Samsung launches Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia after High Court win

Stan Beer
Friday, 09 December 2011 12:57

Your IT - Mobility

After a bitter and protracted legal battle with iPad maker Apple, Samsung has announced the release of its Android powered rival tablet computer, the Galaxy Tab 10.1. The High Court today denied Apple the right to appeal its earlier decision to allow Samsung to sell its tablet in Australia and lifted the injunction that had been imposed until today.

 

Despite Apple's best efforts to stop the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from hitting store shelves in Australia this year, Samsung promises its device will be widely available in time for the Christmas shopping period.

Samsung, with ducks all lined up in a row, has been quick to announce its extensive market channels.

According to Samsung, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 will be available in time for the Christmas shopping period from leading retailers including Harvey Norman, JB Hifi, Good Guys, Myer, Bing Lee and Office Works with an RRP of $579 (16GB WiFi variant) and a RRP of $729 (16GB 3G variant).

Samsung released a statement this morning concerning the High Court decision.

"Samsung Electronics Australia is pleased with today's judgment by the High Court of Australia to deny Apple's request to appeal the decision of the Full Court.

"The Full Court of Australia decision on November 30 clearly affirmed our view that Apple's claims lack merit and that an injunction should not have been imposed on the GALAXY Tab 10.1."

'Much anticipated by Australian consumers, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 is testament to Samsung's dedication to innovation in designing a premium tablet which accommodates the unique needs of consumers today, from entertaining, e-learning or business through its powerful multi-tasking and web-browsing experience,' said Tyler McGee, VP of Telecommunications, Samsung Electronics Australia.

'With content exclusive to our device, we believe the GALAXY Tab 10.1 is a new class of product that will lead the tablet market.'

Apple could now face the prospect of legal action from Samsung due to lost sales during the injunction period, although no announcement on that has been made.

It has been a bad week for the iPad and Apple, which has been hit with legal problems in China where it has lost ownership of the iPad name, courtesy of a court decision which found in favour of a Hong Kong based LCD maker Proview International which has owned the iPad name in China since 2001.