Samsung has unveiled another one of its upcoming rugged pocket camcorder, the HMX-W350. This dust-, shock- and waterproof camcorder sports a 5MP BSI CMOS image sensor, a 2.3-inch Clear LCD screen, Anti Fog Barrier (Self Cleaning Glass) function, Aqua (Aqua) shooting mode and 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities. The HMX-W350 is scheduled to go on sale in South Korea this summer for 249,000 Won (about $214). [Samsung]
View full post on Best Digital Camera | TechFresh.net
LG ups the UI ante
LG is upping its game in the user interface stakes by upgrading its custom Android menu system to the Optimus UI 3.0.?
The new user interface will debut on the LG Optimus LTE II when it arrives in Korea, but will also be preloaded on the LG Optimus 4X HD, which will be arriving here in the UK from June.
The LG Optimus UI 3.0 will enable users to launch specific features with preset gestures on the touchscreen once the phone has been unlocked; something the manufacturer is calling “Pattern Lock”.
The UI will also make it easier to fire up the phone from sleep mode, unlocking the phone by swiping a finger anywhere on the display.
However, our favourite feature is “Voice Shutter” which gives the user the ability to take photos by simply by using their voice. Shortcuts to specific photos can also be set to the various homescreens, while applications will be ordered according to how frequently they are used.?
The “Quick Memo” function is another quirky addition, which allows the user to quickly jot a note anywhere on their screen with their finger or stylus before using the scribble in a text, email or social network post. Hmmm haven’t we seen that somewhere else before?
LG is hoping its Optimus UI 3.0 will rival Samsung’s TouchWiz UI and HTC’s Sense 4.0 found on the Galaxy S III and One X respectively.
Read
Tags:
Phones LG LG Optimus 4X HD Android
LG Optimus UI 3.0 goes head-to-head with Samsung TouchWiz and HTC Sense originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:12:00 +0100
View full post on Pocket-lint
681,900 devices studied
Mobile network coverage site OpenSignalMaps has created a report on the state of Android and its often bemoaned fragmentation by looking at the statistics of the smartphones that have downloaded its app over a six month period. And it seems that, yes, of course there’s fragmentation, but to the benefit of choice.
The study looked at 681,900 devices – phones and tablets – logging each one’s manufacturer, model, API (version of Android) and screen size, and while there are some obvious findings, there’s a few surprises too.
It comes as no shock that the Samsung Galaxy S II is by far the most prolific smartphone. Of the 3,997 distinct devices more copies of the OSM app were downloaded using a GT-I1900 (SGSII) than any other – 61,389 of them in total (9 per cent).
Amusingly, there were a few unique devices too – not including those that showed up as such due to custom ROMs. One Concorde Tab (a Hungarian 10.1 tablet) was listed, as was a solitary Lemon P1 (an Indian dual SIM phone).
Considering the popularity of the Galaxy handsets per se, it also comes as no surprise that Samsung is the manufacturer listed the most (40 per cent). It’s followed closely by HTC, Sony (Sony Ericsson) and Motorola. And, as for Android itself, the fact that the most recent version of Gingerbread 2.3.3+ is the OS installed on the majority of devices (55.4 per cent) is a no brainer, especially as plenty of smartphones are still awaiting an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0).
Perhaps the biggest challenge for app developers however, is the hugely variation in screen resolutions. Where the non-rigidity and diversity of screen technologies (3D included) and pixel count are one of the Android market’s major selling points, it can be hellish to ensure that a certain application works on a vast majority of devices.
OpenSignalMaps though, with all of the stats in hand, has a simple solution: Developers should make sure they test their apps first on Samsung and HTC devices. That way, they can’t go far wrong, certainly in appeasing the largest number of owners.
And, without such fragmentation and variety in handset/tablet price points, there’d be less of an opportunity to get an application into the hands of all, young or old, rich or poor. And that can’t be bad.
Read
Tags:
Android Phones Tablets OpenSignalMaps Samsung HTC
Android fragmentation report suggests app developers should test on Samsung phones first originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:09:40 +0100
View full post on Pocket-lint
Early bird catches the phone
Customers who pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S III from the Samsung Brand Store at Westfield Stratford City will be able to pick up the phone a day before the official release on 30 May.
Pre-orders must be made with the store before 6pm on 29 May and Samsung has stressed that there will be no devices to buy in-store, apart from those being picked up from pre-orders, until the following day.?
However, customers who pre-order the phone from other retailers might also be able to pick their Galaxy S III up early after Samsung stated it was giving its retail partners the option to begin fulfilling pre-orders an hour later from 7pm on 29 May.
All other major networks and high street and online retailers will be selling the Samsung Galaxy S III in store from 30 May.
You can read our hands on look at the Samsung Galaxy S III by clicking here.
Tags:
Phones Samsung Galaxy S III Samsung Ice Cream Sandwich
Samsung Galaxy S III available a day early for customers who pre-order from flagship Westfield store originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:39:00 +0100
View full post on Pocket-lint
We prefer the phone
Samsung’s official Galaxy S III advert has been unveiled as the mobile world prepares for the phone’s arrival on 30 May.
The 60-second commercial, which is sure to appear on every advert break for the foreseeable future, concentrates more on what kind of person will use the phone, rather than the specs themselves.
Indeed there’s no mention of the fact that the phone runs on Android Ice Cream Sandwich, or it’s 8-megapixel camera or even its powerful 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad processor.
Nope instead we get two star-crossed lovers separated by a pane of glass, a wedding shot, a string quartet before finishing with the slightly sinister text “waits till you’re asleep.”?
While we’re not the biggest fans of the advert (can you tell?) there’s been enough column inches donated to the handset to ensure there’s a big enough buzz surrounding its arrival and once people get the simply stunning device in their hands it’s sure to take off.?
You can read about just how great we think the phone is by clicking on our hands-on here. Or check out the advert for yourselves below.
Tags:
Phones Samsung Galaxy S III Ice Cream Sandwich Android Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S III official TV advert debuts originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:50:00 +0100
View full post on Pocket-lint