(Samsung)
Samsung Electronics has struck deals with four U.S. carriers to begin selling a Google Android-powered tablet computer during the coming holiday season, taking on Apple's iPad on its home turf.
Samsung on Thursday announced details of its new 7-inch touchscreen Galaxy, to be sold through Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and AT&T, which also carries the iPad.
The Korean electronics giant has secured deals with Viacom's MTV Networks and Paramount and NBC Universal, which ComCast Corp is buying, to buy or stream TV episodes, full television seasons, and new and old movies.
Unlike the iPad, the Galaxy -- which shares many of the same features as the Galaxy S smart phone launched during the summer -- has front- and back-facing cameras for video conferencing, Samsung said in a statement. For example, just like the Galaxy S smart phones, the Galaxy Tab includes Samsung’s Social Hub application and the new Media Hub content service, offering premium movies and TV episodes from some of the biggest entertainment companies.
It runs on Google's fledgling Android operating system, which has taken market share away from Apple, and has access to some 80,000 applications on the Google apps store.
"With the Galaxy Tab, Samsung will redefine the tablet market," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America. "Samsung Mobile expects to be a major player in this market."
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