Right after the Galaxy S4 is being rolled out globally, Samsung has now moved its attention to its tablets with the announcement of its Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. This time around, only their 7″ version the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0″ is being revealed in WiFi only and 3G variant.

In terms of specs it doesn’t differ much from its previous Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, except for its exterior appearance that looks like a Galaxy Note 8.0. The front 7″ TFT display pushes a rather low resolution of 1024×600 and it is powered with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor that’s mated with 1GB of RAM.

Camera wise it has a 3MP shooter at the rear and has a front facing 1MP camera. Meanwhile you’ll have a storage option of 16GB/32GB with an option of expanding more via microSD up to 64GB. Juicing up the device is a 4,000mAh battery which weighs just 306 grams and has a thickness of 9.9mm. Overall, the specs doesn’t seem much of a change from its previous predecessor at all.

For the 3G version, you can use it as a phone has it comes with an earpiece at the top. With growing popularity for smaller sized tablets, it is no surprise they have left out the 10″ version for now. Probably we would expect something more ground breaking for its upcoming larger sized tablets.

Head after the break for more product images.

[ SOURCE, VIA ]

In the latest twist in the ongoing patent war between Apple and Samsung, a British judge has instructed Apple to run ads to say that Samsung did not copy the iPad’s design.

In his ruling last week, Judge Colin Birss said that Samsung tablets “are not as cool” as the Apple iPad and as a result didn’t infringe Apple’s design. The judge ordered Apple to publish a notice on its website and in leading British publications including newspapers the Daily Mail, the Guardian and the Financial Times, to correct any impression that the Samsung had copied Apple. The judge also added that the notice should remain on Apple’s website for at least six months.

A spokeswoman for Samsung said: “Should Apple continue to make excessive legal claims based on such generic designs, innovation in the industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited.”

Apple on the other hand had declined to comment on the order.

In any case, the British court ruling did not specify the content of the advertisement that Apple has to publish which means Apple has complete control of the advertisement, which will give in an opportunity to be cheeky with the messaging and use the “not cool” description as an argument against Samsung. It’ll be interesting to see what Apple does come up with.

It looks like there is no letup in the global patent wars between the two tech giants. Apple’s offensive is seen by many as a direct move to limit the growth of the Android OS and devices with Apple using its rights on patents too aggressively to stamp out competition.

Meanwhile, in late June in the US, Apple won big with a court ruling that banned the sale of a range of Samsung smartphones and tablets including the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Tab state side after the Cupertino company claimed Samsung copied some of the technology used in its devices.

[source, via]
[picture credit]

Update: It looks like a number of Galaxy tablets getting ICS in batches. Here’s the list that we know so far. If you own and of these devices, check for updates regularly and let us know once you get the update. Thanks!

GT-P6210 Galaxy Tab Plus 7.0 WIFI
GT-P6200 Galaxy Tab Plus 7.0 WIFI + 3G
GT-P6810 Galaxy Tab 7.7 WIFI
GT-P6800 Galaxy Tab 7.7 WIFI + 3G
GT-P7310 Galaxy Tab 8.9 WIFI
GT-P7300 Galaxy Tab 8.9 WIFI + 3G
GT-P7510 Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI
GT-P7500 Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI + 3G

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 owners, your time has come, Ice Cream Sandwich is now available for your device. Head on over to Kies or here to get the update. Enjoy

Thanks @rahmansallehin and Johnson C for the heads up.

If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, 8.9, 7.0 Plus or 7.7, your upgrade away from Android 3.2 Honeycomb to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is coming real soon. According to Sammobile, Samsung will be rolling out Android 4.0 ICS update for the following tablet models beginning July onwards:

GT-P6210 Galaxy Tab 7.0 PLUS WIFI
GT-P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 PLUS WIFI + 3G
GT-P6810 Galaxy Tab 7.7 WIFI
GT-P6800 Galaxy Tab 7.7 WIFI + 3G
GT-P7310 Galaxy Tab 8.9 WIFI
GT-P7300 Galaxy Tab 8.9 WIFI + 3G
GT-P7510 Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI
GT-P7500 Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI + 3G

With the recent release of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1 that runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with similar hardware, there’s no reason why Samsung would defer such update on its current models. The roll out is said to be starting in July with majority of units receiving the updates by August 2012.

Thanks to @BeruangAli for the tip!

[ SOURCE ]

As part of its customer reward program, Samsung is offering a 6 months free subscription to the Star ePaper edition to Galaxy Tab owners.

If you’re using a legit Galaxy Tab 10.1, Tab 8.9, Tab 7.7, Tab 7.0 Plus or the original Galaxy Tab then you’re in entitled to redeem your free ePaper. All you have to do is hit “Like” on this Facebook page right here.

Samsung is doing rather well with this customer loyalty thing. Previously the leading smartphone brand in Malaysia offered Samsung Galaxy owners free tickets to some of the biggest gigs in the country, with this latest offer it shows that Samsung is looking out for its older consumer segment as well.

Kudos where kudos is due Samsung.

If you’re in the market for a 7-inch tablet, now is the probably the best time to get one. Samsung has revised the prices for two of the best 7-inch tablets in the market at the moment.

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 is now RM1,899 from RM2,099 and the Galaxy 7.0 Plus has been reduced to RM1,399 from RM1,699.

The revised pricing makes the 7-inch tablets from Samsung a tantalising proposition. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 features the largest Super AMOLED Plus display on a consumer device. At 1280×800 resolution, you’re assured of sharp images and videos as well. In addition, the 1.4Ghz dual-core Exynos processor and 1GB RAM makes the Galaxy Tab 7.7 the most powerful 7-inch tablet in the Malaysian market at the moment. Have we mentioned that the 3MP camera is among the best we’ve used as well?

The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is by far the best value for money device you can get right now. For a smidgen under RM1,400, you get the same processing power as the Galaxy S II, a 7-inch 1024×600 pixel PLS LCD display and a very impressive 3MP rear shooter. With the 7.0 Plus there’s an infra-red port as well. Coupled with a pre-installed app, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is a rather good universal remote as well.

On top of all this, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and 7.0 Plus can handle phone calls, text messages and support Whatsapp, there’s nothing in the market that comes close these two can offer at the moment.

Thank you to everyone that sent this in.

If you’ve been eyeing for a Galaxy Tab 7.7, now you have an alternative choice for bundling on Maxis from as low as RM1,299. Interestingly the RRP is now listed at RM1,899 which is RM200 less than its original launch pricing of RM2,099.

The Super AMOLED tablet is offered on Maxis Internet Value Plan 50 & 75 which comes with 1.5GB and 3.5GB respectively. In terms of contract duration, there’s 12 months and 24 months option.

Thanks @janiceccy for the alert!

Head over to Maxis tablet page for the full details.

Samsung has revealed its 2 new Android tablets – Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) and Tab 2 (10.1). Although the hardware and size isn’t exactly new compared with the previous Galaxy Tab line up, both tablets run on the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

So how is it different from the existing Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and Tab 10.1? For the Tab 2 (7.0), it is basically a notch lower than the 7.0 Plus with a 1.0GHz dual-core processor and comes with a lower VGA front facing camera. In terms of dimensions, the Tab 2 (7.0) is slightly thicker by 0.5mm but it still maintains the same weight at 345g.

For the Tab 2 (10.1) which was just announced, it now comes with a microSD expansion slot, which is currently lacking on the Tab 10.1. However just like the Tab 2 (7.0), it also uses a low end VGA camera for the front. Dimension wise, it is slightly thicker by 1.1mm and weighs and extra 23 grams compared to the Tab 10.1.

Of course, there’s still one more tablet yet to be revealed, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. We are hoping that the Note 10.1 would be impressive and not just another rehash of the same product with a newer OS.

Since the hardware of the Tab 2 (7.0) and (10.1) are closely identical, we wonder when will Samsung roll out Android 4.0 ICS for its existing Galaxy Tabs? ASUS has already rolled out its Android 4.0 ICS update for the original Eee Pad Transformer.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 is officially on sale in Malaysia today with the retail price of RM2,099. If you’re still wondering, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 that we are getting comes with 16GB of internal storage. A few days ago, DiGi had started its pre-order for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 from as low as RM1,399 on its DG Smart Plans. Now Celcom has revealed its bundled pricing which starts from RM1,409.

For the Galaxy Tab 7.7, Celcom has moved away from its usual Celcom Exec with bolt-on data bundling by offering Celcom Broadband upfront with Pay As You Go voice. This means the subscription is meant for data while calls/sms are charged separately as you use, which is the similar model as DiGi’s Smart Plan.

There are 3 plans on offer – RM48 for 1.5GB, RM68 for 4GB and RM98 for 6GB, which is pretty competitive. Calls are charged at 15 sen/minute while SMS are charged at 10 sen each. You have an option to get the Galaxy Tab 7.7 with either 12 months or 24 months duration. The lowest price of RM1,409 is tied with 24 months of RM98 (6GB) plan. For those that want to commit less with shorter duration, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 can be yours for RM1,739 with 12 months contract of RM48 (1.5GB) plan.

Depending on which plan option, they are giving 10 months of special rebate. For the early birds, Celcom is giving out a free bookcase worth RM249 for the first 300 at selected outlets.

For more information, head over to Celcom.

UPDATE: DiGi has brought back the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 pre-order page online. Now it is offered from as low as RM1,399. The outright price has been revised as well to RM2,099. That’s RM400 more than the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. To pre-order, head over here.

Original Post: DiGi has finally revealed its Galaxy Tab 7.7 bundled pricing just as teased yesterday. At time of posting, the page is taken down but we are expecting them to put this back later today.

Outright, the 7.7″ tablet with Super AMOLED Plus display goes for RM2,299 which is the same price as its smart phone counterpart, the Galaxy Note.

For those that wish to go on contract, you have a choice of DG SmartPlan 48 and 68 with either 12 or 24 months duration. The contracted pricing are as follows:

DG Smart Plan 48 (12 months) – RM1,899RM1,749
DG Smart Plan 48 (24 months) – RM1,749RM1,599

DG Smart Plan 68 (12 months) – RM1,799RM1,649
DG Smart Plan 68 (24 months) – RM1,549RM1,399

Note that these pricing are obtained via screenshots before the original Tab 7.7 page was taken down so there’s a small chance that it might be revised again later. Do check on DiGi’s Online Store later for the official figures. As usual, there’s also an upfront payment between RM50-RM500 required depending on plan and duration. Do expect other telcos to offer the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and we are looking at Celcom as the next player.

With Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab 7.7 both having the same price tag, which would you go for and why?