Skip to main content

Android 3.0 “Honeycomb” to leave Galaxy Tab behind?

Although many parts of the Android world are still waiting for Android 2.2 “Froyo” and other parts are already gnoshing on Android 2.3 “Gingerbread,” a report in PC Magazine claims that Android 3.0 “Honeycomb”—a forthcoming version of Android more tailored to tablet devices—may require a dual-core Cortex A9 processor and even a 1,280 by 720 screen resolution. If true, it means the only chipset in production right now that meets the requirements is Nvidia’s Tegra 2 platform—and that many existing Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab would be left in the dust once Honeycomb hits the streets. Also left behind: pretty much every Android smartphone on the market.

The article quotes Bobby Cha, managing director of Enspert, a South Korean consumer electronics firm.

Samsung has previously implied that its Galaxy Tab products won’t be upgradable beyond Android 2.3 “Gingerbread,” although the company has not made any official announcements. The tablet only went on sale in the United States at the end of October, 2010.

Google has revealed few details of what it plans for Android 3.0 “Honeycomb,” although last month the company showed a tablet device from Motorola running an early version of the operating system and a focus applications that require a good deal of real estate. If Google is indeed focusing Honeycomb on high-resolution, processor-endowed tablet devices, the company may be getting ready to divide the Android marketplace into two classes: smartphones and less-capable tablets (like the Samsung Galaxy Tab) and premium, high-resolution tablets more able to compete with the likes of the Apple iPad, offering higher screen resolution and Android 3.0 “Honeycomb.”

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Read more
Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

Read more