Samsung Galaxy Tab Now Available From Verizon WirelessSamsung Galaxy Tab Now Available From Verizon Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Tab Teardown

The Tab, which joins the Samsung Fascinate and Continuum in Verizon's lineup of Galaxy S devices, features a seven-inch display, Android 2.2, and dual cameras for video chats. It costs $599.99 with no subsidies, meaning people who choose to pay that price will own the Tab outright and not owe two years of their lives to Verizon Wireless.

Verizon is offering a month-to-month data plan, and not requiring a contract. Verizon previously announced a $20 monthly plan for the Tab that gives users 1GB of mobile data. The Tab also has Wi-Fi for free, non-metered browsing when at home or in the office.

In addition to the monthly plan, the Verizon variant of the Tab will ship with a number of Verizon-branded services on board. That includes, but is not limited to: V CAST Music and V CAST Song ID, VZ Navigator, Slacker Radio, Kindle for Android, Blockbuster On Demand, and a game called “Let’s Golf." The Tab will behave sort of like a phone, and allow for picture, text and video messaging -- but no CDMA-based voice calls.

“This is an incredible time in mobile technology, and as a company we’re excited to add the Samsung Galaxy Tab to our portfolio,” said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless in a prepared statement. “The Samsung Galaxy Tab brings together the reliability of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network and the power of Android 2.2 to deliver on our promise of providing consumers and business customers with a host of options to help manage their lives.”

Verizon competitor T-Mobile began selling the Galaxy Tab on November 10, and Sprint and AT&T are launching the Tab soon. AT&T has yet to set pricing details for the Galaxy Tab, though a leaked internal memo suggests that AT&T is seeking $649 for the Tab. AT&T's $649 price would be subsidy-free, and won't require a contract. The same memo indicates that AT&T will offer the same data plans to the Tab as it does to Apple's iPad: $14.99 monthly for 250MB or $25 monthly for 2GB.

AT&T has yet to officially confirm pricing and availability of the Tab.

Sprint and T-Mobile are each charging $400 for the Tab with a contract, and $600 for the tab with no contract.