Android Authority

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• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean for Galaxy Ace 2 build leaks in pre-release form
• Full HD Asus Padfone Infinity and 7-inch Fonepad spotted at MWC
• LG Optimus G Pro vs HTC Droid DNA
• LG Optimus G Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Note 2 [video]
• New imaging chip from MIT promises natural-looking photos even with flash
• First impressions and hands-on with the new LG Optimus G Pro
• LG Optimus G Pro image gallery
• LG Optimus G Pro official specs [MWC 2013]
• The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – First Look video and image gallery!
• Samsung intros HomeSync, a 1TB Jelly Bean-powered media streamer

Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean for Galaxy Ace 2 build leaks in pre-release form Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:02 AM PST The Galaxy Ace 2 may not be the flashiest device around, but Samsung's low-key mid-ranger is still a very popular device in many markets from around the world. It's good therefore to see the Korean company working to update the Ace 2 to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, and thus bring it in line with superphones like the Note 2 and the Galaxy S3. As previously rumored, Samsung is preparing to push the Android 4.1.2 update to the Galaxy Ace 2 sometime in the following weeks (with the Ukraine being one of the first markets, apparently). For those who can't stand the wait, the guys at Sam Mobile have got their hands on what appears to be a recent build of the ROM, dated February 17. Sam Mobile has posted the build on its firmware section, so if you want to give it a spin, the Jelly Bean ROM for your Galaxy Ace 2 is only an Odin flash away. The new Android implementation brings a bevy of tweaks and improvements, Google Now, as well as a pared down version of Samsung's Nature UX interface. Note that Sam Mobile has not specified if the leaked build is stable and can be used as a daily driver, so proceed with caution. Instructions are available via the source.

Full HD Asus Padfone Infinity and 7-inch Fonepad spotted at MWC Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:37 AM PST Asus' MWC press conference is still a couple of hours away, but the company's plans for it, bizarrely teased in the past week, are no longer a secret. To be frank, they weren't that big of a secret before, but now we can add something more specific to our vague early assumptions. Even better, we can call off the men in black, because it seems the alien squad that landed in Barcelona a few days ago came in peace and bearing gifts. The Padfone Infinity is the first extraterrestrial present, and… it's a doozy. Part phone, part tab, this looks awesome in either stance. The 5-inch LTE-enabled handheld will pack a 1080p screen and a 1.7 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU and will dock inside a 10.1-inch tablet with a similarly impressive Full HD panel. No other specifics are known at this time, unless you count the unibody design and "sleek aluminum alloy with brushed metal finish". We don't, because… well, we kind of expected them. Now, is third time going to be a charm for Asus' bold yet not so appreciated Padfone hybrid line? Perhaps. But it's all going to be on timing and pricing. If Asus manages to get this bad boy out in, say, no more than two months and price it sensibly (like, no more than $600 including the tab station), folks are going to be all over it. If not, it's back to the drawing board for the Taiwanese. A couple of quick words about the second gift dropped from space in Asus' lap – the Fonepad. This has also been spotted on the MWC stage a few hours ago, but alongside nothing too specific. There'll be "phone functions" on the tab, an HD display (we're guessing not full HD) and "metallic finish". Not much to get excited about, but thankfully we have the previous leaks to paint us a more complete and encouraging picture. Now all that you have to do is tune in a bit later for the official announcements and our exclusive coverage from Barcelona. Who's psyched?

LG Optimus G Pro vs HTC Droid DNA Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:36 AM PST Going into 2013, LG and HTC seem to have two opposite trajectories. The once mighty HTC is severely losing momentum in terms of sales and fan base. In the other corner, South Korean manufacturer LG is basking in the success of its successful Q4 2012 releases, the LG Optimus G and the Google Nexus 4. You might be tempted to think that the LG Optimus G Pro is the successor to the LG Optimus G, the first smartphone to come out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro. However, while the Optimus G sports a 4.7-inch display, the LG Optimus G Pro uses a 5.5-inch display, thus trespassing into phablet territory. While LG has had some experience with phablets in the past (see the peculiar LG Optimus Vu line), in the other corner, the HTC Droid DNA, with its 5-inch display borders the fine line between smartphones and phablets. Both the LG Optimus G Pro and the HTC Droid DNA are complete Android powerhouses, but what are the similarities and differences between them? Is one of these devices preferable to the other? Keep reading to find out all the details or jump straight to the video for a quick sum-up! Specs Display The HTC Droid DNA was the first handheld to come with a Full HD display (1920 by 1080 pixels resolution). Measuring 5 inches across the diagonal, the laminated Super LCD 3 display on the Droid DNA boosts a Pixel Per Inch (PPI) ratio of 441 and features great contrast and brightness levels, as well as very accurate color reproduction. The LG Optimus G Pro uses a 5.5-inch True HD IPS+ display, also running at a 1920 by 1080 pixel resolution. The PPI ratio rests at 401 ppi. While the pixel density is lower than that of the Droid DNA and the other 5-inch 1080p phones that have recently invaded the market, it’s likely you won’t notice a crispness difference at the regular viewing distance. Click for larger version Verdict: Both are great displays, so it really boils down to your personal preference. If you're looking for maximum crispness, go for the HTC Droid DNA. If you're hunting more screen real estate, go for the LG Optimus G Pro. Design and Build Quality Design is one segment where the LG Optimus G Pro actually resembles the Optimus G. Same curved display, same cube pattern on the back, and roughly the same overall look. It definitely feels like the LG Optimus G Pro is basically a larger Optimus G. The Optimus G Pro features one hardware home button flanked by two capacitive buttons that rest below that 5.5 inch display. The Optimus G Pro measures 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (5.91 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) and weighs 160 g (5.64 oz). Design-wise, the Droid DNA speaks kind of the same design language as the HTC One X, although with less rounded corners and with colored accents. The three capacitive buttons, as well as some of the metallic inserts on the Droid DNA are bright red, just so you always know that the Droid DNA runs on Verizon's network. Thanks to its smaller display, the HTC Droid DNA is the more compact device, although still larger than what's considered to be a regular smartphone these days. Its dimensions are 141 x 70.5 x 9.7 mm (5.55 x 2.78 x 0.38 in). In addition, the Droid DNA weighs considerably less than the Optimus G Pro: 141.7 g (4.97 oz). Verdict: Looks are a subjective aspect, so, given that the build quality seems to be comparable, I'm going to call this one a draw. Hardware CPU, GPU & RAM The LG Optimus G Pro uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset that can be found inside the HTC One, meaning we're dealing with a 1.7 GHz quad-core Krait processor and an overclocked Adreno 320 GPU. In the HTC corner, the Droid DNA uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, one that features a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor and a standard Adreno 320 GPU. Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon 600 is up to 40% faster than the S4 Pro, and the score of some of the benchmarks we have run seem to support this bold statement. Both the HTC Droid DNA and the LG Optimus G Pro use 2 GB of RAM, probably more than enough for your multitasking needs. Some great scores for the Optimus G Pro Internal and Expandable Storage While the HTC Droid DNA comes with 16 GB of internal storage and lacks microSD card compatibility, the LG Optimus G Pro is much better equipped here, featuring 32 GB of internal storage, as well as a microSD card slot. Cameras Although megapixels are not the best way to asses the quality of a camera sensor, it's all we have to work with until we're able to take the Optimus G Pro into further testing. The HTC Droid DNA uses an 8 MP primary sensor and a 2.1 MP front facing camera, while the LG Optimus G Pro uses a 13 MP primary camera and a 2.1 secondary camera. Both primary cameras feature an LED flash. Battery Unfortunately for HTC fans, we have now reached what's clearly the weak spot of the Droid DNA, as its non-removable 2020 mAh battery was widely and rightfully criticized by the entire tech blogosphere. The LG Optimus G Pro does much better in this segment, thanks to its removable 3140 mAh battery. Verdict: The LG Optimus G Pro wins this round with ease! Operating system and software Both the HTC Droid DNA and the LG Optimus G Pro currently run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, although each manufacturer has overlaid its own proprietary UI on top. The Droid DNA uses HTC Sense 4+ and hopefully it will receive the New Sense UI (Sense 5) that HTC has recently showcased on the HTC One. The LG Optimus G Pro uses an updated version of the UI that can be found on the Optimus G, with some additional improvements to the camera app, such as a panorama mode (think Photo Sphere) and simultaneous dual camera recording. Sense 5 vs Sense 4+ There are some differences between the implementation used by HTC and that used by LG on these devices, but unfortunately, custom user interfaces rarely improve on the vanilla Android UI, and this is not the case here. Verdict: Draw! Take them out for a spin before you buy and decide which custom UI is better. Pros and Cons Optimus G Pro Pros Larger display Faster processor Supports wireless charging Bigger screen Some software improvements Optimus G Pro Cons Plastic build Droid DNA Pros More compact Crisper display Droid DNA Cons Slower processor No microSD slot Smaller, non-removable battery Sense 4+ is dated Hands-on video Wrap up In the context of this versus article, the HTC Droid DNA is more a large smartphone rather than a phablet by modern standards. It features a more compact design and a slightly crisper display. But you should bear in mind that the Droid DNA has a relatively small, built-in battery, and lacks microSD card support. In the other corner, the LG Optimus G Pro is the first true contender to Samsung's Galaxy Note line, and while there's nothing especially interesting on the software side, the LG Optimus G Pro uses all top-end hardware, with a design and battery size that will not disappoint. What do you guys make of this battle? Is the LG Optimus G Pro the better device? Is the HTC Droid DNA preferable thanks to its more compact design? Let us know which way you swing in the comment section below! Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

LG Optimus G Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Note 2 [video] Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:43 AM PST I know many of you hate the term "phablet", so I promise to use it only once more in this post. In today's battle of the phablets (there, it wasn't that bad, was it), we pitch two amazing 5.5-inch devices, the LG Optimus G Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. In one corner, the Optimus G Pro boasts the power of the benchmark-smashing Snapdragon 600 system on a chip. In the other, the Note 2 shows off its rich set of software abilities and the versatile S Pen. Who will win? Let the battle begin. Specs Display Let's face it. Unless you really love AMOLED displays, you don't have much of a contest here. The Optimus G Pro sports a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS LCD with a pixel density of just over 400 pixels per inch. The panel is bright, accurately calibrated, and crisp beyond belief. On the other side, the Note 2 measures the same 5.5-inch, but offers only an HD (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution, which translates into a much lower 267ppi density. The Super AMOLED screen is of the RGB subpixel matrix variety, meaning it does not suffer from the flaws of PenTile panels. Blacks are deep, colors are superbly vivid, but place it by the Optimus G Pro and the difference in crispness will become visible. Click for larger version Now, many users might not even notice the difference, but assuming you  have close to 20/20 vision (and you are not an AMOLED fan), you will likely prefer the Optimus G Pro. Build quality and design The glazed finish and smooth curves of the Note 2 tend to polarize people. Regardless if you like it or not, there's nothing I could tell you that will make you change your mind about it. Still, no one can dispute that the Galaxy Note 2 is a device that doesn't feel very premium, at least not when you compare it with devices like the HTC One or the Sony Xperia Z. For the Optimus G Pro, LG's designers seems to have drawn inspiration from the Galaxy Note 2, perhaps enough to confuse some less savvy users. However, the G Pro is slightly narrower and lighter than the Note 2, but almost of the same height and thickness. The back of the device features the "holographic" pattern we know from the Nexus 4 or the Optimus G, but without the plate of glass. We'll call this a draw, as neither device seems particularly superior in terms of build quality. Hardware, camera, and battery Given the six months age difference between the Galaxy Note 2 and the Optimus G Pro, you'd expect the LG flagship to power ahead in this area. But if that happens, it's only because of the new Snapdragon 600 processor, with the rest of specifications being quite similar. The quad-core Snapdragon 600 system-on-a-chip is a beast, and early benchmarks have shown it handily beating previous record holders. Insane score for the Snapdragon 600 The Note 2 is by no means a slacker, mind you. Its Exynos 4412 processor is still holding on admirably, and is likely to power most real world applications like a champ. The Optimus G Pro is simply a bit faster. The LG phone has the nominal advantage in the camera department, but, as HTC is so keen to teach us, it's not all about megapixels. We'll have to wait for some photo comparisons before we hand out the laurels. The G Pro does however feature a couple of interesting camera features, such as the ability to record with the two cameras at the same time, and a panorama mode that is very similar to Google’s Photo Sphere. Dual recording in action The memory, storage, connectivity, sensors, and even the battery are nearly identical on the two phones. While the Optimus G Pro features a 3140 mAh battery (as opposed to 3100 mAh on the Note 2), the Samsung device could have in theory an edge, due to the less demanding display. Again, this is a contentious issue, so we'll restrain from drawing conclusions. My verdict here is a win for the Optimus G Pro. Operating system, software, and user interface Samsung has been doing a relatively good job at updating the Note 2, but the phone still runs Android 4.1.2 as of this writing, with an update probably coming after March 15, the date when the Galaxy S4 will launch. The Optimus G Pro comes with Android 4.1.2 out of the box. The big strength of the Note 2 is its set of features and apps that Samsung calls the Premium Suite. Moreover, the S Pen and the apps that accompany it give users a whole new level of control and productivity. The multi-window capability is impressive. LG has begun to emulate its larger rival by offering its own set of customizations and productivity apps. For instance, the Q Slide feature reminisces of Samsung's Multi Window, with the difference being that LG's implementation supports up to three apps simultaneously. However, the LG Optimus G Pro lacks a stylus, and that could make the difference for many users. I am going to give this round to the Note 2, which simply offers more bang for the buck when it comes to software. Pros and Cons Optimus G Pro Pros Better display Faster processor Supports wireless charging Slightly narrower and lighter Optimus G Pro Cons No stylus Galaxy Note 2 Pros Samsung apps and S Pen More color options Galaxy Note 2 Cons Lower resolution display Bigger and heavier Slower processor Hands-on video Wrap up The LG Optimus G Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 are surprisingly similar in many ways, from the design to most specifications. The Optimus G Pro is the better device hardware-wise, but it doesn't feature a stylus, which may or not be a deal breaker for you. The Note 2 has better software, but it's outgunned in the other departments. If you absolutely need the stylus, go for the Note 2. If the S Pen is not something you see yourself using constantly, I'd recommend choosing the LG Optimus G Pro. With LG working on the software side, there is no reason to say pass. Which phone do you think it's better? Vote in our poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

New imaging chip from MIT promises natural-looking photos even with flash Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:35 AM PST Flash photography is never simple. But a new imaging chip being developed at MIT might soon make flash images look more natural (Image source: Shutterstock). As much as smartphone users hate the unbalanced look of images taken with flash, it’s an unfortunate fact that nighttime images taken without flash usually look worse, unless you’re in a studio lighting environment. A new chip being developed at MIT might help fix flash lighting issues, and promises to output natural-looking images even when flash is used. The low-power image processing chip, being developed at MIT Microsystems Technology Laboratory, applies high dynamic range (HDR) to photos and videos using near-immediate exposure bracketing. This means that the image processor will combine the flash-lit photo with the image immediately preceding that photo to come up with an output that approximates the natural colors in the scene. The aim is for the photo to be as realistic as possible, and without destroying the scene’s ambiance. The exposure bracketing is done within a fraction of a second, says the developers. There are existing technologies that apply HDR to smartphone photos. However, these are mostly software-based, which consume a lot of power and resources. “We wanted to build a single chip that could perform multiple operations, consume significantly less power compared to doing the same job in software, and do it all in real time,” said Raul Rithe, a graduate student at the MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science who is the lead author of the study. The imaging chip basically takes three low-dynamic range images: a normally exposed image, an under-exposed image capturing bright areas, and an over-exposed image taking details from the darker areas. These are then combined to capture the entire range of brightness in the scene. See also: Best HDR camera apps for Android The chip can then do this for two operations: one with flash and another without flash. The resulting images are then combined to produce a natural-looking image, which preserves the natural ambience from the base no-flash image, while highlighting details from the image taken with flash. Software could theoretically do this, but will take several seconds to process. The new chip being developed will only take a few hundred milliseconds with a 10-megapixel camera. This means lower power usage, and this also means the technology can be used for video applications. The work was funded by Taiwanese company Foxconn, which produces smartphones and other components for other firms, such as Apple, Nintendo, Amazon and Sony. Do check the source link for a more technical explanation of the chip in development. Suffice to say that we can probably expect better flash photography in the near future, and we won’t have to deal with washed-out images or unevenly-lit night-time photos.

First impressions and hands-on with the new LG Optimus G Pro Posted: 24 Feb 2013 11:39 PM PST My colleagues Darcy LaCouvee and Joshua Vergara have been hard at work trawling the halls of MWC 2013 for the hottest pieces of mobile technology, and they might have just found it in the form of the LG Optimus G Pro. We had the opportunity to play with the LG Optimus G Pro, and we have to say, we came out pretty impressed. The Optimus G Pro offers what is probably the best display on any mobile device, with 5.5 inches of full HD goodness, translating into a remarkable 401ppi. The super crisp panel is a pleasure to look at, and the Optimus G Pro has the muscle to push all those pixels, thanks to the brand new Snapdragon 600 processor, clocked at 1.7GHz. Design-wise, the Optimus G Pro is a very sleek looking device. Coming in black and white, the G Pro is slightly narrower and lighter than the Galaxy Note 2, which makes it easy to pocket and to use in general. The back of the device features the same holographic pattern we've seen on the Nexus 4 and the LG Optimus G. Underneath the removable back cover, you'll find a beefy 3140 mAh battery, meaning you'll have little trouble getting through a full day of full use with the Optimus G Pro. Check out our hands-on and first impressions of the new LG Optimus G Pro. Also see the full specs here and an extensive image gallery of hands-on pics. Stay tuned for more coverage. We've pitted the Optimus G Pro against the Note 2 and other hot devices. Videos coming soon!

LG Optimus G Pro image gallery Posted: 24 Feb 2013 11:12 PM PST At MWC, our crack team of mobile experts has been busy checking out the latest and greatest smartphones and tablets, including the hot new LG Optimus G Pro. We have presented you the official specs of the impressive Optimus G Pro, and now it's time for an Optimus G Pro photo gallery. Notice the absolutely beautiful 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, which may not be as dense as the HTC One's, but is certainly a sight to behold. In terms of design, the G Pro inherits the "reflective" design that we've come to love on the Nexus 4 and Optimus G. Software-wise, the Note 2 competitor combines Android 4.1.2 with some interesting features cooked up in LG's own kitchen. The Optimus G Pro rules the benchmarks, as you can see in the gallery below. In the words of our editor-in-chief Darcy LaCouvee is "one sexy device", but we'll let you judge for yourself. We are preparing some great versus posts, pitching the Optimus G Pro against some of its hottest competitors. Stay tuned for more MWC coverage!

LG Optimus G Pro official specs [MWC 2013] Posted: 24 Feb 2013 11:10 PM PST LG is on a comeback of sorts. In the past months, the Korean phone maker has taken some big steps towards establishing itself as a top high-end Android manufacturer. With all the availability problems, the Google-branded Nexus 4 proved a hit, while the Optimus G has impressed everybody with its top specs and stylish design. But time moves so fast in the Android world. Just months after the Optimus G was launched, LG unveiled the Optimus G Pro, a faster, bigger device squarely targeted at Samsung's pen-equipped Galaxy Note 2. At MWC 2013, we've had the opportunity to take the LG Optimus G Pro for a quick spin. The device, which was first announced on February 12, is an impressive piece of equipment, powered by Qualcomm's newest processor and sporting an eye-pleasing 5.5-inch full HD display. Official specifications of the Optimus G Pro Size: 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (5.91 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) Weight: 160 g (5.64 oz.) Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, quad-core 1.7GHz Krait, Adreno 320 GPU RAM: 2GB Display: 5.5 inch, Super IPS LCD, 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD), 401ppi Storage: 32GB, extensible via microSDXC, up to 32GB Battery: 3,140mAh, removable, wireless charging optional Main camera: 13 MP, autofocus, LED flash, 360o panorama, dual recording Front camera: 2.1MP, 1080p@30fps Networks: GPRS/EDGE, HSDPA/HSUPA, LTE Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, DLNA, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 A2DP, A-GPS, microUSB 2 (MHL), USB host OS: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with Optimus UI Our Darcy LaCouvee has enjoyed some quality time with the LG Optimus G Pro. We will be soon publishing his first impressions and a hands-on video. For more images of the LG Optimus G Pro check out our hands-on photo gallery. Stay tuned for versus posts and more coverage!

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – First Look video and image gallery! Posted: 24 Feb 2013 10:17 PM PST Just a couple of days ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 became official. It is the world’s first truly tablet-sized phone. It’ll come with a quad-core, 1.6GHz Exynos 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, HSPA+ 21 megabit per second radio, a 4,600mAh battery, a 1280 by 800 display, and it runs Android 4.1.2. It also makes phone calls. Our initial impressions were mixed. While we loved the Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy Note 8 looked like a giant Galaxy S3 with fairly similar specs as the Galaxy Note 2. So the Galaxy Note 8 really doesn’t bring much new to the table except being the only tablet that can make phone calls. At Mobile World Congress 2013, our own Darcy LaCouvee and Joshua Vergara got a hands-on look at the Galaxy Note 8. If you don’t feel like reading, the video and gallery are posted below! What we liked about the Galaxy Note 8 Everything we liked about the Galaxy Note 8 happens to also be on the list of everything we liked about the Galaxy Note 2. This is both good and bad news. It’s good news because the Galaxy Note 2 is an amazing device and is still among the best available today. It’s bad new because that means the Galaxy Note 8 isn’t bringing anything new to the table. Anyway, here’s what we liked about the Galaxy Note 8: It has a smooth and quick user interface. Full S-Pen support. All of the good Touchwiz features, including a Smart Reader mode which will automatically adjust contrast to emulate real books. 7.95mm profile makes it very slim with a good weight. It is not too heavy or too thin. It makes phone calls. Most will probably never need it, but you just never know. What we didn’t like about the Galaxy Note 8 Unfortunately, the Galaxy Note 8 isn’t all cookies and milk. There are a few flaws we found with the device. Most of it revolves around the idea that Samsung really isn’t breaking new ground with the Galaxy Note 8. It’s more like they’re repaving the road they’ve already traveled. Here’s what we didn’t like in more detail. It has yet another gaudy plastic back that Samsung is known for. So the build quality leaves much to be desired. The 1280×800 resolution is on par with the Nexus 7, but definitely not on par with what the competition will cook up this year. Internal specs all but mimic the Galaxy Note 2, so there is no new technology encased in that gigantic, plastic frame. We at Android Authority have unanimously agreed that, if this tablet is going to be popular, then it will need to have a competitive price. It’s going to be hard to convince people to buy one of these when there are more exciting devices coming out like this year’s Nexus tablets. Alternatively, it’s going to be hard to convince people to buy it if it can’t compete with the already capable Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and the newly announced HP Slate 7 in terms of price. Is the Galaxy Note 8 a nice device? Oh yes, it’s definitely a nice device. Would we recommend it? Well, let’s see how much Samsung intends to charge for it first. Meanwhile, check out our first look video above and our image gallery below. Also keep an eye out because we’ll be pitting it up against some of today’s best tablets in our classic versus battles. What does everyone think of the Galaxy Note 8?

Samsung intros HomeSync, a 1TB Jelly Bean-powered media streamer Posted: 24 Feb 2013 09:49 PM PST There are plenty of Android dongles offered for less than $100 in the market that can turn your regular TV into a smart TV. But if what you need is something that's obscenely bigger (storage-wise), faster, and more powerful — Samsung HomeSync is the Android-based media storing, sharing, and streaming device that you've been waiting for. Samsung's HomeSync comes with an attention-grabbing 1TB of storage drive, which some folks will have no problem put to good use – especially considering that the device supports up to eight separate accounts. Contents uploaded by each user can be encrypted, as well as easily shared with others. In case you're wondering, the HomeSync does support full HD 1080p video streaming. The Jelly Bean media streaming device is powered by a dual-core 1.7GHz processor and has an 8GB eMMC — for OS and apps — and 1GB of RAM. Other specs include HDMI 1.4 connection, WiFi b/g/n 2.4GHz and a/n 5GHz, and Bluetooth 4.0. You can expect to see the Samsung HomeSync land in April in select markets. Unfortunately, it's currently unknown how much Samsung is planning to charge for this ultimate media streamer. Feel free to make your guess in the comments below. Show full PR text Samsung HomeSync creates connected media experience for the whole family Provides home cloud for storing, sharing and streaming content across multiple devices Barcelona, February 24, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced Samsung HomeSync, a home hub solution that a shared storage fit for a family, the best entertainment experience on a big screen TV, and a new way of enjoying your HDTV through a familiar and smarter Android user experience. Shared Storage for a Family HomeSync's 1TB drive can help you sync to multiple devices, providing shared or private storage for all your content. It supports eight separate accounts to cover a whole family, and allows each user to upload and download content from multiple devices and instantly share with other family members. File encryption and user-specific ID and password ensure content in a user's private area remains separate from the shared area in HomeSync. Entertainment on a Big Screen The HomeSync brings the best of Android gaming, movies, TV shows and streaming content direct into your living room. It allows you to stream content from your Galaxy device wirelessly to the TV – letting you watch, see and use all your home videos, photos and apps, and all at a full HD 1080p. Giving any HDTV new Smarts Users can enjoy the full and familiar Android experience with HomeSync's Jelly Bean media player and access to Play Store and all of your apps. HomeSync also enables new ways to interact with your content via the control modes enabled wirelessly on the phone. HomeSync will be available from April 2013 in select countries and continue to expand globally. HomeSync specifications Component Description CPU 1.7GHz Dual Core Memory 1GB DDR3 + 8GB eMMC + 1TB HDD Connectivity LAN Gigabit Ethernet WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz & a/n 5GHz HT40 2×2 MIMO Channel Bonding Bluetooth V4.0 Interface USB 3.0 External USB I/F Connection (x2) Micro USB PC Connection 11pin mUSB (x1) HDMI out Support (HDMI1.4) Optical Audio Audio Amp. Connection Codec Video H.264, H.263, MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, WMV7/8, MP43, VP8, DivX Audio MP3, AAC LC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA 9std/10pro/Lossless, FLAC, Vorbis, AMR-NB/WB, Wav, Mid, AC-3 DRM HDCP 1.3/2.1, Playready, Widevide, Trustzone *All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation. *Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, and Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales exceeding KRW 201 trillion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

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