Following up the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 announcement and our hands-on Galaxy Tab 8.9 photos, we fired up the video camera to spend a few minutes of 1 on 1 time with the new mid-sized tablet. We were so quick getting to Samsung's CTIA booth after the press conference ended that we even caught the show floor unveiling of the devices (skip to 1m26s if you want to get right to the hands-on review part of the show). Geektastic good times!
Samsung's aim with the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is to hit that sweet spot of portability and a big screen, and at only 470grams in weight it definitely feels light in the hand given it's rather sizable footprint. Unfortunately neither Phil or I were wearing coats to test if it would fit into our pockets. We'll let you know on that once we give it a go. Enjoy the show, and be sure to check out more of our Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 first impressions here.
Reader comments
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Video First Look!
So there's some performance tuning to be done... but aside from that what was all the Touchwiz hate about in the other posts? Seems pretty usable to me. Plus it's a good looking tablet and the size is interesting and even is competitively priced.
You guys definitely need to take another look at this thing in a couple of months.
That was great Kevin, I don't remember seeing you check out any ladies in any CrackBerry videos...
Haha.
Dear Kevin,
Grow a set and talk to the young lady, or keep pining away like a stalker from a distance. In either case, please refrain from posting skeevy creep videos (and audio commentary) from the site in the future.
This hands on video scooped every other tech site I regularly visit, but I won't be forwarding the link to anyone simply because of the perv factor. SMH.
If you don't want the world to think of you as mouth-breathing weirdo, it's probably best not to videotape yourself acting like one.
PS: someone at the mothership should have edited this out before posting it as well.
Could not agree more.
Not agreeing with the content is fine. I personally didn't think anything of it, just a slight smirk and then I moved on. I cared more about the review. I do think it is unfair to insult the man though. Calling him a coward, a stalker, and a perv seems a little extreme and safe to do hidden by the anonymity of the internet.
I like what I am seeing in the Tab 8.9! After getting acquainted with a Moto Xoom and its weight, I felt if I were to jump into a tablet it would have to be lightweight and 'loose-leaf notebook' portable. The Xoom doesn't fit that description, imo.
So, these new Samsung Tabs will ship with stock Android 3.0? That's tempting to me! I would want to keep it that way. Hopefully, the update to TouchWiz can be avoided...?
If the materials are solid (no plastic backs, bezels, etc that Sammy is known for), and I am able to keep stock Android w/o rooting, I think I will get this tablet!!
there was a "Call setting" option in the settings menu. does it have a microphone?
Yeah I'd like to get my hands on that hot blondie too...
I think I'll stick with my Xoom for now...
I'm really disappointed by the performance from the video, toward the end when they fired up the flying game it was really really terrible, not to mention the jerky movement on the main UI.
I know they say this might not be the final software, but unless that's ironed out before release there's no way I'd put my money on this tab.
I love how this guy holds it for one second than tells me I'll NEED a case if I'm gonna own this thing. I'm never putting a case on my phone or tablet no matter how much you try AC sorry.
Samsung has executed this one perfectly
a bit of custom skin but same experience
I was thinking the 7" Tab was a little small for my liking. This looks like it is about the right size, and still not too heavy (like what I have seen in the 10" tablets). This might be a very good compromise in size and weight.
Looks like there's no SD card slot on the 8.9" unit. Damn shame.
Saw something in the conference slides that looks like it uses a dongle on the 20 pin connector to attach removable storage, a la Apple.
Engadget is reporting that there is a microSD slot. Its on the top of the unit. They show it in a video.
Love Kevin's quote "I'd like to get my hands on that" LOL!!
Who is this pervert camera guy giving the girl an up/down shot? Pretty unprofessional AC...
these videos are much better without that AC intro music
Is it me...or the screen looks far better than the XOOM???
This is the OLD prototype demonstrating the TouchWiz UI.
The actualy SHIPPING 8.9 and 10.1 has a different design and is actually much thinner than these devices you see in this Youtube video.
Do you also know if these prototypes are using PLS screens? Because the display looks quite unimpressive...
ill take the girl over the tab, love the preview!!
Welcome to the backside Kevin, and yes I would like to get hands on with that too!
Nice video. I think that 8.9 is a good comprise on size but it still doesn't have the portability of a seven incher. I have a zlrooted Nook Color and the size is really nice for taking around. My wife has an ipad that is the right size for around the house.
is this crackberry Kevin messing with android oh yes I love it welcome Kevin to AC
It looks really attractive but if the final release going to be that laggy... then i'll pass......
Kevin is hilarious, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on that.
Either Honeycomb's UI is just inherently slow or Tegra just hates higher resolutions... or both.
I know I'll get eaten alive for this, but having briefly owned a Xoom, I'm seriously considering joining the Dark Side, at least for my short-term giant-PDA ambitions.
lol @ 1:22 checking her out eh?
Looks laggy, Honeycomb clearly needs some updates sooner or later. 8.9" is a bit bigger than I'd like then again to each their own.
The old once-over. Ha!
Force of habit, I am sure. No one can blame him. :)
Well who do we have here?? Are you lost, sir?
Whatever the case, weclome!
Yeah what the heck?! Did Kevin leave Crackberry? Or is this a one-time stop for him? Like you said, whatever the case, welcome Kevin! I've always enjoyed your blogs and videos (being a previous BB user who made the switch to Android last year).