Comments on: Samsung Galaxy Tab: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:08:01 +0000

Re: Galaxy Tab review..most people have known for years that you only buy a device from a network provider if you are prepared to pay the price. This involves signing a contract for perhaps several years and accepting the probability that the capabilities of the device will likely be crippled in some way. WELL KNOWN FACT. If you want the fully functional version just buy one at the full retail price and it will not be locked to a carrier or crippled.

[WM: Yep. That’s the traditional wisdom. As mentioned in the article, the AT&T unit was purchased at full retail price with no contract and no cellphone capability. But thanks for the history lesson.]

By: Anand Shah

Anand Shah — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 06:11:57 +0000

It is true that android is not for IT dummies…

Whilst, I await my Notion Ink Adam… I just installed the Notion Ink Adam software on my Viewsonic G Tab, and boy it is amazing…

Thanks a lot Notion Ink and the XDA Guys !!

And the best part is I am not limited to a contractual telecom company…. !!

and Pixel Qi will be awesome…

By: rmclaren

rmclaren — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:33:29 +0000

Stick to WiFi only devices and get a no-contract Virgin Mobile MiFi with their $40 a month unlimited plan for use where you don’t have WiFi coverage. Even the GPS functionality works with the MiFi, either by triangulating WiFi router locations or cell phone tower locations. Accuracy is good enough for general navigation or LBS.

By: Tony

Tony — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 02:07:39 +0000

Ward,
Thank you for sharing your painful experience. I had high hopes for the Galaxy Tab. I shall pass on it now. You have highlighted items that make it a no-deal for me.
Thx,
Tony.

By: M. Woodward

M. Woodward — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:50:33 +0000

Ward,

It is truly disappointing to hear that Samsung and AT&T conspired to cripple what looked to be a very promising device. Although I’m sure Google did nothing to try and intervene, I’m not sure they sanctioned it. The whole point of Android was to give manufacturers freedom to develop, as they saw fit, let the best device win.

That being said, if it is possible in any way, shape or form to root that device and/or put it in firmware flash mode, there will be custom ROMs. HTC couldn’t stop it on the G2, Motorola couldn’t stop on the Droid X, and Samsung won’t be able to stop it on the Galaxy Tab. It may take time, depending on the number of devices out in the wild. But, as sure as shootin’ somebody will crack it wide open.

I’ve been eyeing a color Nook as well. I think, if I do get any tablet, I’m going to stick to a WiFi only version. I can tether it with my phone, if I just gotta have non-WiFi data. I think it will just be safer to have a product that was never even designed to work on "mobile" networks, and therefore, not subject to the "suggestions" of the US wireless carriers.

By: Larry Crockett

Larry Crockett — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:46:25 +0000

My daughter sells these for Verizon and I found the review compelling enough I sent it to her so she could honestly assess for her customers what kind of experience they may have. For the sake of those customers, Apple needs some stiff competition. And the Tab has an attractive form factor–but too bad the big players are hedging their bets and protecting their legal and technical backsides. The consumer loses. But thanks for an informed and informative review.

By: lrd

lrd — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 03:01:11 +0000

The Galaxy Tab is going down in flames. Stop making excuses for a half-baked product. Many Android craplets will come, none will be beat the iPad. It’s that simple.

[WM: Get ’em, fanboy!]

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:47:43 +0000

It’s AT&T. They’ve locked down all Android devices on their network that way…look at android devices from other carriers and it’s a different story.

By: James

James — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:39:32 +0000

Ward – take a look at the Nook Color. It is one bluetooth driver away from being a nearly perfect 7 inch tablet and it only costs $250.00 and is easily rooted.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:28:02 +0000

I've reacted very negatively to your article on the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Specifically your belief that lawyers should get better treatment than us normals, and that the proper reaction to all issues is to "drag [them] into court." [WM: Lighten up, Patrick. Anybody can sue anybody. You kinda missed the point of the article.]

By: Michael Graves

Michael Graves — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:36:29 +0000

Ward,

Thanks for taking the time to document your issues with the device and vendors. I came close to buying one but my wife really had her heart set on a Color Nook.

Her experience with the Nook has been very good, although she’s interested in having it rooted so that she can load a few apps that she already enjoys on her G2. Marginal battery life is the major issue.

By: Kanti Purohit

Kanti Purohit — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:15:24 +0000

What a sad "state of affairs" with our oligopolies that have now dragged Google into it as well. Unfortunately, the game of "playing dead" extends to the highest levels of journalists that include major network anchors. After all, they too need to get those big interviews! And, Ward, so much for your "puppy love" with this device when you first bought it. PS: I refuse to buy any Apple and other products that are "closed". I never bought an iPhone and waited until Android came along. For the record, Apple make beautiful products; they are just not for me. [WM: That's the problem with "puppy love." Things don't look quite so rosy the next morning. :wink: ]

By: drmurdoch

drmurdoch — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:45:44 +0000

Here’s to another year of brilliant insights and NerdVittles telling it like it is.

By: Wolfgang Preiss

Wolfgang Preiss — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:41:33 +0000

I am very sorry to hear about your problems. I purchased my Galaxy Tab here in Germany, and despite it has the T-Online version installed I had no restrictions in using a different providers SIM or using whatever kind of software I like. I also can root the device.
I also can fully use the phone functionality, which works perfectly.
Maybe it would be a nice idea to import a device from europe and compare it to the US Version.

Regards

Wolfgang