Samsung Galaxy Note Edge will change how we use mobile devices?

This phone (phablet if you like) offers essentially the same features as the Galaxy Note 4, but distinguishes itself with an extra curved strip of touchscreen on the side.

With this 160 pixel of 'edge' screen, you can customise buttons to make it the notification centre when you are doing something else on the main 5.6-inch display. Samsung said the phone will change how users interact with mobile devices and applications. This, in my opinion, is left to be seen.


The phablet looks big in the hands of most of us. Image: Computerworld Malaysia

The new phone is retailed at RM2,999 which is a bit expensive for a transitional mobile device.

Would you grab one? Or, do you prefer your current Galaxy S5, Note 4, or iPhone6?


Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Your cup of tea?


Galaxy Note Edge: Specifications

• 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB / 54GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5.6-inch display: Super AMOLED, 2560 x 1440 resolution (with additional display of 160 pixel)
• 16MP rear camera (Auto focus, Optical Image Stabilization)
• 3.7MP front camera (f1.9)
• Supports WiFi 802.11ac, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, IR LED, 4G LTE Cat 4 + 4G LTE Cat 6
• Dimension: 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3mm
• Weight: 174g
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 3000 mAh battery (adaptive fast charging)

Other features: Air Command, S Note, Snap Note, Direct Pen input, Multi Window, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Voice Recorder, Heart rate sensor, Finger print scanner, UV sensor


What you can do with it differently:

• access apps with full, split or pop-up screens, 
• change apps size and position with one easy swipe,
• skip music, pause videos and control other apps using the Curved Edge display,
• keep your notifications and alerts neatly organised on the curved side,
• 'supposedly' incoming calls, texts and emails no longer get in the way,
• design your own Edge Screen and express yourself by using your favourite images and phrases,
• arrange your main app icons aligned to the side so you can leave the rest of your home screen clutter free.

Availability & Price

Available now in 'Charcoal Black' and 'Frost White' at all Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung authorised retailers.

Retail price: RM2,999 (US$825).


TheGreenMechanics: Doesn't look like a phone that fits my bills, but others may find this interesting and one that suits their need. Verdict: The price is too prohibitive.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 to be available in March 2014 for $449.99(RM1,649)

Samsung announced this week that the long-awaited update to its Galaxy Camera will become available for US$449.99 in mid-March (about RM1,649).

I bought my Galaxy Camera last year for RM1,490. It was retailed for RM1,699 but street price went down to about RM1,500 after being in the market for one year.

Galaxy Camera 2: Not too much of an update, just looking more sleek.

Galaxy Camera (old): Bulky, bigger than most compact cameras.

The Galaxy Camera 2 is built around the premise of integrating apps and other features typically found on handsets. The camera will run on Android 4.3, and have a 4.8-inch LCD screen and a quad-core processor. 

The new camera is a followup to the original Galaxy Camera, which was bulky and oversized compared to other point and shoot cameras. At 283 grams, the new camera is lighter and more portable. The older version weighs 300g.

Features and Specs

With a 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, the camera has a 21x optical zoom and up to 3200 ISO. The device will have 8GB of internal storage (the older one has 4GB), and a micro-SD slot that can accommodate storage cards of up to 64GB. 

The camera will be able to shoot full high-definition video at a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution and 30 frames per second. It will shoot video in AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, WEBM and WMV formats. The camera has also advanced its predecessor's connectivity features, so images can be transferred more easily. 

Like smartphones, it will have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC so the camera can connect to other devices wirelessly. Users will also be able to access Google's online services such as the Play app and media store, Maps, Hangouts and YouTube. 

The smartphone interface on the Galaxy Camera 2 makes it easy to share files with the company's TVs and mobile devices. Samsung's Kies software will allow transfer of pictures from one device to another.

Source: CM

US gave green light for cars to 'talk' to each other

Will you drive a car that would rather 'talk' to nearby vehicles for navigation than to wait for your 'instruction' to maneuver a risky driving situation?

According to report, the US government has given a green light for a technology that'd enable a car to see a crash coming even if its driver doesn't. But for this to happen, it will require automakers to equip new vehicles with technology that lets cars warn each other if they're heading toward peril.

The US federal transportation believes this will have game-changing potential to cut collisions, deaths and injuries.


How the 'talking' works

A radio signal would transmit a vehicle's position, heading, speed and other information. Cars and light trucks would receive the same information back from other cars, and a vehicle's computer would alert its driver to an impending collision.


Vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology allows exchange basic safety data such as speed and position to help avoid collisions. Image: Discovery


Alerts could be in the form of a flashing message, an audible warning, or a driver's seat that rumbles. Some systems might even automatically brake to avoid an accident if manufacturers choose to include that option.


Unlike the technology behind Google's self-driving cars, vehicle-to-vehicle communication is not intended to replace human drivers. Image: US Dept. of Transportation


Your car would "see" when another car or truck equipped with the same technology was about to run a red light, even if that vehicle was hidden around a corner. Your car would also know when a car several vehicles ahead in a line of traffic had made a sudden stop and alert you even before you saw brake lights The technology works up to about 300 yards.

To find out more, you can continue reading at Yahoo News


TheGreenMechanics:

Very interesting preposition here; I have a personal concern, though. The more you take the personal responsibility out of the hands of the driver, the more likely you are to have an accident. Especially so with new, inexperienced drivers.

One day a new driver who has experience only with new high-tech cars gets behind the wheel of a slightly older car without this technology. He thought the car is going to stop for him and banggg! He rammed a nice looking talking car at a busy junction. "Oppss, I forgot this car can't 'talk', sorry."