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The Galaxy S5 has beautiful 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (432 PPI), a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 2,800mAh battery. Along with that, it ships with Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
According to an image obtained by Android Central, Samsung is soon planning to offer all Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, and Galaxy Tab S buyers one free year of Netflix. The promotion will apply to U.S. customers only, however, and will only be available for the first 115,000 people to take advantage of the deal.
The update to Android 5.0 for the Galaxy S5 has been slowly rolling out across a variety of not-United-States countries over the last month, starting with Poland and then more recently making its way to Spain. Now, preceding what will soon be the software update’s widespread availability, devices in Russia and Malaysia are being offered (via SamMobile) some Lollipop goodness.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6pPIG3EvAs]
One of my favorite Youtubers (along with Dom and Detroit Borg), @MKBHD did his year end Smartphone of the year roundup and can say I agree with almost every choice he made here. Almost.
Some small gripes however: He didn’t ding Samsung enough for its overlay in the ‘Big Phone’ category (IMO), I might have given LG more props for their camera and One Plus One shouldn’t have beat the Moto G 2014 as best budget. You can get 2 Moto Gs for the price of a One Plus – if you can even find one! That’s not to say the OnePlus isn’t a great budget phone and running Cyanogen mod almost makes it more of a game changer than the Sharp Aquos Crystal.
One other thing: I’m OK with the HTC One M8 as phone of the year as long as it is the GPE. Otherwise Moto X gets the nod
Like I said, I’m almost completely in agreement!
I first got my hands on Pinć (pronounced Pinch) last month when the company gave me a tech demo of its still-in-development VR headset/smartphone case that utilizes Minority Report-style user interfaces. The company initially opened up preorders for the $99 accessory for iPhones, but today it’s making the Android version official by offering Android devs the same opportunity to preorder the hardware ahead of an official launch next summer.
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When Google released its Android distribution numbers for December earlier this week, Lollipop was notably missing from the chart as it had not gained enough of the market to appear. In a move that will slowly start to get Lollipop onto more devices, however, Samsung this evening has started to rollout its Lollipop update to the Galaxy S5. At this point, though, the update is only rolling out to the Poland Galaxy S5 variant (via SamMobile).
A leaked build of Android 5.0 for Sprint’s version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 recently hit the web and it’s available to those who don’t fear things like a voided warranty and the possibility of a bricked phone. If this sounds like you and you’re looking to breathe new life into your smartphone with a dose of Lollipop, the folks at XDA have a download mirror of the build, but there are a few caveats…
While we knew last month that sales of the Samsung Galaxy S5 were down, the WSJ believes it has specific numbers.
In all, Samsung sold about 40% fewer Galaxy S5 smartphones than expected, with about 12 million units sold to consumers in the first three months since April compared with about 16 million units for the preceding flagship phone, the Galaxy S4, according to people familiar with the matter.
Samsung is said to be considering a major leadership shake-up in response to the numbers …
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Sprint recently started rolling out Android 4.4.4 to its version of the Samsung Galaxy S5. While it’s not the latest version of Google’s mobile OS, this new software adds some recommended security patches and a few extra carrier-specific goodies like an HD voice icon and international WiFi calling support.
HP’s annual two-day Mobile Pwn2Own competition came to a close this afternoon, with a group of veteran security researchers and other competitors able to compromise several flagship smartphones across the top-three mobile operating systems: Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The devices that were exploited include the Samsung Galaxy S5, Nexus 5, iPhone 5s, Amazon Fire Phone and Nokia Lumia 1520.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU3H1t0kIrQ]
We’ve already seen an early build of Android 5.0 running on a Galaxy S5 and today we’re getting a closer look at Samsung’s progress. The folks at SamMobile have gotten hold of an updated version of Lollipop for the GS5 and have put together a quick video showing how it handles TouchWiz.
We’ve already seen a rough build of Android 5.0 running on a Samsung Galaxy S5, and now the folks at SamMobile are claiming that Google’s new mobile operating system will be coming to the device sometime in December. After months of speculation and a placeholder name, Android Lollipop became official last week and the software is set to debut across multiple Nexus devices next month.
When Samsung announced the Galaxy Alpha, I was a bit shocked at first. It was very clear that Samsung was making an attempt to step up its design game a bit. Well, here we are beyond its release and today we’re going to find out what the Galaxy Alpha is all about. It may not be a life changing device, but for Samsung it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Let me start out by saying that the Galaxy Alpha is bit hard to understand initially. It seems that Samsung didn’t want to put the pedal to the metal, so instead we’re left with what may be considered the best of both worlds, having metal and plastic as main parts of the Alpha’s design. All that aside, one this is very clear: If you know the Samsung Galaxy S5, you already know the Galaxy Alpha, but I don’t think this device was ever meant to shake the industry…
Android L’s official release is getting closer and while some tech enthusiasts are tinkering with Google’s latest mobile operating system, OEMs are already preparing their hardware for Mountain View’s new software. Quite possibly the busiest of the bunch, Samsung appears to be testing Android L on its Galaxy S5 and the folks at SamMobile have managed to get their hands on a rough build of the forthcoming software.
Sony has confirmed in a tweet that it is rolling out the Android 4.4.4 update its older Z-series devices.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SonyMobileNews/status/509297533328584704]
Sony says there are “many improvements” in the upgrade, with better battery performance in background applications and improved email stability & performance singled out for particular note. The company recently unveiled the newest incarnations in the line, the Z3 and Z3 Compact.
SamMobile also notes that Galaxy Note 3 owners on the Sprint network should also receive a 4.4.4 update today.
The Android 4.4.4 update will bring international Wi-Fi calling, version 2.0 of KNOX, and the Kids Mode feature that debuted on the Galaxy S5, along with bug fixes and security patches from Google.
Samsung of course recently launched the Quad HD Galaxy Note 4.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w4Gqt-ljb4]
With just about everyone in the tech industry getting in on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for ALS (including Apple’s own Tim Cook and Dr. Dre), Samsung decided it would also be an appropriate time to mock the iPhone and others in the process.
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Image via Cnet
Last month Samsung ramped up the anti-Apple rhetoric with a new ad campaign that depicted iPhone users as “wall huggers,” constantly tethered to a power outlet due to the inferior battery in their non-Samsung smartphones. Today Cnet reports that the company has taken its campaign one step further by trolling real-life iPhone users at power outlets throughout major airports.
The new ads take the form of posters near power outlets that read, “Samsung Galaxy S5 with Ultra Power Saver Mode,” followed by a tagline that appears to poke at Apple’s own recent ad campaign: “So you have the power to be anywhere but here.” If you’d like to take a gander at the latest salvo in the ever-escalating flame war between Apple and Samsung, you’ll be able to do just that very soon at JFK, O’Hare, and Midway airports. Samsung says even more airports could be getting the ads if they’re successful in the first three.
Apple is currently planning to announce the iPhone 6 on September 9th, though rumors say it doesn’t look like the new model will provide much hope for the “wall huggers.”
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is already ships in multiple colors, so how about an additional hue? Today, Best Buy announced that it will exclusively offer an Electric Blue version of Samsung’s current flagship smartphone starting on August 17th for $100. The recolored GS5 will go on sale on August 17th and will be available to AT&T, Sprint and Verizon customers.
The reason Amazon’s Fire Phone has failed to impress is that it spent so much on the “gimmick” of dynamic perspective that it only had enough cash left to build an otherwise mediocre phone – the conclusion of a component analysis of a teardown of the phone.
Dynamic perspective allows the phone to detect and respond to head movements when viewing the phone’s display, but has been widely seen by reviewers as a novelty or gimmick.
Following iFixit’s earlier teardown of the Fire Phone, re/code has been given sight of a component costing following a separate teardown by research form IHS. This reveals that the total component cost of the Fire Phone is around $205 – more expensive even than Apple’s flagship iPhone 5S. The cost of the dynamic perspective technology left little room for anything but mid-range specs in the rest of the handset, says IHS …
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[youtube=youtube.com/watch?v=_b6iApsCyOI&feature=youtube_gdata]
Samsung uploaded a new video showing off the Galaxy S5 today and this time, instead of going after the iPhone, it’s decided to instead show off the device’s camera quality with a short film shot in Trieste, Italy.
Samsung notes the ad, titled “Sunrise to Sunset”, is made with HDR Video and FHD 1080p footage straight from the Galaxy S5, but we imagine some post-production was done elsewhere as the fine print warns, “Certain images and videos may be enhanced.”
Samsung’s latest ad for the S5 is a cinematic spot that features famous surfers through a tie-in through its partnership with the Association of Surfing Professionals. It has, however, continued going directly after Apple and the iPhone in many of its recent commercials and online ads Galaxy devices. Most recently it posted a new ad mocking the upcoming iPhone that is expected to have a display size similar to the current S5.
Samsung this morning began rolling out an update to European models of the Galaxy S5 only citing “improved performance” as the description.
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Samsung’s advertisements are often inflated, but every now and then the company manages to get things right. Today, the outfit released a new marketing piece promoting its partnership with the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and guess what? The ad is pretty darn good. Unlike previous efforts, there’s no mention of the competition and product placement is very subtle.
Leaker @evleaks this morning posted a tweet featuring some interesting APKs from the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 that reveals information about its hardware and software.
The list includes the usual suspects, such as S Health, S Music, and Samsung Link software, but two of the APKs might pique your interest. “SStudio_WQHD_K.apk” implies the new phablet will sport a highly rumored WQHD display, giving the display a resolution of 2560×1440. Also on the list is an APK titled “FingerprintService.apk”, strongly implying the fingerprint reader currently found on the Galaxy S5 will be expanding over to the Note line as well.
Other features such as “PhotoTable.apk” and “SmartSelfShot.apk” were also leaked, but it’s no surprise Samsung is going to be adding even more photo modes to the already saturated list.
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Logitech today revealed its newest line of smartphone cases, including the Protection+ for the Samsung Galaxy S5. The cases are designed to absorb shocks and other potential damage to smartphones while maintaining a slim design.
The corners of the Protection+ are specially-designed to absorb shocks without breaking and dissipate the energy of the impact across the surface of the case. The case can keep your Galaxy S5 safe after drops of up to nearly six feet and goes beyond the U.S. military’s requirements for a “rugged” device.
Logitech also debuted its +trip and +drive car accessories, which allow users to mount nearly an smartphone and case (including the Protection+, of course) to an air vent (+trip) or windshield/dashboard (+drive).
The Protection+ case will retail for $34.99, while the +trip mount will cost $29.99, and the +drive mount will run for $49.99. All three products will be available for purchase in August.
NEWARK, Calif. — July 16, 2014 — Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the Logitech® protection+ case, bringing extra protection and convenience to Samsung Galaxy S®5 and Apple iPhone® 5 and iPhone® 5s owners. Featuring a slim, yet ultra-protective, outer shell, flex-resistant corners and impact-absorbent channels, this case safeguards your smartphone from whatever the world throws at it.
“Our smartphones take quite a beating,” said Ariel Fischer, director of smartphone accessories at Logitech. “We designed the Logitech protection+ to give you peace of mind disguised in a great looking protective case that absorbs the daily shocks your phone experiences.”
The protection+ case features a hard polycarbonate body with impact-resistant polymers in each corner that mitigate damage from impacts by absorbing shocks and dissipating them across the surface of your case. Additionally, tucked inside its polycarbonate shell, the case has impact channels and a layer of thermoplastic rubber to further absorb vibrations. For added assurance, Logitech protection+ exceeds the U.S. Military drop-test standard (MIL-STD 810 G) for “rugged” devices, protecting your phone from drops up to 1.8 meters high.
The case also features a hidden metal plate that is compatible with all Logitech smartphone mounts, including +drive and the all-new +trip.
+trip
The +trip quickly clips to any air vent in your vehicle to keep your smartphone secure and in view. A magnet securely holds your smartphone to the +trip mount, so you can keep your audio, navigation and phone calls right where you want them. The small and stylish +trip is designed for use during daily commutes and business trips. The +trip mount includes two universal adapters, so it’s compatible with smartphones of all shapes and sizes.
+drive
The modern looking +drive mount instantly attaches to your windshield or dashboard thanks to a single twist-activated suction cup while a magnet secures your smartphone in place. The +drive comes with two universal adapters to seamlessly hold any smartphone or case vertically or horizontally.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech protection+ case, +trip air vent mount, and +drive windshield/dashboard mount are all expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in August 2014, for suggested retail prices of $34.99, $29.99 and $49.99 respectively. For more information, please visit http://www.logitech.com.
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
It’s no surprise that Samsung’s IP67 certified Galaxy S5 can survive an extended stay underwater, but what about the LG G3? Well, on paper the G3 isn’t built to withstand any amount of water torture, but a surprising new video seems to prove otherwise…