Samsung Galaxy Camera trademark tips photo-focused Android

Samsung could be following in Polaroid’s footsteps with an Android-powered camera, filing a trademark for the name Samsung Galaxy Camera in the US recently. The USPTO filing is in the “cameras and camcorders” category, even though the Galaxy name so far has been associated primarily with smartphones and tablets.


Polaroid surprised camera followers back at CES with the reveal of the SC1630, a device which ostensibly resembled a cellphone but in actual fact was intended to be a digital camera first and foremost. The SC1630 is equipped with a healthy 16-megapixel sensor and leverages Android for its social networking integration and file uploading capabilities, features Samsung has already made good use of in its Galaxy series of smartphones.
That could mean that Samsung is looking to push out a photography-focused mobile device, joining Galaxy phones, tablets and media players. Presumably the Galaxy Camera would bear a higher resolution camera than existing Samsung smartphones – which generally top out at 8-megapixels – and perhaps even include an optical zoom.
Following that route would allow Samsung to chase digital imaging fans without making its core smartphone range any fatter; according to recent leaks, the Galaxy S III expected to debut within the next few months is targeting a 7mm-thick casing, with the 8-megapixel camera the only bump on the otherwise slimline build. Camera geeks might be more willing to accommodate a chubbier device if it delivers improved optics, however.

Samsung SUR40 Microsoft Surface gets unboxed and booted

A group of Scottish geeks from Robert Gordon University in Scotland laid their hands on the slick and very cool second-generation Microsoft Surface computing system. The system in question uses the Samsung SUR40 display. The guys go through the unboxing of the Samsung display unit and its assembly. After all the screws are turned, they start the system up and fiddle about with a bit.


Apparently, the Microsoft Surface device will be used to train developers at the college. After hearing about the second-generation Surface system for so long, it’s cool to see it in the wild and in the hands of developers and end-users. This machine runs Windows 7 Pro and it appears to operate pretty much like a normal computer.

Once assembled and booted, the people in the video playing with the device a bit and we see them using Bing for searches, touching the screen all around, and checking out maps. I will say it appears that the graphics are crystal clear and very smooth even when things are being twisted, turned, and shoved around on the desktop. I think if I had an extra $9000 burning a hole in my pocket, the second-generation Microsoft Surface might be in my game room. Check out the unboxing video below to see for yourself.

Samsung trademark points to Android-powered Galaxy Camera

And you thought Samsung’s Galaxy branding couldn’t get more ubiquitous. According to SammyHub, Samsung has filed for a trademark on the term “Samsung Galaxy Camera” at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. There’s really only one thing to take away from that: Samsung is either considering or already working on an Android-powered camera, at least tangentially related to its current smartphone lineup. Aside from the name filing, there’s no technical information to go on.

Samsung wouldn’t be the first to release such a device, even among major brand names: that goes to Polaroid, with their SC1630 Smart Camera. And it’s not as if Samsung itself hasn’t stretched Android out to unfamiliar territory, first with the original Galaxy Tab running Froyo and then with the Galaxy Player series of WiFi-only PMP devices. Samsung has some previous experience in the area of connected cameras, since they’ve developed their own lone of point-and-shoots with both WiFi and sharing capabilities.
That said, there’s no indication that such a device is actually in development: this is likely one of the first steps after exploratory market research. If Samsung were to bring a Galaxy Camera to market, you could expect it to look something like the current line of Galaxy Players, plus some upgraded sensor and glass components for more high-resolution photos. But Samsung, could you please come up with at least one more naming convention? The “G” section of my review folder is filled to bursting.

TELUS Offering Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 With LTE For An Arm And A Leg

Telus is almost ready to flip the switch on their highly anticipated LTE Network and first up for devices to rock super fast speeds is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9.  You can check out our review of the Galaxy Tab 8.9 (WiFi Only) here if you haven’t already. We like to tout the device as being a happy medium for those wanting more than a 7-inch offering but less than a 10.1-inch model.  Either way, you can’t go wrong with this slim power-horse of a tablet.  Up until now, it was hard to find the prospective price for the almost released device but it looks like now we can expect it to be a whopping $649.99.  We’re surprised your first born is not required as well.  In any event, the device packs pretty impressive specs sporting a dual-core 1.5 GHz CPU on a beautiful 8.9-inch 1280 x 800 res display.  There’s also a 3 mp camera and 2 mp front facing camera accompanied by a generous 6100 mAh battery.  Your standard Wifi and Bluetooth are all there wrapped up in a 453 gram 8.9 mm housing.  Even with LTE on board, this thing is still one of the slimmest devices around.  The tab will come with Android Honeycomb 3.2 and also supports HSPA+ 21Mbps when you’re not in an LTE coverage area.

Samsung might be working on a Galaxy Camera

We recently saw an Android-based digital camera from Polaroid at CES, so it’s not surprising that Samsung might be working on one of their own. Android seems like a natural fit for any standalone digital camera or camcorder. Recently, Samsung filed for a “Galaxy Camera” trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and under Goods and Services, they list “cameras and camcorders.”
Samsung has found a winner with the “Galaxy” name so it makes perfect sense to use it for this new line of Android hardware. I still use a digital camera so I’m excited to see Android versions hitting the store shelves soon because it will add so much more to the experience. Being able to use apps such as Camera ZOOM FX with a higher end camera would be too cool.

TELUS kicks off LTE network with Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and LG Optimus LTE

The third of Canada's big three carriers is finally launching their LTE network. Starting tomorrow, TELUS will be offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and LG Optimus, both with LTE connectivity. Not far behind that is the Samsung Galaxy Note, which is due to drop on February 14 with a $199 pricetag on contract. We had caught a glimpse of the LG Optimus LTE bound for TELUS last week, but now everything is super-duper official.
The TELUS LTE network will cover all of the major centers, and a few of the smaller ones. Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa are the biggies,  but Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Hamilton, Belleville, Quebec City, Halifax, and even Yellowknife will have coverage as well. By the end of the year, TELUS aims to douse 25 million Canadians with delicious LTE service. Target speeds will be in the average of 12 - 25 Mbps, and capping out at 75 Mbps.
So what took TELUS so long? Rogers kicked off LTE in Canada in the summer, and Bell followed up in November. It doesn't seem like the competition has much of a head start in coverage, and TELUS actually seems to be nailing a few markets that the other two haven't touched yet. However, Rogers and Bell do have a lead on devices, and in a country where three-year contracts are the norm, getting customers first counts for a lot. During a back-to-school preview event, TELUS had explained that they wanted to do things best before doing things first, which I can certainly appreciate. My time on the Rogers LTE network in Ottawa with the Galaxy Note has been a little spotty; hopefully TELUS can deliver on their talk and provide a bit more stability in 4G performance.
TELUS didn't mention any pricing for the new handsets, but we'll be finding that out soon enough.
Update: Was just told by the PR fairie that the LG Optimus LTE will cost $629.99 outright and $99.99 on a three-year term.

Chrome vs. Safari - Galaxy Nexus vs. iPhone 4S

Check out our Chrome for Android Walkthrough!

The race for the best mobile browser is just about dead even. Android's browser has certainly competed with its Webkit cousin in mobile Safari for several versions now, partially from borrowing bits and pieces of Chrome code. (Anybody remember this demo from Google IO 2010?) But while the browsers might have been fairly level under the hood, Safari's definitely had the edge in what the end users see, with scrolling and zooming that's buttery smooth.

With the introduction of the Chrome browser on Android (currently available in beta form), the mobile browsing playing field has been leveled that much more. Behind the scenes, things are running as fast as ever. And out front, on the display, the Android's browsing experience has taking another evolutionary leap forward.

We've got a quick comparison video and some more benchmarks after the break. We're not looking for the most scientific of results here -- though the benchmarks speak for themselves. Really, it's the feel of the Chrome browser on Android (and, again, remember that it's still a "beta" product, for what that's worth) that we're most interested in.  

Click on through to the other side, and be sure to check out our pals from iMore.com for their thoughts on the Chrome-Safari showdown.

Youtube link for mobile viewing

So both Chrome on Android and Safari on the iPhone 4S score 100 out of 100 on the Acid3 test, which checks to see if the browser complies with various web standards. Good to see. SunSpider benchmarks how a browser handles Javascript tasks. Chrome on Android has consistently edged out Safari, in our testing.

But that's not to say Chrome's got Safari beat. The iPhone 4S browser still has smoother panning and zooming. Not greatly better, but is noticeable. 

But, as we're having to remind ourselves, Chrome's in beta. It will get better. And if this but the first version of Chrome we get to use, we're excited to see where things stand six months to a year from now.

Pre-ordering the Galaxy Note, Optimus S ICS ROM

Thus far, we've looked at some Google rumors today, a quick look at the Droid 4 and dealt with some Google Wallet concerns plus more. If you missed out on anything, get yourself caught up and then head on into the Android Central forums for some more discussion.

• HTC Thunderbolt Forums - Which company will get your money?
• Galaxy Nexus Forums - Customized Stock ICS wallpapers
• Galaxy Note Forums - Who pre-ordered their Galaxy Note?
• Optimus S Forums - [WIP][ROM] CyanogenMod 9 for LG Optimus S (Yes, it's ICS!)
• Motorola XYBOARD Forums - XYBOARD updates rolling out

ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day: Mobi Products Skin Case for Samsung Skyrocket

The ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Mobi Products Skin Case for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. Made of highly durable material that feels great when gripped, this sleek looking case features anti-slip properties that give your device more grip on all types of surfaces. Plus, this case has a special anti-dust coating and cut-outs for all of your Samsung Skyrocket features! It's available in black, blue, red, purple, pink and clear today only for just $4.95 -- that's 75 percent off! Get yours while supplies last.