Samsung unveiled the first smartphone – Galaxy Nexus – running on Google’s latest version of the Android Operating System – Ice Cream Sandwich – which combines software in tablets and smartphones, stepping up competition against Apple. This device was launched in an event in Hong-Kong on 19th October, 2011. The global launch of the Galaxy Nexus kicks off in November, 2011 and comes as competition intensifies between Samsung and Apple Inc to win market share in the booming tablets and smartphones market.
This will be our strategic product for years – end holiday season, as Apple iPhone 4S just came into the market, said JK Shin, president, mobile communications business, Samsung.
Google’s Android mobile software – already the world’s most used smartphone platform powers 190 million devices, up from 135 million in July, 2011. Samsung, the top seller of Android phones, said the phone will have access to more than 300,000 applications and games versus 425,000 applications from Apple’s App Store.
At the launch in Hong-Kong, executives demonstrated several features of the gadget, including Android beam that allows two phones to connect back-to-back to share news articles on the Internet and Google maps.
Samsung’s new device, which touts a 4.65″ inch high – definition Super AMOLED display and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, features such new functions as face recognition to unlock the phone with a smile. Its price in India is expected to be Rs.32,000/- onwards compard to iPhone 4S price of Rs.35,000/- onwards.
The world’s number two handset maker also plans to introduce a version of the Galaxy Nexus that runs on faster Long Term Evolution networks.
