Samsung Galaxy S4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhM-DuM2WgE

Above we see a new ad that Samsung recently aired for its flagship Galaxy S4 in Iceland. The ad itself is a little on the strange side, but what’s not surprising is the fact that Samsung is once again not so subtly going after Apple. The point of the ad, in case you don’t speak Icelandic, is to drive home the fact that Apple doesn’t yet support the language for Siri or dictation features. Samsung’s YouTube description for the ad notes that the S4 allows users to dictate emails and messages in Icelandic, while the tagline for the ad reads “Get a phone that understands you.” We’re not exactly sure where the ninjas fit into that message, however. 
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Last week we told you about the HTC One variants receiving stock Android ROMs based off of the Google Play Edition model, and now it’s the Galaxy S4’s turn. A developer over at XDA has successfully ported the ROM found on the Google Edition Galaxy S4 to the Galaxy S4 on Verizon. It’s a tad unclear as to whether it is based off of the Android 4.3 build that leaked last week or the Android 4.2.2 build that it shipped with, but we’re inclined to go with the latter.

The developer has a variety of ROMs available, some with themes and rooted, and some totally bare like you’d get on a Nexus device.

Keep in mind that this is a port and there may be some bugs here and there. Whether or not it’s stable enough to run as a daily driver is purely up to you. 
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Which?, a highly-regarded UK consumer research organization, found the Samsung S4 to be both the fastest smartphone on the market, and the one offering the best battery-life – a pretty impressive combination.

Using the industry-standard Geekbench 2 software, the S4 comfortably came out on top with a score of 3,188 against the 2,798 of the second-placed HTC One. Graphics for both speed and battery-life after the break … 
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Earlier this week, the Google Play edition Galaxy S4 was finally released to the public, and while it isn’t in the hands of any consumers yet, Android 4.3 is now available for it. Fansite SamMobile has gotten its hands on a leaked Android 4.3 build for the Google edition Galaxy S4 and put it up for grabs. Within a very short amount of time, the ROM was ported to the European GT-i9505G Galaxy S4, as well.

The screenshots published by SamMobile don’t show any notable changes in Android 4.3 over Android 4.2.2. As more and more people install it on their Google edition and European Galaxy S4 variants, however, we can expect a few differences to be noted. For the time being though, it looks like Android 4.3 is a very minor bump from Android 4.2.
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Google has officially listed both the Nexus Experience HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 for sale on the Play Store. The HTC One will run you $599, while the Galaxy S4 is slightly more at $649. Both of the devices will ship by July 9th running the latest 4.2.2 version of Android.

The HTC One will still feature the Beats Audio sound quality, while the Galaxy S4 still offers the ability to use a Samsung Flip Cover. So both of these devices still have some enhancements outside of normal Nexus devices.

For those unfamiliar, Google announced the Galaxy S4 running stock Android at I/O this year, and soon after, HTC confirmed that it too would be releasing a Google Edition HTC One. 
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Earlier this month, we reported that Samsung would soon be bringing a version of its Galaxy S4 with faster data speeds to the market, and here it is. The company has officially announced a Galaxy S4 variant with LTE-Advanced data capabilities. The Galaxy S4 LTE-A will offer data speeds up to two times as fast as normal LTE. The device will be available in South Korea sometime this summer, as it is one of the few countries with LTE-Advanced networks in place. United States carriers plan to build up the infrastructure this year.

Samsung’s introduction of the GALAXY S4 LTE-A, the world’s first LTE Advanced-capable smartphone, is the latest expression of the company’s efforts in leading LTE technology. Samsung’s commitment to driving LTE adoption achieved its first milestone in 2010 with the launch of the Craft, the world’s first LTE feature phone, and continued in 2011 with the delivery of the Indulge, the world’s first LTE smartphone. In the last year, Samsung has also pioneered efforts to bring VoLTE network capabilities to users with the launch of the GALAXY S III LTE.

Design-wise, the Galaxy S4 LTE-A is virtually identical to the other models, but on the inside the device is much more powerful than other variants. The new Galaxy S4 variant is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, which should offer better performance than both the Exynos and Snapdragon S4 Pro variants.
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Following the original announcement of the Galaxy S4, Samsung stated that a developer edition variant would come soon after launch for both AT&T and Verizon, and it looks like one of those models is finally here. Samsung has quietly added the Black Mist Galaxy S4 Developer Edition for Verizon to its website. The device will run you a steep $649 and is exactly the same as the normal Verizon Galaxy S4 except for the fact that it comes with the ability to unlock the bootloader.

The Developer Edition is good for people who like to quickly hack and mod their devices, which is not easy with Verizon’s strict bootloader policies. Keep in mind that the Google Edition Galaxy S4 launches on June 26th and will also be hack-friendly, so it might be a better option for those on a GSM network and prefer stock Android.
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B–ZARCwSIE]

Update: The App is now live.

A brand new album. 1MM people. Download the app now for first access to JAY Z’s "#MagnaCarta Holy Grail" on July 4th: http://t.co/Rr9vWXavh4

— Life + Times (@LifeandTimes) June 24, 2013

As expected, last night during game 5 of the NBA Finals Samsung confirmed its partnership with media mogul Jay-Z by running a 3-minute commercial.  The video showed Jay working on a new album and closed with Samsung’s “The Next Big Thing is Here” slogan and directing fans to MagnaCartaHolyGrail.com.

The website features a countdown to July 4th, when Jay-Z’s new album will be released, alongside images on him working on the album and they even sneaked a close-up of a Galaxy next to Jay’z signature gold chains.  The first million Galaxy S 3/4 and Note II owners to download the customized Magna Carta app on June 24th will receive a free copy of the new album when it is released on July 4th.

Samsung reportedly paid upwards of $20 million to launch this partnership with Jay-Z.  Exact details of the deal are unknown, but at that price-tag we’re assuming there is more to come from this partnership.

Last month we learned that Samsung could be reversing its decision to optimize the software running on its Galaxy S4 smartphone to address storage constraints, and today it looks like that update is shipping to end users (via SamMobile.com) and includes a few new features.

Users will be able to move apps to the SD Card freeing up native storage and can even shoot HRD (high dynamic range) video. The software update itself frees up 80MB of storage.

The update is currently available for Galaxy S4 users in Germany, and could require carrier approval before it shows up in the States, but its confirmation that Samsung is listening to user concerns.

Check out the full list of features below:
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Friday we showed you images of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active that leaked from press material, and today the South Korean handset maker officially announced the latest variant to its most successful smartphone to date.

This variant of the Galaxy S4 can endure the tests of water or other agents that can render an ordinary smartphone useless without an extra accessory that has potential to be costly.

The GALAXY S4 Active has qualified protection from dust and water, so you never have to leave the device at home during a long day at the beach or dusty hike. The fully sealed design keeps dust particles out and protects against water damage for up to 30 minutes of submergence at a depth of one meter. Equipped with a water-resistant earphone jack, the GALAXY S4 Active frees you to use earphones in more adventurous conditions, in the same way you’ve used them in normal ones.  Whether capturing every moment of a wild rafting trip or taking a great underwater photo in the pool, the device’s unique construction lets users capture amazing moments previously impossible using a normal smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active should appeal to users with active lifestyles and less secure workplaces where physical damage could compromise data like government employees. Samsung has been reaching for the corporate and government space. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company is even going as far as hiring former RIM employees and experts in security since BlackBerry has trended toward losing its place in these markets.

Pricing and availability remain unknown but we expect the Active to ship this summer. Samsung is set to announce additional products later this month at its event in London.

Check out the full press release below:
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Bloomberg reports that Verizon’s vice president of network support Mike Haberman confirmed the Galaxy S4 will be the first device to access the carrier’s new AWS spectrum rolling out to major cities such as New York in the coming months.

While Verizon has plans to roll out more devices that can access the higher speeds of its AWS enhanced LTE network, the Galaxy S4 is the first device with a software update planned to activate support for the AWS frequencies:

Verizon is using the AWS airwaves to help increase the capacity of its long-term evolution, or LTE, network. While Verizon will be adding more devices that can use the higher speeds, the Galaxy S4 is the only such phone currently on sale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZzvk97L4AE&feature=em-uploademail

Good thing she had the phone. Samsung teased this new ad back in April. 

AT&T announced today that it will exclusively be offering the Samsung Galaxy S4 in Aurora Red starting June 14. The new color will be available on the 16GB variant for the usual $199 on a two-year contract and preorders will officially kick off tomorrow, May 24. Samsung is also planning to launch some more special edition colors this summer including: Blue Arctic, Purple Mirage and Brown Autumn.

Starting tomorrow you’ll be able to preorder the Galaxy S4 in Aurora Red exclusively through AT&T at  www.att.com/galaxys4 or at a brick and mortar location.

Good timing on the announcement because (coincidence!) Verizon’s Galaxy S4 is availabile today.

Consumer Reports (via BGR) has declared the Samsung S4 its “new top-rated smartphone” after detailed tests, taking the title from the LG Optimus G.

The S4 delivered top-notch performance in the most critical areas of our tests, including the camera.

The S4 has an excellent 5-inch, high-definition (1080p) touch-screen display, as well as oodles of gesture- and sensor-based tools for accessing and sharing content you create and capture on your phone. The display is sensitive enough to use with gloves on—handy during cold weather …
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Samsung has proven almost effortlessly that the 5-inch smartphone has its place in the hands of the masses as it is on track to selling 10 million handsets in its first month, The Korea Times reports.

The company has plenty of room for sales to exponentially grow upward, possibly past their own already high expectations, as the smartphone that has taken the Android world by storm has yet to actually launch on Verizon in the States.

Verizon seems readily positioned to launch the Galaxy S4 as it announced earlier this week that it plans to sell the Samsung smartphone a week sooner than expected.

Samsung’s co-CEO Shin John-Kyun says the company expects the Galaxy S4 to be the fastest selling smartphone in the company’s history.

“We are confident that we will pass more than 10 million sales of the S4 next week. It is selling much faster than the previous model S3,” Samsung Electronics co-CEO Shin Jong-Kyun told reporters at an industry forum in Seoul, Thursday.

We got our hands on the Galaxy S4 last month for a review and gave it flying colors.
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Samsung has received criticism for the amount of storage its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone allows users to access out of the box, but CNET reports that Samsung may be considering ways it could optimize the operating system and free up more space for users.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 smartphone runs a custom variant of Android, which allows the company to include features not on other Android phones including Google’s own Nexus phones, but the feature-heavy OS comes at the cost of using half the capacity on a 16GB device.

We’re quite fond of the software featured on the Galaxy S4 as it allows it to stand out from other comparable smartphones, and the Galaxy S4 allows users to add to its storage with microSD cards which you can buy for less than 10 bucks in many cases, something the Apple iPhone and HTC One compromise on for design.

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According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon is working to expand its hardware offerings, this year, beyond the Kindle e-readers and tablets (like the Kindle Fire). According to the new report, Amazon is working on two smartphones, including a high-end model with a 3D display. Like other smartphones currently on the market, this display could be interacted with via a user’s eyes:

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