Potential Samsung Galaxy SII-sibling heads to China via the FCC

A mysteriously packaged Samsung device departed the FCC's secure zone with a few question marks over its character. We know it's got GSM/EDGE 850 - 1900 radios and can access WCDMA Bands II and V, plus the usual WiFi and Bluetooth gear, but that's about it. The folks at Wireless Goodness are staking the GT-i9070 as a China-bound variation of the Galaxy SII (assessed for roaming safety), which would seem logical, since we've clearly got enough models over here.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 WiFi Software Review (Video)

Previously we showed you how impressed we were with the hardware on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. In this video, we dive into the software and see how Android 3.2 Honeycomb fairs with the 1.4GHz Exynos CPU.

As is the case with the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, 8.9, and 10.1, the Tab 7.7 has Samsung's TouchWiz UI, which includes a big handful of enhancements. You get a wide variety of homescreen widgets, the Settings have been redone, there's a "quick apps" bar on the bottom that lets you have certain apps, like calculator and calendar, hover above any current application in use, and you can also customize a fourth button to be placed along the bottom of the screen.


Unfortunately, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is mostly unusable because of speed and stability issues caused by Android Honeycomb. Menus open slowly at times, the home screen takes several seconds to refresh, and web browsing performance is far from stellar. The Ice Cream Sandwich update for the 7.7 can't come soon enough: Samsung claims that it'll be ready for Q1 of this year

Foe Video:  http://pocketnow.com/android/samsung-galaxy-tab-77-wifi-software-review-video

Samsung Galaxy Note Hits AT&T February 18th?

Earlier we heard that the Nokia Lumia 900 would be available on AT&T on the 18th of March, and now we have some details on another new smartphone headed to AT&T.
AT&T recently announced that they would have the Samsung Galaxy Note available on their network, and now it would appear that the device will be available from the 18th of February for $299 when you sign up to a new two year contract.

As a reminder, the Samsung Galaxy Note comes with a a dual core 1.4GHz processor and it comes with Android Gingerbread 2.3, plus dual cameras, on the back there is an 8 megapixel camera with an LED flash, on the front there is a 2 megapixel camera for video chat.
Other specifications on the Samsung Galaxy Note include a 5.3 inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, the device will also come with 4G LTE and WiFi.
As soon as we get some confirmation from AT&T that this is the actual launch date of the Samsung Galaxy Note on their network we will let you guys know.

Samsung Galaxy S III to skip MWC 2012 claim insiders

Samsung’s Galaxy S III, the much-anticipated successor to the flagship Galaxy S II, won’t be making a Mobile World Congress debut according to new rumors, with the Korean company holding off until later in 2012 to reveal the smartphone. Both BestBoyz and The Verge are reporting that Samsung will not bring the GSIII to Barcelona next month, with suggestions that there are currently at least two issues with the handset that have impacted the release date.


The exact nature of those issues is unclear at this stage, however, though with Samsung pushing the technology envelope with each successive Galaxy S device it’s perhaps unsurprising that there could be problems encountered along the way.
Of course, Samsung hadn’t confirmed that the Galaxy S III was a lock-in for Mobile World Congress this year anyway; that release timetable was also set by rumors. Still, there are suggestions that it was the Korean firm’s initial intent to launch the handset at the show, a year after the company had unveiled the second-gen model.
Specifications and hardware details are in short supply – the image above is a fan-made render and not the real thing – though earlier this week there were suggestions that the smartphone would run a 1.5GHz to 1.6GHz quad-core processor and Ice Cream Sandwich with some UI reworking at Samsung’s own hand. Meanwhile the display is believed to be HD-resolution – potentially the same 4.65-inch 1280 x 720 panel as in the Galaxy Nexus - while a whopping 12-megapixel camera is supposedly on the back.
We’ll know more when Samsung officially reveals the smartphone, now expected to take place at a special event sometime in the first half of this year.

CyanogenMod 9 Running On Original Samsung Galaxy Tab (Video)

We have already seen CyanogenMod 9 running on a number of different tablets, and now we get a look at CyanogenMod 9 running on the original Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet.
The guys over at Netbook News put together the following video which shows Android 4.0 ICS, with CyanogenMod 9 running on the original Galaxy Tab P1000 tablet.

So whilst we wont have any official release of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich from Samsung for the original Galaxy Tab, you will be able to use CyanogenMod 9 on your Galaxy Tab and it looks pretty good from the video.

For Video:  http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/cyanogenmod-9-running-on-original-samsung-galaxy-tab-video-26-01-2012/

Samsung Dismantles Its Galaxy Note Smartphone Tablet Hybrid For All To See

Samsung has this week taken screwdriver to its own Galaxy Note tablet this week and dismantled it revealing its workings to the world. The Samusng Galaxy Note was originally announced by during IFA 2011 in Berlin and was later launched in late October 2011 in Europe. Last month, Samsung announced that 1 million Galaxy Notes were shipped in less than two months, and that Galaxy Note would be available in the US in 2012.

To recap the Smasnug Galaxy Note is equipped with a 5.3” WXGA (1280 x 800) HD Super AMOLED screen and comes powered by a 1.5Ghz Snapdragon S3 Chipset.
Other features include a 8 megapixel main camera that can record 1080p video, and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera
802.11 b/g/n support for Wi-Fi. The tablet smartphone hybrid device also comes supplied with a built-in stylus, called the “S Pen”. The stylus neatly tucks into the bottom panel of the phone, and can be used in a variety of apps, when extra precision is required.
For a compete run through of all the components Samsung style jump over to the Samsung Tomorrow website.

Samsung Galaxy S III Not Launching At MWC 2012?

Samsung has done incredibly well with their Galaxy range of smartphones, with the Samsung Galaxy S II being one of the most popular Android handsets available.
We recently heard that the next generation Samsung Galaxy S smartphone would be unveiled at MWC 2012 next month, the Samsung Galaxy S III and also heard that the device would go on sale in April.

Now according to a recent report by The Verge, we may not see the new Samsung Galaxy S III debut at MWC 2012, as apparently Samsung has decided to delay the launch of the smartphone.
There are no details on why Samsung has reportedly delayed the launch of the Galaxy S III, although it could be because the company wants to announce the device closer to when it actually ships.
Samsung could be looking to avoid a long delay from when the device is announced to when it actually hits the stores, as last year the Samsung Galaxy S II was available in Europe, months before it rolled out in the US.
So it looks like we may not see the new Samsung Galaxy S II at MWC 2012, although Samsung will probably have a number of other new devices, including tablets and other new smartphones to announce.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Headed To T-Mobile?

It looks like Samsung and Google’s flagship Android 4.0 smartphone, could be headed to another mobile carrier in the US, T-Mobile, as some references to the device have been discovered by the guys over at Cellphone Signal.
T-Mobile has yet to confirm whether they will sell the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on their network in the US, but it looks like one Samsung Android device with a 1280 x 720 display is headed to T-Mobile.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus comes with the latest version of Google’s mobile OS, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and the device features a 4.65 inch HD multi-touch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.
Processing on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is provided by a dual core 1.2Ghz processor, it also has 1GB of RAM and an advanced 5 megapixel camera which can record HD video in 1080p, plus a front facing HD camera for video chat that is capable of 720p video.
We don’t as yet have any confirmation from T-Mobile that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is headed to their network, as soon as we get some more details we will let you guys know. Have a look at our Samsung Galaxy Nexus review to see what we though of Google and Samsung’s flagship Android device.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Microsoft Kinect And Projector Make Giant Andoid Touchscreen Device (Video)

What happens when you combine a Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a Microsoft Kinect and a projector? You get this awesome giant android touchscreen device created by DDRBoxman.
The video below shows the giant Android touchscreen  device in action, and it was created using a Windows PC using Simple Kinect Touch, plus a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, a projector and a Microsoft Kinect.

This is a continuation of my work to create a way to interact with Android when it is being displayed on a large scale using a projector.
You can find out full information on how this was done over at recursive penguin.

For Video:  http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/samsung-galaxy-nexus-microsoft-kinect-and-projector-make-giant-andoid-touchscreen-device-video-26-01-2012/

Samsung’s surging smartphone business leads to strong fourth quarter

Samsung pulled off a mighty impressive quarter at the end of 2011, with 4 trillion won ($3.6 billion) in net income. That’s a sizable increase over the previous year’s 3.42 trillion won, but not everything in the consumer electronics firm is all peaches and cream. The company saw a woeful decline in its LCD panel business but was able to more than compensate for that with an amazing smartphone library.


Total revenue at the South Korea-based manufacturer climbed to 47.3 trillion won, a 13% increase compared to the previous year. Samsung’s Galaxy brand of phones reached an astounding 300 million units in sales last year. In the fourth quarter, it reported 32 million smartphone sales, making it account for 40% of the entire company’s profit. In comparison, Samsung’s display division saw an operating loss of 220 billion won, a complete 180 from its profitable position the year before.
In other news, Samsung’s semiconductor unit also grew year-to-year, raking in 2.31 trillion won in profit. That represents a 29% increase over the previous fourth quarter. Clearly, though, the story is all about Samsung’s mobile business. The company is now ranked as the world’s largest smartphone seller, ahead of such titans as Apple and Motorola.

Samsung Wave Y LeFleur Edition revealed

If you thought the one thing missing from Samsung’s entry-level Wave Y S5380 phone was a pink floral design, you’re in luck. The manufacturer has launched a new version of the device, dubbed the LaFleur edition, with a bold pink-and-black motif. The inscription “LaFleur” appears on the front of the phone while the back, donned in pink, is etched with a full-body floral print.


The Samsung Wave Y S5380 runs on the Bada 2.0 platform, which is designed for low-end handsets. The S5380 is the lowest of those low-end devices, coming in at an unsubsidized price of just $165, at least in the Ukraine. That remains the only country where the LaFleur edition phone is available, at least for the time being.
Among the technical specs of the device are a 3.2-inch HVGA display, HSDPA compatibility, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, a 2-megapixel rear camera, 2 GB of pre-loaded memory, and an NFC chip. There is no word yet on whether this flower-filled gadget will come stateside, but nevertheless it is pretty to look at.

Samsung outfits London Eye with Galaxy Tabs

The London Eye is one of the most remarkable tourist attractions in the British capital city. It’s a uniquely shaped observation tower filled with “capsules” that allow visitors to see all the major sights that London has to offer. It is one of the newest and most interesting tourist attractions in the city with its unparalleled 360-degree views and modern architecture. And now, it is getting a high-tech makeover courtesy of the Samsung Galaxy Tab.


You know how boring it is when you’re up several hundred feet from the grouns and just looking at the view? EDF Energy, the organization that manages the London Eye, is outfitting all of its sightseeing capsules with Galaxy Tab tablets to let users interact with the landmarks they’re looking at. This comes after months of research and thousands of visitor surveys to determine how to improve the overall guest experience.
“By doing this, [visitors] can access key information about 55 famous London landmarks, 24 hour time-lapse photography, 360 degree day and night views from the London Eye and bird’s eye views of some of the key landmarks as well as a unique ‘look inside’ some of the structures for a unique perspective,” the organization said in a statement. The London Eye, built in 2000, was already one of the most modern and high-tech tourist spots in Europe. The Galaxy Tab project, which is expected to be complete in May, further cements that designation.

Microsoft Aiming To Get Xbox Live Games On “Other Platforms”

More word of Xbox Live trickling down to other platforms is on the rise as a Microsoft spokesperson has acknowledged they realize some are playing their games elsewhere.

“While the Xbox Live experiences and games always work best on the Windows platform, we understand that some Xbox fans may be using other types of devices”.
“To satisfy that need, we are working to extend a few of our Xbox experiences and titles to other platforms.”

While they didn’t flat out say “Android” or “iOS”, one would only hope that they would target two of the biggest platforms out there.  Stay tuned Xbox fanatics as we aim to deliver the scoop once and if the application becomes available for Android.

Grab the Verizon Galaxy Nexus for $99 on Amazon Wireless – New customers only

If you’re in the market for the Galaxy Nexus, and you’re able to open a new account with Verizon, then head over to Amazon Wireless because you can grab one for a mere $99.00 with a 2-year contract. That’s an incredible price for the most coveted phone in the land. If you’re doing an upgrade the price shoots up to $259.99. A big difference, but still better than Verizon’s price of $299.99

Shop Android Deal of the Day: Mobi Products Crystal Case for Verizon Galaxy Nexus

The Jan. 26 Shop Android Deal of the Day is the Mobi Products Crystal Case for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. The case is specifically designed for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and will add very little weight or bulk to your device. There are cutouts for the camera, speaker, and screen, and the smooth exterior of the case provides easy insertion and removal from your pocket or purse. And it's available today only for just $4.95 -- that's 75 percent off! Get yours while supplies last!