Earlier this month, AT&T began rolling out Android 4.3 to its variant of the Galaxy S 4, only to have it pulled in order to focus on "potential improvements." Here's the good news: the Rethink Possible carrier today started the process of, once again, bringing the Jelly Bean updates to Samsung's flagship smartphone. As a refresher, Android 4.3 brings a lot of improvements and enhancements that make the overall experience an even more pleasant one -- some of which include OpenGL ES 3.0 support, Bluetooth Smart technology and enriched notification access. What's more, AT&T's also releasing an update for the Galaxy Gear that makes it compatible with the GS4, which is great news for folks on the network who own both Samsung devices. Let us know in the comments how these updates are working out for you thus far -- and here's hoping this one is here to stay.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile, Samsung, Google, AT&T
9to5GoogleSource: AT&T
In an attempt to end speculation surrounding the popularity of its Galaxy Gear, Samsung has shared its smartwatch sales figures for the first time, and they might surprise you. Reuters reports that the company's Android-powered wearable has sold 800,000 units since its launch in September, surpassing its own expectations and setting straight recent reports that pegged worldwide South Korean sales at 50,000 units.
To stimulate sales, Samsung has offered plenty of incentives to buy the Galaxy Gear by bundling it with the Galaxy Note 3, with some UK carriers offering the smartwatch for free if they purchased the 5.7-inch smartphone on a two-year contract. Samsung believes the Gear is now the "most sold wearable watch available in the marketplace," which, if true, would put it ahead of efforts from Pebble and Sony. As the holidays approach, the company says it will offer more Galaxy Gear promotions as it builds out future support for more of its smartphones, adding to its recent software update that brought all of your notifications to the device.
Update: The Verge reports that while Reuters is noting consumer sales, Korean publication Yonhap believes Samsung may actually be reporting shipments to retailers. The same report also suggested Samsung's 50,000 "worldwide" Gear sales were in South Korea only.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile, Samsung
Reuters
Acknowledged, a full web browser may not be the most useful thing to run on a 1.6-inch touchscreen, but that's almost not the point here. What matters is that Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch now has its own custom ROM, courtesy of an XDA member called fOmey. The modded software side-steps a number of the manufacturer's locks and limitations, letting the device run third-party apps, widgets, wallpapers and interfaces like Nova Launcher. Bluetooth tethering is enabled too, apparently allowing the watch to grab a web connection from any smartphone that supports the protocol. It's hard to say for sure how smoothly it all runs, due to a lack of feedback from Gear owners so far (or perhaps a lack of Gear owners, period), but you'll find full instructions at the source link if you want to give it a go.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Samsung
Android CommunitySource: XDA Developers (Forum)
If you've been looking to get your hands on Samsung's new Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear, boom, they're here. The company has kicked off another of its world tours to announce availability of its 5.7-inch smartphone and new smartwatch in 58 countries. In the UK, an unlocked Galaxy Note 3 will set you back £649 but it's also available on nearly all of the major carriers (we're still waiting to hear from Three) -- starting at around £30 on a traditional contract, or free if you decide to sign up to a new early-upgrader tariff. The Galaxy Gear retails at £299, but Samsung thinks you could use a £100 discount if you bundle it with an unlocked Galaxy Note 3, for a total cost of £848. Customers in the US, Canada and Japan, however, will have to wait 'til October -- though pre-orders are already open.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Samsung
As has become the norm, Sprint's primary differentiator is its "unlimited data for life" policy affixed to new flagships. Granted, the carrier isn't promising that the amount it charges for said data will remain the same for life, but at least you'll have the option to pony up for it. Following the footsteps of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, Sprint has announced that its version of the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear watch will arrive on shelves October 4th. The former will cost $349.99 on a two-year contract (a full $50 more than most of its rivals), while the latter will go for $299.99 outright. Outside of being compatible with Sprint's LTE airwaves and including a bit of carrier-branded bloatware, the handset itself will be the same one that we've previewed extensively.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Sprint
Source: Sprint