Samsung Introduces the Galaxy S 4

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)

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Will Arrive in April

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.

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Specs

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.)

Samsung Air View

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.

Samsung Smart Pause

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.

Gets Hands-On, or Not

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

Samsung WatchOn

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.

Samsung Optical Reader

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

Samsung Share Music

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.

Samsung Sound and Shot

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.

Samsung ChatOn: Dual Video Call

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.)

Share Your Screen

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.

Samsung S Translator

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

Everywhere Support

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.”