Ten-inch Galaxy Tab to get TouchWiz, other updates
The 10-inch model of Samsung's Galaxy Tab is due to receive a slew of updates soon, including the TouchWiz interface, more preloaded apps, and better mobile printing.
Owners of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1-inch tablet are in line to receive a host of updates, including the company's TouchWiz interface.
Promising that the updates are "coming soon," Samsung touted a list of the new features and enhancements on its Web site late last week.
One of the most significant updates will be the TouchWiz UX user interface for tablets. Initially designed for the company's mobile phones, TouchWiz offers a Live Panel, which gives people quick and customizable access to virtually any feature, including news, weather, and e-mail. A mini apps tray also provides immediate access to certain apps, such as the clock, calendar, and task manager.
TouchWiz throws in a clipboard for advanced cut/copy/paste functionality and an Indicator Quick Panel where users can quickly adjust the Wi-Fi, sound, brightness, and other settings.
Beyond TouchWiz, the update offers Swype, which lets people input text by swiping a finger around the screen. A new mobile printing feature promises to print wirelessly to any compatible printer.
Samsung is also including a variety of hubs, from which people can access specific types of content, such as media, music, e-mail, and books. The Media Hub, for example, lets people buy or rent movies and TV shows directly from the Tab.
Business users will also receive several features of value to both themselves and their IT departments, including on-device encryption and more robust authentication policies.
Finally, Samsung will be selling several accessories in line with the new update, such as a USB adapter/connection kit, an SD card adapter, and an HDMI dongle.
Certain owners of Samsung's 7-inch Galaxy Tab also now have some reason to cheer. Sprint has just kicked off the process of updating the 7-inch Tab to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Scheduled to occur over the next several days, the Gingerbread update will run over the air and include other improvements.
Updated 9:40 a.m. PT with notice of Gingerbread update for 7-inch Tab.