Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Update Likely Coming Soon

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update will likely roll out sometime in the near future as Samsung announced that it would be bringing Galaxy Gear compatibility in an update sometime in the future.

At the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch event today, Samsung also announced the Samsung Galaxy Gear, a new piece of wearable technology that Galaxy smartphone and tablet users will be able to use to conveniently answer phone calls or messages using Bluetooth. Samsung announced today that the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 2014 Edition will support it immediately but that it will be rolling out updates for the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2.

The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update should hit Samsung’s older devices soon.

Given that Android 4.3 comes with Bluetooth Low Energy, it’s assumed that the updates that Samsung is referring to are Android 4.3 updates that have been rumored for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. Samsung has already rolled out Android 4.3 for the Galaxy S4 Google Edition so it was only a matter of time before the Galaxy S4 got its update.

Samsung announced that the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will get their updates sometime in October, declining to offer a specific time frame for the Galaxy S4 update. However, given that the Galaxy S4 is the company’s flagship and in the hands of millions of consumers, we expect the company to get the device upgraded sometime in the near future as well so that users can take advantage of the Galaxy Gear.

Exactly when, of course, remains unclear but given that Samsung did not explicitly say October, perhaps it means that the software will land sometime in September.

Of course, this timing refers to the unbranded versions of the Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy S3 and likely the Galaxy S4 as well. Carriers will have to approve updates for arrival, something that often takes awhile in regions like the United States.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear will hit the United States in October, no specific dates known, and the Galaxy Gear should retail for $299. The price of the Galaxy Note 3 is still unknown though it will likely arrive for $299 as well. Both will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean right out of the box.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 U.S. Release Date Details

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 U.S. release date is coming after the rest of the world gets to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

At the tail end of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3event Samsung announced the U.S. Galaxy Note 3 release date would arrive in October, after the September 25th worldwide release date.

This is not surprising as Samsung devices normally arrive in the U.S. after a global launch, but it is disappointing news for shoppers that want to buy a AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Galaxy Note 3.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 U.S. Release date is confirmed for October.

While there is no specific Samsung Galaxy Note 3 U.S. release dates announced, all appearances point to a fast Note 3 release in the U.S. and Samsung could deliver an AT&T Galaxy Note 3 release date in early October. Samsung and AT&T are tight partners and AT&T was one of the first in the U.S. to offer the Galaxy S4.

The good news about today’s announcement is that the major U.S. carriers are all on board for the Galaxy Note 3, which means we should see carriers pushing to get the device out near the same time.

After AT&T, expect a T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 option with a Sprint Galaxy Note 3 soon after. The U.S. Cellular Galaxy Note 3 could come at any time after AT&T, but based on past moves a Verizon Galaxy Note 3 release date could be dead last.

The Verizon Galaxy Note 3 release date could be last.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes in 32GB and 64GB storage sizes and U.S. carriers may opt to only offer the 32GB model, or one carrier could offer a Galaxy Note 3 64GB as an exclusive. The device is available in black, white and pink, and we could see special color options arrive later down the line.

Samsung switched out the plastic back of the Galaxy Note 2 for a faux leather back on the Galaxy Note 3. This may help appease users that don’t like the plastic feel of Samsung devices. The Galaxy Note 3 still features a removable back and a 3200 mAh battery plus a Micro SD card slot.

There are new S Pen features like Air Command, which lets users quickly call up five S Pen apps or actions from any screen. There are also enhanced multitasking capabilities with the ability to use two of the same app in Multi-Window mode and a new Pen Window option that can call up an app in a window the user draws on the screen.

Samsung also added a new Multi Vision Group Play feature that lets users link up three Galaxy Note 3 screens to form one big screen for watching videos.

There is no Samsung Galaxy Note 3 price yet, but U.S. carriers will likely charge around $299 on release, as it seems the top end U.S. consumers are willing to pay.

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Details on Pocket App Hints at Companion Nature of the Galaxy Gear

Samsung might be pushing the Samsung Galaxy Gear, it’s first entry into wearable computing, as a device that will define a new consumer electronics class, but if the blog post detailing the features users can expect from the Pocket application for the device is an accurate indication, the device may be even more focused on companion experiences than originally thought.

Shortly after Samsung wrapped up its IFA 20013 press event, Pocket detailed the experiences Samsung Galaxy Gear users can expect from their application when the smartwatch launches later this year.

According to the blog post, Pocket for the Samsung Galaxy Gear won’t allow users to browse their news stories, instead the application will act like a second screen to the version that runs on Samsung smartphones. Users will be able to use the application’s Text-to-Speech systems to listen to articles they are interested in without having to remove their smartphone from their pocket. Users will be also be able to pause and control audio playback from the Galaxy Gear.

Pocket on the Samsung Galaxy Gear.

While being able to listen to articles using the device isn’t a small feature, the relatively light feature set of one of the first applications for the device highlights a problem that users purchasing the Samsung Galaxy Gear this fall will have to contend with. Since the Galaxy Gear depends on the user having a Samsung device to pair it with for a mobile internet connection, users will have to decide if its $299 price tag is worth it.

If the device’s applications can’t act on their own accord, it’s likely that most users would consider that another strike against a device that Samsung is hoping will capture the imagination of users before Apple enters the market with the iWatch that many industry insiders have been predicting for some time.

In addition to running applications on its 1.6-inch Super AMOLED screen, users will able be able to answer phone calls and monitor their email inbox using the Galaxy Gear.

So far, Samsung has yet detail how users will get applications for the Samsung Galaxy Gear when it debuts this September internationally, and October in the United States.

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iPhone 5S Release Reportedly Bringing End to Some iPhone 5 Models

The iPhone 5S release date could spell the end of several iPhone 5 models according to a leaked document from a Canadian carrier that shows higher capacity iPhone 5 models going of the sales floor in late September.

Apple’s iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C event is scheduled for next Tuesday, when we expect to see the new iPhone models on stage and learn about plans for the flagship iPhone and a cheaper, colorful iPhone 5C.

Normally Apple drops the price of the previous two iPhone models when the new iPhone arrives, and we expect some movement this year, but with two new iPhones in play Apple could pull a surprise.

The iPhone 5S release has one Canadian carrier planning to discontinue the iPhone 5 32GB and 64GB models.

According to the leaked Telus document on MobileSyrup, the Canadian carrier plans to stop selling the white and black iPhone 5 in 32GB and 64GB sizes on September 28th.

That is one week after the rumored iPhone 5S release date, which would let the carrier sell the iPhone 5 models at a discount until stock ran out. With the iPhone 5 launch, the higher capacity iPhone 4S models sold for $50 off on Verizon and other carriers while supplies lasted.

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Leaked document shows the new iPhone pushing out several iPhone 5 models.

This matches up with a report that Verizon’s stock of the iPhone 5 32GB and 64GB models was in short supply. The U.S. carrier could also be limiting stock ahead of a new iPhone.

This document doesn’t include any information about the iPhone 5 16GB model. Normally Apple would keep the lowest capacity iPhone on hand to sell at the reduced $99 price point, but there are rumors that the iPhone 5C will replace the iPhone 5.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a well connected analyst with ties to Apple’s supply chain claims the company will use the iPhone 5C in place of the iPhone 5 this fall. Another analyst claims the iPhone 5C will replace the iPhone 4S as Apple’s free on contract iPhone.

Given this leak does not include the 16GB iPhone 5 as a discontinued model it is possible that the iPhone 5 will live on as a $99 iPhone option on contract. It is also possible that this document is merely carrier speculation that the higher capacity iPhone 5 models will go away when the iPhone 5S release lands, and not inside information from Apple.

The iPhone 5S release is expected on September 20th in the U.S. and could come alongside an iPhone 5C. The video above runs through the latest iPhone 5S rumors, including design, screen size and possible features. The iPhone 5C is reportedly a colorful plastic iPhone that will come at a lower price.

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Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Pre-Order Coming Soon

Verizon has typically been last to announce details for big name devices but the carrier has come right out of the gate today saying thatSamsung Galaxy Note 3 pre-orders will arrive soon ahead of a release date that is likely going to touch down in October.

In the past, we’ve seen Verizon remain mum on specific details after a big device launch, most recently with the HTC One. Not the case with the Galaxy Note 3 it seems. Shortly after the Galaxy Note 3 event concluded, Verizon put up a Galaxy Note 3 splash page that confirms the device’s existence and also suggests that pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear will be coming soon.

On the splash page, the carrier specifically says that consumers will be able to pre-order “the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with the Samsung Galaxy Gear soon.” It does not mention a specific date, leaving that open for interpretation. Carriers often say soon but don’t actually mean imminent. With that in mind, Verizon’s soon could mean several weeks rather than several days.

Verizon Galaxy Note 3 pre-orders are coming soon.

The Verizon Galaxy Note 3 price is not listed though we expect the carrier to reveal that detail when it reveals the Galaxy Note 3 pre-order date in the future. Samsung has said that the Galaxy Note 3 will land in the United States in October though it did not confirm a specific date.

Verizon’s Galaxy Note 3 doesn’t appear to have a branded home button though given that we haven’t seen a back, it’s too early to conclude that the press image seen here will resemble the Verizon model. The carrier did take heat for the decision on the Galaxy Note 2 so it could opt to change its ways with the Galaxy Note 3.

Verizon’s device will come with support for the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and it will be competing against the likes of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular.

Like the other devices, the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 should come with a large 1080p display, 13MP camera, new slim and lightweight design with a faux leather back, new S Pen features and more.

It will be joined by the Galaxy Gear smartwatch that will be touching down alongside the Galaxy Note 3 in October for $299.

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Sprint Galaxy Note 3 “Coming Soon,” Signup Page Now Live

The Verizon Galaxy Note 3 isn’t the only Samsung Galaxy Note 3 that is being promoted ahead of its release date as the Sprint Galaxy Note 3 has joined the fray with a signup that is now live ahead of the device’s actual pre-order date.

Shortly after the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 announcement, Verizon threw up a Galaxy Note 3 splash page that confirmed that it would start offering pre-orders soon ahead of the device’s release date which is likely to take place sometime during the month of October. The carrier also confirmed the Galaxy Gear for arrival as well.

Not to be outdone, Sprint has also put up a splash page for its Galaxy Note 3 that offers buyers a chance to signup to be notified about the Sprint Galaxy Note 3 pre-order that should arrive at some point ahead of the release date. Sprint doesn’t come right out and use the term pre-order but it does say that by signing up, users will find out when it becomes available. And given Sprint’s history and Verizon’s plans, we expect it to be for a pre-order date.

Sprint will be offering the Galaxy Note 3 this fall.

Sprint is coy on a Galaxy Note 3 release date as well, only saying that it will be out sometime this fall. The company says here that it will be coming soon though it’s clear if that’s a release date or a pre-order.

Samsung announced that it would be hitting Japan and the United States in October after an initial release in September. Sprint has been amongst the first carriers to offer Galaxy devices so we expect the device to land at some point next month.

Sprint’s Galaxy Note 3 should come packed with all of the perks of the other Galaxy Note 3 models which means a large 1080p display, 13MP camera, new S Pen functionality, slim and lightweight design that uses a faux leather look instead of plastic and a host of other features that should make it appealing to Sprint customers.

The carrier also says that it will be offered with an unlimited guarantee which means that users will be able to keep their unlimited data plans not just for right now, but for life.

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Qualcomm Toq Smartwatch Announced After Galaxy Gear Reveal

Just moments after Samsung revealed itsGalaxy Gear smartwatch, Qualcomm announced a smartwatch of its own called theQualcomm Toq. It uses the company’s Mirasol low-power display technology, which has had some troubles over the past few years as far as becoming a popular display standard, but Qualcomm thinks that implementing it on a smartwatch may bring the hype back up.

While the Toq has a fancy touchscreen display, it’s a pretty minimalistic device — certainly not anywhere close to having the feature set of the Galaxy Gear, but that means that the battery life is far better, lasting for several days, according to the chip maker.

The Toq has a 1.5-inch display, and the Mirasol technology makes it so that the screen looks bright and vibrant in broad daylight, and there’s very little need for backlighting. Plus, the watch will automatically shut down the touch function after a certain amount of time of inactivity, and will have just a small strip of the screen active for swiping to activate the whole touchscreen when you want to use it.

Another way that the watch saves on battery is by just using Bluetooth for all communication between the watch and the phone. This means there’s no WiFi or NFC, and speakers, a mic, and a camera are nowhere to be found. There is, however, an accelerometer, so it’ll at least be able to do some basic fitness tracking.

Qualcomm says the battery lasts around two days, and this is with everything always on. The watch doesn’t have a power or sleep button, so it’ll be able to run 24/7 for two days straight before needing a charge, which is twice as long as the 25 hours that Samsung claims with the Galaxy Gear.

Charging the Toq will be pretty easy as well. It’ll come with a stand/carrying case combo that has a built-in wireless charger using Qualcomm’s proprietary WiPower technology. It looks like it’ll be easy to carry around on your wrist as well. It’s obviously bigger than regular watches, but it’s definitely smaller than the Galaxy Gear. Comfort is a huge factor with watches, so we’re interested to see how well the Galaxy Gear fits onto wrists compared to Qualcomm’s offering.

There’s no word on price of the Toq, but the company says that it’ll arrive at some point in the fourth quarter this year. The watch will come with a pair of Bluetooth earbuds that will accompany the watch as well; no word on whether or not we’ll be able to buy those separately.

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