Samsung launches tablet with fingerprint scanner in Kenya

Corporate News

Samsung managers Lisa Karanja and Manoj Changarampatt display the Samsung Tab S during its launch in Nairobi on Aug 21. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU 

By OKUTTAH MARK

In Summary

• The Galaxy Tab S is designed to rival the iPad, which is the world’s most popular tablet.
• The 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch size tablets are retailing at Sh59,999 and Sh74,999 respectively; similar to Apple’s iPad mini with Retina display and the iPad Air.
• The Galaxy Tab S is 6.6 mm thick and can be set for unlocking using the owner’s fingerprints.

Samsung has launched its latest tablet in the Kenyan market, which comes with a fingerprint security scanner and a price tag of Sh75,000.

The Galaxy Tab S is designed to rival the iPad, which is the world’s most popular tablet.

The 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch size tablets are retailing at Sh59,999 and Sh74,999 respectively; similar to Apple’s iPad mini with Retina display and the iPad Air.

The Galaxy Tab S is 6.6 mm thick and can be set for unlocking using the owner’s fingerprints.

The scanners allow up to eight people to save their fingerprints for tablets that are handled by multiple users.

Yesterday’s launch follows the global one in June that marked yet another effort by Samsung to take on the iPad, its main rival. Since 2010, the company has released a line of tablets aimed at taking away market share from Apple.

Some have been so similar to Apple’s products that they became the centre of Apple’s infamous trademark lawsuit against Samsung.

“With the launch of the Galaxy Tab S, Samsung is setting the industry bar higher for the entire mobile industry. It will provide consumers with a visual and entertainment experience that brings colours to life, beautifully packaged in a sleek and ultra-portable mobile device,” said Business leader of Samsung East Africa’s Mobile division Manoj Changarampatt during Thursday’s launch.

The Business Daily could not immediately establish the local market share of tablets.

Globally, data by the IDC Worldwide quarterly tablet tracker shows that Apple has the biggest share at 26.9 per cent followed by Samsung’s 17.2 per cent, Lenovo 4.9 per cent Asus 4.6 per cent, Acer Group 2.0 per cent while the remaining 44 per cent is controlled by other small brands. 

A tablet is a complete mobile computer, which is larger than a mobile phone and operated by touching the screen.

It often uses an on-screen virtual keyboard or a digital pen rather than a physical keyboard and it can be used to access and store digital content such as electronic bible, educational materials, to send and check emails, play computer games and watching movies.