Samsung's iPad-killer uses iPad-a-like chip

Here is the news: Samsung is making a tablet device based on the self-same processor as used within the iPhone -- and this creature’s gonna run Android.

Thats’ a bit deal, particularly since I can still recall those heady hours this morning when I spent a little time chortling at Microsoft VP Steven Guggenheimer saying he still isn’t certain tablet PCs will become a “unique segment” in the global PC market. Poor old MSFT, eh?

Poor old AAPL too, maybe, as news that Samsung has been learning a thing or two as it churns out those processors for the iPad (and next week’s iPhone?) Based on a reference design from ARM, Apple’s chips are tweaked for performance and more.... but Samsung’s getting into this game. Oh, and including a front side camera in its 7-inch tablet.

See what you’re seeing in the pic about is a giant version of Samsung’s rather nice Galaxy S phone, as posted by the official Twitter page for Samsung SA. (Which called it ‘Samsung Galaxy Tab, fact fans).

The Korea Times reports that the Samsung's Galaxy S Android phone will launch in an incredible 110 countries.

The Galaxy S has a 5 mega pixel camera and Samsung Galaxy S measures at 64.2X122.4X9.9mm and weighed at only 118 grams. What's more: it has great codec support and is capable of playing MP3, WAV, eAAC+, AC3 and FLAC audio files and MP4, DivX, WMV, H.264 and H.263 video files.

So Waddooweknow ‘bout the giant version?

• It runs Android with TouchWiz UI,
• Has 3G
• Has a front-facing camera
• Has 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Has “Phone” icon so may make calls
• Has a 7-inch high-res TFT screen.

Engadget has suggested the tablet will have an AMOLED display and access to Samsung's App Store as Google doesn't currently allow its Android Marketplace to be used on Android-powered tablets.

Most important, the Samsung Galaxy S will use essentially the same processor as the iPhone 4/HD and iPad, a (now Apple-owned) Intrinsity-built Hummingbird S5PC110, according to Fortune.

Life really is getting complicated at Apple these days.

Via BGR and SamsungHub