Select Best Buy stores to offer Samsung Gear VR demos on February 8th
Itching to try out a Samsung Gear VR before you spend $200? Best Buy may be the place to do so in a few days. Prior to the Gear VR’s Best Buy launch at brick-and-mortar stores around the US, the electronics retailer will have Gear VR demo units waiting to be tested on February 8th. Each “Samsung Experience Shop” inside select Best Buy locations will be given two Galaxy Note 4 handsets with Gear VR retail mode preinstalled on each device. Up to 100 stores across the US will get demo units, and you can find out which ones by following this link.
According to SamMobile, here are the rumored demos users can experience while testing the device:
- Milk VR: The user will be able to choose a video to watch
- TheBlu: If the user wants a game-like experience
- Transformers: If the user wants to experience a movie in virtual reality
- 360 Photos: Simply because 360-degree pictures are awesome
It’s no wonder Samsung wants to try to expand Gear VR to the masses. It’s a new technology, and with the exception of Best Buy’s online store, the headset has been sold out on AT&T and Samsung’s websites since its launch. Just remember, the Gear VR is only compatible with the Galaxy Note 4, so keep that in mind before you make the purchase.
If you want a sneak peek as to what your experience will be like, take a look at our hands-on demo at IFA last year.
Used Note 4 on Sale From Verizon for under $500
Samsung’s current favorite child is the Galaxy Note 4. With a 2K 5.7″ screen, 3 GB RAM, and a Snapdragon 805 2.7 GHz processor, the phablet is a premium device with a premium price. To buy it new off-contract, you’ll have to drop anywhere from $700-900. That’s just not possible for most of us reasonable folk, so we either sign ourselves over to a wireless company or buy used. Buying used can be a hazard, as eBay has been known to be a treacherous place to go for someone looking to get a quality device, and Craig’s List can be treacherous for anyone involved. One way to insure you’re getting a great used device is to buy Pre-Owned from a carrier.
Good news comes from Verizon’s website: the Note 4 is available used for only $490, off-contract, Certified Pre-Owned. If you’re wondering, Certified Pre-Owned means it has been inspected and verified to be working by Verizon, so you won’t get a smashed up pile of spare parts. The deal is a great one, so don’t expect it to last long: I’d advise hurrying over to Verizon’s website and purchasing yourself a Note 4 ASAP if you’re in the market for one. This is not a deal that you will have the opportunity to take advantage of everyday.
Source: Verizon
Come comment on this article: Used Note 4 on Sale From Verizon for under $500
Future of LG G4 and stylus less clear after latest leak
As we look down the road in 2015 for a successor to LG’s LG G3 smartphone, one of the rumors that surfaced was that LG may equip their flagship device with a stylus to be able to compete a little more directly against the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. That rumor was fueled by information about a trademark filing for the “G Pen” name. A new trademark filing for “G4 Stylus” could be a sign that LG is actually planning to equip a mid-range device with a stylus instead of their flagship device.
LG did not get much press here in the U.S. for their stylus equipped smartphone as it launched in foreign markets. Nevertheless, the company is present in the stylus-equipped smartphone space with the LG G3 Stylus which was a 5.5-inch device carrying a 1.3GHz processor, only 960 x 540 resolution on the screen, and 1GB of RAM. Despite sharing the G3 moniker it its name, the G3 Stylus was definitely not a high-end device with those specs.
Along with the new trademark application, a leaked document appears to show an entry for a stylus equipped pen that is somehow related to the LG G4 even if only in name. In the screen capture, a listing appears for an LG device with model number H810 and project number P1 which is believed to be the AT&T variant of the G4. The same listing shows a project with codename “P1s” which could signify the addition of a stylus to project P1. However, the resolution for the P1s is only 1280 x 720 and the model number is listed in a different series, H63x. Except for the P1 part being the same, this seems to be more consistent with the LG G3 and LG G3 Stylus model where the stylus equipped smartphone was a mid-range unit.
The question now is whether the previous trademark entry for the G Pen was in reference to new equipment for an LG flagship device or is LG just trying to protect their investment in a line of stylus-equipped smartphones that fall in the middle tier in terms of specs.
source: MyLG
Come comment on this article: Future of LG G4 and stylus less clear after latest leak
Samsung Gear VR is to blame for the Galaxy Note 4 not having Android 5.0 Lollipop
Owners of the Galaxy Note 4 are probably wondering where the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is. The device is the newest to be released by Samsung and the software launched right around the same time as the Galaxy Note 4. Apparently, Oculus is to blame. The company behind Samsung’s Gear VR is busy adjusting the kernel specifically for the headset.
Source: @Faryaab
Come comment on this article: Samsung Gear VR is to blame for the Galaxy Note 4 not having Android 5.0 Lollipop
Samsung’s Q4 profits continue to slide, but still land above analyst expectations
Samsung posted some good news and some bad news today. The bad news for the company is that their fourth quarter profits for 2014 dropped 27%, which is a fairly significant slide for the holiday months. The bright side, however, is that this drop was smaller than what analysts were expecting.
A big reason that Samsung didn’t have a bigger decrease was thanks to their component business, which is still doing exceptionally well thanks to the general popularity of smartphones and tablets. Sales of the Galaxy Note 4 also increased during Q4, so it held its own against other flagship devices and Apple for Christmas. Total sales for Samsung ended up between 72 and 75 million smartphones, while Apple shipped about 74 million. Those numbers make it pretty clear that 2014 was kinder to Apple than it was to Samsung.
For the quarter, Samsung still managed to pull in about $4.9 billion, and compared to previous quarters, Samsung’s numbers are decreasing slower than they were towards the end of 2014. Samsung has an opportunity with the Galaxy S 6 to finally turn things around and stay competitive at the high end against Apple, but they’ll need a strong 2015 to make that happen.
source: ABC News
Come comment on this article: Samsung’s Q4 profits continue to slide, but still land above analyst expectations
Samsung releases new promo video for the Gear VR
Apparently not content to watch Microsoft get all the press for virtual reality solutions with their recently announced HoloLens device, Samsung has released a new video promoting their Samsung Gear VR device. You may recall the Gear VR is powered by the same technology developed by Oculus for their Oculus Rift device. Currently the Gear VR only works with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, but that should change over time. Probably one of the biggest points Samsung would make though is that the Gear VR is available now, at least the Innovator Edition, for people who are excited about the world of virtual reality.
You can check out the full promo video from Samsung after the break.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Samsung releases new promo video for the Gear VR
Sprint Lease program adds Samsung Galaxy Note 4, LG G3
Bringing home a new device can be expensive. Whether it is paying the full retail price or even signing a contract, a fair amount of money is required. Fortunately, carriers are starting to do what they can to spread costs for customers. The Sprint Lease program provides customers with a new device without any money being paid upfront. Instead, the lease lasts for twenty-four months and customers have a choice to make at the end of it. They can extend the lease with the current device, purchase the current device outright, sign a new lease with a different device, or walk away from Sprint altogether.
Late last year, the program launched with two Samsung devices. Now, another Samsung device as well as one from LG are joining the Sprint Lease program. Leasing the Galaxy Note 4 will cost $25 per month and the LG G3 has a monthly charge of $15. Two devices with impressive specifications will relatively low monthly payments. Not too bad considering the benefits of the Sprint Lease program.
Hit the break for the full press release.
Sprint Makes More Devices Available With Expansion of Sprint Lease
LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 now available with 24-month Sprint Lease
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), January 16, 2015 – Sprint (NYSE: S) continues to offer U.S. consumers the best value in wireless with the expansion of its industry-first, innovative leasing program to LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note® 4. Beginning today, new and existing customers and businesses can acquire LG G3 for $15 per month and Galaxy Note 4 for $25 per month (excluding taxes and fees) through Sprint Lease.
With Sprint Lease, qualified customers pay zero out of pocket at lease signing for their smartphone. At the end of 24 months, customers in good standing currently have the following options to continue service1:
- Turn in the currently leased LG G3 or Galaxy Note 4 and lease another phone with zero down at signing
- Purchase the leased device
- Continue leasing on a month-to-month basis
- Return the device in good working condition and terminate service when the lease ends
“Sprint Lease gives customers an affordable option to acquire LG G3 or Galaxy Note 4,” said Tom Roberts, senior vice president of Marketing, Sprint. “Through Sprint Lease, well-qualified customers can acquire the devices without paying any out-of-pocket costs at the point of sale. Sprint continues to offer customers the best value in wireless with its leasing program and monthly rate plans.”
Best Value in Wireless
Sprint is committed to providing U.S. consumers and businesses the best value in wireless. With the Cut Your Bill Event, Sprint will cut in half the monthly rate plan for Verizon and AT&T customers who switch to Sprint. The new offer provides unlimited talk and text to anywhere in the U.S. while on the Sprint network – regardless of a customer’s current plan – and matches the customer’s data allowance for half the cost they are currently paying for their monthly rate plan.2
Sprint will pay up to $350 per line via a Visa® Prepaid Card for a customer’s early termination fee or installment bill balance when they switch. Once a customer has received the final bill from the other carrier, he or she may simply register for the Visa Prepaid Card at sprint.com/jointoday.3
The Sprint 4G LTE network serves more than 540 cities, making it easy for customers to enjoy data on their devices.
About Sprint
Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company dedicated to delivering the best value in wireless. Sprint served 55 million customers as of Sept. 30, 2014, and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the last four years. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
1No equipment security deposit required. Req. service plan. Customer is responsible for insurance and any repairs. If service or lease is cancelled early, the remaining lease payments become due immediately and customer must return the device or pay the purchase option. Future leasing subject to device availability and monthly payments may vary. Service plan rates and availability are subject to change.
2Requires valid port from AT&T or Verizon to consumer account with $10 min. monthly rate charge. Discount does not apply to certain charges such as taxes, surcharges, add-ons, apps, premium content, int’l services, devices, partial charges or add’l lines. Usage Limitations: Other plans may receive prioritized bandwidth availability. To improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network.
3All lines must be ported from an active wireless line at another carrier and remain active and in good standing for at least 45 days to receive the prepaid card. Offer available Aug. 22, 2014 – Jan. 29, 2015. Allow 12 weeks for your prepaid card to arrive. Register at www.sprint.com/jointoday.
Samsung and Galaxy Note are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Come comment on this article: Sprint Lease program adds Samsung Galaxy Note 4, LG G3
New owner’s manual for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 updated with Lollipop screens
Samsung appears to be getting very close to releasing the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 smartphone. A strong indicator that this is close to happening is the availability of the manual for the Galaxy Note 4 that has been updated to include screenshots and information referring to Android Lollipop.
Reports from people who have seen some early builds of Lollipop on both the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy S 5 indicate Samsung did a good job of incorporating Google’s Material Design philosophy into the TouchWiz UI. The notification area and animations used by Samsung mimic the default Android Lollipop, so anyone familiar with Lollipop should not be in for any surprises.
Even within apps like the Dialer or Contacts, Samsung has incorporated Google’s design standards, so users will see a fresh splash of color when using these apps. There is still no word on exactly when Samsung will release the Lollipop update or how long it will take carriers to prepare their own updates to roll out to users. However, if you want to check out the new owner’s manual, hit the source link below to grab the PDF.
source: Galaxy Club
via: phoneArena
Come comment on this article: New owner’s manual for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 updated with Lollipop screens
LoopPay Looking to Make Payment-Enabled Cases for Samsung Devices
LoopPay, the popular mobile payment company, is partnering with XPAL Power and Trident Case to make payment on a Samsung device much simpler. This news was announced at CES yesterday and should help Samsung more efficiently and conveniently incorporate mobile payments on their devices. LoopPay’s partnership with XPAL will involve making a back cover for the GS5, due out sometime in early 2015, with an electromagnetic field emitter inside to imitate a card swipe without actually swiping. The partnership with Trident Case will involve putting the same chip inside a Galaxy Note 4 case, which should be out around late 2015.
This news follows rumors that LoopPay is already in talks with Samsung for putting the tech natively inside the upcoming GS6 and Note 5.
Source: Android Authority
Come comment on this article: LoopPay Looking to Make Payment-Enabled Cases for Samsung Devices
Samsung promotion to extend 1-year Netflix subscription to buyers of some devices
If you are considering buying one of Samsung’s top devices for the new year and you enjoy Netflix, you may want to check out this new promotion that is getting ready to start up according to some leaked information. The tip indicates that buyers of the Samsung Galaxy S 5, Galaxy Note 4, or the Galaxy Tab S will get one free year of Netflix, an offer that is supposed to be good for both new and existing Netflix subscribers.
Sources indicate the promotion will run from January 4th through January 17th, although only the first 115,000 customers to take advantage of the offer will get the Netflix credit. Consumers who get one of the qualifying Samsung devices can head to SamsungPromotions.com to stake their claim.
source: AndroidCentral
Come comment on this article: Samsung promotion to extend 1-year Netflix subscription to buyers of some devices
AIVAnet 