Samsung Galaxy S3 drop test vs iPhone 4S

Just how hardy is the most popular smartphone in the UK when it comes to the fabled drop test? The folks over at Android Authority have decided to sacrifice one handset from each party, and both handsets do suffer from a cracked display. The Samsung Galaxy S3 does seem to come off worse for the wear, as the touchscreen on the iPhone 4S still works despite being cracked, but the Samsung Galaxy S3′s touchscreen is completely broken, with the homescreen being persona non grata. Not only that, the Samsung Galaxy S3′s case was split in half, although that is not such a big issue as you can piece them together with a click after that. The moral of the story? Get a protective case for this new generation of smartphones, otherwise a drop on the floor is going to not only cause a crack in your handset, but in your heart as well as your bank account. How much weightage does the hardiness of a smartphone influence your purchase decision?via[ubergizmo]

Google Maps for Android: What new features are hidden here?

A few days ago we told you that Google has a feature called Google + Localoffers, from which the various apps on Android are affected - among other things, just as Google Maps, which is present on the Android smartphone now in version 6.8. As the clever guys found out at Android Police have to hide in the APK file but a lot of other things - information on upcoming features!

  

                     

You see in the picture a lot of graphics, each of which begins with "Timeline" and close to let that get Google Maps here missed a temporal component. In connection with the announcement of a new dimension to Google Maps you can now consider whether this dimension does not mean 3D, but the time. It seems at least a timeline history act that gets you visualize in Google Maps.

Next you can see the APK that Latitude undergoes a change: Until you give more explicitly to the person who can retrieve your current location. In the future you will use this feature for Google + can-Circles. File names like "latitude_migrate_to_circles_welcome_dialog.xml" indicate that the very well on Google Latitude + is integrated.

Then there are more files that you can not even foresee what Google has in mind here. Is sometimes assumed that the company will tell us next week when Google Maps, which is behind the "bucketed_price_coin" files - or did you already have ideas?

Source: Android Police

Samsung Galaxy S III launched in 28 countries, 145 countries planned by July

Samsung’s long-awaited Galaxy S III officially launched worldwide on 29 May  in 28 countries. The Galaxy S III unveiled earlier this month as a successor to the popular Galaxy S II. The smartphone features top-of-the-line specs, including a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED (1,280-by-720 pixel) display, 8-megapixel rear-camera, 1.9-megapixel front-camera, 1.4 GHz Exynos processor, and Android 4.0. While it may not be as exciting as the HTC One X and others, the Galaxy S III is definitely destined to be a hot-seller. The 28 countries include most of Europe and the Middle East; however, there is still no word on a U.S. release date, which is most likely coming soon. Samsung said the Galaxy S III should make its way to at least 145 countries by July. Who is picking up this Exynos beast?Via[9to5google]

What is 4G LTE

An acronym for Long Term Evolution, LTE is a 4G wireless communications standard developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) that's designed to provide up to 10x the speeds of 3G networks for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, netbooks, notebooks and wireless hotspots.4G technologies are designed to provide IP-based voice, data and multimedia streaming at speeds of at least 100 Mbit per second and up to as fast as 1 GBit per second.

4G LTE is one of several competing 4G standards along with Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and WiMax (IEEE 802.16).  The leading cellular providers have started to deploy 4G technologies, with Verizon and AT&T launching 4G LTE networks and Sprint utilizing its new 4G WiMax network.  In terms of mobile devices, many newer Android-based smartphones are 4G LTE capable, and both the iPhone 5 and the iPad 3 are expected to have built-in 4G LTE capabilities when released in the second half of 2012.via[webopedia]

AirDroid: Remote access to the smartphone

I really wanted to have blogged yesterday, but ate the incredibly long post Samsung my meager time, so I AirDroid the contribution to today postponed.AirDroid ? Man, you know it already from this modest blog. One of my must-have apps. Not just because it looks incredibly good, but because it works great and brings real added value.

AirDroid is a server that starts you on your smartphone. Viewed in the browser, you now have access to all sorts of things: SMS, installed apps, photo, movie, music and of course your contacts.

Contacts can be edited, written text and photos / music & Co are just loaded up and down, I think the screenshots speak for themselves there. This works when the devices are on a wireless network, the speed in my test was 1a - the app is definitely a recommendation for all those who through no nerve data and want to push her.

Whoever wants to can install additional backup apps or uninstall. This also applies to ringtones and contacts. I had previously tested the beta, which is now released in version 1.0.5 with some new features.

So the phone can now be achieved not only via IP address but also by web.airdroid.com. Also there is a QR code for simplified login.

What else? Multiple desktops, widgets, the ability to install apps via drag and drop (to move files) and so on. Who does not know it: try it, all others: make update.Great, great app for Android - therefore under my Android apps ! Via[Caschy]

Samsung Galaxy S3 Specification,Features & Price In USA, UK, India

Samsung introdues new Galaxy S3 Its size 131 x 64 x 8 mm, and weighs 125 grams. Apparently, other specs include: 4.7 inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 1280 x 720 pixels (no full HD screen after all?), HSPA 42Mbps, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI port, 12MP rear camera with 1080p video recording at 60fps, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, 1.5Ghz quad-core processor, 32GB of internal memory, and a 1,750 mAh battery. The S III will obviously run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Specification :

Main :

 1.5Ghz quad-core processor

1GB of RAM

32GB of internal memory

Android 4.0 I

4.7 inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 1280 x 720 pixels

12MP rear camera with 1080p video recording at 60fps

1.3MP front-facing camera,

Wi-Fi a/b/g/n

Bluetooth 4.0,

1,750 mAh battery.

weighs 125 grams

131 x 64 x 8 mm

  

GENERAL

 2G Network – GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network – HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100

4G Network – LTE 700

DISPLAY

 Type – Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors

Size – 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.7 inches (~312 ppi pixel density)

Protection – Corning Gorilla Glass

 TouchWiz UI v4.0

CAMERA

 Primary – 12 MP, 4000×3000 pixels, autofocus, LED flash

Features- Geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization

Video – Yes, 1080p@30fps

Secondary – Yes, 1.3 MP, 720p@30fps

FEATURES

 OS – Android OS, v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Chipset – Exynos

CPU – Quad-core 1.5 GHz

Sensors – Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Messaging – SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM, RSS

Browser – HTML, Adobe Flash

GPSYes, with A-GPS support and GLONASS

Samsung Galaxy S III Main Features : 

Camera

 The Samsung Galaxy S III equipped with a 12 megapixel camera. The camera will be accompanied by an LED flash and offers several nice options like slow motion, time-lapse and can display full HD (1080p) video recording. According to our anonymous source explains the Samsung Galaxy S III even videos onto an extremely high frame rate of 60 frames per second. At the front, the Samsung Galaxy S III features a 1.3 megapixel camera that also captures HD video (720p) calls can be traced via eg Skype. 

Display 

The display screen having a diameter of 4.7 inch slightly smaller. It is still the HD display resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels applicable. Advantage is that it addresses the pixel density of the display screen comes out at 313 pixels per inch, which is a very clear picture. 

Processor and memory

Samsung Galaxy S III will indeed provide a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor. The Samsung Galaxy S III will feature over 32 gigabytes of internal memory and a RAM memory of 1 gigabyte. 

Samsung Galaxy S3  Price

Samsung Galaxy S III Phone Price in UK :not announced 

Samsung Galaxy S III  Phone price in USA –  not announced 

Samsung Galaxy S III  Phone price in India - not announced 

Samsung China’s president has reportedly declared that the company is considering moving the launch from May to April, in order to “increase sales.” 

Source

Tags: SAMSUNG, Samsung Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S III owners to get 50GB of free Dropbox storage

HTC One smartphone owners aren't the only ones getting free Dropbox storage, Samsung has announced that every consumer that buys and registers a Galaxy S III smartphone will get free 50GB cloud storage from Dropbox.

This is the double of what Dropbox is giving HTC One series owners, however just like HTC, the free storage will only be valid for two years.

With more and more manufacturers tying up with Dropbox to provide cloud storage on Android devices, the purpose of having the Google Drive seems defeated. Google will need to aggressively partner with manufacturers otherwise Dropbox will continue to be the tool of choice for Android buyers.via[ndtv]

Back to the Future: Return on the keyboard back Google smartphones?

Not every patent application must follow actually a product that goes into mass production, but at least you can take it as an indication that a business plan in such a direction. Specifically, we are talking about a patent that Google has filed in January and which provides that in future a Google phone again a real keyboard could be missed.

How can would have the Google G1 smartphone, it again be a slider, at least directly, the company has considered several options how to exit the keyboard.

For U.S. consumers will notice the different variants in mechanics do not also have to make sure that the technology used allows the largest possible keyboard, even accommodating a trackpad should therefore be possible. As I said - no, we're close to a production-ready device or you have the current state a guarantee that such a slider phone will indeed - at least, the plan consists of a nexus slider to work.

The fact that the patents already released after four months (up to 18 months would be acceptable) and Andy Rubin is named as inventor, suggesting that Google is fairly serious.

Source: CNET via ZDnet

Samsung launches Galaxy S Advance and Galaxy Pocket in India

Smartphone device provider Samsung Electronics Co Ltd today announced the expansion of its Galaxy smartphone range with the launch of the Galaxy S Advance and Galaxy Pocket, a top company official said.

These devices are designed to deliver a powerful performance and offer an immersive user experience, Ranjit Yadav, Country Head, Mobile and IT, Samsung India said.

Galaxy S Advance and Galaxy Pocket being launched, serve to strengthen our premium as well as the entry level offering in the Smartphone market, he added.

Announcing the national launch of these two products for its India Smartphone users, Samsung has made available several interesting applications on its mobile application store, Yadav said adding that with the launch of these two new Smartphones, Samsung has a range of 19 Smartphone models with prices in the range between Rs 7,350 and Rs 38,250.

Samsung's current market share of mobile phones is 44.7 per cent, while the target this year is 60 per cent. So far, Samsung sold 5 Mn units globally, Yadav said.via[ndtv]

Samsung announces 3.6-inch and 4.2-inch Galaxy Player

Samsung just announced two new devices to its PMP lineup: the 3.6-inch and 4.2-inch Galaxy Player. Both have a WVGA screen, along with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, USB port, Bluetooth, and a microSD card to easily load music. The 3.6-inch Galaxy Player is already available for $149 at Best Buy exclusively, while the 4.2-inch will launch soon for $199.

The press release is after the break:

With the two new Galaxy Players, available in 4.2 inch WVGA screen or 3.6 inch HVGA screen variants, gaming, videos and music are more fun than ever.

Easily connect to Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere to get instant access to the latest content. Users also can play their own video and music in a variety of formats, connect to other devices using USB 2.0 or Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity, or simply load the device via a micro SD card. Because the device runs on Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, a world of apps is a touch away.

Plus, dual-stereo speakers (on the Galaxy Player 4.2) deliver an incredible music, video or gaming experience – anywhere.

The new Galaxy Tab 2 and Galaxy Players will be available for purchase at a variety of retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, Tiger Direct and others. The Galaxy Player 3.6 is available now for $149.99 exclusively at Best Buy and soon at other retailers. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 will be available for preorder today at $249.99, and for purchase on April 22. The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Galaxy Player 4.2 will both be available for pre-order on May 4 and for purchase on May 13, at $399.99 and $199.99 respectively.via[9to5google]

Android: Smartphone complete backup without root

The last few hours I spent on my Android annoy, Windows, Mac OS X and general engineering. The result is a way to secure non-root & Co my android phone and that in case of need to restore. Granted, with root and Titanium Backup & Co, it would have gone faster, but is supposed to go without a root. Here are secured apps with their settings and the data contained in a smart phone with Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich (a requirement).

I tried the whole thing with a Samsung Nexus and the HTC Galaxy One X, both run with Ice Cream Sandwich - that Android 4.0.x. Take a little quiet time, so it is not difficult, you need to know just only know where to begin. I started with the Android SDK . This is a must. I've downloaded and unpacked me as a portable version. In short the SDK folder manager and started the Google USB drivers downloaded. This way, you have to do this only if your phone is not in the Dalvik Debug Monitor appears

Some Android phones just need drivers, some are in the Google USB drivers here at HTC was the case, in the case of my Samsung Galaxy Nexus myself I had to get the drivers. Therefore checks in advance whether your smartphone to connect to your computer in the Dalvik Debug Monitor appears. This starts her when she is in the folder tools that ddms.bat starts. Your smartphone shows up here? Cool, it goes on.

Now open by Win + R and the cmd prompt (or just typing cmd in the search field of the Windows start menu). Leave the Command Prompt quiet time alone, make your way platform-tools in the subfolder of the Android SDK and pulls the adb.exe into your console. Behind the path she now writes all backup . Looks like this: Your path: adb.exe backup all. Just like in the screenshot:

Now your phone should mean to yell. So do not be audible, it should register. The message is that you can now make a full backup - also like to be encrypted with a password.

The backup landing in case of a Windows 7 computer in the Users folder, then at me in the path C: \ Users \ caschy. It is backup.ab and is great depending on the installed apps & Co between few and many megabytes. My Nexus threw a 30 MB backup out, the HTC one X had more to offer, probably due to the HTC Sense UI Geraffel. Almost 300 MB. A backup can persist. Good things take time. Now you have a complete backup of your computer. And how can you play back that?

The restore of the backup is easy to make. The same step as above. call console drag, adb.exe . The following command: adb.exe-restore C: \ Users backup.ab \ caschy \ . Of course you'll have to adapt to your path. Will then report back your smartphone. Complete recovery is the magic word. Your password, enter if issued, and off you go. Restore. Take it again.

Do you have this behind you, then your phone will restart. And everything is as before - ie at the time of the backup. As mentioned, tested with two devices, it might work for me 1a.Wer detail that is at the XDA Developers the appropriate thread . Confusing to read? Do you have can only recommend it, if it is 1 - has done 3 times. Too bad that all this is not as easy as the iPhone goes  supplements and so on are seen as more like...via[Caschy]

Samsung offering free extended battery kit with Galaxy Nexus on contract

If you are considering picking up the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon anytime soon, Samsung is giving you a decent incentive to do so directly through its website. For a limited time, the company is offering a free Galaxy Nexus i515 Battery Bundle Kit with the purchase of a Galaxy Nexus on the usual two-year Verizon contract. The kit, usually worth $50 through Samsung, provides a back casing compatible with the included 21 mAh extended battery. Unfortunately, many report the battery only provides approximately 10 percent extra battery life, but it is definitely worth getting it free before the promotion ends on May 10. via [9to5google]

The Best Way to Tether Your iPhone to Your Laptop (for Free)

Although AT&T will eventually offer an iPhone tethering plan so that you can use your iPhone's data plan on your laptop (yay!), there's one major catch: They're also planning to charge your an extra $30/month to do it (boo!). That may be worth it if you plan on doing a lot of tethering (and still use under 5GB of data transfer), but if you just need occasional internet access on your laptop and don't feel like ponying up $360 a year to do it, you've got other options.We've looked at several other iPhone tethering methods in the past, but the app we're going to use today—called PdaNet—stands head-and-shoulders above the competition both in ease-of-use and functionality. NOTE: As soon as AT&T begins to sell the wireless tethering service, they may or may not start cracking down on unofficial tethering. For my part, I have tethered a few times (just to test, I promise!) and have never seen an extra charge on my bill. On the other hand, I doubt my meager usage attracted much attention. Either way, proceed at your own risk. UPDATE: It appears that the latest version of PdaNet for the iPhone has a trial period, after which it remains free for HTTP use (i.e., most web browsing), but costs $29 for a full license that will handle all the rest of your traffic. If you don't plan to do much more than regular web browsing, you probably won't notice much of a difference. Either way, a one-time fee of $30 is still better than $30/month.

What You'll Need

To get started, you need just a few things. Most importantly, you'll need a jailbroken iPhone (2G or 3G) with a data plan. If you've haven't already jailbroken your iPhone, grab a copy of the PwnageTool or WinPwn and follow the simple jailbreaking wizards. (If you want a little hand-holding, we've got a guide for PwnageTool here and one for WinPwn here.) All jailbroken? Good. Now assuming you've got a laptop, let's get this party started.

Install PdaNet

Fire up your jailbroken iPhone and launch the Cydia application from your homescreen. Tap the search tab, then do a quick search for PdaNet. Once you find it, tap the Install button on the top right of the screen (mine says Modify because it's already installed on my iPhone). Follow the install dialog and you're done.

Create an Ad-Hoc Network

This is the most complex sounding part of the setup, but it's actually very simple. Your laptop is capable of creating an ad-hoc wireless network that allows data to pass between it and the device that connects to it. In this case, we're going to create an ad-hoc network between your laptop and your iPhone so that your laptop can use your iPhone's data connection. Simple enough, right? Setting up the ad-hoc network varies depending on what operating system you're using. On OS X, it's a breeze: 

Just click on Create Network... on your Airport drop-down.

Give your ad-hoc network a name and set up a password if you like.

That's all there is to it. It's a little more complicated if you're on a Windows laptop, so here's how to set up an ad-hoc network in XP and here's how to do it in Vista.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Tethering

Once you've set up your ad-hoc network, tethering your iPhone to your laptop is abreeze. Just open your iPhone Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and select your newly created network.

Then head back to your home screen, launch PdaNet, and flip the WiFi Router switch at the bottom of the screen.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

PdaNet stands out among its competition because—unlike the other methods we've seen—once you're rolling with PdaNet, every application on your computer has full access to the internet. Most other methods set up a SOCKS proxy, so only applications supporting that proxy will work. PdaNet runs in the background, so you can leave the application running and do other multi-tasking on your phone if you need to. The one thing you need to be particularly aware of when using PdaNet is your battery. While running, PdaNet will suck the energy from your battery with the vigor of an aggressive teenage makeout session. Even with my phone plugged in and charging, I still see a net battery drain overall. So plug in your iPhone while you're tethering or your phone will die quickly. Other than that, PdaNet works like a charm. I called this method the easiest setup, and although the steps may look fairly involved, once you learn to set up the ad-hoc network on your laptop, it takes under a minute to get your tether on. Whether you've been using PdaNet or another tethering method, let's hear more about your experience in the comments.via[lifehacker]