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Relive Samsung Unpacked 2013 and the launch of the Galaxy S 4, if you dare (video)
Came in late and missed the live festivities as Samsung took the wraps off of its new Galaxy S 4? No problem -- thanks to its livestream on YouTube, you can check out the unedited video stream right now in full, or just skip to your (least) favorite parts. There was a tapdancing kid, a host from a TV show you probably don't watch and a dancing group of bridesmaids. No, seriously, that happened. There was also a new phone, so check out our event hub if you want to get straight to the details, or strap in and experience it all in video form, embedded after the break. Update: Samsung has posted the edited video on YouTube, so now you can just press play.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 wireless charging pad and S Health scale hands-on
No phone launch is complete without a few accessories added to the mix. Samsung had a whole bunch to announce alongside its Galaxy S 4, but only a few were on hand to check out up close and personal. We did, however, find a nice surprise hiding under those glossy white table covers -- a wireless charging pad. Yes, it turns out the the GS 4 does in fact have Qi wireless charging capabilities. Provided its available in your region and your carrier chooses to support it. The charging pad itself has a glossy plastic base that matches the phone, but there's a nice rubbery gray top that keeps the handset from sliding around too much while it's juicing up. We also got to check out the companion wireless scale that looks quite a bit like the Fitbit Aria. Though, with a square LCD and a healthy-sized Samsung logo on it. The scale is just one part of the larger S Health equation which also includes a Jawbone Up-like monitor (S Band), which was sadly nowhere to be found in the demo pit. The scale of course sync with the baked in S Health app over Bluetooth, which makes it quite a bit easier to track how that diet of yours is going. In addition to simply tracking your total poundage, there will be bands for tracking heart rate and the S 4's various sensor can help judge the comfort level of your environment. The requisite glut of photos can be found below in the gallery.%Gallery-182903% Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung prototype wireless game pad hands-on! (update: video)
We just wrapped up the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and, while the hardware of the phone itself held few surprises, this accessory did. Samsung doesn't have a formal name for it just yet, but this concept device is expected to launch sometime this summer. It's basically a first-party Bluetooth controller with a full complement of face buttons, dual analog sticks, a D-pad and even shoulder buttons on the back. It's powered by dual AAA batteries and connects wirelessly, the phone held in place by an expanding clamp up top that looks plenty big enough to support a Note II (we tried, it fit fine) and maybe even something like the Note 8.0! Again, no pricing or details at this point, but it certainly felt nicer than your average Bluetooth controller. And, hopefully, that it's made by Samsung means we'll see widespread support.%Gallery-182899% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung demos Smart Scroll, Smart Pause and Air Gesture on Galaxy S 4
Along with several other new software features demoed at its event in New York today, Samsung showed off a Smart Scroll utility, which lets you page up or down by tilting the Galaxy S 4 in the corresponding direction. The company also demoed Air Gesture, which similarly lets you scroll without putting your fingers to the glass. Finally, a feature called Smart Pause will detect your eye movements to intelligently stop video when your gaze turns away from the screen. With dramatics fitting of the Radio City Music Hall venue, Sammy gave us a quick look at all these features in action: at a bachelorette party, where Air Gesture lets partiers look at messages without putting down those champagne flutes; on the street, where a woman can check out that guitarist on the corner without missing a second of the latest Engadget Show and -- well, Smart Scroll is straightforward enough to speak for itself. Read more about the Galaxy S 4's software and hardware in our hands-on preview. %Gallery-182898% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 accessories: cases, calorie counting and gamepads
What's a fancy new smartphone without accessories? Don't ask the Galaxy S 4 -- it's already planning to augment its software tricks with scales, fitness bands and of course, the requisite screen cover. Samsung's latest flagship won't settle for a mere flip cover, however, its S View Cover features a window to the Galaxy S 4's 5-inch Super AMOLED screen, allowing users to peek at the display and even answer calls without exposing their device. There's goodies for the health conscious to buy, too: the jawbone-like S band and a Samsung branded body scale, both of which sync with the device's S Health software. The device even has gamers covered, teasing a prototype gamepad with striking resemblance to the beloved Xbox 360 gamepad. Sammy didn't mention when these accessories would hit the market (or at what price), but we'll keep our ear to the ground for future details. %Gallery-182897% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung's Knox security solution to launch with Galaxy S 4
Back at Mobile World Congress, Samsung filled us in about its Knox security suite, and now it's just announced that it'll ship on the Galaxy S 4. In case you need your memory jogged, Knox focuses on providing enterprise security features that let business and personal content coexist on the same handset. Like BlackBerry Balance, the solution cordons off work-related apps, email accounts and the like in secure containers, while keeping personal things without password protection. Though the GS4 will nab Knox first, other Samsung devices are set to receive it as well. %Gallery-182894% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 vs. Galaxy S III: what's changed?
Okay, okay, we all get it: the Galaxy S 4 looks a lot like last year's model. But there are of course some differences, most notably on the inside, where the phone steps up to either an Exynos 5 or Snapdragon chip, depending on the region. As is our way, we've combed the spec sheets for both models to see exactly what's changed this time around. So, phone snobs, have at it! Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung unveils the Galaxy S 4's software tricks: camera modes, Story Album, S Voice Drive and more
Samsung is revealing what Smart software additions the Galaxy S 4 will bring to the table, and they're well beyond what's been rumored. The camera is one of the biggest focuses, borrowing much from the Galaxy Camera: Cinema Photo captures still images with moving backgrounds, a Drama Shot burst mode that creates animated GIFs, an Eraser mode to remove unwanted background subjects, and a Sound & Shot mode that puts audio in the background of still images. A Story Album automatically creates photo albums (including ones you can print via Blurb) based on common details such as location and time. And did we mention that it can shoot photos and video from both the front and back cameras at the same time? That's just the start. AirView now works with your finger, rather than a pen, and is effective right from the lock screen. Adapt Display and Adapt Sound automatically tune the picture and speakers for varying viewing conditions, and WatchOn uses a built-in IR blaster to tune your TV. S Translator, meanwhile, will take both spoken and written words and translate them through several languages, inside of multiple apps. S Voice has been upgraded to S Voice Drive to let drivers get navigation, find points of interest and otherwise interact with the phone without having to take any hands off the wheel. S Health, which Samsung initially mentioned last year, is around to track calories and steps through accessories such as S band, a body scale and a heart rate monitor. Like to do things that involve more than one person? There's more still. ChatOn has been upgraded to support video chat, and Group Play both allows for sharing songs in a surround mode or playing local multiplayer games -- when it's supported, that is. All told, there's a small deluge of new features that could amount to a lot, even excluding new hands-free elements like Smart Scroll. Check after the break for a quick preview video and the press release. %Gallery-182892% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 preview: a flagship with some familiar roots
You say you want a revolution? Too bad, because this Galaxy smartphone update is just that... an update. Samsung's newly unveiled Galaxy S 4 is an incremental step up, an evolution less "inspired by nature" and more by last year's GS III. Don't believe us? Just take a look at the two handsets side by side to see the overtly obvious heritage. Samsung's staying the course with the overall design language, though it's expanded the screen size to five inches -- now powered by a Full HD Super AMOLED display with 441 ppi (and yes, it's still PenTile). On the inside, it has a processor setup that we're told will be either an Exynos 5 or Snapdragon depending on the region, along with 2GB of RAM, 16, 32 or 64GB of internal storage, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 2,600mAh battery. Starting to see the bigger picture here? Samsung had a good thing on its hands with the GS III and it's not willing to compromise much of the tried-and-true with the GS 4. It will launch globally in Q2, with a stateside debut on T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular and Cricket. Until then, join us past the break for our detailed first impressions. %Gallery-182135% %Gallery-182392% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 launching on 327 carriers in 155 countries, starting at the end of April
Samsung has announced some of its launch partners for the Galaxy S 4 which will include some 327 carriers in 155 countries. According to JK Shin, it will include global LTE roaming, with 3G and LTE models in multiple bands (up to hexa band, according to the slide). Samsung's PR reveals it will be on all four major US carriers, plus US Cellular and Cricket, while European carriers include Deutsche Telecom, EE, H3G, Orange, Telenor, Telia Sonera, Telefonica, and Vodafone. Update: AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint have all issued official statements to along with the launch which are included after the break. Look below for links to early registration for launch details from Samsung and the various carriers. Update 2: Mobile Syrup has obtained a list of confirmed Canadian carriers which includes Bell, Eastlink, Fido, Koodo, Mobilicity, Rogers, SaskTel, TELUS, Videotron, Virgin Mobile and Wind Mobile. Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 official: 5-inch 1080p display, Octa-core Exynos chip and 13MP camera
Another year, another Galaxy S flagship smartphone from Samsung. 2013's version of the crown jewel, the Galaxy S 4, has just been officially announced at its Unpacked event. Since we know you're dying to find out what's new, let's dive straight into the details. The GS 4 features a 5-inch 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) Super AMOLED panel which offers a pixel density of 441 ppi and the ability to use your gloves at the same time. It's also a powerful beast: it packs 2GB RAM and will come with either a 1.6GHz Exynos Octa-core chip or a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm, depending on your region. (Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't yet specified which Snapdragon we can expect, but we're guessing it's at least a 600 if not an 800.) Refreshingly, it will also come with Android 4.2.2 on-board when it launches. Dimension-wise, the GS 4 is 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inch) and weighs 130g (4.59 ounces). The chassis itself is actually 0.8mm skinnier, 0.7mm thinner and 3g lighter than its predecessor, which is impressive given its larger screen size and 2,600mAh battery. It will launch in black and white hues, though Samsung plans to add more colors to its lineup as the year progresses. Head below the break as we continue to reveal what else you can expect from the newest Galaxy device. %Gallery-182392% Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.
Samsung Unpacked 2013 liveblog!
It's time to see what our friend Jeremy has been hiding and meet Samsung's next Galaxy phone. The fourth generation of its Android flagship will debut on this page, so check back here for a minute by minute breakdown of the events from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The fun gets started at 7PM ET on Thursday, March 14th! March 14, 2013 7:00 PM EDT
Samsung Galaxy S IV gets detailed in extensive early preview, screen examined up close
We haven't exactly been lacking for leaks of Samsung's new Galaxy S IV ahead of its launch later today, but those looking for yet more can now get their fix courtesy of an extensive preview/review of the still-unofficial phone published by IT168. That's the same site that's been the source of a number of those aforementioned leaks in recent days. While it's still not clear if the phone in their possession is identical to Samsung's final retail device, it certainly appears to be a well-polished version, and decidedly familiar for anyone accustomed to the Galaxy S III. The preview goes particularly in-depth on the phone's screen, even going so far as to put it under a microscope to compare it to the Galaxy S III and Note II. Hit the source link below for a closer look yourself. [Thanks, Humberto]
LG trolls Samsung's Times Square billboards with Optimus G '4' ads
The press is headed to Radio City Music Hall for Samsung's Galaxy S IV event in a few hours, but the company has also taken up consumer-focused presence in Times Square -- where rival LG is waiting. As shown in the pic, LG has refashioned its billboards (which it already occupied for 20 years before the new neighbor moved in below last year) to mock Samsung's "4" themed advertising, touting that the Optimus G is "here 4 you now", among other messages. They'd probably have a better chance of grabbing our attention if the upgraded Optimus G Pro were here 4 us instead, but that's not an option yet. Still, we have to appreciate a prank pulled off well enough that it even scores some screen time in a Samsung promo video (at :49 and 2:04) embedded after the break.
Samsung Galaxy S IV: the rumor roundup
Compared to the sheer deluge of rumors surrounding last year's Galaxy S III, talk about the Galaxy S IV has been relatively hushed. That's partly owing to the contracted launch schedule -- despite Samsung's initial denials, the company is unveiling its next Android flagship almost two months before the GS3's first birthday. There's still been a fair share of rumormongering, however, and a picture is emerging of just what Samsung could unveil for yet another encore. Will the smartphone giant make a sharp break from tradition? Read past the break for a roundup of what to expect when Samsung hits the stage at Radio City Music Hall.
Supposed Galaxy S 4 leak resurfaces in high-res pics, lists more features and specs
What is purported to be a dual-SIM equipped engineering sample of Samsung's Galaxy S 4 popped up a few days ago in pictures and video on a Chinese forum, and now it's back for a better look. The new pictures show off what's measured as a 1080p 4.99-inch display with an embossed home key and cross-hatch textured plastic back cover (already cracked on this unit). Engadget Chinese came through with a translation, and the specs listed on it168 claim its Exynos 5410 is a 1.8GHz 8-core CPU unit, with PowerVR SGX 544MP3 GPU. The i9502 weighs in at 138g and measures 7.7mm thick, packs 2GB of RAM and 16GB ROM storage with a microSD expansion slot and has a 2600mAh battery. Also revealed are a few more software tweaks, with the Smart Stay eye tracking that had previously been outed, plus a feature (pictured after the break) that lets users hover their fingers over the display to produce a Galaxy Note II S-Pen stylus-like effect. Check out another picture after the break or an entire slideshow past the source leak -- we're less than 24 hours away from seeing the real thing unveiled in NYC.
We're liveblogging Samsung's Unpacked 2013 event tomorrow at 7PM ET!
It's that time of year again, when Samsung shows off the next iteration of its massively popular Galaxy smartphone. A heavy focus on the number 4 and a slew of teasers leave little doubt what we'll see, but the exact hardware and software details of how the Galaxy S IV (4?) will outdo its last effort remain shrouded in mystery. We'll be live on hand at Radio City Music Hall with the details as they happen, and Samsung is promising a live video feed here. The fireworks kick off at 7PM ET tomorrow, look below for your locally adjusted time and bookmark our liveblog and event hub pages now (relive the 2012 Galaxy S III unveiling here). March 14, 2013 7:00 PM EDT
Is this the Samsung Galaxy S IV or is it in disguise again? (update: video tour!)
Mere days before Samsung unveils its newest phone, a Chinese forum post has offered some purported shots of the Galaxy S IV. Now it's worth mentioning from the outset that Samsung plays a good game of subterfuge. It masked the Galaxy S III ahead of its reveal last year in a blockier plastic frame and it could be that this phone, with a very Note-esque face and outline, is also a filler ahead of the final reveal. It could also be yet another phone that will slot in elsewhere in Samsung's ever-expanding Galaxy family, or even a Shenzhen knock-off that's jumped the gun -- we spotted that the front-facing camera hole doesn't quite align properly. However, with that said, there's still plenty here to muse on. The shots appear to be taken in a phone unlocking shop somewhere in China, with this GT-i9502 model apparently bound for carrier China Unicom. Interestingly (at least for a flagship), it appears to be a dual-SIM version, with the mono-SIM version apparently picking up model number GT-i9500 -- a number that would fit in with the series so far. According to the leak, it's running a fresh version of Android (4.2.1) with a 1080p display (no word on dimensions just yet), 2GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel camera on the back. The mention of a "5410" CPU suggests it's Samsung's Exynos Octa chip powering it and while AnTuTu might only recognize that as a quad-core chip, we noted during our hands-on with the new chipset that only four cores were being used at a time. We're still hoping Samsung's final design pushes the envelope a little further than a repositioned camera sensor and a new glossy texture -- we've added a shot of this after the break. Rest assured, Jeremy will be letting us in on the big secret later this week. Update: A forum member also managed to grab a quick video tour of the mystery phone. We've added the YouTube version after the break [Thanks Steven Y.]
Samsung Galaxy S IV screenshots support Smart scroll rumors, add Smart pause (update)
Samsung made a big deal out of its new "Smart" UI tweaks when it launched the Galaxy S III, so the suggestion that it might have its digital tool box out for the next iteration wouldn't surprise us at all. The Smart scroll mooted by the New York Times would appear to be corroborated in the above leaked images. If they are the real-deal, then it's joined by Smart pause, a similar eye-tracking feature that stops any playing video if you glance away. Sammobile also states that the images they received back up claims of a 1080p display, but with sources shrouded in secrecy, and Jeremy earning his keep, the real Smart money suggests you wait a little longer to find out. Update: Sammobile has since added more info from its source, advising that these are shots from another ROM, intended for the GS III, but still insists its intel confirms these features are coming. Update 2: Well, Sammobile isn't the only site claiming to have exclusive access to screenshots of upcoming Samsung ROMs. The difference is GSM-Israel isn't claiming to have a GS III update, it believes it has legit screenshots from the Galaxy S IV. There are some notable differences between the two sets of images, implying they're from different devices. The specs betrayed by the various settings apps are right in line with what we're expecting: 1080p screen, quad-core CPU, 13-megapixel camera, etc... We've stuck one image after the break, but you'll find a whole lot more at the source. [Thanks, Alex]
Samsung Galaxy S IV design, specs potentially leaked on Twitter (update: they're from Expansys)
Even as the secret of Samsung's Galaxy S IV has been handed off to some teenager, the @evleaks Twitter account (which has been reliable in the past) just posted a supposed pic of and specs for the phone. Along with what's clearly a rendering and potentially just a placeholder image of the phone, the specs list a Super AMOLED Full HD screen of unknown size, 16GB/32GB/64GB storage options with 2GB of RAM, a 13MP camera and Android 4.2 OS. A second image shows the same mockup lined up with previous Galaxy phones apparently confirming its status as the largest one yet, although that's not surprising given recent trends. Of course, given what we know about the lengths Samsung went to protect the design of the Galaxy S III (multiple designs, hand-delivered prototypes), you'll forgive us for reserving judgement until the real thing is shown off on March 14th. Update: We've been informed that both renders are from e-tailer Expansys, which adds yet another dusting of salt to the reliability of these specs. The listing also throws in that rumored eye-based scrolling feature. Jeremy is in big trouble. Update 2: Now evleaks has deleted the original tweets -- anyone else ready for 9 more days like this?
