galaxy tab Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), with ICS

[Muhammad Farrukh]

It looks like

Samsung

has just taken the wraps off its latest tablet offerings, with the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) -- an ICS-laced follow-up to the company's

original seven-incher

. Available in both 3G and WiFi varieties, this redux doesn't mark a huge departure from its predecessor, packing a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a 1024 x 600 LCD. The big changes, however, come in the software department, with the Galaxy Tab 2 shipping with

Android 4.0

straight out of the box. Other than that, you'll find a three-megapixel rear-facing camera, a VGA shooter up front, Bluetooth capabilities, and HSPA+ connectivity. No word yet on pricing or availability, but it's worth noting that we first saw this announcement hit Samsung's RSS feed earlier this morning, and it appears to have been pulled since then. It all looks awfully official to us, but when it becomes

officially

official, we'll be sure to update this post accordingly. Until then, be sure to head past the break for a shot of its backside.

Update

: Samsung has just issued an official press release for today's announcement, specifying that the device will launch first in the UK, beginning in March. Price remains a mystery.

Samsung has outed its latest tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), the Ice Cream Sandwich successor to the original Galaxy Tab model from 2010. Built around a 7-inch 1024 x 600 PLS LCD display, the new Galaxy Tab 2 has a 1GHz dual-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM, along with WiFi and a 3-megapixel rear facing camera.

There are several signs that this is a budget model, targeting the entry-level in Samsung?s expansive tablet line-up. For a start, the main camera is fixed-focus, and has no LED flash; the front-facing camera, meanwhile, is VGA resolution rather than the more typical 1.3-megapixel or above. It?s also 10.5mm thick, not vast in the grand scheme of things, but still chubbier than other recent slates Samsung has produced.

That comparative heft is used to accommodate WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS and ? likely optional ? HSPA+ connectivity. There?s also either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, plus a microSD card slot for augmenting that. A 4,000 mAh battery rounds things out, though Samsung isn?t saying how long that should last for.

Software, meanwhile, is Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ? the first Samsung slate to come preloaded with ICS, it seems ? with TouchWiz modifications, the various content hubs, ChatON IM app, KIES Air and DLNA support. Pricing is unconfirmed, as is availability, though we?re assuming the Galaxy Tab 2 will be cheaper than the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.

SlashGear

Engadget

[Jebadiah]

Aww... where is the Retina tablet Samsung? All talk?

[.Neo]

Will the original Galaxy Tab be updated to ICS?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Will the original Galaxy Tab be updated to ICS?

No. Only the newer Galaxy Tabs running Android 3.x Honeycomb will be updated to ICS.

[FMH]

Real nice design. Is it metal or plastic?

And the screen resolution is underwhelming. It is the same, as the cheap Android tablets.

[.Neo]

No. Only the newer Galaxy Tabs running Android 3.x Honeycomb will be updated to ICS.

Nice one.

[Astra.Xtreme]

Wow, they really screwed themselves by pushing that out with such a bad resolution.