Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Edge Brings a Different Bend to the Curved Screen

galaxy note 4 edge front and backSamsung’s Unpacked event at IFA this year saw a couple of exciting announcements. Of course most were on tap to see the release of the newest member to the Galaxy Note series. Rumors were flying about a curved AMOLED display. We’d seen previous attempts from Samsung with the Galaxy Round, and LG released a banana curved G Flex, but toying with the popular Note could have been a risky proposition.

For the Note 4 Edge, Samsung has done something a bit asymmetrical. The right hand side of the screen tapers off giving the device a screen which wraps around that corner. It’s a dramatic effect, and Sammy is using it for a variety of functions. It can act like a dock for app shortcuts, it can display time and notifications. It handily houses settings for the camera app (keeping the viewfinder free). Scrolling widgets can be housed on the edge, and while the main screen area is off, the side can still display time allowing it to act like a bedside clock.

What’s a little curious is that Samsung hasn’t made both sides taper off. It could have been our first side bezel-less phone. Hopefully this doesn’t affect the usage for left handed folks. Otherwise, the Edge very much resembles the Note 3 in terms of general design, but thankfully the guts of this phone are getting an upgrade. Continue reading “Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Edge Brings a Different Bend to the Curved Screen”

Samsung Gear S Smartwatch to Feature Curved Screen and 3G Cell Radio

Samsung_Gear_S_02_640We’re still waiting on the Moto360 and whatever watch Apple might eventually bring to the table, but the market isn’t standing still. Now Samsung has taken the wraps off of the newest entry to their Gear line of smartwatches.

samsung gear 2 hero profileThe Gear S is another Tizen offering, which will not use Android Wear like the Gear Live, but features a curved AMOLED display. It looks like it should wrap around the wrist in a slightly more comfortable way than some of the other rectangular screened watches available.

It wont be packing the camera or IR blaster found in the Gear 2, but it will add in a 3G cell radio and WiFi, making it more of a standalone data enabled device, similar to what Timex recently announced with their rugged watch. Using an almost comically small on screen keyboard or S-Voice will allow users to reply to incoming message, and the 3G connectivity will provide voice calling features as well. It could prove to be a decent stand alone experience for folks who want basic communication and media streaming while working out and don’t want to pack a bulky smartphone.

Gear S should be available in October, with pricing info to follow soon. Full PR below.

Continue reading “Samsung Gear S Smartwatch to Feature Curved Screen and 3G Cell Radio”

Review: Always Be Prepared with this IN1 Multi-Tool Case for the Galaxy S5

I almost always have either a pocket knife or a tool kit on me, and now this multi-tool case from IN1 will make sure I’m never left high and dry for some tweezers or a pen! This might just be the perfect phone case for former Boy Scouts. Let’s take a look!

Shop IN1 cases on Amazon.
More info on IN1 Cases.

Samsung Asks “Are You Ready to Note?” in Galaxy Note 4 Teaser Video

Looks like Samsung will be focusing on the stylus action for their upcoming super-phablet, the Galaxy Note 4.

Humans used tools from the very beginning.
Samsung GALAXY Note has introduced yet another tool.
Fit for the way we live today, the S Pen is a truly notable invention since, well… the pen.
Innovation for today and tomorrow.
Expect more on your Note for writing. Ready to Note?

Yeah Samsung. We’re ready, and apparently we’ll learn more come September 3rd!

Barnes & Noble Teams with Samsung for $179 Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK Tablet

samsung nookB&N scored some early critical successes with their previous Nook tablets and e-readers. Standing up to Amazon at a time when the Kindle was one of the highest selling “Android” tablets on the market.

Barnes & Noble is partnering with Samsung now for their next Nook, a customized version of the seven inch Galaxy Tab 4. This Nook will have full access to Google apps and services while also including B&N’s Nook store.

The tablet sells for $199, but the bookseller is offering up a $20 instant rebate, and including “$200 worth of content” on the device with free e-books and TV show episodes, plus a $5 gift card to get you started in the Nook store.

Have you been rocking a Nook? Will this partnership with Samsung interest you in their offerings? Drop us a comment, and read Barnes and Nobles full press release below.

Continue reading “Barnes & Noble Teams with Samsung for $179 Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK Tablet”

Photo Walk Santa Monica Shootout – LG G3 vs Galaxy S5! #TTTLA

***Update: Added a 4K video slideshow for folks who want a little music to listen to while checking out the comparison.***

Here are some real-world comparison shots between Android’s top shooters! It’s a battle between laser focus with optical image stabilization on the G3 and the larger image sensor on the Galaxy.

Who will reign supreme? Leave a comment with who you think won the comparison!

Click on any photo during the slideshow to see a high res version.

Many thanks to the AT&T Mobile Review team for setting up such a fun outing!

Samsung Targets iPhone Battery Life in “Wall Huggers” Commercial

samsung wallhuggers commercialI haven’t always loved Samsung’s snarkier spots, but this one is tickling my funny bone. If you’ve traveled recently, you’ve probably noticed this phenomenon of people crowding the outlets at airports.

As more and more phone manufacturers rush to enclose their device’s batteries in non-removable shells, I have a soft spot for Samsung continuing to provide us with removable back plates. Funny to think that the company working hardest on waterproofing and rugeddizing their phones, also continues to let consumers swap out their battery.

But I digress. Here’s Samsung’s latest assault on the iPhone. Enjoy.

The Problem With Android Wear Watch Screens

Wearable tech will be hot. The smartphone market is maturing and starting to plateau, so manufacturers are pushing into new territories to expand on our relationships with data and services. Google’s Android Wear platform is an excellent step in the right direction to legitimize this new market segment.

It does suffer from one fatal flaw however: Battery life. 

pebble smartwatch review somegadgetguy direct sunlightPlaying with several different solutions for wrist computing, my favorite so far are the watches that can best replicate the experience found on traditional time pieces. Namely a screen that can always be referenced for small pieces of information no matter what orientation it’s worn, not depending on any gestures to activate it. I mentioned as much in my last FFC VLOG.

Of course in technology land, compromises have to be made. If you want crazy new features, you have to accept some new limitations.  Continue reading “The Problem With Android Wear Watch Screens”