Endgadget, hand-on SAMSUNG TAB 8,9" & 10"

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Thinner and lighter than the iPad 2

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/samsung-galaxy-tab-8-9-and-new-galaxy...

Samsung today announced two new additions to its existing tablet line-up just in time for the international launch of Apple's iPad 2: a redesigned Galaxy Tab 10.1 and a brand new Galaxy Tab 8.9.

Clearly reflecting its rethink about the thinness of the iPad 2, Samsung boasts that the new devices would be the world's thinnest mobile tablets, measuring just 8.6 mm slightly thinner than the iPad 2. The new tablets will also be lighter than the iPad. The redesigned Galaxy Tab 10.1 weighs 589 g, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 comes in at 470 g. The iPad 2 weighs over 600 g.

While Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 are the two Android tablets that come within iPad 10-inch territory, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 comes somewhere in between them and the original Galaxy Tab.

Featuring Android's Honeycomb operating system, both devices include a 1GHz dual core application processor - presumably NVIDIA's Tegra 2 in both cases. Both the Tabs sport a 3 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front camera which allow 1080p HD video and Flash playback.

In addition, the Galaxy Tabs come pre-loaded with Samsung's Readers Hub and Music Hub, providing instant access to more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspapers in 49 languages, 2,300 magazines in 22 languages, and 13 million songs. Users will also have access to a special tablet version of Samsung's Social Hub, which aggregates email, instant messaging, mobile contacts, calendar and social network connections.

Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: "Following the success of our first 7 inch tablet device and the growing popularity of Android, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 are the latest examples of Samsung's ongoing innovation in this market. We are demonstrating our dedication to designing premium tablets that will deliver exciting new user experiences and lead the tablet market in the months and years to come."

As we reported earlier, Samsung is opting for a ‘vanilla' build for its Honeycomb tabs and is leaving it to exclusive partner Vodafone to customize its tablet. Price and availability details are not out yet.