Samsung shares the joy of smartphones

SOUTH KOREAN HARDWARE MAKER Samsung has added four Android smartphones to the already confusing array of competing handsets out there.

It's possible that someone on the company's marketing team was on holiday when the firm was coming up with names for these devices, as those introduced are the Galaxy Ace, the Galaxy Fit, the Galaxy Gio and the Galaxy Mini.

Lack of exciting nomenclature aside, the smartphones should appeal to a range of users that don't fancy buying an Iphone.

JK Shin, president of Samsung's Mobile Communications Business said, "Each device delivers something different, with the idea that each user is an individual and wants their mobile experience to be easy and fun. With these four Samsung Galaxy smartphones we help them share the joy they have in their lives and bring their experiences to their friends and family."

The Ace pictured below, which UK mobile phone seller Three has already proudly accepted into its fold, is pitched at trendy young professionals, so any non-Nathan Barleys may want to skip to the next paragraph. According to Samsung it is simple yet elegant, and comes with a 3.5-inch HVGA display. Both Three and Samsung said that it will be coming to stores soon, but they did not say when exactly.

The Galaxy Fit is aimed at busy professionals, and has a 3.31-inch QVGA display and a 600MHz processor, according to Samsung, and is easy to use.

The Gio, which takes its name from the Italian for jewel, is also pitched at young professionals, though Samsung added that it expects these users to be stylish. The Gio has a 3.2-inch HVGA display, presumably just in case people don't like 3.5-inch ones or 3.31-inch ones.

The Mini, predictably, is the smallest of the bunch and is aimed at trendy - there's that word again - young people and has a 3.14-inch QVGA display.

All of the handsets run the Android 2.2 OS, also known as Froyo, and Samsung appears to be launching them in Russia first with other markets to follow. µ