Samsung Galaxy Note 4 boards the Lollipop train in Europe

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BY Unknown 01:30 0

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 boards the Lollipop train in Europe

Samsung's latest phablet flagship is finally getting the Lollipop treatment. The version to go first is the SM-N910F, which is the European Snapdragon version of the handset. The update saw some delay due to problems with Gear VR support.

However Android 5.0 for the Exynos-powered variant of the phablet is already well under way and isavailable in its native South Korean market and also as a soak test in Poland. This is the first time we are seeing an official Lollipop ROM for the Snapdragon-powered Note 4, which is the most widely-spread one.

Today's update comes along with a Lollipop build for the Galaxy Note 4's extremely popular predecessor - the Galaxy Note 3. Interestingly enough the two updates are starting to seed simultaneously which might hint that Samsung intentionally held back the Galaxy Note 3 package to avoid the inevitable backlash when an older device is updated before the new one.

Despite the chaotic update schedule Samsung seems to mean well enough when it comes to delivering Lollipop. The rather odd Samsung Galaxy S4 support is also complimented by an equally impressive news that the Korean tech giant intends to bring Android 5.0 to the rather aging, but still capable Galaxy Note II as well.

So if you are on a Snapdragon Note 4 be sure to check for that update package regularly as the Lollipop goodness is here.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 gets Lollipop update in South Korea

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BY Unknown 08:00 0

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 gets Lollipop update in South Korea

Samsung has started rolling out the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Galaxy Note 4 in South Korea.

The update is currently available only for the Exynos variant of the Note 4 on the SK Telecom network, but it should be available on other carriers shortly.

The update can be downloaded right now from Samsung Kies desktop application, with the OTA download arriving later.

The Note 4 Lollipop update started rolling out yesterday, with Poland being the first country to get it. It should be rolling out in other regions shortly.

Exynos Galaxy Note 4 is getting Lollipop OTA in Poland

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BY Unknown 18:51 0

Exynos Galaxy Note 4 is getting Lollipop OTA in Poland

With the Lollipop update frenzy at full speed manufacturers are pushing hard to update their device lineups as quick as possible. Naturally major players, such as Motorola, HTC and especially Samsung are under tremendous pressure to deliver the improved Google experience to their vast user base.

Just a few hours ago new information has surfaced, regarding Android 5.0 on the Galaxy Note 4 phablet. Apparently users in Poland are already receiving the OTA, but there are a couple of conditions.

The software package is only seeding to SM-N910C devices, which is the Exynos variant of the handset and only the ones using CSC XEO (Open Europe). If you are a lucky owner of such a unit then the update is now live so be sure to grab it while it's hot.

As a matter of fact Android Lollipop has been on the roadmap for Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge for quite some time now. Initial speculations hinted at Android 5.0.1 as the build under development, which coincides with the version of the new Polish OTA.

If other rumors are to be believed Samsung took such a long time to push Lollipop on the two current gen devices mainly because of Gear VR compatibility which was holding pack progress. Whether or not this is true is beside the point, what is important is that the Galaxy Note 4 update was postponed to the point of aggravation seeing how the Galaxy Note 3 is already undergoing a Lollipop soak test in Russia.

From the looks of things it also seems Samsung has opted to bring the new OS package to their own Exynos SoC devices first and then move on to the Snapdragon models. Judging from user manuals, leaked last month the whole Note 4 model family will be getting Lollipop and hopefully pretty soon.

10 most trending phones of the week

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BY Unknown 01:27 0

10 most trending phones of the week

Major manufacturers are prepping for the MWC, finalizing the flagships that will shape the smartphone market for the rest of the year. As a result, the past week didn't witness major official launches but there was still plenty of movement in the charts.

The Top 10 trending phones chart is a list of the devices that gathered the most hits throughout the week. In other words, the chart represents the interests of the majority of people, and is an indication of what currently interests you.

Samsung claimed the top three again, but we have a new winner this week. The Galaxy A5 inched its way to first place, climbing from second position last week. Long-time favorite Galaxy Grand Prime surrendered the top spot but is still in the running. The Galaxy S5 retained its third position.

A fey new entries made it to the list this week. The yet-to-be-announced Samsung Galaxy S6 accumulated the most hits among the newcomers, driven by the bucket load of leaks. The Galaxy A3 was likely ushered in by its bigger brother, and the Tizen-powered Z1 completed the Koreans' strong performance. An unexpected Lumia 535 also managed to sneak in the chart, ending up in tenth position.

Samsung Galaxy A5

 

RANK: 1

WAS: 2

Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime

 

RANK: 2

WAS: 1

Samsung Galaxy S5

 

RANK: 3

WAS: 3

Asus Zenfone 5

 

RANK: 4

WAS: 5

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

RANK: 5

WAS: 4

Apple iPhone 6

 

RANK: 6

WAS: 6

Samsung Galaxy S6

 

RANK: 7

NEW IN

Samsung Z1

 

RANK: 8

NEW IN

Samsung Galaxy A3

 

RANK: 9

NEW IN

Microsoft Lumia 535

 

RANK: 10

NEW IN

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will get free Montblanc pen in the united kindom

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BY Unknown 23:15 0

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will get free Montblanc pen in the united kindom

A few months after entering into a partnership with Montblanc, Samsung is running a new promotion that offers a complimentary pen manufactured by the premium writing instrument maker with every purchase of a Galaxy Note 4.

The deal is only available to UK customers, who will have to purchase the device from Samsung UK’s website by using the coupon code “NOTE4MB”. While the promotion is valid until 23:59 pm tomorrow, it is applicable only to the first 150 customers purchasing the device.

There is no detail on which model of the Montblanc pen will be provided to the customers.

Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop update will be delayed due to compatibility with Gear VR

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BY Unknown 23:04 0

Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop update will be delayed due to compatibility with Gear VR

With the Lollipop craze in full steam and the Galaxy Note 3 already up for a soak test in Russia it is only natural to expect that Samsung will give an equal share of attention to the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.

We already saw a leaked manual for Android 5 with the device model on it so the OTA is getting closer, but no official news is available as of yet. Faryaab Sheikh, Editor-in-Chief of SamMobile might have just shed some light on the issue with a recent Twitter post. According to him the Galaxy Note 4 ROM is still in the hands of Oculus VR who are "tweaking the kernel" to ensure compatibility with the Samsung Gear VR.

For anyone unfamiliar with the device it is Samsung's current take on virtual reality headset based on the popular Oculus Rift. Gear VR however takes the experience one step beyond by using a wireless setup. This is achieved with the help of a mobile display, in particular the 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED panel of the Galaxy Note 4.

While compatibility issues might explain the delay the question still stands why this can't be achieved in a later update. This is supposedly what occurred on the Verizon version of the phone last month.

Delivering Gear VR compatibility is most definitely a huge deal in terms of marketing strategy, but the fact of the matter is that a very miniscule percentage of all Samsung Galaxy Note 4 devices will ever be put inside a VR headset. So why make everybody wait for what is essentially a niche feature?

Wireless charging via dedicated back covers, comes to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

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BY Unknown 01:00 0

Wireless charging via dedicated back covers, comes to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

It’s still a rare occurrence to find a smartphone with built-in wireless charging capabilities these days with the notable exception of the mid-to-high end Lumia lineup. Samsung has opted for a different strategy for several generations of Galaxy flagships, providing optional back covers to those who want to do away with cables.

The Galaxy Note 4 continues this tradition and, in typical Samsung fashion, two options are available, a plain charging back, and an S-View case.

The regular Qi-enabled back cover is noticeably thicker than the standard one with both the good and bad implications. On one hand, the otherwise protruding camera, prone to bumps and scratches, gets an added level of protection. On the other, the added thickness results in less than premium appearance of the flagship device. Additionally, some cases made for the Note 4 with a stock cover won’t fit on top of the thicker Qi version.

The wireless charging variant of the S-View cover is virtually identical to the non-Qi model. Meaning it adds considerable bulk and weight to the whole package. Supporters of the S-View concept, however, will see no added drawbacks to the Qi-charging version. The camera is even more deeply recessed with this one, never touching the table, when the phone is lying on its back.

It has to be taken into account, that a charging pad is available separately, and has to be factored into the price of bringing wireless charging capability to your Note 4. Unless you’ve already picked one up before, conforming to the Qi Standard, which should work just fine.