Samsung unveils high-end gadgets

By C.B.M. Joseph

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies, revealed its regional strategy and 2011 product portfolio at the inaugural Southwest Asia Regional Forum 2011 held in New Delhi on 13-14 April at the Taj Palace Hotel.

A series of Gala dinners, press briefings and one to one meetings had been arranged on 14 April to create awareness on the new gadgets unveiled.

Video presentations on the new products and technologies ranging from Samsung’s Television, Digital camera, Smart devices, IT Solutions and Home appliances displayed brought Samsung’s 2011 strategy to life.

Before a crowd of media and partners, a flamboyant J.S. Shin, president of Samsung Electronics Southwest Asia, defined the pillars of Samsung’s Smarter Life philosophy viz. Smart Design, Smart Experiences and Smart Connections.

A dazzling array of its latest products were laid out at an exhibition which ran in tandem with the press briefing where the piercing members of the press were able to touch, feel and enjoy Samsung’s Smart Life philosophy.

“This is a region of tremendous growth and potential for Samsung Electronics” said Shin, adding “We have the potential to reach No.1 market share in numerous categories while strengthening our partner and channel relationships, particularly in a country like India, where markets and the potential for growth is unlimited.”

Samsung is recognised worldwide as one of the fastest growing global brands and a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT LCDs.

Samsung’s strength rests on its Smart Design, Smart Experiences and Smart Connections. Its Smart Design creates intuitive designs that increase functionality for consumers and its Smart Experiences provide a wide variety of applications, games and programming delivered on a broad range of platforms through bright and dynamic screens. Its Smart Connections allow Samsung devices to automatically connect to each other sharing content and enhancing user experiences.

In 2010, Samsung achieved a remarkable 60 per cent growth rate in its Southwest Asia operation contributing to the Company’s US $135.8 billion in global revenues — the most successful in Samsung’s history.

As the current No.1 provider of LED and LCD televisions in the region Samsung is challenging the lead position in vital categories such as mobile phones, frost-free refrigerators and washing machines.

Creating the future of home entertainment

As the television becomes the centrepiece of technology in the living room, Samsung aims to strengthen and simplify its product features to create a connected intuitive TV experience that entertains consumers. Samsung’s new narrow bezel design, flagship LED TV Series and its new Smart Hub feature employed across 2011 LED TV and Blu-ray products seamlessly accomplish this.

In addition to superior design features, Samsung has incorporated advanced smart TV features to enhance consumers’ entertainment. Samsung’s Smart Hub is a simple menu system used to connect, discover and enjoy a wide range of content. Users can easily search for movies,shows and videos via on-line services and across connected devices, browse the Web from their TVs and access a wide variety of apps from Samsung Apps, the world’s first application store for television.  Samsung’s 2011 TV premium series — above LED D5500 series and PDP D6900 — will offer smart TV features.

Broadening the horizon of Smart Mobile devices

Samsung has an impressive array of a new class of Android-based smart phones and tablets in the GALAXY family line, a powerful line-up exemplifying the Smart Life in the areas of speed, screen and content.

GALAXY S II — A lightning-fast dual-core Samsung GALAXY S II powered by Gingerbread has been equipped with Samsung’s new crystal-clear Super AMOLED Plus screen, the most advanced mobile visual display ever created. Setting the standard of quality viewing on a mobile, Super AMOLED Plus introduces the best in quality in colour gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness. As the world’s thinnest smart phone, the GALAXY S II represents Samsung’s commitment to delivering the ultimate mobile experience.

GALAXY Tab 10.1 — Samsung has expanded the Samsung GALAXY Tab range with a 10.1” entertainment powerhouse.  A dual-core smart media device powered by Android Honeycomb, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 boasts its lightweight and thin design on a 10.1 inch large display.  The GALAXY Tab 10.1” delivers the ultimate mobile entertainment experience to immerse users with its dual surround-sound speakers.

GALAXY Tab 8.9 — At just 8.6 mm thin and weighing only 470 g, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 is the perfect device for today’s mobile professional. Whether writing e-mail on a trip or reading an e-book on the couch, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 provides the ultimate tablet experience without compromising mobility.

You sue us, we’ll sue you: Samsung to Apple

Samsung Electronics said it would take counter-action against Apple after the US firm filed suit alleging that the South Korean giant copied its smartphones and tablet computers.

Apple’s lawsuit claims Samsung’s mobile phones and Galaxy Tab imitated the iPhone and the iPad.

“Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property,” the South Korean firm said in a statement.

Advertisement: Story continues below Samsung has been successfully developing its own core technologies and building up its intellectual property portfolio, it said.

Yonhap news agency quoted Samsung officials as saying they suspect Apple had violated Samsung’s wireless technology patents.

“Apple is one of our key buyers of semiconductors and display panels. However, we have no choice but respond strongly this time,” an unidentified official was quoted as saying.

Apple was Samsung’s second-largest client in 2010 after Japan’s Sony, accounting for four per cent of the South Korean firm’s $US142 billion annual revenues.

Apple accused Samsung of copying the look, product design, packaging and user interface of its products, in a lawsuit filed with a US District Court in San Francisco and quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

It claimed Samsung has violated various Apple patents and trademarks.

“Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smartphone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products,” the Journal quoted Apple’s complaint as saying.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab has been the best-selling rival to the iPad, which has dominated the growing market for the touchscreen devices.

The legal action came as Samsung is scheduled to release the Galaxy S2 smartphone overseas next week. An Australian release date has not been set.

Patent lawsuits are a regular occurrence among technology giants in the United States. Apple is currently embroiled in disputes with Finland’s Nokia, Taiwan’s HTC and US handset maker Motorola among others.