Samsung Galaxy Tab coming to Sprint on November 14

I am satisifed with my Apple iPad as a tablet device that I use for media consumption, couch surfing, and ebook reading, but as a gadget freak I am open to new devices as well. Sprint just announced that their Samsung Galaxy Tab model will be coming to the Sprint network on 14 November for $399.99 and you can pre-order now by purchasing a $50 Sprint gift card. The $399.99 is for a new two-year plan with two data plan options, 2GB for $29.99 per month and 5GB for $59.99 per month. You can buy this model Galaxy Tab with no contract for $599.99.

I already pay Sprint $79.99 for my HTC EVO 4G and another $29.99 per month for the WiFi hotspot feature and I wish there was just a WiFi only option. However, I do see that the Samsung Galaxy Tab does include support for acting as a mobile hotspot to share connectivity via WiFi for up to five devices. This would be through a 3G connection rather than the 4G connection I can get with my EVO 4G. The problem is that you have to pay yet another $29.99 just to enable this feature so there is no way I am personally going to get a Samsung Tab and pay all of these additional monthly fees. I will wait for the WiFi only model to consider this since I rarely use my iPad outside of a WiFi area and just do not see the need for a tablet sized device where smartphones meet on the go needs.

Specifications for the Sprint Samsung Galaxy Tab include:

• Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor, supporting 3D graphics and smooth Web browsing
• 7-inch enhanced TFT touchscreen display with pinch-to-zoom
• Android 2.2, with access to more than 80,000 apps on Android Market
• 4,000 mAh Lithium-ion battery
• 2GB onboard memory, 16GB microSD card included, with support for up to a 32GB microSD card
• ThinkFree Office to open and make changes to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or PDF documents
• Sprint Mobile Hotspot capability connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices
• Integrated GPS with Sprint Navigation
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Dual camera: 3-megapixel camera with camcorder and flash, and front-facing, 1.3-megapixel camera enabling video chat
• Samsung’s exclusive AllShare service to wirelessly connect via DLNA
• printers and more
• Stereo speakers
• Bluetooth® 3.0 with A2DP Stereo and EDR
• Dimensions: 7.48 x 4.74 x 0.47 inches and 13.58 ounces

The Galaxy Tab does have support for the Android Market and enhanced applications for the larger tablet form factor. Does the 3G-enabled Galaxy Tab appeal to you? Would you use it in place of your smartphone?