Samsung Project J could bring us three devices: Galaxy S IV with wireless charging, S IV mini and... a smartwatch

The Samsung Galaxy S IV is without a doubt the most anticipated Android device this year, and while there is still no official information about the upcoming Samsung flagship, here is an extremely interesting rumor. Stick with us here, the Samsung Galaxy S IV first leaked as Project J, and then was referred to in rumors by the Altius codename, which was later on associated with the GT-I9500 model name.

So basically, we can assume the Galaxy S IV would get released as the Samsung GT-I9500, if those rumors are to be believed. So far so good, looking back at things you’d logically assume the Galaxy S IV was also Project J.

And while that may be true, a leaked list of accessories suggests Project J is not just one device, but actually consists of three devices. And the Samsung Galaxy S IV is only one of those three. And while it is the most anticipated one, the other two might prove equally interesting.

But before we continue with those, let’s see what the leaked list of accessories for the Project J Altius (aka the Galaxy S IV) reveals. Apart from the covers and pouches, we have a 2,600mAh battery as an accessory. That is likely a replacement battery and we can assume the S IV will launch with 2,600mAh battery as well.

Next comes a wireless charging kit, so one could also think the S IV is getting wireless charging capabilities built in.

Moving on to the next on the Project J list is the J Mini Serrano, which could well turn out to be a Samsung Galaxy S IV mini of a kind judging by the three covers listed for it.

Finally, we have probably the most exciting piece of news. Samsung might be working on a smartwatch under the Project J Active Fortius codename. That is something strongly suggested by the accessories for the mysterious device - an arm band and a bike mount. Take a look at all the leaked accessories, obtained by Sammobile and let us know what you think about those upcoming gadgets.

Project J Altius:
- Clear Cover
- Flip Cover
- Protective Cover
- Pouch
- Extra Battery Kit
- Battery 2600 mah
- Wireless Charging Kit
- HDTV Adapter
- Headset

Project J Mini Serrano:
- Clear Cover
- Flip Cover
- Protective Cover

Project J Active Fortius:
- Arm Band
- Bike Mount
- Pouch

source: Sam Mobile

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BlackBerry Z10 teardown reveals key Qualcomm and Samsung internals

The BlackBerry Z10 has already arrived in a few markets and while we are still waiting for it to arrive in the United States bringing the new BlackBerry 10 platform in March, UBM Tech Insights has torn the whole device down revealing its hardware. Somewhat surprisingly, it is very similar to the LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy S III in that it runs on an identical Qualcomm chip. BlackBerry has obviously ditched its previous partner Texas Instruments and opted for Qualcomm’s chips.

The BlackBerry Z10 has a Qualcomm MSM8960 chip manufactured on the 28nm node with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. The chip integrates 3G and 4G LTE on board.

Otherwise, the Z10 uses two other key Samsung components - a 2GB RAM module and 16GB of Samsung-made internal flash storage.

Below is a listing of the key hardware components in the Z10:

Samsung K3PE0E000A - Multichip Memory - 2 GB Mobile DDR2 SDRAM Samsung KLMAG2GE4A - Multichip Memory - 16 GB MLC NAND Flash, Controller Qualcomm MSM8960 - Snapdragon S4 Baseband / Applications Processor Qualcomm WCD9310 - Audio Codec Qualcomm PM8921 - Power Management ICQualcomm RTR8600 - GSM / CDMA / W-CDMA / LTE RxD Transceiver + GPS Texas Instruments WL1273L - Single-Chip 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth, and FM TriQuint TQP6M9017 - Dual-Band WLAN ModuleRF Micro Devices RF7252 - CDMA/WCDMA BAND 2 Linear Power Amplifier ModuleRF Micro Devices RF7303 - LTE/UMTS/CDMA BAND 3 Linear Power Amplifier ModuleInside Secure SECUREAD IC5C633I4- NFC Solution ModuleAvago ACPM-5017 - LTE Band XVII Power Amplifier Avago ACPM-7051 - Quad-Band GSM / W-CDMA Bands I & V Power Amplifier Sony CXM3582UR - SP10T Antenna Switch ST Microelectronics LIS3DH - MEMS AccelerometerSTMicroelectronics LSM330DLC - 3D Accelerometer & 3D GyroscopeSynaptics Clearpad 3203 - Capacitive Touchscreen Controllersource: UBM Tech Insights

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Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 Review

Introduction:

Galaxy Xcover 2 is Samsung's first shot at rugged telephony for the year, as the Android handset sports water-, shock- and dust-proof certifications.

The Xcover 2 upgrades the specs of its predecessor, and throws in some neat features, like a dedicated shutter key and an Aqua mode in the camera interface that lets you shoot underwater without special housing.

Is the phone's tough soul a worthy enough advantage to overlook the midrange specs and somewhat bulky exterior? Read on the review to find out...

Design:

Despite the comparatively thick chassis, the Galaxy Xcover 2 is very light and pretty comfortable to hold due to the patterned back and sides that aid your grip significantly. The handset feels very ergonomic in the hand, too – no sharp edges and a solid feel, so it is indeed a good choice for when you are in motion and the last thing you want to think about is careful handling of a thin and fragile handset.

You can compare the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The dark gray plastic chassis and black fascia with metal earpiece grid hint that Samsung's designers haven't spent countless hours busting their heads over the chassis, as it looks like a typical company midranger from the front. The back is a different pint of beer, though, as it sports that circular screw which keeps the back cover shut tight, so as no water or sand can get into the electronics when the going gets tough.

Xcover 2 is IP67-certified, meaning that it is dust- and sand-proof, and you can also submerge it in up to three feet of water (not beer!) for up to 30 minutes without worrying about the internals – the phone sounds like a good match for the beach or your next rafting trip.

The physical keys below the screen are solid, with good tactile feedback, and very easy to feel and press without looking. The same goes for the power/lock key and the camera shutter on the right, as well as the volume rocker up left.

That same volume rocker is given another handy function – long-press the volume up for a second or two, and the powerful LED will come on as a flashlight, even when the screen is locked.

As for the flip covers that protect the charging and audio ports – they are one of the few we've tried so far that can be easily pried out and then fit back almost perfectly.

Display:

There is nothing high-def about the screen on the Xcover 2 – it is a regular 480x800 pixel WVGA 4-incher with 233ppi pixel denisty. Colors seem true, however, and the viewing angles are excellent.

There is one unpleasant downside with this screen, though – there is no automatic brightness adjustment sensor, so you have to manually choose the level from the slider in the notification bar or in the settings.

Moreover, the screen is not very bright to begin with, and even at the maximum settings, outside visibility under direct sunlight will be an issue, which is a bit puzzling for a phone that is aimed for outdoor usage. Also, for a rugged handset, Samsung could have included a touchscreen that can be operated with gloves and other objects, like on some Nokia and Sony units.

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Samsung using diamond-shaped pixels for 440ppi+ AMOLED panels to debut in the Galaxy S IV

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Pricing announced - Samsung ATIV Odyssey launching on Verizon January 24th

Better late than never, right? If you have been waiting for Samsung’s Windows Phone entry in the US, it is possible you will not be waiting much longer. The Twitter leakers @evleaks passed along a tip that the Samsung ATIV Odyssey will be available on Verizon January 24th. The 24th is a Thursday which is a common day for new devices to be available in the corporate stores.  We got to take some hands-on time with the ATIV Odyssey at CES and while the device has specifications that are marginally below the Nokia Lumia 822, the Odyssey is tidy little device.

Its 4-inch screen and form factor makes it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The Odyssey has a nice sized battery too, which means that this Windows Phone entry is going to be a capable handset for anyone who uses it. With a 5MP camera, 4-inch screen, 2,100mAh battery and Windows Phone 8, we think the ATIV Odyssey will price for free on a two-year contract with Verizon.

sources: @evleaks (Twitter) via WPCentral

UPDATE: Verizon announced today that the Samsung ATIV Odyssey will indeed be available in stores and online starting tomorrow the 24th.  Verizon also announced the subsidized price point for the ATIV Odyssey and a two-year agreement: $49.99 after a mail-in rebate.  That takes us a little by surprise given how the specifications of the device line-up against the other Windows Phone offerings available on Verizon, especially the Nokia Lumia 822.  However, its 4-inch screen, slightly larger battery and overall shape make the ATIV Odyssey a little more pocketable, and that may find appeal with a number of consumers along with the Samsung name as well.  Is the Samsung ATIV Odyssey on your list?

source: Verizon

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Samsung rolling out Android 4.1.2 update for the legendary Galaxy S II

The Samsung Galaxy S II, also known as the geeks' champ, will soon get updated to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean! Samsung has reportedly initiated the roll-out process in Spain, so other countries are expected to start receiving the update soon.

Thankfully, this update will bring the new TouchWiz Nature UI to the GS II. Until now, the handset was stuck with Samsung's old version of TouchWiz, which was much less appealing. The new software will not only look considerably better, but will also introduce some cool features like Smart Stay - the ability of the front-facing camera to detect if you are looking at the screen in order to determine whether to allow the handset to go to sleep mode or keep the display on.

Another major benefit of the Jelly Bean update will be Project Butter - a set of performance improvements that will make the interface noticeably faster and smoother.

Are there any PhoneArena readers left who are still rocking a Galaxy S II?

via: SammyHub

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Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 might cost $250-$300, affordable 7-incher to arrive for $150-$200

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Samsung Galaxy S IV rumored to feature 2,600mAh battery, 'Altius' codename

android news rumors and leaks Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy S IV rumors are starting to trickle in, and today a new report claims to have details on the new flagship handset and the codename that it may currently be going by. According to SamMobile, the new Galaxy S smartphone is going by the codename "Altius" and will feature the model number GT-I9500. The device is expected to be introduced in both black and white initially and could feature a 2,600mAh battery. SamMobile also claims that Samsung will offer a wireless charging kit for the new Galaxy S "a couple of weeks" after the phone goes on sale. Speaking of going on sale, it's rumored that Samsung plans to begin shipping the S IV out during week 16, which starts on April 15.

Samsung's follow-up to the Galaxy S III is one of the most highly-anticipated smartphones of 2013. Considering both that and the great lengths that Samsung went to to keep the Galaxy S III a secret before its introduction, you can bet that Sammy will try to keep a tight lid on its new Galaxy S to try and prevent leaks ahead of its arrival. While the information contained in today's report is obviously unconfirmed, some of it wouldn't be a surprise if it turned out to be legit. For example, a 2,600mAh battery would be a bit of a step up from the S III's 2,100mAh juice pack, and a mid-April debut would put the S IV on the market just a little under a year after its predecessor. What do you all make of today's Galaxy S IV rumor? Is Samsung's new flagship a device that you're looking forward to in 2013?

Via SamMobile

var Scribol; if (typeof Scribol == 'undefined') { Scribol = {}; Scribol.frames = []; Scribol.site = 'http://scribol.com/'; Scribol.is_preview = false; } Scribol.frames.push('2058772');
Alex is the Senior News Editor for PhoneDog. He digs mobile tech and just about every other kind of tech, too. He's also into cooking, sports, his two cats and drinking lots of coffee. - full profile

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Samsung boss says Galaxy S IV will skip MWC, speculation pegs March 22 Unpacked event in the US

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Samsung's J.K. Shin confirms 8 inch Samsung Galaxy Note tablet for MWC

The other day, we told you that there was a rumor revolving around a new 8 inch tablet for Samsung. Now, the head of Samsung Mobile, J.K. Shin, is confirming that the tablet will make its way to Barcelona next month for MWC. With an 8 inch screen, this device would be aimed squarely at the Apple iPad mini. We've seen the benchmark numbers for the GT-N5100 and the GT-N5110 and we believe that it could be the tablet in question. The achilles heel of the Apple iPad mini has been its screen resolution so Samsung is whacking away right at it with resolution of 1280 x 800 on the 8 inch slate, according to the benchmark tests. That is the same resolution Sammy put on the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, but on an 8 inch screen. Additionally, the tablet could be powered with a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos 4412 processor. 2GB of RAM will be on board and there will be both a 16GB model and one packing 32GB. You can always expand the storage using the 32GB capacity microSD slot. Back and front camera weigh in at 5MP and 1.3MP respectively, and a 4600mAh battery keeps the fan blades turning. Android 4.2 would be installed right out of the box.

The initial specs show Wi-Fi and HSPA+ (21Mbps) connectivity and no word about LTE. We apparently will know more about this model since Mr. Shin says that the tablet  will be included with the rest of the luggage coming to Barcelona in February.

source: INews24 (translated) via Engadget

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Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos Preview

Introduction

Anyone eager for a big-screen smartphone that might not break the bank? Samsung is apparently trying to fill the void in your soul with a 5” Galaxy Grand, which skimps on features like HD screen resolution and memory to reach that goal.

Add to this a dual SIM version with the Grand DUOS we have in our hands, and the phone becomes double attractive, especially in Asia, where phones with two SIMs are thoroughly respected. Has Samsung compromised too much to reach its target market? Read our preview to find out...

Design

The Galaxy Grand DUOS looks like a larger S III, or a smaller Note II, whichever you prefer. Samsung is making everything nowadays, big and small, with the distinctive rounded corner design that is immediately recognizable because of its blockbuster S III handset.

You can compare the Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool. The Grand DUOS is more reminiscent to the Note II, actually, with the faux metal rim on the sides, and the tapered back makes is fairly comfortable to hold with one hand, considering the screen size, but not operate with just your thumb, of course. The phone is somewhat hefty for today's standards at 5.71 oz (162 g), but considering the screen size it does not feel thick and bulky.
Display

We know what you are thinking – WVGA on a 5-incher? C'mon! Well, 480x800 it is, which returnd 187ppi pixel density, and doesn't look good if you are used to the HD and Full HD screens of late. For comparison, the 4.7” HD screen on the Nexus 4, which is not small by any measure either, rings in 318ppi.

The resolution is not unusable, as the Grand DUOS is a big-screen phone and you hold it further from your eyes than usual, thus diminishing the low resolution effect somewhat.

Samsung uses LCD here, instead of the AMOLED technology that goes for its flagships, and combines deep blacks with saturated colors. The 5” panel on the Grand DUOS is with decent viewing angles and bright enough, so you can tell what's on it outside under direct sunlight, thus the big drawback remains its low pixel density.

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Alleged Image of Samsung Galaxy S IV was up on Picasa for nearly a month

Suppose we told you that a press image of the Samsung Galaxy S IV has been available for you to look at for nearly a month? Seems crazy, right? Back on December 27th 2012, a student from Hong Kong with absolutely no connection to Samsung, posted the image of what is alleged to be the Samsung Galaxy S IV. The picture shows a phone with some subtle changes from the Samsung Galaxy S III including a less rounded top and bottom, a thinner bezel, and a larger screen and home button. Even the information listed with the picture on Picasa has what appears to be the correct information, as it names the phone the "Galaxy S IV GT-I9500 Product Image".

Earlier on Tuesday we told you that J.K. Shin said that the Samsung Galaxy S IV will not appear at MWC, and speculation centers on a U.S. hosted Samsung Unpacked event on March 22nd as the date when the sequel to the hot selling Samsung Galaxy S III will be introduced with a launch to commence in the middle of the following month.

The Samsung Galaxy S IV is allegedly the GT-I9500 with Samsung skipping the GT-I9400 model designation since the number "4" is considered to be bad luck in Korea. The device is currently going by the code name of Altius (J), will supposedly have a 2600mAh battery and wireless charging capabilities. That goes with the expected 5 inch Super AMOLED FHD screen, Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processor and a 13MP camera. Let the drooling commence.

source: Picasa, TuttoAndroid (translated) via AndroidAuthority

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Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 image leaks, but we doubt it’s the real thing

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, the newly rumored and allegedly confirmed 8-inch tablet equipped with a stylus by Samsung should be coming at MWC to rival the iPad mini, but an image has already surfaced that claims to show the tablet.

You can see it right below - it allegedly has a screengrab of an official image of the Galaxy Note 8.0 for what looks like a Spanish website. We get to see a white device with rounded corners resembling the Galaxy S III design. The back is fairly plain with only the Samsung logo on it and a flashless camera.

Below the image, the specs of the device are also listed in Spanish, and there is no full HD screen, but instead the 1,280 x 800-pixel display we initially heard about. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is listed with a quad-core 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and HSPA+ cellular connectivity. The device comes with a 5-megapixel auto-focus rear camera and another, front facing 1.3MP camera.

However, there are a couple of things that are troubling about this allegedly leaked image. The first one is what’s on the screen of that device. We are seeing a mention of the now too old Galaxy Tab 2, and that would be weird, plus the Android black system tray on the bottom is oddly missing.

Is it real? We’re not convinced. How about you?

source: Sam Mobile via Android Authority

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Telus to update HTC One S, Samsung Galaxy S II X 4G and Samsung GALAXY Note to Android 4.1

On Monday, Telus customers with the high-end HTC One X started receiving Android 4.1. According to an update schedule published by the Canadian carrier, also scheduled to be Jelly Beaned this month is the HTC One S. The carrier also has a couple of Android 4.1 updates awaiting a flip in the calendar to February. Those two are the Samsung Galaxy S II X 4G and the Samsung GALAXY Note.

The HTC One S update will bring HTC's Sense 4+ running on top of Android 4.1, and the update will give all of the models the silky smooth scrolling (along with alluring alphabetic alliteration) of Project Butter. Google Now makes sure that the information you need to see, like the morning commute, weather, and the morning Gold fix from Zurich, are sent to your phone in a timely manner.

The HTC One S update is being tested in Telus' own lab while the updates due in February have not yet been tested.

source: Telus via MobileSyrup

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Samsung Galaxy S III Mini with NFC to launch by end of January

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Samsung's J.K. Shin confirms 8 inch Samsung Galaxy Note tablet for MWC

The other day, we told you that there was a rumor revolving around a new 8 inch tablet for Samsung. Now, the head of Samsung Mobile, J.K. Shin, is confirming that the tablet will make its way to Barcelona next month for MWC. With an 8 inch screen, this device would be aimed squarely at the Apple iPad mini. We've seen the benchmark numbers for the GT-N5100 and the GT-N5110 and we believe that it could be the tablet in question. The achilles heel of the Apple iPad mini has been its screen resolution so Samsung is whacking away right at it with resolution of 1280 x 800 on the 8 inch slate, according to the benchmark tests. That is the same resolution Sammy put on the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, but on an 8 inch screen. Additionally, the tablet could be powered with a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos 4412 processor. 2GB of RAM will be on board and there will be both a 16GB model and one packing 32GB. You can always expand the storage using the 32GB capacity microSD slot. Back and front camera weigh in at 5MP and 1.3MP respectively, and a 4600mAh battery keeps the fan blades turning. Android 4.2 would be installed right out of the box.

The initial specs show Wi-Fi and HSPA+ (21Mbps) connectivity and no word about LTE. We apparently will know more about this model since Mr. Shin says that the tablet  will be included with the rest of the luggage coming to Barcelona in February.

source: INews24 (translated) via Engadget

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Samsung sues Apple in Korea over Apple iPhone Notification Center

When Apple launched a Notification Center in iOS 5, the feeling was that it was just a matter of time before Google took Apple to court. Well, as it turns out, it isn't Google but is Samsung that is finally taking Apple to court over the feature. Samsung, based in Korea, has the home court advantage with its filing in the country. Unlike some of the other patents being defended in courtroom battles globally, this would not appear to be a standards-essential patent which means that Sammy could be in for a big pay day.

It is unknown whether Samsung is defending a patent it had received or whether it has enhanced an existing patent that some other company received before Apple launched its Notification Center. And that is the billion dollar question because Samsung cannot sue for something Google patented. Google recently received a Patent in the U.S. for the Android Notifications Center, but technically, Samsung cannot use that to sue Apple unless it was enhanced by Samsung or if it was sold to Samsung by Google.

Apple launched its Notification Center in 2011 for iOS 5 well after Android models had been shipping with a similar feature. The Notification Center on the Apple iPhone allows the user to drag down a screen that shows emails, texts and weather. Even the most die-hard Apple fan has to concede that Apple's legal team has its work cut out with this suit.

source: inews24 (translate), Brightwire, FossPatents via AppleInsider

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Samsung speaker dock appears on Amazon Germany, priced around $170

overpriced to the max......especially with 6watt?

my portable capsule speaker that run on usb charge battery has 10watts. its not Bluetooth but I got it for only $20 and its portable enough for me to carry everywhere.

Samsung you have the money, you have the latest technologies, you have the people,everything. this is not a product a company that makes billions should produce.

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U.S. Cellular's Samsung Galaxy S III receives Android 4.1.1 update

The Android 4.1.1 update for U.S. Cellular's Samsung Galaxy S III is now here, and you can wait for it to show up on your device, or you can be aggressive and pull it out of Samsung Kies. The update, to Baseband version R53OUVXALK5, includes some new features for the phone including Google Now. This feature sends you information you can use (traffic reports, weather, sports scores, etc.) when you need it. For example, you can have the traffic on your daily commute into the office sent to you each morning without having to ask for it every day. The Android 4.1.1 update also offers some new features for your camera including filters like warm vintage, cold vintage, black and white and sepia. Color highlights (blue, green, red/yellow) are available from the main camera screen. While shooting a video, pause and resume allows you to splice together separate shots from an event into one file without having to perform a post-editing task. Low light mode lets you take pictures in low light and dark conditions. Included in Android 4.1.1, Smart app updates allow you to download only the updated portions of apps that you've already installed. And Android 4.1.1 also brings you  a new virtual QWERTY keyboard that has better text-to-speech capabilities, an improved dictionary and intelligent word prediction. The QWERTY will also offer Swype, the swipe to type application.

An update to Pop-up Play allows you to re-size the picture-in-picture window. The Android 4.1.1 update also includes Easy Mode, which was developed to help smartphone newbies set up the device. With this feature, widgets automatically are loaded on your home screen to cover weather, alarms, contacts and more. After installing Android 4.1.1, users will also be able to block and disable incoming calls, notifications, alarms and LED indicators for a preset amount of time.

Whether you plan on waiting for the update to come OTA or you plan on connecting to Kies, you should click on the sourcelink for instructions directly from the carrier.

source: USCellular, AndroidPolice via IntoMobile

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Samsung Galaxy Frame rumored to be introduced at MWC 2013

If all of the recent speculation about new Samsung models is true, the Korean based manufacturer is going to be awfully busy at MWC 2013. Of course, that won't take place until February 2013 in Barcelona, but yesterday we told you about the Samsung Galaxy Young DUOS which is a dual-SIM model expected to grab some of Sammy's spotlight at MWC 2013. On Wednesday, speculation turned to the Samsung Galaxy Frame. All we know about this device is the model number, GT-S6810, the color options for the unit, of which there is just one-pearl white, and the buzz that the specs will be close to that of the Samsung Galaxy Ace or Samsung Galaxy mini. Now, this shouldn't exactly rev up your engines considering that these are models featuring small screens with 320 x 480 resolution, single-core 800MHz processors and 512MB of RAM.

While the Samsung Galaxy Frame is supposedly going to be introduced in February, the rumor has it launching closer to the end of the first quarter. Unless low to mid range models are your thing, it shouldn't be too hard to make it past that month.

source: SamMobile via AndroidAuthority

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