Samsung tablet to be unveiled in Berlin

A leaked photo of the Samsung tablet

Speculation has been swirling for months around a tablet PC from Samsung Electronics, and the waiting may finally be over next month.

Korea’s top mobile phone maker will unveil the device at the IFA consumer electronics show, taking place in Germany from Sept. 3 to 8, according to a high-ranking official at the tech giant yesterday.

A few months after Apple introduced its iPad tablet in January, rumors began to spread that Samsung was developing a rival device. Industry observers then called it the “S-Pad” but have now nicknamed it the “Galaxy Tab,” after the company’s Android-based Galaxy S smartphone line.

“We will showcase our latest Smart TV and interchangeable lens camera models at the show,” the source said. “We will also showcase our tablet PC for the first time officially.”

While detailed specifications have yet to be released, the device is known to run Google’s Android operating system and feature a 7-inch touchscreen and a video call function, which the iPad lacks.

Kim Hwan, vice president of Samsung’s mobile communications division, told analysts last month that the company would launch the product on the local market in the third quarter.

In fact, a host of other Korean companies, including LG Electronics and TG Sambo Computer, are said to be developing tablet PCs, signaling a rise in competition among companies seeking to gain an edge before the iPad arrives in Korea, though no release date for that device has been set yet.

LG will reportedly release its latest tablet PC within the year. It already sells “convertible-type” tablet PCs with attached keyboards. TG Sambo also said it will introduce its tablet PC in the third quarter. Multimedia player maker iStation and MP3 player manufacturer Cowon may also launch tablet PCs.

By Kim Hyung-eun [hkim@joongang.co.kr]