Samsung Galaxy Tab.

[BFG]

Bought me the above last week. Find it very useful that I carry it with me everyday! So easy to surf the forum without the need to use tapatalk. Bigger screen makes it easy to view picture and also to type replies. With free online streaming website, no need to have paid subscription to watch EPL matches. Watching global sports event on the go is great! This is my 1st android/smartphone. The charger stand, available separately has a hdmi output to connect to a hd ready/hd tv for you to stream online media to a even bigger screen!


Cons:
Battery span is short, ie around a couple of hours or so ( didn't time it to exact ) when playing Angry Bird apps game. You need to carry the charger along too. Read from online that you cannot charge it from the pc usb while it is switch on due to insufficient power.

Anyone else using Samsung Galaxy Tab?

[eviltrain]

I was using Samsung Galaxy S before. Then my GF bought me a 2nd hand Galaxy Tab. I also like it very much. now i'm a proud owner of Galaxy STab. hee hee.

you cannot charge the Tab with normal USB port because the Tab needs a 5V = 2A adapter to charge normally. im using a third party adapter with USB port 5V=1A in the office but it charge very slow (maybe 1/2 the normal charging rate)

have you rooted and OCLF ( OneClickLagFree ) your Tab yet?

[Jimmy]

i just screw one of my friends who keep on using his galaxy tab during our ex-schoolmates gathering last week. it is like he was in his own world then, hahaha... it happens to those using iphones too.

[felix_fx2]

The tab has Hdmi???

[eviltrain]

yes. Tab has HDMI. Galaxy S also have.

[BFG]

I have not done any rooting at all. Do I need to do it? Currently satisfied with it for the moment.

[RonWill]

BFG, are you by any chance, also using the Tab as a handphone? If so, I suppose it's linked to a Bluetooth ear set? *cannot imagine anyone talking into a Tab... like those vintage Motorola "tai kor tai" bricks*

How about battery life under 'normal' usage, ie. email, some browsing, no games. Is there a battery extender or external battery pack that it can connect to?

I contemplated on a Tab since the iPad's physical size is a little large to carry around (no USB too!), iPhone & Galaxy's screen being small for older eyes and I really dislike their on-screen key pads (my fingers are too chunky).... so it seems the Tab fits the bill quite nicely (not to mention too many things being proprietary on the iPad... no open source).

[BFG]

I am using the phone function as you described, like the brick phone. Ordered a Jawbone bluetooth ear piece and another Jawbone bluetooth speaker for my use. The primary usage of my TAB is for surfing the net at work as I am desk bound after the accident 2 years ago. Secondly, to watch EPL football match on it via online free streaming website due to Starhub losing the right to Singtel. No need for me to waste more money to subscribe to Mio since I am on Starhub.

Battery life is not a good strength for all smartphone/android equipment. Surfing while at work for a full 8 hr sapped the battery down to 30%. I make it a point to bring the supplied charger along to charge my Tab at work. Charging via a pc usb dock is slow due to the lower electrical output of a pc usb hub output. With the desk charger stand, purchase separately, you can have an hdmi output connected to your hdmi capable tv to watch movies from the net. There is a speaker output too on the desktop charger stand. 3rd party battery pack are available. From the affordable under $100 to the extreme version made from Energizer at $300++ for it's high end model. The battery in the Galaxy Tab is permanently connected.

Bought the set for $248 with a 2 year 12gb data plan at$55++ per month. Using the corporate plan, managed to lessen it down to $41++. Affordable for me.

In my opinion, I find the Galaxy Tab quite useful for my daily usage. This is my 1st android handphone/tablet. It is a game changer for me as I do not need to switch on my nearly 8 year old 400w diy pc, which would translate to lower household electrical usage, although I will need to upgrade the pc in the future as it has started to fall apart electronically. I will have more free time at home due to the fact that I've done my surfing at work. Previously, I would spend at least an hour after work to surf, which consume my time at home. No need to check my email through my pc. No need to view football matches through my pc. I was watching the Arsenal-Sunderland game while at work and was watching the game while leaving my workplace on foot to the bus stop, watching it at the bus stop and continue watching it while in the bus travelling home. No way can you do this on the pc or tv. It makes me more mobile than ever before and it allow me to maximise my time effectively. I am constantly connected to the web with the Galaxy Tab.

With every good things, there are bound to have the bad side. Before having the Galaxy Tab, I am walking freely without any luggage to carry. With the Galaxy Tab, I need to carry a bag with me to store the Tab, the desktop charger stand and the charger plug itself. When the bluetooth speaker arrives, I need to carry that too. Luckily I have my old Crumpler bag with me and everything fits in nicely. Spent a lot to change my habit but it was worth it for me. The Jawbone bluetooth ear piece and speaker cost me nearly $500, the Viva Vercaso leather pad cost me $53 and the desktop charger is $71. I have not purchase the protective coating yet though as I think I do not need that.

All in all, it was worth it, for my usage.

[BFG]

Went to the IT show today and got myself a portable battery to charge my Tab. It's the Energizer XP18000 portable charger, capable of charging 3 electronic equipment at once. Cost me $269 with life time warranty and free 2 piece charging tip per year. I could buy the same unit for 50% less if it loses it's charging ability, as told by the sales staff. A popular electronic store chain sells this for $300++. I think I do not need to carry the Tab stock charger. Will leave it at home to connect to my hd ready tv to watch online streaming EPL football match.

[eviltrain]

Seems like you have fully utilize the function of Galaxy Tab.

I'm basically using it to show my contractor my AutoCAD draws in .DFX format. Very nice to show them photos about the project too.

Due to the screen size, the battery power of Galaxy Tab ( 4000mA ) last as long as my Galaxy S with 3000mA battery ( stock is 1500mA ).

if you needs to get extra USB cable for galaxy tab, you can go to dealextreme to buy. the cheapest i can find locally is $25. In that site, i bought 2 USB cable at the price of around 10 USD ( free shipment ). By the way, Galaxy Tab can be charged via USB 3.0 of PC or Laptop. It will be slower than stock charger but at least you do not have to bring around the stock charger.

As for free paid apps / wall papers / free paid games, you can go mobiles24 or getandroidstuff.

Next upgrade for Galaxy Tab will be in around end of April to beginning of May ( 2.2 - 2.3 ). If you are unsure about how to upgrade the software, just bring to the CSC of Samsung at Plaza Singapura. done in 1-2 hours ( depending on crowds ).

Rooting (using SuperOneClick )enable you to use the OneClickLagFree the Galaxy Tab and actually makes it 30% - 50 % faster/ responsiveness. But, you have to do it at your own risk because it might cause the Tab to hang due to wrong step taken while Lagfree or Rooting.

[BFG]

Thanks for the info Alan! Anyway, for those who wants to catch some EPL matches, head down to mivo.tv for your fix. For those using Iphone, you can't view the content due to the lack of flash player. A few of my colleague tried it without success. It's free anyway. The channel to look out for is Global tv and MNC. Connect your Tab to the desktop charger stand and attach a hdmi cable from the stand to your hdmi enabled tv and watch it on a larger screen.


Hope this helps!

[eviltrain]

Haha. Welcome.

Thats why im a android fanboy~. For your infomation. Gingerbread 2.3 is coming for tab soon.

[BFG]

I'm a fan too! Can't believe how useful this thing is! Every lull period at work is spent on this thing. Commuting to and from work has been great so far, unless I'm pretty tired, I would sleep while travelling. Hmm, might need to get something to listen to music too I guess. Gonna charge up again to watch the Man U-Arsenal match tonight. Wish they use a better battery for the next Tab.

[Simon]

Seems like you have fully utilize the function of Galaxy Tab.

I'm basically using it to show my contractor my AutoCAD draws in .DFX format. Very nice to show them photos about the project too.

Due to the screen size, the battery power of Galaxy Tab ( 4000mA ) last as long as my Galaxy S with 3000mA battery ( stock is 1500mA ).

if you needs to get extra USB cable for galaxy tab, you can go to dealextreme to buy. the cheapest i can find locally is $25. In that site, i bought 2 USB cable at the price of around 10 USD ( free shipment ). By the way, Galaxy Tab can be charged via USB 3.0 of PC or Laptop. It will be slower than stock charger but at least you do not have to bring around the stock charger.

As for free paid apps / wall papers / free paid games, you can go mobiles24 or getandroidstuff.

Next upgrade for Galaxy Tab will be in around end of April to beginning of May ( 2.2 - 2.3 ). If you are unsure about how to upgrade the software, just bring to the CSC of Samsung at Plaza Singapura. done in 1-2 hours ( depending on crowds ).

Rooting (using SuperOneClick )enable you to use the OneClickLagFree the Galaxy Tab and actually makes it 30% - 50 % faster/ responsiveness. But, you have to do it at your own risk because it might cause the Tab to hang due to wrong step taken while Lagfree or Rooting.

Was thinking of getting one for the same reason, having to go on site to check construction progress and lugging a laptop isn't fun. Any android users know if there is a VPN app available? will be great if I can connect back to my office without downloading the files.

I already have a iphone and I don't like the same interface (non customised UI) if I would get a tablet. interested in the Motorola Xoom

[eviltrain]

I'm a fan too! Can't believe how useful this thing is! Every lull period at work is spent on this thing. Commuting to and from work has been great so far, unless I'm pretty tired, I would sleep while travelling. Hmm, might need to get something to listen to music too I guess. Gonna charge up again to watch the Man U-Arsenal match tonight. Wish they use a better battery for the next Tab.

the problem for electronic devices nowadays is still because limitation of battery technology. Alot of smartphone user still have the mind set of charging their phone once every 2-3 days.

Was thinking of getting one for the same reason, having to go on site to check construction progress and lugging a laptop isn't fun. Any android users know if there is a VPN app available? will be great if I can connect back to my office without downloading the files.

I already have a iphone and I don't like the same interface (non customised UI) if I would get a tablet. interested in the Motorola Xoom

CAD for android is not as developed as iOs, just some basic 2d drawings. And its easier to show clients and contractor with pdf. Motorola xoom is a good choice.

[Simon]

Actually, it doesn't matter if there is app for autocad files. Most times, pdf would do the trick. I would prefer a vpn connection back to my office server for referencing.

[eviltrain]

From what i check out from android market( you can check with pc version), there is vpm apps for rooted androids. Most of them are free.

[BFG]

Anyone else using the Galaxy Tab? Alan, what apps do you have on your Tab or what is essential to get apps?

[eviltrain]

Hee hee, i basically use my Tab for my everyday surfing use ( i don't even on my lappy nowadays ). If you do not intend to root ( rooting will void warrenty ) nothing much to download. all personal preference for what you wants to download.

only games like coin pirate / angry birds

mp3 downloader

whatsapp

Office Suite Pro

AndCAD

Quick hotmail

Battery time

AndroIRC

Facebook for Android.

[BFG]

Yes, my Jawbone Era bluetooth and my Jawbone Jambox has arrived! Paired with the Galaxy Tab using bluetooth, the Tab battery was able to play music from Youtube for about 3hr till the battery is at 10 percent. More stuff for me to carry to work though.....