[RANT] Are any of you disappointed with the Galaxy S4?

[FinancialWar]

Still got over 12 months on my contract...reckon I'll miss the S5 and be in time for the S6

?? what ?? in 12 months, S5 will probably be just announced, how is that even close to S6?

 

[Complex757]

I was disappointed because it seems like they've followed apples path of gimmicks over substance. I guess they figure that Apple is able to release virtually the same design year after year with tweeks and gimmicks here and there to the software and they eat it up.

 

[AntimonyER]

Well, the S3-S4 was a 9 month product cycle.

 

[RajCaj]

My gripe is that they WAY over hyped this release (setting expectations up that would ultimately disappoint many folks). They knew they were playing it safe with this iteration (which is fine), yet they pumped this phone up as the end all be all of phones with a bump in tech specs and some software perks that may or may not be of use by many users.

I think if they set more realistic expectations for this phone, the enhancements (and there were many) would have been viewed in an entirely different light.

A couple of things they went half arse on...

Near Field Type Music Playing
Their approach to improving sound from the phone's small back facing speaker is dependent on having another person nearby with the same phone (which is MUCH harder to do in a more competitive Android market than say...iPhone). As popular as the SGSIII was, there were on a few instances where the people I was hanging out with at any particular time both had SGSIIIs. Many had Androids...but not both with SGSIIIs.

Instead, they could have redesigned to include, at the very least, a front facing speaker...or even front facing stereo speakers (See HTC One)


IR Blaster
Glad they made an attempt at improving the home media experience, but their IR port only supports Samsung proprietary services & devices. In addition, you can achieve the same basic functionality through DLNA.

Instead, they could have taken a page from HTC's book, and implemented an IR sensor that works with all IR compatible devices so that it functions like a touch screen universal remote w/ tv programming functionality (including notifications on when favorite shows are playing)


Enclosure Material
I realize that plastic is the most practical material to build phones with (cheap & durable), but there are some things you can do to enhance the look & feel. Instead of moving from brushed & carbon fiber look on slick plastic, they could have added some texture. The AT&T SGS2 had a textured backing that helped with grip. The dimpled texture on the Nexus 7 & the slightly rubberized texture on the Nexus 10 also helped with grip of the device. If you're giving up on premium optics in place of practicality...then don't half-a it.

 

[iowabowtech]

IR Blaster
Glad they made an attempt at improving the home media experience, but their IR port only supports Samsung proprietary services & devices. In addition, you can achieve the same basic functionality through DLNA.

Instead, they could have taken a page from HTC's book, and implemented an IR sensor that works with all IR compatible devices so that it functions like a touch screen universal remote w/ tv programming functionality (including notifications on when favorite shows are playing)

I did not know that. Good info as I was looking forward to that feature in my next phone.

 

[FinancialWar]

Unless you can't find your TV remote, who would use their phone as a remote over actual TV remote??

 

[sean76]

I did not know that. Good info as I was looking forward to that feature in my next phone.

Super cool that HTC combined the sensor with the power button on the one....Looking forward to using that feature...

 

[trparky]

IR Blaster
Glad they made an attempt at improving the home media experience, but their IR port only supports Samsung proprietary services & devices. In addition, you can achieve the same basic functionality through DLNA.

Instead, they could have taken a page from HTC's book, and implemented an IR sensor that works with all IR compatible devices so that it functions like a touch screen universal remote w/ tv programming functionality (including notifications on when favorite shows are playing)

I'm sure that someone is going to come out with an app on the Play Store that will do that. Don't underestimate the ingenuity of some of those app developers.

 

[EarlyMon]

Unless you can't find your TV remote, who would use their phone as a remote over actual TV remote??

I was thinking that exact same thing, but the other night, the use case hit me, I've been a customer for that all along and never realized it.

I'm hanging on the couch, reading some classic sci-fi with Moon+ Reader (great ebook app), and decide I want to check what's on the tube - do I want to read some more or veg a little?

I fire up my DirecTV app, check the listings, see a movie coming on that looked pretty bueno to me, so I put down my phone, and reach for the remote... that's when it hit me.

And another, and I do this all of the time - I'm scanning the guide or watching a movie, and I want background details - I pick up the remote, pause, put down the remote, pick up my phone, fire up the IMDB app, do that, put down the phone, pick up the remote, lather rinse repeat.

I've got a Sammy TV so I'm golden either way, and agree, someone will invent an app so I can do that with either model.

It's a feature I could enjoy and never knew to ask for - which - in itself is pretty cool.

 

[iowabowtech]

I fire up my DirecTV app, check the listings, see a movie coming on that looked pretty bueno to me, so I put down my phone, and reach for the remote... that's when it hit me.

Exactly the same epiphany I had some months ago. I've been waiting for a phone that doubles as a remote ever since. It makes far more sense once app integration is considered.

 

[Hadron]

I guess it's no surprise that as Sammy make TVs as well they lock this feature to their TVs (though how many people here would deride Apple for features that only work with other Apple kit?). But are there people who really choose their TV because of their phone or vice-versa?

Or am I really weird in refusing to let proprietary connectivity influence me into buying into one manufacturer's "ecosystem"?

 

[XplosiV]

blah blah blah

I've got a Sammy TV so I'm golden either way, and agree, someone will invent an app so I can do that with either model.

It's a feature I could enjoy and never knew to ask for - which - in itself is pretty cool.

If you have a sammy smart tv, this works (over wifi)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adi.remote.phone

Been using it since I got my TV in dec

 

[davoid]

Or am I really weird in refusing to let proprietary connectivity influence me into buying into one manufacturer's "ecosystem"?

I don't think you're weird at all. I would always choose the best option for each component independently. However, it might be a case that by choosing two components from the same manufacturer, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, especially if each component is an excellent device in its own right but will add extra functionality that would be difficult and long-winded without the proprietary compatibility. If there is nothing to choose between two TVs then why not choose the one that will work better with your other devices?

 

[EarlyMon]

I guess it's no surprise that as Sammy make TVs as well they lock this feature to their TVs (though how many people here would deride Apple for features that only work with other Apple kit?). But are there people who really choose their TV because of their phone or vice-versa?

Or am I really weird in refusing to let proprietary connectivity influence me into buying into one manufacturer's "ecosystem"?

Samsung is the gorilla in the room.

They've been the number one HDTV provider in North America for several years, and they're particular about their cross-product support and marketing.

I was doing fine with my mini-HDMI port on my 2010 phone. Come 2011, what did I have to go? The now-standard MHL port.

Sure, that's from a consortium, it's a standard, etc etc.

First announcement of MHL? Samsung in 2011 for the SGS2.

First marketing declaration that products were coming to put MHL on a TV so no MHL-HDMI would be required? Samsung again in 2011.

Why did the other phone makers go to MHL? To not miss out on Samsung integration.

Visio came out with integrated control for their internet TVs on their Android devices first - attempting to sell the kit together. That didn't work out for them.

This though, is bandwagon effect they're going for in my opinion - they sell a lot of phones, they sell a lot of TV sets - now they want to increase that buzz to pick up the stragglers in either market.

HTC is doing it right. Samsung is doing it their way.

edits -

Ninja'd here -

I don't think you're weird at all. I would always choose the best option for each component independently. However, it might be a case that by choosing two components from the same manufacturer, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, especially if each component is an excellent device in its own right but will add extra functionality that would be difficult and long-winded without the proprietary compatibility. If there is nothing to choose between two TVs then why not choose the one that will work better with your other devices?

That's the bandwagon thing I was referring to - consumers will give the benefit of the doubt that the integration will superior, it's expected.

If you have a sammy smart tv, this works (over wifi)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adi.remote.phone

Been using it since I got my TV in dec

I did not know about that - thank you!

Now I have to pull my TV off its subnet and put it on the same one that I use for my phone.

Tech tech tech, it's always something!

 

[XplosiV]

@Emon

Having 2 S3's, a tab 8.9, 2 rv511 laptops, a 7k series TV, and a 6k series bluray player all Samsung, you come across a couple of apps that are useful now and then.

Samsung smart view app also lets you watch whatever is on your TV, on your phone, tablet etc, over wifi, nice and easy, handy for them moments when you don't pause the tv and fancy a snack or a cuppa and are out if the room

 

[jmt9779]

the carrier is also something to keep in mind when most people are going to choose their next phone. like me, for example...

i have VZW and i will not switch carriers. that being said, i'm currently carrying an original motorola droid razr which i love but all of the app updates are getting too heavy for the hardware and the battery's not holding a charge too well these days; so what are my options when choosing a new top-shelf phone in the next month or two?

the HTC One is not going to VZW (there's a rumor that it might, but it's just a rumor at this point). the S4 is. motorola has nothing worth looking at right now (and google has said as much about the next 12-18 months of motorola's pipeline). and...i guess that's about it, right?

looks like an S4 for me!

(and someone said it a few posts back - when you only get a new flagship phone every two years instead of every year, you notice a big difference; so the s4 is going to be a HUGE jump for me from the droid razr.)

as for the plastic vs premium materials. premium materials are nice (like on my droid razr), but i put a case on my phones, so i'm okay with plastic to keep the weight down.

 

[jmt9779]

If you have a sammy smart tv, this works (over wifi)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adi.remote.phone

Been using it since I got my TV in dec

that remote app looks awesome! i have two samsung tv's and i tried the phone remote app a LONG time ago and didn't like it, but i'm definitely trying the new one this weekend. thanks!

 

[XplosiV]

My only trouble is keeping up with the devices on my network. Was wondering why my bluray player wouldnt stream through the Gbit homeplugs from my NAS the other night, of course, I'd only used the last IP in the pool for a reserved IP on my new laptop, so when the bluray wanted an IP there wasnt any free, had to expand the pool to accommodate *smh*

 

[sergey]

I feel like Samsung was very conservative making the GS4 like the GS3- I feel like they're trying to be Apple. I know all the amazing specs and stuff along with the removable battery and that there's a micro-sd card slot.

A little bit too much like Apple- overhyped product with disappointed fanboys. The phone is an incremental improvement. It's almost as if Samsung really, really wants to be like Apple. iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S anybody? I feel like the S4 more felt like a S3"S". Somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if the odd numbers are the big, revolutionary jumps and the even numbers are the incremental improvements.

Personally I feel like a lot of those software gimmicks are worthless- I don't use any of them now on my S3.

But in the end, I'm happy with the S4- I have no desire to upgrade my S3 so it bought me an extra year without having to buy a new phone at full price!

If I didn't have my S3 and had an older phone, well... I still wouldn't get the S4. I'd get the Galaxy Note 2 instead.

 

[RichSz]

With respect to those wishing to use their phones as TV remotes, I just can't see it as convenient.

I tried this with my Roku by downloading their Android remote app. If I was watching a movie and wanted to pause it I had to pick up my phone, unlock it navigate to the app, start the app then hit pause. If the app was already running, I still had to unlock my phone to get to it.

With a proper remote, you pick it up and hit the button you want. It's always ready to go. Volume too loud, one physical button I can feel in the dark takes care of it, no unlocking and looking necessary.

Everyone has their own use case so maybe these steps don't bug them (or they have a work around). For me, I'd rather they put their effort anywhere else.

 

[EarlyMon]

I can't see my phone replacing my remote - but I can see it supplementing it for some uses.

 

[chris2k5]

A little bit too much like Apple- overhyped product with disappointed fanboys. The phone is an incremental improvement. It's almost as if Samsung really, really wants to be like Apple. iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S anybody? I feel like the S4 more felt like a S3"S". Somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if the odd numbers are the big, revolutionary jumps and the even numbers are the incremental improvements.

Personally I feel like a lot of those software gimmicks are worthless- I don't use any of them now on my S3.

But in the end, I'm happy with the S4- I have no desire to upgrade my S3 so it bought me an extra year without having to buy a new phone at full price!

If I didn't have my S3 and had an older phone, well... I still wouldn't get the S4. I'd get the Galaxy Note 2 instead.

For a product so hyped I thought they would've introduced some features that were revolutionary too. Looking through the media outlets this morning, I find a lot of writers are bashing the phone for not being revolutionary when Samsung touted it to be so.

And even when the iPhone 4S was launched, all the media could talk about was Siri. It was the big news feature.

Fast forward with the Samsung S4, the media isn't touting any one feature.

 

[chris2k5]

I can't see my phone replacing my remote - but I can see it supplementing it for some uses.

I remember when the IR beamers were on phones back around 2005-2007. I used them in a lecture to turn on and off the TV/projector all the time.

The professor swore it was a ghost.

 

[iowabowtech]

Would anybody think the tv remote thing would make more sense if it were voice controlled? I can see saying "watch ESPN" being a reality. And soon. That would be convenient no?

 

[EarlyMon]

Would anybody think the tv remote thing would make more sense if it were voice controlled? I can see saying "watch ESPN" being a reality. And soon. That would be convenient no?

I must listen to mine a bit louder than you do.

Mine would channel change at the commercials.