Nokia Lumia to become Microsoft Lumia.. is this the end of Nokia?

A few months ago we commented on Microsoft's takeover of Nokia and the paring down of the Nokia product line to leave basically just Windows devices and not much more. The next step in this process has now been announced, with Microsoft confirming that the Nokia brand will vanish from Lumia handsets and they will be branded Microsoft instead.

If you own a recent-ish Lumia, you may have noticed that there's hardly any mention of Nokia at all these days when it comes to the software, and it is really only the label on the outside of the phone that makes it obviously a Nokia. It's pretty clear that there's not much that needs to be done to make the transition complete.

Microsoft will continue to licence the Nokia name for low-end devices such as the Nokia 130, but it seems unlikely that this will be a market that Microsoft will really pay much attention to. So, for all intents and purposes.. Nokia is dead.

Well, dead in a way. Nokia itself still exists as a technology company, and the Lumia range will continue with the anticipated launch of the Lumia 1030 rumoured to be very soon. But the Nokia that everyone knows.. the Nokia that has probably sold at least one handset to most people who have owned a mobile phone.. will be gone.

That is a monumental change in the industry. Even a few years ago it seemed that Nokia was unassailable, and the idea that the handset division would end up in the hands of arch-rival Microsoft would be ridiculous. It isn't the only fallen giant this week either, Lenovo finally acquired the asset-stripped corpse of Motorola this week, and of course over the years we've seen key players vanish such as Palm, Ericsson, Siemens, Sagem.. but Nokia is the biggest to go down so far.

What Nokia will do next is an interesting question. Nokia's long history actually starts with forestry, paper, rubber, tyres, cables and then onto electronics and eventually mobile phones and other high-tech industries. Nokia's list of acquisitions and divestments over recent years is rather lengthy, and you can see that this is a company that continually evolves and reshapes itself.

But there is one intriguing possibility.. that Nokia could re-enter the handset market in its own right. Of course, this is limited by whatever the largely secret non-compete agreement is between Nokia and Microsoft, but some of the rumours say that Nokia would be free to enter the market again in some form in 2016.

We suspect that some of these rumours are simply wishful thinking. Nokia quit the mass-market mobile phone business for good reasons, but it could well have some interesting developments under way in new markets, perhaps in wearables for example. But we will have to wait and see what Nokia does next.. that is a secret that perhaps not even Nokia yet knows.

First impressions: Apple iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3

The Apple iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 are the latest iterations of Apple's popular tablet line-up, coming almost exactly one year after the previous versions. Neither device is particularly groundbreaking, but Apple have made them both better in different ways.

Apple iPad Air 2

The Apple iPad Air 2 is almost impossibly thin, coming in at just 6.1mm thick, 1.4mm thinner than the original iPad Air, and it is over 30 grams lighter too coming in at 437 grams for the WiFi version or 444 grams for the WiFi + LTE variant.

The screen size and resolution and the footprint of the iPad Air 2 is identical to the Air, with a 9.7" 2048 x 1536 panel, although now it is fully laminated and has an anti-reflective coating. The camera on the back has been upgraded from 5 megapixels to 8 megapixels and it now has a burst mode. The Air 2 retains the 1.2 megapixel camera on the front.

Underneath the new A8X CPU and M8 motion coprocessor are said by Apple to be 40% faster than the original iPad Air. The iPad Air 2 also supports Apple's new Touch ID fingerprint-sensing payment system.

Available colours will be Silver, Gold and Space Gray with 16GB, 64GB or 128GB of storage (the iPad Air maxed out at only 32GB). As previously mentioned there is a WiFi only version or one with cellular connectivity too, and US prices will range between $499 to $829.

Pre-orders start on October 17th with shipments staring next week in most major markets worldwide.

Apple iPad Mini 3

There's not a world of difference between the Apple iPad Mini 3 and last year's iPad Mini 2, except the Mini 3 now supports Touch ID and comes with much more internal storage with 16GB, 64GB and 128GB versions as the Air 2 does.

There's still a 7.9" 2048 x 1536 pixel display, 5 megapixel primary camera plus a 1.2 megapixel front-facing one. Available colours will also be Silver, Space Gray and Gold with WiFi and WiFi + cellular versions, US prices range from $399 to $729. The iPad Mini 3 will ship at pretty much the same time and in similar markets to the iPad Air 2.

First impressions: HTC Desire Eye and RE

The "Desire" name has been applied to many HTC handsets over the years, from the original flagship Android device to the current range of midrange and budget smartphones. The HTC Desire Eye is the latest addition to the Desire range, which  pushes it into uncharted territory with a device that challenges the class-leading HTC One M8 in terms of features.

This is a high-end device and the immediately obvious feature is that it has a 13 megapixel camera on both the front and the back of the phone. We've seen "selfie" phones like this before, but the Desire Eye takes it to a new level. Another obvious feature is the large 5.2" 1080 x 1920 pixel display on the front, bigger than the One M8 but with the same resolution.

Inside is a 2.3GHz quad-core CPU with 2GB of RAM, essentially the same as in the HTC One M8, along with 16GB of flash storage plus a microSD slot. In almost all features the Desire Eye is as good as the One M8 or is better, except that the One M8 does come with a gorgeous (but expensive) metal case where the Desire Eye is somewhat simpler.

Even though the One M8 has been a successful device, the trick dual 4 megapixel camera on the back is seen as both over complicated and lacking when it comes to its pixel count. To some extent the cheaper HTC One E8 resolves the camera issue by packing a 13 megapixel primary camera and simpler case design, so conceptually the Desire Eye is probably more closely related to the One E8 than the One M8.

The camera comes with all sorts of clever editing tricks that can be done automatically rather then firing up Photoshop, and many of these features will be rolled out to other recent HTC smartphones via a software update.

Initial reports say that the HTC Desire Eye will be available on AT&T in the US next month with other regions following. No guidance was given on price.

Launched alongside the HTC Desire Eye is the RE - a waterproof periscope-like remote camera accessory that can be used for taking photos or recording video. Selfies feature again here, but the RE can also be used as a personal camcorder in a similar way to a GoPro. This appears to be heading to the US in the first instance with other markets to follow.

Both these devices show promise and manage to offer something different from the competition, although with the Desire Eye a lot of the desirability will come down to price as well as the feature set.

First impressions: Apple Watch

Apple's new smartwatch has been awaited for a long time, and finally Apple have made it official with the launch of the Apple Watch. No, not iWatch.. just Watch. In fact, there are several different versions in different sizes and materials, which is a bit confusing at first.

As with the iPhone, Apple have entered the market some time after the competition, but they are hoping that the unique features of the Watch will win customers over. One key difference is that a lot of the control of the Apple Watch is done through the "digital crown" on the side, a sort of high-tech clickwheel. Of course, it's a touchscreen as well, but using both control devices might well make it easier than just a touchscreen alone.

In terms of looks, the Apple Watch has some exquisite details, but it doesn't look much different from a whole set of other smartwatches. Remember that we've seen a couple of circular displays on Android Wear smartwatches, but the Apple Watch has a plain rectangular one.

As you might expect, this is not a standalone device and it needs to integrate with a compatible iPhone (5 onwards). Of course, Android users have more choice of devices, but until now Apple users had none at all.

With a built-in heart-rate monitor, gyroscope and a pedometer, combined with integration into iOS 8's Health app and a whole load of built-in applications, then it seems that the Watch is designed to be a fitness companion along with all the other features. Some other features including Emoji-type messaging and a maps application with something called "tactic feedback" which helps you know which way to turn.

The Apple Watch has its own wireless charging system that clamps onto the back magnetically. There are a choice of six straps, including leather ones and sports ones with either traditional or magnetic clasps. Large and small versions are available, plus a "sport" version with a tougher casing and of course there's a gold one too.

Some novel features with the Watch include an application to find where you parked your BMW, an electronic key system for Starwood Hotels (presumably using NFC), and you can use it as a ticket for American Airlines as well.

You'll have a bit of a wait for the Apple Watch, Apple say that it should be available from early next year with prices starting at $349.

19:10 09/09/2014

First impressions: Apple iPhone 6 and Apple iPhone 6 Plus

An expanded version of this article can be found here.

The Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are Apple's latest generation of their iconic and influential smartphone, only this time they take a break from the past and are much bigger devices. The Apple iPhone 6 has a 4.7" 750 x 1334 pixel display, the larger Apple iPhone 6 Plus comes with a 5.5" 1080 x 1920 pixel screen which is roughly the same thing that most of the competition has.

Apps are meant to scale up to use the new screen resolutions, although really they would benefit from an overhaul from the developers if there are problems. The iPhone 6 Plus also fully supports landscape mode (something that is patchy on Android devices) which opens up a whole new set of possibilities. Or problems, depending on your point of view.

On the back of these is an 8 megapixel camera which is a bit humdrum these days, however Apple have now added optical image stabilisation (OIS) which Nokia have proved can really improve picture quality. Both models can record 1080p video at 60 frames per second, with a maximum frame capture rate of 240 fps. The front camera has also been improved in order to create better selfies, and it now includes a burst mode.

Physically, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are curved around the edges a bit like the early iPhones, but with design hints of the newer iPhones too.

One new feature is Apple Pay - Apple's take on a mobile contactless payment system. This uses the iPhone 6's built-in NFC capabilities, but Apple have combined with "Touch ID" which uses the built-in fingerprint scanner to verify the user, and have also added a chipset called "Secure Element" to keep your financial data encrypted. This sort of mobile payment system has been struggling to get a foothold, but Apple have several key retailers on board in the US (where the system will launch) and perhaps this is the push it needs.

Underneath, both these iPhones are now 64-bit devices, running on the new Apple A8 processor. There's also a new motion coprocessor, the M8, which helps to take the load off the main CPU. The operating system has also been upgraded to iOS 8 which should run apps faster, with an emphasis on gaming abilities. The iPhone 6 comes with 16GB, 64GB or an impressive 128GB of onboard flash storage.

Apple say that the battery life is better (which in part will be because the battery can be bigger) with a 25% improvement with the iPhone 6 and a whopping 100% improvement with the iPhone 6 Plus. Even with the longer battery life, the iPhone 6 comes in at just 6.9mm thick and the 6 Plus is 7.1mm.

Both devices will start to ship from September 19th onwards in the US. The base model is the 16GB iPhone 6 at $199 when taken with a new two-year contract, the most expensive is the 128GB iPhone 6 Plus which is $399 with the new contract. The price differential between the Plus and the smaller iPhone 6 is $100. Apple say that they are aiming for these phones to be available in 115 countries by the end of the year. Available colours are gold, silver and space gray.

Nokia: the end of history

Yesterday Microsoft, the new owner of the Nokia handset business, wielded the axe of their newly acquired unit cutting around 40% of the staff and all their product lines except for the Lumia smartphones [1] [2] [3].

Although most industry observers suspected that something like this would eventually be on the cards, the speed at which this has taken place is surprising.

But let's just think about what has happened. It doesn't just mean that the  Nokia X range of Android phones will be canned (including the X2 announced a few weeks ago), but there are also reports that this extends to the entire product line including the very popular Asha devices, venerable Series 40 feature phones and even the billion-selling Series 30 dumbphones.

That's everything that Nokia was ever built on. Sure, we won't miss the Nokia X platform, but probably almost everyone who has owned a phone will have owned a Series 30 or Series 40 Nokia at some point.. and will probably remember it fondly.

This joins the graveyard of Nokia operating systems - one of Stephen Elop's first actions as CEO of Nokia was to kill off the Symbian and MeeGo operating systems. Back in the distant past there was also the Series 90 touchscreen OS. Nokia even flirted with Linux-based devices before canning those. The list goes on.

So Nokia is just about Lumia now? Well, yes and no.. because it is reported that Microsoft can only use the NOKIA name until the end of 2015, at which point presumably they will be branded LUMIA instead. So is this the end of Nokia?

It seems that Nokia are barred from producing mobile devices until the end of 2015, and after that they are restricted from making smartphones for several more years.. but we don't know exactly how the agreement defines a smartphone (for example, we count the Asha range as feature phones, not smartphones). So it doesn't look great from that point of view.

However, with the handset business gone Nokia can act much more like a startup and think out-of-the-box. I strongly suspect that Nokia will re-enter the mobile device market in some form as soon as it can, after all there is still a large amount of brand loyalty and Nokia can be the masters of design and usability. So perhaps we haven't seen the last of Nokia.. but it seems that we have seen the last of Nokia's awesome legacy in the mobile phone world.

Press Release: LG begins rollout of new G Pad Series with more colors, G3 features

	LG BEGINS ROLLOUT OF NEW G PAD SERIES WITH MORE COLORS, G3 FEATURES New Lineup Combines the Best of G Pad 8.3 and G3 for Global Audience
SEOUL, June 12, 2014 ― Following the unveiling of three new G Pad tablets in May, LG Electronics (LG) today announced the launch of the new tablets, starting with the G Pad 7.0 rolling out in Europe this week, followed by the G Pad 8.0 and G Pad 10.1 over the next several weeks. The three new G Pad devices offer just the right balance of performance, personality and price to fill the gap between entry and premium tablets. All three tablets will offer a 1.2 GHz Quad-Core processor, 1GB RAM and a True IPS HD display (1280 x 800), housed in a stylish and ergonomic body in five different colors ― Black, White, Red, Luminous Orange and Luminous Blue. With their rounded edges, the tablets are designed to be held comfortably with one hand. LG’s smallest tablet, G Pad 7.0, gives users a truly portable entertainment hub that delivers both mobility and power. LG’s mid-sized tablet, G Pad 8.0, offers an immersive multimedia experience and smooth multitasking capabilities. And the G Pad 10.1 boasts an expansive display powered by an 8,000mAh battery that gives users an immersive experience for hours and hours of entertainment wherever, whenever. “LG understands that people have different needs and we wanted to provide consumers with a range of options in size, looks, and attractive price points that included the best of LG’s core technologies,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With our latest tablets, LG is giving consumers options to find a device that best fits their lifestyle and needs.” LG continues to make connectivity among LG devices more convenient with the introduction of QPair 2.0 which provides seamless convergence between Android-powered tablets and smartphones via a simple Bluetooth connection. Users can receive notifications of calls and messages on a smartphone and respond directly from the G Pad. To encourage the creation of apps that make optimal use of this integration, the QPair 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) is now available for download from LG Developer website (http://developer.lge.com). With the SDK, developers can create apps that let users stream online media and change settings on the G Pad remotely from any Android smartphone. LG’s effort to simplify the user experience across its entire mobile device portfolio continues with the new G Pad lineup. The graphical user interface (GUI) of all three tablets was designed to be clean, clutter-free and easy to navigate. LG adopted a minimalistic GUI design with flat graphics and a circular motif inspired by the LG logo, consistent with the look and feel of the recently unveiled LG G3 smartphone. The new LG tablets will also include the acclaimed KnockCodeTM security feature so customers can power on and unlock their G Pad in one step with a pattern of taps. The G Pad will recognize up to four sets of knock patterns so family members can share the same tablet while still being able to keep their data and photos private. Smart Keyboard and Dual Window will be also included in the tablet trio. As a key adaptive technology featured on LG’s latest G3 flagship smartphone, Smart Keyboard reduces input errors by up to 75 percent by tracking and analyzing typing habits and intuitively “knowing” what word the user intended to type. Dual Window can split the screen and run two applications at the same time, making multitasking easier than ever. Price and additional availability details will be announced locally. G Pad 7.0 Key Specifications: Display: 7.0-inch IPS (1280 x 800, WXGA) Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core Memory: 8GB eMMC / 1GB RAM / microSD slot Camera: Rear 3MP / Front 1.3MP Battery: 4000mAh Size: 189.3 x 113.8 x 10.1mm Weight: 293g Connectivity: Wi-Fi Color: Black, White, Luminous Orange, Luminous Blue Other: QPair 2.0, Smart Keyboard, Knock CodeTM G Pad 8.0 Key Specifications: Display: 8.0-inch IPS (1280 x 800, WXGA) Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core Memory: 16GB eMMC / 1GB RAM / microSD slot Camera: Rear 5MP / Front 1.3MP Battery: 4200mAh Size: 210.8 x 124.2 x 9.9mm Weight: 342g Connectivity: Wi-Fi Color: Black, White, Luminous Orange, Luminous Blue Other: QPair 2.0, Smart Keyboard, Knock CodeTM G Pad 10.1 Key Specifications: Display: 10.1-inch IPS (1280 x 800, WXGA) Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core Memory: 16GM eMMC / 1GB RAM / microSD slot Camera: Rear 5MP / Front 1.3MP Battery: 8000mAh Size: 260.9 x 165.9 x 8.9mm Weight: 523g Connectivity: Wi-Fi Color: Black, Red Other: QPair 2.0, Smart Keyboard, Knock CodeTM

Press Release: Samsung Launches Industry's First Tizen Smartphone - the Samsung Z

Samsung Z offers a unique user experience with advanced web performance and usability

Seoul, Korea, June 2, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, today introduced the Samsung Z, the first commercially available smartphone powered by the Tizen platform. The Samsung Z will be on show at the Tizen Developer Conference, San Francisco from June 3rd.

Built on top of unparalleled quality and the cutting-edge technology of Samsung’s latest premium smartphone, the Samsung Z is optimized with a Tizen platform that offers fast and powerful software performance. Complete with a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display and a 2.3 GHz Quad-core processor, the Samsung Z makes the perfect choice for consumers who want a differentiated user experience in an efficient and light-weight smartphone.

"Samsung is committed to enhancing the mobile experience of consumers with innovation that is both personal and unique to their needs," said DJ Lee, President and Head of Global Sales & Marketing Office, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Samsung Z integrates the power and adaptability of the Tizen platform, enabling users to browse the web faster and utilize applications more effectively.”

Quick and Efficient

The Tizen platform delivers a fast, optimal performance with improved memory management. The Tizen-based Samsung Z offers a faster startup time and immediate multi-tasking capabilities, The Samsung Z fully supports superb 2D and 3D graphic qualities, smoother scrolling and an improved rendering performance for web browsing. Users will also be able to enjoy safe and secure privacy protection using the built-in fingerprint sensor.

An Ultra Power Saving Mode lets the phone stay operational even at minimal battery levels in emergencies.

Tailored For Smarter Living

The Samsung Z features a distinctive home and application layout, for easy access to favorite features and apps. Using Dynamic Box and Color Theme settings, users can tailor their device to what suits them best.

The external design of the Samsung Z also offers a completely new look. The device features a slim, angular design with sophisticated lines, providing a differentiated look and feel while maintaining Samsung’s overall design identity. The Samsung Z will be available in two refined colors: Black and Gold.

The Samsung Z will be available in Q3 in Russia and is planned to expand to other markets. Users will be offered to access additional applications through the Tizen Store at the launch of the Samsung Z. In order to celebrate the launch the world’s first Tizen smartphone and to encourage more developers to join, the Tizen Store will provide a special promotional program to all developers for one year. Furthermore, Samsung plans to host a Tizen local app challenges in Russia and CIS countries to enrich the Tizen eco-system at the launch of the device.

For more information on device, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung Z Product Specifications

Network	LTE Cat.4 (150/50Mbps)
Display	4.8” HD Super AMOLED (1280 x 720)
AP	2.3GHz Quad core application processor
OS	Tizen 2.2.1
Camera	8MP(rear), 2.1MP (front)
Video	Video Codec : H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, MP43, WMV7, WMV8 Video Format: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV
Audio	Audio Codec : MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/ AAC+/ eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC Audio Format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA
Camera Features	Mini mode, Quick Shot, Best Photo, Drama, Panorama, Dual Camera
Value-Added Features	Ultra Power Saving Mode
	Download Booster
	S Health 3.0
	Color theme customization
	Fingerprint sensor
Connectivity	WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n HT40, MIMO(2x2) GPS / GLONAS Bluetooth®: 4.0 BLE USB: USB 2.0, NFC, IR Remote
Sensor	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Hall, RGB ambient light, Fingerptint Scanner, Heart rate sensor
Memory	RAM: 2GB Internal Memory: 16GB, microSD slot up to 64GB
Dimension	138.2 x 69.8 x 8.5mm, 136g
Battery	2600mAh

＊ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

About Tizen Developer Conference 2014

The Tizen Developer Conference is an annual event hosted and produced by the Tizen Technical Steering Group. The conference brings together thousands of developers from around the world to learn about the latest commercial devices, device profiles, platform updates and ecosystem milestones. The 2014 event will take place at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square from June 2-4. Interested developers, media and other Tizen stakeholders can register here. www.tizen.org.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US $ 216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Press Release: LG expands tablet options with new G Pad Series models

LG EXPANDS TABLET OPTIONS WITH NEW G PAD SERIES MODELS Three New Tablets Satisfy Consumer Demand for More Choices to Fit Their Lifestyles
SEOUL, May 12, 2014 ― LG Electronics (LG) is adding three new tablets to its G Pad series to offer more options for tablet users. The new G Pad devices ― G Pad 7.0, G Pad 8.0 and G Pad 10.1 ― will be unveiled at the MedPI 2014, one of the biggest IT/Tech trade show in Europe, taking place in Monaco from May 13-16. LG’s extended tablet portfolio, which also includes the well-received G Pad 8.3, will significantly expand LG’s footprint in the tablet market. “Customers tell us that they want a wider range of devices that offer sizable screens without compromising portability,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Unlike smartphones, tablets are not one size fits all. So we designed the G Pad Series for a diverse target audience, some who prioritize portability while others want the best multimedia experience possible. G Pad delivers on all counts.” Highlights of LG’s new G Pad Series tablets are: ●     G Pad 7.0: Designed to be held in one hand, LG’s smallest tablet is an on-the-go entertainment hub that delivers both portability and power. ●     G Pad 8.0:  With its 8-inch display, LG’s mid-sized tablet offers an immersive multimedia experience and smooth multitasking. ●     G Pad 10.1: With the largest display and battery, LG’s 10.1-inch tablet provides endless hours of entertainment and fun. The latest G Pad tablets will also include LG’s proprietary UX features such as QPair 2.0 and Knock CodeTM. With an updated version of QPair, which was first introduced on G Pad 8.3, users can effortlessly connect to their Android-powered smartphones via Bluetooth to receive notifications of calls and messages and now be able to respond directly from the G Pad. What’s more, Knock Code™ enables users to power on and unlock their LG smartphones in one easy step by entering a personalized “knock” pattern on the smartphone’s display. Knock Code™ offers convenience and greater security as the knock pattern can be entered anywhere on the screen in any size ― with the display on or off ― using a personalized sequence of two to eight taps for more than 80,000 possible combinations. Additional details of LG’s new G Pad tablets including specifications and availability will be announced locally in the weeks ahead. # # # About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is an innovator and trend leader in the global mobile communications industry. LG is driving the evolution of mobile forward with its highly competitive core technologies in the areas of display, battery and camera optics and strategic partnerships with noted industry leaders. LG’s consumer-centric products ― including the flagship premium G Series models ― incorporate unique, ergonomic designs and intuitive UX features that enhance the user experience. The company remains committed to leading consumers into the era of convergence, maximizing inter-device connectivity between smartphones, tablets and a wide range of home and portable electronics products. For more information, please visit www.LG.com

Press Release: Samsung Unveils New Galaxy Tab4 Series

Samsung Unveils New Galaxy Tab4 Series

April  1, 2014



Next-generation Galaxy tablet series delivers exceptional multimedia experience for the whole family in a sleek, lightweight design

 

Inspiring Mobile Freedom in Your Life

  • Perfect for all ages, Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy Tab4 line offers an exceptional multimedia experience in
    a more premium and portable design, making it ideal for viewing or sharing content with friends and family.

 

 

Rich Multimedia Experience

  • Available in 10.1-inch, 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch screen sizes, the Galaxy Tab4’s vivid WXGA display with a 16:10 screen
    ratio provides users with a brilliant viewing experience while watching videos, playing games, or reading digital contents.

  • With Multi Window functionality, users are able to seamlessly switch between apps and windows, as well as drag and
    drop contents with ease.  

Fun & Shareable Services*

  • The new Galaxy Tab4 line is perfect for the whole family as it comes equipped with a number of fun and shareable
    services allowing users to access content and stay connected with friends wherever they are, including:        o Group Play: Share and play music, documents and games with friends in realtime
        o Samsung Link: Share and play content across smart devices anytime, anywhere
        o WatchON: Watch TV shows and movies on any device, anywhere in your home or on the go.  

* Availability of features and functions listed above may be differed by device type or regions.
  Not all services will be provided. Please check product specification sheet for each product for details.

Sleek & Portable Designs

  • The Galaxy Tab4 line all feature a textured, premium look and feel back cover.
  • With a slim design and weights, the Galaxy Tab4 10.1-inch, 8-inch and 7-inch models provide maximum portability
    while still allowing users to enjoy beautiful screens. 

 

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab4 line will be offered in a choice of Black or White globally beginning in 2Q, 2014.  

 

Galaxy Tab4 10.1 Product Specifications

Category	Specifications
Network	Wi-Fi / 3G(HSPA+ 21/5.76) 3G : 850/900/1900/2100 2G : 850/900/1800/1900 Wi-Fi / 3G(HSPA+ 42/5.76) / LTE(Cat4 150/50) 4G : 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600 3G : 850/900/1900/2100 2G : 850/900/1800/1900
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad Core
Display	10.1-inch WXGA (1280 X 800),
OS	Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Camera	3MP FF + 1.3 MP
Video	MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark, MP43, VP8 Recording/Playback: 720p/1080p at 30 FPS
Audio	MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, FLAC, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, Vorbis(OGG)
Services & Additional Features	ChatON, Voice Call, MultiWindow, HW Key, Samsung Kies, Samsung Apps, Group Play (D/L), Samsung Link (D/L)
Google Mobile Services	Hangout, Google+, Gmail, Chrome, Google Play, Google Maps, Play Music, Play Movies&TV, Play Books, Play Newsstand, Play Games, Drive, YouTube, Photos
Connectivity	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n , WiFi Direct, BT4.0, USB2.0
GPS	GPS, GLONASS
Memory	1.5GB + 16GB Micro SD (up to 64GB)
Dimension	243.4 x 176.4 x 7.95mm, 487g
Battery	6,800mAh

 

Galaxy Tab4 8.0 Product Specifications

 

Category	Specifications
Network	WiFi / 3G (HSPA+ 21/5.76) / LTE (Cat.4, HSPA+ 42/5.76) LTE : 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600(Cat. 4) 3G : 850/900/1900/2100 (HSPA+) 2G : 850/900/1800/1900
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad Core
Display	8.0-inch WXGA (1280 X 800)
OS	Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Camera	3MP FF + 1.3 MP
Video	MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark, MP43, VP8 Recording/Playback: 720p/1080p at 30 FPS
Audio	MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, FLAC, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, Vorbis(OGG)
Services & Additional Features	ChatON, Voice Call, MultiWindow, HW Key, Samsung Kies, Samsung Apps, Group Play (D/L),Samsung Link (D/L)
Google Mobile Services	Hangout, Google+, Gmail, Chrome, Google Play, Google Maps, Play Music, Play Movies&TV, Play Books, Play Newsstand, Play Games, Drive, YouTube, Photos
Connectivity	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n , WiFi Direct, BT4.0, USB2.0
GPS	GPS, GLONASS
Memory	1.5GB + 16GB (WiFi/3G/LTE) Micro SD (up to 64GB)
Dimension	124.0 x 210.0 x 7.95mm, 320g
Battery	4,450mAh

 

Galaxy Tab4 7.0 Product Specifications

Category	Specifications
Network	WiFi, 3G Wi-Fi / 3G(HSPA+ 21/5.76) 3G : 850/900/1900/2100 2G : 850/900/1800/1900 LTE Wi-Fi / 3G(HSPA+ 42/5.76) / LTE(Cat4 150/50) 4G : 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600 3G : 850/900/1900/2100 2G : 850/900/1800/1900
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad Core
Display	7.0-inch WXGA (1280 X 800)
OS	Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Camera	3MP FF + 1.3 MP
Video	H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, MP43, WMV7, WMV8, VP8 Recording: 720p at 30fps Playback: 1080p at 30fps
Audio	MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, FLAC, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, Vorbis(OGG)
Services & Additional Features	ChatON(D/L), Voice Call(3G/LTE), MultiWindow, HW Key, Samsung Kies, Samsung Apps, Samsung Link (D/L)
Google Mobile Services	Hangout, Google+, Gmail, Chrome, Google Play, Google Maps, Play Music, Play Movies&TV, Play Books, Play Newsstand, Play Games, Drive, YouTube, Photos
Connectivity	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n , WiFi Direct, BT4.0, USB2.0
GPS	GPS, GLONASS
Memory	1.5GB + 8/16GB micro SD (up to 32GB) - 3G / WiFi micro SD (up to 64GB) - LTE
Dimension	107.9 x 186.9 x 9 mm, 276g
Battery	Battery

* The availability of each service may differ by country.
* All functionality, features, specifications, and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation. 


About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.