By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Samsung has revealed one of the first tablets to ship Google Android version 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 (version 2).
Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets. Furthermore, a more intuitive user interface includes the ability to swipe-control applications as well as a wholly redesigned app gallery for easier sharing of content. The new OS’s vastly faster performance and response times across multiple applications is further enhanced by HSPA＋ 21Mbps or WiFi connectivity.
Additionally, Android 4.0 includes a selection of embedded Google applications that enables users to quickly launch sites and applications that they use frequently; meanwhile, the innovative Face Unlock feature unlocks the tablet through unique facial recognition software.
We owned and reviewed the first Samsung Tab 7. Despite being the first Android tablet to hit the market, it really was nothing more than an oversized smartphone limited by the phone OS running in a larger form factor. Needless to say, the original Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 did not sell very well (2 million units shipped to stores as of January 2011).
So why another 7-inch tablet? Samsung is either hoping to carpet bomb the entire tablet market starting with its large 4-inch smartphones, its 5.3-inch Galaxy Note and 7, 8.9 and 10.1 inch tablets.
Samsung may also be thinking of targeting the nascent Android powered eReader market. The 7-inch form factor for tablets, specially something as thin as Samsung's offering is ideal for reading books and magazines. In the end, it is all about choice so now Android tablet users have a vast selection of sizes to choose from.
No Canadian availability or pricing has yet been announced by Samsung for the ICS Galaxy Tab 7.0.