galaxy tab

Samsung plans a hard-core Galaxy S4, says report

Samsung wants you to be able to take a Galaxy device with you wherever you may roam... or swim, or sandboard.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Korean monolith plans to release a variant of the much anticipated Galaxy S4 Android smartphone dubbed the Galaxy S4 Active that will be waterproof and dust proof but still have the same look and feel as the flagship S4.

The report, which cites an anonymous source, also says Samsung plans a new 8-inch Galaxy tablet and a smaller, 4.3-inch version of the Galaxy S4.

All this, while unconfirmed, seems in … Read more

Tablet Monday: Get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 for $126.99

Lover of alliteration that I am, I generally try to wait till Tuesday to trot out the tablets. But today's deal couldn't wait.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 tablet for $126.99 shipped, plus sales tax where applicable. Barely a year ago, this same model sold new for $249, and still runs about $179 elsewhere.

Update: Drat! I knew this was too good to last: Looks like it's sold out already. But do check back throughout the day in case Best Buy releases … Read more

Microsoft's tablet blip versus Android's boom

As Android tablet shipments surge, probably the best thing that can be said about Microsoft is that it's not going away.

Android tablet shipments totaled about 30 million in the fourth quarter, IDC reported today. And that number (total market) jumps to 50 million if you throw in Apple's iPad.

"There is no question that Microsoft is in this tablet race to compete for the long haul," an IDC analyst said today in a statement, trying to put Microsoft's tablet debut into perspective.

In fact, that's probably about as positive a statement that can … Read more

Samsung releases red Galaxy 2 7.0 tablet

For a limited time Samsung will be selling the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 in "garnet red." The tablet is priced at $220 and comes with a matching case in the same deep red at no additional cost.

The 7-inch tablet houses a dual-core CPU and will ship with Android 4.1. The tablet has a built-in microSD slot, Bluetooth 3.0, integrated IR for home theater control, and a USB 2.0 port.

Late last year Samsung introduced new colors to invigorate its lineup of products, including the garnet red the Galaxy 2 7.0 will sport. … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and Tab 2 tablets get Android 4.1 update, new features

Today Samsung announced that its Galaxy Tab 2 tablets and Galaxy Note 10.1 would receive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates. Samsung, rather than including only cosmetic or back-end changes that you'll never actually see, has added a number of useful-sounding (that's a Youtube video link if you'd rather not read any further) features.

Most of the new features, like improved S Pen support, look to only be compatible with the Note 10.1, not the Tab 2 tablets. This update is so far only available for the Wi-Fi versions of the tablets.

A Samsung rep … Read more

Samsung pledges quick fix for Exynos security issue

Samsung plans to fix a potential security risk for a number of Android smartphones that feature specific Samsung-made Exynos processors.

The security exploit, first uncovered earlier in the week, opens the door for hackers and other ne'er-do-wells to take control of the system RAM and root the device. Once rooted, the phone or tablet would be susceptible to a variety of malicious activities, such as installing additional apps.

Thus far, only the Exynos 4210 and 4412 processors were found to be vulnerable to the one-click rooting; however, there are quite a few Samsung products that fall under this umbrella. … Read more

IDC device maker ranking shows Apple value, Samsung volume

In the brave new world of connected personal computing devices, Hewlett-Packard is a distant No. 4, with Samsung and Apple leading the way.

Think of IDC's "Worldwide Smart Connected Device Market" report as the 21st century equivalent of PC maker rankings.

Personal computing today includes tablets and smartphones, not just the laptop in your father's home office.

That global smart-connected device market grew 27.1 percent year-over-year in the third quarter to a record 303.6 million shipments valued at $140.4 billion, IDC said today in a research note.

"HP, which is virtually non-existent … Read more

Election, iPhone 5 top Yahoo's list of 2012's popular searches

The iPhone 5 couldn't quite edge out the election to be No. 1 on Yahoo's list of most-searched terms for 2012. But it came pretty close.

Yahoo today released its data for the most-searched terms in 2012. The lists include information on "obsessions" (viral sensations), memes, gadgets, Olympians, sports teams, songs/music lyrics, TV comedies, "what is" searches, how-to searches, recipes, and several others.

At the top of the list of terms most searched overall, unsurprisingly, was "election," followed by iPhone 5. Rounding out the top five were Kim Kardashian, Kate Upton, … Read more

Texas Instruments exits consumer phones, lays off 1,700

Texas Instruments is officially getting out of the consumer smartphone business, as major phone suppliers like Apple turn to internal chip designs.

"TI...will reduce costs and focus investments in its wireless business on embedded markets with greater potential for sustainable growth. Cost reductions include the elimination of about 1,700 jobs worldwide," TI said in a statement today.

While TI didn't mention any names, one of the most telling statements alluded to companies that are now designing their own chips. That would include Apple, which designs processors for its iPhone.

"Large customers are increasingly developing … Read more