T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G packs 42Mbps HSPA+

T-Mobile USA has revealed the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, the company’s latest Android smartphone and the newest iteration of the long-lived Galaxy S II series of phones. Powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 chip, the Blaze 4G has a Super AMOLED touchscreen and up to 42Mbps HSPA+ connectivity.


Aesthetically there are a few new changes to the Galaxy S II style, mainly amounting to rounded off corners and some extra swoop up at the top rear panel. Samsung and T-Mobile are being coy with the full specs, however, though we’re guessing on an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, a front facing camera for video calls and the usual mixture of WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS.
Pricing and availability are also unknown, with T-Mobile saying the Galaxy S Blaze 4G will be “coming soon this year.” Our guess is somewhere around the $200 mark with a new, two-year agreement.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus N announced

Well folks, Samsung has just announced another Galaxy Tab. And no it isn’t another size to go along with their every size you can think of campaign as of late — instead this is sadly an Apple patent-dodging tablet for the German market. I’m sure I don’t need to explain but for those unaware Apple has been in an all out war with Samsung as of late, and this is the result.


I have to admit — the front facing speakers are actually really nice and something I’ve been waiting and asking for since I first started enjoying tablets. A speaker on the rear facing the absolute wrong direction and often getting covered by the users hands has never been ideal if you ask me. I actually would love to have Samsung Germany send me one because most likely it wont be seeing other markets.
For more details on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus you can see our coverage and full review below. The new Tab 7.0 Plus N for Germany is no different internally, and has only seen a few design changes to keep the lawyers at bay. You can expect this Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet (ICS coming soon) with its dual-core processor, 7″ 1024 x 600 resolution display, 3 megapixel camera and 16GB of internal storage to hit the European markets soon.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : T-Mobile SIM-free

Announced Date : September 30, 2011

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 7 Inch
• Resolution : 1024x600
• Screen Type : LCD

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 7.62 Inch
• Width : 4.82 Inch
• Depth : 0.39 Inch
• Weight : 345 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Polymer

• Battery Capacity : 4000 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

Android OS:
• 3.2.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)
• WMV

Hardware

CPU : Exynos

CPU Clock Speed : 1200 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1024 MB

Internal Storage : 16 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Galaxy Nexus GSM Android 4.0.2 OTA update has gone live

Google has begun distributing Android 4.0.2 to Galaxy Nexus owners using the GSM version of the handset. The update – which popped up on one of our GSM Nexus devices today – weighs in at a mere 8.8MB, and is described as containing “important bug fixes.”


The exact nature of those bug fixes isn’t explained, however. Our handset automatically downloaded the new firmware OTA and flagged up the update in the notifications bar; if your device hasn’t already spotted v4.0.2, you can prompt a check for new firmware through the settings menu.
Despite the new version, GSM owners of the Galaxy Nexus are just getting up to speed with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus LTE, which is currently running Android 4.0.2 already. We’re hoping this new software addresses some of the minor issues we’ve been having with the GMS Nexus, including the occasional restart and incoming calls going silent within the first minute of answering. Let us know how you get on in the comments.

Galaxy Nexus snow white version spotted in the wild

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen or heard about the white version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, but this time it’s not just a rendered press image or posted up on a retailer website. Instead we are seeing live hands-on images of the phone. I know many don’t like the idea of a white phone but just check out the pictures.


Most phones or tablets that have been given the white treatment are actually completely white — that includes the entire front bezel and this is a reason many do, and don’t like the idea. What Samsung has done with the Galaxy Nexus is made the entire device white except for the front.

The entire back and sides are snow white but they’ve left the frontal face completely the same with the black bezel around that huge and vivid 4.65″ Super AMOLED display. Everything else remains the same from this awesome flagship smartphone running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich — only now it’s a purdy white color.
Thanks to AndroidHD we now have actual images of this yet unreleased phone. An entire white phone doesn’t fully appeal to me but this actually looks quite nice. Check out the gallery below and more are available vai the source for those interested.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : GALAXY Nexus

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : Verizon

Announced Date : October 18, 2011

Release Date : December 15, 2011

Also Known As : Nexus Prime

Display

• Screen Size : 4.65 Inch
• Resolution : 1280x720
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.33 Inch
• Width : 2.67 Inch
• Depth : 0.35 Inch
• Weight : 135 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1750 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

Android OS:
• 4.0.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU : OMAP 4460

CPU Clock Speed : 1200 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Samsung Galaxy Tabs also appear with white version — looks nice

We’ve been seeing a huge shift in Android lately with carriers offering white versions of smartphones. Mainly from Samsung with their all popular and famous Galaxy S II line and recently the Galaxy Nexus. Today we have a few images of the Samsung Galaxy Tablet both the 7″ and 10″ model sporting the color white.


Unlike the recently leaked white Galaxy Nexus the tablets are completely white — that includes the front bezel. Looking at the photos they actually look pretty decent and I wouldn’t mind owning one myself. Hopefully Apple doesn’t come after them for the color — but I don’t think you can patent a color (jokes) although that top picture does remind me of an iPad.
Originally the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1″ was launched with both white and black versions but this was only the part on the rear of the device. Now the entire front and bezel has been given the white-out treatment. No details on when these might come to the states or if they are different models has been mentioned. For now they’ve just been seen a few times in Vietnam according to our tipsters.

Samsung Galaxy Note headed to Verizon as the Galaxy Journal

Last week at CES Samsung pulled the wraps off of their 5.3″ Galaxy Note and informed the world it was headed to AT&T. After the initial announcement we saw many comments regarding whether or not this phone-tablet hybrid smartphone would hit other carriers in the US. While nothing has been confirmed yet we are now hearing reports that it will land on Verizon, and maybe even follow the Galaxy Nexus over on the Now Network and their new 4G LTE rolling out this year.


With no announcement from Samsung or any other carriers other than AT&T we don’t have any clear details as to if we’ll see this device land elsewhere. We have however seen a few similar models appear in some Bluetooth and WiFi certification documents suggesting more models are incoming to the states. Today the Examiner is reporting a highly trusted industry analyst has confirmed that Verizon will definetaly be getting the Note — possible called the Samsung Galaxy Journal.
According to these statements the 3 major carriers that are, or will be offering 4G LTE in the USA this year will all get a variant of the 5.3″ Super AMOLED HD packing Galaxy Note device. So basically everyone but T-Mobile according to this analyst, but anything is possible. Not only is the device incoming, but it should be here within the first half of the year.
The name “Galaxy Journal” actually makes a lot of sense — I like it.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Note

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier :

Announced Date : September 01, 2011

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 5.30 Inch
• Resolution : 800x1280
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.78 Inch
• Width : 3.27 Inch
• Depth : 0.38 Inch
• Weight : 178 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 2500 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 390 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 2.3.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AMR
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)
• WMV

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU :

CPU Clock Speed : 1400 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1024 MB

Internal Storage : 32.768 GB

Front Facing Camera :

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 4G LTE in white Hands-on

Coming to AT&T soon is the Samsung Galaxy Note that we’ve all seen plenty of lately. AT&T will be selling this 5.3″ AMOLED HD packing smartphone in both black and white variants. While roaming at CES we were able to get a few quick pictures and video of the white version of the AT&T branded LTE Note for those interested. Check out more pictures after the break.


If you didn’t have a clear idea of the sheer size of this smartphone/tablet hybrid that picture above should settle any last thoughts you may have had. It’s large, very large. The AT&T Galaxy Note will be rocking their 4G LTE and come with a 1280 x 800 resolution 5.3″ Super AMOLED HD display. A 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and that awesome little stylus they are calling the smart pen. You all should know plenty about the Note by now so instead I’ll let you enjoy the photos we snapped real quick.

The obsession with white colored phones is continuing strong here in 2012 with Samsung unveiling this, the Galaxy Nexus and the Galaxy Tab lineup all with white models coming soon. Pictures and details on all of those are available from our timeline below. Our sister site SlashGear already reviewed this awesome device, only the GSM international version instead of an LTE one. We’ll be sure to get this phone in for a full review as soon as it hits the shelves at AT&T. In the meantime enjoy all the photos from our gallery below and check out the full review via SlashGear for more details on this huge device.
As soon as AT&T announces an official release date we’ll be sure to update with all the details.

TurboTax app updated in time to pay Uncle Sam

There’s only three sure things in life: death, taxes, and the fact that your trusted politician of choice will eventually turn out to be just as slimy as the next one. TurboTax aims to help with one of the three, and you don’t get any points for guessing which. The mobile version of TurboTax SnapTax has been updated for 2012 United States tax returns, and you can download the app for free in the Android Market.

As dull and boring (and frustrating) as taxes can be, SnapTax actually has some pretty cool features. Use your Android phone’s camera to snap a photo of your simple W2 tax return, answer the relevant questions presented, and you’re done. Of course, accountants don’t work for free, even when they’re the tiny ones that live inside your phone: you’ll need to pony up $20 to complete the filing of your federal and state taxes. That price is good up until March 24th, and includes E-filing. That’s not a bad asking price, considering the headache-inducing chore that doing it yourself represents. You can set up a direct deposit to your bank account, and all data sent to TurboTax is encrypted.
There’s only so much an app can do with the United States’ convoluted tax code, so developer Intuit doesn’t recommend using the SnapTax app if you’ve got children or other dependents, use tax forms other than a W-2, or make more than $100,000 a year. Still, if you’ve got a relatively simple tax return and want to spend a little to save a lot of time, it’s well worth the small fee. Even if you don’t actually file, you can see how much you owe or how big your tax return will be without paying a cent.

Apple up to its old tricks: calls for a ban on 10 Samsung phones in Germany

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. After battling nearly every major Android OEM for the better part of 2011, Apple seems to be wasting no time in bringing its litigious streak into 2012. Bloomberg reports that it’s petitioning German courts for an outright sales ban on 10 Samsung smartphones, including the popular Galaxy S II. Apple’s objections have to do with its design patents, which won it an injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 last year.

Some of us had hoped that without Steve Jobs fueling a vendetta from the top down, Apple might try to improve its own products instead of crying to various world governments about the competition. Aparently not. Despite setbacks in Australia, where Apple’s case against Samsung was thrown out entirely, the United States, where they were denied an injunction, and Germany itself, where their objections to the revised Galaxy Tab 10.1N fell on deaf ears, Apple appears to be taking the same stubborn approach. Initial hearings on the new case should be brought before the court in Dusseldorf sometime this spring.
If you’re tired of reading about Apple’s worldwide temper tantrum, imagine how tired we are of writing about it. If Cupertino can’t win in the market (and from the latest market share numbers, they can’t) they’re determined to win in the courts, despite being shot down as often as they find victories. Even when they win, their competitors simply design around their overly vague patents – see the case against HTC from late last year. Remember, Apple, good artists copy and great artists steal – try to remember who said that when you’re suing the next Android OEM for implementing your patented iFace unlock technology in 2013.

Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 released in South Korea

After launching a larger Galaxy Player 4.0 and 5.0 last year in South Korea and eventually other markets Samsung is back and have just launched a new size in their homeland. This is the Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 personal music player. If you thought PMP’s were dead now that everyone uses smartphones think again — because the iPod is still selling well and Samsung has done pretty good with these too.


The details aren’t quite in English but you can get all the information from the Samsung press release. Just like the larger models this 3.65″ display rocking media player has almost all the functions of a smartphone, only it can’t make calls. They do offer Bluetooth and WiFi calling though so that is a plus. We have Android 2.3 Gingerbread as the OS and a single-core 1.0 GHz Hummingbird processor.
Basically this is the original Samsung Galaxy S smartphone without the phone internals and a different screen size — all geared for music and content consumption. This media player also offers a 3 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 VGA front, and 8 or 16GB models available to purchase. Samsung eventually brought their larger versions to the US and they are available now (see our review below) so most likely this smaller sibling should make its way here too. The Galaxy Player 3.6 is currently on sale in South Korea for around $175 USD.

Galaxy Nexus accessories delayed, Expansys offers car dock January 29th

Ever since the popular Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched we’ve been waiting for a few awesome accessories from Google and Samsung. We saw a great desktop dock in Hong Kong during the official Nexus unveil, and an impressive car dock that I’d love to buy but sadly none are available. Popular online shop Clove UK has recently updated their blog stating that accessories have been delayed. They aren’t the only ones pushing back dates either but we do have some good news after the break.


Other online retailers such as Expansys USA have also pushed back availability dates for almost all of their Galaxy Nexus accessories with the exception of one — that awesome car dock. This is the dock we’ve all seen that features the 3 pin connectors for the side of the Galaxy Nexus, not to mention it has audio out and micro-USB ports on the side. This is not the version being offered by Verizon — but the official Galaxy Nexus dock from Samsung.
Expansys USA has the car dock in stock and will begin shipping January 29th. Being one of the first to offer this accessory for the Galaxy Nexus in the USA. They do specifically mention that compatibility with the slightly thicker Verizon LTE Galaxy Nexus is unknown but I have a feeling it just might fit, but don’t take my word for it. Head down to the via and see what they have to offer.

Samsung promises better battery life in 2012

For those of you with devices like the Galaxy Nexus and the DROID Charge, you know good and well that not all Samsung devices are top of class when it comes to holding a charge for an equitable amount of time. That’s why it comes as awesome news this week the Samsung’s vice president of product innovation mister Kevin Packingham has all but guaranteed they’d be making battery life more of a priority in 2012. Noting in an interview with CNET that they “don’t want you to feel anxiety about your battery life” when you wake up and when you go to bed, batteries such as that which you saw in the RAZR MAXX, for example, may well be popping up in your next Galaxy.


Packingham spoke on how they’d simply be moving to bigger batteries in a lot of cases, but would be working how how the devices themselves more optimally work through a battery. Items such as how the device searches for wi-fi, how often the device uses its highest speed data connection, and basic items like screen brightness are on the board.
With the DROID Charge, a notoriously battery sucking piece of fantastically bright display -having LTE Android, Packingham noted that Samsung “wasn’t quite there yet” when it came to power efficiency. Not the thing you want to hear if you’re still in a 2-year contract on that device, but they haven’t abandoned you! Samsung will have your back, they say, with new devices this year that’ll last all day at least. Hopefully sooner than later!

Samsung teases possible Galaxy S III in CES presentation

We were present at Samsung’s CES press conference last Monday, but even we didn’t spot the little gem that All About Samsung did: a previously unseen device shown off in a WiFi camera promotion. Is this the much-rumored Galaxy S III, or just a fanciful mock-up made for the CES presentation? You be the judge. Or rather, I will, since I’m writing this here article.

The device on display seems “real” in the physical sense, but the image it’s producing is almost certainly fake. Looking closely at a freeze frame betrays a bezel that’s uneven (not to mention ludicrously thin) and the basic Android/TouchWiz interface standbys like a signal meter are not present. In all likelihood we’re looking at a dummy unit with a placeholder screen and graphics overlaid digitally, with an actor just playing along.
All that said, the Galaxy S III is absolutely coming, and probably sooner rather than later. If Samsung’s leap from the original Galaxy S to the S II is any indication, we can expect a thinner profile, updated software and a larger screen – though it can’t get too much larger without being essentially a smaller version of the Galaxy Note. Previous rumors pegged it to have a 1.8Ghz dual-core processor, a 4.6-inch 720p Super AMOLED display (matching the Galaxy Nexus) a 12MP camera and an unbelievable 2GB of RAM.
It’s certainly possible that the device in the video (around the 6:40 mark) is the GSIII, but with so little official information available, a glimpse is all we’re getting for now. Samsung is expected to reveal the Galaxy S III formally at Mobile World Congress in February, the same venue that the Galaxy S II got last year.

Seidio releases 3800mAh extended battery for VZW Galaxy Nexus

Warning: The Seidio Innocell 3800mAh Super Extended Life Battery for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus will not stop bullets. It cannot be used to jump your car battery. It does not double as a maritime anchor. You might be tempted to try any or all of these things once you slide its massive bulk into your Galaxy Nexus and insert the custom battery cover. Do not. It won’t end well. What the Innocell battery will do is give you some truly massive runtime, more than doubling the capacity of the standard 1850mAh battery included in the CDMA Nexus.

We’ve seen Seidio’s custom batteries before, not to mention their highly regarded Android cases. By all accounts, they’re a solid company with reliable batteries to offer – even if they’ve got all the style sense of a brick. Based on their supplied photo of the extended battery, it almost doubles the thickness, making the Galaxy Nexus a considerably huge phone when combined with its already large screen size. But you can’t put a price on all-day battery life – well, Seidio can. It’s $69.95.
Other considerations for prospective buyers include an off-color black battery cover, with Seidio’s own soft-touch plastic. Somewhat alarmingly, the replacement battery doesn’t include an NFC chip, which is integrated into both Samsung’s default battery and the extended 2100mAh version currently on sale from Verizon. Since the poor battery life was one of our only complaints in our Verizon Galaxy Nexus review, it might be worth the setbacks if you often find yourself between charges, but I’d personally rather use Samsung’s external battery charger and a few spares.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : GALAXY Nexus

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : Verizon

Announced Date : October 18, 2011

Release Date : December 15, 2011

Also Known As : Nexus Prime

Display

• Screen Size : 4.65 Inch
• Resolution : 1280x720
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.33 Inch
• Width : 2.67 Inch
• Depth : 0.35 Inch
• Weight : 135 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1750 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

Android OS:
• 4.0.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU : OMAP 4460

CPU Clock Speed : 1200 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :