Samsung Enlists Spotify and Fortnite to Fend Off Apple
*By Michael Teich*
Samsung is partnering with Spotify and Fortnite to boost slumping smartphone sales and maintain its lead over Apple.
The leading smartphone maker unveiled the new $1,000 Galaxy Note 9, and announced the viral, battle royale video game's first Android version will be available exclusively on Samsung devices. The deal may appeal to the game's 125 million players and encourage them to buy the new phone instead of Huawei or Apple devices.
Samsung is hoping the new Galaxy Note 9 will do better than the Galaxy S9, which slumped, allowing smartphone rivals to catch up. Samsung's second-quarter shipments fell 11 percent from a year earlier to 70.8 million units, according to IHS Markit. With a similar price tag to Apple's iPhone X, Samsung's new phone is going after the same high-end market.
In addition to gamers, Samsung is hoping music lovers will opt for the Galaxy Note 9 by making Spotify its go-to music partner. Samsung will integrate the Spotify app into its Smart TVs and speakers, and will make it available when customers set up their new phones.
For more on this story, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/first-look-at-the-new-samsung-galaxy-note-9).
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Google's head of search testified at the company's trial Thursday as it started presenting its defense. The Justice Department in several states alleged that Google violated antitrust law to achieve its dominance in search.
