Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has finally reached distribution and it seems to a very interesting choice of functions. The tablet is available in both 16GB $499 and 32GB $549 versions. It is using Samsung’s S-Pen stylus for input and is available in WiFi only. It is shipping with Android 4.0 (ICS Ice Cream Sandwich) but Samsung is promising an upgrade to Jellybean (4.1) before the end of the year. It is also shipping with Samsung’s Touchwiz interface that allows for easy multitasking and customizable home screens.

It's powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core and 2GB of RAM. The screen seems a bit low-res coming in at only 1280×800 on a TFT display. The rear camera also seems a bit underwhelming, coming in at a mere 5MP with autofocus and a LED flash. It has a regular size SD slot that supports up to 32GB SD cards. There is a a disappointing US 2.0 connection but it is supporting Bluetooth 4.0.

The software apps that are loaded on the system include: Google Play™ Store, Books, Movies, and Music Preloaded: Contacts, Alarm/Clock, S Planner, Camera, Gallery, Google Talk™, Dropbox, Netflix, Gmail™, YouTube™, Web Browser, My Files, Email, Google Search, Latitude, Video Player, Media Hub, Game Hub, Calculator, Music Player, Smart Remote, Settings, ChatON, Samsung Apps, Polaris Office, S Suggest, Google Maps, Google +, Google + Messenger, Music Hub, Navigation, Places, Video Maker, World Clock, Nook, AllShare Play S Pen Optimized Apps: Crayon Physics, S Note™, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, Kno™

Audio Support
Music: MP3, AAC/AAC+/EAAC+, WMA, OGG (vorbis), FLAC, AC-3 Sound: AMR-NB/WB, WAV, MID, XMF, iMelody, SP-MIDI, RTTTL/RTX, OTA

Video Support
Video: 1080p Playback Full HD in 1280 x 800 screen @ 30 fps Video Codec: Mpeg4, H.264, H.263, VC-1, Divx, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark Format: 3gp(mp4), wmv(asf), avi(divx), mkv, flv, webm

Image Support
GIF, AGIF, JPEG, PNG, WBMP, WEBP

Supported Document Types
Word File: .doc .docx .txt .hwp .rtf Excel File: .xls .xlsx .csv PowerPoint: .ppt .pptx .pps PDF: .pdf

Messaging Options
Email (POP3/IMAP/SMTP/SSL/TLS); Exhange ActiveSync Email

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 2 vs. Galaxy Note 10.2

Samsung seems to be introducing a new tablet almost every week. Samsung has made a new designation for their tablet line with the Note series with the primary distinction being that the Note series will be coming with an S-Pen. What is the S-Pen and what is its capabilities? Version 1.0 lets you add a basic canvas, a pop-up for pen settings (opacity, line color and so on) as well as erase and un/redo. Sure, ICS might natively support stylus input, but as Samsung is keen to point out -- with its capacitive tip and configurable button -- a simple stylus this is not.

See these engadget articles for more information:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/samsung-galaxy-note-10.1/

http://gizmodo.com/5888347/samsungs-galaxy-tab-2-now-comes-in-an-exciting-101+inch-flavour-but-is-fatter-and-heavier-than-the-original/gallery/1

Lenovo confirms ICS for ThinkPad Tablet coming this Spring

Lenovo has said that it is future proofing its devices and it looks like they are holding true to their word. The Lenovo ThinkPad Tablets are an interesting family of Android Tablet devices that I think will fit in well with the Corporate world. The update to ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) should be available in May and will be coming automatically over the air.

These 10.1 inch tablets run from $499 – $699 and have the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. They are available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models and you can add optional 3G to complete the experience. They sport a large 1280 x 800 display.

Optimized for business.

From the makers of the revolutionary ThinkPad line of laptops comes the anything, anywhere, anytime DO business machine. This powerful Android™ 3.1 tablet delivers a professional multimedia and unbeatable entertainment experience.

• NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 Dual-Core 1GHz processor
• 10.1” WXGA (1280x800) 16:10 IPS panel with Corning® Gorilla® Glass
• Multitouch display with digitizer input
• Starts at 1.65 lbs, with up to 8 hours of battery life (with WiFi enabled) and 32GB storage
• Corporate email and security features like network passwords for safe communication inside and outside your network
• Protect all of your confidential data with robust security features, including full device and SD card encryption, lost device disablement and anti-theft software
• HD display and HDMI output for crisp and defined presentations on large monitors
• Fully supports Adobe® Flash® for online media
• Native USB 2.0 and micro-USB ports
• Integrated cloud sharing and storage to easily move large files between team members and offices

Related resources

• View ThinkPad Tablet product tour
• View Stay sharp video
• View Work smarter video
• ThinkPad Tablet User Guide
• ThinkPad Tablet Accessories

Tech specs

ThinkPad Tablet Tech Specs (31.86KB