Samsung halts tablet sales in Australia

By Geoff Duncan August 1, 2011

samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple and Samsung’s increasingly-broad patent dispute has taken another turn today, as Samsung has reportedly agreed to stop selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet in Australia until the companies’ patent disputes are resolved—or it gets court approval. According to Bloomberg, the sales limitation applies to the U.S. version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1; the company plans to release a version specifically for Australia, and has agreed to provide three samples of that device to Apple a week before it goes into distribution.

Samsung has been advertising the imminent availability of the Galaxy Tab 10.0 in Australia since at least July 20. If Apple loses its patent infringement claims against Samsung, it will have to pay Samsung damages for the loss of Australian sales.

The agreement is just the latest round in a patent battle between Apple and Samsung that got started earlier this year when Apple sued Samsung for essentially copying its iPhone and iPad products, as well as infringing on several patents. (Apple claims the Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringes on at least 10 Apple patents.) The dispute has quickly spread to international jurisdictions, with cases and counter-claims being filed in the U.S>, Germany, Japan, and Samsung’s native South Korea.

Samsung was the first company to seek import bans, filing complaints with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking to ban imports of iPhones and iPads into the United States; Apple has responded with complaints seeking to bar imports of Samsung products into various international markets. Industry watchers expect the dispute to extend beyond Australia.

The suits are not without irony, because Apple is one of Samsung’s biggest customers, purchasing enormous amounts of flash memory and other components from Samsung, and Samsung currently manufacturers the A5 processor used in the current iPad model. Recent reports have had Apple conducting trials with Taiwan’s TMSC as a potential new CPU manufacturer.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

Best Samsung tablet deals: Discounted tablets as low as $120

Recent apps view on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

If you've been considering several tablet deals and can't decide what to grab, then going with a Samsung tablet might be an excellent option. Not only can you find some great Samsung tablets both for performance and budget, but if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem, you can get a lot of extra functionality. To that end, we've gone out and found some of our favorite tablet deals on the market, as well as various accessories that you can use to spruce up an already existing Samsung tablet or the new one you're going to buy. Of course, if you're not quite sold on Samsung tablets, you could also check out some iPad deals as well if you prefer the Apple ecosystem.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite -- $120, was $200

If you're looking for a budget tablet, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a solid option, especially if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem. You get an 8.7-inch screen running a 1340 x 800 resolution, which is great for watching content or surfing the web. The MediaTek MT8768T is an entry-level processor, but it should handle most day-to-day tasks just fine, and while the 64GB of storage is on the lower end, it's perfectly fine, especially if you stream most of your content. Probably the most surprising thing here is the 4GB of RAM, which is a good amount for this price bracket and will give you a pretty smooth experience overall.

Mobile

How to try Samsung’s Galaxy AI on any iPhone or Android phone

Activating the Chat Assist feature on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung just released the new Galaxy S24 lineup in January, and one of its biggest selling points is Galaxy AI. Whether you love it or hate it, the era of mobile AI is here to stay, and Galaxy AI is Samsung’s suite of AI-powered tools to make your life easier.

Mobile

TORRAS Ostand series for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra adds features and it’s on sale

TORRAS Ostand Series case for Galaxy S24 Ultra used outdoors

Your new phone needs a case, but why settle for any boring old case? TORRAS makes a point of delivering truly functional, next-level cases for various mobile devices, including Samsung's brand-new Galaxy S24 Ultra. The case in question is called the Ostand series, and it has been painstakingly designed to enhance your mobile experience and even add to it. Allow us to explain. It introduces unique lens protection technology to keep the quality telephoto lens on the S24 Ultra safe and protected while still maintaining full clarity. You get gorgeous, pro-grade pictures, plus you can use the built-in 360-degree rotating case stand to get unique shots -- you can take photographs with the stability of a tripod. That's not all. It works well with Samsung's smart note-taking features, protects the speakers from dust and debris while preserving audio quality, adopts a subtle curved design to match the S24 Ultra's unique display, and much more. As TORRAS boldly claims, it's "more than a case." Why not take it for a spin or keep reading to learn what else it can do? Spoiler: It’s not just a case!
Order Now

Why you need the TORRAS Ostand Series case for your Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Featuring a lightweight titanium alloy exterior that's both lighter and more manageable than its predecessor, the Samsung S24 Ultra sets the bar for ultra-portable phones. But when you slap a case on it, at least usually, that all goes away. Not with TORRAS' Ostand series, as it emphasizes lightness and slimness. The phone still feels lightweight and enjoyable but looks as stunning as it does without any protection. More importantly, the Ostand series case is the perfect companion for your S24 Ultra, and here's why: