May 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Can I use my Samsung Galaxy S3 MHL/HDTV adapter with the S4?

In short the answer is YES.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 HDTV adapter works with the Samsung Galaxy S3 & S4.

The S4 HDTV adapter works with the S3 as well.

The S3 HDTV adapter has a 24Hz refresh rate whereas the S4 adapter has a 60Hz refresh rate. This is the key difference between the two. The S4 adapter creates a sharper on screen image.

The s4 does not need power to be connected for either MHL adapter to work, but it is advisable to avoid excessive battery drain.

When using either the S3 or S4 adapter with the Galaxy S3 you do need to have mains power connected.

See both adapters in action below.

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May 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Disable S Voice on your Galaxy S4 to speed up the home button

Samsung Galaxy S4 Pros

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.

[Read more...]

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May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Samsung Galaxy S3 & S4 using same MHL/HDTV adapter

This video shows the Samsung Galaxy S4 using the official Samsung S4 HDTV and S3 HDTV adapter as well as the S3 using the S4 HDTV adapter.

Both the S3 and S4 can use either HDTV adapter, the difference is that the S4 HDTV adapter operates at 60Hz whereas the S3 works at 24HZ, thus the S4 adapter re-draws the picture on screen more frequently and allows for a clearer image on screen.

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April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Samsung Galaxy S3 price drop

imageWe have just dropped the price of the Samsung Galaxy S3 by nearly £40.

You can now pick up a White, Blue or Black Galaxy S3 for less than £400.

For more information please click one of the following links:

Samsung Galaxy S3 – Blue

Samsung Galaxy S3 – White

Samsung Galaxy S3 – Black

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March 28, 2013 By 16 Comments

Which MHL Cable should I buy?

MHL Cable choices

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.

MHL Cable

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.

Samsung Galaxy S4/Samsung Galaxy S3 MHL Adaptor

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.

11-Pin MHL adaptor

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)

5-Pin MHL adaptor

Sony Xperia Z (see a demo video for this here)

HTC One (see a demo video for this here)

Sony Xperia T

Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy Nexus 

HTC One X

HTC One X+

HTC One SV

Other accessories that offer MHL capability

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.

Handsets that you may expect to have MHL, but don’t

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

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February 4, 2013 By 3 Comments

Sony Xperia Z v Samsung Galaxy S3 Comparison Review [VIDEO]

Every new smartphone on the market today is competing with some very good competition and the Xperia Z has it tough against the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Which is better? We put them together and took a look at some of the key differences.

[Read more...]

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January 22, 2013 By 7 Comments

Should Samsung increase the screen size of its flagship smartphone? [POLL]

Has the success of the SGS3 & Galaxy Note II paved the way for an even bigger screen on Samsung’s next flagship?

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?

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January 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Fitbit set to sync directly to your Samsung Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2

image

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

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January 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Samsung Galaxy S series sales pass 100m mark

Samsung has announced via Flickr that sales of the Samsung Galaxy S series sales have now passed the 100 million mark. That refers to the amount supplied to the distribution channel rather than end user, but that is still an incredible milestone to reach in under three years.

Sales have mainly been driven by the Samsung Galaxy S II and Galaxy S III, both of which have now sold over 40 million units each. The Samsung Galaxy S II was the handset that really put the Korean manufacturer on the Android map and Samsung is shortly due to release an updated version of the handset, the Samsung Galaxy S II Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy S3 is now Samsung’s best selling handset ever, the Samsung Galaxy S also contributed 10 million sales towards the 100m total.

The Samsung Galaxy S III would be regarded as many as the first handset to truly rival the Apple iPhone in the well known battle that is raging between the two manufacturers. Both companies release a new version of their flagship device each year, so it’s likely that Samsung will announce its latest iteration of the Galaxy S within the first half of 2013, as has been the case over the last few years.

samsung galaxy 100m

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December 28, 2012 By 4 Comments

SGS3 4.1.2 upgrade rolling out with Samsung ‘Premium Suite’

Samsung’s Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean upgrade for Galaxy S3 brings some new Premium features to TouchWiz

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has been incredibly popular and a much wanted upgrade to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean has been in the pipeline for some time. The upgrade has been rolling out for the unlocked international SGS3 in territories across the world -  if you have a carrier locked version it may take a little longer to become available.

As well as the standard Android updates in 4.1.2, Samsung have also included some extra features designed specifically for the SGS3 in this update, which they are calling their ‘Premium Suite’ and includes:

  1. Page Buddy: Predictive actions e.g. plugging in headphones activates music player
  2. Contextual Menu: Frequently used apps are first in the app list
  3. Contextual Tag: Weather / Date / Location can be immediately tagged on pictures
  4. Multi Window: Two open apps in two windows on the mobile screen
  5. Auto Share Shot: Use NFC to share pictures/videos by tapping devices together
  6. Reader Mode: Better control of web browser text size and instant page sharing
  7. Facebook Ticker: Convenient Facebook update ticker, viewable on lock screen

Check out the video from SamsungTomorrow showcasing Premium Suite features below

SGS3 Android 4.1.2 upgrade with Premium Suite software

 

If you are yet to receive a 4.1.2 update for your Galaxy S3 then hold tight, it is likely to be with you soon, and remember connecting to Kies may search and force the upgrade if the OTA is taking too long for your liking! Also anyone with Premium Suite let us know how you’re getting along with the new features in the comments

via Android Police

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