Comments on: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus hits T-Mo with payment plan

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:10:22 +0000

The Springboard is definitely another device to consider (my review unit is on the way) but it’s not $180 with contract. The $180 is a down payment — just like with the new Galaxy Tab — and comes with 20 monthly hardware payments of $10 each month. ;)

By: uluru

uluru — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:43:39 +0000

See also the Huawei MediaPad, sold by T-Mobile as the Springboard. The Springboard has a 1280×800 IPS display, 1.2 GHz dual core processor, runs Honeycomb 3.2, sports a 14.4 HSPA+ modem, and costs $180 with a two year contract.

By: Tal

Tal — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:25:29 +0000

Said it once and will say it again (and again) … 7″ is supposed to be mobile. To truly achieve that the maximum width of the device needs to be about 9.5cm. And then you have to reduce considerably the bezel. If they can do that and keep say 8cm width of screen, which translates into 14.2cm length (for 9:16 ratio), you get about 6.4″ screen.

Now take the current 7″ tablets and compare with the one I suggest. You lost some screen size, but with less bezel, the one I propose can actually go with you anywhere in your pocket. Try with a carton and see what I mean.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:55:14 +0000

Travis, I couldn’t agree more. With consumers adding more mobile devices, each one really doesn’t *need* its own data plan; this is a holdover from the smartphone contracts. And I’ve been calling for a 7-inch iPad for the better part of 1.5 years. Love the form factor as I find it far more portable and mobile to use and carry than a larger tablet. I have both a Tab and an iPad, but when I go out the door, the iPad typically stays behind.

By: Travis Henning

Travis Henning — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:46:15 +0000

I like the idea of anywhere connectivity, but on my terms. Which is why I like the iPad setup. If you are going to be “out and about” a block of data can be purchased for the month. If not needed the next month, no need to buy the data. What would be ideal is if carriers started selling buckets of data that are not device specific. Buy 3GB of data per month to be used by my phone, my wife’s phone, then able to tether a tablet to either device without any extra surcharges. But we all know that’s just a pipe dream.
In a slightly different vein of thought, I really wish Apple would come out with an iPad Mini. I love the 7″ form factor, but having used a Samsung Honeycomb tablet for about 3 weeks, it just doesn’t do it for me (personal preference).
Reasonable iPad Mini wishlist:
- 7″ screen
- Same resolution as regular iPad (so apps don’t have to be re-written – or would this be too small to be usable on a 7″ screen?)
- 16 or 32GB storage
- Start at $349 for wi-fi, $449 for 3g/lte
- 8-9hr battery life