Samsung announced the Galaxy Round with curved screen

[Rogifan]

I definitely wouldn't buy it but more choices for people is always a good thing.

Has that always proven to be true? I agree that making things better is good for people but is choice just for the sake of choice a good thing? Do consumers really need/want all these variants of Galaxy products (and i might have even missed some)? S4, S4 Mini, Mega, Note, Tab, Grand, Active, Beam, Blaze, Fascinate, Victory, Zoom, Gear, and now Round.

Seems to me right now Samsung is obsessed with throwing stuff out there just to say they did it and not really caring if its actually a good product or not. I mean the Galaxy Gear is a product that shouldn't have come to market in its current form but Samsung was obsessed with the need to have a "smartwatch" on the market before Apple or Google, so they rushed it just so they could say "first!". I don't see that as a good thing for consumers.

 

[mclld]

Dont like a product, dont buy. No harm in it

 

[steviewhy]

Has that always proven to be true? I agree that making things better is good for people but is choice just for the sake of choice a good thing? Do consumers really need/want all these variants of Galaxy products (and i might have even missed some)? S4, S4 Mini, Mega, Note, Tab, Grand, Active, Beam, Blaze, Fascinate, Victory, Zoom, Gear, and now Round.

Seems to me right now Samsung is obsessed with throwing stuff out there just to say they did it and not really caring if its actually a good product or not. I mean the Galaxy Gear is a product that shouldn't have come to market in its current form but Samsung was obsessed with the need to have a "smartwatch" on the market before Apple or Google, so they rushed it just so they could say "first!". I don't see that as a good thing for consumers.

Whether Samsung sells enough of any product line to justify the R&D that went into as well as the manufacturing costs is a moot point. The fact is that someone will buy it. How many? Who knows? They only have their stockholders to answer to after all. If a product doesn't appeal to you don't buy it. If a manufacturer doesn't appeal to you don't invest in it. It's really that simple.

 

[Jessica Lares]

The curved screen will improve sun light visibility and Aldo make the screen harder to break when dropped.

A lot of you people complained about putting a huge phone in your skinny jeans and Samsung listened and this curve will curve to your leg and be a lot more comfortable having a 5.7in phone in your pocket

It would stretch my pockets out.

 

[Prototypical]

Dont like a product, dont buy. No harm in it

So the only people that are allowed to discuss it are people who like it?

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It would stretch my pockets out.

If you slip it into your pocket screen-->leg, it might actually fit BETTER (since it would curve around your leg). But otherwise, yes, I otherwise can't fathom why this is necessary... especially on such a large phone. It isn't going to lay on the table properly either.

 

[tbayrgs]

Dramatic, much? lol.

Look, I don't care for the device either, but it's not like they're going to stop producing their flagships like the Galaxy S series and the Note series and their tablets (which seem to be increasing in popularity -- the "Galaxy" branding is really paying off).

What does this one phone they put out do to you exactly? You're not forced to buy it. Heck, it's, so far, available only in Korea.

There is no harm done with Samsung experimenting. In many ways, this is a natural progression -- they went from curved OLED televisions (those are gorgeous, have you seen them?) to curve smartphones. I get it. Maybe this is purely a move to show the world they can do something like this. I don't know.

And they clearly can -- meaning, they have the tech to do so, but also the financial backing. What do we have to lose for them experimenting? Absolutely nothing. What other manufacturer is doing what Samsung (and to some extent, LG) is doing? Certainly not a certain fruit company...

Anyway, back to point... I wouldn't bother to get this phone personally, either.

Is the display the oft talked about flexible display? Meaning it's more shatter-proof? I feel like Samsung and LG are in a race to make this technology popular.

Sounds like their TV race. Go them. It's nice to see that despite clearly rising to the top spot as an Android OEM, Samsung isn't resting on their laurels.

Have to agree with Couch on this one. Why is everyone so upset about a product that is 1) not available in most of our markets and 2) not replacing any of their tried and true devices?

Samsung is testing new tech--this benefits all of us, whether it's in future Samsung gear (no pun invented) or by forcing competitors to up their game. This may not be an ideal application of these new curved displays but it's likely the easiest way to test certain aspects, considering they have the infrastructure in place for smartphone manufacturing, vs. designing an entirely new price from the ground up. What if this product in turn leads to a slimmer, more aesthetically pleasing smartwatch with greater functionality, or other slimmer, smaller products because they don't have to be made to use a flat display?

Now had this been the actual (and only version) of the Note 3, I could understand the anger but as it is, at best it will lead to better products and at worst, this phone isn't in demand and it goes away--no harm, no foul.

 

[Jibbajabba]

NO! Only the spoiled, sheltered American iPhone user opinion matters. And our opinions come directly from the all mighty Apple, so tall skinny phones to match our tall skinny jeans and tall skinny lattes are all that needs to be made. Besides thinking different is SO 90's

Seriously though I agree. Samsung does push concepts out that most companies would just leave on the design floor, but it's a Korea only phone so it may just be well received.

Me personally? Love the screen size of course and can see why it'd need to be curved; so it can fit against yoir body comfortably, but I'd need it to go flat again and have an S-Pen.

Actually it might make it easier to use one-handed

 

[ucfgrad93]

What's the benefit? Seriously, I don't get it.

I'm not sure I see a benefit other than Samsung saying "See what we just did!"

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

It would stretch my pockets out.

Depends on how curvy you are in the first place.....

 

[mclld]

So the only people that are allowed to discuss it are people who like it?

Where did I say that? Oh that is right, I didnt. This thread was posted for discussion, my follow up post was discussion

 

[jamezr]

Image

LOL....love the pic......no doubt they are are laughing at your tagline......"See when WE release a plastic phone its cool! the public just buys whatever we put out!"


On Topic.........the ability to make screens that can be a shape other than flat is still evolving......

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Has that always proven to be true? I agree that making things better is good for people but is choice just for the sake of choice a good thing? Do consumers really need/want all these variants of Galaxy products (and i might have even missed some)? S4, S4 Mini, Mega, Note, Tab, Grand, Active, Beam, Blaze, Fascinate, Victory, Zoom, Gear, and now Round.

Seems to me right now Samsung is obsessed with throwing stuff out there just to say they did it and not really caring if its actually a good product or not. I mean the Galaxy Gear is a product that shouldn't have come to market in its current form but Samsung was obsessed with the need to have a "smartwatch" on the market before Apple or Google, so they rushed it just so they could say "first!". I don't see that as a good thing for consumers.

I don't know maybe like..... the iPhone 4s...the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5s...the iPhone 5c and all the colors..... and plastic cases to put on a well....plastic phone.....all the different shapes and sizes of the ipods........

 

[Rogifan]

I don't know maybe like..... the iPhone 4s...the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5s...the iPhone 5c and all the colors..... and plastic cases to put on a well....plastic phone.....all the different shapes and sizes of the ipods........

So you're comparing new models of one phone to umpteen variations of another phone, many of which are variations that serve a niche market. Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note are useful variations on a product line IMO. Galaxy Zoom, Galaxy Beam and now Galaxy Curve are extremely niche products that probably should never have left the R&D lab. I saw the video on the Galaxy Curve that says you just rock the phone forward to get notifications, time etc. and then when it rocks back the screen goes dark. Big deal. I can push the sleep/wake button on my iPhone today and do the exact same thing. Don't need a curved display for that.

Oh and Galaxy Active? Why do consumes need an S4 and an Active? Why not combine them into one device?

 

[rockitdog]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of the curved glass... It's just dumb IMO.

 

[mclld]

No appeal to me either

 

[jamezr]

So you're comparing new models of one phone to umpteen variations of another phone, many of which are variations that serve a niche market. Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note are useful variations on a product line IMO. Galaxy Zoom, Galaxy Beam and now Galaxy Curve are extremely niche products that probably should never have left the R&D lab. I saw the video on the Galaxy Curve that says you just rock the phone forward to get notifications, time etc. and then when it rocks back the screen goes dark. Big deal. I can push the sleep/wake button on my iPhone today and do the exact same thing. Don't need a curved display for that.

Oh and Galaxy Active? Why do consumes need an S4 and an Active? Why not combine them into one device?

So you are complaining about consumers have choices? If the buying public does not buy a product guess what happens? the product goes away. Samsung seems to have a strategy of putting out a LOT of products to see which one the public will buy. Why is that bad? No one is forcing anyone to buy it. Samsung is not forcing people to buy their products. The curved screen phone in this thread is not even available anywhere except Asia to my knowledge. Maybe they did surveys and that is what the consumers in the geographical area wants? why is that bad? Why is it bad to have a Galaxy S4 Active that is somewhat weather proof? Maybe that is what some consumers want. Doesn't mean you have to buy one......The limitations to produce the Active maybe limited it to a certain feature set. So to avoid limiting features for the rest of the consumers they released the Active and S4. Consumer choice in never a bad thing..........

 

[MRU]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of the curved glass... It's just dumb IMO.

It seems to be a case of 'because they can' at the moment.

LG's will be the same. Maybe its a south korean battle to be the first, rather than to serve a genuine consumer interest.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Depends on how curvy you are in the first place.....

I'm not, that's why it would stretch my pockets. See, I had problems with my S2 compared to my iPhone 4, and it's why I've got a Lumia 520 now.

Often times I would get into the car or sit at a chair, and the thing would plop out of my pocket onto the floor or concrete.

 

[jamezr]

It seems to be a case of 'because they can' at the moment.

LG's will be the same. Maybe its a south korean battle to be the first, rather than to serve a genuine consumer interest.

I think you are right MRU....They are releasing this to show that can produce this type of screen. But what is exciting is to see some of the demos from Samsung on the flexible screen displays and the possibilities for future devices.
If releasing this product leads to these products being developed and released then I am all for it!

Here is the update link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEtedGKgQcU

 

[tbayrgs]

I think you are right MRU....They are releasing this to show that can produce this type of screen. But what is exciting is to see some of the demos from Samsung on the flexible screen displays and the possibilities for future devices.
If releasing this product leads to these products being developed and released then I am all for it!
http:/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFSDJtKDIGI

Bad link jamezr.

 

[ethanlee]

Suddenly Ive's words make a lot of sense...

"[referring to Touch ID] it's not just rampant technology for technology's sake..."

 

[jamezr]

Bad link jamezr.

Thanks! Sorry here is the correct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEtedGKgQcU

 

[JediZenMaster]

I think the curved screen concept is interesting. After all if no one ever thought outside of the box we would not even have touch screen phones, 3D TV's etc.

I'm not suprised that there is so much distain for this on mac rumors. We all know if apple had released a phone with a curved screen it would be "OMG" "shut up and take my money" as well as singing hosannas in the street about the device. However, Since its samsung its instantly written off as crap.

I'm so glad i have an open mind and am not a slave to any device or any platform. Later fanboys!

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

How does one make a cover for that, and how would touch controls with gaming be?

I do like the direction Samsung is going.

 

[Assault]

Dramatic, much? lol.

Look, I don't care for the device either, but it's not like they're going to stop producing their flagships like the Galaxy S series and the Note series and their tablets (which seem to be increasing in popularity -- the "Galaxy" branding is really paying off).

What does this one phone they put out do to you exactly? You're not forced to buy it. Heck, it's, so far, available only in Korea.

There is no harm done with Samsung experimenting. In many ways, this is a natural progression -- they went from curved OLED televisions (those are gorgeous, have you seen them?) to curve smartphones. I get it. Maybe this is purely a move to show the world they can do something like this. I don't know.

And they clearly can -- meaning, they have the tech to do so, but also the financial backing. What do we have to lose for them experimenting? Absolutely nothing. What other manufacturer is doing what Samsung (and to some extent, LG) is doing? Certainly not a certain fruit company...

I said this before:

Couch, you are reading to much into what I said. It isn't one product that has turned my off to Samsung. They are moving towards their own ecosystem, and only Samsung stuff will work with Samsung products. This curved screen phone is fine. I don't care for it, not gonna buy it, couldn't give a crap if anyone does. I will not play in a walled garden.
If you want specifics, look no further than Keis (god awful piece of software), the gear watch (only working with the Galaxy Note 3 and don't think that wasn't intentional), proprietary DHL 9-pinned TV out (requiring their specific adaptor), Tizen (don't think for one second that Samsung won't make this their go-to OS), and so on.
Good for them in attempting to create their own ecosystem, but they have slowly lost my business in their attempt to mimic Apple.

 

[Digital Skunk]

It seems to be a case of 'because they can' at the moment.

LG's will be the same. Maybe its a south korean battle to be the first, rather than to serve a genuine consumer interest.

So Korea doesn't have any genuine consumer interests?

Funny how no one seems to remember the fat iPod Nano and its hideous design when things like this come up. Or Apple's 600 dollar iPod color which was a trsy bed for the iPod Video.