Technology New business South Africa

Samsung launches 11 new mobile devices

Samsung Electronics has showcased six of its 11 new devices it is planning to release in two weeks, reaching a multimedia and style milestone and strengthening its leadership in the premium full-touch market. The devices, which include a waterproof cellphone and a high definition (HD) handset, were launched in South Africa yesterday, Thursday 5 March 2009, at the Peech Hotel in Johannesburg.

Mobile HD

Samsung Beat DJ
Samsung Beat DJ

Omnia HD, a multimedia-focused device, is Samsung's first full-touch handset and features the world's first 720 HD video recording and decoding, as well as the world's largest Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) screen, on mobile.

Its video recording captures imaging in HD quality, and allows users to view HD content on HD TV via DLNA technology and share real-time video as users shoot it via qik.com.

“Basically, our aim is to simplify the users' experience and make it possible for them to do whatever they want with their devices,” Brett Loubser, Samsung Electronics SA product technical and support manager, said.

To the beat

Beat Disc
Beat Disc

Beat DJ and Beat Disc are a combination of touch-screen technology, sound and design and set a new standard in Samsung's music phone line-up. Loubser explained: “Beat DJ allows everyone to be a DJ. Users will be able to add their own voice and sound effects to their favourite songs.

“They can also ‘scratch' the records on the super clear 2.8 AMOLED display to create their personal music. With 50MB of on-board memory, expandable to 16GB with the micro SD card slot, there is plenty of room to let the musical imagination run wild.”

Style or business

S8300 Touch
S8300 Touch

S8300 is an ultra slim 12.7mm full-touch screen slider phone which offers features such as GPS navigation, photo blogging, auto rotation, find music, 80MB internal memory, video editing, audio dubbing, live dubbing, add subtitle and image capture.

“We believe that we are moving in the positive direction and edging closer to the new generation of style,” Loubser said.

Business B2100 is a dustproof and waterproof cellphone that can still ring half-an-hour after falling one-metre under water, and Pixon M8800 is simply a device of full imaging direction.

Eco-conscious

Blue Earth
Blue Earth

Samsung said that Blue Earth Eco-Walk is an innovative solar powered full-touch screen built to reinforce its commitment to protect the environment through the design of eco-friendly products and a programme of activities for its customers.

Blue Earth has a solar panel on its back and is made from recycled plastic called PCM, which is extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the manufacturing process.

Market share

Samsung Electronics SA was established in 2002; and sold 1.5 million units in the last quarter of 2008 alone. Ian Shore, Samsung SA's head of division (mobile products) put the 2008 total sales at 3.6 million units, representing 29% of the mobile market share in the country. Globally, Samsung sold 196 million units in 2008 - an 18% of the global market share.

Nokia SA continues to lead the way with 44% of the local market share, and globally the Finland-based company holds 39% of the market share.

For more information, visit: www.samsung.com.

About Issa Sikiti da Silva

Issa Sikiti da Silva is a winner of the 2010 SADC Media Awards (print category). He freelances for various media outlets, local and foreign, and has travelled extensively across Africa. His work has been published both in French and English. He used to contribute to Bizcommunity.com as a senior news writer.
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