Samsung shows off Android-powered Galaxy Tab 8.9

Samsung hosts an event in New York to show off its Galaxy Tab 8.8 tablet. Until we land a review, revisit our first experience with the tablet from CTIA 2011.

Kent German Former senior managing editor / features

Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).

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Kent German

Sept. 26, 2011 3:15 p.m. PT

Watch this: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1

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Samsung is holding an event tonight in New York City to show off its new Galaxy Tab 8.9 Android tablet. Billed as one of the world's "thinnest tablets" when it was first introduced back in March at CTIA 2011, the Tab 8.9 measures just 0.34 inches deep (the iPad 2 is 0.35 inches deep) and has a solid, premium feel.

Features are similar to the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but on a smaller scale. Inside you'll find Android 3.1 Honeycomb, a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera, Samsung's Media and Reader Hubs, access to music downloads, a virtual keybaord with Swype, Polaris Office, media sharing, a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video calls, a dual-core processor, 1080p HD video playback, and a WXGA (1,280x800) touch screen.

The device also has Samsung's new TouchWiz UX for tablets, which includes a photo editor, a quick panel for accessing connectivity options and notifications, advance cut and paste functionality, a magazine-like widget for access to weather and e-mail, and a shortcut menu overlay for quick access to priority features.

Availability for the U.S. market begins October 2, but we do know that the 16GB edition will carry a $469 price tag and the 32Gb version will cost $569. Samsung also unveiled an LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 8.9 last month, but no carrier support has been announced just yet.

We should have a review model in the next few days. In the meantime, though, you can check out Bonnie Cha's hands-on photo galleries and video form CTIA.