Display: 4.99" 16M-color Super AMOLED HD capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (441ppi)
Chipset: Exynos 5410 Octa / Snapdragon 600
CPU: 1.6 GHz Quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 and 1.2 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 / 1.9GHz Krait 300
GPU: PowerVR SGX 544MP3 / Adreno 320
RAM: 2GB
OS: Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Memory: 16/32GB/64GB storage, microSD card slot
Still camera: 13 megapixel auto-focus camera, face detection, touch focus and image stabilization, Dual Shot, Cinema Photo; 2MP front facing camera, video-calls
Video camera: Full HD (1080p) video recording at 30fps
Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, standard microUSB port with MHL features (TV Out, USB host), GPS receiver with A-GPS and GLONASS, 3.5mm audio jack, NFC, Infrared port
Battery: 2600 mAh
Misc: TouchWiz UI, Impressively rich video/audio codec support, built-in accelerometer, Smart stay and Smart rotation eye-tracking, Smart pause, Smart scroll, S Health, Air Gestures, humidity sensor, temperature sensor
There's little on the outside to suggest a massive upgrade over the Galaxy S III. On the other hand, the spec sheet implies a significant leap forward, improving on just about every aspect of the hardware and adding plenty of neew software features. As usual, the truth is somewhere in between and our job today is to put a finger on it
Design and handling
The Samsung Galaxy S4 design is the part that has changed the least compared to the Galaxy S III. The smartphone uses the same Hyperglazed finish, on account of which the predecessor was bashed for feeling like a plastic toy rather than a flagship proper. And the Galaxy S4 will most likely receive the same criticism. After all, it doesn't come anywhere near the premium feel of a Sony Xperia Z, let alone the HTC One.
This is not to say though, the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks worse than its predecessor. The new texture gives it a more serious and stylish look, while the improvements to the design also contribute to the overall appeal. The slimmer bezels leave more space for the brilliant screen (more on it later), while the slimmer body has a more high-end vibe. We are positive too that many will appreciate a black paintjob.
The size of the Galaxy S4 is a marvelous achievement, which should not be overlooked. The smartphone is the exact same height as its predecessor, but is 0.8mm narrower, 0.7mm slimmer and 3g lighter, while featuring a 0.2" larger screen, a higher-capacity battery that's still removable, and a host of new sensors and radios.
We guess Samsung has to share some of the credit with Corning and its new Gorilla Glass 3 that the Galaxy S4 employs. Based on a completely new glass composition, the third generation of the popular screen coating offers increased impact and scratch resistance, so Samsung could probably get away with using a slimmer shield, while maintaining the same level of protection. In fact the early tests are showing that the Galaxy S4 is actually harder to scratch than its predecessor.
At any rate, despite all the new features it introduces, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is easier to handle than the S III. It also feels more comfortable in the hand than the HTC One and that one only has a 4.7" display. Samsung has shown to competitors that a 5" screen doesn't necessarily make for an unwieldy handset.
1080p Super AMOLED display is what geeks' dreams are made of
One of the most important updates that the Samsung Galaxy S4 brings is the new 5" Super AMOLED screen of 1080p resolution. While it does have a PenTile matrix, the 441 ppi pixel density makes sure you won't be able to spot the hated cross-hatch pattern.
The defect wasn't easily spotted on the Galaxy S III either unless you looked from a closer-than-comfortable distance, which is to say it was as good as invisible to the naked eye. The design of the PenTile matrix has been changed too, so now green sub-pixels are twice as many as blue and red sub-pixels and the arrangement is changed. This however matters little to anyone not armed with a microscope.
What you should take away from all this is that the final weak point of the Super AMOLED screens has been taken care of and the Galaxy S4 offers image quality like no other smartphone on the market. Its impressive contrast and almost perfect viewing angles make everything on the screen pop-up regardless of your view point.
The color saturation is beyond the reach of any LCD out there, which make even the dullest image appear remarkably vibrant. Still, if you are not a fan of the oversaturated look of the AMOLEDs Samsung gives you the option to tune down the saturation to more natural levels and enjoy the best of both worlds.
The brightness levels of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is slightly higher than the rest of the company's AMOLED displays, which is to say not very high. However, due to the low reflectivity this doesn't affect outdoor performance.
Display test
50% brightness
100% brightness
Black, cd/m2
White, cd/m2
Contrast ratio
Black, cd/m2
White, cd/m2
Contrast ratio
Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4
0
201
∞
0
404
∞
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
0
174
∞
0
330
∞
HTC Butterfly
0.14
173
1200
0.45
501
1104
Sony Xperia Z
-
-
-
0.70
492
705
Oppo Find 5
0.17
176
1123
0.51
565
1107
HTC One X
0.15
200
1375
0.39
550
1410
Nokia Lumia 920
-
-
-
0.48
513
1065
Google Nexus 4
0.22
314
1447
0.45
608
1341
LG Optimus G
0.14
197
1445
0.33
417
1438
Apple iPhone 5
0.13
200
1490
0.48
640
1320
Of course, Nokia showed that a brighter AMOLED can do even better in direct sunlight, but the gain isn't dramatic. We'll make sure to do a sunlight legibility test for the review and find out all about that.
POLY MATE HAD DECIDED TO HAVE A COME BACK AFTER A LONG TIME
guys sorry for the inconvinence caused by you all i thook you all had visted this page daily and missed out some new news abot techs and all but be updated we are comming back with somethiing special
Karbonn Smart Tab 10 Cosmic With Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Made Official at Rs 10,490: Will You Buy it?
karbonn Mobiles, an India based tech manufacturer with a comprehensive product portfolio has been in news since early this week for its 10 inch Android 4.1 Jelly Bean based Cosmic Tablet, which was on pre-order on Saholic.com for Rs 10,280. Now, Karbonn has launched the tablet officially in India with a price tag of Rs 10,490. This a giant step taken by Karbonn, who has upgraded their first tablet - Smart Tab 1 with Jelly Bean in June this year
. Have a look at the specs and additional features of the latest Karbonn offering below. Display: Smart Tab 10 Cosmic sports 9.7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. Processor & Storage: The tablets packs a 1.5GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM and a micro SD card slot for additional storage support up to 32GB. As of now, there is no information regarding the internal memory capacity of the device. OS: Unlike most of the other budget tablets, Smart Tab 10 Cosmic comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Camera: Smart Tab 10 Cosmic has a 2MP rear camera and a VGA front camera for video calling. Connectivity: In terms of data connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi, USB port, HDMI port and 3G via dongle. Battery: The tablet is loaded with a powerful 6,000 mAh battery of undisclosed backup. Preloaded Applications Smart Tab 10 Cosmic comes preloaded with applications including Google Currents, Angry Birds Seasons, Turbo Fly 3D, NexGtv, Flipboard, Google Chrome, Kingsoft Office, Economic Times, Times of India, JustDial, Popi, PayTM, Facebook and more. Price & Availability Karbonn has priced the Smart Tab 10 at Rs 10,490 making it a perfect device to purchase for Christmas. So what's next Android fans? Will you buy the Karbonn's Jelly Bean offering - a Perfect Ten this Christmas? Let us know in comments section below.
Cheap Windows 8 upgrade may require your Windows 7 key
Microsoft might ask you to enter your Windows 7 key during the process in order to qualify for the $14.99 upgrade.
People who bought a Windows 7 PC on or after June 2 can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $14.99, but they may have to supply their Windows 7 product ID.
Microsoft kicked off registration for the $14.99 deal in August. Anyone who bought or will buy a new Windows 7 PC between June 2 of this year and January 31 of next year can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for that special price. Shelling out the $14.99 lets you download a copy of the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, which helps you install the new operating system.
The deal cuts $25 off the standard Windows 8 Pro upgrade, which costs $39.99 to download for Windows XP and Vista users and Windows 7 users who purchased their PCs before June 2. People who want an actual installation disc have to cough up $69.99.
The $14.99 upgrade process typically asks you to enter the name and manufacturer of your Windows 7 PC, and the date you bought it. You'd then receive one of two notices, either a Success message telling you that you qualified, or a Sorry message breaking the news that you didn't qualify.
But in my experience, that process seemed a bit buggy.
I tried to register for the $14.99 upgrade last week with three different PCs, all from Lenovo and all purchased after June 2. One PC qualified for the upgrade, but two did not, with no explanation why. I tried the process a few times with the two failed PCs, but each time I came up empty.
I again tried the process on Tuesday and this time discovered that Microsoft now asked me for my Windows 7 product ID as additional proof. After entering the ID -- success. I now qualified for Based on various online comments, other recent Windows 7 PC buyers were bumping into the same initial problem of being rejected for the offer.
However, the requirement for the Windows 7 ID seems to be random.
Some people told me that they were asked for their Windows 7 key in the past and pointed out that this is not a recent change. But others have said they've never been asked for the key, not even in recent attempts. I contacted Microsoft to ask about this inconsistency, and a spokesperson e-mailed me the following statement:
The Windows Upgrade Offer process will dynamically adjust the registration process based on a variety of factors that take into account individual, local market, and global circumstances. Some users are required to provide additional purchase details online or offline in order to validate their registration. If eligibility cannot be determined using the online process, customers may need to contact customer support and provide proof of purchase to support.
So it seems to be a hit or miss process as to whether you'll have to supply your Windows 7 product key. But in my experience, providing the key was the only way I could qualify for the upgrade.
The offer limits you to five PCs, and you can install the Windows 8 upgrade on any PC, not necessarily the one with the product key that you use to qualify. The $14.99 and $39.99 deals both end January 31. So those of you want to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro should take advantage of those prices while they last.
SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK: Apple sold 3 million of its new iPad minis in the first three days the tablet computers were available, driving optimism for a strong holiday quarter despite intensifying competition.
Sales of the 7.9-inch iPad mini and fourth-generation 9.7-inch version, both Wi-Fi only models, were double the first-weekend sales of the Wi-Fi iPad sold in March, Apple said on Monday.
Apple did not break out numbers for the crucial iPad mini, a smaller version of the original tablet designed to spearhead its foray into a segment now dominated by Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire and Google's Nexus 7.
Analysts estimate that about 2.3 million of the new iPads sold over the weekend were the mini-tablets, surpassing expectations of 1 million to 1.5 million.
Wall Street, which was disappointed with Apple's latest quarterly earnings, had been looking to the iPad mini to boost demand during the crucial year-end holiday shopping season as competition reaches a fever pitch. Microsoft became the latest major entrant to the market last month with the Windows-driven Surface.
While lines for the new iPads appeared lighter than usual for a new Apple product when they began selling at stores on Friday, the company said demand was so strong that it "practically sold out of iPad minis."
Apple had never before introduced two different iPad models in one quarter. Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt said that while the sales numbers looked good, the company would need to sell another 20 million iPads this quarter to meet his estimate.
"There's still a lot of wood to chop in the quarter," McCourt said.
The company said it had already shipped many of the new iPads ordered before the release date, but some would not be sent out until later this month.
"We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad minis," Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in a statement. "We're working hard to build more quickly to meet theincredible demand."
Holiday sales crucial Apple shares closed up 1.35 per cent at $584.62 on Nasdaq on Monday, but that was still 17 per cent below the record high set in September.
The strong sales numbers for the iPads came despite both the iPad mini and fourth generation iPad being priced much above competing tablets. The iPad mini's $329 price had prompted some analysts to conclude that the higher price tag may hurt demand.
But Apple is still maintaining its industry leading margins with the smaller tablet, according to a teardown analysis of the tablet by research firm IHS iSuppli.
The Wi-Fi only iPad mini carries a bill of materials of $188.00, IHS iSuppli said, adding that the cost goes up to $198 when manufacturing expenses are added in.
"This differs markedly from Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire HD and Google's Nexus 7 tablets, both of which are essentially low-margin or no-margin giveaways at a $199.00 retail price," AndrewRassweiler, senior principal analyst, teardown services, for IHS, said.
But the California company's dominance of the tablet market eroded in the third quarter as both consumer and commercial shipments declined, partly as people waited for the new iPad mini, while rival Samsung Electronics more than doubled its share, according to tablet shipment numbers from research firm IDC.
Apple's share of the tablet market fell to 50.4 per cent from 59.7 per cent in the third quarter while Samsung was No.2 with 18.4 per cent followed by Amazon with 9 per cent. Samsung's market share a year ago was 6.5 per cent.
The 7.9-inch iPad mini marks Apple's first foray into the smaller-tablet segment and is the company's first major new device since the death of co-founder Steve Jobs last year.
Versions of iPads with both Wi-Fi and cellular connections will not ship in the United States for another few weeks. And both will be available in more countries later this year.
Apple heads into the current quarter after refreshing almost all of its product lines, from Macintosh computers to tablets.
"We believe the iPad mini has the opportunity to surpass the sales of the regular-sized iPads over the next several years," said Topeka Capital analyst Brian White.