12/30/2011

Why give up GPS for your tablet?

In my previous post about several tablets comparison, I threw a question whether the tablet which has no built-in GPS like as Kindle Fire, Nook Android and even iPad2 WiFi, would be worth as much as the saved cost. Mostly the smart Apps offer the information based on the present location and pre-cached information. For instance, now there is no limit to use real-time navigating even in only WiFi device which has no 3G/4G telecommunication capability. Of course we are familiar to 'Offline map' like as Locus and Maprika, but further more Google has introduced the trial application in its Lab, Pre-cached Google Map. That allows user to use Google map at anywhere and anytime without real-time network connection like as WiFi and 3G/4G. At least the device has to have built-in GPS for it. Now indeed isn't this offline navigating worth than $200?


Google map pre-caching.

Pre Cache Labs  Google Maps Labs  Google Maps operation
Enabling Pre cached map    Go to "Cache settings"    Take a look "Precache map area"



My trial for real-time Navigating by "Pre cached google map" without any connection of WiFi/3G


[Relevant Post]
http://savememory.blogspot.com/2012/01/nothing-what-you-can-do-with-your.html
http://savememory.blogspot.com/2011/12/tablet-comparison-ipad-galaxy-kindle.html

12/29/2011

Unboxing Square's Credit card reader for smartphone

Maker : Square (www.squareup.com)
Price : $9.99 at Target store or Free order at square.com




To be continued ...

12/28/2011

A rumored photo taken by Galaxy S3

Original Photo Link : http://pocketnow.com/images/Evan/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-large.jpg



Collectable information from this photograph.

Camera Model by EXIF
GT-I9500

GPS information by EXIF

PC model code on desk : DB-P400-SECTNR (SECTNR means Samsung Electronics TN, Telecommunication Network, R&D)

PC maintenance call number : 1577-6114 (Samsung Group IT maintenance call center)


As a conclusion, this photograph was taken by GT-I9500 (New model code) at Samsung in Suwon, Korea. That's it.

Mobile contents of App markets in 2011

- Android passed Apple App store in the middle of 2011.
- Samsung App store  moves feather-footed.




Amazing PC board, $25 a byte

Does it work in US? :: Recall of Galaxy Tab battery

I found that a Korean blogger says his Galaxy Tab was working properly and found its built-in battery was ATL brand which made in China. Samsung recall this Chinese ATL battery to Samsung SDI's with free. This disturbance was happened 6 months ago in Korea, but this guy found it barely yesterday and finally got it. Even this recall was in Korea, here is a way to find out which battery does your Galaxy have.

In your dial pad,
type "*#46744674#",

then after new blank input, type "*#22888973#"

then if you see on screen like below,

It's it.

After recall

12/27/2011

Tablet comparison :: iPad, Galaxy, Kindle Fire, Nook and VTAB1008



I wonder if a tablet without built-in GPS is worth.... Half price without GPS makes us to abandon a half of Apps.

[Relevant Post]
http://savememory.blogspot.com/2012/01/nothing-what-you-can-do-with-your.html
http://savememory.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-give-up-gps-for-your-tablet.html

ICS style Launcher for old Android

Even it is just launcher UI of ICS style at old Android smartphones, it shows quite different taste of it. The features are here.


  • Clones ICS 2.4
  • Extermely Fast and Smooth Scrolling (When properly set up)
  • ICS Wallpaper Choose
  • Hide Notification Bar(Gesture/Swipe up)
  • ICS settings
  • ICS Quick-Menu
  • ICS Google Search Bar
  • Quick-Action Menu with Quick Launcher
  • Hide Labels (under Launcher Stetings inc ICS settings)
  • Tutorials and Help
  • Supports all Wapppapers (All sources)
  • Scrollable Widgets (HTC)
  • Re-Sizable Widgets
  • Nightly Updates and Builds
  • And much more to come!!
    
screenshots on Galaxy S

The source comes from SyndicateApps.
Download link of apk : [Click Here]

Useful MAP and Navigating Apps

MAPRIKA :: Maps & community for hidden area in Google map.

Stop using paper maps / See where you and your friends are / GPS works even hand drawn / Share your maps
http://www.maprika.com/index.html




LOCUS :: Strong OFFLINE Maps in where no WiFi / 3G

Offline maps / Vector maps / Navigation / Share / Record of track and dot dot dot
http://www.locusmap.eu

New barometer for tablets in 2012 :: 2GB RAM

Early this year Samsung have announced its new 4Gb LPDDR2 dram chip with 30nm process and eventually Samsung starts to provide 4-layered 4Gb LPDDR2 dram in single package for mobile tablets. The capacity of this 4-layered 4Gb LPDDR2 dram becomes 2GB dram which is double to main memory of present tablets.

12/26/2011

LG is trying to dodge bullet :: ICS upgrade schedule

Perhaps LG might be learned the dodging bullet rain from recent Samsung's trouble about ICS upgrade policy. They detailed its ICS upgrade plan through its Facebook.


Here is LG's ICS upgrade plan : http://www.facebook.com/notes/lg-mobile/ice-cream-sandwich-ics-os-upgrade-schedule/334420639902596

But, the important thing we should realize is we don't see no exact time table for it. Who knows?

[Breaking News] SKT was allowed to acquire Hynix

Korean Fair Trading Commission (http://eng.ftc.go.kr/) allowed SKT(www.sktelecom.com),which is a representative wireless telecommunication service provider in Korea, to acquire Hynix(www.hynix.com) in Dec. 27. Even SKT is a leading company in telecommunication service industry in Korea, its conglomerate business is toward to non-manufacturing industry and domestic market. However, without a doubt, the semiconductor field is a representative of huge manufacturing business followed by heavy investment based on unpredictable economic cycle likely gambling. In addition unfortunately SKT has not experienced much of successful global business achievements which are remarkable in its history yet. It is quite interesting point to appreciate this scenario for us.


SKT Stock

Hynix Stock


Cool Price, $35.99 For Samsung 32GB Micro SD @Class10

At Frys (www.frys.com) store, not online.


Samsung micro SDHC Card with adapter / 32GB / Class10
Model code : MB-MSBGA/US
Read : Max 24MB/s
Write : Max 13MB/s


eBay Price : $53.99 with free shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-32GB-Class-10-MicroSD-MicroSDHC-SDHC-TF-Flash-Memory-Card-New-32-GB-32G-/200688641949?pt=Digital_Camera_Memory_Cards&hash=item2eb9f9a79d#ht_3748wt_1270

Amazon Price : bloody $88.99 Samsung 32 GB microSDHC Flash Memory Card, Brushed Metal - MB-MSBGA/US



Tablet PC market forecasting

                                                                                                                                                   (Unit :1K)

Operating System
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
iOS
14,685
46,697
69,025
93,801
121,603
148,674
Android
2,512
11,020
22,875
47,263
76,862
116,444
MeeGo
179
476
490
438
261
197
Microsoft
0
0
4348
12,514
23,472
34,435
QNX
0
3,016
6,274
11,522
17,937
26,123
WebOS
0
2,053
0
0
0
0
Others
235
375
467
476
429
431
Source : www.globalwindow.org (9/24/2011)

Unboxing OCS9 - Windows7 Slate

There are coming up more and more user's experiences of OCS9, affordable Windows7 Slate with sleek outfit, and I am going to trace these users reaction for a while. All information will be offered as translated pages by Google.



12/23/2011

LG made successful paid-in capital increasing

LG electronics made successful paid-in capital increasing for 1 trillion Korean Won with 97.77% subscription rate for 2 days from Dec. 20. They expect the forfeited shares (2.23%) will be sold easily through public subscription.   This successful capital increasing reflects high expectation of LG's growth in mobile communication and consumer appliance business in next year. Reportedly LG will invest large portion of the fund into R&D of mobile business and fortunately the movement of telecommunication generation speeds up to LTE rapidly. They are driving strongly to deploy face-lift brand new smartphones which cover premium demand and LTE market. LG holds top IPR value on LTE world-widely.

Prada Phone By LG 3.0
LG Prada luxury smartphone

[Relevant Post] http://savememory.blogspot.com/2011/12/big-brothers-in-lte-era.html

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year


Nevertheless, Galaxy Note ranked at the top podium

Dec 23th, reportedly Samsung Galaxy Note which people pay to get $100 more than general LTE smartphones, sold 8.5K ~ 9K units in a day by major Korean carriers, SKT and LG U+.  Prior to Galaxy Note,  the best selling position was flipped over day to day between Galaxy S2 HD and LG Optimus LTE under promo supporting of LG U+. Galaxy Note suppressed these turnovers at a gulp. It is a sort of proof that the market is stimulated with innovative needle (of S-pen).

Samsung is digging its grave by itself


Recently Samsung deny to support upgrading of Galaxy S and Galaxy tab to Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.
There is no reason that users accept this idiot policy easily. Samsung explains this limitation of supporting in its insufficient hardware specification for ICS. However, bunch of smartphones from competitors and even other models of Samsung open their plan and schedule for ICS upgrading. At a glance this explnation of Samsung looks logical but I think there might be behind internal situation they face. Unlikely to Apple, Samsung has been launching uncountable bunch of smartphone line up toward worldwide countries, carriers, even in multiple operating systems accordingly. We see Galaxy S, S2, S2 LTE, S2 HD LTE, easy filpped Androids, invisible Windows Mango, childish BADA, uncountable derivatives and brand names by master carriers.
I am saying just about smartphones, not for its tablet yet. It is too much tomb to dig and that is reason why they are blamed now. Samsung says the ICS upgrade for smartphones will be started in early 2012, that means if anyone who wants to have ICS should purchase new one with new contract in 2012, at the finishing contract of your present Galaxy S. Remind that your first Galaxy S was contracted in the middle of 2010.

[Relevant Post] http://savememory.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-more-upgrade-for-galaxy-s-and-galaxy.html

Parts vendors for iPad3

Battery : Simplo Technology Co., LTD. (http://www.simplo.com.tw)

Camera Lens : GSEO (Genius Electronics Optical, http://www.gseo.com/en/index.php)

Touch Screen component : TPK (http://www.tpk.com/)


12/22/2011

Automatic Language translator between English and Korean

Dec 22th, ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute, www.etri.re.kr/eng) detailed about its "Portable English-Korean automatic translator". This proprietary technology has 80% of translation rate in average and is able to improve up to 90% in case of adaptive voice recognition of user. ETRI has launched the pilot service with its technology in Jeju isaland of Korea from this December. The technology supports cloud server system and independant handheld terminal either. Currently this translator recognizes 150K words at smartphone application with connection to cloud server system. However, the independant self-embedded smartphone supports 130K Korean words and 55K English words. HN Kim, The Chief of ETRI says "Our advanced English-Korean translation system has enough competitiveness than Google's". and "This technology cheers to attract more visitors from foreign countries and make us to expect to grow up sightseeing industry of Korea.

A screenshot of ETRI's video clip

Here is the introductory presentation video clip in Korean language of ETRI
http://www.etri.re.kr/cyber/swf/flv/003/03_004.flv

12/21/2011

Really interesting :: battle iPhone vs Nexus - updated

Incredible Korean input :: 500 characters a minute speed



No more upgrade for Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab 7.0

Many of Korean users who hold Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab 7.0 blamed Samsung's recent betrayal of upgrading guideline. Past Dec. 20th Samsung announced that the upgrade policy and plan for its smartphones and tablets. Mostly Samsung's smartphones and tablets could be upgraded to Android Icecream Sandwich from present lower version by the 1st Q of 2012 except for Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab 7.0. Many of users who love abandoned the child of Samsung protest hard and questioned that why Galaxy Nexus which has mostly like Galaxy S could be supported but not for Galaxy S. Also Galaxy Tab 7.0 which has born just 1 year ago was not upgraded to Android 3.0 Honeycomb yet. People say Samsung hit his back of head and threw them to sell brand new products.

KT's cool & funny freeware


The Olleh (www.olleh.com), which is KT’s business brand name of mobile carrier service in Korea, suggests some of cool and funny event and offers funny freeware stuffs in its web site http://play.olleh.com/screensaver/

The name of this funny event is becoming invisible man in your office or public place in which you might be observed your working by others. What they suggest to do this is a fake screen saver to make incident unattended situation at your desk. They offers 3 kinds of fake screen savers like as maximum 3 minutes limited timer, Windows booting screen and Windows system booting screen. When you leave you desk and if you activate these fake screen saver on your PC, others think you don’t seem to be digging your PC for a while.

Once you download these “exe” files which have been verified and no hazard, do execution the file then you could find new screen saver item on personalization property at control panel.

Direct links for downloading

(1) 3 Min Timer :: 

(2)Windows booting :: 

(3)System booting :: 

12/20/2011

Apple's design may be of limited value - German court

According to Bloomberg, A European Union design Apple used to win a sales ban on Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy 10.1 tablets may be of limited value after new evidence was introduced in an appeal of the decision, a German court said.


[Original Copy] http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/apple-eu-design-may-be-less-valuable-in-samsung-case-court-says.html

Samsung's world first graphene pilot factory

Dec. 20th, Samsung Techwin (www.samsungtechwin.com) announced that the world first pilot line turned on for graphene transparent electrodes which is suitable in 250 x 350mm touch screen panel. Samsung detailed that after this evaluation from pilot line, they will establish next manufacturing line for 4 times touch panel (500 x 600mm) than present in next year.


This photograph is a just reference, not from Samsung

12/16/2011

Controversy Repairing cost for Macbook Air

Dec. 15th, The post about repairing cost quote of Macbook Air 13" makes huge noise in internet communities in Korea. This quote was produced by a authorized repairing service company of Apple Korea. The client's Macbook Air was damaged by accidental spilled coke on keybaord. Eventually, the total cost is KR$3,264,750 (roughly bloody US$3,100).
Why keyboard worriers do leave this feed alone? All people say forget it and get new one.

Here is fantastic repairing quotation.



I try to seek get a new quote from a repairing company in US. They are http://www.powerbookmedic.com

And here is US quote.



The total cost is US$1549.6 without labor cost. Of course, the above Korean cost includes labor charge.

Part
Korea
KRW(US$)
USA
Trackpad
80,520 (70)
74.95
Fans
24,200 (21)
24.95
Magsafe board
88,440 (76)
79.95
60GB 1.8” SSD
1,371,260 (1,192)
169.95
Keyboard Top Case Assembly
266,640 (232)
54.95
K/B Flex Bracket
9,240 (8)
4.95
Battery
171,600 (149)
139.95
Logic Board (2.13GHz, 4GB RAM)
1,297,560 (1,128)
999.95


Why this mess on SSD price between Korea and USA???????