GalaxyNote3
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China nails Samsung and Oppo over smartphone bloatware
A minor Chinese consumer protection group has filed lawsuits against Samsung and Oppo to contest the pair's use of bloatware on their smartphones. The Shanghai Consumer Council believes that the two companies install far too many additional apps on their devices and then make it difficult for them to be easily removed. The group says that it was motivated to launch the legal broadside after a high number of complaints from users. It believes that people are aggrieved that they've got less storage space than expected, and that these apps slurp down excessive quantities of data.
White House has had legal talks with Samsung about that presidential selfie
It isn't quite the selfie-retweeted-'round-the-world, but that hasn't stopped the White House from answering questions about David Ortiz's impromptu snapshot with the president. Obama's senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer made an appearance on Face the Nation to talk about serious matters like the state of the Affordable Healthcare Act, but didn't shy away from host Bob Schieffer's questions about the above picture (those start around the 5:47 mark). Pfeiffer said that the president didn't know anything about Samsung's connection with Big Papi, and that whenever someone is using the president to promote a product, that's concern for the White House's counsel. On the topic of legal action, Pfeiffer said that the while the White House has spoken with Samsung, he'd rather leave the outcome of that conversation between the lawyers. "Maybe this will be the end of all selfies," he said. We can only hope. [Image credit: David Ortiz, Twitter]
Cellphone deals of the week: 3.28.14
We're smack-dab in the middle of the new phone-announcement season. While you'll have to shell out quite a bit for the latest hardware, some previous models -- including recent releases -- are getting price cuts. Head on past the break to peruse the handful we've selected, catering to iOS, Android and Windows Phone sensibilities along the way. If there are other hand-held devices that you're after that we haven't included here -- join us and add them to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!
AT&T's Galaxy Note 3 gets a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat
Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 may already be running the latest version of Android in some places. Here in the US, however, most carriers still haven't updated the faux leather-covered device to KitKat. But, starting today, at least a good number of Note 3 owners will be getting a taste of it, with AT&T announcing that its version of Android 4.4 is now rolling out to the 5.7-inch handset. You can expect to experience quite a few new things as part of this, such as a revamped user interface, improved GPS and the option to choose a default messaging app. The update is said to be available now -- all you need to do is tap your way to that Software Update menu, download the goods and voilà.
Samsung devices no longer boosting benchmark scores after Android 4.4 update
Those artificially inflated benchmark scores Samsung devices were getting last year? They've been patched. According to new tests run by Ars Technica, Samsung devices running Android 4.4 no longer boost CPU speeds during benchmark tests. In July, Exynos variants of the Galaxy S 4 and Note 3 were caught running their CPUs at an unsustainable max speed during benchmark programs, bolstering their total score by as much as 20 percent. Samsung suggested this was normal, claiming that varied processor frequencies were designed to provide an "optimal user experience." The firm never clearly explained if the phenomenon was a feature, fault or foul play, but it's over now: Devices updated to the latest version of Android are apparently running clean.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 begins Android 4.4 KitKat rollout in Poland
Sometimes, even the most massive of updates have humble beginnings. This is the case with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, a device that offered Android 4.3 Jelly Bean upon its debut. We all figured it was just a matter of time before an upgrade to 4.4 KitKat became available to users, and it appears Samsung is now ready to offer it -- albeit, on a rather small scale starting in Poland. According to SamMobile, Polish Note 3 owners (for the Snapdragon 800 quad-core version, at least) can now sideload the update through the manufacturer's Kies software. This is a pretty quiet and restrictive launch, so Samsung hasn't officially made any announcements, but we have a feeling that the company's limiting the rollout at first to ensure all of the possible bugs have been squashed prior to worldwide availability.
Samsung's budget Galaxy Note 3 Neo reportedly caught on camera
Remember that talk of a lower-cost Galaxy Note 3? You may be looking at the phone right now. SamMobile claims to have photos of the rumored Galaxy Note 3 Neo (aka Lite), and they show what you'd expect -- a slightly smaller, less advanced version of Samsung's pen-toting flagship. The leak also includes benchmarks that back up rumors of an 8-megapixel camera, a 720p screen and a hexa-core processor with performance between that of the Galaxy S 4 and the full-size Note 3. There's no guarantee that the photos or the specs reflect a shipping product, but there are murmurs of a possible Neo launch at Mobile World Congress in late February; we may not have to wait long to learn more.
Samsung leak points to cut-down Galaxy Note 3 'Neo' with six-core CPU
If you like the idea of a big old pen-equipped Samsung handset but don't want to spend a bundle on a Galaxy Note 3, you might soon be in luck. GSM Arena has unearthed a sales document that spells out the specs for an alleged Galaxy Note 3 Neo, which seems to recycle many aspects of last year's Note 2: a 5.55-inch 720p screen, 8-megapixel camera, 2GB of RAM and 3,100mAh battery. However, the new device would also pack an unannounced 1.7GHz dual + 1.3GHz quad "hexa" chip, which could be a new Exynos processor variant. It'll also sport the same design touches as its big brother Note 3, like the slimmer profile, faux leather back and Magazine UX seen on the new Galaxy Note Pro 12.2. That's assuming the document's for real, of course -- we'll believe it when we see the skeumorphic stitching for ourselves.
A chip off the 3D-printing block: Samsung partners with 3D Systems for custom Note 3 cases (video)
It figures that Samsung would want to take its "Create" tagline for the Note series and press on into 3D printing because: You. Customization. The endless possibilities. And all that other jargon-y industry buzz buzz buzz. Well, now that the Korean electronics giant's taking a stab at the make-it-yourself wheel, it's partnered with 3D Systems to show off an app that makes custom inserts for specially designed Galaxy Note 3 cases. The catch here being that it's not a soon-to-be released commercial product. This is all just concept for now and you have to be at CES 2014 in Las Vegas to test it out. Instead of whipping up entire cases, the 3D Systems app allows users visiting Samsung's booth to create custom-designed coins (small plastic inserts that slot into the base of a Note 3 case) using its new entry-level Cube 3 3D printer. Coin creation is fairly straightforward with options to add a range of pre-set icons, text or freehand drawing. There are also three templates users can choose from: a plain-faced Simple Coin, an Olive Wreath or Poker Chip. But 3D Systems told us that it intends to swap out these three templates throughout the week, so what you'll see will depend on the day you visit. Once you've settled on a final design, the coin-printing process takes about 20 minutes to complete, but not everyone who passes through the booth will see their designs come to life. 3D Systems plans to sort through all submitted designs and populate a wall in Samsung's booth with the best of the bunch -- a money shot we'll have for you later this week. So, there's your taste of the future folks: Big-ass phones, styluses, 3D printers and your unbridled creativity (actual sense of taste optional).
IRL: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Well, this is a fitting idea for an end-of-the-year column: let's revisit one of our favorite gadgets of 2013 (the Galaxy Note 3) along with one of the most disappointing (that'd be the Galaxy Gear). Does Jon like the Note 3 as much as our reviewer James did? And might he be a little more forgiving of the smartwatch?
Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 cracks 10 million sales barrier in just two months
Okay, we get it -- Samsung sells a lot of handsets and has the profits to show for it. But the company said that its new Galaxy Note 3 is far and away the most successful so far of its entire Note lineup, with 10 million units sold in a mere 60 days. That's twice the sales pace of the Galaxy Note II, and even pushing its sales champ, the Galaxy S 4, which took 50 days to hit that magic number. The Note 3 is available in 58 countries, but Samsung singled out China out as a particularly strong market due to the popularity of the S Pen and just launched two new colors there. Anyway, given those numbers, it's a safe bet nobody's using "the ph-word" as an epithet for the Note 3 anymore.
Samsung adds red and 'rose gold' colors to its Galaxy Note 3 lineup
Smartphones these days are as much fashion accessories as pure gadgets and Galaxy Note 3 fans will soon have two more ways to mix and match. First off, Samsung went straight for a trendy "rose gold" hue for the handset's metal edge against a black or white body color, giving it a blingy Chanel vibe. Also on tap is a "merlot red" so that exhibitionist types will have something more outré to lust after than the current jet black, classic white and blush rose finishes. The new shades will be launched in China later this month, with other regions getting them as per "market preference," according to Samsung. We're not sure what that means exactly, because the market usually prefers things yesterday.
Mobile Miscellany: week of October 7th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought a sneak peek of HTC Sense 5.5, along with an exclusive HTC One in Vivid Blue to Carphone Warehouse and the beta release of Nokia Glance Background for Lumia smartphones. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of October 7th, 2013.
Refresh Roundup: week of September 30th, 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!
Weekly Roundup: Galaxy Note 3 and Gear reviews, Twitter's $1 billion IPO, Silk Road shutdown and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Samsung unpacks kernel source code for Galaxy Note 3
Now that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is available to the public, you know what that means. Yep, it's time for Samsung to release its kernel source code so that Android developers can get cracking on perfecting their apps for the 5.7-inch handset. As with past releases, the Korean company has kindly complied, revealing the source code for Sprint, AT&T and SK Telecom versions today -- it posted eight other international variants last week. The SM-N900P version is for Sprint and is expected to have a sizable software update soon, the SM-N900S is the one for SK Telecom, while the AT&T model is SM-N900A and is the only one with a locked bootloader thanks to the carrier's restrictions on that front. Sure you'll be unable to install custom ROMs on the latter, but programmers can still download the files to see what else the code has to offer. If that applies to you, go ahead and hit the source link to get started.
This week on gdgt: Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 Jawbone's Mini Jambox, and iMessage issues
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Samsung reportedly not alone in cheating Android benchmarks
Samsung has come under fire this week for allegedly inflating the benchmark scores for the Galaxy Note 3 among other Android devices, but -- shocker -- the company is not alone in enhancing scores. AnandTech just published a report that shows ASUS, HTC and other companies using the same "benchmark detect" function to artificially bump up the numbers. According to the site, virtually all OEMs run a CPU optimization on at least one of their devices, save for Apple, Google's Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 and Motorola's latest crop of phones. Dishonesty aside, though, what's the big to-do about these inflated scores? AnandTech found that companies notched less than a 10-percent performance boost in AnTuTu and Vellamo. And when's the last time you based your smartphone purchase on benchmark scores alone, anyway?
Samsung builds a social networking app around S Pen doodles
For those who actually unsheathe the S Pen from their Samsung device from time to time (unlike yours truly), there's now away to flaunt your stylus-ing prowess in public. The company has just launched PEN.UP, a social networking app dedicated to digital artwork from suitably-equipped Galaxy devices. Like any good sharing app, you can set up a personal feed containing your own sketches, group them thematically and follow and like others. For those who think drawing is a competitive sport, there's even a hall of of fame where members can vie for champion artist honors. So, if you're looking to get your S Pen on (and have a supported device), hit the source.
Samsung reportedly boosting Galaxy Note 3 benchmark performance by 20 percent
Samsung drew criticism for inflating the benchmark scores of Exynos devices earlier in the year, but the company appears undaunted; it's reportedly boosting test numbers for other hardware as well. Ars Technica has discovered that the Snapdragon 800-based Galaxy Note 3 (and possibly the new Note 10.1) includes code that runs all CPU cores at full speed during certain benchmarks. The tweak gives the smartphone a minimum 20 percent higher score in any affected app, or enough to claim an artificially large advantage over an LG G2 using a similar chip. There may also be a graphics boost, Ars says. We've asked Samsung for its take on the findings. Whether or not the company responds, we don't envy its position -- it's hard to form an alliance devoted to accurate mobile benchmarking when you're accused of doctoring results.
