After announcing the Tab some time ago, Korean manufacturer Samsung has unveiled it. It is also the latest in a growing trend towards iPadesque tablet devices.

However unlike the iPad, this one can make telephone calls as well as play flash video. Other multimedia features such as photo messaging are also available.

The Galaxy Tab has a 7 inch 1024 x 768 resolution TFT display which runs Android 2.2 underneath a Samsung interface.  Hardware specs include a 1GHz processor running proceedings and a dedicated graphics chip for gamin and apps.

The ability to make telephone calls is an interesting addition, although being large the Galaxy Tab is a reminder of the early mobile phones which were the size of bricks. Also interesting is the use of Swype software for quick typing.

Other features include a 3 megapixel camera with LED flash on the rear, as well as a 1 megapixel version on the front for some 3G video-calling. Video calling has been slow to take off; perhaps the Galaxy Tab will lead the way.

The device has caused something of a stir amongst reviewers, with the Omio website, who specialise in mobile phone deals declaring: “[It is] lighter, smaller and more versatile than Apple’s iconic iPad…it does a better job of convincing that a tablet device serves a genuine purpose in our lives, as well as serving as a compact multimedia powerhouse.”