Samsung has revealed its Galaxy Camera, an Android 4.1 powered 3G/4G toting camera with onboard editing, social sharing and a huge 21x optical zoom. Revealed at IFA 2012, the Samsung Galaxy Camera brings a 16-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS paired with a 23mm wide-angle lens and a Smart Pro system that helps entry-level users get the sort of photos usually reserved for those with years of experience and DSLRs. Then, they can be edited and uploaded to social networking sites like Facebook and Google+, all from the camera itself.
Control is via a 4.8-inch 1280 x 720 touchscreen running at 308ppi, along with the voice control that’s part of Android. There’s also the same sort of in-device intelligence that we’ve seen on the Galaxy S III – in fact it runs on a 1.4GHz quadcore processor too – with the Galaxy Camera able to create folders automatically, identify faces, and tag with location. It will also sift through your shots and make suggestions as to which might not be up to scratch and which you might want to delete.
Reviewing photos can be done in the usual Android gallery manner, but there’s also support for multi-tag searches, allowing users to pull out images from a certain holiday featuring a certain individual. 35 photo editing options are available, including brightness, contrast and filters, though if you have a third-party camera app, like Instagram, you can use that instead. Finally, all of Android’s usual sharing options are on offer, so it’s possible to fire off photos and videos to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or other social networks, along with WiFi Direct for device-to-device sharing. Images are automatically backed up to cloud storage for safe-keeping.
In fact, most of what you’d find on an Android phone or tablet is present, bar voice calling – even though there’s that HSPA+ modem, it’s only for data. Still, that means there’s support for browsing on the vast display, managing all your email accounts and contacts, calendar and gaming, as well as support for third-party apps downloaded to the camera. Storage is courtesy of a microSD card, and there’s an HDMI output for directly hooking up a TV.
While Samsung is among the smartphone manufacturers pushing the envelope with phone-cameras, the Galaxy Camera is definitely a camera first. There’s an Expert mode with support for manually adjusting aperture, shutter speed, ISO and other settings, and of course the dimensions are more akin to a point-and-shoot camera than they are a phone. You also get a pop-up Xenon flash.
Samsung is in talks with carriers regarding potential subsidies, and isn’t talking about specific pricing as yet. Still, it says we should expect the Galaxy Camera to be priced akin to a premium model, so we’re guessing in the region of $500+. It will go on sale in Q4 2012.
Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Note II, the successor to its surprising hit “phablet” the Galaxy Note, with a 5.5-inch stylus-enabled display and 1.6GHz quadcore processor. Running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with 2GB of RAM, the Note II also includes a fatter, longer stylus – though still fitting it into the body of the phone itself – with a new rubber tip for more comfortable handwriting and sketching. Perhaps most impressive, though, are the dimensions: by trimming the bezels, Samsung has managed to bring the new Note II in at almost the same size as the model it replaces, despite the larger screen.
In fact, it’s 9.4mm thick and 180g, and bears more than a passing resemblance to the Galaxy S III. Two color versions will be offered – marble white and titanium grey – and three storage models, 16/32/64GB. The screen, an HD Super AMOLED, has lost a few pixels in width – it’s now 1280 x 720 rather than 1280 x 800 – but the battery has gained capacity, now up to 3,100 mAh and, Samsung told us, charges more quickly and lasts for longer than on the Note. Connectivity will likely include various 4G models, along with NFC, WiFi and Bluetooth.
The biggest changes, though, are to the software, which Samsung continues to refine for digital notetakers. Pull out the S Pen stylus and Popup Note loads for quickly jotting down reminders; hold down the barrel button on the side of the stylus and swipe up, and you get Quick Command, which uses handwritten shortcuts to toggle settings or load apps. It’s also capable of more advanced functionality: for instance, you can write “@ Paul” and then a brief message, and it will open up a new email, address it to Paul, and paste the message into the body.
Other changes make the most of the screen size on offer. The gallery can now show a column of albums on the left and their contents along the right, all on the same screen, and the Popup Play floating video tool we saw on the Galaxy S III has been brought over and makes more sense on the larger Note II display. Hover the nib of the pen over a gallery folder, message, calendar entry, contact or photo, and it will expand as a preview. The same system gives video timeline previews as you hover-scrub through clips.
Facebook calendar entries now sync with Samsung’s own calendar, and there’s a Screen Recorder tool that can create a video clip of your pen actions, useful if you need to show someone exactly what changes you need made to a document or presentation. As before, clipping out sections of the display as screenshots is simple, and there’s handwriting recognition.
Samsung hasn’t confirmed pricing, nor carrier versions, but we’d expect to see the same sort of numbers and availability as the existing Note when the Galaxy Note II hits stores in Q1 2013.
Samsung US gave us the following comment:
“Samsung Mobile is planning a U.S. version of Galaxy Note II, which will be available later in 2012. Building on the success of the original Galaxy Note, we’re confident that the Galaxy Note II continues to redefine what consumers should expect from their smartphone and delivers a powerful, innovative and unique experience. Exact timing and retail channel availability is not being announced at this time, we will continue to share information as it becomes available”
The folks at Sony have revealed a lovely new tablet that you might feel like you recognize at IFA 2012 – the XPERIA Tablet S. Quite similar in shape to the Tablet S from last year, this device has a folded-over magazine shape, 1,280 x 800 IPS display, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This device is bringing in a lovely IR transmitter so you can use it as a universal remote, and it’ll have the awesome NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor under the hood as well.
This device is set to bring a slimmed down design to the market with a casing that’s between 35 and .47 inches thick and it’s much lighter than the previous model at just 1.26 pounds. This device has a massive 6,000mAh battery and is made to work with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The tablet is slated to move forward to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean soon, as well.
This device comes with the Watch Now app for live TV viewing, they’ve got a Guest Mode for working with multiple users on one device, and the whole thing works with Sony’s Music and Video Unlimited as well. The tablet comes with 5GB of space with Sony’s new cloud storage service PlayMemories, and is ready to rock in early September.
So early, in fact, that you’ll be able to get this device on September 7th, with pre-orders starting today. Prices will be $400 for the 16GB model, 32GB for $500 and the 64GB for $600. This device also has several accessories coming too, with a charging cradle, stand, dock speaker, and carrying case set up right out of the gate.
Hyundai is showing its commitment to recycling, using the same name for two pretty different attempts at the crossover SUV market. 2013 sees not one but two Hyundai Santa Fe models: one – the “Santa Fe” – with seven seats and intended to replace the Veracruz, and the other – the “Santa Fe Sport” – trimming the wheelbase, dropping two of the seats and taking on the Ford Escape and other midrange crossovers. We caught up with the Santa Fe Sport, the first to hit the forecourt, to see whether the brand can handle two personalities.
Design
Some crossovers want you to think they’re really coupés. Some encourage you to feel like an urban commando. Hyundai’s strategy with the Santa Fe Sport is to dilute some of the company’s “fluidic sculpture” design language until it could come up with a mass-market pleaser. No gouged slashes or over-sculpted cladding, just a few deft creases and a striking trapezoid grille.
That’s not to say it’s an ugly car, though certain colors flatter it more than others. Silver is a good choice, helping disguise the slab-sides and diluting the over-chromed grille, and the steeply angled rear-quarter window works if only because there aren’t third-row seats to obscure. From the rear it’s the usual SUV stack of metalwork, some silver trim partially alleviating the swathe of plastic across the bottom edge.
The Santa Fe Sport comes in at 184.6-inches in length – the seven-seater will extend that by 9-inches – and has a 106.3-inch wheelbase, the same as the 2012 Santa Fe it replaces. However, it’s considerably lighter than the old model, with Hyundai’s liberal use of high-tensile steel making for a crossover that’s both torsionally stiffer but 266 pounds lighter than before.
Engines and Performance
Hyundai has a pair of engines from the outset, adding in a third powerplant when the seven-seater hits the market. The entry-level is a 2.4-liter mustering 190 HP and 181 lb-ft of torque, with direct injection and a 22 mpg city efficiency rating and 33 mpg highway rating for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) model; optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) sees knocks 1 mpg and 5 mpg off those figures respectively.
Unfortunately, Hyundai didn’t bring its base-spec engine along to our Park City, Utah test event, instead leaving us with only the 2.0-liter four cylinder turbo. That pushes out 264 HP and 269 lb-ft of torque, with 21/31 mpg city and highway economy for the FWD version and 20/27 mpg if you opt for AWD. Both engines get an Active Eco button easily accessed by the wheel, which Hyundai claims can boost economy by as much as 7-percent by adjusting acceleration and other factors.
A six-speed automatic gearbox is standard, built by Hyundai itself using a torque-converter system. It’s a capable ‘box, shifting quickly even when pushing the turbo through the rarified air of the 8,000 feet elevation Park City, and what turbo lag is present is near-imperceptible. Active Eco mode does make changes to its downshifting behavior, however, encouraging the auto to be less prone to dropping down in the interests of better economy. It’s a noticeable difference, though not one we struggled to get used to after a few miles driving.
2013 Santa Fe Sport testdrive:
Unsurprisingly it’s in a straight-line that the Santa Fe Sport is happiest. Road noise is minimal, aided by twin-layer insulation to the windshield, various suspension muffling elements, and other insulation systems, and there’s little in the way of vibration during highway driving. Happily it also avoids bouncing or wallowing, something which can often turn SUVs into boat-like experiences.
Going round corners isn’t impossible, however, even at speed. Hyundai has fitted a three-mode steering system with a straightforward control on the wheel, offering Normal, Sport, and Comfort settings. Often such systems can be near-imperceivable in what difference they bring, but the Santa Fe Sport does in fact show three altered personalities. The company claims that power-assistance varies by 20-percent going from Sport to Comfort modes, and it’s noticeable. At its firmest, you really start to feel like you’re pitching the Santa Fe Sport directly into turns, while at the other extreme the wheel is so comparatively easy to turn you can do it consistently one-handed.
The usual electronic systems and aids show themselves on the Hyundai’s spec sheet, with Downhill Brake Control (DBC) one the company is particularly proud of. Although even the AWD Santa Fe Sport is unlikely to be taken offroad with any regularity, DBC makes descending steep hills straightforward by automatically controlling the brakes.
Hyundai will offer a 3.3-liter V6 with 290 HP with the seven-seat Santa Fe, when that model arrives early in the new year.
Interior
Stepping into the Santa Fe Sport is generally a good experience, with a futuristically swooping dashboard clad in plentiful soft-touch plastics. You’ll need to tick some of the options boxes in order to get the key good-stuff, however: the 8-inch color LCD touchscreen to handle multimedia and navigation is an option, and you’ll need $2,450 for the leather package, though you do at least get a choice of different two-tone colors and finishes.
Families with younger children might prefer to stick with the standard cloth seats, however, which use specially-treated fabric that’s billed as water, stain, bacteria, and odor resistant. Spill chocolate milk across the rear bench and it will stay floating on the surface of the cloth, rather than soaking in, for easier clean-up.
Unfortunately, not everything quite gels. While there are plenty of good decisions by Hyundai – the easily accessed steering mode control, fuel filler release built into the drivers door handle, and tactile button choices – there are some less than ergonomic decisions too. Making the touchscreen an option means there’s some duplication between touch and button navigation, lending the dashboard a cluttered feel at times.
That’s a shame, because Hyundai’s BlueLink telematics isn’t bad once you get to grips with it. As well as turn-by-turn navigation there’s Bluetooth support for hooking up a smartphone; then, you can stream music through Pandora and other apps. Hyundai plans an iPhone app which will allow for remote-start and lock control, while if you log into the companion website you can set up geofenced limits outside of which the Santa Fe Sport can’t be driven. That’s likely to appeal to parents with young drivers on the insurance.
Front and rear seating is comfortable and – with no third-row to accommodate – space for back passengers is ample. In fact, each seat of the rear bench folds independently, with sliding/tilting and integrated heating available as an option. Drop everything flat and there’s a reasonably sized load area. On the plus side, the rear wheel arches make minimal intrusion at the sides, though the seats themselves don’t fold entirely for a completely flat space. Overall, you get 71.5 cubic feet for your boxes, cases and bikes (or 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up), along with a variety of dashboard and underfloor cubbies for salting away bottles and sunglasses.
Pricing
Factor in destination charges, and the entry-level Santa Fe Sport starts at $25,275. You’ll spend $27,525 for the 2.0T version, while upgrading to AWD in either model is a $1,750 option. More expensive are the options packages; in addition to the $2,450 Leather and Premium Equipment Package there’s a $2,900 Technology Package, which also includes the new panoramic moonroof. In general, if you’re content with the base spec, the Hyundai is often cheaper than its crossover rivals, but that advantage is mitigated if you have a taste for extras.
Wrap-Up
Without the seven-seater Santa Fe to compare, it’s hard to know whether Hyundai has scored a one-two punch with its new crossover SUVs. Alone, though, the 2013 Santa Fe Sport is a strong upgrade to the 2012 model. Those paying for it will be pleased by the more flexible engines, improved fuel economy and competitive entry price (just as long as they’re not too distracted by the options), while those along for the ride get comfortable and spacious accommodation.
Those placing particular emphasis on aesthetics may find the Santa Fe Sport too bland in its design for their tastes, though Hyundai’s designers’ restraint should at least broaden its appeal. The 2.0T engine is impressive, punching above its capacity in performance though not sacrificing ride quality. Not, then, a car you buy with your heart, but that’s hardly the recipe for a crossover purchase anyway. The Santa Fe Sport is a capable and affordable option in the midrange segment, and those factors count for a lot.
This week the folks at Apple are continuing their assault on Samsung in the courtroom with further legal action against the manufacturer, attempting here early in the week to have 8 Android devices banned from the USA. These devices are all smartphones and the majority of them come from the Samsung Galaxy S II generation of Samsung smartphones. Along with that set of devices there’s also a 4G iteration of the original Samsung Galaxy S as well as a few other oddities.
The full list includes the Galaxy S 4G, each of the Galaxy S II devices that’ve been released in the USA over the past year, and the Droid Charge, Galaxy Prevail, and Galaxy S Showcase. These devices were each found “guilty” so to speak of patent infringement in one way or another in the 3-week court case that had its verdict read at the end of last week. This Apple vs Samsung trial has been what many have labeled the most important technology-related legal trial of the year as both sides of the battle are major players in the ever-growing mobile gadget market.
We’ve had hands-on looks and reviews done of many of the devices you see above, each of their linked names leading to a post containing said material. These devices appeared in the full Amended verdict that was released over the weekend as well. The Samsung Galaxy S II line has been on the market for over a year with the international version of the original device not appearing here as it’s not sold inside the states. Similar trials are happening currently in several countries around the world.
A similar case in Korea recently results in not only Samsung smartphone bans, but the banning of Apple products as well. This South Korean case banned the iPhone, the iPad, and the Samsung Galaxy S II from being sold inside the country until further notice. Back in the USA, only one device is currently banned from Samsung’s sales lineup, and it’s about to be on appeal since it was not found to infringe on Apple’s patents in the case at hand: the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Have a peek at our timeline below to see other key points in this trial and stay tuned to the main news feed to see if Apple does indeed get a court order on Samsung to stop the sales of their best-selling smartphones. Note also that the Galaxy S II lineup is still in stores as the Galaxy S III is now Samsung’s hero lineup – also available in stores across the USA right this minute.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 phablet is believed to be only days from its official release, but a Korean newspaper claims to have jumped the gun on what, exactly, the stylus-toting handset will bring to the table. The Note 2 GT-N7100 will have a 5.5-inch 1280 x 720 display, so the Seoul Newspaper claims, along with 3G/4G connectivity and a 1.4GHz quadcore Exynos 4412 processor. Somewhat surprisingly, it’s also tipped to arrive running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, not the older Ice Cream Sandwich.
The screen itself uses one of Samsung’s Super AMOLED panels, according to the leaked spec sheet, and there’s an 8-megapixel main camera along with either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Physically, the blunter edges of the original Galaxy Note have supposedly been rounded off, the newspaper says.
None of those details come as any particular surprise, given what we’ve seen of the Galaxy S III and heard whispered about the Note 2 already. Some details, like the camera, are seemingly unchanged from the current-gen model too – at least on paper – though if Samsung can trim down the physical design to make it more pocket-friendly then that might be enhancement enough. That might take advantage of Samsung’s flexible screen tech, allowing the display to curve somewhat around the body of the phone.
Although it met with some confusion when first announced, the oversized Note soon built up a following of loyal users thanks to its accurate digital stylus and expansive screen size, ideal for media consumption, note-taking and browsing. It also prompted rivals to consider larger phones, such as the LG Optimus Vu.
Samsung is expected to reveal the Galaxy Note II at its Samsung Unpacked event on Wednesday, August 29. SlashGear will be right there to bring you back all the details; keep an eye on our IFA 2012 hub for all the news.
New iPhone 5 images have leaked ahead of the smartphone’s expected debut early next month, with suggestions that Apple’s first NFC implementation has been spotted. The photos of the apparently assembled front panel of the new smartphone, discovered on a Photobucket account, include a hitherto-unseen square component covered with EMI shielding, that’s tipped to be a near-field communications chip.
Although the origin of the photos is not entirely clear, the account from which they have been sourced is not without a track record. It was used to reveal that the new iPad would be slightly thicker than the iPad 2, for instance, and has been the source of white colored new iPhone component photos as well.
In this case, it’s the most comprehensive assembly of a leaked iPhone 5 to-date. The handset’s LCD frame, front-facing FaceTime camera, and home button are all in place, showing the camera’s new central position and the elongated display expected to increase the smartphone’s screen resolution to better compete with sizable Android and Windows Phone devices.
Apple’s NFC plans, meanwhile, have long been rumored, though the company has been shy about publicly acknowledging the short-range wireless technology. A digital wallet is the most likely, probably building on the Passbook system in iOS 6, though previous Apple patents have revealed that the company has considered ticket sales, data transfer, and other uses for NFC.
Samsung’s Series 5 Hybrid tablet/notebook will make its official debut at IFA 2012, the company has confirmed, a converting Windows 8 portable with touchscreen control. Samsung took to Facebook to further tease the tablet, asking whether tableteers were “ready to be smart?” with the promise of a Berlin unveil this week. However, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Hybrid.
In fact, Samsung brought the concept to Computex back in June, where it had a detachable 11.6-inch slate screen section and a magnetically-attached keyboard dock. Samsung was coy with specifications at the time – we spotted HDMI, and front and back cameras (2- and 8-megapixels respectively) and an active digitizer stylus were confirmed – so we’re expecting to see full hardware details revealed this coming week.
Samsung has already used its digital stylus technology to good effect on the Galaxy Note and Note 10.1, though those devices run Android rather than Windows 8. The pen is a potentially strong differentiator between Windows 8 machines and Apple’s iPad, supporting higher-accuracy in sketching, handwriting and more.
It’s not the only teaser we’ve seen from Samsung in the past few days. The company had another Windows 8 focused tidbit over the weekend, with what could well be another angle of the Series 5 Hybrid or, indeed, its Core i5-powered Series 7 cousin.
Astronaut and first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong, has died at the age of 82 his family has confirmed, after complications from heart surgery. The NASA explorer, who made history on July 21 1969 when he became the first human to step foot on the lunar surface as part of the Apollo 11 mission, is perhaps best known for his well-quoted comment “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind” but went on to teach at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
Armstrong had undergone heart surgery several weeks ago, and his family confirmed that his death was the result of complications from cardiovascular procedures.
“Besides being one of America’s greatest explorers, Neil carried himself with a grace and humility that was an example to us all. When President Kennedy challenged the nation to send a human to the moon, Neil Armstrong accepted without reservation” NASA administrator Charles Bolden said today. ”As we enter this next era of space exploration, we do so standing on the shoulders of Neil Armstrong. We mourn the passing of a friend, fellow astronaut and true American hero.”
The Apollo 11 mission was the final space flight Armstrong made. The astronaut spent around 2.5hrs on the moon, joined after twenty minutes by Buzz Aldrin, and together they erected an American flag along with a plaque commemorating the event. The pair were also responsible for siting the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package, including a seismometer.
“While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves” Armstrong’s family said in a statement today.
“For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request” they suggested. “Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.” With the Curiosity mission to Mars still fresh in our memories, it’s hard not to be affected by the loss of a pioneering explorer and a man who has come to represent a pivotal moment in space history.
Samsung may be facing a billion in damages after Apple persuaded a US jury that it was an arch copyist, but the company still has snark to spare. The “verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple” the South Korean firm said of the ruling in San Jose this week, “but as a loss for the American consumer.” According to Samsung, the favorable decision for Apple – which saw the Cupertino company escape with zero damages in Samsung’s counter-suits – will mean less choice, less innovation and, perhaps most importantly in the tough economic climate, “higher prices.” Apple isn’t so concerned, unsurprisingly, describing the case as “about much more than patents or money.”
Instead, Apple insists, it’s a matter of “values” – whether you create something yourself, or whether you copy it from somebody else. Samsung argues that, while patent law is important, Apple has “manipulated” its interpretation to the point where fundamental shapes are considered the domain of individual firms.
“Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer” Samsung
Samsung has already confirmed that it will be appealing the ruling, with the company saying it will first attempt to overturn it in post-verdict motions, but that it is not afraid of the Appeals Court if that does not succeed. Meanwhile, cases around the world continue, as Apple and Samsung’s lawyers in different courts chase down localized injunctions and rulings.
Justice Lucy Koh, who presided over the jury trial as well as other recent Apple vs. Samsung cases in the US, has set an injunction hearing for September 20. The two companies will have the intervening time to file responses and counter-arguments.
“We are grateful to the jury for their service and for investing the time to listen to our story and we were thrilled to be able to finally tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trail showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right” Apple
Yet to comment is Google, obviously implicit in Android development, and previously tipped to be Samsung’s shadow partner in developing legal strategies for the Apple suit. Google has been outspoken in its support of patent reform, though has kept a relatively low profile in this particular case.
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