Saturday March 16, 2013

Galaxy S4 likely to hit stores after June

By SUSANNA KHOO
bytz@thestar.com.my

Cool features: Gadget buffs checking out the S4 (inset) at Radio City Music Hall in New York. — AFP

PETALING JAYA: The newly launched Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone is expected to hit Malaysian stores in the third quarter.

However, some Malaysians could hardly wait to experience some of the phone's more interesting features.

The S4 was unveiled at New York's Radio City Music Hall, a theatre renowned for its high-quality live performances, at 7pm on Thursday.

Samsung's latest phone has a 5in full-HD display, 2-megapixel front camera for video calls and a 13-megapixel camera at the rear for photos and videos.

But one of its most interesting features is Smart Scroll: This enables a page on the screen to be scrolled by simply tilting the phone.

Then there is Smart Pause. With this, the smartphone will pause a video that is playing anytime the user looks away from the screen.

With the Eraser function, S4 users can remove unwanted objects from the background of a picture. This is useful against “photo bombers” strangers who jump into the frame just as you snap a photo.

There's also Air View, a feature that allows users to preview videos or details inside applications, like an e-mail reader, without having to launch the apps. They just have to hover a fingertip over the phone screen.

With Air Gesture, S4 users can wave a hand to scroll up and down while web browsing, navigate menus or answer a phone call.

“The specs are pretty impressive. I'm looking forward to the launch in Malaysia,” commercial manager Loh Shook Yee, 28, told Bytz.

Senior executive Shermaine Ng, 28, said she found the Eraser function very appealing. She also likes the other features.

“I would definitely consider buying it,” she said.

Benjamin Tan Xin Hao, 24, an engineer, said he's happy to note the large screen size, how slim the phone is, and its camera features.

“I would like to check these out for myself,” he added.

No pricing has been announced for the new smartphone yet.

News

Saturday March 16, 2013

Galaxy S4 likely to hit stores after June

By SUSANNA KHOO bytz@thestar.com.my

By SUSANNA KHOO
bytz@thestar.com.my