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Samsung Galaxy Note 3, smarwatch
Samsung on Monday made it clear that it’s readied an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean software update that will let certain US smartphones pair with the company’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
This announcement dovetails with an earlier statement that Samsung would push out the update on a global scale.
The Premium Suite software package will give the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 smartphones the enhancements they need to work with the new smartwatch, a USD 300 accessory which was previously available only with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
Owners of the Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Mini, and Galaxy Mega phones, who also aim at the Gear, need to hold tight: the update for these phones is slated for “the coming months.”
In addition to Android 4.3 features and Galaxy Gear compatibility, the Premium Suite brings a few Samsung extras to the camera, such as a split-screen mode, and a simplified home screen option.
JPN
It looks like Samsung is working hard to bring Galaxy Gear support to Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners around the world, including in the United States, where a leaked timeline suggests that the Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 roll out could begin as early as next week with Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 roll outs starting in November.
At the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch event, Samsung also announced a Galaxy Gear, its smartwatch accessory that can pair with the Galaxy Note 3 to answer calls, answer messages and more. At the event, Samsung confirmed that it would be rolling out an update to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 in bring support for Galaxy Gear. The update was not detailed but it was clear, at the time, that it would be Android 4.3.
Android 4.3 brings Bluetooth LE support with it and both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 were both rumored to have skipped Android 4.2 in favor of Android 4.3. So, it wasn't surprising when Android 4.3 details started to emerge for all three devices, culminating in a release of the Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update earlier this month. Rumors have pointed to Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 updates starting in October or November and now, we have more confirmation that this will be the case.
Thanks to a leaked Best Buy document, provided to Geek, it appears that Samsung is ready to launch an ambitious Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 roll out in the United States. According to this document, it appears that a Galaxy S4 roll out in the United States is close with Verizon supposedly planning a roll out on October 28th.
That will evidently kick off a series of Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 updates, ending with T-Mobile's on November 18th. These dates are subject to change and unfortunately, in the world of software, they often do change.
As for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, Sprint is rumored to be kicking off the Galaxy S3 updates on November 6th and AT&T and Sprint are slated to roll out the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update on November 20th. Again, dates subject to change. If these hold up, it looks like there will be a ton of happy Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4 owners around the U.S. in just a few short weeks.
With the holiday coming up, Samsung is likely working extremely hard to get Galaxy Gear support to owners of its older devices. With the report citing a high return rate and the Galaxy Gear getting widely panned in reviews, Samsung is likely hoping that these updates will entice consumers to adopt its expensive accessory.
The updates are also expected to bring:
Rumors have also suggested that the Galaxy Note 2 update will come with Galaxy Note 3 features in addition to the Galaxy S4 features that were promised earlier this year. The Galaxy S3 should get Galaxy S4 features as well but Samsung still hasn't confirmed this.
Samsung’s second generation Galaxy Note has long been expected to receive Android 4.3 next month. A new series of test firmware leaks suggests the rumour may be true.
Samsung is expected to rumoured to release Android 4.3 update for Note 2 in November.
Recently, a new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean test build with build version N7100XXUEMJ5 was leaked for the international model of Galaxy note 2.
The test firmware is for users in Asia. As the N7100XXUEMJ5 build is an unbranded firmware, it can be installed on unlocked GT-N7100 units, irrespective of country and region.
Click here or our step-by-step guide to install N7100XXUEMJ5 Android 4.3 test build on Galaxy Note 2.
Earlier this month, an Android 4.3 test build with base firmware XXUEMI6 was leaked for the Galaxy Note 2. N7100XXUEMI6 is the first Android 4.3 leak for the handset. This firmware was meant for users in Europe.
Samsung is expected to release the official Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy Note 2 some time between late November and December.
Sammobile now reports that to meet the November release deadline, Samsung is releasing new test builds frequently so that it can filter all the bug issues before the final version is rolled out. However, Samsung is yet to provide a date for the update.
As for the new features, Samsung is said to have updated the core UI elements in Android 4.3 for the Galaxy Note 2, which is more like the Galaxy S4/Galaxy Note 3′s interface and also the tabbed settings. Additionally, the leaked Android 4.3 build for Note 2 integrates Samsung Knox and Samsung Wallet and various features taken from the Galaxy S4 and the Note 3. The update is still under development and Samsung may introduce more features before the final version is pushed out.
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has been a popular handset with both owners and developers. It will get an update to Jelly Bean 4.2.2 but we have no idea when. However if you don't want to hang around and wait for it then you can update now with a custom ROM.
You can update to Jelly Bean 4.2.2 if you own the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 international version. The ROM is available for the AT&T Galaxy Note 2, Verizon Galaxy Note 2, Sprint Galaxy Note 2 and the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2, but your handset will have to be rooted.
You will need to ensure that you have about 70% left on the battery on your device.
You should turn off the security apps on the handset and the computer.
Go into Settings – application development and USB debugging and ensure that this has been enabled.
You will also have to have ClockworkMod installed on your device.
To install the ROM follow the steps that are outlined below.
1. Install the Samsung USB drivers on your computer.
2. Connect your Galaxy Note 2 to the computer then copy the appropriate custom ROM and the Google Apps package on the SD card of your device.
3. Switch off the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and reboot it into Recovery mode. To do this, press and hold the Volume up + Volume down + Power keys after the device turned off.
4. Create a nAndroid backup for your current ROM which you can restore later if something goes wrong. Select " > backup." You can select "restore" if you decided to revert back to your current ROM.
5. In the main menu, select "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition." After that, go back and select "advanced > wipe Dalvik cache."
6. Go back to the main menu and select "install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD card." Choose the custom ROM zip file you have copied on your Galaxy Note and confirm installation. Do the same with the Google Apps package.
7. Once the installation is complete, go back to the main menu and select "reboot system now."
8. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will reboot and may take up to 5 minutes to complete the first run of the latest ROM.
You will now have Jelly Bean 4.2 installed on your device and you will be able to enjoy all the things that come by way of Paranoid Android, AOKP and Cyanogen.
Anyone looking for a handset that has a large display may be taking a look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Apple may have made the display of the iPhone larger, but it is still smaller than most Android handsets.
Of course the Samsung Galaxy S4 has come out but this cannot be compared as it will compare against the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the iPhone 6.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 sales figures came ahead of those of the iPhone 5 . PopHerald told us that for every two Samsung Galaxy S3s that sell, three of the Note 2 sell.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 are much alike. However the Note 2 has a display that comes in at 5.5 inches. They both offer a camera of 8MP and other than the display, there are some differences. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 comes with a processor that is more powerful and it is the latest handset.
In the US there is a dual core processor on the Samsung Galaxy S3 and it has 2GB. Internationally it comes with a quad core and 1GB. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 offers quad core processors and 2GB of RAM.
There is Jelly Bean on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and it comes with a large battery. The Samsung Galaxy S3 arrived with ICS when it came out and now has been update to Jelly Bean with some carriers in the US.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has the best specs; however as it is a large handset it is not suitable for everyone. Those who want a smaller handset may go for the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Samsung Electronics will provide a software upgrade for its smartwatch "Galaxy Gear" to sync with more smartphone devices than just the Galaxy Note 3.
On October 24, Samsung announced that through the Android OS Jelly Bean 4.3 upgrade, Galaxy S4 and S4 LTE-A users can use the Galaxy Gear as well.
Through this upgrade, a total of four devices, including the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Round, can use the Galaxy Gear. The Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will be upgraded later.
Samsung will continue to increase the number of Galaxy Gear synchronizable devices to the Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Zoo, and Galaxy Mega 5.8. Users can upgrade through software updates within the device, or through Samsung's software management program Kies. Samsung Digital Plazas and Mobile Shops also help users with upgrading.
With the Galaxy Gear becoming available for use with other Galaxy products, Samsung expects Galaxy Gear sales to increase. The Galaxy Gear has been slow on sales because only the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Round 2 models are able to sync to the product. With the Galaxy S4 Mini releasing next month in the US, Samsung anticipates some synergy effects for the Galaxy Gear. A Samsung associate said, "Apple has not yet released a smartwatch, so Samsung will use the Gear's compatibility with various Galaxy products to aggressively push for its sales in the North American market."
The Galaxy Gear is a wearable device of the Galaxy series. It can be used in many ways once synced with a smartphone. The Galaxy Gear comes with a 1.63 inch OLED display and a 1.9 megapixel digital camera. Using the S Voice feature, users can dial or receive calls by speaking, and continue the call while multitasking. Users can also control the schedule, alarm, settings, and weather displays with their voice.
Samsung has announced that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update will hit the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 handsets from the end of October and bring with it support for the Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
We’d already heard that the Galaxy S4 would see the latest version of Jelly Bean (and with it Gear support) by the end of the month and it’s good to see Samsung is finally adding more handsets to the roster.
The Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy S4 Zoom, as well as both the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 will gain a separate software update to add Gear functionality.
The 4.3 Jelly Bean update brings easier text input as well as enhanced graphics and multimedia to the brands ageing handsets.
It also means that they gain Samsung’s Knox business solution, Smart Switch, HomeSync and Group Play 2.5.
JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile division at Samsung said “Extending the Galaxy Gear compatibility to more Galaxy devices reflects our deep commitment to continuing to deliver our consumers enriched mobile experiences”
Unfortunately for those using any of the aforementioned S4 variants, or the Galaxy Mega handsets, there is still no word – if indeed there ever will be – on a 4.3 update.
Instead, the S4 handsets are being treated to an internal update to address lack of Gear functionality.
Samsung has said that the Gear update should land from the end of the month, although this will obviously vary depending on market and mobile network.
Diwali festive season in on and most of the mobile phone companies, retailers are in open with attractive offers on their products. Samsung have come up with great offer on the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2.
On these two Galaxy devices one can now get a cash back of 10 percent under the Smart Buy offer. This offer brings down the price of Galaxy S4 from 41500, effectively to Rs 37350 and Galaxy Note 2 from Rs 32150 to Rs 28,935.
Under the Smart Buy offer the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2 are available only on purchase via Standard Chartered credit and debit card and is applicable till 5th November this year. The cash back will be credited into the customers’ Credit Card account or savings account linked to Debit Card on or before 5th January 2014.
The Galaxy S4 is latest flagship from Samsung this year and comes with the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system phone and TouchWiz user interface. It has a full HD super amoled at a pixel resolution of 1920 by 1080 which gives a pixel density of 441 pixel per inches, protected by Corning Gorilla glass. It comes with the Exynos 5 Octa (5410) processor supported by a PowerVR SGX 544MP3 graphics processor and boasts a 13 megapixel camera.
The Galaxy Note 2 is a 5.55 inch phablet with HD super amoled display screen. It has has got a 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and runs the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system and the Samsung TouchWiz user interface. It is accompanied by an enhanced S Pen for better handwriting and photo note. The Note 2 has an 8 megapixel primary rear camera with 4x digital zoom and a host of shooting modes. It is powered by a 3100 mAh battery.
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By Evan Dashevsky | Tech Hive US | 23 October 13
According to Samsung’s latest batch of TV commercials touting the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, you’d think we were entering the dawn of a revolutionary new wristcentric mobile age. Meanwhile, the hands-on reviews of Gear have mostly found it to be a neat little toy that could use a bit more work.
One of Gear’s most unfortunate drawbacks was the watch’s incompatibility with anything except the Galaxy Note 3. No more! Beginning this month, Gear will finally spread its horizons and play nicely with other Galaxy devices.
Samsung announced Wednesday that Galaxy Gear will now work with the Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II through the latest Jelly Bean update. Samsung will also extend Gear compatibility to other Galaxy devices through a separate software update beginning at the end of October. Expect Gear compatibility to make its way to the Galaxy S4 mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and S4 Zoom.
In the run-up to the Galaxy Gear announcement, we were hoping for an open device that could work with all mobile devices, but were disappointed to learn that Samsung seemed to view Gear as little more than an accessory for the Note 3.
While this new (slightly more) open approach may help Gear survive beyond this Christmas season, it is probably is not a viable long-term strategy. With the bounty of smartwatch competition coming down the pike, the market winner will be the one that that successfully embraces the largest swath of the varied mobile phone spectrum, not just a narrow band.
Apple recently launched their latest iPad Air and iPad Mini 2. The iPad Air comes with LED-backlit IPS LCD display, 16M colors, capacitive touch screen and resolution offering 1,536 x 2,048 pixels plus 264 ppi. The device runs on Apple A7 with Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) and PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics).
The iPad Mini 2, on other hand, features Retina Display at 2048×1536 pixels. This is four times the original resolution of the iPad Mini. The device retains the 7.9-inch screen which gives off 326ppi. The device runs on a much improved A7 chip.
Google Nexus 7
The second generation Google Nexus 7 started shipping last September. Just like the first generation, the device is made under Asus. The company made sure the slate is as portable as it can be. Nexus 7 weighs less than 50g and is 2mm thinner than the previous version. Other features include 1920 x 1200 Full HD 1080 display (this is a first for tablets within similar dimensions), 323ppi, 5MP back camera, 1.2MP front camera, Android Jelly Bean 4.3, 4.3 Processor 1.5GHz quadcore and a choice between 16B or 32GB memory.
Xperia Tablet Z
Sony‘s Xperia Tablet Z serves as slate counterpart for Sony Xperia Z handset. One of the best selling points of the Xperia line is the design. It is slim, dustproof, waterproof and stylish. People looking for a premium tablet can find the Xpeira Z slate an ideal choice. The device measures around 6.9mm thick and weighs around 495g.
Battery life lasts over seven hours. The design is impressively futuristic that it can truly rival iPad’s design. Other features include Android 4.2, 1.5 GHz quadcore, 10.1-inch screen plus 1200 x 1920 resolution.
Galaxy Note 2
The Galaxy Note 2 features a 5.5-inch screen. The device doubles as a phone so it is called a “phablet.” One of the most unique features is the S Pen. The stylus allows people to obtain added information on different components or apps of the device by simple hovering the pen over the screen. It is also easier to multitask.
Other features include 1280×720 resolution, 1.6GHz quadcore processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and 16/32/64GB storage.
Kindle Fire HDX
The Kindle Fire HDX moves beyond downloading people’s favorite ebooks. The device now also allows people to download music, television shows and file. Although it seems the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX is dedicated to helping people surf around Amazon’s site, it does have excellent features slate users may find useful and interesting.
Features include 10.6-inch screen with 1920×1200 pixels plus 323ppi, 2.2GHz Quad-cord Snapdragon 800, Android 4.2 with Fire and 16/32/64GB storage options.
To contact the editor, e-mail:
By Jacob Kleinman | October 23, 2013
Samsung announced today that the
According to Samsung’s latest batch of TV commercials touting the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, you’d think we were entering the dawn of a revolutionary new wristcentric mobile age. Meanwhile, the hands-on reviews of Gear have mostly found it to be a neat little toy that could use a bit more work.
One of Gear’s most unfortunate drawbacks was the watch’s incompatibility with anything except the Galaxy Note 3. No more! Beginning this month, Gear will finally spread its horizons and play nicely with other Galaxy devices.
Samsung announced Wednesday that Galaxy Gear will now work with the Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II through the latest Jelly Bean update. Samsung will also extend Gear compatibility to other Galaxy devices through a separate software update beginning at the end of October. Expect Gear compatibility to make its way to the Galaxy S4 mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and S4 Zoom.
In the run-up to the Galaxy Gear announcement, we were hoping for an open device that could work with all mobile devices, but were disappointed to learn that Samsung seemed to view Gear as little more than an accessory for the Note 3.
While this new (slightly more) open approach may help Gear survive beyond this Christmas season, it is probably is not a viable long-term strategy. With the bounty of smartwatch competition coming down the pike, the market winner will be the one that that successfully embraces the largest swath of the varied mobile phone spectrum, not just a narrow band.
Evan lives in Brooklyn, NY and enjoys writing about what future may hold and taking long romantic walks on the beach.
More by Evan Dashevsky
The Samsung Galaxy Gear has understandably received mixed reviews among the majority of the tech world, but what didn't help is the device was only limited to be used along with the Galaxy Note 3. This left many who already owned a Samsung device out in the cold, but the company has apparently opened the doors for its Galaxy Gear to be compatible with a number of previously released Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Note 2.
Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Note 2 owners can now head on over to their consumer retailer of choice and pick up the Galaxy Gear, that is, if they believe it to be a worthy accessory to their already impressive smartphone. If your Samsung device isn't listed as being able to support the Galaxy Gear, your worries will soon be over as Samsung says they will extend compatibility with their smartwatch by the end of October. This means those of you with the Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3 and Galaxy S4 Zoom will be able to get in on the Galaxy Gear fun soon enough as Samsung plans to roll out a separate software update globally at the end of October.
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When Samsung launched its Galaxy Gear smartwatch last month, it could only work with the Note 3 and Note 10.1. The Korean company announced today that the Galaxy Gear will be compatible with more devices including the Galaxy S4, S3 as well as Note 2, after a software update to Android 4.3.
It seems like Galaxy S4 owners in Germany can already use the Galaxy Gear with their mobile phone, as Samsung notes that the software update first landed on Galaxy S4 in the European country this month.
The Galaxy Gear will be compatible with more Galaxy devices — including the Galaxy S4 mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and S4 Zoom – via a separate software update that will kick in at the end of October, though the schedules for software updates will vary by device, country and carrier.
Image via Samsung, headline image via Sean Gallup/Getty Images
When Samsung, Äôs Galaxy Gear smartwatch Launched earlier this month, it was met with some criticism two to its lack of compatibility. Now, However, anyone owning a recent Samsung smartphones including the Galaxy S4, S3 or Galaxy 2 Galaxy Note can use the watch to its full capability.
Into Until this point, the Galaxy Gear was only fully compatible with the newly Launched Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 (2014) since they both like with Android 4.3 out of the box. But as of Wednesday, Samsung, Äôs other recent flagships will be updated to Android 4.3 as well. Galaxy Gear compatibility will be extended to the Galaxy Mini S4, S4 Active, S4 Zoom, 5.8 Mega and Mega 6.3 in the near future. Samsung says the update for These devices will come in a separate release, Äúat the end of October,, Äù but warns That schedules will vary by country and carrier. Into The $ 299 Galaxy Gear features a 1.63-inch touch screen display with a 320 x 320-pixel resolution. Like many smartwatches on the market, it Allows you to view notifications including SMS, Evernote and path among others, and includes a built-in pedometer for tracking your steps. Since there, Äôs an integrated speaker, Also you can answer and initiate phone calls via the watch as long as its paired with your smartphone. There, Äôs Also a 1.9-megapixel camera for snapping photos, AI a feature That, Äôs less common among other smartwatches on the market.Into Recommended by
Into Lisa Has Been reporting on all things Mobile for Laptopmag.com since early 2013. When she, Äôs not reviewing gadgets, she, Äôs usually browsing patent databases or interviewing experts to track down the hottest tech trends before they even happen. Lisa holds a B.A. in Journalism from SUNY Purchase and has Contributed to The International Business Times, The New York Daily News and Guitar World Magazine.
The Galaxy Gear is currently only compatible with the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition. However, the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update will extend compatibility to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 2.
Samsung will also extend Galaxy Gear compatibility to other Galaxy devices – including the Galaxy S4 Mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and Galaxy S4 Zoom – through a separate software update beginning globally at the end of October. Software update schedules for each device will vary by country and operator.
"Extending the Galaxy Gear compatibility to more Galaxy devices reflects our deep commitment to continuing to deliver our consumers enriched mobile experiences," said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile division, Samsung Electronics.
The Galaxy Gear will enable Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 2 users to make and answer calls and view incoming messages and notifications with just a glance. For a closer look at more important messages, users can simply pick up their master device and the Smart Relay feature instantly reveals the full content.
With a 1.9 Megapixel camera, users can snap photos by tapping the Galaxy Gear's screen. Photos are automatically saved in the master device's gallery.The smartwatch also has a built-in Pedometer app and can be used to control the music played on the master device.
Samsung said the Android 4.3 update will also provide easier text input, and updated graphics and multimedia. Some Samsung features and applications will also be updated, including Knox (Samsung’s mobile security solution), Smart Switch (which transfers content from other smartphones to Samsung devices) and HomeSync cloud storage.
Technology analyst firm Canalys predicts the smartwatch market will boom over 2014 with the release of a "new generation of devices", with up to five million smartwatches being shipped by the end of the year.
"Smartwatches will be the most important new product category in consumer electronics since the iPad defined the market for tablets," said Chris Jones, a vice president at the firm.
"Software platforms tied to smartwatches will also be a tremendous opportunity for developers to write apps in categories such as health and wellness or sports and fitness."
However, Samsung’s decision not to make the Galaxy Gear compatible with smartphones made by other manufacturers has been criticised by some reviewers, and is likely to limit sales of the device.
Samsung has first mover advantage in the smartwatch space, launching its Galaxy Gear wearable last month. However the mobile companion device only worked if you also picked up Samsung's just released Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy Note 10.1. Which means the vast majority of Samsung's existing user-base are currently denied the chance to indulge their smartwatch-owning fantasies unless they also upgraded their main phone or bought a new tablet. But not for much longer.
Samsung has announced the Gear will become compatible with a swathe of its existing handsets via two updates: the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, and a separate update due to start rolling out globally at the end of this month.
The list of devices that will add Gear compatibility is the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 2 (via the 4.3 update). Samsung said it will also extend Galaxy Gear compatibility to "other Galaxy devices" — specifically saying this will include the Galaxy S4 Mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and Galaxy S4 Zoom — via a separate update (which suggests those devices aren't getting Android 4.3. Or not yet, anyway).
One caveat: Android updates are a notoriously fragmented affair, with carriers acting as gatekeepers to hold back the rollout progress of each update. So it may take a considerable time for the Gear update to be successfully pushed out to all carrier combinations across all markets. "Software update schedules for each device will vary by country and carrier," is how Samsung couches that caveat in its press release.
As well as enabling S4, S3 and Note 2 owners to buy and hook up a Gear, the v4.3 update will add easier text input, updated graphics and multimedia on the Android side, plus Samsung's Knox security offering, Smart Switch, HomeSync and Group Play 2.5.
Once these existing device owners have successfully updated, and if they then choose to shell out $ 299 for the Gear add-on, they can expect to be able to make and answer calls on the smartwatch, and view incoming messages and notifications.
The Gear also has a 1.9MP camera attached to the wristband for taking grainy spy shots without reaching for your main cameraphone. It also has a handful of its own apps, such as a pedometer app.
Reviews of the Galaxy Gear have not been too kind, however — so if you're buying this smartwatch, you are effectively using your own money to volunteer to be a beta tester for an alpha product.
Apple just unveiled their latest tablet, the iPad Air, so how does it stack up to the best of the rest? Let’s take a look as we compare the Air to the concurrently available iPad 2, Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note 10.1, and Microsoft’s Surface 2.
Aside from the iPad Air and iPad 2, which both run iOS 7, the tablets all exist in their own ecosystem. The Galaxy Note 10.1 runs Samsung’s version of Android 4.3 while the Surface 2 gets Windows RT 8.1. It is important to note that despite running the same software as the Air, the iPad 2 does not include support for certain iOS 7 features such as AirDrop, certain camera enhancements, and video sharing.
The smallest of the batch is easily the iPad Air, which earns its name with a weight of only one pound and a slim form factor measuring less than three tenths of an inch. The biggest is the Surface 2, which sports a 10.6-inch display compared to the 9.7-inch screen on both iPad models and the Note’s namesake 10.1-inch display.
In terms of storage, the iPad Air boasts the most numerous options, with configurations up to 128GB (though the price increases dramatically with storage size). All are priced competitively around the $ 500 price point for base models. The Galaxy Note sits as an outlier at $ 549, while the iPad 2 is unsurprisingly the cheapest at $ 399. The Surface 2 manages to come in slightly under the price of the iPad Air. The tablets are priced at $ 449 and $ 499 respectively.
Anyone who has a locked version of a Samsung handsets, for instance the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or S3 can now unlock their device and then use it with any carrier.
Say for instance you bought the Samsung Galaxy S3 with Verizon. If the handset is locked then it can only be used with that carrier. But if you were to unlock it and you are not in contract then you could take it to any carrier.
You would even be able to send the handset overseas.
So take out your Verizon SIM card, or the SIM card of your carrier, and put in any other. Switch your handset off and then turn it back on again.
Go to the dial pad on your phone and type in *#197328640#. Head to your main menu > [1] UMTS > [1] Debug Screen > [8] Phone Control > [6] Network Lock > Options [3] Perso SHA256 OFF. You then need to wait for around 30 seconds before going back into your main menu and selecting back. You should see "Network Lock" now. Choose [4] NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ.
The sequence that you should have typed in is "Asterisk Pound One Nine Seven Three Two Eight Six Four Zero Pound". Don't forget that some people call the asterisk the star button, and call the pound button hash.
You should now be holding a Galaxy handset that you can use with any SIM card anywhere in the world. Bear in mind that as this code has been used for some time you may be able to use it with just about any Samsung device.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is loved not only by consumers but by developers too. It will get an update from Jelly Bean 4.1 to 4.2.2, however we just don't know when this will happen. So if you are fed up of waiting for it, you can install it by way of a custom ROM.
The Jelly Bean 4.2.2 ROM is out for the international version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, which is the handset with AT&T Galaxy Note 2, Verizon Galaxy Note 2, Sprint Galaxy Note 2 and the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2, bear in mind that you will have to root the device too.
There should be about 70% battery life left as you don't want the device to run out of battery when updating.
Go to settings – application development and USB debugging and make sure that you have this enabled.
You also need ClockworkMod installed on your device.
Download the ROM and make sure that you have checked all of the above.
Follow the steps which are outlined below to install the ROM.
1. Install the Samsung USB drivers on your computer.
2. Connect your Galaxy Note 2 to the computer then copy the appropriate custom ROM and the Google Apps package on the SD card of your device.
3. Switch off the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and reboot it into Recovery mode. To do this, press and hold the Volume up + Volume down + Power keys after the device turned off.
4. Create a nAndroid backup for your current ROM which you can restore later if something goes wrong. Select "backup and restore > backup." You can select "restore" if you decided to revert back to your current ROM.
5. In the main menu, select "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition." After that, go back and select "advanced > wipe Dalvik cache."
6. Go back to the main menu and select "install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD card." Choose the custom ROM zip file you have copied on your Galaxy Note and confirm installation. Do the same with the Google Apps package.
7. Once the installation is complete, go back to the main menu and select "reboot system now."
8. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will reboot and may take up to 5 minutes to complete the first run of the latest ROM.
Owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 may have to wait until November before they can get their hands on Jelly Bean 4.2.2.
They may even have to wait for December as it depends on how well the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S4 do. SamMobile was talking through Twitter and they put the delay down to an issue with TouchWiz.
There hasn't been confirmation of this and it was also said that the 1GB memory may be a problem.
The Jelly Bean 4.2.2 update did leak and with it came a new lock screen, effects, transitions and apps from the Samsung Galaxy S4. About the only thing that was missing was the camera app.
So it does look like the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S4 could be the issue here.
When it first arrived it sold more units than the Samsung Galaxy S3 when that first came out.
Samsung may have held the update back so that they can make sure the apps remain exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S4.
If the apps of the Samsung Galaxy S4 were on the Samsung Galaxy S3 people may not want to update. This is something that Samsung will want to avoid of course.
If this is the reason then it is possible that the Samsung Galaxy S4 may get an update around October. People could then choose from the Samsung Galaxy S3 with Jelly Bean 4.2.2 on it and the apps from the Samsung Galaxy S4 or they could go for the Samsung Galaxy S4 with KitKat 4.4.
Android Jelly Bean 4.3 is headed for the Samsung Galaxy S3, and while owners are pleased to hear this, they're disappointed to find out that this update won't be bringing any Galaxy S4 features with it. The Galaxy Note 2 is also in line for this update, which is due out sometime this month. Network carriers are thought to be working on the firmware.
SamMobile said that AndroidSaS leaked this news, alongside the news about the lack of Galaxy S4 features.
It seems Samsung has improved security and fixed bugs from earlier JB versions, and this new update will have Bluetooth Low Energy, OpenGL, ES 3, dialpad improvements, language support and text input tweaks. We're hoping that the TouchWiz hassles thought to be behind the delay have been ironed out.
Samsung also confirmed that this version of JB 4.3 is coming to the Note 2 as well, which is currently on Jelly Bean 4.1.
The Galaxy S4 is to get JB 4.3 as well, obviously, which should make it run better.
Jelly Bean 4.2.2 and 4.3 will change the devices, but because KitKat 4.4 is also out, a lot of people might not fancy getting 4.2.2 or 4.3. Samsung as yet hasn't said anything about the Galaxy S3 bumping up to KitKat.
Google reckons that KK will be coming to some older handsets, but as this update has to be compatible with TouchWiz (groan), it's not going to be a doddle to get out. Note 2 and Galaxy S3 owners can use custom KitKat ROMs if they're a bit impatient, though.
Out of the many Android 4.4 features coming with this update, we like the wider network coverage, the new system UI, the improved CPU support, the battery boost, the new Android cloud system and the all-round smoother performance.
One of the common problems owners of the 16GB variant of Samsung Galaxy Note 2 encounter is running out of internal memory. Consequently, they cannot download or install new apps and other processes would be blocked by the phone simply because there's not enough space to cache data.
Another case is that apps refuse to run because the phone is out of memory or RAM. These issues would appear to be the same but they're not. To differentiate one from another, phone that runs out of RAM will often lag, hang or freeze but users can still save files or install new apps.
When this problem occurs, it means that you need to manage your phone's storage better. Here's what you need to do:
#1. If you love taking a lot of pictures and videos, copy these files to your computer because they often eat up a huge portion of your storage than any other. You may need to download KIES to your computer and install it so that it would be easier to back things up from your phone. On the other hand, if you've installed the right drivers, you can simply copy and paste those file to your computer.
#2. If you're an avid gamer, I'm pretty sure 16 or 32 GB is not enough for all your games. So, you would need to uninstall the apps you're not using to free up some space. After all, you can easily download and re-install those apps if you need them back. Or, you can restore your purchases if you paid for them.
#3. Another effective way to fix this problem is by using Galaxy Note 2?s native file explorer app known as "My Files" to delete pictures that you've already backed up.
For RAM-related problems, you don't really need to delete as much files as the previous problem. In fact, all you need to do is initiate RAM clearing.
#1. Before you go a little further, try to reboot your phone to see if the problem would be solved. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
#2. Go to the Home screen, press and hold the Home button and swipe left or right each app you see. Then tap on Task Manager, then the tab that says "RAM." From there you can see a button that says "Clear Memory," tap on that and you'll clear your phone's memory.
#3. In case the problem couldn't be solved by these simple procedures, you have no other choice but initiate a factory reset.
We are among the very few online communities that is open to receive questions from our readers about the problems they've encountered with their phones. Don't hesitate to email us at [email protected] and tell us your problems and we will do our own research to be able to provide you with solutions and / or ideas that may lead to the resolution of your problems. That's for free. All we ask of you is to mention all possible details so we'll know where to start.
Do you have a Galaxy Note 2 and went green with envy when Samsung showed off the slick new functionality of the Galaxy Note 3's S Pen? Some of the cool new features of Samsung's latest phablet have been ported to its phablet star of last year.
A member of the popular xda-developers forum, going by the tag titooo7 has managed to port some of the features which were announced by Samsung on the Galaxy Note 3. This port is completely unofficial and has nothing to do with Samsung.
The ported features include Air Command, S Note, Sketchbook, S Planner and Gallery among other things. Most of these features are working well enough to not cause any deal breaking problems. A few minor issues persist like you still can't use one hand operation on all apps and the Air View feature appears twice in settings. The issues are mostly very minor and would likely not hamper the overall experience a lot.
We can expect Samsung to officially port the features to its older phablet with the next major update that is pushed to the Galaxy Note 2. The update might come with Android 4.3 package for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Reports have so far suggested that the Android 4.3 update is going to be available only after late November or early December.
But if you can't wait a couple of months to experience the new features, you can go ahead and give the unofficial port a try. Flashing custom ROMs is a moderately risky process and to ensure you don't cause any long-term damage to your device, please follow the instructions on the xda-developers post. We encourage you to wait for a couple of months for the official update but for the curious ones out there, you can try it out right now.
The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for Samsung Galaxy S4 may come very soon. This is due to a test built of the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean had recently been leaked. This leaked test built is available for download.
The leak built was posted on SamMobile and this test built, I9505XXUEMJ3is said to be one of the final builds for the Samsung Galaxy S4. SamMobile also added that there will only be a few tweaks and some minor improvements before the official update is released by Samsung. They expected the official update to be release in these following weeks.
Despite reports saying that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for Samsung Galaxy S4 will be released this month, there is still no word from Samsung or any of the carriers on the official release date yet.
On the other hand, the updates for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 are most probably will be delayed again. There is no telling which Android version these two devices will get. The Note 2 and Galaxy S3 owners might have to wait up to December for the update. This delays might be caused by Samsung's TouchWiz UI.
Lee Don-joo, Samsung's president of strategic marketing for mobile division stated that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be connected to the Galaxy Gear by next month and will soon be followed by the Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy S3. So the Samsung Galaxy Gear will not be limited to just the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 anymore. The Samsung Galaxy Gear was launched together with the Galaxy Note 3
Among the most common problems Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owners encountered was the noticeable quick draining of the battery. There are a lot of factors that could contribute to the issue, however, it is almost impossible to pinpoint it. That is why we have written this troubleshooting guide that will walk you through finding what the problems are. Knowing the problem will lead to resolution, so read on if you've been suffering from Galaxy Note 2 quick battery draining.
Solution 1: Make sure you are using the original battery and/or charger that came with the phone. These components were rated based on the phone's power usage. The Galaxy Note 2 has a battery with 3100 mAh capacity, anything lower than that won't last longer. The phone's charging unit is rated 2 Amperes, which could charge the battery quicker. If you bought a charger with higher rating, charging might even be quicker but that's not really a guarantee. It's always better to use the original units or the recommended replacements.
Solution 2: Try to recall if your phone was exposed to water or any form of liquid. If it was, that could be the reason why your battery drains faster. All you need to do is bring the phone to an authorized technician and have it cleaned and dried. Your phone's battery usage will be back to normal once the problem was addressed. Furthermore, it is not recommended to turn the phone on once it was exposed to water; it would create a lot of problems.
Solution 3: Pressing the Home button while an app is running does not close the app, rather it just minimizes it and leaves it running in the background. Over time, you will have hundreds of apps, including android services and widgets, running in the background and this would eat up not just the RAM but also the battery. To close recently used apps, go to the Home screen the press and hold the Home button. Swipe left or right to close apps one by one.
Moreover, to test if it's really the apps that causing the drain problem, boot your Galaxy Note 2 to safe mode and leave it on until the battery is totally drained. Compare the length of use when your phone was in normal mode. If there's a huge gap, then you've just confirmed apps are draining your battery. Try disabling some of it or uninstalling those that you don't use anymore.
Solution 4: If you were using an app that streams music or videos using mobile data, it could be that you haven't closed the app and it was left streaming media in the background. To close it, you could try accessing Recent Apps window from the home screen or by going to Application Manager under Settings and force closing the app from there.
Solution 5: Everything that runs in your phone uses power but wireless connectivity features are among the ones that eat up the battery faster than other apps. Disable WiFi, mobile data, Bluetooth, GPS, and other location services when not in use. Remember that when these features are left enabled, they keep on searching for networks.
Solution 6: It could be that a bug is causing the problem, so if there is an available update package waiting to be pulled down, take a little time to update your phone to the latest firmware and it usually brings bug fixes and other enhancements. The same goes to applications you installed on your phone. If you can find new updates, don't hesitate to implement them.
Solution 7: Both the charger and the battery give out heat to keep electrons flowing. However, when the battery is exposed to too much heat, it discharges faster than usual. If you can feel that your phone becomes unusually hot, stop using it and employ the services of an authorized technician to have the device checked; it's for your own safety. Don't you know that batteries explode when exposed to heat?
We are among the very few online communities that is open to receive questions from our readers about the problems they've encountered with their phones. Don't hesitate to email us at [email protected] and tell us your problems and we will do our own research to be able to provide you with solutions and / or ideas that may lead to the resolution of your problems. That's for free. All we ask of you is to mention all possible details so we'll know where to start.