Got my GTab 7.7, open for Q's and ongoing impressions and experiences

I got the WiFi one actually, cannot for the life of me see the point in a 3G tablet, will just tether to my phone and save the extra cost! It has an ear piece speaker grill at the top and microphone hole at the bottom though, so looks as if it is meant to be held to the head to make calls!

HDTVdevil said:

I'm on the road a lot and don't always have WiFi access but tethering could be an option altough my phone only has 750mb dataplan. Data-only plans have option upto 2GB.

Did you try any navigation software on it?

Cheers

Filip

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Yep, can totally understand that some people need that functionality, don't get me wrong.

I haven't tried GPS (just about to actually) - I just read in the manual that GLONASS is supported so GPS performance should be amazing like it is in the Galaxy Note (which is the best phone GPS I've ever used, simply stunning!). Will post back on that shortly.

OK, GPS on cold lock slower than 3G enabled devices as lacks A-GPS - a minute to lock on first lock in rather GPS-adverse conditions. Hot locks thereafter like within seconds. Definitely GLONASS enabled - saw 15 satellites.

Also, update with my Twitter 'stream of consciousness' for the 7.7 today for those not following:


Interesting, the phone version of Splashtop works perfectly on the #GalaxyTab7.7 - no colour rendering problems...
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

...Samsung's doing on the software side, or just having a MUCH better SoC with the Exynos...

So, I'm finding the #GalaxyTab7.7 to be the best performing HC tablet I've used (setting aside the Prime of course), wonder if that's...

Just checked GPS - without A-GPS it's a little slower to kick off, but can confirm that GLONASS support is enabled #GalaxyTab7.7

Whoa, Splashtop works but the colour rendering is extremely funky, makes it difficult to use... Oh, and pen drives on Fat32 work OK...

NTFS not supported in #GalaxyTab7.7 - not surprised but dislike after using the Prime with ASUS added-value file formatting systems support

Oh, and MTP still sucks for transferring files... #GalaxyTab7.7

Zelda OoT looks freakin incredible on SAMOLED HD with HR texture pack! #GalaxyTab7.7

@ least they have done right by the bluetooth stack - seems stock since WiiMotes work (Datel Retro Wireless one is awesome!) #GalaxyTab7.7

#GalaxyTab7.7 USB Host is also seriously borked, PS3 controllers, Logitech Controllers, Portable HDDs, card readers - NOT WORKING

Oh, and the adapters for the other tabs work, by the way!

WTF? Samsung have borked external mouse inputs with the #GalaxyTab7.7 - all buttons are mapped to right click? That's USB AND bluetooth...

@onslaught86 not yet eh, but typing on a physical keyboard is so nice! Who needs a dock for a transforming tablet eh?

Ta-dah! lockerz.com/s/173685010

Man, my iGo Stowaway BT keyboard is awesome with the 7.7!

OK, #GalaxyTab7.7 fully charged, about to go get stupid proprietary connections, then the fun can begin!

AndroidNZ: Sandisk 64GB Micro SDXC cards confirmed WORKING in Galaxy Tab 7.7 bit.ly/oQudPY

Haven't done yet, will give them a whirl.

K999rrl said:

Thanks for your review!
I would like to know is reading on a 7.7 inch screen comfortable? I have to read a lot of journal article n it's amazing on the iPad bt I hate going on to web without flash dat is my main reason for change. Transformer was my 1st choice but the wifi issues really put me off.
Can it play full 1080p video? And how is the battery life?
Also does anyone knows when will it gt ics?
Sorry for all these questions lol

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No problems with 1080p playback.

Too early to say much about battery life.

7.7 inch screen is comfortable, you can always pinch zoom and reflow to make reading comfortable in the browser.

No solid timeframe on ICS yet, Samsung have said after the Note and SGSII get it (they are scheduled for Q1, so several months away at least).

Hard to say, they are really very different devices because of their size. If you can give me a fairly detailed description of the most important experiences you want from a tablet I can tell you which is likely to suit you best.

reiththestud said:

I've heard the international gsm version doesn't have the ir port, since you have the wifi only version, can you confirm if it had the ir port? Also, where did you buy it?

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The international WiFi one does NOT have the IR port/transmitter.

reiththestud said:

So this is the question I'm facing. Is it worth paying the import price or should I wait for the 7 inch Transformer Prime for $250, or the onslaught of other cheap tablets that are on the way. How worthwhile is that SAMOLED screen?

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The screen is amazing, but if you can wait until 2nd quarter then I think the 7inch Prime is the one to get (if it's display is as good as the current Prime's it will still be very good, but you'll get unbeatable update speed from ASUS, and current-gen hardware).

EarlZ said:

Meh, I thought this topic was open to Q/A

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It is Earlz, apologies for not getting back earlier.

To my eyes the screen is amazing, but I know that you're up there with the likes of Supercurio when it comes to analysing the minutiae of display characteristics. That being the case I don't feel particularly able to advise you on it. EDIT: Downloading your test images from XDA now Earlz.

Also, please try and remember that I'm a regular dude with a full time job and a family, this is a hobby, so sometimes it'll take a few days to get back to people.

Anyways, more info:

First part of the review is away!

http://www.androidnz.net/2012/02/galaxy-tab-77-real-user-review-part-1.html#more

More to follow over the coming couple of weeks...

Unboxing vid here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjDO3xWdwlc

Will check that out when I get home.

Tried the test images last night but the computer seems to have grabbed them in low quality and there are defects in the images themselves which I'm guessing won't be there on the full images (I know they're image defects because they rotate with the image and their size alters with re-sizing the image). Will advise once I get the full quality test images.