Sprint, US Cellular, Verizon Lunge for Customers Amid Galaxy Note Launch
Several U.S. wireless carriers jumped on Samsung’s worldwide Galaxy Note 4 announcements Wednesday in hopes of winning new subscribers in the hotly competitive market. Sprint said it will be the only wireless carrier to offer the U.S. version of the Galaxy Note 4 and the Note Edge capable of running on its high-speed Sprint Spark network (http://on.mktw.net/1rMO8SP). Sprint also told customers it will offer the Gear VR virtual reality headset, also launched Wednesday, that’s designed to use the Galaxy Note 4 as the screen.
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US Cellular issued an email statement that it could confirm it will carry the Galaxy Note 4 in October and that it will follow up with details later. Verizon Wireless’s landing page led with the Galaxy Note 4 and Edge on Wednesday under the banner “The Next Big Thing is Coming Soon.” Verizon extended an invitation for customers to sign up for email updates on availability with the lure to “Be the first to get product, pre-order and launch details.”
AT&T, meanwhile, didn’t show either of the new Samsung Notes, featuring instead on its launch page a free 8 GB iPhone 4s, with contract, along with a smattering of refurbished phones from other carriers. T-Mobile also pushed refurbished phones on its landing page. When we typed Note 4 into the search field, a chat box appeared asking if we needed help.
The Galaxy Note 4 has a 5.7-inch quad HD (2560 x 1440) Super AMOLED display with a multiview window that users can customize according to whether they want to view an application in full, split or pop-up modes, the company said. The Galaxy Note 4 has a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with a smart optical image stabilizer and a 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera that can be extended to a 120-degree wide angle for group selfies, Samsung said. The Galaxy Note 4 includes an updated fingerprint scanner and the first UV sensor in a mobile device, Samsung said. Additional sensors monitor proximity, barometric pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2), depending on market.
The pen in the Note 4 was redesigned to deliver a more authentic pen experience, Samsung said, including a brush effect said to emulate writing on paper with a fountain or calligraphy pen. The Snap Note feature allows users to take a picture of notes on paper or from a classroom board, and then convert text using Samsung’s S Note application. The device also has voice memo.
The Galaxy Note Edge, meanwhile, has a curved 5.6-inch Super AMOLED screen designed to give quick access to frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality. Users can access apps with a swipe of the thumb when the cover is closed. Users can also receive notifications directly on the Edge screen, which curves over the side of the device, so that viewing isn’t interrupted while watching videos, the company said.