Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge get some snappy cameras
Although Samsung really put a lot into improving the hardware present in their new flagship devices revealed at MWC 2015 today, like many other manufacturers did with their own devices, smartphones are pushing on the limits of the law of diminishing returns. One area where potential still exists though is the cameras and the ability of the devices to capture brilliant images. Samsung took advantage of that with some significant improvements to the cameras in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.
A major part of the improvement that Samsung made focused on the front camera which is now a wide-angle capable 5 MP camera. The sensor itself is 1.4 times larger than the Galaxy S 5. Samsung also added in full, real-time automatic HDR to both the front and rear cameras. The addition of this feature is partially thanks to the hardware in the rest of the phones as the processors can now keep up with the computing demands needed to stitch the images together. Besides adding this capability, normally reserved for rear-facing cameras, to the front-camera, Samsung has also made HDR video available to users.
Samsung put F1.9 lenses in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge along with Optical Image Stabilization and IR White Balance. Combined, these enhancements will let users capture clear images with no blurring despite shaking or low light conditions. An advanced Auto-Focus function has also been implemented to help users correctly focus on both moving and stationary objects. The auto-focus is also very fast, taking only 0.3 seconds to focus.
To help users tap into all the power of the hardware available in the devices, Samsung added a new Quick Launch feature. According to Samsung, users will be able to launch the camera application in only 0.7 seconds, even if they are using another application. Once opened, users will find an improved user interface for the camera app that provides access to a variety of tools with a minimum of taps and no scrolling. Samsung also added a preview mode that shows the impact of filters in real-time while looking at the screen. In case a user wants to assert more control, Samsung also added a professional camera mode with full control over camera settings.
With all of these improvements, owners of the new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge should be able to capture some truly incredible images whether it is what they are looking at or a selfie.
Be sure to check back for more coverage of MWC 2015 to see what Samsung and other manufacturers are doing with their mobile device products.
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge get some snappy cameras
Microsoft MWC event liveblog – 8.30 a.m. CET!
It’s time. MWC officially opens the show floor this morning and Microsoft is first out of the box with an early morning press event. We’ll be on hand to cover it all live, and we’re bringing you with us. So put on a pot of coffee, grab some breakfast, and join us in the liveblog below!
Cyanogen and Qualcomm announce new partnership for reference hardware
Behind the scenes, Cyanogen OS soon will be everywhere.
Barcelona is alive with news from every facet of the mobile industry today, and while most of us are fully immersed in all of the products being announced that will actually be shipping soon, the folks at Qualcomm are preparing for the stuff that comes next. Typically when Qualcomm makes a mobile announcement at an event like Mobile World Congress it’s for the next wave of processors the company is working on. Today, however, Qualcomm is making a software announcement.
Specifically, the company has announced a partnership with Cyanogen Inc. to overhaul the software shipped on the next generation of reference devices.
Microsoft shows how Cortana can save your marriage
Microsoft has launched a new video highlighting the efficacy of Cortana when it comes to reminding you of important events, such as anniversaries. The video shows how you can use the reminder function in Cortana to set location-based reminders, with the voice-based assistant’s navigational abilities also showcased.
Sony’s Xperia Z4 Tablet is official with 10.1-inch 2K display and Snapdragon 810
Sony has officially announced the Xperia Z4 Tablet at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The high-end tablet features a 2K display and Qualcomm’s octa-core Snapdragon 810 in a chassis that has a thickness of just 6.1mm.
Venmo halfheartedly responds to its mobile payment security woes
eBay’s Venmo mobile payment service can be extra-helpful when you need to repay a debt to a friend, but it’s grappling with some significant security problems — and it’s not clear that a proper fix is in sight. Slate notes that Venmo not only lacks a few basic security measures, such as notifying you when login details change, but encourages risky steps like linking your bank routing info. If someone gets in under that circumstance, your bank account could be permanently compromised. There’s also little support outside of a slow-to-respond email system, so you may be left high and dry if you need urgent help.
Relief is coming. California officials quietly ordered Venmo to tackle its “unsafe practices,” including requirements that it keep an eye out for shady activity and set up a formal customer assistance policy. It’s cooperating, and the state tells the New York Times that the remediation process is “continuing.” For its part, Venmo says that it’s both bolstering security and rethinking its support to help you sooner. However, the promises are rather vague — there’s no mention of addressing the notification or account routing issues brought up in the Slate piece, and there are no firm commitments to improving response times. The chances are that Venmo’s security is indeed getting better, but you’ll just have to cross your fingers (and use a strong password) until it’s clear that there are extra precautions in place.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Via: New York Times
Source: Slate, Venmo, State of California (PDF)
Samsung beefs up charging options in Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge
There is already a lot of buzz about Samsung’s decision to seal the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge as part of the new design they incorporated for the devices. This is a change for many people who are used to being able to swap batteries and back covers. In the past, one option owners of Samsung smartphones had was to add a wireless charging capable back cover to their device. Without that option, Samsung took the challenge as an opportunity that may lead to easier charging and better energy management in their new devices.
Since the back cover is no longer removable, Samsung had to make a decision as to what kind of wireless charging they wanted to implement. The choice that was made was – both. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge support WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) and PMA (Power Matters Alliance), so users can employ just about any wireless charging pad on the market. Even better for users, this support is built in to the devices, so it is available to everyone out of the box. In order to meet this need, Samsung had to rework the charging hardware to be quite a bit smaller – only .27mm thick, a third of the thickness of the same part used in the Galaxy S 5.
Besides the new, easier wireless charging capability, Samsung also made the devices faster charging. The Fast Charging technology the Samsung uses will charge the smartphones 1.5 times faster than the previous generation. The fast charging will also give users the ability to charge up with enough juice for four hours of use in only 10 minutes of charging.
Despite having a smaller battery than what some thought they would have, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge have been designed to work for 20 hours of typical use on a single charge. That should be plenty to make it through a typical day.
Keep watching TalkAndroid for more news about MWC 2015.
Come comment on this article: Samsung beefs up charging options in Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge
SanDisk kicks the micro SD in high gear with 200GB SDXC card
Looking to really boost your devices storage capabilities? SanDisk is certainly pushing things to the extreme this year with a new micro SD card that is sure to leave you with more free space than you might ever need with a 200GB Micro SDXC UHS-1 class 10 chip. You read that correctly, 200GB! That is […]
The post SanDisk kicks the micro SD in high gear with 200GB SDXC card appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Did you miss the Samsung Galaxy S6 event? Full video is available for viewing
Not everyone is lucky enough to be in Barcelona right now checking out all the tech and events in person. That leaves many of us to catch the live streams of what is happening over seas. In some cases, real world jobs take that time away as well. I caught the first 20 minutes of […]
The post Did you miss the Samsung Galaxy S6 event? Full video is available for viewing appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung’s Galaxy S 6 will come preloaded with several Microsoft apps
While Samsung may have trimmed some of the bloat from the Galaxy S 6 (and the S 6 Edge), it looks like it’s still going to come preloaded with things you may or may not want. Microsoft’s Skype, OneNote, and OneDrive applications will come standard on your GS6, although you’ll still get to snag that free 100 GB of free OneDrive storage space that Samsung is giving away, so it’s not all bad.
This isn’t the most subtle way to get Microsoft services into the hands of Android users, but it’s definitely going to be an effective one. Google may not like the move, but hey, that’s the beauty of Android being more open than other platforms.
source: The Verge
Come comment on this article: Samsung’s Galaxy S 6 will come preloaded with several Microsoft apps
AIVAnet 