Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers the most highly anticipated Android smartphone of the year (see article below), an iPhone app for VoIP systems, a service that gives you a second virtual phone line, and an iPad app for creating lists. Don't miss the next issue.
THE NEXT BIGGER THING
Most lawyers likely buy a smartphone based on its accompanying app ecosystem. But hardware is also important. In this regard, the smartphone world has diverged thanks to the laws of business and physics. A smaller screen begets a lighter weight, one-handed use, better pocketability, etc. A larger screen begets less squinting. Those in the latter camp now have a new smartphone to crave.
Galaxy S4 … in One Sentence
Announced yesterday and shipping in April, Samsung's Galaxy S4 is a smartphone running Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean).
The Killer Feature
Some people say smartphone users are rude, receding into their own world with no regard for others around them. Smartphone users argue that there's a time and place for interacting with people.
With the Galaxy S4, interruptions by people who just don't understand will no longer annoy you as much as before. When you look away from a Galaxy S4 when playing a video, the video will automatically pause (Smart Pause). Also, you can have the Galaxy S4 scroll text you're reading by tilting it (Smart Scroll). Scrolling will stop when you have to look away from the screen.
You won't find these features on other Android smartphones (yet) because Samsung adds a proprietary software layer to Android called TouchWiz.
Other Notable Features
On the hardware front, the Galaxy S4 sports a five inch 1080p screen at 441 pixels per inch, measures 5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches, weighs 4.59 ounces, features a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, supports NFC and WiFi, and has a microSD card slot. You can choose from two colors (black mist or white frost), and from 16, 32, or 64 GB of built-in storage. It uses Qualcomm's quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU.
In addition to Smart Pause and Smart Scroll, the Galaxy S4 has a number of other new software features. For example, S Translator enables you to say something in your language and have the Galaxy S4 translate and speak it to another person in their language. S Drive provides hands-free GPS navigation with turn-by-turn directions.
Other features include Air Gestures to control the smartphone without touching the screen (useful when eating a greasy cheeseburger), an IR blaster for controlling Samsung and other televisions, and S-Health for monitoring your health (some S Health functions requires the optional S Band).
What Else Should You Know?
All four major carriers as well as some regional carriers will offer the Galaxy S4. They have not yet announced prices. Learn more about Galaxy S4.
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