The new units will come with Android 2.2 (Froyo) but will be upgradeable to version 2.3 (), according to Samsung, and thus both units are compatible with Adobe Flash 10.1. The Galaxy Players have front (VGA resolution) and rear (3.2-megapixel) cameras but only the 5-inch model has a flash. Both support removable microSD cards with capacities up to 32GB.

Unlike the Galaxy Tab, which comes in Wi-Fi and 3G cellular data versions, the 5-ounce 4-inch and 7-ounce 5-inch Galaxy Players come with 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi adapters and include applications for Internet telephony. The 4-inch unit also comes with Skype voice and video calling software preinstalled. The units also have stereo speakers with virtual 5.1 surround sound support.

While the larger Galaxy Tab with its 7-inch high-resolution display is meant as a productivity and entertainment device, the smaller Galaxy Players are intended for use as media players, game-playing devices and e-book readers and as Internet-based communications devices.

Only the 5-inch unit at the press conference was operational, but its response to touch commands was snappy and the screen was bright and sharp. While considerably larger than a cell phone, the Galaxy players are designed to fit into a pants pocket.

Samsung also showed off the highly anticipated, ultrathin Series 9 notebooks, one of which-the 13-inch model-will arrive at Best Buy and other retail outlets on Thursday. An 11-inch model won't arrive until mid-April, said Samsung. Both lightweight units come in sleek black bodies and-for the sake of speed and size-use solid state storage instead of rotating hard disks.