Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Takes on IPad 3

Samsung today unveiled its Galaxy Tab 2, an Android 4.0 tablet, getting a jumpstart on Apple's iPad 3, competing in the increasingly-fierce market with cheaper products.

The South Korean company said the Galaxy Tab 2 improves on its first version tablet with an improved user interface and access to millions of songs, films, e-books games and periodicals through "Hubs" -- its answer to iTunes the App Store. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab 2 features a 7-inch 1024 by 600 pixel display, 1-gigahertz dual-core processor, 1-gigabyte of RAM and a 3-megapixel rear camera.

Samsung is hoping to get a jumpstart against Apple's iPad 3 -- expected to hit stores in March. As reigning leader of the tablet market, the iPad still pulls in millions of buyers every month, retaining its almost 90 percent hold on the market to competitors' chagrin.

But Samsung releases a myriad of tablets in different sizes and cheaper price ranges, relative to the iPad's expensive price, to capitalize on the broad demand in emerging markets and abroad.

Demand for a cheaper alternative was clear after Amazon's Kindle Fire lured 1 or 2 million customers away from Apple's tablets last year. And the Nook Tablet, another Android-based tablet, became Barnes & Noble's best-selling item since launching last November, raking in $220 million in sales during its first month on the shelf.

With so many companies jostling for top spot in the tablet market, Samsung will need to price its Galaxy Tab 2 carefully to attract customers. Thus far, companies have deferred the high-end to Apple, choosing instead to fight for the lower-priced segments.

Samsung, which has yet to announce pricing or availability, indicated that the Galaxy Tab 2 will be available in both 3G and Wi-Fi options.