REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (WiFi Only)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (WiFi Only)
(NOTE: I have been using a first generation iPad with 3G & WiFi on a daily basis for about one year)
Likes
* Google+ Integration (*ipad app is said to be awaiting app store approval)
* Tabbed Internet Browsing
* Notification management
* Back button to navigate through apps
* Quality front & rear cameras
* Fast, intuitive, and responsive Maps application felt superior to iPad. Map orientation can be manipulated easily.
* Customizable panes—savvy users can create a the most efficient workspace for their needs
* On screen widgets for apps, Facebook for example, reduces search and loading time
* Easy instant access to settings
Dislikes
* Dimensions are equivalent to the Android phone, which makes a lot of sense for development purposes and companies who want to have a tablet presence but do not want to invest in creating a native app; however, because of this, there are far fewer native android tablet apps (less than 100 native Android tablet apps vs over 100,000 native iPad apps) and the quality suffers.
* Just because the android tablet dimensions allow an app designed for a phone to fit on a larger screen without pixilation, does not mean it works as a tablet app. This results in tiny icons, poor use of space, and the user experience suffers. If its just going to be a blown up phone app, whats the point of having a tablet? Presbyopia?
* Almost too much customization available for app organization, its easy for users to make a mess.
* No folders for apps, its either out on one of the 5 desktops, or its hidden in a potentially enormous pile of apps.
* Glitches- I was mulitasking between the internet browser, Evernote, and gmail to collect addresses and send emails for my neve-ending apartment hunt. I was going back and forth between the 3 apps repeatedly. I needed to navigate back to Gmail, so i opened the mulitask bar and tapped the Gmail icon to open my email, but it launched other apps instead. I was forced to restart and rewrite an email i was working on.
* The keyboard had an occasional delay
* Android market does not compare to the App store in terms of quality and selection
Hardware
Lightweight & sexy, but the 10.1” x 6.8” dimension didn’t fit into my purse.
Overall
I was fond of being able to customize my desktop for my own efficiency and being able to address my notifications when I was good and ready—rather than being bombarded immediately and forced to either view or lose the notification forever via iPad (Yay iOS 5!). However, when the brand new device experienced technical difficulties while mulitasking, the glitz and glamour was faded a little bit. If I am going to overlook the fact that the Android marketplace for tablets is terrible, i have to be blown away by this device, and I wasn’t.
