The best seven inch tablet of 2010 is getting a reboot and new features in time for the November 13 launch date! The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus will be available for pre-order starting October 23rd with Best Buy, Amazon, and Tiger Direct for customers in the USA. The street price is set to be at $399, which is a solid investment.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus will ship with Google Android 3.2 Honeycomb, and a Ice Cream Sandwich update is poised to drop sometime in in 2012. It features a 1.2 GHZ dual core CPU processor and 1 GB of RAM for fast performance. The resolution on the device is fairly solid with 1024×600, which is normal for a seven inch tablet. Internal storage gives you two options, 16 GB or 32 GB. Finally, a rear facing camera has 3 MP while the front facing one for Skype and other things is 2 MP.
One of the cool things about this device is that it will play full 1080p videos and will have a micro HDMI port in order to plug it into your television. It also features 4G internet via the SIM card slot! This will allow you to get a subsidized version through your carrier. No word yet on which carriers will be jumping into the fray to support this. My impressions is that Rogers in Canada will be one of the first companies to offer this to customers.
[showhide type=’pressrelease’]DALLAS and SANTA CLARA, Calif.– October 21, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, and Samsung Electronics America today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.0 Plus featuring Peel Smart Remote TV application. Peel allows users to instantly find and watch their favorite TV shows and discover new shows based on their preferences, all with the tap of a screen.
Offering a portable, rich multimedia experience on a 7-inch display, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus packs power and productivity into a chic lightweight design, weighing just 345g and measuring 9.96mm thin. The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus runs Google AndroidTM Honeycomb platform, enabling an easy and intuitive user experience. In addition, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus delivers a smooth and intuitive user experience with powerful performance powered by a 1.2GHz dual core processor.
Featuring built-in infrared capabilities, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus can control the user’s home theater/TV setup. The Peel integration on the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus goes beyond the Peel application available for download today by no longer requiring additional hardware or cables for TV control functionality. Peel allows users to control any home entertainment system regardless of manufacturer.
Peel displays personalized programming recommendations in an intuitive and content-driven graphical interface, completely eliminating the need to scroll through traditional channel-listing grids. The application’s home screen displays colorful thumbnail images of “Top Picks,” or favorite shows. Touch one of the thumbnails and the application displays what channel that show is on as well as a brief description of the episode that is playing. Simply tap “Watch On TV” and the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus will automatically change the channel to the selected program.
“The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus optimized with the innovative Peel application will enable users to connect seamlessly to view their favorite TV shows,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. “Our partnership with Peel further builds on Samsung’s convergence strategy to create enhanced user experiences.”
Peel combined with the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus can control the entire home entertainment system, including the TV, set-top box, DVD, Blu-ray player and AV audio system. Peel will provide Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus users with a social aspect as well, connecting them directly to Facebook and Twitter to share what they are watching with their social networks.
“This partnership continues Peel’s vision of eliminating the barriers between you and your favorite shows,” said Greg Lindley, chief experience officer for Peel. “The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus – with its built in IR remote functionality – is a great platform for the Peel app and creates an ideal second screen experience for any TV lover.”
The 16GB Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus will be available nationwide through Best Buy, Amazon, Tiger Direct, Fry’s and other fine retailers starting November 13th for $399.99. Pre-orders will begin October 23rd with select partners.
Samsung’s relationship with Peel is part of Samsung’s overall commitment to convergence and the companies are working to integrate the Peel Smart Remote Application into future Samsung mobile devices.
1 Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S. claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q2 2011 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.
About Peel
Peel was founded around passion for making the home entertainment experience friendlier. Combining program discovery, simple and seamless universal control and shared entertainment experiences steps beyond simple remote controls and changes the TV landscape. For more information visit http://www.Peel.com.
For regular Peel updates follow us at http://www.Twitter.com/PeelTV, become a Fan on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/PeelTV or visit http://www.Peel.com.[/showhide]
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.