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Posts tagged ‘Galaxy
Why I bought a Galaxy Nexus from Google Play
May 12th
The Nexus name has come under some serious fire lately; and I can’t deny playing my part in that. Thanks to botched updates, carrier control and an absolutely horrendous initial rollout, Google’s Nexus line just ain’t what it used to be. So why then, did I just recently purchase a Galaxy Nexus as my next personal device? In a nutshell: everyone deserves a second chance.
When the Galaxy Nexus was announced, before the device was actually released, was when the problems first started. We knew the device would launch on Verizon here in the US, but it ended up taking much longer than initially expected. As for those of us not on Verizon, despite a GSM version of the device, compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile HSPA, being detailed alongside the Verizon LTE version, there was no news of that version of the Galaxy Nexus coming to the US at all. In fact, even a Sprint version of the Nexus was detailed before a US GSM variant was.
After that, between the release of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon in December and this April, a lot of crazy stuff went on. The CDMA version of the Nexus was labeled “fake” since Verizon practically has complete control of it, different versions of the international GSM Nexus were facing update problems as it was discovered carriers and Samsung also had control of those devices. And that’s just the Galaxy Nexus. The Nexus S is still facing update issues, and the Nexus One has been left for dead. But there was still hope for the Nexus name, and it came in the form of the Google Play store.
When Google first announced they’d be selling the GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus direct to consumers out of the Google Play store, I was ecstatic. The “Pure Google. No Contract. No Commitment.” slogan on the banner for the Nexus’ sale page had me excited. The software information page for the Play version of the Galaxy Nexus is what had me sold.
“A Galaxy Nexus purchased on Google Play is a Pure Google device and is among the first to receive the latest software updates from Google. We are pushing out updates to Nexus devices as quickly as possible and we will continue to provide the latest updates to these devices going forward. For devices purchased on Google Play, you can expect software updates to come directly from Google, rather than your mobile service provider.”
Could this finally be it? The Nexus I’ve been waiting for? It certainly seems like it. I know Google has messed up in the past, and I know it still has a huge PenTile display (which is what originally deterred me from wanting the Galaxy Nexus). But if Google were to, say, announce and release Jelly Bean at I/O this year, this would have to be the device to get it first. Seeing a new version of Android being released and not being able to use it right away is some strange from of torture I wouldn’t wish on even the most obnoxious of Android enthusiasts.
And to top it all off, a totally unlocked PentaBand device that is guaranteed to get updates directly from Google surely must cost at least 0. Right? The fact that Google is able to get the Galaxy Nexus directly to consumers for just 0 is nothing short of a miracle. Even with tax and shipping, I only paid 5. That is incredibly cheap in terms of brand new unlocked phones. Plus I was able to pass my Nexus S down to a budding Android enthusiast at a steep discount to knock some money off that 5 as well.
Looking past the price and updates, more than anything, I want the Nexus name to succeed. Not in the way that analysts and carrier CEOs do. In the way the developers and die-hard fans do. I know I’ve badmouthed the Nexus name recently, but it’s only because I felt personally betrayed. Not many companies can do that to me, which really says something about the place Google holds in my life.
So I ordered a Galaxy Nexus from the Google Play store. And I’m really hoping for the best. Google, please don’t let me down again.
Reasoning Behind Samsung Galaxy S III Using Pentile Super AMOLED
May 11th
A good number of tech readers and bloggers are down on the pentile display, with macro photography to highlight the differences. So why did Samsung opt for yet another pentile display, despite some level of public outcry? According to Samsung it has to do with the life of the pentile display, which will have a greater lifespan simply by removing the blue sub-pixels. Apparently, those degrade faster then their blue and red siblings.
Samsung Galaxy S III
Samsung’s goal here is to keep their phones and displays going strong for a minimum of 18 months. By using a Pentile display, that goal will be achieved. The gaps have been shrunk and Engadget’s microscope test didn’t reveal much of a difference between the S III and the Galaxy Nexus.
Source: Mobile Burn via Engadget
Reasoning Behind Samsung Galaxy S III Using Pentile Super AMOLED is an article from everything Android, sponsored by the Everything Android Store.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 lands at UK’s Carphone Warehouse
May 11th
Brits left unaffected by last month’s US launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 can now get in on the Ice Cream Sandwich action: the silver version of the tablet recently landed at Carphone Warehouse in the UK, and the white model is reportedly coming on May 18th. The retailer is offering the 8GB, WiFi-only flavor for £199. Though the Tab 2 7.0 didn’t top the charts when it crossed our reviewer’s desk, its solid performance and decent battery life make it one of the best value-priced Android 4.0 slates out there. Click through to the source link to reserve this 7-incher, but if it’s the silver model you’re after, it looks like you’ll have to pick up the phone to make the purchase (at least for now).
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 lands at UK’s Carphone Warehouse originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy Note ICS Update Hitting Europe
May 10th
We are hearing multiple reports that the Samsung Galaxy Note ICS update is hitting parts of Europe. The international version of the Galaxy Note appears to be receiving the Android 4.0 update, so our hopes are for a speedy delivery here in the US, but that might be wishful thinking.
The update weighs in at 319MB and features a new S Note app, along with a new S Memo widget. Apparently the update brings a heavy TouchWhiz implementation, so the Ice Cream Sandwich UI is not readily apparent.
Have you seen the update? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Slashgear
Samsung Galaxy Note ICS Update Hitting Europe is an article from everything Android, sponsored by the Everything Android Store.
Android 4 quietly rolling out to international Galaxy Note
May 10th
The international Galaxy S II has already received the update to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, leaving the sized-up Galaxy Note behind on Android 2.3. Today, several European users are reporting that their devices have received an OTA update notification that brings their phone-tablet hybrid into 2012 with the Android 4.0 update.
Of course, this is a Samsung device, and Samsung has revamped their Touchwiz UI overlay for the Note, which looks a lot more like its Gingerbread variant. Other features in the upgrade include a new and improved S Note application, a new S Memo widget, and the Premium Suite Shape Match and My Story applications. Of course, you’ll get the performance improvements that come with ICS as well.
Owners of the AT&T-branded Galaxy Note will have to wait for the update to pass through carrier testing, which tends to add 1-3 months to the process. Hopefully that process has already begun, and AT&T Note owners will be getting their own taste of Ice Cream Sandwich very soon. We’re leaning towards the update coming sooner than later, as an AT&T-branded Galaxy Note was spotted at CTIA this week.
Any non-US readers out there getting the Android 4 update on your Galaxy Note?
Samsung Buys Cloud Music Locker/Streaming Service mSpot – Coming Soon To A Galaxy Near You
May 9th
Samsung has just announced that they have acquired the cloud music locker/streaming service mSpot. This new acquisition should complete the circle of life that is Samsung’s mobile ecosystem quite nicely, and it’s not too unlike when HTC purchased music streaming service MOG back in March.
mSpot not only allows users to upload their music to the cloud for playback on compatible devices later, but they also offer movie rentals the day of, or after, the DVD hits store shelves. You may have also noticed that a few of your Sprint devices have come with mSpot Radio pre-installed. Yup, they offer that too. Samsung said in their official announcement:
“The acquisition will provide a cloud-based entertainment experience of music, video and radio services for users of Samsung devices, while extending mSpot’s cloud and streaming solutions to a broader base of global entertainment fans. The combination will extend mSpot’s top class cloud and streaming services while further enhancing Samsung’s mobile and tablet device entertainment offerings. mSpot’s entertainment services will be a key integrated offering on newly announced Samsung mobile devices.”
No word on exactly how much the deal set Samsung back, or exactly when Sammy plans to integrate mSpot into their devices. I understand the need for Android OEM’s to differentiate themselves from rival manufacturers — the world of Android is a competitive one. But sometimes I wonder if OEM’s aren’t secretly planning to use Android as a platform to launch their “own” mobile OS, ala Amazon. Crazy?
[Press Release]
