JK Shin introduced the Samsung Galaxy S4 to a packed Radio City Music Hall, saying Samsung had listened to users to find out what they wanted from a smartphone.

It’s expected to launch at the end of April with  3G and LTE 4G, FDLTE and TLTD, all frequencies and standards worldwide.

Featuring a slimline case in black or white polycarbonate, it weighs in at 130g and 7.9mm thick. It has 2GB RAM and a hefty 16GB ROM storage as well as a micro SD expansion slot and 2,600 MAh battery.

New software Features:

Touchwiz interface improvements will better integrate indicators like the battery. There’s a new rendering engine to bring it all to life.

Hardware features

• 5 Inch AMOLED 441dpi display, full 1080p HD
• Two different CPUs depending on region Exynos 5 Octa 1.6GHz or 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon
• 130 grams
• 13 megapixel camera and 2 megapixel front facing camera.
• 100/50Mbps hexa band LTE Cat 3
• 2GB DDR3, 16/32/64GB microSD upto 64GB
• a/b/g/n/ac WiFi
• MHL 2.0
• Bluetooth 4.0
• IIR blaster
• Black and White polycarbonate
• Galaxy S4 looks very similar to the Note 2 in aesthetics

This smartphone, which will run on Android 4.2.2, with it’s snazzy new hands-off features and 1080p HD display, will fly off the shelves and is a real game-changer. Korean electronics giant Samsung are expecting pre-orders to be massive, particularly as they’ve already spent a mega $4 billion on advertising.

Dual Camera

The Dual Camera allows the front and rear camera to record at the same time, overlaying one over the other allows everyone to be in the video. It allows you to add the extra camera at will. You can also add images to the captured image for a unique and cool finish.

You can add sound to your images, before or after taking the image, when you look at the image later you can hear the sound recorded. Erazer allows you to remove people or objects from an image.

You’ll be able to take really stunning pictures with the 13 mega-pixel camera on the back and 2 megapixel on the front. The 8-mega pixel shooter on the Galaxy S3 was one of the best features for day-to-day use and the S4 goes one better. It not only has a Micro SD slot but also infrared gesture and temperature and humidity controls.

The photographer can also be in the video or photo! You can shoot with both cameras at the same time. There are loads of options like fisheye or heartshape, or even cubism. It will take 100 shots in a few seconds.

Eye tracking, Smart Scroll and Smart Pause:

This is an expected development from the Samsung Galaxy S3 where the display stays on as long as the user is looking at it, no matter what time had been set for the screen to turn off.

The Smart Scroll means that you’ll never have to touch the screen again to scroll down, a touchless hover when you’ve reached the bottom of an internet page or email will move you to the next page automatically.

It’s joined by Smart Pause, a clever tweak, which means that the Galaxy S4 will stop playing a video if it senses you have looked away from the screen.

S Translator:

You’ll be able to communicate in different languages. You can ask the phone a question and it will translate it into another language, ideal for tourists needing directions abroad. The response from the person you’re asking will also be translated back into the language of your choice.

You can also use it if you don’t have a network connection as it comes pre-loaded with useful phrases.

Adapt display

The screen automatically adjusts to your surroundings.

This takes over from the previous setting-based functionality and automates the process to create the best viewing experience in any situation.

Story Album

You can create an album with pictures so you can record where you’ve been. The system is smart. It knows if you are on a trip or an event and it will ask if you want to create a Story Album. You can add text like notes about the weather.

You can send a copy of the album to people at home so they can enjoy your pictures as you are taking them, along with sound.

Home Sync

This fab development allows you to share pictures and video to your connected devices like the TV. Home Sync has a terabyte of storage capacity. You can have eight users with their own personal storage and you can connect your S4 via NFC to tap and connect to the Home Sync device. It works with any NFC device or smartphone.  It’s a hub for all your content stored at home.

S Voice Drive

The simpler S drive interface has been designed for hands-free car use, with bigger text display with Bluetooth to provide an optimised experience. This will make the S4 safer and easier while on the move.

The Galaxy S4 responds to voice commands and allows you to reply to and respond with voice commands to your emails. The launch had a very impressive demonstration. S Voice Drive allows the S4 to act like a personal assistant, taking over many areas of your communication needs with voice commands..

It makes transferring your old content to your new Samsung Galaxy S4, simple fast and easy. All you need is the Smart Switch software, plug in in your old device and back it up then plug in your S4 and it will copy all your old personal data onto your new S4.

Glove touch

As a major feature, the S4 works with gloved hands so no more chilly days. Just glove-up and game on.

Samsung Knox

Knox is designed for business and enterprise users, built on top of government standard security. You can use it for business and home. Your personal space is private and your work space is secure.

Group Play

You can play music through as many as eight devices, turning the phone into surround sound. It also allows you to share pictures.

Chat On

Chat On Includes video calling for up to three people with you on the front facing camera and your friends on the back camera.

Air Gesture:

Samsung  Galaxy S4 will be using Air Gesture, already in use to preview on the Galaxy Note 2. You just hover your hand over something like a date on the calendar so you don’t need to touch the screen with your finger.

Battery:

2,600 milliamp battery. We’ll have to see how that fares with the new CPU and display technology that the Galaxy S4 is packing.

S Health App

Also included on the S4 is Samsung’s Health App so that if you have a separate pad you can monitor blood pressure, heart rate, weight, BMI and blood sugar. It can tell you how many calories you’ve burned up and calculate your sleep pattern. You can print out the results..

The post Samsung Galaxy S4 launch & specification detailed appeared first on Androidizen.

So  what is new?

If you only have one tablet for the whole family then this update is a Godsend because it has support for multi-users.

The Android 4.2 multi-tasking means each person has their own personalised homescreen, apps, widgets, background and games, and there##Q##s no possibility of getting your brother##Q##s mega games score reduced to nil because essentially he will have his own tablet experience, while you have yours.

So from a family harmony point of view, this is a winner already!

One of the best features is that you can share all your best snaps, not just by email but also on your HDMI-enabled TV set. All you need is a wireless display adapter and you##Q##re in business.

Even when your Android 4.2 tablet is idle or docked you can still use it in Daydream mode if you want to display pictures or get the latest news.

Always top of the leader board for business users, Android lets you swipe from top down to see all your notifications. This is a really useful feature that means you don##Q##t need to stumble through screens to find your calendar. If you##Q##ve got a date you don##Q##t want to miss, or are expecting an important email, then it will be there waiting for you, as soon as you have the time to glance at the phone.

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There##Q##s no stuttering or hesitating either. You##Q##ll notice how smooth it is to switch between apps. Jelly Bean boosts the CPU when you hit the screen but prolongs battery life by turning it down afterwards.

NFC is the next big buzz to come along. Don##Q##t underestimate just how big NFC will become, we haven##Q##t seen its full capability yet.

You can bump two NFC-enabled Android 4.2 phones together and then flash whatever##Q##s on your phone across to the other one. This is great for sharing photos and contacts.

There##Q##s no messing about with widgets either. Slap them on the screen and the other widgets move about to accommodate them. If they##Q##re too big then they simply downsize to get them all in.

It##Q##s not always easy to see what##Q##s on your screen but this update gives screen magnification so you can zoom in for easy reading. A great boon for anyone who is visually challenged or trying to read small text on the move. There##Q##s also Gesture mode for the visually impaired as well as speech output.

As we##Q##ve said before, in some of our reviews, Android 4.2 Google Now is a fabulous addition, telling you on the spot information depending on your location. You get the weather, transport advice, photos of interesting places nearby and even restaurant reviews. This truly is a lifestyle update too.

Android 4.2 is an impressive piece of kit

You can use Voice to search the web quickly, no fumbling with the keyboard and impress your friends with the Photo Sphere camera, which takes 360 degree photographs. You can share these with your friends or add them to Google Maps.

Typing accurately has always been a challenge on a small device or tablet but the update has Gesture Typing so basically you just swipe over the keys and the words appear on screen. It##Q##s supposed to be able to anticipate the next word and to insert spaces between words. We##Q##ll check out the accuracy and report back on that one!

All in all, Android 4.2 is a hugely impressive piece of kit.

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The great thing about Near field Communication is how easy it makes accessing information or interacting with your device to say turn your wifi on and off with a swipe.

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NFC and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is fantastic, the NFC reader is just under the Samsung Logo on the back of the device, making it simple to locate when you are in a hurry.

NFC tags come in all shapes and sizes from pens to Hanging tags. We love NFC here at Androidizen and using it with your Android packing phone opens up a new world of possibilities with your Galaxy Note 2.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 NFC

If your in Marketing or advertising how about an NFC Advert that invites users to check out  your latest Commercial

You can learn more about NFC innovations (Wikipedia)  I really love this NFC talk is how it shows the world moving to NFC in the consumer market.

We have a playlist dedicated to Near Field Communication it##Q##s worth checking out if your interested in more NFC products.

I really hope you enjoy our Samsung Galaxy Note 2 NFC Near Field Communication demonstration let us know in the comments if you have any questions.

The post Samsung Galaxy Note 2 NFC Near Field Communication demonstration appeared first on Androidizen.

NFC allows your device like a Smartphone or Tablet to read information just by being near another object.

In this case a Beer mat has had an NFC chip embedded into it, allowing a web address or other information to be stored and retrieved.

I expect this to be really popular over the coming year as a new way to reach consumers while they are having their favorite tipple.

NFC opens up new avenues for merchants, advertisers and consumers to connect with the world around them and each other.

Beer Mats are just one example of a range of new Near Field Communication products that are hitting the market over the next few months.

RapidNFC offers some of the newest innovations at a reasonable price.

A few NFC Beer Mat ideas

For Landlords you could put your latest promotions on a NFC Beer Mat or hide a prize in one NFC Beer Mat somewhere in the pub or let visitors Like and check in on your social network page.

If your in Marketing or advertising how about an NFC Beer Mat Advert that invites scanners to watch your latest beer commercial or discount promotion direct from you and supported by the landlord.

I##Q##m currently checking out some other NFC innovations (Wikipedia) and will have follow up videos shortly that will make your inner geek happy.

What I really love about all this NFC Beer Mat talk is how it shows the industry adapting to move NFC into the consumer market, sticker tags are great but it##Q##s not until regular consumer objects become NFC enabled that people will really understand what NFC can do for their lives.

NFC Beer Mat, who doesn##Q##t understand that as a concept?

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The Galaxy Note 2 features a 5.5 inch RGB Super Amoled display with a Quad core CPU running at 1.6 Ghz and 2 gig of system ram and either 16, 32, or 64gig of storage memory. Shooting photos and video on the 8mpx camera and some cool new slow motion video controls exclusive to the Galaxy Note 2 (Wikipedia) and your looking at a fantastic phone / tablet device.

Running Google##Q##s Jelly Bean Android 4.1 operating system this phone really flies, the inclusion with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 of the S-pen for stylus input opens up a whole new avenue of mobile usage. Now you can draw on the screen as well as touch it with your fingers.

Galaxy Note 2 Review

Now I##Q##ve spent some more time with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2  I can happily say it##Q##s one of the best devices ever made, the size is just right and the inclusion of S-pen opens up new possibilities for the road warrior, if you Root your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 you can modify Multi Window to include apps like Skype and Google Plus making it even more versatile and useful.

The camera takes fantastic pictures on the Galaxy Note 2 to the point that you can leave your old camera at home and just use your device, the flash isn##Q##t the best in low light which is a shame but images still appear clear and without too much iso noise in the shadows.

Gaming is probably one of this devices strongest features the large screen and speed cpu makes games really fly I##Q##ve yet to see a game that can really slow down the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Wifi performance is top notch as is Bluetooth and NFC sharing capabilities, speaking of which an often overlooked feature of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2  is it##Q##s NFC chip allowing for mobile purchases and tap to access via your Galaxy Note 2 look for NFC tags at retail locations to check out the fun.

Battery life is excellent offering 2 days of general usage or a good 9 hours of heavy gaming, surfing and video watching which places the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 near the top of the pile

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2  is looking like a class defining device with specs that lead the pack for a considerable time.

The post Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Review appeared first on Androidizen.

Also of note is that Samsung have branded NFC in the S3 handset as S beam S Beam – The Near Field Communication transfer moves on from the standard ICS based NFC now tapping  phone##Q##s together enables transfer  in a faster and more user friendly way.

We love Near Field Communication on the Galaxy S3 not only does it work but it##Q##s fast and responsive in every day use reading tags and making contactless payments.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 really delivers the goods, we cant wait to see all the creative uses for Near Field Communication that people come up with.

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How does NFC work

NFC uses small chips sometimes called TAGS that have no power of their own but when scanned by an NFC reader a small electromagnetic charge brings the NFC tag to life and the data contained can be read back by the reading device. A device can be both a reader and able to write to NFC tags and TAGS themselves can be write once or written too many times over.

What Android Devices support NFC

At the moment only the Samsung Galaxy S2 (with NFC), Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Huawei Sonic (with NFC) & HTC Ruby (with NFC) have NFC built in, most are capable of reading and writing to NFC TAGS but currently a bug in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.02 (The Operating System for the phone) prevent authoring of some tags. 4.03 is due soon and should fix things.

What can you put NFC TAGS into?

The great thing about NFC TAGS is they are relatively small, so far I have seen NFC placed into Stickers, Keyfobs, Wrist Straps & Posters over time the tags will get even smaller allowing for even more unique uses. Remember Sticker Tags are only at the start of their journey anything you can stick a tag on just became a Smart Object capable of being scanned and offering data, the possibilities are endless.

A few ideas for using NFC TAGS

Due to the small size of NFC TAGS Keyfobs and Wristbands make ideal use for Nightclubs and Restaurants, contained in the TAG could be the owners ID allowing staff to check age or ensure a checked in coat goes back to the right owner. hooked up to door entry systems it could help keep private areas sealed off or provide quicker access to staff instead of button entry or fumbling for a key. Personal use could include encoding a link to your Youtube Channel so people can subscribe from their mobile phone or watch your latest video.

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