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The NetGear PTV3000 Push2TV adaptor is a Miracast dongle that will work with any Miracast-enabled handset, which by now is quite a few different phones.
In the video below, Youtube user veryannoyingname shows the PTV3000 being used seamlessly with the Samsung Galaxy S4.
We are expecting stock of the PTV3000 to arrive at Clove within the next few weeks, having initially expected stock to arrive in April. We’ll provide an update as soon as it’s in stock.
Samsung’s S Voice feature has improved considerably since its initial release, but if you’re still not a regular user of the feature it’s worth disabling it to get improved performance from your handset.
Going by the default settings of TouchWiz, S Voice is activated when you double tap the home key. This means that when you press the home key once, there is a short pause while the handset waits to see if a second tap is registered to activate S Voice. If you’re not using S Voice all that much, you may wish to disable the double tap feature to remove the lag.
To do this, load S Voice and go to menu > settings > open via the home key.
If you don’t want to disable S Voice but still want to speed up the home button, you could use gesture controls to launch the app instead. These are included within some launchers or can be configured with other apps, such as Trigger.
S Voice runs on Samsung’s Android handsets that have been updated to Jelly Bean, so you should be able to make the tweak on the Samsung Galaxy S2/S3/S4 and both the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2.
The chances are that if you’ve come to this post, you’re already aware that your device has MHL (video out capability), so I won’t explain what an MHL cable is used for (there are good definitions within the linked products below) and we also have this post, which explains what MHL does and shows off some of its coolest features.
However, while MHL is an industry standard (meaning that in theory the same cable should be compatible with all MHL-enabled devices), that is not the case – some use a 9 pin arrangement, others use a 5 pin arrangement. The point of this post therefore is to tell you which MHL cable is compatible with your device.
We have created a video to show the description below in action, which you can view here
The Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy S4 MHL adaptors are interchangeable with both handsets. That’s to say, the S4 MHL adaptor will work with the S3, and the S3 MHL adaptor will work with the S4. However, there are still some differences.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 uses MHL 2.0. This means that there is no power connection needed for the MHL adaptor to work – the S4 can power the connection itself. That being said, it is advisable to power the connection if possible (using your handset’s microUSB charger) in order to prevent battery drain. Both the S3 and S4 adaptors work with the S4 without the need to power the connection.
The situation with the Samsung Galaxy S3 handset is the opposite. Both the S3 and S4 MHL adaptors will need to be powered if you are using them with the S3. This isn’t a huge problem as the microUSB charger supplied with you handset is fine for this purpose, it just makes the setup slightly more inconvenient.
The other difference between the two adaptors is that the S4 adaptor has a 60MHz refresh rate, whereas the S3 has a 24GHz refresh rate. This means that the S4 adaptor will provide a better image on screen, whether you are using it with the S3 or the S4.
Samsung Galaxy S4 MHL Cable (demo video)(also compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S3)
Samsung Galaxy S3 MHL Cable (demo video) (also compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S4)
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 MHL Cable (demo video)
Sony Xperia Z (see a demo video for this here)
HTC One (see a demo video for this here)
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Smart Dock – due early April. It’s possible that this will also be compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S3, but we will confirm this once we have received stock.
There was a similar product for Sony handsets called the LiveDock, but this has now been discontinued.
MHL is a relatively new standard when it comes to its inclusion with smartphones, so you could be forgiven for expecting it to be included with newly released handsets. however, some new handsets do not include it, but use other standards such as SlimPort, which we explain here. Here are a list of those that we are aware of that do not use MHL and the equivalent standard that they do use.
LG Nexus 4 – SlimPort
Photos and a spec sheet have been posted by PhoneArena of what is reported to be the LG Optimus G Pro. If the specs are correct, it’ll be the closest competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Note II in terms of screen size, matching its 5.5″ display.
We can expect to see another industry-wide increase in screen size for Android devices this year. The Sony Xperia Z (coming at the end of this month) has a 5″ display, it is expected the Samsung will increase the screen size of its next flagship, and HTC is also likely to follow suit when it announces its next device. However, the aforementioned will all be competing in the 5″ bracket, where as the LG Optimus G Pro goes half an inch bigger again, brining it more inline with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
It’s not just in screen size that the Optimus G Pro rivals the Note 2. The reported specs also have it with a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor with LTE radio, 2GB RAM, 13MP rear facing camera and 2MP front camera. It’s also got a huge 3,140mAh battery, which will be welcomed by the same power-users that will praise its 32GB internal storage and microSD slot compatible up to 64GB. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to also expect SlimPort to be included and perhaps Miracast as well.
An announcement at MWC and launch in H1 of this year is what PhoneArena estimates for the Optimus G Pro, which makes sense in terms of timing. However, LG has been a bit quiet on the SIM-free front in the UK as of late, so whether or not it comes through the UK channel is unknown at this point. We’ll provide an update on this as soon as official details emerge and we’ve heard from LG.
If you have been holding out for the official Samsung Galaxy Note II Smart Dock, then we have some good news for you.
We have today enabled the facility to buy this product on our website.
First stock is expected in early March.
It is priced at £54.99 inclusive of VAT or £45.83 excluding VAT.
To order it, simply click HERE.
Sony Xperia Z vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
The Samsung Galaxy Note handsets have been best in class since their existence, not only because they are great devices, but also due to the fact that they’ve had no competition. HTC has recently released the Butterfly J/Droid DNA (although not in the UK), which is the first handset to come close to the Galaxy Note II in terms of screen size. The Xperia Z, therefore, will be the first UK handset to offer an alternative to the Galaxy Note 2 for those that want as much real estate as possible.
While the handsets are similar in terms of screen size, there are some big differences that need to be observed if it’s not just screen size that you’re interested in. Let’s see how these two match up on paper.
Unique Selling Points
Before we look at the comparable features of these two handsets, we first need to look at what makes them stand out from the competition. First up, there’s the S Pen functionality of the Note 2. There’s nothing else like this available in the current smartphone market, so if you’re looking for a stylus, there’s no compromise. The split screen multi-tasking that Samsung’s Multi View offers is incredibly powerful and there’s a whole range of other features that the S Pen includes.
However, the Xperia Z has its own trump card to play, and that comes in the form of an IP55 and IP57 protection rating. This means the handset is water and dust resistant and can be submerged in water up to 3 feet deep. It’s not the first handset to offer these features, but it is the first flagship. Previously you would have had to have settled for a smaller screen on the likes of the Sony Xperia Go or Motorola DEFY. The Z also comes with a small recess enabling you to attach a lanyard, which is a big plus for sporty users.
The success of the Samsung Galaxy Note II and the Samsung Galaxy SIII shows that there could be room for Samsung to once again increase the screen size of its flagship device. Both the Note 2 and S3 successfully increased on the screen size of their predecessors and the popularity of the huge screen on the Note II shows that users are becoming more and more interested in a large smartphone display.
With Samsung having confirmed a 4.99″ Full HD AMOLED display for its 2013 roadmap, rumours are rife that this will be used for the ‘Samsung Galaxy S4′. Sony will be launching the Xperia Z with a 5″ display and HTC has the Butterfly J/Droid DNA. This pegs them halfway between the SGS3 and the Note II, but without the S Pen functionality, they rival the former more than the latter.
The branding of the Galaxy S series has now become so strong that Samsung has a strong influence when it comes to setting the benchmark for the ideal Android screen size. A jump to a screen size of 5″ would make for a flagship that is an entire inch larger than Apple’s rival offering, the iPhone 5. Apple argues that 4″ is the ideal screen size for the masses, Samsung would suggest otherwise.
Of course, if a 5″ display isn’t right for you, Samsung still has you covered. There’s the S3 mini with a 4″ display, the recently-announced Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus at 4.3″, then there’s the S3 with a 4.7″ display, the Note with 5.3″ and the Note II with a 5.5″. A five inch device would slot very nicely into the current Samsung range. One of the luxuries of Android is that if you do choose a certain screen size and it isn’t right for you, there is the option to switch to another device fairly easily.
If Samsung does increase the screen size of its next flagship, it won’t necessarily mean a much larger overall footprint, as was the case with the progression from the Note to the Note II. However, some may argue that the S3 already pushes the limits of what would be regarded as an acceptable size for the mainstream consumer. We’d like to put it to the vote of the Clove readers – would you like to see an even larger screen on the ‘SGS4′, the same size as the S3, or maybe even a slightly smaller screen?
The Fitbit family motivates you to stay active, live better, and reach your goals.
For those that are unfamiliar with Fitbit and their products please click here
The latest Fitbit Flex wristband activity tracker that was recently announced at CES is set to sync directly to your Samsung Galaxy S3 or Samsung Galaxy Note 2. There is no need to worry if you do not own either of these devices as Fitbit have said they are working to bring additional device support in the near future.
Fitbit have said that Bluetooth 4.0 syncing will be available for Android users towards late January or early February, the latter being the most likely.
This announcement is sure to please a large crowd of Android users who are always on the go, as tracking your results and logging progress will not come any easier.
The Fitbit One is available to purchase from Clove Technology, we are currently stocking the Black & Burgundy variants at £66.65 ex VAT
The Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update has begun rolling out in Poland for the Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000. Hopefully this means that the rest of Europe and the UK will not be too far behind. The update for the Galaxy Note brings with it the goodies that are already available for its successor, the Samsung Galaxy Note II. These include multi view for multi tasking and updates for a range of applications that are further optimised for use with the S-Pen stylus.
For users in Poland, the update is reported to be available via the KIES software. It may be slightly longer before the update is available as an OTA update, as is usually the case with Samsung firmware updates. Any UK users, be sure to give us a shout once the Jelly Bean update is available for your device.
Via GSM Arena
If you’re anything like me then you might just love finding out what makes computers and technology tick, literally. I’ve been fiddling with circuit boards and PCs from school and although I have little time for hobbying at the moment, these pictures of the Note II getting a dressing down hit my techy sweet spot:
The page at Samsung Tomorrow gives a little break down of what the constituent parts do, so if you’ve ever wondered just what’s going on under that sleek exterior then this is a great place to begin finding out. It’s only a glimpse into the huge complexity that goes into designing and manufacturing a modern smartphone and for anyone with a passing interest in circuitry, shows just what a challenge it must be cramming all the modern technology we expect into a tight space.