On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

ViewSonic Europe's ViewPad 7 is the world’s first 7” Android 2.2 (Froyo) tablet with phone functionality, multi-tasking capabilities and front and back-facing cameras, VGA and 3MP, resolutions respectively.

Within a lightweight, pocket-sized design, this device comes with full 3G and phone functionality, a full size SIM card slot and integrated Bluetooth connectivity. ViewPad 7 supports instant messaging, text/mms messaging, VOIP and standard voice calls all in a single device.

Additional features includes a Micro SD slot for up to 32GB of storage; Wi-Fi and 3G functionality for web browsing and USB connectivity. It also boasts advanced features including Assisted GPS and an office document reader, along with the capability for hand-written note taking. There is also an e-book reader.

Said to be superior to resistive touch technology, ViewPad 7 uses a capacitive multi-touch screen.

Go Viewpad 7

According to a GfK Retail and Technology survey presented by IFA, technical innovations have driven up European sales in the first half of 2010 by 4.6%.

Sales of IT products are up by 4%, with consumers’ interests focusing particularly on portable devices and the networked home.

Appliances: Despite recovering after its all-time low in 2009, the European market for large Home Appliances remains at 2006 levels. Due to robust growth in six western European countries sales of small Home Appliances have registered an increase of 6%. Online sales are gaining in importance, and in Germany, France, the UK and the Netherlands their market share already stands at 15%.

Go GfK on First Half 2010

With 134,400 square meter (+11%), IFA’s 50th edition was its largest. More than 1423 exhibitors (+ 22%) were represented in Berlin.

The number of visitors rose 235,000 visitors (+5%), and so did trade visitors with 125,000 (+8%), At an estimated 3.5 billion euros (+9 %), the volume of orders placed by the retail trade exceeded last year’s figures.

The 50th edition of IFA saw 1877 members of the international media (+9%) and 29,000 international trade visitors (+21%)

Attention focused particularly on 3D TV, tablets, eBook readers and accessories. OK, home appliances, too. The new display sections IFA iZone and IFA eLibrary were an immediate success. Visitors showed keen interest in the networked home, energy efficiency and the main exhibit, the E-Haus shown by ZVEH, a comprehensive prototype of the networked home.

Developments in the consumer electronics market have been positive worldwide: in 2010 global sales are forecast to reach approximately 582 billion Euro, an increase of 5%. The prospects for the German market are equally good: it should reach 25 billion Euro for the first time.

GoIFA Wrap Up

Yes, the Galaxy Tab from Samsung lived up to its pre-IFA show hype. Samsung calls Galaxy Tab, the company’s first “smart media device.” 

Powered by Android 2.2, GALAXY Tab with its 7" display combines a tablet media environment (read e-books, browse the web, watch videos, listen to music)  with communication (via e-mail, voice and video call, SMS/MMS or even social networks).

The Tab comes with Readers Hub (Samsung’s  e-reading app that provides easy access to a digital library), Media Hub (films and videos), and Music Hub (an app for music tunes)

Go GALAXY Tab

But the real news, if you can imagine the irony that follows, came during the press conference remarks of Boo-Keun Yoon, President, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics.

Yoon opened his IFA remarks highlighting Samsung’s success in 2010 – the first two business quarters yielded record operating profits from hardware sales – as well as category leadership in TV (3D TVs with projected sales of over 2 million units worldwide) and mobile.

So what was the shocking statement from this King of Hardware?

“Software is the connective tissue for creating a smarter life,” said Yoon. “It’s the intelligence that moves content from one device to another – binding our product suites into a collective whole – and empowering consumers to orchestrate their lifestyles as never before.”

That's right: it's all about software folks. And even the great hardware makers now bow to power of the multitude of humble apps that drive today's consumer sales.  Go back and read above about the new Galaxy Tab which may have been better called "Hub Galaxy" and consider how Samsung was one of the first-movers on apps for Connected TV. 

Michael Zoeller, European Marketing Director for Television and Audio Visual Products, explained to the IFA audience that Samsung’s 3D passion is a part of a larger emerging trend: Smart TV. Zoeller displayed Samsung’s premium Smart 3D TV, the C9000, and discussed the growth of Samsung Apps for TV since its launch in January.

Samsung announced the Samsung Smart TV Challenge at IFA and more than 500,000 Euros will be awarded to developers across Europe for the best apps designed for Samsung TVs. European Developer Days will be hosted in Germany, France, and the UK in October, and final winners will be announced in February 2011.

Go Samsung Smart TV Challenge

The advantage of being in the mobile business (the disadvantage being that you are up against Apple) is that you live in a cold hardware business world where you circle the center of the solar system and live off the warmth and glow of a mass of applications.  Once you realize that, you look at the universe of consumer electronics in a different light.

From its mobile orbit, Samsung learns to appliy its software apps experience across a range of consumer devices: "Creating a Smarter Life"...it's all about software.

Go Samsung at IFA... lots more new products, including world’s first LTE-HSPA+ dual mode embedded netbook