Samsung is working on reducing the amount of internal storage in the Galaxy S4 that is taken up by the operating system. After a number of customer complaints and an investigation from the BBC consumer affairs show Watchdog, the company will try to shrink the room its TouchWiz implementation and other items it has added to the base Android installation.
A surprise rumor is circulating ahead of Google I/O suggesting that Samsung and Google will reveal a new version of the Galaxy S4 that runs stock Android instead of Samsung’s own version of Android, TouchWiz. According to reports, the device will be known as the Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘Google Edition.’ However, it is not expected to form part of Google’s Nexus line as it the hardware was not-co-developed with Google as is typically the case for Nexus-branded devices.
Yet another Samsung smartphone has been quietly revealed, this time by carrier KT in South Korea. The device, known thus far only by its SHV-E170K model number, would get an LTE radio and sport a dual-core, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4. It will also ship with Android 4.0.4 onboard, SammyHub reported, but it will have Samsung's TouchWiz custom skin onboard as well.
A sighting in Samsung's own Kies app may have cemented the GT-i9300's status as the Galaxy S III ahead of its release. As caught by SamMobile, the syncing software shows two "Galaxy S3" models, both using the i9300 name. One of them is badged as the i9300T, likely a reference to support for frequencies at a different carrier or country.
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.
Samsung on Tuesday delayed the Galaxy Tab 2 line by a month. After having missed its March target, the company told IDG that the 7.0 and 10.1 variants should first ship at the end of April, to UK residents. It didn't give an indication of when other countries would get theirs, although these were originally meant to follow later.
A posting in Reddit's Android section has shown what's purportedly the Galaxy S III. The render shows a thinner design, adding a dedicated camera button to the side, and with a 16:9 display. Its most conspicuous change may be trim: it has the same 'lips' as the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 4.2, designed to avoid the accusations of copying Apple that have led to lawsuits.
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.
We got the opportunity to try the newly rekindled Samsung Galaxy Beam on the Mobile World Congress show floor and brought back impressions to match. The device in many ways behaves like a typical Android 2.3-based, TouchWiz-using Samsung phone, but it's that projector that makes all the difference. Check ahead for our first take.
AT&T used the lead-in to Mobile World Congress to bring out a new phone and a pair of new services for users. The just recently spotted Samsung Rugby Smart both upgrades the Rugby line from its basic feature phone roots and gives AT&T a toughened Android option. It can survive the US military's 810F standards for dust, shock, and temperature, as well as splashes or full immersion in up to a meter of water for half an hour.
Samsung late Monday swung out a pair of smartphones to upgrade its mid-range and entry-level Android packs. Leading the group, the Galaxy Ace 2 is comparatively advanced with a 3.8-inch, 480x800 display, a dual-core 800MHz processor, and 14.4Mbps 3G. It carries a five-megapixel autofocusing camera at the back and a VGA camera at the front, with 4GB of space and a microSDHC slot to store everything.
Samsung brought out one more phone ahead of CES on Wednesday. The Galaxy M Style is its lowest-cost phone ever to carry a Super AMOLED screen and brings the four-inch, 480x800 organic screen to a smartphone that will cost under $500 US unlocked. Its construction is just as high-end for the category, carrying a metal body that's 0.39 inches thick and with a similar front face to the more upscale Galaxy S II.
Samsung in a prelude to CES upgraded its most important budget smartphone. The Galaxy Ace Plus keeps the 320x480 resolution but bumps up from a 3.5-inch to a 3.65-inch screen. A faster 1GHz processor (up from 800MHz) and an extra 1GB of internal storage, for 3GB total, keep it fresh relative to others in its class.
Verizon has finally begun distributing a Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet equipped with a 4G LTE radio. The release brings Samsung's custom interface overlay, which was originally released in August for the Wi-Fi variant. Users can take advantage of new widgets, additional Live Panel apps, enhanced media player apps and other aesthetic tweaks.
Samsung will have temporarily outsold Apple to become the top smartphone maker over the summer, a corporate insider leaked on Thursday. The Korean firm was expected by the WSJ to report "more than 20 million" smartphones shipped for the past quarter versus 17.07 million iPhones. The role reversal would have been helped by customers waiting for the iPhone 4S along with strong sales of the Galaxy S II.
As part of a full-scale Android push at CTIA, AT&T on Tuesday put out two Samsung QWERTY phones packing Android. The often rumored Captivate Glide has arrived earlier than some had thought and promises to be relatively high end for its class: while the four-inch Super AMOLED, isn't new, the slider is the only Samsung phone with a dual-core Tegra 2 in the US and can shoot 1080p video. It similarly carries 21Mbps HSPA+ Internet download speeds and has eight-megapixel rear and 1.3-megapixel front cameras.
Verizon helped kick off the CTIA show this week by confirming the frequently rumored Samsung Stratosphere. The Android 2.3 phone is Verizon's first smartphone to tout both a QWERTY keyboard and LTE-based 4G, and the carrier is treating it as a pro device. It gets fresh remote connection services from Cisco for VPNs as well as improved Exchange and Sybase's tools for remotely wiping a lost phone.
Samsung at a special event Monday pledged itself to shipping three of its most delayed devices in the US. The Galaxy Tab 8.9, which we first tried in March, is in pre-orders at Best Buy immediately and will ship to stores October 2. Versions will ship with 16GB or 32GB of storage for $470 and $570 respectively.
Samsung inadvertently gave the game away for its upcoming Illusion smartphone Thursday when it posted a preview through Flickr. Although shy on details itself, it confirms the SCH-I110 badge and that it will top out at 3G for data. It should use a variant on Samsung's most recent TouchWiz interface for Android 2.3 scaled down to smaller screens.
Samsung met expectations with a slew of new Android hardware. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the direct sequel to Samsung's very first mobile tablet and is also the first to use a tablet-sized AMOLED screen, fitting its own 7.7-inch, 1280x800 Super AMOLED Plus screen. Despite the smaller size, it's also possibly Samsung's fastest tablet with a dual-core, self-made 1.4GHz processor fast enough to play 1080p video.
Samsung confirmed part of its IFA launch plans early Tuesday with the launch of three Bada 2.0-running smartphones. The Wave 3 headlines the group with a four-inch Super AMOLED screen like the Galaxy S, a 1.4GHz processor, 14.4Mbps HSPA for 3G, and a five-megapixel camera. Although it has an aluminum body, it weighs a light 0.27 pounds, and it ships with the new ChatON messaging along with Wi-Fi Direct support.
With the Galaxy S II just hitting US shores, Samsung is poised to make its biggest impact on the smartphone market ever; it's already the second-largest smartphone maker after Apple. The phone itself is, at least on paper, a powerhouse with a dual-core processor and a massive display. Will it give the iPhone 4 (and possibly iPhone 5) a reason to worry in Apple's home territory? Our Galaxy S II review will find out.
Samsung has quietly posted an update to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to address the tablet's graphical corruption bug. The unceremoniously titled P7510UEKME fix keeps the Wi-Fi version of the Tab at Android 3.1 and appears primarily bent on fixing the widespread flaw, which came with the semi-optional TouchWiz update. Owners who upgraded saw the display often rendered unusable until the tablet was given a reboot.
Samsung is worried enough that Google's buyout of Motorola might put more control back in the hands of the OS maker that it may buy out companies to compete, according to leaked details from an emergency corporate meeting. Company chair Lee Kun-hee reportedly urged management to improve its software engineer ranks to the point where buying companies might be needed. The Korean executive cast it as a fundamental shift of power in Android that Samsung had to resist, Yonhap said.
A pair of leaks have provided the first glimpse at Ice Cream Sandwich. The OS has its expected influences from Android 3 tablets but also appears to take some direct cues from iOS. The always-on app shortcuts on the home screen now have an iPhone-like grid, RootzWiki saw, and now also appears to have iOS 4-style app folders.
The promised TouchWiz UX update for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has been released on time. The upgrade so far applies to the Wi-Fi version of the tablet and includes a new set of Live Panel apps, a tray for mini apps and a version of Swype's custom keyboard in tablet form. At the same time, the Media Hub sports a new look.
Samsung as part of the kickoff of its TouchWiz rollout for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 revealed that the update wouldn't be optional in practice for real users. Although owners will have the option of declining the custom interface, they won't have the option of upgrading to Android 3.2, Ice Cream Sandwich, or any other patch. The move would leave everyone preferring the original, stock experience locked to 3.1 for the device's remaining lifetime.
Samsung appears to be ready to release a major software update for the Galaxy Tab 10.1. The company has sent invitations to an August 3rd event, where attendees will be presented with the TouchWiz UX interface overlay. The software has been enhanced with Live Panel and Mini Apps features, while the company's Media Hub has also been redesigned.
Samsung has just posted a 12-minute long video (embedded below) that shows off both new and known features of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Most interestingly, the upcoming TouchWiz interface is shown off in the video in much detail. Similar to what was shown at CTIA, the interface will include six Mini Apps that are preloaded and include a calendar, task manager, clock, notepad, calculator, and music player.
Best Buy's mobile app inadvertently gave away possible pricing for the Galaxy Player 5. Also known as the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 5.0 elsewhere, the five-inch, 8GB Android player is shown costing $270. The price puts it well above a similar iPod touch, although it has a much larger display, a higher-resolution three-megapixel camera, real GPS, FM radio, and a microSDHC card slot.
Samsung has revealed through Facebook page that its Galaxy Tab 10.1 will ship with Android 3.1 on its release in the US. The product information page on its US website has also been updated to reflect this. However, it won’t be shipping with a plain vanilla version of the Honeycomb OS. Instead, it will incorporate latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz customization with L!vepanel.
Samsung on Thursday kicked off the official launch of the Galaxy S II we first tried at Mobile World Congress. Its 4.3-inch, range-topping Android phone is available in Korea immediately and should get one of Samsung's largest launches ever. Galaxy S IIs should reach 120 countries and 140 carriers, including the UK on May 1 and possibly the US.
Samsung has quietly given the Galaxy S II a speed upgrade that likely contributed to its moving back to May. The company said on its Estonian Facebook fan page that the in-house Exynos processor was jumping from 1GHz to 1.2GHz. No reason was given as to why, but bragging rights were the most likely since Samsung claimed it would have the "fastest" dual-core Android 2.3 phone.
Samsung has gone ahead and announced the official successor to its Star S5230 entry-level handset, with the aptly named Star II. Many of the new phone's specs remain the same or are slightly upgraded, including the same 3-inch, 240x400 touchscreen, a 3.2-megapixel and the same Bluetooth functionality. The TouchWiz UI is retained but new are preloaded social networking apps built into the Social Hub, including Facebook, Twitter and IM apps.
Samsung will join HTC in having one of the first 4G phones on Verizon's network, a leak uncovered today. The SCH-i520 superficially resembles a Galaxy S phone and still uses Android 2.2, but has the requisite LTE support to get 4G access. A front camera is also new in the Gizmodo tip and would borrow loosely from the Nexus S as a result.
The Samsung Epic 4G is the first Galaxy S series phone in the US to receive an Android 2.2 update in the US. Sprint is pushing the official Samsung TouchWiz UI skinned over-the-air (OTA) update through its servers and it is slowly working its way around the country. Despite releasing its iteration of Samsung’s Galaxy S phone after AT&T’s Samsung Captivate and T-Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S I9000, Sprint has managed to get its official Android update out the door before the other carriers as it did with HTC’s EVO 4G.
AT&T has finally put a price tag on Samsung's Focus handset, which will be available for $200 with a two-year contract. The carrier has also introduced Samsung's Solstice II, a TouchWiz handset geared for messaging. The Focus will hit the market alongside several other Windows Phone 7 offerings from AT&T, including the HTC Surround and LG Quantum.
The five million Samsung Galaxy S owners patiently awaiting Samsung’s version of Android 2.2 are beginning to receive the anticipated update. The TouchWiz tweaked version of the Froyo upgrade has so far surfaced in Sweden, Denmark and Norway and is a available for download through Samsung’s Kies or PC Studio applications.
Samsung has introduced three new phones in its Wave series of low-cost smartphones. The Wave525, Wave533 and Wave575 are each based on Samsung's own Bada platform, which utilizes the TouchWiz interface. The devices are built with 3.2-inch WQVGA touchscreens, Wi-Fi radios, GPS receivers and 3.2-megapixel cameras.
Leaked images of the Samsung Craft have surfaced again. The marquee phone for the MetroPCS LTE (Long Term Evolution) launch later this year, it appears to be running the latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz UI normally reserved for its its basic phones. Many had assumed Samsung would opt for Android or Windows Phone 7 to push Internet access.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S Pro smartphone has received preliminary, unofficial specs from a reliable tipster, courtesy of AndroidCentral. The phone is still said to be in the testing phase, however, so some of the below specs may still change. The QWERTY slider is said to be about a half-inch shorter but thicker than the Sprint Evo 4G.
Verizon on Monday said it will begin shipping the Samsung Reality handset starting on Thursday. The horizontal slider is relatively advanced among feature phones with both a hardware QWERTY keyboard and a 3-inch, 240x400 touchscreen display. The device has Samsung's TouchWiz interface that lets users customize the home screen with widgets.
A listing for the Samsung T959 at the Bluetooth SIG has dropped a strong hint that the Galaxy S could soon reach T-Mobile in the US. Although the two phones aren't directly linked, the T959 conspicuously shares the same 4-inch AMOLED screen and Android platform as the phone revealed just last month. While it inaccurately mentions a 480x320 screen, the existence of TouchWiz 3.0 makes it doubtful this is a different or older model.
Samsung's first phone based on its Bada platform, the Wave, has been leaked early and reveals some of the company's plan for its first entirely self-developed mix of smartphone hardware and software. The full-touchscreen device itself is now known to be a very high-end handset with a 1GHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera with 720p video recording, 2GB of internal storage (plus microSDHC) and 802.11n Wi-Fi. Its centerpiece will be the first use of Samsung's 3.3-inch Super AMOLED screen, which will not only be more vivid but tackle AMOLED's chronic problem with visibility outdoors.
Samsung has introduced its latest feature phone, the S5620 Monte. The device features Wi-Fi connectivity and a 3-inch WQVGA touchscreen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Samsung's TouchWiz 2.0 Plus interface provides quick access to apps for social networking services such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. A 3.2-megapixel camera is paired with software capable of smile shots, panoramas, and face detection.
Several screenshots show Saumsung's upcoming bada OS for mobile phones. The interface is essentially an adaption of the company's current TouchWiz UI. Following in line with Android and LiMo, bada is an open platform that will allow developers to tweak and modify attributes of the software design.
Samsung on Tuesday introduced a pair of Diva-series phones meant to appeal to women, with the S5150 Diva flip phone and the S7070 Diva touchscreen phone. The former has a hidden LED screen on its outside that only lights up when a notification needs to be displayed. The interface has special fonts and features, including a wish list for shopping. An etiquette mode quickly silences the phone, and the device can be programmed to call itself in order to give its owner an excuse to leave a conversation.
Verizon today finally set out a launch for the Samsung Omnia II on its network. As confirmed in a leak, the Windows Mobile 6.5 flagship will reach the carrier's stores on December 2nd and should sell for $200 on contract, though only after a $100 rebate. The new edition also brings support for Visual Voice Mail, VZ Navigator and V CAST media apps.
T-Mobile tonight gave the Samsung Behold II a definitive ship date and price. The Android 1.5-based phone is due to ship on November 18th. Pricing will be high and sit at $230 on a two-year contract.
Samsung on Friday revealed that its flagship Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone will be part of its Armani-themed fashion line. The device has a bronze-trimmed theme meant to appeal both to executives and other more style conscious users, but it's also one of the company's more functionally advanced devices. It centers on a 3.5-inch AMOLED display more vibrant than LCDs and has a sliding QWERTY design that, like the HTC Touch Pro2 or Nokia N97, tilts the screen at an angle for a more natural viewpoint when typing.
