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Android Phone Fans


Now Open: forums for the latest Note phones at AndroidForums.com!

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 12:58 PM PDT

samsung logo phan

Quick note to those of you looking for a place to discuss Samsung’s newest phones: look no further than AndroidForums.com. We have dedicated sections for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note Edge open for business. There’s already a gang of folks discussing the former, while the latter is just about ready to heat up. Don’t forget you can also find all the latest right here on Phandroid (such as hands-on for both the Note 4 and Note Edge). Be sure to check all of it out over the course of today, and stay tuned as we bring you a lot more from IFA the rest of this week!

Last chance: Spigen Galaxy S5 Tough Armor bundle from AndroidArea

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 12:51 PM PDT

spigen-androidarea-bundle

Attention Galaxy S5 owners: today is your last day to score exclusive savings on several great accessories for your smartphone courtesy of AndroidArea.com. Featuring durability only Spigen can offer, this special bundle is priced at $37.99 and includes:

  • Spigen Tough Armor case for Samsung Galaxy S5
  • GLAS.t NONA SLIM tempered glass screen cover
  • LCD cleaner set (liquid spray cleaner, microfiber cloth, and squeegee)

Spigen's Tough Armor case features air cushion technology that provides maximum protection without the bulk of similarly rated cases. The GLAS.t screen protector offers an extra layer of scratch resistance while still maintaining its status as one of the thinnest on the market. Separately, these items would normally set you back upwards of $75, but through this bundle they can be yours for nearly 50% off retail value. It's a small price to pay to help preserve your investment in this top-of-the-line Android smartphones.

Act quick, though. This offer will only be available for the remainder of the evening then it's gone. Gone for good. While you're there, check out some other great deals from AndroidArea and double down on your savings.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is small in size, but big on features

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Xperia Z3 Compact Colour Range

Somewhere along the line manufacturers decided flagship phones should be big and mid-range phones should be small. Frankly, this sucks. Especially if you have small hands or tight pockets. Sony abides by this unwritten rule with their 5.2-inch Xperia Z3, but they buck the trend with the newly announced Z3 compact. It’s the perfect combination of reasonable size and flagship features

There are three major differences between the Z3 and the Compact: 4.6-inch display, 720p resolution, and plastic frame. That’s it. A 720p display at this size is perfectly adequate, and the plastic frame has a very nice translucent effect. Almost everything else about the Compact is pretty much the same as the Z3, which is a really big deal.

size z3

Most notably is the same great 20MP camera. Usually when you buy a device of this stature you have to sacrifice a flagship camera. That’s not the case with the Z3 Compact. It also supports Sony’s PS4 Remote Play feature. Other specs include the Snapdragon 801 processor. !P86 waterproofing, and 2600mAh battery. If you’re looking for a phone that doesn’t require two hands to use, this is the one for you.

The Xperia Z3 Compact will be released this Fall. Sony did not mention carriers or pricing. We hope it comes to the U.S. Would you buy one?

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Note Edge [VIDEO]

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 11:39 AM PDT

20140903_054053

We trotted to New York City today to get our hands on Samsung’s latest products. One such product was the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, a new device that Samsung hopes will change the way folks use their phone. The difference between this and the Note 4 that we also got hands-on time with? It has a flexible display that folds over to the right, and that little sliver can be lit up independently of the main portion of the display.

What does this enable? Many interesting different things. For starters, at night time you can have it dimmed and use the phone as an always-on alarm clock. The phone will sip battery overnight so you can always see the time without having to turn the bright display on. The display might also be used for music controls, camera settings and shutter buttons, news, sports and weather info and more.

For some reason, it just doesn’t quite excite. It sounds like a slightly better version of Samsung’s Continuum, a smartphone that had a ticker display that served many of the same functions. The Continuum didn’t really take off for a couple of different reasons:

  • It didn’t really bring considerable savings in the battery department
  • It wasn’t intuitive
  • It wasn’t open to developers

It seems at least two of those areas — intuitiveness and openness — have been addressed, but we wonder if it’s still just another gimmick that Samsung hopes will sell them a few more phones this year. The Note Edge doesn’t offer many advantages over the more traditional Note 4. But it’s there, and it’s coming to all of the United States’ major carriers later this fall.

20140903_054610 20140903_054544 20140903_054531 20140903_054438 20140903_054105 20140903_054109 20140903_054427 20140903_054046

 

We think it’s a decent device for what it is (the internals basically match up to what we have in the standard Note 4), but there doesn’t seem to be much reason to consider this over the other star of today’s show. Be sure to check out our hands-on video above.

Will you buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear S, or Gear VR headset? [POLL]

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 11:05 AM PDT

samsung devices

Samsung threw a lot of new devices at us today. The Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge, Gear S smartwatch, and Gear VR headset all took center stage at IFA. That’s how Samsung does things. They release multiple products several times of year to see what sticks. The Note series has stuck well with consumers, but will these other devices? That’s up to you.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

note 4 2

As per tradition, Samsung has updated the latest Note to match the latest Galaxy S, but with a few changes. The display is still 5.7-inches, but now it’s Quad HD 1440 x 2560. Samsung has also improved the camera from 13MP to 16MP, and made some big improvements in how people will take selfies. The processor has been bumped up to 2.7GHz, and battery life is supposed to be much better too. Overall it’s a very Samsung-like update. Improvements all around, but save for the display, nothing too crazy.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

1[2]

This device took us a little by surprise. The Galaxy Note Edge is basically a typical Note 4, but the display on the right side curves around the edge. This little extra space can be used for notifications, and hopefully more things as developers take advantage of it. That’s what will really decide if this device is just another Continuum. If developers embrace the Edge Screen it could be a cool phone.

Samsung Gear S

white samsung gear s

Samsung has been hitting the smartwatch game hard lately. Their latest attempt is the Tizen-based Gear S. The unique thing about this device is it doesn’t depend on a phone so much. You need a Samsung device to set it up and install apps, but after that it can operate on its own. The Gear S even has a SIM card slot. To some of you that sounds like a nightmare, but some people have been wanting a wearable that can stand alone.

Samsung Gear VR

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Virtual reality is all the rage these days, so of course Samsung is throwing their name in the ring. The Gear VR is a headset that works with the Note 4 to give the user a virtual reality experience. Samsung and Oculus Rift tag-teamed this thing together, surprisingly enough, so you can get the best of Oculus' expertise while taking advantage of the best of Samsung's hardware. Think of it like premium Google Cardboard.

Which device will you be buying?

The Galaxy Note 4 and Gear S are slated to be released next month. The Galaxy Note Edge and Gear VR will be coming later this year. Which of these devices do you plan on buying? Let us know in the poll below (multiple choice is allowed)!

T-Mobile announces Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, and Sony Xperia Z3 availability

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:53 AM PDT

sony-xperia-z3

Early this morning we saw both Samsung and Sony take the wraps off their latest Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Edge, and Sony Xperia Z3.

Although Sony made mention that Sony Xperia Z3 would be headed to North America later this year, they weren’t clear on exactly specific carriers we should be expecting the device to land on. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, but you can count T-Mobile as one of the device’s early launch partners.

T-Mobile senior product manager Desmond Smith took to YouTube with an unboxing of the T-Mobile Sony Xperia Z3, showing off some of the goodies that will come inside the box (although failed to mention exactly when we can pick one up for ourselves). Check it out below.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Edge

As far as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, T-Mobile wasted no time in throwing up a quick press release announcing availability of both these devices on their network for later this fall. For those interested, you can pre-register for both devices on T-Mobile by going here which, aside from simply being notified when the phones become officially available, will enter you into T-Mobile’s “Gear-A-Day” sweepstakes.

Winners will get their choice of a Samsung Gear 2 Neo, Samsung Gear 2, Samsung Gear Fit, or the upcoming Samsung Gear Circle. You’ll have a chance to win a device every single day starting today and ending on September 11th and there’s even a grand prize pack of a variety of Samsung Mobile products — so get to registering.

[T-Mobile]

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://explore.t-mobile.com/new-samsung-devices-note-4-gear

Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note Edge starting next month

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 09:27 AM PDT

Galaxy Note 4 Forums and Hands-on | Galaxy Note Edge forums and Hands-on

note-4-1

Wondering where you’ll be able to buy both the newly-announced Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note Edge when they launch? The former is unpredictably going to be on nearly every major carrier you can think of world wide. Expect T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint + US Cellular to carrier the device here in the United States, which is pretty much all of the national carriers at your disposal.

The Note Edge is a bit of a different story. While it will be available on all four major United States carriers, Samsung made it a point to mention that this device would only be launching in “select” markets. They also noted that this is a “limited release” in their press event, so you can expect to see it available for less carriers and regions than the Note 4 is slated for.

Unfortunately the “when” and “how much” are still unknown at this point, but we’re sure carriers and retailers will be announcing their pricing and availability details as we inch closer to launch. Be sure to stay tuned for Phandroid for more!

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 [VIDEO]

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 09:17 AM PDT

galaxy-note-4-front

The Galaxy Note 4 comes with the claim that it is a total redesign of the Note devices that have preceded it, but is that really the case? We had a chance to go hands-on with the device shortly after it was announced and detailed at a press event earlier today, and we were left with mixed feelings.

First, the important stuff. Here are the specs as laid out by Samsung:

  • 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED HD display
  • 2.7GHz quad-core processor OR 1.9GHz Octa-core processor (depending on market)
  • 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, microSD up to 64GB
  • 16 megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilizer, 3.7 megapixel front camera with f/1.9 aperture
  • Dual-band WiFi ac MIMI, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS w/ GLONASS, IR blaster, USB 2.0 and MHL 3.0
  • 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm, 176g
  • 3,220mAh battery
  • Improved S-Pen
  • Android 4.4 KitKat

As you will note, the list does feature some pretty substantial upgrades over the Note 3 (and to a lesser degree the Galaxy S5), and it's all wrapped in a package that looks about as familiar as any other Samsung device. Faux leather on the back, home button centered below the screen, a design language that has no need for translation. And it feels familiar in the hand. Samsung opted to keep the same 5.7-inch screen size as the Note 3, resulting in a device with dimensions not that far off from last year's model.

What has improved is the display resolution. The Galaxy Note 4 features a Quad HD Super AMOLED display that could rival that of the LG G3. A Snapdragon 805 chipset clocked at 2.7GHz (or an Exynos octa-core at 1.9GHz) makes for zippy performance, and you get added bonuses like a fingerprint scanner. That scanner has supposedly been improved since the Galaxy S5 (where it was introduced with so-so results). We will reserve our judgement.

galaxy-note-comparison galaxy-note-comparison-2 galaxy-note-4-rear galaxy-note-4-front note-4-1 note 4 2

Software-wise, we're talking the standard TouchWiz experience with all the bells and whistles befitting a Note device. That includes S Pen-oriented features like Air Command (hover the S Pen over the display to reveal shortcuts and other actions), Smart Select (quickly select, copy, and combine multiple items), and plenty of note taking options. S Note is the workhorse here, but Snap Note can convert an image of your real-world notes into a digital document to be further annotated.

Speaking of annotations, the S Pen stylus has been improved to create a more realistic writing experience. Sensitivity has been increased as well as accuracy to mimic real-world writing, resulting in more natural pen-like input. As always, the S Pen tucks neatly away inside the body of the Note 4.

Overall, much like the Galaxy S5, we can't help but feel that the Note 4 is a slightly iterative update. It improves on the popular design of the Note line without offering much in the way of revolutionary new features. That is a task reserved for the device's Note Edge variant, though we'll cover that in a separate hands-on post. The Note 4 is certainly a worthy upgrade, but some might be left feeling disappointed.

The Note 4 will launch later this fall around the globe, including on all four major US carriers. For more info, here's everything you need to know about today's announcements. Want to share your own thoughts on the Note 4? Head over to Android Forums and join the discussion.

Sony Xperia Z3 officially announced, could be most attractive Android phone

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 08:29 AM PDT

sony-xperia-z3

The Xperia Z2 was just released back in April, but that hasn’t stopped Sony from already announcing its sequel. Just moments after they unveiled the SmartWatch 3 with Android Wear they officially showed off the Sony Xperia Z3. The Z3 doesn’t offer a whole lot of differences from the Z2, but it has changes where it counts.

The Xperia Z3 still has a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a 20.7MP camera, and waterproofing. The biggest aesthetic change is a more rounded aluminum frame, which should make it much more comfortable to hold. Sony has also added a new wide-angle 25mm lens, extra-high ISO 12,800 light sensitivity, and a slightly more powerful 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor. Audiophiles will be happy to hear new DSEE HX audio upscaling and digital noise cancellation.

The Xperai Z3 will come out some time this fall in four colors. Sony did not mention any carriers specifically, but there will be at least one version with LTE data for North America. We would love to see this device come to the States. Would you be interested in the Sony Xperia Z3?

01_Xperia_Z3_Leo_White_Group 13_Xperia_Z3_Group_Angle 02_Xperia_Z3_White_Angle 24_Xperia_Z3

Everything you need to know about the Galaxy Note 4

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 08:18 AM PDT

note 4 2

The Galaxy Note 4 is official and will launch around the globe later this year, so what's the deal with Samsung's latest and its Galaxy Note Edge counterpart? What about the Gear S and Gear VR announced alongside it? If you missed today's unveiling or anything along the way, here's everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

Tell us about the specs

note-4-1

Samsung's Galaxy Note 4, as expected, features some of the best hardware we have seen on a smartphone to date. Not only is it a substantial upgrade over last year's Galaxy Note 3, but it also features a few noteworthy improvements over the Galaxy S5 flagship Samsung launched earlier this year. It is Samsung's first smartphone to feature a Quad HD display and sports an impressive processing suite and large battery.

The complete rundown:

  • 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED HD display
  • 2.7GHz quad-core processor OR 1.9GHz Octa-core processor (depending on market)
  • 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, microSD up to 64GB
  • 16 megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilizer, 3.7 megapixel front camera with f/1.9 aperture
  • Dual-band WiFi ac MIMI, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS w/ GLONASS, IR blaster, USB 2.0 and MHL 3.0
  • 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm, 176g
  • 3,220mAh battery
  • Improved S-Pen
  • Android 4.4 KitKat

The quad-core version of the handset should be running a Snapdragon 805, while the octa-core variant available in some regions will utilize Samsung's Exynos platform. The Note 4 will also feature LTE Category 6 in some regions, offering the fastest cellular data speeds currently available.

Users can also take advantage of an improved fingerprint scanner, an update to another technology first introduced in the Galaxy S5.

And the software

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will once again utilize Samsung's TouchWiz interface, in this case running on top of Android 4.4 KitKat and carrying over the updated look and feel introduced with the Galaxy S5. Of course, with the Galaxy Note 4 the emphasis is on multitasking, and Samsung has been sure to include new features to enhance productivity.

The Note 4 offers such features as Action Memo, Screen Write, Image Clip, and an improved version of Air Command, which gives users access to shortcuts and other actions by hovering the stylus over the phone's display. A Smart Select function allows users to quickly select multiple lines of text or images, copy and compile them, and share. All of these functions rely on the Note 4's S Pen, naturally.

As its name implies, the Note 4 sees no shortage of options when it comes to taking notes. S Note is available for jotting down a quick thought or sketch, Snap Note turns captured images into notes of their own, and Voice Memo records reminders when hands are tied.

How about that S Pen?

s-pen

As with every Note iteration, Samsung has once again strived to improve the S Pen experience. The latest edition of Samsung's stylus is described as providing a "more authentic pen experience." The S Pen is designed to mimic the strokes of a fountain or calligraphy pen, and the Note 4 should be more accurate while showcasing increased pressure sensitivity to create a realistic, responsive feel.

The S Pen sees some aesthetic changes, but as always is designed to be stowed within a slot on the Note 4. The stylus has always been a major part of using any Note handset, but with the Note 4 it seems Samsung wants to make the S Pen nearly indispensable.

What's the Galaxy Note Edge?

note-edge

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is a "special edition" version of the Galaxy Note 4, utilizing largely the same hardware configuration save for one major addition: Edge Screen. Edge Screen utilizes curved AMOLED technology to present users with a secondary display on the edge of their device that can showcase shortcuts, notifications and alerts, frequently accessed content and more.

Think of it as a matured version of the notification ticker introduced on the Samsung Continuum, one that functions in much the same way as a Galaxy device rocking an S View case.

Aside from Edge Screen, which Samsung hopes third-party developers keep in mind when creating apps, the Note Edge offers an identical feature set in terms of software and the S Pen stylus.

The Gear S? Gear VR?

gear-vr

The Gear S is Samsung's latest smartwatch, one incorporating a large curved display that conforms to the wrist. Unlike Samsung's previous efforts, the Gear S is designed to be capable of standalone functionality with built-in 3G support and the ability to place phone calls directly from the device. It doesn't get more Dick Tracey than that. The Gear S, however, isn't intended to replace the smartphone, and its Tizen-based interface will still interface heavily with the Note 4 and other Samsung devices.

As for the Gear VR, this is a virtual reality headset that for some time now has been rumored as Samsung's Google Glass competitor. That isn't quite the case, as the Gear VR (the VR stands for virtual reality, obviously) actually is more akin to the Oculus Rift. In fact, the Gear VR relies on technology developed by Oculus to make the device a reality, but with a Samsung twist.

You see, the Gear VR's display is actually the Galaxy Note 4, which is inserted into the headset and positioned in front of the eyes to create immersive experiences like movie theater mode. Your videos are presented in front of you on the virtual big screen, but if you look around you will see actual theater seats to your left, right, and behind.

Gimmicky? Maybe, but Samsung is putting faith in VR as one of the next technology frontiers, and they are offering plenty of compatible content out of the gate, including games, virtual tours, and eye-popping IMAX video clips.

So when can I get it?

A specific release date for both the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge has not been revealed, nor has Samsung announced pricing for either device. What we do know is that the Note 4 will launch globally, and the Note Edge will be available in select markets including the US. All four major US carriers — Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile — plan to launch both editions of the phone. U.S. Cellular will launch the Galaxy Note 4, as well.

Sony unveils the Smartwatch 3 with Android Wear

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:59 AM PDT

smartwatch3ifa

Sony has been making smartwatches before smartwatches were even a thing. That’s why they can call their new wearable the Smartwatch 3. This is Sony’s first smartwatch to run Android Wear. We were expecting to see a lot of new Android Wear devices from IFA, but Sony was not on the radar. Back in March they said they were not interested in Android Wear, and would continue investing in their own platform.

The Smartwatch 3 has a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.6-inch display, IP68 waterproofing, 4GB of storage, 512MB of memory, NFC, and a 420mAh battery. Sony claims the battery can last two full days with use, and up to four days on standby. If the battery claims are true that would be a big win for Sony over current Android Wear devices.

Sony has tried smartwatches before. Could the Smartwatch 3 be their first big success? What do you think about this smartwatch compared to the offerings from Motorola, LG, and Samsung?

Smartwatch 3

Adam Levine wants to burn an iPhone [VIDEO]

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:27 AM PDT

While Samsung was unveiling the Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, and Gear VR in Berlin they were holding another event in New York. At this event they talked more about their exclusive services. Samsung invited Maroon 5′s Adam Levine and James Valentine on stage to talk about Milk Music’s “Artist Den” curation service, but that’s not what got the crowd laughing.

Adam Levine was “super fired up” about their partnership with Samsung. To show his solidarity he invited everyone to a “ceremonial iPhone burning” after the event. Samsung is starting to break into celebrity culture almost as much as the iPhone. Many people idolize celebrities, and if Maroon 5 uses Samsung device it will surely convince some of their fans to jump on the wagon.

Just don’t let us catch you using an iPhone, Adam.

Levine iPhone

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3 [CHART]

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:53 AM PDT

Note 4 vs 3

There is a new Note in town. Samsung has just announced the Galaxy Note 4 at IFA, and like previous models, this one is sure to be a hit. Many people were skeptical about a smartphone with such a large display, but history has shown that people love big phones. You can blame Samsung for the phone in your pocket being so big. So what does the Note 4 offer compared to the previous iteration? Let’s take a look.

Display

For the first time in the history of the Note series Samsung has not increased the display size. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has the same 5.7-inch display as the Note 3, but the big difference is the resolution. The Note 4 comes in at 1440 x 2560, compared to the 1080p display on the Note 3. A big improvement for such a large device. Pixel geeks will love the improved ppi.

Camera & Battery

Samsung has made similar improvements all around the device. The camera has been bumped up to 16MP, and they have made big improvements in the “Selfie” cam. You can take panorama “wefies” when you take selfies with groups of people. The battery is only 20mAh bigger than the Note 3, but Samsung says it gets considerably more life. They’ve also added “Fast Charging” so you can go from 0-50% in 30 minutes. Samsung made a big deal about the improvements they have made in battery life.

Software

Software is another big focus for the Note 4, especially on the S Pen side of things. They’ve made multi-window much easier, and added mouse-like features to the S Pen. It’s easier than ever to copy text and take multiple screenshots. Samsung is trying to make the S Pen an essential accessory. All of the presenters have used the S Pen instead of their fingers.

What do you think of the Note 4? Is it a worthy successor to the Note 3? Will you be picking one up this October?

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is official, introduces unique Edge Screen form factor

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:36 AM PDT

galaxy-note-edge

While the rumors leading up to today's Samsung Unpacked event centered on the newly announced Galaxy Note 4, it wasn't the only smartphone to debut on stage. Samsung surprised us with a second Note handset, the Galaxy Note Edge.

The Note Edge is Samsung's second smartphone to utilize their curved AMOLED technology, following the proof-of-concept Galaxy Round and taking advantage of a unique new form factor. The Note Edge presents users with a side view created by a display that curves down toward one edge (get it?). If the Edge looks familiar, it bares a striking resemblance to a Samsung prototype handset we saw back at CES 2013.

The crux of the Note Edge is Edge Screen, the name for both the actual secondary portion of the display as well as the ecosystem that makes it a reality. The Note Edge and its Edge Screen are comprised of a Super AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution, and offer added functionality on top of what the normal Note 4 can do. Shortcuts are housed with Edge Screen to free up more space on the main display, plus this secondary display offers a plethora of functions including acting as a notification display without waking the entire screen and more. Samsung is also making an SDK available to developers to add third-party functionality to Edge Screen.

The Note Edge is being touted as a special edition version of the Galaxy Note 4, and likewise features all the same features you can expect from the standard version of the handset. This includes 2.7GHz quad-core processing, 3GB RAM, a 16MP camera, and 3220mAh battery. The Note Edge also takes advantage of the S Pen stylus and software multitasking capabilities.

Both the Note 4 and Note Edge will be coming to US carriers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile later this fall. Specific details on pricing and release date are forthcoming.

Samsung Gear VR wearable officially unveiled at IFA Berlin

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:22 AM PDT

Gear VR

Samsung has met expectations by announcing a virtual reality headset for their Gear lineup. The Samsung Gear VR is said to deliver a Galaxy experience unlike what we’ve ever seen before, but really it’s just an Oculus Rift that uses your Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as the display and driving force behind all the virtual reality experiences coming our way.

The Samsung Gear VR benefits from the Galaxy Note 4′s Super AMOLED display. The device’s ability to turn pixels on and off in miliseconds allows smooth motion and action without any ghosting or blur. And, of course, the 2560 x 1440 resolution should make it one of the most eye-popping VR experiences on the market.

Samsung and Oculus Rift tag-teamed this thing together, surprisingly enough, so you can get the best of Oculus’ VR expertise while taking advantage of the best of Samsung’s hardware. One of the first experiences you’ll be treated to with Samsung Gear VR is a virtual movie theater — turn your head behind you and you’ll see a bunch of empty seats, or look straight ahead to see a film playing on the big screen as if you were at the theater yourself.

Samsung Gear VR features a 96-degree field of view, has focus controls for catering to both nearsighted and farsighted people, a 16GB microSD card loaded with 360-degree videos and movie trailers and more. Here’s a list of exclusive content you’ll be able to enjoy from the new dimension should you decide to splurge on one:

  • Step inside Tony Starks’ Lab inside the Avengers’ Tower experience
  • IMAX samples of Hollywood films and documentaries
  • DreamWorks VR Characters
  • Pacific Rim Jaeger Pilot
  • Cirque Du Soleil’s Zarkana filmed in 360-degree fashion for Samsung Gear VR
  • Music videos from Vevo that can be viewed within the virtual movie theater
  • Protocol Zero game from DENA makes you kick*** infiltrator with Sam Fisher-like thermal and night vision goggles

Samsung wasn’t interested on giving any information on release date and pricing for the Gear V$, only mentioning “later this year” as its launch window. They did confirm that it’d be available from their online channel and directly through select carriers, though, so there should be no issue getting your hands on one whenever it does launch. Would you forego an Oculus Rift or another VR product for this? Let us know in the comments below!

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Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Sep 3

The Phys.org team would like to share a complimentary offer from this month's content sponsor, COMSOL.

View over 750 technical papers and presentations showcasing the latest ground-breaking achievements made by engineers, scientists, and researchers from around the world: http://goo.gl/kTuFLS

****************************************************************************
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 3, 2014:


************************************************
Spotlight Stories Headlines
************************************************

NON-VOLATILE MEMORY IMPROVES ENERGY EFFICIENCY BY TWO ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-non-volatile-memory-energy-efficiency-magnitude.html#nwlt
LANIAKEA: NEWLY IDENTIFIED GALACTIC SUPERCLUSTER IS HOME TO THE MILKY WAY
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-laniakea-newly-galactic-supercluster-home.html#nwlt
RESEARCHERS DISCOVER NEW CLUES TO DETERMINING THE SOLAR CYCLE
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-clues-solar.html#nwlt
STUDY SHOWS WILD MONKEYS CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS FROM WATCHING TRAINING VIDEOS
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-wild-monkeys-videos.html#nwlt
TWO-LEGGED
ROBOT ABLE TO RUN WITHOUT ZMP CONTROL (W/ VIDEO)
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-two-legged-robot-zmp-video.html#nwlt
CELL FACTORY RUNS WITH FITS AND STARTS
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-cell-factory.html#nwlt
AIRLOCK-LIKE
TRANSPORT PROTEIN STRUCTURE DISCOVERED
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-airlock-like-protein.html#nwlt
CELLULAR RNA CAN TEMPLATE DNA REPAIR IN YEAST
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-cellular-rna-template-dna-yeast.html#nwlt
TREE FROGS SPEED UP THEIR LIFE CYCLE WHEN BECOMING LUNCH
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-tree-frogs-life-lunch.html#nwlt
A 'CLEAR' CHOICE FOR CLEARING 3-D CELL CULTURES
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-choice-d-cell-cultures.html#nwlt
BREAKTHROUGH FOR CARBON NANOTUBE SOLAR CELLS
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-breakthrough-carbon-nanotube-solar-cells.html#nwlt
CARBON STORED IN THE WORLD'S SOILS MORE VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE THAN EXPECTED
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-carbon-world-soils-vulnerable-climate.html#nwlt
SEQUENCING OF FIVE AFRICAN FISHES REVEALS DIVERSE MOLECULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING EVOLUTION
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-sequencing-african-fishes-reveals-diverse.html#nwlt
ANCIENT MAMMAL RELATIVES WERE ACTIVE AT NIGHT 100 MILLION YEARS BEFORE ORIGIN OF MAMMALS
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-ancient-mammal-relatives-night-million.html#nwlt
HOW INNOVATIONS CAN DRIVE BETTER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-how-innovations-can-drive-better.html#nwlt


************************************************
Latest News On TECHNOLOGY:
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TWO-LEGGED ROBOT ABLE TO RUN WITHOUT ZMP CONTROL (W/ VIDEO)
(Phys.org) —A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has built a small two-legged robot (named Achires) capable of running without using Zero Moment Control (ZMP)—instead it relies on high speed cameras and actuators. The team, led by Masatoshi Ishikawa, is the same one that made news recently by building a robot that could beat any human at rock-paper-scissors.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-two-legged-robot-zmp-video.html#nwlt

3D-PRINTED ROBOTIC BIRDS OF PREY ARE UNDERGOING TRIALS
Robirds are remotely controlled robotic birds with the realistic appearance and weight of real birds. They were designed to use flapping wing flight for propulsion, with a flight performance comparable to real birds. With that in mind, and one needs little else motivation, viewers are able to enjoy just watching these Robirds, narration-free, cross the sky. The catchphrase from the company behind the birds, the Netherlands-based Clear Flight Solutions, is "We create birds." They are not just making the robots for fun or hobby pursuits; rather, they are addressing the problems of birds and aviation safety. As the company said, it may be marvelous to see birds flying through the skies but they can represent a lot of problems in waste management, agriculture, and aviation, and nothing tops the risks that birds cause at airports, said the company video. The little flyers can put the airplanes and their passengers at risk. The company has designed Robirds to mimic birds of prey, !
and
these keep real birds at bay, with the birds assuming they are being threatened by the real deal. Birds learn to avoid the hunting grounds of the Robird. just as they would real birds posing danger.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-3d-printed-robotic-birds-prey-trials.html#nwlt

SAMSUNG KICKS OFF BATTLE FOR HOLIDAY SPENDING (UPDATE)
Samsung unveiled two smartphones and a virtual-reality headset Wednesday in a bid to draw consumer attention before its fierce rival, Apple, announces its holiday lineup next week.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-samsung-side-holidays.html#nwlt

A MERE BALL, A VERY REAL MATHEMATICAL CHALLENGE
To what extent could we predict the number on which a roulette ball is going to fall? Philippe Paccaud, micro-technology student, tackled this complex issue in his master's thesis. In the end, there was no miracle equation, but instead a fair dose of ingenuity.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-mere-ball-real-mathematical.html#nwlt

LIVE FROM INSIDE A BATTERY: RESEARCHERS OBSERVE THE PHENOMENON OF 'LITHIUM PLATING' DURING THE CHARGING PROCESS
Lithium-ion batteries are seen as a solution for energy storage of the future and have become indispensable, especially in electromobility. However, when metallic lithium forms and deposits during charging it can lead to a reduced battery lifespan and even short-circuits. Scientists at the Technische Universitat München have now managed to peer into the inner workings of a battery without destroying it.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-battery-phenomenon-lithium-plating.html#nwlt

CHANGING TEMPERATURE POWERS SENSORS IN HARD-TO-REACH PLACES
A centuries-old clock built for a king is the inspiration for a group of computer scientists and electrical engineers who hope to harvest power from the air.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-temperature-powers-sensors-hard-to-reach.html#nwlt

HOW INNOVATIONS CAN DRIVE BETTER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
A recent report provides some real numbers and real cases in point of the significant gains we will be making in adopting smart transportation technologies. Drops in U.S. oil consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and time wasted waiting in traffic are a few of the paybacks one can expect. With current sales trends gas-electric hybrid vehicles represent significant potential fuel savings on the order of 2 billion barrels of oil and 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over a ten-year period. The report, "Accelerating Sustainability: Demonstrating the Benefits of Transportation Technology," by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), was announced late last month.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-how-innovations-can-drive-better.html#nwlt

IN LIGHT OF CELEBRITY HACKS, HOW TO PROTECT DATA (UPDATE)
The circulation of nude photographs stolen from celebrities' online accounts has thrown a spotlight on the security of cloud computing, a system used by a growing number of Americans to store personal information over the Internet.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-celebrity-hacks.html#nwlt

ALPINE PROJECT OFFERS STUNNING 360 VIRTUAL VIEW OF EIGER
A project using custom-made 360-degree cameras mounted on the backs of climbers scaling the Eiger in the Swiss Alps has captured a unique and dizzying view of the mountain's infamous north face.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-alpine-stunning-virtual-view-eiger.html#nwlt

CELEB HACKING SCANDAL SHOWS DIGITAL VULNERABILITY
To keep private pictures private, never upload them online.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-celeb-hacking-scandal-digital-vulnerability.html#nwlt

ADVERTS ON THE ROAD COULD BE A DISTRACTION FOR DRIVERS
People have to take in a lot of information when driving, including the locations of other road users, lane markings, signals, speed limits, directions and the dashboard display. It only takes a second to be distracted, so what if drivers now have to contend with adverts on the actual road surface?
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-adverts-road-distraction-drivers.html#nwlt

EU FINES SAMSUNG, PHILIPS AND INFINEON OVER SMARTCARD CHIP CARTEL (UPDATE 2)
The European Union fined Infineon, Philips and Samsung a total of 138 million euros (181 million dollars) on Wednesday for fixing the prices of smartcard chips, in its latest anti-trust case against technology firms.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-eu-fines-samsung-philips-smartcard.html#nwlt

WHO IS TO BLAME WHEN ICLOUD IS 'HACKED' – YOU OR APPLE?
A hacker's release of personal photos of actress Jennifer Lawrence and other female celebrities on the internet on the weekend has again drawn our attention to the security of our personal information online. Are we really aware of what we upload? And how can we make sure the information we intend for private viewing remains private?
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-blame-icloud-hacked-apple.html#nwlt

MOBILE WALLET REBRANDS AS SOFTCARD
US mobile payments firm Isis has officially changed its name to Softcard, completing the process of distancing itself from a militant Islamic group sometime known by the same acronym.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-mobile-wallet-rebrands-softcard.html#nwlt

WIND ENERGY CUTS THE ELECTRICITY BILL
The promoting of renewable energy is at the heart of the current debate on energy policy. From an economic perspective, the question focusses on determining the cost of the feed-in tariff systems. Firstly, whether the incentives are as expensive as has been maintained in the most recent regulatory modifications, and secondly, whether the effect is similar with respect to all renewable technologies. The study by the UPV/EHU's Bilbao Energy Research Team (BERT) tackles these questions empirically, and concludes that wind energy continues to produce greater savings than what its incentives amount to, while photovoltaic solar technologies are still in the development phase. The study has been published in the journal Energy Policy.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-energy-electricity-bill.html#nwlt

SIMPLE PASSWORDS KEY TO CELEBRITY ICLOUD HACKING
Cyber-security expert Gerome Billois explains how a "targeted attack" on some iCloud accounts—the Apple online service that stores all types of content—led to the release of nude celebrity photos.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-simple-passwords-key-celebrity-icloud.html#nwlt

TWEETS DURING 2013 COLORADO FLOODS GAVE ENGINEERS VALUABLE DATA ON INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE
Tweets sent during last year's massive flooding on Colorado's Front Range were able to detail the scope of damage to the area's infrastructure, according to a study by the University of Colorado Boulder.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-tweets-colorado-gave-valuable-infrastructure.html#nwlt

VERIZON TO PAY $7.4 MN FOR US PRIVACY VIOLATIONS
US telecom giant Verizon has agreed to pay a $7.4 million fine to settle a probe into its privacy practices, including accessing customer data for marketing purposes, officials said Wednesday.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-verizon-mn-privacy-violations.html#nwlt

STUDY DEMONSTRATES WEARABLE SENSORS TO DETECT FIREARM USE
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrates that wearable sensors could one day transform the correctional system by tracking gun use by community-based offenders, who account for a disproportionate share of fatal and non-fatal shootings.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-wearable-sensors-firearm.html#nwlt

PHONES, WATCHES AND MORE UNVEILED AT TECH SHOW
Samsung and other electronics companies used the IFA trade show in Berlin to showcase their holiday lineups.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-unveiled-tech.html#nwlt

YAHOO ADDS 'STYLE' TO DIGITAL MAGAZINE LINE-UP
Yahoo on Wednesday hit the Internet catwalk with a digital fashion magazine dubbed 'Style.'
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-yahoo-style-digital-magazine-line-up.html#nwlt

FORMING CONSENSUS IN SOCIAL NETWORKS
Social networks have become a dominant force in society. Family, friends, peers, community leaders and media communicators are all part of people's social networks. Individuals within a network may have different opinions on important issues, but it's their collective actions that determine the path society takes.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-consensus-social-networks.html#nwlt

GOOGLE BIO FIRM IN $1.5 BN ALLIANCE AGAINST AGING ILLS
Google backed life sciences firm Calico and bio-pharmaceutical titan AbbVie on Wednesday announced an alliance to invest $1.5 billion to find ways to battle age-related diseases.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-google-bio-firm-bn-alliance.html#nwlt

ONLINE FASHION RETAILER ZALANDO PLANS IPO
Europe's biggest online fashion retailer, Zalando SE, said Wednesday it plans a public listing on the Frankfurt stock exchange this year.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-online-fashion-retailer-zalando-ipo.html#nwlt

GRINDR RELENTS TO USER BACKLASH – BUT DOES IT RESPECT ITS USERS?
The world's most popular gay social networking app, Grindr, is having a tough time. William Saponaro Jr is suing its developers for negligence, after he was arrested for sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Sapnaro claims a 13-year-old boy that he and another man had sex with had been on Grindr – which has a minimum age requirement of 18 – and that the liaison had been arranged via the app.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-grindr-relents-user-backlash-respect.html#nwlt

NETFLIX GETS GLOBAL ON-DEMAND RIGHTS FOR 'GOTHAM' (UPDATE)
Netflix said Wednesday it had signed a deal giving it worldwide subscription video rights to "Gotham," a new series on the origins of Batman.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-netflix-snags-gotham-television-series.html#nwlt

INTELLIGENT WELDING CLAMP DESIGN SOFTWARE USING COMPUTER-AIDED OPTIMIZATION
CLAMPIT aims to develop a high-end decision supporting system that helps metalworking SMEs carrying out welding work to increase their efficiency by automatizing clamping design calculations.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-intelligent-welding-clamp-software-computer-aided.html#nwlt

TESLA SELECTS NEVADA FOR BATTERY PLANT (UPDATE)
Tesla Motors has chosen Nevada as the site for a massive, $5 billion factory that will pump out batteries for a new generation of electric cars, a person familiar with the company's plans said Wednesday.
Full story at http://phys.org/news/2014-09-tesla-nevada-battery.html#nwlt




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Human Detection Robot

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Link to Electronics Hub

Human Detection Robot

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Electrical Technology

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Three Phase Current Values in a 3-Phase System

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Three Phase Current Values in a 3-Phase System The following points may be noted for understanding the division of Three Phase Current in a 3-Phase System       1.  The arrow symbols shown alongside...

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