Samsung Says It is "Not Doing Very Well" in Tablet Market
But has high hopes for Note line.
Ever since Apple launched the iPad, the tech industry has been searching high and low for the iPad killer. With the launch of every new tablet, whether it's a traditional Android device or something more unique from Amazon, experts wonder if this tablet will be the one to knock the iPad off of its throne. Samsung, with its line of Galaxy Tablets has always been considered a serious competitor for Cupertino and its iPad, but the Korean company today admitted that it's not doing so well in the tablet market.
CNet reports that Samsung's Hankil Yoon made the admission at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week. That's right, while most companies use the likes of MWC to pump up their image, Yoon told journalists at a media roundtable, "Honestly, we're not doing very well in the tablet market." Yoon didn't elaborate on his statement, but said the company is hopeful that 2012 will be a good year for its Galaxy Note.
This week saw Samsung a 10.1-inch version of the Galaxy Note (pictured) at Mobile World Congress. The company also announced updated versions of the Galaxy Tab 7 and Galaxy Tab 10.1. The biggest difference between the Galaxy Note line and the Galaxy Tab line is that the Note features a stylus, which Samsung says is to enable content creation. Samsung's plans for these two lines seem a little murky. According to Yoon, the plan is for the Note's sales to eclipse the Galaxy Tab 10.1's sales. CNet's Roger Cheng says Yoon said it would be necessary to stay competitive:
"The best thing to survive in the market is to kill your products," Yoon said. "We want to stay competitive in the market."
However, when our own Andrew Ku was visiting the Samsung booth, he was told specifically by Samsung that the two lines were going to co-exist together. Similarly, a statement to the Verge implies Samsung means to offer customers several choices within the Samsung brand, as opposed to a one-line-fits-all approach.
"Seeking to kill your own product by releasing increasingly compelling devices might position Samsung as a confident brand. A brand ambitious to improve its products so that the choice for consumers is between several Samsung products rather than between Samsung and its competitors’ products."
Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 2 line will launch in certain markets in March, while availability for the Galaxy Note 10.1 is not yet known. The 5-inch Galaxy Note is already on sale, as is the Galaxy Tab in 7-, 7.7- 8.9- and 10-inch variants.

Hardware options are a big want, people weren't fussed on Tegra 2 and that's pretty much the tablet market right now. Tegra 3 is out.
I mean couldn't they throw a few of their Samsung CPU's in there along with a quad-core Mali?
I like samsung's awesome displays, after using the S-AMOLED+ on the GS2 I wouldn't want anything less vibrant...
You have a good point, Apple offers 6 different tablets but all have the same underline hardware with the exception of storage (16/32/65 gig) and the cellular radio (with 3g and perhaps 4g or without). It is pretty simple. If Samsung followed the same model I think it would be good for them but I am not sure it will gain them much if any market share.
Good that they've figured it with Galaxy Tab 2.
moves on it will have a small core of users (people on TV that cant read an autocue maybe)
I dont want one - I have no use for carrying around a great big tablet thing. At home
I have a far higher spec far more flexible laptop and if that doesnt do it I use a desktop.
If I want TV I watch my TV.
If I want TV on the move - I visit a psychiatrist and get my head examined.
As for "cloud" computing - I'll allow that the same day I get my brain replaced by a cauliflower.
And Google Linux devices turn out to be just automated international criminal hacking of everyones personal data.
The more of that they hide in their tech the less I'm going to use it anyway no matter who makes it.
Perhaps if Samsung looked at what people need rather than trying to push the market - they could make a device that was functional. But I doubt it.
Android tablets will always be weak because they don't have Apple's eco-system. I still think that MS's entry into the tablet market with WinMobile 8 will eat into Android sales big time. ThinkPads Tablet looks very nice... but again, all the weakness of Android.
When you look at stores, its Ipad and tablets. Walmart has iPad signs on their doors. In the electronics dept. They have more apple stuff than all the others. Thing about apple, all the icrap stuff is compatible, same standard connector - which is easier to use than the Mini-USB typically used on everything else.
ASUS is the only Android maker that seems to make a good dent in the market, the transformer looks great, works great and easy add-ons is why people like them... and they do actually sell.
Stop offering 50+ different versions of similar products!!!!!!!!!!!!
It creates market clutter, buyer confusion, and keeps you from streamlining your processes and lower costs!!!!!
Holy Sh!t, the people that run these companies get paid hundreds of thousands if not millions and cant figure that simple concept out?????
You deserve to fail in the market if your that stupid.
This just proves tablets are a fad, and not something that people really desire to have.
Apple did it right in where no matter where you buy it you can just go to an apple store and have it taken care of.
Also it doesn't help that Android is so fragmented (seen how many Samsung phones are there?) and makes the OS and it's apps a hit or miss on whether they work right or if they perform correctly with your version of hardware. I also notice a lag on every version of Android tablet I have tried out at the store. As a disclosure the only Apple products I have is a phone and the pad and will never buy a PC/Laptop from them.
With that said, I'd love a Windows 8 slate or QNX-powered PlayBook over any of these.