T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G hands-on

It's been a long, long time since we've seen the words "Galaxy S" without a II folowed closely thereafter. But that's exactly what we have here in the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G. Don't let it fool you, though, it's got 2011's specs -- better known as Galaxy II specs. And for what it lacks in hardware prowess, it makes up for in network speed, as it's able to lock onto TMo's 42Mbps network. Otherwise? It's fairly unimpressive but should serve as a capable beginner smartphone with a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display, dual-core Snapdragon processor at 1.5GHz, and a slew of preloaed apps.

Still no word on when it's coming, other than "later this year."

We've got hands-on video and pics after the break.

Youtube link for mobile viewing

Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen app contest announced

Samsung’s new Galaxy Note device is turning a lot of heads, not only because of its large display but also because of the “S Pen” that comes with it, turning it into more of a tablet/PDA hybrid than a traditional phone. The only problem with launching something like that is that it isn’t a universal accessory and so developers need to have intense confidence in that one product if they want to incorporate it. Well, that, or Samsung could just bribe them with the chance to win $100,000.


From today until April 2, Samsung is encouraging developers to submit the best app they can come up with, using the S Pen peripheral. Those who are singled out as having created amazing apps will share a prize pool of more than $200,000, mostly in cash, with the grand prize winner taking home half of the entire kitty. Second prize is $50,000 and the third-place finisher will grab a cool $25,000.
There will also be 10 “Honorable Mention” winners, each of whom will receive $2,000 and a Galaxy Note. Finally, users will get to vote on their choice, and the winner of that vote, the Popular Choice Award, will be granted $2,000. “The Galaxy Note enables new and creative ways to interact with your phone through the advanced S Pen technology. We are excited to see how developers use the S Pen SDK to come up with new ways to integrate the S Pen into applications,” said Samsung Mobile president Dale Sohn.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus OEM desktop dock review

It seems like we've been waiting forever for the official Samsung Galaxy Nexus desktop dock to arrive, and when we saw it finally appear in stock we had to grab one. It came in today, so that means it's review time! 

When you open the package (which was just a brown cardboard box, nothing fancy here), you notice that it's pretty heavy. It's not ridiculously heavy, but it weighs about twice as much as the phone. Combine that with the rubber base plate, and it's not going to slide around from the weight of a cable. It's pretty sturdy. It's plastic, of course, but it's hard coated plastic and feels very nice. I almost don't want to say this, but it feels nicer than the plastic the phone itself is made out of. It's a solid grayish-black that matches the color of the GNex itself. On appearance, it gets high marks.

The reason we all have been wanting this one is because of the pogo pins. There's three of them, and they line up with the three contacts on the phone to provide a charge. In the dock itself, there's also a small recess so that the power button isn't depressed when you drop the phone in. Around back, there's a 3.5mm line-out jack and a micro USB connector. The micro USB connector only provides power, so you can't transfer files of debug through it. The line-out jack is a standard 3.5mm jack, and it works well with speakers of headphones. You'll need one or the other, because when it enters "Car Mode" by going in the dock, the external speaker is silenced. It's a bit of an annoyance, and one I'm sure could be fixed with a bit of hackery.

When you drop the phone into the dock, it enters Car Mode and everything goes horizontal. We've seen this with other phones when docked, so we weren't really surprised. Everything turns, and you'll have no problem maneuvering through the OS while it's docked. 

Samsung lists this on their website as being for the i515 only, which is the Verizon LTE version. We took a gamble, and it seems to work just fine with the unlocked GSM version as well. We just have to mention that officially, this one is only for the i515. They also want $90 for it. That's a lot of money for a desktop dock. 

So is it worth it? As I mention in the video (after the break), maybe. If you're the type of gadget geek who has to have the best as soon as it's available, then yeah, go on and order it. You'll be pleased with the way it's built and the way it works. If you just need a desktop docking station for your Nexus and the thought of spending $90 on one is a bit much, them you might want to wait and see if a third party comes up with a good solution. Either way, I'm glad I got this one. Hit the jump to see a short video and some more pictures.

Youtube link for mobile viewing

Samsung Galaxy Ace II hands-on

The Samsung Galaxy Ace line has proven to be a solid piece of mid-level fare outside the United States, and the follow-up -- the aptly named Samsung Galaxy Ace II looks to conitnue in that vein. There's no mistaking that you're not handling a phone from Samsung's top shelf. Whereare the Galaxy S II and Google's Samsung Galaxy Nexus scream sex appeal, the Galaxy Ace II is decidedly middle class. And that's not a bad thing.

The 3.7-inch WVGA display is competent enough, and the 800 MHz processor pushes the Android 2.3 build along quite smoothly. The UI is sparse. Actually, it's boring. But, again, we're talking bread and butter, not steak tartar. It's loaded with Samsung's suite of apps, and it's got GLONASS for GPS, if you're into that sort of thing. 

We've got a full hands-on after the break.

Youtube link for mobile viewing

Samsung announces Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge - $205,000 in prize packages to be won

While we all have our own opinions of the Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen, and why exactly Samsung thinks a "stylus" needs to come back, this challenege is one that can easily make you put your thoughts aside. Samsung has announced their new contest, which starts today, that makes it rather enticing for developers to put some time and effort into making a S Pen integrated application. Developers will have until April 2, 2012 to submit their applications, and judgement will take place the following week by the public.

“The Galaxy Note enables new and creative ways to interact with your phone through the advanced S Pen technology,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. “We are excited to see how developers use the S Pen SDK to come up with new ways to integrate the S Pen into applications."

​The first place winner will take home $100,000 in cash, second place $50,000 and plenty of other prizes as well to be won. Samsung has placed all the information in one easy to manage location, and you can find complete details about the contest here. So, will you be entering? Be sure to let us know, and keep us informed of the progress in the forums!

Verizon Offering Free Upgrade to ‘Loyal’ Customers, Includes Galaxy Nexus or Droid Razr

If you’ve been a ‘loyal’ Verizon customer for a while now and you are ready for an upgrade, you may want to pay attention and check you inbox regularly. According to some loyal customers, they have received an email containing details on how to get a free phone. Usually when you get a free phone it’s nothing to write home about, but this time for some reason Verizon is feeling generous. The three free phones being offered are the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the Motorola Droid Razr and the Samsung Stratosphere. Not a bad selection. In order to snag one of these devices you are obviously going to have to sign a two-year contract, but that should’t deter you from getting a new Galaxy Nexus. If you have been with Big Red for a while, I’d start looking for the email. Has anyone already received one?

Samsung Announces Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 For Gamers

As Mobile World Congress officially kicks off, Samsung is showing off some unique devices. One interesting, or perhaps confusing, device is the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2. Similar to their Samsung Galaxy S WiFi from last year, this device comes without phone radios, but also adds an improved sound system called SoundAlive, which delivers “great sound either through a front stereo speaker or headphones“. The rest of the specs seem pretty ho-hum.

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread (really?)
• 4.2-inch display
• 8.9 mm thick
• 512MB of RAM
• 8GB or 16GB versions
• 1 GHz processor
• 1500 mAh battery
• 2MP rear camrea
• VGA front-facing camera
• Gyroscope sensor

It will come pre-installed with EA’s Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, which is what makes it a gaming device I suppose. I don’t know. After the Galaxy Note 10.1 announcement, this just seems rather dull in my opinion. Maybe if the price is right it could make a splash since it’s still a decent mid-level device. But when I hear “gaming” attached to the marketing of a device, I expect specs that are at the very high end of the spectrum, not a list that looks like last year’s models.

Samsung shows you how you can propose to your significant other with the Galaxy Beam [Video]

Yesterday Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Beam, which is a smartphone with a 15 lumens projector. This is nothing new, but unfortunately phones such has these haven’t been all that successful so far. I do think it’s totally cool, but I don’t see this concept going mainstream until these projectors land on devices with higher specs. The fact that it has Android 2.3 Gingerbread and it’s 12.5mm thick is disappointing, but I’m sure there is a niche market for it because there is definitely some exciting stuff you can do with it.
For those of you that are thinking about proposing to your significant other, Samsung shows you how to utilize the Galaxy Beam in a pretty unique way. Check it out below, and hit the break for another video about sharing moments with your family.

Win a free Samsung Galaxy Note from Bell Mobility!

The Samsung Galaxy Note has been out for a couple of weeks now, and it seems people either love it or hate it. With a size fitting in somewhere between a smartphone and a tablet, the 5.3-inch device even comes with a stylus, which we thought went out of style years ago. There are advantages to the size of the Note, and one example of that is Bell's Mobile TV app. The ample screen size makes streaming media convenient, while still being a device portable enough to slide in a pocket or purse.
And what could be more convenient than winning a free Samsung Galaxy Note from Bell Mobility?! Nothing, I say, because winning is awesome. So if you'd like to enter to win a free Samsung Galaxy Nexus from Bell, and you live in Canada, drop your comment in the forums telling us why you want to win a Samsung Galaxy Note. Yes, sorry folks, the contest is open to Canadians only this time. Contest ends Sunday at midnight. Good luck!

Further specs surface for Samsung Galaxy SIII

Tech sites worldwide are ablaze with the surge of news coming in from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, however ironically it’s a device that we definitely will not be seeing unveiled in Sunny Spain that continues to dominate the headlines.
Earlier today we brought you the news that BGR had released some juicy titbits on Samsung’s forthcoming flagship device, the Galaxy SIII. BGR disocvered that the much-hyped super phone is set to be an ultra-thin, waterproof, ceramic coated unit packing a 4.8″ display that will launch simultaneously in 50 countries worldwide. As much as this information is more than enough to pique our interests, the latest rumours will blow your socks off.
BGR has stepped up to the plate yet again with a few more pieces of the jigsaw and all signs point towards the Galaxy SIII being the most stylish and most powerful Android smartphone to date. The highlights are :

• 1.5GHz quad-core Exynos processor
• 4.8″ 1080p Full HD screen
• 8MP rear camera and 2MP  front camera
• Ceramic casing
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4G LTE

So there you have it, the Galaxy SIII is set to be an absolute monster of a phone and really build on the already stellar reputation of the Galaxy brand. As I see it, all that’s left to ask is where and when can I get one. Stay tuned in to TalkAndroid for further developments as they arrive.

BLU Products Offers “Studio 5.3″, A G-Note Competitor…….Sort of

Blu Products is looking to take on the Galaxy Note with its newly announced (and recently available) Studio 5.3 device.  Likewise at 5.3-inches, the Studio 5.3 offers a stylish looking smartphone without a doubt, with the exception of a few eye rolling specs.  The tablet phone, which is being touted as “the ideal personal communications device“, will sport a WVGA 800 x 480 res display with MediaTek’s MT6573 CPU (668 MHz) and POWERVR Series 5 SGX GPU.  In addition, the device supports dual SIM card slots and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.  Furthermore, it will run on HSDPA 3G speeds at best.  So, we’re not really sure what kind of market and demographic Blu is targeting here but it will certainly be interesting to see how well the device pans out.  No word yet on whether or not the company will rush ICS to it but we’ll see in time.  The device appears to have quietly launched and is now available on Amazon for $289.99 off contract.

MIAMI, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – BLU Products (“BLU”), one of the fastest growing mobile phone providers in the US, announced today the release of its latest smartphone, the BLU Studio 5.3. With an ergonomic and stylish design, the BLU Studio 5.3 is the ideal personal communications device, combining the user experience of a tablet, with smartphone portability. The main features of the device are its powerful battery, one of the longest–lasting on the market today, and its massive high resolution 5.3″ WVGA LCD screen all at an incredibly affordable price.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120227/FL60118 )
The BLU Studio 5.3 is powered by MediaTek’s MT6573 processor, which incorporates a POWERVR Series5 SGX GPU to enable advanced 3D graphics capability bringing gaming and user interface capabilities that were previously available only to high-end smartphones. The device will be on display at Mobile World Congress at the MediaTek exhibit located in Hall 1, stand 1C58.
“MediaTek is a natural partner by providing an energy efficient and highly capable mass-market application processor, which will enable its clients to achieve new levels of capabilities and meet emerging consumer demands for advanced performance in lower-priced smartphones,” said Samuel Ohev-Zion, Founder and CEO of BLU Products.
The BLU Studio 5.3 is currently available unlocked with Dual SIM support at several online retailers in the US, and throughoutLatin America with the MT6573 650MHz variant. An upgraded version with MT6573T in 800 MHz will be launched globally, including in Europe and Asia, before the end of March at a retail price of 199 Euros unlocked. The device will offer HSDPA 3G support, as well as Android v2.3 Gingerbread OS.
About BLU Products
BLU Products, founded in 2009, designs affordable, attractive innovative mobile devices to suit a wide variety of consumer needs. Over three million BLU mobile devices have been sold in almost 40 countries throughout Latin America. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, BLU is one of the fastest-growing companies in the region. For more information, visit:www.bluproducts.com.
About MediaTek Inc.
MediaTek Inc. is a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions. The company is a market leader and pioneer in cutting-edge SOC system solutions for wireless communications. Founded in 1997 and listed on Taiwan Stock Exchange under the code “2454″ For more information, visit MediaTek at www.mediatek.com.

Samsung kicks off the Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge with over $200,000 in prizes

With the Samsung Galaxy Note now available worldwide, Samsung is looking to get more developers on board. We already covered some really cool apps, but as cool as they are, it’s only the tip of the iceberg because the possibilities with the Galaxy Note are endless. Basically, Samsung delivered the coolest phone in the land, but it’s the developer community that will make the Note extra special.
Samsung is kicking off the Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge to entice developers to come up with some really innovative stuff. It actually kicks off today and will run through April 2. Over $200,000 in prizes will be given out with the grand prize being $100,000 cash. Samsung will even host a S Pen SDK training webinar to help you get started.
A panel of 5 judges will review all entries and award the top 4 apps. The public will be able to vote on their favorite submissions between April 9 and April 16, which will be considered the Popular Choice Award. All winners will be announced the week of April 16. The prizes will be as follows:

• Best Overall App, Grand Prize – $100,000
• Best Overall App, Second Prize – $50,000
• Best Overall App, Third Prize – $25,000
• Category Honorable Mention (10) – $2,000 and a Samsung Galaxy Note (estimated retail value, plus tax and shipping $800)
• Popular Choice Award – $2,000

For more information please visit http://GalaxyNoteSPenChallenge.com
Full press release:
Samsung Mobile Launches Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge
Samsung invites developers to create S Pen integrated apps with prizes more than $200,000
DALLAS – February 28, 2012 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. ¹, today announced the Samsung Galaxy Note™ S Pen™ App Challenge.  Samsung invites software developers to create S Pen integrated apps for Galaxy Note using the S Pen Software Developer Kit, allowing users to capture, create and share like never before.
Developers will use the Samsung S Pen SDK to integrate S Pen functionality into a new or existing Android application that runs on Galaxy Note. Apps will be evaluated based on the overall user experience of the app on Galaxy Note, the quality of the idea, the functional implementation, and S Pen integration.  The website for the challenge and more information, including terms and conditions, is: http://GalaxyNoteSPenChallenge.com.
“The Galaxy Note enables new and creative ways to interact with your phone through the advanced S Pen technology,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. “We are excited to see how developers use the S Pen SDK to come up with new ways to integrate the S Pen into applications.”
Key Dates
The contest kicks off today, February 28, 2012 and ends on April 2, 2012. Public voting and judging will take place from April 9 – 16. The winners will be announced the week of April 16. Samsung will host an S Pen SDK training webinar. Please visit the website for details on the webinar.
Prizes
Winners of the Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge will split more than $200,000 in cash and prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the best overall apps and for category awards in games, media, sports, social, lifestyle, travel, education, productivity, entertainment and other. The prizes will be distributed by the following breakdown:

• ·         Best Overall App, Grand Prize – $100,000
• ·         Best Overall App, Second Prize – $50,000
• ·         Best Overall App, Third Prize – $25,000
• ·         Category Honorable Mention (10) – $2,000 and a Samsung Galaxy Note (estimated retail value, plus tax and shipping $800)
• ·         Popular Choice Award – $2,000

Judging
Top entries will be evaluated by a panel of five judges that will be announced soon on the website.
The public can vote on their favorite submissions between April 9 and April 16 to determine the winner of the Popular Choice Award.
S Pen Software Developer Kit
Samsung has created an S Pen open software developer kit for developers of all sizes and scale (from the hobbyist to large app developers) to create apps that will be optimized for the S Pen experience.  Applications made for S Pen by utilizing the SDK library benefits from 256 levels pressure sensitivity of the S Pen, fast, responsive and accurate digital writing experience and the  HD Super AMOLED™ 5.3-inch display on the Galaxy Note.
The Samsung developer forum provides resources and information about Samsung and Samsung mobile devices. The developer forum is a resource to support developers in innovating new apps on Samsung product and platforms.
Samsung Apps
Samsung Apps is a customized recommendation engine that provides a simple way for users to discover new apps for their Samsung devices. Samsung Apps provides a smart, curated view of available applications based on which device the user is accessing the service from, the user’s profile and app history as well as recommendations from friends. Users can confidently browse apps knowing that Samsung Apps provides a selection of apps from the broader Android Market place that have been optimized for a great user experience on their specific device.
For Galaxy Note users, Samsung Apps provides the best place to find apps uniquely suited for their device – including those “Made for S Pen” – applications designed to take advantage of the precision control and writing instrument for the Galaxy Note, the S Pen.
Galaxy Note
The Galaxy Note, available in ceramic white and blue, utilizes AT&T’s 4G LTE network for lightening fast connection.  Combining the best features of a smartphone with the larger viewing screen of a tablet and advanced technology in the S Pen — delivering an all-in-one device that allows users to work more efficiently and maintain productivity, while communicating in a unique, personal way.
Galaxy Note boasts the world’s first 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED screen (1280×800), one of the largest screens on a smartphone that provides an immersive viewing experience, customers can take full advantage of the large display, to create and consume more.
The Galaxy Note includes a highly advanced tool called the S Pen, which delivers fast, responsive and precise control to create fine lines and detail on the device display, much like an ink pen and pad of paper.  With the S Pen, users can easily sketch drawings, jot down notes, or write emails and texts quickly and easily in free-form handwriting.
Information on the contest, including how to enter, rules and regulations, tutorial and more are available at http://GalaxyNoteSPenChallenge.com. The competition is powered by ChallengePost, a global marketplace for challenges and community-driven innovation.

Toyota And Samsung Announce Joint Collaboration

What do you get when you combine an Automaker giant with an Android manufacturer giant? You get a big time collaboration of course. Toyota and Samsung have launched the Samsung Mobile Car Application which will connect Samsung smartphones to Toyota’s In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system. The collaboration is expected to add “enhanced connectivity, multimedia capabilities and internet services.”
Keep in mind that while Sammy and Toyota have announced the collaboration, there are no further details except that we do know we will see the first products sometime around Q2 of this year. Hit the break to see the full press release.

Samsung Electronics to Create Smartphone Connected Car Solution in Collaboration with Toyota Motor CorporationBarcelona, Spain–February 28, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced a collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation, to create Samsung Car Mode Application an in-car solution that seamlessly connects Samsung smartphones to Toyota’s In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system.The collaboration will see the integration of a wide array of Samsung’s smartphone and mobile communication technologies with Toyota’s cutting-edge IVI to add enhanced connectivity, multimedia capabilities and internet services.The Samsung Car Mode Application will leverage safety in-car UX, a state of the art voice command technology embedded within smartphones, to provide advanced functionality, navigation and location-based services. Samsung, in partnership with Toyota, is creating innovative solutions to satisfy the needs of shared customers, driving the development of new integrated functions and experiences.Plans have been drawn up to commence commercialization in the second quarter of this year with the solution being unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona. Dr. WP Hong, Executive Vice President at Samsung Mobile said: “With a passion for innovation and a commitment to drive the advancement of the mobile and vehicle industry, Samsung looks forward to the shared success of this collaboration. Together, Samsung and Toyota are opening the door to the Smarter Car Era.”
To learn more about Samsung Car Mode Application, visit the Samsung stand in Hall 8 at the Mobile World Congress 2012.

Samsung Rugby Smart Unboxing and Initial Hands on Review – Sand and Water included

The Samsung Rugby Smart will debut on AT&T this Sunday, March 4 for $99, and let me tell you that this is a really nice phone for the money. It’s priced at $99 and is built to military specifications (mil-std 810f). This means it should be able to handle just about anything including being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, dust, sand, or extreme weather conditions.
It features a 3.7-inch (800 x 480) Super AMOLED display, 1.4 GHz single-core Qualcomm processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, microSD for up to an additional 32GB, 5MP rear camera with LED flash (capable of recording at 720p), 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1650mAh battery, and Android 2.3.6. It’s not the thinnest phone in the world, at 12.19mm, but it has a really nice design. In fact, this might be my favorite Samsung phone to date as far as design goes. The rubberized edges remind me of the DROID X, and it’s not glossy or slippery like most other phones.
Our own Stacy Bruce will do a full review soon, but for now, check out my quick hands on. It’s not everyday that I get to throw sand and water on a review unit so I had a lot of fun with this one..

Samsung Makes It Clear: “We’re Not Doing Very Well In The Tablet Market”

Samsung is dominating smartphone sales, it’s not doing as well in the tablet market. While participating at a discussion at MWC, Product Strategy Executive Hankil Yoon offered a blunt and straightforward summary of Sammy’s products in the tablet market:

“Honestly, we’re not doing very well in the tablet market.”

We don’t have the numbers to verify Yoon’s comments, but there are a few reasons why he would make that statement. Perhaps it may be the industry-leading iPad or the lackluster, yet popular Kindle Fire which has found the way into consumers’ hearts and wallets. Whatever the reason may be, Samsung just has not been able to distinguish its tablets from Apple and Amazon’s offerings, despite having several Galaxy Tab models.
Despite Yoon’s comments, there’s reason for optimism for Samsung’s future direction. For starters, it has the intriguing Galaxy Note, which can be considered the most popular “phablet” to date. 10 million Galaxy Note units are expected to ship and Yoon believes the S-Pen (Stylus pen) “allows users to more easily create content, rather than consume it.” In addition, there is the newly introduced Galaxy Note 10.1 which brings you a bigger tablet, but with an S-Pen. This is something that much of the competition cannot claim at this time. Yoon sums it up best:

“Samsung wanted to do something different in the category… Even if the design is similar, how you use the Note is totally different.”

Expect Samsung to make a continued push into the tablet market by continuing to introduce unique and innovative features.

Verizon Wireless will launch the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE on March 1

The world’s thinnest LTE tablet is going to land on Verizon Wireless this Thursday March 1. At only 7.9mm thick, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE features a 7.7-inch (1280 x 800) Super AMOLED Plus display, a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 3.2MP rear camera capable of recording video at 720p, 2MP front facing camera, 16GB of internal storage, 1080p video playback through the HDMI dock or adapter, and microSD for up to an additional 32GB of extra storage. It’s also approved for Enterprise SAFE^™, and Android 3.2 Honeycomb is on board. Pricing will be $499 with a new 2-year contract.
Full press release after the break:
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB^™ 7.7 AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY on the VERIZON WIRELESS network
World’s Thinnest 4G LTE Tablet on America’s Fastest, Most Reliable 4G Network
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Announced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Samsung Galaxy Tab^™ 7.7 will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com starting March 1.  Movies, pictures and games come to life in high-definition with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7’s Super AMOLED^™ Plus touchscreen display.  Customers can quickly access the Web, stream music and more at blazingly fast speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network combined with a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and HTML 5 Web browser.
The Tab 7.7 is a multimedia expert allowing customers to use their tablet as the center of their home entertainment system.  The Peel Smart Remote feature eliminates the need for multiple remote controls for televisions, audio players and other home entertainment systems.  Customers can make their Tab 7.7 the master controller to find and watch their favorite TV shows, create a favorites list, set program reminders and more.  Customers also have the ability to stream media to their compatible TV using the multimedia dock with a built-in HDMI port or the HDTV Adapter (sold separately).  The Samsung Media Hub offers a large selection of media to rent or purchase and watch while traveling or plug into a TV to share at a party.
Additional features:

• ·         7.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (1280×800)
• ·         Android^™ 3.2 Honeycomb – supports Google^™ Mobile Services, including Gmail^™, YouTube^™, Google Talk^™ with video chat, Google Search^™, Google Maps^™, as well as access to Google Books^™, movie rentals and more than 400,000 apps on Android Market^™
• ·         3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash, full 720p recording and 1080p playback (1080p playback through HDMI dock or adapter)
• ·         Front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chat
• ·         16 GB on-board storage (actual formatted capacity is less)
• ·         Support for up to 32 GB  microSD^™ card

Business solutions

            Business professionals can feel secure when working on their Tab 7.7 knowing that it is Samsung Approved for Enterprise (SAFE^™).  The SAFE certification signifies that the Tab 7.7 is equipped with an exclusive suite of security features that deliver enterprise-friendly capabilities to help safeguard sensitive data and communications, including Mobile Device Management (MDM), on-device Encryption, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and push synchronization of corporate email, calendar and contacts.
The Galaxy Tab 7.7 provides the ideal balance of portability and productivity so business professionals can get the job done.  Pair the Tab 7.7 with a keyboard dock and maximize productivity with the QuickOffice^® Pro HD application.  Customers won’t even notice they left their laptops behind with the ability to create and edit Microsoft^® Office documents.
Even traveling business teams can stay connected and productive in remote meeting locations, such as airports, with the 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capability.  The Tab 7.7 lets customers share their 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously, enabling leaders to become the team’s Wi-Fi hotspot to rapidly download large presentations and blueprints to review before boarding a flight.
Pricing and availability:

• ·         Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will be available March 1 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $499.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
• ·         Customers that purchase a Tab 7.7 will need to subscribe to a 4G LTE mobile broadband data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Receives Hands-on Treatment At MWC 2012

We’re not sure where Samsung thinks they’re not doing very well in the tablet market, because I think their products are some of the most innovative out there.  Maybe if Apple would stop suing them for 5 seconds they’d recognize they’re doing just fine. While we don’t have any numbers to determine just how well or how poorly they’re doing in the tablet space, we do have a cool hands-on of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, which in essence is a Galaxy Tab with better stylus functionality.  In any event, we say keep ‘em coming Sammy.  Don’t forget to let us know what you think of the device in the comments below.  Personally, I live a life where functionality and productivity are a daily necessity. So the thought of having integrated stylus functionality is a plus.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 official: we go eyes-on

Long live pen-based input! That seems to be Samsung’s new watchword, as they’re expanding the Note series from the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note to a new 10.1-inch model, based around their primary Galaxy Tab line. It’s a familiar device if you’ve ever held a Galaxy Tab 10.1, even more so if you happen to have seen the German G-Tab 10.1N, as the new series of tablets copies its speaker-forward design. Specification wise, it gets an upgraded 1.4 dual-core Exynos processor and a new “8 Pi” S-pen works in conjunction with a Wacom digitizer and Samsung touch apps. Storage gets a new, larger 64GB option – otherwise, the tablet is identical to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 2.

The biggest changes to the user experience come from a series of software apps running on the Ice Cream Sandwich-TouchWiz OS. In addition to the pen-based input, Samsung is pushing its “Live Panels” series of widgets, calling the experience a Multi-Screen interface. There’s a heavy emphasis on notation, with magazine, diary, flash card and sketchbook apps. But it’s more than just simple input: built-in handwriting and pattern recognition can convert your words to electronic text, even for standard mathematical functions. Simple shapes can be vectorized using Samsung’s proprietary software.
And it isn’t just Samsung who’s invited to the party. The Galaxy Note 10.1 includes Adobe’s Photoshop Touch and Adobe Ideas, a pair of apps that normally cost $10 each. They both take advantage of the digitizer and stylus to sense pressure, speed and stroke, not unlike the desktop version of Photoshop working with a Wacom digital pad. Other Samsung pen-enabled apps include Slice It! and Comic Book as well as Catch Notes, Touchnote, and Hello Crayon.

Samsung hasn’t said when the larger Galaxy Note will become available, or for how much. Since they wouldn’t let us handle the device ourselves, we’ve got to assume that there’s a good bit of software engineering left to do. Obviously it’ll warrant a premium over the standard Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 model, but since that is (and this is being generous) a light refresh at best, there’s no way to know how much that will cost when it comes to market, either. Considering the added pen-based functionality and the new Samsung processor, the Galaxy Note 10.1 can now be considered Samsung’s flagship tablet. We’ve been keeping an eye open around MWC 2012 for that rumored 11.6-inch tablet, but so far, it hasn’t appeared.