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IFA 2011. Samsung Pavilion: TV and Phones

The Samsung pavilion was as big this year as in 2010. Lots of free space allowed for convenient roaming around and viewing samples. The company followed its strategy and targeted several areas: TVs, SmartTV and phones with tablets. To my mind phones and tablets attracted the most of attention. There is nothing new in TVs; they are not even regularly purchased these days, while phones are often on people’s mind.

I have to mention that there was an issue with phones. Prior to IFA Samsung announced many models, but you could not find them at the exhibition. Only Samsung Galaxy S2 was everywhere, including its white version and LTE model for the USA.

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Bada flagship Wave III was also ubiquitous, but we know all about it.

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Unfortunately, Samsung pays less and less attention to mid priced models at exhibitions. The phones are produced, but you cannot give them a look. This time around I could see only two smartphones – Galaxy Y Pro and Galaxy M.

At the same time we had ten flagships highlighted. I was happy with Note, which is a crossbreed between a small tablet and a huge phone. It depends upon your own interpretation. On our website you can read the first look at the device, so I am not going to repeat it.

IFA 2011. Samsung Galaxy Note. First Look

Talking with one of top Samsung managers I got an insight into the way the company views Note and several other products. The price of Note has not been decided yet. Samsung believes that Note is a new and ground breaking product, which creates a market segment. Its price must be between Galaxy S and Galaxy S2. I asked the question again, but the answer was clear. Note will be cheaper than S2. It happens that Samsung offers a bigger version of Galaxy S for a smaller price. The Korean manufacturer is really trying to establish a new niche. It is not clear how the situation is going to develop, but aggressive pricing must be successful.

I also tried Note to test ChatON, which is a new IM messenger from Samsung. It will be available for third parties phones as well. It’s nice that you can send different types of objects (images, maps locations and so on). Everything works well and looks nice, so this app definitely has a future.

Let’s return to tablets. To my mind it was clearly shown why Microsoft failed to offer high quality and attractive models. As far as Samsung manufactures a family of tablets you will cry the moment you see their Slate PC. It is too bulky and old-fashioned.

Nowadays the tablet segment is dominated by Android with the only notable exception of the market leader (Apple). Interestingly, but Samsung now boasts Android solutions with screens ranging from 2.4″ to 10.1″. The company is planning to unveil several more tablets by the end of the year and screen sizes can get bigger, because there is a market demand. We will certainly receive 11″-12″ tablets from Samsung. It is a typical behavior of the company as it has its own screen production facilities and can ship displays as many as they need, while the cost remains acceptable.

Discussing the popularity of tablets I came across the fact that Samsung could not predict, which screen size will come out on top. So far the most popular sizes are 7″ and 10″. Apple initiated the tablet craze with its 10″ iPad, while Samsung Tab had 7″ (it is small enough to get into a pocket).

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Unlike before Samsung was very cautious in terms of prices for future products. For example, Wave III was mentioned to be available for €400 in Europe, but on other markets the price may be different. Samsung aims at maximum sales and is flexible in its pricing.

As to Bada representatives of Samsung are not ready to comment about Skype for this platform, but hope to deliver by the end of the year. Their answer was pretty vague, but I have a feeling that Skype app for Bada will be available soon. Many ask this question, so the manufacturer must understand the importance of the issue.

My idea that Bada is positioned as a cheaper Android for those who do not appreciate this platform was confirmed. Interfaces become similar, while Bada is getting more and more features.

In the pavilion Samsung showed its environmental credentials too. For instance, there was a SPH-M580 phone with a solar battery. Interestingly, characteristics include the following – one hour of solar charging offers 20-25 minutes of talktime. I think there must be a mistake here.

In M380 the company also tries to decrease the amount of dangerous components in the phone. Efficient charger is accompanied with soy ink manual and 35% recycled plastic.

That’s all we can say about phones. Another thing is a desktop powered by the OS from Microsoft. Samsung SUR40 works with Microsoft Surface. On the large screen several people can locate different objects and enter text via the virtual keyboard. The desktop can recognize physical objects you put on it. For example, if you put a sheet of paper the picture will appear near it, while the area under the paper will remain vacant. So far it is more of a toy, but in future such gadgets will become popular. We will upload the video about the desktop soon, but for now look at the photo.

There were tons of audio gadgets with nice looks. Samsung paid a lot of attention to it recently.

TVs also look beautiful, but the main draw is the simplicity of installation.

In the special photo section one could try NV200. Many lenses are now available for Samsung cameras.

The mass market will be targeted with MV800 equipped with the tilting display.

Finally I would like to show you the largest LED TV with the screen of 75″. Everybody entering the Samsung pavilion bumped into it.

In this brief report I tried to mention Samsung products, which produced an impression. Frankly speaking I was not spoilt for choice, but this pavilion was one of the best.

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Eldar Murtazin ([email protected])
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Translated by Maxim Antonenko ([email protected])