Galaxy S 4: Samsung targets BlackBerry customers with Knox security

NEW DELHI: Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest technology company by revenue unveiled its latest flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone in New York City. The Galaxy S 4, which crams a 5-inche (127-millimeter) screen into a body slightly smaller than the S III's, will go on sale sometime between the end of April and the end of June. Samsung plans to offer the Galaxy S 4 through 327 carriers in 155 countries, giving it a wider reach than Apple's iPhone 5.

Samsung took aim at the trend of people using their own smartphones for work with the addition of new Knox software that builds a secure wall between personal and business data on handsets.

The S 4 comes with several new technologies intended to help users interact with the phone. For instance, the screen now senses fingers hovering just above the screen, and some applications react. The Mail application shows the first few lines of an email when a finger hovers above it in the list, and the Gallery application shows an expanded thumbnail.

The Galaxy S 4 also includes a tool that enables users to create a dividing line so part of the phone is devoted exclusively to work while the other part is filled with personal information and photos. The feature is similar to a function on the latest BlackBerry, an indication that Samsung is going after other smartphone makers besides Apple with its latest model.

Lee Sun-Tae, Analyst, NH Investment & Securities said, "I think the product is still ahead of its rival devices and this is good enough to win market share in the high-end segment. The other thing worth taking a note here is Samsung is now targeting enterprise clients and BlackBerry customers by adding Knox security solutions."