Samsung Announces Galaxy E7, E5, A5,and A3 in India

Samsung today launched the Galaxy E5 and E7 smartphones in India, making it the first country in the world to get the two smartphones. Along with them, the company also unveiled its metal-bodied Galaxy A3 and A5 mid-range smartphones in India.

While Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 will be available for sale next week, the Galaxy E5 and Galaxy E7 smartphones will hit the market later this month.

Samsung in a statement said that Galaxy E series smartphones feature unibody design, and are aimed at offering "superior viewing and best selfie experience" to customers. Both smartphones feature 5MP selfie cameras and sport Super AMOLED screens. The two smartphones can capture wide-angle selfies and take the shot using palm gesture and voice commands.

Galaxy E5, priced at Rs 19,300, has a 5-inch display panel and runs on Android 4.4 (KitKat)-based TouchWiz software. The smartphone packs 1.5GB RAM, 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 2,400mAh battery.

The Galaxy E7 has a 5.5-inch screen, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and runs on the same TouchWiz software as its sibling. The model has a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 2,950mAh battery. The smartphone has been priced at Rs 23,000.

Both phones have 1.2GHz quad-core processors, 16GB internal storage and microSD card support. The two models measure 7.3mm in thickness. Vodafone will offer 2GB of 3G data for two months to Galaxy E5 and E7 buyers.

Ken Kang, senior vice president, mobile & IT, Samsung India, said, "Demonstrating our commitment to the consumers here, we have selected India as the first country to launch GALAXY E7 and E5 smartphones globally. Continuing our legacy of setting new standards for customer-centric innovation, we are focused on redefining the concept of offering revolutionary devices and expand our leadership position within the smartphone market."



The metal-bodied Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5, which have already been launched in China, cost Rs 20,500 and Rs 25,000, respectively. At 6.7mm thickness, Galaxy A5 is the thinnest Samsung smartphone, while Galaxy A3 follows close behind at 6.9mm. The South Korean manufacturer says it is focussing on yound and style conscious consumers with the two models.

Galaxy A3 has a 4.5-inch screen, TouchWiz software, 1GB RAM, 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 1,900mAh battery. Its sibling Galaxy A5 has 5-inch screen, 13MP rear camera with LED flash, 2GB RAM and 2,300mAH battery.

Like the Galaxy E series smartphones, both Galaxy A series models run on 1.2GHz quad-core processor, have 16GB internal storage, microSD card support and 5MP selfie cameras. Airtel will provide special double data plans on Galaxy A3 and A5 for up to 6 months, Samsung India said in a statement.

Asim Warsi, vice president, marketing, mobile & IT at Samsung India, said, "Both Galaxy A and E smartphones have been designed to empower young consumers and provide accessibility to iconic design and flagship Galaxy features. We are confident that the launch of these new devices will further expand our presence in the mid-segment of mobile phones market in India."

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Samsung roundup at IFA: Note 4, Note Edge, and Gear VR

Everybody knew this was coming. But Samsung managed to pull some surprises from it's bag of tricks which were, surprisingly enough, not leaked before the announcement.

Galaxy Note 4

As expected, Samsung has launched the Galaxy Note 4 at its pre-IFA 2014 event, Samsung Unpacked 2014 Episode 2. Samsung also launched a unique smartphone with a side display called the Galaxy Note Edge.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 comes with the new S Pen stylus with improved pressure sensitivity, as well as the new Smart Select feature, apart from the new calligraphy and signing pen writing options.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 runs on Android 4.4 KitKat, and features a 5.7-inch Quad-HD (1440x2560 pixel) Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 515ppi. It weighs in at 176 grams, and is 8.5mm-thick. 

The Galaxy Note 4 will be made available in 4G LTE and 4G LTE Cat.6 (LTE Advanced) variants depending on the region. The processor will be either a 2.7GHz quad-core processor, or a 1.9GHz octa-core (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-Core) processor. Both feature 3GB of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 features a 16-megapixel autofocus rear camera with Smart OIS, and a 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera with a f/1.9 lens. It comes with 32GB of built-in storage, and expandability via microSD card. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac, GPS/ Glonass, NFC, Bluetooth v 4., IR LED, USB 2.0, and MHL 3.0.

Sensors onboard the Galaxy Note 4 include an accelerometer, geo-magnetic, gyroscope, RGB, IR-LED, proximity, barometer, hall sensor, finger scanner, UV, heart rate monitor. It features a 3220mAh battery.

Samsung is also touting the Multi-Window feature available from the Recent button. 

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in Charcoal Black, Frost White, Bronze Gold, and Blossom Pink in global markets starting October.

Full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note Edge

The Note family added a second new phablet today, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. The name isn't random, the right edge of the screen folds to cover the side of the device and enable unique interactions. So, not the three-sided screen of the rumors but two sides are unique enough.

The Galaxy Note Edge is based on the Galaxy Note 4 internally, but it's the screen that makes all the difference. The folded side adds an extra 160 pixels so the resolution grows to 1,600 x 2,560 (the highest on a pocketable device yet if you keep note on those things) but it also makes the Galaxy Note Edge a bit wider than its straight-screened sibling.

Samsung has added enough smarts to the curved side that accidental touches to it are not a problem.

With the phone locked, the curved side can display the Quick Glance info (time and notifications). When you wake the screen, the side displays notifications for various features, including timer and flashlight shortcuts and even a ruler (which works surprisingly well on the curved side).

With the phone finally unlocked, the number of options grows threefold. You can keep shortcuts on the side for easy access or use the curved side for at-a-glance info (say a Twitter feed or a stock ticker). Or you can use it to enhance multitasking by switching between several screens (think virtual desktops). Event switching between the pages of the homescreen or the app drawer is also handled by the curved side.

Individual apps can put the curved side to use too, usually to keep the main screen free from clutter. Both the camera and the video player put their controls on the side so the screen is left to the viewfinder/video. Samsung will release an API to enable third-party devs to utilize the potential of the curved side as well.

As you can imagine, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge experience revolves mostly around the curved side of the screen. Beyond that it's a Galaxy Note 4 with Snapdragon 805 or Exynos 5433 chipset, Android 4.4, 16MP OIS camera and S Pen stylus.

The Note Edge has a slightly smaller battery (3,000mAh vs. 3,220mAh) and the USB port moves back to version 2.0.

Full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

Gear VR

Samsung announced its first-ever virtual reality headset, named Gear VR. It is a headset that Samsung has built in conjunction with Facebook owned VR company Oculus, and the company aims to invest more in this technology in coming time. 

So, what does it feel like to play a game or watch a movie using the headset? Here are our first impressions of Samsung's new Gear VR virtual reality headset... 

Samsung Gear VR is a pretty big gadget and consists of two parts -- the headset and the strap. The headset is big and characterized by a curvy and sloping design. You need to pop a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in the headset in order to make Gear VR work. 

On the right side of the headset is a touch-sensitive scroll pad that can be used to juggle between different functions on the screen. The volume hardware key is also located on the right. You can change the focus of the image from a scroll wheel located on the top of the screen. This feature works well even if you wear prescription glasses. 

However, if the difference in the power of both your eyes is very big, then viewing the image would be a problem as you cannot change focus separately for both eyes. 

The strap is pretty much what you would expect from a gaming headset: it sets Gear VR on your head such that it doesn't slip off. The plastic piece on strap that goes above the head is shaped ergonomically, such that it is flush with the shape of the head. 

Despite trying to make the Gear VR as comfortable as possible for the wearer, Samsung has not been able to manage the weight of the device. The headset is pretty heavy so your head would keep drooping in front when you wear it. There is no way to add weights in order to balance the weight of the device as well.

Watching a video 

Samsung demoed a video using IMAX technology on Gear VR at the launch event. You can see videos loaded on the Galaxy Note 4 on the headset, and there are a number of content companies that Samsung has partnered with for the device. You can choose content offered by Vevo, Marvel, Imangi Studios, Warner Bros etc. 

When the video started playing on Gear VR, we could see the video as it would look in an IMAX theatre. Move your head to the left or right and you will see empty seats in the virtual movie hall. Look up and you will see the ceiling. It is a very different experience compared to watching a movie on a mobile device. 

However, there is a problem, and a major one at that. Gear VR shows very pixilated videos, even though the Note 4's screen has a QHD resolution. The likely reason is that Gear VR's lenses focus on only a small portion of the screen to play the video and then magnify it up this portion only, thus resulting in a pixelated display. 

Another problem we encountered was the sound quality. The sound is delivered by the speakers of Note 4, and the headset itself does not amplify it artificially. During our demo, this resulted in low sound while watching the movie. Of course, this was in a noisy hall where around 500 people were milling about, so your real-world experience would most likely be better. 

Operating the device is pretty simple: touch the scroll pad on the side to fast forward, rewind, pause or play. Turn the volume up or down using the hardware key on the same side. 

UI which is seen inside the Oculus

Playing a game 

Playing games on a VR device is also very different from playing them on a console, PC or mobile device. You are a playable character in the game and can interact with other characters. Instead of panning over the screen once to see what's near you, on Gear VR (as well as other VR headsets) you move your head to see your surroundings. 

You can perform actions using the touch-sensitive pad on the right side, so picking up objects, moving around etc is done using this controller. 

Low audio was a problem here too, but we don't foresee any issues when you are playing a multiplayer game with friends who are also on Gear VR.

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Samsung Galaxy Alpha flaunts it's metal body!

The day that we had all been waiting for is finally here. Samsung today officially announced the Galaxy Alpha, its new metal touting smartphone that we have been consistently hearing about over the past few months. There have been countless rumors about its specifications and dozens of pictures leaked online but none looked better than the official press images that Samsung has released today.

As expected the Samsung Galaxy Alpha has a 4.7-inch 1280×720 Super AMOLED display, Samsung’s own Exynos octacore processor (Quad 1.8GHz + Quad 1.3GHz) with 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage (no microSD support), LTE-A support, 1860mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, 12 megapixel rear camera with 4K video recording, 2.1 megapixel front shooter and more. Camera modes include HDR, Panorama, Selective Focus, Dual Camera, Beauty Face, Virtual Tour and others.

Software features like the Ultra Power Saving Mode, Download Booster, Quick Connect and Private Mode are also present, baked into Android 4.4.4. There’s support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and USB 2.0. Sensors include an gyro, geomagnetic, hall, light, proximity, gesture and HR. An accelerometer is present onboard as well.Despite its metal build the Galaxy Alpha is just 6.7mm thick and it weighs in at 115g. The Galaxy Alpha will be released in five colors: black, white, gold, silver and blue. Samsung says that the new device will be released sequentially in more than 150 countries starting September 2014.

Conclusion:

Those of you hoping for a metal Samsung Galaxy phone that packs the latest, greatest mobile technology around will be disappointed. Its screen resolution doesn't impress, it lacks the water resistance of the S5 and the camera has been knocked down a peg. Still, it's a good-looking piece of kit and will no doubt receive a lot of love from those of you not keen on the plasticky feel of Samsung's other Galaxy phones. So for now, you have an option only between the build quality of the Galaxy Alpha and the Specs of the S5/S5 LTE-A.

So, that's it guys, hope to see you again soon. If you liked this article, please also read our other articles which are listed on the right and share it with your friends who love Android too! Also, if you want to make sure you are one of the first persons to get notified when we write more awesome stuff like this, add me in your circles, +1 or follow the blog via e-mail!

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini is Official!

They're on it. Another Samsung Galaxy S5 variant to fit another need! This time, it's a phone with a smaller screen for people who prefer it or have very small hands. Many people get fed up with the number of devices Samsung releases every year. But I am all for it. I know they look similar but that is what Samsung is aiming for, a family of phones with one for everybody. Want a brilliant camera phone? Galaxy K Zoom. Want a little rugged phone? S5 Active. A phone with specs of 2015? S5 LTE-A/Prime. This is what everything should be about: variety. If somebody likes the build quality of the M8 but wants a waterproof or a one with even an average camera, god help them. Anyways, we're here to discuss about the S5 Mini so, let's get started!

The S5 Mini is a 4.5" phone with looks very similar to the S5

The device features the same design with the textured back as the Galaxy S5, in a smaller form factor. Samsung is also bringing features that were exclusive to the Galaxy S5, like IP67 certification, Ultra Power Saving Mode, a heart rate monitor and the fingerprint scanner.

The Galaxy S5 mini features much better hardware from the last two generations of mini variants, and comes with a 4.5-inch 720p screen which has a pixel density of 326 PPI. Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core CPU, and includes 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, microSD card slot up to 64 GB, 8 MP camera at the back with LED flash, 2.1 MP front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, USB 2.0, A-GPS + GLONASS, IR blaster and a 2,100 mAh battery. The Galaxy S5 mini runs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box and comes with the latest version of Samsung's TouchWiz UX skin.

One of the major highlights of the device includes LTE Category 4 connectivity, which allows you to download at 150 Mbps. While pricing information for the handset isn't available, Samsung mentioned that the Galaxy S5 mini will be launching in Russia later this month, with other countries set to follow in due course of time. At launch, the device will be offered in four color versions: Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue and Copper Gold.

That's everything about the S5 Mini. If you agree or disagree with my opinions, feel free to post a comment in the section at the bottom. If you liked this article, +1 and follow me or our official page on Google+ by using the sidebar to be one of the first ones to know whenever we post more awesome content like this! :)

LG G Watch vs Samsung Gear Live: First battle of the Android Wear devices!

Google announced the first 2 smartwatches based on Android Wear at Google I/O this year: LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live. In this article, I will first write all the advantages of one watch over the other, then their full specifications and finally, my verdict on which is the best Android Wear smartwatch available for now!

LG G Watch

• Bigger battery: 400 mAH vs 300 mAH.
• Cleaner design.

Samsung Gear Live

• Thinner: 8.9 mm vs 9.95 mm.
• Lighter: 59 gm vs 63 gm.
• SuperAMOLED Display: Saves battery on blacks and gives deeper contrasts.
• Heart Rate Monitor.
• Better Screen Resolution: 320 x 320 vs 280 x 280.
• Higher Pixel Density: 278 ppi vs 240 ppi.

Verdict

There are actually more similarities in both these watches than there are differences. The screen sizes are almost same (0.02 " difference), they both run Android Wear, support Bluetooth 4.0, have a 1.2 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of storage. The Samsung Gear Live obviously packs better specifications as seen above but there is an important thing I want to point out. In India, the Samsung Gear Live is 900 Rs (15 $) costlier than the G Watch while in USA, the G Watch is costlier by 30 $. I would go for the Gear Live because of the following points:

• 1 mm is a lot for thickness and it is also lighter, even though by 4 gm.
• 15 $ or 30 $ are not a concern when you are looking at 200 $+ devices.
• It sure has a smaller battery but the SuperAMOLED screen makes up for it.
• Heart Rate Monitor: It makes no sense to me to buy a wearable and not have it, unless it's Moto 360 :P

That's it guys for this comparison, I hope you liked it! If you did, check out my other articles listed on the right or you can find the ones you might be interested in by using the labels. Follow me or our official page on Google+ to be one of the first to know whenever we write more awesome content! :)

Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A aka S5 Prime Announced!

EDIT: I don't know why but I wrote this article with "Active" in place of "Prime". I fixed it in the article but the link still says "Active". I'm sorry for any inconvenience, if caused :P

The Galaxy S5 Prime was long expected and it finally got announced in South Korea today! The phone is physically similar to the S5 but the specs have seen a huge bump, and so has the price.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A is actually the long awaited S5 Prime for South Korea

Like its predecessor, the S4 LTE-A, this device will likely remain a South Korean exclusive, and boy we have reasons to be jealous. The Galaxy S5 LTE is the first device on the market to pack a Snapdragon 805 processor, rocking Krait 450 cores, 3GB of RAM, and impressive 225Mbps LTE-Advanced network speeds. There’s also 32GB internal storage and support for 128GB microSD card.

But there is still hope for us! Traditionally, the Galaxy Note series always boasts better specs than the Galaxy S series so it is very much likely that the Note 4 will feature similar or hopefully better specs.

The S5 LTE-A in "Glam Red"

Another highlight feature is the display: the S5 LTE-A features a 5.1-inch 2560×1440 WQHD Super AMOLED display, for a record breaking 577ppi, edging out the LG G3, which features the same resolution in a slightly larger format. Aside from the above, the new S5 variant offers the same design, same hardware, and most of the same options as the unit we have already become familiar with.

From the looks of it, Samsung will launch the Galaxy S5 LTE-A in South Korea through SK Telecom for about 940,500 won (roughly US$920) this summer. Color options will include Charcoal Black, Shimmer White, Electric Blue, Copper Gold, Sweet Pink and Glam Red.

Showcase of the LTE-A variant along with the Electric Blue and Glam Red colors

Full specifications:

Thanks for reading guys! If you liked this article, please +1 and follow us on Google+, the link is on the right side. You can find more articles that you may like by using the labels on the right hand side. Keep reading! :D

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 vs iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display

Also read my other article on the Sony Xperia Z2 tablet vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 here. Also, read my thoughts on the new iPads here. Google Nexus 7(2013) vs iPad Mini 2 here.

Anyways, let's get started on this one! 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4

• MicroSD card support.
• Better cameras (8 MP vs 5 MP and 2.1 MP vs 1.2 MP).
• IR blaster.
• Physical home button along with capacitive multitasking and back buttons.
• 3 GB RAM.
• LED flash.
• 14% thinner (6.6 mm vs 7.5 mm)
• Higher pixel density (359 ppi vs 324 ppi)
• 13% lighter (298 gm vs 341 gm)
• 6% larger display (8.4" vs 7.9")
• Notification LED.
• Fingerprint Scanner with multi user suppport.
• Open source Android.
• Voice calling facility.
• Slimmer bezel.
• Wi-fi 802.11AC.
• Back has superior grip and great feel in hand.

Apple iPad Mini with Retina display

• 32% larger battery.
• OS updates are faster.
• 64/128 GB options.
• Aluminum body.
• 64 bit processor

Conclusion:

Is there anything more left to say? :P

Samsung for me all the way. Let me know in the comments which one you prefer!

That's all for this comparison! If you liked this article, please +1 and follow us on Google+, the link is on the right side. You can find more articles that you may like by using the labels on the right hand side. Keep reading! :D

Sony Xperia Z2 tablet vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5

In this article, I told that according to me, the Xperia Z2 tablet was the best tablet of 2014 but out of nowhere, Samsung came out with all guns firing with the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 8.4 Although, I have to say that the screen sizes are a little weird for me. Anyways, in this comparison I will state the differences but mostly the advantages of one tablet over another and then, I will give my conclusion. Let's get started!
P.S.: Also read Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 vs iPad Mini 2 here!

Sony Xperia Z2 tablet:

• 3% thinner (6.4 mm vs 6.6 mm) That said, I don't care if my tablet it 0.2 mm thicker.
• 7% lighter (439 gm vs 467 gm).
• Better processor (Snapdragon 801 vs Snapdragon 800/Exynos).
• MHL 3 input/output support. Read more about it here.
• Water proof and dust resistant IP58 certified.
• NFC. Strange that Samsung didn't include NFC in it's tablet.
• FM Radio with RDS.
• Aluminum frame and glass body.
• Wireless charging.
• Playstation integration.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5:

• Stunning 10.5" Super AMOLED display
• 32% larger battery (7900 mAH vs 6000 mAH)
• IR blaster
• LED flash 
• Physical buttons: Personal preference.
• MIMO Wifi
• Textured back with good grip.
• Stereo speakers.
• 2560x1600 resolution with 288 ppi.
• Thinner bezel
• 4% larger display (10.5" vs 10.1")
• Brighter display.
• Finger print scanner with multi user support. Useful if tablet is shared among family members.
• No MicroUSB flap. This also means that the tablet is not waterproof.

Similarities: 

• Android 4.4 Kitkat.
• 3 GB RAM.
• Adreno 330 GPU.
• 8/8.1 MP and 2.1/2.2 MP cameras.
• Wi-fi 802.11AC support.
• LTE support.
• MicroSD card support.
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 1080p video recording.

Conclusion:

According to me, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is better at all practical things. For e.g: The multi user support, the LED flash, the thinner bezels and the Super AMOLED display whereas, the Xperia Z2 tablet is better looking on paper with the glass back, waterproof rating and MHL 3 support. There is absolutely no doubt that both these tablets are beasts in their own ways and that they couldn't be more different. Personally, I am torn between these two but I think I will give a slight edge to the Xperia Z2 tablet because of it's looks :P

If you liked this article, please +1 and follow us on Google+, the link is on the right side. And also, all our other articles are listed on the right side. Keep reading! :DIf you liked this article, please +1 and follow us on Google+, the link is on the right side. You can find more articles that you may like by using the labels on the right hand side. Keep reading! :D

AT&T Announces Samsung Galaxy S5 Active

Thanks to +TK TECH NEWS , +@evleaks and some other leaksters, we were quite sure what to expect from the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active and the announcement was just more of a formality. AT&T didn't have a big event for this phone but just quietly announced it on it's website and released a video explaining all the features.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is exactly same as the S5 in terms of specs but the real difference is seen  when we look at the body. The back is more rugged and the phone is made shock resistant. The phone is offered in 3 colors: "Camo Green," "Titanium Grey," and "Ruby Red".

"Activity Zone" is an added feature in the S5 Active which gives facilities like timer, compass etc. The Activity Zone can be easily accessed at any time with the help of a "Convenience Key" located on the side of the device.

All other features of the S5 like the 16 MP camera, heart rate sensor, water resistance are retained while shock resistance is added and the Fingerprint Scanner has been removed, courtesy of 3 physical navigation buttons instead of 1 physical and 2 capacitive ones.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is also 4G LTE enabled because of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor but I am pretty disappointed that they didn't increase the battery capacity to more than 2800 mAH. Power Saving Mode and Ultra Power Saving Modes are also present which means even with 10% battery charge left, you can receive and send calls or text messages for upto 10 hours, courtesy of the Super AMOLED display.

If you're looking for a smartphone to take on a construction site or up a mountain, this may be your best bet. It's on sale now for $199.99 with a two-year contract, or through AT&T's various Next installment plans. $714.99. You can also buy this phone off-contract for You can also save $50 on a Samsung Gear Fit when bought at the same time as the Galaxy S5 Active.

That's it guys. You can read all our other articles which are listed on the right side. If you have any question about the phone or any suggestions for this blog, you can let me know in the comments section or on Google+ at google.com/+UltrafiniteBlogspot
Keep reading this blog for all the latest tech news and reviews! STAY COOL! :D

Best Online April Fool's Jokes!

When it's April 1st, you kind of know not to believe everything you see online. Nowadays, tech companies have a lot of fun besides innovating awesome new technology. And this year, mostly all major companies are involved from a legacy I believe was created by Google. Google has always been an awesome company which can be dubbed as a "Community of Geeks" (if it isn't offensive :P) But this year was really special because even sites like The Pirate Bay were involved. Anyways, here is a list of all pranks that I found. Btw, I will keep updating this list whenever I find new ones.

Google Maps: Google release an update to Google Maps yesterday in which when you update the app, open it, press on the search bar and press start, it takes you to a virtual world in which Pokemons are hidden everywhere and the first person to collect them all wins! They also released a pretty hilarious video.

Samsung Fingers: Samsung was the first one to mock wearable devices this year and this was probably the most detailed prank in the history of April Fool's day including specifications and everything. See whole article here.

HTC Gluuve: HTC was quick to follow in the footsteps of Samsung (didn't see that coming XP)  and mocked a wearable HTC M8 lookalike with BoomSound and a camera. Read the full article here.

PA Hover: Perhaps this April Fool's joke hurt me the most. Paranoid Android, a custom ROM maker, were teasing Hover, a remake of Halo(floating window feature) and I was super happy to know they finally announced it. But it was just another prank :( The Google+ post is here.

Youtube Trends: Almost every department of Google have their own prank so who can stop YouTube? In  a released video, YouTube "revealed" every viral video ever was meticulously crafted by the YouTube staff and they even predicted the future viral videos of 2014.
Extra tip: If you search "clocking" on YouTube, you will see a stick figure clock! (See the video below if you don't know what clocking means)

XDA Boots: XDA is another geek community who always have fun while making awesome new ROMs. Today, XDA announced "Boot" which allows any user to request to 'boot' their account which basically means they won't be able to access it for the specified duration of time. Full article here.

Nokia 3310: The Nokia 3310 is one of the most famous "non-smart" phones ever. It is speculated that Chuck Norris once dropped his Nokia 3310 and it caused an earthquake in Haiti :P Anyways, the only thing that held back the 3310 was it's camera. But this is no longer. Nokia officially announced that they will be re-releasing the 3310 with a 41 MP pureview camera!! Read full article here.

Google Chrome emoji: The Chrome department of Google release an update to the Play Store and Apple App Store with a simple slogan, "Emojify the Web". After installing the update, you can see in the menu, an option to "Translate to Emojis", clicking which, will try to translate the text into Emojis! If you are reading this on Chrome browser on you iPhone or Android device, tell me what things in this article are Emojified in the comments section! Watch the full video here.

Oppo O lenses: Oppo is desperately trying to join the "Elite" smartphone manufacturers of the world and in my opinion, it is succeeding! When the engineers at Oppo aren't designing a next-gen 2K display, they design O-lenses! O-lenses are smart contact lenses that everybody dreams of! Read full article here.

Sony power food: This prank is pretty simple. The people at Sony have discovered a new enzyme called Voltaic enzyme. This enzyme can convert food fats directly to power and you can be saved at crucial times!

Google Magic Hand: This prank comes from the Japan division of Google. The Google Japanese input keyboard has a swipe to type feature and this "magic hand" is basically a joystick which can make it easier for touch controls. The video also contains other little jokes like wearing your magic hand as a tie!
Note: Turn on the Closed Captioning in English as the video is in Japanese.

Motorola Boot animation: The work environment at Motorola has become very similar to Google after it's acquisition and take over by Lenovo. A few days ago, it was confirmed that Google had started asking manufacturers to brand boot animations with a specific "Powered by Android" lockup as part of Google's Mobile Services license. Samsung's Galaxy S5 and HTC's new One M8 both carry the branding, and today Motorola's Moto X and Moto G have joined the party, but Motorola has something else in store as well - a new boot animation just in time for April Fools Day. The animation features a UFO, bigfoot, and the Loch Ness Monster, all exposed by Motorola's spotlight. Check out the full sequence below.

The Pirate Bay: The Torrent search giant announced that they deleted all torrents and now we can see, feel and hear Pirate Bay. Read full article here.

Virgin Mobile Canada: Smart Shoes were the only thing left and Virgin Mobile Canada has made it a reality in the form of a April fool's prank. There are two versions of this "smartshoe": Smartsneak and Smartletto. Read full article here.

Mycolorscreen's MyColorLife: Mycolorscreen is the best Android homescreen theming sites and today they released a video stating that from now on, they will also help in "theming" your home, choosing wallpapers, locks etc. If you own an Android device, I personally recommend you to go to Mycolorscreen for theming your device!

Chromecast for squirrels: Squirrels need entertainment as well, don't they? That's why Google decided to make chromecast in a way that is very easy for squirrels to watch shows like "Squirrels got Talent" on their TV from the internet!

Google+ Auto Awesome David Hasselhoff: Google+'s Auto Awesome feature is really awesome and for today, the Baywatch star can photobomb into any of your photos!

Franco Kernel updater: Okay, this is another one of those Android power user kind of things. The Franco Kernel is a kernel for Nexus devices that makes your device feel super fast and smooth. There is also an app on the Play Store called the Franco Kernel Updater which helps you to easily update your kernel whenever a new version is available and the money can also help +Francisco Franco to develop. Franco posted on Google+ today that the app is free from today. But after checking the Play Store, I got sad. Well played Franco, well played. :P

Swiftkey Flow Hard: This is the only April Fool's prank that is quite awesome and actually works! Swiftkey is a very famous aftermarket Android keyboard and I think it recently made an appearance in iOS as well. Swiftkey Flow Hard allows you to swype with your physical keyboard and it worked almost 6/10 times for me in the test space thay have provided. Read the full article and try swiping here!

CyanogenMod: If Paranoid Android was involved into April fool's day, what can stop Cyanogenmod? In yesterday's nightly, Cyanogenmod turned all ringtones into voices of sheep!

Samsung Galaxy Spoon: Our friends at Samsung Austria seem to understand our passion for food and taking pictures of food. The Samsung Galaxy Spoon allows you to eat and share picture of the food that you are putting in your mouth in real-time. There is also a feature where you can receive a warning message when you have eaten too many calories or when the food is still too hot for your mouth. Now all wehave to wait for is the Samsung Galaxy Dinner table set.

Samsung Fli-Fy: Samsung Mobile UK has unveiled Samsung Fli-Fy pilot scheme in London. Fli-Fy, a micro-router, delivers free Wi-Fi and is able to connect thousands of devices with superfast download speed by enabling Micro-routers on pigeons. Pigeons have hollow legs, which allow for an electric charge to flow up into the micro-router; pigeons can keep the network powered by simply standing on power lines. So no worries about the power supply. This innovative pilot scheme can potentially support up to 20G network, which is super innovative super-fast. If this pilot scheme is successful, Samsung will roll out the network across the entire UK. This will also include the release of the free Samsung Fli-Fy app – available on Samsung Apps – which will allows users to check the strength of their local network. So next time you see pigeons, feel free to feed them and keep your wi-fi karma going strong.

Samsung Puppy Fit: To have a healthy relationship with your puppy, it is not only important for you to stay healthy, but it is also important for your puppy to stay fit as well. A relationship is a two way street and both parties need to put effort into it. Samsung Puppy Fit will help your dog get in shape with its various innovative features. We have no idea how many colors Samsung Puppy Fit comes in, but so far the dog communities seem to show their enthusiasm with their tails.

Woah! Those are a lot of merry pranksters on the internet! So... That's it guys, hope to see you soon. If you liked this article, please also read our other articles which are listed on the right and share it with your friends who love Android too! Also, if you want to make sure you are one of the first persons to get notified when we write more awesome stuff like this, add me in your circles, +1 or follow the blog via e-mail!

Xperia Z2 Tablet vs Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 vs iPad Air

Sony announced their new Xperia Z2 tablet at MWC and it is looking pretty solid to me. I think Sony has a winner in their hand because they kept all of the good features of the Xperia Z tablet (glass back, waterproof etc.) and upgraded other features to keep up with the new wave of performance hungry apps (processor, RAM etc.). In this article, I compare it with two of the best tablets today, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 and the iPad Air.

	Sony Xperia Z2	Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1	Apple iPad Air	Winner
OS	Android 4.4.2	Android 4.4.2	iOS 7
Announced	Feb-14	Jan-14	Nov-13
Display Size	10.1"	10.1"	9.7"
Resolution	1920x1200	2560x1600	2048x1536	Samsung
PPI	224	300	264	Samsung
Weight	439 gms	469 gms	469 gms	Sony
Thickness	6.4 mm	7.3 mm	7.5 mm	Sony
Camera	8.1 MP	8 MP	5 MP	Sony
Secondary Camera	2.2 MP	2 MP	1.2 MP	Sony
Water/dust proof	Yes	No	No	Sony
Processor	2.3 GHz quad core Snapdragon 800	Quad-core (1.9 + 1.3) GHz Exynos Octa 5420	Apple A7 64-bit
RAM	3 GB	2 GB	Not announced	Sony
Expandable Storage	Yes	Yes	No

Conclusion

In my opinion, Sony has created the best tablet of 2014 (so far, I am looking forward to the Google Nexus 10 2) and would recommend anyone to buy it disregarding the pricing which hasn't been announced yet. Being an Android power user, the software is no issue for me because I can root it anytime and install a custom ROM or even stock android. Obviously, this isn't possible for everybody but, it's still an option whenever you buy and Android tablet!

So that's it guys, hope to see you soon. If you liked this article, please also read my other articles which are listed on the right and share it with your friends who love Android too! Also, if you want to make sure you are one of the first persons to get notified when we write more awesome stuff like this, add me in your circles, +1 or follow the blog via e-mail!

Next Gen Exynos Processors Announced by Samsung

Samsung Electronics announced a broad range of cutting-edge products – two Exynos application processors, two CMOS image sensors, an NFC IC and a Wi-Fi chipset for use in advanced smartphones and tablets. The new Exynos 5422 is most likely to be included in the International variant of the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Exynos Application Processors for Ultimate Display Support, Longer Battery Life and Wider Applications

Samsung’s new Exynos 5422, an advanced Exynos 5 Octa product for premium mobile devices, is designed to support the ever-increasing needs of high-resolution displays and complicated computation without sacrificing battery life. This new processor is equipped with eight cores—four big cores (ARM® Cortex®- A15™ up to 2.1 GHz) for heavy loads and four small cores (ARM® Cortex®- A7™ up to 1.5 GHz) for lighter jobs—that deliver up to 34 percent higher performance than in previous Exynos Octa models. Due to Samsung’s further optimized big.LITTLE™ HMP (Heterogeneous Multi Processing) technology, any combination of up to eight cores is engineered to provide optimum performance for any given task.

To support high-resolution displays requiring a higher rate of data calculation and bandwidth, such as WQHD (2560 x 1440) and WQXGA (2560 x 1600), Samsung has adopted new solutions with proprietary mobile image compression (MIC) and adaptive hibernation technology. With MIC, display data is compressed into half to minimize memory bandwidth requirement and uses only four MIPI lanes.

To further reduce power requirements, an adaptive hibernation algorithm detects non-moving parts of dynamic images and freezes the data transfer. Both technologies are implemented in conjunction with Samsung’s mobile display driver IC (S6E3HA0 for WQHD and S6E3FA2 for FHD respectively), and save power consumption by up to 10 percent compared with conventional technologies.

Samsung’s new Exynos 5422 also delivers an outstanding multimedia experience through advanced Multi Format Codec (MFC) that supports 4K UHD resolution. These multimedia enhancements enable users to enjoy life-like multimedia experience by creating and uploading richer mobile contents with greater ease.
Exynos 5422 is developed using Samsung’s advanced 28 nanometer (nm) fabrication process node and supports HMP feature, saving overall power consumption by up to 10 percent with improved performance compared to mobile application processors fabricated with the 32nm process. Samples of the processor are available now and scheduled for mass production in the first quarter of 2014.



Another addition to the Exynos portfolio, Exynos 5 Hexa (Exynos 5260) is designed to bring optimal performance and power efficiency required in the increasing mid- to high-end mobile market. The new Exynos 5 Hexa processor is powered by six CPU cores; two 1.7GHz ARM® Cortex®-A15 cores and four 1.3GHz ARM® Cortex®-A7 cores. Along with Exynos 5 Octa products, it adopts big.LITTLE HMP to provide the right mixture of cores for various tasks, resulting in up to 42 percent improved performance when compared with the previous Exynos 5 Dual products.

Equipped with an embedded Display Port (eDP) interface and memory bandwidth supporting up to 12.8GB/s, the Exynos 5260 also supports WQXGA (2560 x 1600) display resolution. For excellent video experience, it is integrated with a video codec that enables Full HD (1080p) playback at up to 60 frames-per-second (fps) with encoding and decoding of various standards, such as H.264, MPEG4 and VP8. Exynos 5260 is currently in mass production.

16Mp and 13Mp ISOCELL CMOS Image Sensors for High-Quality Viewing Experience

Samsung’s new CMOS image sensor technology, ISOCELL, substantially increases light sensitivity and effectively controls the collection of electrons, resulting in higher color fidelity even in poor lighting conditions. By incorporating ISOCELL, the image sensor will have 30 percent decrease in crosstalk; 30 percent increase in full well capacity; and 20 percent wider chief ray angle. Using the new technology with 1.12µm ISOCELL pixels, Samsung is introducing two new CMOS image sensors —16 and 13 MP.



The 16 MP ISOCELL imager provides a wider, clearer viewing experience to mobile device users by implementing a 16:9 aspect ratio, allowing for full-size, high-resolution images and video to be displayed on screen without field-of-view (FOV) loss. This high-speed sensor captures full FOV 16:9 full HD (1080p) video at 60fps, and for the first time in the industry, enables continuous shooting of all 16 MP at 30fps. Samples of the 16 MP ISOCELL CIS are available now and scheduled for mass production in the first quarter of 2014.




Samsung’s new 13 MP ISOCELL CIS features Smart Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology, which allows users to capture images at 30fps. With a mosaic pattern of multiple exposures, images are then processed with an advanced algorithm for wider dynamic range. This enables users to capture details clearly in both bright and dark areas even in high contrast lighting conditions. This Smart WDR feature is based on Samsung’s advanced 65nm stacked process, where the pixel array is attached right on top of the logic circuit. Samsung’s 13 MP product is sampling now and is scheduled for mass production in the second quarter of 2014.

3rd Generation NFC Chip Solution for Expanding Mobile Payment Ecosystem

Samsung introduces its 3rd generation near field communications (NFC) chip solution. This is the industry’s first NFC IC using 45nm embedded flash process, which enables easy and secure firmware updates as well as low power consumption.

This new NFC solution offers handset designers more flexibility by adopting the industry’s smallest antenna with enhanced radio frequency performance. This was made possible by Samsung’s proprietary Smart Antenna technology, which optimizes impedances of both receiving and emitting parts respectively to improve sensitivity and power efficiency. The NFC chip solution is currently being sampled to customers and is scheduled for mass production in the second quarter of 2014.

Wi-Fi Solution with Low Power Consumption for IoT Applications

Samsung offers its first wireless connectivity solution, S5N2120, for the growing Internet of Things (IoT) market. This solution supports IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, and has an extremely small footprint, which is essential for a wide array of applications.

This solution features an integrated micro control unit (MCU) with a power amplifier, power management, audio codec and direct microphone functions. With this MCU, OEM customers can easily reconfigure their existing designs to add Wi-Fi connectivity functions. This allows for a shorter development lead-time and less engineering resources are required.

This flexibility along with excellent performance and a small footprint is optimal for battery-constrained applications such as Wi-Fi speakers, headsets, remote controls, digital & sports cameras, smart heating/cooling meters, sensors and other types of IoT or M2M applications. Samsung’s new Wi-Fi connectivity solution, S5N2120, is currently sampling and scheduled for mass production in the second quarter of 2014.

So that's it guys, hope to see you soon. If you liked this article, please also read my other articles which are listed on the right and share it with your friends who love Android too! Also, if you want to make sure you are one of the first persons to get notified when we write more awesome stuff like this, add me in your circles, +1 or follow the blog via e-mail!