Zurich, Switzerland – Samsung launched its flagship smartphone,
the Android 2.1-based Galaxy S, in Europe in preparation for a U.S. launch
later this year.
The phone,
at the CTIA convention, will be Samsung’s first
U.S.-market phone with 1GHz processor and the company’s first U.S. phone with
brighter and less-reflective proprietary Super-AMOLED display, executives said.
In the U.S., it will also download movies and TV shows from Paramount and books
and periodicals from Skiff’s planned online store for viewing on the 4-inch
WVGA touchscreen display.
The European version of the full-touchscreen phone features 3G HSPA technology (7.2Mbps
down/ 5.76Mbps up) for use in 900/2100MHz networks outside the U.S. and in U.S.
1900MHz networks for roaming. When it comes to the U.S., it will be one of a
small but growing number of phones with HD camcorder, 1GHz processor, and included
movie-download service. Movies can be downloaded by the phone’s built-in Wi-Fi,
and books would be downloadable via Wi-Fi and 3G.
Samsung also claims the device would be the thinnest smartphone
on the market at 9.9mm in depth.
Other key Galaxy S features include 720p high-definition video
capture and playback at 30fps; DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)
certification to stream stored audio, pictures and HD video to other home
electronics products; wireless Wi-Fi tethering to a single laptop to double as
a 3G modem; and 16GB of embedded memory. A MicroSD slot is included to expand
memory.
The Galaxy S also doubles as a remote control for Samsung TVs,
presumably through a connection to a home network.
The phone also supports Android 2.1’s Layar Reality Browser, a
camera-connected points-of-interest Internet-search function that lets users
view their outdoor environs through the phone’s camera lens and see written
information about businesses inside the buildings.
