Samsung Galaxy S I9000: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread Update

Samsung Galaxy S I9000: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread Update - Gingerbread 2.3.3 update for Android is finally available for Samsung I9000 Galaxy. Software updates can be made by gravel. Not entirely clear who else is already enjoying the updates. But according to the present, we are currently registered for a device to devices that have been marked by O2 and Vodafone, to enjoy the update.

Now begins the same way, until the next update. 2.3.4 for Android with Samsung I9000 Galaxy S, there is always the latest version of Android. Samfirmware has published the leak. Of course, you already work for Samsung. Update 2.3.4 is the first time in July rumored.

It remains to be seen whether there will be updates for the Android Ice Cream Sandwich. You have to wait, and if the hardware configuration. Samsung I9000 Galaxy last year with the Android 2.1 Eclair in sales and has experience in selling several million copies. In November 2010, when it is updated Android 2.2 Froyo.

READ MORE - Samsung Galaxy S I9000: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread Update

Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus: Fast Processor with 1.4 GHz Dual-Core

Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus: Fast Processor with 1.4 GHz Dual-Core - review price release date specs. Samsung S2 Galaxy Plus, there are rumors in Samfirmware interesting. This suggests that the current Samsung in September, an improved version of Samsung S2 Galaxy. The reason could be that this is the iPhone for Apple from May to September is to be against something to be. Apple has decided this year to delay the release of the iPhone 5 back. Therefore, it might make sense, but the contest. In addition, Samsung and Apple is by shares of Apple is not currently good, especially "green.". Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus: Fast Processor with 1.4 GHz Dual-Core? - review price release date specs

Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus Review - Also Samsung S2 Galaxy, in the absence of official designation. It will also be equipped with a processor Exynos. Instead of 1.2 GHz, but this should be clocked at 1.4 GHz. When S2 is the successor to Galaxy have 1 GB of RAM. In the Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread and the TouchWiz interface.

It's really not much that we give this rumor today. The change appears to be minimal. To listen, Apple iPhone-fifth We await the official update on the Samsung S2 Galaxy more.

READ MORE - Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus: Fast Processor with 1.4 GHz Dual-Core

Samsung Rugby Smart Unboxing and Initial Hands on Review – Sand and Water included [Video]

The Samsung Rugby Smart will debut on AT&T this Sunday, March 4 for $99, and let me tell you that this is a really nice phone for the money. It’s priced at $99 and is built to military specifications (mil-std 810f). This means it should be able to handle just about anything including being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, dust, sand, or extreme weather conditions.

It features a 3.7-inch (800 x 480) Super AMOLED display, 1.4 GHz single-core Qualcomm processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, microSD for up to an additional 32GB, 5MP rear camera with LED flash (capable of recording at 720p), 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1650mAh battery, and Android 2.3.6. It’s not the thinnest phone in the world, at 12.19mm, but it has a really nice design. In fact, this might be my favorite Samsung phone to date as far as design goes. The rubberized edges remind me of the DROID X, and it’s not glossy or slippery like most other phones.

Our own Stacy Bruce will do a full review soon, but for now, check out my quick hands on. It’s not everyday that I get to throw sand and water on a review unit so I had a lot of fun with this one..

READ MORE - Samsung Rugby Smart Unboxing and Initial Hands on Review – Sand and Water included [Video]

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Unboxing and Initial Hands On Review [Video]

When Samsung announced the Galaxy Note, we all wondered when the U.S. would get this bad boy. It may have taken longer than we wanted, but hey, better late than never right? You will have your chance to buy one in either carbon blue or ceramic white starting this Sunday at AT&T for $299.99. Of course if you pre-ordered, you will receive it today.

The AT&T version features a 5.3-inch (1280 x 800) Super AMOLED display, 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 16GB internal memory, microSD for up to an additional 32GB, HDMI though MHL/USB 2.0 port, NFC, 4G LTE, HSPA+ at 21.1 Mbps, 2500mAh battery, and Android 2.3.6. It’s definitely big, but it’s also fairly thin at 9.65mm while weighing 183 grams.

We will do a full review, but I’m not sure you should even wait for it. Just go and buy it and be prepared because everyone will be starring at you with envy. How can you not be the most popular person at any party with the Galaxy Note?  Here’s my initial hands on.

READ MORE - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Unboxing and Initial Hands On Review [Video]

Review Samsung Galaxy Note

Is it a big phone or a small tablet?  The line between the two just got a little blurry with Samsung’s launch of the Galaxy Note (for the record, Samsung is calling it a smartphone).

 The most prominent feature of the Galaxy Note is its 5.3-inch WXGA(1280×800) Super AMOLED display that offers a 180 degree viewing angle. In addition to this sweet display, the Note also brings with it the following:

• 1.4GHz Dual Core Processor
• Android 2.3(Gingerbread)
• Camera: Main(Rear) : 8 MP with LED Flash
• Camera: Front : 2 MP
• 3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS
• Samsung TouchWiz/ Samsung L!ve Panel UX
• S Pen / Pen UX  
• WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, WiFp;   Accelerometer, Lig, Proximity, Barometer
• 16/32GB InroSD (up to 32GB)
• Size 145.85 × 82.95 × 9.65 mm
• Standard battery, Li-on 2,500 mAh    

What do you think - big  phone or small tablet?  Does it matter to you either way?  Let us know in the comments!

Hit the break for a copy of the press release.

BERLIN, Germany – September 1, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the launch of the GALAXY Note.

The GALAXY Note is a new category of product, developed through Samsung’s deep consumer understanding and insight. It combines core on-the-go benefits of various mobile devices while maintaining smartphone portability, to create a whole new user experience.

The GALAXY Note has a 5.3” display which is the largest screen size with smartphone portability. It features the world’s first and the largest 5.3” HD Super AMOLED display, an expansive high-resolution screen that provides an immersive viewing experience. Taking full advantage of the large display, users will be able to do more tasks to create and consume more, with minimum scrolling and screen transitions, while on the go. An advanced pen-input technology, called the S Pen, is combined with the GALAXY Note’s full touch screen to introduce a new type of user-experience.

Through this, consumers are able to freely capture and create ideas while on the go.

“The GALAXY Note is a device borne of our insight and innovation. We examined the fundamental elements of mobile culture, entertainment and communication in order to bring together the best experiences in a single, elegant device,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “The huge, 5.3” HD Super AMOLED screen is the largest, highest quality display available in any phone; the touch screen and S Pen combine to produce a uniquely accurate level of control and finesse, along with rich expressions across the GALAXY Note experience, enabling the introduction of new smartphone experiences.”

“The artistic freedom of a paper notebook is coupled with the benefits of Samsung’s smartphone technology and services, allowing users to create, edit and share with more style than ever before,” Shin added.

State-of-the-art Display

The GALAXY Note features Samsung’s own 5.3” HD Super AMOLED display providing vivid clarity that is superior to conventional HD displays. This ensures the best viewing experience for video, photo, document and web on the go with deep blacks and bright colors. The superior screen also offers a 180 degree viewing angle, allowing contents to be shared comfortably.

At 5.3” the best-in-class display is the largest ever included in a primary mobile device; measuring just 9.65mm thick, the GALAXY Note fits comfortably in a pocket to offer true portability.

Full Screen Utilization

The high resolution display ensures that PowerPoint presentations, web-pages, news apps and e-books can be viewed comfortably with minimal scrolling or zooming. Minimizing the need to switch between applications, the GALAXY Note’s HD super AMOLED screen is large enough to allow meaningful split-screen operation in the most frequently used native apps.

Samsung has also included S Planner, a smart professional planning tool that makes full use of the device’s large screen. The management planner integrates the phone’s To-Do list and schedule; control and navigation is intuitive, helping users to comprehensively organize their lives.

Free Capture & Creation

The GALAXY Note’s advanced pen input functionality is combined with the full touch screen to create a new input experience. The incorporated digital S Pen can be used for accurate sketching and artwork, and instantly capturing ideas freely before they float away.

The GALAXY Note features S Memo, a multimedia application designed to record all forms of user-created content. Pictures, voice recordings, typed text, handwritten notes or drawings can all be captured via a single application and converted to a ‘memo’, to be edited, annotated and shared as desired.

A one-step screen-capture function also allows users to instantly capture any screen; captured images can also be freely and accurately annotated using the S Pen before being filed or shared.

The S Pen functionality has been deeply integrated into the GALAXY Note’s native applications to provide a richer interactive experience. Users will benefit from increased accuracy and control when editing or personalizing captured videos or photographs; and users will be able to draw and send handwritten images and notes via text message, email, and Samsung’s ChatON communication service.

Broadening the opportunity to create new user experiences, Samsung plans to release the S Pen SDK allowing app developers to create fundamentally new applications and services incorporating the pen functionality.

Superior Usability, Powerful Performance

The 1.4GHz dual-core processor ensures the device is incredibly fast and a smooth user interface ensures seamless usability. Lightning fast network speeds are enabled through the HSPA＋ and LTE-enabled device’s super-fast connection, ensuring a quick and seamless browsing experience. This means that users can stream videos in real-time or engage with their friends through online gaming platforms.

Samsung is enhancing enterprise capabilities of the GALAXY Note through its partnership with Juniper Networks. Juniper’s Junos Pulse SSL VPN provides secure remote access to corporate network resources. The SSL VPN enables large enterprise and service providers to meet high-volume secure access and authorization requirements, protecting corporate data with centralizes control and supporting employees’ personal device efficiently.

Samsung GALAXY Note Product Specifications

Network

HSPA＋ 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100

EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900

Processor

1.4GHz Dual Core Processor

Display
5.3” WXGA(1280×800, 285ppi) HD Super AMOLED

OS
Android 2.3(Gingerbread)

Camera
Main(Rear) : 8 MP with LED Flash

Front : 2 MP
Action Shot, Beauty, Panorama Shot, Smile Shot, Share Shot

Video
Video : MPEG4, H.264, H.263, WMV, DivX, Xvid, VC-1Recording 1080p@24~30fps, Playing 1080p@30fps

Audio
Codec : MP3, AAC, AMR, WMA, WAV, FLAC, OGG
Music Player with SoundAlive
3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS

Value-added Features


Samsung Apps
Samsung Kies 2.0/ Samsung Kies air
Samsung TouchWiz/ Samsung L!ve Panel UX
Samsung ChatON mobile communication service
(Downloadable via Samsung Apps)
Smart Note Apps
S Pen / Pen UX

Social Hub
- Integrated Messaging(Email, SNS), Contacts/ Calendar Sync
- Basic: POP3/IMAP Email

Social Hub, Readers Hub , Music Hub

GoogleTM Mobile Services
- GmailTM, Google TalkTM, Google SearchTM, YouTubeTM, Android Market TM,
- Google MapsTM with Google Places and Google Latitude

A-GPS

Enterprise Solutions
- ODE, EAS, CCX, MDM, VPN, WebEx

NFC(optional)

Connectivity
Bluetooth® technology v 3.0 ＋ HS
USB 2.0 HOST
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, WiFi Direct

Sensor
Accelerometer, Light, Digital compass, Proximity, Barometer

Memory
16/32GB Internal Memory ＋ microSD (up to 32GB)

Size
145.85 × 82.95 × 9.65 mm

Battery
Standard battery, Li-on 2,500 mAh

＊ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of nine independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Memory, System LSI and LCD.

Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Android, Google, Android Market, Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Talk are trademarks of Google, Inc.

READ MORE - Review Samsung Galaxy Note

Review: T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q (SGH-T699) | Full Specification | Mobile Price | Review

Review: T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q (SGH-T699) --  T-Mobile is going prepare to launch the new Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q (SGH-T699) which was caught in the wild few days ago.

Releated Riview Smsung Galaxy:

• Review Samsung Galaxy Note 
• Review Samsung Galaxy S III 
  
• Review Samsung Galaxy S I9000

 

Read more »

READ MORE - Review: T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q (SGH-T699) | Full Specification | Mobile Price | Review

Verizon Samsung Fascinate

Ah the final chapter of the Galaxy S lineup, the Verizon Fascinate. Verizon was a little late to the party with their version, but better late than never, right?

Anyway, the Fascinate is your typical Galaxy S phone, featuring that beautiful 4in 800x480px, Super AMOLED display, blazing 1GHz Hummingbird processor and roomy 16GB of internal storage. Another nice feature of the Fascinate that two out of the four Galaxy S phones don’t have (Captivate and Vibrant are missing this) is an LED flash for the 5MP camera.

READ MORE - Verizon Samsung Fascinate

Verizon Samsung Droid Charge

The Droid Charge, one of the most popular phones on Verizon’s network, has found its way into TalkAndroid’s house, so what are we to do with it? Review it, of course! We were able to get our grubby little paws on Verizon’s pride and joy, and we must say, we’re impressed. The 4.3″ Super AMOLED Plus display is gorgeous, with deep darks and vibrant brights. The interface is snappy, and, while the benchmark tests don’t come back as astounding, you would never know it. Touchwiz is present, but heavily saturated with the Droid feel we’ve come to know and love – mainly from Samsung.


All in all, Samsung did a great job with this device. The physical aspects of the phone are great as well, with a slick back and a form factor that makes it steady, although some may complain it’s too big. However, this writer found it to be well-built and worth his time.
Be sure to hit the break to see the unboxing and review videos, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

Quick note – keep your eyes peeled over the coming hours, as we may have some big news involving a Droid Charge… the suspense!

READ MORE - Verizon Samsung Droid Charge

AT&T Pulls Galaxy S II ICS Update for Further Testing, Will be Available Again ‘Very Soon’

Earlier, we reported that the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II update is now available via Samsung Kies…. then all of the sudden it wasn’t. Apparently AT&T pulled the update shortly after it was released and has issued a statement regarding their reasoning:

We plan for the upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for Galaxy S II customers to be live very soon.  Like with every OS update, we test it on our servers before we roll it out to customers.  We’re in the process of doing that with Android 4.0 (ICS) for Galaxy S II customers and hope to make that live soon.  We recommend customers wait to attempt the update.

This extra testing phase that AT&T is taking for the update shouldn’t last too long and I wouldn’t be surprised if the update is live again in just a couple of days.
source: Android Central

READ MORE - AT&T Pulls Galaxy S II ICS Update for Further Testing, Will be Available Again ‘Very Soon’

Samsung Galaxy S III Review, A Contender Not To Be Reckoned With?

Well, we didn’t have to wait too long this go-around for a Galaxy S device to make its way across the pond into the hands of the US masses.  Not even a full month yet, most of the US carriers will be getting their devices and those who pre-ordered it will be playing with one any day now.  The device is roughly going for $199 on a 2yr contract and will be available on five different carriers in the U.S.  You see how that works Apple?  This is how you sell more devices, you don’t give a single carrier six years of exclusivity.  But then again, what does it matter since you’re going to sue them for every device they manufacture from here until the end of time?  But I digress.  Back to the review.  So, now the device is here, does it live up to the hype?  I’d like to think so.  And though it’s obvious that Samsung cut a few corners in the hardware dept, it’s still a fricking awesome device.  That is my personal and professional opinion by the way.  All kidding aside, Samsung has done a great job offering a slew of new features software wise on the handset.  Apps like Allshare, S-Beam and many more, the handset is not only all work but plenty of play as well.  With a gorgeous 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display (1280 x 720) this device is going to take the industry by storm.  Add to that ICS 4.0, a nasty Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 CPU and 2GB of RAM and you have more than just a player here.  Head on past the break to read the rest of the review and don’t forget to let us know what you think in the comments below.






Design

I think as far as the design factor goes, Samsung hit this one out of the park.  Best way I can describe the device is to think a “4.8-inch One S”.  Hate to compare the two but they’re comparable as far as design goes.  In that I mean, they’re pretty darn thin though Samsung has the upper hand here (removable storage and battery).  At just 8.6mm (.34-inches) thin, Samsung has out done the Galaxy S II though we wish they didn’t use the cheap plastic housing that they so often use.  However, as most of us know, this is but one tactic that Sammy uses to keep their devices lightweight.  In any event, it’s certainly a worthy successor to the GS II and is definitely worth the upgrade if you’re due for one.  According to Samsung, the device takes its design ques from “nature” and though it’s sporting a paper-thin housing for a rear cover, I think most will still be pleased with the device.  The handset sports curves on either side of the rectangular device with slightly rounded corners.  And unlike previous Galaxy S U.S. devices, Samsung has opted to keep the hardware and style virtually identical to that of its cousin across the way.  Rather than swapping out the center physical hardware button and two capacitive buttons for a four capacitive button layout, Samsung left it the way it was.  I’m sure their manufacturing department is thrilled as they’ll be able to ship more devices quickly not having to alter it for several different carriers.  And while it would be nice if the button was also a directional pad, I would have rather opted for all capacitive buttons.  I think most will find it unnatural to hit a hardware button, especially one handed when they’ve been lightly and effortlessly tapping capacitive buttons for years.  To each his own though, and yet remains to see how the masses feel and think about it.  All in all, Samsung refers to the device as “simple and intuitive” and I’m inclined to agree.  


Hardware

One can’t discuss hardware without discussing design and vice versa as often is the case.  However, the combination of hardware that makes up the exterior and interior of the device is nothing to shrug a shoulder at.  And though many of us were disappointed at the choice of housing the company went with for the GSIII, I think a large majority of people will agree with me when I say I think pulled it off.  And while paper-thin plastic makes up the majority of the device, the trade off is that it’s super thin and lightweight.  The device sports the typical unlock on/off button on the right side of the device, volume toggle on the left, single home/task manager button on the bottom front and 3.5 mm headphone jack on top.  On the backside of the handset can be seen the speaker grill, 8 mega-pixel camera lens and single LED  flash.  The backside sports the typical Galaxy S nomenclature and the respective carrier’s branding.  And though the device is technically mostly plastic, it still feels sturdy in the hand as most plastic casing tends to produce a slight squeak when you press on it.  However, not in the case of the GSIII.  Samsung graciously provided TA with two ceramic white models for review.  Take note, the white device is a smudge magnet and depending on the atmosphere and environment at the time, it could become slippery as heck.  So just make sure you have a death grip on it at all times.  We’re not sure how the metallic blue model will pan out, but we’re assuming it’s going to feel roughly the same.  Now would also be a good time to note that Samsung has decided to add, among the many accessories for the device, the same flip case that was bestowed and coveted on the Galaxy Note.  That’s right folks, Samsung has brought the same flip case the Note touts to the GSIII.  Unlike most cases where it slides on or clips on to the existing hardware, the flip case takes the place of your battery cover.  Utilizing this route, the device experiences no added bulk, remaining super thin while still simultaneously offering full protection to the screen.  And though the GSIII’s screen is Gorilla glass and doesn’t really need protecting, it looks cool as hell.  And while we’re on the subject of accessories, let’s not forget about TecTiles.  TecTiles, very close to what we’ve seen with Sony’s Smart Tags, allows you to place or stick small stickers with embeded circuitry in them to quickly change your device’s profile on the fly, switch to an app or pretty much do anything you feel like having the handset do on the go.  Headed to the gym and want to bring up your mp3 player with hard core music, move your work folders off of your home screen and bring up a cardio assistant widget?  Well, then tape a TecTile to your gym bag and just touch it with your phone.  In seconds your device will act and set itself to whatever you’ve programed it to.  The functionality is also a stand alone application and Samsung has offered the device for non GSIII phones.  The application is available on the Google Play Store and the tags will go for 5 tags at $14.99 if you’re interested.

Battery

Surprisingly, Samsung has included a whopping 2100 mAh interchangeable battery to accompany this workhorse of a handset.  I don’t know about you but I’m extremely grateful for the extra juice as I constantly work off of my phone on any given day.  A while back HTC took a survey which yielded results revealing that people wanted thinner handsets over more battery life.  Well, I think Samsung has done a fantastic job delivering them both in the GSIII.  Having two devices in my possession for testing purposes, I mostly worked off of the one while the other sat in the box until I needed it.  I can recall the standby device sat there for quite some time on a single charge before I finally saw the “battery low” alert.  Overall, we’ll gladly welcome extra battery life any day.  Especially when you can wrap 2100 mAh’s of it into a 8.6mm package.

Performance
I’m not sure where to even begin with this category.  I’ve never seen a device perform this well before.  The handset is a processing power machine to put it accurately and unlike its cousin in Europe, it’s not sporting the Exynos quad-core CPU initially announced.  Instead, the US variant sports the popular Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip-set which has been noted to compete closely with other quad-core CPU’s.  As for a typical day’s use, the device lasted the entire time with very heavy use.  The combination of the S4 Chip and 2100 mAh battery makes for great battery performance as we were able to surf the web, watch multiple YouTube videos & trailers, listen to mp3′s in the background, view documentation with heavy graphics and schematics and send & recieve emails all day long.  After abusing the device for the entire day there was still 30-40% of battery life left.  We’ll certainly take that any day.  Overall, we’re certain you’ll be pleased with the performance of the device especially if you’re the type of power user who lives on their phone for a living.  In addition, there isn’t going to be a huge difference in performance if you’ve played with an Exynos quad-core device and have since moved to the dual-core S4 chip model.  All in all, if you want a handset that will work for you, this is it.

Software

If you’ve had high hopes that the device would come with stock Android (which none of you should have) you’ll certainly be disappointed as the handset, like its predecessors, is accompanied with  TouchWiz.  Although, as I’ve mentioned many times in the past, I’ll take the TouchWiz UX over Sense UI any day.  And though sense has become extremely lighter in latter days such as seen on the One S and One X, I still don’t like its heavy integration into the OS.  TouchWiz is certainly extremely visible and noticeable from within the device’s version of ICS 4.0, however, I don’t mind it because I find the apps, widgets and functionality useful and effective.   The calendar integration (my most used app) which is the same one from the Galaxy Note is phenomenal as well as the many other extras not found on devices without having to obtain them via a third party method.  Apps like AllShare, ChatON, Flipboard, Media Hub, S Memo, S Suggest, S Voice and many other respective widgets have come to be a part of my daily routine.  Aside from the extra software integration by Samsung, all the standard ICS bells and whistles are there.  However, note that a few methods of accessing certain functionality are slightly different than they are on the Galaxy Nexus with stock ICS.  For instance, you can’t create folders on the desk top as you can in standard ICS by dragging one app over another.  You’ll need to access this via the menu.  In addition, Samsung’s standard app doc at the bottom, unlike the GSII, is now fixed and unable to edit as to where you could in previous versions.  This shouldn’t be a deal breaker for most but I figured I’d make a note of it since this is a review and all.

 Camera

The camera on the GSIII is unprecedented and reminiscent of that found on the HTC One Series.  If you want to check it out, you can scope our review of the One S here.  The camera itself sports a high end sensor as Sammy sure knows how to implement a camera.  This will certainly be your one stop shop for a point and shoot and cause you to leave your stand alone camera at home for sure.  Much like the One series camera, Sammy has implemented the ever popular burst mode feature with “best shot” functionality and picture capture in video mode capabilities.  By far, Samsung has delivered one of the best cameras on the market to ever accompany a cell phone.  Image quality on the device is not to be reckoned with as it renders high full-res shots that look both sharp and extremely detailed.  And for those off beat shots that require you to capture the moment on a dull and gloomy day, there’s an excellent and useful HDR mode which shoots multiple shots with different exposures, rendering a much better image than would have otherwise been obtained in poor conditions.

Final thoughts

Overall, the Galaxy S III shines through to overtake its many shortcomings.  Sporting a beautiful large 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a fantastic dual-core CPU (Snapdragon S4) and blazing fast and high-end camera, the device is sure to sell like hotcakes by the millions.  If you’re due for an upgrade, I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed with the handset and it will most likely serve all of your purposes, whether you’re a casual web surfer or a constantly on-the-go workaholic who would rather cut a toe off than be without a smartphone for productivity reasons.  Our only cons with the device is Samsung’s choice of build material.  We would have rather seen them go the route of HTC with some sort of a uni-body housing even if it meant weighing a little more.  Otherwise, the GSIII is a solid handset and the optimal choice for an upgrade if you had to upgrade to the latest and greatest today.  Check out the rest of the snapshots of the device for features, hardware and comparisons.  Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments below.

Full Device Specefications:

• 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display (1280 x 720)
• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.5 GHz dual core CPU
• Weight: 4.73 ounces
• Comes in Ceramic White and Metallic Blue
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB and 32GB  (Internal storage) versions
• 5.38″ x 2.78″ x 0.34″ (137 x 71 x 8.6mm)
• Expandable memory with MicroSD
• 2100mAh battery
• Bluetooth 4.0
• MicroUSB
• NFC enabled
• 42Mbps HSPA+ or 4G LTE
• 8MP Camera w/ LED Flash (4x zoom)
• 1.9MP Front-facing camera
• S Beam capable
• SmartTV
• AllShare
• Mobile Hotspot

READ MORE - Samsung Galaxy S III Review, A Contender Not To Be Reckoned With?

Verizon Wireless Samsung Illusion Unboxing and Initial Hands On Review

A year ago, if you mentioned the words “entry-level” or “mid-level” for smartphones, you needed to run far away. Fast forward one year and these entry-level and mid-level phones are looking pretty good. The Samsung Illusion for Verizon Wireless fits the entry-level category as its priced at $79.99 for a two year contract. It features a 3.5-inch (480 x 320) LCD display, 1GHz processor, 512mb RAM, 3MP rear camera, 2GB internal memory, 2GB microSD card supplied (upgradeable to 32GB), 1500mAH battery, and Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread.

The Illusion also sports a curved screen much like the Galaxy Nexus. If you are into eco-friendly products, you will love the Illusion. The rear casing and battery cover is made with 70% post-consumer material and the front casing includes 30% post-consumer material. If that’s not enough, the packaging is made of 60% recycled paper that is bleach free, and finally, the printing is from vegetable ink.

All in all, the Illusion is not a bad device for $79.99 and will make a lot of budget-conscious consumers happy. I doubt I will do a full review unless I find something alarming, but for now checkout my unboxing and initial hands on review.

READ MORE - Verizon Wireless Samsung Illusion Unboxing and Initial Hands On Review

AT&T Samsung Captivate Glide review

The Samsung Captivate Glide is a mid-level Android phone, but it rivals some of the higher end phones. No, it’s not going to put up much of a fight with the Galaxy Nexus, but this phone packs some pretty good specs for $149.99. Here’s my full review, but you can also checkout my initial hands on video.


Design
The Captivate Glide features a 4-row slide-out QWERTY. For a Samsung phone, this one isn’t as slippery and glossy since the back battery cover is textured. I prefer this design as opposed to what the Samsung Stratosphere offers. One negative is that the keyboard is only 4 rows and the keys are a little flat, but I had no problems using it. Overall It’s a nice keyboard, but with phones like the DROID 3 and Stratosphere featuring 5-rows, it’s a disappointment. On the flipside, the Captivate Glide comes in at 13mm thin which is 1mm less than the Stratosphere and the same as the DROID 3. Another interesting feature is a sliding cover for the micro USB port to keep dirt out of it. I like this as opposed to the rubber ones that flip open, which most of the time gets in the way. The final negative point is the microphone is rear mounted which can be a problem for some calls.

Hardware

For $149.99, the Captivate Glide packs some pretty decent specs. It features a 4-inch (800 x 480) Super AMOLED display, A 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor, 1GB RAM, 8MP rear camera that can record video up to 720p, 1.3MP front camera, 8GB internal storage, microSD with up to 32GB expandable storage, 1650mAh battery, 4G support at 21.1Mbit/s, Bluetooth, WiFi, and Android 2.3.5.

Battery

The 1650mAh battery is more than enough for the average consumer. You will easily get through an entire day with average to heavy usage. Like any device, if you plan on watching videos or streaming music constantly, your time will drop considerably.

Performance

The Tegra 2 dual-core processor is nice to see in a $149.99 phone. The 1GB of RAM is also welcoming as this phone performs very nicely. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a mid-level phone. As to benchmarks, I ran the AnTuTu test and it came in at 5043 which is a little below the DROID RAZR, which came in a 5369 and has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. The Captivate Glide runs really smooth and I guarantee that you won’t have any complaints. As with any Samsung phone, the display is nice. It’s not as nice as the Galaxy S II series, but this Super AMOLED display is a treat to look at.

Software

As with any typical Samsung phone, you get their Touchwiz interface. If you’re not familiar with Touchwiz, its a nice complimentary UI that won’t get in your way. You get seven home screens and a launcher that allows you to customize up to 3 apps. When opening the keyboard, the home screens will switch to landscape mode as well. Samsung includes their Social Hub which will take your feeds from sites like Twitter and Facebook. Media Hub is included for all your TV and Movie needs. If you prefer to use the on screen keyboard, you will have your choice of Samsung’s or Swype. Samsung includes the normal variety of widgets which includes AccuWeather, Application Monitor (a task killer), Buddies Now (for contacts), clocks, and agendas.

Camera

The rear camera is 8MP and will shoot video up to 720p. Overall it’s a really nice camera, but a slight downgrade from the Samsung Galaxy S II. The shutter lag is minimal and the auto focus is fast. Most people will be satisfied enough to leave the point and shoot at home, but its not the best as colors can be lacking. Here are some samples.

Closing:

About a year ago, I wouldn’t go near a mid-level phone, let alone an entry-level phone, but things have gotten better. The Captivate Glide packs a lot for the price. With a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, a Super AMOLED screen, and 21.1Mbit/s suport, you can’t go wrong at $149.99. The only real negative to me is the QWERTY keyboard is only 4 rows. If you can live with that, you won’t be disappointed.

READ MORE - AT&T Samsung Captivate Glide review

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Review, It’s time to be noteworthy

When it came to phones for 2011, the two hottest phones in terms of buzz had to be the Galaxy Nexus and the Galaxy Note. Interestingly enough, both phones are made by Samsung. The buzz for the Galaxy Nexus was surrounded around Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich whereas the Galaxy Note was all about its mammoth 5.3-inch display and stylus, dubbed the S Pen. The Galaxy Note was already available internationally for several months before finally landing in the U.S. with AT&T a week ago, priced at $299.99. The U.S. version brings LTE and a Qualcomm processor, but has the overall same look and feel. It’s available in both carbon blue and ceramic white.

The Galaxy Note might be a niche market for now, but is it starting a new re-birth in productivity devices? This is my full review, but you can also check out my initial hands on and my quick look at some S Pen optimized apps.

Design
 
The Galaxy Note looks a lot like a larger version of the Galaxy S II. The only major difference is the holder for the S Pen which fits perfectly in the device. In fact when it’s in the device, you wouldn’t even know it’s there. Where other devices like the HTC Flyer made the stylus an option and nowhere to put it, you have to give kudos to Samsung for designing the Note this way. Although it’s big in size, it’s not too thick. It comes in a 9.65mm, but it’s a little heavy at 183 grams.

It’s all about size when it comes to the Note and there’s no question that it’s a little awkward at first. For those that like to use their phone with one hand, you can forget it unless your hands are mammoth size. It’s so big that it makes the Galaxy Nexus look like a BlackBerry. Until you get used to it, expect to feel a little funny in public with this thing. One person actually thought it was a Kindle Fire. The size of the Note might not be for everyone, but the real question is how we see it one year from now. I remember when people thought 4.3-inches was too big for a phone and now it’s a standard. Only time will tell, but it’s growing on me.

The S Pen is a really nice design. This isn’t a straight stylus as it includes a small button on the side that you utilize when doing certain shortcuts like a screenshot or opening the menu. With accessories such as these, one might expect cheapness, but Samsung didn’t go that route. It feels good and looks good.

Hardware

The AT&T version features a 5.3-inch (1280 x 800) Super AMOLED display, 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 16GB internal memory, microSD for up to an additional 32GB, HDMI through MHL/USB 2.0 port, NFC, 4G LTE, HSPA+ at 21.1 Mbps, and a 2500mAh battery.

Battery

Since it’s a large phone, Samsung was able to pack a decent sized battery. They put in a 2500mAh, which is much bigger than just about every phone, except for the incredible DROID RAZR MAXX, which has a 3300mAh battery. I don’t live in an AT&T LTE area so I couldn’t test how it performed under those conditions. Under normal HSPA+ 4G conditions, the battery performed very well as one might expect. You won’t have a problem getting through the entire day from wake-up to bedtime with moderate to heavy use. I did run a straight video test where I played video continuously, and it lasted 6 hours. This was while connected to HSPA+ (not LTE) and the screen brightness was turned up to about 2/3′s.

Performance


There are many people out there that swear by the Exynos processors that are in most Samsung devices, but unfortunately because of LTE compatibility, Samsung went with the Qualcomm MSM8660. I’m a firm believer that the average person can’t tell the difference between processors, but I will say that I noticed some lag at times with the Note. Was it so awful that I wouldn’t recommend it? Absolutely not, but it’s worth noting (no pun intended). I did run the AnTuTu

Benchmark which came in at 6381, which puts it just above the Galaxy S II and just below the Galaxy Nexus. The bottom line is this phone is pretty quick the majority of the time.

It’s a tradition for Samsung devices to have a nice display, and the Galaxy Note is no exception. The Super AMOLED display is gorgeous to look at. With 5.3-inches of space it’s amazing how much can fit on the screen. The biggest difference is you get 5 icons across and web pages are much more pleasing to look at since you get more coverage.

Software

I would say the biggest negative for the Galaxy Note is that it has Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread. With the SDK for Android 4.0 being out for over 4 months, it’s a disappointment that this and many other phones are launching without it. The Note isn’t a new device since it has been available overseas for several months, but still, it’s a letdown. For now, the plan is for ICS to land on the the Note between March and May of this year. If that translates to this variant, only time will tell.

As far as software goes, it’s a traditional TouchWiz phone with all the same UI enhancements in the Galaxy S II variants. Of course there is one major addition, and that’s support for the S Pen. They have included S Memo for taking quick notes. It actually goes beyond that because there are so many options available as in the type of pen or marker to adding in photos and other images. I show all of this in my unboxing video. There are also several apps available in the Android Market that are S Pen optimized. You can find them through Samsung Apps or by searching for “Galaxy Note” in the

Android Market. Some of the ones I tried were Soonr Scribble, Hello Color Pencil, Hello Crayon, Hello Chalk, Comic Book, OmniSketch, and FreeNote. I did a quick hands on video of all of these that you can checkout here.

As far as bloatware, you will get AllShare, Amazon Kindle, AT&T Code Scanner, AT&T FamilyMap, AT&T Navigator, AT&T Ready2Go, Crayon Physics (which is a game utilizing the S Pen), Kies air, Live TV, Samsung Media Hub, AT&T Messages, Mini Diary (personal diary utilizing the S Pen), Movies, MyAT&T, Polaris Office, Qik Lite, Samsung Apps, and Samsung Social Hub.

Accessories

Samsung was nice enough to send me a couple of accessories to try out. First up was the S Pen Holder Kit (pictured below), which retails for about $45.00. Even in the Palm Pilot days, I never carried around an additional stylus as I was always fine with just whipping out the built-in stylus. I’ve found that I continue to feel the same way 10-years later. I have no issues pulling out the S Pen from the Note itself, but I will say that the S Pen holder is very comfortable to write with. If you don’t mind carrying the extra baggage than definitely buy one.

 I also tried the Flip Cover (pictured below). This one actually replaces your battery cover so it becomes “permanently” attached to the Note. It’s not actually permanent, but you won’t want to remove your phone from it on a regular basis unless you want to carry your original battery cover with you. So if you want to hold the note up to your ear for phone calls, it would be quite awkward with the flip cover. Of course a lot of people have a problem holding a 5.3-inch phone up to their ear anyway so this cover makes a lot of sense especially if you always use Bluetooth. It retails for about $25.00.




Camera

Samsung cameras are one of the best. I think the Note takes great pictures, but don’t expect it to have zero shutter lag like the Galaxy Nexus. The camera itself is better so I’m willing to take the delay for better quality. It’s a pleasure having a phone in which whenever you take a picture, it comes out right every time. Here’s some example photos, with the last one dimly lit and requiring flash

Closing

The Galaxy Note isn’t for everyone, but one has to wonder if Samsung is ahead of its time.  On one hand it seems like the S Pen is so 90′s, but at the same time, it seems like it could be the future. I’ve already written about how I think tablets are a waste of money so I think the  Galaxy Note is a happy medium. It’s big, but small enough to be mobile and you can be as productive as ever on it. The problem with tablets is they generally don’t have a data connection. Yes, some models do, but who wants to pay for an extra data plan? The Galaxy Note gives you a data connection full time and yes, it does fit in your pocket. For people who want to be productive on the road, the Galaxy Note makes perfect sense to me, but if you don’t agree, I suspect that you will in about a year from now. For those of you that already agree with me, go ahead and buy it now and don’t look back.

READ MORE - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Review, It’s time to be noteworthy

T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant

No I’m not holding the new Samsung iPhone, it’s actually the T-Mobile Vibrant, T-Mobile’s latest and greatest Android offering. The Vibrant, like all Galaxy S phones has great list of specs:

• 1GHz Hummingbird CPU
• 800×480 Super AMOLED Display
• 16GB Internal storage
• 5MP Camera w/ 720p video capabilities

Once you get your Vibrant home from your local T-Mobile store, you’ll be greeted by the normal accesories: You’ve got your microSD to SD adapter, USB to AC adapter, miniUSB data/charging cable and earbuds with multiple inserts to fit different sized ears.

To get a more in-depth look at what’s in the box, check out our unboxing and first impressions of the Vibrant. But enough of the boring stuff, let’s get to the video review:

Now that you’re familiar with the phone and what you get in the box, let’s talk about the performance. Simply put, this thing is a screamer. Its GPU simply chews up and spits out any content you can throw at it. Since it’s a Galaxy S phone, you can check out our review of the AT&T Captivate which contains all the performance benchmarks of the device.

As for what’s unique about to Vibrant in comparison to the Captivate, there are few different apps that you’ll get.

• The The first one that comes to mind is Layar.

Layar is an augmented reality app that uses your phones camera to overlay digital “layars.” Just check out their video:

Now in real-world usage, I didn’t find Layar that useful. Maybe there’s just nothing interesting around me (lol, there is) but I just didn’t seem to get that much from the app. Maybe you’ll find a use for it, but I just wasn’t that interested in it, it really is more of a novelty than anything. But again, that’s just my opinion.


Next is GoGo in-flight internet.

GoGo in-flight internet is currently available on more than 3,000 daily flights in the United States and is available on the following airlines
With your Vibrant, you get one free month of GoGo and you just need to register your device to activate it:




There is also the My Device app.

The My Device app gives you quick access to a few things on your phone. Namely commonly personalized features, quick tools, Tips & Tricks (even though there aren’t any tips or tricks present, check out our Galaxy S tips & tricks for useful info) and finally storage and battery.

Also unique to the Vibrant, is the My Account app.
The My Account app allows you to check out the activity, alerts, billing and plan & services of your device.

Another unique app on the Vibrant is visual voicemail.
Unfortunately, this visual voicemail isn’t the kind you’re thinking of. The visual voicemail app on the Vibrant will not translate your voicemail from voice to text, but rather it gives you a visual listing of your voicemail messages:

The last app which doesn’t need much said about it is Slacker Radio. Slacker is a subscription-based streaming music service that is either $4.99/month or $3.99/month when paid 12 months in advance. Obviously I didn’t touch much on Avatar or The Sims 3, but those are ones you really need to watch the video review to do them justice.

As for the camera on the Vibrant, it’s identical to the Captivate’s, so you can view our sample images and video here.

So all in all, the Vibrant is a great phone. The display is gorgeous, the CPU is fast, the GPU is incredibly fast and besides the low-light picture quality, I don’t really have many complaints about the phone. If you’re looking for a new phone on T-Mobile, the Vibrant is the obvious choice.

Pros

• Gorgeous Super AMOLED screen
• Incredible GPU power
• 1GHz CPU
• Camera (as long as you have enough light)
• TouchWiz 3 (some people will like it)

Cons

• Not the best battery life once you start using the CPU/GPU
• Camera, pictures in low-light really aren’t that great
• Looks like an iPhone
• All-plastic construction makes it feel cheap compared to the metal-backed Captivate

READ MORE - T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant

Hands-on review – AT&T Samsung Infuse 4G

Earlier this week, we did a basic unboxing of the Samsung Infuse 4G. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of using this phone for a couple of days, and I must say… it’s nice. The 4.5″ Super AMOLED Plus screen delivers an awesome viewing experience, along with a ridiculous viewing angle. The speed is pretty snappy, and the response time on commands is quick. All in all, a pretty good buy from the guys at AT&T for $199, which is the sale price when the infuse goes on sale 5/15/11.

Be sure to hit the break for the full review, and if you haven’t checked out the unboxing, hit it up here. Let us know what you think in the comments!

READ MORE - Hands-on review – AT&T Samsung Infuse 4G

Spring Samsung Conquer 4G [Review]

We had a chance to get our hands on a new Samsung Conquer 4G on Sprint, and we would like to share it with you. The phone is considered an entry level device, although we here at TalkAndroid are giving it the thumbs up to be called mid-range. With a 1GHz CPU and the overall snappiness of the device, this phone deserves a little more “oomph” than “entry level”. The overall feel of the phone is good, and the fact that it comes with stock Vanilla Android as the UI excites the heck out of this writer.

If you’re wanting the full rundown of the device, hit the break for both the unboxing and review videos, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.





 

READ MORE - Spring Samsung Conquer 4G [Review]

Samsung Galaxy Nexus: First smartphone with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Super AMOLED HD display

Here’s the official press release (below) for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. We already covered the specs earlier, but you might find some of the details interesting. One thing to note is the LTE version may differ slightly. This is probably going to mean it will be a little thicker than the 8.94mm spec. Again just a quick rundown of the specs:

• Android 4.0 Ice Cream
• 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED Screen with 720p resolution
• 1.2GHz dual-core processor
• Redsigned UI in Android 4.0
• Improved multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support, full web browsing
• Android 4.0 features Software Navigation buttons – brand new
• People App with Google+ Integration among other features
• Redesigned camera with panorama mode, 1080p video, zero-shutter lag, silly faces and background replacement features
• Face Unlock: Facial recognition to unlock your phone! BOOM that just happened.
• Android Beam uses NFC to easily share content with other Android users with the bump of phones
• PURE GOOGLE EXPERIENCE
• All the Google Apps you love from Android Market and GMail to Movie Studio and redesigned Google+ app
• 8.94mm thick, 4.29mm bezel
• LTE and HSPA+ connectivity
• Available in USA, Europe, and Asia beginning in November and then rolled out globally

Full Press Release after the break:

Samsung and Google introduce GALAXY Nexus

World’s First Smartphone to feature Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a HD Super AMOLED display

Hong Kong – October 19, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a leading mobile device provider, and Google, today announced GALAXY Nexus™, the world’s first smartphone running Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest release of the Android platform. GALAXY Nexus features a 4.65” HD Super AMOLED display technology at 720p resolution and a 1.2GHz dual core processor.

“Samsung and Google have closely collaborated to push the mobile experience forward. We are pleased to deliver the best Android smartphone experience for customers with GALAXY Nexus. We will continue to move forward with Android to provide the compelling consumer experience in mobile world,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business.

“Ice Cream Sandwich demonstrates the Android platform’s continued innovation with one release that works on phones and tablets and everything in between. Features like Android Beam and Face Unlock show the innovative work our team is doing, and GALAXY Nexus showcases the power behind Ice Cream Sandwich,” said Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President of Mobile for Google.

The first smartphone to feature Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwich brings an entirely new look and feel to Android. It has a redesigned user interface with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support and a full web browsing experience. GALAXY Nexus features software navigation buttons, a first for Android smartphones. The lock screen, home screen, phone app, and everything in between has been rethought and redesigned to make Android simple, beautiful, and useful.

Ice Cream Sandwich also features a new People app, which lets you, browse friends, family, and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution, and check their latest status updates from Google+ and other social networks. GALAXY Nexus features a redesigned camera which introduces panorama mode, 1080p video capture, zero-shutter lag, and effects like silly faces and background replacement.
GALAXY Nexus is also connected to the cloud, keeping your email, contacts, and all other data synced across your devices. You have access to more than 300,000 apps and games from Android Market™, or, in certain countries, you can buy and read books, or rent movies and stream them instantly from your phone. In the U.S., you can also upload your music to the cloud with Music Beta by Google and listen anywhere, even when offline.

Ice Cream Sandwich introduces innovations such as Face Unlock which uses facial recognition to unlock your phone. Using NFC technology, Android Beam allows you to quickly share web pages, apps, and YouTube™ videos with your friends by simply tapping your phones together. You can even use fun effects while shooting video or video chatting with Google Talk™.


Google Experience

GALAXY Nexus is designed to provide a “pure Google,” experience, and with it, you will be the first to receive software upgrades and new applications as they become available. It also features a number of Google Mobile services, including: Android Market, Gmail™, Google Maps™ 5.0 with 3D maps and turn-by-turn navigation, Google Earth™, Movie Studio, YouTube™, syncing with Google Calendar™, and a redesigned Google+ app.


Best-in-class hardware meets the most advanced software

GALAXY Nexus is the first smartphone to feature a 4.65’’ display with a market-leading resolution of 720p (1280×720), ensuring you can enjoy GALAXY Nexus’ immersive entertainment capabilities and fast web browsing in superior clarity.

Succeeding the original Contour Display of Nexus S, GALAXY Nexus comes with a rounded shape that fits perfectly within your palm or to your face for phone calling. Hyper-skin backing on the battery cover improves the ergonomic feel of the device and makes the phone slip-resistant. At just 8.94mm thick, with a minimal 4.29mm bezel, GALAXY Nexus provides superb portability alongside an expansive screen.

GALAXY Nexus also features an ultra-fast 1.2GHz dual core processor, providing superior power and speed, ensuring you can take full advantage of GALAXY Nexus’ enhanced multitasking capabilities with ease, or enjoy the large, vivid display to its full capacity with high-definition gaming or video streaming. LTE or HSPA+ connectivity combined with a dual core processor delivers high-speed web browsing which ensures you always have the web at your fingertips, wherever you are.
GALAXY Nexus will be available in the U.S., Europe, and Asia beginning in November and gradually rolled out to other global markets.

* Specifications above may differ on the LTE version.
* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.


About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.


Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of nine independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Google, Nexus, Android, Android Market, YouTube, Google Talk, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Earth, and Google Calendar are trademarks of Google, Inc.

READ MORE - Samsung Galaxy Nexus: First smartphone with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Super AMOLED HD display

Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0 Unboxing and Initial Review

It’s been a little over a month since Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Players for the United States. The Galaxy Players have been available overseas for some time, but as of about 2 weeks ago you can purchase either model in the states. The Galaxy Player 5.0 features a 5-inch (800 x 480) Super Clear LCD display and the Galaxy Player 4.0 features a 4-inch (800 x 480) Super Clear LCD display. These are WiFi only devices similar to the iPod Touch, but you still have the full Android Market and all the capabilities of a typical Android phone minus mobile data connectivity.

 Both come with a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 3.2MP rear camera, VGA front camera, 8GB built in memory (expandable to another 32GB via microSD), and Gingerbread 2.3.5. You will find a bigger battery in the 5.0, which is at 2,500mAh, as opposed to 1,200mAh for the 4.0. You can purchase the 5.0 for $269 or the 4.0 for $229 through all major retailers. So far it looks like a really nice device for those that just want something simple to use in the house for media and playing games. I will give a full review soon, but for now, check out the initial hands on after the break.

READ MORE - Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0 Unboxing and Initial Review

Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket unboxing and initial hands on [Video]

The Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket (SGH-I727) is one of the first two LTE phones for AT&T, which by the way, will cover 15 markets by November 20. It’s essentially the same Galaxy S II that’s available now on AT&T, but with a bigger 4.5-inch (800 x 480) Super AMOLED Plus screen, a Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and of course the 4G LTE compatibility. It’s actually a lot like the T-Mobile version of the Galaxy S II, but a little thinner. Other notable specs include 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera with 1080p video recording, 2MP front camera, 1850mAh battery, 16GB internal storage, up to an additional 32GB with microSD card, Bluetooth, WiFi, and Android 2.3.5.

It’s priced at $249.99 with a 2-year contract. I would highly recommend this version over the standard Galaxy S II even if you don’t live in one of the LTE markets. Don’t forget, you are signing a 2-year contract so it’s likely that LTE will come your way during your contract, not to mention you will enjoy a slightly larger screen. Of course if you live in a completely rural area, you might do better sticking with the original.

We probably won’t do an in depth review on this one because the only notable difference from the T-Mobile version and this one is the AT&T 4G LTE compatibility. Unfortunately, I’m not in one of the 15 markets to review battery life and speeds, but if I notice anything notable, I will certainly let you know. For now, checkout our review of the T-Mobile version and my quick hands on video after the break:

READ MORE - Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket unboxing and initial hands on [Video]