Samsung Galaxy Tab hacked and rooted before it’s even out

Of all the rumours of potential “iPad beaters” doing the rounds, only one looks like it’s got any chance of getting close to achieving this goal.

The Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab is likely to be a strong device – it’s set to crib a number of features from the excellent Galaxy S phone, for one thing – when it’s released in around a month’s time.

One bit of negative news (if you’re Samsung) surrounding the device is that it’s already been hacked. German Android developer Sera-Apps has obtained a Tab device and swiftly laid bare its innards.

Not literally, you understand. Rather, the company has managed to root the device, opening up its corest of core functions. This would potentially allow users to overclock the processor and install custom Android OS versions, among other things.

While Sera-Apps hasn’t divulged its methods for opening up the Tab, we wouldn’t be surprised if Samsung decides to do a bit of tinkering itself in advance of the device’s release in an attempt to pre-empt any early hacking outbreaks.

Electric Pig