Samsung Omnia 7 patch resistance resolved using, well... resistors of course (video) (By Engadget Mobile)

Omnia 7 owners just can't get a break. Sure, life seemed dandy after Samsung released a utility that promised to resolve future update headaches, but that assumed everyone would be able to apply the fix. Unfortunately, Sammy's tool requires users to put their phone into download mode to get the patch -- a feat that devices with bootloader v4.10.1.9 simply cannot perform. Understandably, some frustrated folks are taking matters into their own hands after discovering a way to fool the Omnia 7's circuitry, which forces the phone to enter download mode with the help of a 301KOhm resistor (although three 100KOhm resistors in series work fine most of the time). It's not a pretty solution, but seems to be working for many. Hit the break for a video detailing the trickery -- RadioShack will surely appreciate the business.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 shows off Android Honeycomb features [Video]

While we’re still waiting for the official announcement of Samsung for their new Samsung Galaxy Tab, which is bigger than the previous model, a new video was uploaded in YouTube, showing some of the physical and software features of the 10.1 inches Android-powered tablet.

One one compelling features of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is its operating system, Android Honeycomb 3.0, and without the Samsung tweak, so expect the software to be faster. “Everything runs smoother,” says the video while showing how to pinch to zoom while browsing the web using the stock browser that looks much like the desktop version of Google Chrome.

The only “inaccurate” feature that the video noted is the “150,000 apps and widgets,” because the video forgot to say that most of the apps in the Android market are not yet tablet compatible. But, Android is known for its fast-growing apps, so expect to see more tablet-friendly apps this year.

One commenter in YouTube said, “looks much better than iPad 2,” while another one added that “HD video recording looks a little choppy (at least in this particular video) which is my only complaint. I hope this feature is fixed come release time because I’m passing on the Xoom and iPad 2 for this.”

FCC approves Kyocera Echo, BlackBerry PlayBook

Just like it did last week the Federal Communications Commission gave the nod to a lot of new cell phones and tablets this week. Among the highlights were Sprint's quirky new Kyocera Echo, the LG Revolution and the RIM BlackBerry PlayBook.

Because the FCC has to certify every phone sold in the United States, not to mention test its SAR rating, the agency's online database offers a lot of sneak peeks to those who dig. And to save you the trouble, Crave has combed through the database for you. Here are a selection of filings from the past week on new and upcoming cell phones. Click through to read the full report.

HTC Desire 
Huawei G7205
Huawei U3220
Kyocera Echo
LG Revolution
LG VS760
Motorola WX345
Nokia C7
Pantech P6010
RIM BlackBerry PlayBook
Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung GT-5660
Samsung GT-BT7510
Samsung GT-E3213K
Samsung SGH-i7078
Samsung SGH-T839

LG woos Sony while it battles with Samsung over which 3D is best

The fight between the active shutter glasses 3D technology favored by TV manufacturers like Samsung, Panasonic and Sony against the Film Pattern Retarder (FPR) passive glasses 3D technology being pushed by LG got uglier this week. The Wall Street Journal points out LG's print ads currently running in Korea (they could be running here already, but we'd have to read physical magazines or newspapers to know for sure) claim that unlike the competition, it will work even when viewers lay down on their sides, though the effect may be slightly weakened. Samsung responded by citing experts recommending keeping your head horizontal to watch 3D since the cameras used to film it are aligned horizontally, and an executive apparently called LG's engineers "stupid" at a press conference, although reports of a "yo mama so fat" diss could not be confirmed.

Of course, since these are the world's two biggest TV manufacturers, they sell to end users and other manufacturers like Sony, which Reuters reports LG is waiting to hear from about using its technology in the future. Sony and Samsung are already tight when it comes to LCD manufacturing but it's obvious LG is looking for a few more friends to line up alongside Vizio, Toshiba and Philips (which just announced its latest displays using active and passive glasses.) But back to the end users for a moment, if anyone's going to buy any of these 3DTVs, it may be wise to start selling consumers on why the feature is worthwhile at all and pointing out the growing amount of content -- this week's Big East basketball tournament, Killzone 3, the NBA Finals or Blu-ray 3D releases like Tron: Legacy -- before folks decide just waiting for 4D would be the wisest choice.

Samsung Officially Launches Galaxy Ace, Fit And Pop For India

Samsung recently launched the entry-level Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Pop in India. These handsets are already in India at Flipkart and at local retailers. Even the price of these devices are much lower at the local retailer compared to the Samsung's suggested price. Samsung Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Pop runs on the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system. If you are looking for a budget Android phone, then you should definitely get one of these handsets, according to your needs. Check out the complete specs of these phones after the break.

Samsung Galaxy Ace:

• 3.5 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display
• 320 x 480 pixels resolution
• 800 MHz ARM 11 processor
• Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS
• 3G connectivity
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
• 158 MB internal memory
• 32 GB expandable memory
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
• DLNA
• A-GPS

• 1350 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy Fit:

• 3.31 inch QVGA display
• 240 x 320 pixels resolution
• 600 MHz processor
• Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS
• 3G connectivity
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• 5 megapixel camera with autofocus
• 160 MB internal memory
• 32 GB expandable memory
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
• A-GPS
• 1350 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy Pop:

• 3.14 inch QVGA display
• 320 x 480 pixels resolution
• 600MHz processor
• Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS
• 3G connectivity
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• 3 megapixel camera
• MicroSD card slot
• 32 GB expandable memory
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
• DLNA
• A-GPS
• 1200 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Pop is priced at Rs.18,290, Rs.12,860 and Rs.11,198 respectively.

Boost Mobile Samsung Factors Entry-level Mobile Phone

Boost Mobile, a brand by Sprint, launches the Samsung Factors entry-level mobile phone. The clamshell phone comes with a color display, a camera, Bluetooth and support for text and multimedia messaging. The Factors is Instant Messaging capable (Yahoo!, AIM and Windows Live Messenger) and offers access to web and e-mail.
The Samsung Factors is available at Boost Mobile for $49.99.

Samsung's latest 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab teaser hints impressive slimness

Samsung hasn't been entirely shy about its forthcoming 8.9-inch tablet, though Mr. Blurrycam seems to be having some trouble getting on a plane in Seoul. Fortunately for us, today the Korean giant decided to give us mere mortals a sneak peek at said device, and it sure looks promising -- as you can see above, the bulge seems to imply that the tablet's general thickness almost matches the headphone jack's height. If true, this would put Samsung's 8.9-incher head to head with Apple's 8.8mm thick iPad 2 in a fitness contest. Bring on March 22nd!

Samsung Galaxy Pro QWERTY Android Phone

Samsung is going to reveal another Android smartphone, this time a bar-type QWERTY called Galaxy Pro. The phone is powered by a 800MHz processor with 512MB RAM and 2GB storage and runs Android 2.2. The Galaxy Pro comes with a 2.8-inch 320×240 touchscreen, a QWERTY keyboard, and a 3 Megapixel camera.

The Samsung Galaxy Pro supports GPS, Bluetooth 2.1 and WIFi connectivity. It packs accelerometer, digital compass, proximity sensor, light sensor as well. The phone supports quad-band GSM/EDGE and HSDPA networks.

Samsung demos ambient light-powered transparent LCD

Wirelessely-Powered TVs are nice, and transparent displays are cool and all, but what about an ambient light-powered transparent LCD? Well, that's nothing short of awesome. Samsung showed off just such a device at CeBIT 2011 last week -- a prototype 46-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and ten-finger touchscreen capability. We aren't sure what kind of black magic Sammy put in this thing, but it's an incredible feat of engineering to make such a large display -- and its accompanying solar cells -- efficient enough to run exclusively off the juice it pulls from surrounding light sources. No word on how the photon-powered LCD compares to existing HD monitors in terms of brightness, refresh rates, or color reproduction, but a muted picture is a small price to pay for cutting the electrical cord forever.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 launch unaffected by iPad 2

In spite of some troubling rumblings out of Samsung HQ in the wake of the iPad 2 on Friday, Samsung are reportedly not sticking the upcoming Galaxy Tab 10.1 on a crash diet to take on Apple's new "dramatically thin" iOS tablet.
The rumours that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was to go under the knife for some last minute fat-trimming was stirred by a quote allegedly from Lee Don-Joo, the executive vice president of Samsung's mobile division. Speaking on the Galaxy Tab 10.1's ability to compete with the iPad 2, Don-Joo said: "We will have to improve the parts that are inadequate... Apple made [the iPad 2] very thin."
Samsung's follow-up to the less-than-inspired Galaxy Tab, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, made its debut at MWC in February, measuring in at a mere 10.9mm thick. However, while Samsung were focussing on cramming in an 8MP camera, Apple were shaving off every last millimetre of bulk that they could, with its iPad 2 measuring in at just 8.8mm. Critically, Jobs and Co. are also promising to keep the pricing of the latest iPad steady at £439 for the cheapest, WiFi-only model - a price point other tablet producers so far are struggling to undercut.


However, according to Samsung spokespeople, the plans for shipping the Galaxy Tab 10.1 remain unchanged, although no release date has yet been unveiled. But will Sammy's shaken confidence result in a discounted, iPad-beating price tag? We wait with crossed fingers.