Samsung starts new battle against Apple

PanARMENIAN.Net - After failing to gain significant market share with tablets running on Google Inc.'s Android operating system, Samsung Electronics Co. is now betting on new devices running on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows as it continues to battle it out for dominance with Apple Inc. in mobile devices, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Following a major defeat in the U.S. last week where a jury awarded damages of more than $1 billion to Apple ruling that Samsung copied the U.S. company's designs and software patents, Samsung showcased its product pipeline for the second half of this year at a tradeshow in Berlin, Germany.

The company unveiled its ATIV line of products including a 10.1-inch tablet device running on Windows RT and a 4.8-inch smartphone running on the Windows Phone 8 system. The new products will be launched later this year and Samsung didn't disclose the launch dates or the price.

Samsung said in a statement it is "committed to offering more choices based on the Windows 8 platform for consumers."

Despite Samsung's move, analysts are skeptical as to whether Samsung will be able to gain more share with Microsoft's software. Sales for Windows phones have already disappointed Nokia Corp., which receives regular payments from Microsoft to develop phones using its software. Sales of Nokia's Lumia line of smartphones haven't really taken off as Nokia also struggles from competition with Apple, The Journal says.

Based on data from IDC, a market researcher, Samsung had a 32.6% share of the global smartphone market in the second quarter, ahead of Apple's 16.9% and Nokia's 6.6%. But in tablets, Samsung has trailed behind significantly. Apple's iPad still had an overwhelming lead, with 68.2% of the market. Samsung's share of the tablet market is just 9.6%, according data from IDC.

Samsung also showcased a successor to its Galaxy Note device which runs on Android and combines the functions of a smartphone and a tablet into one.

The Galaxy Note II has a larger 5.5-inch screen and allows users to use a pen to write and browse the Internet. Since the launch of the first model, Samsung said it has sold more than 10 million units. Samsung is hoping that the new Galaxy Note II can help cushion the blow from a potential sales ban in the U.S. later this year.