Monday 19 August 2013

Brazil ministry sues Samsung over improper working conditions

Brazil ministry sues Samsung over improper working conditions


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Brazil’s Ministry of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Samsung for poor working conditions at one of its factories located at Zona Franca de Manaus. Samsung is accused of improper working conditions with many workers working for 10-15 hours a day on foot without break and for almost 27 days in a row. The plant has a strength of 5,600 employees and out of those employees, almost 2,018 have filed requests for removal due to health issues.
Some of the reported injuries are back problems, tendinitis and bursitis, to name a few.
The lawsuit also seeks R$250 million (US$110 million) as part of damages.
Samsung is aware of the lawsuit and has confirmed to work with the authorities for proper investigation and are committed to provide employees with best working environment.

Samsung unveils world’s first SSDs with 3D V-NAND flash memory for enterprise

Samsung unveils world’s first SSDs with 3D V-NAND flash memory for enterprise


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Not one to waste any time, Samsung has unveiled the world’s first solid-state drivers (SSDs) based on its new 3D V-NAND memory technology, mere days after it startedmass producing V-NAND memory chips. Coming in 480GB and 960GB variants, these SSDs are currently aimed at the enterprise, though Samsung has promised to bring the technology to desktop computer-class SSDs in the future.
The V-NAND flash chip used inside these SSDs will offer up to 2x the write performance compared to existing 20nm-based SSDs, along with increased reliability, two traits which make it a great match for use in enterprise-class servers.
Here’s the full press release:
Samsung Introduces World’s First 3D V-NAND Based SSD, for Enterprise Applications
Allows the new Samsung SSD to offer nearly 1 terabyte of storage with extremely high reliability
SANTA CLARA, CA – August 13, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, today introduced the first solid state drive (SSD) based on its industry-leading 3D V-NAND technology. Samsung announced its new SSD, designed for use in enterprise servers and data centers, during a keynote at the Flash Memory Summit 2013 here.
“By applying our 3D V-NAND – which has overcome the formidable hurdle of scaling beyond the 10-nanometer (nm) class*, Samsung is providing its global customers with high density and exceptional reliability, as well as an over 20 percent performance increase and an over 40 percent improvement in power consumption,” said E.S. Jung, executive vice president, semiconductor R&D center at Samsung Electronics and a keynote speaker at the Flash Memory Summit. “As we pioneer a new era of memory technology, we will continue to introduce differentiated green memory products and solutions for the server, mobile and PC markets to help reduce energy waste and to create greater shared value in the enterprise and for consumers.”
Samsung’s V-NAND SSD comes in 960 gigabyte (GB) and 480GB versions. The 960GB version boasts the highest level of performance, offering more than 20 percent increase in sequential and random write speeds by utilizing 64 dies of MLC 3D V-NAND flash, each offering 128 gigabits (Gb) of storage, with a six-gigabit-per-second SATA interface controller. The new V-NAND SSD also offers 35K program erase cycles and is available in a 2.5 inch form factor with x, y and z-heights of 10cm, 7cm and 7mm, which provides server manufacturers with more design flexibility and scalability.
Samsung’s proprietary 3D V-NAND technology achieves manufacturing productivity improvements over twice that of 20nm-class* planar NAND flash, by using cylinder-shaped 3D Charge Trap Flash cell structures and vertical interconnect process technology to link the 24 layers comprising the 3D cell array. During his keynote remarks, EVP E.S. Jung emphasized that “The 3D V-NAND will drive disruptive innovation that can be compared to a Digital Big Bang in the global IT industry, and contribute to much more significant growth in the memory market.”
Samsung will continue to introduce next-generation V-NAND products with enhanced performance to meet diverse customer needs for NAND flash-based storage. These customer focuses will range from large data centers that can realize higher investment potential based on greater performance and energy efficiency to PC applications that place a high priority on cost-effectiveness and high density, further strengthening Samsung’s business competitiveness.
Samsung said it began producing its new V-NAND SSDs earlier this month.

Rumour: Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch to feature Dual-Core Exynos 4212 SoC, 1GB RAM, AMOLED display, 2MP Camera

Rumour: Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch to feature Dual-Core Exynos 4212 SoC, 1GB RAM, AMOLED display, 2MP Camera


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We have just received an anonymous tip about Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear. The Galaxy Gear has been hanging around the rumour mill for quite sometime now but the only solid evidence behind Samsung’s smartwatch was the patent filing, registered on May 31st, with the model number “SM-V700″ and a concept design of a watch. Recently, our insiders confirmed that Samsung will be unveiling the smartwatch alongside the Galaxy Note III at Samsung Mobile UNPACKED Episode 2 2013 event on 4th of September in Berlin.
According to the anonymous tipster, the Galaxy Gear will feature the following specificationss:-
CPU: Samsung Exynos 4212 dual core 1.5GHz
GPU: ARM Mali-400 MP4
RAM: 1GB
Display: 320×320 (3cm×3cm – 1.67-inches) AMOLED (not sure if it’s flexible)
Camera: 2 Megapixel
Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC
Take this information with a pinch of salt as these specifications came from an anonymous source and we are not able to confirm this information with our insiders at the moment. We will keep you folks updated as soon as we receive some new information.

Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (SM-T211)

Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (SM-T211)


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Since the beginning of the Galaxy Tab series Samsung has used a 7 inch screen size for their tablets. Just like they did before, Samsung made a 7 inch tablet. Time for us to put the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 the Wi-Fi version under the microscope and see if this tablet is a worthy successor of the old generation 7 inch tablets.
Design
Samsung has put out a new designline with the Galaxy Tab 3, a designline that we personally do not like that much but however it can work very fast. We are talking about the hardware home button and touch buttons here. This is a Samsung’s first to place these on their tablets. If we compare the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 with the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 our very first impression is that the tablet has become smaller and thinner, this way it has become more comfortable to hold in your hand. Samsung has used the same designline with this tablet as the Galaxy S4. Something boring but knowing Samsung’s first design line all models are connected and with this years models they are doing the same.
Time to take a look at all sides of this device.
Front – 7 inch screen, level sensor, 1.3 megapixel front camera, home button and two touch sensitive buttons.
Left side – Micro SD opening
Right side – Microphone, Lock Button, Volume rockers
Top – 3.5 mm plug
Bottom – 2 speakers, micro USB connector and a microphone
Back – 3 megapixel camera.
Although this tablet is more or less the same compared to the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, but it is definitely an upgrade design wise. The tablet feels much more sturdy and is more comfortable to hold in your hand.
Here are some pictures of the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 designline.
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DESIGN – 7/10
Interface
With the new Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Samsung is using their new Touch Wiz Nature UX interface. Unfortunately this is not the latest version of their Touch Wiz Nature UX. For example, the icons are not that sharp as it is the case with the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 , this is a small loss. Also we noticed that this tablet unlike its bigger brothers runs on Android 4.1.2, where its bigger brothers have inherited Android 4.2.2. We expect Samsung to update this tablet to Android 4.2.2 in the coming months, and than we also expect sharper menu icons after this update. Well we had hoped taht this tablet was running Android 4.2.2.
Generally everyone knows the Touch Wiz Nature UX interface of Samsung. So we will not dive into this content. So we recommend to see our video review above, here we show the Galaxy Tab 3 in a quick interface run trough.
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INTERFACE – 6.5/10
Smart Functions
Where Samsung nowadays implants their smart functions in every product, that is not the case with this tablet. Even the basic Smart Stay is abcent, bad thing Samsung! Of course this tablet is very cheap but this feature in our eyes could be there considering the Galaxy Tab3 8.0 has this function. Now we do have voice control in this device (if you can call this a smart function).
SMART FUNCTIONS – 2/10
Multimedia
In the multimedia section, this tablet does the same things as the Galaxy Tab2 7.0. Unfortunately we have to ask ourselfves why Samsung has forgotten the simple thing like multi-window. However, this tablet comes standard with the new gallery which will give this tablet or a more expensive appearance. All in all we have no complaints about its multimedia options, although this tablet has no radio application. Since the Galaxy S4 Samsung has decided to leave the Radio application abcent. However, we regret that the more luxurious things like multi-window isn’t included. However, this can still come through the updates.
MULTIMEDIA – 7/10
Screen
The Galaxy Tab3 7.0 is using a 7 ich TFT display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 (WSVGA) and the pixel density here is 170. This resolution we know back from the previous generation Galaxy Tablets. Samsung probably has some screens left over or this is the cheapest way to produce these tablets to keep the price as low as possible. We hoped that Samsung would go for a better screen. Likely that the real great tablets will be coming later this year and Samsung has really chosen for this screen to keep the price so low. However, it has to be said that the colors appear natural, of course you miss some pixels but it is mainly the colors that you see. This is reasonable for TFT screens, unfortunately the screen is difficult to read in direct sunlight but this is a known problem with every screen.
SCREEN – 7/10
Camera
The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 W-Fi is using a 3 megapixel camera on its back and a 1.3 megapixel front camera. Only the front camera has been updated from the Galaxy Tab2, unfortunately the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 still uses the old camera interface. However, there are some features and photo scenes present to make reasonable photos. Touch Focus is not present wich is kind of odd but there is a digital zoom up to 4 times, which is going to the expense of the picture quality. All in all this camera of this tablet is just not that good, you can shoot decent pictures but we can not recommend this tablet if you want to shoot high quality pictures. Price technically a 3 megapixel camera sensor is a good one but we prefer a 5 megapixel sensor. This will soon be the standard for tablets.
CAMERA – 6/10
Performance
Samsung has installed a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor in the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 .This processor is good enough for every days use. Samsung increased the Galaxy Tab 3’s processor with 0.2 GHz compared to the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. Of course, this tablet is not the fastest but what do you expect from a entry level tablet with this price.
PERFORMANCE – 7.2/10
Battery
The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 uses a 4000 mAh battery, in our opinion the battery has a descent amount of juice for a tablet. According to the information of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 which also has a 4000 mAh battery, this tablet has a Standby Time Up to 1000 Hours, of course this is not bad!
When we used the tablet in our test period of one week, we had to fully charge this tablet 1 time. The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 has a good battery in our opinion. We expect that this battery will only get better with the coming updates.
BATTERY – 7.4/10
Conclusion
1 week with the Galaxy Tab3 7.0 hasn’t left a good impression on us. Of course the price is very cheap, but we expected more on the software level. Especially considering the fact that the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and 10.1 both running on Android 4.2.2. Why is there a Samsung tablet on the market with an outdated Android version?????? Also, the lack of simple functions such as smart stay and multi window is a bad thing. Of course there are a lot approvements on its design, but a worthy succesor, Naaaah!!
The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Wi-Fi scored a 6.2 out of 10
DESIGN – 7/10
INTERFACE – 6.5/10
SMART FUNCTIONS – 2/10
MULTIMEDIA – 7/10
SCREEN – 7/10
CAMERA – 6/10
PERFORMANCE – 7.2/10
BATTERY – 7.4/10
SamMobile’s reviews are written for the regular user. When you’re looking for more technical, in-depth reviews with lots of hard performance numbers, please visit a larger, more technical website.