Browser Wars: Speed & Benchmark comparison

It's been a while since we last compared the marvelous mobile web browsers that we have at our disposal. So, after many new versions and updates, as well as entirely new offerings in the area, we decided it's finally time to put the leading browsers through their paces.

We decided to make a speed (page loading) and benchmark browser comparison featuring the following contenders...


THE CONTENDERS

• ICS Stock
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Dolphin
• Opera Mobile
• Safari

THE RULES

The first test in the comparison has to do with speed! We're comparing the time needed for all browsers to load a set of web pages. With each browser, we loaded every page three times, with the first time being performed after a restart of the device. The purpose of this is to take into account both first-time and consecutive loading times of the web pages. In the first table below, you'll see the average timing achieved by each device for every page, as well as an average time figure, which is the average of the device's timing for all four pages.

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Samsung Galaxy S III gets four new color versions

The Samsung Galaxy S III, the hottest Android flagship device on the market right now and in the past couple of months, is now officially getting four new colors. The Galaxy S III will soon start shipping in Amber Brown, Garnet Red, Sapphire Black and Titanium Grey, in addition to the existing Marble White and Pebble Blue versions.

The nature-inspired Samsung Galaxy S III is a gorgeous device and we’ve grown in fact really accustomed to and fond of the Hyperglaze finish on the plastic body. Samsung calls it “organic experience” and the same soft glazed plastic is used in the four new color versions. In reality, the Hyperglaze finish also creates the illusion of dual colors, adding more depth to the overall design.

Looking back at the four new colors, we’ve already seen two of them. First, the red one leaked out as an AT&T-exclusive and then black one surfaced around the Olympics. The other two Samsung managed to keep a secret - the titanium grey conveys a cold, business tone while the amber brown looks like the complete opposite with a very warm, cozy undertone.

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Apple's thermonuclear legal strategy scores a big win

Apple’s “thermonuclear” strategy against Android scored its first major victory against Samsung tonight, including a giant $1 billion dollar judgement. Though largely in Apple's favor, they failed to win some key rulings and so they won’t be able to slow down Samsung (and other current Android devices) as much as they had hoped.

In particular they failed to win any design or trade dress protection for the iPad. As a result tablet design and most current Samsung phones (as well as other Android handsets) that don't look like the 3G won't infringe on Apple's design patents. For the tablet market in particular this means competition will continue apace.

Samsung didn't win on any of its utility patents, and as a result will not receive any compensation. In contrast to Google's emphasis on prior art and making defense against Oracle about patent validity, Samsung reduced the time spent on invalidity to devote more time to non-infringement arguments and counter claims. Given the vast difference in outcomes between Apple v. Samsung and Oracle v. Google that strategy will probably be questioned.

In fact Samsung's entire legal team will probably face some uncomfortable questions in the coming hours, as their lawyers often appeared less prepared than Apple's legal team (and Google's before them); during closing arguments for example the Samsung team ended up having to skip huge swaths of their defense, despite

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Review

Introduction:

Perfection is something that most manufacturers strive to achieve with their products, and as we all know too well, Samsung isn't a stranger when it comes to delivering the goods. Has it really been 6 months since we first feasted our eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 back at Mobile World Congress? Yes, and during the time, the note-taking focused tablet has received its redesign to better have it ready to take on the competition head on.

For a second though, it makes anyone wonder why they would even unveil something that wasn't up to the expectations of being a viable competitor. Whatever is the case, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is here in the flesh – freshly packing some upgraded internals, while presenting itself as the premier paper and pen replacement. Donning a $500 starting price point, it's sure to fit in nicely with the existing crop, but in a world where novel features are perceived to be tertiary things with consumers, it's going to take more for the Galaxy Note 10.1 to establish itself in the same premier class as its rivals.

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My Comments and review of the Samsung Galaxy S3

Please share with you the feel of his first and fastest on the final boss of the Samsung handset as well as the Android world. As tradition, it is still a phone with the most powerful configuration with hardware and manufacturing quality is not much different than the previous high-end phones from Samsung. A new point is Samsung so much attention to the utility software and user interface with the machine than just running on the hardware.

For Samsung Galaxy S3 is trump to help the company succeed in the mobile phone market so what is the latest, most advanced of them are shown in the S3. Through the success of the Galaxy S and as former Galaxy S2, S3 will inherit a lot of fame as well as our carry responsibility hero. The test for the most stupid of S3 may be mentioned that the HTC One X, Nokia Lumia 900 and the iPhone 4S or the iPhone is about to be introduced.

In this quick review I will talk about the hardware, screen, camera, interface as well as other gadgets that Samsung would like to emphasize. As for performance, strength hardware, pin, I'll share with you after longer use. Need more time for a detailed review. But I think a quick review will also help to share some information that you are interested to S3 to know.

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Facebook and Pandora get Android updates with new features

It's apparently official Android-update day for some big-name apps, with both Facebook and Pandora adding new features today.

Android users can more easily upload their photos to Facebook thanks to the latest app update.
Rather than ponderously uploading each photo one by one, the photo upload feature now allows users to select multiple images to upload in one fell swoop then tag and caption to your liking.

The Facebook app also adds the ability for users to create events right on their Android device, something still lacking from the iOS Facebook app.
Facebook messaging also gets an enhancement with the ability to now include emoji characters and photos in your messages.

Opening Pandora's app

Online radio app Pandora also sees an update today on Android, bringing it up to speed with the last month's updates to the iOS app.

The update gives Pandora a revamped UI, improving app navigation and giving it a blue and white color scheme that bears a striking resemblance to Facebook's own.

In terms of actual features, the Pandora app also now lets users browse song lyrics and artist bios on their Android device.

Users can also rate and review songs that they have heard, as well as view similar tracks and artists to find new music.

Both the Pandora and Facebook app updates are free to all users, and can be downloaded straight from the Google Play store.

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Galaxy S3 gets early Jelly Bean ROM update

Samsung Galaxy S3 users have had to sit back and wait while the likes of GSM Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S owners enjoy their official update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It looks like good things are coming to you soon though, as it has been confirmed that a leaked version of Jelly Bean has now become available for those that are already rooted.

If you often delve into the custom opportunities that are available via places like the XDA Developers Forums, then it looks like you’re going to be very happy over the weekend. A video has been put online showing the leaked build of Jelly Bean running on the Galaxy S3 and the good news to report is that it looks like a very stable build indeed.

On first glance, there doesn’t appear to be too many visual changes from the experience you’re currently used to on Ice Cream Sandwich. Touchwiz is still very much at the forefront of the device running Jelly Bean, although you will now get instant access to the exciting Google Now features which provide a service akin to that of Siri for iOS.

 There doesn’t appear to be any major features missing from the leaked build, although judging by some of the feedback we’ve read, you may want to hold off until Samsung pushes this out officially. The build number has been identified as I9300XXDLG4 and you can find the download link as well as full instructions on how to install over at the XDA Forums here.

Have you installed this early preview of Jelly Bean on your Samsung Galaxy S3? If so, let us know how your phone is handling at the moment – any problems with performance or is everything working smoothly? Let’s hope that this is a clear indication that Samsung will be sending out the official OTA update soon.

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