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Samsung Galaxy S5: rounding up the early reviews

Some early reviews for the Samsung Galaxy S5 are now arriving. Samsung announced the Galaxy S5 along with the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit back in March. We managed to spend a bit of hands-on time with the smartphone and those wearables during Mobile World Congress and look forward to getting some more time for a full review.



Pre-orders have already been available with several US carriers and the handset should be available for purchase soon enough. In the meantime, we are looking towards these early reviews to get a better idea of how the Galaxy S5 stands up with some actual real-world use. First things first though -- a quick recap of the specs.


The Galaxy S5 will launch with Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat. Otherwise, what we are seeing in terms of hardware seems to be a nice step up from the Galaxy S4. Features of the Galaxy S5 begin with a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display at 1920 x 1080 (432 ppi). Users can also expect to find 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a 2800 mAh battery, 2MP front-facing camera and 16MP rear-facing camera.


OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA


A few other highlights include a fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor, S Health and an IP67 certification which means the handset is resistant to dust and water. Putting the specs to the side, today we are taking a look at reviews from USA Today, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Stuff, and AnandTech.


Naturally, there was plenty of comparison to the Galaxy S4. But having said that, not everyone felt it was a must-have upgrade for current GS4 users. The folks at AnandTech called it a "solid replacement" for the Galaxy S4. Some of the other highlights from that review touched on how the camera performs well outdoors with decent light and how Samsung did an "excellent job of cleaning up the UI."


One of the highlight features doesn't seem to have lived up to the possibilities though. Time called the fingerprint reader "clunky" and USA Today had enough issues that they requested a second review unit. It seems USA Today was initially seeing a success rate of "no better than 30%" with the first unit. They mentioned the fingerprint scanner "doesn't work as well" as compared to the iPhone 5S, but to be fair, did say the success rate with the replacement review unit was "a whole lot better."


OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA


The Wall Street Journal review dove right in by testing the IP67 rating. In that review you'll see proof of the handset being splashed by coffee, and also mention of it having survived everything from a dunking in a margarita, to a plunge in a toilet and overnight stay in Jell-O.


As for Stuff, they said Samsung fans "have no reason to be disappointed." But also touched on how the HTC One (M8) is a "little bit slicker, more stylish and joyful to live with."


Bottom line here, none of these reviews seem to be overly bad, but none seem to be pushing the Galaxy S5 as a clear winner either. Either way, you can see our initial Galaxy S5 hands-on (from Mobile World Congress) sitting below, and those considering a purchase will likely benefit by setting aside some time to read each of these reviews. Links for the reviews mentioned are as follows; USA Today, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Stuff, AnandTech.







Why hitting a Galaxy S5 with a hammer is the worst idea ever

What happens when you hit a smartphone with a hammer? That’s (hopefully) a rhetorical question, but some just haven’t got the message yet (hint: it breaks). When you hit a Galaxy S5 with a hammer, it bites back. In a comical but unforeseen ending, the video below shows why you should follow the lesson you learned in grade school.




The video highlights what we hope is the end to a trend that is long passed its prime. The drop tests and torture tests have just ran their course. At this point, there is no comedy in folly — you’re just wasting hardware. Take a knife to a smartphone? It’ll scratch it.


Take a hammer to a device? It’ll break it. Especially when you bash it enough to break it purposefully. There is no science, here — only disturbing behavior. Take a hammer, bash it into a phone, and marvel that it broke. This is for what purpose, exactly?


The Galaxy S5 got its revenge, though. After smashing the screen to bits, our “hero” turns the phone around to smash the device into oblivion. Rather than take the beating, the GS5 battery swells and spits at the guy like a Velociraptor. What does he ask for when it’s all said and done? Febreeze. Brilliant.


The lesson here? The same one you learned all those years ago: don’t hit.


Thanks, Dean!









US Cellular 4G LTE expansion plans detailed

US Cellular has revealed some details on their 4G LTE expansion plans. It is looking like they have plans to add more than 1,200 4G LTE sites this year. That will bring the US Cellular 4G LTE coverage to an additional 13 states across the US. But perhaps a bit more important for current customers -- this means that "more than" 93 percent of US Cellular customers will have LTE available by the end of this year.



The carrier hasn't offered a full breakdown of those 1,200 promised 4G LTE sites, however they did touch a bit on where the coverage can be expected. The expansion will be adding "vast" LTE coverage in several states to include Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and North Carolina. There was also mention of additional service areas coming to Iowa, Illinois, Maine, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.


A list of specific cities and markets included the following; Oklahoma City, Emporia, Kansas, and areas of Door County, Wisconsin. We still have quite a bit of time left in 2014, which really just goes to show that US Cellular customers may still have many months of waiting left.


Along with the increase in LTE coverage, we are seeing plenty of LTE compatible devices arriving with US Cellular. Samsung Galaxy S5 pre-orders went live a few weeks earlier with shipments expected to begin on April 9th. Of course, there are also quite a few LTE devices already available such as the Moto X, Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4.


SOURCE: MarketWatch





Google Glass at Work: pushing the wearable into enterprise

Google Glass seems to be in a constant state of update and change. Of course, that comes as a direct result of the Explorer program. And while there is still quite a bit of growth and education needed in terms of making everyone feel comfortable being around Glass, we are now getting a look at the Glass at Work initiative from Google.



Details for Glass at Work are still on the slim side. For now, Google has said this comes as a result of them seeing Explorers using Glass to help push their business forward. Google is also reaching out to developers who are currently "creating software for U.S. based enterprises" in an effort to have them help shape the future of Glass at Work.


Skybox for Google Glass at Verizon Center 2


So far what we are seeing is aimed more at the developer side. But as we often see -- once the developers push stuff, the public can benefit. That seems to be the case here. Google is offering a bit of a look at what the Washington Capitals and Schlumberger are doing with Glass.


In the case of the Washington Capitals -- Glass Explorers will see some extra perks if they wear their wearable to a game. The hockey team partnered with APX Labs and have built a fan experience that offers real time stats, instant replays and different camera angles -- all using the Glass on your face.


Schlumberger, a name that may not be as familiar to everyone, is said to be the "world's largest oilfield service company." They are doing something for employees. This one may not be as exciting as getting perks at a hockey game, but it may be more beneficial as it deals with safety. Schlumberger partnered with Wearable Intelligence and will be using Glass to increase safety and efficiency for their field employees.


SOURCE: +GoogleGlass





Samsung Gear Fit spotted with vertical display orientation

The Samsung Gear Fit stands out from the other fitness bands due to the AMOLED display. That display measures in at 1.84 inches and has a resolution of 432 x 128. But while the display appears to be crisp and clear, some had been complaining about the way the text was shown going from side to side.



Essentially, this wasn't exactly an ideal way to read something that sits on your wrist. But having said that, it also appears as if Samsung had been paying attention to those complaints. A Gear Fit with a new vertical display orientation has recently been spotted in an official Samsung store.


From the images being shared we can see how the information will now be a bit easier to read. But this does bring up another concern about the limited width, and how some longer pieces of information may either be shrunken down in size, or simply run off the side. We suspect these questions will be answered by Samsung, however they do not appear to have issued any sort of official statement just yet.


The Gear Fit with the vertical display orientation was spotted in an official Samsung store in South Korea. We would expect Samsung to push this patch/update to the Gear Fit in other markets, but not yet having heard officially, we are unsure if this should be expected when the band goes on sale April 11th.


VIA: SamMobile





XDA Xposed Tuesday: CrappaLinks – XDA Developer TV

crappalinks

In the age of text message, Twitter, and quick communications in general, we have a plethora of URL shorteners. However, URL shorteners have a dark side. Many things can be hidden within, including viruses, scams, and worst of all, the dreaded RickRoll. But now, there is an option for you to protect yourself.


In this episode of XDA Xposed Tuesday, XDA Developer TV Producer TK reviews an Xposed Module that allows you see shortened links before you open them. XDA Forum Moderator GermainZ created the CrappaLinks Xposed Module. TK shows off the module and gives his thoughts, so check out this Xposed Tuesday video.




Be sure to check out other great XDA Developer TV Videos



Google I/O registration to open next week for 4 days

Eager Google followers might have been wondering why registration for the company's biggest tech event hasn't gone live as previously indicated. Now Google has announced a delay of registrations for Google I/O 2014 but is also extending the period to four days.



The website for Google I/O 2014 went live last month with an indicator that registrations will open on April 8 and will stay open until the 10th. However, now that we're just hours away, Google is coming out with a notice of a slight change in plans.


Registration will, instead open on April 15, a full week from now. Google says that it is to ensure a stress free process, though those that will be stressed by a week-long delay might beg to disagree. Worry not, however, as Google will be extending the registration period, which will now last for four days, from Tuesday to Friday. That said, there is still no reason to rush as it is not a first come, first served queue. Instead, once the period is over, Google will be randomly selecting participants, so it's more a matter of luck than speed.


For now, there aren't any strong rumors as to what to expect during this year's Google I/O, but Google loves to give suprises, not to mention devices. There are several good candidates to choose from, including an incremental Android 4.4.3 update, an 8.9-inch Nexus tablet from HTC, or maybe even an early prototype of an Android Wear smartwatch.


SOURCE: +Google


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