Samsung combines super-bright photography with easy sharing in the new SMART CAMERA EX2F
The new model boasts the world's brightest compact camera lens with F1.4 aperture
SEOUL, Korea – July 12, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, has announced the launch of the EX2F, the latest model in its growing range of Wi-Fi-enabled SMART CAMERAs. Following the success of the EX1 with F1.8 lens, the new model is engineered to deliver super-bright photography thanks to its F1.4 lens, the brightest in any compact camera. The high image and video quality of the EX2F also comes with the advantage of being able to store and share images remotely using Wi-Fi functionality. Encompassing Full Manual Control in a strong but lightweight body, the EX2F is ideal for DSLR-owners looking for more portable equipment to capture images spontaneously and subtly, and for photographers looking for a step-up in quality from their point-and-shoot whilst retaining ease-of-use and portability.
The EX2F combines a number of features to deliver incredible picture quality in all conditions. With the segment-leading advanced F1.4 24mm Lens, the wide range of aperture steps delivers clear images and video even in very low light conditions. These are easily controlled using the professional front wheel key and Dual Dials, which enable switching between parameters and modes quickly for greater manual control. The low-light capabilities of the EX2F are also added to by the 1/1.7" 12 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, which delivers clear, blur-free images - even when shooting objects in low-light situations.
Fusing quality with creativity, 1080/30p Full HD Movie Recording with stereo sound allows users to capture video in high enough quality to enjoy on a Full HD TV. The EX2F also allows still 12 Megapixel photos and video to be captured simultaneously using the Dual Capture feature, so that any scene can be shot as both photo and video.
The world's brightest compact camera lens
The EX2F's F1.4 24mm wide-angle lens is approximately four times as bright as a F2.8 camera lens. A further development is that the lens unit now consists of eleven elements in nine groups, with four aspherical lenses and two high refractive lenses. Combined, these provide a 20% increase in the amount of light on the sensor, a 20% increase in image quality and a 10% increase in zoom ratio.
The lens on the EX2F also incorporates a Neutral Density (ND) filter, giving the user greater control over exposure time in different conditions and making photos appear more neutral in situations of over-exposure. It also allows for shooting at a very shallow depth of field, so users can isolate their subjects from backgrounds to create stunning portraits. To make bright images clearer, the EX2F also includes Dual IS (OIS and DIS) to minimize the effect of shaking – particularly useful in low-light situations.
Complete control
Housed in a sleek yet durable high-intensity magnesium body, more commonly found on DSLR models, the EX2F combines high-end image quality with convenience and speed. For those accustomed to the level of creative control on DSLRs, the EX2F allows for shooting in RAW mode for professional standard pictures.
The EX2F also encompasses Full Manual Control as well as Aperture and Shutter Priority modes. The Dual Dial and front wheel keys also allow users to quickly and easily adjust exposure for effortless pro-style control. This is all combined into a body that is compact and light, making it possible to carry the camera anywhere for spontaneous shots without the complication and intrusiveness of a weighty DSLR.
Bright and intuitive display
The 3.0" Swivel AMOLED display is perfect for lining up great shots and viewing them under any light conditions – and does so whilst consuming little battery power. The screen responds swiftly and displays images in high contrast, while the swivel display allows picture-taking from low and high angles – even self-portraits. The screen also incorporates Samsung's Smart Panel user interface, which integrates all parameters into one display for easy control over the end result.
Shooting and sharing from anywhere
The EX2F is the latest in Samsung's SMART CAMERA range of Wi-Fi-enabled cameras, which take the combination of high-quality imaging paired with connectivity to a new level. Wi-Fi connectivity enables the secure storage of images through Auto Backup to a PC or saving to the Cloud. In addition, sharing to social networking sites such as Facebook or Picasa is easy – or pictures can be sent via email.
The EX2F's Mobile Link opens doors for connectivity with smartphones, without even having to resize images or video. Users can also access the Remote Viewfinder to use their smartphone's screen to frame shots from a variety of angles. Through the SMART LINK button, all these functions can be accessed with one touch for simplified sharing and storage.
"We created the EX2F to show that taking great pictures doesn't have to involve carrying a heavy and bulky DSLR wherever you go. Because the best shots often arise when you least expect them, the EX2F delivers manual control and stunningly bright image quality in a body that is small and light enough to carry around every day. It's the perfect compact on-the-road companion for the DLSR user who expects the best image quality with full creative control." said Mr. Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. "The inclusion of Samsung's pioneering Wi-Fi technology also means that you can share those images straight from the camera, giving you the freedom to shoot and share wherever the journey takes you."
Apple enforces Galaxy Nexus smartphone ban in the US - BBC News
Samsung has had to stop selling its Galaxy Nexus smartphone in the US after Apple paid a bond, bringing a court-ordered ban into effect.
It follows a preliminary ruling that the South Korean company had infringed four of the iPhone maker's patents.
Apple had to take out a $95.6m (£61.1m) bond to cover Samsung's losses should the final judgement go the other way.
The Next Web reported that Google now planned a software update to its Android system to circumvent the ban.
In the meantime the search giant has amended the listing for the Galaxy Nexus handset on its Google Play store to read: "Coming soon".
Other US sites offering the smartphone are expected to follow.
Although the Nexus is less powerful that Samsung's Galaxy S3 model, it has had a high profile.
Google handed models out to developers at its recent I/O conference in San Francisco and had intended it to be the first phone to be offered the Jelly Bean Android update.
Apple's complaint alleged that the Nexus infringed four intellectual properties granted to it by the US Patent and Trademark Office:
- the use of a single search interface - such as Siri - to retrieve information from a range of systems using a number of techniques
- the use of a sliding gesture to unlock a touchscreen device
- a text input interface that tries to anticipate which words the user wants to type and makes recommendations
- a way to manipulate structures - such as phone numbers or postcodes - within computer data
Although the judge accepted all four technologies appeared to have been used without Apple's permission, the Foss Patents blog noted she ruled only the search interface technology infringement could be said to threaten "irreparable harm" to the US company were she not to grant a ban.
Stripping back searchAccording to reports, Google's software patch will include changes to its quick-search and voice-search facilities, limiting them to web-based results.
A spokesman for Google was unable to provide the BBC with further detail.
A spokeswoman from Samsung said it was disappointed US shoppers would be unable to buy its device for the time being.
"We will continue to pursue an appeal of the Galaxy Nexus preliminary injunction, which we filed on July 2 to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit," she added.
"Meanwhile, we are also working closely with Google to resolve this matter, as the patent in question concerns Google's unified search function."
Apple declined to comment.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Performance Issues Roundup: Fix Charging and Wi-Fi Problems [VIDEO] - ibtimes.co.uk
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"Is anybody having issues charging a Samsung Galaxy S3? I've had a look around online but not found many comments/issues yet, presumably because it's new," writes one user, dreamertae, adding "I'm not sure if its just because its new but the charging is not at all consistent. The battery life seems ok but both last night and this morning I couldn't even get it to raise its charge at all, just stuck at 4% (wasn't intentional to let it drop this low)."
"I tried a different charger, same thing but then suddenly a couple of hours later it decided it would work and is now charging fine I've switched it off again to give it a steady full charge but not looking forward to testing it when out and about in case I get the same issue," the user explains.
Another user, Frankie Fazer, claims to have charged the device for more than nine hours to attain just 40 percent charge. "Yes here too.. not sure what the issue is... with the travel charger plugged in the phone charges for a few moments then stops and starts again over and over... took 9 hours to get 40% charge... when i plugged into laptop it seemed to charge ok... Maybe just a bad batch of travel chargers?" writes Fazer, adding that "Either way Samsung want to have the phone sent back for 3 weeks to test and fix the problem... three weeks! as always Samsung great customer service right 
."
"I am too having a similar problem. Bought S3 a week back and charging at times does not happens properly. It stays at same charging percentage for hours. I have tried official charger, different charger, charging from USB. It sometimes works, sometimes not. It is very strange," responds the third user.
Although, a temporary fix is available for the charging problem at the moment, consumers are advised to contact their nearest authorised service provider or the stores where they purchased the phone for a free service or replacement if the issue persists.
Battery Issue Fix
Here are detailed steps you need to take in order to fix the issue on your Galaxy S3:
1. Open framework-res.apk file via 7zip or winrar.
2. Navigate to "framework-resresxml".
3. Delete the existing "power_profile.xml" file and add the attached one here.
4. Now pull back the framework-res.apk back to your smartphone.
5. Restart your smartphone
Did Overheating Lead to Explosive Reaction?
Just a few days ago, a Dublin-based Galaxy S3 user reportedly claimed that his handset exploded while placed on his car's mount. "So I driving along today with my Galaxy S3 in my car mount when suddenly a white flame, sparks and a bang came out of the phone," said the user, according to T3.
"I brought it to the carphone warehouse and they told me that they couldn't replace it for me that they had to send it off to be checked out first. No even replacement phone, left with nothing.
"The phone was destroyed and it slightly burned a piece of plastic on the inside of my car," the smartphone user explained.
The user was then denied a replacement for the device by the carphone warehouse. "That could have burned the side of my face or through my pocket and my leg, or set fire to my bed. Its very dangerous," complained the user, while expressing his anger against their ignorance.
An earlier report claimed a Korean schoolboy's handset exploded while kept in his back pocket. Samsung then dismissed the incident claiming that the external pressure pre-empted on the device had caused the explosion.
Samsung later began investigating the overheating issue with its premium smartphone device. "There have been recent online posts displaying pictures of a Samsung GALAXY S3 that appears to have heat-related damage at the bottom of the device.
"Samsung is aware of this issue and will begin investigating as soon as we receive the specific product in question.
"Once the investigation is complete, we will be able to provide further details on the situation. We are committed to providing our customers with the safest products possible and are looking at this seriously," explained Samsung in a press release.
Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues
Several users are reportedly miffed with the inability to connect to Wi-Fi on home and office networks on their S3 handsets. In case of succeeding with establishing a connection, users have complaints with maintaining the connection got more than a few minutes.
A user on XDA-Developers forum has attributed the connectivity problem as being rooted within the handset and not an issue with the cellular network.
"Alas, it seems there's a major issue with the wi-fi in my SGS3... I switch my phone on, and it fires up, and sees and connects to my home wi-fi... But if I try and USE the net or data connection, it's a dog's dinner... If I run a Mobile Speed-test, I get a terrible ping, an average download speed of 0.02 Mbps, and then it times out three quarters through with a connection error," writes Musktick, an XDA forum user.
"It has done this since I got it Wednesday. However, I can confirm it is the PHONE, not my home wi-fi, as my router is very new and mega-top end, and my three SGS2's are working absolutely fine on it. Moreover, if I pull the Notification Tray down on my SGS3, then disable Wi-fi, then pull back down, then re-enable, and then run the speed test again, I get great pings, 22Mbps Downlaod, and 5Mbs uplaod speed (my Home Internet is 100Mb).
"So clearly pointing to an issue with the phone. It does this on both 2.4GHz, and 5Ghz, as my router is full dual channel, independent. Looks like either a faulted phone (hope not), or a fault in current Kernel of the software, which would be better, if a fix was forthcoming.
"This bit is really bothering me though - a brand new device, and it's the only device in my home that has issues with connectivity and web," asserts the user.
"Think I've found the/a problem. If you cup your hand around completely the bottom left of the phone, the corner where the capacitive button is, signal drops and after a few seconds cellular singal goes completely move it away, pop back on full signal," writes the second user, Zenith.
Meanwhile, there are several other users who claim to have encountered similar problems, according to some posts on AndroidForums. One such user also shares a step-by-step fix for the problem to help other users on the forum.
Wi-Fi Issue Fix
"I believe this is related to the popular issue regarding WIFI on our device. The most common "Fix" right now is something that was learned from XDA developers:
1. Go to your phone dialler
2. Dial *#0011#
3. When you see the "ServiceMode" screen, press the left menu button
4. Select "WiFi"
5. See that "Wifi Power Save Mode" button that is "ON" - well turn it "OFF"
6. Exit this menu, turn off your Wifi and turn it back on. If you already entered all your wifi credentials, forget your network info (remove it) and re-enter it again," reads the helpful post by cary328is.
Samsung is denied stay of phone injunction in U.S. - Marketwatch
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Eisenstadt worried — but bullish
Vodafone and 3 eye Irish network deal - sources - Reuters UK
LONDON/DUBLIN |
LONDON/DUBLIN (Reuters) - Vodafone (VOD.L) and Hutchison Whampoa's (0013.HK) 3 are close to agreeing a deal to merge their Irish telecoms infrastructure in the latest industry tie-up designed to save costs and boost coverage, three sources familiar with the situation said.
The sources, who asked not to be named because the talks were not public, said nothing had yet been signed between Vodafone and Hutchison Whampoa, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate that operates the 3 mobile brand in Ireland.
The merger will create a 50-50 joint venture that would result in the biggest network in Ireland while producing "significant" cost savings, one of the sources said without elaborating on the size of the savings.
The Financial Times newspaper said the savings for each business could exceed 200 million pounds ($313.57 million) over a five-year period.
The talks follow a spate of similar deals across Europe where operators are looking for ways to upgrade their networks at a time when customers are cutting back on spending.
Vodafone announced a deal in June to share a network in Britain with Telefonica's (TEF.MC) O2 to help cut the cost of building a new superfast service.
In Ireland, Vodafone and 3 would put the telecoms infrastructure into the joint venture but maintain their independent spectrum and retail services.
Both companies, which declined to comment, also compete with O2 and Meteor Mobile, owned by the Eircom Group.
"Such an agreement would have the potential to significantly improve network quality, speed to market with 4G, lead to much better cash generation and enhance returns on capital in the Irish market for both companies," analysts at Espirito Santo said, in reference to upgraded fourth generation networks.
"For example, it would be reasonable to expect cuts to consensus capex/sales forecasts in the 1-2 percentage points range from 2013 onwards.
"Deals such as the recent agreement with Telefonica in the UK and the potential for a JV in Ireland are fully in line with our view that Vodafone will emerge as the pre-eminent network operator in Europe. Vodafone seems to be working on a market by market basis and is not necessarily tying itself to one partner."
($1 = 0.6378 British pounds)
(Reporting by Kate Holton in London and Lorraine Turner in Dublin; Editing by David Cowell)
Vodafone Group Plc VOD Transaction in Own Shares - Bloomberg
Vodafone details its Android Jelly Bean update schedule - Know Your Mobile
Vodafone has revealed it will be rolling out the Android Jelly Bean update to its branded devices as soon as it becomes available from the manufacturer.
Usually network-brand handsets take longer to get the latest versions of Google’s Android operating system as apposed to SIM-only devices. This is why many hardcore Android users simply opt for Google’s Nexus-brand devices, which get the updates direct from Google first and with very little fuss.
At present, no one knows for sure which handsets will be getting Android Jelly Bean. The whole thing is still very much shrouded in secrecy following the launch of the platform at last week’s Google I/O 2012. We haven’t even heard what Samsung or HTC’s plans are as yet – and that’s quite worrying, if we’re honest.
Vodafone told Know Your Mobile the following when asked about how it plans to implement Android Jelly Bean onto its handsets, ‘If a manufacturer is developing a Jelly Bean update for a device that we sell, we will work with them to ensure it's available as soon as possible for Vodafone customers - which is the same approach we adopt for all software updates.’
Vodafone claims that many of its customers often receive the latest Android updates ahead of open-market devices. ‘In many cases Vodafone customers are among the first to receive new Android updates in the UK, sometimes even before the open market version has been released.’
When pressed in the timeframe of a potential Jelly Bean rollout to Vodafone Android handsets, the network said:
‘Availability of any Android update is dependent on successful testing and approval by Vodafone, the manufacturer and Google to ensure it provides customers with the best possible experience.’
Android Jelly Bean is set for a mid-July rollout to Nexus-brand devices and Motorola’s Xoom. We’d assume Google’s partners – Samsung, HTC, Sony and LG, to name but a few – are all already working on implementing the update into their existing handsets.
Read Know Your Mobile's review of Android Jelly Bean
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