Verizon Galaxy S III software update adds bug fixes, carrier billing and Multi Window support

Verizon Galaxy S III software update fixes bugs, adds carrier billing and MultiWindow support

With an AWS-enabled Galaxy S 4 looming on the horizon for Verizon (note: the rhyme has us cringing, too), Samsung's Galaxy S III is gracefully sunsetting its flagship status. But it's not bowing out quietly. A software update is set to roll out to Big Red GS III's that'll bring with it a veritable slew of under-the-hood improvements (i.e., consistent 4G connection when in hotspot mode, easier NFC access, S Voice tweaks, etc.), as well as Multi Window functionality for app multi-tasking and direct carrier billing for Google Play. Owners will also find Flipboard, if they haven't downloaded it already, pre-loaded onto their devices post-update -- though, it arrives without that nifty Air View preview feature. So, you can hold off from the GS4 envy for a bit yet, there's still some life left in Samsung's one-time Android king.

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Via: Phandroid

Source: Verizon

Nokia pits Lumia 928 against Galaxy S III again, challenges Samsung to audio recording contest

Ready for round two? Nokia is: it's put the Galaxy S III and its own Lumia 928 back in the ring, challenging Samsung's handset to an audio recording duel. The company's latest video tasks both phones with capturing a musical performance in a New York subway. Naturally, Nokia uses the clip to promote the Lumia's strengths, flipping back and forth between the 928's clear, undistorted audio, and the much noisier recording captured on the Galaxy S III.

A graphic overlay jumps and dips with the volume, peaking into the red distortion threshold whenever the view switches to the Samsung phone's perspective. "Nokia Lumia retains audio quality under high volume recording with no distortion," it reads, and indeed the Lumia's footage does sound clearer by comparison, if a bit muted. What Nokia's handset lacks in volume, however, it makes up in balance -- not only is the audio free of distortion, it also lacks the echo picked up by the Galaxy S III. Even so, the test should be taken with a grain of salt -- the proctor has an interest in the Lumia coming out on top, and the GSIII isn't Samsung's latest, exactly. Smartphone audiophiles with a discerning ear can find the full video after the break.

[Thanks, Emmett]

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Source: Nokia

Purple Samsung Galaxy S III coming to Sprint on April 12th for $99

Purple Samsung Galaxy S III coming to Sprint on April 12th for $99

Last month, a purple Galaxy S III first reared its regal-hued exterior accompanied by claims that it would launch on Sprint sometime in April. Tonight, a tipster sent a screenshot our way that's pegged the aubergine handset for an April 12th release on the Now Network. With the help of a $50 mail-in rebate, you'll be able to pick up the 16GB variant of the smartphone for $99 on a two-year contract. Finally, a phone that'll match our impeccable taste in handheld gaming consoles.

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V-moda unveils Vamp Verza: a dockable, device-agnostic headphone amp and DAC for mobile audiophiles (update: video)

Vmoda unveils Vamp Verza a dockable, device-agnostic headphone amp and DAC for mobile audiophiles

Last we heard from V-moda, the company was appealing to audiophile sensibilities with its $300 Crossfade M-100 portable headphones. Continuing in that respect, today it's officially unveiling the Vamp Verza as a followup to last summer's $650 iPhone 4/4S-purposed Vamp spy tool headphone amp, DAC & case combo. The aluminum-clad Verza is a device-agnostic solution that uses a sliding dock system with special $100 Metallo cases to give any supported devices a similar all-in-one feel to the original.

At launch, a GS III case is available, with an iPhone 5 model a few weeks out -- the company is aiming to get GS IV and Note II cases out next. The unit's 150mW x 2 amplifier will bypass your iDevice's audio output via a USB port on its bottom, while an adjacent microUSB port can take advantage of the external sound card profile found in Android Jelly Bean. V-moda notes the microUSB port acts like a traditional USB audio device, so it'll work with mostly any device. As you might guess, both ports have their own specific DACs routing audio at different power levels to its op-amp.

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Source: V-moda

The Daily Roundup for 03.06.2013

DNP The Daily RoundUp

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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Samsung working on fix for ‘sudden death’ bug affecting some Galaxy S III owners

If you own a Galaxy S III that appears to have suffered some form of cardiac arrest, failing suddenly for no apparent reason, Samsung is aware of the problem, and is working on a fix. The issue, being referred to in the forums as "sudden death," seems to be relatively rare: a Samsung spokeswoman told Tweakers that the problem affects "only a very limited number" of devices. So far, we know the problem applies to users running the stock software, as well as custom ROMs. For whatever reason, too, these defective models are all 16GB variants, according to Samsung. In any case, Sammy says it will push out a firmware update to correct the problem, though the company hasn't said when that patch will be ready.

[Thanks, Zhewei]

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Via: SamMobile

Source: Tweakers

Samsung rolling out Exynos security patch to UK Galaxy S III owners

DNP Samsung rolling out Exynos security fix to UK Galaxy S III users

A few weeks back a security exploit was discovered that left owners of select Exynos-powered Samsung devices feeling uneasy. While an independent developer quickly cooked up a fix, Samsung soon acknowledged the issue and pledged that an official patch was in the works. UK Galaxy S III owners can now breathe a sigh of relief, as Sammy has made good on its word and is now issuing an over-the-air update that addresses this potential security flaw. While we're happy to see Samsung actively working on this issue, there's still no word of when the company will release this fix to other devices and additional regions. Hopefully the software's ongoing European tour is a sign of things to come globally.

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Via: Android Central

Source: XDA-Developers

IRL: ColcaSac’s Hanakapiai sleeves, the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S III on MetroPCS

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Two sleeves, two phones. That's what we've got in store for you this week, with Darren dropping $55 on two protective cases and two of our intrepid staffers trying out some new handsets. On team Android, we have Edgar setting aside his Galaxy Nexus to try out the GS III, while Jon Fingas (team Phone, really) trades off between a GNex and iPhone 5. How does he like his new iPhone apart from mapgate and that minor purple flare issue? Read on to find out.

Continue reading IRL: ColcaSac's Hanakapiai sleeves, the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S III on MetroPCS

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Samsung Galaxy S III is the first MetroPCS handset to support Google Wallet

DNP Samsung Galaxy S III is MetroPCS' first handset to support Google Wallet

While the US wireless industry seems far away from finding a universal mobile payment system, T-Mobile's new BFF MetroPCS appears to have made its choice. Taking to its official Facebook page, the carrier announced on Monday that the Samsung Galaxy S III is its first handset to support Google Wallet. In choosing Google's mobile payment platform, MetroPCS joins two of its biggest competitors, Sprint and US Cellular. It should be noted that T-Mobile is deeply committed to Google's wireless payment competitor Isis, which recently became ready for public consumption. Once the two carriers exchange nuptials next year, it's possible that we could be looking at the wireless industry's first mobile payment Brady Bunch. However, looking back at T-Mobile's previous attempts at mobile matrimony, we won't be holding our breath waiting for this union to become official.

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Samsung Galaxy S III is the first MetroPCS handset to support Google Wallet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer’s website, marks the start of a selective rollout

64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website

It looks like Samsung is making good on its promise to produce a 64GB Galaxy S III in the second half of the year, but it's going to be a lottery on if you can get one. Rather than releasing the handset worldwide, it's picking and choosing the regions which will get the benefit of the capaciously endowed smartphone. A listing has appeared on Italian retailer ePrice, with the 64GB unit setting users back €800 ($1,040). The company's confirmed that the listing is legitimate, but also that its UK and US divisions haven't announced plans to bring it to the UK or US -- so perhaps it's time to claim Italian citizenship if you're desperate for that much storage.

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64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website, marks the start of a selective rollout originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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