[RUMOUR] Samsung Galaxy S5 may have a more compact, 2,900mAh Li-ion Battery
Seeing as the Samsung Galaxy S4 has sold well over 40 million handsets over the past year, it’s no surprise that its predicted successor, the Samsung Galaxy S5, is one of the most anticipated Android smartphones of the next few months. There have been precious few leaks regarding the devices, though we did get what appeared to be a sneak peek at some of the specifications just last week. One notable omission from that list of specifications was battery capacity, however, thanks to a tipster who spoke to Phone Arena, we might just have a better idea of what the S5′s battery will be like.
The tip says that the S5 will still have a Li-ion based battery with a capacity of 2,900mAh, a nice bump from the 2,600mAh battery in the S4. The interesting part about the tip isn’t the increase in battery size, which is expected seeing as the S5 is expected to have a 2K resolution display, but rather that the battery is able to store 20% more battery capacity than an older Li-ion battery of the same size. What this means is that while the capacity of the battery will have increased in the S5, the physical size of the battery may not have changed.
This can only be a good thing as the 5-inch screen of the S4 was already perilously close to phablet country, so if this new battery is able to help keep size down, then perhaps the device won’t be much bigger than the S4. What do you think about this news: are you satisfied with the battery capacity rumoured for the Samsung Galaxy S5? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: Phone Arena
Moment begins Kickstarter campaign for clip-on smartphone camera lenses
If you’re fed up with the camera on your phone, there’s no shortage of clip-on lenses to enhance the experience: Just take a look at Sony, Olloclip and Photojojo for great examples of this. This doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a new contender, however. Moment, a startup founded by the creator of Contour, has just launched a Kickstarter project for a pair of lenses that clip on to your iPhone, iPad or Samsung Galaxy S 2, 3 or 4. The new products, which consist of your choice of wide-angle or telephoto, can be mounted onto the phones with a thin piece of metal. Each one features a four- or five-element lens, almost no geometric distortion or chromatic aberration, the same professional-quality cinema glass that Moment claims is used for HD film and slightly larger diameters designed to keep image quality the same around the edges as it is in the center. If you choose to back the project, you’ll be able to buy one lens for $50 or two for $100, though there are a couple more expensive options should you be interested in getting something a little more exclusive.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple, Samsung
Via: Recode
Source: Kickstarter
Halo Galaxy S 4 Power Case review
Looking to extend the time period between charges of your Samsung Galaxy S4 but don’t want to bulk up? Consider the new Halo S4 case from Lenmar. Thanks to its internal 2600mAh battery, you’ll essentially double the time you stay away from a charger.
Not simply just a battery, it’s also a clean (white) and stylish case that protects the phones edges and back. Indeed, there are cut-outs for headphones, microUSB, microphone, and camera. You won’t have to worry about anything proprietary or awkward for charging, it’s the same port. In fact, you get an extra microUSB cord in the box.
One of the features we liked best about the Lenmar solution is that it’s NFC-capable. We’ve seen extended life batteries from other companies that leave this option out. Depending on what your usage is like, the lack of NFC could be a dealbreaker.
The Halo S4 case is actually comprised of multiple parts: a battery housing and the shell case (NFC found here). You’ll remove the back from your handset and use the Lenmar case for protection. The battery is placed inside a separate battery unit and the combined unit goes back into the phone. Slap the back on and you’re good to go!
We did find the case to be a bit more slippery than we would have liked. What’s more, it liked to grab smudges and oil, which could make things even worse. Putting the case on was relatively easy though we did have to snap some seams together on a second pass around the case. Our recommendation here is for a textured back and possibly a second color choice.
Overall we were impressed with the case as it didn’t add too much weight or thickness. We were concerned it might have wonky weight distribution but that never proved to be the case. A few quibbles aside, it’s certainly something we’d suggest for those who spend their days on the go.
The Lenmar Halo Galaxy S4 case retails with a suggested price of $59.99 and includes a 1 year warranty. We did a quick check and found a number of retailers offering the unit, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Fry’s.
The post Halo Galaxy S 4 Power Case review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[LEAK] French Carrier SFR Lets Slip That Android 4.4 For Galaxy S4 And Note 3 Expected Late Jan/Early Feb 2014
About a month ago, a leaked Samsung document seemed to suggest that Android 4.4 for Galaxy S4 and Note 3 were being planned to be released in January next year with a second wave to follow and update the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 later in March or April. While there’s been no confirmation that the leaked document was accurate or even real, a message on the side of French carrier, SFR, appears to have confirmed the time-frame for the software update that we were expecting.
SFR claims that Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) should be available for the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 somewhere between late January to early February 2014 which is right in the ballpark we were expecting, assuming the international variants of the phone are updated first, followed by the carrier variants. While this still isn’t a confirmation, Phandroid appears to believe that SFR’s hunches are generally quite accurate seeing as they predicted the release of Android 4.3 on Galaxy S3 and Note 2 (and for my own reasons I’m a little adamant). Nevertheless, Samsung could definitely be turning over a new leaf with software updates in the new year so we’ll be hanging out for any further news whenever it hits.
Do you think Samsung will meet the late Jan/early Feb time-frame suggested by SFR? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Magtron brings POGO charging cables/cases to Galaxy S4
When I first saw the email I had dumbfounded look on my face and my brain didn’t want to register what I was reading. Then I saw the video, which you will also see in a minute, and it clicked.
So here is the skinny that you need to know. Magtron has released what is called the Magnector POGO cables and cases. See where my confusion came from. POGO is means you don’t have to “plug” in your device, rather you just set it on a dock or stand that has the POGO connectors available. This readily available on Nexus devices and some other model devices out there. It is nice and can ultimately save your charging port from failing on you. There is the limitation of it having to be in a dock, not to mention the limited availability of devices that sport it. Magtron is changing that with the Magnector series.
The Magnector series is a line of cases that you can slide your Android device into, currently the Galaxy S4, and then you are free to use the POGO charging cable that is magnetically attracted to the bottom right side of the case. Viola, that is it. You are up and charging and you didn’t even have to fumble with flipping the usb cable over or searching for the hole. Take a watch of the video, it will make more sense.
“For the past 10 years, our core value has been providing customers with new and exciting products that maximize their experience with cell phones and tablets,” said David Byun, President of AccessoryGeeks.com. “The magnetic attachment concept that allows high-speed charging and data sync capabilities is a paradigm shift that benefits everyone. We are proud to offer the line of Magnector products as the exclusive North American partner.”
Pretty sweet really. They also have a Magnector cable for the Nexus 10 if you are interested. I know the video showed the Galaxy SIII and the Nexus 7 first and second gen tablets as well, but I am not seeing them up on the site to purchase just yet. You can get one ordered for your Galaxy S4 and your Nexus 10 though. Head over to Accessory Geeks to take a look.
Android 4.4.2 for HTC One and Galaxy S4 GEs! Android 4.3 Rolling Out to Numerous Other Phones! – Device Updates
Happy Monday to you all, if Mondays are happy at all. Time to see if your device is getting an update. Some Android 4.4.2 updates for the Google Edition phones are now available. Also some Android 4.3 updates are ready for you to download given you have the certain phones.
Device Updates
Android 4.4.2 for the HTC One GE
Android 4.4.2 for the Galaxy S4 GE
Verizon HTC One getting Android 4.3
HTC One Mini Android 4.3 update
Android 4.3 for the Sony Xperia Z and ZL
Android 4.3 for the Sony Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra
Sprint announces Spark-ready Samsung Galaxy S4
The flagship smartphone is equipped for Sprint’s enhanced 4G LTE network Sprint today announced that will soon be offering the Sprint Spark-ready version of its Samsung Galaxy S4. Designed with the enhanced 4G LTE network in mind, it’s able to hop to and from three spectrum bands…
Anomaly 2 Benchmark App Reveals Interesting Results
You may recall in September that 11 bit studios, developer of the hit game Anomaly Warzone Earth, released a benchmark app ahead of the release of their new follow-up game, Anomaly 2 (which is out now and available for $4.99 HERE). The purpose of the app was not only to see how adequate (or…
Cyber Monday: 30% off entire store at Griffin Technology
There is no shortage of Cyber Monday deals and offerings floating around the web today. We have been watching many of the primary ones to help let you guys know where the savings are at. Another one just landed in our inbox from Griffin Technologies. Griffin is an accessory manufacturer that has…
[Cyber Monday] Amazon has a Slew of Android Phones Starting at just a Penny
Happy Cyber Monday my friends. Time to fish out those deals, and Amazon is the first place to look. Today Amazon has numerous Android phones that you can snatch up for just a penny, and they range from HTC Ones, to LG G2s. All carriers except T-Mobile are present in these Cyber Monday deals, and…
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