14 DAY TRIAL // Last year this month, South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics unveiled to the world their first tablet PC running under Google's Android operating system, the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Packing a 7-inch touchscreen display and a 1GHz single-core application processor, the device was seen as a larger smartphone, especially since it was based on the Android 2.2 Froyo OS flavor.
Fast forward to the IFA 2011 show undergoing these days in Berlin, where the handset vendor went official with the direct successor of last year's tablet PC, one that is superior to it both in size and in performance capabilities.
Yesterday, the mobile phone maker announced the new Galaxy Tab 7.7 tablet PC, which is based on Google's Android 3.2 Honeycomb operating system, specifically designed for the larger screens of these devices, and is also larger than the original.
In all fairness, the difference in size is a small one, as the new device packs a 7.7-inch screen (WXGA 1280 x 800 pixels), but the performance capabilities of the new tablet are better.
The new Galaxy Tab 7.7 sports a 1.4GHz application processor inside, which is complemented by the new Android 3.2 OS, and HSPA+ 21Mbps / LTE connectivity capabilities.
On the back, the new device features a 3-megapixel photo snapper with auto focus and LED flash, while boasting a 2-megapixel camera on the front, suitable for video calling.
The device is powered by a 5,100 mAh battery, measures 196.7 x 133 x 7.89mm and weighs in at 335 grams. In addition to the 3G-enabled flavor of Galaxy Tab 7.7, Samsung also announced the availability of a WiFi-only version, which weighs in at only 333 grams. The new device also sports WiFi Direct, Universal Remote Control, Bluetooth, GPS receiver, the usual set of sensors, and support for various applications and games that can be downloaded via the Android Market.
Note: Fellow editors Cosmin Vasile and Sorin Nita are on the floor at the 2011 IFA Show and are keeping us posted with pictures and live reports on the latest product previews and launches.
