Here it is, The Next Big Thing.

[DanteMann]

FEATURES!!! FEATURES!!! FEATURES!!!

What are OEMs going to do to differentiate themselves from the rest of the competition? FEATURES!!! of course. And this is where Samsung has excelled compared to every other Android maker, including the Nexus line. And this is where Samsung and the GS4 will impress. Hardware no longer will be enough to impress when every manufacturer is sporting the big 5 inch 1080P screen, the superfast CPU, and the wad of RAM we've all come to expect in our smartphones. This is why it's my opinion the spec war is somewhat over for now. So when Samsung brings out things like KNOX for it's SAFE devices, it's making a real attempt lay foundation where Android phones are weak, Enterprise. Currently, reviewers have come away very impressed with KNOX.
The GS3 had more features than other Android devices. Features that improved the Android experience. This is where we'll find the Next Big Thing. Thoughts?

 

[TheMTtakeover]

FEATURES!!! FEATURES!!! FEATURES!!!

What are OEMs going to do to differentiate themselves from the rest of the competition? FEATURES!!! of course. And this is where Samsung has excelled compared to every other Android maker, including the Nexus line. And this is where Samsung and the GS4 will impress. Hardware no longer will be enough to impress when every manufacturer is sporting the big 5 inch 1080P screen, the superfast CPU, and the wad of RAM we've all come to expect in our smartphones. This is why it's my opinion the spec war is somewhat over for now. So when Samsung brings out things like KNOX for it's SAFE devices, it's making a real attempt lay foundation where Android phones are weak, Enterprise. Currently, reviewers have come away very impressed with KNOX.
The GS3 had more features than other Android devices. Features that improved the Android experience. This is where we'll find the Next Big Thing. Thoughts?

Its not about who has more features. Its who has the features that work well and ones that the consumers want. It shouldn't turn into a battle to see whose phone can have more checkmarks when listing features.

 

[DanteMann]

Its not about who has more features. Its who has the features that work well and ones that the consumers want. It shouldn't turn into a battle to see whose phone can have more checkmarks when listing features.

Well let me be more clear. When I said features, I meant features that improved the user experience. I thought that would have been understood considering my last paragraph. But guess not.

 

[KnightMan]

Agree 100%

I say the GS4 will have a very much improved S-Voice and Camera software. And I've go no doubt this thing will be very heavy in the gesture functions.

 

[Tinmania]

Well let me be more clear. When I said features, I meant features that improved the user experience. I thought that would have been understood considering my last paragraph. But guess not.

With all the stuff samsung has been adding there are bound to be a few good ones--and there are. At least they are out there trying.



Michael

 

[sentinelsx]

Pretty soon all Samsung will have to do is provide tools to common popular app devs to port their apps over, then simply add all these features as well to tizen, put it on the next galaxy (5 or 6), and optimize it with more freedom as it is their OS. Then google will wake up.

 

[TheMTtakeover]

With all the stuff samsung has been adding there are bound to be a few good ones--and there are. At least they are out there trying.



Michael

Right, I'm not discrediting any of the work Samsung has done. I'm just saying I don't "feature wars". That is about as pointless as "spec wars"

 

[Tinmania]

Right, I'm not discrediting any of the work Samsung has done. I'm just saying I don't "feature wars". That is about as pointless as "spec wars"

Eventually the good features rise to the top. Others fall to the side as gimmicks.

You can tell when they have a good feature when owners of other devices want it too.

So to me it seems samsung takes the shotgun approach: put as much as they can out there then there is something for everyone to like.

Apple is more: we will give you what we think you want, when we are good and ready to give it to you. Generally this will lead to fewer false starts, but longer waiting. (Though it did seem Apple was on a roll in 2010 and no so much since.)



Michael

 

[Timzer]

You better believe it's gonna be all about the exclusive features. Smart Stay, Direct Call, Smart Alert, Turn Over to Mute, Smart Rotation, Multi Window, and pop up play are all very smart features. Can't wait to see what they put in the GS4. Seriously, we are seeing a whole different version of Android on these phones. These aren't just launchers with themes as many seem to believe.

 

[b166er]

Most of the people I know that own a GS3 aren't even aware of half its features. So when the GS4 drops, I'm sure it will have at least as many features as the GS3 for the average user to not know about.

I don't care so much about the 101 new features- I'd like to see a nicer camera and screen. Those are big selling points for me personally. I'm sure Samsung has a few nice tricks up their sleeve.

Either way, we have to applaud Samsung for the lack of leaks. This is a really highly anticipated phone and we really don't know anything about it a mere couple weeks before it's debut. That takes some tight lips!

 

[TheMTtakeover]

Though it did seem Apple was on a roll in 2010 and no so much since.
Michael

Okay....

 

[strausd]

Right, I'm not discrediting any of the work Samsung has done. I'm just saying I don't "feature wars". That is about as pointless as "spec wars"

If feature wars and spec wars are pointless, you are essentially saying no company should fight to have the best available hardware or the best available software. If a phone doesn't have good hardware or software, what's the point? At that point it is just a phone with only the basic functionality and slow hardware by a company not trying to innovate. Let me guess, you still use a flip phone.

 

[mattopotamus]

Agree 100%

I say the GS4 will have a very much improved S-Voice and Camera software. And I've go no doubt this thing will be very heavy in the gesture functions.

Google now is so much better than s voice. They just need to dump it and let Google handle that portion.

 

[Donvald]

For me it's about functionality and user interface. Samsung seems to have balanced that we'll and is moving in the right direction. I don't kind having a device full of functions I don't use. After all I have computers that I probably use only 20% of their capability, but like that options are there in case I ever decide to need more functionality.

There is a lot that separates say the note 2 and the htc DNA, Htc One, Xperia Z etc even though they run the same OS and have high end specs with similar screen sizes. Software brings that hardware together and gives it a purpose.

 

[matttye]

No idea what they'll come up with but I'm looking forward to the event

I agree that phones are in dire need of improved software rather than improved specs at this point.

Its not about who has more features. Its who has the features that work well and ones that the consumers want. It shouldn't turn into a battle to see whose phone can have more checkmarks when listing features.

Samsung is a bit of both. They make truly useful features, but they advertise in a checkmark-style manner.

Their "it doesn't take a genius" ad listed features like "tilt to scroll" and other such gestures as advantages over the iPhone.

 

[Dr McKay]

Hoping it's features, before OEMS just tried to distinguish themselves by looking different, and then the skins bogged down the OS and added nothing. Back in Android 2.x things like HTC I think looked better than stock Android, now I think stock looks better.

Now OEMS are adding features to these skins that Stock doesn't have.

 

[Tinmania]

Okay....

Glad you agree.

I think it is becoming more and more clear that if Apple doesn't do something truly innovative this year they will start to suffer. Stock has not recovered from September. After a new product announcement. Ouch. Stock drops any time the CEO speaks. Double ouch.



Michael

 

[jrswizzle]

Well let me be more clear. When I said features, I meant features that improved the user experience. I thought that would have been understood considering my last paragraph. But guess not.

Can you list the features Samsung has implemented that WORK and truly give a better Experience?

I'm genuinely curious - will likely be picking up a GS4 in September (when my upgrade is available).

 

[mattopotamus]

Can you list the features Samsung has implemented that WORK and truly give a better Experience?

I'm genuinely curious - will likely be picking up a GS4 in September (when my upgrade is available).

picture in picture is a really nice feature, block mode (similar to do not disturb), and turn over to mute are the few I use and work.

 

[lucasfer899]

I don't think it's all about features.
User Experience.

 

[TheMTtakeover]

Glad you agree.

I think it is becoming more and more clear that if Apple doesn't do something truly innovative this year they will start to suffer. Stock has not recovered from September. After a new product announcement. Ouch. Stock drops any time the CEO speaks. Double ouch.



Michael

No I don't agree.
As a user I don't care what the stock price is. I care what works best for me, and that is Apple products. You can shout and yell all you want about how innovative Google is with Android but I still much prefer my Apple devices and Apple ecosystem over anything Android has to offer.

 

[jrswizzle]

picture in picture is a really nice feature, block mode (similar to do not disturb), and turn over to mute are the few I use and work.

You find splitting even the 5.5" Note 2 screen in half provides a decent user experience?

And how much added benefit does turning your phone over to mute provide versus pushing a button?

Not trying to criticize you or anything. Simply wondering how much added benefit these "innovative" features really add....you can tell I'm a bit skeptical.

 

[mattopotamus]

You find splitting even the 5.5" Note 2 screen in half provides a decent user experience?

And how much added benefit does turning your phone over to mute provide versus pushing a button?

Not trying to criticize you or anything. Simply wondering how much added benefit these "innovative" features really add....you can tell I'm a bit skeptical.

I don't really use the multi window (split screen), but pip I do use a lot b.c you can adjust the size and move it around in any app. Turning over to mute I use b.c my phone sits on my desk a lot, and it is just easy for some reason.

 

[jrswizzle]

I don't really use the multi window (split screen), but pip I do use a lot b.c you can adjust the size and move it around in any app. Turning over to mute I use b.c my phone sits on my desk a lot, and it is just easy for some reason.

Ahh - so what do you use pip for? Watching videos and texting? Does it work with all apps or just some? And is it a Note 2 thing, or do you think the GS4 will have it as well?

 

[matttye]

You find splitting even the 5.5" Note 2 screen in half provides a decent user experience?

And how much added benefit does turning your phone over to mute provide versus pushing a button?

Not trying to criticize you or anything. Simply wondering how much added benefit these "innovative" features really add....you can tell I'm a bit skeptical.

Smart Stay was my favourite feature when I had my S3.

Most of the gestures were gimmicky and had no real usefulness IMO, but Smart Stay was awesome. It's annoying having to keep tapping the screen to stop it from going off when you're reading.