Tab 3 7.0 should be getting update very soon

[ungibbed]

Mine is the Sprint LTE model. It had split screen from the beginning.

It's a complete new feature for those of us that bought the WiFi only model. I was rather surprised to see Samsung add such a feature to what is pretty much a entry level tablet.

I still can compare it to my much older but better built (and designed) BlackBerry PlayBook which with older hardware can capture full 1080p video from either the front or rear cameras with stereo sound but for overall features in the OS (now with 4.4.2), the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0" has finally felt like a modern tablet but still with some weak points. The cameras are just as bad as my much older iPad 2 which almost could be a good device to compare with but it and the PlayBook were premium devices for their time.

The PlayBook doesn't lend well to portrait use like the iPad and Tab 3. It's also like the others now, obsolete not seeing an update in ages and very hard to come by. The iPad is everywhere you look and it being years older than my Tab 3, Apple still supports it even with the latest iOS release. Not too shabby for a very dated device that somehow still is able to perform better in gaming with much older hardware. I'd say I got my money's worth out of it after several years and going big with the 64GB model.

Now with my Tab 3, it's the only one that supports 64GB SDXC memory cards. The Tab 4 series of the same device level had SDXC card support removed for some odd reason. It makes me appreciate my meager WiFi only model of the Galaxy Tab 3 series a bit more as it sounds absolutely fantastic with a good set of headphones or even ear buds.

So my point is while we waited for Samsung to deliver on their promise of a modern OS update and for those that have the simple entry level model like my own, I'm pleasantly surprised to see new features added to such a device that Samsung could have easily ignored and moved on.

It runs smoother overall and it's just a great tablet for doing basic tasks but also has some good gaming ability too. It's not going to smash a quad core model nor a Nvidia Tegra equipped tablet, but for general purpose, I think it's fantastic now running Kit Kat with a 64GB Micro SD card in it that plays music amazingly well but also a great machine for watching movies too.

 

[JFetch]

Anyone that couldn't figure out how to use the multi window mode (like myself), turn it on in settings, then swipe from right side of the screen to left. I wish these updates came with new feature prompts on the devices for average users. Most people won't ever know they have this feature now.

 

[Salixya]

Just got 4.4.2 on my tab 3 7.0 WiFi, took about half an hour to download and install. Was preceded by the worst freeze i've ever experienced haha

 

[mikey88772]

why does samsung australia hate my tablet its not available for my 3 7.0 wifi yet


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[Salixya]

Probably should have mentioned i'm UK based, sorry

 

[ungibbed]

why does samsung australia hate my tablet its not available for my 3 7.0 wifi yet


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That's what makes me wonder. Why the staggered rollout for the Tab 3 and various other devices before this model tablet. It can't be much different than the same model in the US or the UK versions.

If Apple can roll out an iOS update worldwide, why can't Samsung do the same for products that don't require any mobile carrier testing and bloat ware additions.

It's just downright strange when you think about it.

 

[jwight01]

Interesting - we were in the UK in October and I tried the update on our unlocked Tab 3 7.0 (SM-T211) several times and got nothing...?

 

[mikey88772]

Tried the update button lately, still no Kitkat.


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[ungibbed]

Got no idea what to say. I'd be frustrated too if I were in your situation. There's been a few unwelcome changes such as some apps that store their data on a physical external memory card, Kit Kat had broken Bard's Tale for a few months and Astro was also denied access to the memory card as well. I haven't checked for an update for quite a while and stuck with the very limited Samsung File Manager.

 

[jwight01]

Well, an OTA update finally arrived on the 15th - but only to 4.1.2.

 

[ungibbed]

Well, an OTA update finally arrived on the 15th - but only to 4.1.2.

That's what the original OS release version was with US models. I do remember a maintenance update or two before the full upgrade.

 

[mikey88772]

It's finally happening!


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[ColbyJvonBrown]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/31/52827138de6c632ec998bfcfa725e37a.jpg

It's finally happening!


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This is the tab 3 7.0 right? And where are you located because I've had this update since October of last year.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[mikey88772]

It is the 3 7.0 and I live in Australia.

 

[ColbyJvonBrown]

They sure do take their lovely time on releasing updates to the devices that are set to receive it if it isn't a flagship device.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ungibbed]

They sure do take their lovely time on releasing updates to the devices that are set to receive it if it isn't a flagship device.

Posted via the Android Central App

Very true, but on the lighter side of things, a budget device such as the Tab 3 7.0 " model still got a much needed update.

My Tab 3 is honestly my favorite tablet that I've had in company of two iPads and the well made BlackBerry PlayBook. I like that this little bugger can run Bard's Tale with HD textures and effects. While not really impressive any longer by today's standards, I like that this little guy can flex a little muscle when needed.

My Galaxy Tab 3 remains as one of the best impulse purchases I have ever made.

 

[ColbyJvonBrown]

Very true, but on the lighter side of things, a budget device such as the Tab 3 7.0 " model still got a much needed update.

My Tab 3 is honestly my favorite tablet that I've had in company of two iPads and the well made BlackBerry PlayBook. I like that this little bugger can run Bard's Tale with HD textures and effects. While not really impressive any longer by today's standards, I like that this little guy can flex a little muscle when needed.

My Galaxy Tab 3 remains as one of the best impulse purchases I have ever made.

Mine to but I gave my tab 3 7.0 to my dad and now I'm going to get a tab 4 7.0!! Can't wait but l still love the tab 3!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[axllebeer]

Mine to but I gave my tab 3 7.0 to my dad and now I'm going to get a tab 4 7.0!! Can't wait but l still love the tab 3!

Posted via the Android Central App

I thought about getting one but the lack of a light sensor, man I just can't over that. Autobrightness is a must for me.

 

[FishenFool]

I like the fact that after the update you can print to a non Samsung printer.

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[ungibbed]

I thought about getting one but the lack of a light sensor, man I just can't over that. Autobrightness is a must for me.

Auto brightness has never been a must have feature for me. I may consider an upgrade if the 7.0 ever gets a upgrade in the camera department for both front and rear, hopefully with auto focus and a LED flash for much better pictures and video capture.

That may be a far fetched dream since such features would cannibalize the more expensive up market models that Samsung makes.

A must have though as Android grows more complex and adding new features, 8GB alone is simply not enough to really make use of the Galaxy Tab series in general for the base models. Pushing to 16GB of on device memory would be a nice and more realistic expectation in the future.

I can hope anyway


On a side note of the underestimated power in Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, here's a screenshot of some Bard's Tale action.

I love this game!


P.S. I have no idea why HTML is showing up