Hasta La Gadget!

Perhaps this is what Samsung meant when it said it would addressing GS4 storage capacity concerns through “software optimization.” An update for the flagship has begun hitting Snapdragon 600-loaded handsets in Germany, and it enables an option to move apps over to the SD card, freeing up some of that precious on-board storage. Other changes, as noted by mobiFlip and SamMobile, include a partially see-through notification bar when using a custom wallpaper, new camera firmware with an HDR video recording option and an “increased legibility” display mode. S Planner and settings icons apparently have a slightly new look, and a Smart Pause toggle has been added to the drop-down list. Samsung may have achieved a modicum of optimization, too: the update reportedly claws back an extra 0.8GB of internal storage. The update will hopefully see a wider release soon, but make sure you’re connected to WiFi before you accept any OTA prompts — it’s a whopping 366MB.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: Android Beat

Source: mobiFlip, SamMobile

While we already knew that Verizon slipped support for AWS-based LTE into its edition of the Galaxy S 4, it didn’t say how those extra frequencies would come alive. The carrier’s Mike Haberman has just cleared the air(waves): he tells Bloomberg that Samsung’s flagship will get a software update to support AWS bands. Haberman hasn’t said when the patch will arrive, although it’s contingent on the higher-capacity 4G network rolling out in the next few months. The GS4 isn’t likely to be alone, whatever the timing. The Nokia Lumia 928 also supports AWS, and we’ve reached out to learn if and when the higher-tiered Windows Phone will get an upgrade to reach its full potential.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, Nokia, Verizon

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Source: Bloomberg

Samsung will be releasing developer editions of the Galaxy S 4 for AT&T and Verizon, according to the company’s site. At least for now, the phone will only be offered in Black Mist, and internal storage is listed as 16GB. It’s not clear exactly when the devices will come to their respective carriers, but they likely won’t be offered with a subsidy when they do. For those considering purchasing Sammy’s latest flagship handset, this offers an alternative to the several variants across service providers, not to mention the stock Jelly Bean version announced at Google I/O. Hit up the source link for more info.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: Phandroid

Source: Samsung

The Galaxy S 4 is now readily available in the US, but it hasn’t had much sway with the prepaid crowd so far. Cricket should be addressing that deficit soon, as it just narrowed down its launch of the Samsung flagship to June 7th. The contract-free carrier is making up for being late to the party with a low up front price: customers can plunk down $55 to start an installment plan rather than pay the GS4’s full $600 cost in one shot. Would-be adopters will need to live in one of Cricket’s LTE coverage areas to pick up a GS4, but those who do may get a rare discount on a (mostly) fresh device.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Cricket

A stock GS4 may look virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor, but it looks like Samsung’s got a new variant of its flagship phone that’ll bring it some much-needed visual flair. The folks at GSM Arena unearthed photos of a GT-I9295 model (allegedly called the GS4 Active) sporting a bright red shell with black inserts at the top and bottom and a trio of physical buttons on its chin. If the results returned by the AnTuTu benchmark are to be believed, the phone’s equipped with standard GS4 fixins: a quad-core CPU clocked at 1.9Ghz and an Adreno 320 GPU (aka, a Snapdragon 600 SoC) and a 1920 x 1080 display. Naturally, there’s no word on pricing, carrier support or an arrival date, but there are a couple more photos of the handset at the source.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: GSM Arena