Samsung Introduces the Galaxy S 4

The Galaxy S 4 is the first Galaxy S device to be introduced on U.S. soil. At Radio City Music Hall in New York, Samsung gave the smartphone what it perhaps thought was a proper U.S. introduction: There was singing, tap dancing, a full orchestra. “Don’t get me started on the skits. … What a travesty,” one analyst told eWEEK. Here, JK Shin, president and head of Samsung’s IT and Mobile Communications division, addresses the packed house. (Credit: Samsung Mobile)

As with the S III, the S 4 will receive a drawn-out rollout in the United States, starting in April. It will be available initially from Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Cricket, and most of them sell for $199 with a two-year contract.

The S 4 will initially come in White Frost and Black Mist, with more colors to follow. It measures 136.6 by 69.8 by 7.9 mm and weighs 130 grams. (The Galaxy S III, to compare, measures 136.6 by 70.6 by 8.6 mm and weighs 133 grams.)

Among the S 4’s many software features is Air View, which allows a user to hover her finger over an email, image gallery, etc., and view content without tapping. Within the phone, the feature suggests contacts you may be calling.

The S 4 can keep an eye on its user and, when he glances away, pause a video that’s playing, so he misses nothing. The same sensor technology drives a Smart Scroll feature, which can detect where a user’s eyes are on the screen and automatically scroll a page up or down when necessary.

Like the Nokia Lumia 920, the Galaxy S 4’s touch display can be used even while wearing gloves.

The S 4 can be used as an infrared (IR) remote to control a home entertainment system, including the television, DVD player and set-top box. It can also control some air conditioners.

An Optical Reader on the phone can recognize text and QR codes.

A Group Play feature enables the phone to share music, photos, documents and more with other phones, without requiring a WiFi or cellular connection. With a Share Music option, multiple phones can play the same songs in-sync for an impromptu party.

The S 4 features a 13-megapixel back camera and a 2-megapixel front camera that can shoot high-definition video. A Sound and Shot feature can add a snippet of sound to a still photo.

A Dual Camera function allows for simultaneous use of both cameras, in eight use scenario options. A Dual Video Call feature enables the person you’re chatting with to see what you see through the back camera. (Nokia offered a similar feature back in 2005.)

Like the new BlackBerry Z10, the Galaxy S 4 offers the ability to share the display of your phone with others. Showing is sometimes more efficient than explaining.

An S Translator feature offers instant translation, via text or voice, or emails, text messages or in ChatOn.

The Galaxy S 4 supports HSPA+ 42 and Long Term Evolution in six band sets, enabling global LTE roaming. With the S 4, said Samsung’s Shin, “Samsung is again going to enhance the way we live.”