Samsung gets serious with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge

I was privileged to have been invited to Samsung’s announcement of their next flagship Galaxy S smartphones – yes, with an ‘s’! – in Manila last Monday (Sunday in Barcelona, Spain). Of course, being the geeky person that I am, I attended the media event (who wouldn’t want to see their new smartphones in person on day one?).

I’m going to skip all the introduction and delve right in to the important stuff.

This year, there are not one, but two flagship Galaxy smartphones announced by Samsung – one being the ordinary Galaxy S6 and the other being the Galaxy S6 Edge. Both models share almost exactly the same specifications and features. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge packs a new metal and glass design combo, which is a radical change from previous flagships from Samsung.

The only difference between the two is that the S6 Edge features a display with a curve on both sides (as opposed to the Note Edge, which only had its curvature on the right). The only other minor difference lies in the battery – the S6 Edge has a 2600mAh battery while the ordinary S6 has a slightly lesser 2550mAh, both are non-removable… but, we’ll talk more about that later.

Both Galaxy S6 models sport a 5.1-inch QHD (2560x1440) screen with a pixel density of 577ppi. That’s 77% more pixels than that of the S5. Ticking inside is a 64-bit Samsung Exynos octa-core processor which Samsung says is 20% faster and 35% more energy-efficient than the Note 4’s processor.

And speaking of power-efficiency, it is said that the Galaxy S6 smartphones has this Quick Charge feature that will give you 4-hours of usage with just a 10-minute charge. That in itself is insane! Now you probably know why Samsung opted to forgo the replaceable battery its users liked in previous Galaxy S smartphones. Oh, and Samsung’s built wireless charging right in. No more need for replacement covers! (But you’d still need a wireless charging plate)

When it comes to camera, the Galaxy S6 smartphones have a 16-megapixel camera while gaining optical image stabilization (OIS), an f1.9 aperture to handle low-light photos and videos better, and tracking auto-focus (AF). Its front-facing camera is a 5-megapixel sensor with the same f1.9 aperture. While I haven’t had the chance to try its camera at the event, I’ve seen some sample shots on the web and those really impress. I cannot wait to try out the camera on the Galaxy S6.

So when can you get your dibs on the new Galaxy S6 smartphones?

Samsung says the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will be available starting on April 10th across 20 countries. Whether or not the Philippines is included on the first wave of launch, we don’t know just yet. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will both be offered by Smart and Globe.

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Samsung announces the Galaxy Note Edge

Samsung has just revealed the Galaxy Note Edge at the IFA 2014 in Berlin. The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge features a curved edge screen that was demoed by the Korean company in the past.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Features and Specifications
5.6-inch Quad HD (2560x1440) Super AMOLED display
2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor
3GB RAM
32/64GB internal memory
Up to 64GB microSD card slot
16-megapixel main camera with Smart OIS
3.7-megapixel front-facing camera with f1.9 aperture
4G LTE Category 6 connectivity (300/50Mbps)
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
USB 2.0
3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 2.0
Android 4.4.4 KitKat

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Samsung’s first metal smartphone is arriving in the Philippines

The first Samsung smartphone to pack a metal body is soon arriving in the Philippines. We recently spotted the Samsung Galaxy Alpha with model number SM-G850F over SamMobile’s firmware listing website.

According to the initial firmware available, it is possible that the Galaxy Alpha will only be available unlocked at retail stores.

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was announced in August, and is the first Galaxy smartphone to sport a metal body. It features a 4.7-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of internal storage, and a 1860mAh battery. There is no microSD card slot available, unfortunately. It runs the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat OS.

The Galaxy Alpha supports Category 6 LTE connections, which has a spec of up to 300Mbps. That makes it one of the first LTE-Advanced smartphones to be launched in the Philippines when it hits the shelves.

Source: SamMobile

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Samsung Galaxy K Zoom lands for P24,990

It’s not the Galaxy S5 Zoom. It seems as if Samsung doesn’t want to pollute the name of their flagship smartphone. And so they called the successor to the Galaxy S4 Zoom the Galaxy K Zoom.

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom follows the same principle as its predecessor. It’s a smartphone with a bulging camera sensor at the back, which makes it a viable replacement for point-and-shoots. It sports a 20.7MP BSI CMOS sensor with Xenon flash, optical image stabilization (OIS) and, as you would expect, a 10X optical zoom. The Korean manufacturer has managed to cram all that in a 16.6mm body.

The K Zoom’s camera can now do focus (AF) and exposure (AE) separation, a feature that allows its user to focus and expose an image on different subjects. There’s also a Pro Suggest mode which offers different live ‘films’ which are quite like photo filters.

Some of the features from the Galaxy S5 also made their way to the K Zoom. Among those is the S Health Lite application for fitness and health tracking and the Ultra Power Saving Mode which lets you get the most out of your remaining battery juice.

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom with LTE capability is already available in the Philippines for P24,990.

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Samsung’s curved ultra high-definition (UHD) TV arrives in the Philippines

“This year will be a big year for entertainment”, says Chung Lyong Lee, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO) President and Managing Director. The leader in innovation and design once again outdoes itself in its latest TV model release: World’s First Curved Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TV.  This newest lineup from Samsung is geared towards fulfilling the needs and desires of Filipino viewers.

The Samsung Curved UHD TV boasts of crisp picture quality, 4x more powerful that of a FHD screen, and a change in perspective that makes images appear larger and true-to-life. As compared to flat screen TVs, this special screen allows for a more realistic viewing experience even from different angles—ensuring that everyone gets the best seat in the house. The combination of the curved screen and Samsung Proprietary Auto Depth Enhancer UHD technology automatically adjusts contrast for a greater sense of depth and gives a 3D-like effect without requiring glasses. Imagine seeing images coming to life right in front of you in spectacular color, clarity and detail that only Samsung can give. Amazing, isn’t it? Even the color is further enhanced using the PurColor technology that reproduces color for even more detailed expression.

In addition to this, Samsung makes sure that the usage is a breeze with its user-friendly operating system! This Curved UHD TV is easy, fast, and fun to use with its multi-link screen feature that allows dual screens to process separate tasks that operate alongside each other. Side-by-side enjoyment of multiple entertainment portals (think comparing the trailer on YouTube.com vis-à-vis its original cut on Bluray) is now made possible by Samsung’s innovative TV line. Users need not to worry about cutting down on speed performance thanks to the upgraded Quad Core processor, the Quad Core Plus, which delivers quicker loading and navigation through tasks and commands. Browse through the panels for apps, multimedia content, NewsOn features and more with the swift speed of the Samsung SMART TV. The Curved UHD SMART TV is available in 78-inches, 65-inches, and 55-inches in all Samsung outlets nationwide.

2014 Product Lineup: Built for the Philippine Market
Aside from the curved UHD TV, Samsung has tailored this year’s product lineup with the Philippine market in mind. Some of the features worth highlighting on are the internet capability of the TVs, perfect for our social media and internet-savvy Filipino users, and the Family TV feature, that lets family members maximize the Samsung experience with Screen Capture and Sound capture to instantly catalogue their favorite moments on screen for personal viewing in the future. Plus, all these saved images and information are automatically saved in your USB for easy storage and access. What a great convenience! There’s also, Soccer Mode, designed specifically for a more enjoyable sports-watching experience with optimized picture and sound quality. Soccer fans can now zoom in, auto and manual highlight, and record moments throughout the game for a more interactive and closer look at their favorite sport. And for those hungry for local content, there is Clickplay, (the only Philippine Video-On-Demand App with Hollywood content,) and NewsOn page powered by Yahoo PH.

Samsung’s new audio products keep Life and Design in tune
Completing this immersive experience is the ultra-slim HW-H600 SoundStand, which is a complete audio system that can be wirelessly connected to your SMART TV for the full effects of surround sound television enjoyment. It’s sleek, low-profile design is fit for small spaces around your home, such as the bedroom, and is powered by Multi-Direction technology that creates richer sound and high quality acoustics. The HW-H600 can easily be paired with 32” up to 55” Samsung SMART TVs.

Samsung continues to set the bar in innovation worldwide, combining ground-breaking features with unmatched performance and design to create products that match and anticipate consumers’ needs and desires.  Come and see Samsung’s newest lineup of products at your nearest appliance store.

Samsung’s curved UHD TVs bears a price tag of P300,000 to P500,000 while the flat UHD variants range from P150,000 to P400,000.

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Samsung Galaxy S5 arriving on April 11 for P34,990; also coming to Smart and Globe

If there’s one smartphone manufacturer who’s a master in releasing flagship devices globally in one fell swoop, it would be Samsung. Almost every year since the Galaxy S3, the Korean company has been announcing and shipping their flagship smartphone in span of weeks across many countries all at the same time. The Galaxy S5 is no exception.

Come April 11, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be released and made available at retail stores in the Philippines for P34,990. In addition to being available unlocked, the Galaxy S5 will be offered by carriers Smart and Globe on their postpaid plans.

Smart is offering the Galaxy S5 at Plan 999 with P800 monthly payment for a total of P1,799 a month for 24 months. That comes with unlimited LTE data, 9 minutes, and 99 texts to all networks. You can also get it at Unlimited Data Plan 2000 for free on a 30-month contract, which includes 150 minutes and 200 texts to all networks.

The Galaxy S5 is also available on Globe for P1,699 a month at Plan 999 with P600 monthly payment and comes with 5GB of LTE data, 5 minutes, and 100 texts to all networks. It’s also offered for P1,799 a month at Plan 1299 with P500 month payment which comes with 25 minutes, 500 texts to all networks, and the same amount of LTE data.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 sports a couple of new features that you may like. Among those is the upgraded 16-megapixel camera which can now focus at a subject in just 0.3 seconds. It now also has an advanced HDR that makes photos under conditions with intense lighting more natural, such as when you’re taking a photo of the horizon with the sky. It now also does ‘bokeh’ shots with the Selective Focus feature.

Another interesting and useful (hopefully) thing on the Galaxy S5 is the Download Booster. What it does is it combines your Wi-Fi and LTE connection, if present, so you can get faster download speeds on your phone. Of course, this would depend on how fast your carrier’s LTE network and the active Wi-Fi network is.

The Galaxy S5 comes with a built-in heart rate sensor, located below the main camera. This would be helpful if you want to quickly check your heart rate (in bpm) say after a quick run. You can access it within the improved S Health application, which can now track your steps taken with a pedometer.

Samsung also made the Galaxy S5 more life-proof. It now carries an IP67-certification, which means it can resist water and dust under certain conditions. Yes, it also means the microUSB port is covered. And perhaps the most interesting feature of the Galaxy S5 is the Ultra Power Saving Mode. With that turned on, the phone can last up to 12.5 days. That’s quite a feat considering we’re talking about a smartphone. How can they do that? It turns off most of the unnecessary features and makes the display black-and-white only to conserve power. Also, as long as the Ultra Power Save Mode is active, you will be limited to some stock apps only such as phone, messaging, browser, calculator, etc.

 

Samsung Galaxy S5 Specifications and Features
5.1-inch full HD (1920x1080) Super AMOLED display @ 432ppi
2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor
2GB RAM
16/32GB internal storage with microSD card slot up to 128GB
16-megapixel main camera, 2-megapixel front camera
IP67 water and dust resistant
LTE Category 4
Bluetooth 4 LE
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO
USB 3
NFC
Infrared remote
Fingerprint Sensor
Heart rate sensor
2800mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS

So, that’s the Samsung Galaxy S5 ladies and gents. Again, it will be released in the Philippines on April 11 for P34,990. As of now, only the black and white colors will be available at launch.

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Snapdragon 800-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 launches for P18,990

Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 for P36,990…

Are 8-inch tablets your thing? If so, check this one out from Samsung. It’s their new Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 — an 8.4-inch tablet powered by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor — that was launched yesterday in the Philippines.

The Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 sports a 2560x1600 (WQXGA) high-resolution display that is just so crystal-clear. In fact, it is one of the tablets that sport a pixel density of 359ppi. Underneath, the Tab PRO 8.4 packs a 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage along with a microSD card slot that can hold another 64GB, WiFi 802.11ac, an 8-megapixel autofocus main camera, a 2-megapixel front shooter, and a 4800mAh battery. It runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

Samsung Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 Specifications and Features
8.4-inch 2560x1600 (WQXGA) Super Clear LCD display
2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
8-megapixel autofocus camera
2-megapixel front-facing camera
1080p full HD recording @ 60fps
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.0
USB 2
GPS
GLONASS
4800mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS

In addition to the Tab PRO 8.4, the bigger Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 tablet had also made its way to the Philippines. It is the first (as far as I know) 12-inch tablet by the Korean manufacturer, almost on the laptop/ultra-portables territory. It boasts of a 12.2-inch Super Clear LCD display of the same resolution, hence at a lower density of 247ppi, 3GB of RAM, dual-band WiFi ac, microUSB 3, and a huge 9500mAh battery.

Just like the Tab PRO 8.4, it runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, has the same set of 8-megapixel main and  2-megapixel front-facing cameras, and 16GB of storage with microSD slot. It does, however, run on a different chipset, the Exynos 5420 with an octa-core processor.

Samsung Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 Specifications and Features
12.2-inch 2560x1600 (WQXGA) Super Clear LCD display
1.9GHz Quad + 1.3GHz Quad Exynos 5420 processor
3GB RAM
16GB internal storage
8-megapixel autofocus camera
2-megapixel front-facing camera
1080p full HD recording @ 60fps
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.0
USB 3
GPS
GLONASS
9500mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS

Samsung:

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) come equipped with a variety of productivity tools to help users to manage both their personal and professional lives.

Multi Window enables users to split the screen up into four different windows and an innovative, Virtual Keyboard provides them with enough space to type comfortably, leveraging haptic feedback to produce a more realistic typing experience.

The Samsung S Pen included with the Galaxy NotePRO delivers a more responsive, productive and overall efficient tablet experience with access to features such as Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder. In addition, Pen Window enables users to simply draw a window of any size on the screen, and instantly access unique in-application features such as YouTube or a calculator.

Users can easily access and control their home or office PC directly through their Galaxy NotePRO or TabPRO with Remote PC in order to seamlessly edit and save files remotely.

The Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO also come pre-loaded with Cisco WebEx Meetings platform, the industry’s leading web conferencing solution that provides users with an easy way to meet with anyone, anywhere. And now for the first time on Android tablets, users can share anything on their screen as well as starting a WebEx meeting from contact list.Samsung e-Meeting provides collaboration capabilities by giving users the ability to share content during a meeting without having to access a central server or network.

The Samsung Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 is now available at retail stores for P36,990 while the Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 will be available in the coming weeks at the price of P18,990.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition hitting store shelves on November 8

Samsung recently announced that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition will be available in the Philippines on November 8 for P25,990.

The updated Galaxy Note 10.1 features a high-resolution 10.1-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) display, Octa-core Exynos processor (1.9GHz A15 quad + 1.7GHz A7 Quad) along with 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded using a microSD card up to 64GB, an 8-megapixel main camera, 2-megapixel front, and an enormous 8220mAh battery.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 very much functions like the Note 3 in a number of ways. The S Pen supports Air Command which lets you use Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, and Pen Window from any screen.

The improved Multi Window allows users to run multiple apps (and even two instances of one app) side by side and take advantage of the enhanced drag-and-drop function to easily transfer content like photos, texts, and more from one app to another.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition Specifications and Features
10.1-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) Super Clear LCD display
1.9GHz A15 quad-core + 1.3GHz A7 quad-core processor
3GB RAM
16GB storage with microSD slot (up to 64GB)
8-megapixel main camera with BSI sensor
2-megapixel front-facing camera with BSI sensor
Bluetooth 4.0
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band)
GPS
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS

The Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition only comes in 16GB Wi-Fi model here in the Philippines, unlike the previous one. It will be retail for P25,990.

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SingTel Group (including Globe) inks alliance with Samsung

Globe Telecom’s parent company, SingTel, announced that it will enter into a partnership with Samsung to drive next-generation mobile communication, infotainment and technology services in Asia. While specific details about the partnership are scarce, the Singapore-based company said that it will offer applications and digital services to its customers including those of in other countries which includes Globe here in the Philippines, Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Airtel, Optus (Australia), SingTel (Singapore) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

Applications and digital services may just mean Samsung’s digital hub for its mobile devices which include the Samsung Apps and Samsung Hub (music, video, books, and games) stores. Globe, for instance, already offers carrier billing for Samsung Apps.

In addition, the SingTel Group will work with Samsung to identify opportunities for joint launches and marketing campaigns of key Samsung device announcements.  The companies will also be able to leverage each others’ distribution channels to extend their retail reach to more customers.

Mr. Mark Chong, CEO International, SingTel Group Consumer said, “SingTel Group and Samsung will deliver an exciting mobile experience for customers, through brilliant mobile and innovative devices.”

Join projects among the two firms will begin this Q4 2013.

SingTel Group to drive joint communication, infotainment and technology services with Samsung’s innovative products
SingTel Group to drive joint communication, infotainment and technology services with Samsung’s innovative products

Singapore, 27 September 2013 – The SingTel Group today announced a strategic partnership with Samsung focused on driving next-generation mobile communication, infotainment and technology services in Asia. The new collaboration takes advantage of the scale of the SingTel Group and Samsung’s innovative products and services.

Under this partnership, both parties will offer applications and digital services to customers of SingTel Group companies, including Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Airtel, Globe Telecom (Philippines), Optus (Australia), SingTel (Singapore) and Telkomsel (Indonesia).

In addition, the SingTel Group will work with Samsung to identify opportunities for joint launches and marketing campaigns of key Samsung device announcements.  The companies will also be able to leverage each others’ distribution channels to extend their retail reach to more customers.

SingTel Group’s leading mobile brands combined with Samsung’s mobile device ingenuity will grow the 3G and 4G customer base in each market and also enhance the experience of mobile customers and broaden their access to intelligent networks.

Mr. Mark Chong, CEO International, SingTel Group Consumer said, “SingTel Group and Samsung will deliver an exciting mobile experience for customers, through brilliant mobile and innovative devices.

“Not only will our companies mutually benefit, but our combined 400 million mobile customers will be able to take advantage of the unique offerings that will be provided in the future.”

Mr. DJ Lee, President and Head of Sales & Marketing, at Samsung Electronics, said, “We are honored by this opportunity to provide our customers with advanced mobile experiences.  In order to introduce Samsung’s next generation mobile communications, we continue to fully support and work closely with leading mobile operators.”

The SingTel Group and Samsung partnership will commence this month with joint projects beginning from the fourth quarter this year.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 available today, P3,000 slashed off the SRP

Feeling itchy to upgrade to the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (and Galaxy Gear) today? Well let me just add a little more to your gadget lust. As we all know, the Galaxy Note 3 is now available in the Philippines! And the local arm of the Korean electronics company is holding a one-day only offer.

So what’s in store for you? Well, if you head to the Samsung Experience Stores in SM Aura, SM Cebu, SM Mall of Asia, SM Lanang, SM Davao and SM Consolacion today, you instantly get P3,000 off the Galaxy Note 3’s retail price — which is P36,990 — bringing it down to P33,990. Aside from that, you also get a P500 discount for a Note 3 Flip Cover, which will be available starting October 4.

To further sweeten the deal, all Galaxy Note 3’s purchased from September 28 until October 28 will get a complimentary 6 months insurance coverage for accidental damage (spills, drops, cracks, but not theft). All buyers also get 10 free movies from ClickPlay and Enjoy VIP membership for 1 year.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 features a 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display, 13 megapixel camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with quad-core CPU clocked at 2.3GHz along with 3GB of RAM, 32GB internal memory with a microSD card slot, 4G LTE, and a 3200mAh battery.

It also comes with an improved S Pen, which now features Air Command. It allows you to use functions like Action Memo, wherein you can write notes which turn into clickable commands, S Finder, which lets you search anything on your phone, Scrapbook, which organizes content that you save in one place, and the Pen Window that opens small pop-up apps so you can easily multitask. The Multi Window feature has been also improved. You can now launch two instances of one app at the same time (like messaging apps) and easily drag and drop content like photos, videos, or copy texts.

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Samsung Galaxy Gear available starting October 4 in the Philippines (update)

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story stated that the Galaxy Gear will be available tomorrow. However, this is not the case. It will be out on October 4. We’re sorry for the mistake.

Samsung’s first wearable technology (not a watch per se), the Galaxy Gear, has been officially launched in the Philippines.

While the Galaxy Gear lets you know of the time, Samsung says that it isn’t really a watch. It is a featured-packed device that you can wear on your wrist, which do a lot of things that you can and can’t think of. You can make and answer calls (though you need to pair it with the Note 3), use S Voice to check text messages, and save reminders.

You can check notifications sent to your Note 3 right on the Galaxy Gear’s 1.63-inch AMOLED display, too. Memographer lets you take quick photos and videos up to 10 seconds — yes it has a 1.9 megapixel camera! — without having to pull out your phone so you never miss that moment.

Third-party apps are even supported on the Galaxy Gear, with apps like Path, Evernote, MyFitnessPal, Life360, Line, Vivino, Glympse and TripIt coming soon.

The Galaxy Gear will be available starting October 4 at Samsung Stores for P13,990. Quite pricey? Here’s a good news, if you get a Galaxy Note 3 tomorrow (September 28) at the Samsung Experience Stores in SM Aura, SM Cebu, SM Mall of Asia, SM Lanang, SM Davao and SM Consolacion, you get a chance to have a P3,000 discount (among others) on the Galaxy Gear, bringing the price down to P10,990. Check out Samsung’s website for more information.

It will be initially available in White, Gray, Orange, and Black, with Lime Green and Rose Gold coming soon.

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Globe to bundle Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with Galaxy Gear smartwatch

Globe has just revealed thru a teaser on their website that they will bring the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 soon. Not only that, it looks like they will also bundle it with the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The plans and pricing has not yet been announced, though hopefully they will within this week.

The Galaxy Note 3 features a 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display, 13 megapixel camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with quad-core CPU clocked at 2.3GHz along with 3GB of RAM, 32GB internal memory with a microSD card slot, 4G LTE, and a 3200mAh battery.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is launching this week in the Philippines. We’ll give you more details as we receive them!

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Samsung announces the Galaxy Note 3, launching on September 25

Samsung has finally announced the much awaited Galaxy Note 3 at IFA 2013 in Berlin. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a larger 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display while retaining the width of the body in a slimmer 8.3mm package. It sports the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with quad-core CPU clocked at 2.3GHz along with 3GB of RAM. The base internal memory is pegged at 32GB, with a 64GB variant available. It still comes with a microSD card slot. It comes with 4G LTE connectivity with support for 6 different bands and speeds of up to 150 Mbps (megabits per second). The battery is only a little larger at 3,200mAh.

Just like the Galaxy S4, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 13 megapixel camera with LED flash. There is also a 2 megapixel camera on the front. Both cameras have a BSI sensor and comes with smart stabilization as there is no real OIS (optical image stabilization) included. It supports 4K UHD video recording at 30fps, 60fps on full HD 1080p, and slow-motion 120fps on HD 720p, which is quite a feat.

New and improved S Pen features

On the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung has made it easier for users to access S Pen commands. Users would only have to remember three key ways of S Pen input: dot, circle, and square.

A simple click of the S Pen represented by a dot while hovering over the screen launches Air Command. It is essentially sort of a palette which offers different functions. It has Action Memo which allows users to create a quick note and launch relevant actions based on what they’ve written thru the help of handwriting recognition. Screen Write is basically a screen capture command but with an option to draw anything on it like doodles. S Finder lets you search everything on your phone. With Scrapbook, you can draw a circle while you’re on apps like the browser to quickly save the whole content to the Scrapbook app, including the source link for quick access. Lastly, Pen Window allows you to launch mini apps just by drawing a square or a rectangle anywhere on the screen, and they can be of any size.

Do more with the enhanced Multi Window

The Multi Window on the Galaxy Note 3 was vastly improved. It now allows you to launch one app in two windows at the same time. It also adds Drag and Drop support so you can easily copy content such as texts or photos to and from different apps.

To give you a preview of the features of the Galaxy Note 3, you can watch the official video below.

Launching this month

Samsung has committed to bring and launch the Galaxy Note 3 in 125 countries on September 25, wherein the Philippines is most probably included.

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Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 too large? Note 3 display panel compared with the Note 2’s

What’s in the photo above is allegedly the display panel of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3. According to the latest leaks, the Note 3 will have a screen size of 5.68-inch — just a tad larger than that of the Note 2. But if you’ll just look solely at the photo, it looks like as if it is huge… like Mega 6.3 huge. So how big is the Note 3 really going to be like?

Thanks to another photo, we now have a clear view and size comparison of the Galaxy Note 3. In the photo below, the display panel of the Note 3 is placed next to the Note 2’s.

Now, it is finally clear to us how big the Galaxy Note 3 is. It’s just taller than the Note 2 by a hair, and it looks like it’s a little narrower too, if not the same. That’s a nice assurance to some, as not all people like to carry a bigger phone. You may remember that on the Galaxy S4, Samsung took the body of the S3 and shrunk the bezel to fit a larger 5-inch display, and it seems like they did exactly the same strategy again with the Galaxy Note 3.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to have a 1080p full HD Super AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage with a microSD slot, 13 megapixel camera, LTE, a 3200mAh battery, and Android 4.3 on board. Samsung is announcing it at IFA 2013 on September 4 in Berlin.

Source: ETrade Supply

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active available this week for P27,990

Samsung recently launched the dust and water-resistant Samsung Galaxy S4 Active in the Philippines.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active shares an almost identical specs with the original Galaxy S4, but adds protection for water and dust. It has an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP67, which means that it totally protected against dust and other fine particles and can go underwater at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.

The main difference that you will see between the S4 and the S4 Active is that the latter has a more masculine looks. Three physical buttons are positioned at the front to prevent accidental press under water, of which none of them are backlit. There’s a carbon fiber-like removable plastic battery cover on the back and visible circular blings on the corners.

Samsung also swapped the Super AMOLED display for a TFT LCD one of the same 5-inch size. The 13 Megapixel camera on the S4 was replaced by an 8 Megapixel one. The temperature sensor was also omitted on the S4 Active, but that’s not a deal-breaker.

The rest of the internals stayed the same: it has the 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, LTE, and 16GB of internal storage. It also sports the IR blaster, NFC, and the same 2600mAh battery found on the S4.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Specifications and Features
5-inch full HD Super AMOLED display with 1920x1080 resolution at 441 ppi
1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor
8 Megapixels autofocus camera with LED flash and aqua mode
2 Megapixels front-facing camera
Full 1080p HD video capture at 30fps
16GB mass memory, expandable by 64GB using microSD card slot
2GB RAM
2,600mAh battery
LTE
Bluetooth 4.0
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Infrared
Barometer
Humidity sensor
Gyroscope
Compass
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Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active will be coming this week at retail stores for P27,990. It will be available in Urban Grey, Dive Blue, and Orange Flare.

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Confirmed: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update instead of 4.2.2

Australian carrier Telstra has just confirmed that Samsung has decided to cancel the Android 4.2.2 update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and go for a “newer version of Android” instead.

While no specific version has been revealed, the Galaxy Note 2 could instead get the upcoming Android 4.3 update, which is expected to be announced next week by Google. This possibility is not too far-fetched considering that there was already a leaked 4.3 ROM for the Galaxy S4, which implies that Samsung could already have an early copy of the 4.3 source from Google.

The carrier did not give any availability date though it could arrive on the end of July or on August.

Source: Telstra
Via: SamMobile

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Samsung showcases SideSync, bridges the gap between ATIV and GALAXY

You are busy working on a document on your laptop and suddenly, a text message arrives. What do you do? Of course you grab your phone, view the message and type your reply if needed. And then your focus is taken out from what you’re working on.

Now, imagine if you can just do all the things that you need to do on your phone right on your PC. In an intimate event recently, Samsung demonstrated SideSync, which does exactly just that. It has three main features namely Keyboard and Mouse Sharing, Phone Screen Sharing, and Automatic Backup.

In the Keyboard and Mouse Sharing mode, users are able to make their phones an extension of their PC. You can use your phone using the mouse or track pad just by moving the mouse pointer to the phone screen. Aside from that, you can also take advantage of the full-fledged keyboard to send text messages and even highlight and copy texts from the phone to PC and vice-versa. Your phone basically becomes an ‘extension monitor’ in Keyboard and Mouse Sharing mode.

The Phone Screen Sharing mode, on the other hand, mirrors your phone display on a window on your PC. Everything that’s taking place on your phone can now be seen and means that you can remotely control your phone from your PC.

Now let’s say you’re doing your work on your PC and need to send a quick text message, you don’t have to take your hands off the keyboard and interrupt your work anymore. You just switch from whatever window is active to the virtual phone on your PC and do it from there.

You can also copy files to the phone just by dragging a file to the the phone screen. Files are then automatically saved to a designated SideSync folder on the phone for easy retrieval. The data on your phone are automatically backed up on your PC every time you use SideSync.

For now, SideSync utilizes USB connection which means you will still have to have your phone and a cable beside you to use of all the features above, which kinds of defeats the purpose of the software. But don’t fret, Samsung said that they are already working on an update to make SideSync work with Wi-Fi connections.

SideSync is available for all Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets running on Android Jelly Bean and above. The PC software is exclusive to ATIV devices.

You can try SideSync for yourself by visiting any of the following Samsung Stores: SM Dasmariñas, SM Lanang, SM Bacoor, SM Gensan, SM North Annex, Ayala Mall Centrio CDO, SM Cebu, and Festival Mall.

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Digits Trading brings Tech21 Impactology cases in the Philippines

There’s a new interesting brand for smartphone and tablets that has recently entered the country, and they’re called Tech21.

Tech21’s Impactology (what a word :-P) cases gives your devices the ultimate protection from the likes of bumps or drops, thanks to the revolutionary D3O material used on their cases.

What’s D3O. you ask? Well, it’s that orange thing that’s present on their cases. You can find them along the corners where impacts usually happen and extends to the sides. It's made up of a non-Newtonian polymer with an intelligent molecular structure. Those molecules are free-moving when there’s no impact. But when there is, they all ‘freeze up’ together to absorb the impact force and spread the shockwave to the surface. By doing that, they help keep your device in tiptop condition. The technology used in D3O is widely used in protection gears like helmets for military use worldwide. That should give you an idea on how strong it actually is.

Back to the cases, Tech21’s Impactology cases has now reached our shores courtesy of Digits Trading. They currently have cases for the iPhone 5, iPad mini, and the Samsung Galaxy S4.

iPhone 5
Impact Maze – P1,250
Impact Shell – P1,250
Impact Band – P1,200
Impact Snap w/ Cover – P1,450
Special Ops Patrol – P2,200

iPad Mini
Impact Mesh – P1,250
Impact Snap w/ Cover – P1,650
Impact Folio Leather – P1,850

Samsung Galaxy S4
Impact Snap w/ Cover – P1,450
Impact Shell – P1,250
Impact Snap – P950

You can buy one of of Tech21 cases at the following stores: Astroplus, Astrovision, Beyond the Box, Banana Telecom, Complink, DigiHub, Digital Arena, Digital Hub, Digital Walker, E-Central, Games and Gadgets, Graphic All In, iCon, iGig, iStore, iStudio,, Microstation, Mobile 1, R.O.X., Senco Link, Switch, Technoholics, The Inbox Store, Vertex.

And, also…

Tech21 Impact Shell + LED notification light = AWESOME

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Samsung unveils the ATIV Q, combines Windows 8 and Android in one convertible

In the Samsung Premiere event at London earlier, Samsung’s DJ Lee announced their first Windows 8 and Android hybrid tablet yet. the Samsung ATIV Q.

The ATIV Q, first of all, is by no means a laptop. Instead, it is a tablet with an integrated portable keyboard which you slide out when you need to use it. Aside from that, it can also has what they call the floating mode in which the display floats up in the air with the hinge supporting it, and the stand mode wherein the display is flipped to the back for functions like watching movies and presentations.

 

The highlight of the ATIV Q is the fact that it can run both Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean at the same time. From what I’ve seen in various hands-on videos, it looks like the Android part is being emulated on top of Windows using some special virtualization software.

Despite that, though, the Android experience seems to be smooth thanks to the powerful 4th-generation Intel Core i5 processor along with the 4GB RAM. Samsung also says that users will be able to seamlessly share files between the two OS’s. For example, you can take a photo stored in your Windows hard drive and share it with Instagram on Android. Apart from that, apparently, you can also pin Android apps on the Windows Start screen. There is all a full access to the Google Play Store, which means you will be able to download and use many of the Android apps that you’ve always loved.

 

The ATIV Q sports a 13.3-inch screen with a 170-degree viewing angle, with a monstrous 3,200x1,800 qHD+ resolution at 275ppi, and a 128GB SSD. It has a single USB 3 port, another one for USB 2, an HDMI port, a headphone and microphone combo, a microSD card slot, an RJ45 dongle for Ethernet connectivity, and the S Pen. The battery is rated at 9-hours, which is not bad when you consider what’s packaged in this device. It weighs 1.29kg and has a thickness of 13.9mm including the keyboard.

Samsung ATIV Q Specifications and Features
13.3-inch 3,200x1,800 resolution at 275ppi
170-degree viewing angle
Intel Core i5 (4th-generation)
Intel HD Graphics 4400
4GB DDR3L RAM
128GB SSD
720p HD camera
Up to 9 hours battery life
L/W/H - 327.0x217.8x13.9mm
1.29kg
1xUSB3.0, 1xUSB2.0, HDMI,RJ45 (dongle), headphone/microphone combo, micro SD

Overall, I kind of like the ATIV Q. It is mobile enough to be used as a tablet and it has a keyboard which you can use for work. I’m also hoping that this will have LTE support too. What we need to know now is the pricing and availability, which Samsung hasn’t announced yet.

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