We’re here at CTIA 2011 where we’ve been given the opportunity to take an early look at the soon to be announced Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet. This is a device that will be released with the tablet centric Honeycomb version of Android and will be given the option to upgrade to a TouchWiz tablet optimized user interface soon after release. This tablet’s Wifi-only version will be released this summer, while it’s 4G HSPA+ version will be released soon after.

This is the larger of the two tablets being released at the same time by Samsung, both of them sort of annihilating their previous release of the original Samsung Galaxy Tab with massively improved aesthetics and I’d say overall feel as well. You hold on to this tablet and you’re really proud you’ve purchased it. That’s what’s going to happen to you. This tablet will come in three sizes in memory, 16, 32, or 64GB, each with a microSD slot for a 32GB upgrade if you wish.

Inside you’ll find a 6800 mAh battery for what they’re saying is 10 hours of video, the size of this tablet is right on 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 mm, it weighs in at 595g (LIGHT!) and its rolling out with Bluetooth 2.1, USB 2.0, Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Ambient Light sensor, and a partridge in a pair tree. Take a peek at the rest of the details below and take note especially at the size of this device compared to the tablets it’s very soon going to be going into direct competition with: Motorola XOOM and iPad 2.

Update: The Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi will go on sale on June 8, priced at $499 for the 16GB model and $599 for the 32GB model.

Samsung Unveils GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9,
World’s Thinnest Mobile Tablets

Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9
to feature the first customized Android™ 3.0 experience
ORLANDO, March 22, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the global leader in Android™ mobile devices, announced two new additions to its family of GALAXY Tabs, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and GALAXY Tab 8.9, the world’s thinnest mobile tablets, measuring just 8.6 millimeters.

The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature Samsung’s own TouchWiz user interface implemented on the Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb) platform, offering superior multi-tasking and enhanced user interaction and navigation.

“The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are remarkable examples of Samsung’s constant innovation and show our dedication to designing premium tablets that fit the unique needs of consumers around the world”, said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “By combining Samsung’s innovations in design and display with our exciting new user experience, we’ve created a new class of products that will lead the tablet market.”

Thinner & Lighter
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are the thinnest mobile tablets available. The GALAXY Tab 10.1 weighs 595 grams and 8.9 weighs 470 grams. Combining the GALAXY Tabs’ ultra-thin form factor with a lightweight design adds to the outstanding mobility of these two products.

Super Fast
The new GALAXY Tabs will support HSPA+ network speeds of up to 21Mbps as well as Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. Also, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 include a 1GHz dual core application processor for a powerful multimedia and web browsing experience.

Customized User Experience “Samsung TouchWiz UX”
Samsung’s TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu users can customize to display a variety of content on the home screen including digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.
In addition, the interface includes an application tray of commonly used features such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other major applications are also in use, including large file downloads and document editing. This Mini Apps Tray provides a mixture of convenience and flexibility previously unheard of with tablet devices.

The Ultimate Entertainment Hub
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are pre-loaded with Readers Hub and Music Hub giving consumers instant access to more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspaper (49 languages), 2,300 magazines (22 languages), and 13 million songs. The devices are also designed with Samsung’s Social Hub, which will aggregate email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface.
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 feature a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, providing smooth transition and seamless 1080p HD video and Flash playback for a rich entertainment experience.

Ready for Business
The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 will include an industry leading suite of solutions designed to give enterprise customers and IT managers more security. Developed in collaboration with industry-leading partners such as Cisco, Sybase, SAP and Citrix, Samsung’s enterprise mobility solutions will provide flexibility and connectivity for mobile workforces, ensuring that users are able to operate more efficiently on–the-move.

GALAXY Tab 10.1
GALAXY Tab 10.1, with its WXGA TFT LCD display (1280 x 800) powered by 1GHz dual core AP, is 8.6mm thin and weighs only 595g. It is the perfect device for sharing and enjoying media content with family and friends. In addition, with its surround-sound stereo speakers and support for Flash 10.2, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 will deliver premium entertainment experience whether watching videos, movies or playing games.

Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1
Network HSPA+ 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
OS Android™ 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Display 10.1” WXGA 1280×800
Processor 1GHz Dual Core application processor
Camera Main(Rear) : 3.0-Mega Pixel Camera AF with LED Flash
Front : 2.0-Mega Pixel Camera Video
Format : MPEG4/H263/H264,Divx/Xvid
Playback : 1080p Full HD Video @ 30fps
Recording : 720p HD Video
Audio MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, OGG, MIDI, AMR-NB/WB
3.5mm Ear Jack, Surround Sound Stereo Speakers
Enterprise Solutions
Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
Quickoffice HD Editor
Value-added Features
Android Market™
Google Mobile Services : 
Google™ Talk Video Chat, Google™ Maps, Books, etc.
Samsung TouchWiz UX
Samsung Mini Apps Tray
Social Hub, Music Hub, Readers Hub
*Availability differs by region
Adobe Flash Player 10.2
Connectivity Bluetooth® technology v 2.1 + EDR USB 2.0 WiFi 802.11 (a/b/g/n)
Sensor Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Ambient Light sensor
Memory 16G / 32G / 64G, microSD slot (up to 32GB)
*Size 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 mm, 595g
Battery 6800mAh