Verizon to ship Samsung's Galaxy Tab Nov. 11th

According to Computerworld, Verizon will ship the Samsung Galaxy Tab starting on November 11th for $599.99. The Galaxy Tab is a 7" tablet that runs Android 2.2, and it includes both WiFi and 3G CDMA wireless interfaces. Verizon will sell the Galaxy Tab without a contract, with month-to-month data service starting at $20 for 1GB.

I can understand why Verizon is following the same unsubsidized model as Apple uses for the iPad, but the Galaxy Tab is a poor value at $600. Consider that the 16 GB 3G iPad is only $30 more--$629--and it has a bigger screen and access to a much bigger catalog of apps. Also, Google itself says that Android 2.2 isn't designed for tablets, and only gave Samsung access to the Google apps and Android Market through a "special dispensation". The Galaxy Tab will be able to be upgraded to Gingerbread, Android 3.0, which will support tablets, but not until next year.

Verizon would sell a lot more Galaxy Tabs if it offered the same model for $399.99 on a 2-year data-only contract as well as $599.99 unsubsidized.