Samsung is expected to introduce its answer to the iPod Touch at CES 20011 next week in Las Vegas. The specs look quite impressive. What do you guys think? Anyone ready to defect? Specs: - 1GHz CPU, RAM (512 MB?) - Front and rear-facing camerasVGA and 3.2 megapixel, respectively - Between 8GB and 32GB of internal storage with a MicroSD slot for expansion - 4-inch Super Clear (Super AMOLED?) 800 x 480 LCD display - GPS with a free 3D navigation app - Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi - Removable 1200 mAh battery - HD video playback, major video codecs supported, and SoundAlive audio enhancing technology. Link: http://www.samsung.co.kr/article.do?cmd=view&contentId=125966&searchCategory=1&searchCompany=-1 (it's in Korean, so must google translate)
Wow I posted this story refreshed and then seen this thread, we must have done the same story at almost the same time. yours beats mine by a minute though so I guess this threads the one that should stay.
Meh. I don't think Samsung will get too far with this. They've already tried to enter the DAP world with the Yepp, and that didn't do too well. This thing has the same processor as the 4th gen Touch, potentially the same RAM, but lower resolution despite a larger screen, probably an SLCD screen (AFAIK there are still supply issues with AMOLED screens). It'll appeal to Android fans and anti-Apple fanboys (which are often the same) but it won't dethrone the Touch by any stretch.
Samsung is marketing this as a music player, yet the iPod touch has succeeded because it does everything, and is closer to a computer than a music player. Also, until the best game on android isn't a copy of an iOS game of a console game (NOVA 1), I won't see any one here picking this up. It also won't be as slim as the touch 4 and has a disappointingly low screen. EDIT: and the battery isn't anywhere as good as the iPod touch 4's, either.
The battery on the iPod Touch 4G is rated at only 930 mAh, whereas the battery on the Samsung Galaxy is rated at 1200 mAh. That's about 29% more mAh.
The diversity and scope of applications will play a significant role in the success of these types of devices. It's the main reason why Apple has done so well. I'm not saying that Android is bad at all since I like where that platform is headed, but bottom line is that apps will influence adoption.
And it's running Android, and while it will have full Market access, Android isn't where iOS is, not by a significant margin. Incidentally, there seems to be some weirdness going on. While Samsung's site does claim a 4" "super clear LCD" (not even SLCD it seems) at 800x480, Engadget links the Amazon pre-order page for this device which lists a 3.2" screen (which is apparently running 400x320 resolution). Engadget did a hands-on with the Galaxy Player 50 here. I'm guessing that the specificity of the model number means there may be other models available too, though given the pricing of the model 50, if there is a higher res/larger version available, it's going to be priced beyond what the Touch is currently.
My main temptations with android devices are the changeable batterys and the sd card slots (swapping over 64gb cards would suit me a lot better). I won't be buying this model but it does show promise for future developments. If it doesn't have amoled that is disappointing as well I've loved those screens since the cowon s9 the colours just look vibrant. I'll be honest I used to be a bit of an apple hater who reluctantly bought the ipod touch because there were no good alternatives but the app store did turn me around quite fast but I've still always been curious about android. This particular one to me looks like the ipod touches first main rival that can actually do all of the same types of functions. I can't see this model being wildly successful though as it's offering nothing new but I hope they keep improving it and in turn make apple keep improving.
