01/14, 5:07am
Samsung moves into top gear crossing the 100 million Galaxy S sales
Samsung has announced that it passed the 100 million sales milestone for its Galaxy S smartphones. The South Korean technology giant said that it achieved the milestone just two years and seven months following the launch of the original Galaxy S in May 2010. Of the three models sold so far, the 4.8-inch Galaxy S III is the fastest selling model to date selling 40 million units in just 7 months.
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01/10, 5:59am
Jelly Bean smartphone has half internal storage of original
Samsung has revealed a new version of its Galaxy S II, which makes a few changes to the handset's design and specifications. The previously-rumored Galaxy S II Plus retains the 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen and 1.2GHz dual-core processor, but also adds in a small number of features found on others in the Galaxy range, including the nature-inspired user interface found in the Galaxy S III.
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01/06, 7:24pm
Global Android 4.1 Galaxy S II update schedule unknown
The Samsung Galaxy S II may be receiving its Android 4.1 update in the near future. Support pages on Samsung Korea's website offers details of the Jelly Bean software upgrade, rumored to have been undergoing testing in August last year, with the KIES-based update lowering the amount of usable internal memory by 1GB, from 12GB to 11GB.
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10/16, 11:11am
ISIS mobile payments to arrive in Salt Lake City, Austin, on October 22
The ISIS mobile payment system is set to go live on October 22, according to some leaked memos from the carrier. Shared by TMoNews, the image reveals that the ISIS Mobile Wallet app will arrive at Google Play store on October 22. Those in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Texas, will be able to use the system as part of a pilot program.
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08/30, 1:07pm
Unified search removed to avoid patent injunction
The T-Mobile model of Samsung's Galaxy S II has received a software update that removes the unified search feature from the device. As was the case with the Galaxy S III, the upgrade to Android 4.0.3 takes away users' ability to search locally through their smartphones' contents, though they still retain the ability to perform web searches. The update is one in a series of similar updates across multiple carriers as Samsung modifies its phones' features in order to make sure they don't infringe on Apple patents.
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08/28, 8:55am
Samsung extends nature theme with new Galaxy S III colors
After launching the Galaxy S III with just two colors, Marble White and Pebble Blue, Samsung has now expanded the range of options to include six colors in total. While the Garnet Red model was subsequently added for AT&T as an exclusive, new colors include Amber Brown, Sapphire Black and Titanium Gray with marketing descriptions as colorful as the new devices themselves.
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08/06, 5:47pm
Galaxy Note II may stay on Android 4.0 for release
Unconfirmed information regarding Android 4.1 upgrades for Samsung's Galaxy line has surfaced, fueling speculation of possible release dates. Sources of Sam Mobile claim that initial firmware for the Galaxy S III had passed testing, enabling developers to focus on the public release. The handset is expected to receive the update by the end of the third quarter this year, pending final approval and any other unexpected delays.
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08/05, 4:24pm
Two-year contract gets Samsung flagship phone
Amazon is now offering Samsung's Galaxy S III on Sprint for $120. The flagship Samsung handset is available through Amazon Wireless when customers sign up for or renew a two-year contract. The phone is also available for purchase off-contract for $700.
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06/27, 8:43pm
Samsung added RAM to
Samsung's Galaxy S III smartphone debuted before Google had officially revealed Android 4.1, but the Korean manufacturer was apparently planning ahead when it designed the device. A source familiar with the Galaxy S III design process tells The Verge that Samsung put extra memory into the device specifically to make sure that it would be able to handle the newest version of Google's mobile operating system. By doing so, Samsung hoped to "future-proof" the handset, ensuring that it would remain comparably fast and powerful no matter what shifts occurred in the OS landscape.
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06/08, 11:52am
Samsung changes up the MHL/HDMI interface on Galaxy S III, requires unique cable
Samsung has made the microUSB port on its Galaxy S III flagship incompatible with current MHL/video adapters, Clove found. The pin connection has been changed from the older Galaxy S II or Nexus phones, so those upgrading to the latest handset will need to buy the new accessory. Being a retailer, Clove is offering the accessory for sale on its site, priced at the equivalent of about $39, taxes inclusive.
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05/15, 12:39pm
Android 4 reaching Samsung Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tabs
Samsung has expanded its Android 4.0 update list to include several devices sold through T-Mobile. The carrier appears to have committed to Ice Cream Sandwich for several Galaxy handsets and two Galaxy Tabs.
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05/11, 3:13pm
Display tech wrongly speculated for Galaxy S III
The previously spotted Samsung GT-i9500 is rumored to carry a Super AMOLED HD Plus display. According to sources of SamMobile, the handset was seen at the Tizen Delopers Conference in San Francisco sporting the display tech, previously speculated to be destined for the Galaxy S III.
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05/11, 5:58am
Samsung says PenTile AMOLED displays offer long-life
The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S III was met with a muted reception from some sections of the tech community. While its quad-core Exynos processor has been shown to be very fast, some have criticized its extensive use of plastic materials and some its size. However, one detail in its specifications that probably caused the most consternation is its use of a Super AMOLED PenTile pixel array instead of the Super AMOLED Plus technology found on its predecessor, the Galaxy S II which includes a true RGB array without sharing subpixels.
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05/09, 2:43pm
Samsung teases pair of 1080p LED monitors with MHL support
Samsung is believed to be the first company to launch two computer monitors that support Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) technology. The technology made its mainstream debut on the Galaxy S II smartphone, which is also made by Samsung. It involves the ability to send HDMI signals over a microUSB connection, though it requires a separate power source.
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05/03, 3:15pm
Galaxy S III coming to the US in June with 4.8-inch touchscreen, more
After months of rumors, the Samsung Galaxy S III was officially unveiled at the currently ongoing Mobile Unpacked event in London. As expected, the Super AMOLED touchscreen is 4.8 inches in size and has 1280x720 resolution, while the processor is Samsung's own Exynos quad-core unit clocked at 1.4GHz and paired with 1GB of RAM. The phone weighs in at 4.7oz (133g) and its thinnest point measures in at 8.6mm.
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05/02, 10:00am
Screen protector backs claims of 4.8-inch screen
When the Samsung Galaxy S III arrives, which is rumored to be sometime later this month, it will be available in blue and white colors, GSMArena found out. A tip from UK retailer Carphone Warehouse that included an inventory screen showing the handset will be available in the two colors. It should be noted that North America may get different color choices, with the common black color likely to arrive on our shores.
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04/30, 11:50am
Samsung updates most Galaxy hardware
Samsung carried on its Android 4.0 updates by pushing them out to Canadians. The Galaxy S II and its LTE, HD LTE, and X variants should all start getting the new OS as of today. The Galaxy Note, as well as the Galaxy Tab 10.1, 8.9, 7.0, and 7.0 Plus, well get their update in a similar interval.
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04/27, 7:10pm
Galaxy S II, Amaze 4G, Sensation 4G first for 4.0
An upgrade roadmap has given out tentative upgrade timing for Android 4.0 as well as T-Mobile's next myTouch smartphones. Although details are still in flux, TmoNews heard that the custom, upsized version of the Samsung Galaxy S II for the network would get its update on or near May 14. Those with the two most recent HTC phones for the carrier, the Amaze 4G and Sensation 4G, would get theirs over a month later, on June 16.
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04/27, 10:00am
LG Optimus True HD LTE expands reach
LG on Friday grew the reach of the Optimus True HD LTE to more countries than just Germany. The 4G phone is now launching in Portugal and Sweden in a slightly larger European release as well as the headlining Asian cities of Hong Kong and Singapore. The device is an international edition of the Optimus LTE already on sale in Canada as the Optimus 4G LTE at Bell and the US as the Nitro HD at AT&T.
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04/26, 2:25pm
Galaxy S III detailed for different markets
Samsung officials in Korea have purportedly hinted that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S III will get different chips for different markets. The comments were made by an unnamed exec after Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs admitted that the 28nm MSM chips were facing a supply shortage, The Korea Times reported. Qualcomm chips will only be used in the US, the Samsung exec said, not explaining why.
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04/24, 9:15am
Samsung to upgrade most, but leasves T-Mo open
Samsung has posted an upgrade guide for the US that shows just which devices in the country will get an Android 4.0 update. Galaxy S II variants at AT&T, including the regular and Skyrocket versions as well as the Epic 4G Touch, are slated to get the new OS. The Galaxy Note also gets an update, while the Nexus S and Nexus S 4G either have or already are getting their upgrades.
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04/20, 1:55pm
Unlocked US Samsung Galaxy S IIs get Android 4
After reaching overseas versions of the Samsung Galaxy S II, the official Android 4.0 update is now reaching US versions of the unlocked device. The 216.6MB over-the-air update is gradually being released to handsets, though users can go and check for its availability by going into the Settings menu.
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04/18, 3:30pm
Dual-core phone launch to be Bell exclusive
Samsung's Galaxy S II HD LTE is coming to Canada, and Bell Canada will be the exclusive carrier for the "superphone" at launch. The Samsung-Bell partnership marks the North American debut for the Galaxy S II HD LTE, which launched in Korea last year.
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04/17, 11:40am
Samsung Galaxy S II unlocked gets OS update
Samsung on Tuesday started rolling out the Android 4.0 upgrade for unlocked versions of the Galaxy S II. Those whose phones were bought SIM-free, or unattached to any carrier, should have the option of updating through the Kies desktop app. Multiple European carriers had already seen their carrier-locked versions get updates sooner.
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04/05, 8:55pm
Samsung gives 1Q 2012 finance estimate
Samsung late Thursday gave upbeat early estimates of its first calendar quarter results that showed a possible breakthrough in smartphone sales. Its pure operating profit would be 5.8 trillion won (nearly $5.2 billion), or almost twice as much as from a year earlier. Pure revenue would sit at $39.8 billion.
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04/04, 10:55pm
Must await testing by all wireless providers
UK Samsung Galaxy S II owners, who bought unlocked versions of the Android smartphone, may have to wait a while longer to get the Android 4.0 (ICS) update. The phone vendor has confirmed that the update will be made available to them, but only after all mobile operators have finished testing the release on their networks. This means that those who bought the phones unlocked, or "SIM-free" as it is called in the UK, have been sent to the back of the queue.
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04/02, 9:50am
Canaccord sees Samsung regain lead in 2012
Samsung should retake the edge in the smartphone space as of the first quarter, Canaccord Genuity said in early estimates. Analyst T. Michael Walkley saw Samsung going back to 28.2 percent share on the back of 41 million smartphones. Apple would have its strongest winter ever, but at 32.6 million iPhones would have a more modest 22.4 percent.
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03/29, 7:35pm
Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note first on list
Canadian wireless carrier Bell appears to have established an Android 4.0 update timetable for several of its handsets. A alleged internal memo posted by Mobilesyrup suggests the carrier has set June as a target for Samsung's Galaxy Tab 8.9 and HTC's Sensation and Raider smartphones.
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03/29, 3:25pm
Samsung to bring unique features with Android 4.0
An interview with Samsung's global Product Planning Team has revealed that the Android 4.0 software update due for its Galaxy range of smartphones and tablets also contain some unique features. Chief among them is a twist on the Face Unlock feature that requires the user to blink before the screen will open. The regular Face Unlock feature found in stock Android 4.0 has no requirement, letting users trick it with photos.
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03/27, 10:20am
Semi-official Android 4.0 leaked for Galaxy S II
An official Android 4.0 update for AT&T's original Samsung Galaxy S II has been leaked over at RootzWiki. The leak indicates that the official update is coming from AT&T, though these dates aren't known. The 3G phone can be upgraded now by owners willing to take the risk to flash the leaked software.
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03/26, 6:45pm
Leaked update appears to be official Samsung OS
Another Android phone will soon be getting its Android 4.0 (ICS) update. RootzWiki has posted what appears to be a leak of an official Samsung release of the software for the Galaxy S II Skyrocket. The phone, which first was available from AT&T last November, currently ships with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
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03/22, 6:35pm
Notice follows update for HTC Vivid
AT&T has published a list of several devices that are confirmed to be upgraded to Android 4.0. The carrier has already released an Ice Cream Sandwich update for HTC's Vivid, ahead of updates for LG's Nitro; Motorola's Atrix 2 and Atrix 4G; Pantech's Burst and Element; and Samsung's Captivate Glide, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II Skyrocket, and Galaxy Tab 8.9.
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03/19, 12:05pm
Upcoming Sony V150 tablet may get Tegra 3 CPU
Sony may be working on an NVIDIA Tegra 3-powered tablet codenamed the V150, an online NenaMark benchmark benchmark indicates. The quad-core device would run on Android 4.0 as well, and scored a 59.70 on the single test it's been run through. This compares to the nearly 60 average score of the Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone and the 42.7 scored by a Pantech P4100 tablet with a 1.5GHz Snapdragon CPU on a single run.
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03/13, 8:25am
Next Galaxy S II update wave starts with UK
Samsung confirmed in a follow-up statement that its Android 4.0 update for the Galaxy S II would spread to the UK quickly. The first British devices should start getting the upgrade on March 19, a spokesperson told Pocket-lint. It warned that updates would depend on individual carriers greenlighting the update and might be staggered over the future.
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03/12, 10:25am
Galaxy S II to get Android 4 in South Korea
SK Telecom has breifly tweeted that it will begin updating the Samsung Galaxy S II handsets of its subscribers to Android 4.0 starting on the morning of March 13. The South Korean provider will start at 10AM local time, but this may not happen after all as the tweet was removed, though not before The Verge saved it. Internal SK documents are also said to confirm the date, however.
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03/09, 6:00am
Samsung suffers PR gaff over ICS update for GS II
Samsung faced a minor and embarrassing PR trip-up when its Philippines division incorrectly told to its Galaxy S II users that an Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) update was imminent. Users were informed that ‘Starting March 10, 2012, you may upgrade your Galaxy S II to Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) thru [sic] KIES 2.0.’ However, this date was abruptly kyboshed by Samsung Korea, which issued a statement saying that the March 10 date was incorrect and the any launch of the long awaited update for the GS II would be announced through its dedicated Twitter account.
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03/06, 9:25am
HTC February 2012 results preview bleak quarter
HTC has posted unaudited results (PDF) for February that have shown the company is on the path to have its second tough quarter in a row. Its revenue for the one month was down 36.8 percent from where it was a year ago, to 20.3 billion $NT ($687 million). Results so far in the winter saw an even steeper drop, losing 45 percent of their value to 36.9 billion $NT ($1.2 billion).
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03/04, 11:30am
Samsung tips Galaxy S II upgrade day
Samsung's Israeli division in a posting on Facebook has put a date on the long-promised Android 4.0 upgrade for the Galaxy S II. It promised on Sunday to end a 'patient' wait by delivering the new OS to the flagship phone on March 15. The upgrade would apply both to carrier-locked versions as well as unlocked versions bought directly from Samsung.
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02/22, 11:55pm
Samsung Galaxy S II hits next big milestone
Samsung notched another milestone for the Galaxy S II late Wednesday after it said the range-leading phone passed 20 million sold. The figure came about 10 months after launch and showed Samsung keeping a steady rate of sales, having reached 10 million five months after the April 2011 arrival. Hitting 20 million still took about seven months less than it did for the original Galaxy S.
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02/21, 1:00pm
US Cellular bringing Galaxy S II for $230
US Cellular has a teaser page up for its version of the Samsung Galaxy S II, promising to ship it soon. It will run on the carrier's 3G network and thus gets the overall faster 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos processor instead of the 1.5GHz Snapdragon in the 4G-capable versions. The screen is nonetheless the larger, 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, and an eight-megapixel camera with LED flash continues to sit out back.
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02/07, 11:00pm
Promotion ahead of Valentine's day
T-Mobile has announced that its entire range of phones, and a number of tablets, will be offered for free during a one-day promotion on Saturday, February 11. The "Valentine's Day Sale" applies to smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S II, BlackBerry Bold 9900, HTC Amaze 4G and Nokia Lumia 710, along with the SpringBoard tablet and the Sonic 4G hotspot.
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02/06, 10:35am
NPD Q4 2011 results show iPhone bounce back
The iPhone is now the top-selling cellphone of any kind in the US, the NPD Group determined on Monday. As of the fall, the iPhone 4S was the bestselling device in the field. Apple also managed a clean sweep of the top three, with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS at second and third places.
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02/01, 4:45pm
Samsung may bring Galaxy S II Plus to MWC
Benchmark results from An3DBenchXL indicate the existence of a new smartphone from Samsung, dubbed the 'Galaxy S 2+.' Compared to the Galaxy S II it's based on, the listed specs of the tested device include a 1.5GHz CPU (versus 1.2GHz in some S II models), an 800x480 display, and Android 2.3.4 preloaded.
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01/30, 3:25pm
Samsung hopes to make irrational appeal in US
Samsung's marketing lead Younghee Lee outlined a different plan of attack for reaching the US in an interview published on Monday. She made clear to AllThingsD that Apple was the company's main target. Americans were "obsessed with Apple," she said, and her goal was to trigger that same, seemingly irrational desire for Samsung's devices.
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01/30, 1:20pm
Qualcomm S4 gets early NenaMark 2 benchmark tests
Benchmark NenaMark 2 test results of the upcoming 28nm Snapdragon S4 processors reveal fairly strong performance. The device the chip was on isn't identified, however, but it is likely a seven-inch tablet as the resolution is typical of such devices, at 1024x600. It ran on the 1.5GHz MSM8960 processor with Adreno 225 graphics and scored 54.90 on the test.
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01/30, 5:50am
New Galaxy S variant seems destined for China
The Galaxy GT-I9070 that surfaced in the past few days undergoing testing at the FCC has been given a name. Turning up in the Philippines, the new model has been dubbed the Galaxy S Advance. While originally thought to be a spin-off of the Galaxy S II, it appears like a cross between the original Galaxy S and the Nexus S, amounting to a what could be described as a Galaxy S 1.5. While it carries the same 1GHz clock speed as the Galaxy S and Nexus S, it includes a more advanced dual-core processor.
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01/27, 3:10pm
Galaxy S II variant shows up at FCC, due in China
A unique variant of the Samsung Galaxy S II has now shown up undergoing FCC testing. The device, only known so far as the GT-i9070, will have GSM/EDGE 850MHz and 1,900MHz support, along with WCDMA 3G bands II and IV used in the US. It's believed focused on China.
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01/27, 7:50am
IHS iSuppli and Strat Analytics show Apple shift
Separate IHS iSuppli and Strategy Analytics studies Friday have backed Apple's rapid return to the top of the smartphone space in the fall. Determining that Samsung had shipped 36 million smartphones, slightly higher than Samsung's preliminary estimates, IHS iSuppli put Apple's 37 million iPhones just on top. Although Samsung nearly quadrupled the amount of smartphones it shipped and moved more year-long, Apple's higher starting point meant it could just double its yearly shipments to stay competitive.
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01/26, 8:40pm
Samsung full results lean heavily on mobile
Samsung has detailed its full results following a brief preview earlier in the month. The Korean electronics giant mustered the equivalent of $42 billion in revenue, but owed much of this and its profit to a 30 percent increase in its cellphone business. Almost half of its working profit, $2.3 billion out of $4.7 billion, came from its mobile group; profit as a whole was up 17 percent.
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01/25, 2:40pm
ATT roadmap carries Sony slate and solidifies plan
More details from AT&T's escaped roadmap have shown in two leaks Wednesday afternoon. The new BGR tips point to a new, $410 Sony tablet known as the Crystal. While it could be something new, it's most likely to be the long-delayed Tablet P (S2), a dual-screened Android tablet with HSPA+ 3G.
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