samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4 edges out iPhone 5 in camera test

DxO Labs has named Samsung's Galaxy S4 a new winner in its mobile-phone camera tests.

The French firm, which specializes in camera optics and image sensor analysis, gave the new Android phone a score of 75 this week, edging out the iPhone 5 at 72. The top scorer is the Nokia 808 Pureview at 77, but that model is hobbled by its Symbian operating system, a commercial failure compared to Apple's iOS in the iPhone and Google's Android in the Galaxy S4.

Perhaps Nokia will have better commercial success with its rumored "Eos" phone, which … Read more

AT&T nabs Samsung Galaxy S4 exclusively in red

AT&T's rivals could start seeing red over the carrier's exclusive lock on the Samsung Galaxy S4's latest hue.

The Aurora Red shade of the 16GB Galaxy S4 goes on sale to AT&T customers starting June 14, though pre-orders begin May 24.

AT&T seems to have a special affinity for red shades; just about a year ago it also scored exclusive U.S. rights to sell the GS4 predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S3, in a shade of red. Later, that color and others became available globally.

While AT&T may have … Read more

Samsung touts 10M sales figure for Galaxy S4

Samsung says it has sold more than 10 million Galaxy S4 smartphones to retailers and wireless operators less than a month after the handset's debut, making it the company's fastest selling smartphone to date.

In a press release Wednesday, the company noted that the GS4's predecessor, the Galaxy S3, hit the 10 million mark in terms of global channel sales -- not sales to consumers -- 50 days after its 2012 launch, and that the GS2 and GS took five and seven months, respectively, to reach that mark.

The GS4, then, would seem to be carrying Samsung … Read more

Stalk your love object with your gadget, says new Galaxy S4 ad

Technology and love have a long relationship.

In recent times, the former has played the dominant role.

We now find partners online and one-night stands on our phones.

However, Samsung would like you to know that the best way to meet the woman of your dreams is to pull out your gadget and stalk her a little.

Perhaps this is already your preferred form of seduction. This new Galaxy S4 ad will be, therefore, a touch redundant for you.

For the rest of us, though, it is an education. Here is a boy who cannot help taking pictures of the … Read more

On the road with Samsung's S-Voice Drive mode

Aside from sounding like it received its moniker from BMW's product department, the S-Voice Drive driving mode is an extension of the Samsung Galaxy S4's S-Voice voice-command app that adjusts the system in a few very important ways for drivers.

First, it allows the driver's interactions to be mostly hands-free. When in this mode, S-Voice Drive can be activated with a spoken command, rather than pushing a button. This allows drivers to keep both hands on the wheel. Simply say, "Hi, Galaxy" and the device springs to attention, ready to accept your voice commands.

Next, … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Discover leaps to Cricket (hands-on)

LAS VEGAS -- Although already available through other carriers like Net10 and Straight Talk, the Samsung Galaxy Discover will be available on Cricket Wireless starting this summer.

The news was made official during a press conference today during CTIA. The carrier also announced that it will release the Samsung Admire 2 in the summer, as well as the Galaxy S4 on June 7.

Though Cricket did not release final pricing, the Galaxy Discover currently retails for about $100.

Design Compact and sturdy at 4.4 ounces, the 3.5-inch Galaxy Discover is a small entry-level device that measures 4.59 … Read more

Cricket announces Samsung Admire 2 for summer (hands-on)

LAS VEGAS--Cricket Wireless has big plans for this year. In addition to announcing that it will be offering the Galaxy S4 in June, and its new "Half is More" ad campaign, the prepaid carrier also reported that it will sell the Samsung Admire 2.

Though no specific availability date and pricing information was given, the Admire 2 is scheduled to come out this summer. Its predecessor, which was originally offered on MetroPCS, launched with an initial price point of $129.

Design During the press conference, Cricket did not release any specs. But what I could gather from handling … Read more

Samsung buys 10 percent stake in Pantech for $48 million

Samsung has inked a deal with fellow Korean phone maker Pantech for an equity stake in the company.

In a statement on Wednesday, Samsung confirmed an earlier report from Yonhap News, saying that it has acquired a 10 percent stake in Pantech for $48 million. The company said that the investment is designed solely to enhance the relationship between the firms.

As expected, the move has raised some eyebrows in Korea, where Samsung and Pantech are competing most heavily in the mobile device market. Elsewhere around the world, Pantech's devices are decidedly second- or third-tier and don't amount … Read more

Cricket's Samsung Galaxy S4 sells June 7 for $600

LAS VEGAS -- Cricket announced on Wednesday that it'll sell Samsung's Galaxy S4 smartphone starting June 7.

The superpremium handset sells for the hefty sum of $599.99, but buyers can also put $55 down and space out monthly payments.

Cricket's version of the Galaxy S4 includes the same high-end hardware specs you'll find on any carrier, like a 5-inch HD screen, a 13-megapixel camera, and a TV remote control. However, it'll also carry Cricket's Muve Music service, which gives you unlimited access to downloadable songs and ringtones as part of the monthly Android … Read more

LoJack for Samsung Galaxy S4 goes hard-core on thieves

LAS VEGAS -- There are apps and settings to locate a lost or stolen smartphone, and to remotely wipe the contents, but those will only get you so far if your phone's actually been nabbed.

On Tuesday, LoJack for Laptops maker Absolute Software announced the imminent release of LoJack for Android smartphones, starting with Samsung's Galaxy S4.

In the event that your smartphone disappears, through your own carelessness or malicious intent, LoJack's software offers remote locking and deleting to keep your photos, passwords, and other sensitive information private.

However, what you really pay for is the company'… Read more