Samsung Galaxy S - Media Hub Hubbub: Pricing, Features & Sharing

SamsungGalaxyTabsnip.JPGThe Samsung Epic 4G is getting an update so that users can access the new Samsung Media Hub store.  When the Samsung Galaxy Tab for the U.S. was announced, more details of the Samsung Media Hub emerged.

All Samsung Galaxy S phones and tablets will be able to access Samsung Media Hub, Samsung's own content service. The current models of the Samsung Galaxy S series are the Samsung Epic 4G, Samsung Fascinate, Samsung Captivate and Samsung Vibrant.

The Samsung Media Hub service offers a lineup of films and TV programs for rent or purchase.  Media Hub offers TV shows form MTV, NBC, Paramount and Warner. Movies are from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Paramount, such as Iron Man and Star Trek.

Samsung Media Hub also allows users to share purchased content and share it with up to five devices that have the Media Hub application.

The advantage Samsung Media Hub has over BlockBuster is that you don't have to wait for the video to download before you start watching. Samsung Media Hub uses progressive downloading with a buffer that stays ahead of the portion you are watching.  Video files can only be accessed via 4G (on the Samsung Epic) or over Wi-Fi, not 3G.

Movies cost $2.99 or $3.99 to rent, or $9.99 to $17.99 to buy--similar with DVD rental prices. While TV shows cost $1.99 to buy - double the price that Apple charges for iPhone iTunes TV shows.