Hasta La Gadget!

Though we still haven’t gotten a peek of the LTE-capable Galaxy Note 8.0, it would appear that the 3G version is currently making its way through the Federal Communications Commission for final approval before retail availability.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 was announced back at MWC, and Samsung mentioned that the tablet would be available in the second quarter of this year. The WiFi-enabled version already passed through the FCC a couple of months ago.

Unfortunately, we still don’t have word from Samsung or carrier partners on retail availability, but seeing as the FCC is a crucial part of the certification process, we’re at least a step closer to the GalNote 8.0.

In terms of specs, the smaller Galaxy Note tablet is meant to compete directly with the iPad mini, sporting an Exynos 4 Quad processor clocked at 1.6GHz, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, and TouchWiz of course.

You’ll also see an 8-inch 1280×800 TFT LCD display, 2GB of RAM, and support for 3G, as well as an S-Pen stylus. However, it would appear that the 3G version doesn’t come with a 32GB option, although you can always make up for the lost storage with the expandable microSD card slot.

We went hands-on with the Galaxy Note 8.0 back in February, and though we find the portrait orientation slightly odd, we’re mostly pleased with the performance we’ve seen out of the tablet.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet has been anything but shy, leaking all over the place and posing for a few hands-on pics.

But today’s scoop from French blog Frandroid marks the first time we get a real idea of its size, as the latest leaked photos show the Galaxy Note 8.0 next to the Galaxy Note 2.

Context is a beautiful thing.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 is Samsung’s next big tablet venture, according to recent rumors, presumably meant to take on the iPad mini. As you can see in the images, the Galaxy Note 8.0 has very similar design language to the latest Galaxy Note, and even the Galaxy S III to an extent. Perhaps most notable, however, is Samsung’s seeming insistence to keep this tablet in portrait mode, as noted by the home and navigation buttons on the bottom.

In terms of the competition, the GalNote 8.0 bears a striking resemblance to the new Nook HD 7-inch tablets, with curved edges and a relatively thicker bezel.

Today’s leak marks the first time we’ve gotten a glimpse of the 8-incher with its S-Pen, Samsung’s version of a high-quality pressure-sensitive stylus. To me it looks a tad thicker than that of the Galaxy Note, but that’s potentially because it’s pictured next to the much-smaller Galaxy Note II smartphone.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 is rumored to have a 1280×800 resolution display, Android Jelly Bean, a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM along with a 5-megapixel rear camera and a front-facing camera for video chat. We expect to see this bad boy at MWC in February, and by then we’ll be able to confirm all these specs for you fine readers.

Until then, these pics will have to do.

It seems like only yesterday that Samsung introduced the Galaxy brand, and in the blink of an eye we’ve gone from a handful of phones to dozens of phones, tablets, and some weird stuff in between.

The latest product rumored to join ranks under the Galaxy moniker is a smaller Note tablet, likely meant to compete with the iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD, etc.

According to SamMobile, the tablet will be called Galaxy Note 8.0, and will have almost all the same features as big brother GalNote 10.1, but in a smaller 8-inch form factor. The report indicates that the tablet will come in two versions, one with 3G + WiFi, and the other WiFi-only.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 is also said to have 1280×800 TFT 8-inch display, a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video chat. You’ll also have all the standard goodies inside, like 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, and a micro SD slot for expandable memory.

Android 4.2 Jellybean is allegedly shipping with the device.

The 8-inch form factor makes sense for Samsung at this crossing. The Kindle Fire is doing well, and Apple just released the iPad mini, which is a similar size, late last year.

A 7-inch tablet would only infringe on the Galaxy Note phones’ territory, and any bigger and the tablet runs the risk of chomping into Samsung’s current flagship tablet, the Galaxy Note 10.1.

We’re still unaware of price, availability, and which processor this bad boy will pack under the hood, but we’ll know more as soon as Samsung gives official word. The tablet is expected to be unveiled at MWC in February.