Global electronics giant Samsung has added a business-orientated tablet computer to its already expansive line-up. Dubbed the Galaxy Tab Active, you’d be forgiven for thinking the device is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its rugged housing.
Aside from its butch protective cover, the most obvious difference between the Galaxy Tab Active and its siblings in the Galaxy Tab range is its removable 4 450mAh battery, a feature usually limited to handsets. Paulo Ferreira, Samsung Electronics SA’s head of enterprise mobility says the new tablet has been designed “specifically for professional-use”.
Before designing Galaxy Tab Active, Samsung says it quizzed Fortune 500 companies in a range of sector including retail, logistics and transportation, about their specific needs and incorporated this research into the final design.
The Galaxy Tab Active is available in a Wi-Fi only configuration or with Wi-Fi and support for 2G, 3G and LTE connectivity. It includes an NFC chip, GPS and an accelerometer, all packed in behind an 8-inch 1 280×800 pixel display. The tablet offers 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, which can be expanded by up to 64GB via a microSD slot. The device runs version 4.4 (KitKat) of Google’s Android operating system.
Samsung has fitted the Galaxy Tab Active with a fairly pedestrian 3.1-megapixel rear camera, but we can’t saw we’re particularly disappointed, as people using tablets to take photos still looks a tad silly in our opinion.
According to Samsung, the tablet’s anti-shock covering can withstand a 1.2-metre fall and it is water and dust resistant with IP67 certification. The company has also included a “C-Pen” that fits into the top of the protective cover so that it can be used even when wearing gloves.
The company has also included Samsung KNOX, which it calls its “defense-grade, comprehensive mobile security solution.” This, it says, allows businesses to keep applications and data safe without the need for a third-party platform.
Each Galaxy Tab Active includes an extended basic warranty period up to three years under Samsung’s Mobile Care Service. It’s not yet clear when the device will be available in South Africa, but expect it soon.
