TMCnet News
Samsung targets 1m sales of Galaxy TabSEOUL, Nov 05, 2010 (The Korea Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Samsung Electronics has said it targets global sales of up to 1 million units of its new portable PCs the Galaxy Tab. "We believe it will be possible to sell 1 million units of the Galaxy Tab by the end of this year," said Shin Jong-kyun, president of the firm's mobile business unit during a press event where Samsung unveiled its tablet PC. Experts noted that the 1 million unit goals seemed a highly feasible goal. "Related parts suppliers have already received orders for 2 to 3 million units," said Park Kang-ho, an analyst at Daishin Securities. "The Samsung executive seemed to be speaking of a minimum target." Park predicted that by next year, Samsung may sell up to 7 million Galaxy Tabs to global consumers. Local customers can expect to meet the new PCs in stores on November 8. The Android-powered, 7-inch mobile computer comes on the heels of Samsung's latest hit product, the Galaxy S handsets. The smartphones have already sold more than 5 million units globally. The Galaxy Tab will be the first such mobile computer with wireless and 3G network connections that's realistically portable, industry sources said. Conscious of Apple's 9.7-inch iPad whose launch here is imminent, Samsung was busy drawing attention to the lightweight of the Galaxy Tab at the press event. The tablet fits inside a man's suit pocket and weighs just 386 grams about the weight of a paper cup full of coffee. But the PCs were still a bit unwieldy to be used as phones, critics said. Next year, Shin hinted that Samsung will be rolling out different sized tablet PCs to diversify its models. Touching upon concerns that the 2.2 Android operating system built exclusively for smartphones was incompatible with the tablets, Shin said future decisions on whether to switch operating systems would depend on consumer response. "At this time, we have no plans for changes in the operating system," he said. Experts pointed out that Samsung can always fall back on upgrades if the system does indeed prove to be incompatible with the tablet PCs. The Galaxy Tab has already debuted in other countries such as the UK and Indonesia, where initial supplies have already been sold out, Samsung said. Prices will be quite hefty at around 900,000 won (US$808) but they will become cheaper for consumers who purchase through SK Telecom, sources said. SK Telecom is the distributor for Galaxy Tabs. To see more of the Asia News Network, go to http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/ Copyright (c) 2010, The Korea Herald, Seoul / Asia News Network Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544). |