One of the central activities of the IFA 2014 was the presentation of Samsung – Unpacked 2014: Episode 2. As we remember, “Episode 1″ held at Mobile World Congress 2014, when they were shown the smartphone Galaxy S5, watch and bracelet Gear 2 Gear Fit. And if Gear 2 and Galaxy S5 were, expected products, Gear Fit was a real surprise. In “Episode 2″ directors Samsung decided exactly repeat this story: information about the clock Gear S was published in late August, and the announcement of Note 4 is unlikely someone could surprise. But here’s the other two products shown at the event – with a curved screen planshetofon Note Edge and virtual reality helmet Gear VR – were a nice surprise.
The event took place at the indoor stadium of Berlin Tempodrom, located not far from the Potdsamskoy area.
The number and scope of the public show can be estimated on the frame below the people on it only goes into the hall of the stadium and seen only one sector.
All organizational component was also at the level of pop concerts biggest stars: the image during the presentation was drawn on three huge screens, together forming one screen length of the whole scene; event was broadcast live, removing not only what is happening on stage, but the audience; opened the show rock ensemble and chamber orchestra that resonated with Episode 1 on MWC 2014. In general, tried. However, the reason for all of this gathered crowd at the end of the event there were only 5-6 tables with demonstration devices, one of which – closed glass. Do not think or corny samples was not enough?
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and go back to your presentation. Keynote speech read Dee Jay Lee, President and Head of Sales and Marketing division IT & amp; Mobile Communications Company Samsung Electronics.
It is strange that, unlike Barcelona “episode 1″ is not made CEO Samsung. And the presentation of Dee Jay Lee was very modest: Rapporteur made the entry of the traditional arguments about innovation and new user experience, then quickly showed all four new items and gave the floor to the three leading that have already talked about the devices in detail.
We will not recount their presentation and repeat already written in the news (see. here, here and here), but focus on those moments that we find most interesting, as well as describe the experience of a personal acquaintance with the devices (albeit very short).
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Preview Galaxy Note 4 – the most anticipated and therefore boring part of the presentation. However, to say that the device is turned uninteresting, it is impossible. On the contrary, Samsung has done to competition with the future 5.5-inch iPhone was the most effective.
The first design has been updated. And, quite radically: faces are now made of metal, making the device look more stringent and expensive. Rear cover mimics the skin and generally gives the impression of a serious smartphone quality product. At the same time, the overall look, of course, preserves the continuity of Note 3.
Second, the updated S Pen stylus and improved its interaction with the content. In particular, it is now possible using the S Pen «cut» curly fragments of images on the screen and paste them into other applications. Generally, Peru and its capabilities Samsung pays a lot of attention, and the positioning of the pen – not only as a professional tool, but also as a permanent assistant: with it is proposed to manage the interface device. And it’s very interesting, because, as you know, Steve Jobs introducing the first iPhone, made emphasis on the fact that the pen prevents interaction with the device – much easier to work with your fingers. Samsung is now promoting the opposite ideology, although almost all modern smartphones (not excluding the Galaxy Note) are in some way the heirs of the first iPhone.
Third, increased screen resolution to 2560×1440 (diagonal remains the same). However, SoC, apparently, the same Exynos 5 Octa (in formal characteristics that is not directly mentioned, but it seems that we have in mind is this SoC; whether the version on Qualcomm – not reported). But the improved camera: rear now has a resolution of 16 megapixels, and the front – 3.7 MP camera with aperture F1.9. And, of course, the manufacturer has for its self. At the presentation of this paid special attention, because in Note 4 is a special mode for wide-SELF group shots: it is a kind of panorama, you just move your smartphone is not from one end to the other and from the center (where your face) to the left and then right. Especially for Ellen DeGeneres and Oscar guests who, by the way, shot on planshetofon Samsung:)
By the way, some of the most famous self figurantok in the history of the Internet now delight us with their more interesting pictures – single and already on the iPhone, if you know what I mean 
After the presentation, we were able to hold in your hands a little Note 4. Indeed, the metal frame makes a good vpechatenie, covering the rear surface pleasant to the touch, and the screen is excellent. The rest need to test and explore already in our laboratory.
In the meantime, go to the next presentation of the hero – Galaxy Note Edge.
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
The rumors that Samsung is preparing a smartphone with a screen, fitting the brink and walked the last few months. Still, yesterday’s announcement was unexpected Note Edge: Still one thing – the rumors, and another thing – the real machine. However, the reality was a little less spectacular, as the screen here comes only on one face, and then – no hugs her completely, but as a “flowing” on it. Still gadget produces the impression of a futuristic concept, rather than the usual commercial devices.
So, Note Edge – an analogue of Note 4, but with one key difference: it is, in fact, an extra strip of the screen, rounded length and having a width of 160 pixels, and the length – similar to the main part of the screen, that is 2560 points. This rounded strip – in fact, a separate mini-screen, but it is absolutely smoothly continues to the main screen, that is, between them there is no gap or visible interface. As the main screen (its resolution is similar to the screen resolution Note 4), an extra strip of touch, while if you take the smartphone with the whole hand, the bar does not respond, so accidental presses should not be (although you will inevitably be constantly touching her hand).
Why this strip is needed (in addition to design of the wah effect)? Samsung offers to display it any special menu or message, or some other supporting information that may be useful when the smartphone, such as a sealed bag. The smartphone is pre-installed 10 so-called “panels”, that is, options for various types of content that can be displayed on these strips. Here’s a selection of these bands.
As you can see, one of the options involves display notifications (missed calls, unread messages, weather …), the other one will contain the most important applications (they are set, you can edit) and so forth. But third-party developers can also create their own “panel”. Just during the press conference it was announced the availability of SDK, so probably we will soon see in the Samsung Apps sets of additional “panels”.
On the other hand, the question arises, how it is really useful in terms of everyday use. After all, “panel” – after all other than a hardware button, located just on the edges. You still have to reach with your right hand (if you are right handed) to the icons and other elements displayed on the “panel”. As for the view of some messages when the main screen of the smartphone is closed (eg, cover), then below the right edge of the photo clearly shows how good (or rather bad) can be seen on the side that is displayed on the “panel.”
As for the design, of course, we can say that the asymmetry (the screen crawls on only one face) attached device originality, but it is clear that there is simply “not shmogla I do not shmogla”, as in the joke . Apparently, originally wanted to do such a thing for both sides (hence the rumors), but either were too expensive or technologically impossible (at least at this stage). Although there is an option that simply decided not to lay out all the trump cards at once: now shown Note Edge, and a year later with the pump present Note Edge 2, which will be rounded to have both faces.
By the way, as we remember, in Samsung has already had the experience of creating a smartphone with a curved screen: this Galaxy Round. But the model was purely experimental, sold only in South Korea and produced explicitly for the conquest of the market, but only for running technology. Now the technology is ripe for commercial devices. Moreover, we decided to start here with this original version. And rightly so: I agree, if Samsung just released an improved version of the Round or made analogue LG G Flex, it would be boring. A Note Edge – it’s not boring, although it is not clear why you need a normal user.
We note one more detail: the case of the smartphone – plastic, unlike Note 4. Apparently, Samsung decided not to pamper customers and found that only enough design features. But unlike other Note, on the contrary, can be considered an advantage: as the SoC in Note Edge uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, rather than the older Exynos 5 Octa. However, once again we say, this smartphone is only one really important detail – curved screen on one of the faces, and everything else – especially the second time, because it will buy only because of this detail.
Samsung Galaxy Gear S
The curved screen – one of the trump cards and another device: smart hours Gear S. However, unlike Note Edge, this product is just not only looks interesting concept, but it is suitable for use gadget. In fact, besides the screen Gear S boasts the presence of card slot Micro-SIM, which means that the watch can be used not only in conjunction with a smartphone, but also as a standalone unit.
Unlike most other watches, which were announced at the IFA 2014, Gear S is not running Android Wear. The watch uses the OS Tizen, which we first saw in Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. And if the device on Android Wear – is nothing more than a mobile companion for smartphones, the Gear S – in fact, a full-fledged smartphone, with which you can make calls, send messages, build routes (Gear S has in addition to the cellular and Wi-Fi module).
As far as the concept of a mini-smartphone hand viable, can only show the detailed testing. We had a model with a similar concept – Iconbit Callisto 100, and, frankly, she was not able to convince us that this is the right way to go. However Gear S has at least one important advantage over the Callisto 100: this design. Due to the curved screen (where the bending angle is very large) they attract attention, but on the hand they are less comfortable than Gear 2 (judged, however, on a cursory examination after the presentation of Samsung).
Under the screen – button Home, which now oblong shape, like a line of smartphones Galaxy, rather than square, like Gear 2. display occupies almost the entire front surface and has the following characteristics: 2-inch, Super AMOLED, resolution of 320×480. Degree of curvature of the screen is very large – it seems even more than the Gear Fit.
Around the screen – metal edging, under it – the silicone gasket (it is a continuation of the strap), and even lower (ie, closer to the hand member) – plastic. If you look at the clock on the back side, we see the slot for SIM-cards, battery contacts, as well as pulse sensor – Samsung are true to yourself.
The software part of hours is not less interesting than the hardware. Apparently, the interface Tizen was very heavily reworked for this product because of the menus and screens that we were able to open on Gear S, on Gear 2 was not. There are even application icons, strongly reminiscent of those used in the smartphone Android. So, obviously the desire to make the device even more “smartphones” than Gear 2. But the camera is just the same and there: apparently, Samsung decided to abandon this not the most desired items clever hours.
Well and especially for those who have a little device with the original design, but I want to make it look really elitist, Samsung introduced a modification Gear S with crystals Swarovski. How beautiful it is – decide for yourself.
By the way, Swarovski crystals can be found not only on the Gear S, but also on special backplanes Galaxy Note 4. A real fans luxury-products can also buy a modification of the S-Pen made by a famous manufacturer of pens Montblanc. This was at the presentation said Jens Henning Koch (Jens Hening Koch), chief marketing director of Montblanc. About the prices of such luxury, however, delicately concealed.
Samsung Gear VR
The latest product, shown at the presentation of Samsung – a virtual reality helmet Gear VR. It was another surprise (along with Note Edge), and especially interesting is the fact that it is the fruit of cooperation with Samsung company Oculus, known for its helmet Oculus Rift, as well as selling for a phenomenal amount Facebook’u.
It remains a mystery what exactly is the partnership of Samsung and Oculus, which is now wholly owned by Facebook, as well as what is the contribution of this Samsung device and how it differs from Oculus Rift. It is clear that the helmet is inserted smartphone Note 4. But in Oculus Rift was also inside the smartphone Samsung …
From the very helmet we could not meet – in the demonstration zone was not. But in any case this is an important step for the development of the whole of this nascent industry VR-projects. It is one thing – a promising startup, quite another – “Daughter» Facebook, creating a product together with Samsung. Of course, much depends on the price, but this is a real chance of taking technology to the masses.
Conclusion
Conclusions about the products presented on September 3 Samsung at IFA 2014 to fail, of course, too early. But it is possible to note some trends that, in our opinion, will remain regardless of how lucky to get specific products. First of all, it is curved (as in the term – flexible) screens. First, they apply to all kinds of more devices are used in a variety of form factors. Second, designers and engineers are finally not only think about how, in principle, to make such screens, but also about what they can be applied. The concept of “panels” in Note Edge – a very controversial, but it’s still kind of a novel idea, and this idea involves not only the abstract-marketing “new user experiences”, but also specific software solutions as those involving curved screen.
The second important trend – the variety of concepts and form factors of smart hours. It would seem, as one must yield to the pressure of Google, to promote its own OS Android Wear, turns your phone into a sort of external headset to Google Now. But no – Samsung manufactures a device that not only uses Android Wear, but runs counter to this concept. Would that other manufacturer – could be deemed unobtrusive extravagant antics, but since Samsung is currently the industry leader wearable electronics, the flagship of the company is particularly important to determine future trends. In general, Google is still too early to rejoice, and that’s a plus, because the competition – it’s always good.
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