Samsung launches Wifi-only Galaxy Camera, promises better affordability

Samsung has added another device to its ever growing portfolio, and this time it's a minor -- very minor -- change to the Galaxy Camera. Until now, the Galaxy Camera has only been available to purchase with a cellular radio inside, and cellular radios always add something to the price of a device. Today Samsung announces the launch of a Wifi-only variant of their connected camera. 

Other than the lack of a radio, everything else about the Galaxy Camera remains intact. You still get a pretty impressive 4.8 inch HD display on the back, with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and Touchwiz Nature UX on there, and a quad-core processor inside making everything hum along just nicely. Samsung promises that the Wifi-only Galaxy Camera will be more affordable than its LTE capable counterpart, but fails to provide an actual price at this time. Or any availability information. But, we're sure we'll see this appear in the coming days and weeks.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Samsung Introduces REX Feature Phones to Take on Nokia’s Asha Devices

Samsung recently announced a new line of Java-based feature phones that will likely launch in emerging markets and compete head-to-head with Nokia’s Asha line of devices. There are four phones in the REX series, including the REX 90, REX 80, REX 70 and REX 60. All of thephones sport Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface and offer support for using two SIMs at the same time.

The REX 90 has a 3.5-inch display, a 3.2-megapixel camera and a microSD card slot that supports up to 32GB of storage. The REX 80 is similar but has a smaller 3-inch display and can only support up to 16GB of additional storage. The REX 70 has a similar 3-inch display but a lower-resolution 2-megapixel camera. Finally, the REX 60 has just a 2.8-inch screen and a 1.3-megapixel camera. All of the phones only support EDGE networks, so they’re definitely going into brand new cell markets where faster 3G and 4G technology doesn’t yet exist.

“As the number one mobile leader and innovator, we are committed to developing the best possible mobile solutions to suit all lifestyles and budgets, which is why we are so excited to launch the REX series across a number of the world’s fastest growing markets,” said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “REX devices are designed to seamlessly prioritize and consolidate essential mobile functions that matter most to customers across diverse markets. The result is an extraordinary end-to-end mobile experience with the best value for money.”

Samsung didn’t discuss pricing, but we imagine these device will sell for well under $100.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo - Read the full story here]

Samsung announces new waterproof, ruggedized Galaxy Xcover 2

We've still got about a month until Mobile World Congress spills forth an untold number of unseen smartphones, but Samsung's announced something a little early. The Galaxy Xcover 2 is its new ruggedized smartphone, with GPS and GLONASS pitching it directly at the adventurers among us. It's water resistant up to a depth of one meter and can hold its breath for 30 minutes, while a 4-inch WVGA display will beam out Android 4.1. Expect to see the same Motion UI features spotted on other Samsung devices recently, including the ability to overturn and mute incoming calls. It'll be powered by an as-yet unmentioned 1GHz dual-core processor, while a 5-megapixel camera will peer out the back. There's also physical camera button to ensure you don't miss any of your underwater adventures.

Samsung mention that the Xcover 2 will also pack a Cardio trainer Pro workout app, although there doesn't appear to be any hardware additions to augment the fitness program -- aside from a strap holder. No word yet on where the phone is expected to land, nor how much the jungle-ready slab might set you back, but we'll be sure to drop it on the ground in Barcelona in a few weeks time.

[Source: Engadget]

Samsung rumored to be launching enormous smartphone with ridiculous name in Europe

Leak season continues, and we're back with Samsung this time around. Sammobile, a usually reliable source of all things Samsung, claims to have received word of a 5.8 inch smartphone from the Korean OEM destined for Europe. The reported name is, ready for this? The Samsung Galaxy Fonblet. 

The device is said to be loosely based around the Samsung Galaxy Player 5.8 PMP that was launched in Korea, only with cellular capabilities. The Galaxy Player 5.8 has a qHD display, and a 3MP rear camera. The bad news is that Sammobile claims the Fonblet is supposed to have the same display. So we're not looking at a high-end, Note 2 beating device. Additionally, it's expected to have dual-sim capabilities -- suggesting emerging European markets might be the target here -- and will come in white. Feels a lot like parts recycling though, if we're honest.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Samsung Rolling Out Update to Galaxy Camera, Brings New Smart Modes

The jury is still out on Samsung’s Galaxy Camera. It’s a very exciting concept that demonstrates—very well, I might add—where the point-and-shoot market could shift to. But it still needs a bit of work, some fine-tuning. This update is a step in the right direction.

The most significant part of the update to Android 4.1.2 is the elimination of any perceptible lag. Despite the device’s pedigree as an S III cousin, the Galaxy Camera still had frustrating moments of stutter. But according to AndroidCentral, lag has all but been exterminated after the update.

Additional improvements include four new smart shooting modes, including Dawn, Snow, Food, and Party/Indoor, and support for Samsung’s Remote Viewfinder app. As the first major update for the company’s camera experiment, Samsung is making the device even more irresistible. Now if only the price would come down.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Samsung ships 100 million Galaxy S devices worldwide

Samsung has announced that its Galaxy S line of Android phones has shifted a total of 100 million units “on the supply side” to date. Meanwhile, the manufacturer’s leading Galaxy S3 smartphone has reportedly moved some 40 million units, as has its predecessor, the Galaxy S2.

Samsung broke the news through a Flickr post, in which it also revealed that the Galaxy S3 is currently selling at a rate of around 190,000 per day. (Our last update on Galaxy S3 numbers came in early November, when Samsung had moved 30 million units.)

The history of the series stretches back just over two and a half years, to the launch of the original Galaxy S in May 2010. Since then, Samsung has gone on to dominate the Android market, and in many countries its devices account for the majority of smartphone sales.

Desirable specs, broad international availability and aggressive marketing have seen the Galaxy S3 emerge as one of the biggest-selling handsets of the year, going toe-to-toe with Apple’s iPhone 5 in recent months.

As we move further into 2013, all eyes will be on the eventual successor to the Galaxy S3, though at present Samsung remains tight-lipped about any possible Galaxy S4 device.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Samsung unveils the Galaxy S2 Plus, minor spec bump over the original

Samsung has today introduced another new Android smartphone to add to its portfolio, and you'd be right in thinking it looks an awful lot like the Galaxy S2. That's because it does, and this new device is the Galaxy S2 Plus. The most notable improvement is the software. 

Running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with Samsung's latest Touchwiz Nature UX, the rest of the specs are either a minor bump from the Galaxy S2 or pretty much the same. The Plus houses a 4.3 inch WVGA Super-AMOLED Plus display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8MP and 2MP rear and front facing cameras respectively. On board storage is just 8GB, but is expandable by microSD card which Samsung says is supported upto 64GB.

Otherwise, that's about all she wrote. Looking through the specs there appears to be an NFC version and a non NFC version, and the camera has a pretty nice sounding zero lag shutter speed. No word as yet on price or availability, and you'll find the full press release after the break.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

CES 2013: Samsung’s New Exynos 5 Octa Processor Has Eight Cores

Samsung has a new Exynos 5 Octa Processor, and it’s absolutely wild. The company announced its new technology on Wednesday, saying that the Octa takes advantage of two sets of four core processor, all in your tiny little smartphone. It’s probably a safe bet this will power the company’s highly anticipated Galaxy S IV.

The company said its new chip uses ARM’s big.LITTLE processor tech—ARM Cortex-A15 for performance, and Cortex-A7 for common tasks. That should lead to better battery life, and an enormously smooth experience when playing games or simply browsing the Web. The future of mobile devices is looking brighter by the day. Samsung is already one of the leading companies in the world, and that’s likely to continue as we get settled in 2013.

Samsung says that being able to switch between performance and energy efficiency makes for a 70 percent increase in battery life. In addition, users should expect twice the 3D performance of something like the Exynos 4 Quad, which should do a lot to whet the palette of Android-gaming fanatics.

We can’t wait to hold a device using Samsung’s new Exynos 5 Octa. Hopefully we’ll start to see more information hit the Web in the coming weeks and months.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

CES 2013: Samsung to Reinvent Refrigerators with T9000 Smart Fridge

Samsung announced Monday that it plans to reinvent the age-old kitchen appliance, that boring refrigerator, with smart capabilities in 2013. It’s not only smart in the way that you’re connecting it to other gadgets around the house, but in a bit of a different way. First, the smartphone connectivity:: Evernote, for example, allows you to sync notes with family members. It also shows recipes, calendars and more. A smartphone can be used as a baby monitor, too.

A new T9000 LCD refrigerator, with 32 cubic feet of storage, also features the ability to change different compartments depending on what you need them for. If you need more space in the fridge for freezing stuff, simply change the temperature. Likewise, if you need to use the freezer compartment as additional storage for items that need to be kept cold, but not frozen, you can control that too. Sounds pretty amazing!

[Source: TechnoBuffaol]

CES 2013: Samsung UN85S9 Ultra HD looks stunning

LAS VEGAS--It's been a few CESes since we've seen a "world's biggest" something, and while the UN85S9 misses out on world's biggest 4K (UHD) screen this year, it does practice a bit ofone-upmanship on the LG competition by being a whole inch bigger.

The most striking thing about the S9 is the design: this is a floor-standing television mounted on what looks like an artist's easel and the TV is designed to tilt up and down.

The S9 TV features upgraded smarts with improved voice interaction and a quad-core processor to speed things along. If you wanted gesture control on this 4K TV -- or, even more usefully, Skype integration -- then unfortunately the F8500 misses out.

Meanwhile, the Smart Hub application has been enhanced with more content -- movies, videos, and music -- and a new TV program guide. This augments Samsung’s new S-Recommendation engine, which lists suggested content in thumbnails at the bottom of the screen.

The flagship TV incorporates a quad-core processor that should assist with the speed of the Smart TV interface as well as provide grunt for picture-processing tasks such as the Frame Rate Conversion engine and the Motion Judder Canceller.

[Source: CNET - Click here to read the full story]

Samsung Support Documents Detail Jelly Bean Upgrade for Galaxy S II

If you’re still grasping onto the glory days of Samsung’s Galaxy S II, your commitment to the almost two year-old device will soon pay off in a big way. Support pages for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean have appeared on the company’s Korean website, meaning users can probably expect the OS to hit the device relatively soon—though how soon is unclear.

In any case, the update is set to arrive through Samsung’s KIES, and bring along the expected Jelly Bean smoothness along with a few of the company’s built-in features like Smart Stay. The support document warns that the incoming upgrade will actually lower your internal memory by 1 full GB (from 12GB to 11GB), so be mindful of that when the upgrade actually starts rolling out.

Hopefully carriers here in the states can do all the necessary testing rather quickly so that Galaxy S II owners can grab the software sooner rather than later.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Samsung unveils the Series 7 Ultra, refreshes the Series 7 Chronos with a slimmer design

We've gotta hand it to Samsung: announcing new products before CES is a clever way of grabbing our undivided attention. With days to go before the show officially kicks off, the outfit's already unveiled some new monitors, and put out teasers for at least three other items. Now the company's PC division is getting a headstart as well: Samsung just added two notebooks to its high-performance Series 7 family of products. These include the Series 7 Ultra, a 13-inch Ultrabook, as well as a refreshed Series 7 Chronos with AMD graphics.

[Source: Engadget]