Monday, January 7, 2013

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Samsung Announces NFC-Enabled Portable Wireless Speaker As Part Of New Digital Audio Line-Up

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 02:03 PM PST

Samsung’s new portable Bluetooth speaker, model DA-F60, includes apt-X codec support and NFC pairing. Samsung has already made the simplicity of tapping to share, via S Beam, a big deal in their funny/naughty commercials. Now they’re using NFC to simplify Bluetooth pairing (which, if you hear my in-laws tell it, is nearly impossible). The apt-X codec, supported by only a handful of handsets including Samsung’s own Galaxy S III and Note II, boosts the dynamic range of streaming audio. We should get more details, hopefully to include pricing, at CES. Follow our CES 2013 coverage here.

Press Release after break

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the expansion of its digital audio line-up with new devices that easily turn any home entertainment setup into an optimal sound environment. The company's 2013 AV products feature a number of wireless connectivity enhancements, including the industry's first soundbar that can connect with a TV using wireless Bluetooth technology.

"With the advances in picture displays, consumers also need to be able to complement their viewing experience with high quality home theater products"

Products highlights include:

  • Samsung's Vacuum Tube Soundbar (model HW-F750) is the first soundbar to feature a built-in vacuum tube to maximize sound quality, and is the world's first soundbar that can wirelessly connect with a TV via Bluetooth.
  • Samsung's Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (model DA-F60) brings advanced sound quality with an apt-X codec, while offering the simplicity of Near-Field Communications (NFC) connectivity.
  • Samsung's 7.1 Channel Home Theater System (model HT-F9750W) was created to be the perfect counterpart for Samsung's 2013 TVs, with a Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifier that delivers pure sound, and design and usability features that bring home a totally seamless experience.
  • Samsung's Premium Blu-ray Player (model BD-F7500) features advanced upscaling capabilities, allowing users to experience ordinary SD and HD content in superior resolution.

"With the advances in picture displays, consumers also need to be able to complement their viewing experience with high quality home theater products," said Sunny Lee, Executive Vice President, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Today's product introductions prove that consumers can enjoy premium sound and cutting-edge design without sacrificing convenience, simplicity or ease of use."

As testament to Samsung's leadership in innovation, design and engineering, the Samsung HW-F750 Soundbar and Samsung BD-F7500 Smart Blu-ray Player have each been awarded a 2013 CES Innovation Award. The new line of home theater products will be on display at Samsung's booth, located at #12004 in the Central Hall at the 2013 International CES, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) from January 8-11, 2013.

Warmer, immersive sounds without hassle or distortion

Samsung's Vacuum Tube Soundbar (model HW-F750) resolves consumers' desire for pure power and warm, natural sound by integrating a vacuum tube amplifier into a soundbar for the first time.

Additionally, the HW-750 offers the ultimate in convenience with its SoundShare function, which enables users to wirelessly connect the soundbar to a TV via Bluetooth. Meanwhile, the product's gyroscope sensor gauges height, rotation and slope to optimize sound quality, whether the soundbar is placed in a horizontal or vertical position. Combined, these features virtually eliminate restrictions on where consumers can place the HW-750 in their homes.

Adding to the product's ease of use, users can activate the new AirtrackON function, which automatically powers on the soundbar when the TV is turned on, and allows users to control the HW-F750 with a TV remote control. The HW-F750 sports a slim design and separate, wireless subwoofer, making it an ideal companion for the premium design of any Samsung Smart TV. With its stylish, metal design, the product combines the best that vintage and modern technologies have to offer.

The ultimate in portable wireless sound

Samsung's Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (model DA-F60) offers sound quality and simplicity, whether consumers are at home or on the go. The speaker's integrated Near-Field Communications (NFC) connectivity makes it easy for consumers to pair the speaker with other NFC devices, such as a smartphone or tablet, by simply tapping the two devices together. Additionally, support for Samsung's SoundShare feature means users can employ the DA-F60 as a TV speaker using wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

The DA-F60 incorporates neodymium magnets and a passive radiator to produce results typically found in high-end Hi-Fi audio systems, including tuned low-frequency reproduction and virtually no distortion even at high volumes. Users will also enjoy improved performance and a high-quality experience with the built in apt-X codec technology, which boosts the Bluetooth speaker's extensive dynamic range, particularly at the top end.

Weighing only three pounds, the Samsung DA-F60 is an ideal audio companion that combines both fidelity and portability to reproduce full-range audio outside the home.

A superb combination of the highest quality audio and picture

Samsung's 7.1 Channel Home Theater System (model HT-F9750W) was created to be the perfect counterpart for a Samsung 2013 TV, with design and usability that bring home a totally seamless experience. The new TV Sound On feature allows users to instantly activate the system's 1,330-watt sound while muting the internal TV speaker with a single click of the remote control. This flagship HTS incorporates Samsung's proprietary vacuum tube and digital amplifier, as well as the latest in Smart TV features to create the best entertainment experience available.

For a larger-than-life experience comparable to that of a movie theater, the HT-F9750W offers the multi-dimensional sound of a swivel speaker, coupled with a new DTS® Neo fusion codec – exclusive to Samsung – that further enhances vertical sound to deliver unprecedented sound quality to the home. A Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifier can handle a sound range beyond the typical audible frequency range. Paired with a vacuum tube pre-amplifier, consumers will enjoy true, natural sound with minimal distortion. A Ceramic Polypropylene Injection Diaphragm (CPID) speaker expands sound resolution so every note is distinct.

The exceptional picture quality of the HT-F9750W is immediately noticeable, even on the Ultra-High Definition (UHD) TV sets coming to market in 2013. Samsung's 4K Scaler Processor generates true-to-life pictures with vivid colors, and also upscales high-definition content to UHD-level picture quality.

The Blu-ray component of the HT-F9750W can run multiple apps simultaneously, and also offers Samsung's latest Smart Hub® and AllShare® features. This 1,330-watt system is an excellent addition for any audiophile looking for the finest home entertainment experience.

Enhanced picture performance and speed

Samsung's Premium Blu-ray Player (model BD-F7500) enhances the joy of watching your favorite movies by transforming ordinary SD and HD content into a superior resolution, such as that delivered by Ultra High Definition (UHD)-supported televisions. This slim player offers a dual-core processor and Samsung's Smart TV technologies including Smart Hub® and AllShare®, so that users can enjoy unparalleled picture performance through an intuitive, streamlined user interface.

The BD-F7500 is an aesthetic study in black and silver, simultaneously modern, yet classic. Its minimalist high-gloss black finish contrasts with the unit's aluminum trim, and complements the same design qualities found on many high-end flat-panel displays that feature black lacquered finishes set off by silver bezels.

The BD-F7500's video processor includes a proprietary Samsung algorithm that improves the visual quality of block-based low bit-rate coded images and reduces blocking artifacts. This feature is especially important for maximizing the visual quality of content streamed from the Internet, as well as improving the quality of picture sharpness. Furthermore, the unit's 900MHz x 2 high-performance dual-core chipset boosts the unit's image processing capacity so consumers can enjoy the highest picture quality and the fastest web-browsing speed.

Please visit our booth to experience this future technology first-hand. Samsung’s product line will be displayed January 8-11 at booth #12004 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Full details, video content and product images are available at the Samsung microsite at: www.samsungces.com or mobile site at: m.samsungces.com as well.

The Samsung press conference and Samsung Tomorrow TV CES 2013 Specials will be streamed live on the Samsung Tomorrow blog at: global.samsungtomorrow.com and Samsung’s microsite site also. After the live presentations, videos will be available at http://youtube.com/SamsungTomorrow.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in consumer electronics and the core components that go into them. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 227,000 people across 75 countries with annual sales exceeding US$143 billion. Our goal is opening new possibilities for people everywhere. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

 

 

Gameplay Videos To Satisfy Your OUYA Curiosity

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 12:59 PM PST

OUYA, the Android gaming console, is a relatively low-budget, yet intriguing approach to console gaming. In the minds of many in the Android community, it’s been high on promise but low on substance. Fortunately, we’re starting to see examples of actual gameplay on the device. The gaming site, Game Fans has put together a collection of videos showing some classics on the OUYA.

Checkout the N64 emulator, Street Fighter 2 Torbo and Sonic 4 on the OUYA. Hit the source for more videos.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: Game Fans
Via: Phandroid

Belkin Launches Its WeMo Light Switch For Android Users, Intent On Bringing Awesome Home Automation To All By Summer 2013

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 12:48 PM PST

 

We here at Talk Android love when we can use our Android devices to control items in our homes and Belkin has delivered in a big way by introducing its new WeMo Light Switch— aiming to help home automation just a little bit easier for all. The specialized light switch is basically a WiFi-controlled unit which replaces an existing light switch and connects into your home’s existing electrical wiring—- allowing users to control all aspects of lighting, right from the comfort of their Android devices. Additionally, users can control the lighting in their homes from anywhere at anytime or even make a set of schedules of when to turn on/off the lights.

While the WeMo Light Switch will be on full display at CES 2013 this week, it will be a while before Android users can get their hands on the puppy. Belkin pledges the WeMo Light Switch and app will be available for all Android users by this summer for Android devices operating on Ice Cream Sandwich and above.

While we wait to see this nifty little gadget in person, why not hit past the break to see the full presser?

WeMo Light Switch and Android Availability to Launch in 2013

Las Vegas – January 6, 2013 – Building on the success of its WeMo launch in 2012, Belkin today announced two new developments to the WeMo brand of simple, ingenious home control products, the WeMo Light Switch and Android compatibility. The WeMo Light Switch, an Internet connected light switch to remotely control wired household lighting from anywhere, will debut at CES Unveiled on January 6 at the Mandalay Bay and will be on display at the 2013 International CES at Belkin’s booth, South Hall #30651, from January 8-11.

“Android compatibility and the ability to control full household lighting – beyond just lamps – have been the top two requests from WeMo fans since we first launched, so we are excited to announce both at the 2013 CES,” said Jamie Elgie, senior director of product management at Belkin. “Both are a natural extension of the WeMo line and help expand on our promise of delivering the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can control and monitor your home from wherever you are, whenever you want.”

The WeMo Light Switch replaces an existing light switch and connects into your home’s existing electrical wiring. Once in place, you can turn a full bank of lights on and off from anywhere, put them on a schedule, or use other WeMo or online triggers to control them through a smartphone or tablet. The WeMo Light Switch is controlled via the same free WeMo app as the WeMo Switch and Motion, conveniently keeping track of all of your WeMo-enabled devices from one app.

WeMo Light Switch

  • Controls your homes wired lights from your iOS device
  • Works with any Wi-Fi router and any Apple iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad with iOS v5 or higher
  • Will be compatible with Android 4.0 or higher shortly after launch
  • Operates over Wi-Fi and mobile internet, at home and away
  • Works with the free WeMo app

Aside from growing the WeMo product family in 2013, Belkin also will launch compatibility for Android devices later this year. As the market share for Android continues to grow and more consumers demand it, expanding WeMo capabilities to Android devices is a necessary step for the continued success and evolution of the WeMo brand. In February, Belkin will launch an open Beta test for users of the Samsung Galaxy SIII and other leading devices and follow with an official launch for the WeMo Switch, WeMo Motion and WeMo Light Switch in the summer.

Availability
The WeMo Light Switch will be available in summer 2013 and will feature Android compatibility at or shortly after launch. Compatibility with Android 4.0 or higher for current WeMo products including the WeMo Switch and WeMo Motion will launch this summer as well. To sign up for more information or alerts about WeMo, please visit www.Belkin.com/WeMo.

Belkin at CES
Visit Belkin at the 2013 International CES in booth #30651 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. To schedule a booth tour or an appointment with a Belkin media representative, please call Rachel Jones-Pittier of Formula PR at 310-906-6416.

About Belkin International, Inc.
To learn more about Belkin, visit http://www.belkin.com/aboutus. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/belkin, and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/belkin.

Facebook’s Mobile User Count Reveals Android And iOS Users Are Neck And Neck… But Android Is Growing At A Faster Rate

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 12:30 PM PST

 

It’s no secret that more and more users of mobile devices prefer Android over everything else, but it also appears that more of us use Facebook on our devices compared to well… everyone else. I know you’re all slightly perplexed at where I am going, so let me explain— the Facebook app is no doubt a mainstay on mobile devices everywhere… regardless of what mobile OS the app is on. However— it appears there are more Facebook for Android users than Facebook for iPhone users. In fact– research indicates Facebook's Android user count is growing much faster than its iPhone user base, despite the Facebook app being found on a lower percentage of Android devices. Through some raw data compiled by Benedict Evans, data shows that since September 2011, Facebook for Android had a 66 million monthly active user count (MAU) and Facebook for iPhone had a 91 million MAU. Moving to November 2012, Android had grown to a 192.8 million MAU while iPhone only had a 147.2 million MAU. The data shows that Facebook’s Android users helped Facebook reach a total of 604 million mobile users by the end of Q3 2012, which is tremendous.

As exciting as the findings are, there are some things to note. While there are more Facebook Android users than iPhone users, there are more Facebook iOS users overall when the iPad user base is taken into account. As it stands, there is a 48 million MAU for iPad users, which brings the total to 195.2 million MAU, just slightly more than the overall Android user base. In addition, the study could not take into account the integration that may not have been taken advantage of with iOS6 users, so the number could very well dwarf the number of Android users.

Still, the fact that Android users are not only adopting Facebook mobile at a faster rate, but are also contributing Facebook’s overall growth is certainly nothing to sneeze at. It will be interesting to see how the numbers grow as Facebook continues to get better and better for the Android platform.

source: TechCrunch

Samsung to test the waters with Tizen OS in 2013

Posted: 05 Jan 2013 08:49 PM PST

Samsung and Android go together like peanut butter and jelly. Android wouldn’t have gained so much market dominance without Samsung’s Galaxy line, and that Galaxy lineup wouldn’t exist without Android. Surely these two would enjoy a long, peaceful relationship for the foreseeable future, right? Maybe not. Samsung is reportedly looking at launching several phones running Tizen instead of Android in 2013. Now, this isn’t weird for Samsung, as they do have other phones running Bada, although they don’t have the success Android does, but if Tizen does well enough in its initial Eastern launch, don’t be surprised to see Samsung slowly bring a few devices across the sea.

Samsung is understandably in a position where it really needs to make sure it isn’t too dependent on another partner, like Google. If Google were to take Android down a path that Samsung didn’t agree with, for instance, it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup plan. This is obviously speculation for something that won’t happen for another several years, so no one should worry about the Galaxy S IV running something other than our beloved Android. But if Samsung did launch a competing OS and app ecosystem, would any of you give it a chance?

source: BGR
Posted by at 6:46 AM

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