Omio News Blog

Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘twice as fast’ mobile phone arriving this month

South Korean electronics giant Samsung is reportedly producing another version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, with faster 4G LTE access.

CEO, President of the IT & Mobile Communications Division, JK Shin, has told Reuters about this iteration of the S4 – which could arrive as early as this month, in South Korea.

It will have LTE-Advanced technology built-in, which is said to offer twice the normal speed of 4G.

“We’ll be the first with the commercial launch of the advanced 4G version of the smartphone“, said the head of the Samsung mobile.

The company states that a movie download that takes three minutes with conventional 4G, would take slightly more than one minute with the new tech.

The introduction of the S4 with LTE-Advanced is something Samsung has repeated in the past, with the SIII (in the UK).

A 4G version of that mobile made its way to our shores, earlier this year. EE retailed that mobile, as well as the likes of Three – as an Ultrafast Samsung Galaxy SIII edition.

EE has also said that it will be trialling LTE Advanced, but the end of this year.

That could mean that network might offer this version of the S4 at some stage, although by the time it is rolled out – we could be on the Galaxy S5.

Omio Mobile Phone News Weekly Newsletter – 10th June – 14th June

The week began with Omio reported that Orange has reduced its unlimited tariff cost, for two days. We published an update to Sony Xperia Z Nexus Google Edition planned, as it was confirmed by another source. Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Zoom camera mobile phone pictures leaked, and Apple’s iPhone 6 is to have a 4.8-inch screen. New Microsoft Windows Phone 8 OS appeared online, from a second hand handset. New Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 mobile phone was unveiled, with Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 features. A Samsung Galaxy Note III picture leaks, and we updated Nokia Lumia 925 Superman ‘Man of Steel’ mobile phone to launch , as it became available to buy. Apple iOS 7 was announced, as a completely resigned iDevice OS.

Earlier on in the week, Omio ran Apple iOS 7: new features explained, in pictures and on video. Samsung’s Galaxy Note tablet is to launch, with a 12.2-inch screen. HTC T6 phablet picture was outed, as HTC One Max – with its name is confirmed by an analyst. LG is to drop Optimus mobile phones, and BlackBerry Q5 arrival date and price was revealed. Sony Xperia M mobile phone arrival date and costs were outed.

Midweek, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom mobile phone was announced, with 16-megapixel camera and 10x optical zoom. We published Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom: in pictures and with video, also, Nokia Lumia 925: hands-on and unboxing pictures and a hands-on and unboxing video walkthrough.

Towards the end of the week, Apple iPhone with a 5.7-inch screen is being considered. HTC One Mini M4 picture and specs leak, where Bloomberg confirms its summer release. Apple iOS 7 massive security flaw was discovered. Sony Xperia Z Ultra ‘Togari’ press picture appears online, and BlackBerry PlayBook tablet gets updated to BlackBerry 10 OS. Omio alos ran – Apple iOS 7: hands-on pictures.

At the end of the week, we published that Nokia Lumia EOS 41-megapixel Windows Phone 8 mobile phone is launching 11th of July. Sony Xperia Z Ultra ‘Togari’ phablet pic and specs leak, with a 6.44-inch FHD screen, while it is waterproof and dustproof, BlackBerry Q5 became available from Orange and T-Mobile, deals from £27 a month. Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is also now available, deals from £27 a month. Google Nexus 7 version 2 is launching July, and mobile phone roaming costs are to end.

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The biggest story of the week came from Apple, in unveiling iOS 7, its new operating system that runs mobile products, such as the iPhone 5, iPad and iPod touch.

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The next most significant piece was when Samsung announced its Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom – a camera phone, built on the Galaxy S4 flagship handset design and brand name.

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The third largest news item came from Apple, which is reportedly looking into making Apple iPhones with larger screens, along with offering them in multiple colours.

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The following most significant story was Sony Mobile inadvertently leaked a picture of the rumoured codenamed Sony Togari phablet device, now believed to be called Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

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The fifth biggest piece was when Nokia was thought to be unveiling its allegedly codenamed Nokia EOS, with a 41-megapixel camera, at a press event on the 11th of July.

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The next most significant news came from European Commission, which is said to be ending the pricey roaming charges for using a mobile phone abroad, from next year onwards.

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The seventh largest story was Samsung announcing the third generation of its Ace range, in the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3.

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The following most significant item came when Microsoft had screen-shots outed of a new version of its mobile phone Windows Phone 8 operating system, from a Nokia handset bought off eBay.

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The penultimate piece of news was when BlackBerry, saw developers publish a way of getting the BlackBerry Z10 operating system, called BlackBerry 10 OS, onto the BlackBerry PlayBook.

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Lastly, Omio took delivery this week of the new Nokia Lumia 925 mobile phone, on the same day it is available to buy – where we published hands-on and unboxing photos of the next generation of the Nokia flagship handset, and a video walkthrough.

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UPDATE: Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom: in pictures – now with video

Samsung has just announced its Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, 16-megapixel camera phone, with a 10x optical zoom.

Omio is now publishing these official photos of the mobile phone, ahead of its launch event on the 20th of June – where we will follow these up with hands-on pictures, and a video walkthrough.

These images start with the S4 Zoom head-on, showing its 4.3-inch Super AMOLED 960 x 540 display.

There is a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU driving the mobile, with 1.5GB of RAM, plus 8GB storage capacity, plus support for microSD cards.

Those specs put it more in the realms of the S4 mini, than the top-tier Samsung Galaxy S4, with its quad-core 1.9GHz setup

Following on from there, is a pic of the rear of the Zoom (above) – highlighting the 16-megapixel snapper and its 10x optical zoom, fully extended.

There is also the Xeon flash on the back, while the top sports a dedicated camera button.

This is in the same vein a regular camera, presumably aimed at offering up a similar picture taking experience.

The next two shots are of the S4 phone at an angle, and the rear, head-on. These are both of the optical zoom non-extended, showing how compact it can actually be.

These are the dimensions of 15.4mm thin, 63.5mm wide, 125.5mm tall and with a weight of 208g.

Above, has the handset with the optical zoom extended; below, with it retracted.

That shows the lip of the device on the right, which could act as a grip when taking pictures.

It could also provide a balance to the whole weight of the Zoom, when the optic is fully extended (see the next picture).

Finally, is an image of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom from the reverse angle as the second photo, ending with an advert, showing both sides of the camera phone.

UPDATE:

Samsung has released an official video of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, offering some idea of how it will work; stay tuned, as we are planning to capture hands-on pictures and a video-walkthrough, from its launch event on the 20th of June.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom mobile phone announced, with 16-megapixel camera and 10x optical zoom

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has unveiled its Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom – a camera phone, built on the Galaxy S4 flagship handset design and brand name.

Samsung states the Zoom comes from a mission to create a single device that can fulfil the role of both an industry leading smartphone and a high-end compact camera.

To this end, it has equipped it with a Xenon flash, 10x optical zoom, a 16-megapixel BSI (back-illuminated) CMOS sensor, said to offer great image capture in all lighting conditions, either up close or far away.

There is OIS (Optical Imaging Systems) built in, which is noted to keep the mobile perfectly still, reducing blur and keeping it stabilised when zooming in and out.

All of which should make the Samsung Galaxy S4 a formidable camera phone, with the addition of its Zoom Ring.

This is a home-screen feature for easy camera navigation, offering instant access to multiple camera modes – such as auto, gallery and smart mode.

That is all in a handset that has a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED 960 x 540 screen, while powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, with 1.5GB of RAM; 8GB of internal storage (5GB accessible) and support for 64GB microSD cards.

It will be available in 3G and 4G LTE versions, running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with the company’s TouchWiz Nature UX overlay.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Zoom will be around this summer, with costs and the actual arrival dates being confirmed closer to the time.

Stay tuned to our site, as we will be bringing you hands-on images and a video walkthrough – from its first airing, at the Samsung Premier event, on the 20th.

Samsung Galaxy Note III picture leaks

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has reportedly seen photos of its yet-to-be-announced third generation flagship phablet appear on the Internet, thought to be called the Samsung Galaxy Note III.

The image above is believed to be a prototype of the Galaxy Note III, where the finished product is believed to be launching at Berlin’s IFA consumer electronics show in August – judging by past form.

That pic, along with a few others, all come from SamMobile and TechTastic, in a joint post.

Those sites could not confirm the S PEN functions of the phablet, which has been a staple feature of past Notes – including the tablet 10.1 version.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note III is rumoured to have a 5.99-inch Super AMOLED screen, while driven by an eight core processor or a Qualcomm 800 CPU.

There is also said to be a 13-megapixel camera onboard, with the phone-cum-tablet running from Android 4.2.2 or 4.2 (Jelly Bean) with the company’s TouchWiz Nature UX overlay.

Samsung has recently confirmed the existence of the Galaxy Note III, by listing it on its own website – in Kazakhstan.

The processor variations have been covered by Omio, here, with Qualcomm and here, on the octo-core version.

This is all while we first covered some of its expected features in April, with the 360-degree S Orb photo capture function.

Stay tuned to our site, as the rumours, speculation and leaks are bound to be more frequent – heading towards its launch event.

New Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 mobile phone unveiled, with Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 features

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has announced the third generation of its Ace range, in the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3.

This more affordable mobile phone takes its design cues from the Samsung Galaxy S4, in a device could very have been the called the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini’s mini.

It comes with a 4-inch 800 x 480 TFT LCD screen, while powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, with 1GB of RAM; 8GB of internal storage (5GB accessible) and support for 64GB microSD cards.

On the rear is a 5-megapixel snapper, where the front sports a VGA camera, for video calling.

Running the mobile is the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system, which is accompanied with features of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the new Galaxy S4.

These are along the lines of Smart Stay. This recognises when someone is viewing the display and doesn’t dim, allowing optimum viewing – without the need to touch the screen, just to keep it awake.

Elements of the S4 are the likes of Sound & Shot, for adding audio to a picture; Best Photo, which captures a range of shots for best image selection.

There is also S Translator (language translation app); S Travel (travel guide software) and an easy mode that streamlines the OS, for access to top functions.

Samsung has said there will be two versions of the Galaxy Ace 3 available, a 3G and a 4G LTE version; the latter will be shipping in the UK.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom camera mobile phone pictures leak

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has seen photos of its purported Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom camera phone appear online, from several sources, ahead of its upcoming launch event.

The first image has been published by SamMobile, which appears to be a press shot of the device – highlighting its much larger size, compared to the original Samsung Galaxy S4.

It shows the camera protruding from the rear, which is thought to be a 16-megapixel snapper, with a 10x optical zoom.

This is on a phone that is rumoured to house a 4.3 qHD Super AMOLED display, running a dual-core 1.6GHz processor, with 8GB of internal storage and support for 64GB microSD cards.

Running the mobile is noted to be the Android 4.2.2. Jelly Bean OS, with the company’s Touch-Wiz Nature UX.

That title states it has an appearance similar of the Galaxy S4 mini (head-on), and that it is likely to be launched at the Samsung Premier event on the 20th of June.

The second leak, are actual hand-on photos of the alleged named Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom.

These have been run by the publication TechTastic, where on closer inspection, it looks like a cross between the Samsung Android run Camera and the Galaxy S4.

The thickness of the phone is evident, giving it the appearance of last year’s Nokia 808 PureView, with its 41-megapixel camera.

UPDATE: Sony Xperia Z Nexus Google Edition planned – confirmed by another source

Formerly Sony Ericsson, now Sony Mobile is said to be joining Samsung and HTC, in producing a Sony Xperia Z Google Edition, offering up a Nexus user experience.

Google announced at its Google I/O developer’s conference it will be retailing a Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition, with a standard version of its Android Jelly Bean OS.

This is in the same way as the typical Nexus device arrives, such as the LG made Nexus 4 handset and Asus manufactured Nexus 7 tablet.

Omio reported last week that HTC was joining Samsung, in releasing a similar version of its flagship HTC One – also through the Google Play store.

It now appears that Sony is becoming a member of the Google Edition club, in offering up its waterproof Sony Xperia Z.

Android Geeks, citing a Sony insider, has confirmed that a Xperia Z, with a Nexus OS will be announced sometime in July.

The title goes on to mention that Sony has already started an Android Open Source Project for the Xperia Z.

This is where a stock version of Android can be installed on the Sony mobile, meaning that it has already met the Nexus criteria, to some degree.

It also believes that the full HD 5-inch screen based phone could be available for $599, matching the price of the HTC One variant.

UPDATE:

Android Central has confirmed through its own sources, Sony is preparing a ‘Google Edition‘ of its flagship Xperia Z handset – to be sold through Google Play, joining HTC’s One and Samsung’s Galaxy S4, Nexus versions.

Omio Mobile Phone News Weekly Newsletter – 3rd June – 7th June

The week started with Omio reporting that a Nokia phablet picture leaked, alongside a yet-to-be-announced Sony phablet. Samsung confirms the existence of the Samsung Galaxy Note III and Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. We wrote about the T-Mobile Full Monty tariff reduction to just £16 a month, being extended. The HTC One new Android OS and Sense overlay was leaked, and we noted the world’s fastest mobile phone became available on Three UK. Vodafone said 4G is launching late summer, and Samsung Galaxy S4 ACTIVE waterproof mobile phone official pictures appear online.

Earlier on in the week, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8-inch and 10.1-inch screen tablets were unveiled, and Samsung confirmed an Intel processor is inside. Sony Xperia M mobile phone was unveiled, as the current entry level Sony Xperia for 2013. Three suffered a UK wide network problem, and Android 4.3 OS is to be released in July. Apple iPhone 5S iOS 7 home screen picture leaks. The HTC 2013 mobile phone roadmap appears online, and ARM, Qualcomm and Intel unveil new mobile processors.

Midweek, we wrote that Apple’s iOS 7 is to have square icons. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active was announced, as a waterproof and dustproof version of the S4. Omio published Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, in pictures. Apple’s iPhone budget rear cover picture was leaked. The HTC One mini M4 mobile phone leaked in hands-on pictures. Nokia’s Lumia EOS 41-megapixel Windows Phone 8 mobile pictures appear online, and Google Play is to beat Apple iTunes in downloads.

Towards the end of the week, more pictures leak of the Nokia Lumia EOS 41-megapixel mobile phone. The BlackBerry Z5 mobile phone pictures appear online, as a lower costing version of the BlackBerry Z10. EE 4G share plans and pay as you go mobile broadband tariffs are coming this summer. A Sony Xperia Z Nexus Google Edition is planned, and the BlackBerry A10 high end mobile phone is launching in time for Christmas. Samsung Galaxy S4 storage issue has been fixed, in a firmware update. T-Mobile leaks BBM Apple iOS and Android app arrival date as 27th of June, and BlackBerry responds with a ‘no’.

At the end of the week, even more pictures of the Nokia Lumia EOS 41-megapixel appear online, now running on EE. Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini prices were revealed. Apple iPad 5 cases now available to buy, ahead of launch event. Nokia Lumia 925 is available with Three and Vodafone, starting on £34 deals. Sony Togari is to be called Sony Xperia ZU phablet, and is launching on the 25th of June. Facebook releases Facebook Home update, and a HTC T6 phablet picture was outed, as the HTC One Max.

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The biggest story of the week came from Nokia, which saw images outed of its alleged Nokia Lumia EOS 41MP Windows Phone 8 handset.

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The next most significant piece was when Apple had a picture of its rumoured iOS 7 appear online, ahead of its official unveiling at Apple Worldwide Developers Conference – next week.

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The third largest news item came from HTC which saw hands-on photos appear online, of its yet-to-be-announced codenamed HTC M4, or HTC One mini – ahead of any official confirmation, of the device’s existence.

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The following most significant story was when Samsung confirmed the existence of the Samsung Note III third-generation large screen phablet and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom camera phone, on its own website.

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The fifth biggest piece was when BlackBerry was said to be producing a top-tier handset, called the BlackBerry A10, before the end of the year.

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The next most significant news came when Google was noted to be releasing its yet-to-be-announced Android 4.3 operating system at the start of Q3.

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The seventh largest story was HTC having blueprints of its purported HTC phablet appear online, which could carry the name of HTC One Max.

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The following most significant came item was when Samsung officially unveiled its Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, which essentially is an element proof version of its flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 – with almost the same specifications.

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The penultimate piece of news was Sony Mobile is believed going to launch the allegedly codenamed Sony Togari phone-cum-tablet at a press event this month – and it will be called the Sony Xperia ZU.

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Lastly, Samsung announcing two new Android tablets in its Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 series – the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1-inch display based models, in Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G LTE versions..

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Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini prices revealed

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has seen the prices appear online of two of its new mobile phones – the Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Galaxy S4 mini – both SIM free and unlocked.

Unlocked-mobiles.com has taken stock of the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and is now retailing the large screened giant for £498.97.

This price outing comes before any of the networks or popular high-street sellers have announced their contract costs for the Mega, but few have listed it as coming in July.

As the number suggests, it has a 6.3-inch screen, sitting above the Galaxy Notes in terms of display size.

Omio caught up with the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 at the S4 press event in London, where we have since published hands-on pictures of the device and a video walkthrough – given by a product spokesperson.

Next up, is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. On-line retailer Handtect has priced the mobile up for £389.99, where its larger counterpart comes in at £429.99 – only £126 more.

The S4 mini is a cut down version of the S4 high-end model, with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen (instead of a 5-inch display based, full HD, version).

There is also a dual-core 1.7GHz processor driving the phone, with the original S4 is powered by a quad-core 1.9GHz CPU.

Omio believes the cost should come down for the S4 mini, as for just a little more – you get so much, much more.

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