Samsung, LG Team Up with Google to Take on Apple

Google has joined forces with Samsung and LG to make prototype smart devices featuring the Android operating system.

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Google on its official blog on Monday announced the release of two new smart devices running on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. One is the Nexus 10 tablet PC by Samsung Electronics, with a 10.1-inch screen, and the other the Nexus 4 smartphone by LG Electronics, with a 4.7-inch screen.

Samsung and Google hope to challenge Apple in the global market for smart devices. LG also hopes to regain its former glory by showcasing its technology in the global market.

◆ Aiming for the High End

The Nexus 10 tablet PC will offer the highest resolution in the market at 300 pixels per inch. Apple's New iPad, which was unveiled this spring with the highest screen resolution so far, has 264 ppi.

The Nexus 10 also promises faster speed and better functions than other tablet PCs, with WiFi connection speeds three to four times faster than existing wireless LAN models. It is 8.9 mm thick and weighs only 603 g.

In September, Google also turned to Taiwanese computer maker Asus to produce a prototype phone called Nexus 7, but that was an affordable mass market device, whereas the Nexus 10 aims at the high end.

Google is apparently determined to boost the status of Android devices in the global market. Apple's iPad occupies 60 percent of the global tablet PC market and Android devices the rest. But already Samsung smartphones running on Android have overtaken the iPhone to grab the No. 1 spot in the global smartphone market.

◆ Top Specifications

LG has been able to regain some of its former standing in the phone market after a period in the doldrums by offering products with superior specifications. Until now, Google has turned primarily to Samsung to produce its prototypes, but now it seems keen to diversify.

The Nexus 4 features a high-resolution, a display that boasts a better touch-screen experience than existing models. It also comes with the latest quad-core processor and 2 GB memory, the highest specification in the market at the moment.

LG plans to start selling the Nexus 4 in seven countries including the U.S., U.K. and Canada next month. LG said it hopes to step up its global marketing efforts with the release of the Nexus 4.