Samsung launches dual OS based Ativ Q

Samsung has also launched Ativ Tab 3, which is claimed to be the slimmest Windows tablet.

Samsung announced two new Windows tablets under its Ativ series, named as Ativ Q and Ativ Tab 3.

Ativ Q is a dual boot tablet with both Android 4.2 and Windows 8 operating system. The design of the tablet allows it to be used in tablet mode, like a laptop, you can also float and adjust the display to a comfortable viewing angle or flip the display to place in the stand mode to watch movies with ease.

The Ativ Q has a 13.3 inch display with world's highest resolution, QHD＋ (3200x1800). Ativ Q has 9 hours battery life. It weighs 1.29 kg and is only 13.9 mm thick. Samsung has put Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB RAM in the tablet along with 128 GB SSD (memory).

Ativ Tab 3, on the other hand, is more conventional and offers Windows 8 operating system only, but supports S Pen functionality just like Galaxy Note. It has improvements like high level pen display and S Pen compatibility with MS Office. Ativ Tab 3 has a 10.1 inch display with 1366x768 HD resolution and runs on Intel Atom Z2760 processor, 2 GB RAM and 64 GB inbuilt memory.

Ativ Tab 3 is claimed to be the slimmest Windows tablet at 8.2 millimeters thick and is lightweight at 550 grams. The ATIV Tab 3 also features up to 10 hours of battery life,

Both the tablets have the 'SideSync' feature which allows users to switch from working on their PC to an Android-based Samsung smartphone easily. The price and availability of the tablets has not been announced yet. However looking at the specifications the tablets are expected to be priced upwards of Rs 50,000 for the Ativ Tab 3 and Rs 90,000 and above for Ativ Q.

Tags: SAMSUNG, ATIV, DUAL BOOT, ANDROID, WINDOWS, TABLET

Samsung to debut kill switch service for smartphones next month

Samsung has been reportedly working on a service that can serve as a kill switch for the stolen smartphones and other devices.

Mobile platform giants such as Microsoft, BlackBerry and Apple are working hard to help the consumers against theft or loss of device. Soon Samsung is expected to join this club with a service that will act as a kill switch for stolen or lost smartphones. Korean News Daily reportedthat Samsung is planning to bring this function next month.

Microsoft and Apple have been offering the mobile phone tracking feature since couple of years. BlackBerry introduced the BlackBerry Protect service to keep the data synced with the respective user account. Now Samsung plans to introduce something similar for the consumers and is being speculated to be a kill switch for the lost or stolen devices.

Apple had recently introduce the Activation Lock feature with the iOS 7 software update. As per this feature, if the stolen iPhone is completely wiped, then the device will not be re-activated. In order to access the stolen or lost device, the thief will have to use Apple ID. Thereby, making the device useless as a phone if stolen or lost.

Samsung's kill switch service can be expected to do something similar. However, once again the string of command will be in manufacturer's and mobile operators' hand instead of the consumer.

Tags: SAMSUNG, APPLE, MICROSOFT, BLACKBERRY, PROTECT, ACTIVATION LOCK, IOS 7, KILL SWITCH

HTC working on device location service dubbed Fetch

HTC has filed a trademark for HTC Fetch, a service meant to track as well as locate mobile devices, portable computers, tablets and wireless handhelds.

HTC is working on its mobile tracking and locating service, according to Engadget. As per the website, a trademark has been filed at the Taiwan's NCC by HTC for 'portable multifunction electronic device for assistance in locating, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops and so on'.

Even if true, then HTC will not be the lone handset maker to offer such a solution. Apple has already been offering 'Find My iPhone' service since couple of years now and it helps in locating the device on web-based map interface. There are other features such as remote data swipe, push alerts and so on. Samsung has been offering similar service under similar name - Find My Mobile. LG has been offering Anti-theft Mobile Tracker service in its mobile.

Now HTC plans to join the club with a new service or device drive function called Fetch. From the trademark filing it is not clear whether it is a new service or device meant to be used with a service. Basically, the idea is to track HTC devices and keep a tab on the location.

As of now, there is no clarity on whether the said service will remain only with HTC and mobile operators or would be made available to end consumers. However, the fact that the service for consumers to track and locate their devices points that HTC aims to be on the top. If HTC aims to offer this service to consumers, then it would be really helpful for its products on both platforms - Google Android and Windows Phone.

Samsung CEO plans to sell the 'world's first' LTE-Advanced phone, a new Galaxy S 4 variant 

SAMY 4S LTE

Samsung's already doing a pretty good job selling its new flagship GS4, not to mention preparing a Google-fied stock version for the summer. There's anothervariant now confirmed, however, with Samsung's co-chief exec, JK Shin, tellingReuters today that a modified Galaxy S 4 will be the first smartphone tocommercially launch on LTE-Advanced, the next step up from existing LTE. (Not forgetting that the new tech is already live in parts of Russia.) On the new radio technology, data speeds could theoretically double what you currently experience on a 4G signal. For Samsung's new smartphone, this will involve using Qualcomm chips compatible with the next-gen networks, notably sidestepping its homemadeExynos silicon. "As operators seek to provide more data-centric mobile services, I think this will become mainstream 4G technology globally in the coming years," Shin said, though he refused to name any specific networks that the new GS4 would eventually launch on.