Samsung Galaxy Tab For US Cellular Launching November 19th For $399
While Verizon and AT&T may be opting to keep the Galaxy Tab as contract-free devices, it looks like US Cellular is taking a bit of a different route. The company has just officially announced that the Galaxy Tab, the tablet device from Samsung, will be heading to their network beginning November 19th. The first thing that some may notice is the distinct difference in pricing for the US Cellular version, versus the competition's. You'll have a two year contract to thank for that.
However, US Cellular is doing something interesting. They're calling it "no contract after the first." It's part of the carrier's Belief Project, which will let customers purchase the tablet for only $399, after they sign the two-year agreement, but they'll never have to sign another one after that. You'll be able to still use the Tab, as well as the data connection tied to it, but you won't be obligated, or coerced, into signing a new two-year contract, if you don't want to.
You'll be able to connect to the Internet, and download applications, courtesy of integrated WiFi, or use US Cellular's network. You're still getting the 7-inch display, the 1GHz processor under the hood, and Android 2.2. You'll also get Samsung's Media Hub, which will let you download movies, and other media, right from the device. Data plans start at $14.99, and will get you 200MB per month. Or, you can opt in for the $54.99 plan, which will give you 5GB per month. Check out the full press release below, and be prepared for the November 19th launch date.
Press Release
SAMSUNG GALAXY TABTM AVAILABLE TO U.S. CELLULAR CUSTOMERS IN STORES AND AT USCELLULAR.COM ON NOVEMBER 19
With "no contract after the first" from The Belief Project, customers can purchase the mobile tablet for $399 with a two-year contract and never have to sign another one
CHICAGO (November 15, 2010) – Holiday shoppers who want to get a head start on their gifts can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Tab from U.S. Cellular beginning Friday, Nov. 19. The carrier's first mobile tablet will retail for $399 after a $100 mail-in rebate and two-year contract.
The Galaxy Tab's large 7-inch touchscreen creates a web browsing experience that is more like a PC and the vibrant graphics and 1 GHz processor deliver games with dazzling clarity. It's loaded with Samsung's Media Hub, a single source for buying and watching movies and TV shows that are optimized to fit the brilliant display. The Galaxy Tab can also be a convenient e-reader with free downloadable applications from Kindle and Nook. It's a world of information and entertainment that is still small enough to hold in one hand.
Customers can access data on their Galaxy Tab via Wi-Fi or on U.S. Cellular's high-speed nationwide network. The carrier offers two rate plans that are tailored to match how often customers will use Wi-Fi for their data needs. The $14.99 plan is ideal for customers who will use Wi-Fi most of the time and comes with 200 MB of monthly network data usage on U.S. Cellular's network for those occasions when Wi-Fi isn't available. Customers who don't want to rely on a Wi-Fi connection can select U.S. Cellular's $54.99 plan, which provides 5GB of network data usage and can turn the Galaxy Tab into a mobile hotspot for other Wi-Fi devices.
Customers who opt for the $54.99 plan will receive all the benefits of The Belief Project, U.S. Cellular's series of industry-leading initiatives designed to elevate the customer experience. All customers on a Belief Plan get automatic upgrades of their device at promotional prices every 18 months and get rewards just for being a customer that can be used for even faster upgrades.
"We're bringing tremendous value to our customers through The Belief Project, with plans to match how they use their devices and products they really want, all backed by innovative services that make their lives easier," said Edward Perez, vice president of marketing and sales operations for U.S. Cellular.
About the Samsung Galaxy Tab
The Galaxy Tab has a vibrant 7-inch WSVGA TFT touchscreen and is powered by a 1GHz Hummingbird Application processor. The device operates on the Android 2.2™ platform, with full support for Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 and access to the more than 100,000 applications available on the Android Market™. It features two cameras, a 3 megapixel camera on the back with autofocus and zoom, and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat. The AllShare application allows customers to send video, audio and pictures from their Galaxy Tab to other DLNA-enabled devices, like TVs and computers.
Avid readers can download the Kindle and Nook applications from the Android Market to take their favorite book titles everywhere they go. QuickOffice lets customers create, view and edit Microsoft Office files in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Adobe Acrobat support, making the Galaxy Tab a valuable tool for mobile professionals too. Everyone can use Google Mobile Services like Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™ and YouTube™. The Galaxy Tab is also preloaded with applications that turn it into an alarm clock, calendar and navigation system.
The Galaxy Tab comes with a virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology, allowing customers to input text quickly by sliding their finger over the keyboard in one continuous motion. It also features Samsung's Social Hub, an MP3 player and 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 3.0 and expandable memory up to 32GB.
About The Belief Project
Launched Oct. 1, The Belief Project recognizes customer loyalty with national bundled rate plans that offer customers the freedom to enjoy industry-leading benefits without signing continuous contracts – like automatic phone upgrades at promotional prices every 18 months that can be accelerated with points.
With "no contract after the first," new customers fulfill an initial two-year commitment and never have to sign another contract again. Existing customers who switch to the new Belief Plans can simply finish the remainder of their term without extending their current contract.
Customers automatically get valuable rewards just for being a customer that can be used for faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 months. Rewards can also be used to get additional lines, phones, accessories and ringtones.
The Belief Project also includes the industry's only Phone Replacement program. If a customer's phone accidentally breaks or stops working, U.S. Cellular replaces it with the same or similar model at no additional cost. Customers also can save up to 5 percent on their monthly plans for setting up autopay and paperless billing.
These innovative initiatives were developed to address consumers' common frustrations with wireless, elevate the customer experience and create a human relationship, not a contractual one. For more information about The Belief Project, visit uscellular.com.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular is committed to fixing wireless one project at a time. The Chicago-based carrier, named one of Forbes Magazine's 2010 "Most Trustworthy Companies," recently unveiled The Belief Project, a series of industry-first, innovative solutions designed to elevate the customer experience. The Belief Project complements U.S. Cellular's growing catalog of cutting-edge phones, all backed by its high-speed nationwide network. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.