Samsung confirms Android 3.1 for Galaxy Tab 10.1

Samsung has confirmed that its forthcoming Galaxy Tab 10.1 will ship with Android 3.1 as the firm looks to get the jump on rivals by releasing a tablet with the most up-to-date Google software.

Android 3.1 is deemed an incremental upgrade by Google, but is faster and packs a number of enhancements. Useful enterprise features include the ability to attach USB accessories and use an HTTP proxy to connect to the internet.

Business users will be able to attach more than one input accessory at the same time to simulate a laptop-like experience when using the Tab in the office. This can be done by connecting a keyboard via USB and a mouse over Bluetooth, for example.

In terms of connectivity, users will be able to connect to the internet via an HTTP proxy, allowing admins to keep track of internet activity on work devices. Android 3.1 will also offer support for an encrypted storage card device policy.

Additionally, Samsung has partnered with SAP, Exchange ActiveSync, Cisco AnyConnect, Sybase and Cisco Webex to attract business users to the Android platform.

The device will also ship with Quickoffice so that Microsoft Office files can be accessed out of the box.

An official UK release date and pricing have yet to be confirmed, but the Galaxy Tab is tipped to arrive in June.

However, the launch could suffer a delay as Samsung has been ordered to hand over samples of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to a Federal Court in San Jose as part of a patent infringement dispute with Apple.

Judge Lucy Koh also ruled that Samsung must provide samples of the unreleased Galaxy S2, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Infuse 4G and 4G LTE also known as the Droid Charge.

Judge Koh stopped short of endorsing Apple's claims, but acknowledged that the matter needs further investigation.

"Although the court expresses no opinion on the merits of Apple's claims, the court notes that Apple has produced images of Samsung products, and other evidence that provides a reasonable basis for Apple's belief that Samsung's new products are designed to mimic Apple's products," she said.

Apple claimed in its original court filing that "Samsung has made its Galaxy phones and computer tablet work and look like Apple's products through widespread patent and trade infringement".