet on the market today can do. It has features no other tablet on the market today has. You can’t even rank the ipad with the Galaxy Tab in the age of Android.
JayCaruso says
Well, as I said I think the weak point is it being sold through wireless carriers. I think in order for it to really compete, it needs to be sold on a standalone basis and the pricing needs to be in line with the iPad.
Matthew Snider says
That’s only if you think for some reason lots of folks are living in the age of Android. It was late to the party and with this latest release from Samsung. I honestly would be surprised if they got 1million sold period.
Matthew Snider says
I will answer your question with a question. Has any phone come close to competing with the iPhone overall yet?
What I mean is this, the iPhone is still the best phone out there for several reasons. Yes other phones have a larger screen, faster processor etc BUT they do NOT and will NOT have the app store. The app store alone is worth more than most of android phones out there.
In my opinion, this wont be made for longer than 1 year. No one will purchase it.
JayCaruso says
Matthew, as a proud Droid X owner, am going to have to politely disagree. Yes, Apple has the app store, but so does the Android and the apps are getting more plentiful and better every day. There is one area where the Droid excels over the iPhone and that is Google integration which is of course, not surprising. The integration with Google Voice (I basically have two phone numbers on the same device because I can choose whether my outbound calls use my Verizon number or my GV number and all calls to both numbers come in) and Gmail is awesome.
As for the Galaxy, the only thing I think will hold it back is having to purchase a contract to get it. If they can get wifi version that is comparable in price to the iPad, I think you’ll see people going for it.
Matthew Snider says
I understand your points, but the whole reason the iPhone is still leading is because it first to the party. Andorid is behind and will remain behind as long as Apple is around in my opinion. As for the Google integration, as you said, it should be. The iPhone does exactly what I want it to do for Google stuff thus far for this power user.
As for Google voice, it actually is all over the news sites today that it was resubmitted to the app store for us iPhone users.
Sitting here thinking though, iPhone users have had several applications that allow you more than one number and virtual numbers.
I think at this point Android is behind for a few differing reasons, AND the only real reason in my eyes is that Verizon has nothing else to push so of coarse you need to buy something.
Not arguing at all here just sating some facts for those uninformed is all. At this time I have no need to get rid of my Iphone because it does all I need it to do. As for Android I don’t know a lot about it as I don’t have a need for it. From what I have seen it’s clunky on many Verizon phones my friends have.
Galaxy won’t sell more than a million period if you ask me. Besides us blogger folks, I have yet to see any advertisements anywhere else about it.
BenJPickett says
I’m looking forward to getting more options out there. Whether or not they can keep up with or become as functional as the iPad has been, the options will fuel innovation for other similar devices and maybe one day soon will have a real mobile computing solution.