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Android Software Technology

Samsung's Tab S4 Is Both An Android Tablet and a Desktop Computer (arstechnica.com) 63

Posted by BeauHD from the two-for-the-price-of-one dept.
Today, Samsung unveiled the successor to the Galaxy Tab S3 from last year. The aptly named Galaxy Tab S4 features a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card) and 13-megapixel f1.9 rear-facing camera. Unlike the Tab S3, it includes Samsung Dex software that lets users connect a Samsung mobile device to a monitor and then use the device as a pseudo-desktop. Ars Technica reports: The first Dex dock came out over a year ago and was designed to be used with Samsung smartphones. Users could plug their device into the dock, connect it to a monitor, pair a keyboard and a mouse, and use the setup as they would a full desktop PC. The system ran a version of Android that Samsung modified to better suit a desktop UI, which included a lock screen and a task bar area with app icons. Dex on the Galaxy Tab S4 works just like this, with a couple of extra features that leverage the power of a tablet. When connected to a monitor, both the big screen and the tablet's screen can be used simultaneously. In a short demo, Samsung showed how the device supports up to 20 open windows at once and how features like split screen and drag-and-drop can be used just as they would on a desktop PC. Users can launch Dex when not connected to a monitor as well, and that produces the same modified Android UI on the tablet's 10.5-inch, 2560 x 1600 Super AMOLED display. When connected to a monitor, both the big screen and the tablet's screen can be used simultaneously. In a short demo, Samsung showed how the device supports up to 20 open windows at once and how features like split screen and drag-and-drop can be used just as they would on a desktop PC. Users can launch Dex when not connected to a monitor as well, and that produces the same modified Android UI on the tablet's 10.5-inch, 2560x1600 Super AMOLED display. The tablet carries a $649 price, but includes all the specs mentioned above, as well as support for signature Samsung features like Air Command, translate, and off-screen memos, and a redesigned S Pen.
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Samsung's Tab S4 Is Both An Android Tablet and a Desktop Computer More

Samsung's Tab S4 Is Both An Android Tablet and a Desktop Computer

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  • nice (Score:4, Interesting)

    by zlives ( 2009072 ) on Wednesday August 01, 2018 @05:44PM (#57052684)

    lets try this yet again and see how it doesn't work.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Xenx ( 2211586 )
      Honestly, I think the bigger problem is that they didn't bother using a current gen SoC. It would be different if the 845 was just hitting the market, but even Samsung has had the s9 out for months already. They pulled the same crap with the previous gen tablet. You should be able to expect premium prices on outdated hardware.

      • Re:nice (Score:4, Interesting)

        by Tough Love ( 215404 ) on Wednesday August 01, 2018 @07:24PM (#57053216)

        I think the bigger problem is that they didn't bother using a current gen SoC.

        Absolute nonsense. This was already doable eight years ago with Xoom tablet, a fraction of the horsepower and memory of today's Tab. I am sure of this because I did it. Absolutely no issues with the hardware, the issues are all software: crappy mouse support, crappy cut and paste, near total absence of keyboard shortcuts, no draggable application windows, fucked up lame excuse for a task bar. Fix those and you could run full Libreoffice that same as your current desktop, not some crappy Android UI abomination.

        It's just astounding that these small software deficiencies haven't been fixed for eight years. Samsung could have done it at any time, that would have been truly epic. But now they are finally doing it, please don't fuck up.

        This unconscionable delay is mostly on lily liver Google. Smart People. Not.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Xenx ( 2211586 )
          I was saying the fact they're using last gen hardware in a current gen premium device is a bigger problem than the fact that they're trying to do the desktop replacement thing again. I'm not saying anything about the SoC having an impact on the desktop replacement or the quality of the desktop replacement.

          • Sure. I'm ok with it if they also give it a last gen price. That is, lower than original MSRP to reflect the lower build cost. It's not like we weren't already awash in a sea of mobile compute power two years ago.

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by Xenx ( 2211586 )
              I agree there. They want too much money for something that is mostly a last gen product with a slightly improved OS.
        • crappy mouse support, crappy cut and paste, near total absence of keyboard shortcuts, no draggable application windows, fucked up lame excuse for a task bar.

          You forgot to mention using stupid, half baked icons instead of drop-down hierarchical menus with text options for those of us who are not completely illiterate.

        • Comment removed based on user account deletion

          • I'd definitely recommend anyone considering a 2:1 "Android" solution to consider a 2:1 Chromebook instead.

            Again, Android table and even phone hardware is perfectly capable of full laptop replacement, this is a software problem, not hardware. You are right, ChromeOS will be the first to offer anything like a usable desktop environment. I don't have one of those so I don't know what state its in, but its a safe bet that NIH reigns supreme... Google will want its own home rolled window manager and in the process will make all the old familiar mistakes plus a bunch of new ones of its own. It will kinda work and lon

  • How many times can we fit "2560 x 1600 resolution" in a summary? Not that I don't admire the res. My first computer ran 128x48 simulated graphics resolution, or something like that? In black and white? So this is pretty cool but, "desktop" it sort've ain't prepared for.

    • wasnt that 96x48 or something? i remember 96 being vertical lines. but its been so long and i was so young i cant really remember.

  • What's the screen resolution and type again? (Score:4, Funny)

    by Brama ( 80257 ) on Wednesday August 01, 2018 @06:18PM (#57052874) Homepage

    This isn't clear from the obvious ad^W^Wpost!

  • Run GCC and have enough memory to compile its own Android OS. If not it is not a "real" computer.

  • The pricing is ridiculous (Score:4, Insightful)

    by guacamole ( 24270 ) on Wednesday August 01, 2018 @06:39PM (#57053014)

    I applaud Samsung for keeping the high end Android tablet products alive, but at 650USD (which is MSRP for base model), it's basically competing in the laptop territory. Moreover, would you spend this kind of money on a computer whose manufacturer does not guarantee updates after two years? (in fact, the first two years the updates can be also very spotty). Finally, considering the pricing, they could at least ship with with a 2018 SoC, instead of SD835 from 1.5 years ago.

    While Android tablets have their niche in computing, most people treat them as a toy or as a media consumption device for streaming video, and such price is simply ridiculous.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Xenx ( 2211586 )
      This tablet is overpriced for last gen hardware. But, the $600-700 price range for the market segment isn't completely absurd. A laptop/desktop replacement it isn't. It IS a media device. But, it's capable of performing light computer tasks. It's capable of playing games, You can read books, and watch TV on it. It's the jack of all trades. There are apps that work amazingly well on android/iOS that the web counterparts for PC are terrible in comparison. It's a more portable form factor. If you want to carry

      • A laptop/desktop replacement it isn't.

        It could be, just by adding a standard windowing interface. KDE would make the point. Actually, you don't need a screen dock at all, you just need three things: tablet stand; bluetooth mouse; bluetooth keyboard, and you can do it with any tablet. What sucks is the half-baked GUI. Please, I love Enlightment as a shiny toy, but let's not try to foist it off as a KDE replacement. Just bring up KDE on Android and that would be earthshaking. Microsoft would have a collective heart attack. What are you waiting fo

        • It could be, just by adding a standard windowing interface.

          No - you have completely missed the point - It could be if they cut out all this locked-down shite.
          A PC is when you can choose your own OS. Until then, it is just a noose for you to stick your head in.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by torkus ( 1133985 )

            Yes but...

            The major difference is keeping a closed ecosystem. Greatly reduces your attack vectors, simplifies patching, simplifies application management...etc. Oh, and it VASTLY simplifies use. Ask a user to wipe and scratch-load windows and they'll go to the GeekSquad or call one of us. As someone to wipe and reload iOS? Oh, that's 3 clicks and done. Even grandpa can do it.

            I get it...you want to load some esoteric Linux build on the tablet and so would a few thousand other people if they could. But

    • 2560 x 1600 is better than any laptop you can get for $650, but I agree, it's a bit much. $500 and we're talking.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by torkus ( 1133985 )

      The specs need a bump, but comparing to laptops is pointless.

      A decent new laptop typically costs less or similar to a current model phone. For the same $1k as the iPhone X you can buy a nice laptop. Hell, you could buy two decent ones, especially on sale...which...oh...never happens for cell phones except for BOGO (with service) type deals.

  • Trying to ask iPad Pro level prices for hardware thatâ(TM)s actually slower is going to go well

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Xenx ( 2211586 )
      Technically, the hardware is faster in the Samsung. I get your point, however, and you're only technically inaccurate. I'm not trying to claim the Samsung will be better. The iPad pro has better benchmarks than the 835. The key is, speed isn't everything in benchmarks. The 835 is clocked faster, but doesn't perform as well. Apple has better integration between hardware and software, and better optimization in the hardware. That all being said, real world performance doesn't care much about benchmarks. We've

  • ... a desert topping. No, it's a floor wax.

  • The Galaxy Tab S3 has a 6.6 amp battery, which happens to be the same size as the one in my phone, for a much larger screen. It doesn't last as long as I'd like. I hope the one in this is larger. And having a "laptop-class" machine at this price without a removable battery is unacceptable anyway.

    • Re:Battery? (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Tough Love ( 215404 ) on Wednesday August 01, 2018 @08:31PM (#57053556)

      having a "laptop-class" machine at this price without a removable battery is unacceptable anyway.

      Not true. Just about any current tablet battery will outlast just about any current laptop. For desktop replacement you run plugged in. Think Biz trip. I'm not speculating, I've done it regularly. Only the Android GUI sucks, not this way of using a tablet.

      Replaceable battery is another thing. It is common for a battery to die while the tablet is otherwise still perfectly usable. It better not be a big deal to replace it.

      If you are actually concerned about battery life, external batteries are awesome, cheap and effective. This is way better than shutting down the tablet to change the battery, which is theoretical anyway because replaceable batteries are already as dead as floppy disks and aren't coming back.

  • ...the whole unit turns into a cigarette/BBQ lighter!

  • tabtop
    or a desklet.

  • Instead of continuing to create more powerful and expensive tablets or phablets, Samsung needs to actually support 4K on DeX. When you have a bunch of your customers who buy your 4K monitors/TVs, but your docking station doesn't support 4K... um... that's a bit of a contradiction. Samsung really makes me say "WTF?" so often these days...

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