Yes, the tabs are for making battery packs.

I'm no technician, all I can say is that I have twice now replaced the original 4 AA Ni-Cd battery 600mAh packs in small cordless screw drivers with a set of 4 of these 2000mAh NiMh batteries soldering all the tabs together as needed in order to fit inside the grip handle. They work like a charm. I did the first one over a year ago and as yet, no memory effect and absolutely no shortage of power. I would say that I find that the batteries generate more heat during the charge process than they receive during a short soldering procedure. I say go for it. SIDE NOTE: Any new batteries which I have had any experience with come with a substantial charge and as such when you are working to install them can make quite a fuss if you inadvertently miss connect them (as in a short Circuit), they can get so hot that you cannot touch them, and very quickly. Make sure you are wiring them correctly the first time.