Samsung does redesign wiggle to conquer German tablet ban

Subsequent to the ban of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany following legal challenges by Apple, the electronics giant will now release a modified version of its super-successful tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1N.

The Tab 10.1N is designed to not cross the line on the copyright lawsuit Apple slammed Samsung with earlier this year. It has a slightly different metal frame and a new location for the speakers.

The tablet is being listed for EUR€549, and unsurprisingly the specifications mirror the Galaxy Tab 10.1 exactly. The single spec change is an increase from Bluetooth 2.0 to 3.0. As for the frame, which formed the basis of the lawsuit due to its use of “edge-to-edge glass”, it is now thicker and wraps from the left to the right side of the Tab 10.1N.

Why is Samsung so eager to release the Tab 10.1N? December approaches and the holiday season presents a crucial sales period which Samsung hopes to capitalise on.

In September, a German court ruled that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringed on Apple’s iPad design patents. All sales and marketing were subsequently banned.

Despite lawsuits flying around thick and fast, neither side would admit defeat and both companies launched counter-lawsuits claiming copyright and patent violations on each other’s tablets and smartphones.

Australia, South Korea, Japan and the US were battlegrounds in the tit-for-tat claims. Last month, Apple managed to squeeze a temporary injunction and block sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia.

Quick to retaliate, Samsung then said it would attempt to block sales of the iPhone 4S in both Australia and Japan.

Samsung waits with baited breath as Apple eyes the Galaxy Tab 10.1N, with an analyst saying, “It is not yet possible to say if the modified tablet will be free of any legal disputes with Apple.”

Image source MacDailynews.com