Samsung Reveals Galaxy S5 With Home Button Fingerprint Sensor, Accompanying 'Gear Fit' Band

[samcraig]

The heart rate sensor in a phone is new but as many tech bloggers have pointed out it's inconsistent and inaccurate. You have inaccurate readings in the area like this could potentially be very dangerous

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They anticipated fitness biometrics and came out with it first again I applaud them for that but the implementation is so so.

So you've used it first hand? No - you've just read what a selected few (albeit perhaps trusted) writers have said so far. The product isn't complete yet though right? It's not currently being sold and its entirely possible accuracy could be improved. I have no idea. Possible though.

Further - I imagine that anyone who has a medical condition that requires heart monitoring isn't going to rely (solely) on their phone. At least this is the same argument Apple users gave when the iPad was reported to interfere with some pace makers. Naturally - those with pacemakers would KNOW and avoid putting the area where there are magnets on their chest.

 

[spinedoc77]

I know I'm probably dreaming but I would love to see iPhone go 32, 64 and 128 at the same prices as current models.

I bet it won't happen any time soon. Milking consumers for that extra memory must be a huge cash cow for Apple.

 

[osofast240sx]

So you've used it first hand? No - you've just read what a selected few (albeit perhaps trusted) writers have said so far. The product isn't complete yet though right? It's not currently being sold and its entirely possible accuracy could be improved. I have no idea. Possible though.

Further - I imagine that anyone who has a medical condition that requires heart monitoring isn't going to rely (solely) on their phone. At least this is the same argument Apple users gave when the iPad was reported to interfere with some pace makers. Naturally - those with pacemakers would KNOW and avoid putting the area where there are magnets on their chest.

I'm talking about people that I know that were at the event that are hard-core android fanatics. But you maybe right I don't know I had no idea the phone was not finished yet.

 

[BvizioN]

And by your logic then Samsung has in no way copied Apple then, because its implementation is also different. That has to be the fact using your own logic.

Where in the real world... They both have copied the idea from Motorola.

Yeah, if you wan't to believe that. Because you know, in the real world it was Motorola who INVENTED fingerprint technology!

 

[100mileshigh]

Okay, so it's the same **** with more gimmicks. Looks like Samsung has run out of ideas.

4k UHD video recording & IP67 certification are hardly gimmicks .....

 

[spinedoc77]

So you've used it first hand? No - you've just read what a selected few (albeit perhaps trusted) writers have said so far. The product isn't complete yet though right? It's not currently being sold and its entirely possible accuracy could be improved. I have no idea. Possible though.

Further - I imagine that anyone who has a medical condition that requires heart monitoring isn't going to rely (solely) on their phone. At least this is the same argument Apple users gave when the iPad was reported to interfere with some pace makers. Naturally - those with pacemakers would KNOW and avoid putting the area where there are magnets on their chest.

The HR sensor is an overblown overhyped feature anyway. The whole fitness band craze is just marketing to people who like to crunch what is IMO semi useless numbers. That's coming from someone who was a personal trainer for almost 20 years.

 

[Dave.UK]

That's nice. Ultra battery savings Okay... I can tack "ultra" onto anything to make it seem amazing.

So a setting which say was activated when your phone is at just 10% battery, would give you 24 hours phone and text capability is just a gimmick?

Cant please some people unless its Apple that releases it!

 

[samcraig]

4k UHD video recording & IP67 certification are hardly gimmicks .....

Apple doesn't have them yet in their phones... so naturally they are gimmicks

 

[Burger Thing]

What rumours does Samsung apparently copy? Not this "iWatch" which hasnt even been cofirmned or announced.

Samsung have released smartwatchs for years.

One has to wonder about their Engineer Department, though. With their years of experience they had in building smartwatchs, how could they possibly train wrecked the Gear 1 so hard?

The Gear 1 didn't came across as a device, which was carefully engineered nor well laid software wise. I personally find it a bit hard to believe, that a long thought or development process went into this thing, to have a matures product in the market. After all, they have, like you said, years of experience in building smartwatchs. It should have therefore be much better.

And lasted much longer, too. Being replaced only after a few months on the market? Sorry, the whole thing just screamed rush job. Hmmm, now one has to wonder, why they did rush it? Could it be possible the rumors of an upcoming iWatch. Nah, Samsung would never do that.

 

[LordVic]

4k UHD video recording & IP67 certification are hardly gimmicks .....

you need to learn MacRumor's lingo.

Feature: A functionality of a device that is included in an iPhone to accomplish a task.

Gimmick: A functionality of a device that is included in a non Apple phone, that does not have an analogous feature set on an iPhone.

too many people have a hard time getting the fact that just because a feature isn't directly useful to them, that it's useless and a gimmick just there to sell, instead of actually trying to provide product differentiation and uniqueness.

Samsung adding more features and the kitchen sink to their phones is a good thing. Everyone should always been wanting more and more features (EVen if all they do is turn them off). Options are always better than none.

edit: Damnit, I responded to the wrong post in thread.

 

[Brittany246]

So a setting which say was activated when your phone is at just 10% battery, would give you 24 hours phone and text capability is just a gimmick?

Cant please some people unless its Apple that releases it!

I love how you think this has anything to do with Apple. I didn't once mention Apple. I think they're definitely running out of **** to add to their phones too. I love how hard you're trying to defend your precious Samsung phone. You probably think everybody on this site is an Apple fanboy. Guess what, we're not all like that. I buy things according to what I like or want to try. I don't care who added a useless feature onto their phone first. I still will think it's useless either way.

 

[LordVic]

And lasted much longer, too. Sorry, the whole thing just screamed rush job. Hmmm, now one has to wonder, why they did rush it? Could it be possible the rumors of an upcoming iWatch. Nah, Samsung would never do that.

Its not likely the iWatch rumours that set Samsung off.

First, they've done other smart watches in the past.

But I think it was more of a knee jerk reaction to the fact that EVERYONE was startign to work on watches. Sony had already released their 2nd iteration of their current smart watch line.

Fitness companies like Nike+ and Fitbit were already well into their wearables, even with watch like devices.

and what we saw at CES this year with hundreds of other wearables, anyone could see that the "watch" wearables business was kicking off full gear. its not unreasonable to believe that Samsung saw this and jumped on board. Albeit with a solution that didnt live up to what people expected.

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I love how you think this has anything to do with Apple. I didn't once mention Apple. I think they're definitely running out of **** to add to their phones too. I love how hard you're trying to defend your precious Samsung phone. You probably think everybody on this site is an Apple fanboy. Guess what, we're not all like that. I buy things according to what I like or want to try.

I think everyone is running out of unique ideas. Really, what more can we add to the modern Smartphone? (If I knew, i'd probaby be able to make it rich!)

but we've pretty much hit this point, where every manufacturer, Samsung, Apple, Sony, LG have hit a point where they just can't change the devices each iteration that much. They all already have pretty much the kitchen sink, They all pretty much run very smooth (yes, even Android runs very smooth now).

so whats' next? Where do the companies go from here? I think they've also managed to hit the size threshold for a Cell phone.

so whats next?

I think the big game right now is working on improving this:

 

[Dave.UK]

I love how you think this has anything to do with Apple. I didn't once mention Apple. I think they're definitely running out of **** to add to their phones too. I love how hard you're trying to defend your precious Samsung phone. You probably think everybody on this site is an Apple fanboy. Guess what, we're not all like that. I buy things according to what I like or want to try. I don't care who added a useless feature onto their phone first. I still will think it's useless either way.

Like the way you have just presumed I have a Samsung phone - which I dont.

I like a good debate/discussion. You simply came along and made some remark about it having a load of gimmicks that no-one will use. Just because you wont use a feature, dosnet mean someone else wont.

Personally, Id rather have the feature and not use it, then not have it and need it.

4K recording
Water resistant
Child settings
Ultra Batter Saving
Heart sensor
Folders secured via fingerprint

--> I personally wouldnt call these gimmicks.

 

[osofast240sx]

so whats' next? Where do the companies go from here? I think they've also managed to hit the size threshold for a Cell phone.

so whats next?

There are still so many areas to cover in so many areas for improvements.

 

[samcraig]

I love how you think this has anything to do with Apple. I didn't once mention Apple. I think they're definitely running out of **** to add to their phones too. I love how hard you're trying to defend your precious Samsung phone. You probably think everybody on this site is an Apple fanboy. Guess what, we're not all like that. I buy things according to what I like or want to try. I don't care who added a useless feature onto their phone first. I still will think it's useless either way.

Well to be fair - there are plenty in this thread that appear to be - regardless if you are or not. The fact that people are bringing up the color "gold" as a proof point and being so passionate about it indicates some level of absurdity.

But I get where you're coming from and agree. A useless feature (to you, maybe not others) is a useless feature - no matter the tech. But I still like the fact that companies are trying and even if its a feature *I* don't want or need - there are probably people that do. Even though there are things that wouldn't make my top 100 list as purchase deciding factors - to some, they might be.

Better to have the option than no option.

 

[NationsHero]

Mixed feelings over here...

Things I like about the S5:
- Screen size (really hoping for a bigger iPhone 6 although I see the problem about the resolution - but I hope cupertino will work something out)
- compatibility with ANT+ (so you can use a proper heart rate monitor you might already own - my garmin for example)
- exchangable battery (my iPhone 4s really sucks batterywise after 2 years)
- ultra power save mode (nice idea to turn off some stuff automatically at a certain battery level - would be interesting to know if you can configure yourself what to turn off and what not?)
- using the fingerprint for other stuff than just unlocking the phone and buying stuff at iTunes
- kids mode depending on the finger print - for an iPhone/iPad I would love to have userprofiles that are automatically activated whoevers fingerprint is used to log on (makes more sense for the iPad as this is probably the gadget that is shared more often between different people. This way everybody could have his own favorites/mail accounts/whatsoever)

Things that could have been better yesterday:
- fingerprint reader that needs a swiping motion, I think Apple did a better job at that point.
- I don't see the point in having a heart rate monitor in a phone (you certainly won't hold it in your hand while working out)
- Neo fit - that screen orientation is just wrong! I understand why they did it the way they did, but I really don't like it
- don't like the gold option - neither on the S5 nor the 5S!
But I would rather prefer the Galaxy if I had to choose one of the golden phones, the combination gold and white on the iPhone doesn't work for me at all!

If Samsung would have offered something really special I would have thought about it but right now I think I'll wait for the iPhone6...

 

[osofast240sx]

Like the way you have just presumed I have a Samsung phone - which I dont.

I like a good debate/discussion. You simply came along and made some remark about it having a load of gimmicks that no-one will use. Just because you wont use a feature, dosnet mean someone else wont.

Personally, Id rather have the feature and not use it, then not have it and need it.

4K recording
Water resistant
Child settings
Ultra Batter Saving
Heart sensor
Folders secured via fingerprint

--> I personally wouldnt call these gimmicks.

4k recording how about perfect 1080 P recording first.
Water resistant no thank you! my life proof case makes it waterproof.
Childproof straight up gimmick just lock your phone or teach your kids to behave.
Heart rate sensor a gimmick.
I agree on the battery saving and secure folders.

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Mixed feelings over here...

Things I like about the S5:
- Screen size (really hoping for a bigger iPhone 6 although I see the problem about the resolution - but I hope cupertino will work something out)
- compatibility with ANT+ (so you can use a proper heart rate monitor you might already own - my garmin for example)
- exchangable battery (my iPhone 4s really sucks batterywise after 2 years)
- ultra power save mode (nice idea to turn off some stuff automatically at a certain battery level - would be interesting to know if you can configure yourself what to turn off and what not?)
- using the fingerprint for other stuff than just unlocking the phone and buying stuff at iTunes
- kids mode depending on the finger print - for an iPhone/iPad I would love to have userprofiles that are automatically activated whoevers fingerprint is used to log on (makes more sense for the iPad as this is probably the gadget that is shared more often between different people. This way everybody could have his own favorites/mail accounts/whatsoever)

Things that could have been better yesterday:
- fingerprint reader that needs a swiping motion, I think Apple did a better job at that point.
- I don't see the point in having a heart rate monitor in a phone (you certainly won't hold it in your hand while working out)
- Neo fit - that screen orientation is just wrong! I understand why they did it the way they did, but I really don't like it
- don't like the gold option - neither on the S5 nor the 5S!
But I would rather prefer the Galaxy if I had to choose one of the golden phones, the combination gold and white on the iPhone doesn't work for me at all!

If Samsung would have offered something really special I would have thought about it but right now I think I'll wait for the iPhone6...

I don't get why they had to make the phone bigger?

 

[osofast240sx]

What rumours does Samsung apparently copy? Not this "iWatch" which hasnt even been cofirmned or announced.

Samsung have released smartwatchs for years.

They do copy that's why they're being sued by Dyson

 

[Dave.UK]

4k recording how about perfect 1080 P recording first.
Water resistant no thank you! my life proof case makes it waterproof.
Childproof straight up gimmick just lock your phone or teach your kids to behave.
Heart rate sensor a gimmick.
I agree on the battery saving and secure folders.

Whats currently wrong with the 1080p recording on Samsung phones?

So because YOU dont need a phone to be water resistant, its now a gimmick. Great logic!

Ive seen it requested numerous times on this forum, people wanting apple to incorporate a child setting into ios. Hardly a gimmick when its a requested feature.

Heart rate sensor I wouldnt be interested in, but that dosent mean others wont.

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They do copy that's why they're being sued by Dyson

Were talking about phones here, not vacuum cleaners. Try again.

PS - Dyson dropped the lawsuit against Samsung. Samsung is now suing Dyson because of its groundless litigation. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/17/samsung-dyson-vacuum-cleaner-patent-copyright

 

[Brittany246]

Like the way you have just presumed I have a Samsung phone - which I dont.

I like a good debate/discussion. You simply came along and made some remark about it having a load of gimmicks that no-one will use. Just because you wont use a feature, dosnet mean someone else wont.

Personally, Id rather have the feature and not use it, then not have it and need it.

4K recording
Water resistant
Child settings
Ultra Batter Saving
Heart sensor
Folders secured via fingerprint

--> I personally wouldnt call these gimmicks.

Ok... Call it whatever you want.

Samsung's question of the decade: How much **** can you pack into a phone?

 

[candle]

Ok... Call it whatever you want.

Samsung's question of the decade: How much **** can you pack into a phone?

I like the things Samsung does; the unique system features/aspects are what many people like most about them.

 

[El Hikaru]

Everything Samsung does is something new to me.

 

[NationsHero]

Even the applefanboys should be glad Samsung tries to compete with Apple (even if in big parts that means copying stuff).

I bet the current iPhone would look really different if no one was pushing Apple. And I don't even wanna think about what it would probably cost!

 

[osofast240sx]

I like the things Samsung does; the unique system features/aspects are what many people like most about them.

What unique features do you care to elaborate

 

[vomhorizon]

Mixed feelings over here...

Things I like about the S5:
- Screen size (really hoping for a bigger iPhone 6 although I see the problem about the resolution - but I hope cupertino will work something out)
- compatibility with ANT+ (so you can use a proper heart rate monitor you might already own - my garmin for example)
- exchangable battery (my iPhone 4s really sucks batterywise after 2 years)
- ultra power save mode (nice idea to turn off some stuff automatically at a certain battery level - would be interesting to know if you can configure yourself what to turn off and what not?)
- using the fingerprint for other stuff than just unlocking the phone and buying stuff at iTunes
- kids mode depending on the finger print - for an iPhone/iPad I would love to have userprofiles that are automatically activated whoevers fingerprint is used to log on (makes more sense for the iPad as this is probably the gadget that is shared more often between different people. This way everybody could have his own favorites/mail accounts/whatsoever)

Things that could have been better yesterday:
- fingerprint reader that needs a swiping motion, I think Apple did a better job at that point.
- I don't see the point in having a heart rate monitor in a phone (you certainly won't hold it in your hand while working out)
- Neo fit - that screen orientation is just wrong! I understand why they did it the way they did, but I really don't like it
- don't like the gold option - neither on the S5 nor the 5S!
But I would rather prefer the Galaxy if I had to choose one of the golden phones, the combination gold and white on the iPhone doesn't work for me at all!

If Samsung would have offered something really special I would have thought about it but right now I think I'll wait for the iPhone6...

Screen resolution would only be a technical problem on the iP6 if apple decided to bump up to a 4x..That would give headaches to apple when it comes to finding a display solution at a certain price point. If they are willing to share the responsibility with the developers (like they did with the iPAD family) then they can go for whatever solution is available now and ask developers to re-do the apps. That seems more likely...A 4.7 or 5 inch iP6 with a LCD (445-450ppi) seems a very strong possibility.

I don't see the point in having a heart rate monitor in a phone (you certainly won't hold it in your hand while working out)

They even dropped the ball during the keynote. One of the persons said that the new fit allows you to leave your phone behind and do everything on the wearable, heart rate, music, notifications etc ..Then the other person introduced the heart rate sensor on the phone ..

ultra power save mode (nice idea to turn off some stuff automatically at a

I don't think much of that..One can easily turn off apps, LTE or wifi and get an awesome battery life by using the phone as essentially a feature phone. With a larger battery on a larger phone, the iP6 should do very well here. Samsung devices generally do not do well with battery (Compare the IPAD's batter life to its samsung equivalent)..