Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab 7.7 and strange 5" Galaxy Note

Samsung announced plans to release a small Galaxy Tab measuring 7 inches with a Super AMOLED Plus display, as well as the Galaxy Note, a 5-inch device that uses pen input.

<a href='http://meincmagazine.com/gadgets/news/2011/09/samsung-unveils-galaxy-tab-77-and-galaxy-note.ars'>Read the whole story</a>

 

[Lazybones]

The more the merrier, as long as Samsung continues to supports its current products. My Tab 10.1 is a nice piece of technology.

 

[HiWire]

The Galaxy Note form factor sounds like a PDA to me.

 

[StormyParis]

the Note is not "meant to be used" with a stylus: it *also* accepts pen input, but works perfectly well without it. With the success of large smartphones (everyone was laughing at my 4.3" HD2 way back when), this is a yet larger smartphone, with high DPI to top it off, and pen input as an extra.

I know I want it ! It'll let me do web browsing, read comics, view videos and maybe even do Office touch-ups via google docs or QuickOffice; all this on top of the messaging, ereading and RSS reading that my 4.3" HD2 is already quite adept at.

 

[BigLan]

this is a yet larger smartphone, with high DPI to top it off, and pen input as an extra.

From the article

but the WiFi-only Note

Sounds like a PDA to me, even if you can use it without the pen.

 

[Machster]

A tablet with an AMOLED screen? Now this is interesting!

 

[Mawich]

"The Galaxy Tab is also unique in that it doesn't have the standard set of dedicated Android buttons, but rather a menu bar along the bottom of the screen that holds them." I'm sorry, isn't that normal for a Honeycomb device? Maybe that meant the Note, since it runs Gingerbread.

 

[TGBM]

I was hoping to use the Note as an Android-based PMP, but it might be a bit too large. Maybe once I get my hands on one (and get a price) I'll reconsider.

 

[slaingod]

The Galaxy Note is presumably meant to be a smartphone. Engadget reports 'You're looking at a Gingerbread-running HSPA+ handset...Samsung says it's still in discussions with carriers worldwide' about the Galaxy Note. So just a large smartphone with optional pen input. Could be a nice middle ground device size (at 1280x800 resolution with 5+ inch screen), rather than having both a tablet and a smartphone.

I would like to see some more devices along the lines of the Atrix with laptop attachment, where the smartphone can seamlessly dock with a tablet display, providing a small form factor for mobile, but a nice docked tablet experience.

 

[kruzes]

What a terrible, terrible article.

Honeycomb devices aren't meant to "have the standard set of dedicated Android buttons". Have you actually ever even seen (much less handled) one?

And the Note isn't meant to be used with the stylus, it can also be used with one. Additionally, everything seems to indicate that pen input will be distinct from touch input (does different things), and is pressure sensitive (this is also the case of the HTC Flyer tablet, of which I'm sure the author hasn't heard about either, hence calling the Note "strange"). Besides, all of this applies to the smartphone Note (which is a full blown phone, not just a 3G tablet). This is the first I've heard of a WiFi-only Note.

A far more interesting article would have elaborated on these subtle issues surrounding pen-input, e.g. whether a compatible pen input API will form between Samsung and HTC.

Is this what passes for Ars these days? I mean, neither the author nor any of the editors of an article on new Android devices has any knowledge of this?

 

[geobas1]

other sites are reporting the note will be a full cell phone with hspa+ and using the stylus is optional

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/01/sams ... display-s/

 

[MrClock]

So, Samsung has a bizarre profusion of tablets:
Galaxy Note (5.3")
Galaxy Tab (7")
Galaxy Tab 7.7
Galaxy Tab 8.9
Galaxy Tab 10.1
Is this just a case of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks?

Also, I too have read elsewhere that the Galaxy Note will indeed have Phone radio variants, not just WiFi (although it may premier that way). But all I can think of in regards to the Note is the Dell Streak.

 

[dlux]

Neither prices nor release dates have been announced for the devices.

That tablet better come in under $500 or else there's going to be a riot in the tech sphere.

 

[hobgoblin]

The more the merrier, as long as Samsung continues to supports its current products. My Tab 10.1 is a nice piece of technology.

With Samsung courting XDA, i think there will be unofficial support long after any official support have been ended.

 

[hobgoblin]

So, Samsung has a bizarre profusion of tablets:
Galaxy Note (5.3")
Galaxy Tab (7")
Galaxy Tab 7.7
Galaxy Tab 8.9
Galaxy Tab 10.1
Is this just a case of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks?

Also, I too have read elsewhere that the Galaxy Note will indeed have Phone radio variants, not just WiFi (although it may premier that way). But all I can think of in regards to the Note is the Dell Streak.

Samsung also have:
Galaxy Player 50 (3.2" media player)
Galaxy S wifi 4 (4" media player)
Galaxy S wifi 5 (5" media player)

and today they announce the Galaxy S wifi 3.6 (3.6" media player).

But this have been the Samsung way for ages, they will announce and kill products left and right. Your lucky if one of their phones stays on market for more then a year. And hardly all of them reach global. Some very conceptual ones only show up in SK or Asia in general.

 

[TwinIon]

Is there any chance that the 7.7 will use the stylus? That would be incredibly useful.

 

[s73v3r]

I think I want that pen, but with a larger tablet.

Anyone heard anything about the Flyer? Is it any good, and is the pen worth it?

 

[C Boy]

Is there any chance that the 7.7 will use the stylus? That would be incredibly useful.

Can't you use a stylus with any capacitence screen tablet?

 

[StormyParis]

I think I want that pen, but with a larger tablet.

Anyone heard anything about the Flyer? Is it any good, and is the pen worth it?

I've heard it's OK not great, look for reviews. Also with a pen: Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet, Asus EP121, HP Pad 500 (in the US).

 

[StormyParis]

Is there any chance that the 7.7 will use the stylus? That would be incredibly useful.

Can't you use a stylus with any capacitence screen tablet?

Yes, but there's a huge difference between those, and a true "active digitizer" pen: no conflict with your palm also touching the screen , pressure sensitivity, better accuracy...

 

[StormyParis]

Is there any chance that the 7.7 will use the stylus? That would be incredibly useful.

nope. They would have advertised that feature prominently.

 

[hobgoblin]

Is there any chance that the 7.7 will use the stylus? That would be incredibly useful.

From what i can tell, none.

 

[ScifiGeek]

7.7" OLED. I am betting sticker shock will be high on this one. Likely $500+ on contract.

 

[hobgoblin]

I think I want that pen, but with a larger tablet.

Anyone heard anything about the Flyer? Is it any good, and is the pen worth it?

The implementation is a bit oddball. Unless your using specifically enabled apps, there is a overlay that makes a screenshot when the pen touch the screen, and then allows you to modify that screenshot and save it to a special "gallery" that is indexed by date and app used at the time. This is all iirc tho.

 

[Jade]

Bamboo Stylus FTiP FTW.

 

[ColdWetDog]

Sort of. You can use the conducting sponge pens that are sold for the iPad but the problem is that the device is not set up to look for a narrow pixel sized input. It ignores that sort of signal because it thinks it's noise. The blunt pens for the iPad do have their uses and fans, but they are nothing like a Wacom (may they burn in hell for their business practices) drawing pen.

It will be interesting to see how Samsung manages this. If indeed it can be used with a fine tipped pen for drawing AND use blunt finger input then they've made a useful and hopefully marketable product.

I've used styli for years (Palm pilot escapee). They're great for handwriting to text and for fine drawing. I miss the little buggers.

 

[YayForJam]

Surprised there is no update to the article fixing all the incorrect information

 

[Daggah]

What a terrible, terrible article.

Honeycomb devices aren't meant to "have the standard set of dedicated Android buttons". Have you actually ever even seen (much less handled) one?

And the Note isn't meant to be used with the stylus, it can also be used with one. Additionally, everything seems to indicate that pen input will be distinct from touch input (does different things), and is pressure sensitive (this is also the case of the HTC Flyer tablet, of which I'm sure the author hasn't heard about either, hence calling the Note "strange"). Besides, all of this applies to the smartphone Note (which is a full blown phone, not just a 3G tablet). This is the first I've heard of a WiFi-only Note.

A far more interesting article would have elaborated on these subtle issues surrounding pen-input, e.g. whether a compatible pen input API will form between Samsung and HTC.

Is this what passes for Ars these days? I mean, neither the author nor any of the editors of an article on new Android devices has any knowledge of this?

This is Arstechnica. You can't expect fair coverage of any product not made by Apple here.

 

[ScifiGeek]

BTW every other site is reporting that the Galaxy note IS a PHONE. Not wifi only.

Including the Samsung PR:
"GALAXY Note combines the market's largest HD Super AMOLED display, supreme portability and advanced S Pen interface, creating a new type of smartphone"

 

[Dynamo Hum]

Very interesting gadgets. I have the 10.1 and love it, but would have grabbed the 7.7 in a heartbeat if it was available at the time. Agree with the comments regarding the article. Was this written by someone who until recently was living on another planet?

 

[Daggah]

BTW every other site is reporting that the Galaxy note IS a PHONE. Not wifi only.

Including the Samsung PR:
"GALAXY Note combines the market's largest HD Super AMOLED display, supreme portability and advanced S Pen interface, creating a new type of smartphone"

Yeah, the picture I saw had a phone app icon on the main screen as well.

 

[hobgoblin]

http://tv.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy- ... nity-1868/

Samsung went as far as extending the keyboard with handwriting recognition!

 

[cream wobbly]

Hello Samsung, how would you like to sell me your Galaxy Note?

 

[AaronSullivan]

I'd love to see someone solve the stylus problem on these capacitive (right word?) screens.

 

[hobgoblin]

I'd love to see someone solve the stylus problem on these capacitive (right word?) screens.

What problem? As we can see, one can combo a active stylus with a capacitive screen with little issue. That they have a problem with passive ones is basically unfixable, as capacitive sensors do not provide the required resolution.

 

[caseyjohnston]

"The Galaxy Tab is also unique in that it doesn't have the standard set of dedicated Android buttons, but rather a menu bar along the bottom of the screen that holds them." I'm sorry, isn't that normal for a Honeycomb device? Maybe that meant the Note, since it runs Gingerbread.

You are correct, I have removed the offending sentence.

Engadget reports 'You're looking at a Gingerbread-running HSPA+ handset...Samsung says it's still in discussions with carriers worldwide'

This is correct as well, the chart of specs I received didn't list these as connectivity options. Apologies for errors.

 

[enigmatech13]

Samsung went as far as extending the keyboard with handwriting recognition!

I've been waiting for handwriting recognition and something more sensitive than the HTC Flyer. I go to a lot of meetings and laptops are less than ideal. If it has handwriting recognition as good as HP's PC tablets, I'm sold.

 

[Banquo]

Sounds like there`ll be a lot more consumers stuck with Samsung abandonware in the very near future. Does no one pay attention to what a piece of shit company they`ve been, and how time and time again they`ve screwed their customers over by abandoning any and all support/updates for their phones a few scant months after they`re released as they move onto their next product line?

 

[Daemonworks]

This is Arstechnica. You can't expect fair coverage of any product not made by Apple here.

Can't expect fair coverage of any product that IS made by Apple either.

 

[hobgoblin]

Sounds like there`ll be a lot more consumers stuck with Samsung abandonware in the very near future. Does no one pay attention to what a piece of shit company they`ve been, and how time and time again they`ve screwed their customers over by abandoning any and all support/updates for their phones a few scant months after they`re released as they move onto their next product line?

This may be why Samsung reached out a olive branch to XDA recently, by providing the main Samsung focues dev there with their, at the time, latest Android phone for free.