toggle

Samsung teases US-spec Galaxy S II, drops iPhone-like layout

updated 09:00 am EDT, Tue August 23, 2011

Samsung teases US version of Galaxy S II


Samsung has quietly posted a teaser video (below) for the American version of the Galaxy S II. Removing any doubt that the August 29 event is for the new phone, the clip also briefly shows what one of the new versions will look like. Conspicuously, the iPhone-derived home button is gone in favor of a more conventional Android layout.

No carrier badge is visible, though the design looks more likely to be the Epic Touch 4G for Sprint rather than a visible change like the Hercules coming to T-Mobile.

The change was expected given the original Galaxy S having followed a similar control scheme rework when it launched last year. Regardless, it shows Samsung being consciously aware of how much its design looks like the iPhone and being keen to avoid making the S II any more of a target for a US import ban or Apple lawsuits.

Samsung hasn't been successful at avoiding Apple lawsuits and ITC disputes, in part because third-party shops carry the non-US Galaxy S II and because of legal trouble elsewhere. It has tried to argue that Apple's claims are generic, although many have pointed out that Apple is making specific claims about elements like the home button, not just the basic shape, that would prevent Samsung from claiming the iPhone's layout was too obvious.

With the video, Samsung may have a more difficult time contending that it wasn't aware of any possible legal issues entering the US.




By Electronista Staff

print
email
(9)

TAGS :  

iPhone, patents, sprint, Android, Samsung, T-Mobile, lawsuits, mobile phones, Apple, Hercules, Galaxy

Related Articles

Recent Articles

Other Articles

toggle

Previous Comments

  1. bob.A

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2011

    -4
    08/23, 09:39am | report spam | reply

    did you watch the video?

    "Conspicuously, the iPhone-derived home button is gone in favor of a more conventional Android layout."

    The ONLY place where there isn't a home button is the promotional picture at the very end.

    All of the action sequences show a home button, and not the more conventional Android layout.

    I guess they really didn't try all that hard to make it not look like an iPhone.


  1. lamewing

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2004

    +6
    08/23, 09:57am | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    Prefer the Android layout

    I use an iPhone 4, but I do prefer the Android 3 or 4 button layout (and the Windows Phone OS 3 button layout) versus the single home button on the original Galaxy II S or the iPhone. More control and quicker access to what I want.

    In the end it hardly matters and is more of a legal battle magnet than anything else. Apple's legal BS is silly and unwarranted. Simple fact....Samsung could make an Android phone that is 100% identical to the iPhone and I still wouldn't buy it due to the fact that is runs Android. If I didn't use iOS I would use Windows Phone OS. Android would be my last choice.

    The only reason that Android is so popular (and I guess Apple feels threatened) is because 1) it can come on cheap or free phones and 2) cell carriers push Android phone like crazy. My local AT&T store has 2 iPhones on display (4 and 3GS) and 3 or 4 Windows Phones as well. BUT, the other 80% - 90% of phones on display are all Android phones. Of course the Android phone will "sell well". Yes, yes some folks choose Android, but they are going to buy a high end phone in the first place and won't be swayed by the cell carrier's drones anymore than an iPhone purchaser will be. 3) Some folks simply refuse to buy Apple (actually anything from a company that is "top dog" in their minds...Apple or no Apple. This is simply a matter of attacking the "rich uncle up on the hill" mentality.

    This may change if Apple can finally get a nice low-end iPhone into play next month. If Apple is wise they would do well to also release a 3G-enabled iPod Touch so as to cover those who simply don't want a smart phone but want to have some connectivity (and don't want to carry a big iPad around). Will this cut into Apple's iPhone sales? Hardly. With a subpar camera, less memory (not storage), subpar speakers, subpar retina display, less battery life, etc. only those that simply cannot afford an iPhone + CONTRACT will rely on a 3G-enabled iPod Touch. Plus it acts as a gateway device for younger people who will later want to replace it with a true iPhone. Sure, some folks will nay-say this idea...but they don't think long term.


  1. Hercules Rockefeller

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2011

    +3
    08/23, 12:17pm | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    comment title

    This website is nothing more than a propaganda tool for Apple. The articles are extremely bias and poorly written but that's to be expected from writers lacking integrity.


    Comment buried. Show
  1. SockRolid

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2010

    -13
    08/23, 01:46pm | report spam | reply

    Android is so doomed

    Between copycat hardware, hopeless "value add" fragmentation of the OS and GUI, rampant malware, lawsuits against hardware partners, and lawsuits against Android's unfair use of Java, it's a wonder Google doesn't just drop Android in favor of Chrome OS. Before things really get out of control.

    And if all of that wasn't bad enough, Android generates unsustainably low profits. $6 to $10 per user per year in ad revenue. (And 96% of Google's profits come from ads.)

    Google just blew $12.5 billion buying a hardware company that was already bleeding money (and was already being sued by Apple and Microsoft despite its 24,000 patents.) It's going to take many years to dig out of that financial hole. If Android lasts that long.


  1. SwissMac

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2006

    +1
    08/23, 09:20pm | report spam | reply

    @Hercules

    Hmm... are you sure you aren't the pot calling the kettle black?
    "The articles are extremely bias and poorly written..." I suppose the 'ed' you missed out there was your education?


Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

Recently Commented Articles

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

10 Most Read

Recent Reviews

iHome iW2 AirPlay speaker

iHome generally isn't known as a luxury brand when it comes to audio, but it is prolific -- the company's docks and speakers are every ...

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

One of the iPad's main weaknesses has always been productivity. It's not a question of apps; while it has taken a little time for a na ...

Logitech UE Air Speaker

If maybe a little more slowly than Apple would like, AirPlay is becoming a staple of the wireless speaker market for iOS devices. The ...

toggle

Most Commented

10 Most Discussed

 
toggle

Popular News