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Samsung begins rolling out Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S III
While its promise to roll out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to Galaxy S III owners by the end of October may have lapsed, Samsung isn't making users wait too long to get their hands on its latest update. Starting today, the Korean company has begun issuing over-the-air updates for its older flagship, adding compatibility with its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, speed improvements, a new lockscreen and actionable notifications. In fact, many new features mirror those found in the Android 4.3 build for the Galaxy S 4, which include an updated UI, voice controls and new screen modes. The update is already reaching devices in Ireland, with further countries set to follow once regional carriers give it the green light. Once that's complete, Samsung will have the small task of deciding which of its devices will get an upgrade to Google's latest OS treat.
Samsung offers Galaxy S III in pink, but only in Korea to start
In the last round of color additions to its flagship Galaxy S III smartphone, Samsung took a decidedly sombre tone, with new hues like Titanium Gray and Amber Brown. But, according to GSM Arena, the smartphone maker decided to lighten things up this time, going with a pale pink to round out its color selection for the model to a lucky seven -- but the new shade will only roll out to Korea, for now. It will go along with the original Marble White and Pebble Blue, plus the aforementioned dark colors which were accompanied by Garnet Red and Sapphire Black. There's no mention of availability stateside, but if you've been thinking of settling for a less capable model to matchy-match with Fifi, now you can go with power and panache.
Moving from Cupertino to Mountain View? Samsung's here to help (update: UK only)
Moving? We all have our reasons, but if you're transferring your stuff from iOS to a Galaxy device, Samsung and Media Mushroom are there to help with the Easy Phone Sync app. The free software installs on your Galaxy product and a PC or Mac, then shleps your stuff wholesale -- media, contacts and all -- from iTunes over to your chosen Samsung Android slate or phone. It even lets you continue to use iTunes to manage music, photos and videos, while keeping everything sync'd up with the non-Cupertino devices. We're sure that Samsung is just trying to lend a hand, and doesn't have any (ahem) other purposes in mind. Check the PR after the break to see for yourself. Update: To be clear, Easy Phone Sync's only for Galaxy-toting folks living in the UK.
CyanogenMod 9 add-on gives your Galaxy Nexus a glass slipper, it will go to the GS III ball
If the arrival of the GS III has placed a dent in your "latest Galaxy" street-cred, help is at hand. Once again it's the fine folk at XDA-Developers who come up with the goods, in the form of a CM9 add-on pack for the apparently passé Galaxy Nexus. Included in the bundle are all the leaked goodies from Samsung's latest flagship so far (including a working S Voice), as well as a TouchWiz launcher for added authenticity, plus a few other treats for good measure. While designed for CM9, it's believed it may also work with other, similar ROMs. It's available just in time for the real-deal release, so no one (well those with a very untrained eye, at least) need ever know your dirty little secret.
Samsung announces 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad as basis for Galaxy S3
Looking for something a bit more solid than a third-party benchmark? We can do that. "Already in production the Exynos 4 Quad is scheduled to be adopted first into Samsung's next Galaxy smartphone that will officially be announced in May," the horse's mouth reveals. Samsung boasts that the new 32nm 1.4GHz quad-core processor flaunts twice the processing power over its predecessor, thanks to its High-K Metal Gate (HKMG) low-power technology. The net energy savings? About 20-percent. "The application processor is a crucial element in providing our customers with a PC-like experience on mobile devices," explains Hankil Yoon, Senior VP of Product Strategy Team at Samsung, "Samsung's next Galaxy device, which will be officially announced soon, offers uncompromised performance and ground breaking multitasking features, thanks to Exynos 4 Quad's powerful performance and efficient energy management technology." Sammy says it's shopping the new processor around to other handset manufacturers (like Meizu), noting that the Exynos 4 Quad is pin-to-pin compatible with the Exynos 4 Dual (the brains behind the Galaxy S II and Note), which gives designers the ability to update product designs with minimal costs. Check out Samsung's full press release after the break.
What do Samsung and Phones 4u have to show the UK on March 30th?
We're not saying this could be the date-of-reveal for the Galaxy S III, but we also can't say it's not. What we can surmise, however, is that either Samsung or UK retailer Phones 4u (possibly both) apparently have something to unveil on March 30th. According to Eurodroid, the window pictured above, simply reading "coming 30.03.12" under a Samsung logo, was photographed by one of its readers outside of the Phones 4u located on Oxford St. in London. The site also notes that this same location was the exclusive retailer for the Galaxy Nexus when it launched, making the little meat that's currently here all the more juicy. Whatever Sammy has in store, you'll just have to keep guessing as it remains a mystery for now. Hit up the links below for more photos and speculation, and be sure let us know your best guess in the comments.
