Samsung promises 'something big' on 1 September
Samsung is promising 'something big' within the next fortnight. But what could it be? Our money's on a new Galaxy Tab.
Samsung has two teaser trailers for the upcoming IFA techie trade show in Berlin, promising "something big is coming" on 1 September -- but what could Samsung be prepping for launch?
The videos themselves give little away, except that Samsung knows how to wind us right up with cloyingly sweet teasers involving beaches, smiling faces and music so earthy it would make Enya blush. Still, those glowing balls of light could be mobiles or tablets, so we've embedded them both at the bottom of this post. Sorry in advance.
Still, we don't need teaser trailers -- we can untangle this mystery using our potent intellect. So what could Samsung be unleashing on 1 September?
Google Nexus Prime?
Samsung is strongly rumoured to be building the next Google phone, the Nexus Prime. This mobile will reportedly pack a 4.5-inch AMOLED HD screen, and will be the first phone to run Android Ice Cream Sandwich, the very latest version of Google's mobile operating system. The dates would match too -- we've heard the Nexus Prime is due in October.
But that said, while Samsung is building this mobile, Google will be putting its name on it. We suspect Samsung will want to save up its big announcements for products that bear its own brand. Still, we'd love to see the Nexus Prime soon.
Honeycomb Galaxy Tab?
Roughly his time last year Samsung launched the first tablet to properly compete with the iPad -- the Galaxy Tab. That was a brilliant little 7-inch tablet, but it was running Android version 2.2 Froyo, which is built for mobiles. We'd love to see a version of the 7-inch tablet running Honeycomb, the tablet-specific version of Android. Fingers crossed.
A sequel to the Galaxy S2?
The Samsung Galaxy S2 only came out a few months ago, but it's already sold 5 million units, even before going on sale in the states. Samsung will be keen to capitalise on that success, so we could see a new flagship phone announced as soon as September.
We could also see some new, slightly less glamorous mid-range Android mobiles coming out, though that would be disappointing after this build-up.
In terms of what Samsung can reveal, everything is subject to change right now -- Apple's lawyers are out for blood, already getting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 banned in Europe (though it's subsequently been unbanned), claiming Samsung's products are shameless rip-offs. Here's hoping Apple doesn't throw a spanner in the works come September.
CNET UK's crackpot news team will be present at IFA to bring you all the latest, so stay tuned for all the Samsung news your frontal lobe can handle. In the meantime, hop into the comments below or on to our Facebook page and let us know your predictions.