Even though Samsung Electronics has a vast family of media tablets to offer, until recently the company has not provided a slate that would be able to directly compete against Apple iPad mini with 7.9” screen launched last October. This month, Samsung finally revealed Galaxy Note 8.0, which not only offers 8” display, but also comes with a number of enhancements.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is powered by Samsung Exynos quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz as well as Google Android 4.1.2 operating system. The tablet is equipped with 8” multi-touch display with 1200*800 resolution, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of integrated NAND flash storage, 5MP main camera, 1.2MP front-facing camera, microSDHC card slot and so on. The slate weighs just 338 grams.

“Back in 2010 the launch of the first Samsung Galaxy Tab with 7” screen opened a new chapter in the mobile industry. Now almost three years later, Samsung continues to evolve the sector that meets the demands of modern life. The Galaxy Note 8.0 breaths fresh life into the category as it delivers the perfect fusion of portability and everyday productivity - the result is a pioneering, pocket-sized solution that enhances and enriches our everyday lives, whether at work or play,” said JK Shin, president of the IT & mobile communications division at Samsung Electronics.

Just like other Galaxy Note-series devices, the tablet supports multi-window options to split the  screen and allow optimal access to a number of live applications; a new generation of Samsung’s intelligent S Pen with advanced usability; access to a suite of S Note templates and tools that allow you to create, edit, manage and share everyday documents; the Samsung “reading mode” technology to enjoy e books with optimized resolution, video and voice calls.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is packed with pre-loaded content and apps specifically for the value maximizing, mass multimedia consumer. Upgraded Chat-On provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in multiple formats – images, video, voice, contacts – for simple, enjoyable communication. Awesome Note, an integrated application that is introduced in Android tablet for the first time with Note 8.0, is capable of unlimited note-taking uses including Memo, Diary and Must-remember lists. With Flipboard, news, social network and other feeds come together in one stylish, flippable format so one can enjoy all your news and life’s great moments in one place. Flipboard developed a customized version of its application exclusively for Samsung that allows users to take the S Pen’s hover feature and preview article headers beneath Flipboard's main screen tiles. Finally, Smart Remote, provides a universal remote control and electronic programming guide allowing to manage TV and video watching seamlessly.

Samsung to start shipments of Galaxy Note 8.0 in Q2 2013.

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy, Galaxy Note, Exynos, Apple, iPad, Galaxy Tab, Android, Google