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AT&T begins updating the Galaxy S4 Active with Android 4.3
Nope, it's not KitKat, but hey, beggars owners of older Android handsets can't be choosers. If you've been using AT&T's version of the Samsung's waterproof Galaxy S4 Active, you're in luck: Android 4.3 is starting to roll out in the form of an over-the-air update. As you're probably aware by now, the update keeps the phone in Jelly Bean territory, but brings a good deal of improvements, including OpenGL ES 3.0 support, Bluetooth Smart technology, enhanced notifications and 1080p Netflix streaming. Good luck with that 772MB download, and do let us know how it goes.
South Korea may get a Galaxy S 4 Active with LTE-A, processor and camera upgrades
South Korea's SK-Telecom already has a variant of the GS4 to surf its LTE-Advanced waves, and now it appears Samsung will release a version of the Galaxy S4 Active that plays nice with the carrier's next-gen network. A flyer posted on a Korean-language website revealed the handset and detailed its specs, listing a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, a healthy horsepower boost from the original's 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600. What's more, the smartphone now sports a 13MP camera -- which matches that of the vanilla Galaxy S4 -- and its storage has doubled to 32GB. Besides shaving off a few grams in weight and nabbing a white color option, the device retains the rest of its predecessor's features, all the way down to its 5-inch 1080p display and 2,600mAh battery. It's not clear if a revamped GS4 Active will make its way to other territories sans LTE-A, but adventurous (and clumsy) souls can keep their hopes up for a more powerful incarnation of the ruggedized phone.
Samsung and AT&T exchanging water-damaged Galaxy S4 Active handsets (update: confirmed)
Bummed because your Galaxy S4 Active didn't hold up as advertised while you were swimming laps? Well, it seems like Samsung and AT&T may be offering a solution: a chance to exchange those water-logged handsets. Thanks to a tipster, Phone Arena has learned that the swap will take place, but only for handsets purchased directly from the carrier or its retail shops. That's right, even if the smartphone in question's Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI) has turned positive, it's still covered. Those who have suffered physical damage, though, will still be forced to consult the usual channels for a replacement. We've reached out to AT&T for confirmation and we'll be sure to update here once we catch a reply. Update: AT&T has confirmed to us that the exchange program exists, but we're still awaiting details on how exactly consumers will be able to make the swap.
Galaxy S4 Active hits UK shops starting at £495 contract-free
The water-loving Active version of Samsung's flagship phone is now up for grabs in the UK, sim-free. Unlocked Mobiles has the ruggedized GS4 listed at £495, while Carphone Warehouse has it stocked at £530, comparable sums to the Galaxy S 4 when it launched. As you may remember, the model brings waterproof sealing to stock Galaxy S 4 internals (5-inch 1,080 x 1,920 screen, quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage and LTE capability), while settling for a lesser 8-megapixel camera. Still, you'll be able to bring those megapixels to an underwater environment most Samsung models would shun. So, while you could save yourself a few pounds by going with the standard issue Galaxy, dropping a few extra quid a the source will mean when you get tossed in the pool at your next BBQ you'll only lose your dignity, not your phone.
Refresh Roundup: week of July 1st, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review: a top-tier phone in a water-resistant package
After Samsung's latest product push in London, we have nothing short of a Galaxy S 4 franchise on our hands. While the company unveiled its expected Mini version along with a photography-focused variant, it also took a step in the rugged-device direction by announcing the Galaxy S4 Active. With IP67 water and dust protection, the phone promises to see you through 30 minutes of aquatic activity at a time. Ruggedness aside, though, this device is quite similar to the GS4, albeit in a slightly heftier -- and arguably more attractive -- package. We spent some quality time with Galaxy S4 Active on AT&T, which retails for the same $199.99 as the original S 4. So is this a better pick? You know where to find out. %Gallery-192692%
Samsung posts kernel source code for Galaxy S4 Active on AT&T, Galaxy Note 8.0 with LTE
Samsung may have been busy this past week with the launches of the Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy Note 8.0, but it hasn't forgotten its duties to Android programmers. It just posted the kernel source code for both the AT&T variant of the GS4 Active (the SGH-i537) as well as the LTE-equipped Note 8.0 in its American and Canadian forms (SGH-i467 and i467M). As with past releases, the source material gives developers a better understanding of the hardware; it also gives tinkerers an easier time when modifying the firmware or creating fully functional custom ROMs. Whichever camp you're in, the kernel code awaits at the links below.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active hands-on (video)
Ah, the Galaxy S4 Active: it's like the regular Galaxy S4 but, you know, more rugged. It's actually not a truly rugged device, since it hasn't been built to meet military specifications, but it's certainly designed to stand up to slightly more abuse than its non-Active namesake. It is able to survive in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes and sensitive areas, like the micro-USB port on the bottom edge, are protected by rubber flaps. The beefed-up build adds some weight, about three-quarters of an ounce, and we actually find it quite welcome. Where many Samsung handsets can often feel cheap, plasticky and are lighter than they look, the S4 Active actually has a pleasant and natural heft to it. The weight makes the phone feel less fragile than the regular S4 and also delivers a better balance in the hand. We grabbed some hands-on time with it at Samsung's London event, so dive past the break for our impressions.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active coming to AT&T June 21st for $199.99, pre-orders begin tomorrow
It appears that we were spot-on about yesterday's teaser, as AT&T has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active this morning. Available in stores or online starting June 21st, you'll be able to grab one of your very own for $199.99 on a two-year commitment. As we mentioned yesterday, the "life-proof" IP67-certified handset will come in Dive Blue (pictured above) and Urban Gray; there's no mention of Flame Orange, sadly. As a recap, the Active features Android 4.2, a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, a 5-inch 1080p TFT LCD panel, microSD slot with support for up to 64GB, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage (no word on how much is user-accessible), a 2,600mAh battery and an 8MP rear camera with 2MP front-facing cam. Dimension-wise, the Active measures at 139.65 x 71.25 x 9.1mm and weighs 5.29 ounces (150g) -- not too shabby for a tough device. While AT&T acknowledged that the device shouldn't be considered "rugged," it's still technically a durable smartphone that takes advantage of a sealed water-resistant cover which will protect the phone in up to one meter of H2O for thirty minutes, and even features a special camera setting called Aqua Mode which is designed to let you take some nifty underwater shots. If you're eager to get the sales process started as soon as possible, AT&T will be offering pre-orders of the device beginning tomorrow.
Early hands-on with Samsung's latest Galaxy devices: GS4 Active, GS4 mini, plus 8- and 10-inch Tab 3
Samsung just held a small preview event in Helsinki, Finland, where we briefly had the chance to play with some of its latest devices. The Intel-powered Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 was there, along with the smaller Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. We also grabbed a few moments with the Galaxy S 4 mini as well as the Galaxy S 4 Active, both of which seemed kinda predictable but nevertheless managed to leave a good impression. There was no sign of the new Galaxy Ace 3 or the heavily rumored Galaxy S 4 Zoom, and we weren't able to grab video of any of the products, but we do have a gallery for you below and some very early impressions if you read on.
Galaxy S 4 Active caught on camera again, reported specs are lower than regular GS4 (video)
First came the model number mentions, then the pictures, and now Samsung's rumored and rugged Galaxy S 4 Active has been caught on film. In a situation that screams "controlled leak," MobileTechReview appears to have handled exactly the same tethered unit we've seen snaps of, and says the device sports a dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus CPU and an 8-megapixel main camera. Even though it's just another unconfirmed piece of the rumor puzzle, an alleged AnTuTu benchmark puts a Snapdragon 600 inside the Active, matching that of the regular S 4, which packs a 13-megapixel shooter. If MobileTechReview are correct, then it wouldn't really be a hardy version of the GS4 at all, but rather another new Samsung mid-ranger that'll put up with a bit of a beating.
Samsung's rumored dust and waterproof Galaxy S 4 Active shows up in Bluetooth certification
Samsung's Galaxy S 4 Active -- a dust and waterproof version of the company's flagship -- is currently just a rumor, but documentation has started popping up online to lend some corroboration. A handset going by the handle GT-I9295, which SamMobile has linked to the S 4 Active, has shown up in a Bluetooth SIG filing. Furthermore, a user agent profile for the same model lists the display resolution as 1080p, matching that of the standard GS4. With all these small clues pointing in the same direction, the existence of an S 4 for outdoorsy types is starting to look more like a dead cert.
Samsung reportedly launching new 8-inch tablet in June, Galaxy S 4 Active in July
Samsung Gulf president Young Soo Kim reportedly made casual mention of an upcoming rugged take on the Galaxy S 4 at a press event earlier in the week, but left out any details. Sources for the Wall Street Journal claim to know more of the story, and it sounds like the toughened phone won't be alone this summer. The Galaxy S 4 Active, as it's rumored to be called, would arrive in July and carry the dust- and waterproofing of spiritual predecessors like the Galaxy Xcover 2 while maintaining the GS 4's design language. A smaller, 4.3-inch parallel to the GS 4 would appear at the same time -- Galaxy S 4 Mini, anyone? The same tipsters also expect the release of a new 8-inch "Galaxy-line tablet" in June, which suggests the Galaxy Note 8.0 may get a regular Tab counterpart. We wouldn't base our buying strategies around the rumors when Samsung hasn't said anything that's truly on the record, but it might be wise to hold off if you're not in a rush.
