Verizon Galaxy Tab Updated, But Not To HoneycombVerizon Galaxy Tab Updated, But Not To Honeycomb

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

When the Galaxy Tab shipped from all four major U.S. carriers in November 2010, it came with Android 2.2 Froyo installed. Google didn't announce Android 3.0 Honeycomb until several weeks later. Android 2.2 is meant more for smartphones, while Android 3.0 is optimized for tablets.

Verizon is offering a significant platform upgrade for its variant of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, but it's not the one users are likely hoping for. Rather than install Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the system update instead fixes a number of bugs and makes a handful of improvements to the browser and non-Gmail email application.

First, some changes are being applied to the Android browser. In addition to a speed boost, Verizon said that searching for Wi-Fi networks will no longer drain the battery. Adobe's Flash Player Mobile 10.1 also sees an update, which should make for better in-browser playback. The end result will be smoother Web browsing with fewer video-related hiccups.

As for the email program, hyperlinks can now be accessed directly within email messages. For those looking to keep their email chains better organized, the time viewed in the Tab's status bar will now reflect that of the most recent email received in a given thread. The email program will now handle Microsoft Word 2000 - 2003 files, as well as allow users to open video attachments greater than 5 MB and send more than one contact card in a single message.

Two other changes included in the update should make business users happy when on the road. First, the second alarm clock will still sound even if the first alarm clock has been snoozed. This might help some pros avoid being late for meetings. Second, time zone support has been fixed in the calendar, meaning that events in the calendar will display accurately no matter what time zone the user is in.

As for Honeycomb, there's no word that the 7.0-inch Galaxy Tab will ever be upgraded to the newer Android platform. At this point, don't count on it. Samsung has already moved on, and is preparing Honeycomb-equipped 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch Tabs. Also, Verizon Wireless has followed Sprint's lead and dropped the Tab's price to just $200 with a data plan. That means it is looking to clear inventory.

With Android 2.2 Froyo, the 7-inch Galaxy Tab feels more like a giant phone than a tablet.

Directions for the download are available from Verizon's support site.