Samsung may have a way to go before they challenge Apple in its ability to simultaneously evoke extremes in love and hate.
But they’re off to a good start with the Galaxy Tab — which, unlike any non-Apple product I can remember, is doing a good job of splitting the better-known reviewers.
As most probably know by now, the Galaxy Tab (yes, that name will be on the year-end crappy name list) is a 7-inch touchscreen tablet running Android.
Gizmodo was quick to attack, headlining it as “a pocketable train wreck.” They explain, “Typically, the point of a compromise is to bring together the best of both sides. The Tab is like a compromise’s evil twin, merging the worst of a tablet and the worst of a phone.”
Wired would beg to differ. “Requires some retraining … but once you get it, it’s a pleasure to use.”
Engadget jumps right in to gush, “we can confidently say it’s the best Android tablet on the market … the first true competitor to Apple’s iPad.” This, of course, is curious given that Google itself does not recommend the current Android OS for use in tablets.
Despite reports that David Pogue (New York Times) loved the Galaxy Tab, he was actually a straddler. “The whole thing is superfast and a pleasure to use,” he says. But then he pounces on the negatives: poor battery life, few apps optimized for screen size, bad email config and a very high price (it’s more expensive than an iPad that delivers twice the memory, four hours more battery life and bigger screen).
Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal) is also in the middle. “iPad now has its first credible competitor …. On balance, however, I still prefer the iPad.”
Time Magazine had a review too, but I quote it here only for comic relief. “If you use the Galaxy Tab in the way Samsung advertises (and you certainly will), what is the point of having a smartphone? Smaller screen, shorter battery life, more expensive plan? The phone becomes expendable.” Call me odd, but I use my phone to make phone calls — which the Galaxy Tab does not do. (Update: Time has now cut this part out of their article.)
It will be interesting to see how the Galaxy Tab sells, especially since Steve Jobs has publicly proclaimed that 7-inch tablets are DOA.
And Steve would never fib, would he.
Tags: ipad, ken segall, samsung galaxy tab
