Samsung Introduces Galaxy Tab 2 (7 inch) - Slashes Price To $249

[Babyfacemagee]

Samsung was pretty aggressive in being the first tablet manufacturer to come out with a competing slate after the iPad rebirthed the tablet segment over two years ago now.  The original Galaxy Tab was a 7 inch tab running Android and many derided it as an uncompelling choice when stacked up against the iPad.  But despite the naysayers it developed a following.  No, perhaps it didn't set the world on fire but it really laid the groundwork for all the other electronics manufacturers...the Motorolas, Sonys and Toshibas of the world to enter the Android tablet world as well as Samsung introducing its other follow up models such as the successful Galaxy Tab 10.1. 

Well almost two years has passed now since that original introduction of the Galaxy Tab and Samsung has since introduced at least two other 7 inch models including the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and the recently introduced Galaxy Tab 7.7, a step up model featuring a better screen and faster processor, not to mention Ice Cream Sandwich.   This new tab, however is pricey ($500+) and when you add in Apple's price drop of their iPad 2 to $399 recently after the introduction of their third generation iPad, we've been waiting to see how Samsung would deal with these aggressive prices, especially since one of the things that many complained about the original Galaxy Tab, even if they did like the 7 inch form factor, was the price which was frequently pushing $500 unless you signed up for a two year contract in which case you still had to fork over between $200-$300.   

Well we're happy to say that Samsung has heard your price cries and the new Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch tablet will cost only $249, which will put it in striking distance of the $199 Kindle Fire while offering a full Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich experience as well as both front and rear cameras, a microSD card slot and IR Blaster capability to use your tab as a remote control for most popular tvs and cable boxes.  Other specs include a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 PLS TFT display and the tab coming in at 10.5mm thin and weighing in at 345 grams, or about 0.76 pounds.  The Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch tab along with its big brother the Galaxy Tab 10.1 2 will start shipping on April 22nd.