Showing posts with label SAMSUNG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAMSUNG. Show all posts
Friday, 27 September 2013
Thursday, 26 September 2013
BlackBerry failure: A lesson for Apple, Samsung
SINGAPORE/JAKARTA: Indonesia has long been a surprising jewel in the crown of BlackBerry, a rare market where its devices enjoyed mass appeal. But the country also highlights the struggling company's failure to embrace the emerging economies that are leading smartphone sales growth across the globe.
Samsung working on cheaper Galaxy Note 3: Report
NEW DELHI: Samsung recently unveiled itsGalaxy Note 3 phablet, which has been priced at Rs 49,900 in the Indian market. Fans who feel dismayed by the exorbitant price tag of the new handset can take heart from rumours that a cheaper version of the device is in the offing.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Samsung to launch smartphones priced below Rs 15,000 this month
BERLIN: Samsung will launch twosmartphones in India this month for less than Rs 15,000, intensifying competition in themid-segment mobile market.
The Korean company, which has a 49 per cent share in India's smartphone segment, will offer options in local languages to attract non-English speaking customers.
The Korean company, which has a 49 per cent share in India's smartphone segment, will offer options in local languages to attract non-English speaking customers.
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Samsung to invest $500m in new China facility: Report
BEIJING: Samsung Electronics will invest $500 million to build a packaging and testing facilityin northwestern China, the official China Dailyreported on Saturday, as South Korea's biggest company expands operations in China.
Samsung's new plant investment comes on the heels of last year's $7 billion chip complex, also in the industrial city of Xi'an, and January's $1.7 billion injection into the firm's operations in Kunshan, a fast-growing manufacturing hub west of Shanghai.
Samsung, the world's largest maker of handsets, memory chips and televisions, is seeking to diversify its clients and exert greater control over its sprawling manufacturing network, which includes 250 supplier factories in China.
Construction of the packaging and testing facility is expected to begin in January 2014 and aims to be finished by the end of that year, said the report.
Samsung's new plant investment comes on the heels of last year's $7 billion chip complex, also in the industrial city of Xi'an, and January's $1.7 billion injection into the firm's operations in Kunshan, a fast-growing manufacturing hub west of Shanghai.
Samsung, the world's largest maker of handsets, memory chips and televisions, is seeking to diversify its clients and exert greater control over its sprawling manufacturing network, which includes 250 supplier factories in China.
Construction of the packaging and testing facility is expected to begin in January 2014 and aims to be finished by the end of that year, said the report.
Samsung smartphones to soon have 64-bit processors
LONDON: Samsung has reportedly confirmed that its next range of smartphone would feature 64-bit processors.
This comes amidst Apple's release of its next iPhones featuring A7, 64-bit processors, claimed to offer 'desktop-class architecture'.
This comes amidst Apple's release of its next iPhones featuring A7, 64-bit processors, claimed to offer 'desktop-class architecture'.
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Samsung to launch 10-inch tablet, UHD TV in India
BERLIN: Betting big on premium products to boost sales during the upcoming festival season in India, consumer electronics major Samsung is planning to launch over half a dozen products including a 10-inch tablet and a spacious refrigerator in the next three months.
Focusing on increasing consumer base in the home appliance segment, Samsung will launch its new 'side by side' refrigerator by the end of 2013 in India. The fridge would cut down power consumption by 40 per cent with a 10 year warranty, a top company official said. "Ultra high definition TV is the next big thing in India as demand for large screen TV is growing there. In the home appliance segment, we see the big demand in the refrigerator segment and that is why we are focusing on better looking ones as it would be a long term investment for customers," Samsung senior VP (CE division) Atul Jain told.
The side-by-side refrigerator would help customers due to its innovative design as there would be a show case for instant access of frequently used items and an inner case for longer storage ingredients. Elaborating on the UHD TV market, Jain said there is a lot of demand for large screen TVs in India which are 40 inch and above. "We have come out with a new technology called Evolution Kit using which customers can update their TV sets at par with the new technology devised by Samsung from time to time," Jain said.
Apart from the Note 3 and Galaxy Gear which the company would launch on September 25, Samsung will come up with Note 10.1 in the last week of October, just before Diwali. "The Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) would have features including a 10-inch display, 1.9 GHZ Octa Core processor (for 3G/WiFi only version) and 3GB RAM.
The side-by-side refrigerator would help customers due to its innovative design as there would be a show case for instant access of frequently used items and an inner case for longer storage ingredients. Elaborating on the UHD TV market, Jain said there is a lot of demand for large screen TVs in India which are 40 inch and above. "We have come out with a new technology called Evolution Kit using which customers can update their TV sets at par with the new technology devised by Samsung from time to time," Jain said.
Apart from the Note 3 and Galaxy Gear which the company would launch on September 25, Samsung will come up with Note 10.1 in the last week of October, just before Diwali. "The Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) would have features including a 10-inch display, 1.9 GHZ Octa Core processor (for 3G/WiFi only version) and 3GB RAM.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (311) review: Not the brightest of the lot
NEW DELHI: Just like Galaxy phones, Samsung's Galaxy tablets are among the most popular Android devices. Samsung was one of the first companies to come out with an Android tablet. Yes, we are talking about the original Galaxy Tab that hit the market in 2010. Since then not only the Galaxy tablets have evolved but other players, including Google, have also entered the market.
Nexus 7, iPad Mini and Kindle Fire have changed the market in many ways.
With Galaxy Tab 3 series - particularly Tab 3 (311) that we are reviewing today - Samsung hopes to draw the attention of consumers back to its tablets.
An oversized Galaxy S4 Samsung is nowadays focusing on a unified design language. Once it finalizes the design of its flagship Android device - usually the Galaxy S phone - it tries to use the same design for all its following Galaxy products. This is the reason why most of the Galaxy products that Samsung launched last year followed the design pattern set by Galaxy S3. This year, almost all Galaxy phones and tablets that Samsung is launching follow the design of Galaxy S4.
It is also a safe play because ergonomically and aesthetically Galaxy S4 has a good design.
Just like other Galaxy devices, Tab 3 uses a shell made of glossy plastic. To add some style to the device, Samsung has used plastic that has a very fine pattern under its glossy coating. There is an aluminum frame around the tablet that adds to its sturdiness as well as gives it a premium feel.
The front of the devices has three buttons. The menu and back buttons are touch sensitive and light when you use them. Unlike most other Galaxy devices, back cover on Galaxy Tab 3 can't be removed. The SIM card and microSD cards fit into two slots provided on the left side of the tablet. The stereo speakers, which are very loud, are on the bottom of the device.
Galaxy Tab 3 has a design that is neat and functional. The rounded edges and a slim profile make holding and using the device effortless.
Tab 3 -- with 311 in its name -- is different from Tab 3 that has 211 in its name. Unlike the 211 that has a 7-inch screen, the 311 uses an 8-inch screen. The quality of screen is also better. We found the screen on Tab 3 (311) to be very good. It shows rich and deep colours. And though it lacks a FullHD resolution, we found that 1280x800 pixels make the screen sharp enough to display crisp and clear text while web browsing. The viewing angles are fantastic, which means the colours don't change or shift when you tilt or move your head while using the device.
During outdoor use, Tab 3 screen offers enough brightness to negate the effect of sunlight. Unfortunately, the auto brightness settings are too conservative and you will have to set brightness manually to make the screen more legible if you are using it under sunlight. Tab 3 is powered by a dual-core Exynos processor and 1.5GB RAM. It has multiple Mali 400 chips for graphics related processing. The internal storage is 16GB but users can add a microSD card to expand it. There are two cameras - a 5MP primary camera and a 1.3MP front camera.
Mostly fast, sometimes slow
The device runs on Android 4.2. But Samsung has customized the OS with TouchWiz user interface.
Tab 3 is capable device and we had a good experience with it. It plays FullHD videos, even in more exotic formats like MKV, with ease. Web browsing on the device is good and websites look sharp due to its high-resolution screen. GPS locks within seconds and apps like Google Navigation work very well. The S Remote app, through which a user can control a television, works without glitches.
Then, there are Touchwiz related customizations. Settings panel has been redesigned and made more suitable for a tablet. Apps like S Planner (calendar), Gallery, Memo have been tweaked for the big screen. But the best feature in the tablet, and the one not available in other tablets, is dual-screen mode. Most of the popular apps can be run side-by-side for easy multitasking. While not everyone will require or appreciate this feature, if you are someone who likes to research on the web while replying to an email, you will love the dual-window mode.
Touchwiz has its disadvantages as well. The user interface doesn't feel as snappy or fast as the one on the Nexus 7, a tablet that features an untouched version of Android. There is visible lag while switching between apps. The lag is also visible during gaming. The tablet handles casual games like Rayman Jungle Run with ease. But in games like Dead Trigger, which have higher quality visuals, it is easy to notice low frames even though games are playable.
The 5MP primary camera shoots poor pictures in most circumstances. The biggest problem with shots taken by Tab 3 is the quality of colours. The photos, even those shot in good light, lack contrast and deep colours. In macro or close up shots the performance is slightly better and you can get images that are good enough to be shared on Facebook or Twitter. In low light the performance is poor and you will get images that are full of noise.
The 1.3MP front camera fares better and produces a clear feed during video chats.
Battery life of Tab 3 is above average. When used with a 3G connection for emails, web browsing, gaming and watching some videos it lasts around 14 hours. Needless to say, if you are travelling with Tab 3 you will not have to look for a charger for at least 24 hours if you are a bit careful with your use.
Not a value for money
Galaxy Tab 3 (311) comes at a price of Rs 25,725. And while it is a decent and functional tablet, it is not a good value for money at this price.
The device competes primarily with three tablets - Nexus 7, iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD 8.9. All three are priced around Rs 22,500, almost Rs 3,000 less than the price of Tab 3.
The basic iPad Mini is a fantastic tablet but doesn't support 3G. Kindle Fire HD 8.9, meanwhile, is geared for tasks like ebook reading or watching movies. It is a kind of specialized product which excels at the tasks it is supposed to do well.
If you are looking to get a tablet with a budget of Rs 25,000, we recommend Nexus 7. Compared to Tab 3, it offers better performance, a slightly better screen, more internal storage (32 GB vs 16GB but no microSD card slot) and promise of faster Android updates. The only thing it lacks is a primary camera and ability to make calls on cellular network. If these two are very important for you, Galaxy Tab 3 is a decent, albeit overpriced, option. It is an allrounder and mostly works well. Just don't expect to be dazzled by it.
Pros: Very good screen, dual-window mode, good build quality, thin and lightweight, good battery life
Cons: Poor camera, visible lag during multitasking and gaming, TouchWiz user interface is not as good looking as stock Android, high price
Specs * 8-inch capacitive touchscreen (1280 x800 pixels resolution)
*1.5GHz Exynos dual-core processor
*Mali 400MP graphics chip
*1.5GB RAM
*16GB internal storage with support for up to 64GB MicroSD card
*5-megapixel camera, 720P video recording
*1.3MP front-facing camera
*3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, IR sensor
*4450 mAh battery
*Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
*314gms
Nexus 7, iPad Mini and Kindle Fire have changed the market in many ways.
With Galaxy Tab 3 series - particularly Tab 3 (311) that we are reviewing today - Samsung hopes to draw the attention of consumers back to its tablets.
An oversized Galaxy S4 Samsung is nowadays focusing on a unified design language. Once it finalizes the design of its flagship Android device - usually the Galaxy S phone - it tries to use the same design for all its following Galaxy products. This is the reason why most of the Galaxy products that Samsung launched last year followed the design pattern set by Galaxy S3. This year, almost all Galaxy phones and tablets that Samsung is launching follow the design of Galaxy S4.
It is also a safe play because ergonomically and aesthetically Galaxy S4 has a good design.
Just like other Galaxy devices, Tab 3 uses a shell made of glossy plastic. To add some style to the device, Samsung has used plastic that has a very fine pattern under its glossy coating. There is an aluminum frame around the tablet that adds to its sturdiness as well as gives it a premium feel.
The front of the devices has three buttons. The menu and back buttons are touch sensitive and light when you use them. Unlike most other Galaxy devices, back cover on Galaxy Tab 3 can't be removed. The SIM card and microSD cards fit into two slots provided on the left side of the tablet. The stereo speakers, which are very loud, are on the bottom of the device.
Galaxy Tab 3 has a design that is neat and functional. The rounded edges and a slim profile make holding and using the device effortless.
Tab 3 -- with 311 in its name -- is different from Tab 3 that has 211 in its name. Unlike the 211 that has a 7-inch screen, the 311 uses an 8-inch screen. The quality of screen is also better. We found the screen on Tab 3 (311) to be very good. It shows rich and deep colours. And though it lacks a FullHD resolution, we found that 1280x800 pixels make the screen sharp enough to display crisp and clear text while web browsing. The viewing angles are fantastic, which means the colours don't change or shift when you tilt or move your head while using the device.
During outdoor use, Tab 3 screen offers enough brightness to negate the effect of sunlight. Unfortunately, the auto brightness settings are too conservative and you will have to set brightness manually to make the screen more legible if you are using it under sunlight. Tab 3 is powered by a dual-core Exynos processor and 1.5GB RAM. It has multiple Mali 400 chips for graphics related processing. The internal storage is 16GB but users can add a microSD card to expand it. There are two cameras - a 5MP primary camera and a 1.3MP front camera.
Mostly fast, sometimes slow
The device runs on Android 4.2. But Samsung has customized the OS with TouchWiz user interface.
Tab 3 is capable device and we had a good experience with it. It plays FullHD videos, even in more exotic formats like MKV, with ease. Web browsing on the device is good and websites look sharp due to its high-resolution screen. GPS locks within seconds and apps like Google Navigation work very well. The S Remote app, through which a user can control a television, works without glitches.
Then, there are Touchwiz related customizations. Settings panel has been redesigned and made more suitable for a tablet. Apps like S Planner (calendar), Gallery, Memo have been tweaked for the big screen. But the best feature in the tablet, and the one not available in other tablets, is dual-screen mode. Most of the popular apps can be run side-by-side for easy multitasking. While not everyone will require or appreciate this feature, if you are someone who likes to research on the web while replying to an email, you will love the dual-window mode.
Touchwiz has its disadvantages as well. The user interface doesn't feel as snappy or fast as the one on the Nexus 7, a tablet that features an untouched version of Android. There is visible lag while switching between apps. The lag is also visible during gaming. The tablet handles casual games like Rayman Jungle Run with ease. But in games like Dead Trigger, which have higher quality visuals, it is easy to notice low frames even though games are playable.
The 5MP primary camera shoots poor pictures in most circumstances. The biggest problem with shots taken by Tab 3 is the quality of colours. The photos, even those shot in good light, lack contrast and deep colours. In macro or close up shots the performance is slightly better and you can get images that are good enough to be shared on Facebook or Twitter. In low light the performance is poor and you will get images that are full of noise.
The 1.3MP front camera fares better and produces a clear feed during video chats.
Battery life of Tab 3 is above average. When used with a 3G connection for emails, web browsing, gaming and watching some videos it lasts around 14 hours. Needless to say, if you are travelling with Tab 3 you will not have to look for a charger for at least 24 hours if you are a bit careful with your use.
Not a value for money
Galaxy Tab 3 (311) comes at a price of Rs 25,725. And while it is a decent and functional tablet, it is not a good value for money at this price.
The device competes primarily with three tablets - Nexus 7, iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD 8.9. All three are priced around Rs 22,500, almost Rs 3,000 less than the price of Tab 3.
The basic iPad Mini is a fantastic tablet but doesn't support 3G. Kindle Fire HD 8.9, meanwhile, is geared for tasks like ebook reading or watching movies. It is a kind of specialized product which excels at the tasks it is supposed to do well.
If you are looking to get a tablet with a budget of Rs 25,000, we recommend Nexus 7. Compared to Tab 3, it offers better performance, a slightly better screen, more internal storage (32 GB vs 16GB but no microSD card slot) and promise of faster Android updates. The only thing it lacks is a primary camera and ability to make calls on cellular network. If these two are very important for you, Galaxy Tab 3 is a decent, albeit overpriced, option. It is an allrounder and mostly works well. Just don't expect to be dazzled by it.
Pros: Very good screen, dual-window mode, good build quality, thin and lightweight, good battery life
Cons: Poor camera, visible lag during multitasking and gaming, TouchWiz user interface is not as good looking as stock Android, high price
Specs * 8-inch capacitive touchscreen (1280 x800 pixels resolution)
*1.5GHz Exynos dual-core processor
*Mali 400MP graphics chip
*1.5GB RAM
*16GB internal storage with support for up to 64GB MicroSD card
*5-megapixel camera, 720P video recording
*1.3MP front-facing camera
*3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, IR sensor
*4450 mAh battery
*Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
*314gms
Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear smartwatch
NEW DELHI/BERLIN: Samsung on Wednesday launched Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear at IFA, a trade event in Berlin. Samsung said that both devices will go on sale in 149 countries by September 25. In India, both the devices are likely to be launched before end of September. No country-specific pricing has been announced so far.
The highlight of the event was Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch. Samsung has launched it at least weeks ahead of a similar product expected from its rival Apple. The so-called smartwatch is what some technology analysts believe could become this year's must-have holiday gift.
Samsung says the Gear can act as an extension to a smartphone by discreetly alerting users to incoming messages and calls on its display screen, which measures 1.63 inches diagonally. Users can even make calls, secret agent-style, without getting out their phone. The Gear also sports a basic 1.9MP camera and works with popular social media and fitness apps such as Twitter and RunKeeper.
The Android-powered device starts shipping in most countries by September 25, starting at $299. It will be compatible initially with two Samsung products -- the Galaxy Note III, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1, a tablet with a 10.1-inch screen, which was also launched on Wednesday.
Galaxy Gear uses a SuperAMOLED screen. It has 4GB internal storage, a camera, 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM and will pair with compatible devices using Bluetooth connection. The watch weighs 74 grams.
Galaxy Note 3, meanwhile, is a big phablet with cutting edge hardware. It has a 5.7-inch SuperAMOLED screen with FullHD resolution, a 13MP camera that can shoot 4K videos and a multi-functional stylus. The 4G model of Note 3 will be powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor while the 3G model, which will be available in India, will be powered by a 1.9GHz octacore processor. It will have 32GB internal storage, 3GB RAM and 3200 mAh battery. User will be able to expand storage through a microSD card.
It measures 151.2mm x 79.2mm x 8.3mm and weighs 168 grams. The device has a 2MP front camera.
"Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences. With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3's larger screen," said JK Shin, CEO and president of IT & mobile division at Samsung Electronics.
With smartphones and tablets now ubiquitous, electronics companies are trying to create a new category of products to lure consumer spending. That includes building advanced computing technology into everyday objects such as wristwatches and glasses.
Sony introduced its latest smartwatch in June and unveiled an update on Wednesday. Google is working on Google Glass -- a device designed to work like a smartphone and worn like a pair of glasses. Apple is seeking an iWatch trademark. Apple had no comment on Wednesday on its plans. It has an event scheduled next Tuesday, during which it is expected to unveil new iPhones.
The highlight of the event was Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch. Samsung has launched it at least weeks ahead of a similar product expected from its rival Apple. The so-called smartwatch is what some technology analysts believe could become this year's must-have holiday gift.
Samsung says the Gear can act as an extension to a smartphone by discreetly alerting users to incoming messages and calls on its display screen, which measures 1.63 inches diagonally. Users can even make calls, secret agent-style, without getting out their phone. The Gear also sports a basic 1.9MP camera and works with popular social media and fitness apps such as Twitter and RunKeeper.
The Android-powered device starts shipping in most countries by September 25, starting at $299. It will be compatible initially with two Samsung products -- the Galaxy Note III, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1, a tablet with a 10.1-inch screen, which was also launched on Wednesday.
Galaxy Gear uses a SuperAMOLED screen. It has 4GB internal storage, a camera, 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM and will pair with compatible devices using Bluetooth connection. The watch weighs 74 grams.
Galaxy Note 3, meanwhile, is a big phablet with cutting edge hardware. It has a 5.7-inch SuperAMOLED screen with FullHD resolution, a 13MP camera that can shoot 4K videos and a multi-functional stylus. The 4G model of Note 3 will be powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor while the 3G model, which will be available in India, will be powered by a 1.9GHz octacore processor. It will have 32GB internal storage, 3GB RAM and 3200 mAh battery. User will be able to expand storage through a microSD card.
It measures 151.2mm x 79.2mm x 8.3mm and weighs 168 grams. The device has a 2MP front camera.
"Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences. With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3's larger screen," said JK Shin, CEO and president of IT & mobile division at Samsung Electronics.
With smartphones and tablets now ubiquitous, electronics companies are trying to create a new category of products to lure consumer spending. That includes building advanced computing technology into everyday objects such as wristwatches and glasses.
Sony introduced its latest smartwatch in June and unveiled an update on Wednesday. Google is working on Google Glass -- a device designed to work like a smartphone and worn like a pair of glasses. Apple is seeking an iWatch trademark. Apple had no comment on Wednesday on its plans. It has an event scheduled next Tuesday, during which it is expected to unveil new iPhones.
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