Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Release Date: Retooled Tablet Launching in Germany
Samsung Electronics will launch the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany next week after tweaking its tablet device.
No official launch date was announced for the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but next week seems definite. Samsung spokesperson Jose Suh released details earlier today.
Currently, the Galaxy Tab 10.1N appears to be available on a number of German retailer websites. Webs-shop is selling the white 16 GB model; EP MediaStore has the black 32 GB Wi-Fi model; and, IM Superstore has the 64 GB Wi-Fi model in stock.
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Previously, the company was banned from selling the device in Germany. A German court decided that the tablet was too similar in appearance to Apple’s iPad 2 and banned the original product.
This past September, Samsung appealed the decision of the district court in Düsseldorf. The court ruled that Samsung could not sell the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany, due to its similar appearance to Apple's iPad 2. The iPad 2's design is registered with the European Union’s Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market.
The European Commission said it was currently looking into the antitrust matters related to Samsung. The emphasis of these investigations focused on how the company conducts itself in regard to filing alleged patent infringement claims.
The new design of the tablet attempts to differentiate itself from the look of the iPad 2. It now includes a different frame that removes the iPad-like back plate from the tablet. The bezel's silver lining will now be visible. The location of the speakers was also moved from the sides to the front.
Samsung spokesperson Nam Ki Yung said the new design was done in response to the requests of German authorities.
Samsung is still embroiled in a number of legal battles with Apple in Europe, Asia, and North America over patents related to their smartphones and tablets.
