ギズモードジャパン

iPad 2よりまだ薄い！

あの7インチTabにスリムな仲間が加わりました。サムスンが22日発表したGalaxy Tab 8.9インチモデルと10.1インチモデルです。

10.1インチの方は2月にMWCで初めて見たぽっちゃり型とはガラリと変わり、見違えるほどスリムになってます。新しい8.9インチのTabとともに厚さ8.6mm。iPad 2より髪の毛1本ぶん薄くして、世界最薄のタイトル奪回ですね。

しかも10.1インチTabはiPad 2より軽量なんですよ。その差5g。

薄く軽くと、これだけ形にこだわると、そのぶん犠牲になるものもありますけどね。例えば背面のメインカメラは8MPから3MPに落ちています。

でも、iPad 2発表後、サムスンのエグゼキュティブVPのLee Don-Joo氏は「iPad 2と伍して闘うには不十分なところもある」と言ってたわけですが、こんな1ヶ月という短期間でデザインやり直して、iPad 2より薄くて軽い製品作っちゃうんですから、すごいですよね、サムスン。

米市場は6月8日発売で、10.1インチのWi-Fiモデルは16GBが499ドル、32GBが599ドルです（iPad 2の価格設定と全く同じ）。一回り小さな8.9インチのWi-Fiモデルは「初夏発売」で、16GBが469ドル、32GBが569ドルとなる予定。

両モデルともOSはAndroid 3.0 Honeycomb。UIはサムスン独自のTouchWizの最新版となります。前より良くなってるといいですね。

英字のリリースも貼っておきます。
　

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.

GALAXY Tab 8.9
At just 8.6mm thin and weighing only 470g, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 is the perfect device for today's mobile professional. Whether writing emails on a trip or reading an eBook on the couch, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 provides the ultimate tablet experience without compromising mobility.

The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 now join the original 7-inch GALAXY Tab to provide consumers with an unmatched array of choices to select the mobile tablet experience that fits their needs the best.

[BGR and SlashGear]

Kat Hannaford（原文／satomi）