Cygnett WorkMate Evolution

One of the more popular cases from Cygnett has always been their WorkMate line of tough cases. I’ve looked a few over the years, mainly for my different iPhones and I’ve always been pretty impressed with the quality and toughness of them as well as the overall more stylish designs compared to others. Well, for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Cygnett made some minor improvements to the WorkMate case and made it even better than before. The new WorkMate Evolution really is an evolution that builds upon the toughness of past designs but now features more style.

The new WorkMate Evolution now feature tri-material build with PC/TPU/Silicone combination. Like the previous WorkMates, it is comprised of 2 separate parts. There is an inner silicone layer and an outer PC shell that snaps on.

The inner silicone layer is now made of TPU and is more durable in my opinion from the old ones and no longer has that silicone feel to it. Meaning it no longer has that weird “slimy” feel that attracts a ton of dust and lint. The new TPU is more matte and has a more plastic feel. I like this way better as it is no longer a lint magnet and feels much more secure when on the Galaxy S4. It doesn’t feel flimsy like silicon does either. It wraps around the Galaxy S4 firmly and only has cutouts for the the audio jack, mic, IR blaster, camera, speaker, and USB port. Everything else is covered up including the sleep/wake button and the volume controls.

That’s just half the case. The other half is the polycarbonate shell that snaps on over the TPU layer. This is a tough outer layer that will withstand drops and bumps and makes the overall case more rigid. On the rear of the outer shell is a textured silicon layer for shock absorbancy as well as adding some much needed grip to the back side. The silicone here I should note doesn’t have that soft, slimy feel to it and doesn’t seem like it will attract lint. It is more rubbery in feel and texture.

Overall, I really like the new WorkMate Evolution. It’s a terrific update to the old design and if you’re someone who works in a rough environment and need a solid, tough case that can withstand the conditions of your workplace, than this could be the perfect case for you. Sure it’s not quite as thin as a regular case and it will definitely add some bulk to your Galaxy S4, but that is a small price to pay for a case that will standup to tough conditions. The WorkMate Evolution is available in Grey, Orange, and Bright Blue and also includes a screen protector.

Cygnett FitGrip

Next up from Cygnett is their new FitGrip line of cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4. This is a bit similar to the WorkMate Evolution but a bit different in execution, but still provides a good balance between protection and style.

For starters, unlike the WorkMate Evolution, the FitGrip is a 1-piece case that featuring dual materials. Not only that, it takes a slightly different approach to shock absorbancy at the corners by offering up a unique shape that makes the corners much thicker. The FitGrip has a bit of an hourglass shape to it where the body tapers in while the edges thicken outwards. Cygnett says this helps with grip and I’d have to agree with that. The hourglass shape makes the Galaxy S4 way easier to hold in both in landscape and portrait mode.

The majority of the case is made from impact resistant TPU that is form fitting and rigid. It has a plastic like feel to it but makes it more durable and less flimsy feeling than regular silicone. On the rear of the FitGrip is a protective hard shell that I believe is made of polycarbonate. It adds a bit of style to the case by allowing Cygnett to add a glossy layer of paint and color, brightening up what could have been a very dull looking case. The FitGrip has cutouts for the the audio jack, mic, IR blaster, camera, speaker, and USB port. Everything else is covered up including the sleep/wake button and the volume controls.

Now back to the shape of the FitGrip, I want to emphasize how great it feels in your hands when you are using it as it makes the Galaxy S4 much more comfortable to use over long periods of time. For me, I love to game on my devices and with the FitGrip, it makes the Galaxy S4 feel more comfortable, like a gaming controller thanks to it its thicker corners and rounded edges. It just feels better in your palms for some reason and makes gaming more enjoyable in my opinion.

Overall, despite the FitGrip adding a bit of bulk and making the overall shape of the Galaxy S4 larger than it already is, it really does have its benefits. The shape makes it easier to hold while also making it more comfortable. If you spend hours at a time gaming, texting, or social networking, you’ll want to get this case just for the sheer comfort it provides. The FitGrip is available in Black, Pink, White, and Lime and also includes a screen protector as a bonus.

For starters, I’ll need to mention that all the apps in Play and Learn with Wallace need to be unlocked via In-App purchasing. Each can be unlocked for $0.99. There is one app that can be unlocked free though if you purchase 2 apps so the most you’ll need to spend to unlock all the apps would be $4.95. However, you don’t need to pay to check out all the apps. Play and Learn with Wallace allows you to demo each app for free to get a small taste of what each has to offer, and by small taste, I mean a full featured demo that they can actually enjoy in each app without necessarily purchasing them.

As an example of the type of mini-games you’ll find in each app, let’s take a look at the Counting Fun app. You’ll find mini-games like memory style matching pairs, counting the correct number of objects, identifying the number of objects, and dragging the correct number of animals into a field. There are other games, but those were just some examples. What I like is that the games constantly switch out every round so they are never playing the same type of game back to back. That keeps things interesting as they aren’t playing the same type of games over and over again. What’s neat too is that after a few rounds, they’ll earn rewards for a job well done.

Play and Learn with Wallace I would say is a great learning app, especially from what I’ve seen of it. The mini-games and activities are really good and while it is educational, everything is presented as a game so that it doesn’t feel like learning. It’s a fun experience that will keep kids entertained and focused without them ever feeling bored like they are just sitting there learning something trivial. While you do need to spend about $5 to unlock all the apps, I really appreciate the fact that Play and Learn with Wallace includes the ability to play each app as a full featured demo, allowing you to try before you buy.

App Store Link: Play and Learn with Wallace
Version: 2.0
Developer: Priddy Books / Unicorn Labs
Price: Free
In-App Purchases: Yes
Compatible Devices: (Universal App) iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Description

** On sale for a limited time to celebrate our release on iPhone **

Play and Learn with Wallace is an exciting series of preschool apps guided by the best practices of early learning experts and teachers. It combines educational games and stimulating interactive play in one dynamic environment to engage preschoolers through first graders in a multitude of ways.

They will learn reading skills, counting skills, problem solving, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and earn rewards that they can feel great about. The apps can be played by subject, or ‘super shuffled’ to create endless combinations. New games are regularly added within the app to further expand your child’s early learning experience (additional purchase required).

Introduce your children to the wonderful world of Wallace, and help them take their first steps up the early learning ladder.

Key Features:

-Free full-featured trial — try every app before deciding to buy
-All apps are hosted by Wallace, the lovable dog
-Reward charts and certificates satisfy a child’s desire for accomplishment and recognition
-“How is My Child Doing?” shows parents how their child is progressing
-Super Shuffle creates an integrated learning experience by automatically combining games from the different apps
-Your child’s profile is customizable by name, photo and theme, and keeps track of their achievements
-Continuous play mode keeps young minds engaged
-Choose between American or British English voice and spelling

Play and Learn with Wallace comes from Priddy Books, the best selling publisher of over 100 million children’s books worldwide.

Watch our overview video: http://bit.ly/wallacedemovideo

About the Apps:

My First App: This app teaches children first words, hand-eye coordination, visual tracking and number skills, and how to sort and recognize patterns. Includes six different games – Counting Ducks, Animal Sounds, Odd One Out, On Safari, Match the Pairs and Color It.

Picture Puzzles: This app features simple puzzles to develop a child’s creative skills, test their visual sense and build spatial awareness. Includes six different puzzle games – Follow the Lines, Matching Twins, Noisy Zoo, Shadow Shapes, Spot the Dot and Puzzle Pieces.

Counting Fun: This app teaches children key counting skills with simple learning games that help them recognize numbers and quantities. Includes six different games – Animal Counting, Touch the Number, Counting Fruit, Toy Shelf, Matching Pairs and Counting Vehicles.

First Spelling: This app uses simple, fun word games to teach children the essential first skills of reading, early phonics and spelling. Includes six different games – Letter Match, Guess the Sound, Matching First Sounds, Missing Letters, Odd Word Out and Spell the Word.

Number Skills (Age 5+): This app teaches children the essentials for learning simple math with activities about adding and subtracting numbers between 1 and 10. Includes six different games – Problem Train, Card Problems, Button Numbers, Raining Numbers, Bus Math and Math Class.

Join the conversation online by following us:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlayAndLearnWithWallace
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PlayWithWallace

[via App Store]

Over the weekend, I finally got the Wireless Emergency Alerts update from AT&T. This updated was pushed automatically to my iPhone and only users of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 with iOS 6.1 and higher should receive them. These are government-issued safety messages that include AMBER Alerts, emergency alerts – such as man-made or natural disasters, and Presidential alerts.

As you can see from above, you have the option of turning them off if you don’t want to receive these alerts and they are found in Settings > Notifications.

This is a question that I find myself asking about any smartphone really. As a person who is interested in all aspects of photography, I can’t deny the fact that smartphones now play a huge role in capturing every second of our lives. It has become increasingly clear to me that I see less and less people now relying on point-and-shoot cameras and more and more people whipping out their smartphones to capture special moments, vacations, life events, and whatever else comes to mind. But, can a smartphone truly replace what was once a separate gadget that we had to carry around with us? Can it do everything that our old point-and-shoot cameras could do and more?

For the sake of this question, I’ll be using the Samsung Galaxy S4, one of the most popular smartphones on the market right now. Samsung has been advertising how great their camera is and all the neat little software features that are supposed to distinguish it from other smartphones. Because the Galaxy S4 is so popular, it’s probably safe to say that many of you might have this and will be using it for the exact same question that I posed.

Galaxy S4 Camera Specs

• Primary – 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
• Features – Dual Shot, Simultaneous HD video and image recording, geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization, HDR
• Video – Yes, 1080p@30fps, dual-video rec.
• Secondary – Yes, 2 MP,1080p@30fps, dual video call

On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has very good camera specs for a smartphone. It’s 13mp sensor is even larger than a lot of dedicated point-and-shoot cameras out there although for zoom, you are stuck with digital zoom as there is usually no optical zoom on a smartphone. Also, because the Galaxy S4 has such a huge 5-inch screen, composing images and being able to see what you are shooting will again probably be better than most point-and-shoot cameras which usually only have a 3-3 1/2 inch screen.

Galaxy S4 Software

The software is where the Galaxy S4 tries to separate itself from its competition and brings it more in line with traditional cameras. The S4 allows you to adjust numerous settings just like a point-and-shoot and unlike most smartphone cameras that usually automatically handle all this for you. You can adjust photo size, metering, ISO, whether or not to have anti-shake activated, white balance, exposure value, and enabling GPS tagging. It’s these settings that make the Galaxy S4 more like a real camera and should appeal to those who like more control. Of course if you want, you can just set this all to automatic as well if you choose.

Other notable features include Auto Night Detection which automatically adjusts the camera for low light situations and Voice Command which allows you to shoot photos using your voice.

As awesome as being able to manually adjust all these settings are, I think most people would be more interested in the various shooting modes that Samsung has built into the Galaxy S4. There are 12 different shooting modes available that I have listed below.

• Auto - Automatically adjust the exposure to optimize brightness and color
• Night - Takes brighter, clearer pictures in low light without using the flash
• Sports - Takes pictures of fast movement
• Panorama - Allows for horizontal or vertical photo that are stitched together to form a larger panorama
• Eraser - Save the best image after erasing moving objects from the shot
• HDR - Merge multiple images into 1 for more dynamic range of colors
• Animated Photo - Allows you to blend a moving image with a still photograph and exports it a GIF file
• Drama - Merge multiple moving photos into a time lapsed photo
• Sound & Shot - Allows you to add background sounds to photos
• Best Face - Takes a series of 5 photos in which you can choose the best faces in each and merge into one photo
• Best Photo - Takes a series of 8 burst shots after which you select only the photos that are good
• Beauty Face - This mode allows you to enhance facial features when taking portraits
• Dual Camera - Allows you to shoot a photo using both the front and rear cameras at the same time

Any one of these modes should allow you to shoot in almost any situation you encounter. That’s way more than what comes on an iPhone 5, which would be automatic. In fact, that’s even a bit more than some point-and-shoots as well. Again, Samsung really went out of their way to make the camera experience here as close to a point-and-shoot as possible borrowing many of the features from their Galaxy Camera.

While shooting, you can even apply various photo filters and view what they can do in real time and shoot with them on. There are 13 filters to choose from and you can even apply these filters on images later if you don’t want to do it in real time.

Moving on to the video functions, again the Galaxy S4 allows you to record in HD 1080p at 30fps. There are 4 recording modes you can choose from – Normal, Size Limited for MMS, Slow Motion video, and Fast Motion video. What’s pretty cool though from a software standpoint is that you are able to shoot video whenever as there is a separate video button on the main camera interface. That means you do not need to switch between photo and video modes. Instead you can choose between either right from the main screen.

Real World Usage

There are a few ways to launch the camera on the Galaxy S4. For starters, you can launch it from the lock screen if you enable either lock screen widgets or enabling shortcuts on the lock screen. This makes it easier to launch the camera directly if that’s something you want to do. I use the camera a lot so I went this route. I find though that enabling the camera shortcut is a bit faster than trying to enable the camera as a widget. With the shortcut method, just tap and hold on the camera icon and then slide to unlock directly into the camera app.

Accessing the camera app from the lock screen however isn’t instantaneous or as quick as you’d like it to be. There is a slight delay about a second or less when starting up the camera app. A second might not seem long, but if you’re trying to capture something that might be gone in an instant, you want something that starts up quickly. Although, this is still a bit faster than trying to start up most point-and-shoot cameras.

Starting the camera app however from the home screen is a lot faster than from the lock screen, especially once it’s already running in the background. From the hone screen, it does launch almost instantaneously which is good. I actually places the camera icon right at the bottom dock so I would be able to access it from any page I may be on in the home screen. I do this for quicker access and if I’m not carrying around a separate camera, I want easy access to the app.

Once in the app, you’ll see that the camera will orient the onscreen buttons and controls based on how you are holding the Galaxy S4. You can shoot in whatever orientation you choose. What I like about the app is that the buttons for the still camera and the video camera are both there so you don’t have to switch modes. Actually, all the buttons are in easy reach, at least the one that are important. If I hold the Galaxy S4 in landscape mode like a real camera, I can easily access the mode, photo, and video button with my thumb. However the slipping of the cameras, dual shot mode, and the settings I have to use my other hand.

For those who want a physical shutter button, you can actually set the volume button on the S4 to act as a shutter release button. You do so by heading over to the settings menu and adjusting the function of the volume key. In my case, I set it as the camera key. If you don’t want it set as this, you can also have it set as the video record key or even as the zoom key. I will say, it works surprisingly well as the zoom key and may be a lot easier to zoom in this way instead of using the usual pinch to zoom method.

Speaking of the zoom, it is a 4x digital zoom. I’m not usually a fan of digital zooms, but it’s usable here. I would recommend using it often, but it’s decent and that’s probably because of the 13mp sensor. When using the, whether it be with pinch-to-zoom or the volume key, the zoom goes up or down by increments of x0.1. So you can go anywhere from x1.0 to x4.0 and anywhere inbetween. Zooming however is not a smooth affair like it is on a point-and-shoot. With this, you can actually see it stepping up or down every x0.1 increment. I will say it is pretty fast though to get from x1.0 to x4.0. If you use the zoom a lot, I recommend assigning the volume key for zoom duty as it is much easier than trying to use your thumbs on the screen to adjust zoom.

Now on to the very important topic of focusing. One of the main features people look for in a point-and-shoot camera or any camera for that matter is how quickly it can focus on a subject. No one likes waiting for the camera to focus and no one likes blurry images. That’s why how fast a camera can focus is very important. In relation to the Galaxy S4 though, focusing speeds are only just decent. They aren’t terribly bad but they aren’t what I would call lightning quick either. It actually varies depending on how far or close an object is or what the camera was previously focused on. There were instances when it would focus really fast and other instances when it would sort of just hang there and hunt for the proper focusing. But, I’ve used my fair share of point-and-shoots and I can tell you that some of those aren’t any better either. At least with the Galaxy S4 you can choose where you want it to focus by using the touch screen and tapping on an area. You can’t do this with a lot of point-and-shoots unless they have a touch screen too.

Lastly, there are a few advantages that the Samsung Galaxy S4 has over pretty much every point-and-shoot out there. For starters, we’ve all hear of WiFi enabled cameras. Well, with the Galaxy S4, because it is a smartphone, you don’t need to be at a WiFi hotspot to upload photos to social networks. Because you will be connected through your carrier’s data network, you can upload photos when ever you want to any social network you choose or any photo sharing site. On top of that, because this is an Android phone, you are able to take advantage of the Google Play Store and download any number of photo editing apps out there such as Snapseed or Aviary. That means you can edit photos right on your device instead of having to transfer photos from your camera to a computer and then editing it on there. It’s a huge advantage especially for those who just want to take photos and upload them directly to a social networking / photo sharing site.

Of course you don’t have to use 3rd party editing tools as the Galaxy S4 comes with its own photo editor that is surprisingly robust.

Image Quality

One of the main issues with smartphone cameras is that they can be quite inconsistent with quality and a lot of them aren’t even close to point-and-shoot quality. The Samsung Galaxy S4 isn’t one of those. If you read the specs above, they are pretty equal to that of most point-and-shoots. That means that theoretically, the Galaxy S4 should provide photos that are equally as good as what you’d get with a point-and-shoot.

As you can see from the above image, color reproduction is very good and bright. You also get a good amount of blurring in the foreground and background with the closeup shots which lovers of bokeh will like. I should also note that the Galaxy S4 doe a pretty decent job of taking close up photos.

This photo above again shows how well the Galaxy S4 captures details and colors. Again we can see the range of colors the Galaxy S4 can capture and using the auto white balance mode yields correct values. You may not see it here but there really is a lot of detail in this photo. Since this photo was resized, it doesn’t convey the amount of detail you would see in the full resolution image. For those, I suggest checking out my Flickr page here in which I have uploaded a lot more sample photos you can check out.

Final Thoughts

In terms of replacing a point-and-shoot camera with a Samsung Galaxy S4, I can see that as a possibility. It can do most of everything a point-and-shoot can do and image quality is on par with most. Sure there are a few things that point-and-shoot camera still do better, but for the average person, you can get away with just using the Galaxy S4. What I like is that you can have the camera app set to automatic for simple, thought free operations which most people will probably leave it at. For the more advanced users, they can actually dig through the settings and adjust things like ISO, metering, and exposure value which is usually reserved for real cameras.

On top of that, you are always connected which means any photos you take can be automatically uploaded to a number of social networking and photo sharing sites via the share feature that is built in, or using whatever native app from the Play Store. And as stated above, because you have access to the Play Store, you can download any number of wonderful photo editors that are on there to make your photos even more special and add some creative flare to them and all while on the go.

It’s at a point now where smartphones have cameras that are almost or just as good as dedicated point-and-shoot cameras under most normal circumstances and honestly, most don’t even need that extra camera anymore. I can even say that personally, I don’t carry around an extra camera with me much anymore when I’m out unless it’s for something like a major vacation where I want more professional looking shots or a special event where I need more range and control. Other than that, I use my smartphone a lot for just capturing everyday stuff and it does that just fine.

For starters, note that the app requires that you have service with a participating cable / satellite provider in order to make the most of it. Once you enter your log in information for your provider, you’ll be able to browse through all your favorite shows by name, host, destination, and interests. There are a ton of episodes from different season for each show, though most do not have all the episodes. Not sure if this changes or if episodes go through rotation or not, but there still is a healthy number of shows.

Now watching shows isn’t all you can do on this app. The Travel Channel app also allows you to view the full schedule of shows daily to see when your favorite shows are on. There is also a watch list in which you can queue up shows you want to watch on the app as well showing you which show you are in the middle of watching. Other than that, the app does pretty much everything you want a major channel watching app to do.

If you’re a fan of the Travel Channel, you’ll want to download this app. It’s great on the iPad, though also works on the iPhone. It’s also free to use but you do need to be a current cable / satellite service provider to make the most use out of it.

App Store Link: Watch Travel Channel
Version: 1.0
Developer: Travel Channel LLC / Bottle Rocket
Price: Free
Compatible Devices: (Universal App) iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Today Samsung and AT&T announced the new Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. Yes, another Galaxy S4, but this one is special. This one is for the active user who wants a smartphone that is life-proof for all their adventures. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is designed to withstand the hazards of everyday life. It is IP67 certified to be water-resistant and dust-resistant and can even shoot photos and videos underwater.

It runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and comes packed with a quad-core processor for faster, smoother gaming and apps. It’s basically like having the top of the line Galaxy S4, but with improvements to the body that make it durable enough for those tough moments.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active will be available soon at AT&T stores starting June 21st, though you can preorder it starting tomorrow at a price of $199.99. More information can be had below in the official press release.

Press Release

New Water and Dust Resistant Galaxy Smartphone is Built to Withstand

Whatever Life Throws Your Way

DALLAS, June 13, 2013 – With summer in full swing, you need a phone that can go just about anywhere and endure the demands of an active lifestyle.  To help you keep up with whatever comes your way, AT&T* and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announce the Samsung Galaxy S® 4 Active™, an evolution of the popular Galaxy S® 4 designed to withstand the hazards of everyday life.

Beginning June 21, you can pick up the Galaxy S 4 Active from any AT&T store or online for $199.99 with a two-year agreement.  For consumers who prefer to place their orders now, AT&T will begin taking pre-orders on June 14at www.att.com/galaxys4active.  The Galaxy S 4 Active will be available in two colors: Urban Gray and Dive Blue.

The Galaxy S 4 Active runs on AT&T 4G LTE, which currently covers more than 200 million people; with plans to expand to cover 300 million people by the end of 2014.  AT&T’s 4G LTE network was called “blazing fast” in a report** by independent testing organization RootMetrics.  The report found AT&T’s 4G LTE network delivered the fastest pure LTE speeds in markets where AT&T provided 4G LTE.

“Continuing AT&T’s legacy as the first carrier to launch the Samsung Galaxy series, we’re excited to offer the next evolution of the popular Galaxy S 4.  The Galaxy S 4 Active is a high-performance smartphone with a stylish, protective design to keep up with the demands of everyday life.  It’s truly summer-proof,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices and Developer Services, AT&T.  “With its quad-core processor and access to the nation’s largest 4G network and fastest 4G LTE network you can stay connected nearly anywhere life takes you.”

Built For Life

The Galaxy S 4 Active was designed around life.  It is IP67 certified to be water-resistant and dust-resistant***, making it perfect to take on any summer vacation whether it’s camping or the beach.  It also has an Aqua Mode feature that lets you capture photos and videos underwater.  Its 5-inch FHD TFT display is made from Gorilla® Glass, which is specially built to be tougher and more scratch-resistant.  It runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and comes packed with a quad-core processor for faster, smoother gaming and apps.

But there’s more to the Galaxy S 4 Active than its sturdy, more resilient exterior.  It also includes high-performance features that let you get more done on-the-go.  The 8-megapixel camera includes multiple custom shooting modes, including Aqua Mode and Eraser Shot.  It also features enhanced low light performance to help you get the shot you want even when lighting isn’t ideal.

Entertainment

The Galaxy S 4 Active has an Integrated Infrared (IR) controller which acts as a TV remote control, so you can use your smartphone to control your home theater system.  When you’re on-the-go, Samsung Hub gives you access to more music, movies, books and games from multiple content sources all in one place– perfect for passing the time on summer road trips, or even while waiting in line while running errands.

Galaxy S 4 Active includes all the features that made the Samsung Galaxy S® 4 popular including:

• Air View™: Hover your finger over photos, files, links and text for an instant preview.
• Air Gesture™: Skip to the next song or photo, check your notifications or, if you’re driving, automatically answer a call on speakerphone just by waving your hand over your phone.
• Eraser Shot: Remove unwanted background distractions in your photos and videos with just one touch.
• Drama Shot: Capture a time-lapse event all in one frame.
• Samsung Smart Pause: While watching a video, if you look away from the screen, the video will automatically pause and wait for you to return.
• Story Album™: Create a printed book of your photos and have it delivered right to your door.

Productivity

The Galaxy S 4 Active is a master multi-tasker.  Features like Multi Window let you use two apps side-by-side like a PC so you can reference your notes while writing an email or follow the game live while checking out your friends’ reactions on social media simultaneously.

This smartphone is SAFE™ (Samsung For Enterprise) to help keep your work data secure and separate from your personal content.  Whether you are in the office or on vacation, the Galaxy S 4 Active balances stylish, professional design with enhanced durability.

Additionally, the Galaxy S 4 Active features an optional Easy Mode that simplifies the home screen with larger icons and your favorite apps.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Based on availability of AT&T 4G LTE in in 47 markets out of 77 total cities studied; ©RootMetrics®LTE Performance Report, March 2013).http://www.rootmetrics.com/special-reports/lte-performance-review/.

*** Water-resistant and dustproof based on IP67 rating.  Submersible up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.  Rinse promptly with water to remove any residue from food, dirt, or other substances.

I will say that for the most part, I am a mirrorless camera user. I like being able to change lenses to what suits my needs at a particular time as well as being able to shoot photos through a viewfinder. However, there are times when I just don’t want to deal with carrying around all that gear but I can’t because I don’t have a lens that can cover the entire range that I want. If I did, it would still be a massive lens I’d need to carry. That’s where cameras like the new PENTAX MX-1 come in handy. It’s about the same size as most mirrorless cameras but has a fixed zoom lens with a shooting range of 28-112mm in a 35mm format and that retracts when not in use. Not only that, it has a ton of DSLR type feature and settings which makes it perfect for more advanced photographers or those novices who want an inbetween camera that is not as daunting as a DSLR.

Body & Design

I covered my initial thoughts about the body and design of the PENTAX MX-1 here. I suggest reading that portion of the review first. For the most part, my initial impressions still stand but for the sake of this review, I’ll highlight some more impressions that I noticed over the course of usage that I didn’t necessarily notice when I fist got the camera. The initial impression was based on just looking at the MX-1 and not impressions from usage which is what I will address here.

For starters, those who want a camera that they can carry around with them all the time in their pocket or purse may want to look elsewhere. The camera isn’t small by any means and it’s also a bit on the heavy side. I would attribute the weight to the quality materials PENTAX used to construct the MX-1. I mainly carried the MX-1 around with me in my backpack so weight really wasn’t an issue and when I was out somewhere where I had to have the camera in hand at all times, I’d usually just attach a wrist strap and carry it around like that or used the ever-handy Holdfast MoneyMaker if I wanted my hands free. I mean the MX-1 isn’t terribly heavy, but you’ll start to feel the weight of it over a period of time. It’s not something I can just slip into my back pocket.

Aside from the size and weight issue, the MX-1 is one solid camera. Fit and finish in incredibly good and not one portion of the camera felt cheap or fragile to me. PENTAX really put out a quality product here that is quite beautiful to look at. Every button and dial has a purpose and it makes usage a joy.

Now, are there any features that I think PENTAX should have included with the MX-1? Yes, there are. For starters, I would have liked it if the MX-1 had a hot shoe for attaching external flash units or either an optional electronic viewfinder. Yes, most people probably would never even have used it, but it would have been a nice option to have for those that might. And speaking of an EVF, I would actually liked to have seen one built in or at least an optical viewfinder of some sort. I know this probably wouldn’t have been possible because of the tilting screen on the back but I found myself constantly bringing the camera up to my eye thinking I could do that but forgetting I couldn’t. Lastly, it would have been really neat if there was a focusing ring on the front that allowed me to manually focus the lens instead of doing it through the menu options. That would have been a killer feature coupled with PENTAX’s awesome focus peaking feature found on their other cameras.

Those are probably the main things I would like to have seen on the MX-1 but for its first outing, it’s still a great camera to shoot with despite those deficiencies. I had more fun shooting with the MX-1 than I do shooting with a typical small, point-and-shoot. I think it’s because of the heavier weight, to me it felt more like a real camera and less like a toy. I also really appreciated that tilt screen as it allowed me too shoot at some really difficult angles.

Last bit that’s just small observation and a welcome feature despite it being something minor, I really love how PENTAX included a lens cap safety mechanism. By that, I mean that if the lens cap is on, the lens will not extend. Turning the camera on with the lens cap attached throws up an error message to please remove the lens cap before shooting. This means less damage to the lens as it will no extend accidentally and this also means than if it’s in your bag and you accidentally hit the power button, it will not extend and get damaged.

Usage

If you’ve used a PENTAX camera before, using the MX-1 will be like riding a bike (that’s if you can ride a bike). For starters, it’s possible to use the MX-1 without ever really digging through the menus thanks to a generous amount of buttons and dials. Modes can be easily chosen via the top mounted mode dial as well as the exposure values. In aperture and shutter priority modes, those settings can be messed with using the thumb dial on the back of the camera. Pretty much everything can be done via one of the dials or buttons. The only things you really can’t do that you need to dig into the menus for is to adjust the white balance, focusing mode, and manually selecting on of the built in scene modes.

However, PENTAX does make sifting through menu adjustments easy by using their quick menu feature if you tap the INFO button. This brings up the quick menu that allows you to adjust various settings quickly by highlighting them and then using the dial to choose options. This is found on other PENTAX cameras as well so if you’ve used those, this will be a familiar sight to you.

For the most part though, the MX-1 is a very simple camera to use especially with the amount of advanced features it has. It has a lot of features that would be found on a DSLR instead of a regular point-and-shoot but that’s what makes the MX-1 so versatile. You can’t take photos in almost any situation without being limited to presets given to you in the scene selection. Photographers with more experience can shoot manually and make little adjustments that you usually don’t get with regular point-and-shoots.

Now, I want to address 1 feature that for the most part, has been one of the coolest features that PENTAX puts on their cameras and that is the 1cm Macro mode. This is a feature that you do not find on most other cameras and I’ve only really seen it on PENTAX cameras. With 1cm Macro mode, you are able to get super close to an object and shoot it close up, at a distance of 1cm. That means you can get some ridiculously cool macro shots up close that you usually can’t with other cameras. This mode is great for taking photos of flowers and plants as well as other smaller objects or objects you want to shoot up close. The only problem with 1cm Macro mode is that you have to remember to switch out of it before taking regular photos. Luckily that is just a button press away.

There wasn’t much about using the PENTAX MX-1 that I did not like, except for the occasional bulk issue. Other than that, a very simple camera to use and figure out yet filled with powerful advanced features for more advanced shooters. Both novices and pros alike should like the MX-1.

Image Quality

One of the better places I like to visit when taking sample photos are outdoor gardens and for this shoot, I was lucky enough to be in a city that has an incredible botanical garden, the Naples Botanical Gardens in the lovely city of Naples, FL.

For most of these shots, I had the camera set to aperture priority mode which lets the camera choose shutter speeds while I choose the aperture. I also had to set the camera up for macro mode for some as well as using the 1cm macro mode for super closeups. You can probably tell which ones those are.

Overall, I’ll have to say that the PENTAX MX-1 produced some very good photos that I did not need to edit. The colors are nice and rich and you can really see the details with the macro shots. I’m also very impressed with the fact that for most of these shots, I don’t really see the need to even have to edit them in Lightroom as they looks pretty good as is. For Bokeh fans, you can see too that the MX-1 produces some really great blurring when set at a low aperture setting resulting in a really shallow depth of field.

If you want to see the entire gallery of samples, please check out my Flickr page here. The photos here have been resized for the web but the ones on my Flickr page are at full resolution. None of the photos were edited and are presented as is straight from the MX-1

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed my time with the PENTAX MX-1. Yes it’s rather large and bulky for a “compact” camera and there are a few things that I’d like to see changed, but overall I really liked using it. It’s fast, takes fantastic photos that I don’t even need to really edit in post production, and most of all it’s very easy to use. I like the fact that it is a good alternative to carrying around my larger mirrorless camera which can be quite bulky with the extra lenses I have to carry around. With the MX-1, I get the zoom range I would get from carrying around 2 separate lenses and I can actually carry it around with the rest of my stuff instead of carrying around a separate camera bag. The main thing is that image quality to me is excellent and suits my needs just fine for a compact camera.

The PENTAX MX-1 is also pretty affordable for a camera in this range. You can find it for around $450 right now and even less if you shop around.

Shop Links

• Silver – Pentax MX-1 Silver
• Black – Pentax MX-1 Black

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I was browsing through all the E3 videos over on Youtube and came across a little game called Hohokum. It’s for the PS4 and Vita and I have no idea what it’s about. It caught my eye thanks in part to its whimsical art direction and strange gameplay. As far as I can tell, you play as a snake like creature exploring strange worlds while picking up strange creatures and inhabitants which end up riding on your back. No matter what the point of the game is, it was the art style that really caught my attention along with the almost hypnotizing music. This is one of the things that I really like about Sony though. They aren’t afraid to publish these strange titles from small developers. We’ve seen it in the past on PS3 and I’m glad they are still supporting indie studios on PS4.

Game Description

Hohokum is a collaboration between artist Richard Hogg and Honeyslug, a London-based game studio. It is a whimsical colorful game with an emphasis on playful exploration and creativity. You take on the role of a curious flying snake-like character. A technicolor, calligraphic, worm-like, kite-like being! The way you move around the world is very expressive and kinetic and kind of mesmerizing to play.

One of the main aims for Hohokum is to create something where the usual pressures of videogames – constantly being told to do things, fearing failure and being challenged to earn progress – were all absent. This is quite a challenge, but we’re really excited about how it’s coming together. There are goals and secrets to discover. There are even Trophies. But at its heart Hohokum is a playground, a place to wander about, perhaps even lose yourself in.

[via PlayStation Blog]

Filed under: Gaming & App News, PlayStation 4 (PS4) ]]> http://thegamerwithkids.com/2013/06/12/hohokum-e3-trailer-ps4-e3-2013-video/feed/ 0 8716942215_d32616fe3a_z samversionone http://thegamerwithkids.com/2013/06/12/samsung-officially-announces-the-galaxy-s4-zoom-the-frist-smartphone-with-a-10x-optical-zoom/ http://thegamerwithkids.com/2013/06/12/samsung-officially-announces-the-galaxy-s4-zoom-the-frist-smartphone-with-a-10x-optical-zoom/#comments Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:16:38 +0000 samversionone http://thegamerwithkids.com/?p=23670 Continue reading »]]>

Although Samsung has made no plans for this to come into the US yet, Samsung still wants fans to know that something like this exists and who knows, it may end up here later this year. Samsung today announced the launch of their new Samsung GALAXY S4 Zoom, the first smartphone in the world with a 10x optical zoom camera.

You’ll probably notice that the GALAXY S4 looks very similar to the GALAXY Camera that Samsung released some time ago. The difference though is the that GALAXY S4 Zoom is a full fledged smartphone that happens to have a really powerful 16mp camera attached to it with a 10x optical zoom. As you know, all smartphones come with some sort of digital zoom, but using that never yields great photos. Optical zooms are far superior as it is hardware based.

Something like the GALAXY S4 Zoom I can see completely replacing a dedicated point-and-shoot meaning you only have to carry around 1 device as your phone and camera. Not only that, Samsung has added a few new features not seen before like the Zoom Ring feature, in-call photo sharing, and of course a 10x optical zoom on a smartphone.

There is still no word whether or not the GALAXY S4 Zoom will be heading to the US, but in the mean time, check out all the detailed specs below in the official press release.

Press Release

LONDON, UK – June 12, 2013 –Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of the Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom, a powerful new device which combines the stylish heritage of the latest GALAXY S4 smartphone with advanced photographic capabilities.

Part of the GALAXY S4 family, the GALAXY S4 zoom is the realization of Samsung’s mission to create a single device that can fulfill the role of both an industry leading smartphone and a high-end compact camera. Combining 10x Optical Zoom, 16 Mega Pixel CMOS Sensor, OIS and Xenon Flash with the very latest Samsung GALAXY S4 technology, the GALAXY S4 zoom sets new standards for perfect mobile photography. It is the ultimate smartphone and camera experience in one, and the only device you’ll ever need.

“The Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom represents yet another step forward in the way Samsung is working to enhance the lives of our customers around the world,” said JK Shin, President and CEO, Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “As communication continues to become increasingly visual in nature, people wish to capture and share their moments in the highest quality possible, but often do not have the space or inclination to carry a dedicated camera for this purpose. The GALAXY S4 zoom changes this forever, combining the industry leading functionality and connectivity of the GALAXY S4 with the high quality photographic experience you’d expect from a compact camera. The result is truly the best of both worlds, without compromise.”

Revolutionary new interface

Do it all and miss nothing thanks to the revolutionary new Zoom Ring, a simple and intuitive way to access the GALAXY S4 zoom’s key features.  When you’re in the middle of a phone call and you see something you absolutely have to share, a quick twist of the Zoom Ring will activate the In-Call Photo Share feature, letting you capture and send an image directly via MMS to whoever you are talking to simply.

For easy camera navigation, the Zoom Ring can be used to activate the Quick Launch and Shortcut features, giving you instant access to multiple camera modes including Auto, Gallery and Smart Mode with a simple twist.

The Zoom Ring also revolutionizes conventional camera zoom controls. Optical zoom control replaces traditional dials and buttons with smooth, easy-to-operate digital controls. Professional-quality accuracy and unprecedented ease of use are just a twist away, making it easy to compose a scene and capture wide-angle shots or tight close-ups.

Capture the best images

When it comes to high quality photography, bigger isn’t always better. The compact GALAXY S4 zoom’s best-in-class 10x Optical Zoom and 16MP BSI CMOS Sensor lets you capture beautiful images from far away or up close and personal, in all light conditions, without having to carry heavy camera gear around with you.  Furthermore, the built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) helps keep the camera perfectly still even when you’re not, reducing blur and stabilizing the image while zoomed in for high-quality photos and video.

Photo Suggest instantly connects you to huge libraries of images taken by fellow photographers, to help you find and compose your best shots anywhere in the world. Photo Suggest can even direct you to the ideal nearby location which will give you the vantage point you need for that perfect photo.

The GALAXY S4 zoom also features Samsung’s popular Smart Mode, so you can stop worrying about settings and start taking professional-quality artistic shots. Simply choose from a series of pre-set modes and the camera will automatically adjust to ensure you capture the best photo possible. Use Drama Shot to merge continuous shots of moving objects into a single composed image, or Action Freeze to instantly capture high-speed action. If you aren’t sure which Smart Mode to select, the Smart Mode Suggest feature can assess the scene for you and provide a short list of the best options for your consideration based on surrounding factors such as light levels, focal length, or face detection, ensuring you always get the best shot you want.

Unlimited entertainment in the palm of your hand

The GALAXY S4 zoom’s heritage is evident throughout, from its sleek and stylish design to the powerful, yet intuitive user interface. Running on Android Jelly Bean 4.2, the GALAXY S4 zoom boasts many of the same features as the recently launched GALAXY S4, including Touchwiz, which lets you fully customize various aspects of your device including the lock screen and notification bar, for a truly personal mobile experience.

When you return from your travel adventures, Story Album lets you arrange all of your treasured images and videos into one timeline to share with friends and loved ones. You can also edit images and even order prints directly from the device through a partnership with blurb*. If you’d rather transfer your images to your laptop or tablet for safe keeping, Samsung Link lets you do so quickly and easily with just the touch of a button. Alternatively, you can sync all of your data in your own personal cloud through HomeSync, providing the ultimate peace of mind and ensuring your images and videos are waiting for you whenever you need them.

The GALAXY S4 zoom features the new Samsung Hub, a one-stop destination for all of the latest music, videos, books and games. Search, download and enjoy all of your favorite entertainment at the touch of a button, all directly from your device. When you find that amazing new track or game that you can’t wait to share with your friends, Group Play lets you connect directly with their Samsung devices so you can all listen and play together, without the need for a Wi-Fi AP or cellular signal.

For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom Product Specifications:

* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

* Android, Chrome, Downloads, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Search, Google Settings, Google Plus,

Google Local, Google Play Store, Google Messenger, Google Navigation, Youtube, Google Talk, Voice Search, Google Play Movie & TV, Google Play books, Google Play Music and Google Play Magazine are trademarks of Google Inc.

* Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom uses Corning’s new Gorilla® Glass 3 with Native Damage Resistance™. This cover glass, Corning’s newest formulation, enables improved damage and scratch resistance and reduced scratch visibility.

* Blurb, the global creative publishing platform, partners with Samsung to power worldwide book and magazine print production and fulfillment within the GALAXY S4 zoom’s new Story Album application. Users of Story Album will now be able to automatically create professional quality print photo books and magazines quickly and seamlessly from their camera phone images.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com

This is actually pretty cool. Apple finally will be supporting game controllers for iOS. iOS7 will be the first version of the OS to officially support 3rd party controllers. In order to keep things uniform and standard, Apple has set out a list of guidelines they want developers to follow so that their games can work with any controller. Right now, there are several controllers already out on the market but they don’t work for all games. Some games support 1 controller and not others while other games will support a rival controller and not that one. It’s quite a mess right now and Apple looks to tidy things up.

As you can see from the image above, there are 2 controller specifications Apple wants developers to follow. I think this is a great idea because it means that developers only need to create games for the desired spec and they should work with whatever controller you decide to use. Hopefully this pans out as there are tons of games in the App Store that would benefit from controller support.

[via TouchArcade via Apple]