Tech giant Samsung Electronics may release its Android tablet PC, Galaxy Note 10.1, in U.S. markets in the middle of this month.
The speculation came after American tech and electronics website CNET unveiled a recent press invitation issued by Samsung Electronics at New York’s Lincoln Center on Aug. 15.
In the invitation, the main graphic outlines a product that closely matches the specifications of the company’s 10.1-inch Android tablet PC, CNET reported.
Free-style doodles on the invitation also hint that the product will be the Galaxy Note 10.1, as the product comes with a pressure-sensitive stylus called “S-pen,” CNET said.
The newest addition to Samsung’s tablet PC lineup, the Galaxy Note 10.1 features the largest screen size and updated capabilities such as better Web browsing and multi-tasking, according to its official website.
Galaxy Note 10.1
It was unveiled earlier this year at the World Mobile Congress, held in Barcelona this February.
In the meantime, Samsung is expected to unveil a new mobile device this month, just weeks before the likely debut of the iPhone 5.
According to foreign news reports, the new product will be shown in Berlin on Aug. 29, two days before the opening of Europe’s largest consumer electronics show IFA.
Analysts said it was likely to be an upgraded version of the Galaxy Note.
The current Galaxy Note has a 5.3-inch (13.5 centimeter) screen, larger than a smartphone but smaller than a tablet. The device is positioned between the firm’s flagship Android-equipped Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy Tab.
“It’s highly likely to be Galaxy Note 2,” said Greg Roh, senior analyst from HMC Securities Investment, commenting on the device to be unveiled in Berlin.
But he told AFP he did not see a particular correlation between the launch and the release date of the iPhone 5, widely expected in September or October.
“I think Samsung is trying to maintain its reputation as the No. 1 smartphone company with a public image that they always have something to show to consumers, and that they carry out what they’ve promised to show,” he said.
By Renee Park and news reports (
renee@heraldcorp.com)
