Tabletopia: A look at Smart's upcoming tablet devices

MANILA, Philippines - Slates, pads, tablets – whatever you may call them, it’s clear that this newest genre of mobile devices is taking over the tech scene and it’s doing it in style.

Last year, Smart Communications Inc. introduced its first tablet offering, the seven-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000. It was an instant hit especially since it came with an unlimited data plan, the first and only one of its kind in the Philippines.

Today, however, as the demands and the tastes of the average mobile Netizen become more complex, more capable devices are in order. And never one to be left behind by the newest tech trends, Smart will start prescribing the latest tablets this August.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9

Samsung is once again pitting its newest tablet creations into the Philippine gadget scene. Simply called the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 (the numbers refer to their respective screen sizes measured in inches), these slinky new slates will come installed with Android 3.0 “Honeycomb” which is designed specifically for tablet devices.

To differentiate itself from the competition, Samsung is throwing in its proprietary TouchWiz UX user interface to give users a unique touch-screen experience that only the Korean giant could give.

Both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 8.9 are exclusively available from Smart until October.

HTC Flyer

Take mobile computing to the next level with the HTC Flyer. It has all the nifty niceties you could ask for from a tablet such as a fast 1.5GHz processor and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, thanks to its operating system, Android 2.3 “Gingerbread”.

If that’s not enough, though, the Flyer ups the ante by including a “Magic Pen.” Unlike a regular stylus, the Magic Pen lets you write on “everything you see.” This makes it easier to send personalized invites or to sign documents like you would on actual paper.

BlackBerry PlayBook

Designed by Canada-based smartphone company Research In Motion (RIM), the PlayBook is touted to be the first “professional-grade” tablet given its PC-like multi-tasking capabilities.

Measuring just 0.4 inches thin, the PlayBook packs in a beefy 1GHz dual core processor and 1GB of RAM, giving it the perfect combination of speed, reliability, and portability that makes a rich mobile Internet experience possible.

What’s more, the PlayBook comes with a front-facing camera which can be used for video-chatting with other PlayBook users via Wi-Fi for free. You can also view your e-mail, BlackBerry Messenger messages, calendar, and address book from your BlackBerry smartphone with the help of BlackBerry Bridge.

Keep posted on Smart’s latest tablet offers by logging on to www.smart.com.ph or by joining Smart’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications.