Samsung to consider freeing up memory in Galaxy S4

After a BBC consumer affairs show investigates complaints that the 16GB phone actually gives consumers just half that amount, Samsung says it is “reviewing the possibility” of freeing up more space.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

 

Samsung is changing its tune regarding Galaxy S4’s storage after the phone appeared on the BBC’s Watchdog, saying it will try to squeeze its myriad features into a smaller space, freeing up more memory for apps.

The BBC’s consumer affairs show investigated the Android powerhouse’s claims of 16GB of storage, after users complained the phone has only half of that available.

“We appreciate this issue being raised and we will improve our communications,” a Samsung spokesperson told CNET UK. “Also, we are reviewing the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimization.” The company had previously defended its position, saying the lack of space was necessary to provide owners with “more powerful features.” The S4 is more feature-packed than ever before, although in our review we questioned whether many people would ever use even a fraction of them.

 

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• Samsung May Boost Galaxy S4 Storage Space Following Investigation (laptopmag.com)

Get your Galaxy S4’s screen on your TV

Find out how to mirror your phone’s display on your TV so that you can enjoy music, video, and games on the big screen.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Despite the ever-increasing screen size on Samsung’s Galaxy line, some types of media beg for a sit-back, big-screen experience. It could be a YouTube video, or just a little something you shot (and even edited!) on your phone. And, as more developers support this option, mirroring can even enable you to play games on your TV while your phone acts as a controller.

The S4 offers a few ways to mirror your phone’s screen (not just media) onto your TV, so that whatever you see on your phone is what appears on the TV.

Depending on which accessory you use, the setup can be wired or wireless, with each solution offering its own unique benefits. Find out which scenario suits you best.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Wired mirroring

A lesser-known feature, the S4’s micro-USB port actually doubles as an MHL-out port, letting you output HD video and 7.1 surround sound, all while charging your phone. With this wired connection you’ll be tethered to your TV, but the benefit of that hard-wired connection is that you get glitch-free mirroring, since wireless mirroring can sometimes give you tinny audio and laggy video.

This setup isn’t ideal for quick switching between short YouTube videos or sharing a photo slideshow, though. Ideally, you’d use this wired method for playing a movie or a longer playlist.

To set it up, you’ll need Samsung’s MHL-to-HDMI adapter.

But before you hook up the cables, there’s a little setup on your phone. Head to Settings > My Device > Accessory; tap “Audio output” and tick “Surround.” Now, using an HDMI cord, connect the MHL-to-HDMI cable to one of your TV’s HDMI-in ports, and your wall charger to the input on the side of the adapter. Finally, switch the input source on your TV. Anything you see on your phone will display on the TV, and any audio will output to your home-theater system.

(Credit: Samsung)

Wireless mirroring

Dig through your S4’s Settings panel and you’ll see a “Screen mirroring” option without an explanation of how it even works. After some sleuthing, it turns out the feature works two ways: with (surprise) Samsung TVs or with Samsung’s AllShare Cast dongle.

Mirroring doesn’t work with just any Samsung TV, though — the feature will become available only on 2013 Smart TV models that haven’t yet been released. So, if you’re not willing to wait, or a new TV isn’t in your future, consider using Samsung’s dongle instead.

The dongle, available at a discount from Amazon, adds that wireless mirroring and media beamingfeature to any HDTV. To set it up, start by connecting it to your HDTV and switching to that source input. When the light on the Hub blinks red, press the reset button and it’ll turn blue.

Then, on your phone, go to Settings > Connections > Screen mirroring. Turn the feature on, and after a few seconds, the dongle should appear in the device list. Tap it, and your device will start mirroring in the big screen.

Besides playing audio and video, wireless mirroring also packs a little surprise for gamers. Some games, like Dungeon Hunter and Real Racing 3, offer a second screen experience, displaying the game on your TV and turning your phone into the controller.

Related articles

• Cnet tech: The big picture: Projection screen basics (reviews.cnet.com)
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• Roku’s Streaming Stick shrinks the Roku box into a dongle (reviews.cnet.com)

New Galaxy S4 ad trashes Apple: iPhone is so old ( Samsung Insulting Apple )

Having gotten over its tame international launch of the S4, Samsung’s American arm resumes its denigration of Apple, suggesting only old folks own an iPhone.

You thought it might be all over?
You thought that Samsung had tired of suggesting Apple was a fading brand for geriatrics?
You may also have thought that the world runs on Cabernet and common sense.
Yes, the Galaxy S4 was launched on a rocket of the beige and the tasteless. But those were just the corporate folks doing their thing.
Now, the American arm of Samsung has returned to its own style. This involves squishing Apple till it’s cider.
Here we are at a high school graduation pool party presented by the latest Samsung ad.
The cooler people all have the new Galaxy S4. The slightly less cool people all have iPhones.
The slightly less cool people might loosely be described as parents. (I say “loosely,” because parenting just isn’t what it used to be, is it?)

As the party rolls on and the soft drinks flow, the iPhone-owning parents begin to realize just how retrograde they are.

These snotty kids can answer their phones by merely waving at them.
They can kiss their phones together to transmit data to each other, too. It’s as if the tactile love that was so prevalent in the ’60s has now been transposed to the gadgets of the ’10s.
“So some smartphones are smarter than other smartphones?” muses one graybeard, who looks like he’s been addled by too much Cointreau and lawyering.
Meanwhile, the Beverly Hills 902013s continue to humiliate the olds with their technical wizardry.
Yes, the Galaxy S4 even works as your TV remote, you dye-haired daddy doddering toward dotage.
This tweaking of the Apple cheek has been going on for a while now, and it’s becoming enjoyably brutal.
The positioning of Apple as a faded dame might remind some of Mac vs. PC, when the pitiful blobbery of Microsoft was exposed by Apple for all to see and laugh at.

Shoe, meet other foot.

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• Samsung releases new Galaxy S4 commercial, targets the iPhone. Well. (imore.com)
• Should we call the Galaxy S4, S3s? Is Samsung following Apple’s strategy? (teksocial.com)

Samsung Galaxy S4 earns Pentagon security nod

The Pentagon has given the official nod to any Samsung device protected by the Knox security software, which for now includes just the Galaxy S4.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 has been approved for government use.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

 

Samsung is now clear to start pitching its new flagship phone to the government.

The handset maker announced today that its Knox-enabled mobile devices have been approved by the Pentagon for government use. Samsung’s Knox software offers high-level encryption, a VPN feature, and a way to separate personal data from work data. The software also enables IT administrators to manage a mobile device through specific policies.

For now, the Galaxy S4 is the only Samsung device equipped with Knox. But the company promises that other smartphones as well as tablets will receive the security software.

The thumb’s up from the Pentagon means that the S4 and future Knox devices can be used by U.S. government and military deparments that tap into the Department of Defense networks. Access to these networks requires high security standards, and the S4 is the first Android phone to meet the requirements, according to Samsung.

The new security clearance also opens up certain types of businesses as potential new customers for Samsung.

“We are very pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved Samsung Knox-enabled devices for use in DoD networks,” Samsung Mobile president JK Shin said in a statement. “This approval enables other government agencies and regulated industries such as health care and financial services to adopt Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets. This is a significant milestone for Samsung as we work to grow our relationships within government and large corporate enterprises.”

Related articles

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• Samsung Galaxy S4 gets Pentagon approval, breaking BlackBerry’s hold on the US government (thenextweb.com)

Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen Widget Tutorial

via: motodroidlife

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5, HTC One, and BlackBerry Z10

Now that the verdict’s in on the Samsung Galaxy S4, CNET stacks its specs up against those of three other hot flagship handsets.

It’s been nearly 10 months since the highly successful Samsung Galaxy S3 was first released in the U.S., and in a few more days, the Galaxy S4 will be sold online and in several retail stores across the U.S.

With a 5-inch HD screen, a 13-megapixel camera, and either a quad- or octa-core processor (the U.S. will get the former), the GS4 is dressed to the nines with hardware goods.

So how does it stack up against its current competition? Based purely on a spec-by-spec showdown, we compare the handset with three other popular flagships, all on different OS platforms: Apple’s iPhone 5, the HTC One, and the BlackBerry Z10.

Judge for yourselves (as we’re sure you will) whether Samsung’s newest device has what it takes to bring down its rivals. And if you’re curious about how it stacks up against its GS3 predecessor, check out our other chart.

Spec	Samsung Galaxy S4	Apple iPhone 5	HTC One	BlackBerry Z10
Operating system*	Android 4.2.2	iOS 6	Android 4.1	BB10
Dimensions	5.38 inches by 2.71 inches by 0.31 inch; 4.6 ounces	4.87 inches by 2.31 inches by 0.3 inch; 3.95 ounces	5.41 inches by 2.69 inches by 0.37 inch; 5.04 ounces	5.12 inches by 2.58 inches by 0.35 inch; 4.78 ounces
Display	5-inch full HD Super AMOLED; 1,920×1,080 pixels, 441ppi	4-inch IPS LCD; 1,136×640 pixels, 326ppi	4.7-inch LCD; 1,920×1,080 pixels, 468ppi	4.2-inch LCD; 1,280×768 pixels, 355ppi
4G LTE	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Rear camera and recording	13-megapixel, 1080p HD video	8-megapixel, 1080p HD video	4-megapixel (UltraPixel), 1080p HD video	8-megapixel, 1080p HD video
Front-facing camera	2-megapixel	1.2-megapixel	2.1-megapixel	2-megapixel
Processor	1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 (U.S. version); or proprietary 1.6GHz octa-core Exynos 5 Octa	Proprietary A6	1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600	1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus
Capacity	16GB, 32GB, 64GB	16GB, 32GB, 64GB	32GB, 64GB	16GB
Expandable memory	Up to 64GB	No	No	Up to 64GB
Battery	2,600mAh	Not disclosed by Apple	2,300mAh	1,800mAh
Price	AT&T: $199, 16GB with contract; T-Mobile: $149.99 down plus $20 per month for 24 months; U.S. Cellular: $199, 16GB with contract; Sprint: $249, 16GB with contract, new customers get it for $149; all other carriers TBA	16GB, $199; 34GB, $299, 64GB, $399	AT&T: 32GB, $199.99 and 64GB, $299.99 both with contract; Sprint: 32GB, $199.99 with contract; Developer Edition: 64GB, $649, all other carriers TBA	$199 on Verizon with contract
Carriers	AT&T, Cricket, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon	AT&T, Cricket, Sprint, Verizon	AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile	AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
Available colors	Black, white	Black, white	Silver	Black, white (Verizon only)

via: Cnet

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Samsung prepares water / dust resistant Galaxy S4

 

According to techview.me Samsung prepares a new kind of Galaxy S4. During the QnA session, Young Soo Kim (President Samsung Gulf) said that a ruggedized Samsung S4 which would be water proof and dust proof is in the works. We haven’t confirmed anything yet, but it sounds cool. The Galaxy S4 water / dust proof isn’t the only rumoured Galaxy S4 variant. Samsung even prepares the Galaxy S4 mini which has been delayed internal till June/July. According to Young Soo Kim (President Samsung Gulf) will Samsung announce the water / dust resistant Galaxy S4 in the coming weeks.

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Making the change from iPhone to Android as easy as possible

Moving your stuff from your iPhone to an Android phone doesn’t have to be exceptionally laborious. Here’s how you can make that transition smoothly.

(Credit: Jason Cipriani/CNET)

Is iOS starting to feel a bit stale for your taste? It’s something I’m hearing more and more as I talk to iOS users, or former iOS users. With some amazing Android phones hitting the market, it’s tough not to get caught checking out the competition — or even feeling a bit compelled to make the jump to Android.

But before you make the change, there are some kinks that need to be worked out to make the process go as smoothly as possible. You likely have contacts, a calendar, photos, and music that you’ll want to bring over to your new Android device. Some of these are going to be pretty easy to get transferred, while others are going to take some work. So sit down in front of your computer, preferably with both devices, and let’s get started.

Before you begin setting up your Android device, you’re going to need a Google account, be it a Google Apps or Gmail account. It’s not required on an Android device, but if you’re going to take advantage of all that Android has to offer, you’ll want to sign up for one. You’ll be asked to log in to this account during the initial setup process on your Android device. If you skipped this step and want to go back and add the account later, you can go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google. This same process can be followed to add another type of account (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.).

Contacts, Calendar and Mail

If your contacts are syncing from your iPhone to Gmail, transferring them will be a breeze. Just make sure you sign into your Android device using the same account you use on your iPhone and make sure Contact sync is enabled. For other accounts, such as Yahoo, you’ll need to export your contact list from the Web site for the account. You can typically find this in settings for your account. Or, some carriers offer a free app in the App Store built specifically for transferring your contacts. Verizon and AT&T have apps that do just that.

Should you be an iCloud user, you can still use your iCloud account to sync calendars and contacts to your Android device, but you’re going to have to purchase a couple of apps. I have talked about one of the apps before, called SmoothSync for Cloud Contacts; the calendar app is called SmoothSync for Cloud Calendar. These two apps will add your iCloud account to your Android device, allowing you to keep your iPad or Mac in sync with your Android device. This comes in especially useful if you’re sharing an iCloud calendar with a family member and don’t want to force him or her to switch to Google Calendar just because you’ve switched to Android.

Music

Perhaps one of the quickest steps of moving from an iPhone to Android is getting your music collection on your new device. What you’ll need to do is download the Google Music app to your computer and point it at your music collection. Google will then store your music in the cloud, up to 20,000 songs for free, and let you stream it on your shiny new Android device via the Music app. Anytime you add new music to your catalog, the Music Manager app will automatically upload and sync it to your Android device for you.

If using Google Music isn’t possible for you, you can drag-and-drop the music on your computer into the Music folder (create one if it’s not present) on your Android device via a USB connection. Mac users will have to use the Android File Transfer app to access their device’s storage.

Photos

With the introduction of iCloud and its Photo Stream service, getting photos off your iOS device is easy. Using iPhoto on a Mac, or installing the iCloud Control Panel on a Windows machine you can conveniently grab photos from your iPhone and then sync them to your Android device via USB or through your Google+ account.

For videos on your iPhone, you’ll need to use iTunes, iPhoto, or a file explorer to grab the files. Using a program like iExplorer, Image Capture (found in the Utilities folder on a Mac), or the native Windows File Explorer taking the files off your device is simple.

Going forward, you can sync photos from your Android device to your computer via USB, or by installing the Dropbox app and enabling its Camera Upload feature. Rather not mess with a file explorer? The Dropbox Camera Upload feature is another method to get photos off of your iPhone and on to your computer.

Customizing

One of the biggest changes you’ll experience when switching over from an iPhone to an Android device is the ability to customize your device. The options for changing different aspects of your Android device are nearly endless. While it’s hard to cover all of the different ways to customize your device, this post covers 12 of the more popular methods. From assigning ringtones to contacts, editing contact photos, to adding custom ringtones and wallpaper, you’ll find apps and guides to help with the transition from iOS to Android.

Twelve ways to customize your Android device

Whenever you switch from one platform to another, there’s always a headache that goes along with the first few weeks of using the device. Hopefully this guide helped ease the headache a bit and sped up the learning process.

via: cnet

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Will Samsung’s next phone be metal like the iPhone?

Rumors emerging from South Korea suggest that Samsung is concerned that the build quality of the iPhone and the HTC One puts its Galaxy Phone in a cheap light.

Will they soon be made of sterner stuff?
(Credit: CNET)

There’s something about the plastic nature of Samsung’s phones that make them slightly less attractive.

To me, that is.

I know that there are millions to whom it doesn’t make a difference. There are even many, no doubt, who believe — in some idiosyncratic way — that plastic says now, rather than, oh, six months ago.

Some of these people are 13 years old.

However, not all of these people work for Samsung. Indeed, the SamMobile blog last week revealed that it had heard whispers from South Korea that some at Samsung believe plastic isn’t quite fantastic.

It appears that the metal sophistication of the iPhone 5 and the recent appearance of the HTC One, with its very pretty all-aluminum nature, have injected additional quandaries into Samsung’s furrowed brows.

This has resulted in strong pulses suggesting that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may be metal or perhaps some other substance. But not plastic.

Moreover, there apparently existed a metal prototype of the Galaxy S4 that had a lot of souls leaping in Seoul. The time difficulties associated with mass producing such metal phones may have influenced the ultimate choice of the S4’s familiar plastic.

Defenders of plastic offer a myriad of practicalities in its design use. But perhaps there is a bigger question: given how successful both the S series and the Galaxy Note have been, has plastic become something of a brand differentiator for Samsung?

Do people truly embrace the plastic nature or is it something they accept that comes along with the joy of large screens and easy sharing of sex tapes?

And what if Apple decided to release its much-rumored cheaper iPhone and it turned out to be plastic? This week, an image of just such a thing slithered into public view.

Would the appearance of an inexpensive iPhone put even more pressure on Samsung to upgrade its materials on more expensive phones?

But if it did, would Apple’s aluminum-hearted lawyers rush to Judge Lucy Koh and sniffle that Samsung was copying Apple again? You know, just for the fun of it.

One can imagine some of the tortured questions plaguing minds at Samsung’s HQ. One can imagine designers staring hard at production and money people and demanding to have their way.

It’s often said that design trumps everything at Apple. What if Samsung decided that it, too, would commit itself to that notion?

Does it really take that much head-banging to embrace metallica? Or, by the time Samsung does, will metal suddenly be passe?

via: Technically Incorrect

 

Verizon’s Galaxy S4 sign-up page is finally live

America’s biggest carrier was slow to get on board with Samsung’s latest Android flagship device, but now it’s official.

Big Red is on board for the fourth voyage to a magical Korean Galaxy.
(Credit: Screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET)

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S4 page is finally live, giving America’s largest wireless carrier a way for folks to get in line for what’s been the most anticipated new phone of this year so far.

Earlier in the week, Verizon Wireless tweeted that the GS4 would be hitting its 4G LTE network in May and promised that more details would soon be forthcoming.

The sign up page that went live this week on the Verizon Wireless site doesn’t offer any of those details, it’s just a place to enter your e-mail and thereby consent to being spammed by the carrier about all things Samsung.

Being the big dog on the wireless block, Verizon apparently doesn’t feel a need to be first with what’s expected to be a pretty hot new phone. Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile will have the Galaxy S4 in stores later this month, and AT&T has already been taking pre-orders for a few days now.

No word yet on pricing from Verizon either, but it’s likely to be in the range offered by its competitors, which includes a $149 promotion for some new Sprint customers that bring their old number over to the carrier, on up to the full retail price of $639.

via:  Crave