Samsung - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

May

Samsung Releases Kernel Source For Its Galaxy Mega 6.3 (I9205) Ahead Of Launch

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Development, Galaxy Mega 6.3, News, Samsung

Since their announcement last month, we haven't heard too much about the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 (barring rumors of a delayed release). That doesn't mean Samsung plans on breaking its pattern of timely (or early, depending on your perspective) kernel source code releases. Keeping with form, Samsung has released kernel source for the 6.3" Mega's I9205 (LTE) variant.

There's no sign of the Mega's I9200 version (or the Mega 5.8) just yet, but given Samsung's track record, we can expect it any time now. In the meantime, those of you wishing to scoop up a handful of brand new kernel source need only hit the link below.

May

Android 4.2.2 ROM Leaked For The International Galaxy S III, Galaxy S4 Goodies Contained Within

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Android OS, Galaxy S III, Jelly Bean 4.2, News, Samsung

Good morning, Galaxy S III users. Want to start off your week with a spiffy new software build? Then the folks at SamMobile are happy to oblige. They've got their hot hands on a leaked build of the Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39) update for the S III, packing the standard Jelly Bean 4.2 upgrades and more than a few features back-ported from the newer Galaxy S4. The flashable ROM posted to the site isn't exactly official - it's cobbled together from dumped files - but flashing it via Samsung's Odin software won't void your warranty.

Some of the features already spotted in the leaked ROM include the lockscreen, driving mode, Voice Controls, an updated Settings app, gallery, S-Voice, new screen modes, and a bunch of other software and visual tweaks from the TouchWiz build first seen on the Galaxy S4, as well as a host of new settings and the Smart Watch widget.

May

Samsung Launches Smart App Challenge 2013 For The Galaxy S4 And Chord SDK: $800,000 In Total Prizes, $200,000 For First Place

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Development, Galaxy S4, News, Samsung

Well hi-diddly ho there, aspiring app developer! Has the life of a recent CompSci grad got you down? Does the world of independent mobile app programming leave something to be desired in the area of, say, ostentatious sports cars and penthouse apartments? Samsung would like to help you out with their Smart App Challenge 2013. A cool $800,000 has been reserved for the makers of ten winning apps, with 200,000 American greenbacks going to the top entrant. But don't start up your IDE just yet.

In order to qualify for any of the prizes, the apps will need to take advantage of the Chord SDK, Samsung's multi-device connection and syncing system built on the ZeroMQ library.

May

[Deal Alert] Amazon Offering AT&T HTC One And Sprint Galaxy S4 For $129.99

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Deals, Galaxy S4, HTC, News, One, Samsung

Now that the big spring phone releases are out of the way, you can make an informed decision on any pending purchases. The HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 both have their strong points, and you can get a solid deal on both of them, provided you're flexible on carriers. Amazon has both currently listed for $129.99 with a 2-year contract.

The HTC One in question is the 32GB AT&T variant, and it's usually $199.99 (last on sale for $150). A $70 savings on a fairly new device is great, and it's impressive what HTC has done with its new flagship phone.

May

[International Giveaway] Win An Unlocked International Galaxy S4 And Various Otterbox Cases From Android Police And Otterbox

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Contests / Giveaways, Galaxy S4, News

When it comes to device protection, Otterbox has long been a trusted name in the case scene. It offers cases with varying levels of protection – everything from the rough-and-rugged Defender Series to the lighter-weight Commuter and Reflex cases – so there's something for just about everyone.

But with the most recent releases for devices like the Galaxy S4, the company is also offering something a bit different: colors. Why be stuck with boring black just to make sure your device has the best protection it can get? With each series there are a variety of colors to choose from to better suit your personal style – be it Wild Orchid, Berry, Glacier White, or some combination in between, there's a color option that should scream "me."

Here's a look at just a few of the new offerings Otterbox currently has going for the GS4:

Like I said, those are just a few of the choices!

May

Suddenly, A Wild Jelly Bean 4.1 Update For Virgin Mobile's Samsung Galaxy Reverb Appears [Update: Official]

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Samsung, Virgin Mobile

Oh, hi there, Samsung Galaxy Reverb. Haven't seen you around the water cooler in a while. Yeah, I'm doing good too. So what's up? You've got an Android 4.1 update? Shut the front door.

The Galaxy Reverb is a budget phone on a budget network, the kind that we generally expect to be released, promptly forgotten, and never, ever updated to a later version of Android. But lo and behold, several Virgin Mobile customers on both Reddit and Android Forums are reporting that their phones are receiving over-the-air updates to Jelly Bean 4.1.2. One poster stated that he'd spoken with a Virgin representative who said the the OTA was scheduled for May 22nd, but at least a few seem to have been updated early.

May

[I/O 2013] Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition: Stock Android 4.2, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE, Sold Through Google Play In June For $650

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Galaxy S4, Google, News, Samsung

We heard some last-minute rumors that Samsung's shiny new flagship, not even released in every market, is getting a special Google Edition. Well it's true, boys and girls: the Galaxy S4 Google Edition is real, and it's going to feature the same stock Android experience as Nexus devices. The GS4 Google Edition will be sold through the Google Play Store with the same AT&T and T-Mobile bands as the Nexus 4, plus LTE support.

Aside from the software, it's the same great GS4 hardware you're used to, complete with 1080p Super AMOLED screen, 16GB of storage and the coveted SD card slot.

May

The Galaxy S III Is StraightTalk's First LTE Phone, Available Now For $439.99 - Uses Sprint Network

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Galaxy S III, News, Samsung

StraightTalk has become a popular alternative for those who don't need all the bells and whistles of flagship smartphones, or don't want the sometimes ruinous cost of keeping them connected. But even budget carriers move with the times, and the Wal-Mart partner looks like it's finally ready to embrace LTE. The Samsung Galaxy S III is now available for purchase on StraightTalk's website, and should be at your nearest Wal-Mart soon. The phone is unbranded and comes with a reasonable sticker price of $439.99 unsubsidized.

There's just one fly in the ointment: It's a Sprint-compatible phone. The retail packaging for the GSIII popped up on HowardForums earlier today, and the LTE-S badge in the lower corner indicates that this model runs on Sprint's CDMA-LTE network.

May

Will A Samsung Galaxy S4 "Google Edition" Be Unveiled At I/O 2013?

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Galaxy S4, News, Samsung

Among dedicated Android fans, there is a consensus that stock Android is the best experience. That being said, not everyone is smitten with the Nexus hardware. A new option for conflicted users is rumored to be dropping tomorrow at Google I/O. A version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 – dubbed the Google Edition – could be released with the latest version of stock Android on board.

If this is indeed true, it wouldn't be the first time Google has created a new variant of a Samsung product. Back at I/O 2011 Google handed out a special edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 with stock Honeycomb.

May

Verizon Moves Up Samsung Galaxy S4 Launch To May 23rd

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Carriers, Galaxy S4, Samsung, Verizon Wireless

Verizon certainly likes to take its sweet time getting new phones out there, but this time it's at least making an attempt to speed things along. Big Red has announced that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available a week earlier than previously stated. May 23rd is now the big day.

The Galaxy S4 has already launched on the other big US carriers, and AT&T has even announced the availability of a 32GB version of the device. Verizon is late to the game, but it's probably going to push this 5-inch 1080p smartphone hard. Verizon's 16GB GS4 will be going for $199.99 with a new 2-year agreement (after a $50 mail-in rebate).