Galaxy S4: Cool features, awful launch

-Darling, the Galaxy S4 is simply fabulous. I'm Bridget Carey and this is your CNET Update. Samsung finally revealed the new Galaxy S smartphone and it looks a lot like the Galaxy S3, but with new software feature and better hardware, like a faster processor and higher screen resolution. It will come out to all major U.S. carriers about April or May, expected to cost the usual $200 with a 2-year contract but the press announcement of this phone will go down in history as one of the most bizarre and unfortunate spectacles for product launch. Held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Samsung used amphitheater performances to explain the new technology. It was painful to watch. This cheesy script featured tap dancing. And actresses portraying women who want to marry doctors and eat cheesecake and are drunk with their wet nails. -My nails are wet. -Sticky fingers. -Sunscreen. -I really don't wanna put down this drink. -For a company that advertises it's cooler than the iPhone, it was far from that one going over the top in the hour long show. Even with the awkward announcement, the phone will still be very popular. So, let's cut through the fluff. The S4 has some unique features. For example, you don't have to touch the screen to navigate. You can wave your hand to scroll through photos, songs, or browser tabs. There is a form of eye scrolling when looking at the screen, tilting the phone up or down will scroll up and down the page. And while playing a video, looking away will pause a video. Samsung's cameras always have interesting features such as dual-shot mode. It takes photos and videos from both the front and back camera at the same time and combines them into one. It's like photo bombing a photo that that you're taking. There's also an in for a Blaster built-in so your phone can be used as your TV remote control. I should note the HTC One also can do that. And to jump on the gadget health craze, the S4 has a pedometer built-in to track your activity. Samsung also has accessories. The S View Cover snaps unto the front of the phone but has this window cutout that shows time, battery, music and caller ID. It reminds you a bit of the flip phone days, doesn't it? The S4 also has wireless charging but that cost extra and Samsung has its own health monitoring bracelet, heart rate monitor and body scale. For more details on the specs and how it stands up to the competition, be sure to read our first impressions on CNET, we'll be giving it a full review closer to launch but with tons of features and impressive specs, it is the iPhone's biggest competitor right now. That's your tech news update. You could find more details at cnet.com/update. From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.