Samsung and LG fighting it out regarding 4K standards

Global TV giants Samsung and LG are locking their horns once again, this time regarding 4K standards. These South Korean electronic giants are busy in disregarding each others display technologies as the International Committee for Display Metrology (ICDM) has changed its policy to require labeling a separate contrast modulation in TV definitions.

ICDM, a committee which establishes display standards, has decided to require marking contrast modulation in display quality definitions. The decision is designed to reveal accurate contrast readings as well as number of lines, which will give consumers a better idea of how accurately a display can reproduce original images.

Samsung has been claiming that RGBW technology in LG’s OLED TVs cannot be considered as true 4K UHD compliant as the use of white color subpixels results in only 60 percent of contrast modulation while RGB displays have an average contrast modulation of 95 percent. On the other hand, LG claims that the latest ICDM decision recognizes RGBW as true 4K UHD standards compliant.

LG said, “Claims that RGBW technology is not 4K by some people were not taken. With the decision of the ICDM, it is internationally recognized as 4K, ending the controversy.” Although ICDM does not enforce brands to follow their guidelines, brands generally adopt their rules.

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Samsung shares all the juicy secrets surrounding the development of its Charm fitness tracker

Three months ago, Samsung took the wraps off its Charm wearable fitness tracker, which it claimed had been designed from the ground up to look like a fashionable bracelet as opposed to a smartwatch. To achieve this appearance, the firm opted for small LED panel to alert users of notifications instead of a fully-fledged LCD display. It also decided to push all basic fitness data directly to the S Health application on a paired smartphone via Bluetooth as opposed to displaying the raw statistics on the unit itself.

When Samsung was developing Charm, it intended to create a “lifestyle band,” which is something that had not been successfully achieved before. Sure, many independent manufacturers had tried to merge fashion and technology, but they hadn’t succeeded. However, it looks like Samsung has drummed up a lot of attention surrounding the Charm. So much so, that the Assistant Manager of Product Planning Areum Ko and Senior Designer Myungkyu Kim have decided to share the story behind the development of the device.

Many questions that we had were answered during the relatively lengthy interview, such as how the idea came to the table, what challenges surfaced during the development stage and how the design was finalized. If you’d like to find out answers to these questions, too, simply hit the source link below to read the full Q&A over on Samsung’s website. I’d definitely advise you to do so as I, personally, found it to be a very good read.

Be sure to keep your browser pointed to SamMobile for our full review of the Charm, which is set to go live next month.

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5-27-2016 Firmware Updates: Galaxy S4, Galaxy J5, Galaxy Note 3, and more

Samsung has a plethora of phones and tablets in its lineup and regularly releases firmware updates for various devices. These can include major updates, which bring a newer version of the OS to a particular device, or minor ones that improve performance and stability and fix bugs. Software updates for Samsung devices roll out in various regions every day, and you can find out which firmware updates were pushed out by the company over the last 24 hours through our firmware list.

As usual, you can download each of these firmware from our firmware section (simply enter your device’s model number to view all firmware for that device) in order to update to a new firmware manually, or as a means to return to your phone or tablet’s stock software.

Country (Product Code)	Model	Model Name	Version	PDA
Argentina (Personal)(PSN)	SM-G920I	Galaxy S6	5.1.1	G920IDVU3DOJ6
Australia(XSA)	SM-G850Y	GALAXY ALPHA	5.0.2	G850YDOU2BOF3
Australia (Telstra)(TEL)	SM-N9005	GALAXY Note3	4.4.2	N9005XXUGOE2
Baltic(SEB)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXCU0APC1
Brazil(ZTO)	SM-G925I	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G925IDVS3EPE2
Brazil(ZTO)	SM-G935F	Galaxy S7 edge	6.0.1	G935FXXU1APE9
Bulgaria(BGL)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXCU0APC1
Cambodia(CAM)	SM-N915F	GALAXY Note Edge	5.1.1	N915FXXS1CPD3
Canada (Bell Mobile)(BMC)	SM-N910W8	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910W8VLU1COK3
Canada (Fido Mobile)(FMC)	SM-G900W8	GALAXY S5	5.1.1	G900W8VLU1COI4
Canada (Globalive Wind Mobile)(GLW)	SM-N910W8	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910W8VLU1COK3
Canada (Rogers)(RWC)	SM-G900W8	GALAXY S5	5.1.1	G900W8VLU1COI4
Canada (SaskTel)(BWA)	SM-N910W8	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910W8VLU1COK3
Canada (Virgin Mobile)(VMC)	SM-N910W8	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910W8VLU1COK3
Caucasus Countries(CAU)	SM-T561	Galaxy Tab E	4.4.4	T561XXU0AOL2
Chile(CHO)	SM-G850Y	GALAXY ALPHA	5.0.2	G850YDOU2BOJ1
China (Open China)(CHC)	SM-G9200	Galaxy S6	6.0.1	G9200ZCU2DPD1
China (Open China)(CHC)	SM-N9200	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N9200ZCU2BPE3
Czech Republic(ETL)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXXU0APB3
Czech Republic (T-Mobile)(TMZ)	SM-G928F	Galaxy S6 edge+	6.0.1	G928FXXS2BPE4
Egypt(EGY)	SM-N920C	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N920CXXU2BPE1
Germany (Vodafone)(VD2)	SM-G901F	GALAXY S5	5.0.2	G901FXXU1BOK2
Greece (Cosmote)(COS)	SM-G928F	Galaxy S6 edge+	6.0.1	G928FXXS2BPE4
Hong Kong(TGY)	SM-G9250	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G9250ZTU2DPC5
Hong Kong(TGY)	SM-G9250	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G9250ZTU2DPC5
Hungary(XEH)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXXU0APB3
Hungary (T-mobile)(TMH)	SM-G928F	Galaxy S6 edge+	6.0.1	G928FXXS2BPE4
India(INS)	SM-G313H	GALAXY ACE NXT	4.4.2	G313HDDU0AOK1
India(INU)	SM-G313H	GALAXY ACE NXT	4.4.2	G313HDDU0AOK1
Italy (TIM)(TIM)	SM-G925F	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G925FXXU3DPC5
Italy (TIM)(TIM)	SM-G925F	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G925FXXU3DPE9
Kazakhstan(SKZ)	SM-T561	Galaxy Tab E	4.4.4	T561XXU0AOL2
Korea (KT Corporation)(KTC)	SM-N920K	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N920KKKU2BPE3
Macedonia (T-Mobile)(MBM)	SM-G928F	Galaxy S6 edge+	6.0.1	G928FXXS2BPE4
Malaysia(XME)	SM-N915F	GALAXY Note Edge	5.1.1	N915FXXS1CPD3
Malaysia(XME)	SM-N9208	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N9208XXU2BPE2
Nigeria(ECT)	SM-G361H	GALAXY CORE Prime	5.1.1	G361HXXU0APC1
Philippines (Globe)(GLB)	SM-G900F	GALAXY S5	5	G900FDXS1BPD2
Philippines (Globe)(GLB)	SM-N910C	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910CXXS2CPD3
Philippines (Globe)(GLB)	SM-N9208	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N9208XXU2BPE2
Philippines (Open Line)(XTC)	SM-N910C	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910CXXS2CPD3
Philippines (Open Line)(XTC)	SM-N9208	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N9208XXU2BPE2
Philippines (Open Line)(XTC)	SM-G900F	GALAXY S5	5	G900FDXS1BPD2
Philippines (Smart)(SMA)	SM-N910C	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910CXXS2CPD3
Philippines (Smart)(SMA)	SM-G900F	GALAXY S5	5	G900FDXS1BPD2
Philippines (Smart)(SMA)	SM-N9208	Galaxy Note5	6.0.1	N9208XXU2BPE2
Philippines (Sun Cellular)(XTE)	SM-N910C	GALAXY Note4	5.1.1	N910CXXS2CPD3
Philippines (Sun Cellular)(XTE)	SM-G900F	GALAXY S5	5	G900FDXS1BPD2
Poland(XEO)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXCU0APC1
Romania(ROM)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXXU0APB3
Romania (Vodafone)(CNX)	SM-G901F	GALAXY S5	5.0.2	G901FXXU1BOK2
Russia(SER)	GT-I9195	GALAXY S4 mini	4.4.2	I9195XXUCPB1
Russia(SER)	GT-I9195	GALAXY S4 mini	4.4.2	I9195XXUCOB1
Russia(SER)	SM-T350	GALAXY Tab A	5.0.2	T350XXU1AOJ1
Saudi Arabia(ACR)	SM-G361H	GALAXY CORE Prime	5.1.1	G361HXXU0APD1
Slovakia(ORS)	SM-G800F	GALAXY S5 mini	4.4.2	G800FXXU1AOI1
South Africa(XFE)	SM-T561	Galaxy Tab E	4.4.4	T561XXU0AOL2
South Africa (Vodafone)(XFV)	SM-G361H	GALAXY CORE Prime	5.1.1	G361HXXU0APC1
South East Europe(SEE)	SM-J100H	Galaxy J1	4.4.4	J100HXCU0APC1
South Korea (KT olleh)(KTF)	SHV-E300K	GALAXY S4	5.0.1	E300KKTUGOL5
South Korea (KT olleh)(KTF)	SHV-E300K	GALAXY S4	5.0.1	E300KKTUGPE2
South Korea (SK Telecom)(SKT)	SHV-E300S	GALAXY S4	5.0.1	E300SKSUGPE2
South Korea (SK Telecom)(SKT)	SHV-E300S	GALAXY S4	5.0.1	E300SKSUGOL5
Spain(PHE)	SM-J500FN	Galaxy J5	5.1.1	J500FNXXU1APE3
Spain(PHE)	SM-J500FN	Galaxy J5	5.1.1	J500FNXXU1APC2
Spain (Vodafone)(ATL)	SM-G901F	GALAXY S5	5.0.2	G901FXXU1BOK2
Taiwan(BRI)	SM-G531Y	GALAXY GRAND Prime	5.1.1	G531YZTU1APC5
Taiwan(BRI)	SM-G9250	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G9250ZTU2DPC5
Thailand(THL)	SM-N915F	GALAXY Note Edge	5.1.1	N915FXXS1CPD3
Tunisia(TUN)	SM-G361H	GALAXY CORE Prime	5.1.1	G361HXXU0APC1
USA (Verizon)(VZW)	SM-G925V	Galaxy S6 edge	6.0.1	G925VVRU4CPC2
Unknown(MRU)	SM-G361H	GALAXY CORE Prime	5.1.1	G361HXXU0APC1
Unknown(AMO)	SM-G386F	GALAXY CORE LTE	4.2.2	G386FXWUANE2
Unknown(MTA)	SM-G900W8	GALAXY S5	5.1.1	G900W8VLU1COI4
Uruguay(UPO)	SM-G800H	GALAXY S5 mini	5.1.1	G800HXXU1BPC1
Vietnam(XEV)	SM-N915F	GALAXY Note Edge	5.1.1	N915FXXS1CPD3

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Virgin Mobile adds the Galaxy Tab E 9.6 to its installment plan in Canada

Virgin Mobile has today launched the budget-friendly Galaxy Tab E 9.6 on its installment plan in Canada. The slate is available to purchase from the carrier’s online portal or from any of its nationwide bricks-and-mortar stores for $329 outright or $13.75 per month for 24-months. Customers will also have to sign up for a data plan to use with their new slate, which start at $5 for 10MB and top out at $40 for 5GB.

Overall, the Galaxy Tab E 9.6 is a very capable tablet that won’t break the bank. It sports a 9.6-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen, a 1.3GHz quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable internal storage, a 5MP rear-facing camera, a 2MP selfie shooter and a whopping 5,000mAh non-removable battery, which should last for around 8-hours of intermediate use on a 4G cellular connection.

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How to use condensed mode to fit more on your Galaxy S7′s screen

Last month, Samsung rolled out a firmware update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge bringing support for display scaling. The functionality, for those unaware, allows you to not only adjust the size of fonts, but the way the entire user interface is scaled to fit your device — so it essentially fits more on the screen by making everything a little smaller. If you have relatively strong eyesight and would benefit from fitting more content on your display, we’d advise you to turn it on.

Here’s how:

1. Navigate into Settings.
2. Tap on Display Settings.
3. Hit the heading entitled “Condensed“.

Voilà! You have adjusted the scaling preset of your smartphone. If you happen to run into any issues along the way, do be sure to let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll do our very best to get you back on track.

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Samsung connects fans to Rio 2016 Olympic Games with “Vanuatu Dreams” beach volleyball VR experience

Samsung has long been associated with the Olympics, it has been one of the biggest sponsors of the game for the past few years, and earlier this year it announced that it’s going to be the first company to deliver Olympic content in virtual reality. In the spirit of highlighting this partnership Samsung has released a new immersive virtual reality experience called “Vanuatu Dreams,” the VR experience enables viewers to experience Olympic Games beach volleyball like never before.

Vanuatu Dreams is a three-minute virtual reality experience which focuses on the training and preparation of Miller Pata and Linline Matauatu, two athletes from Vanuatu, and their quest to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Samsung says that filming of this experience involved some of the most extensive use of close-up 360-degree slow motion in virtual reality history. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville served as creative consultant for this VR experience. A specialized filming strategy had to be developed in which the camera was position 10-12 inches from the athletes without hampering their movement, allowing viewers to feel really close to the action. Vanuatu Dreams is available as a free download from Samsung Milk VR and can be viewed using the Gear VR.

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4K-compatible Gear VR might be a reality in the future

Samsung has been showcasing its next-generation display technology at the Display Week conference in San Francisco. This is where we saw the company’s foldable display in action and it’s also where Samsung has showcased a 4K display for VR, hinting at the possibility that a 4K-compatible Gear VR headset could be a possibility at some point in the future.

Samsung’s High Resolution for VR display measures 5.5-inch and has a 4K 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution at 806ppi. The display panel was showcased outside of the headset and Samsung representatives were quick to point out that it’s a “prototype.” Headsets like the Gear VR are popular because they offer an affordable entry point into the world of virtual reality. It goes without saying that at some point down the road handsets will come with 4K displays enabling 4K virtual reality experiences, and Samsung will most likely be ready when that time comes.

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