SGS5 and the new TouchWiz UI

[JaySoul]

Me and the missus got S4's 6 weeks ago.

I immediately de-TouchWiz'ed it to make it look like KitKat on the N5, whereas she actually rather liked the stock TouchWiz experience.

I reckon she'd quite like the new one (if it comes to the S4 properly).

Doesn't look bad, just hope they trim some of the fat mainly. I think Samsung will learn their lesson (famous last words!).

 

[mKTank]

That is not what Knox does. It is security and encryption software to enable a device to be used for Enterprise/Business and for personal use. It would encrypt and protect the Enterprise/Business data while letting someone use the device for personal use as well. This way you would only have to carry one device around for business and personal use. I have it on my S4 and on the Note 3 when I had that phone. I rooted both devices and never had a problem getting OTAs or support from my carrier AT&T. I rooted the Note 3….installed roms then returned it to stock. then returned it. Never had a problem. My S4 also can get OTAs with no problem. But i have heard of people having trouble with Knox but I never did have a problem.

https://www.samsungknox.com/en

Please do some research. If Knox flag is tripped "0x1" which it does after rooting, you lose warranty and OTA. There's currently a huge bounty for a flag reset on xda. If you're claiming yours can magically get OTA again after rooting and unrooting (unless you specifically used a Knox-proof root method) then you should get into contact with the devs at xda and claim your prize. By the way, I'm not talking about the Knox app, I'm talking about the software fuse.

 

[jamezr]

Please do some research. If Knox flag is tripped "0x1" which it does after rooting, you lose warranty and OTA. There's currently a huge bounty for a flag reset on xda. If you're claiming yours can magically get OTA again after rooting and unrooting (unless you specifically used a Knox-proof root method) then you should get into contact with the devs at xda and claim your prize. By the way, I'm not talking about the Knox app, I'm talking about the software fuse.

We are kinda talking about two different things.......so explain to me then when I rooted my Note 3 and flashed rom from XDA...then restored to stock. I then returned it to an AT&T corporate store. The guy who helped my was one of the mangers. he specifically checked for rooting.....he told me he was checking to see if the phone had been rooted. He took it back to the repair office which is attached to the sales office. He then came back about 15 minutes later....said all was well and processed the return. I asked him why and he said it was because people that return phones often root them and then Samsung collects this info and notifies AT&T. So they had a process to go through first to see if it had been rooted then restored.

 

[mKTank]

We are kinda talking about two different things.......so explain to me then when I rooted my Note 3 and flashed rom from XDA...then restored to stock. I then returned it to an AT&T corporate store. The guy who helped my was one of the mangers. he specifically checked for rooting.....he told me he was checking to see if the phone had been rooted. He took it back to the repair office which is attached to the sales office. He then came back about 15 minutes later....said all was well and processed the return. I asked him why and he said it was because people that return phones often root them and then Samsung collects this info and notifies AT&T. So they had a process to go through first to see if it had been rooted then restored.

He likely just checked whether su was installed and it wasn't. Those guys usually don't go as far as checking whether the Knox flag was tripped or not in download mode. Samsung would but AT&T don't. I personally don't care much for warranty on my devices but perma-voiding OTA really got on my nerves.

 

[jamezr]

He likely just checked whether su was installed and it wasn't. Those guys usually don't go as far as checking whether the Knox flag was tripped or not in download mode. Samsung would but AT&T don't. I personally don't care much for warranty on my devices but perma-voiding OTA really got on my nerves.

Oh I agree with you....I did not have my N3 long enough to get an OTA. But I did restore to factory to get rid of the custom lock icon on boot up. TBH i don't know what check he did to determine if it was ever rooted. he just said he was doing it as part of the return process.

 

[mKTank]

Oh I agree with you....I did not have my N3 long enough to get an OTA. But I did restore to factory to get rid of the custom lock icon on boot up. TBH i don't know what check he did to determine if it was ever rooted. he just said he was doing it as part of the return process.

That's good that they didn't go too in depth. But yeah you could see why Knox is making everyone in the ROM flashing crowd angry. Such a shame too because Samsung makes some of the best Android phones out there and the Note 3's the best phablet by miles.

 

[MRU]

I tripped Knox on my Note 3 when I flashed a new stock rom and changed my CSC to European BTU.

Knox is showing as 0X1 but everything else as official and I am not rooted.

I HAVE however subsequently received an OTA software update since tripping Knox.

 

[Sensamic]

Bloomberg just interviewed a Samsung VP and they confirmed the SGS5 two major selling points will be its display (this confirms 1440P for me) and its materials (so maybe metal or something like the Moto X or HTC One?).

 

[JaySoul]

Oh I agree with you....I did not have my N3 long enough to get an OTA. But I did restore to factory to get rid of the custom lock icon on boot up. TBH i don't know what check he did to determine if it was ever rooted. he just said he was doing it as part of the return process.

Sounds like he:

1) Went to the toilet
2) Went for a cigarette

 

[Dontazemebro]

Yes, it probably will. I like to see what Note 3 users are usually hovering around in RAM usage. When I was using a Note 10.1 (2014), my RAM usage would hover around 1.7-1.8 GB right after boot up and push past 2 GB with light use. I realize it's far from a perfect comparison but the new S5 will be pushing nearly the same amount of pixels. I think the new Magazine UX is an improvement, at least from a design standpoint. Let's hope Samsung was able to slim TW down a bit in the process.

Too big for my tastes but certainly another powerhouse from Samsung. Should be interesting.

At boot up about 1.18GB and get up to about 2.10/2.16 with heavy usage.

 

[jamezr]

Sounds like he:

1) Went to the toilet
2) Went for a cigarette

LOL...he might just done that!

 

[Dontazemebro]

Haven't rooted my Note 3 yet and to be honest I really see no reason why I should. Everything runs without a hitch and I can customize the look without needing root. Can't say that about other Android devices I've owned, kudos to Samsung.

I also believe Verizon customers are part of the lucky few that don't have Knox security enabled on their devices, so root/rom'ing shouldn't be a problem for the few of us.

 

[Jibbajabba]

I think you mean iOS7 style written all over it... but what did you expect from Samsung?

Didn't take long for that sort of comment .. And I guess Safari is snappier too ...

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I tripped Knox on my Note 3 when I flashed a new stock rom and changed my CSC to European BTU.

Knox is showing as 0X1 but everything else as official and I am not rooted.

I HAVE however subsequently received an OTA software update since tripping Knox.

Two different things really (although I flashed stock rom without tripping Knox). OTA only cares about the Android OS. Root / Custom ROM = no OTA. Knox has nothing to do with the Android software per-se. So OTA wouldn't care if its tripped or not. It would "just" mean you MAY have voided your warranty and you won't be able to use Knox (which I actually like in a BYOD environment - they cannot wipe my whole phone anymore, just the Knox environment)

On a sidenote, I did flash a stock firmware as well and had a few factory resets to change my N3 to BTU .. I wonder if yours wasn't truly stock in a way ...

 

[MRU]

Didn't take long for that sort of comment .. And I guess Safari is snappier too ...

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Two different things really (although I flashed stock rom without tripping Knox). OTA only cares about the Android OS. Root / Custom ROM = no OTA. Knox has nothing to do with the Android software per-se. So OTA wouldn't care if its tripped or not. It would "just" mean you MAY have voided your warranty and you won't be able to use Knox (which I actually like in a BYOD environment - they cannot wipe my whole phone anymore, just the Knox environment)

On a sidenote, I did flash a stock firmware as well and had a few factory resets to change my N3 to BTU .. I wonder if yours wasn't truly stock in a way ...

Yeah it was truly stock (Vodafone stock ROM - flashed with Odin to stock btu firmware). Flashing the stock ROM in Odin was no trouble, it was in the process of correcting my CSC that I tripped Knox. I rooted to correct it and in process that tripped knox. But soon as I was all set up I removed root and like I say had no trouble with OTA since.

That being said, yep Knox software itself still works here too despite being tripped.

 

[b166er]

Samsung should focus on making a phone with a camera that can at least compete.

 

[stroked]

Samsung should focus on making a phone with a camera that can at least compete.

What is wrong with their cameras? I haven't had a chance to play with my S4 yet, but I have been very satisfied with the camera on my S2.

 

[Six8]

Samsung should focus on making a phone with a camera that can at least compete.

Puhlease

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Samsung should focus on making a phone with a camera that can at least compete.

Google "best smartphone cameras 2013" and you'll basically find the S4 as a worthy contender in every link.

 

[MRU]

The S4 has a great camera and the Note 3 likewise. Saying it doesn't compete is jut being silly. It's better than most android flagship cameras of last year.

 

[Dontazemebro]

Samsung should focus on making a phone with a camera that can at least compete.

My Note 3 takes better pics than my 5s except in low light situations. The camera is fine.

 

[stroked]

Samsung should focus on making a phone with a camera that can at least compete.

What is wrong with their cameras? I haven't had a chance to play with my S4 yet, but I have been very satisfied with the camera on my S2.

I thought b166er was serious, when I replied. Obviously he was just trolling.

 

[tech4all]

Seriously? You can't even tell?

It's Samsung's M.O. - break out the photocopiers whenever it's time for a new release.

More like break out the nonsense from iPhone folks when their "enemy" brings out a new product.

If you're referring to colors, then take a look at this. Warning contains reality check for iPhone users.

http://www.itworld.com/open-source/373903/did-apple-copy-android-ios-7

Try harder next time dude. I swear you iPhone loyalists will never be taken seriously in the real world of tech. Buying a product just because it has the on it doesn't make you a true techy.

 

[Sensamic]

The thing I'm more excited about the SGS5 is that rumored 16Mpx ISOCELL camera.

I want to see more progress in the camera department in 2014.

Next would be a big battery like the one in the LG G2.

Don't really care for 1440P display...

 

[matttye]

Bloomberg just interviewed a Samsung VP and they confirmed the SGS5 two major selling points will be its display (this confirms 1440P for me) and its materials (so maybe metal or something like the Moto X or HTC One?).

Or a stronger/thinner/lighter polycarbonate? Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't every Samsung device been made of plastic?

Let's not forget that Samsung put forward some strong justification for its use of plastic.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

Wouldn't the phone stutter if it's pushing 1440p pixels? I mean most computers can barely push 4k displays and this phone with a Snapdragon 800 is suppose to smoothly push a 1440p display? On top of that, this device is running a bloated touch wiz.