Samsung Galaxy Tab in New Zealand

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2078 posts

Uber Geek

#462755 26-Apr-2011 21:24

semigeek: Nice

On another note, my partner bought one of the 7" ones in the weekend, she can't put it down.

My wife got one of the 7" ones recently in Malaysia, it's great but her one complaint is the lack of a USB port so you can't view photos off your digital camera etc.

Also there is a bug in the wifi (it dies when the unit sleeps) but you can work around it reasonably easily.

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athor

123 posts

Master Geek

#463436 28-Apr-2011 17:03

graemeh:

Also there is a bug in the wifi (it dies when the unit sleeps) but you can work around it reasonably easily.

Thats actually a 'feature' in android. Google android wifi sleep policy

pih

560 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#469595 16-May-2011 12:39

Just got back from Google IO - got the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 and I have to say it's VERY slick.

Pros:
- Very lightweight (589g)
- Very thin (8.6mm)
- 7000mAh battery that seems to last ages (haven't actually run it all the way down yet, but I can see it lasting 6-7 hours of moderate to heavy use, or easily 2+ days of light use)
- Fairly snappy with the 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 (and will probably only improve with updates)
- Nice screen (for indoor use, outdoors is just average)
- Decent still photos and video recording/playback (but not stunning)

Cons - this "limited edition" is a little limited:
- no dedicated HDMI or USB - comes with Samsung's proprietary interface and a proprietary-to-USB cable
- slow charging - seems to take forever to charge that huge battery over USB, even using the wall adapter, but this is no surprise I suppose
- no memory expansion slots (SD/micro-SD or otherwise)
- no 3G/4G
- software is still a little flakey, but I can see this improving dramatically over time. Android 3.1 to be rolled out to this device "in a few weeks", we're told.

I can see them overcoming the missing HDMI port with another proprietary connector, and the OS upgrade will be nice I'm sure, but I almost wonder why this was the device given to developers - why not something a bit more expandable? Anyway, who am I to complain? It's otherwise a very nice device, especially when it's free :) I may sell it and get the Transformer or the A500 simply for the expansion (particularly USB host mode), haven't decided yet.

Foo

522 posts

Ultimate Geek

#469599 16-May-2011 12:43

That does sound nice.

How long does the battery take to charge over Power rather than USB? I don't think USB is a viable way to charge something with a battery that big!

Out of curiousity, how much does it cost to attend Google I/O?

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#469604 16-May-2011 12:49

athor:
graemeh:

Also there is a bug in the wifi (it dies when the unit sleeps) but you can work around it reasonably easily.

Thats actually a 'feature' in android. Google android wifi sleep policy

Really? It's a pain in the bum.

The problem I'm experiencing is that the wifi does not come back to life when the toy is woken from it's slumber.

I don't have the same problem with my Android phone so I'm guessing you've misunderstood the problem I was describing.

athor

123 posts

Master Geek

#469606 16-May-2011 12:55

pih: I may sell it and get the Transformer or the A500 simply for the expansion (particularly USB host mode), haven't decided yet.

Would usb host mode no be available through another proprietary connector? Thats one feature I really do want in a tablet, so might be a dealbreaker on this device.

I also find it annoying that there is no micro-usb or mini-hdmi port on the device. I think samsung are trying to be too apple'ly again.

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#469609 16-May-2011 12:58

graemeh:
athor:
graemeh:

Also there is a bug in the wifi (it dies when the unit sleeps) but you can work around it reasonably easily.

Thats actually a 'feature' in android. Google android wifi sleep policy

Really? It's a pain in the bum.

The problem I'm experiencing is that the wifi does not come back to life when the toy is woken from it's slumber.

I don't have the same problem with my Android phone so I'm guessing you've misunderstood the problem I was describing.

I'm afraid there are legions of Android phone users that do have that very same problem where wifi stays asleep even after the phone is up. My Ideos X5 does it and it really pees me off

pih

560 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#469711 16-May-2011 15:48

Foo: That does sound nice.

How long does the battery take to charge over Power rather than USB? I don't think USB is a viable way to charge something with a battery that big!

Out of curiousity, how much does it cost to attend Google I/O?

Haven't run it fully flat yet - I'm catching up on work today and will try and run it (nearly) flat tonight then charge tomorrow. Will let you know.

Yeah, USB charging seems a little strange for the honking great battery on it - but I'd much rather have a big (and surprisingly light) battery with good battery life and slow charging than the other way around.

Google I/O set me back US$450 for early bird registration, but you have to be REALLY early bird to get it. I got up at 5:30am to pound the refresh button on the rego page and the rego site was hammered within minutes of it going live and was sold out in under an hour :)

Foo

522 posts

Ultimate Geek

#469720 16-May-2011 15:52

athor:

Would usb host mode no be available through another proprietary connector? Thats one feature I really do want in a tablet, so might be a dealbreaker on this device.

Definitely worth checking out the Acer A500 in that case - it has a single USB port on the tablet. Unlike the Asus Transformer it does not need to be docked.

I've used it with a USB keyboard and it's really handy for typing long emails. Mouse support will be coming with a later version of Honeycomb.

pih

560 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#469723 16-May-2011 15:59

athor:
pih: I may sell it and get the Transformer or the A500 simply for the expansion (particularly USB host mode), haven't decided yet.

Would usb host mode no be available through another proprietary connector? Thats one feature I really do want in a tablet, so might be a dealbreaker on this device.

I also find it annoying that there is no micro-usb or mini-hdmi port on the device. I think samsung are trying to be too apple'ly again.

Yeah, I don't know - because the device is still officially pre-release there doesn't seem to be much info out there on it. I should have spent some time with the Samsung guys at the conference to ask those kinds of questions. The proprietary interface looks like it could do all sorts of things, I wouldn't be surprised if you can have a host port off it, but it means buying extra cables (only comes with the USB cable OOTB), and probably means you can't use them simultaneously with other interfaces - so you almost certainly can't stream a movie from an external HDD through the tablet to and out the HDMI, etc.

Don't get me wrong, this is one SWEET device, but the gadget geek in me is a little disappointed for the same reasons - it's a little apple'ly.

Foo

522 posts

Ultimate Geek

#469724 16-May-2011 15:59

pih:
Foo: That does sound nice.

How long does the battery take to charge over Power rather than USB? I don't think USB is a viable way to charge something with a battery that big!

Out of curiousity, how much does it cost to attend Google I/O?

Haven't run it fully flat yet - I'm catching up on work today and will try and run it (nearly) flat tonight then charge tomorrow. Will let you know.

Yeah, USB charging seems a little strange for the honking great battery on it - but I'd much rather have a big (and surprisingly light) battery with good battery life and slow charging than the other way around.

Google I/O set me back US$450 for early bird registration, but you have to be REALLY early bird to get it. I got up at 5:30am to pound the refresh button on the rego page and the rego site was hammered within minutes of it going live and was sold out in under an hour :)

The reason I ask is that the battery on the Acer A500 seems to last a few days after a full charge. It can only be charged via AC - USB won't cut it.

With the price you paid to attend Google I/O, is that tablet really 'free'? ;-) I guess you do get a freebie each year, but in a way this is built into the ticket price. It is in their interests to get Devs using the latest and greatest and to start developing for it. I'm sure we are about to see a number of great Honeycomb apps in the next few months.

Related article: http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/15/honeycomb-has-a-fighting-chance-against-the-ipad/

pih

560 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#469730 16-May-2011 16:06

Foo:
pih:
Foo: That does sound nice.

How long does the battery take to charge over Power rather than USB? I don't think USB is a viable way to charge something with a battery that big!

Out of curiousity, how much does it cost to attend Google I/O?

Haven't run it fully flat yet - I'm catching up on work today and will try and run it (nearly) flat tonight then charge tomorrow. Will let you know.

Yeah, USB charging seems a little strange for the honking great battery on it - but I'd much rather have a big (and surprisingly light) battery with good battery life and slow charging than the other way around.

Google I/O set me back US$450 for early bird registration, but you have to be REALLY early bird to get it. I got up at 5:30am to pound the refresh button on the rego page and the rego site was hammered within minutes of it going live and was sold out in under an hour :)

The reason I ask is that the battery on the Acer A500 seems to last a few days after a full charge. It can only be charged via AC - USB won't cut it.

With the price you paid to attend Google I/O, is that tablet really 'free'? ;-) I guess you do get a freebie each year, but in a way this is built into the ticket price. It is in their interests to get Devs using the latest and greatest and to start developing for it. I'm sure we are about to see a number of great Honeycomb apps in the next few months.

Related article: http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/15/honeycomb-has-a-fighting-chance-against-the-ipad/

Yeah, for sure - add in the price of plane tickets, accommodation (which was free for me - couchsurfing), additional food (conference is catered), taxis, etc, etc. and you end up with a pretty pricey tablet - but as you can imagine, it's not all about getting the tablet -- I'm getting a Chromebook too ;)

Nah, I had a great time. In addition to the conference talks, evening party (that was cool), tech booths and loads of swag I also set up some tours with 15-20 odd geeks from around the world (GTUG members) and we got shown around eBay, Paypal, Mashery, Plug and Play Tech Centre, Techshop and the Computer History Museum. Priceless, and I'd do it again any day.

Foo

522 posts

Ultimate Geek

#469731 16-May-2011 16:09

pih:

Nah, I had a great time. In addition to the conference talks, evening party (that was cool), tech booths and loads of swag I also set up some tours with 15-20 odd geeks from around the world (GTUG members) and we got shown around eBay, Paypal, Mashery, Plug and Play Tech Centre, Techshop and the Computer History Museum. Priceless, and I'd do it again any day.

Indeed, that does sound like an absolutely priceless experience and building strong networks with other geeks is definitely a strong motivation for attending.

Is it primarily a Developers conference or were there many non-Devs there?

Getting to see Jane's Addiction is always a semi-religious experience too! ;-)

hairy1

3252 posts

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#469733 16-May-2011 16:11

For those of you with wifi sleep issues. Try Settings -> Wireless and Networks -> Wifi Settings -> Options (options key) -> Advanced -> Wifi Sleep Policy -> Never.

I had to change the setting on my X5.

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

pih

560 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#469737 16-May-2011 16:15

Foo:
pih:

Nah, I had a great time. In addition to the conference talks, evening party (that was cool), tech booths and loads of swag I also set up some tours with 15-20 odd geeks from around the world (GTUG members) and we got shown around eBay, Paypal, Mashery, Plug and Play Tech Centre, Techshop and the Computer History Museum. Priceless, and I'd do it again any day.

Indeed, that does sound like an absolutely priceless experience and building strong networks with other geeks is definitely a strong motivation for attending.

Is it primarily a Developers conference or were there many non-Devs there?

Getting to see Jane's Addiction is always a semi-religious experience too! ;-)

You get a mix, obviously... There were those who were obviously only there for the swag. The galaxy tab was up on ebay within hours of being handed out, many people just sat around on bean bags all day...

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