Samsung’s mobile chief takes a huge pay cut after slowing sales
Samsung’s mobile head and co-CEO JK Shin is feeling the company’s tumultuous performance right in his wallet. The exec earned around $630,000 last quarter (a combination of salary and bonuses), which is less than half of the $1.5 million he took home in the previous quarter, the WSJ reports. While the news only makes Shin slightly less of a millionaire than he was before, it’s a clear sign of Samsung’s shifting fortune. The electronics giant is still the largest smartphone maker in the world, with around 24 percent of total market share (according to IDC). But it’s been steadily losing ground to inexpensive Chinese brands like Xiaomi. And Samsung has reason to be worried — Xiaomi is now the world’s third-largest smartphone company after its shipments more than doubled last quarter.
Shin likely won’t feel the pay dent much, though. He’s already earned significantly more this year than his co-CEOs after a massive $8.8 million payout in the first quarter (which likely included bonuses from the previous year). And Samsung is still trucking along with massive revenues and profits. But unless the company finds some way to take on the cheap competition, or crafts another high-end hit to rekindle the glory days of the Galaxy S3 (the S4 and S5 have sold well, but not nearly as much as the S3), it may end up losing the mobile crown in a few years.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Wall Street Journal
DirecTV rolls out 4K programing, but only for those with Samsung TVs
Early last year, DirecTV registered a slew of 4K-branded trademarks to slap on its eventual UHD content roll out. None of those trademarks bubbled to the public eye, but the content, at least, is finally here: starting this week, customers with the Genie HD DVR will be able to stream 20 movies from Paramount Pictures and K2 Communications in 4K. The list is a mishmash of blockbusters and documentaries (including things like Forrest Gump, Star Trek (2009) and Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs) but there’s a catch: you can only watch them if you own a Samsung 4K TV.
DirecTV’s announcement lists Samsung as its exclusive 4K UHD launch partner, explaining that the content is only available to customers with the aforementioned DVR and a supported UHD 4K-ready Samsung device. Kind of odd, considering most content is manufacturer agnostic. Still, choosing Samsung as its first official partner is hardly a surprise: the manufacturer has always worked closely with DirecTV, and is among the brands that supports RVU natively. The company didn’t say how long the manufacture exclusive deal would last, but told Engadget it expects to see more TVs that are “DirecTV 4K Ready” launching throughout next year. Check out the source link for the provider’s official announcement.
Filed under: Misc, HD, Samsung
Source: DirecTV
Galaxy Note Edge now available in the US
Starting today, residents in the United States can pick up the curved variant of Samsung’s flagship phablet of 2014, the Galaxy Note Edge, from three out of five of the largest carriers.
First up we have AT&T, who is listing the handset for $399 on a two-year contract and $945 upfront. Next plan customers can grab the handset with nothing down, and twelve monthly payments of $47.30, eighteen monthly payments of $39.42 or twenty-four monthly payments of $31.54.
T-Mobile is offering the Note Edge for $0 down with twenty-four monthly payments of $36.25. If you don’t feel like entering into a two-year contract, the carrier is giving you the option to pick one up for $870 outright.
Sprint is the third and final operator currently cataloguing the device. On a two-year tariff,the handset is priced at $429 or $840 as a one-off payment. You can, however, choose to spread the cost over twenty-four months, which works out approximately $35 per month.
Big Red and U.S. Cellular are also set to join the party in the not too distant future, and we’ll be sure to let you know as and when they do.
Now that the Galaxy Note Edge is finally available, are you eager to pick one up?
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Samsung modifies Gear VR hardware to make it run cooler
When the Gear VR arrives in the United States next month, owners will not have to worry about it producing excessive heat. Developers and consumers both reported that the headset was getting very hot when used for more than twenty minutes. The company modified the hardware so that the Gear VR runs at a lower temperature. Andrew Dickerson, Samsung’s director of software development in Dallas, clarified by saying “We turned the cores back to a more reasonable level.” People reporting the overheating issues had been using older units. However, the hardware modification does sacrifice performance for developers. Samsung claims it has picked up improvements in other areas to counter the change.
Via: Re/code
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Samsung’s decline in performance affects top executive’s pay
Although Samsung has seen its financial performance decline recently, it still generates a massive amount of money. That decline, though, does affect the earnings of top executives. J.K. Shin, the man in charge of the company’s mobile division, saw his pay fall in the third quarter to $630,000 after earning $1.5 million in the preceding quarter. While Shin is not the only Samsung executive affected, he felt it the most because he leads the largest arm. The operating profit drop from 20% in the first quarter to 7% in the third.
Still, Shin has earned more this year than any other executive within the company at $10.9 million. And there is the entire fourth and final quarter of the year to work with.
Via: Digits (The Wall Street Journal)
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Chromecast’s Cast Screen feature now supports the Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Slow and steady wins the race. The Cast Screen feature found in the Chromecast app is available to only select devices. As of late, Google has been adding support for new devices. It was most recently Sony that saw a slew of devices receive Cast Screen support. Now, another Samsung device gets the special treatment. The Galaxy Note 4 is compatible with the Cast Screen feature. This allows a user to mirror their device’s display to a television connected with a Chromecast.
Don’t have a Galaxy Note 4? Then just use your Tesco hudl2 or TrekStor SurfTab xintron i 7.0 for the Cast Screen feature. Because you definitely own one of them.
Source: Google Support
Via: Android Police
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Sprint Buyer’s Guide for Android (November 2014)
In the hunt for a new smartphone from Sprint? Regardless of whether you’re buying your first Android or upgrading for the fourth time there’s something for everyone. And, as you might suspect, Ma Bell has plenty to choose from. In fact, counting variations, there are roughly two dozen models to choose from today.
As the last of the big four carriers to adopt Android, Sprint is doing a bang-up job in supporting the platform. It seems we’re constantly hearing about an exclusive model or head start on the competition.
Defining high-end
Today’s top Androids feature big, gorgeous displays, fantastic high-resolution cameras, and lots of memory. Toss in some quad-core and octa-core processors and some killer high capacity batteries and you’ve got mobile devices that would rival your computer from just a few years back.
As 2014 draws to a close and we look at the hardware from late model Androids it’s not uncommon to find screens hovering at 5-inches or larger. Thanks to ever-shrinking bezels we have phones with massive displays that also happen to fit comfortably in our hand. And, they’re not only big, but they’re sharp, too. Resolutions across the the top models are 1080p and higher. For what it’s worth, we’re starting to get our first glimpses of 2K and Ultra HD screens. It can be argued that average users cannot discern much beyond 720p/1080p on such a small device.
If you’re not coming to the table with at least a quad-core processor and 2GB RAM then you’re not going to sit at the big boy’s table. Most of the bleeding edge stuff you’ll find today comes with 3GB memory and chipsets of around 2.3GHz – 2.7GHz.
Storage capacities, for the most part, haven’t moved forward quite as quickly as other areas. You’ll still routinely find 16GB and 32GB models in most models though some are creeping into the 64GB space. Given that many handsets offer external storage via microSD cards it should matter little where you start out – especially if cost is a factor.
Another important factor in determining a smartphone purchase is the version of Android. Typically, it’s a simple case of “the newer the phone, the newer the operating system”. Today’s most recent phones are powered by Android 4.4.4 KitKat but anything running at least 4.4 should suffice for the average person. You will still find an occasional straggler, though, running something older.
Flagships & Exclusives
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Launched in October, this is Samsung’s annual plus-sized experience. Thanks to the release time-frame, these are typically a step-up from the Galaxy S series of smartphones. Standout specs include 32GB storage, a 5.7-inch Quad HD display, 3GB RAM, an S Pen stylus, and a 3220mAh battery. Sprint | Best Buy
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge: The first device of its kind, Samsung’s plus-sized smartphone is the best of the Note series with some extra ticker-width screen on the side. Sprint | Best Buy
- Samsung Galaxy S5: Released in spring 2014, it’s the most popular series of Android models to date. Hardware includes a 5.1-inch display, 16-megapixel camera, 16GB storage, and a 2800mAh battery. Sprint | Best Buy
- LG G3: LG’s increasingly popular family of phones, this one is unique in that it features rear button configuration under the camera. Sprint | Best Buy
- Google Nexus 6: Motorola’s take on the annual Google flagship experience, the 6-inch handset runs the latest version of Android (5.0) and offers users plenty of battery and top-notch power. Sprint | Amazon
- HTC One M8: Perhaps the oldest model in this list, HTC’s flagship handset received very high marks for its build quality and toned-down custom UI. Often cheaper than others in the group, it’s still plenty of bang for the buck. Sprint | Best Buy
- HTC One M8 Harman/Kardon edition: A beefed up audio experience with Clari-Fi technology and LiveStage enhancing your listening enjoyment. Sprint | Best Buy
- Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport: A variation of the flagship with pre-installed apps based around the more active user. Dirt and water resistant, it comes in a pair of alternate colors. Sprint | Best Buy
Mid-range
While not always the case, the mid-range Android is typically made up of last year’s top models. This is not to suggest, however, that there’s not a one-off model or variation that sneaks in every once in a while. Specs, as you can imagine, are often a step below. Processors, cameras, and batteries are sometimes the key difference though many of them also feature a screen resolution of 720p or 1080p. What follows what could be considered some of Sprint middle-of-the-pack handsets.
- LG G2: One of LG’s breakout devices over the last few years, the smartphone was the first to employ the rear button setup. Killer hardware and a refined UI make this one hard to resist even a year later. Sprint | Best Buy
- LG G Flex: The first smartphone from LG to offer the curved display; six inch screen and a 3500mAh battery make it big and long-lasting. Sprint | Best Buy
- HTC One (M7): The flagship model that kicked off HTCs current signature look, the phone offers plenty of bang for not much buck. And, thanks to a promised Android 5.0 update, it’s a great bargain with longer term appeal. Sprint | Best Buy
- HTC One Max: The plus-sized approach to the 2013 flagship HTC handset line, it comes with a 5.9-inch screen and 32GB internal storage. Sprint | Best Buy
- Sharp AQUOS Crystal: With an edgeless 5-inch HD display and a quad-core CPU, the Sharp is quite a bit more power for the money than what you’ll find from other brands. The 1.5GB RAM and 2040mAh battery are par for the course in today’s mid-range. Sprint | Best Buy
- Samsung Galaxy S4: One of the most popular smartphones of all time, this one is offered in a variety of colors. Features include a 5-inch display, 16GB storage, and a quad-core CPU. Sprint | Best Buy
- HTC One E8: What happens when you take the flagship One M8 and tap it with a polycarbonate body? You end up with a lower-cost version with very respectable internal hardware. Sprint | Best Buy
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3: As the plus-sized Samsung flagship from 2013, its quad-core CPU and camera make it a moderately strong device one year later. Sprint | Best Buy
Entry-level
- HTC Desire 510:A low-cost approach with a pocketable 4.7-inch display, it delivers some of HTC’s best features. Bonus points for microSD expansion. Sprint | Best Buy
- Samsung Galaxy S3: Still kicking around, it’s the perfect barrier for new smartphone adopters looking for an inexpensive taste of Android. Enough power for your aunt with a price she’ll love. Sprint | Best Buy
- Kyocera Hydro Vibe: The only Kyocera on the list, it’s a waterproof handset designed for the every man. Not top of the line hardware, no, but it’s the one you’ll happy to take poolside. Sprint | Best Buy
- LG G3 Vigor: The looks and feel of the flagship model, only in a slightly smaller form with less powerful hardware. The 5-inch screen is still a stunner and the 2540mAh battery is plenty of juice for just about anyone. Sprint | Best Buy
- Motorola Admiral: Perhaps one of the oldest devices still offered through Sprint, The Admiral is also the only one here with a physical keyboard. Fans of Push-to-talk will appreciate its simplicity, however high speed data fans will not appreciate being stuck with 3G. Sprint
The post Sprint Buyer’s Guide for Android (November 2014) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung will invest in $3 billion smartphone plant in Vietnam
According to a report from Reuters, Samsung is looking to invest several billion dollars into building a smartphone manufacturing plant in Vietnam soon. The company already owns a $2 billion smartphone plant in the Thai Nguyen province, which is where the second, $3 billion plant will be built. Right now, that 3 billion number is just an estimate, as Samsung is still in talks with the Vietnamese government to make the plans official.
Opening a second plant in Vietnam would help Samsung lower costs, which would, in turn, help them to compete on the low-end side of the Android market where their market share is taking the biggest beating. Within the first four months of opening the original $2 billion plant, the factory produced about $1.9 billion in outgoing revenue, so Samsung would easily be able to recoup its costs with a second plant.
source: Reuters
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Here’s how Android Lollipop differs from KitKat on the Galaxy S 4
Last week, we were able to see what the Android Lollipop update will look like on the Galaxy S 4, but if you want a more detailed comparison with the current KitKat version, you’ve come to the right place. Sam Mobile put together a video detailing the differences as well as some screenshots.
The overall look of the UI will be the same, but the core apps will get updated with Material Design and a lot of the functionality gets improved. There are a notable amount of performance improvements as well.
We have a bunch of screenshots and the video after the break.
KitKat is on the left and Lollipop is on the right in all screenshots
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: Sam Mobile
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Samsung releases Smart Home videos to elaborate on its purpose
At 2014′s IFA, Samsung chief executive BK Yoon said, “The biggest change, the biggest transformation, it will happen in our Homes, at a speed we can barely imagine.” Samsung wants to explain what they mean by that, and have released six new videos showing how Smart Home will make your life easier through their automation. The videos show how the company can make everything from powering your home appliances to watching movies a lot simplified.
You can check out all of the new videos past the break.
Source: Samsung Tomorrow
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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