Samsung tablet borrows handset chips

10/26/2010 8:46 PM EDT

Smartphone and tablet are comparable devices since they have a lot of similarity. The approach will definitely help managing components inventory and controlling cost. It will benefit both manufacturers and consumers.

10/26/2010 10:12 PM EDT

Reusing smartphone ICs in the tablet is not too shocking since that allows reuse of the software, including apps. Otherwise, you need new apps or you need to use PC apps. But the PC is not really designed for the same kind of uses as the tablets introduced to date so reusing those apps will create a bit different user feel. So far, the tablets are from smartphone manufacturers so it will be interesting to see the first one from a non-smartphone manufacturer.

10/27/2010 12:24 AM EDT

Not surprised. Except for a big screen there is no major difference.

@Dave The apps run on Android platform and is isolated from the hardware. So they might only need minor changes in the OS alone. oh btw there are lot of tablets from non-smartphone manufacturers. The one I liked the most is an upcoming Adam tablet from NotionInk.

For RIM playbook they use Tegra 2 dual core cortex A9 CPU which is not used in any of the RIM phones yet.

10/27/2010 12:26 PM EDT

I'll be very interested to see if HP follows the current trend by using lower-end hardware that is moving up in capability vs. moving higher-end PC type technology down.

So here's a question: As the ARM-based systems move up in capabilities and the Intel Atom-based systems move down in power consumption and price, will we end up with a "format war" as we did with beta/VHS, Blue ray/HD DVD, Apple vs Microsoft?

Does one have to win? Or is there room for both?

10/27/2010 3:55 PM EDT

I am still pessimistic about the tablets, i think people are just finding ways to use them instead of other way round. Companies are fortunate the Apple made tablets popular with iPad. It will be easier for other companies to exploit the market now. In my opinion, tablets are just smartphones with bigger screen without any phone. As also said in this article, the hardware is almost the same so why are people spending more money in such items!

10/27/2010 4:42 PM EDT

I totally agree with Himanshu.
The tablets will have a lot applications in field engineering, mobile testing etc. However, none of the tablets in the market are suitable for those applications. Right now they are just glorified smartphones.
However, I'm going to wait for a couple of years to see if Apple, Samsung or any other manufacturer are going to add more hardware interfacing capabilities to the tablet and also a programming interface to write test apps for remotely deployed devices.

10/27/2010 7:42 PM EDT

"...approach follows a path Apple and other cellphone makers have pioneered." Gee, I had always thought reusing standardized components and designs started with Henry Ford; but apparently it's just been invented by Apple! Perhaps TV and PC manufacturers will want to know about this astounding advance.

10/27/2010 9:09 PM EDT

There is no need to differentiate them. In two years,your Ipad will make phone calls. There is no distinction anymore. What matters now is price and combing these devices is where to go.

10/27/2010 10:40 PM EDT

Regarding this excerpt: "If I were to speculate, I would hazard a guess that RIM will follow a similar path with the upcoming PlayBook," Carey said. The HP Slate may "break the mold since its design comes much more from the PC side of things,” he added.
- I wonder what they mean by "PC side" of things just because a PC designer/manufacturer is creating the Slate rather than a cell phone company. Advanced computing abilities paired with mobility and low power will need to appear in this new segment of products.

"UBM TechInsights estimated the bill of materials for the Galaxy Tab at $215. That leaves plenty of room for profits given the tablet will sell for $499 through Verizon," Regarding this comment. It is interesting that for almost $500 you can purchase a PC or laptop. But the mobile aspect of the Tab must be what keeps consumers coming.

10/28/2010 1:41 AM EDT

I think tablets are the bell bottoms of the mobile era. They will be really hot for a short time. When the enthusiast rush is over, most people will use a notebook and a smartphone--not a too-big-to-carry-too-underfeatured-to-compute tablet.

10/28/2010 10:55 PM EDT

I disagree with those that think the tablet is a short term form factor. As the technical population ages, the larger form factor works better for reading and watching movies. Given this and accepting that a laptop is not the end all of form factors, the tablet has an excellent niche in the market.

I think the next step is to add good handwriting input, then we can start killing off paper notebooks.

10/31/2010 12:08 AM EDT

The tablet is a good product. I have worked with the tablet and really enjoy it. Many of the readers have shared some wonderful ideas about the tablet. But it is sad to say that if the sales don’t increase, this product will be short lived. Yes, it is a good product. But good doesn’t mean that people is going to buy it.

11/2/2010 5:33 PM EDT

And so it follows that Microsoft will be announcing a tablet sometime soon that will be based on it's WIndows mobile phone.. However, I'm disappointed that everyone is abandoning the stylus.

10/30/2012 4:57 AM EDT

I see that Samsung is doing absolutely everything to get ahead of Apple. I don't know how costumers see these moves and I wonder if Samsung fans even understand what is going on here.

http://www.agora-yachtcharter.com/yacht-charter-caribbean/

10/31/2012 4:30 AM EDT

So, I've heard that Samsung is suing Apple now...What's up with that?

http://www.yachtcharterzadar.com/