For my birthday this past weekend, I received my first iPad (16GB model with 3G), and I've enjoyed getting a lot of hands-on time with the device that many of you have been using for eight months now. What a wonderful product. I'm just starting to learn about all of the useful and fun things that you can do with an iPad. I find it interesting that while it uses the iOS interface — and thus, takes no time for an iPhone user to learn how to use — it really is a very different device that I already find myself using for very different tasks.
While I have been looking at the iPad from afar for all of these months, competitors have been looking at the blockbuster iPad sales and trying to think of ways to come up with alternatives. Amazingly, it has taken this long for a company to come out with what the mainstream press seems to consider the first credible competitor to the iPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
I seriously doubt that anyone owning an iPhone would get an Android-based tablet instead of an iPad. Nevertheless, it is always interesting to know what else is out there. Here are the new Galaxy Tab reviews that I found interesting to read, all of which compare it to the iPad. The consensus seems to be that the iPad is a better choice for most because of its larger screen, larger number of native apps (not to mention all of the iPhone apps) and overall polish of an iOS device versus the chaos that is the Android world. Nevertheless, for those who (1) want the unique advantages of Android and don't mind the shortcomings of the platform and (2) those who find the iPad too heavy and too large, the Samsung Galaxy Tab seems to be an alternative worthy of consideration.
- Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal and All Things D: "The Tab is attractive, versatile and competitively priced, though monthly cell fees can add up. It’s different enough from the iPad, yet good enough, to give consumers a real choice."
- David Pogue of the New York Times: "As with Android phones, it represents an alternative that’s different enough to justify its existence. You’re buying into a different approach to size, built-in goodies like cameras and GPS, and the more freewheeling Android app store."
- Joanna Stern of Engadget: "[T]he Tab is the first true competitor to Apple's iPad. Its crisp display, compact form factor, touch-friendly software and dual cameras undoubtedly have what it takes to win over the average tablet seeker. However, we still have some reservations right now."
- Harry McCracken of Time: "The chances of Samsung's new Galaxy Tab spelling doom for Steve Jobs' brainchild are zero, in part because the experience it delivers is nowhere near as polished and complete. Still, this gizmo, powered by Google's Android operating system, offers tablet shoppers a genuine choice, not an echo. In multiple major areas where Apple zigged, Samsung has chosen to zag, rendering the Tab less of an iPad wannabe than an anti-iPad."
- Matt Buchanan of Gizmodo: "The browser is miserable, at least when Flash is enabled. It goes catatonic, scrolling is laggy, and it can get laughably bad. When better browsing is half the reason to go for a larger screen, that's insanity. ... Costing $599 off-contract is embarrassing when the iPad starts at $499. (Update: Fair point, the iPad 3G starts at $629. But it's got a bigger screen, and this thing still sucks.)"
- Christopher Null of Wired: "In use, the Galaxy Tab performs well, but is not exemplary. It feels snappy enough, but longish load times can sometimes be tiresome, and webpages invariably loaded more slowly than the iPad — sometimes taking twice as long. We also ran into a few issues with apps hanging and the Wi-Fi connection suddenly vanishing without explanation. Reboots solved both issues."
Okay, enough talking about the Galaxy Tab. Now it's time for me to get back to my new iPad and continue finding more things that I love about this amazing device. You know, it wouldn't surprise me if Apple has a big hit on its hands.