New Samsung Galaxy S4 Features and Review

Samsung has now launched its newest smartphone the Galaxy S4, which is being made available worldwide by the end of April. 

The smartphone incorporates a a 5in (12.5cm) screen featuring an interesting technology that allows users to interact and control the screen by simply using their eyes. Furthermore, the new phone is capable to take two different pictures at once.

The presentation was made by JK Shin, which stated that the smartphone will be available on over 327 mobile operatiors in 155 countries. In the United Kingdom, Vodafone, Three, and EE will have the smartphone available on their customer plan offerings.

Below is a summary of the main features of the new Samsung Galaxy S4:

• Full HD, Super AMOLED 5-inch display with 441 pixels per inch
• Measures 136.5mm long by 70.6mm wide
• Weighing 130 grams
• 3G and 4G LTE
• Supports downloads up to 100Mbps and uploads of 50Mbps
• 2GB of LPDDR RAM
• Storage options: 16, 32 and 64GB of internal storage possible
• Supports up to 64GB of external storage via microSD card
• 2,600mAh removable battery
• Two cameras: 13-megapixel on the back and 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• Can take shoot more than 100 shots in four seconds
• S-Translator supports nine languages with 3,000 useful phrases ready

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HP is Creating Handheld Devices Powered by Android, Dropping webOS

It is being reported that HP is creating new handheld devices which will be powered by Android. It was first stated on ReadWrite and later confirmed by Verge.

The HP webOS, has not proven to be successful rather a general lack of interest from consumers.

In this development context, the change strategy may be the work of HP CEO Meg Whitman where her target plan has always been to produce an own hardware HP based tablet device which was previously announced as being powered on the HP's open-source webOS, however now it seems there has been a change so that the new tablets will now be based on the popular Android instead.

This market segment of Android tablets, at the moment there is not yet a clear champion competitor that may challenge the popular Apple iPad, as a result the strategy for HP may be to try and gain some lost ground by creating a product that can be seen as innovative and as worthy cheaper replacement for the iPad.
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CES 2013, Text in the shower? The Sony Xperia Z

CES 2013, The annual technology show, held in Las Vegas has once again unveiled a host of wacky and cool innovations. One of the standout items is Sony’s waterproof smartphone.

Some real innovations and some (slightly) crazy inventions are being exhibited this year, with such highlights as ‘intelligent’ cutlery, bluetooth enabled luggage tracking devices and an Android powered and controlled oven!

One of the new products that has been causing the biggest ‘splash’ thus far has been a new smartphone, designed by Sony. It has a number of unique features that make it stand out from the crowd, the most interesting being is that it is completely water resistant.

But more of that later. First, let’s take a look at the specifications. It’s thin, at only 7.9mm thick (0.3in). And, it’s big. It features a five inch (12.7cm), 1080p screen that manages to squeeze in a 443 ppi (pixels per inch) touchscreen display. The iPhone 5 and its retina display can only offer 326 ppi which has been industry standard since the launch of the iPhone 4 and has been seen as more than generous until now. The Xperia Z takes this to a new level, and while lacking the eye watering brightness of the colour palette of the iPhone 5 it adds an extra degree of realism and clarity hitherto unseen in a pocket sized smartphone.

Well, I say pocket sized. The handset can be classed as such, but only just. Bar the two Samsung models (the Note and recently released Note 2) this is by far the largest handset that has been touted as a phone as opposed to a tablet. And around CES 2013 this has borne out a new nickname and possibly a whole new category of personal tech. And so, the ‘Phablet’ is born. It no doubt feels large in the hand but its slim, lightweight design draws attention away from that. It is made from high end materials and components and features a very tactile, mirrored shatterproof glass back.

And it’s certainly fast. It features a 1.5GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor utilising 2GB of RAM. The handset is 4G ready and features ‘near field communication’ or NFC built in. NFC is a contactless data transfer system that allows information to be passed between the handset and a receptive unit with a simple scan.

Sony have been forerunners in NFC development, already having a number of different products on the market utilising the technology. Headphones, speakers and TV remotes are all available and all work seamlessly, which can only bode well for the feature on the Xperia Z.

Other features include a 13 megapixel main camera with the ability to both shoot and record using HDR technology. It runs the Android OS, its memory is expandable using microSD cards and, as mentioned earlier, is completely dust and water proofed.

The handset is rated to IP55 for dust and IP57 for water, making this phone the first that can be safely used in the bath or shower and will survive being dropped down a toilet (1 in 10 insurance claims for smartphones give this as the reason for claiming). Sony states that the handset can withstand being submerged for thirty minutes at a depth of up to one metre, and, when it becomes dirty can be simply washed under the tap.

The downside of all this proofing does mean that every port comes complete with a protective plastic cap that must remain unclipped in order for the port to be used. Although a popular feature in Japan it remains to be seen whether full waterproofing will be a sufficient lure for the western market.

Its size and the initial novelty factor will no doubt be a big draw when Sony launch the Xperia Z (a UK release date of March is pencilled in, price TBC) but whether it does enough to convert Apple and Samsung fans to its cause remains to be seen.

About the Author

Reese Jones is a tech and gadget lover, a die-hard fan of iOS and console games. She started her writing venture recently and writes about everything from quick tech tips, to mobile-specific news to tech-related DIY.

Find more about her and her work at Reese+ and tweet her @r_am_jones.

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New App Uses Image Recognition Technology to Display User Info

A new mobile app has been launched and is now available on the App store called Cardign, this new mobile app allows users to take pictures of people's faces on their devices and then from the stored picture, the app is capable to process the information using facial recognition to then display contact details correspondent to the picture. 

Nevertheless, this recognition only works when other users already have downloaded and use the app so that their details and their face pictures are already stored on the app database. The way it works is that users are required to take three pictures of themselves for a more accurate detailed pattern for the database storage procedure, as a result then the recognition processing can occur by taking into consideration data variations. As the app becomes more widely used and popular, then the database will grow, and the intention and goal is that when users meet or greet anyone that they would like to exchange contact details, users would only simply need to take a picture of the face of the person being met for all their details being shown on the app. In a way, this is an advanced photo business card exchange, however done with simply using users faces pictures and with the requirement that everyone would need to use and agree for this app to use their details, in order to work.

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MasterCard Introduces New UI SDK for Mobile Developers

MasterCard has updated its design and interface offering for mobile developers with a new SDK to be used on Android and BlackBerry devices. This comes in a context where mobile commerce apps are growing on popularity and competition is growing for this kind of mobile payment services with many other paying solutions available.

With regards to MasterCard and its Mobile MasterCard PayPass, any mobile developer now has at their disposal a standard user interface that they can use on developing applications, furthermore it also allows for a simpler and faster development cycle even for development novices.

This new development complements the existing  Open API that developers have used such as the former MoneySend and the current PayPass.

New Security Palm Recognition for Smartphones Developed

In a context where smartphones current security features are based around password protection on the screen, SIM lock pin, cloud backups, remote location and data wipe security. It then follows that switching on security is not the best, as a result a new mobile technology implementation from the Japanese Softbank Mobile Corp in partnership with Universal Robot Co Ltd allows for palm recognition security on smartphones.

This idea is not new, however in the past many attempts have been unsuccessful as the technology and human palm characteristics combination features, were never quite small enough to be used in mobile phones.

This new implementation and solution is based on utilising software pattern recognition in combination with built-in smartphone cameras thus streamlining the amount of the required data analysis or pre-processing.

The way users will be able to use the security recognition logging in feature, is by simply showing their palm over the camera, in the case where a user is using the mobile phone in the dark or under low light conditions, then it is anticipated that the flash camera will automatically turn on in order to scan the palm. This new technology will be available soon towards the end of the year starting in Japan. Source 

Microsoft Windows Phone 8 New Feature, Room to Chat

As the new windows mobile operating system from Microsoft official global launch is approaching, new features will surprise many people for the better, this now includes group chatting functionality named "Room to Chat".  Furthermore, users on group chat will be able to share content and calendar appointment, events or lists to do.

The way it works, is that windows phone users are invited via text message as recipients from whoever is setting the group chat. It then follows, that group chat members are also able to customise their content sharing settings, either by choosing to share content with the entire group, or filtering and selecting content to be shared privately with a particular Room participant.

Source The Verge.  In further detail WMPowerUser published a description of the group chat: "Gather your friends and family together. Invite them to a private Room where you can share a calendar, photos, group chat and notes. Or add them to a Group to see social updates from just those folks and text them all at once. Tap the plus sign to get started".

Payleven Expanding Mobile Card Payments to Many Countries

The investment internet technology group Rocket Internet, from the Samwer brothers has high hopes for Payleven, as a result today has announced that the solution is now available in the UK, Netherland, Poland and Brazil.

It appears that pay mobile technology is striving to to increase market share, particularly as smartphones are gaining ever more popularity among consumers. Furthermore, from a business perspective, in the supermarkets, shops and other pay point locations are looking for cheaper solutions that offer lower rates than the traditional terminal transactions pay at till services.

Many shops do not accept card payment for less than £5 already, and the news that in some countries such as Portugal, where a large supermarket chain announced that will not be accepting payments for less than €20 at the till when customers use card payments.

Nevertheless, following on today's news how other solution providers such as  iZettle and mPowa, how they will react is not yet clear, however we should see interesting expansion plans coming up soon, not forgetting  Square expansion.

The solution currently accepts Mastercard with Visa and American Express credit cards support coming shortly, with the "Chip & PIN” technology.  The way Payleven works is that it is on a fee per transaction, without subscription fees and no minimum turnover or fixed fee.

IBM Brings High Power Intelligence to Mobile Devices

IBM is attempting to provide mobility usability to its high power somewhat perceived intelligent business machines by providing its Watson to be implemented on smartphones or at least a mobile small version which would connect to the big brother for data analysis and complex processing. In this context, it then follows that mobile capabilities will in some ways help users and technology interact in a more understandable communication and interactivity by increasing current capabilities and data complexities.

Interesting developments will follow, nevertheless it can be anticipated that science analysis will gain and benefit with a larger testing field and implementations such as described in Bloomberg reports.

The Watson is capable of operating is by searching many of sources in real-time and recognizing patterns, with some preconceived interpreting rules that can provide good results. Thus, even in the cases where the user feels that an answer or conclusion would be difficult to reach, a good example is here.  The next stage will be the Watson 2.0, which is currently in development, so that it can perform at more energy-efficient levels as a application. source San Francisco Chronicle

Windows 8 and Phone 8, Official Launch Dates Announced

Microsoft has been quietly preparing Windows 8, however some details have emerged recently, such as Windows 8 date is October 26. Furthermore, a new standard design visual named Metro style has been implemented and thus revamping most of its consumer and cloud solutions user interfaces, such as skydrive and outlook in preparation for the big launch event.

With regards to the new Windows Phone 8, today there was an interesting development with the presentation by Samsung of the first Windows Phone 8. Furthermore, Nokia soon will within the next week or so, showcase its new devices in the US and  HTC Windows Phone 8 is scheduled to also showcase sometime in mid-September.

Following our sources, we can now provide some detailed dates:

October 25, Microsoft's big launch event for Windows 8 and the Surface RT, with the available products after midnight.

October 29 Windows Phone 8 Official launch, and devices available within a week.

Now You Can Skip Video Ads on a Mobile, from YouTube

From today YouTube videos that are played and viewed on a mobile device, will have the TrueView in-stream advertising campaigns embedded. These campaigns can be accessed and set on the AdWords For Video dashboard.  Until now, this technology was not used on mobiles, due do the screen size limitations and concerns for the User Experience.

It follows, that YouTube nevertheless will keep studying data usage and patterns from users interactivity with ads.

If this miniature feature gets the full support and acceptance from users, then it will follow new features for the advertisers on their dashboards which will include dedicated optimization settings for a multitude of mobile devices.

In this context, YouTube ads can be envisaged that its mobile market will grow and this new feature of embedded ads on mobile video plays, will complement and enhance its mobile strategy for monetization without the requirement to have pre-built custom apps for users to download.