Samsung Galaxy S5 might come with a fingerprint sensor
Folks excited to buy a Galaxy S5 so they can authenticate with their eyeballs and feel like Ethan Hunt might be in for a disappointment. According to Sammobile, Samsung’s upcoming flagship will come with a fingerprint sensor — one that’s embedded on the home button à la iPhone 5S. If this report is true, however, that’s about the extent of the scanners’ similarities, as S5′s is supposed to be markedly different and more sophisticated.
Users reportedly need to swipe their finger from base to tip across the button (their print will appear on the screen as they swipe), and authentication will fail if their hands are wet. The phone can store up to eight fingerprints for different purposes, such as to launch particular apps or verify their Samsung accounts. Some of these stored fingerprints can also be used to access two new features called Personal Folder and Private Mode, where users can keep apps, widgets and files for their eyes only. We obviously won’t know for sure until Samsung launches the Galaxy S5: thankfully, we might only have to wait a few more days to find out if any of these claims are even close to being real.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Via: Phone Arena
Source: Sammobile
Huawei’s MWC teaser gets in jab at Apple, Samsung
Chinese manufacturer Huawei just released a teaser video unveiling some of its plans for Mobile World Congress next week.
The video talks about a new tablet with “a beautiful slim design” and long battery life with “days of use,” a new smartphone with “an amazing front camera” and a “multimedia tablet” that can connect to “next-generation LTE networks.”
Besides talking about Huawei’s new devices, the video uses some marketing that takes shots at both Apple and Samsung. To start, the narrator in the promo is talking to an iPhone-like device with a Siri-like voice, with a Chinese accent though.
Second, the narrator asks the fake smartphone assistant if they’re made by “Fruit” or “Somesong,” which it replies, “No, they are Huawei.”
All that being said, we can expect two new tablets and a smartphone from Huawei during its Feb. 23 event in Barcelona.
via Digital Trends
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Samsung Announces Another Device, The Galaxy Core LTE
Samsung has ‘another’ new device headed to various parts of Europe, Russia and Asia. The Samsung Galaxy Core LTE, or the Galaxy Core 4G, is another low-end to mid-ranged offering for consumers who crave data speeds, but need the premium price tags associated to the higher-end flagship devices with powerful processors and HD screens.
The Galaxy Core will offer up a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage with MicroSD card support, a 4.5-inch PLS TFT screen at 960 x 540 along with a 5MP rear camera and 0.3 front facer. Powering this little guy is a 2,100 mAh batter. You will end up with NFC and Bluetooth 4.0 right along with Android 4.2.2. Don’t forget, you will also end up with some of the special Samsung apps like S Voice, S Translate and S Travel.
It won’t be a Note 3 or S4, but it will certainly appeal to those that need a little bit more without the premium price tag. Pricing details and launch dates are still under wraps.
Source: Pocket-Lint
Samsung countersues Dyson over vacuum copycat claims
Dyson’s decision to sue Samsung over claims it copied its vacuum design looks like it’s really starting to suck. Less than six months after it took action against the Korean company for allegedly infringing its patents, which it later dropped, Dyson now finds itself on the receiving end of a multi-million dollar countersuit. The Korea Times reports that Samsung isn’t looking to prove the validity of its designs, instead it’s focusing on the resulting legal fallout: the company claims last year’s litigation “hurt [its] corporate image” by labelling it as a serial copycat, so it’s seeking 10 billion won ($9.43 million) compensation because it “negatively affected” Samsung as a brand. While we won’t find out if Dyson’s original claim was a valid one, Samsung says that by taking a stand against “patent trolls that use litigations as a marketing tool,” it might warn off other companies looking to take similar action. Strong words indeed, Dyson certainly won’t want to let the dust settle on this case.
Filed under: Household, Samsung
Source: Korea Times
Weekly Roundup: Comcast acquiring TWC, the Galaxy S 5 and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Google’s Nest acquisition is official
The deal is done! The FTC cleared Google’s $3.2 billion purchase of Nest and now the company’s founders Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers are free to shift their focus back to making home automation consumer friendly. Follow the link for details.
Comcast and TWC merger
Earlier this week, Comcast announced plans to acquire Time Warner Cable. The proposed deal must gain approval from the FCC and Justice Department first, but what would the $45 billion merger mean for its 30 million combined subscribers? Read on and find out.
Samsung on the Galaxy S 5
Samsung’s next-gen handset, the Galaxy S 5, is just weeks away from being announced. We actually already know quite a lot about what to expect from the unveiling. Click the link for the latest on the company’s “back to basics” handset.
Creating GoPro’s media empire
Thanks to GoPro, footage of some of the world’s most extraordinary activities and events live on the internet, ready to entertain, inform and inspire the masses. Read on for more about the company’s 10-year journey from simple action stills to a blossoming media empire.
Filed under: Misc
FCC filing hints at a couple of new Samsung Galaxy tablets
Samsung may have more than the Galaxy S 5 to show at Mobile World Congress this year. It just passed a couple of unannounced tablets through the FCC. One is a 10-inch SM-T530 that is clearly isn’t one of the company’s pro models; the rear camera doesn’t have the telltale flash. As such, it’s most likely to be a fourth-generation entry in the lower-cost Galaxy Tab line. There isn’t any cellular data on this particular device, although we wouldn’t rule it out for additional variants that have popped up at the Bluetooth SIG and an Indian import tracker. We also spotted what looks to be an 8-inch SM-T330, which is rumored to be the Galaxy Tab 4 and was spotted on Bluetooth SIG a few weeks ago. It too doesn’t appear to sport any cellular bands, but as always, we wouldn’t rule out LTE versions later down the line. No matter what, it’s safe to presume that Samsung will have at least one more slate up its sleeve in the near future.
Nicole Lee contributed to this report
Wearable tech deals of the week: 2.14.14
If you’ve been considering a wearable purchase, but are unsure about parting with the requisite funds, today’s gaggle of discounted tech may finally urge you to commit. There are activity trackers and the Galaxy Gear that’s currently marked at 50 percent off waiting on the other side of the break. With a price drop that like, you’ll want to decide quickly as the offer won’t last long.
Just window-shopping? No worries. Join us and add the gadgets you’re shopping for to your Want list; every time there’s a price cut in the future, you’ll get an email alert!
Samsung Galaxy Gear
Price: $150
Regular Price: $300
Engadget Score: 65
Buy: Best Buy
New model on the way? That could very well be the case. Best Buy has slashed the price of Samsung’s Galaxy Gear by 50 percent as its Deal of the Day, but only in select colors. While the smartwatch didn’t get much love from us during our review because it lacked compelling software and device compatibility, a $150 price drop definitely helps its case. If you’re compelled to save cash rather than wait for the latest and greatest, you may want to take another look.
Fitbit Flex
Price: $90
Regular Price: $100
Engadget Score: 87
Buy: Amazon
We’ve been smitten with the Fitbit Flex since it was unveiled last spring due to its simple design and affordable price tag that puts it at the less expensive end of the fitness-tracking spectrum. Now, the wearable gets a modest $10 discount, making it a bit more attractive. See how the Flex stacks up against Fitbit’s more recent release — the Force — using our Compare tool right here.
Jawbone Up (2012)
Price: $99
Regular Price: $129
Engadget Global Score: 78
Buy: BuyDig
Jawbone was out to redeem itself from the fiasco that surrounded the arrival of the original Up band, and it made major strides with the reworked 2012 model. One of our major gripes with the activity tracker was its $130 price, which is now seeing a $30 discount (a 90-day low). Of course, it doesn’t feature the wireless syncing from the newer Up24, but Jawbone has been diligent to update its companion app that plays nice with the older model.
Filed under: Wearables
Apple and Samsung Fail to Reach Deal Over Patent Issues in Recent Mediation Meeting [iOS Blog]
Last month, it was reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook and Samsung Electronics CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon agreed to attend a mediation session on or before February 19 ahead of a second patent infringement lawsuit between the two companies set for next month. Now, ZDNet Korea [Google Translate] (via The Verge) is reporting that both companies met in the United States last week but failed to reach an agreement in their ongoing legal battle.
The report notes that Cook met with Samsung mobile division chief J.K. Shin to discuss a possible settlement, but did not make any significant progress towards a deal. Korean newspaper Choshun [Google Translate] states that Shin was originally expected to fly out to the United States next week before the court-imposed deadline on the meeting, but now has no plans to do so, indicating that the session has already taken place.
In late December, The Korea Times reported the two companies had resumed settlement talks in their ongoing negotiations over their patent-infringement dispute, as Samsung executive Shin Jong-Kyun was expected to meet with Cook. Previously, the Apple CEO met with former Samsung CEO Choi Gee-Sung in 2012 to discuss the subject, but talks fell through because Samsung would not accept Apple’s demand for patent royalties. The two companies also met last year in Seoul, Korea but discussions failed to progress.
Notably, Shin was quoted in November 2012 as saying that Samsung has “no such intention” in settling with Apple over patent issues, as HTC and Apple announced that they had reached a global settlement on their patent dispute earlier that month.
The second patent infringement lawsuit between Apple and Samsung is set to begin on March 31, as Apple’s Chief of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller will be among the witnesses. Samsung will only have four patents claims to bring to the upcoming trial, as Judge Koh invalidated two of its patent claims last month.
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Samsung Galaxy S4 on Sprint now getting Android 4.4 KitKat
Though Samsung kindly bestowed Android 4.4 KitKat onto the Google Play edition of its Galaxy S4 late last year, the TouchWiz variants of the same phone have not received the same attention, at least in the US. That ends today, however, as Sprint is finally rolling out said update to the Galaxy S4, making it the first US carrier to do so. This means that GS4 users on Sprint will finally get to enjoy the benefits of KitKat, such as better security, full-screen mode and of course, the new Hangouts. Sprint’s changelog also indicates that the update will add Zact Mobile compatibility to the phone. There’s been a sizable user demand for KitKat from GS4 owners, so hopefully this update shows that their phone is still relevant. Especially, you know, as there might be a successor coming up any day now.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Sprint
Now Available: Samsung’s Galaxy Pro line touches down in U.S.
As expected, Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab Pro and Galaxy Note Pro models are now available for purchase in the United States. The premium line of Wi-Fi tablets can be purchased through a variety of outlets, including Amazon, Best Buy, Tiger Direct, and Samsung. These Android 4.4 KitKat-powered devices feature Samsung’s latest user interface, a host of services, and include high-end tablet hardware. All are offered in black or white color options.
The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 (16GB) retails for $399.99, the Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 (16GB) is $499.99, the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (32GB) is $749.99, and the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (64GB) is $849.99.
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