Samsung’s got another tablet in the works
One of the great things about the FCC is that the commission is obligated to reveal all of the newly-minted and as-yet unannounced gadgets that pass through its hallowed halls. The latest to be shown is a Samsung tablet measuring in the 8-9-inch category. Naturally, all that the FCC is concerned with is if the unit’s Bluetooth and WiFi modules are working properly, so we shall have to wait and see what the SM-T320 turns out to be. But considering that we’ve got CES in less than a week and MWC a month afterward, we doubt we’ll be waiting long.
Via: Phone Arena
Source: FCC
Samsung Releases their Infographic ‘Evolution of Display’
Earlier today, we got an infographic from HTC that showed the long process of getting Android updates rolled out to your device. Now, we get Samsung and their infographic showing us the evolution of those pretty displays on our devices.
In 1988, the SH100 hit the shelves, and that was the beginning of the Samsung mobile journey. Fast-forward to 2002, when the first colored display Samsung phone came about, and I remember I had the first Nokia color display phone around that time. Samsung also tried to up their game by introducing a different kind of flip display in 2005. It wasn’t until 2009, when we got the beautiful AMOLED display on the SH-W850 model phones came out, which I remember looking pretty marvelous. This then gave birth to the Galaxy S line in 2010, and the rest is pretty much history. So check out the complete evolution of the Samsung display below. Let us know the first Samsung device you ever got.
Source: Android Authority
Samsung’s latest developer kit lets you control appliances from your TV
Ever wish you could turn on the air conditioning without leaving the couch? Samsung’s new Smart TV SDK 5.0 will give you the luxury of being that lazy. The programming kit gives the TV control over home appliances, including network-savvy lighting and refrigerators. Developers should also have an easier time building apps thanks to a new web framework that both supports HTML5 and uses Native Client to run software across a wide range of TVs. Apps can run on mobile devices, too. Samsung has already posted a beta SDK, but aspiring big-screen app builders will have to wait until January 6th to get the finished tool.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Household, HD, Samsung
Source: Samsung D Forum, Samsung Tomorrow
Supposed 5.25-inch 2560 x 1440 screens in Production for Galaxy S5
One more year is almost over and that means that the next flagship devices will start to make their appearances. Well, at least the rumored specs and leaked confirmations. There is no doubt in any ones mind that Samsung will make a Galaxy S5. There will also be a Note 4 and probably a slew of new Note tablets and a Tab4. It is what Samsung does. So what is the Galaxy S5 going to be? A little bigger, a little better and a little more, well, Samsungy.
If Samsung keeps up with the trend they started with the Note 2 – Note 3 and the Galaxy SIII – Galaxy S4 we can expect a slight screen size bump with a smaller bezel and staying fairly close to the same size as the current Galaxy S4. That brings in the recent report that Samsung is in mass production of a new 5.25-inch 2560 x 1440 display that will likely be used for the Galaxy S5. Which follows up a previous report based on benchmark findings that that is the screen size that will be used.
This all follows up with other reports that the Galaxy S5 will be pulling in a 64-bit version of their quad-core octa-core processor, mostly for the international devices we bet. While the US will probably see a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800. Anything is possible though. There has also been talks of 3GB of RAM and a 13MP camera. However, as Gotta Be Mobile has pointed out, there is also suggestions that Samsung has been testing out a 16MP camera that could find its way into the device. Not to mention some version of Android 4.4 and speculation of an eye scanner for unlocking the device.
Samsung should be pulling out all the stops with the Galaxy S5, with that much power and that larger of screen with that resolution, they better be packing in one heck of a battery.
What do you guys think of all of this? Are you of the variety that Samsung needs to quite trying to push the screen tech and focus more on software and updates, or are you ready to pull out the credit card for a 2k res phone?
Sources: Phandroid – Gotta Be Mobile
Samsung Galaxy S5 won’t have curved display, report says
We recently learned that the next generation Samsung devices could feature wraparound Youm display, or a curved display like the Samsung Galaxy Round, and also we saw a concept of the Galaxy S5, in which we saw it with a curved display, but it is just a concept. But it seems that a curve display on the Galaxy S5 will stay a dream, as Korea Herald thinks so.
They are reporting that Samsung is “highly unlikely” to launch the S5 with Youm display due to its insufficient capacity, said the sources. Kim Jong-hyun, an analyst at Seoul-based Eugene Investment & Securities, says “The current capacity for flexible panels is not high enough for the Galaxy S5, which will be rolled out early next year. Curved ones will be unveiled late next year as a Galaxy variant rather than as a flagship model,”
It will be really hard for Samsung to supply the Youm display for the S5, because of its high demand, so we might see the Galaxy S5 with a QHD or a PLS LCD. What do you think about it? Don’t forget to tell us in the comment box below.
Source: Korea Herald
The post Samsung Galaxy S5 won’t have curved display, report says appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Check Out Samsung’s New Girl Stealing Galaxy Gear Ad [Video]
What better way to show off the Galaxy Gear’s features then by having two men trying to woo a young lady at a ski resort. The ad below shows us just how you can win a girl’s heart, by utilizing the Galaxy Gear’s features to impress her. You almost feel sorry the guy without the Gear, because the ad stresses on just how useful the watch can be. From dropping your phone of the ski lift, to dropping a drink you just bought to answer your phone, the Galaxy Gear seems very useful, but we all know these commercials make it seem flawless when we know it is not.
The Galaxy Gear didn’t see the sales numbers Samsung was hoping for, but they still have faith in their smartwatch. There has already been talks about a second generation Galaxy Gear releasing alongside the Galaxy S5, but in the mean time, they are going to continue to promote their first stab at it. Check out the ad below, and let us know what you think.
Samsung’s 2014 smart TVs will let you control videos by pointing your finger
Samsung’s 2014 smart TV lineup may revolve around impressive-looking hardware, but the Korean tech giant has revealed that interface improvements will also play an important role. Its new TVs will support finger gestures that should be more intuitive than the whole-hand commands of this year’s models; you can stop a movie with a spinning motion, for instance. Voice control will also be more powerful. It’s at last possible to change channels or launch apps with a single step, and search results appear in one place. While the gesture and voice upgrades may not be revolutions, they’ll likely be welcome to viewers frustrated with unwieldy TV software.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung
Source: Samsung Tomorrow
IRL: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear
Well, this is a fitting idea for an end-of-the-year column: let’s revisit one of our favorite gadgets of 2013 (the Galaxy Note 3) along with one of the most disappointing (that’d be the Galaxy Gear). Does Jon like the Note 3 as much as our reviewer James did? And might he be a little more forgiving of the smartwatch?
In theory, the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear make a great power couple: you get a big, powerful smartphone for heavy-duty tasks, and a small, convenient smartwatch for basics like calls. I wanted to see how well this combo worked in practice, so I’ve been using them for the past several weeks on Telus in Canada. Are they worth the premium over other Android flagships like the Nexus 5?
The Note 3 certainly is, at least for fans of big-screened smartphones. The 5.7-inch display is just about right; it’s large enough to be superb for web browsing and videos, but it’s not so big that it becomes truly unwieldy (as with the Galaxy Mega 6.3 or Xperia Z Ultra). Its battery easily lasts all day, even with my frequent use of Google+, Instagram and Twitter. I don’t use the S Pen much, but I see it as a handy bonus. In addition, Samsung addressed a couple of the GS4′s flaws: the Note’s Snapdragon 800 chip irons out the few performance hitches, and the textured back has a nicer feel than the GS4′s mostly featureless shell. LTE is certainly fast, too, reaching up to 30 Mbps on Telus’ Ottawa network.
Still, it’s not a perfect smartphone. For one, Samsung still doesn’t know how to handle low-light photography. The Note 3′s night mode is a little too eager to remove detail in the name of a blur-free picture — so much so that shots sometimes resemble Impressionist paintings. My Nexus 5 isn’t exactly an imaging champ, but it’s at least more consistent. I’m also not a big fan of Samsung’s many eye- and gesture-driven commands, as they generally aren’t reliable enough to be useful.
As for the Galaxy Gear? I thankfully received the firmware update that expands notification support, but even so, it would be hard for me to justify the $300 price. There just aren’t enough watch-ready apps available. Many of the titles I’d want to use from my wrist (Foursquare and Instagram, for example) just aren’t available, and neither the camera quality nor the phone features are good enough to stop me from using the Note 3 for those tasks. Pebble’s smartwatch is more enticing, simply because it’s a better value. It may not have as many extras, but it offers much of the core functionality I’d like for half the price — and with broader device compatibility to boot.
– Jon Fingas
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile, Samsung
Last minute stocking stuffers you can still have delivered before Christmas
Order these through Amazon before Sunday night and they’ll arrive in the (Saint) Nick of time
You’ve waited until nearly the last day possible to pick out some Christmas gifts, did you? Now you’re worried about what you’re going to get your friends and family members. Not to worry, we’ve got your back.
We have compiled a list of great products, from brands we trust, that will make the perfect last-minute gift for everyone. Just don’t tell them you waited, goofball. We can keep a secret.
First things first
The first thing you are going to need to do is sign up for an Amazon Prime account. This way, you get free two-day shipping that’s guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas just so long as you order before December 22.
Two-Day Shipping (FREE with Amazon Prime)
Order as late as midnight EST / 9 p.m. PST (varies by item) Sunday, December 22
Note that Amazon Prime accounts can be canceled at any time you want but after your 30-day free trial it costs $79.99 per year. Actually, moms and students get a discounted plan so check that out if you haven’t yet!
Unless otherwise noted, these gifts are under $20 each.
Gift Card
Should you absolutely run out of ideas and have no clue as to what your friends want or need, this one works in a pinch. Actually, you can order these and have them emailed to you contacts within minutes. It doesn’t get any more last-minute than this, but it works!
For what it’s worth, it’s possible to have them delivered via Facebook or printed out at home.
In addition to selling Amazon gift cards, you can also scoop up brands like Starbucks, Regal Entertainment, Applebee’s, GameStop, Kohl’s and others.
Targus Stylus
Perfect gift for your friends or family members who own a tablet or Kindle Fire. Toss it in the pocket or purse or keep it at the office for those times when you need to mark up a document or draw mustaches on photos.
Galaxy S4 Wallet Case
Great protection and utility in one bundle, it’s exactly what the Samsung smartphone needs to stay safe and secure. Slim and low profile, it comes in at least eight color options.
Belkin SurgePlus Mini Travel Swivel Charger with Dual USB Ports
Whether your loved one is a jet-setter or a college student, this handy gadget will prove to be beneficial. Not only does it turn your standard outlet into three plugs, but it adds a pair of powered USB ports (1A, 2.1A) as well. Swivel in 360-degrees and lock into one of four position – very convenient!
SanDisk 8GB microSD Card
It ain’t the fastest memory card on the block but it might be more storage than they already have. Most phones have 8GB or more internal storage with the option to expand via microSD. And, with so many adapters and readers out there, this also helps with digital cameras, MP3 players, and other gadgets.
6’ MicroUSB Cable
Fact: you can never have enough MicroUSB cables. It’s like science or something, too. There’s nothing wrong with tossing a few of these around the house. Keep a couple on deck for when guests drop by and need some juice. The best part is that these are six feet long; no need to crawl behind the couch.
Samsung Handsfree Stereo Headphones with Mic
Chances are good that someone you know owns a Samsung smartphone. Why not hook them up with a pair of official headphones from Samsung? Features volume control, microphone, and answer/end key and soft earbud rings.
Car charger
As great as battery life has gotten over the last few generations, GPS can still be quite the drain. Put a charger in your car and top off on the way home from work.
Tablet Stand
This portable stand can fold up and travels with virtually zero footprint. A great companion accessory for 7-inch devices like the Kindle Fire HD or bigger tablets like the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. Watching movies, reading books, or simply browsing emails – whatever the case, this makes it much easier.
Toshiba Canvio 500GB Portable Hard Drive $50
How about dropping half of a terabyte of storage into a stocking? Compatible with USB 2.0 or 3.0, it’s small and able to withstand the occasional drop. Just because you can put everything in the cloud doesn’t mean that you have to. A great way to backup pictures, videos, and other media.
AmazonBasics Accessory Bundle
A goodie bag of must-have accessories, this one includes a stylus, a 2.1A USB wall charger, a USB 1.0 AMP DC charger, and a Micro USB to USB charging cable. If for no other reason, buy this as a backup kit to take on trips or to keep in the car. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll reach for one of these components at some point.
GreatShield Flex Grip Lightweight Universal Car Mount Holder
Whether you’ve got an Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone lover in your life, this one will do the trick. Attaches to the windshield or dashboard with a twisting lock/suction and swivels your phones in any direction, 360-degrees. Fits most smartphones save for those larger devices such as the Galaxy Note 3
5200mAh High Capacity Portable Power Backup
Toss in a bag or purse and you’ve got enough juice to take a phone from zero to to one hundred twice over. Small and sleek, it pulls double duty as a flashlight for up to 250 hours. Bonus points for the LED indicator to keep users in the know.
Cruzerlite TPU Case
Tons of color option and designs to choose from; one of our favorite ways to protect Android smartphones. Odds are good that you’ll find something you’ll enjoy for any number of key devices released in the last year or so.
You don’t really need us to explain why this guy is the best $35 you can spend, do you? With a fast-growing list of apps with support, this is one of our favorite gadgets of all time and it’s only getting started. Output your favorite movie apps, streaming services, and so much more. Better buy a few of these so you can put one in each room.
The post Last minute stocking stuffers you can still have delivered before Christmas appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[LEAK] French Carrier SFR Lets Slip That Android 4.4 For Galaxy S4 And Note 3 Expected Late Jan/Early Feb 2014
About a month ago, a leaked Samsung document seemed to suggest that Android 4.4 for Galaxy S4 and Note 3 were being planned to be released in January next year with a second wave to follow and update the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 later in March or April. While there’s been no confirmation that the leaked document was accurate or even real, a message on the side of French carrier, SFR, appears to have confirmed the time-frame for the software update that we were expecting.
SFR claims that Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) should be available for the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 somewhere between late January to early February 2014 which is right in the ballpark we were expecting, assuming the international variants of the phone are updated first, followed by the carrier variants. While this still isn’t a confirmation, Phandroid appears to believe that SFR’s hunches are generally quite accurate seeing as they predicted the release of Android 4.3 on Galaxy S3 and Note 2 (and for my own reasons I’m a little adamant). Nevertheless, Samsung could definitely be turning over a new leaf with software updates in the new year so we’ll be hanging out for any further news whenever it hits.
Do you think Samsung will meet the late Jan/early Feb time-frame suggested by SFR? Let us know what you think in the comments.
AIVAnet 