Samsung Galaxy S III (T-Mobile)
T-Mobile Launches HD Voice
T-Mobile today announced the immediate nationwide launch of HD Voice service across its entire network, a first in the U.S. The service promises dramatic audio quality improvement during phone calls. The service requires an HD Voice-capable phone at each end of the phone call. T-Mobile already offers several phones compatible with the service, including the HTC One S, Nokia Astound, and Samsung Galaxy S III. Sprint launched HD Voice last year, although only on parts of its network that have been upgraded to new tower equipment, a project still in progress.
Samsung Details Premium Suite for Galaxy S III
Samsung today provided information about a software update for the Galaxy S III. The Premium Suite is an add-on that includes a handful of new features such as a split-screen mode similar to the one on the Galaxy Note II. This will let the GSIII operate two different apps at the same time, each appearing in its own window on the display. Other features of the Premium Suite include better control over browser font size, contextual awareness (opens music app when headphones are plugged in, etc.), and easier photo sharing via NFC. The Premium Suite is being rolled out to devices in other markets around the world first. U.S. carriers have not indicated when they might make the update available to their own customers.
Apple Seeks to Add Six More Samsung Devices to Lawsuit
Apple has filed a request with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in an attempt to add six more Samsung devices to an existing lawsuit against the Korean company. The new devices are the Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note II, Rugby Pro, and Galaxy III Mini, as well as the Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. Apple alleges that these newer devices infringe on many of the same patents it accused Samsung of violating in a lawsuit it filed in February of this year. Apple said that if it isn't allowed to add these device to the existing case, it will be required to file an entirely new lawsuit. This is a separate case from the one that delivered a guilty verdict against Samsung in August of this year.
T-Mobile Delivering Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to Galaxy S III
T-Mobile USA has announced that it is pushing the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to the Samsung Galaxy S III beginning today. The update can be downloaded over the air or installed via Samsung's Kies desktop software.
T-Mobile's Isis Handsets Mostly Samsung Galaxies
T-Mobile today announced its initial batch of handsets compatible with the new Isis mobile payments service are the Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S Relay 4G, and the Galaxy S II. Owners of these handsets in the trial markets of Austin and Salt Lake City can go to their local T-Mobile store to receive the special SIM card needed to activate Isis. T-Mobile expects the Galaxy Note II and the HTC Amaze 4G will be Isis compatible by the end of the year. Isis lets Android smartphone owners make tap-and-go payments with their handsets at select retailers.
Samsung: Jelly Bean for GS3 Up to Carriers to Distribute
Samsung today announced that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will be made available to all U.S. variants of the Galaxy S III in the coming months. The update will be provided both over-the-air and via Samsung's Kies desktop software. Timing for the update, however, will be up to Samsung's individual carrier partners. The GS3 is sold by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless. So far, none has said exactly when Jelly Bean will become available. Samsung said that the Android 4.1 update will make improvements to the camera, add an Easy Mode for first-time smartphone owners, add the Swype keyboard, and make it easier to block calls/numbers. These new features are in addition to those that come with the Jelly Bean operating system, which include Google Now, improved notifications, adjustbale widgets, and others.
T-Mobile Strips Universal Search from Samsung GS3
T-Mobile USA is pushing a minor maintenance update to its variant of the Samsung Galaxy S III. As with similar updates provided by other carriers, the update removes the universal search function from the T-Mobile version of the device. Apple holds a patent for universal search, and Samsung previously said it was removing the feature form its devices as a preventative measure. According to T-Mobile, the update also makes some minor performance improvements.
Samsung Updating GS3 as 'Precautionary Measure'
Samsung today provided an explanation of sorts for recent system updates sent to U.S. versions of the Galaxy S III. Both the Sprint and AT&T variants of the GS3 have been updated in recent days with a patch that removes the Universal Search function — a feature for which Apple has an existing patent. "Samsung has updated the software for the Galaxy S III as a precautionary measure to ensure that U.S. consumers may enjoy using our innovative products without interruption," said Samsung in a statement provided to Phone Scoop. Further, Samsung said that this statement does not yet apply to the T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless versions of the GS3. Those two variants have not received updates removing the Universal Search function, and it's not clear if or when they will.
Easy Phone Sync Helps iPhone Users Transition to Samsung
Samsung has partnered with Media Mushroom to offer a content-porting app called Easy Phone Sync. The tool allows PC or Mac users of iOS devices such as the iPhone or iPad to easily transfer iTunes content to a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. In order for transfers to work, users must install the app on their computer as well as the Galaxy smartphone. The transfers require a USB cable. In addition to music and movies, Easy Phone Sync will transfer contact data, messages, and photos. Both the mobile and desktop clients are available for free.
T-Mobile's Galaxy S III Priced Higher Than Competitors
T-Mobile USA has revealed the price points it will charge customers for the Samsung Galaxy S III. It is offering customers two options. Those who choose to sign a traditional two-year contract can purchase the 16GB Galaxy S III for $279.99 or the 32GB version for $329.99. Both these prices reflect the final cost after a $50 mail-in rebate. T-Mobile is also offering the Galaxy S III via its Value voice and data plans for a down payment of $229.99 for the 16GB version or $279.99 for the 32GB version. Customers will then have to make 20 equal monthly payments of $20 via T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless are charging $199.99 and $249.99 for the 16GB and 32GB versions, respectively. As for availability, the Galaxy S III is available via select T-Mobile retail locations and via T-Mobile's web site starting today. T-Mobile expects the Galaxy S III to become more widely available next week.
Samsung to Offer Secure Galaxy S III to Businesses
Samsung today announced that it will sell the SAFE Galaxy S III, a business-ready version of the Galaxy S III Android smartphone, via AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless. SAFE stands for "Samsung Approved for Enterprise." The SAFE Galaxy S III includes business-friendly features such as IT policy support, AES-256 bit encryption, expanded business features of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, and support for virtual private networks and mobile device management tools. In addition to the SAFE-branded Galaxy S III, Samsung is also offering potential business customers a trade-up program called SAFE2SWITCH, which provides "competitive pricing" for devices that are traded in and/or recycled when purchasing a SAFE Galaxy S III. The SAFE-branded Galaxy S III will be available from the above U.S. carriers by July. Samsung didn't say if pricing for the SAFE Galaxy S III would differ from the retail version being sold to consumers. Samsung already offers a SAFE variant of the Galaxy Note.
Judge Denies Apple's Attempt to Block Samsung Galaxy S III
U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh earlier this week squashed Apple's move to prevent Samsung from launching the Galaxy S III in the U.S. on time. Apple had requested an emergency court order to block the S III based on patent complaints. The judge said Apple's request would put too much pressure on her court's calendar. Koh is overseeing the Apple-versus-Samsung trial that is set to get under way next month.
Samsung Intros Programmable NFC Tags Called TecTiles
Samsung today announced the availability of TecTiles, small, programmable near-field communication stickers that can be used to activate certain actions on NFC-equipped smartphones. Using a separate Android application, the tags can be programmed to change device settings, such as join a Wi-Fi network or set the phone to silent; to initiate communications, such as a text message or a phone call; as well as to interact with social networking sites, such as to set Facebook status updates or send a message to Twitter. Users hold the phone against the tag, and it registers with a quick vibration, letting the user know that the phone read the tag. The TecTile tags can be programmed multiple times. The TecTiles work with a number of Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon; the Galaxy S II on T-Mobile; Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, Sprint and global; the Nexus S 4G on Sprint; and the Galaxy S Blaze 4G on T-Mobile. The TecTiles are sold in packs of five for $14.99, and can be purchased at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless retail stores. The TecTile Android application is available for download from the Google Play Store.
Apple Moves to Block Samsung Galaxy S III
Apple has filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission to prevent Samsung's Galaxy S III from entering the country. Apple believes the device violates its intellectual property. Samsung vowed to fight Apple's newest salvo in the smartphone patent wars and said in a statement that it will "demonstrate to the court that the Galaxy S III is innovative and distinctive." Apple wants to block the device before it goes on sale, but Samsung believes the device will launch on schedule. It can already be pre-ordered from several U.S. carriers and is expected to reach store shelves in the coming weeks.
Galaxy S III Hits Sprint and T-Mobile USA June 21
Sprint and T-Mobile USA today announced that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be available online and in stores starting June 21. Both carriers will sell the white and blue colors in 16GB and 32GB variants for $199 and $249, respectively. The Sprint variant will include Google Wallet for mobile payments. Sprint will open preorders for the S III June 5. T-Mobile has not yet announced if or when the S III will be available for preorder.
Samsung Galaxy S III Hits Major US Carriers Starting this Month
Samsung today announced that the Galaxy S III will become available from five major U.S. carriers starting later this month. It will be sold by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless. All five versions will feature the same design and use the same name. Additionally, the versions to be sold it the U.S. skip the quad-core Exynos chip and will instead use Qualcomm's dual-core 1.5 GHz S4 Snapdragon processor. Samsung said that pricing will start at $199, though each carrier will set its own pricing. Exact availability will be announced in the coming weeks by the individual carriers.
Hands-On with the Samsung Galaxy S III
Samsung today announced the Galaxy S III, its global flagship phone for 2012. We spent a bit of time with it. Read on for our first impressions of the hardware and the impressive software, plus photos and video of this sexy phone.
