Samsung Galaxy S IV launched
Samsung has finally lifted the veil on the much-awaited Galaxy S IV smartphone.
The Galaxy S IV bears a striking resemblance to the Galaxy Note
smartphone, as you can see in the pictures below. The difference between
the two, of course, is what lies within the phone.Quick specs:
CPU: 1.9GHZ quad-core Snapdragon (Asian and Euroean versions might come with the new Samsung Exynos 5 Octa eight-core processor instead)
Camera: 13MP main camera, 2MP front-facing camera
Display: 4.99" Full HD Super AMOLED (1080p 441ppi)
Android version: 4.2.2 JellyBean
Connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, Infrared, Temperature/Humidity sensors
Battery: 2600mAh
Memory: 16/32/64GB memory + microSD, 136.6mm x 69.8mm x 7.9mm
RAM: 2GB DDR3
.Samsung Galaxy S IV side view
Much
like for the Galaxy S III, Samsung highlighted the new features in the
Galaxy S IV instead of harping on the hardware specifications. This
seems to be the trend in mobile computing now in order to set apart each
phone from its competitors. Among the main features highlighted are as
below:
Dual Camera
Dual Camera feature
The Galaxy S IV comes with two cameras, which by
itself isn't much of a big deal. What's great about it however, is that
it can utilise them both at the same time in various scenarios.
Dual Video Call
For instance, taking a video with the main camera AND having the
videographer (i.e. you) included in the video. You can also hold a
video chat streaming both sides of the phone to the call recipient.
Adapt Display, an auto-image optimiser
Adapt
Display automatically optimises the camera for the best possible
picture/video shot, which is a handy feature for those new to
photography and do not want to mess around with the settings.
Eraser feature
A
new noteworthy camera feature is the Drama Shot which takes 100
pictures in 4 seconds and combines them into a composite sequence.
Another feature, the Eraser, allows for on-the-fly removal of unwanted
elements in the photo (like photobombs or flying saucers).
S Voice Drive
S Voice Drive, an integrated in-car handsfree app
This feature (which is actually a built-in app) integrates GPS, hands-free calling and SMS management (read, write, send).
S Translate
S Translate feature demonstrated
This is actually a nifty feature especially for us here in Malaysia,
although languages supported for now are English, Chinese, French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portugese and Spanish.
With an internet connection, the app can translate spoken words into
your language, which brings us one step closer to having a Universal
Translator as dreamed in many sci-fi series. If a data connection is
unavailable, however, it can still translate written text from one
language to another.
Home Sync
This is an online storage system, not much different from Dropbox,
iCloud and the rest. However, Home Sync comes with a whopping 1 terabyte
of space for you to store your photos and videos for years to come.
Group Play
Connecting up to 8 Galaxy S IV phones "without an internet
connection" (we're guessing direct WiFi networking), this feature can
convert the phones into a 5.1 surround sound system. Great for get
togethers.
Air Gesture
Pushing boundaries with the S IV, it seems that Samsung has
integrated Kinect-like functionality into the phone. A wave of your hand
over the phone can switch between web pages, play next song, view
photos, scroll up/down and the like. A nifty feature especially while
driving, or waiting for nail polish to dry.
Another noteworthy feature is the ability to use the touch screen
with gloved fingers, a first in mobile phones. So now you can eat with
both hands while scrolling through web pages with your elbow in long
sleeves. We'll leave it to you to imagine more ways to use this feature.
Quick specs for the Galaxy S IV