Samsung unveils new smartphone platform “bada” to the world
IN early December, Samsung Electronics Co., a leading mobile phone provider, unveiled its newest smartphone platform, Samsung bada (bada means “ocean” in Korean) in London. At this unveiling, Samsung showcased the bada SDK (Software Development Kit) for partners.
The electronic giant presented the unique benefits and unprecedented opportunities that the bada platform will bring to developers, mobile operators and even consumers. Mobile handset experts say that Samsung bada is a driving force in accomplishing Samsung’s vision of a ‘smartphone for everyone.’ To achieve this vision, Samsung bada offers a feature-rich platform for enhanced mobile experiences for consumers.
Samsung aims at making bada a complete mobile ecosystem through a developer support program that both the application store and consumers will benefit from. Harnessing its accumulated expertise in developing advanced mobile phones, Samsung will allow its users to enjoy ultimate mobile experience through superb features.
“In providing Samsung bada, I believe that Samsung will become a true leader in the mobile industry; offering a wider range of smartphone choices for consumers.” Lee Ho-soo, Executive Vice President and Head of the Media Solution Center at Samsung Electronics said. “At the same time, Samsung bada presents a powerful opportunity for developers to get their applications onto an unprecedented number of Samsung devices across the world.”
Samsung believes that bada will attract developers and customers with a wide array of advanced features. Based on Samsung’s signature TouchWiz User Interface, Samsung bada platform provides an easy, simple, and intuitive UI without compromising efficiency. To enhance creativity and user interactivity, Samsung bada provides flash control, web control, motion sensing, fine-tuned vibration control, and face detection. Also, it supports sensor-based, contextaware applications. By using various sensors such as accelerometers, tilt, weather, proximity, and activity sensors, application developers can easily implement context-aware interactive applications.
Samsung bada differentiates its position by supporting various service-centric features such as social networking, device synchronization, content management, locationbased services, and commerce services. All of these services are supported by back-end bada servers. These ground-breaking developer- friendly features support developers to implement various services without additional effort.
Samsung bada is open and configurable. The new platform enables developers to take full advantage of mobile device capabilities to create compelling applications with ease. Applications can use device functions to make phone calls, send messages, or access the contact list. Also, various service applications can share information such as personal profiles, social relations, schedules, or contents with asimple user confirmation in order to provide services with greater personal relevance and cooperative service extension. The flexibility of the bada platform makes it applicable to a wide range of devices than any other mobile operating system.
Attendees at the launch event were introduced to the new Samsung bada Developer Challenge. The Challenge was the first chance for developers to win a share of a US$2,700,000 prize fund, simply by using the features of the new Samsung bada Developer Challenge. The competition was one of the largest ever for developers of mobile software and testament to Samsung’s commitment to the new bada platform.
Samsung also announced a series of Developer Days to take place across the world during 2010. Open to all developers, the initial events will be held in Seoul, London and San Francisco with more events folling as the year progresses. The event also featured insights from current bada development partners including a micro blogging service, Twitter, a movies and games rental outlet, Blockbuster and game developers.