Samsung teases shadowy Galaxy S4 image

In years past, a gaggle of high-end Android phones have competed for headlines – while the iPhone’s press coverage dwarfed them all. But today Samsung’s Galaxy S series has distanced itself from other Android flagships, and is approaching iPhone-levels of hype.

 

Samsung accelerated the hype for the Galaxy S IV event with the first official (shadowy) image of the handset

 With Thursday’s Galaxy S IV announcement standing as one of the biggest mobile tech events of the year, Samsung has teased the first official image of the handset.
Earlier today, Samsung Mobile USA tweeted the above image of the Galaxy S IV. Doesn’t exactly tell us a lot, but the silhouette does suggest that the upcoming phone won’t diverge far from its predecessor’s design.

Galaxy S4 vs. Galaxy S3

 

In the above image, we brightened Samsung’s teased Galaxy S IV image, and placed the Galaxy S III next to it. You’d be forgiven for thinking they were slightly different variations of the same phone.
The Galaxy S IV in Samsung’s image appears to be missing the speaker grille and there also isn’t an obvious front-facing camera above the display. It’s hard to imagine the phone not having both, so this could just be some sloppy Photoshopping on Samsung’s part.
You can only make out so much from a shadowy teaser, but the previous assessment that the S4’s physical design would take a backseat to its software appears to be sound.

Rumored features

Samsung may center its marketing around the Galaxy S IV’s rumored eye tracking feature. It will automatically scroll select pages when your eye reaches the end.
Previous rumors have pointed to a 5-inch 1080p display, 2 GB of RAM, and either a quad-core (more likely) or octa-core (less likely) Exynos processor. The rumor mill hasn’t decided whether the Galaxy S4 will sport an 8-megapixel or 13-megapixel camera.
No matter what surprises Samsung has up its sleeve, you don’t have long to wait. Stay tuned to Gizmag for all the Galaxy S IV coverage leading up to Thursday’s event.
Source: Samsung Mobile USA via Engadget

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Thermodo adds a thermometer to your smartphone

Today’s sensor-packed smartphones can measure a lot of things, but ambient temperature generally isn’t one of them. It is possible to buy separate Bluetooth temperature-sensing modules, and it’s been suggested that mobile devices could use beams of infrared light to obtain spot temperature readings. The Thermodo, though, is considerably more straightforward – it’s a tiny electrical thermometer that plugs into the phone’s headphone port.

When not needed, the Thermodo can be plugged into a matched keychain carrier

Here’s how it works ...

The Thermodo itself is based on a standard four-pole audio plug, but it also contains a passive temperature sensor. An audio signal is sent through that sensor – depending on the temperature surrounding the phone, the sensor will attenuate the signal amplitude differently. The phone’s microphone picks up the altered signal, and relays that data to the accompanying app. The result is a real-time onscreen display of the temperature.

 

The Thermodo is a plug-in thermometer for use with mobile devices

The device draws its power from the phone, and reportedly uses less juice than a pair of headphones. When not needed, it can be plugged into a matched keychain carrier.

One of the Thermodo’s limiting factors is the range of temperatures it can measure: -20 to 50ºC (-5 to 120ºF). The designers are quick to point out that the stated operating range of the iPhone 5 is 0 to 35°C (32 to 95° F), but that still may limit its usefulness for some applications.

 

The Thermodo itself is based on a standard four-pole audio plug, but it also contains a passive temperature sensor

Copenhagen-based start-up Robocat is currently raising production funds for the Thermodo on Kickstarter, and has already far exceeded its funding goal – apparently a lot of people want a thermometer for their smartphone. A pledge of US$25 will get you one.

More information is available in the pitch video below.

Source: Thermodo

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