Samsung Releases Tablet PC

Samsung Electronics launched its Galaxy Tab tablet computer in the U.S. Thursday with several media partnerships that will allow customers to rent or purchase TV shows and films on the device.

The tablet, a 7-inch device based on the latest version of Google Inc.'s Android software, will be sold by Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc., Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA.

The company didn't release details on availability and pricing, saying that it would be up to its carrier partners to disclose those details. It plans to offer a WiFi-only version of the tablet, though it did not say when that model would be available.

Verizon said it would launch the tablet "in the coming weeks." AT&T said it would sell the device in "the coming months," with pricing details announced closer to the launch date.

Samsung said its initial content partners include MTV, NBC, Paramount and Universal Home Entertainment. Like the Apple Inc. iPad, the Galaxy Tab is designed as a vehicle to view content via a Media Hub.

Samsung, which unveiled the Tab at a press conference in New York City, did not release pricing details of the content but said it would be "competitive."

Samsung also built software that helps optimize the use of a larger tablet format. Some applications, for example, can be viewed in a split screen.