Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch: Features, Price, Release Date

Whether smartwatches are going to be a real growth market or something of a damp squib remains to be seen, but that isn’t stopping Samsung from jumping into the arena with both feet. By announcing the Galaxy Gear at today’s IFA briefing in Berlin, Samsung has not just launched a new product, but it’s also managed to pip Apple to market. With the iPhone maker repeatedly tipped to have a smartwatch of its own in the works, getting there first could be a major coup for Samsung.

Of course, if you’re an iPhone user already then you’re not going to be buying a Galaxy Gear, because the new device is only compatible with Samsung’s own Galaxy range of devices, with the Galaxy S4, S3 and Note 2 set to get software updates to add the required software at some point in the next few weeks. If you’re currently in the market for a new high-end smartphone though, and are deciding between the Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5S for example, the Galaxy Gear may just have a part to play in that decision. At launch though, Galaxy Gear will be only compatible with the Galaxy Note 3 and the new Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014).

Features

Packing a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 320×320, the watch isn’t small, but it certainly looks svelte enough from what we’ve seen of it. Any smaller and we’d argue that it wouldn’t be big enough to be useful, and any bigger and we’d worry that it would be too obvious, or just get in the way. Until we’ve had one on our own wrists though, we’re just kinda guessing – but the videos of the device floating around the internet certainly give us cause to be optimistic about its proportions.

Built into the Gear’s strap is a 1.9-megapixel camera and a speaker. The device can record 10-seconds of HD video, or take still snaps should you so wish. The speaker is obviously there for making hands-free calls, but we’re not sure we’d be able to do that without feeling like an idiot. Still, they said the same about mobile phones thirty years ago, so we’ll reserve judgment on that.

Galaxy Gear has apps too, up to 10 at the same time. The apps can be installed using your Galaxy Note phablet or tablet. And it comes in a plethora of colors too, in case you’re looking for options.

Wondering about battery? Things aren’t looking that good here. The Galaxy Gear goes one full day on a single charge under regular usage circumstances.

Price

Of course, the biggest question surrounding the whole smartwatch market is whether anyone will actually buy one, and that’s where the price comes into play. Samsung will be asking for a dollar shy of $300 when the device goes on sale in a matter of weeks. We’d like to see what apps are built for this thing before we decide whether that’s too much, but if the email we just received from Pocket is anything to go by, apps will be forthcoming. It’s not cheap, but then neither is that $600 smartphone or $500 tablet you’re using, either.

Release Date

Galaxy Gear will be available on September 25th in 149 countries. And worldwide in October.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Announced: Features, Price, Release Date

Samsung has just announced the new and improved iteration of the Galaxy Note series, the third revision of its massive Android based phablet. The redesigned device will now feature a 5.7 inch screen (as compared to the 5.3” version of Note 2), and sports a faux-leather back while being a shade lighter at 168g. Details to follow.

The improvements in Galaxy Note 3 are marginally more than what Note 2 had to offer, and Samsung is hoping to attract buyers through a slew of software improvements that will make the phablet experience better, whilst making the device more catchy and glamorous. Let’s break it down feature by feature.

Features

Hardware

On the hardware front, Note 3 looks and feels pretty similar to its early two predecessors, although the faux-leather back adds a completely different feel to the device. The display size has been increased to 5.7”, featuring a full HD Super AMOLED display (that’s 1080p in case you’re wondering) and is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor. The on-board RAM has been increased to a whopping 3GB DDR3 variant, while the camera unit now packs 13-megapixels to keep up with the modern day smartphones. The front facing camera is of the 2-megapixel variety, which we’ve said on many occasions, is more than enough for video calls / chats.

The device this time is thinner, packing at a mere 8.3mm, which is a feat considering the powerful innards. Weight, too, has seen a slight reduction, now lying at 168g to feel lighter in your pocket. The device will come in 32GB and 64GB storage modules, alongside microSD expansion slot. And as you’d expect from any Note series device from Samsung, it does have the S Pen.

On the wireless front, the Galaxy Note 3 features CAT4 wireless technology, with support for more wireless bands than ever before.

To keep things ticking for a while, the Note 3 features a massive 3,200mAh battery.

Now, here comes the awesome part regarding the camera: it records 4K video. Though the screen is only 1080p, but if you have a few extra thousand dollars to spare on an Ultra HD TV, then you’re future proof with the Note 3.

Software

This is the division that has seen the largest improvement. Samsung has brought in some really cool Note-exclusive apps that would make the whole smartphone experience much better. First in the line is Air Command, which basically pulls up a menu as soon as the stylus is removed from its housing. The same menu also activates when the digitized stylus is hovering above the screen and the button is clicked. This Air Command menu lets you pull up dedicated features like Scrapbook, S Finder, Pen Window etc.

Next up is Action Memos, which is basically Samsung’s way of killing the on-screen keyboard, and for good. These turn any scribbled text into actionable items, allowing you to, say, write a number and call it directly from the Action Memo. Then there’s My Magazine, which is Samsung’s version of Flipboard and HTC BlinkFeed combined, allowing a news aggregation method that’s both slick and neat.

Improved further is the Note 3’s ability to operate more apps in multi-window mode, including maps and browser. This goes up even a notch further by allowing you to run multiple instances of the same app side by side. Pen Window is the icing on the cake in this area, allowing you to literally draw on screen a particular area where a floating app would be confined. Neat, isn’t it?

The best part of the whole software package is Samsung KNOX, which is basically a new security protection provided by Samsung. KNOX is a suite of apps that allow you to not only run apps in an isolated “container” environment (say hello to all those suspicious games), but also advanced malware protection thanks to Lookout being bundled in the package. The Find My Mobile feature has also been improved, with better user authentication and remote tracking, alongside others.

Galaxy Note 3 features Android 4.3 right out of the box, hence you can rest assured that your device would be running the latest and greatest version of Android at the point of purchase.

Release Date

Galaxy Note 3 will be made available September 27 in 149 countries as a preliminary launch (that’s a lot, isn’t it!), followed by a worldwide availability in October. In the US, official carrier partners will include AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular.

Price

As of this writing, pricing details are not available. But Note 3 is expected to cost on the same lines as the current Note 2. We will update as soon as we hear more on pricing.

Sony QX10 And QX100 Lens Kit Official: Transforms iPhone And Android Into A High-End Camera [VIDEO]

At the IFA 2013 Press Conference today, Sony unveiled a bunch of new gadgets, such as the waterproof Xperia Z, including the much hyped DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 Cyber-shot smartphone lens cameras. Both the devices are scheduled for availability starting September 27, based on Amazon’s official listing, and are going to provide “DSLR-quality shooting from the convenience of a smartphone”. Let’s take a deeper look at both these models right after the break.

In a nutshell, both the devices are basically attachments for iPhone and Android smartphones coupling in-built image sensors and lenses, making the phone behave like a dedicated point-and-shoot camera. The QX10 is the basic model, offering a 4:3 aspect ratio 1/2.3” Exmor R CMOS image sensor, with effective resolution of 18.2 megapixels. It features an optical zoom of 10X, with an aperture range of F3.3 to F5.9 at the telephoto end. The shutter speed varies from 1/1600 sec to 4 seconds, which makes the accessory excellent for low light photography. Supported ISO range is 100 to 12800, although the latter becomes pretty much useless owing to high-level grain that will seep through the image.

On the video front, the DSC-QX10 lens and sensor combo can record at 1080p with 30fps frame rate, in MP4 format. The device also supports on-board memory (M2, micro SD, Memory Stick Micro etc.) for storing images and video.

The DSC-QX100 is the elder sibling, borrowing the 20-MP sensor from RX100 Mark II camera, with the sensor size going up to 1” for better image quality. Supported aspect ratio is 3:2, while the aperture range goes form an impressive F1.8 to F4.9, giving the resulting images an even shallower depth of field and making them closer to what you’d get with a DSLR. The lens accessory also comes with aperture priority mode for advanced users, while manual focus is also on-board for even better level of control on output. Exposure compensation goes from -3.0 EV to +3.0 EV, while the ISO range varies from 160 – 25600. Video recording capabilities for QX100 remain the same as for QX10.

Both the devices will be compatible with Android smartphones running OS version 2.3 – 4.2, while iPhones require iOS version 4.1 – 6.0. Connectivity is established through either Wi-Fi or NFC. Of course, it requires an app for connectivity which serves as the camera interface, and is called PlayMemories, and is available to download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store for iPhone and Android, respectively.

On the pricing front, the QX10 will be sold (by Amazon, at least) at $248, while the elder sibling, the QX100, will cost you a hefty $498. This is what an entry-level DSLR would cost you (even less), so unless you see a huge value in being able to take photos with your smartphone, and unless the lenses actually produce images on par with dedicated cameras, these accessories might not find that much love from consumers.

(Download: PlayMemories for iOS / Android)

Samsung To Begin Shipping Antivirus App As Standard On Its Android Phones

The debate over the security of Android devices has been going on for a long time now. More than just an argument that comes up when Apple and Samsung fanboys are duking it out on forums, the security issue facing Google’s mobile operating system is either very real or overblown depending on which expert you talk to. Google’s own security security engineer Adrian Ludwig says that there is no significant risk posed to Android devices, but then he would say that wouldn’t he?

The concern amongst users is a very real one though, which is why something happened that we never thought we would see – antivirus apps are starting to become popular on smartphones. In particular, Lookout appears to be the standard for many, and it seems Samsung has taken notice.

In a deal that is expected to be announced later today, Samsung will begin shipping the Lookout Antivirus as part of its own Knox suite of security apps for the enterprise. If you’re a corporate IT manager, then getting the boss to let Samsung phones onto the network just got a little easier.

Lookout normally offers two tiers of features. The first, which is free, offers basic features. A paid-for premium version adds cloud antivirus scanning of email attachments and web browsing. Lookout has confirmed that it is this premium version that will be shipping as part of Samsung’s Knox setup.

Security on mobile devices is something that crops up every few months, usually after a new Android exploit has been found that allows hackers to gain access to data. This move by Samsung not only shows that the company is serious about making its handsets attractive to the enterprise, but also proves that the issue of malware on Android phones is a very real one no matter what Google says.

We can’t help but wonder whether Google will soon focus on cutting out such security concerns at the operating system level rather than relying on third parties to do it for them. With Android’s activation numbers growing all the time, it will only become a bigger and bigger target as time goes on.

Just ask any Windows user and they’ll tell you what it’s like.

Sony Xperia Z1: A Waterproof Android Powerhouse With A 20.7-Megapixel Camera [VIDEO]

It’s finally here – the Sony Xperia Z1, which might well be the best Android phone on the market today. And it’s not just Sony claiming it; the specifications and the on-board goodies seem to verify the claim to the last bit. Let’s take you on a virtual tour of what Sony unveiled today at its IFA 2013 Press Conference.

The device, which was called Sony ‘Honami’ in the leaks, had so much information already available that the official announcement today hardly carried any bells and whistles other than confirming what was already known. Let’s begin with the specs’ recap.

Xperia Z1 will feature a 5-inch true HD 1080p display, coupled with TRILUMINOUS and X-Reality technologies for mobile phones. The device is water resistant with a certification of IP55/IP58, which puts is above and beyond Xperia Z (and we found that to be pretty resistant itself). The build this time around is a “solid one-piece aluminum” frame, improving ergonomics greatly. The device will be powered by a Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz quad-core processor and feature Adreno 330 GPU for ultimate gaming performance. It boasts a 2GB DDR3 RAM module, and 16GB of on-board storage with microSD expansion possibility.

All of this is powered by a 3,000mAh battery, which should be pretty decent in everyday usage scenarios, even with the power hungry hardware.

Next comes the biggest highlight of the Sony Xperia Z1 – the 20.7 MP camera with 1/2.3 inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor. According to Sony’s official statements, “independent testing has confirmed that Xperia Z1 provides the best overall image quality of all leading smartphones”. They even go as far as claiming that you can have 3x lossless zoom, akin to Nokia’s PureView technology. What we don’t know for sure is whether the zoom will be available at full resolution as well or not.

To complete the imaging spec sheet further, Xperia Z1 will be using Sony’s G Lens, which holds at 27mm wide angle in 35mm equivalent terms, and features a bright maximum aperture of F2.0, which is almost better than anything we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. Image processing engine behind this magnificence will be BIONZ for mobile, alongside a plethora of proprietary imaging apps, including Info-eye, AR effect, Timeshift burst and Social live.

Also available for the Xperia Z1 will be a multitude of accessories, including the QX10 and QX100 lens attachments, tripods and imaging stands, and even a wireless display.

Xperia Z1 will be running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and with this superb spec sheet and distinction of being a flagship, we can predict beyond doubt that the device will receive updates pretty soon. It is expected to go on sale worldwide mid of September. Pricing details are yet to be made available.

Xbox One Release Date Finally Announced

We knew roughly when it would arrive, but until a few minutes ago we didn’t know for sure. Now all the guessing is over with though, and we know exactly when we will be able to get our hands on the new Xbox One: November 22nd.

Launching a week after Sony’s PlayStation 4 release date in the United States, the new console will launch simultaneously across a raft of territories, and will actually land before Sony’s offering in some of them, such as the UK.

The full list as detailed by Microsoft’s Xbox mouthpiece Major Nelson reads:

Today we are announcing that Xbox One will be available on Friday November 22, 2013 in all 13 of our initial launch markets – Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. Many more markets will follow in 2014.

Keep in mind that these are the same Xbox One launch countries which we covered a while back, except that they are being re-confirmed along with the release date today.

The Xbox One is Microsoft’s successor to the hugely popular Xbox 360, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Redmond outfit this time around. A furore surrounding digital rights management and the handling of used games still blots the Xbox One’s copybook, and while most of the confusion has been cleared up at this point, the new console’s reputation may be damaged beyond repair in the eyes of some gamers.

With the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launching so close to each other in so many countries, we could be in for a straight fight between two gaming powerhouses. The current generation saw Microsoft get to the party much earlier than Sony, leaving the Japanese firm to play catch-up for the rest of the cycle. Arguably, it never really managed it, but that’s an argument for the fanboys to have in the comments section below.

Which console you’re looking forward to the most will possibly depend on past allegiances, but if you happen to live in the United States, the One’s integration with TV content and sports may just push you towards the big black box with a Microsoft logo on it.

It’ll play games pretty well, too.

So, what are you planning on buying? The Xbox One, or the PS4?

Apple Sends Out Separate Invites For Sept 11th Chinese iPhone Launch Event [Update: Tokyo And Berlin As Well]

Know what’s cooler than an iPhone announcement event? Two iPhone announcement events, and that’s exactly what Apple has on the books for the 10th and 11th of September.

Not content with inviting press to an event at its Cupertino campus on the September 10th iPhone event, Apple has today sent invites out to Chinese press asking them to join the iPhone maker for an event in Beijing on the 11th. Beyond the Chinese text, the invite is the same as the one that has already been sent to press in the United States, suggesting that the broad theme for the two announcements will be the same.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C next week, with the latter arguably perfectly suited to a launch in Chine. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also been seen visiting Chinese carrier officials of late, presumably with an aim to thrash out a deal that would see the iPhone coming to the country’s largest carrier, China Mobile.

Apple is also working hard to bolster its image in China, with the huge potential market in the region being something that Tim Cook just cannot ignore. Apple is reported to be considering building a research and development center in the region, something backed up by numerous LinkedIn ads of late.

Google’s Android is currently on top in China, mostly due to the fact that the iPhone doesn’t have an official carrier in the country. If Tim Cook has indeed managed to broker a deal with China Mobile then the iPhone could be set to launch following that September 11th event. It’s not clear whether both new iPhones will launch in China, but the iPhone 5C at least is a pretty good bet at this point.

This is the first time that Apple has held a special event for Chinese press only, and may signal a new focus for the company moving forward. If China can be persuaded to give the iPhone a chance, then Apple could be in for a windfall, and that’s before all the accessory and app sales are added to the equation.

Update x1: According to AllThingsD, these events will be satellite launches, and will be held in Tokyo and Berlin as well, along with Beijing.