Samsung has extended its Galaxy line of portable devices — which includes mobile phones and tablets — with the addition of its Android-based Galaxy Player.
The 4-inch and 5-inch screen models of Galaxy Player, weighing 5 and 7 ounces respectively, are recommended for games, music, videos, social media and e-books.
Both models offer Wi-Fi connectivity, front and rear cameras for videoconferencing or photography, stereo speakers and support for Adobe Flash 10.1. The Galaxy Players have Google certification, meaning they can access more than 100,000 Android applications via Google’s Android Market.
Tim Baxter, president of the consumer business division at Samsung Electronics America, said that the Galaxy product line offers “access to thousands of Android Apps coupled with Samsung’s sleek design. … Our new Galaxy Players deliver that same experience in two terrific, ultra-portable form factors — without incurring fees for a monthly data plan.”
Related Stories
Also Wednesday, Samsung announced that new apps from HBO and MTV would soon be available on Samsung Apps and that updated details are available on its latest LED TVs, plasma TVs and Blu-ray lines.
The HBO GO app allows consumers to search a collection of more than 1,400 titles of HBO programming as well as find bonus materials and soundtrack and cast information. Available for download via Samsung Apps this year, it will enable HBO subscribers to watch every episode of such series as The Sopranos, Sex in the City, Boardwalk Empire, Entourage and True Blood.
MTV Music Meter’s app interface features a countdown of the top 100 trending artists based on social media buzz as well as audio, video, artist news, tweets, bios and a feature that showcases similar artists.
MTV Music Meter is now available on Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Tabs.
Samsung reported that it took only eight months for Samsung Apps — which launched a year ago — to reach its 1 millionth TV app download globally and less than half that time to surpass the 3 millionth app download.
“As we look ahead, Samsung sees the opportunity to expand not only the breadth and depth of apps but also how users interact with them, making it easy to discover and enjoy content across multiple devices in the home,” said Eric Anderson, vp of content and product solutions for Samsung Electronics America.
To that end, Samsung this year plans to roll out a remote control app that turns Galaxy S phones and the Galaxy Tab into a second TV screen by enabling Samsung Smart TVs to encode and wirelessly transmit live TV broadcasting from the TV to the Galaxy devices.
Samsung also reported that its 2011 line of LED TVs will begin shipping this month. The 21 new LED TV models, ranging in screen size from 19-55 inches, include Smart TV and 3D capabilities.
Samsung also revealed pricing, availability and additional product information about its latest plasma TV line, whose largest 64-inch model ships next month for $3,799.99, and its Smart Blu-ray player line, which ships this month with prices starting at $149.99.
