Galaxy S 4, future Samsung devices to use DigitalOptics tech for face tracking

Samsung Galaxy S 4 with Smart Stay active

When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S 4 in March, there was a near-inescapable emphasis on face detection features. What we didn’t know is just whose technology was making them possible. As it happens, it’s not entirely Samsung’s — DigitalOptics has stepped forward to claim some of the responsibility. The California firm recently struck a multi-year licensing deal with Samsung to supply its Face Detection and Face Tracking software, which can detect pupils for interface features (think Smart Stay or Smart Pause) and keep tabs on photo subjects. DigitalOptics hasn’t provided the exact details of its involvement in the GS4, let alone a roadmap, but it’s safe to presume that Samsung isn’t dropping its emphasis on camera-driven software anytime soon.

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Source: DigitalOptics

Samsung Galaxy S 4 coming to AT&T stores April 27th, pre-orders arrive April 25th

Samsung Galaxy S 4 coming to AT&T April 27th

Pre-orders of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 have already begun at AT&T, but the operator has been oddly silent about the actual date customers can expect to purchase one in stores and online. Now that T-Mobile and Sprint have both announced specific launch dates (April 24th and 27th, respectively), the largest GSM carrier in the country has followed up by declaring its intent to sell the flagship Samsung device on the 27th of this month. This is four days earlier than the anticipated pre-order shipment date, which means the HTC One has merely a full week to bask in the spotlight by itself. What’s more, if you simply couldn’t wait and jumped on those pre-orders, you’ll get yours a full 48 hours early (read: April 25th). As expected, the GS 4 will be offered for $200 (16GB) and $250 (32GB) in both black and white.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Source: AT&T (Twitter), AT&T

AT&T bumps up Galaxy S 4 shipping date to April 23rd

AT&T bumps up Galaxy S 4 ship date to April 23rd

AT&T subscribers might not have to worry that their Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular friends will tease them while they’re waiting for their Galaxy S 4 to arrive. While Big Blue was originally promising an April 30th date for the headlining Android phone, the carrier has quietly moved up its shipping estimate to April 23rd, right on time for the initial wave of US releases. Yes, that’s only a week’s difference — but first-kid-on-the-block bragging rights surely matter, don’t they?

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Source: AT&T

Samsung Galaxy S 4 for Verizon signup page goes live

Samsung Galaxy S 4 for Verizon signup page goes live

Want to be sure that you don’t miss the arrival date of the Galaxy S 4 on Verizon? Naturally, you could keep a keen eye on Engadget’s homepage, but Big Red now has a solution of its own that could be worth a whirl. The company has just posted a signup page for Samsung’s Next Big Thing, and so long as you’re comfortable forking over your email address, you’ll receive a notification delivered to your inbox when more details are available. By now, it’s no secret that the Galaxy S 4 will arrive on Verizon in May, but if you’re looking to circle a definitive date on your calendar — and stay in the loop about any pre-order opportunities — then by all means, click on through and hit the red ‘Sign Up’ button. We’re pretty sure Verizon’s third-party marketing partners won’t complain.

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Via: Droid Life

Source: Verizon Wireless

Samsung releases kernel source for a trio of Galaxy S 4s

DNP Samsung releases a trio of Galaxy S 4 kernel source

As Samsung prepares to release its new flagship to the masses, the company is already making moves to accommodate its open source following. Today, the Korean electronics maker served up the kernel source for three versions of the Galaxy S 4. On tap are two unlocked variants of Samsung’s next big thing (GT-I9500 and GT-I9505) along with Virgin Mobile Canada’s rendition of the handset. Seeing how you’ve already seen the device stripped down to its unmentionables, why not go the extra mile and take a whack at its software? That is if you know what you’re doing.

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Via: Android Police

Source: Samsung (1), (2), (3)

Verizon says its Galaxy S 4 is coming sometime in May

Verizon says its Galaxy S 4 is coming sometime in May

If you noticed that Verizon was silent while other US carriers provided their launch schedules for the Galaxy S 4, you’re not alone — it was the only real holdout among the big four networks. As it turns out, the company was just continuing a small tradition of being fashionably late with influential phones. Big Red now says its version of the Samsung flagship will appear sometime in May, skipping past the first wave of GS 4 releases later in April. An exact date? Pricing? Capacities? Those are coming at an unspecified point “soon,” although that may not be soon enough for subscribers who have to own the latest and greatest.

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Via: Droid-Life

Source: Verizon Wireless (Twitter)

Sky Go for Android now streams to the HTC One, Galaxy S 4 and Xperia Z

Sky Go for Android now supports 1080p phones and the RAZR HD

Brits accustomed to catching up on their shows with Sky Go likely don’t want that seamless viewing experience broken just because they bought that latest 1080p-capable Android flagship. Thankfully, they won’t have to. An update to the Android app now supports the HTC One, Xperia Z and the upcoming Galaxy S 4: while none of them will stream in 1080p, the software will at last do more than take up space. Those on the “merely” 720p-native RAZR HD can also tune in with the upgrade. Swing by Google Play for the update if you’re a Sky subscriber with a shiny new device.

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Source: Google Play

The Daily Roundup for 04.17.2013

DNP The Daily RoundUp

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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Samsung Galaxy S 4 up for pre-order at US Cellular for $200, ships late April

Samsung Galaxy S 4 up for preorder at US Cellular for $200 with a free cover

Chalk up another one: in sync with Sprint and T-Mobile, US Cellular has joined the ranks of US carriers detailing their Galaxy S 4 launch plans. The mid-size provider won’t commit to a more specific timeframe for its launch beyond “late April,” but it’s already taking pre-orders for a 16GB edition at $200 with a contract and a steep $750 contract-free. That last detail prices it above AT&T’s offering, although US Cellular is sweetening the pot by giving away an S View Cover to those willing to buy sight unseen. The news leaves just Cricket, C Spire and Verizon without mostly complete Galaxy S 4 plans — let’s hope they pick up the pace.

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Source: US Cellular

Samsung Galaxy S 4 priced at $150 on Sprint and T-Mobile, hits both carriers in late April

Samsung Galaxy S 4 priced at $150 on Sprint and T-Mobile, hits both carriers in late April

US launch details for the Galaxy S 4 are arriving at last, and both Sprint and T-Mobile are on the vanguard. The two carriers plan to sell Samsung’s flagship for $150 in 16GB form, albeit with different pricing strategies: T-Mobile’s plan includes its now-standard device payment installments, while Sprint is discounting the phone from its normal $250 price through a $100 instant credit for those switching to the network. Just when you’ll have the chance to plunk money down also varies. Sprint plans to offer pre-orders starting on April 18th, with an actual launch on April 27th. T-Mobile isn’t giving customers the same opportunity to buy in advance, although they will get to take the Galaxy S 4 home a few days earlier, on April 24th. We’re still waiting on other American carriers to hop on the bandwagon, but we suspect it won’t be long.

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Source: Sprint, T-Mobile