Samsung launched it’s latest ten inch tablet yesterday. It looks like the company is trying to enter an area spurned by Apple in emphasizing pen input. There is a reason many tablet makers are leaving that space alone – read on to find out whether or not Samsung has got the right formula.
At the press event, there were a few guests who lauded the tablet for it’s different approach to creativity and functionality. Baz Luhrmann the Australian Director of films like Moulin Rouge and Australia talked about how it was a “creative toolbox” that helped him to share in real time while Zac Posen, the designer talked about how the tablet facilitated his creativity. Both have upcoming projects, so I think that didn’t hurt either, but I had a hard time fully digesting everything they were saying as it really did seem too good to be true.
Test driving the device was a different experience. Below are a few key elements about the tablet.
Specs:
GENERAL
• Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
• Processor: WiFi®, 1.4GHz quad-core
• Memory: 2GB RAM & 16GB On-Board Memory
• microSD™ Card Slot (Up to 32GB)
• Display Screen: 10.1″
• Display Resolution: WXGA (1280 x 800)
• Display Type: TFT
• Battery Type: Li-Polymer
• Battery Capacity: 7,000mAh
• Color: White
• WiFi®: 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Camera 5MP AF + 1.9MP FF
• Flash (Power LED)
• GPS
• Bluetooth 4.0 (LE)
• Supports USB 2.0 Connectivity (with an adapter sold separately)
• Audio: Built-in Front Dual Speakers
• Built-in Infrared Blaster (Smart Remote)
• Speaker (Stereo)
• Antenna (Integrated)
• Ear Jack: 3.5mm (Line-in Mic)
• IF Connector: 30Pin
• Multiscreen
• Video Pop Up Play
• Drag and Drop
• Dropbox
• Handwriting Recognition
• Enhanced Customizable Keyboard
• Built-in S Pen
Key Differentiators:
What makes this tablet different from it’s predecessors is – mainly – the pen input. The success of the Galaxy Note seems to have prompted this device. It comes with a built in “S-Pen”. They were careful not to call it a stylus because it has a few more tricks up it’s sleeve. For one, it is pressure sensitive so your strokes look different depending on how hard or softly you write. Second is that i works with “electromagnetic response” which allows for more accurate positioning.
Samsung has a slew of proprietary programs that come bundled with the device like S-Note, Pop-up Play, and its partnership with Adobe for Photoshop Touch. They had some artists sketching attendees. See my sketch below. Click here for the rest.
