Qualcomm to use Samsung to build Snapdragon 820 chip
Qualcomm will reportedly use Samsung’s foundries to build its next high-end Snapdragon 820 chipset according to a new report, which suggests that Samsung’s 14-nanometer manufacturing process is the reason for the change from Qualcomm’s past practices.
Quoting sources familiar with Qualcomm’s roadmap and Samsung’s foundry operations, Re/code say that Qualcomm will choose Samsung over long-term partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), as the latter still uses 20-nanometer transistors compared to the 14-nanometer wiring used in Samsung’s foundries. One reason for Qualcomm to opt for Samsung over TSMC is the belief that thinner wires means smaller and less costly chips along with supposedly better battery performance.
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In its new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones, Samsung opted to use its own 14-nm chipsets in the much thinner smartphones and the shunning of Qualcomm’s chipsets saw the company cut its financial outlook for the year. Even though the Snapdragon 810 chip is being used in the HTC One (M9) and LG G Flex 2, the loss of Samsung’s business – and the reported 70 million sales target – had a major impact on the company’s financial outlook.
The Snapdragon 820 is Qualcomm’s next-generation chipset and the company is reportedly hoping that manufacturing the chipset at Samsung’s foundry will persuade the Korean manufacturer to use the Snapdragon 820 in the next Galaxy S flagship. Samsung’s Exynos chip in the Galaxy S6 has broken all benchmarking records and it’s unclear whether the company would entertain a switch to the Snapdragon 820 chipset when the Exynos chip has worked so well in its flagship.
Awesome related Galaxy S6 videos:
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Both Samsung and Qualcomm were not immediately available for comment.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A making its way to the U.S. on May 1st for $230
Samsung has just unveiled some additional availability information for the budget-friendly Galaxy Tab A series tablets. Starting Friday, May 1st, the 8.0-inch Galaxy Tab A will be available in the U.S. for $229.99 and the 9.7-inch variant will be available for $299.99. Both sizes are available for pre-order from Samsung’s website starting today, and come May 1st, you’ll be able to order both tablet sizes from other retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and HH Gregg. The tablets will be available in Smoky Titanium, White and Smoky Blue. There will also be a 9.7-inch Smoky Titanium variant bundled with an S Pen available on May 17th for $349.99.
Additionally, both sizes are now available for purchase in Canada in White and Titanium color options. The tablet will be available online and in Samsung Experience Stores from today in the country, and the 9.7-inch version will automatically be bundled with an S Pen.
First announced in Russia, the Galaxy Tab A series aims to offer users a smooth tablet experience without breaking the bank. Both the 8.0-inch and 9.7-inch tablets have a 4:3 aspect ratio, a display resolution of 1024×768 pixels, and measure just 7.5mm thin. Both tablets have a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of internal memory with microSD card expansion up to 128GB, a 5MP rear-facing camera, a 2MP front-facing camera and a 4,200mAh battery. The 9.7 inch Galaxy Tab A also features two speakers at the bottom, while the 8-inch model only has one. Both tablets are also running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
For more availability information in Canada, check out the press release below. And if you’d like to pre-order the tablets in the United States, head to the source links at the bottom of this page.
The GALAXY Tab A offers a better viewing experience and greater productivity at home or on-the-go
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 20th 2015 – Samsung Electronics Canada, one of the leading suppliers of mobile technology in Canada, today announced the introduction of the new GALAXY Tab A, the go-to tablet for your family’s digital needs, delivering a feature-packed experience that’s great for viewing content and getting things done on-the-go. Designed to meet the changing demands of the today’s family, the GALAXY Tab A keeps everyone connected to what matters most to them, while including the leading edge features they’ve come to expect from a powerful Samsung tablet.
“The technology needs of Canadian families are changing,” said Paul Brannen, Executive Vice President Mobile Solutions, Samsung Electronics Canada. “The GALAXY Tab A enables families to share one device while experiencing a high level of personalization and a better viewing experience, all in a portable form factor, at the right price. I truly believe that this is the ultimate family solution.”
Whether you’re creating, consuming or connecting, the GALAXY Tab A has what you need, all packed into a lighter and thinner form factor running the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop software. Perfectly portable, the GALAXY Tab A is designed to simplify Canadians’ lives. Whether it’s safely letting children experience the digital world in Kids Mode, or having the ability to read night-time stories with Reading Mode, this tablet is ideal for the whole family.
Family-Friendly Features:
The ultimate family solution: Affordable and accessible, the GALAXY Tab A can accommodate every family member. With the Multi-User feature, families can create up to six profiles on a single device so that everyone can enjoy the GALAXY Tab A with their own personalized experience. Thanks to Kids Mode, kids can more safely access kid-friendly content, while giving parents the peace of mind of knowing their own files are better protected.
Better viewing experience: With the Tab A’s awesome 4:3 screen ratio, content fills the screen and appears larger. This means reading your favourite Next Issue* publications, viewing videos, browsing, emailing and social networking has never looked better. Additionally, Reading Mode adjusts the screen colour and brightness to reduce eye fatigue, making it easy to read on your device in any light.
Productivity at home or on-the-go: The GALAXY Tab A offers access to Microsoft Office for Android (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the Multi-Window view allows for outstanding multitasking. If you’re on the go, Ultra Power Saving Mode extends the battery life by shutting down background apps. Additionally, the 9.7-inch Tab A comes with an S-Pen designed to make it easier to take notes, be creative and to select pictures, images, objects and text.
Product Availability: The GALAXY Tab A will be available from major retailers and at Samsung Experience Stores starting April 20th in either 8-inch or 9.7-inch (9.7 inch comes with S Pen) in White and Titanium. For more information check out: http://www.samsung.com/ca/galaxytaba.
Samsung GALAXY Tab A customers will receive a complimentary, three-month trial of Next Issue – Canada’s only all-you-can-read, digital subscription magazine service. In one easy-to-use tablet app, Next Issue delivers unlimited access to a comprehensive catalogue of more than 100 premium magazines including: Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Chatelaine, Time, FLARE, Vogue, GQ, People, Us Weekly, The New Yorker, Maclean’s, Esquire and HELLO! Canada, in addition to an extensive library of back issues. Beginning today, Next Issue also offers more than 20 Quebec-based French magazines. For more information, please visit http://www.nextissue.ca.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Canada inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances and printers. Samsung globally is a leader in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home initiative. In 2014, Samsung was ranked one of top 10 most influential brands in Canada, based on a study by Ipsos Reid. Committed to making a difference in communities across Canada, its Samsung Hope for Children corporate giving program supports children’s education, sustainability and health-related issues. Globally, Samsung employs 307,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of $196 billion. To discover more, please visit http://www.samsung.com.
Samsung launches Galaxy A tablets in 8-inch and 9.7-inch options
The pair of tablets will go on sale starting from May 1
Samsung on Monday announced its latest tablet models, the 8-inch and 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab A line. Available for pre-order immediately, the tablets should land in retail locations on May 1.
Specifications for the two include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB RAM, and 16GB and 32GB storage capacities. The rear offers a 5-megapixel camera while the front-facing shooters pack 2-megapixels. There are expansion card slots in the Galaxy Tab A which allow for up to 128GB additional storage.
“Multi Window allows for easy multitasking, and with Microsoft Office for Android you can review and save changes to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your tablet. Plus, with an additional 100 GB of storage on Microsoft OneDrive, complimentary for two years, you can keep all of your favorite photos, videos and documents in one place. “
The Galaxy Tab A features a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution at both sizes; the 8-inch Galaxy Tab A will retail for $229.99 while the 9.7-inch version runs $299.99.
Both will be sold in White, Smoky Titanium, and Smoky Blue color options. An optional version of the 9.7-inch experience can be had with an S-Pen stylus for $349.99
Press Release
Connect to All You Need with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Newest Galaxy Tablet Series connects you to your Galaxy and beyond
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) today announced the introduction of the new Galaxy Tab A™, delivering an assortment of benefits to better connect with people, entertainment, work and more. Featuring an extremely thin design, the Galaxy Tab A™ is a lightweight portable tablet for everyone in the family.
“This latest addition includes some of the best features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab series, while streamlining connectivity,” said Gary Riding, senior vice president, Mobile Computing at Samsung Electronics America. “The tablet will let users connect to everything that matters, from family members, friends and colleagues, to work and entertainment content, as well as other smart Samsung devices.”
The Galaxy Tab A™ is designed to fit seamlessly into your life through useful features, from letting kids learn in Kids Mode*, a fun and safe environment, to providing a personalized tablet experience in Multi User Mode. The Galaxy Tab A™ is the perfect fit for every member of your family both young and young-at-heart. Additionally, the tablet’s 4:3 aspect ratio and Adaptive Display ensures the optimal viewing experience, automatically adjusting color gamut, contrast and sharpness to content on the screen — making it a great tablet for reading, watching a movie or surfing the internet.
For those looking to create and connect with more, the Galaxy Tab A™ lets you do so with ease through a range of features. Multi Window allows for easy multitasking, and with Microsoft Office for Android you can review and save changes to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your tablet. Plus, with an additional 100 GB of storage on Microsoft OneDrive™, complimentary for two years, you can keep all of your favorite photos, videos and documents in one place. The Galaxy Tab A™ also comes loaded with a variety of Galaxy Essentials and Galaxy Gifts from the world’s leading premium mobile content and service providers, available for free via download and chosen to make your experience with the device even more enjoyable. Additionally, Samsung’s Milk Music™, a streaming radio service that’s an instant and fun way to discover and play the music you want to hear, will come pre-loaded on the tablet.
Featuring a range of tools such as Quick Connect, SideSync® 4.0 and Smart Switch, the Galaxy Tab A™ makes it easier than ever to share your content across most Galaxy devices, while connecting and controlling your Samsung ecosystem.
Available for pre-order from major retailers and at Samsung.com starting today, Galaxy Tab A™ will be in stores nationwide, including Best Buy, HH Gregg and Amazon starting on May 1. Consumers will have the choice between the 8.0-inch Galaxy Tab A™ at $229.99 and the 9.7-inch version at $299.99 – both offered in White, Smoky Titanium and Smoky Blue. Additionally, a 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab A™version in Smoky Titanium will include an S-Pen for $349.99 and will be available for sale starting May 17.
For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
The post Samsung launches Galaxy A tablets in 8-inch and 9.7-inch options appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A officially announced for the American markets at $230
Samsung has officially announced the arrival of the Galaxy Tab A with a metal chassis for the American markets. The device will be available from May 1 starting at $230.
The hardware onboard the tablet is less than flattering, although the device seems to be a decent budget ranged offering from the Korean manufacturer. The series comes in an 8 inch and 9.7 inch avatar with the latter costing $300.
Samsung is currently taking pre-orders for the tablet through its official retail site in the U.S. During launch, the tablet will be available via Best Buy, HH Gregg and Amazon as well.
As far as the hardware specs are concerned, both sizes of the Galaxy Tab A feature an underwhelming display resolution of 1024 x 768, while there’s a 1.2 GHz quad core processor to handle the heavy duty tasks. Other specs of the tablet include a 5MP camera, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, Android 5.0 Lollipop and a 4,200 mAh battery on the 8 inch variant while the 9.7 inch model gets a slightly larger 6,000 mAh pack.
All variants of the Galaxy Tab A will be supplied with 100GB of OneDrive cloud storage for a period of two years along with access to apps like Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
Samsung is also selling a special variant of the Galaxy Tab A 9.7 with a S-Pen stylus included for $350. This variant will be available starting May 17.
Catch the press release below for more details on the two tablets.
Connect to All You Need with the Samsung Galaxy Tab ANewest Galaxy Tablet Series connects you to your Galaxy and beyond
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) today announced the introduction of the new Galaxy Tab A™, delivering an assortment of benefits to better connect with people, entertainment, work and more. Featuring an extremely thin design, the Galaxy Tab A™ is a lightweight portable tablet for everyone in the family.
“This latest addition includes some of the best features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab series, while streamlining connectivity,” said Gary Riding, senior vice president, Mobile Computing at Samsung Electronics America. “The tablet will let users connect to everything that matters, from family members, friends and colleagues, to work and entertainment content, as well as other smart Samsung devices.”
The Galaxy Tab A™ is designed to fit seamlessly into your life through useful features, from letting kids learn in Kids Mode*, a fun and safe environment, to providing a personalized tablet experience in Multi User Mode. The Galaxy Tab A™ is the perfect fit for every member of your family both young and young-at-heart. Additionally, the tablet’s 4:3 aspect ratio and Adaptive Display ensures the optimal viewing experience, automatically adjusting color gamut, contrast and sharpness to content on the screen — making it a great tablet for reading, watching a movie or surfing the internet.
For those looking to create and connect with more, the Galaxy Tab A™ lets you do so with ease through a range of features. Multi Window allows for easy multitasking, and with Microsoft Office for Android you can review and save changes to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your tablet. Plus, with an additional 100 GB of storage on Microsoft OneDrive™, complimentary for two years, you can keep all of your favorite photos, videos and documents in one place. The Galaxy Tab A™ also comes loaded with a variety of Galaxy Essentials and Galaxy Gifts from the world’s leading premium mobile content and service providers, available for free via download and chosen to make your experience with the device even more enjoyable. Additionally, Samsung’s Milk Music™, a streaming radio service that’s an instant and fun way to discover and play the music you want to hear, will come pre-loaded on the tablet.
Featuring a range of tools such as Quick Connect, SideSync® 4.0 and Smart Switch, the Galaxy Tab A™ makes it easier than ever to share your content across most Galaxy devices, while connecting and controlling your Samsung ecosystem.
Available for pre-order from major retailers and at Samsung.com starting today, Galaxy Tab A™ will be in stores nationwide, including Best Buy, HH Gregg and Amazon starting on May 1. Consumers will have the choice between the 8.0-inch Galaxy Tab A™ at $229.99 and the 9.7-inch version at $299.99 – both offered in White, Smoky Titanium and Smoky Blue. Additionally, a 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab A™ version in Smoky Titanium will include an S-Pen for $349.99 and will be available for sale starting May 17.
For more information, please visit http://www.samsung.com.
*Kids Mode downloadable from Samsung Galaxy Essentials
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy Tab A officially announced for the American markets at $230
Deal: Refurbished unlocked Samsung Galaxy S5 for just $300 from eBay
If you’re looking for a quality off-contract smartphone that doesn’t break the bank, this deal may be what you’re looking for. Right now, you can pick up a refurbished 16GB unlocked Samsung Galaxy S5 in Charcoal Black, Shimmery White or Copper Gold from eBay for just $299.99. This Galaxy S5 is a GSM variant, so you can activate it on either AT&T or T-Mobile’s networks. Normally these devices sell for upwards of $500, so this is quite the steal.
More on the Galaxy S5!
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Even though this isn’t the newest device on the market, it’s still a solid smartphone. The Galaxy S5 has a 5.1-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM and a powerful 16MP rear-facing camera. Many Samsung fans have been up in arms as of late, thanks to the company’s exclusion of the removable battery and MicroSD card slot on the new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. But rest assured, if these two features are what you’re looking for in a smartphone, you’ll be happy to know that the Galaxy S5 offers both. It has a removable 2800mAh battery and MicroSD expansion up to 128GB. It’s also running Android 5.0 Lollipop, so you’ll get to experience the one of the most recent versions of Android if you decide to pick up this handset.
To sweeten the deal, the device also comes with free shipping to the United States and to multiple other countries. Head to the link below if you’re interested!
Samsung’s wide Galaxy Tab A arrives in the US on May 1st
After the better part of a year, Samsung is ready to launch new tablets in the States — if not quite the high-end models you might be looking for. It’s releasing 8- and 9.7-inch versions of the Galaxy Tab A, a low-cost slate whose centerpiece is an iPad-like 4:3 aspect ratio that gives you more breathing room when you’re browsing the web or reading a book. Neither model is especially powerful between the 1.2GHz quad-core chip, 1,024 x 768 screen, 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front shooter, but they do carry Samsung’s lighter-weight software loadout, including bundled Microsoft apps. You’ll also get between 16GB to 32GB of storage, depending on the model. The Tab A will reach American shops on May 1st starting at $230 for the 8-inch model, and $300 for the 9.7-inch version. And don’t worry, cost-conscious Galaxy Note fans, Samsung hasn’t forgotten about you: a version with a bundled S Pen is due on May 17th for $350.
Filed under: Tablets, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung (BusinessWire)
Samsung’s S Health arrives on the Play Store
Samsung has uploading its activing tracking S Health app to the Google Play Store, allowing users to more easily update the application. Previously, Samsung had only made the app and its updates available through the Galaxy Apps Store.
This also has the added benefit of allowing Samsung devices updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop, such as the Galaxy Note 4 or even the older Galaxy S4, to grab the latest version of S Health. This version, which shipped with the Galaxy S6, has been updated with a new Material Design interface. However, arrival on the Play Store doesn’t mean that the app will work with every handset, functionality is still limited to Samsung Touchwiz devices.
S Health can be used to track your daily steps taken, heart rate, stress levels, daily calorie intake and even your sleep pattern, to help you keep on top of your health. Here’s the link if you want to download the app from the Play Store. If you don’t have a Galaxy devices but are intrigued by S Health’s features, you can always check out what the app is all about by download the Samsung Galaxy S6 Experience application.
Why the Xperia Z4 makes perfect sense… for Japan
Take a look at the Xperia Z4: is it really such a bad phone?
It’s been less than 24 hours since Sony officially unveiled the Xperia Z4, and to say the media’s reaction has been “subdued” might be an understatement. Our own Nirave Gondhia questioned why the company would release a product that isn’t the major redesign that so many hoped for, and in truth, he’s not alone. While the dreams of many are certainly dashed, there are a few important things to understand about the Z4, which need to be elaborated on.
Please note that I am merely playing devil’s advocate here, for the sake of journalistic argument; this piece should not be viewed as a representation of my own personal feelings on Sony, its products, or its current situation.
Sony announced this product in Japan, for Japan
The Xperia Z4 was not announced as a global device, nor was it announced at some grandiose international media event like MWC. The device is, as it stands now, aimed at Japanese consumers in Japan. Before continuing further, please have a look at the following diagram:
There are two main take away points from this chart:
1. As of December 2014, Sony had a larger smartphone market share than any other company in Japan, save for Apple. Arguably, its market share was larger than that of Fujitsu, Sharp, and Samsung combined.
2. Sony’s market share picked up as last summer began, peaked in July, and then began to decline afterwords. It gradually began to recover in October.
Suffice to say, Japanese consumers like to buy Sony products, and like to buy Sony phones. The rest of the world seems to as well, though: when was the last time the tech press slammed one, let alone gave a disparaging review? Even with the Z4, the initial backlash seems to be more about the design than anything else.
Looking at Sony’s market share for 2013, it becomes more clear that whatever the company was doing here in the past year, it certainly paid off:
It’s also important to be aware that Japan has a semi-annual mobile phone release schedule: late Spring/early Summer, and late Fall/early Winter. The devices are occasionally staggered, such that a Winter model announced in November might not actually release until February. In more recent times, there have been “on-offs”, wherein a carrier releases a single product that doesn’t fit into a more systematic release schedule. Nonetheless, just because the world-at-large wants a single flagship per year doesn’t mean Japan does, and remember: the Xperia Z4 is for Japan.
Sony has Samsung to content with
Samsung is releasing a phone here in just a few days. Sony needs to do something to prevent its market share from potentially eroding.
Let’s also consider the logic behind the announcement of the Z4. Some have already mentioned that the Xperia Z4 was allegedly going to have a metal build, or that it was supposed to be much more than what was announced. As the rumor goes, due to production or design issues, the radical redesign was going to see the device slipping to the end of 2015. Consider this for a second; if it’s true, it makes perfect sense to release something rather than nothing, a decision perhaps not unlike that which HTC made when the One M9 was given the green light.
But let’s not forget one other thing: Samsung. Despite the fact that Samsung has an extremely small market share in Japan, it also is just a few days away from the launch of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge here in Japan. Despite the removal of the Samsung branding from the devices in Japan (something which I wrote about earlier and which the media-at-large has now realized), the only new phones currently announced for release this month by either NTT docomo or au by KDDI are Samsung’s, and that is most certainly going to get a lot of attention from the media.
Even if Samsung’s name is nowhere to be seen, the Galaxy sure is.
Now consider Sony’s situation: it knows Japanese customers like the Xperia brand, but it has nothing new to offer at the moment. Unless it announces something big, there is a risk of Samsung taking part of its market share. This goes double for people whose contracts are expiring, and thus are eager to get a new phone now. Samsung has the only new phone to get, and the vast majority of the world’s consumer audience isn’t as attuned to mobile tech as some are and won’t think about what else might be coming later.
Sony announced the Xperia Z4 just days before the release of the new Galaxy phones. Not the press release mind you, but the actual release. This strategy is brilliant, as it ensures everyone is talking about Sony and the Xperia Z4 when all attention would otherwise be focused on the upcoming Samsung products. Had Sony made the announcement just after the Galaxy devices were announced for Japan, the talk would have died down by now, and people would be again focused on Samsung.
The only new products NTT docomo has to offer for months now are the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge… at the moment.
Think about it: you don’t know much about phones, but want to get a new one. You’re going to consider the Galaxy S6 Edge, but then see a report on TV tonight that announces the Xperia Z4 Suddenly you’re eager to wait for Sony’s product to release, if only for the ability to compare it with the Galaxy. Alternatively, maybe Sony doesn’t care if you buy the Xperia Z4 in the end or not, but by making it easier to wait, it is thereby diminishing the likelihood of your running out to get a Galaxy.
What’s the problem with the Xperia Z4 anyway?
This leaked image appears to have been legit. Does the phone really look that bad? Not really.
The last major point to discuss is the actual nature of the Xperia Z4 in-and-of-itself. There’s nothing exactly wrong with it. The specs are top notch: it has a slightly thinner profile than its predecessor, it’s slightly lighter, it has a Snapdragon 810 and 3GB of RAM, and a 5.1 megapixel front camera. In terms of the other specs, they are basically a retread of the Xperia Z3 with a 5.2 inch Full HD screen, and a 20.7 megapixel rear camera. Of course it’s waterproof and dustproof. Honestly speaking, what exactly is the problem with these specs?
Considering that HTC released a similar device as the One M9 and is charging full price for it, why can’t Sony as well? Heck, the Xperia Z4 has minor aesthetic changes (such as the placement of the front speakers) and the same fantastic camera rear camera that was present on the Z3. HTC on the other hand, has received a lot of flack for the poor performance the M9’s camera is putting forth.
So this leaves the big question: what exactly is so bad about the Z4? Sure the design isn’t exactly that inspired considering what came before it, but other than that, is there really any problem?
Outlook
The menacing monolith is perhaps designed for super sales in Japan.
While the Xperia Z4 isn’t a radically redesigned phone, it is a new offering, and has top-notch specs. The device will definitely appeal to Japanese consumers who like Sony, who want a new phone, who like cameras, and who might be on the fence about the Galaxy S6. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say it will do quite well here, especially given that the Xperia Z2 and Z3 seemed to do quite well and they were also quite similar, especially with respect to the design.
As for the device that everyone things will “save Sony“, it might be just a pipe dream at best. Or perhaps it does exist, and will be announced at a later date. For all those who are under the impression that the Z4 is the “flagship”, consider that Sony is quite able to release a second flagship with a different form factor or functional element, just as how Samsung has the Galaxy Note series. When one considers how much market share Apple has, it would make even more sense for Sony to announce such a product at the same time as the iPhone 6s products, for – in Japan at least – there will be significant attention paid to it.
Samsung starts rolling out Lollipop OTA for the Galaxy S5 in Brazil
Samsung has at last started pushing out the much-anticipated Lollipop update to all unlocked variants of its former flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5, located in Brazil. As for added functionality, this upgrade transports the latest build of the Android operating system to the handset, in addition to a truckload of bug fixes and stability improvements.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the most timely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts rolling out Lollipop OTA for the Galaxy S5 in Brazil
Samsung and Partners Healthcare sign agreement to develop mobile health solutions
Samsung and Partners Healthcare announced this morning a new partnership to develop the “next generation of personalized digital and mobile solutions for health and wellness.” A multi-phase deal that will design tools for help with monitoring a variety of health aspects.
The first phase of this partnership will include software development as well as clinical research that will help deliver tools to improve management for chronic diseases. These will include remote monitoring programs that will help both patients and providers manage chronic conditions. Not only that but patients will be able to track their health, share personal health data with their providers securely.
Some of the programs for monitoring include blood pressure, blood glucose and weight. Samsung’s Digital Media and Communications R&D center will oversee the program but it looks like a new age of mobile health monitoring is upon us.
source: Samsung
Come comment on this article: Samsung and Partners Healthcare sign agreement to develop mobile health solutions
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