Galaxy S6, S6 edge US launch date rumored for April 11th

At Samsung’s recent announcement, the company said that April 10th would be the launch date of the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. This date meant, at the time, that Samsung would release their 2015 Galaxy S models just one day earlier than it released the Galaxy S5 in 2014 (GS5 release date: April 11th).

A new rumor says that Samsung will release the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge in the US a day later than the company originally planned, April 11, 2015 – which matches the release date of last year’s model. The same source has said that a Samsung representative has informed him that Samsung representatives are currently traveling across the US to demo the products so that retail store employees can inform the consumer public about them. Both S6 models will arrive at all four major US carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile) on that date.

We’ve mentioned the impressive spec sheets of both devices numerous times here at SamMobile, focusing on the new aluminum 6013 metal, Gorilla Glass 4 casing, and 5MP front and 16MP back cameras with f/1.9 aperture, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t note that Samsung’s devices also come with the company’s own Exynos 7420 processor – a first for the Galaxy S line in the US.

Samsung has always partnered with Qualcomm in the States for the release of its Galaxy S devices, but overheating issues with the Snapdragon 810 – despite LG’s attempts to downplay it in the G Flex 2 – along with a number of tech journalists internationally who’ve attested to the rumored overheating issues, influenced Samsung to utilize its own Exynos processor for the American variant(s) of its Galaxy S line.

The Galaxy S6 will come in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB memory storage versions and retail for $699 (32GB), $799 (64GB), and $899 (128GB), respectively. The Galaxy S6 edge will come in the same memory storage versions and retail for $849 (32GB), $949 (64GB), and $1,049 (128GB).

Top-ranked US carrier Verizon Wireless plans to accept pre-orders for both Galaxy S6 models on April 1st. UK residents can pre-order the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge right now, but it would be wise to pick up some Trident and Otterbox cases beforehand – whether or not you can pre-order at the moment.

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Samsung’s Gear VR allows father from 4,000 miles away to experience his child being born

Technology has rather interesting applications, but what we’re about to tell you isn’t something most of you would’ve thought of before. Jason Larke was in Australia when his wife, Alison, broke her water in an entirely different continent; but thanks to Samsung’s Gear VR, the father would witness the child being born despite the massive distance.

Samsung even adds that the stream was realtime (not that it matters too much), which is truly testimony to the fact that technology can do wonders.

Here’s a little compilation from Samsung that summarizes the experience from the parents, first hand.

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Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge are now certified in China

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge will arrive on the market in a little less than a month from now, and it seems as though Samsung’s wasting no time with registering its two new high-end flagships. Both devices, using the model numbers SM-G9208 and SM-G9209, are dual-SIM variants for China consumers. The China Galaxy S6 and S6 edge models are compatible with GSM, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, CDMA 1X, CDMA 2000, TD_LTE, and LTE FDD networks.

Samsung announced the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge at MWC, with the S6 edge stealing the show. Both devices are made of Gorilla Glass 4 and ultra-tough aluminum 6013, aside from their impressive specs such as their Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440p) Super AMOLED displays, 5MP front cameras, 16MP back cameras with OIS, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB memory storage versions, Samsung’s own home-grown 14-nm Exynos 7420 processor, and software optimizations. Samsung’s newest devices also provide TouchWiz themes for those who can never get enough customization along with a lighter and faster TouchWiz UI that shows Samsung’s growing aesthetic prowess. Samsung has gone on the record as saying that it will commit to premium materials across all of its device lineup this year.

Both devices will reach the worldwide market on April 10th.

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Reddit user claims to possess the Galaxy S6 edge, talks about his experiences with it

A thread went up on Reddit’s r/android subreddit today in which a user claimed to have the Galaxy S6 edge. He said that he worked for a company that “develops and/or merchandises” using the product which is why he has a unit well before the official release date. I should mention that the user didn’t post any images of the device so it could have been a ruse. However the user’s account is quite detailed and he did offer to provide proof to the subreddit’s moderators.

When asked about the Galaxy S6 edge’s speaker he said that it seems “about twice as loud” as the one on the Galaxy S5. Responding to a question about the fingerprint sensor the user claimed it works about as good as Apple’s and that the device allows up to four fingers to be set up for this feature. Battery life is said to be as good as the Galaxy S5 with an “absurdly quick” charge time. He also mentioned how improved the software is now that Samsung has reduced bloat. Apparently the camera is “freaking awesome” and the front shooter is better than that on the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy S5.

You should take this information with a grain of salt since the user has provided no concrete proof that he does have a Galaxy S6 edge. It’s interesting information nonetheless. Information that will appease your desire to know more about Samsung’s latest flagship before it’s finally released next month.

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Samsung Brazil hit with R$10 million fine for moral harassment

Samsung has been fined R$10 million ($3.1 million) in Brazil following claims from several senior members of its staff for moral harassment. Employees had complained to the Brazilian Labor Prosecution Office that the company made endless demands to deliver complicated projects under incredibly tight deadlines. They were even forced to drink alcohol at happy hour sessions. Employees’ English skills were mocked. Senior executives would call their subordinates “lazy” and “dumb.” A female employee was apparently fired for being overweight.

The company has now committed to invest R$5 million in corporate marketing to raise awareness about moral harassment or child labor. Campaigns will run on Brazilian TV, radio and print media. Samsung Brazil will donate the remaining R$5 million to several non-profit organizations picked by the Labor Courts.

In a statement issued to the media Samsung Brazil said that this commitment doesn’t “imply a recognition of individual moral harassment to anyone.” The company said it is fully committed to “treating staff with dignity and providing an environment that meets the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing.”

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Unlocked Galaxy S4 gets Lollipop update in France

Samsung’s been busy these days with not only new phone announcements but also the rollout of Google’s latest OS update, Android 5.0 Lollipop. Android manufacturers compete with one another to see who’ll roll out Google’s latest the fastest, and, in the past, Samsung’s rollout hasn’t satisfied a number of consumers.

Well, Android 5.0 has changed all that. Samsung started releasing Lollipop for its devices just 31 days after Google announced the OS update. Not bad, Samsung. First, the Galaxy S5 received Lollipop, with Poland receiving a few updates before Lollipop made its way to Russia, Spain, Malaysia, and then the UK. Just last month, Verizon became the first carrier in the US to distribute Lollipop to its Galaxy S5 customers on February 2nd.

Despite the UK being the only European country to receive Lollipop, Samsung hasn’t forgotten about Europe’s other countries. France is up next on the list to receive Lollipop.

The latest news in the never-ending Samsung Lollipop rollout comes from tech site TalkAndroid, who says that unlocked Galaxy S4 models (not carrier versions) in France are now receiving their taste of Google’s latest sweet treat. The update, carrying version number 7.18.531.2, will take up 729.59MB of space. This update is far smaller in size than the UK’s 3GB Lollipop update and US carrier Verizon’s 1.7GB Lollipop update for Galaxy S5 customers.

Android 5.0 brings 3D animations, an improved drop-down notification window in “card” layout, lock screen notifications, card-like task manager with all apps appearing in the same place, battery stats that show battery time left rather than running battery time, Google’s new Material Design language, and a “Flappy Bird” easter egg, among others. Go ahead: head on over to your system update settings to get the update that has become a bragging right for Android users.

Have you downloaded the Lollipop update? What cosmetic changes do you see that you like? What changes are made that you dislike? Do your thing in the comments.

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Pebble says that Samsung and Apple “overthink” the smartwatch concept

In techland, you can always tell when companies are in competition with each other. US carriers T-Mobile and AT&T have had their smearing campaigns, and even HTC decided recently to criticize an Android manufacturer while applauding its largest rival. Some would say that statements like these are nothing more than an attempt to throw metaphorical “fists” at the competition. In other words, when you can’t beat a company, you simply criticize it.

Pebble is a smartwatch maker whose smartwatches have made a statement in the new niche sector, with 700,000 smartwatches sold in 2014. Of course, this doesn’t even come close to Samsung’s 1.2 million smartwatches sold last year – which means that Samsung now leads the pack by 500,000 smartwatches. And that doesn’t count the 3 months of 2015.

The Apple Watch has produced a lot of responses around the Web since Apple unveiled its latest gadget earlier this week. Pebble, as is typical of rival manufacturers, decided to do a little mudslinging. “I think they [Apple and Samsung] overthink what people are going to do with them. We don’t lose sight that it’s a watch. It’s not a phone. It’s not a gadget. It’s a watch and time is what matters to people,” said Pebble spokesperson Monica Isla.

Isla seems sold on the watch concept, but watches and smartwatches are not the same. For those who want a watch that tells time only, there are numerous watches out there (some less than $100) that provide this basic function. Pebble seems to forget that it has entered the category of smart watches. Smart watches are distinct from regular watches because of the “smart” designation.

This is no different than the distinction made between flip phones (or “dumbphones,” as they’re comically called) and “smart” phones. While “dumbphones” do basic things like make calls and send texts, smartphones feature web browsers, cameras, camera modes, and allow you to download apps that only increase the functionality of your device. There are some flip phones that provide web browsers and touchscreens (such as the water-resistant Motorola Quantico), but apps on feature phones are extremely limited as compared to the Google Play experience on an Android smartphone.

The designation “smart” places smartwatches in a different category than a regular watch, and some consumers want added functionality to go along with the price tag. With Isla’s attack of Samsung and Apple smartwatches, Pebble is sending the message that they want to provide a basic timepiece experience. In reality, though, this contradicts Pebble’s own software updates that have now added functionality that goes far beyond that of a basic watch: mobile notifications, language settings, Paypal payment compatibility, the ability to end in-progress phone calls, as well as fitness and sleep health tracking. Basic timepieces are devoid of these features.

With Samsung’s numbers leading the way for now, it seems as though Samsung’s “overthinking” is in high demand.

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