Well that didn’t take long. The protective plastic hasn’t even come off the iPad’s touchscreen, and Samsung says it’s ready to rumble in the tablet market.
According to Bloomberg, the company is already planning to build its own tablet computer. “We will respond,” said J.K. Shin, president of Samsung’s mobile-communication division in the interview on February 14.
It should be pretty easy for them to do that, too. Samsung actually builds the processor that powers Apple’s iPad. If all goes well, the manufacturer should be able to clean up from both sides, as supplier and competitor. Analysts Needham & Co. are predicting that the iPad will sell about 2 million units this year, with another 6 million shipping out in 2011.
In the meantime, Samsung is getting serious about its position in other areas of the mobile market. They’ve been out and about, showing off the new 1GHz-processor handset, also known as the Wave (pictured). Aside from positioning Samsung as a major smartphone player, this product will also debut the company’s own Bada operating system. “This is the biggest challenge we’re facing this year,” Shin said.
Well, that and the whole tablet launch thing. Samsung has no details on those plans. However, iPad prices will start at $499, with Wi-Fi models shipping next month.
