28th October, London, UK – Samsung today announced content deals with WHSmith and the Financial Times (FT) for the launch of the Galaxy Tab, which arrives in UK stores on Monday 1st November. Samsung also announced details of its partnership with leading software developer, Gameloft, to create gaming titles designed specifically for the seven inch device.
The ultra-portable Galaxy Tab features a seven inch screen, 1GHz processor, Google’s Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, a front facing camera for video calls and a TFT-LCD display. Perfect for entertainment and content consumption on the move, the partnerships announced today are part of Samsung’s strategy to partner with leading brands in the UK to tailor content specifically for the Galaxy Tab and offer best user experience.
Financial Times App
Galaxy Tab owners can read a fully optimised version of the world’s leading business newspaper on their tablet device, via an embedded FT application. Developed with the Galaxy Tab’s screen size and interactive functionality in mind, the application lets users download the daily FT for offline reading while commuting, access the FT’s award-winning content and video, including the latest updates on markets and interviews with high profile CEOs each morning. It also offers access to a dedicated Markets Data section, including macromaps highlighting markets across the world, with the option to view regional indices and company information sheets. Galaxy Tab owners can also view their personal investment portfolios via the application.
Rob Grimshaw, Managing Director, FT.com said: “We are delighted to be launching the FT’s first Android and HTML5 based app with the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Our readers have already shown great appetite for consuming our news and analysis on tablet devices and Galaxy Tab is another very exciting channel for FT content.”
WHSmith App
The exclusive content partnership with WHSmith gives Galaxy Tab owners access to a fantastic range of eBooks at great prices from one of the UK’s leading bookstores, directly through their portable device.
The WHSmith eBooks App offers Galaxy Tab users excellent value and choice, with special offers like the current 60% off selected top eBooks, as well as providing added value through exclusive promotions such as the Richard and Judy Book Club.
In partnership with Samsung, the WHSmith app has been developed specifically for the launch of the Galaxy Tab and has been designed to offer the user a smooth and simple selection and download process, as well as provide an immersive reading experience and a range of easily adjustable viewing options, all contained within the App.
“WHSmith are delighted to announce this partnership with Samsung, we’re confident that the combination of our bookselling expertise with their electronics innovation has resulted in an eBooks App which really adds value and meets all the reading needs of Galaxy Tab owners” , said Toby Keir Head of Digital, WHSmith.
Gameloft
Samsung has partnered with leading developer, Gameloft, to develop a portfolio of titles specifically for the Galaxy Tab. Two blockbuster games are embedded at launch; ‘shoot-em-up’ N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance HD and racing game Asphalt 5 HD. Both are optimised for the Galaxy Tab’s 7-inch screen and take full advantage of the ‘accelerometer’ technology. N.O.V.A HD also uses gyroscope, reacting to the Galaxy Tab being turned, so the character in the game turns too. Both titles allow multiplayer and peer-to-peer gaming – up to four players can play N.O.V.A HD while six can take part in Asphalt 5 HD. Gameloft has developed a further five titles for the Galaxy Tab which will be available to download at launch from Samsung Games and www.gameloft.com.
Gaming titles available at launch:
Embedded: N.O.V.A HD; Asphalt 5 HD
Available to download from Samsung Games and www.gameloft.com:
Let’s Golf HD; Gangstar: West Coast Hustle HD; Dungeon Hunter HD; Hero of Sparta HD; Modern Combat: Sandstorm HD
In addition to the content partnerships, the Galaxy Tab also includes content from Samsung movies including trailers for Transformers 2; Clash of the Titians; The Dark Knight and The Hangover embedded on the device. Over 1,000 titles, including the latest blockbusters, are available to download from the Samsung Movies site. Films are available from 99p to rent and are downloadable straight to the Tab over Wi-Fi, at super-fast speeds using the Galaxy Tab’s 1Ghz processor. The Galaxy Tab also acts as an all share point – meaning films can be streamed to laptops and TVs.
Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “The Galaxy Tab is the perfect device for consuming a range of content, whether that’s video, games, books, apps or web browsing. At Samsung we wanted great content to be available at launch to really show what the Tab can do and give consumers simple access to everything they want. We’re delighted to be working with leading brands in their respective fields such as The FT, WHSmith and Gameloft, to enhance the Galaxy Tab user experience.”
