Samsung is reportedly planning to introduce two new tablets— the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and Galaxy Tab S2 9.7— sometime next month. Some details have leaked previously, including specs that come in thinner than Apple’s latest iPad Air, but today SamMobile reports that the tablets will get an official debut in June:
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Verizon announced today that its 4G LTE version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S 10.5 tablet is now available for purchase online and in-stores. Verizon also says its variant carries some capabilities unique to the carrier.
Messaging apps are another way to make tablets a more versatile tool. Verizon Messages lets you text from your tablet without having to use your smartphone. You can read a digital magazine on Papergarden and text friends about it instead of reading on one device and texting on the other.
Samsung first announced the latest generation tablet earlier this year in June, and various LTE versions have begun to roll out recently. Verizon’s LTE model starts at $599.99, and customers can pick it up for $499.99 for a two-year contract for a limited time, according to the carrier. Otherwise, users can add the LTE-equipped tablet to More Everything plans for $10/month after purchasing the Galaxy Tab S 10.5.
As has happened every June for the last several years, Google has dressed up searches for many LGBT-related queries with a rainbow design. We’ve tried a variety of searches, seeing the above banner when typing queries such as LGBT, LA pride, SF pride, gay pride, marriage equality, and more. June was declared LGBT Pride Month by U.S. President Barack Obama in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as this year. Also worth noting is that this is Google’s second move (at least) of support for the LGBT community; the company put a doodle up earlier this year showing support for LGBT olympians.
The Galaxy S5 may have just hit store shelves and the hands of users, but it seems as if Samsung is already planning an upgraded version of its flagship device. According to a report from SamMobile (via Phandroid), the Galaxy S5 Prime will launch in June. In addition to the quad-HD (2560×1440) display, the device would also feature higher-end specs than the Galaxy S5:
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While we knew from earlier reports that Samsung was planning on unveiling a new high end tablet with an Intel processor, today Samsung has officially announced the device alongside a new 8-inch variant of its Galaxy Tab 3 line.
Adding to the 7-inch variant that it launched back in April, Samsung today announced the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3 (which it later confirmed is indeed using a 1.6GHz dual-core processor from Intel), as well as an 8-inch variant of the device with a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU.
Inside the 10.1-inch model you’ll find 1280 x 800, 149PPI WXGA TFT display, a 3-megapixel main camera and 1.3-megapixel front facing cam, Bluetooth 4.0, microSD slot, and a 6,800 mAh battery. It weighs in at 510g for the WiFi only model, but will also be available with 3G and LTE capabilities when it launches running Android 4.2 later this month.
The 8-inch version comes with a 1280 x 800, 189PPI WXGA TFT display, 5-megapixel cam on the back, 1.3-megapixel on the front, Bluetooth 4.0, a 4,450 mAh battery, microSD expandable to 64GB, and the rest of the usual specs you find in Sammy’s tablets.
Samsung said both devices will be arriving in 16GB and 32GB variants sometime at the beginning of this month. Full specs for both devices below:
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Samsung has finally made things official for the Galaxy Tab 3 today, announcing in a press release on its website that the 7-inch tablet will become available globally starting next month. Samsung didn’t confirm pricing on the new tab, but did reveal specs including a 1.2GHz dual for process, 7 inch WSVGA (1024 x 600, 169 PPI) TFT display, 1GB of RAM, and 8 and 16GB variants expandable to 64GB via microSD.
The new Galaxy Tab 3 will be running Android 4.1 out of the box, but Samsung will only be shipping the Wi-Fi version of the device when it begins selling next month.
Other specs include a 4,000 mAh Li-ion battery, 3-megapixel main camera, 1.3 -megapixel front facing cam, A-GPS ＋ GLONASS, WiFi Direct, and Bluetooth 3.0. Rather underwhelming specs, so we assume pricing will be on the low end of things when Samsung finally decides to fill us in.
As for those waiting out for a WiFi + 3G variant, the company currently plans on beginning sales of that model in June with rollouts happening gradually and availability varying by market.
Samsung was eyeing a display between 5.9-inches and 6.3-inches for its much rumored upcoming Galaxy Note III last we heard. SamMobile earlier this month said that device would appear at IFA in Berlin this August, but a new report from the Samsung-focused blog today claimed Samsung will introduce a new lineup of devices in the 5.8- to 6.3-inch display size.
While noting “Samsung changed the name of their expected Galaxy Fonblets,” SamMobile said Samsung would soon introduce a new lineup of smartphone and tablet hybrids dubbed “Galaxy Mega” in 5.8-inch (GT-I9152) and 6.3-inch (GT-I9200) variants.
The devices will reportedly launch between the end of May and be available by mid-June:
The Galaxy Mega 5.8 will come in the colour white and will be available around week 22. The Galaxy Mega 6.3 will come in the colours black and white these galaxy devices need to be available around week 25.
It’s unclear what exactly this means for Samsung’s Galaxy Note III. It would be surprising for Samsung to introduce both the Note III and new Galaxy Mega tablet with a 6.3-inch display. Perhaps the Note III becomes the 5.8-inch device, and the Mega branding is reserved for the larger 6.3-inch variant? It’s also possible Samsung keeps the Galaxy Note III at the same 5.5-inch size of the Note II and introduces the Mega line to bridge the gap and cover all bases between its Note lineup and 7-inch to 10-inch tablet lines. We’ll keep you posted when we learn more.
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After joining Motorola as an advisor late last month, former long-time Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki appears to be dropping some big hints about the company’s upcoming plans in the smartphone space. In a post to his Google+ account (via DroidLife), Kawasaki posted a link to a video detailing customization options offered by Porsche and posing the question, “Wouldn’t it be great if you could personalize your phone like this?”
This has of course lead to speculation that Kawasaki is referring to the ability customize an upcoming Motorola device at the time of purchase, something that recent reports indicate could be in the plans for Motorola’s much rumored X Phone. AndroidandMe and other blogs have reported that the Motorola’s X Phone could include hardware customization options, but also the ability to preload apps, ringtone, wallpapers, etc, features that other devices have offered versions of in the past.
The latest rumors claim X Phone could see an official release by June and its possible we could get our first look at the device in May during Google I/O.
Google is marking any LGBT-related query this month with a rainbow-colored banner under the search box.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based Company is once-again celebrating LGBT Pride Month, as it has down for the last five years in a row, by adding a bit of color to its search.
U.S. President Barack Obama declared June as LGBT Pride Month for 2012. The month-long stance is against discrimination and violence toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, with promotion for equal and civil rights.
The Verge just posted a few leaked pictures (above) of T-Mobile USA’s Samsung Galaxy S III that is rumored to début in June.
The website noted the models depicted look more like the international versions, because American offerings tend to feature a customized iteration complete with a physical home button and four capacitive buttons. Despite the “Euro-style” button change, it seems the color flavors will remain the same—blue and white. The Verge wonders if this is in an indication that Samsung is starting to exert its power as the largest Android device manufacturer in the world, where as it previously cow-tailed to American carrier demands by modifying smartphone designs.
There are no details on pricing and availability at this time.
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LG announced this morning that it developed a new LG Optimus 3.0 overlay.
The press release claimed Optimus UI 3.0 is “unobtrusive and simple” to use, and its primary design function has speed in mind. For example, a new memo function called “Quick Memo” allows users to jot notes on the screen in a “more convenient” method, and then users can share the scribblings through text messages, email, or social networks.
“With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface,” said President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company Dr. Jong-seok Park in the presser.
Other features include: an unlock function that allows users to drag anywhere on the screen; a preset Pattern Lock that enables the most frequently used function to automatically open; an easier method for organizing the primary applications, a new Voice Shutter for capturing images through voice commands; a camera feature for shooting the best picture within multiple images; an Icon Customizer that allows users to set their own images as icons and shortcut; and a Download category for the main menu.
The Optimus UI 3.0 is initially slated for Ice Cream Sandwich devices, because it debut on the LG Optimus LTE II that unveiling this week in Korea, and then it will roll out to the LG Optimus 4X HD in June.
LG’s full press release is below.