Samsung announces new tool to help developers with VR
Samsung has announced a new tool intended to help developers get on board the virtual headset train. The Gear VR framework, or GearVRf, is an open source framework that developers can utilize to prepare videos and apps for use on Android-powered virtual reality devices.
Samsung indicates one benefit to the GearVRf for developers is the use of familiar programming languages like C++ and Java. The framework handles all the heavy lifting related to OpenGL and the Oculus renderer. The new GearVRf also handles much of the 3D graphics issues one might encounter during development. This should make it easier for developers to drop in existing images, videos and 3D models. With the platform being open source, Samsung hopes developers will modify and add to the code to meet their own unique needs.
source: Samsung
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Galaxy S6 Edge bends at the same pressure as iPhone 6 Plus
Do you remember when the term ‘Bendgate’ went viral? It happened when the iPhone 6 Plus users complained that their phone bends in pocket or after a certain force. Well, it seems Galaxy S6 Edge bends as well, as it bends at the same pressure point as the iPhone 6 Plus. Check out the video below to see HTC One M8, Galaxy S6 Edge, and iPhone 6 Plus going through the test:
However, iPhone is just bending and the screen is still safe, but the screen on Galaxy S6 Edge shatters right at the point, and that’s probably because of the edges. But it is hard to disagree on the fact that Galaxy S6 Edge is probably the greatest looking Samsung device to date. All you have to do is to be a bit careful, maybe a good phone cover would suffice because there is a probability that it might bend in your pocket or maybe breaks if you drop.
Are you planning to grab it? Let us know in the comment box below.
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Android 5.0 Lollipop rolls out to Verizon Galaxy Note 4
Samsung is now rolling out the Android 5.0 Lollipop to the Verizon Galaxy Note 4 to multiple regions, including the SM-910G which means devices outside of the US on that model number will also be seeing the update.
The update shows up as version LRX22C.N910VVRU1BOAF for Verizon in particular and brings material design, enhanced runtime, 3D views, and the updated TouchWiz.
They may have took their time, but Samsung finally is getting the update out to devices so head on into Settings >> About Phone >> Software updates to force it to show manually.
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Rogers and TELUS start rolling out Lollipop update for the Note 3
Canadian carriers Rogers and TELUS have now started pushing out the Lollipop update to all their carrier-branded variants of the Note 3. This upgrade brings the latest build of the Android operated system, in addition to a truckload of bug fixes and stability improvements.
In order to install the update, you will have to have 3GB of storage available. If you don’t have enough, we recommend transferring some your files to Google Drive or Dropbox. You’ll also need to be connected to an active Wi-Fi network and have 50% of juice.
If your handset meets all of the above criteria, simply head into Settings, followed by About Device and click Check for Software Update, to download and install the upgrade. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to update.
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Samsung passed Qualcomm for the Galaxy S6 LTE modem too – report
As we outlined in this post from earlier this week, Samsung stands to benefit substantially from adopting an in-house Exynos processor for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, over the Snapdragon 810 chip from rival/partner/client Qualcomm. Now a new report from IC tech analysis firm Chipworks reveals that Samsung also adopted in-house solutions for the connectivity component of its new flagships.
Chipworks disassembled a Galaxy S6 and analyzed the circuitry and chips that make it tick. While the firm has only published preliminary findings so far, there are some interesting details to be gleaned from the following component list.
- Samsung Exynos 7420 SoC
- Samsung K3RG3G30MM-DGCH 3Gb LPDDR4 SDRAM and Samsung KLUBG4G1BD 32GB NAND Flash
- Samsung Shannon 333 Modem, Shannon 533 PMIC, Samsung S2MPS15 PMIC, Samsung Shannon 928 RF Transceiver and Samsung Shannon 710 Envelope Tracking IC
- Broadcom BCM4773 GNSS Location Hub
- InvenSense MPU-6500 Gyro + Accelerometer
- Skyworks SKY78042 Multimode Multiband (MMMB) Front-End Module (FEM)
- Avago AFEM-9020 PAM and Avago ACPM-7007 PAM
- Samsung C2N8B6 Image Processor
- Maxim MAX98505 Class DG Audio Amplifier and Maxim MAX77843 Companion PMIC
- Samsung Electro-Mechanics 3853B5 Wi-Fi Module
- N5DDPS2 (Likely Samsung NFC Controller (P/N needs to be confirmed)
- Wolfson WM1840 Audio CODEC
- Texas Instruments BQ51221 Single Chip Wireless Power Receiver
- Skyworks SKY13415 Antenna Switch
- STMicro FT6BH Touch Screen Controller
Even if you know little about electronics, a quick scan of the list tells you that the Galaxy S6 incorporates many components made by Samsung, including some of the most important ones. The application processor (SoC), the RAM memory, the flash storage, the LTE modem and the associated components, the image processor, and the Wi-Fi module are all Samsung, and herein lays one of Samsung’s biggest strengths. Unlike most other phone makers, Samsung is also making (either directly or through affiliate companies) many of the key components going inside its phones, which gives it more control and flexibility and allows it to work with higher profit margins.
The Galaxy S6 is Samsung’s through and through
The chip analysis also shows that the SoC wasn’t the only “design loss” for Qualcomm, when it comes to the Galaxy S6. The modem, power management, RF transceiver, and envelope tracking chips are all from Samsung (Shannon is Samsung’s brand for various silicon components).
The design of cellular connectivity chips (branded Gobi) is Qualcomm’s other main activity, besides SoCs. It wouldn’t be the first time Samsung uses non-Qualcomm LTE chips for its phones; for instance, the Korean company opted for Intel chips for variants of the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Alpha. Nonetheless, for Qualcomm, a design win in the connectivity stack would have helped soften the blow of losing the SoC spot. Especially since the Galaxy S6 will probably be Samsung’s best-selling device ever.
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Samsung appears to be doubling down on its component business, where it already holds a slight lead thanks to the 14-nm manufacturing process. The company is rumored to be preparing its own custom CPU cores, as well as a custom GPU, that would replace the current designs supplied by ARM. Samsung is also pushing hard to create competitive high-end SoCs with integrated LTE, following the launch of a mid-range integrated SoC last year.
Robbers hi-jack truck carrying Samsung devices and parts in India
Although it sounds like something out of a movie, the robbery that took place in India on April 1st was no joke. The plan was to steal a truck transporting Samsung’s latest flagships, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones and drive off into the night, but it seems that not everything went to plan for the robbers and their accomplices.
Although the robbers believed the truck would be carrying the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets, instead it was transporting around four million dollars worth of machine tools, circuit boards and other Samsung devices from the Indira Gandhi airport to Noida. When the truck arrived in Sarita Vihar (South Delhi) the robbers intervened, taking control of the truck, beating up the driver and his assistant and holding them at knife-point before scarpering off with the truck. In an effort to disappear the robbers had disabled the trucks GPS tracker. The Driver and assistant were able to raise the alarm thanks to another truck arriving soon after.
As with many incidents of this nature, the police would naturally suspect that it was an inside job before widening their search, and in this case they were correct. It was an inside job that ended up with 4 people that included one current and one ex-employee of the transport company being held for questioning. The truck and its contents have not yet been found although the police are conducting further investigations.
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Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge is just as bendable as the iPhone 6 Plus and will crack under pressure
Do you remember the #Bendgate drama that unfurled last year as a result of iPhone owners bending their new handsets when placing them in the front trouser pockets? As an Android user it was worthy of a good laugh or two wasn’t it? Well, maybe it’s time to stop giggling quite as much now as one of our own has been shown to be just as bendable as the iPhone 6 Plus. I’m talking about none other than Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge.
That’s right, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge has been put through its paces by SquareTrade, the guys who provide protection plans for all sort of electronic devices. In the test, SquareTrade put the Galaxy S6 Edge, iPhone 6 Plus and the HTC One M9(review) up against a hydraulic press. The HTC one M9 came out the best, bearing up under a 120 pound load before bending. The Galaxy S6 Edge managed to withstand 110 pounds of force before bending, the same amount as the iPhone 6 Plus. However, because of its dual edges, the S6 Edge’s glass broke straight away while the other two handsets managed a higher load before cracking up. You can watch the inhumanity of the test in the video below.
The takeaway from all of this is that no matter which handset you buy, you should still be careful with them. Putting them in undue danger will likely result in the handset becoming tragically damaged. It should go without saying, whether you own a Galaxy S6 Edge or not, you should not be performing bend or drop tests on your device at home.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: SquareTrade
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Video: S6 Edge bends at same load as iPhone 6 Plus, One M9 is slightly stronger
The iPhone 6 #bendgate ruckus has left a persistent mark on the mobile ecosystem: the advent of the “bend test.” Done manually or with well-calibrated testing rigs, bend tests are now de rigueur for any hot new device, and these days it doesn’t get any hotter than the Galaxy S6 Edge.
The folks at phone insurance company SquareTrade took it upon themselves to check just how well the seemingly fragile Galaxy S6 Edge holds under pressure. For good measure, SquareTrade also tested the original #bendgate victim and the other high-profile Android flagship of the moment, the One M9.
Watch now
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To… break it down for you, the Galaxy S6 Edge and iPhone 6 Plus both suffered permanent deformations at 110 pounds of force, while the HTC One M9 did a little better, bearing a 120 pound load. However, because of its curved construction, the glass on the Galaxy S6 Edge broke right away, while the glass on the two other devices broke at a higher load. That shouldn’t be a surprise: the dual-curve of the sheet of Gorilla Glass 4 covering the S6 Edge induces stress points that simply don’t exist on a flat pane.
The moral of the story is just one: treat your devices with attention, regardless of the brand or model. Sure, the Galaxy S6 Edge may withstand some pretty intense full frontal shocks, but let’s face it, that thin profile and eye-catching curved screen come at a price. And, please, don’t try to bend test your device at home.
Bending or not, we absolutely loved the Edge, with the device scoring a 9 out of 10 score in our Galaxy S6 Edge review, the same as Galaxy S6.
Sprint’s Galaxy S5 Sport is receiving it’s Lollipop update
Waiting for a firmware update is something that has become part of life for Android users, and while we may grumble about how long the process takes, it’s almost always a great feeling to see your smartphone get a new lick of paint (unless you are in Norway). It’s now the turn of Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport to receive some of the Lollipop goodness.
Sprint’s Lollipop update for the Galaxy S5 Sport is via OTA (Over-The-Air) so you should receive a notification informing you that the firmware upgrade is available. You can always check manually by delving into Settings/About Phone and tapping Software Update. If the update is available, just follow the on-screen directions when prompted.
The firmware version is G860PVPU1BOC5 and is based on Android 5.0. Besides the usual Lollipop features, the update also includes the Reactivation Lock (Factory Reset Protection) that requires a Google ID and password before the phone can be reset. You have to opt-in to make use of the Reactivation Lock feature though. If your Galaxy S5 Sport hasn’t received an update notification yet, don’t despair as Sprint says it will be a staggered roll-out over several days.
Source: Sprint
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Galaxy Note 4 on Verizon getting Android 5.0 Lollipop update with VoLTE support
Verizon and Samsung have finally gotten around to pushing out the Lollipop update for the Galaxy Note 4, and hopefully all of the bugs that have been plaguing other Samsung devices have been stomped out.
In addition to bringing all of the updates Google introduced in Lollipop to Samsung’s phablet, you’ll also see support for Verizon’s VoLTE, plus Material Design aesthetics to most of Samsung’s interface and apps. S Health is getting three new widgets, and a new Galaxy Gifts link has been introduced in one of Samsung’s integrated widgets.
The update should be rolling out over the air, so if you’ve got a Verizon Note 4, keep an eye out for it.
source: Verizon Wireless
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AIVAnet 