Samsung will reportedly use a metal frame in the Galaxy Tab S2
If all the rumors prove true, we can expect Samsung to unveil the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on March 1st at the company’s Unpacked event. Today we’re finally getting a break from the Galaxy S6 rumors, this time focusing on the company’s tablet lineup. In a report from SamMobile, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S2 will allegedly feature a metal frame, and will be significantly thinner than the Tab S, and more specifically, thinner than the Apple iPad Air 2. The Galaxy Tab S is only 6.6mm thin, while the iPad Air 2 is 6.1mm thin. The report doesn’t state whether the Tab S2 will be significantly thinner than 6.1mm. We couldn’t imagine Samsung shrinking it down too much more, or else the company many need to make some big sacrifices when it comes to internals.
The second, and less surprising, rumor in the report is Samsung’s decision to build the Tab S2 with a metal frame. Multiple rumors have surfaced regarding Samsung’s decision to build the Galaxy S6 with a metal chassis. Plus, we’ve heard for months that the company has a ‘Project Zero‘ mentality, with hopes to start from scratch and bring more premium materials to their devices, so this rumor isn’t all that surprising.
The report also mentions that the Galaxy Tab S2 will be available in 8.0-inch and 9.7-inch variants, both with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The current Galaxy Tab S comes in 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch versions, so we can expect to see a slight variation in screen size with these newer models.
No timeframe is mentioned about the release of the Tab S2, but we’ll keep you updated if we hear anything.
Galaxy S 6 could sport a smaller battery than the Galaxy S 5
The Galaxy S 6 will most likely be a lot thinner than the Galaxy S 5, but one major downside could be the battery. Not only will it be non-removable, it actually might be smaller than its predecessor.
One would think that Samsung could fit the new Galaxy S 6 with at least the same size battery as the S5 since battery technology keeps evolving, but unfortunately that won’t be the case. It’s expected to come in at 2600 mAh as opposed to 2800 mAh on the S5, which is about 7% less.
Now the fact that it’s going to be smaller doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The new Exynos 7 processor might add more efficiency in that overall battery life might not suffer at all. Still, the bottomline is that if you are running out of juice, you will not be able to swap batteries. Also, since a Qualcomm chip won’t be present, the S6 won’t feature quick charging capabilities to get you out of trouble faster.
The S6 is supposed to offer wireless charging built-in (no special case required) so that might be of some help. It will be easier to charge more often, but you will also have to own a few charging pads to make use of it.
Come comment on this article: Galaxy S 6 could sport a smaller battery than the Galaxy S 5
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 2 will be thinner than the Apple iPad Air 2
Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S last summer, which was only 6.6 mm thick. A follow up will come at some point this year, and the word is it will be thinner than the iPad Air 2, which is only 6.1 mm thick.
The Tab S 2 will also sport a metal frame, which isn’t a surprise based on what we have been seeing from the Korean powerhouse.
Just like last year, Samsung will offer two different sizes, but it appears they will go with the 4:3 display ratio. Last year they offered both 8.4 and 10.5-inches, but this year’s dimensions will come in at 8.0 and 9.7-inches.
What do you think about the Tab S 2? I am not in love with the 4:3 ratio. Why bother?
source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 2 will be thinner than the Apple iPad Air 2
Samsung Galaxy A7 available in India, priced at ₹30,499
The Galaxy A7 has been a rather elusive model in Samsung’s new look A series and was absent from the line-up when the Galaxy A and Galaxy E ranges launched in India last month. However, the Galaxy A7 (SM-A700F) is now available in the country for ₹30,499 (around $490) through Samsung’s official Indian online store.
The Galaxy A7 was officially unveiled early in the year and is the most feature rich handset in Samsung’s A range. The smartphone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display and is powered by a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, which features eight Cortex-A53 CPU cores. The handset also features 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, a 13MP rear camera and 5MP front facing camera, dual-SIM support, Cat4 4G LTE connectivity and a 2,600mAh battery.
Samsung India lists the Galaxy A7 in Gold, Black and White color options, although only the white version appears to be in stock right now.
Samsung to launch three new 4G LTE smartphones in India next month including the Galaxy J1 4G
Samsung has announced that it would launch three new smartphones with 4G LTE support in India next month – the Galaxy J1 4G, Galaxy Core Prime 4G and Galaxy Grand Prime 4G, which are basically LTE variants of the smartphones that are currently available in the country. The smartphones will bear price tags starting from INR 9,900 […]
The post Samsung to launch three new 4G LTE smartphones in India next month including the Galaxy J1 4G appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung’s 14nm Exynos 7 will be powering its new smartphones. Galaxy S6, anyone?
When rumours emerged that Samsung might not use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor in the Galaxy S6 due to overheating issues, it was suggested that Samsung would have to lean heavily on its own processor manufacturing. It was alleged that such a chip would be built from a new 14nm process, trumping the 20nm process of the […]
The post Samsung’s 14nm Exynos 7 will be powering its new smartphones. Galaxy S6, anyone? appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Android Authority this week
It was a very interesting week in the world of Android. OnePlus caused quite a stir when it announced it hired key Paranoid Android developers to help create Oxygen OS. A mystery Nvidia device was teased for next month. The long awaited Xposed framework update for Lollipop finally landed. We heard several credible reports about the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Sony introduced its low-cost Xperia E4. Lollipop updates hit more devices. Xiaomi introduced itself to the US and said it would open an accessories store later this year. And we heard rumors about Google’s plans with Android One and a new payment service.
Inside AA HQ
A little PSA: by now I probably shouldn’t tell you that online security is important. This week Google launched a little promo where they give you 2GB of free Drive storage (you can’t ever have enough) for doing a little security checkup. Basically, take a look at all the security options that are available (2-step verification is particularly important) and make sure you have them set up properly. I personally did just that, not for the free storage, but because a lot in my life depends on the security of my Google account. Do yourself a favor this weekend and make sure your account is as secure as possible.
With Valentine behind us, you can almost smell spring in the air. For tech geeks, that means… new devices. We just reviewed the amazingly thin Dell Venue 8 7000, the G Flex 2 is in the house, and more great stuff is incoming. For a little teaser, Ash did an epic history of Nexus video – keep an eye out for it this Monday, and trust me, it’s going to be worth it.
If it’s Sunday, it’s a new giveaway! This week we are giving away a Nexus 9 Android tablet.
The Friday Debate Podcast
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
Here are some interesting posts for your Sunday reading:
- Opinion: Mark looks at the factors holding back the smartwatch as a concept
- Review: Josh reviews the affordable and attractive Huawei Honor 6
- Versus: It’s battle of the beasts, in our Nexus 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus comparison
- Feature: Simon weighs in on the state of battery tech in the mobile industry
- Tech talk: Snapdragon 810 benchmarks shed some light on the overheating speculation
- Review: Taylor reviews the intriguing Dell Venue 8 7000
Top news of the week
And here are the top news in the Android world this week:
OnePlus
- OnePlus One will be available without an invite every Tuesday
- OnePlus One OTA update arrives with MaxxAudio and Swiftkey
- OnePlus hired the key people behind Paranoid Android/
New Nvidia device
- Rumor: Tegra X1 powered SHIELD Tablet in the pipeline
- NVIDIA press invitations rolling out, new gaming product coming March 3rd
Xposed is back
- Xposed Framework for Android 5.0 Lollipop coming “soon”
- Xposed Framework for Android 5.0 Lollipop now available
Galaxy S6 rumors and reports
- Alleged Galaxy S6 Edge benchmark shows top of the line specs
- Bloomberg confirms “all-metal” Galaxy S6 and Edge, as more renders and schematics surface
- Samsung promises intelligent Galaxy S6 camera, new details leaked
- Galaxy S6 to have user un-installable bloatware, Material Design improvements, and more
- First video teaser for Galaxy S6 is all about the camera
Lollipop updates
- Android Lollipop arrives for the Samsung Galaxy S4 in India
- LG G3 Lollipop update rolling out for AT&T users
- T-Mobile Lollipop OTA for HTC One M8 landing on Feb. 9 (Update: Feb. 10)
- Lollipop update hitting Galaxy Note 4, starting in Poland
- Galaxy Note 2 to receive Android Lollipop, says Samsung Poland
- Android Lollipop arrives for the Moto Maxx and Moto E, in select markets
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910F) and Note 3 LTE (SM-N9005) receive Lollipop 5.0.1
Xperia E4
Xiaomi
- Xiaomi plans to launch US e-commerce site this year
- Xiaomi event takeaway – Xiaomi is getting ready to play with the big boys
- Google Helpouts to shut down April 20th
- Helpouts: A dissection – What went wrong?
- Google Maps adds lane guidance for 15 new European countries
- Google is working on a new Bluetooth-based payment service
- Report: Google in talks with developers to subsidize app data costs
Sound off
We always want to hear your feedback. Whether it’s criticism or praise, feel free to tell us what you think about Android Authority’s content, design, and community. Comment here or get in touch with us on our social channels:
Happy Sunday!
Infographic: The Evolution of Samsung’s Mobile Phone Cameras
There’s still a couple of weeks to go until Samsung officially reveals the Galaxy S6 on March 1st at the MWC. In the meantime though, the South Korean manufacturer has released a great infographic that illustrates the evolution of the smartphone camera. From the SCH-V200 handset with a 0.3MP camera, all the way to the Galaxy A5 smartphone with its 13MP primary camera and the software features that enhance the pictures we take.
Do you remember your first mobile phone that had a built-in camera? I remember mine, it was a Nokia 3600 that had a whopping 0.3MP VGA sensor without a flash or even autofocus! Naturally, the pictures I took with it were never going to win any awards, but it is a great example of how smartphone cameras have evolved over the years. These days we have smartphone cameras with 16MP or even 20MP sensors, and take features such as Panorama or wide-angle selfies for granted. I wonder how the smartphone camera will evolve over the next 15 years?
Source: Samsung Tomorrow
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The NBA is filming the All-Star Game in 360-degrees for Samsung’s Gear VR
If you’ve ever wanted a court-side seat at an NBA (basketball) game but couldn’t afford the $9.000 price tag, Samsung and the NBA may well be on the verge of providing a solution. All you need is a Galaxy Note 4 smartphone, its accompanying Gear VR headset, access to Samsung’s Milk VR Store and you could be watching NBA highlights in virtual-reality
So what exactly are Samsung and the NBA doing then? Well, they are going to film today’s All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden, the 3-point contest, the dunk competition, as well as a private practice session using virtual reality cameras. Gear VR owners will be able to view the footage in all of its 360-degree glory via the Milk VR virtual-reality app in a few weeks time. While the actual footage will be available free of charge, you do have to possess a Galaxy Note 4 handset and the Gear VR headset. It’s likely that the upcoming Galaxy S6 will also support the Gear VR, but even so, it’s a niche technology at the present time.
As you can expect from such an infant technology, there are a lot of variables. The camera crews are still experimenting with camera locations in order to provide a realistic but immersive experience. The NBA isn’t sure what format the highlight package will take in its final form other than the best moments being compiled into 360-degree highlight reels. The footage is shot with VR cameras that can record video in every direction that is then ‘stitched’ together afterwards to provide that immersive experience.
Jeff Marsilio, the NBA’s Vice President of Global Media Distribution says that
“VR is amazing for big spectator events, but it’s also great for those kind of intimate access moments (private practice sessions). You see somebody in a location where you couldn’t even buy a ticket for. You feel like you’re there. We showed it to everybody around (the league offices), and the first reaction was always an ‘expletive, wow, this is amazing.’”
The NBA VP went on to say that the video packages will have a lot of replay value, with viewers being able to watch the game footage as a whole or to witness the reactions of courtside celebrities or even the other competitors.
Samsung is trying to find new uses and partners for its Gear VR headset. This collaboration with the NBA may inspire other types of entertainment to bring their fans closer to the action than would otherwise be possible. I could imagine the WWE making good use of this technology. Where do you think we will see it next? Would you be tempted to buy the Gear VR (and accompany Galaxy Note 4), just to watch NBA highlights in 360-degrees?
Source: Wired
Come comment on this article: The NBA is filming the All-Star Game in 360-degrees for Samsung’s Gear VR
Samsung Galaxy A7 now available in India
Availability of the Galaxy A7 has not been widespread, but Samsung has consistently launched the handset in new markets over time. Now, the Galaxy A7 is available to consumers in India for Rs 30,499 (or about $491) with color options being gold, black, and white. The company setup a page for the Galaxy A7 in its India eStore and it is already out of stock there. Whether it is due to low supply or high demand, Samsung must be happy to see the Galaxy A7 sold quickly in India.
Source: Samsung India eStore
Via: Fone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy A7 now available in India
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