Texas Hold ‘Em, Google Maps and Facebook are the...

Texas Hold ‘Em, Google Maps and Facebook are the three top sellers at the Samsung App store, which launched in March, according to Olivier Manuel, director of content at Samsung Electronics. Manuel told us the fact that a card game has been one the top three apps since launch of the App store has surprised him, while noting that applications users are accustomed to seeing on a small screen present a “whole new experience” on a 50-inch screen. The current slate of apps available at the store is free, with premium apps coming online later this summer. When pressed for a date, Manuel told us, “soon,” declining to specify the date or the number of premium titles that will be available at launch. Citing premium apps currently available on other platforms, Manuel hinted at the types of content that might warrant a pay model. “You might have a regular weather app, and a premium version might have more features and customization,” he said. A basic sports app includes scores, he said, but a premium version might add video archives. In the educational area, a no-fee children’s book could have less generic content, while a premium version could be based on a famous movie character.