One of the coolest new features in the 3.1 upgrade to Honeycomb was the ability to let your tablet act as a USB host. Unfortunately this usually requires a full sized USB port, which most Android tablets don’t have without an adapter. The Galaxy Tab 10.1, sleek and sexy though it is, unfortunately has no standard USB port to make use of it. Samsung tweeted today about an adapter, which has just gone on sale, to convert the strangely Apple-esque port on the Galaxy Tab to a full USB one, allowing you to get your host on.
USB hosting is a pretty awesome feature that has been missing from Android phones do to power restraints. Thanks to the larger batteries in tablets though, Google intro’ed the ability to host accessories like thumb drives, keyboards, and gaming controllers to the Android 3.1. The only downside to this is that since most devices are made to connect to a full sized USB port, you would need to get a micro to full USB adapter to use it. If your tablet has a micro USB adapter that is.
Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab 10.1 is an undeniably awesome tablet. Its battery is great, has the same dual core power of any other top tier Honeycomb Tablet, and is the thinnest 10.1″ tablet around. Unfortunately the Tab 10.1 lacks a standard USB port, opting for a 30-pin connector that looks more than a little like Apple’s 30 pin iDevice connectors. All questions of why Samsung would use something so indicative of Apple design when Apple’s already suing them for several of Samsung’s devices being too similar theirs aside, this was the only real let down I had with the Tab 10.1.
Samsung has swung to the rescue now with a 30-pin to USB adapter, but you’ll have to fork over $19.99 plus S&H (note: the $19.99 version does NOT support power over USB. Samsung’s site mentions, but lacks a version that supports charging). It is perfectly reasonable, of course, to argue that you would need adapter for any tablet with a micro-USB port, but the special port means you need a special adapter, that will only work with the Tab. I’m not sure if the lack of a normal port was a technical necessity, or just a design decision on Samsung’s part, but if you want to use USB hosting on the current Sultan of Slim in the Tablet world, you’ll have to live with it.
You might as well make a post about all of their accessories for the GT10.1 because you can’t purchase this now just like the rest of them.
Thanks for that…I was actually in the process of ordering one of these, the no power over usb deal is very very disappointing.
Apparently it supports DLNA over wifi for video stream to your tv
Will I be able to use the USB to do TV-out through the USB? E.g. USB to HDMI?
that is excellent.
GREAT but where can I buy or order one of these NOW?
where can i buy one of these?
Best buy is selling them for $21. Here is a review of it – http://mobilityupdate.com/galaxy-tab/10-1-usb-adapter-review/
Will I be able to connect a USB hard drive to the Tab?
I am looking at buying a Galaxy Tab as I looked at the device today. But the lack of USB (and SD slot as well) is giving me pain to shell out the $$ for this tablet when the difficulty factor of loading pics, etc. onto it is a big pain (just like the iPad 2 as well). At the moment I’m leaning toward the Toshiba Thrive. I would have liked to have had this announcement tell me that we would be able to use the USB adaptor to connect USB devices, ie., portable hard drives, memory sticks, etc. Anyone know?
does it have option to attach headphones????
Yes… speakers too can be attached
I refuse to purchase an android tablet until they support a universal micro usb power adaptor and USB hosting
I would like to purchase a set of Galaxi tab 10.1 USB and card reader connecting kit, Please informed if you having the stock. 0193376128 ERIC HO
could This be used to plug in a USB 3G dongle???
is this also compatible with the 7 inch samsung galaxy tab? (p1000)
I doubt it would work with the 7 inch, since it is running Gingerbread…
But i’m wondering if the 7.0 Plus works with it…
Does the USB kit work with P7100 system / honeycomb 3.0.1 and if so , how?
Why is it that after shelling out $500 for my galaxy tab I have to pay an additional $20+ for this port? The Xoom and thrive have all the USB, HDMI and removable storage and they all have the same capabilities of the tab and they are the same price or less. So what’s soooooooo freaking special about it? I’m temptweed to put it up for sale and get a zoom.
I think you should. After all, you knew it didn’t have a usb port or any of the other stuff when you bought it. Stop bitching and sell it.
I just wonder why not the manufacturers develop the unique adapetr for all systems???
Has anyone tried the adaptor on the “7.0 Plus” or “8.9” galaxy tablets
Everyone keeps posting in their reviews about how the galaxy tab is copying apple but no one mentions that apple is using samsung parts.. bias much??
Used this adapter on my GT 7.0 Plus. Works as expected. I find it a very convenient way to transfer files from my USB thumb drive when all i have is my tablet. Works great with logitech’s wireless keyboard and mouse too (using those tiny USB receiver thingies).
What store can I buy this from?
can’t I get this in India? I think its a really good accessory that a tab holder must have.
I really want to have it. Kindly inform me if I could get this in India.
Go on Amazon to the NC-Store, they sell a similar adapter for under 2 $
Hey i have brought a usb adapter for my samsung tab 10.1 put it does’nt work to i neet to download a app for it to work???
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