SYNAPSE CIRCUIT SAMSUNG UNPACKED 5

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
UNPACKED 5, THE GALAXY S5 & GEARS!
#Samsung #GalaxyS5 #GS5 #MWC2014 #GalaxyS5Prime #Unpacked #Gear

Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope that all is well with you! Yes, the wait is long over as the Galaxy Unpacked 5 has just finished.

If you missed the live event I will give you a rundown...

SUBDUED: TH E UNPACKED 5 PART 1
My goodness... What happened?? The Samsung Unpacked 5 event saw Samsung at their most humble! Gone was the flair and supreme showmanship! No celebrity presenters to speak of! It was a very odd Unpacked for Samsung indeed... I am a bit shell-shocked!

If this is part 1 I can only imagine that part 2 will feature the Galaxy S5 Prime (as leaked by a third party protective case manufacturer). How about the S5 Zoom? S5 Active? Or have we seen an amalgamation of the S5 and what would be a separate Active device? S5 Mini? The Unpacked for the Galaxy Note 4 probably will not be announced until August / September 2014.

THE GALAXY S5: DESIGN
I did my best to prepare us for not too much of a design departure and I am glad that I did! The design...

Well, as a fan of Samsung I can say that I appreciate the design. I am not wowed by it but I do appreciate that it’s water and dust resistant (not waterproof and it probably won’t last long in a sandstorm).

As predicted, the Galaxy S5 design takes up from where the Note 3 left off. I guess the faux leather backing hasn’t made it to this model... Could it be designated for the Galaxy S5 Prime? Here’s the GS5 spec:-

NETWORK
LTE Cat.4 (150/50Mbps)

DISPLAY
5.1” FHD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080)

AP
2.5GHz Quad core application processor

OS
Android 4.4.2 (Kitkat)

CAMERA
16MP (rear), 2.0MP (front)

VIDEO
UHD@30fps, HDR, video stabilization
Video Codec : H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, MP43, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
Video Format: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM

AUDIO
Audio Codec : MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/ AAC+/ eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
Audio Format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA

CAMERA FEATURES
HDR (Rich tone), Selective Focus, Virtual Tour Shot, Shot & More

ADDITIONAL FEATURES
IP67 Dust and water Resistant
Ultra Power Saving Mode
Download Booster
S Health 3.0
Quick Connect
Private Mode
Kids Mode

Google Mobile Services: Chrome, Drive, Photos, Gmail, Google, Google+, Google Settings, Hangouts, Maps, Play Books, Play Games, Play Newsstand, Play Movie & TV, Play Music, Play Store, Voice Search, YouTube

CONNECTIVITY
WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac HT80, MIMO(2x2)
Bluetooth®: 4.0 BLE / ANT+
USB: USB 3.0
NFC
IR Remote

SENSOR
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Hall, RGB ambient light, Gesture (IR), Finger Scanner, Heart rate sensor

MEMORY / STORAGE
RAM: 2GB
Internal Memory: 16/32GB
microSD slot upto 64GB

DIMENSIONS
142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1mm, 145g

BATTERY
2800mAh
Standby time: 390 hrs / Talk time: 21 hrs

GALAXY S5: FIRST IMPRESSIONS SPEC-WISE
The Galaxy S5 ticks all the boxes when it comes to specifications and features. I think the LTE and Wi-Fi support is outstanding and should be rocket of a handset! I was expecting 3 or 4GB of RAM but it’s 2GB, which is good enough.

The Finger Scanner has made it! I am curious as to how this works! And if that’s not enough, there’s a Heart Rate Sensor where the camera flash is (at the rear.

Speaking of the camera... Yes, it will capture 4K video and it’s a 16MP instead of the anticipated 20MP. The camera has some depth of field attributes that is a feature on SLRs, Selective Focus, but I do believe that the camera software is more simplified. I have to see it to believe it! HDR promises to be faster and I can’t wait to test this!

WHAT SAMSUNG SAYS OF CUSTOMERS WANTS
Samsung says that the customer “Wants a powerful, fast but simple technology...” That’s why the camera has been overhauled to be practically minimalist in comparison to the Galaxy S4.

Normally Samsung would talk about sharing the latest Galaxy S screen with other Galaxy S models and compatible televisions. They would also talk a little more about their TouchWiz improvements, but it was said that the S features wouldn’t get in the way of the interface.

And once again, there was no mention of Android (the GS5 is running KitKat) or a listing of specification.

I am not too sure about all that... Yes, I appreciate that the S features on the interface are streamlined, etc. Of course, a faster camera is desired. But with regards to the camera I would have wanted a simplified interface and an option to have more complex photography attributes presented to me. Hmmmm...

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS OF THE UNPACKED 5, GALAXY S5 & GEAR 2014
This was a tactical launch from Samsung. I suspect that this is just the beginning of their onslaught. Again, this was part 1! And in part 1 Samsung made sure that they hit certain marks such as the LTE 4 and Wi-Fi connectivity with no uncertainty! They have made a great and compelling argument to the everyman and everywoman. What they have done with the Galaxy S5 presentation is to iPhone-ized it. “iPhone-ized” it??? Yes, Samsung has presented the GS5 as a simple, back to basics handset. It’s practical, fast, powerful and very simple to use. It should appeal!

Yes, Samsung introduced the full Gear family: Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit – the first wearable device to feature a curved AMOLED display! Cool! I am curious about the Gear pricing!

Samsung knows that the competition is stronger than ever this year! I am quite sure that come part 2 we will be seeing the Galaxy S5 Prime and other handsets introduced to the Galaxy Family! HTC is coming! As is Sony and LG to name a few! And of course, we are expecting the iPhone 6! Usually, Samsung introduces the next Galaxy S successor at around April / May but it has come in February! You have to suspect that something is going on! Wink, wink!

I love the Electric Blue colour! I did state in one of my articles that I wished for an Electric Blue colour and Samsung has made me feel that they did it just for me! Aaah! Lol! Oh, I would say that the bezel and handset is slightly thicker to accommodate for the water and dust resistance. Again, I do prefer a thicker handset just because it makes it easier to take pictures! There’s nothing more nerve-shredding than taking a photo with a device that is wafer thin! The slightest knock and I shudder to think!

I can’t wait to review one!

SOUND
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Samsung introduced some new headphones! Looking good! I wonder how they sound?

Great idea! Payment through using a fingerprint verification.

Oooh... I have to try it!

Jock strap...

Get fit with the Samsung Gear Fit!

The Gear 2 gets a "Home" button.

Great colours! Blue, Blue Electric Blue...

The Galaxy S5 Heart Rate Monitor.

 Samsung's J. K. Shin wearing the Gear Fit.

 Once your children get a hold of your phone you may not get it back!

If the battery says "10% power" the Ultra Power Saving Mode kicks in and extends the battery for 24 hours! That's amazing! Essentially, the GS5 screen is reduced to black and white.

Now you can hide your pictures! ;) 

I can't wait to hear them!

The user interface promises to be simpler.

What do you reckon?

Review coming very soon.... Stay tuned...

Take good care!

Thank you for watching and reading!

Please check out the Synapse Circuit website for video, i-PDF and more! 

Synapse Circuit Dot Com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT 5 DAYS TO GO 4 GS5

No contest, right? 

With specs like that I want the Samsung tablet!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
5 DAYS TO GO... HERE COMES THE GALAXY S5!
#Samsung #GalaxyS5 #GS5 #GalaxyGear2 #Tizen #MWC2014

Good late evening, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope you’ve had a good day and if your day is unravelling where you are... ...there’s still time! 

As we’re counting down to the main event we’re going to see a few more leaks that include spec changes... Lately, I’ve seen online rumours that the “Galaxy S5 Prime” that is said to feature a 2K screen is “not expected to arrive too soon...” In other words, all we’re seeing is rumour and disinformation... In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if the sources of rumours are just a way to bring traffic to their respective websites. However, you can’t ignore or get into the guessing game!

Oh, guess what? Samsung are back to their ol’ fun antics again! Yay!

AD INFINITUM
Yes, that’s right! I am on about the latest Samsung ads that put Apple in their place! When you see such ads it makes you realize – even more – that Apple products aren’t up to their hype!

I love the ad that compares the Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 to the iPad Air. I have yet to get a tablet and I reckon that the Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 could be it! I can see that it has quality over the iPad (Hot) Air in terms of screen resolution, build and multitasking function.

And the ad that compares the Galaxy Note 3 to the latest iPhone 5S is great fun! What’s more is that the information is accurate! Apple can’t beat Samsung products: FACT! The only thing that Apple can do is attempt to sabotage Samsung with endless lawsuits for standard interaction on a mobile device. Apple wants to make like they are the beginning and end of mobile devices.

It shows that Apple have nothing inventive in the tank! Whenever you hear someone from Apple talk or read an interview they are always griping and taking shots at the competition. Cook and co thinks that by continually slating the competition that their (Apple) products will be better by default. But I guess this idea is working because the iPad Air is said to be the biggest selling tablet at the moment. People are easily brainwashed!

These ads should air (no pun intended) on British TV! I think these ads will shock those who think they know best!

MORE RUMOUR...
...it is said that Samsung will reveal Galaxy Gear 2 with the Tizen operating system. Hmmm... Could there be any truth in that? I guess the only way it could be true is Tizen being completely compatible with Android and apps! Remember, the first Galaxy Gear works with Galaxy handsets and it would defeat the purpose if Tizen weren’t compatible.

Yes, there is a rumour that Samsung will reveal one Galaxy S5 with Android and the other Tizen. To me it does not make sense for Samsung to confuse the marketplace with a version of the GS5 that could leave people confused, thus causing folk to go onto the competitors. I know that people are eyeing up the next incarnation of the HTC One – The Newer All Shiny One or whatever it will be called!

MY PREDICTION FOR THE GS5
What we will see revealed at the MWC14 on Monday will be the following...

A new design based around a 5.2” screen that’ll be 1080p that’ll be sharper than the GS4.
An improved 16MP camera.
A fingerprint scanner.
A 2.5GHz CPU with 3GB RAM.

Oh, we will probably see refinements in the TouchWiz overlay! But that’s about it!

I think this build up concerning this 2k 560 dpi screen may come as a big disappointment to some!

In my estimation the key things for Samsung to get right is the design, camera and fingerprint scanner – if scanning your fingerprint is too clunky then it’s game over already!

The design has to be more of a departure from this similar looking range. I personally like the designs as they become more refined with each release. Just look at how beautiful the Galaxy Note 3 looks compared to the Note 2! The Galaxy S3 was a grand statement in design and the S4 looks more like a Note 2 mini! Samsung has to somehow present the GS5 with something that looks out of this world come Monday!

I thought the GS4 camera was good but it was slightly disappointing as Samsung is capable of more. The competition has more than caught up with the camera on both the GS4 and Note 3, but I give the edge based on quality to the Galaxy range.

I am slightly concerned about this fingerprint scanner... It has to be a very, very decent implantation or it becomes a focal point of derision which I would not want for Samsung or my future Galaxy S5! I am due an upgrade at some point!

5 whole days... It is torturous for this Samsung fan! Lol!

MY PREDICTION FOR THE SAMSUNG MWC14 UNPACKED
Come Monday we’ll see the Gear 2. We all know or should know that the initial Gear was put out in a rush in order to beat Apple. Apple was a no show and I can only assume that they are perfecting their iWatch device!

If Gear 2 will be revealed I suspect that it will be an Android device and that it will be a big improvement!

Then Samsung will reveal a new Exynos chip – perhaps it’ll be 64 bit and that it will be coming to the Note 4!

Knowing Samsung I do think that there will be other iterations of the Galaxy S5 i.e. Zoom, Active and so on. If the new Exynos chip is 64 bit and it is not in the Galaxy S5 then I do suspect that a “Prime” model will be on the cards. Why? Ok, glad you asked...

It is no secret that Samsung wants to punish Apple for their seemingly endless contempt (and unfairly so); the iPhone 6 is said to be due around September – I think! So, it would not surprise me if Samsung put out a GS5 Prime model that features the 2k screen as well as the Galaxy Note 3. Some people still find that the Galaxy Note phablet is too big and it is a possibility that people would opt for the smaller GS5 Prime instead.

But I am quite certain that Apple will be launching at least 3 different handsets this year:

iPhone 6 4.8”
iPhone 6 6”
iPhone 6C 4.8”

When Apple are pretty quiet you just know that they are going to buck a trend that will go against its once hard and fast rule. Apple are a business at the end of the day and if they see Samsung enjoying great success with their Galaxy Note range then they will reluctantly follow suit for the money and to be seen as keeping up with the competition. I have always said that Apple should not speak in public with regards to their “Hand Science” design that allows the iPhone to be used comfortably in one hand! This is why Samsung have created the ad that shows the iPhone as dated in comparison to the Note 3 which has a HD screen! In doing so Samsung will show the audience that it is Apple who are copyists! Kudos to Samsung!

What do you reckon?

Review coming very soon.... Stay tuned (pun unintended but works so well)...    

Take good care!

Thank you for watching and reading!

Please check out the Synapse Circuit website for video, i-PDF and more! 

Synapse Circuit Dot Com