Samsung has announced that its Galaxy WiFi Android Media Player has finally launched in the UK, bringing customers a very good Android-based alternative to the Apple iPod Touch.
We first heard of the Galaxy WiFi at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the beginning of the year. Then again in September, when Samsung announced it would be coming to the UK within a month.
The Samsung Galaxy WiFi is almost identical to their hugely popular Galaxy S smartphone, albeit without the mobile phone capabilities. There are two sizes available, both of which run the Android operating system (2.3 Gingerbread to be precise).
The Galaxy Wi-Fi 5.0 and has a great 5-inch touchscreen which makes it perfect for games and movies. It’s a little bigger than Apple’s iPod Touch in screen size and thickness, but it makes up for it with more gadgetry inside.
That 5-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 800 x 480 making movies and games look great. The device has a 3.2-Megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front for video calling with apps such as Fring which can be downloaded from the Android Market which is also onboard.
Samsung has also released a smaller version of the Galaxy WiFi, the Samsung Galaxy WiFi 3.6. As the model number suggests, this device has a 3.6-inch touchscreen which has a resolution of 480 x 320. It also has a 2-Megapixel camera on the back and the same VGA front-facing camera for video calling.
Both models have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for all your wireless needs. The Wi-Fi receiver is 802.11 b/g/n compatible, so you can expect speedy internet access when you connect it up to your wireless router.
In the press release, Simon Stanford from Samsung UK and Ireland adds: “With the Galaxy Wi-Fi we have created a device that allows consumers all the fun and freedom of our other Android Galaxy devices. Consumers can choose from thousands of exciting apps and communicate with friends using the Social Hub or even services such as Skype.’
You can go out and buy the Galaxy WiFi 5.0 now in 8GB and 16GB storage sizes for £199 and £219 respectively, which is a fair price we think. The iPod Touch may have just been dropped in price to £169, though it has a much smaller screen than this beast of a device.
The smaller Galaxy WiFi 3.6 will go on sale next month in 8GB and 16GB storage options for £149 and £169 respectively. This device will go into direct competition with the iPod Touch – the same screen size and storage space but for 20 notes less.
Is this the iPod Touch alternative you’ve been looking for? Let us know what you think in our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.