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Samsung boosts its bada OS, unveils three new Wave handsets

First to run bada 2.0

Samsung boosts its bada OS, unveils three new Wave handsets
Dominant on Android, Samsung's attempts to mitigate any risk from the Google-Motorola deal - as well as target emerging markets - have been improved with the Korean manufacturer announcing three new handsets running its own bada OS.

The Wave 3, Wave M and Wave Y are the first new bada handsets of 2011, and will sport the refreshed version of the platform, bada 2.0.

Big on bada

"The full extent of our commitment is clear to see in each device," said Samsung mobile head, JK Shin.

"Smartphones are gaining popularity by the day. We've produced easy-to-use smartphones that will inspire the market."

The premium device in the mix, the Wave 3 will sport a 4-inch AMOLED screen, plus a 5 megapixel camera and 1.4GHz processor. The smaller Wave M and Wave Y will be offered at cheaper prices – both running on 832MHz processors and 3.65-inch and 3.2-inch screens respectively. 

All three devices will be seen first during IFA 2011 in Berlin, due to kick off on September 2, and be commercially available during October.

Spreading its bets

Figures recently revealed by Gartner suggest that bada, though yet to make an impression in western markets, shipped more than 2 million units in Q2 2011, giving it a larger market share than Microsoft's Windows Phone. Samsung is also targeting 30 percent market share in India. 

However, the platform's marketplace – Samsung Apps – sports less than half as many apps for the OS, coming in at 13,000.

Samsung will be hoping the launch of bada 2.0's SDK earlier in August will encourage developer take up, though the Korean firm is keeping its options open.

The company is in talks with LG and the Korean government over the development of a new open-source OS for mobile and PC (believed by many to be a direct reaction to Google move for Motorola), and online chatter suggests Samsung may even be considering a move for HP's webOS.



[source: Samsung]

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.