Samsung has been in news for its deal with the software giant, facing considerable amount of criticism from Google as was noted by TechCrunch. In a statement sent to the site, Google stated that it makes Android available to manufacturers for free and that Microsoft is “resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others’ achievements and hinder the pace of innovation.” Google was not happy with the deal as Samsung had made an announcement on Wednesday, that it was entering into a patent portfolio cross-licensing deal, which states that Samsung will pay Microsoft a royalty for every Android-based tablet and smartphone.
However, from Samsung’s point of view, it might be an affair, which is closed. Reason being that Samsung has added yet another Android-powered tablet to its line of Galaxy Tab. The newly added device is a revamped 7-inch compact device. Its named Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. This piece looks like a smaller version of the famous Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1.
For its specifications, it on a 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU and Android 3.2, and comes with 1 GB of RAM and 802.11 n wireless support. It is an addition to the series of low end devices from the Samsung warehouse. Samsung has worked on integrating a number of popular features in this new tablet, which have been highlighted in the 10.1 and 8.9 versions. This piece even has a memory card slot. However, Samsung has not installed Tegra 2 chips in it.
Talking about Samsung-Microsoft patent deal, in was noted in a Microsoft statement that Samsung has even agreed to “cooperate in the development and marketing of Windows Phone.” This clause comes in addition to the latter paying Microsoft royalties for Android-based devices.
Samsung had recently even started offering Windows Phone-based cell phones, which include the Omnia and Focus lines. It is being said that the software giant might have used the patent settlement as an opportunity to get a long-term commitment from Samsung. Earlier this month, an InformationWeek article noted that Samsung was considering dropping Windows Phone at the end of 2012 in favor of its own OS Bada operating system.
Microsoft had a different angle to their partnership with Samsung as Andy Lees, president of the Microsoft Windows Phone Division said, “Microsoft and Samsung see the opportunity for dramatic growth in Windows Phone and we’re investing to make that a reality.” The same press release had a statement form Dr. Won-Pyo Hong, Samsung executive vice president of global product strategy, wherein he said that this deal in fact “open[s] a new chapter of collaboration beginning with our Windows Phone ‘Mango’ launch this fall.”
Earlier this week, Amazon launched its Kindle Fire and fired up tablet wars. It had set a price tag of $199. Amazon was being considered as an outright winner with this launch, but it seems Samsung is eager to save its second spot from Amazon. Amazon’s Kindle Fire in fact is being considered as an iPad killer. However, Samsung has not yet revealed the price of its new tablet, but it is been rumored that Samsung might price it at $199 to compete with Amazon’s Fire.