Samsung is taking on Apple's iPad for global dominance in the tablet industry, after unveiling its Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.
Galaxy Note 10.1 is expected to hit the markets of U.S., U.K., and South Korea on Thursday. The South Korean electronics giant will be unveiling its revamped 5.3-inch Note smartphone in a few weeks.
Apple has accused Samsung of patent infringement and copying its design and features. The two companies are locked in a heated trial.
Samsung equipped the 10.1 tablet with stylus-type pen and split-screen functions; it has Wi-Fi only feature and comes in with 16 GB of memory, it has a 10.1-inch screen, dual cameras: 5 megapixels in the rear and 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera, the camera detects eye movements to prevent the tablet from going into standby, it has quad-core processor which clocks 1.4 GHz in speed, the OS in use is Android
"When you look at the price and overall consumer awareness about Samsung tablets, it's not likely to be a big success," Park Young, analyst at Woori Investment & Securities told reporters. "Tablets are getting cheaper and even Apple is rumoured to be preparing a cheaper iPad. Consumers also tend not to spend much on tablets any more as smartphones can do most of the entertainment functions that tablets offer."
The tablet has gotten good reviews from analysts and bloggers. The company deployed Baz Luhrmann, director and Zac Posen, fashion designer for the demonstration of the new tablet and its S-Pen stylus. Though the 10.1 tablet is not seen as an "iPad killer," it will give a good competition to iPad. The Samsung device can be used to personalise and create.
The new Galaxy Note 10.1 16 GB tablet will be costing $499 and the 32 GB will be $549. Samsung shares were flat when they traded in Seoul.
