Samsung strikes US tablet deal

Samsung Electronics has struck deals with four US carriers to begin selling a Google Android-powered tablet computer, taking …

Samsung Electronics has struck deals with four US carriers to begin selling a Google Android-powered tablet computer, taking on Apple's iPad on its home turf.

Samsung yetserday announced details of its new 18cm touchscreen Galaxy, to be sold through Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and AT&T, which also carries the iPad.

The Korean electronics giant has secured deals with Viacom's MTV Networks and Paramount and NBC Universal, which ComCast is buying, to buy or stream TV episodes, full television seasons, and new and old movies.

Unlike the iPad, the Galaxy - which shares many of the same features as the Galaxy S smart phone launched during the summer - has front- and back-facing cameras for video conferencing, Samsung said in a statement.

It runs on Google's fledgling Android operating system, which has taken market share away from Apple, and has access to some 80,000 applications on the Google apps store.

Reuters