Samsung S4

[Kar_lover]

S4 without the Bloatware.

 

This is so much better....

 

CNET

 

If pure google means no smart scroll, air view, air gestures, etc then I feel there is no point buying it and it shouldn't even be called SGS4. It is these features that largely define SGS 4. And manufacturers are competing based on this proprietary features (HTC's Blinkfeed and Zoey for example). So stripping a phone of all these doesn't seem like a good idea at all. I bought a Nexus 7 tablet and found it very boring to use.

[Alim]

If pure google means no smart scroll, air view, air gestures, etc then I feel there is no point buying it and it shouldn't even be called SGS4. It is these features that largely define SGS 4. And manufacturers are competing based on this proprietary features (HTC's Blinkfeed and Zoey for example). So stripping a phone of all these doesn't seem like a good idea at all. I bought a Nexus 7 tablet and found it very boring to use.

 

I am sure some of these add-ons will be available for install. If I can install what I need, at least there is a choice.

[Twnll]

I am sure some of these add-ons will be available for install. If I can install what I need, at least there is a choice.

 

 

Don't think this would be possible, yes upgrade as long as its available in Google Play store but proprietary Samsung functionality? What's then to differentiate the two?

[Happily1986]

If pure google means no smart scroll, air view, air gestures, etc then I feel there is no point buying it and it shouldn't even be called SGS4. It is these features that largely define SGS 4. And manufacturers are competing based on this proprietary features (HTC's Blinkfeed and Zoey for example). So stripping a phone of all these doesn't seem like a good idea at all. I bought a Nexus 7 tablet and found it very boring to use.

 

These features are actually supported by hardware modules and enabled by the APIs if you don't realise. Unless you have definitive proof that Google Search and Samsung S4 differ in hardware configuration,else why jump to conclusion?

Google may or may not write the firmware to enable the features if it happens the hardware configuration is identical though I doubt because of proprietary concerns.

In any case, third party ROMs will enable them if this situation is true. It is analogous to how some carmakers ship out the car with the engine electronically detuned. You just rechip to activate the erstwhile specs and performance, that's all.

[Twnll]

These features are actually supported by hardware modules and enabled by the APIs if you don't realise. Unless you have definitive proof that Google Search and Samsung S4 differ in hardware configuration,else why jump to conclusion?

Google may or may not write the firmware to enable the features if it happens the hardware configuration is identical though I doubt because of proprietary concerns.

In any case, third party ROMs will enable them if this situation is true. It is analogous to how some carmakers ship out the car with the engine electronically detuned. You just rechip to activate the erstwhile specs and performance, that's all.

 

 

Third party software may not have complete or even similar functionality or the necessary support. I don't believe for one, Samsung will give Google, the complete S4 package. Just the hardware and leave it to Google to implement as they please.

[Happily1986]

Third party software may not have complete or even similar functionality or the necessary support. I don't believe for one, Samsung will give Google, the complete S4 package. Just the hardware and leave it to Google to implement as they please.

 

So far reverse engineering did not stop the developers from trying. Quite successful but reliability and performance is quite another issue from what I have seen so far.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Happily1986

[Kar_lover]

These features are actually supported by hardware modules and enabled by the APIs if you don't realise. Unless you have definitive proof that Google Search and Samsung S4 differ in hardware configuration,else why jump to conclusion?

Google may or may not write the firmware to enable the features if it happens the hardware configuration is identical though I doubt because of proprietary concerns.

In any case, third party ROMs will enable them if this situation is true. It is analogous to how some carmakers ship out the car with the engine electronically detuned. You just rechip to activate the erstwhile specs and performance, that's all.

 

I didn't jump to any conclusion. I said *IF* pure google meant no smart scroll, air view, etc etc etc. I didn't say it definitely don't have nor did I say they differed in hardware configuration (how would I know?). As of now, there is no definite info on exactly what the google s4 will/will not have. But if S4 google indeed has all those features as the normal S4 then how is it different from normal S4? Or if it doesn't have and all these features can be enabled via ROM then why don't just buy the orig S4? Wasn't google S4 meant to be those who didn't want the so-called frills/bloatware?

 

 

[Xefera]

read on Google I/O that there is a Google Edition for S4 available through some US carriers.

 

Wonder if it will be available as an international version unlocked available soon :)

[Happily1986]

I didn't jump to any conclusion. I said *IF* pure google meant no smart scroll, air view, etc etc etc. I didn't say it definitely don't have nor did I say they differed in hardware configuration (how would I know?). As of now, there is no definite info on exactly what the google s4 will/will not have. But if S4 google indeed has all those features as the normal S4 then how is it different from normal S4? Or if it doesn't have and all these features can be enabled via ROM then why don't just buy the orig S4? Wasn't google S4 meant to be those who didn't want the so-called frills/bloatware?

 

Seems like you are quite the noob. Samsung's Touchwiz is crap and hell compared to Google's pure vanilla AOSP.

 

I wouldn't blame if you have no clue how buggy and pathetic Samsung's software development is.

[Kar_lover]

The latest update for S4 is now out. OS will be upgraded to android 2.3 and it can be used with the Samung Gear+ watch.

 

Do note that i have noticeable lag since the upgrade :( and i don't even download many apps to start with.

 

And although i had earlier thought i wanted to get the Gear watch but then that would mean giving up my regular automatics so now likely won't get also. And the reviews on the gear watch are generally not so good.

 

So just a note of caution to all S4 owners before you decide to do the software upgrade. The upgrade will be pushed out to S3 owners next and i can imagine the lag might even be more significant.

[Baphomet]

recently got the S4... but seriously...find it too darn over rated... just owned it for barely one month... and the number of time it lagged or hang already exceeded that of my 4s ever did in the past 2 years plus.. in fact...my 4s never hang before.

 

I prefer my phone to be able to do what it says it can do perfectly then to promise to do alot of things but excel at none.

[Dark]

The latest update for S4 is now out. OS will be upgraded to android 2.3 and it can be used with the Samung Gear+ watch.

 

Do note that i have noticeable lag since the upgrade :( and i don't even download many apps to start with.

 

And although i had earlier thought i wanted to get the Gear watch but then that would mean giving up my regular automatics so now likely won't get also. And the reviews on the gear watch are generally not so good.

 

So just a note of caution to all S4 owners before you decide to do the software upgrade. The upgrade will be pushed out to S3 owners next and i can imagine the lag might even be more significant.

 

No leh, I got smoother graphics after update (it's 4.3 btw), even scrolling FB can notice less jerky.

[Kar_lover]

 

No leh, I got smoother graphics after update (it's 4.3 btw), even scrolling FB can notice less jerky.

 

Oh ya sorry for typo....hmmm....even my moving from one home screen to the next has a slight delay or something jam halfway....hmmm ok will re-start the phone and observe. Thanks.

[Kar_lover]

 

No leh, I got smoother graphics after update (it's 4.3 btw), even scrolling FB can notice less jerky.

 

Another of my colleague also having issues (lag, wifi drop) after upgrading :(

[Dark]

 

Another of my colleague also having issues (lag, wifi drop) after upgrading :(

 

Both S4 in my house upgraded fine, less lag and wifi ok. The screen transitions are definitely smoother, no jerk or micro-lags.

[Knoobie]

Comparing android with iOS is like comparing orange with apples IMO..

 

did you check and make sure your background tasks are ended?

[Baphomet]

Comparing android with iOS is like comparing orange with apples IMO..

 

did you check and make sure your background tasks are ended?

 

isit? to me both are smart phones which serves the same functions..competing in the same market.. maybe i not too tech savvy to see the difference.

 

I did. I always make sure my apps all exited after use. but then for 4s.. even if i do not exit the apps..also won't lag.

 

Not ony lags and hang. There's a delay for S4 as well. Like when you tap an app, there's a delay of about 1-2 sec before the app launches. For 4s its almost instantanous. I can only talk abt 4s as I have not used the 5 series before. but then considering the 4s is so much older then S4.. really speaks alot about the quality of Apple's product.

 

But then S4 more fun with all the gimicks and larger screen.

 

PS: I not fan of any particular brand.. I do not belive in being one. Just my experience from using both devices.

Edited October 25, 2013 by Baphomet

[Knoobie]

 

isit? to me both are smart phones which serves the same functions..competing in the same market.. maybe i not too tech savvy to see the difference.

 

I did. I always make sure my apps all exited after use.

 

Not ony lags and hang. There's a delay for S4 as well. Like when you tap an app, there's a delay of about 1-2 sec before the app launches. For 4s its almost instantanous. I can only talk abt 4s as I have not used the 5 series before. but then considering the 4s is so much older then S4.. really speaks alot about the quality of Apple's product.

 

But then S4 more fun with all the gimicks and larger screen

It is like you're taking MS Windows comparing with Mac OS X..

 

i'm not sure if S4 still got "Task Manager". you can check the apps running from there. It depends on how you "exit" the app. By simply pressing the "Home" buttom, you are just leaving it running and go to your home screen.

 

Best way to be sure, restart your phone and see if it still lags. If it does, something is wrong.

 

iOS once you exit the app, it closes it. Until you launches it again.

 

Although i'm not a samsung lover, I believe it should be that bad from iPhone.

Edited October 25, 2013 by Knoobie