s4

Galaxy S4: Imagine it impossibly thin, with laser keyboard

The upcoming Galaxy S4 from Samsung is already carrying the weight of the whole Android smartphone world on its shoulders, even though it hasn't been officially announced yet, and we'd be lucky to see it actually available within the next six months.

Many are hoping the next flagship phone from Samsung could finally be the legendary and long-foretold Apple eater first documented in the book of Genesis. Actually, maybe that's something else. But there's still much speculation that Samsung could pull something groundbreaking out of its huge chaebolic hat to vault ahead of the iPhone (some, … Read more

Analyst cryptically notes that iPad Mini gen-2 is 'pulled in'

Chipmakers are preparing for the second-generation iPad Mini and Samsung is on track for a phone with a bendable display and possibly an early intro of the Galaxy S4, according to a research note from RBC Capital Markets.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Doug Freedman -- who is in China visiting chip companies this week -- offered this ambiguous Apple note: "iPad Mini Gen-2: Apple's gen-2 iPad mini is getting pulled-in, and is likely to have several new suppliers, with TXN gaining content."

"Pulled in" would seem to imply that Apple is moving up introduction of … Read more

MediaTek joins Samsung, Nvidia quad-core club

MediaTek will take on Samsung and Nvidia in the emerging market for mobile quad-core chips.

The Hsinchu, Taiwan-based company today announced the MT6589, a quad-core system-on-a-chip (SoC) that integrates a modem supporting HSPA+ and other international standards.

Integration of a modem into a quad-core chip is a first, the company says.

The processor is based on ARM's Cortex-A7 design, the same technology used in Qualcomm's upcoming quad-core S4 processors.

But that Qualcomm chip won't be available commercially until well into next year. The MediaTek chip, on the other hand, will appear in smartphones that are expected to … Read more

Samsung Galaxy S4 will be a no-show at CES

Don't hold your breath for Samsung to unveil the Galaxy S4 any time soon.

The successor to Samsung's blockbuster Galaxy S3 smartphone won't be showing up at the Consumer Electronics Show next month, CNET has learned.

At the tech confab, Samsung is planning to introduce a number of electronic products, heavily focused on televisions, according to people familiar with the company's plans. Those announcements, however, do not include any major mobile news, and Samsung plans to showcase its mobile products at a separate media event after CES.

Speculation about the Galaxy S4's arrival surfaced yesterday … Read more

Will the Samsung Galaxy S4 be 'unbreakable'?

If the rumors are true, Samsung is looking to go big with its next flagship Android phone, presumably to be the Galaxy S4.

Not only is it rumored that the next batch of galactic goodies will pack a quad-core processor and 13-megapixel camera, as CNET's Scott Webster recently reported, but there's also word it could come with an "unbreakable" screen, according to one analyst quoted by Reuters.

For years now, Samsung has been teasing us with its fancy, flexible, unbreakable displays at CES and other venues, but little of the technology has actually been brought to … Read more

Qualcomm adds two quad-core chipsets to Snapdragon S4 line

Qualcomm has added two new chipsets to its popular Snapdragon S4 processor family.

Dubbed the MSM8226 and MSM8626, the chipsets offer quad-core processing and use the 28nm technology node. The chipsets include the Adreno 305 graphics processing unit, allowing for 1080p video capture and playback and up to a 13-megapixel camera. According to Qualcomm, the chipsets will allow for long battery life, though the company didn't put a number on that.

Qualcomm's quad-core Snapdragon processor is becoming increasingly popular in mobile devices. The company's previous chipsets have also been popular. According to Qualcomm, there have been about … Read more

Six juicy Samsung Android rumors

2012 may be drawing to a close, but that just means Android-makers like Samsung are getting ready for a big 2013. Here are six Samsung rumors being whispered about in dark alleys and blogs.

1. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumors already abound for Samsung's next-generation flagship phone, likely called the Samsung Galaxy S4. While Samsung will do its best to keep things under wraps, we can be sure that there will be no shortage of leaks, rumors, and early benchmarks.

Even though it hasn't been announced, the Galaxy S4 is already tied to a number of purported specs that … Read more

Rumor Has It: The next next big thing is almost here?

The iPhone 5 should be arriving on millions of doorsteps any moment now (hopefully), so it's time to tally up the scorecards and see how we did. Did we vote that it'd get a bigger screen? How about NFC? Watch the video above and see how we did and how you guys did at home.

Also this week, the next big thing might already be here, but you know what might be coming really soon? The next big thing after the next big thing. What? Also, someone could have a Pandora rival up its sleeves. Bet you can'… Read more

Fitbit adds Zip to its workout routine

Tuesday's CNET Update has some Zip:

If you geek out over workout and personal fitness technology, then check out the review of the new Fitbit Zip. For $60, this fitness tracker is an advanced pedometer that records calories are burned over time. Progress is displayed on the app, and data is synced to an iPhone via Bluetooth. (Bluetooth syncing not yet available for Android.) Users also earn fitness badges and share progress with friends. The higher-end model is called the Fitbit One, which in addition tracks sleep and has a silent vibrating alarm. That comes out in early October … Read more

Samsung downplays rumors of Galaxy S4 for early 2013

Consumers awaiting Samsung's Galaxy S4 may face a longer wait than reported yesterday.

The Korean handset maker today denied rumors that the next Galaxy S phone would launch next March. Loosely translated from the Korean, Samsung's Twitter post stated: "Please note that some media reported speculation that the Galaxy S3 subsequent models will be released in a simple rumor is not true. [If] not doing anything, why spread these rumors?"

The buzz spread quickly yesterday after an unnamed Samsung official told the Korea Times that the company is ready to launch the Galaxy S4 at next … Read more