APPLE WATCH A BIT iFFY SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

Above: The long, long overdue Apple Watch. Can it live up to the hype?

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
APPLE WATCH: A BIT iFFY.

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope that all is well with you and yours! I also hope that your tech is performing as it should! Nothing worse than glitched out tech! Hey, my Samsung Galaxy S2 is still going strong!

Man, it’s as though Apple can do no wrong even when it is doing wrong! The Apple Watch isn’t commercially available and already it has “won” an award from the iF International Forum Design in Germany! Gosh! Golly! Gee! Wow! Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that fantastic?

#Apple #AppleWatch #Samsung #GearS #Moto360 #AndroidWear

iFFY
C’mon, can an unproven smart or dumb watch win an award for “design”? If Synapse Circuit were to give an award for aesthetics alone that award would go to Samsung’s Gear S! It scores platinum as it is a great curved screen design and it looks like the future now! Samsung has been on top of the smartwatch game for quite a while now; they’ve been experimenting and working hard on creating the ultimate smartwatch. Whether it runs Tizen or Android Wear is immaterial as it works with Galaxy handsets.


Above: The elegant techno-chic of the Samsung Gear S running Tizen; it can take calls too amongst many functions. It pairs up with a Galaxy Android handset too! 

But this unproven Apple Watch has won an award???? It seems like Apple is taking shortcuts to glory – I hope not for the sake of the Church of Apple parishioners but you’ve only got to look at the lacklustre iPhone 6 & 6 Plus to see that some of it is a mishmash of newish and very gone past the sell by date technology. The fingerprint scanner is fairly new to Apple but was a feature on early Motorola handsets; I think fingerprint technology for unlocking a phone is overrated but great to verify payments. But, hey, Apple has been beaten once again by ZTE and its retina scanner on the Grand S3 handset and I wonder if Apple will somehow use a retina scanner on the iPhone 7. The Retina screen has been buried, dug up and cremated by a number of screens on Android handsets. The only thing worthy of praise on an iPhone is the processor. As for iOS... ...it’s not Android. Sorry if that upsets anyone.



So, if the Apple Watch is following in that iPhone line then I think it’s not going to be good news. I get the impression that Apple is working frantically behind the scenes to get the Apple Watch into shape to stand up to the competition. Well, it’s not exactly a competition is it? I mean, I won’t be getting an Apple Watch as all my gear is Android. Yes, I would love to buy into something different to switch it up and keep it interesting but I honestly don’t see much out there. I think Ubuntu for mobile and Tizen could really deliver something interesting and worth having in the not too distant future.

ANDROID WEAR PREPPING FOR iOS
Google are said to be working on an iPhone app that will provide a bridge to Android Wear devices. Now I wonder why that is? Is it because Google are anticipating the Apple Watch to be something of a disappointment?

Well, I hope not as the Church of Apple followers deserve the best. But they have put up with the iPhone... Another factor is that the Apple Watch will be the first of its kind for Apple whereas other manufacturers – principally Samsung – have had many smartwatches out already. So, I would imagine that there is a lot of pressure on Apple to deliver.


Above: The rather good looking ASUS ZenWatch.

At this point I can understand a little why Cook and co talk it up big as they have to push themselves to live up to the hype. That’s a lot of pressure they put on themselves and it could look very, very bad when they don’t deliver. That “Digital Crown” could turn them into Digital Clowns overnight with the impending release of the Apple Watch come 9 March 2015. So far it looks like Apple is doing a hype job in the fashion industry to make the Apple Watch something of a fashion statement / icon before anyone has a real chance to see what it is all about. It’s kind of clever but if the smartwatch is more of a miss than a hit it would be interesting to see if the fashion industry will disassociate itself from the Apple Watch and how quickly.

What will the Apple Watch do differently from what Android Wear, Tizen and WebOS? We’ll just have to wait and see! Are you planning on getting the Apple Watch?

RIVALRY


Above: Spot the ugly duckling...

That’s right, Apple and Samsung are still locked in a battle of rivalry. There is a reason why Samsung kept it pure Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge – with the exception of the Gear VR S6. Whether you like it or not the iPhone 6 & 6 Plus has been outclassed by the Next Galaxy – twice! Trust me; Apple is feeling the pressure to deliver! Look at the time it has taken from when the Apple Watch was introduced in September 2014 to March 2015. Six months! Apple knows, like we all know, that Samsung is capable of knocking out a device from conception to retail in less than half the time! And with the amount of practice that Samsung has had with the smartwatch they can definitely analyse what the Apple Watch is about and produce something to rival it many times over.

Samsung is always hungry and they intend to claw back its market share. Rumour has it that Samsung are getting ready to announce another smartwatch and I am quite sure that they are waiting to see what the Apple Watch is all about before they make their move. I am anticipating something elegant, futuristic like the Galaxy S6 is and very, very functional. I can see Samsung also aligning itself with the fashion industry because what they have to offer will be something that looks great and can deliver the goods!



I feel the pressure for Apple. Apple relies on others to manifest its ideas whereas Samsung is a manufacturing industry unto itself! And that’s one major difference between Apple and Samsung. There is only so much that hype can do! Apple may garner awards but it’s the functionality that counts. There again Apple has created such as brand that many people want to buy into.

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit!

Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT SAMSUNG TALK 9 AD INFINITUM

Above: Genius Samsung ads poking a bit of fun at Apple!

Above: The writing is on the wall...

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SAMSUNG TALK 9:
AD INFINITUM

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers. How are you? I hope that all is well in your world and that you are making the most of your tech! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my articles and for your kind comments! Much appreciated!

I guess you have worked out that with “Ad infinitum” I am referring to the latest Samsung ads aimed squarely at the other guys! Wink, wink...

NO FAIR?   
#Samsung #SamsungGalaxyNote4 #GalaxyNoteEdge #GalaxyAlpha # #SamsungUNPACKED2014Episode2 #GearS #GearVR #GalaxyMega2 #GalaxyTabS #GalaxyS6

THE BIASED TECH-MEDIA RUMBLED!
As you know, I have exposed the Apple biased tech-media from way back and how they capture the feeble minded public’s lack of imagination and an unwillingness to think for themselves. Now the Apple biased tech media are crying, “No fair!” and “Bad taste” with regards to Samsung’s tweets regarding Apple’s misfire of which some of the missiles (the AppleWatch range) will make an impact come 2015 and the latest humorous anti-Apple ads. Have you seen them? I think they are funny and to be taken with a pinch of salt in terms of being "spiteful"! “Bad taste”? Not because of the pinch of salt but because it is said that the belated marketing genius should be left to "rest in peace". Let me tell you something right now! As much as I hated Jobs’ disdain and a complete lack of good sportsmanship towards the competition I thought he demonstrated great passion and a dedicated vision – albeit flawed – with regards to the rebranding of Apple and its position as a leading technological pioneer (although not accurate). However, the man aimed his coffin at the competition in his death! It’s okay for the iPhone based media to disturb him with praise towards these cannibalizing products that he was vehemently opposed to:-

A tablet smaller than 10”; Jobs had a good laugh at the Google Nexus 7 and Cook sanctioned the 7.9 iPad mini.

A larger iPhone; such was the power of Jobs’ vision and charisma that he convinced the iPhone user that 3.5” was ideal. Seriously???? Is it any wonder that this caused iPhone users to HATE on us Android users without really understanding why???? These hardcore iDiots talk “premium” to defend the stupid screen size but the components certainly aren't. The biased tech-media clearly demonstrated that they think that iPhone users are iDiots to suggest that the size of my hands is the same as every iPhone user on the planet. But all of a sudden – thanks to Samsung’s ads (and a bit of commonsense) – the much hyped keynote that happened on the 9/9/14 was centred on two larger iPhone models. Technological innovation??? I think not! iThinkNot...

Again, if the sentiment is that Jobs should rest in peace then they – both Apple and the biased tech-media are certainly picking their moments and not moments tinged with wisdom. It’s okay though to refer to Jobs’ hatred of Android whenever Apple looks weak against the brilliant top of the range handsets that include Samsung’s Galaxy S and Note range. Is it journalism to dismiss the iPad beating Galaxy Tab S only to falsely praise the iPad Air as THE best tablet on the market? But it was okay to pursue pointless litigation in the literal spirit of Jobs to remove, unjustifiably, some Samsung products off the shelves (so to speak).

Biased tech-media, you have been exposed... AGAIN!!!

CROWNED DUMB
Do you remember when Samsung released the first Galaxy Gear smartwatch September 4, 2013 (wow, it feels like longer)? Do you remember what Cook said about it? Let me paraphrase... He said something along the lines of this: “Samsung has showed what the smartwatch shouldn’t be... Trust them (Samsung) to make a mess of it...” Harsh words from a CEO of a corporation based around the notion of being at the very cutting edge of technological excellence. iPhone users had extremely high hopes of an Apple smartwatch. Cook’s dismissive comment on the Galaxy Gear was taken as the throwing down of the gauntlet. We were fooled into thinking that Apple was going to show the world just how a smartwatch should be executed. Timing (hee hee) was everything...

Do you remember the classic Simpson’s episode whereby Homer tracked down his long lost brother, the owner of a car design and manufacturing company, who then got Homer to design the "all American car"? Can you remember the result and the reaction when it was revealed? Hahahaha! That was such a funny episode! The episode is called 'Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?' The Simpsons Season 2 Episode 15.



Above: 'The Homer' car made for fun in real life!

When the AppleWatch was revealed it looked and still looks like a bit of a monstrosity with that awful “Digital Crown”. That’s what Apple is famous for redesign and reinvention (not to mention marketing)! The “candy bar” mobile phone morphed into buttonless touch screen handset that was the first iPhone. Now they have taken the traditional analogue watch and redesigned it with this monstrous “Digital Crown” that serves to be awkward if you are left handed – the “Digital Crown” will be hard to manipulate when worn on the right wrist. Now that’s what I call a dumbwatch! Scattering a bunch of apps on the screen of the AppleWatch looks like a mess! It's the equivalent of throwing poop at the wall; something will stick! Apple haven't figured out how to make a decent UI (user interface) for its ecosysem.

I’ve long since exposed Apple as re-designers as opposed to true technological innovators. Once they have a redesign they feel is ripe then their media machine is unleashed to convince you that you need it above anything else available on the market. Apple’s media machine is frightening as I have exposed just how far it goes! In the UK there is a questionable tech TV program coming back on the air in a few days and some people have dubbed it “The Apple Show”! Hahahaha! It’s true! I’ve seen some really dumb comparisons of the iPhone with leading premium Android handsets and the verdict has been, “Yes, the iPhone wins this challenge because blah, blah, blah...” Yeah, right!

Google and Samsung have the right idea to make their smartwatches screen-centric in that you use the touch screen to interface with it and / or use voice commands. There is a reason why Apple concentrated on the myriad alternative wristbands for its AppleWatch and it’s because it is not the pinnacle of technical excellence as they’d like to have you believe.

I was honestly expecting by Cook’s throwdown that we’d see something that belongs in a recent Sci-Fi movie and the world came to realize that Apple had just literally digitalized – if you can call it that – the analogue watch. Only the ardent and most devoted attendee of the Church of Apple will spend $349 on a dumbwatch. Me? If I were an Apple follower I’d invest that $349 somewhere else... An iPad maybe??? Let me pass that collection plate to the person next to me!

I think that the smartwatch should be viewed as a cursor to compliment the handset and to also compliment YOU! Act on your whims / requests. Here’s a scenario that I am imagining regarding the usefulness of a smartwatch.

“OK, Google... I want to walk to the nearest Whole Food store in Central London; direct me!”

What I want to hear from my smartwatch is this...

“The nearest Whole Food store is in Piccadilly Circus. Would you like directions?”

“Yes.”

“Keep walking to the end of this street... Cross at the traffic lights and then turn left...”

I will keep hearing directions until I reach my destination. And when I am veering off I am told that I am going off course and / or an alternate route would be suggested instead – maybe I want to do some sightseeing along the way! I don’t really want to have my face into the smartwatch all the way there. I can opt to have the directions spoken through a Bluetooth headset if need be!

The other vision I have is that the design is more elongated lengthwise and wider height-wise. In other words I have the equivalent of a Galaxy S5 Mini – for example – on my wrist with a nice curved SuperAMOLED screen complimented with a hypoallergenic wristband not unlike what we have seen in some Sci-Fi movies (check out a movie called 'Lock Out'). I envisage such a smartwatch – “LifeCursor” as I call it as I think “smartwatch” is an already dated expression / term. It’s just because we wear the device on our wrists that we associate it with a watch. Yes, we watch it but we can also listen to it too!

Apple can only make its move once there is a device out there to re-imagine and repackage as its own! Apple can't invent. Now the Galaxy Note Edge is what I call innovation and invention. The design is sublime!

UNDERSTANDING
Sadly, the Apple biased tech media will continue to misdirect the mentally dull and / or vulnerable into the idea that Samsung is being "insensitive" with regards to their recent responses to the iPhone 6 models and AppleWatch with their Twitter and YouTube outbursts. What we are not seeing in the tech media and the media in general is news bulletins on TV, for example, stating that Samsung was right with its design of handsets based around a larger screen. What they say when mentioning the competition is something along these lines, “It’s the news that every iPhone user has been waiting for... ...news of larger screens... Apple looks as like they are trailing behind its competitors...”

They do not mention Samsung by name and how it pioneered the market for handsets with larger screens. They may mention Samsung in the context of an "enemy" but they rarely state the truth: Samsung premium products are the best - plastic or not! They don’t even mention Samsung’s groundbreaking Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear S and Gear VR in comparison to Apple’s feeble keynote products! They didn’t even bother report news of these fabulous Galaxy Tab S range that features a screen that just burns out the iPad’s! That’s not journalism. Yes, of course, they keep harping on about "plastic" as though they haven't seen iPhone's that look as though they've been in a warzone! That's what I call brainwashing! It's definitely not right!

Oh, please Note (4) (hee hee) that my usual iPhone attackers have fallen silent after 9/9/14! Gee, I wonder why? Hahahaha!

ARE YOU LOOKING?
Looking for some gigantic big, big love? Your search is over: Bigger than big

Things to think about...

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STANDBY FOR REVIEWS AND COMPETITIONS!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

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SYNAPSE CIRCUIT SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 LONDON LAUNCH 10 APRIL 2014

This is one time I was glad to be a part of the crowd! Photo taken with the Galaxy S4.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 LONDON LAUNCH
10 APRIL 2014
#Samsung #GalaxyS5 #GS5 #Gear2 #Gear2Neo #GearFit #London #Stratford

Good early morning / late evening, Synapse Circuit Readers! How are you tonight? I hope that all is well and that you had a brilliant day!

Earlier on – yesterday evening I went along to the Samsung Galaxy S5 launch in London’s Olympic Stratford City!

18:00
I managed to get to the Samsung store located in Stratford within the massive mall that is Westfield! “The first 100 people get a prize...” Yeah, right! Lol! There couldn’t have been more than 50 in the queue at the time of my arrival and it was about 18:50 when I was able to get into the store.

Once I got in the atmosphere was jubilant! There were drinks in the form of champagne and orange juice. And there were some nibbles too – balls of vegetables with cheese and meat alternatives.

Note: There were many people in the queue with iPhones! Gosh! Hahaha! It seems that all the publicity that Apple is giving Samsung through the constant lawsuits has paid off! Hee hee hee...

19:30
The Samsung store was packed out and a vast number of the attendees came to pick up their handset! It was quite astonishing to see people queuing up inside to collect their pre-ordered Galaxy S5. But there again it is the one of the most innovative handsets on the planet right now!

The store floor, as you’d expect, was filled with Galaxy S5s and the Gear 2 wearable devices! I spent quite a bit of time with the Galaxy S5!

MISLEAD?
I’ve been reading up on the so called appraisals by the usual tech-media suspects that have the GS5 as “not much of an improvement on the GS4...” WRONG!!!! VERY!!!!

I am the proud owner of the GS4 and when I compared the two I was pretty much blown away by how different the GS5 actually is!

SIZE MATTERS
For starters the Galaxy S5 is substantially bigger without while retaining its identity as a handset and not a phablet.

VELVET GLOVE
Gone is the shiny plastic back plate that houses the battery, etc and in its place is the velvety perforated material that will prove to be fingerprint (and all the greasiness that comes with fingers) resistant. The velvet texture makes the GS5 so much nicer to handle – so much so that the size increase is not an issue at all!

DAZPLAY
“DazPlay” is what happens when you combine the words “dazzling” and “display”! The 5.1” full HD Super AMOLED screen is probably one of – if not – the best screen I have ever seen thus so far! The display goes beyond superlatives! The screen is really that brilliant (see what I did there?)! 



DON’T SAY CHEESE
Above is a picture taken with the Galaxy S5; I didn't have enough time to set the camera up. I did record some 4K and full HD video that I couldn't send as the files were way to big! The other pictures were taken with my GS4!

The 16MP camera is definitely a huge improvement – especially as the focus is almost instantaneous! I managed to take a few shots and I was suitably impressed with the results although I would welcome the opportunity to test the camera thoroughly!

FINGERED?
Yes, the Fingerprint Unlock really works! Don’t be fooled by the media claiming that it’s “dodgy”. Uh-uh! I saw a demonstration whereby it was fingerprint locked and it couldn’t be unlocked by some of audience – including me – invited to test it. When the GS5 got back to the demonstrator he was able to unlock it without a hitch!

BENCHMARK SCORES?
Let me tell you right now that the 2.5GHz quad-core processor shifts! The interaction was snappy and I couldn’t detect any lag in the interface.

Websites launch instantaneously as does apps. Ok, I couldn’t test everything but from what I saw I was very happy with it!

TOUCHWIZ MELTDOWN?
The TouchWiz overlay is somewhat subdued and that makes TouchWiz less intrusive to those who like the minimalist vanilla Android feel; it’s a good compromise between the two. I like that I can say, “Ok, Google” and up pops Google Now!

There again, I can’t say that I have any complaints about TouchWiz post GS3. I thought TouchWiz on the Galaxy S2 was a tad heavy and I had to replace both Google Android and TouchWiz with a CyanogenMod custom ROM that has extended the life of my GS2! Anyhoo... ...the combination of Android KitKat and TouchWiz Nature UX is sweet! There’s even a magazine-type of interaction that is similar to the news feed of HTC Sense. But the way Samsung has done it is very pleasing; it doesn’t dominate but fits in to the scheme of things.

CONCLUDING FIRST IMPRESSIONS
WOW!!!! The Galaxy S5 should do well!

EVENT EVALUATION

Venue: 10 / 10.
The Samsung Stratford City store is a very grand and spacious venue.

Officials: 8 / 10.
The Samsung team were very knowledgeable and helpful. I wasn’t impressed with not getting my free prize for being amongst the first 100 people through the door! Ha!

Materials: 10 / 10.
We didn’t have to wait long to have a play with the Galaxy S5 and Gear 2 wearable devices.

Check out the pics and video from the event here: Media

I will leave you with the specifications once more!

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

What do you reckon?

Full review coming very soon....

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 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!

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