Samsung Galaxy Player 4 & 5 headed to the U.S. to rival iPod

Looks like we have got a bit more exciting news about the Samsung Galaxy Player. Samsung intends to rival Apple’s highly popular iPod Touch with a mini tablet-like device of their own. They have the Samsung Galaxy Player 4 & 5 both en route. The two models are named for screen size, 4″ and 5″. News has leaked that they are on the way to the U.S market and will be up for sale soon, as in “Spring”.

If the story of the Galaxy Player selling over 20,000 in 10 days over in Korea tells us anything, it is that people would like another solid option in the personal music player, or MP3 player market. Many of us now use just our Android phones for this, but it would be nice to have a dedicated music player that was not locked into the Apple and iTunes world. It looks like Samsung intends to hit that spot with the perfect device that exceeds the specs of the iPod Touch latest generation.

The Galaxy 4/5 is a Galaxy S device with all the specs we love about the Galaxy S line, but the phone radio’s have been replaced with a front and rear camera, and an overhauled music player brought to us by Samsung. Here are the specs listed below in case anyone hasn’t seen them before.

Samsung Galaxy Player 5 specs:

* Android 2.2 Froyo (device capable of 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade, but not promised)
* 5″ WVGA TFT LCD screen
* 8 GB of internal storage, 32 GB MicroSD supported
* VGA Front-facing camera, 3.2 megapixel rear camera with auto-focus and Flash
* SoundAlive Sound Engine and stereo speaker present
* Qik VoIP calls and videochat available on Wi-Fi
* Video codecs: DivX, Xvid, WMV, MPEG4, H.264
* Audio codecs: MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg, FLAC
* Samsung AllShare DLNA supported
* Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, Accelerometer, and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
* Android Market and Google Mobile apps available

Samsung Galaxy Player 4 specs:

* Android 2.2 Froyo (device capable of 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade, but not promised)
* 4″ SuperClear LCD screen
* 8 GB of internal storage, 32 GB MicroSD supported
* VGA front-facing camera, 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus
* SoundAlive Sound Engine and stereo speaker present
* Skype pre-loaded for Wi-Fi audio calls, Qik pre-loaded for Wi-fi videochat
* Video codecs: DivX, Xvid, WMV, MPEG4, H.264
* Audio codecs: MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg, FLAC
* Samsung AllShare DLNA supported
* Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, Accelerometer, and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
* Android Market and Google Mobile apps available

Personally I use my Android phone for my music player over bluetooth in my car, but I could see a Galaxy S Player replacing that in the very near future. Tell us what you think in the comments below, or in the forums. Will you buy a Galaxy Player, or keep using your ipod touch/android phone?

Take a look at the full press release below:

SAMSUNG UNLEASHES GALAXY PLAYER ULTRA-MOBILE DEVICES — COMMUNICATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATION ARE IN HAND

March 16, 2011

Two Light and Slim Devices Deliver the Full Internet and Thousands of Android Apps Without Monthly Connection Fees

NEW YORK, March 16, 2011 – Samsung Electronics America Inc. ., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today expanded the Galaxy Family of portable devices with the addition of the unique Galaxy Player, the first in a new category of Android-based ultra-mobile devices. The large 4” or 5” screen on the two new models offer an ideal to enjoy games, music, videos, social media and e-books, yet still easily fit in a pants pocket.

The 4” and 5” screen models of Galaxy Player, weighing just 5 and 7 ounces respectively, deliver powerful features for entertainment, communication and information on the go. Both devices boast Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) connectivity for quick and easy access to online services, front and rear cameras (including flash on the 5” model) for videoconferencing or photography, stereo speakers for enjoying music or videos, and support for Adobe Flash 10.1 to access virtually any content on the Web.

“Our Galaxy Family – including Galaxy S mobile phones and Galaxy Tab – has been a success because we give people what they truly wish for – access to thousands of Android Apps coupled with Samsung’s sleek design,” explained Tim Baxter, President, Consumer Business Division at Samsung Electronics America. “Our new Galaxy Players deliver that same experience in two terrific, ultra-portable form factors – without incurring fees for a monthly data plan.”

Convenient Communication Features

Galaxy Players comes with Qik applications for VoIP calls over a WiFi connection; Skype will also be pre-loaded on the 4” model. A microphone and speaker in the device provides a comfortable and natural communications experience.

Video-conferencing is a joy through the front-facing camera on the devices and the large 4” and 5” screens provide for a crystal-clear view of the other side of the conversation.

Social networking comes alive on the Galaxy Player models – users can download popular apps like Facebook, Twitter and many others to take full advantage of the generous 4” and 5” screen real estate. Now, users can connect with more friends than ever without squinting on a tiny screen.

Unprecedented Multimedia, Gaming in Style – and Drag ‘N Play

Galaxy Player’s large 4” or 5” screens are perfect for reading e-books on the go, while the built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to browse and download new books from almost anywhere.

Stereo speakers, with Virtual 5.1 surround sound and Samsung’s SoundAlive post-processing technology, makes the Galaxy Player a portable boombox to enliven any occasion. The LCD WVGA display on the 5” model makes watching movies or TV shows a superb experience, while the Super Clear WVGA LCD screen on the 4” model provides bright, clear access to online videos.

In addition, both Galaxy Players support numerous multimedia formats natively, eliminating the need to transcode files. Videos in the popular DivX, Xvid, WMV, MPEG4 and H.264 formats play effortlessly. Music lovers will love the audio support for MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg, and Flac.

Drag ‘N Play support means files can be simply dragged from a PC right onto the player – no need for installing special software of any kind on the PC. A MicroSD slot allows 32 GB of extra storage, supplementing the on-board 8 GB.

Galaxy Players are DLNA Certified® and support AllShare – so content can be streamed to and from a PC or television without wires – anywhere in the home.

Gamers are sure to embrace the Galaxy Player – the vibrant and expansive 5” and 4” screens, stereo sound, access to thousands of games via the Android Marketplace, and extreme portability all add up to a package that is simply perfect for both hardcore and casual games.

Access to an Amazing Lineup of Apps- and Flash 10.1

The two Galaxy Player devices are the only Mobile Internet Devices with Google certification – so they can access over 100,000 Android applications via Google’s Android Market. The Web browsing experience on the Galaxy Player devices is unparalleled. Support for Adobe Flash 10.1 means no limits – and no frustration – when browsing online.
Both devices run Android version 2.2 (Froyo) and will be upgradeable to version 2.3 (Gingerbread).