Samsung unveils two new tablets,releases smartphone teaser

Electronics giant Samsung has expanded its tablet portfolio with Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy Book and outlined a series of measures to "enhance" product safety.

The focus on product safety comes against the backdrop of a global product recall that Samsung had undertaken as faulty phone batteries led to its flagship Galaxy Note 7 catching fire. Taking the curtain off the two new tablets at the mega mobile show -- the Mobile World Congress, the South Korean conglomerate also shared a teaser video of its much-awaited smartphone.

The smartphone -- speculated as Galaxy 8 -- is believed to be the successor of Galaxy Note 7 and Samsung's next flagship. The company, however, did not divulge any details about the launch, slated for March 29.

"The past six months have undoubtedly been one of the most challenging periods in our history. We did not meet the high standards of quality and excellence we set for ourselves and consumers have come to expect from us," Samsung Electronics Europe Chief Marketing Officer, David Lowes said, addressing a packed hall on the eve of inauguration of the Mobile World Congress 2017.

Lowes said the company is determined to learn "every possible lesson" and that it recognised that consumer trust can only be earned by action, not words. Lowes, however, did not specifically name the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that had caused a global recall last year over exploding batteries.

Following the investigation into faulty batteries, the company has implemented a broad range of processes to further enhance product safety, including multi-layer safety measures, and an 8-point battery safety check, he said.

"We have also formed a battery advisory group comprising external advisors, academics and research experts to maintain a clear and objective perspective of battery safety and innovation," he said. Lowes' presentation was briefly interrupted by a Greenpeace activist, who stood on the steps of the stage holding a yellow banner with words #GalaxyNote7 and 'Rethink, Reuse, Recycle', an apparent reference to the way the company dealt with the disposal of the recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones, after the batteries inside some products overheated and caught fire in 2016.

Samsung joins the growing list of companies like LG, Nokia and BlackBerry that are unveiling new offerings at MWC, an event that draws thousands of technology enthusiasts as well as leading telecom and IT firms from across the globe each year. Samsung also announced the family of 5G mobile network products and solutions for 2017. The products showcased included consumer devices for fixed wireless access connectivity, a 5G Radio Base Station (a 5G access unit) and core network infrastructure, among others.

Meanwhile, it said the two new offerings Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy Book are positioned to provide consumers with enhanced mobile entertainment and productivity. For digital content enthusiasts, the Galaxy Tab S3 aims to offer improved video and gaming experiences along with usage as a productivity tool while the Galaxy Book is designed for professionals looking for enhanced computing power for work and play, the company said. The company is yet to divulge the details about availability of these new devices in India as well as the pricing.