Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 announced: it can place calls, launching in Q2

S Pen included

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 announced: it can place calls, launching in Q2. Samsung, Galaxy Note 8.0, Tablets 0

Mobile World Congress 2013 kicks-off Monday, but that hasn't stopped Samsung from getting things rolling. The South Korea-based company has officially announced its Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet, after months of rumours.
Samsung has packed the 8-inch tablet with a 1,280 x 800 TFT display (189PPI) matching the Note 10.1's resolution, 1.6GHz A9 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 5-megapixel rear-camera, 1.3-megapixel front-camera, HPSA+21, 32GB of internal storage, and 4,600mAh battery. It sits at 210.8mm x 135.9mm, and as you can tell from the press shots, there seems to be a lot of bezel.
Like most of its Galaxy line-up, Samsung has included its S Pen stylus. Samsung says removing the S Pen from the holster on the side of the tablet will launch adapted menus to make browsing easier. Furthermore, a new feature called Air View allows users to hover over the screen to preview videos, emails, and photos without opening the file or application in full.
The S Pen for the Note 8.0 can control the physical menu/back buttons on the device with WACOM technology. Basically, you can use the S Pen to touch the capacitive buttons, which once only responded to a finger's touch.

Samsung has yet to share pricing and availability for the Note 8.0, but from the sounds of its announcement, there will be both a Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G model. The latter will feature Samsung's phone app thanks to the HSPA+21 (no LTE) on-board. Yes folks, you'll be able to make a call on your 8-inch tablet.
Taking HTC's approach, there is also an IR Blaster on-board the 8-inch tablet, allowing users to launch Samsung's Smart Remote app and control their TV. A TV Discovery application is also provided for show listings.
Lastly, Samsung has announced a new “reading mode” technology specifically for the Note 8.0 that optimizes eBooks at a resolution so users eyes aren't strained. News/social media app Flipboard will also come preloaded.
The Galaxy Note 8.0 was almost inevitable as Samsung looks to take on the iPad mini, Kindle Fire, and other Android tablets on the market. It's a bit of a cross between the company's Galaxy S III, Note II, and Note 10.1.
Samsung says the Note 8.0 will ship internationally in Q2 with Android 4.2.1, and of course, TouchWiz.
Pocket-lint will be live at Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona to bring you the latest from the trade-show floor. We expect to go hands-on with the new Note 8.0 very soon.

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