TouchWiz

On the road with Samsung's S-Voice Drive mode

Aside from sounding like it received its moniker from BMW's product department, the S-Voice Drive driving mode is an extension of the Samsung Galaxy S4's S-Voice voice-command app that adjusts the system in a few very important ways for drivers.

First, it allows the driver's interactions to be mostly hands-free. When in this mode, S-Voice Drive can be activated with a spoken command, rather than pushing a button. This allows drivers to keep both hands on the wheel. Simply say, "Hi, Galaxy" and the device springs to attention, ready to accept your voice commands.

Next, … Read more

U.S. Galaxy S3 owners, your wait for Android 4.1 is almost over

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update will wend its way to Galaxy S3 smartphones in the United States in "coming months," Samsung announced in a press release (see below). The specific launch dates will be revealed by each of the carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and U.S. Cellular.

S3 owners will potentially be able to grab Android 4.1 either over the air or through Samsung's Kies software, which downloads the update to a computer and then syncs it with the smartphone. Each carrier will announce its own update method.

Beyond … Read more

Samsung Galaxy S II LTE getting bite of Ice Cream Sandwich

Owners of Samsung's Galaxy S II LTE model can now expect to unwrap their Ice Cream Sandwich.

The company's Korean Samsung Tomorrow Web site (English translation) today published an upgrade guide confirming and explaining the path from Android 2.3 to Android 4.0.

Users will receive the typical update notice on their phones, according to Samsung, which also described what becomes of your data and applications after the latest version of Android is installed. The package will include the latest tweaks to Samsung's TouchWiz interface with some extra flavoring on top of Ice Cream Sandwich.

The … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 priced at $469 and $569

Samsung will sell its new Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wi-Fi-only tablet for $469 for the 16GB edition and $569 for the 32GB version.

On its Web site, the company promised only that the new tablet would be "coming soon," and Samsung did not immediately answer CNET's request to confirm a launch date. But Engadget says the 8.9-incher could debut as soon as Thursday.

Hands-on with Tab 10.1's TouchWiz update

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet owners are poised to receive a free software update tomorrow, bringing new apps, new features, and a new user interface. The over-the-air update comes by way of Samsung's TouchWiz software, which puts the company's unique spin on Google's Android 3.1, and further distinguishes its product from the herd of similarly spec'd Honeycomb tablets on the market.

This morning we outlined many of the new features users can expect, including a revamped Media Hub storefront, a new Music Hub store, and Live Panel widgets.

After getting our hands on an … Read more

Galaxy Tab users to get TouchWiz update tomorrow

Owners of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet will receive an update starting tomorrow that will deliver the TouchWiz UX interface and a host of other enhancements.

Sent OTA (over the air), the update package will include Samsung's revamped Media Hub service, Samsung Kies 2.0 support for PCs and Macs, and mobile features for the enterprise crowd.

The most notable feature of the update, the customizable TouchWiz interface, runs on top of Android 3.1 Honeycomb. Among its many options is a Live Panel, which offers home screen widgets that show you the latest news, weather, e-mail, … Read more

Samsung teases U.S. with Galaxy S II sign-up page

Samsung has already begun revving up U.S. consumers eager for more details about its popular Galaxy S II smartphone.

With the GS II set to launch in the U.S. in August, Samsung has set up a sign-up page where potential buyers can fill out a form to receive more info on the phone and learn about special offers. Consumers are invited to submit their name, e-mail address, mobile phone number, and carrier of choice.

The Galaxy S II made its debut in its home base of South Korea on April 29 before reaching Japan and several European countries … Read more

Samsung sells 5 million Galaxy S II phones in 85 days

Samsung's Galaxy S II smartphone has racked up record sales even before it's hit the hot U.S. market.

The Korean mobile-phone maker said yesterday that it sold more than 5 million units of the Galaxy S II in the 85 days following its debut. Announcing the sales on its Samsung Tomorrow page (Google Translate English version), Samsung said that the phone has captured the top market share among more than 10 countries in Europe.

In comparison, the original Galaxy S took 125 days to reach the same 5-million-unit sales mark.

The GS II launched in its home … Read more

Ten-inch Galaxy Tab to get TouchWiz, other updates

Owners of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1-inch tablet are in line to receive a host of updates, including the company's TouchWiz interface.

Promising that the updates are "coming soon," Samsung touted a list of the new features and enhancements on its Web site late last week.

One of the most significant updates will be the TouchWiz UX user interface for tablets. Initially designed for the company's mobile phones, TouchWiz offers a Live Panel, which gives people quick and customizable access to virtually any feature, including news, weather, and e-mail. A mini apps tray also provides … Read more

Samsung releases SDK for its TouchWiz phones

On Monday, Samsung released its Mobile Widget SDK, giving developers the opportunity to create new widgets for the company's various TouchWiz phones, such as the upcoming Samsung Omnia II for Verizon Wireless.

The SDK is built on the Eclipse platform and includes developer tools for various platforms, such as Windows Mobile, Symbian, and Java, education resources, and guidelines on application distribution and marketing. Developers will also have 24-7 access to Samsung's Virtual Device Lab, where they can remotely test their applications on all current Samsung phones.

Once developers have finished their widgets, they'll be given the opportunity … Read more