Samsung spawns more ‘Galaxies’

KOREAN ELECTRONICS giant Samsung ups the Android fever by announcing not one, but several Android-run devices that include a family of powerful and slim Galaxy Tabs and the much-anticipated Galaxy SII, Samsung’s flagship 4G capable smartphone.

Samsung’s 7-inch Galaxy Tab now has new bigger siblings—the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 8.9, which run on the new Android Honeycomb 3.1 OS, the Android version optimized for tablets. Soon, the family of Tabs will be joined by a 5-inch screen Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi.

Powered by 1 GHz dual core processor, the new Tabs are lighter and thinner (at only 8.6 mm thick and 565 g and 465 g respectively) than all the others in the market today. They also feature rear and front cameras and are pre-installed with the latest version of G-talk for video conference via wireless or 3G Internet.

The new Tabs have Samsung’s latest TouchWiz user interface that now feature a Live Panel menu on the homescreen, which allows users to customize content display of a variety of application or services including digital pictures, favorite websites, and social network feeds.

The new Tabs feature WXGA TFT LCD 10.1-inch and 8.9-inch displays respectively with 1280 x 800 resolution rendering. Both devices are optimized for multimedia enjoyment as they can play full HD video playback and deliver superb sound via built-in dual surround speakers.

Also, the tablets are capable of running Flash-based multimedia content, which is an obvious advantage versus non-Flash supported tablets like the iPad.

Both tabs support HSPA+ network speeds of up to 21 Mbps as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver faster mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times.

Glenn Glinoga, Samsung Philippines’ director for handheld phones business, is optimistic that consumers will love the new Tabs. Samsung’s previous seven-inch Tab, which came in two forms (Wi-Fi version only and the 3G plus Wi-Fi version) were bestsellers, allowing the company to earn double digit sales, says Glinoga.

“The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are premium tablets that fit the unique needs of consumers around the world. By combining Samsung’s innovation in design, display and user interface, we have created a new class of products that will sustain Samsung’s leadership in the tablet market,” Glinoga says.

The arrival of Samsung’s Galaxy SII has already been announced by Globe Telecom, when the telco demonstrated its 4G network capability. Galaxy SII is currently offered by Globe in its postpaid plans, but consumers can also buy the phone through Samsung’s website (www.samsung.com/ph/SII), which accepts preorders.

It retails for P29,990, but the first 300 customers to order the phone will be able to get a P3,000 discount and additional accessories like leather case and dock.

Galaxy SII, which is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual core mobile processors and runs on Android Gingerbread 2.3 OS, features a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen, and smart voice solution that enables the user to call, text, email, and even surf the Internet via voice commands.

Samsung officials say the Galaxy SII is a “powerful evolution of Galaxy S,” Samsung’s first powerful smartphone to run on the Android platform.