Samsung announced a 10.1-inch version of its Galaxy Tab tablet that advances to a dual-core 1GHz processor and Android 3.0. Due to be released by Vodafone in 20 markets this spring, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 display, 16GB to 32GB flash memory, HSPA+, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, says the company.

Consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung kicked off what is likely to be a tablet-heavy Mobile World Congress (MWC) convention in Barcelona with the release of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer. This big-screen version of the popular, seven-inch Galaxy Tab, which Samsung recently announced in a 4G version, moves up to a dual-core 1GHz processor, Android 3.0 ("Honeycomb"), and a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800-pixel touchscreen. 

Samsung did not publicly reveal the type of processor, but according to an Engadget hands-on story, it's the same Nvidia Tegra 2 processor that appears on other Android 3.0 tablets including the Motorola Xoom and Toshiba Tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Considering the tablet won't ship on Vodafone networks until this spring, the tablet might have conceivably gone with Samsung's own Exynos 4210 processor, announced last week. (Scheduled for production in March, the Tegra 2 combines two 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 cores.) The fact that Samsung went for an Nvidia part instead suggestes that Honeycomb is not only optimized for dual-core processors, but also for the Nvidia Tegra 2 in particular — may take a bit longer to get the Exynos 4210 and other new dual-core processors to offer the same seamless performance with Android 3.0.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers an unknown allotment of DDR2 memory, as well as either 16GB or 32GB of flash storage, says Samsung. The tablet supports HSPA+ cellular network with up to 21Mbps downloads, as well as 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, says Samsung. Dual surround-sound speakers are also said to be part of the deal.

Rear view of Galaxy Tab 10.1

The device integrates both an eight-megapixel rear-facing autofocus camera and a two-megapixel front-facing camera supporting full HD record and play. The 1.3-pound tablet is said to measure just under half an inch thick and run on a 6860mAh battery power.

Details noted by Engadget, meanwhile, include a 3.5mm audio jack, gyroscope, accelerometer, and proximity and light sensors. Missing from action, however, are USB or HDMI ports, says the story.

Android 3.0 is the first Android platform designed with tablet computing specifically in mind. Samsung's original Tab used version 2.2. Honeycomb is designed to support larger screen devices and introduces a slew of new user interface features, including home screen customization, widgets, and a redesigned soft keyboard. It also supports multicore processors and hardware acceleration for graphics.

Samsung has becoming something of a standard-bearer for Android tablets, following heavy promotions and the launch of the Galaxy Tab in dozens of countries, selling more than two million units. IT research firm Strategy Analytics expects the Android OS to continue accounting for larger portions of the market during the first half of 2011. Earlier this year, IDC forecast 44.6 million tablets to ship in 2011 — with U.S. sales accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total — growing to 70.8 million units in 2012.

Stated DJ Lee, Samsung's executive vice president and head of sales and marketing, "The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a valuable addition to our expanding portfolio of smart media devices. Sporting a large 10.1 screen and dual surround-sound speakers, it enables users to enjoy multimedia to the maximum extent without having to compromise mobility."

Stated Patrick Chomet, Vodafone's group director of terminals, "Vodafone's competitive data tariffs and reliable, high-speed networks make using the Galaxy Tab 10.1 a great experience."

Availability

Vodafone customers in more than 20 markets around the world will be the first to get the Galaxy Tab 10.1 when it goes on sale this spring, says the carrier. There was no word about a possible U.S. release. Samsung's announcement, featuring more images, may be found on this Galaxy Tab 10.1 news page.

Nathan Eddy is a writer for our sister publication eWEEK.

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