Samsung Galaxy S4 in Purple Mirage pictured

amsung recently announced a few new colors for its flagship smartphone. The Galaxy S4 was initially launched in two color options - Black and White, but the new announce meant it will also be getting Blue Arctic, Purple Mirage, Red Aurora, Brown Autumn and Pink Twilight versions.

We have already seen the fourth generation Galaxy S smartphone in Red Aurora and Brown Autumn, courtesy of some leaked press renders. Now, the live images of Purple Mirage variant of the Galaxy S4 have surfaced.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Purple Mirage is said to be an Exynos Octa variant and the availability of the version will be restricted to only a few regions.
Unfortunately, there is no word on the launch date of the new paint job, but it shouldn't be far away now.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini getting 3 new colors soon

Samsung is apparently working to launch more color options for its Galaxy S4 Mini smartphone. According to SamMobile, we should expect to see the smaller flagship in Red, Brown and Blue from week 35. Moreover, these color options will be available for all different phone variants, including S4 mini DUOS and S4 mini LTE, expanding the palette to a total of 5 colors — adding to the existing White Frost and Black Mist models.
Again, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini comes with a 4.3-inch qHD (540×960 pixels) Super AMOLED screen, 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8-megapixel rear and 1.9-megapixel front cameras, and 8GB of expandable storage. Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean is running the show with Sammy’s own customizations in the form of Nature UX 2.0 singing on top.
And no, what you see above isn’t the official image – it’s just a mockup of how the Galaxy S4 in blue could look like. We’ll get back to you when we get the official press material. Stay tuned in the meantime…

5 New Ways To Maximize S4's Battery Power

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has proved to be immensely popular, as about 10 million of the smartphones have been sold worldwide since its release about a month ago. However, many new Galaxy S4 owners have faced various issues with their handsets, with one of them being significant battery drain.


Initial reports on problems with the Samsung Galaxy S4 included complaints about the smartphone’s massive 2,600 mAh lithium-ion battery: Some users described the batteries as getting drained overnight, with charges of less than 50 percent remaining by morning.
These cases may be isolated, but they can also be easily prevented when Galaxy S4 owners take the proper steps. I have also discovered a host of other battery-saving techniques through research, including inquiries made of owners of other Samsung Galaxy S series devices.
Missed our first list of Samsung Galaxy S4 battery-maximizing tips? You can find them at "12 SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 BATTERY SAVING AND BETTER PERFORMANCE TIPS" And here are five more ways to maximize battery power.
1. Limit The Use Of GPS And Location Services
GPS is a great tool to help you find your way around and to optimize your experiences with various applications. However, a Samsung Galaxy S4 handset constantly pulling GPS signals will experience significant battery drain. GPS is one of those features that can be effectively turned on only when needed to conserve battery power. Obviously, GPS is used by such apps as Google Maps and many others that require it to pinpoint a user’s location for verification and other purposes. While such apps will be disabled with GPS and Wi-Fi turned off, both are quickly accessible through the Galaxy S4’s drop-down menu. Keeping GPS and Wi-Fi among the top five options on your special-features shortcut menu will make them among the easiest to access for quick enabling and disabling.
2. Limit Home-Screen Widgets, Live Wallpapers And Fancy Ringtones
Widgets, live wallpapers and fancy ringtones are great ways to customize your Samsung Galaxy S4 to your taste, but if you wish to use them, then you will definitely have to sacrifice battery power. Your battery life will fare much better should you do without some or all of these add-ons. I have not added any widgets to my Galaxy S4 handset and have even removed all the standard ones, except for the T-Mobile TV, Google Search and weather widgets. I don’t use live wallpapers, and I haven’t customized my ringtones as I have found benefits in keeping my ringer on the vibrate setting. However, you don’t have to be as drastic on your own smartphone: Pick one or two of three add-on options, and don’t go overboard with the ones you choose. For example: If you forgo live wallpapers, then you can have just a few of the widgets you deem most important on your home page, and have customized ringtones for a few important people.
3. Put Device On Airplane Mode When Out Of Signal Range
Most people don’t realize that when their Samsung Galaxy S4s -- or any handsets, for that matter -- are out of service range, such as when they are underground in a subway station, the smartphone will send out stronger signals in attempts to achieve a service connection. Differences in battery power may not be noticeable at first, but the battery drain could mean the difference between a warning battery and a critically low battery. Conserve battery power by putting your Galaxy S4 in Airplane mode when in areas where you know you cannot receive a signal. Airplane mode can be accessed by pressing down the power button on your handset as if you are turning it off or through the special-features shortcut menu.
4. Invest In An External Battery
Keeping a spare battery on hand is a great way to maintain full function of your Samsung Galaxy S4 handset in the event that your original battery loses power. While many people recommend using an official battery, such as the recently released Mugen Power 2750 mAh extended battery for the Samsung Galaxy S4, which sells for $44.50, a savvy owner should be able to navigate retailers such as Amazon and eBay for cheaper variants. Another option is the Zaggsparq portable battery and charger, which hold between one and four charges depending on the model. The Zaggsparq plugs in to the Galaxy S4 handset via a USB connection.
5. Unplug Your Handset Once It Is At 100 Percent Charge
Your Samsung Galaxy S4 handset will notify you when it is time to discharge because it is at full power. Leaving your handset charging longer than needed can wear away battery power over time. A good rule to follow to leave your Galaxy S4 discharged overnight (having used some or all of the tips above to conserve battery power), and charge your battery during the day when you can easily check to see whether your battery is at full power and ready to be discharged. Charging your phone overnight is a bad option as the battery should need only a hour or two at most to charge fully, after which the battery will be receiving power that it can’t store. Overcharging can lead to quicker battery depletion and quicker battery death in the long run.

Samsung says it sells 4 Galaxy S4 phones every second

More than 10 million units of the smartphone have been sold since its April 27 launch....
SINGAPORE – Samsung today announced that less than a month after its launch, global sales of its Galaxy S4 smartphone has passed 10 million units. Launched globally on April 27, the Korean company estimates that the phone is selling at a rate of four units per second.
In comparison, sales of the Galaxy S III reached the 10-million mark 50 days after its launch last year, while the Galaxy S II took five months and the Galaxy S seven months to reach the same milestone.
“On behalf of Samsung, I would like to thank the millions of customers around the world who have chosen the Samsung GALAXY S4,” said Mr J K Shin, CEO and President of the IT and Mobile Communications Division at Samsung.
Samsung GALAXY S4, which features the world’s first Full HD Super AMOLED display and a 13-megapixel camera, is currently available in more than 110 countries.
 

New Software Update rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S4, brings enhancements and stability fixes

Samsung has just started to roll out a new Software Update for the Galaxy S4.
 Galaxy S4′s (Exynos + Qualcomm) first batch of firmwares suffered from a lot of issues, and many people complained about these issues to Samsung and on various forums. Thankfully, the new software update brings a ton of improvements, enhancements and fixes over the initial firmwares of Samsung’s flagship device.

As you may know, the 16GB variant of the Galaxy S4 comes only with 9.15GB of user accessible memory in which the user installs all his/her apps. The new update addresses this issue by giving the user the functionality to move apps to SD card and increasing the available storage to 9.23GB. This should solve customers’ complain about low user accessible storage. This is one of the enhancements in the update, rest of them are listed below.
Improvements and fixes in the new Software Update:
-New Camera firmware
-Smearing issue has been fixed (Purple effect while scrolling)
-Smart Pause Toggle
-Move Apps to SD Card
-HDR Video (Can record HDR video)
-Semi-transparent status bar
-New Icons in Settings
-Secure boot status (About Phone)
-Increase legibility (Display) (New feature)
Currently, the new software update is only available for the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) but our insider has confirmed that the new software update will be coming to the Exynos-powered Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500), as well. As of this moment, Samsung has only rolled out the new software update in Germany, we hope other countries will follow soon.
Firmware details:
Model: GT-I9505
Country: Germany
Version: Android 4.2.2
Changelist: 768421
Build date: Wed, 29 May 2013 16:05:23 +0000
Product Code: DBT
PDA: I9505XXUBMEA
CSC: I9505OXABMEA
MODEM: I9505XXUBMEA
The update is 365.67 MB in size and you can update your device via Samsung KIES or via FOTA (Firmware-Over-The-Air). Make sure to charge your device before performing the upgrade. 

Screenshots:

 

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is Powerful enough for those who can't afford Galaxy S4

If Samsung's Galaxy S4 is more smartphone than you think you need, the electronics giant has just offered up the smaller, more midrange - and surely cheaper - Galaxy S4 Mini.

Samsung is hoping to give its lighter smartphone much of the same GS 4 taste with just a little less vigor. Although the Mini has stepped-down specs compared to its flagship family, like a lower-resolution screen and an 8-megapixel camera instead of a 13-megapixel shooter, it's no slouch when it comes to the Galaxy S4's core features, even a built-in TV remote control.
As with the Galaxy S3 Mini that came before, this version is aimed more toward the mass market than the high-end sector, without sacrificing too many of the superphone's more defining features.
Launch and Price
With the Samsung galaxy S3 launching for €300 (Rs 23,300), it's hard not to expect the S4 variation to launch at the same price. This could be bit too expensive given the specifications and strong competition for mid-range Android phone. We'll have to wait a bit longer to find out - UK event scheduled for June 20 likely to give us more information. According to the sources, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini will be launched in India on 30th July 2013 and will be priced at Rs 24,000 (approx).
Architect
Samsung's modest Mini is a wee bit shorter, thicker, and wider than the svelte Galaxy S4 but clearly cut from the same cloth. Like the round-shouldered original, the Mini retains its curved perimeter, metallic rim, and rectangular home button, and also comes in black and white versions.
Specifically, the global GS4 Mini stands 124.6 millimeters tall (4.9 inches) by 61.3 millimeters wide (2.4 inches) by 8.9 millimeters thick (0.35-inch) and weighs a lighter 107 grams (3.7 ounces, compared to the GS4's 4.6-ounce weight.) A 3G-only, dual SIM version will weigh a hair more at 108 grams.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom product photo showed up!

As you might know Samsung going is to show new products on June 20th in London. One of these products will be the Galaxy S4 Zoom. SamMobile received the first photo this Wednesday and today we will give you the first picture. The Galaxy S4 Zoom uses a 4.3” qHD sAMOLED display a 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 16 megapixel camera sensor with optical zoom, 8 GB intern with extern micro SD up to 64 GB, Bleutooth 4.0 LE Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, and A-GPS. You are able to call with the Galaxy S4 Zoom, Samsung added a shutter button to the the device and the volume rockers or zoom buttons are on the right side. The Galaxy S4 Zoom runs on Samsung’s own Touch-Wiz Nature UX interface with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean on it.
The Galaxy S4 Zoom will be Samsung last product of the Galaxy S4 range. Samsung already has the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy S4 mini. As you might notice the Galaxy S4 Zoom looks a lot like the Galaxy S4 mini.
The Galaxy S4 Zoom is Samsung’s first cameraphone based on Android.

The Latest XXUBMEA Firmware Update for Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 Brings Major Improvements & Features

Since the releases of the Galaxy S4, Samsung has been criticized severely for cutting off the SD card storage space for its users. The company later tried to defend itself that the used space were utilized in giving the users more features but that was not a logical explanation at all. If we buy a phone with 16 GB storage capacity, it must be somewhere near to the promised/advertised space.
Anyways, Samsung seems to have taken that complaint seriously and today they have started rolling out a new update for the LTE variant of the Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 that houses Snapdragon processor. A big number of users in Germany and China have reported receiving the OTA update with  365.67MB size.
The new update with PDA version I9505 XXUBMEA can also be availed by the users of Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 who do not belong to Germany as we have the link to the full firmware that can be installed manually using Odin. As the very size of the OTA  indicates, this is a major update that brings a lot of new feature and improvements in the performance of the device.

Features and Changes:

Here are some of the new things that have been discovered so far by users:
  • More stable performance.
  • Semi-transparent status bar (see the post image above).
  • More free RAM.
  • New Apps to SD Card feature that lets you move an app to the SD Card.
  • Improvement in camera picture quality.
  • New “Increase legibility” feature that can be found under Settings> My Device> Display.
  • New Smart Pause toggle in Quick Settings under Notification Panel.
  • Improvements in the S Planner app.

Download the firmware:

Download the firmware and extract it on your desktop. Inside the extracted folder you will find a file with .tar.md5 extension. Install this file by clicking on PDA button on Odin3 tool for Windows. For detailed installation guide click here.
source 

How to Install Android 4.2 Photosphere Camera on Samsung Galaxy S4

Before the official release of the Galaxy S4, there were rumors that Samsung will be adding the Photosphere camera with its own branding “Camera Orb” in its new flagship. However, later it became evident that the rumors were just rumors and what we got with the Galaxy S4 was Samsung’s own version of Panorama mode that can captures 360 degree left to right or vice versa pictures.
The Photosphere camera feature, that as introduces first with Nexus 4, is really one of the most interesting camera features. The Photosphere camera mode is an advanced form of 360º photography because it beautifully synthesizes several photo frames into one whole to give you a spherical shot. The feature achieves this by piecing together the picture in a virtual space. It then combines all the pieces together, adding depth to the space. Thus you can create an spherical image by moving and aligning the camera sensor to left, right, up or down. Below is very beautiful example that shows what kind of images you can capture using Photosphere.


I flashed the Android 4.2 Photosphere camera on my Galaxy S4 just a couple of days ago and was amazed to see the results. A 360º spherical photo captured with a 13MP camera! So if you have a Samsung Galaxy S4, or even some other Android device (like HTC One or Xperia Z) with  Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, you can have that awesome camera on your device now!


Requirements:

  • A rooted Samsung Galaxy S4 with a custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
  • Nexus 4 Photosphere camera CWM flashable zip for GT-I9500: photosphere_camera42_galaxy_s4_v2.zip
  • If you have some other variant of the Galaxy S4 (than GT-I9500), download the following files:
    • Android 4.2 camera without Photosphere but with 13 MP camera support (CWM flashable): 4.2Camera_noPS_13MP.zip
    • Download the libs files if you have downloaded the above file and extract the zip: libs.zip
    • Android 4.2 camera with Photosphere (extract the zip):  4.2Camera_withPSt04-extract.zip
    • Also, install a root file explorer app on your device:

Samsung Galaxy S4 Gets Wireless Charging Pad and Cover

Samsung has gone ahead and brought its very own wireless charging solution to U.S.-based Galaxy S4 users. Like nearly all wireless charging options, Samsung’s Qi-based, wire-free charging system comes in two parts: a wireless charging pad ($49.99) and a wireless charging cover ($39.99) that replaces the standard backing of the device. Both products are available on the phone maker’s website. Set up appears to be simple enough. Just plug in your Samsung Wireless Charging Pad to a standard outlet. Then, after replacing the back cover on your Galaxy S4 with the Wireless Charging Cover, place the phone on the pad to begin charging. A green LED light on the pad lets you know that your phone is charging correctly, while a yellow one indicates you’re doing it wrong (i.e. the device is incorrectly aligned).

What’s odd is that Samsung has opted to sell each half of this wireless charging system separately, with no bundle available. While that makes sense for Galaxy S4 users that already have Qi-based wireless charging systems, like the WiQiQi, this puts a $90 barrier to entry in front of newbies to the wonderful world of wireless charging. The WiQiQi bundle for the Galaxy S4 is priced almost identically, meaning this was Samsung’s opportunity to offer an even slightly more affordable solution.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Shipments Hit 10 Million One Month After Release

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 has hit 10 million channel sales one month after its release. The company announced its latest milestone today just eight days after confirming that it had shipped over 6 million units of the S4 since its international launch on April 26. According to Samsung, this is the fastest ever sell rate for any of its smartphones.
The latest entry in the Galaxy series–meant as Samsung’s iPhone challenger–has sold much more quickly than its predecessors. The Galaxy S4′s milestone beats the record set by the Galaxy S3, which reached 10 million channel sales 50 days after its launch in 2012. The Galaxy S2 took five months and the Galaxy S seven months to reach the same number.
(Channel sales are to wireless operators and not direct to consumers. In other words, the numbers are for units shipped.)
The Galaxy S4 had to overcome inventory issues that disrupted its U.S. rollout and were attributed by the company to unexpectedly high demand for the phone. Though the Galaxy S4 is indeed selling swiftly, reinforcing Samsung’s dominance of the worldwide smartphone market, Jordan Crook noted after it hit 6 million units shipped that the iPhone is still technically a faster selling phone than any of Samsung’s Galaxy models.
When the iPhone 5 launched, Apple took over 2 million pre-orders in the first 24 hours available. Furthermore, iPhone 5 pre-orders were two times the number of pre-orders seen for the iPhone 4S. Despite Apple’s recent earnings woes, consumers still love their iPhones, and Samsung VS Apple: Battle Smartphone is not over quite yet, especially as the Cupertino company prepares to launch new products this fall.