Samsung expects Q4 2014 profits to drop 37% year-on-year!

Samsung has announced its earnings guidance for the fourth quarter of 2014, revealing an operating profit of 5.2 trillion won ($4.7 billion), down approximately 37% from the year ago quarter, but still better than the 4.06 trillion-won figure it reported in Q3 2014, as well as analysts’ expectations of 4.9 trillion won.

While the South Korean company’s smartphone business continued to struggle, analysts said that increase in profit compared to Q3 2014 is largely due to improvements in its semiconductor division.

Samsung expects sales to be around 52 trillion won in the quarter, down 12.3% year-on-year. The company will release complete financial results later this month.

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Android 5.0 Update: Which Smartphones will get Lollipop and When?

The launch of a major software update is an exciting event for any smartphone geek. Updates patch bugs and bring goodies of all sorts, including visual and functional improvements. But an update’s release can be annoying in that it always takes time for the software to arrive. And sometimes, the wait is a lengthy one – it has been six months since Google previewed Android L, which subsequently became Android 5.0 Lollipop, and the update has yet to land on most popular smartphones out there.

Still, it should be easier to cope with the wait when you know how long you’ll be waiting for. That’s why we combed the web in search of official and trustworthy information on the matter. Here’s when the popular Android smartphones are going to get their Lollipop updates. Keep in mind that we’ll be updating the post if/when new information becomes available.

Samsung 

Samsung Galaxy S5 – Android 5.0 Lollipop for the smartphone is already available in a number of markets worldwide, including South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, as well as parts of central and Western Europe. Galaxy S5 owners in the U.S., however, still have Android 4.4.x KitKat running on their handsets. The AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile variants of the smartphone are probably going to get the new software in the coming weeks, although that’s just an assumption.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 – While official information on the Android 5.0 update for the Galaxy Note 4 is scarce, rumor has it that the new software should start rolling out before January is out. U.S. carriers are also expected to launch Lollipop on the Galaxy Note 4 within this time frame. Interestingly, Samsung is said to be skipping the 5.0 version of the OS and will update the Galaxy Note 4 straight to Android 5.0.1, which brings along a number of bug fixes.

Samsung Galaxy S4 – Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S4 will get its Lollipop treat, and we’ve already had the chance to see what the new software should look like. However, we’re not exactly sure when the update is going to land on the non-GPe versions of the handset.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – Unofficial Lollipop ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 have been floating around, but an official update is still nowhere to be found at this point. At least we know that an update to Android 5.0 is definitely in the works and will come sooner or later, most likely after the company’s newer phones have been updated.

Furthermore, Samsung is planning on pushing out Android 5.0 Lollipop updates to the Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy S5 Active, Galaxy S5 Mini, and the Galaxy Note 2. We’ll update this post once we learn more details as to when the updated software might launch.

LG 

LG G3 – LG was quick to bring the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to its flagship smartphone; the software has been out since November. Its availability, however, is still limited. So far, we have reports of the update launching in South Korea and select parts of Europe, including Poland and the Nordic countries. Vodafone subscribers in the U.K. have been reached by the update as well, reportedly.

LG G2 – The good news is that LG’s former flagship, the LG G2, will surely be updated to Android 5.0. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specifics as to when the software might launch. What we know is that the Lollipop update will reach the G2 soon after it rolls out to the G3 globally. The new software is expected to update the G2’s UI by bringing the skin currently present on the G3, along with some or all of its perks.

Another smartphone we’re expecting to get Android 5.0 is the LG G Pro 2, but its maker has not announced any update plans yet. Likewise, there’s no word on whether any recent mid-range Android smartphone by LG will get the Lollipop treat.

HTC

HTC One (M8) – Android 5.0 Lollipop was expected to arrive on the One (M8) by January 3, but that didn’t quite happen, obviously. Word on the street has it that the software is actually bound to roll out within 1 to 2 weeks, although we’re assuming that U.S. carriers may take longer to push the update to their subscribers.

Lollipop will not bring a new version of HTC Sense, as thought at first. Or at least that’s what the latest leaks indicate. Of course, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of seeing a Sense 7.0 interface update launched in the future.

HTC One (M7) –  HTC’s former flagship is also in line for an update, but your guess as to when the software might start rolling out is as good as ours. It seems safe to assume that the HTC One will be updated soon after the One (M8) gets the Lollipop update.

In addition, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is likely to be released for smartphones covered by the HTC Advantage program. These include theHTC One (E8), One Mini 2 (also known as the HTC Remix on Verizon), One Max, and the One Mini. Older devices will take longer to update, we assume.

Motorola

Motorola Moto G (2014) – The Moto G (2014) was one of the first non-Nexus devices to receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. That happened back in mid-November, when the software launched for both the US and global versions of the device. However, there’s still a number of markets where the update has not been given the green light yet. Motorola isn’t giving any specific times and dates regarding the software’s further release.

Motorola Moto G (2013) – Yup, last year’s Moto G is getting updated to Lollipop as well. In fact, there have been reports of Android 5.0 already reaching some Moto G owners, although there appear to be many who are still waiting for their update to arrive.

Motorola Moto X (2014) – Android 5.0 launched for the handset back in November, when the Pure Edition of the device was served some Lollipop goodness. The Verizon model followed suit several days later.

In addition to these smartphones, Motorola will update the following handsets to Android 5.0 Lollipop: Motorola Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, Droid Mini, Moto E, and the 2013-edition Motorola Moto X.

Sony

Sony Xperia Z3 – First, the good news: the Xperia Z3 will most likely be the first non-GPe Sony smartphone to get the Android 5.0 update. As for the not-so-good news, the new software is going to take about a month more to arrive; Sony is aiming for an early February roll-out.

Sony Xperia Z2 – The Xperia Z2 should get its Lollipop dose soon after the software hits the Xperia Z3. This means we’re probably going to see the update launching in February.

Sony Xperia Z1 – There’s definitely an Xperia Z1 Android 5.0 update in the works, but, to no surprise, the Z2 and Z3 are being prioritized over the former flagship. If you’re an Xperia Z1 owner, you might want to brace yourself with patience.

As for the rest of the Xperia lineup, Sony has confirmed that all of its premium Z-series smartphones and tablets will be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop. These include the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact, and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 appears on KNOX video?

Last month, we showed you what was allegedly a photograph of the Samsung Galaxy S6 in working condition. Now, one of our eagle-eyed readers has spotted what appears to be the same device on a video posted by Samsung Electronics’ official blog. The video describes how to set-up the My KNOX app, found in the Google Play Store, on your Samsung handset.

We can’t say for sure that this is Sammy’s next flagship, but we can point out the thin bezels on the device. It also would appear that this model does employ some metal in its build. We’ve seen rumors about a “half-metal” version of Samsung’s next flagship. There is also speculation about a version of the Galaxy S6 featuring a dual-edged curved display.

Earlier this morning, we passed along the latest rumor which has Samsung displaying several variants of the phone at CES, but only to certain partners. As usual when dealing with popular flagship phones, the mystery and the drama remains high until the unit is officially unveiled. With that in mind, it’s back to the salt mines and as soon as we hear something new, we will pass it along to you.

Sony Xperia Z4 vision packs in specs and features!

Expectation is mounting for a rumored unveiling of the Sony Xperia Z4 at CES in Las Vegas. This runs from January 6th to the 9th and so there’s not too much longer to wait until we find out if the current speculation is accurate. While we’re waiting we thought we’d share an interesting new Sony Xperia Z4 design that really packs in the specs and features.

There have been plenty of leaked specs and images already for the Sony Xperia Z4, but of course at this stage these are unconfirmed. Over the last few months we’ve also seen quite a few Sony Xperia Z4 renders to whet our appetites with possibilities. The concept we’re showing here today comes with a specs lineup and also another image showing its size compared to the current Xperia Z3.

It comes from designer Sanjaya Kanishka, and the basic look of the phone isn’t too different from the existing Z3. However, although it has a larger display, the slimmer bezels of this Z4 mean that the width of the phone stays the same. This new Xperia Z4 idea is more compact overall though, as its height is 6mm less than that of the Z3.

Now onto the specs, and while some of these tie in with what we’re anticipating for the real deal, there are some differences. These Xperia Z4 specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64-bit processor (4 cores at 2GHz and 4 cores at 1.6GHz), and a 5.3-inch IPS-Neo display with Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 resulting in 554 ppi and featuring Gorilla Glass 4 protection.

Further specs include 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, and a 4000 mAh battery. Camera capabilities are taken care of with a 22.1-megapixel rear camera with curved sensor, dual LED flash, optical image stabilization and 240fps slow motion video capture, as well as a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Features include Sony X-Ploid speaker technology to enhance bass, and there are upgraded stereo dual speakers, and support for S Master HX Walkman.

It measures 140mm x 72mm x 7.4mm and weighs 160g, and runs the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system. When you’ve had time to check out the images and absorb the specs and features of this Sony Xperia Z4 vision we’d like to hear what you think of it. Is this similar to what you’d like to see for the genuine Xperia Z4 when it releases? Why not let us know by sending us your comments.Source

Since it’s my first post in 2015, Find ECB’s 2014 Year in Review:

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Samsung Galaxy S6 (SM-G925F) Specs leak!

Samsung, and really any modern smartphone or hardware manufacturer nowadays, has issues with keeping certain things a secret. One of those things is the specifications of their to-be-announced and still highly-rumored semi-annual flagship devices. The Galaxy Note 4 lived up to the rumors and surprised us with an Edge version, which features an angled, curved display on the right edge to give the user some extra functionality and free up the phone’s main display. Now, with the Galaxy S6, which we just got a big leak regarding, has a set of rumors attached, and have since the day after the Note 4’s announcement at IFA in Berlin a few months ago. Let’s cover the rumors, but start out with the leak.

The leak is AnTuTu. Not the app or test, but the results for a device labeled the SM-G925F. Yeah, now we have at least an in-testing version of what could be, based on sequential device model numbers, a European model of a Galaxy S6. How these make it online is beyond me, but who cares when you know what you are about to. First, the screen of the hypothetical S6: QuadHD, spread across 5.5 inches. That’s gorgeous and only slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note 4, which will result in a slightly higher pixel density. Crisper images and a likely smaller frame: good to hear.

Next up is the camera realm. Well, we know that both photographers and selfie-nuts exist and buy at least some of Samsung’s devices, so this will come as little surprise. The front-facing camera is apparently at 5 megapixels, making for a great-resolution shot of you, your friends, and your best silly expression(s). The back camera, however, is a more drastic and meaningful improvement and increase. It comes in at 20 megapixels, which likely means that it will be using one of Sony’s camera sensors, which have graced Sony’s Xperia line of devices for years. 20 megapixels compounded with Samsung’s AMOLED display (which will likely be QuadHD, as we said), and the Korean company’s great HDR processing will make for killer photographs on this hypothetical device.

Next up is the operating system, and this is the most underwhelming part. The device that was tested has Lollipop, Android 5.0, running on it, so the Android Runtime (ART) will help the speed of the animations, as well as this being the initial software on the phone will help keep the device smooth for the first six months. This is just great news, since Samsung will get to show off native Touchwiz-pop in its announcement presentation this spring.

Now comes the fun part, especially for anyone that knows Samsung and its Exynos line of processors.  Yeah, since it’s European in existence, as it sits right now, it will feature an Exynos processor, meaning Samsung gets to show off proudly with this phone. The processor according to AnTuTu’s readout is an Exynos 7420. Familiar with the naming and model number? Well, we are and will gladly explain. The Exynos 7 is the latest generation of Samsung chips, and it features two huge improvements over Samsung’s Exynos 5 line. First, it has a 64-bit architecture, so it will be future-ready. And secondly, it features, as we saw in the international Galaxy Alpha, simultaneous multi-processing, which is fancy-talk for ‘use all eight cores at the same time’. A true octa-core performance machine, with this one ranging from 400 Mhz (0.4 Ghz) up to 1800 Mhz (1.8 Ghz), so it’s humble but capable. The Exynos 7420 is a great looking chip on paper, so it should not come close to disappointing if it does in fact come in the hypothetical Galaxy S6.

Now, the last few bits are also from AnTuTu, but less fun to hear. The SM-G925F has a 32 GB internal storage capacity, as well as a greatly appreciated 3 GB of RAM to back up the 64-bit 7420 processor and all eight of its cores. It’ll be great to have a 64-bit device meant for consumers with enough RAM to help out the coming stream of 64-bit-compatible apps and things in Android’s future and marketplace.

With all of that in mind, what do you think? Might the device be enough to make people drop their hope for a HTC device that won’t be an ‘M’ device, and disregard the metal-love, because it will likely have the Note 4’s aluminium frame and chassis? I certainly see the potential for a great device, as well as a huge competition flag to set at the beginning of another great year for Android devices. Would you pick this up if it also got a variant for LTE markets using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 and the next Adreno GPU? Would you consider it if there was in fact the rumored ‘Galaxy S6 Edge’ sister device at launch or even a few weeks after? Think this device will get Samsung some of its prestige and popularity back? Let us know down below.

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