Imaginary 7-inch iPad gets real competition from Samsung
While rumors persist Apple will be introducing a 7-inch version of iPad at some point, it looks like Samsung is wasting no time getting their 7-inch competition -- the Galaxy Tab -- ready for launch. Hey, at least they're not calling it GalactiPad or SammyPad, right?
Here are the purported specs:
- HD video playback
- 7" screen
- Android 2.2 (Froyo)
- Video calling
- Augmented reality
- Swype
- A Sept. 2 coming-out party in Berlin (at the IFA conference).
Samsung manufactures the Apple A4 chipset that powers the iPad and iPhone 4, and we expect they'll use the similarly specced Hummingbird that powers their Galaxy S-class smartphones here. While Android 3.0 Gingerbread is rumored to have true tablet-sized UI scalability, skinning 2.2 up to fit 7", especially at a rumored 1280x600 resolution shouldn't be a huge stretch from the current 800x480. They'll also, apparently, be offering a range of iPad-like accessories, including a keyboard dock.
So what do you think? Is getting the Galaxy Tab out before a 7-inch iPad (if Apple ever actually releases one) a smart move to grab market share for Samsung? And how does 7-inches of Froyo compete with 9.7-inches of optimized iOS on the current, non-speculative iPad?
[More on the Galaxy Tab from Android Central]
Editor-in-Chief of iMore, Executive Producer at Mobile Nations, co-host of Iterate and ZEN and TECH, cook, grappler, photon wrangler.
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I prefer a 7" device over a 10".
I expect that Apple launches one "mini iPad", then I will decide which to buy
I'd rather have the larger screen. That Samsung pad is too small.
I will be buying a 7" iPad for my fiancee if and when it comes out. She loves my full size one now, but has mentioned that she would love one just a little smaller. The Tab honestly isn't too bad though- I'm not too happy with the reported build quality (plasticky, typical samsung) but the video calling and HD out are pretty crucial features.
I would want a 7-inch iPad. Ten might of been too big for me and a turn off since I would needed a case and a bag to carry it around. I may not be able to put a 7 inch ipad in my pocket but at least i can carry it in bags I already own.
I'd have to use one first but right now I think I'd prefer a 10-inch one. I've used a 10-inch one pretty thoroughly and it seems the perfect size. Not hard to carry around and the things I would do mostly on it (surfing the web, watching netflix and other videos) it's perfect and I don't know if a smaller version would be as good for me.
Put a phone in the 7" ipad with Bluetooth and I'll buy one.
I think the 7" iPad would be perfect for me. I played with the current one several times at the Apple store and found it a bit heavy and awkward. I would like something just a little bigger than my iPhone for reading books and newspapers. I', anxious to see it, if and when it come out.
I'm all mobile. If I go 10" I might as well have a 13" MacBook pro and have a real computer. For a tablet I would prefer 7". Much easier to carry. Give it video con capability and I'm sold.
No need for either with my laptop and iPhone.
The size question is not 7" vs 10", but pocket/purse size vs larger. Despite the ipad's other advantages, my iPhone gets vastly more use because I am virtually guaranteed to have it with me, whereas the iPad requires separate carrying/packing. If the 7" version fits in my pocket, it could sell very well. I'm with Fastlane - make it essentially a larger iPhone instead of a smaller iPad, and I'll buy one right away.
Its not the size, but rather the aspect ratio that makes me like this less. IMO, 4:3 is a much better aspect ratio for most content than the netbook-popularized 1024x600. Otherwise, easily the most promising Android tablet we've seen.
Well, samsung is doing the right thing by trying to break into the 7inch tablet market since some think the iPad is not very portable.
I can't see apple making a 7inch tablet for the next year. The iPad has been very successful with it's current specifications.
I don't see how Apple can merge the desire to keep one iPad app resolution without making the touch buttons too small for larger fingers. It seems too soon in the lifecycle of the iPad to bring out a smaller screened version. I vastly prefer the larger 9.7" iPad screen and have an iPhone for portability.
I don't think there is a niche for me between my iPad and my iPhone but a 7 inch iPad would be great for my wife who reads tons of paperback books and that would be a similar page size turned in landscape so i think samsung is gonna be smart competition in that market
7" is exactly the wrong size. Too big for a pocket, too small to use for extended periods at home. Apple should let Samsung make the 7" mistake. By themselves. If anything, Apple should make a 13" iPad next.
@SockRolid
A 13" tablet? My God, almost 1 kg of tablet, too heavy to handle for large amounts of time.