Samsung unveils Galaxy Pro, a new 2.8-inch QWERTY Android smartphone

Over the weekend, Samsung announced the latest addition to its Galaxy range of Android smartphones; the Galaxy Pro, a small QWERTY handset that features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, with a QWERTY keypad that runs Android 2.2.

The Galaxy Pro will will feature a dedicated hotspot feature, allowing users to turn their device into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot at the touch of a button, also shipping with Samsung’s Social Hub Premium feature which connects users to their favourite social networks and instant messaging platforms and email from one place.

The official specifications have yet to be confirmed but Three has confirmed it will be carrying the device in the UK, offering a first-look video on its blog :

Samsung to unveil 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab on March 22

It looks like Samsung is set to announce its 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab on March 22 at the CTIA Wireless event in Florida, adding a third device to its range of Android-powered tablets.

We reported last week that Samsung was to release a new 8.9-inch Honeycomb tablet, local media outlets suggesting that Samsung could announce its the device as soon as next month. Samsung confirmed the launch date, updating its Facebook page to announce a new Unpacked event on March 22, similar to the one it held at this years Mobile World Congress.

The invite features the numbers “78910”, numbers that seem to reflect the different variations of tablets in the Galaxy Tab range; Samsung has a 7-inch Froyo-powered tablet on the market, with a 10.1-inch Honeycomb device due for release soon. The introduction of a 8.9-inch Tab would fit nicely and complete Samsung’s cryptic clue.

We only have three weeks before the CTIA Wireless event, so expect some extra details to become available over the course of the month.

Things don’t stay secret for long on the internet.

HP believes RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook has “uncanny similarities” to its Touchpad

If you were to take a look at HP’s new WebOS-powered TouchPad and RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry Playbook, you might notice that the two operating systems have distinctly similar features and interfaces.

LaptopMag noticed this too and highlighted the similarities which include RIM’s use of multitasking inside its QNX  operating system on the PlayBook, a system which displays open applications in separate windows (or cards as it is referred to on the WebOS platform), that can be closed by swiping them off of the screen.

Both operating systems have their own unique ways of delivering a unique touchscreen experience. In such a competitive market, manufacturers and developers look to incorporate similar features to their rivals in an attempt to provide a familiar experience whilst innovating in other areas.

When asked to comment on similarities between the two tablet experiences, HP’s and RIM’s responses were understandably quite different:

HP’s Jon Oakes, Director of Product Marketing for the TouchPad:

RIM’s Jeff McDowell, Senior Vice President for Business and Platform Marketing

HP says there are “some uncanny similarities”, RIM says that QNX had the design “lined up before we even started working with them”. We believe the two ecosystems are vastly removed from each other, offering different overall experiences but its interesting to note how manufacturers perceive rival devices in the same market.

Both devices are expected to launch this year, with the PlayBook expected to hit the US market within weeks.