Ramblin’ Fan Tech Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0

Jul 15, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; American League player David Ortiz (34) of the Boston Red Sox takes iPad pictures of Yoenis Cespedes (not pictured) of the Oakland Athletics at bat during the Home Run Derby in advance of the 2013 All Star Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Fans Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

With the NFL in it’s “dead period,” it can be difficult to satisfy your need for constant information about your team and it’s players. During the regular season, there are constant “push” alerts, video commentaries, and press conferences with players and coaches. Now, unless you follow one of the “big name” teams, you have to scour the depths of the internet to find a trace of meaningful information.

While smartphones have come a long way in allowing consumers to access nearly all of the information they desire, there are still some obstacles. Mobile optimization on some sites make it nearly impossible to navigate past the headline stories, and YouTube and Google searching is often more limited than it would be on a regular computer. To bypass that, some will turn to tablets, where screen size and customization of web browsers can make your mobile consuming experience akin to that of a desktop site.

Enter the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, a light, portable Android tablet that we’ve had the pleasure of testing out over the last couple of month, thanks to our involvement in the Verizon Fan Voices program. As avid producers, and consumers, of news from around the league, we tried our best of test this product with the fan in mind. On that note, here are our takeaways from the Galaxy Tab 2:

First and foremost, the Tab 2 is extremely light, easily held in one hand without any strain. As a “multitasker,” this made using the tablet extremely efficient, allowing me to use my cell phone, eat, or perform other tasked like watching video or reading content.

The screen is also stunning, with pixel density that made even the tiniest print readable, and sporting a dimness range that allowed for comfortable use both outside in the sunlight or at night in a dark bedroom. Luckily, you won’t be running for your changer in either situation, with the battery lasting, on average, a full day (10-12 hours) with normal usage.

The functionality with the Tab 2 is pretty spectacular as well, with a host of features not found on most other tablets. For example, the IR Blaster, built into the device, allows you to use the tablet as a remote for you television. It also come with 50GB of free Dropbox, a wonderful additional, while giving you access to the Google Play store for the rest of your consumer needs.

If you are looking for a modestly priced, portable device with plenty of features and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is definitely a solid option. You won’t be typing any long documents or replacing your PC, but it is certainly an upgrade over trying to stay connected to the NFL world while staring at your 4” smartphone screen.