Win or Fail: Galaxy S4 Gangam Style in India (Samsung Style)

 Just yesterday we reported that Samsung India has announced that the Galaxy S4 will soon be manufactured in the Noida facility which means that a lot of S4 devices will be bearing the made in India title just like many of the S3 models that were produced last year in the same factory. Along with this announcement Samsung India proceeded to hold an event dedicated to the arrival of the Galaxy S4 which was quite "shocking" to say the least. The hosts did a parody of Gangam Style which they called Samsung Style which was quite funny, but not a lot of people seem to think so. While I would say this was a mediocre thing at best, many are calling it a major fail. Have look at the video itself:

 
 Here's some of lyrics if you are having trouble understanding things:

Samsung Style, Samsung Style!
If you liked the S3 then this phone is even better
It has a HD screen and is just a lot slimmer
441 ppi is not just a number
Look at this clarity it's brighter!

 And after this I lose most of what the guy is saying until the chorus which is easy to understand. I don't really know who thought it would be a good idea to do this with a singer who isn't exactly very talented nor does he talk English very well, but Samsung India did ti anyway. Sammy is known for doing propaganda and marketing campaigns in this way, but I feel that the final product was way off mark this time around.

 From what I understand the singer is actually a popular actor in India and the even was organized by a company that works in the entertainment and film industry. Comedic spoofs and parodies are a good way to advertise something, but this is just too much!

 I wouldn't call it a fail, but it is certainly no win. Either way the video is becoming viral among tech fans, and no matter what one thinks of the ad, it is successful at spreading the message - the amazing Galaxy S4 is here and it kicks ass!

 Like it or not? Do you know the rest of the lyrics? Post it in the comments bellow!

Galaxy S4 Will be Manufactured in India

 Over time we have all gotten used to the idea that everything is produced in Asia, and by this we mostly refer to China, Korea and/or Vietnam. However, even though these countries provide a lot of affordable workforce for major companies, this is not the only place one can outsource their production line. India is a country that fits into the profile as well, and it also has a quite a lot of  qualified workforce. A report from ZeeNews says that Samsung India has announced that they will be responsible for manufacturing a part of the new flagship devices. The quantity was not disclosed in the announcement.

 "We are planning to start manufacturing of S4 soon at our Noida facility," Samsung Mobile and Digital Imaging Country Head Vineet Taneja said.

 Noida is actually short for New Okhla Industrial Development Area and the facility in this area produces roughly around 40 million smartphone devices each year. Vineet Taneja did not discus how many Galaxy S4 units the facility will produce nor when the production process will begin.

 So far, Samsung has been quite pleased with the success of Noida and they currently already have 12 smartphones in production in this facility. The most famous out of which is no doubt their Samsung Galaxy S3. The newest flagship will soon join the production line and Samsung is hoping to sell more of their high-end devices in India this year. Currently, India makes for 10% of Samsung's income so isn't a bad idea at all to focus on this market.

Galaxy S4 Surpasses iPhone 5 Retina Display

 For a long time many companies including Samsung have played catch-up with Apple. When the first Android phones were presented I though that they would never even get close to taking a bite of the big market share that Apple had, especially on American soil. But here we are today - Samsung is no longer playing catch-up in any regard. Many critics, tech enthusiasts and respected reviewers are saying that the Galaxy S4 full HD display is much better than the retina display of the iPhone 5. What I am wondering however is, does an average consumer notice and/or care about this?

 

Forbes recently published an article on their website which tried to stay as objective as possible without offending either of the parties. However, in spite of the article title being "Samsung's Galaxy S4 Display Catches Up With iPhone Retina" the author was clearly trying to say - it didn't just catch up, it is better by a mile.

 Of course, the average consumer will not notice this. In fact, I am quite sure I wouldn't really notice either. I wouldn't really even like to discus this over as it is a bit useless. Who wants to read an article explaining which device has a better representation of the shades of green? Well, if you do want to read on that, go to Forbes and see their opinion.

 What I would like to talk about, however, is innovation. Lately, Apple hasn't been doing much of it and on this you all have to agree. It is not like Samsung is pushing things beyond our expectations but they are working a lot harder than the folks at Apple. You see, unlike Samsung, Apple contracts other companies to create their parts for them. Thus, Apple's innovation is limited to the combined innovation of their suppliers, which hasn't been very impressive in the past several years.

 A Sammy/ Galaxy S4 fan might be happy to hear this, but honestly this is not something to be overjoyed by as this affects us all. Until Apple starts doing things the right way, the competition will not be as difficult as it should be in terms of innovation and we will take a lot of time to move forward.

Or is a slow pacing something that you all prefer? Leave us a comment down bellow!

Root Samsung Galaxy S4 with Motochopper

Root Samsung Galaxy S4 with Motochopper

Firmware details

PDA: I9505XXUAMDM

Modem: I9505XXUAMDE

CSC: I9505OXAAMDE

Version: Android 4.2.2

Region: Germany

Country: Europe

Carrier: Unbranded

Build date: 12 April, 2013

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Drivers for Samsung Galaxy S4 to transfer files between the Android device to the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Development option and ensure the USB Debugging Mode is turned on.]  

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the phone, create a backup. If the device is having custom recovery such as ClockworkMod/TWRP already installed then users are recommended to backup data using the recovery.

4) The Galaxy S4 should have above 80 per cent battery charge.

5) The device should be factory unlocked and not locked to a particular carrier.

6) Rooting the phone will void manufacturer's warranty. However, users can reclaim the warranty back by unrooting the device later.

7) The root file used in the guide works only on Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505. Applying this on any incorrect variant might brick the device. Therefore, verify the model number of the Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings>> About phone. 

Steps to root Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 on Android 4.2.2 XXUAMDM Jelly Bean

1) Download CF-Auto-Root package for Samsung Galaxy S4 to the computer. Then extract the downloaded rooting zip file

2) Download Odin3 v1.85 which will help to root the Jelly Bean firmware

3) Turn off the Galaxy S4. Now boot the device into Download Mode by pressing and holding the Volume Down + Home buttons together and then press the Power button until the construction Android robot and a triangle appears on the screen on the phone. Press the Power button again to continue to enter Download Mode

4) Run Odin on the computer

5) Plug in the USB cable to the phone to connect it with the computer while it is in Download Mode. Wait for some time until Odin detects the device. When the device is connected successfully, the ID: COM box will turn yellow with the COM port number. An Added message will appear under Odin window when the phone is connected successfully. If the message does not come then try another USB port, try the one located at the back side of the computer. In case that too does not work, then re-install USB driver

6) In Odin, click on PDA button and select the CF-Auto-Root-jflte-jfltexx-gti9505.zip

7) Ensure that the Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes are selected in Odin. Also verify that the Re-Partition option is unchecked

8) Double check everything and click the Start button in Odin. The installation process should begin now and would take few minutes to complete

9) Once the installation process is completed, the phone will reboot into Recovery Mode automatically and install the root package. The ID: COM box will then turn green

10) When the home screen appears on the phone, unplug the USB cable from the device to disconnect it from the computer

Troubleshooting issues

Sometimes the device does not boot into Recovery Mode (after step-9) and root the device. If that happens, then perform the following steps 

a) Perform the tutorial again but ensure that the Auto Reboot option is unchecked. Then after step-9 do the following

b) Pull out the battery to turn off the phone forcefully

c) Now boot the device into recovery mode by pressing and holding the Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together. Doing this will start the installation process to root the phone

Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 should now be rooted successfully on Android 4.2.2 XXUAMDM Jelly Bean. Open the app list of the phone and check for an app called SuperSU. To ensure the aforementioned root method is installed and working properly, verify with the Root Checker app from Google Play Store.   

[Source: Team Android]

Samsung Galaxy S4 Drop Test & Durability Video

Samsung Galaxy S4 Drop Test & Durability Video

 

Galaxy S4 VS iPhone 5 Drop Test

 Now that the Samsung Galaxy S4 is available a lot of tech enthusiasts have gotten their model already. While the rest of us will have to wait for the Galaxy S4 shortage to get resolved before we can buy our own model, tech nerds and geeks are already hard at work doing various tests on the new device. We already posted a good Galaxy S4 VS iPhone 5 review but we never covered their build quality. I already mentioned that this was because we were waiting to see someone do a drop test, and you can be sure that the good folk at Android Authority have already gone and done that for us! Let us see the results, shall we?

Which do you think did better on the drop test?

 So let us not spoil things for you, but let me just say that I wasn't surprised much by the results of the test. The method of testing itself is quite random and not really "scientific". Android Authority is known for not being any from of authority when it comes to this stuff as they prefer to goof around and entertain their readers rather than educate them. But nonetheless, they did provide us with a nice video and I invite you to have a look at it right now:

 So, did you watch yet?

 I suppose you have, so let us continue with the analysis of the test.

 It seemed to me that Darcy was rather fair in the way he performed the test and that neither of the phones got any advantage in any of the tests. The iPhone 5 did better as expected due to the fact that it has a metal body which will beat the Galaxy S4 plastic build any day. This doesn't mean that plastic is bad or easy to break, but it fails to provide good protection around the corners as we had a chance to see in this video.

 Once a phone suffers impact on the corners, the force spreads across the entire display and depending on the impact itself, the glass will shatter up to a certain point. However, the internal mechanism and hardware isn't harmed and it would take a lot of force to damage those parts. In the end, it is far cheaper to repair the display then the internal hardware.

 Also, tests have shown that the Galaxy S4 is very easy to tear-apart by professionals which makes repairs very easy. It fact, it is much easier to repair it than any Apple device out there, which counts a lot if your S4 ever does take any damage.

 Finally, one should note that, if you are going to spend between $600-800 on a smartphone, you might as well invest between $25-100 into a good case for it! Finally, I invite you to have a look at the Galaxy S4 scratch test as well!

Galaxy S4 Release Ruined by Device Shortage

 The global release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 can be considered both a great success and a horrible failure. While the number of pre-orders is overwhelming and means amazing profit for Samsung right from the start, the shortage of actual devices means that a lot of consumers will be disappointing. Those who don't mind waiting a few weeks won't really feel that this shortage has done anyone any harm, but some people might take offense and opt-in for the new HTC One or some other device if they are really in a hurry to get a new smartphone.

 So far there is no doubt that just about all Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U stores will not have the Galaxy S4 in stock during the weekend. As expected Samsung has immediately come with a statement concerned the issue.

"Due to overwhelming global demand for Galaxy S4, the initial supply may be limited. We expect to fulfill inventory to meet demands in the coming weeks," a Samsung spokesmen said.

While many fans and tech enthusiasts think that this means that the world has finally recognized true quality, a slow start is never a good idea. If anything this can only harm sales and make consumers distrust Samsung, especially in the USA and the UK. These regions will suffer the most and this is very unfortunate since Samsung is trying so hard to overtake Apple's impressive market share in these regions.

 Carriers in the USA will have their fair share of problems as this supply shortage will hurt them the most. Verizon Wireless will start selling the device on 30 May, while T Mobile will start taking pre-orders on April 29th. Sprint will also start taking pre-orders during this weekend, but they cannot say when they will start shipping the devices to those who ordered first.

 Do you plan on getting the new Samsung Galaxy S4? Tell us in the comments bellow!

Official firmware for s4

Samsung has just started to push Galaxy
S4′s (GT-I9500) firmware to the KIES server
as the device is soon going to be launched in
various countries . Samsung always releases
the firmware before the device itself and it’s
the same case with the Galaxy S4, as well.
The firmware is based on Android 4.2.2 Jelly
Bean with Samsung’s Nature UX 2.0 running
on top of it. Currently, Samsung has only
released the firmware for China, we hope
other countries to follow soon.
Firmware Details:
Android Version: 4.2.2 – Build JDQ39
PDA: I9500ZCUAMDG
CSC: I9500CHNAMDG
MODEM: I9500ZCUAMDF
Build Date: April 24
Changelist: 465806

To download the firmware
Via sam

Galaxy S4 VS Note 2

 These two devices are currently the best that Samsung has to offer and I hope you are anxious to see the results of this Galaxy S4 vs Note 2 review! Now, it is true that the Note 2 is an older devices, but none the less if the Galaxy S4 cannot outmatch it then things aren't looking so bright for Samsung's latest smartphone. We will do this comparison as objectively as possible and once the new Galaxy Note 3 comes out we will pit it against the two as well.

 Let us start by looking at the general features, the body and design. The image bellow shows the body dimensions of the two devices. As you are aware of the Galaxy S4 is smaller, thinner and much lighter. It weighs around 130 grams, while the Note 2 weighs just around 180 grams. Both devices are built from plastic.

 The Galaxy Note 2 is as you know built to be this large on purpose. It is a mix between a phone and a tablet that fans like to call a "phablet". This makes comparing the two devices a bit harder, but nonetheless their performance and features can be compared regardless of this fact.

Galaxy S4 vs Note 2: The Display

 In spite of the larger size of the Note 2, it no longer outmatches the Galaxy S series when it comes to the size of the display. The S4 has a 4,99 inch display while the Note 2 has a 5.55 inch display. Is 0.55 inches really worth it? After all, the Note 2 is quite bulky and not very practical and mobile and it no longer has a major advantage over Samsung's smartphone. If you are, however, looking for a mobile phone with an even larger screen, then stick around for the Note 3, which will have a 6.3 inch display.

 Aside from this the Galaxy S4 provides superior display quality. The display is much better, although if you are keeping the Note 2 at a reasonable distance away from your eyes you would probably not notice that the difference in pixel density is so large. Nonetheless I believe that it same to say that the Samsung Galaxy S4 is in the lead so far.

Performance and Specs

The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes in two variation as far as the processor is concerned. The more common version features a quad-core Qualcomm processor, while the other has the famous Exynos 5 Octa-core processor. Benchmarks show that both models are superior in performance to the Galaxy Note 2.

 As far as random access memory goes, both devices have 2GB RAM which makes them even. Storage is also the same as both devices come with 16/32/64 GB and can support an micro SD card.

 And when talking about their performance, it is a wise decision to pit the two devices against each other via the Basemark X 1.0 app which was initially made for gamers. It puts the devices to major graphical tests and as you can see bellow the Samsung Galaxy S4 wipes the floor with all the other contestants.

In terms of software both devices use Android and the Galaxy S4 comes with a newer version out of the box. However, an official update for the Note 2 will soon be available so this doesn't really matter all that much.

 As far as the camera goes, you can compare samples via GSM Arena which is quite handy. The Note 2 has 8 MP, while the Galaxy S4 has a 13 MP camera. However, the difference in quality isn't anything ground-breaking and these numbers don't even matter as much. However, the Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with an array of amazing new features and options when it comes to shooting photographs and I have to say that they looks both amazing and like tons of fun!

In conclusion, which of these wins the Galaxy S4 vs Note 2 battle? In my eyes the Galaxy S4 is worth successor to the series and much better than the Note 2 having outclassed it in every aspect. The price is, however, still a major factor and since the Note 2 is pretty good on its own and it will also get a price cut once the Galaxy Note 3 is out, you can hold on to your money for a bit longer and wait to see what is the best option.

Do you disagree with the final opinion? Leave a comment down bellow and tell us what said wrong!

Best Buy Verizon Galaxy S4 Pre-order Start Today!

 We already posted an article that covered all major Galaxy S4 US carriers and at that time there was very little information concerning Verizon. Unlike other major carriers who already announced the dates and prices of the device, Verizon hasn't even bothered to give the general public a specific date. However, the did come forward recently stating that they will have the Galaxy S4 in stock sometime in May.

 Since there is no official date concerning the Verizon offer, Best Buy has not given out too many information either. However, pre-orders are available and you have to go to either a Best Buy Mobile standalone store or a Best Buy Mobile shop at a larger Best Buy store. While other companies are still putting out landing pages to get your email in order to notify you of the release, Best Buy is stepping forward with their offer quite a bit.

 For $50 you can secure your pre-order, although this is a bit unwise as the actual pricing of the product is not yet known. It is expected that you will, in total, have to pay $200 or $250 if you plan to use a two-year contract. Off contract the device should cost $800 which isn't the most affordable deal out there, but it is a very standard offer.

 So if you like Verizon's services and really want the new Samsung Galaxy S4 then the price with contract looks quite nice. I do, however, encourage you to have a look at what other carriers are offering. If you wanted to buy the standalone device from Verizon then I suggest you get it somewhere else. After all, who wants to pay $800 for that ugly branding that they place on the back case of every device. Yes, I do find that very, very annoying as you may have noticed through other blog posts here!

Galaxy S4 Scratch Test

 These types of review are the latest rend in the mobile tech industry. Some good folk gets his hands on a device early and then finds all sorts of ways to destroy it on camera, and naturally, the video becomes viral. The Samsung Galaxy S4 scratch test is one such example and the video does provide some useful content if you are considering to buy this device. During our Xperia Z VS Galaxy S4 review we did mention that the new Gorilla Glass III is a very good feature, but let us see if it will do the phone any good.

 The scratch test features all sorts of sharp pointy objects such as pens and knives. I personally found the test with the pennies the most realistic as they have in the past caused several scratches on some of my phones when I wasn't very careful where and how I was putting them. The Galaxy S4, however, took the punishment quite well, although this is honestly nowhere near as impressive as the Xperia Z.

 However, we don't need to place the Galaxy S4 underwater or scrub it with sandpaper just to see if it will work. This isn't such a realistic test as I don't see how one could even get into a situation to ruin their phone this way. However, I am really looking forward to seeing the Galaxy S4 take place in a drop test. The previous model wasn't very resilient as people had hopped and I am really wondering if Samsung has addressed this issue.

If you have similar videos to share with us, leave them in the comments! :)

Google Glass unboxing video

Galaxy S4 Prices and Release Dates US

Following our last report on the rumored Galaxy S4 release dates many of the mobile service providers decided to step forward and reveal their offers regarding the brand new Galaxy S4 smartphone. Although we did have some glimpse of possible offers as well an official announcement from AT&T, most of the information was unknown to the general public. In today's post we will clarify what the carriers or offering, what the prices will be and when you can expect these offers to be available.

 

T-Mobile Galaxy S4

 T-Mobile will be the first carrier to feature the Samsung Galaxy S4. The new pride and joy of the Android world will begin selling the Galaxy S4 on April 24. So, how much will this device set you back? Well, it'll be $149.99 up front as well as $20 per month for 24 months. This is a subtotal of $480 and a total of $629.

AT&T Galaxy S4

 AT&T took their job as the Galaxy S4 carrier quite seriously and they made their offers publicly available right off the bat. You can currently order the device via their website, but you must also sign a new two-year contract. We covered this in a lot of detail here.

Sprint Galaxy S4

 In spite off the nasty rumor that Sprint will release the Galaxy S4 somewhere in June, the official word is that they will start selling the device from April 27. You can get the Galaxy S4 via Sprint for $249.99 with a two-year contract. New customers switching from another carrier can get the phone for $149.99.

Verizon Galaxy S4

 Verizon has not announced pricing or availability for the Galaxy S4 which is not a major surprise. They are known for being the last in line to get the latest tech, but not everyone is in a hurry anyway. The Verizon employees have, however, confirmed that the company will sell the device.

US Cellular Galaxy S4

 U.S. Cellular has often been regarded as the second Verizon and it is no surprise that they have also not announced any details such as the price or release date of the new smartphone. They have, however, confirmed that they will sell the device.

Galaxy S4 US Release Dates Revealed?

 We have recently covered a story about AT&T's pricing as well as a special pre-order offer from Verizon, but neither of these companies have released official information regarding the actual Samsung Galaxy S4 release date. While many have already pre-ordered the new smartphone from the carriers, no official news has yet been revealed. However, there will always be rumors and leaks in the mobile/tech industry and today I shall inform you of one such rumor. Over night it spread across many micro-blogs such as mine since the "big sites" published it so I suppose many feel that "it must be true". This is, as you already know, a mistake on its own. None the less let us see what this photo has to say.

The source of the document is a Staple's employee

 So to highlight the important part:

• AT&T is releasing the Galaxy S4 on the 26th of April
• T-Mobile will offer the Galaxy S4 starting the first of May
• Verizon is falling behind and will offer the smartphone on the 30th of May

 What nobody understand however, is that above it is stated "tentative" which means that this is just a test date and is probably by no means real. However, I would not be surprised if the truth is anything like this, since Verizon has a history of being late. AT&T Galaxy S4 pricing details have already been announced and pre-orders are starting today via their official website. This, I believe that there is truth to the rumor that they will be the first Galaxy S4 carrier in the USA.

 There is little information regarding Sprint and their possible offers, but sources say that the company will eventually get the Galaxy S4 in their offer. The employees however have responded that they do not expect the phone to hit their stores until June.

 Which carrier would you most rather choose for your new Galaxy S4? Leave us a comment down bellow!

Galaxy S4 VS Sony Xperia Z Review

 A long time ago I did a hypothetical Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xpreia Z review which got a lot of attention. However, this was clearly just a lot of guesswork and hypothetical talk and an early analysis. But, now that a lot of time has passed we can compare the two phones head on against each other. This can safely be called "The battle of the Titans" as both of these phones are their respective company's smartphone flagships for this season. So, without further to do let us get the Galaxy S4 VS the Xperia Z battle going!

The Overall Specs

 In this section we will try and see what type of specs both of the devices have. This by no means the most important factor in this comparison, but we will try to see right off the bat what these devices have to offer. We are already familiar with the Galaxy S4 (or else you probably wouldn't be here!) but non the less let us compare the two devices side by side!

The Body and Design

In my opinion the Xperia Z has a superior design

 The Sony Xperia Z has the dimensions of  139 x 71 x 7.9 mm (5.47 x 2.80 x 0.31 inches) and weighs roughly around 146 g (5.15 oz). The display diagonal is 5 inches and the overall design of the phone is quite nice. I personally prefer it to the design elements of the Galaxy S4, but I find this a very subjective and irrelevant topic. It is, however, important to note that the device is dust and water resistant. But a word on water resistant - it is resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes which is quite a lot honestly. Aside from this the screen is shatter proof and scratch-resistant (to some extent).

 On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a bit more compact with the dimensions of 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches). It is also quite a bit lighter as it weight 130 g (4.59 oz). This is actually both a difference in size that one can see and a difference in weight that one can feel, although it isn't anything ground-breaking I assure you. The display of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is also 5 inches (4.99 to be exact) and and it is protected with Gorilla Glass III.

 I have seen a lot tests done with the Xperia Z - it has been bashed with a hammer, scratches with a knife, thrown underwater and yet it looked fine. This is really a tough smartphone that can go through hell and back and I honestly have to give it first place when it comes to this! However, I also prefer the S4's slimmer and more easy-to-handle body.

The Geeky Stuff

 But, here we are - the good stuff! This is one of the more important parts of this Galaxy S4 vs Xperia Z battle as this one of the more important things that I look at when buying a phone.

 The Sony Xperia Z boasts 2 GB RAM and 16GB of internal memory. The memory can of course be expanded further with a SD Card (up to 64GB). This smartphone runs with a Quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Krait processor  with Adreno 320 GPU. I will also mention that the tech that the Xperia Z uses is known for its power-saving properties.

 On the other hand the Samsung Galaxy S4 also has 2 GB of RAM and comes and, depending on the model, it has 16/32/64 GB of internal memory. This can be further expanding with a SD Card (again, up to another 64GB). As far as the processor goes, there are two models available:

• The Exynos 5 Octa (which has two quad-core processor that switch on and off depending on which one is needed).
• The Qualcomm Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300 which comes with Adreno 320 GPU.

 While there is an ongoing debate on which of these two performs better, there is no dispute that they handle things better than what the Xperia Z has to offer.

 Another "geeky" thing to note is that the Samsung Galaxy S4 has recently proven itself to be a very powerful device when it comes to handling complex graphics. The recent benchmark app for graphics called Basemark X 1.0 has placed the phone at first place according to its tests. The Sony Xperia Z was ranked third just for comparison.

The Display Quality

 Both of these devices are great in this department and I doubt this section will influence the outcome of this Galaxy S4 vs Xperia Z battle. Here is what you should note about the S4:

• Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen
• 16 million colors
• Resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels (~441 pixels per inch pixel density)

 And about the Xperia Z:

• TFT capacitive touchscreen
• 16 million colors
• Resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels (~441 pixels per inch pixel density)

 Not exactly ground-breaking differences are they? 

The Camera Quality

 Many of you were probably waiting for this section, after all, you have probably seen the latest S4 commercials that focus on its camera features. Well, it is true, right off the bat we can safely say that the S4 has superior features and software which makes the camera awesome and pretty cool. But is it really a better quality camera?

 Both devices have a 13 MP camera with the same resolution so let us look at some tests before we judge which one is better.

Sample 1

Sample 2

 In my opinion, the Galaxy S4 wins this comparison, especially when you take the cool software into account!

Battery Life

 This is another important aspect that I often consider when comparing two smartphones. All the awesome features aren't worth much if you are going to spend more time recharging the phone than using it! 

 Here are the Xperia Z battery specs:

• Non-removable Li-Ion 2330 mAh battery
• Stand-by: Up to 550 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G)
• Talk time: Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G)
• Music play: Up to 40 h

 The Galaxy S4 has a Li-Ion 2600 mAh battery, but I couldn't find information on its stand-by time and other tests since nobody has had the chance to do such tests yet. It does features a removable battery however, which is always a good thing of course.

Galaxy S4 VS Xperia Z: The Winner Is...

 And here we are, at the end of this Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z battle, so who won? Well, were you expecting for more to crown the winner? Well, I am afraid I am not such an important authority figure to give out such an opinion. I would honestly say that the Galaxy S4 is a much better device, but if I can get the Sony Xperia Z for a much better price, then I would not hesitate believe me!

 But what do you guys and girls think? Which is the winner of the Galaxy S4 vs Xperia Z battle in your opinion? Leave us a comment down bellow and tell us what you think!

Omega v0.1 Rom For galaxy s4

Omega v0.1:

Based on beta test firmware XXEAMCG Android 4.2.2 (Date: 21/03/2013)
Kernel Stock XXEAMCG
Modem not included
csc not included
efs Backup (added the option to create efs backup during installation)
Omegadroid Walk Bootanimation by Jorq1H and anbech
Busybox v1.20.2
SuperSU not included, rom is is not rooted
init.d support without the need of a kernel that supports init.d
Aroma installer - Installation is fully customizable by user and there is options to install everything or remove all Bloatware - read here for more info
User can flash apps and bloat apps any time without the need to flash again the whole rom, (flashing the rom once is required)
Full Wipe option
Wipe cache partition automatic before roms installation
Wipe Dalvik Cache automatic during installation
Wipe preload partition automatic before roms installation
Omegas addon applications:
Es File Explorer (with great Root Explorer)
Hide It Pro
ZArchiver
Addfree
Flash player Support
Removed:
Google Music
Magazines
Boot sound
Charger Connection Sound
Mods:
Disabled advertisements - can be enabled again from Addfree app (included in Omega)
Faster GPS lock
Tweaks:
build.prop tweaks
Stock Theme Changes:
Omega Theme for aroma installer by our artist anbech
Rom is Deodexed + Zipaligned
Rom is not rooted 

Guidance for flashing Omega ROMS:

Full Wipe Install means:
- Wipe Data / Factory Reset
- Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache
- Format System partition
- Install

No Wipe Install means:
- Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache
- Install

With either type of install we recommend first:
- Backup apps and data (eg with Titanium, MyBackup, Rom Toolbox)
- Nandroid Backup

In case of any issues please ensure you have followed the relevant procedure above that applies to the Omega ROM version you are installing.

Occasionally some users can experience various random issues after installing an Omega version that does not require a full wipe.
If this happens a full wipe per the procedure above usually fixes the issues.

Download Center:

Omegas Download Center

via : Xda forum 

Be Careful What You Buy!

 We hold polls often on this blog and one of our recent polls asked people what they are planning to do once the Galaxy S4 is official on sale. I expected the results to look something like this, although I am not quite happy with what some of readership thinks like. Either way, I am grateful to all who participated and here are the results:

 

 As you can see, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a rather strong fan-base as the majority of the voters will be buying this flagship device as soon as it comes. Another large group will still wait a bit to see how good the device actually is, and this is something I applaud. Buying the latest tech just because of its reputation and without knowing much about isn't exactly the smartest thing to do, but I will not try to teach you how to handle your own finances as this is none of my business.

 However, I will give you some advice when it comes to buying smartphones: be careful what you buy! Do not allow yourself to be fooled into order phones online via eBay or other auction sites unless the seller is an actual company or an authority figure. Last year there were a lot of scams involving the Galaxy S III and you can be sure some people will try and pull the same tricks again.

 So, remember - be smart! :)

PS: A new poll has been posted and you can vote now! The poll is on the left side.

Galaxy S4 To Ship With Wolfson Audio Chip?

 There are so many of the "little things" that we often do not consider nor talk about when it comes to phone reviews. There a lot of reasons for this, but mostly writers do not include some of the specs or features because the general public either doesn't view them as important or their editors think it makes the article too long. Either way, audio is one of those things when it comes to most smartphones and we never really talked about it on the Galaxy S4. Well, this article will try to right the wrong and introduce you to a company called Wolfson Microelectronics who will apparently be creating the audio chips that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will use.

 According to the report from the Inquisitor Scottish-based company Wolfson Microelectronics has signed a licensing deal with Samsung. It appears that the Korean giant plans to use their audio chips for its popular range of Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Among these devices is the Samsung Galaxy S4, the latest flagship device that Samsung will soon be releasing worldwide.

While this company isn't exactly Dolby Audio, they are not so unknown as people might think. In the past they have provided their chips to many companies, including Apple who used their chips for their iPod series as well as a few of the iPhones. The Samsung Galaxy S also features a chip from this company, and we will soon be seeing a lot more of their technology in Samsung's devices.

 This agreement means that Wolfson is now Samsung's primary audio partner and you can be sure that all of this additional income that they will make will certainly be used to invest into their research department. The Galaxy S4 will not the be the only phone to receive these new chips, but we still do not have sufficient information on which models Wolfson is manufacturing for Samsung at the moment.

 Wolfson CEO Mike Hickey said on the subject, "This is a significant milestone for Wolfson, and we are delighted to be making this announcement. Having worked closely with Samsung over recent years on their Galaxy range of tablets and smartphones, this agreement is a testament to our strong IP portfolio and our growing partnership, and we very much look forward to working closely together to continue to deliver exceptional audio in Samsung's smartphones and tablets."

 It is a shame that there isn't really a major audio benchmark, but those of you who don't know yet, the Galaxy S4 is currently the best smartphone in turns of graphics according to Basemark benchmark statistics.

Galaxy S4 Ad Campaigns Kick Off!

 The Samsung Galaxy S4 will soon be released worldwide and Samsung is slowly beginning it ad campaign. Although the launch event in New York received a lot of attention worldwide this is of course not nowhere near the amount of exposure Samsung is aiming to get to market their new device and raise the awareness of their brand. And with that said, Sammy started their brand new advertising plan and you can be sure that a lot of new ads are on their way to your billboards, local TV, YouTube, newspapers, stores...

 Let us have a look at this 60 second teaser video first.

 Ah, Vivaldi's music is playing in the background and one already feels that this going to be a great ad! Well, it wasn't really all that great and innovative, but I feel that it got its point across. It clearly focused on the phone's design and display quality as well as its unique features and gimmicks, while leaving a lot to the imagination and causing you to make further research about the device. It is a very nice all-around ad. The slogan "Your life companion" is a different twist to most of the lines that Samsung's advertising team usually uses, but I believe that this motto is quite accurate. However, the Galaxy S4 is more of an assistant than an actually companion, but this of course doesn't sound so poetic!

 Anyway, Samsung also tried something different in their ad campaign as well. Usually they make direct references to other brands in some of their commercials in order to make fun of them. They are yet to do that for the Galaxy S4, but they have however taken a shot at Apple's style. These "funny" ads are a silent parody to what Apple often does, but also an attempt at using some humor to advertise only a small gimick that the S4 has in order to make you interested to learn more about the device itself.

 A good example of this is the following ad:

 Now, I honestly can't imagine a football team getting their spirits up with this song, but you get the idea Samsung is trying to spread across these ads. There are a few others like this such as the S Translator ad and while I am not a huge fan of these, I can certainly see them being rather successful.

 Last year Samsung spent more than $300 million on advertising and I am sure that their recent success has given them enough resources to push their products even more so you can be sure to expect even more Galaxy S4 ads in the future.

 Did you find any cool Galaxy S4 ads of your own? Please feel free to leave a link in the comments section just bellow this article!

Galaxy S4 Is Amazing for Gaming says Basemark X 1.0 Benchmark

 We already know that the Galaxy S4 is a pretty amazing device right? It works brilliantly and packs an amazing combination of both hardware and software. However, I never really though about the Galaxy S4 as a gaming device. Most of the people I know don't use phones like this for games that will drain your battery instantly to slow your phone down (they tend to use tablets for that). However, the recent tests that were conducted by an Android app called Basemark X 1.0 suggest that the Galaxy S4 is currently one of the best gaming devices in the mobile industry.

 Well, how does it work? What score did the S4 get? Well, the Galaxy S4 climbed to the top for chart with a pretty impressive score. The benchmark app is constructed with the use of the Unity 4 platform and it provides a tough challenge for any device. It tests the phone via series of complex graphical tasks and then awards points to the device based on its performance.

 The goal is obviously not to measure the quality of the graphics, but the performance of the device and how it handles with such challenges. Among some of the many things that Basemark X 1.0 measures are the lightning effects, particles, shading and shadows and so on. The graphical tests are really tough and are designed to push the devices that are being tested to their very limits.

 Here is how Samsung Galaxy S4 did on the test:

The S4 passes with flying colors!

 As you can see, the Samsung Galaxy S IV did great on this graphical test and really made the series proud. It proved itself much better than the HTC One which is a brand new phone on the market that is trying to take the crown away from the SG S4. So far, however, it has not done such a good job in my opinion!

 If you are interested how well your current phone is doing then have a look at the free Basemark X 1.0 app on the Play Store. The developer has also noted that there will soon be an iOS and a Windows 8 application available as well, in case this is your OS of choice.

 What do you think about these tests results? How does your current phone perform? Post anything you have to say about this in the comments and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Verizon Galaxy S4 Deal Coming Soon (US Only)

 Verizon is ready to finally clear stock and start on their own Galaxy S4 offers. Earlier this week we reported that AT&T has announced its Galaxy S4 offer. If you decide to sign a contract with them for a period of two years then you can get the 16GB SG S IV for only $199.99, while the 32 GB model will set you back $249.99. Experts are suggesting that this pricing is fair and that we can expect similar offers from other carriers as well. So, what is Verizon up to?

 Well, Verizon is prepping for the new Galaxy S4 release by offering their Verizon Galaxy S III for as low as $99 if you get it via the Verizon Wireless plan. This is a typical move that US carrier pull off when a new flagship model is about to hit their stores. Along with this, Verizon has cut prices on the Galaxy S3 for those who buy it via a contract through their partners. This way, some people have reported that one can get the Galaxy S3 by signing a two-year contract and paying an additional $19.99 through their partners.

 So, when will the Verizon Galaxy S4 finally hit the stores? Well, it is still unknown at this time, but we do know that it has cleared the FCC tests and is about ready to go. Rumor has it that Verizon is planing a major release during this spring, which means the arrival of the SG S4 is just around the corner!

 Experts are worried about Verizon's business model however, since AT&T, for example, has been chewing away on their profit. Verizon was the last carrier in the USA to cash-in on the Galaxy Note 2 and we may see the same thing again. Along with that there is no mention of them including the HTC One or the new BlackBerry 10 device in their catalog which might cause them a lot of damage.

 We are yet to see how this will all play out however, so make sure you follow us for more news and commentary! Feel free to leave a comment if you have some news or tips! :)

Galaxy S4 India Release on April 25th; Price Under Rs 40,000

 After our release on AT&T Galaxy S4 prices in the USA, here is a report from another side of the world. Namely, this article takes us to India, and our readership from this part of the world will be overjoyed to hear the news of the Galaxy S4 release in this country. Even though the news indicate that the device will be launched on April 25th, it is very likely that the Galaxy S4 will not hit the stores in India until April 27th. The phone will be available for less than 40,000 Rs via contract, while manufacturer recommended price will be around 42,000 Rs.

 We do not have information on whether or not this model will feature the Exynos 5 Octa processor, but it is very likely that consumers in this part of the world will have the same problems as the good folk in Europe, since the Galaxy S4 in these areas will not feature the Exynos 5 Octa. It is a real shame that the octa-core processor isn't yet ready for mass productions since it is a very strong selling point of this device.

 Also, the rumor on the Net is that Samsung is a tad bit worried about the rumored upcoming iPhone 5S which could make sales drop. To counter this, it seems that improved models as well as the Galaxy S4 Mini are on their way. Along with this, the Galaxy Note 3 is going to hit the shelves big soon enough! However, we will talk about these rumors later on!

AT&T Galaxy S4 Pricing Details (US Only)

 Greetings dear Galaxy S4 fans! If you are interesting in getting the latest flagship device through AT&T then you will be pleased to know that they have published information regarding their prices and offers. As expected the new phone will be quite expensive, but the costs aren't anything different from the S3 once it was launched. 

So, if you are interested in AT&T and want them to be your carrier of choice, you can get the new device by signing a new two-year contract with AT&T starting April 16 (preorder only). So, what is the price you ask? Well, this obviously depends on the model, and thus here are the price specs:

• 16 GB Model will cost you $199.99
• 32 GB Model will cost you $249.99

 Once again, I remind you that this is only available with a new two-year contract  and you can preorder the Galaxy S4 starting April 16. You can get more info and subscribe to their S4 mailing list via the official product page.

 Aside from this, I would also like to let you guys and girls note that this price is pretty fair. The iPhone 5 (16GB) and the new HTC One (32GB) all cost as much as the 16GB Galaxy S4 model which seems quite reasonable to me. Still, there was a lot of debate over the past couple of days. 

 Thus, I ask you my dear readership, what do you think about this offer? Is the price fair? Is the quality that AT&T provides sufficient for you to sign a two-year contract? Let me know in the comments!

Try Facebook Home in your phone

Facebook Home

Download: (There are 3 apps, you need to install all 3 apk)
Main Facebook app:
https://mega.co.nz/#!UApDzCCR!dpFHEH...tNaxsskf-0S_WU

Mirror: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3dA...it?usp=sharing

Integration with SMS Messenger app:
https://mega.co.nz/#!FY52mYjL!IXJhXR...O23xS_h-CE5_vw

Mirror: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3dA...it?usp=sharing

The Home/Launcher shell app:
https://mega.co.nz/#!0AJgDaJK!PlX3vy...idNRh37qyL3AOo

Mirror:https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3dA...it?usp=sharing



via xda Forum