Samsung Introduces Bada Smartphones

Samsung Introduces Bada Smartphones

Samsung today introduced the Wave 2, Wave 723 and the Wave 525, three new smartphones based on its open-source Bada operating system, designed for social networking and gaming.

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The South Korea-based company said the more sophisticated Wave 2 features a 1-gigahertz processor, 3.7-inch "Super-Clear" touch screen display and a 5.0-megapixel auto-focus camera for video recording. The mid-range Wave 723, meanwhile, comes with a 3.2-inch screen, 5.0-megapixel camera for video recording and video calling. The entry-level Wave 525 integrates a 3.2-inch display and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

All three devices run on Samsung's Bada 1.2 software, and include "Social Hub," an application that combines email, messaging and social networking into one inbox, giving users an easier way to see everything, as well as "Widgets," or smartphone apps, for gaming, music and video and even e-books.

Several third-party companies, such as Twitter, Capcom, EA Mobile and Gameloft are developing Bada apps. Both free and pay apps are available for download but Samsung has yet to provide accessibility on its website. The company said the new Bada phones will hit Europe first in the coming months, with other markets following throughout the first quarter.

"The new Wave family is testament to Samsung's continuing commitment to deliver a smartphone for every lifestyle," said Stephen Jun, head of Samsung's mobile division. "These three new devices in the Samsung Wave family represent Samsung's commitment to delivering choice for smartphone users and ultimately democratizing the smartphone market."

Samsung released its first Bada smartphone -- the Wave S8500 -- in June last year, which went on to sell more than one million units in the first month. Unlike Google's Android operating system and Microsoft Window Phone 7, Bada, the Korean word for "ocean," was created in an attempt to improve networking and gaming of other platforms. The company had said it plans to introduce Bada into all levels of its mobile line, including the low-end feature phones.