Samsung Electronics has formally announced the launch of its own mobile platform, Samsung “bada”.
The latest challenger to Apple’s dominance of the mobile apps field will launch in December, enabling developers to create applications for Samsung’s range of mobile phones. “Bada” means ocean in Korean.
Hosoo Lee, Samsung Electronics EVP and head of media solutions, said that “by opening Samsung’s mobile platforms we will be able to provide rich mobile experiences on an increasing number of accessible smartphones.”
bada also offers an integration platform so that mobile operators can provide differentiated services to customers.
Samsung has been working on the creation of its mobile application ecosystem through the launch of Samsung Mobile Innovator in 2008, its application seller site and its app store, all of which are now part of bada.
Samsung has been working on the creation of its mobile application ecosystem through the launch of Samsung Mobile Innovator in 2008, its application seller site and its app store, all of which are now part of bada.
The www.bada.com website launches today with updates on product launches, features, and event notices and includes the bada software development kit (SDK) for developers.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics has signed an €867 million licensing agreement with Qualcomm for use of the chip giant's 3G and 4G technology.
The details of the deal remain confidential, but the contract is believed to cover handset and base station patents for CDMA, WCDMA, OFDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, and Wimax.
The cross-licensing deal also gives Qualcomm the right to use Samsung's 57 patents for wireless technology. The exact number of patent licenses transferred between the two companies was not disclosed.
The agreement will offset a €153 million charge made against Qualcomm by the Korea Fair Trade Commission. The commission has ruled that Qualcomm abused its monopoly on CDMA patents in Korea, home to Samsung and LG. Qualcomm is appealing against the ruling.