Hmm, in practice it isn't 'or'. It is a balance between those. If I start my application manager on N900 and select 'all' I am confronted with tons of programs. I get themes, locales, I get 'daemon' and 'UI' versions. All stuff I really do not care about, and it has disengaged my lust to go through the list.

For sure

Makes sense. But a school should have a dumb terminal with Internet access available for you, the customer.

You can get the same functionality by SSHing into a Debian machine, or using say NX to get a remote X Window desktop. WiFi on a N8x0 would be suffice for this.

Given most people in Western society have an always-on connection they could easily run some embedded hardware and have 24/7 access to this. A SheevaPlug, for example, costs only $100.

Yeah, but as I said it's different for each use case. For example, running that configuration means increased power consumption at home (or rather my fiancee's apartment nowadays).

It also assumes that I have a constant connection to the internet (*cough* take the DC Metro system *cough*). And what I meant by school is not the school's system, but my own systems I use for doing school work so it's not something they could provide anyway.

Anyway, the Maemo platform is a bit unique since its main problem (outside of Nokia's failure to support it) is a small userbase from being locked into one manufacturer (and also one device). With that you'll have less interest from commercial developers and its often easier to port or use an optimize app as a non-commercial developer than to redo an application's UI for the device. Heck, I'm surprised we got Angry Birds before Android did. At this point the only commercial benefit for developing for Maemo would be developing in QT (for future compatibility to Symbian and Meego).

Anyway, back on topic (on Apps). True but themes, locales, daemons (well I would argue daemons are often just as useful as apps but that's IMO) are just a subset of apps. Out of the entire Android market, even if the UI isn't optimized for the Samsung Tab, there are going be useful applications that can be used until a suitable replacement comes along. Then as developers either update their app, or competitors come along, you then get optimized Android apps for a tablet form factor. And unlike the Maemo platform, Android has the environment for that to happen.

Though interestingly Google has pretty much said that 2.2 is not for tablets, and that any tablets coming out now (using 2.2) will not have marketplace access. The Tab sneaks on by since its not considered a tablet by Google (screen size wise). So they are aware of the whole optimization issue.

It has been confirmed that the Tab will get Android v3, which should satisfy the 'tablet' requirement. However, I think this is silly as the UI should be a modular component, separate from the core OS. In this way, the latest apps have the latest UI, and the OS can specialize in doing what it does best -- interfacing with the hardware.

In any case, the Tab will have a rich repository of existing apps and access to future apps as well. As this system is designed as a user-friendly system, it's great for the tinkerer and casual user alike.

I personally would rather not pour much time into getting my system working, which is a benefit in tow with the Android armada. However, I *do* like the option of tinkering if I can see direct value in it (ie. CLI app/script -- which I *often* use). It is also nice to see a mix of free and closed apps (ie. games) readily available.

My other specifications are somewhat hardware related: I need something that lasts a long time away from a plug (smartphone-esque sleeping works really well in this regard), is supremely portable (thin, small and light), has WAN capability (I don't have a smartphone to tether, nor do I want one), has a useful resolution (netbook res is minimum), and good build quality/hardware. I find that the Tab is the only device that meets this criteria spot-on.

I'm still hoping for an X client for Android (and something tells me that this will happen), as I could forego a laptop completely with my BT keyboard (+ BT mouse?) and Ubuntu netbook edition running within Android for quick productivity on the go. The local VNC will have to do for the time being. Perhaps I can use Android alone as a thin client for this -- I haven't tried this, though it seems feasible.

There's a live blog event by Samsung going on NOW:
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsun...-event-livebog

I just read a post (7:06 ET) that a WiFi only version of the tab will be available! I don't know if it's true, but if it is, this is great for the masses that don't want 3G!

Galaxy Tab is coming to ALL major US carriers this year.. Adobe is now on the stage...

http://www.androidcentral.com/samsun...mobile-verizon

Heavy flash sites are reported to run quite well on the hardware. A demo of JK Rowlings website was demoed along with a 'heavy' flash site.

Adobe Air games are supposedly looking great as well!

They're doing a live-test of video chat using QIK. The results look 'very nice'.

It's confirmed a WiFi only version of the TAB is coming!!! Great for those that love the Samsung quality, but hate the idea of another 3G device.
http://www.androidcentral.com/wifi-o...axy-tab-coming

They are showcasing DLNA for the Tab, nothing really spectacular, but a very nice feature still.

They're talking about media hub, and that it can be shared with up to five devices. There will be next day TV episodes available for purchase, and instant playback without requiring full file to download.

It's confirmed to be 3G only, including on Sprint.