Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5-inch official with Android 8.1 in tow

The Galaxy Tab S4 isn't the only new tablet that Samsung announced today.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5-inch is now official. Just as its name suggests, it's got a 10.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1200. Rather than a Super AMOLED panel like in the Galaxy Tab S4, though, this Galaxy Tab A offers an LCD screen.

A focus of the Galaxy Tab A 10.5-inch is entertainment. In addition to the 10.5-inch 16:10 display, the device has four speakers with support for Dolby Atmos. There's also a Kids Mode that offers a child-friend user interface to help them learn and play. There are eight free apps aimed at kids included here, like Toca Hair Salon 3 and BRIO World - Railway, and parents can manage content and usage with Kids Mode, too. Also of note is a Multi User Mode that'll let family members each have their own account on a single Galaxy Tab A.

Samsung has pakced an octa-core Snapdragon 450 processor into this new Galaxy Tab A along with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, and a microSD card slot. There are 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras included here, too, along with a 7300mAh battery and Android 8.1 Oreo.

There's no word yet on when Samsung will launch the Galaxy Tab A. When it does arrive, it'll be available in Wi-Fi and LTE variants.

The new Galaxy Tab A looks like a more affordable, more kid-friendly tablet than Samsung's Galaxy Tab S4. It's good that Samsung is offering a lower-cost alternative to the Tab S4 considering how few new Android tablets are being released lately. This means that consumers who want an Android tablet but don't need a premium model like the Tab S4 still have another option in the new Tab A. 

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5-inch official with Android 8.1 in tow originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a high-end Android tablet with an S Pen included

There aren't many companies still making Android tablets nowadays, but Samsung is one of the companies that's doing just that, and today it introduced its latest Android tablet device.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a "premium tablet" that's aimed at helping users be productive like on a PC while on the go. Included is an S Pen stylus that can do things like translate and organize notes in the Samsung Notes app and quickly jot down notes while the screen is off with the Screen-Off Memo feature.

Another notable feature of the Galaxy Tab S4 is support for the Samsung DeX dock, making it the first Samsung tablet to support that feature. When attached to the Book Cover Keyboard or launched in the Quick Panel, Samsung DeX will switch from an Android UI to a desktop experience with multiple, resizable windows for Android apps. This mode will also let you drag and drop content between apps and use keyboard shortcuts and commands.

The Galaxy Tab S4 also offers the ability to connect its Samsung DeX functionality to an external monitor using an HDMI or USB-C multi-port adapter if the tablet's 10.5-inch 2560x1600 Super AMOLED display isn't big enough for your needs. In this mode, you can use the Galaxy Tab S4 as a track pad, a sketch pad, or as a fully functional Android tablet.

When it comes to raw specs, the Galaxy Tab S4 is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor paired with 4GB of RAM. There are models with 64GB and 256GB of built-in storage, but no matter which you choose, you'll have a microSD card slot to add more storage if you need it. There are 13MP rear and 8MP front cameras included on the Tab S4 along with a 7300mAh battery with fast charging support.

Other notable features of the Galaxy Tab S4 include USB-C, POGO, an iris scanner, the aforementioned 10.5-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and four speakers tuned by AKG. On the software side, Samsung has loaded the Galaxy Tab S4 with Android 8.1.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 will launch in the U.S. on August 10th, with pricing starting at $649.99 for the Wi-Fi 64GB model and going up to $749.99 for the Wi-Fi 256GB version. An LTE-enabled model will be sold by Verizon on August 10th followed by launches at U.S. Cellular and Sprint later in Q3 2018. If you'd like to pre-order a Galaxy Tab S4, you can do so at Best Buy and Samsung right now.

Samsung also plans to sell a Book Cover Keyboard for the Galaxy Tab S4 at a price of $149.99. If you pre-order the Tab S4 from Samsung before August 9th, though, you'll have the option of buying the Book Cover Keyboard for 50 percent off.

We haven't seen many new Android tablets lately, so it's good to see Samsung offering a new model for consumers that want one. It is kind of disappointing that Samsung decided to go with last year's Snapdragon 835 processor in the Galaxy Tab S4 rather than the newer Snapdragon 845, but the upgrade from a 6000mAh battery in the Tab S3 to the 7300mAh battery in the Tab S4 is a welcome change. 

What do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4? Does this high-end Android tablet interest you?

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Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a high-end Android tablet with an S Pen included originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Facebook is making its first serious move to monetize WhatsApp

Facebook is getting serious about monetizing WhatsApp after the social network reported sluggish earnings growth last Wednesday. WhatsApp has rolled out three new ways for customers to connect quickly with businesses: a shortcut button to immediately start a conversation, the ability to have businesses send you information like a boarding pass on WhatsApp, and real-time support, the company said today.

At the same time, Facebook will now display ads of businesses that link out to WhatsApp. That means that businesses can purchase ads that lead people directly to an already loaded chat with the business on WhatsApp, and they can start talking from there. Businesses can respond to customers for free if they answer within 24 hours but...

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Facebook is making its first serious move to monetize WhatsApp appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Amazon discounts LG's budget Galaxy Note rival on Prime

If you're on the hunt for a budget Galaxy Note competitor, look no further than Amazon Prime. The LG Stylo 4 is the latest smartphone to join Prime's exclusive phone lineup, and at $250, it's a lot easier on your wallet than LG's V35 ThinQ or the Moto Z3 Play.

Via: The Verge

Source: Amazon

Amazon discounts LG's budget Galaxy Note rival on Prime posted first on https://www.engadget.com

YouTube Music is about to get a lot better

YouTube Music launched in May to mixed reviews. Even though its song catalog matches Apple Music and Spotify's (in addition to millions of videos pulled from YouTube) it arrived missing some essential features. Something as simple as sorting out your saved albums alphabetically, for example, isn't an option. You also can't browse by genre or easily see new albums from the week. But Google, which will replace Play Music with YouTube Music, is aware of these shortcomings and plans to address them soon.

YouTube Music is about to get a lot better posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Snapchat's new Lenses respond to your voice not your face

Today, Snapchat announced that it is rolling out a new set of Lenses that will respond to your voice. There's no need to make a facial gesture, like an eyebrow raise or sticking your tongue out, to activate these. Simply say one of the recognized English words, like "Hi," "Love" or "Wow," and the Lenses will animate. These Lenses will begin appearing today in a global rollout.

Snapchat's new Lenses respond to your voice not your face posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Strava's new fitness membership program includes customizable 'packs'

Today, Strava launched a new membership service called Summit, which is a replacement for Strava Premium. The company is introducing new fitness packs that members can purchase individually or together, based on their own custom goals. If you are already a Strava Premium member, you will retain access to the features you've paid for at the same price.

Strava's new fitness membership program includes customizable 'packs' posted first on https://www.engadget.com