GALAXY TAB 10.1 LAUNCH DELAYED IN AUSTRALIA DUE TO APPLE LAWSUIT

Just a few days after suffering a legal setback in Dutch court, Samsung has now decided to delay the launch of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia, amid its heightening patent infringement battle with Apple. In a hearing today, the Korean manufacturer announced that it would refrain from selling or marketing its new tablet within Australia, before September 30th. Samsung made a similar concession earlier this month, agreeing to halt sales of its slates until today's hearing and to provide Apple with product samples at least seven days prior to its Australian launch. The company says it presented the samples on Thursday, but Cupertino's lawyers insisted that the Australian version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 still infringes upon its patents. Samsung, meanwhile, said in a statement that it's preparing to launch a counter-attack down under, telling reporters that it "intends to file a cross claim against Apple Australia and Apple Inc regarding the invalidity of the patents previously asserted by Apple and also a cross claim against Apple regarding violation of patents held by Samsung by selling its iPhones and iPads." The next formal court hearings are scheduled for September 26th and 29th.

LEAK: SONY TABLETS

We've got more info for you on the pair of Android tablets Sony plans to launch next year month, as our source indicates the dual 5.5-inch screened clamshell, thus far codenamed the S2, will launch as the Sony Tablet P. Hardware specs include a weight of 370 grams -- less than the iPad 2's 601 grams, but more than say, a Kyocera Echo at 193g -- 512Mb of RAM, 4GB of storage and a 2GB SD card, with connectivity over 4G or WiFi. Both the Tablet P and the Tablet S will share NVIDIA Tegra 2 processors and 0.3MP (not 3.0MP as we'd previously reported) front cameras, but the more conventional, WiFi-only Tablet S weighs in at 600g, has 1GB of RAM and will be available in 16GB or 32GB versions. There's still no word on price or exact shipping dates (though rumor is it will launch in September) but retailers have reportedly been told to expect more information soon, so stay tuned for further updates.

PHOTOS USED IN APPLE'S INJUNCTION AGAINST SAMSUNG TABLET IN GERMANY ALTERED

Apple has been suing Samsung in various courts across the globe. Apple's beef is that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 is too similar to the iPad 2. Recently, Apple filed, and won, an injunction in Germany to keep Samsung from importing and selling the Galaxy in that country.

It has now come to light that the photos used for comparison of the two products, supplied to the court by Apple's lawyers (page 28 of filing), have been altered to make the Galaxy Tab more similar to the iPad than it really is. In the photo above you can see that the tablets look remarkably similar, in reality they are not.

Samsung's tablet measures 10.1" x 6.9" x 0.3" with an aspect ration of 16:10 while the iPad2 measures 9.5" x 7.31" x 0.34" with an aspect ratio of 4:3. You can see by the picture below the size difference between the two. Did Apple purposely alter the photos to make its case or is this a result of an overzealous lawyer in Germany?

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1 TOUCHWIZ UPDATE IS OUT

For the tens of people with a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the long promised Touchwiz update has finally arrived. The update provides a number of visual enhancements to the user interface including a live panel view, a new mini mode tray for quick access to open applications, a clipboard, an indicator quick panel and a photo editor. Samsung also added Amazon Music Player, Words with Friends, Samsung Media Hub, Social Hub, the Swype keyboard and Kindle software. To update simply go to Settings > About Tablet > Update.

Users who decide to update to the new interface should be warned that you cannot go back and as always back up your device.

JUDGE DENIES SAMSUNG RIGHT TO SEE UNRELEASED iPHONE AND iPAD

According to FOSS Patents, a judge in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California has ruled that Samsung cannot view Apple’s next-generation iPad and iPhone products.

The whole debacle started when Apple began accusing Samsung of creating copycat products and demanded the Korean firm to produce its next-generation devices inside a court room. The court took Apple’s side and Samsung was forced to show Apple the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, and DROID Charge.

In an effort to prepare for further legal battles with Apple, Samsung wanted the same access to Apple’s next generation products.

For now, that won’t happen. The reasoning behind the judge’s decision appears to be that Samsung had already showed off its products to members of the press and others. Apple, as usual, has kept its products close to the vest.

ANDROID TABLET MAKERS DISAPPOINTED WITH SALES, SHIFTING BACK TO CELL PHONES

Cell phone makers that have entered the emerging consumer tablet market over the past year are now backing off according to a report from DigiTimes on Friday. Thus far only Samsung has been able to make a real dent in Apple’s stronghold on this new market, capturing a 10% share with its Galaxy Tab Android-powered tablet.

Samsung’s triumph was due mainly to the Galaxy Tab’s widespread distribution, and other entrants into the market have not been able to capture the same success. While 250,000 XOOM tablets shipped in two months and 500,000 PlayBooks shipped last quarter are respectable figures, it’s hard to call those products a success when Apple has sold 25 million iPads in just 14 months. As a result, companies that planned to attack the tablet market aggressively may now be pulling back some of that investment to focus on another new market: supersized smartphones. Android phones with displays sized between four and five inches have become increasingly popular since the launch of Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G, and it looks like handset makers may be better served to focus on that space while the market figures out whether or not if even wants consumer tablets.

NO DELAY IN ANDROID 3.1 FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1

There were rumors floating around earlier today that Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 tablets in Europe running Google’s Android 3.1 Honeycomb OS were delayed until August, but Google has confirmed to us that that isn’t true. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will launch next week with Android 3.1 and the Motorola XOOM has already received the Android 3.1 update. Verizon Wireless is also close to launching the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with LTE which is set for a “summer” launch running, you guessed it, Android 3.1.

MAGAZINES COME TO ANDROID MARKET; NEXT ISSUE MEDIA FIRST IN LINE

On Wednesday Next Issue Media — an independent media venture founded by Conde Nast, Hearst Corporation, Meredith, News Corp. and Time Inc. — released an early build of its new Android publishing platform. It’s home to popular titles such as Esquire, Popular Mechanics, Parents, New Yorker, Fortune, and Time. The applications for each magazine are only available on Samsung’s original Galaxy Tab on Verizon Wireless for now, and you’ll need to download them from Verizon’s own VCast application store, AllThingsD said.

An issue of Esquire costs $4.99, although it can be purchased for $1.99 per month, too. Next Issue Media’s CEO, Morgan Guenther, said that publishers will receive “at least” 70% of each transaction, and that the company plans to offer at least 40 different magazine titles by the end of 2011. A webOS version is in the works, for HP’s upcoming TouchPad tablet

SAMSUNG TO PROBABLY DROP PRICE ON NEW TABLET DUE TO iPAD 2

In light of Apple's iPad 2 launch this week, Samsung is reconsidering pricing for its unreleased Galaxy Tab 10.1. Samsung's new tablet is a larger version of its popular 7-inch version and will run Android 3.0 Honeycomb. According to Samsung VP Lee Don-Joo, Samsung will be looking at the hardware and pricing models "improve the parts that are inadequate." While he wasn't specific regarding exactly what Samsung would evaluate he did mention that "Apple made [the iPad 2] very thin."

Samsung was going to price the Galaxy Tab 10.1 higher than the 7-inch model, but if the hardware is inferior to the iPad 2, they may keep the pricing the same and take either less profit or a small loss on the hardware to make the tablet a success.

LEAK: SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB II

The next generation of the Samsung Galaxy Tab is expected to be announced at Mobile World Congress next week. Heavy rumors have the tablet increasing in size to 10-inches to compete better with the industry leading Apple iPad. The Galaxy is rumored to spec'ed similar to the recently released Motorola Xoom and be a Google Experience Device, meaning it won't have a ton of added UI layers and/or crapware installed. [Gizmodo]

RUMOR: HP TOUCHPAD COMING IN JUNE FOR $699

BGRis reporting that the HP TouchPad unveiled earlier this week could be with us in June at a price point of $699.

Until now HP has just stated that the TouchPad would arrive at some point in the summer, but refused to say when and how much it would cost. If this information from a trusted BGR source is true, it shows a little of the strategy HP has decided to follow.

While higher in price than the low-end iPad and RIM PlayBook, it does undercut the Motorola Xoom by $100.

VERIZON CRIPPLES WIFI ON XOOM TABLET UNLESS YOU BUY A DATA PLAN

According to a leaked Best Buy advertising circular, Verizon is crippling the WiFi capabilites of the Motorola Xoom tablets it subsidies unless a data plan is added. The circular states

To activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of one month data subscription is required."

This is reminiscent of when Verizon crippled Bluetooth on its handsets fearing people wouldn't buy ringtones from them. It is highly doubtful this is a Best Buy policy, but one being forced on them by Verizon.

LEAKED: T-MOBILE TAKES ANOTHER $50 OFF SAMSUNG'S GALAXY TABLET

With a slew of new tablets launching within the next few months T-Mobile has dropped the price of the soon to be outdated Samsung Galaxy tab another $50 to $250 according to TmoNews. This new price requires a 2-year commitment with the no contract price staying at $500.

Over 100 new tablets were introduced at CES this year and this is likely a move to help clear the existing stock to make room for new devices like the LG Slate. With the new devices most likely having high specs and most running Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the not even six month old Galaxy tab will look outdated and outclassed.

LEAKED: MOTOROLA XOOM TABLET PRICED AT $800 MINIMUM

Android Central is reporting that Verizon will be selling the hot Motorola Xoom tablet, debuted at CES, for $800. The device will be running Android Honeycomb and will be Google's flagship tablet device. The pricing seems to be in line with the Samsung's Galaxy S tablet.

SPRINT LOWERS SAMSUNG GALAXY TABLET PRICE TO $299

Sprint on Wednesday lowered the price of the popular Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet to $299.99 with a new two-year contract or $499.99 with no contract. The new pricing represents a $100 reduction for both on-contract and contract-free purchases. It also lines up with Best Buy’s adjusted pricing for Sprint’s Galaxy Tab.

The Galaxy Tab was a big success for Samsung in 2010, having sold over 1 million units in less than two months of availability. The tablet features a 7-inch touchscreen display, dual cameras, video chat support and the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system. Sprint’s version of the Galaxy Tab is capable of connecting to its 3G network or any Wi-Fi network for data connectivity. 3G service for Sprint’s tablet costs either $29.99 per month for 2 GB of data, or $59.99 for 5 GB. [BGR]

WI-FI ONLY SAMSUNG GALAXY TABLET ANNOUNCED

At Samsung's CES keynote address, they announced a Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tablet. The specs and device will be the same, except it will not have a cellular radio. It will be coming to the U.S. Q1 of 2011. No word on pricing yet, but it should be less than the current price, even after the Verizon price drop. [BGR]

VERIZON CUTTING SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB PRICE

Verizon Wireless is dropping the price of the Samsung Galaxy Tablet to a penny under $500. This is a nice $100 price chop. The nice thing is this price is for a month-to-month contract, so users aren't locked into a lengthy term. In addition, it also includes a $60 movie rental voucher that can be redeemed on the pre-installed Blockbuster movie app or in Samsung's Media Hub.

If you recently bought one these tablets from Verizon, don't worry. Verizon will be offering refunds for the difference if you still have the receipt and purchased the device in the last 14 days.

SAMSUNG SELLS 600,000 GALAXY TABLETS IN ONE MONTH

According to a report from Korean newspaper The Korean Herald, Samsung has confirmed global sales numbers for its virgin tablet offering. In its first month of availability, the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab has sold 600,000 units — likely making it the most popular Android tablet in the world. Samsung is reportedly pleased with the Galaxy Tab’s performance in its premier month, saying demand outpaced supply in most markets. In Samsung’s home market in Korea, the company sold 30,000 Galaxy Tabs in the tablet’s first week of availability. Interestingly, Apple’s iPad is set to launch on November 30th and according to The Korean Herald, the company has already taken 40,000 pre-orders in less than a week. [BGR]

T-MOBILE'S SAMSUNG GALAXY TABLET TWEAKED TO MAKE PHONE CALLS

The resourceful folks over at xda-developers has managed to pour the phone.apk Android module into T-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy tablet. Forum member Jyveafk has created a way to flash the device, using Odin3, to allow calling over T-Mobile's EDGE network. Basically, XDA members have turned the 7 inch Galaxy Tablet into a giant smartphone.

Of course, XDA cautions that the procedure is “for experienced flashers only.” [xda developers]

LG JUMPS ON TABLET BANDWAGON

This holiday season its all about the tablet.  Apple started it off with the industry leading iPad, Samsung has the Galaxy tablet and now LG is releasing their version of the tablet computer.

A new report out of South Korea Wednesday sheds some light on LG’s upcoming virgin tablet offering. According to the report, LG is preparing to launch its first Android tablet in the first quarter next year. The “LG Pad”, as it may be called, will purportedly feature a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, an 8.9-inch touchscreen display and the Android Honeycomb operating system. A senior official at LG is quoted as saying, “LG Electronics decided to launch a new tablet PC, so-called LG Pad, both in the domestic and overseas markets in the first quarter of the next year when Google unveils Honeycomb, tablet PC-version Android OS.” The official goes on to say, “While the existing tablet PCs focus on e-book, movie, music and the Internet functions, LG’s new tablet PC is jumping into the market with more diverse contents based on powerful functions.” [BGR]