Samsung to cash in on growing music-dedicated handset market

Dubai: Samsung, the world's second largest selling cellphone maker, expects global demand for music-dedicated handsets to grow by 12 per cent next year, compared to 8.5 per cent this year, at an annual compound growth rate of 41 per cent, a top official said.

"The demand is strong among the Gulf countries, especially UAE and Saudi Arabia, where more than 50 per cent of the people are teens," Vinod Nair, regional manager of the Telecommunication Division in MEA of Samsung Gulf Electronics, said.

As convergence is gaining momentum and major vendors strengthening their position in the music phone category, Samsung does not want to be left alone.On Tuesday, it launched a third music cellphone, M3510, the company's first bar-type music mobile phone boosted by features including DNSe sound, music hot keys and motion control. It is priced at Dh699.

Popular Lebanese singer Elissa, who has signed up as the 2008 brand ambassador for Samsung, unveiled the phone for all music lovers.

"The M3510 is technically very advanced, smartly designed and boasts remarkable features which make it easier for my fans to listen to my music wherever they go," Elissa commented on the new M3510.

Digital downloads

Samsung has signed a deal with Sony unit Getmo, the largest digital download portal in the Middle East, for Samsung music lovers to download digital entertainment services free of cost for one year.

Subscribers can download music to their cellphone or computer including full track songs, music videos, ringtones, video tones, wallpapers, movie trailers, games and animations, and access content including that of Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, Mazzika, Melody Music, Hungama among other content labels.

"This collaboration will provide Samsung's customers with services that meet the needs and tastes of all music lovers," said Sandeep Saighal, General Manager, at the Telecommunication Division of Mena.