Category: Samsung Galaxy Note 8

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ARCore Support Confirmed For Galaxy S8+, Note8 & Future Samsung Phones

One of the big pushes throughout last week’s Oculus Connect 4 was the emphasis, as always on creators and on developers. But that was last week, and today saw Samsung take to the stage in San Francisco, California for the Samsung Developer Conference.

It was, however, Google that revealed perhaps the biggest news coming out of the event. That the two tech titans, rivals in the battle for smartphone-based virtual reality (VR) would be uniting their products on the augmented reality (AR) stage.

Taking to that stage was Google’s Vice President of Virtual and Augmented Reality, Clay Bavor. Who confirmed to crowds during the first day’s keynote that the two companies would be bringing Google’s AR creation platform ARCore to not only the Samsung Galaxy S8+ smartphone but the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 phablet.  Both of which use the Android operating system developed by Google. Bavor also confirmed that future Samsung phones, presumably in the Galaxy line, would also be receiving ARCore support.

It’s the latest in a series of announcements in the battle of AR development which began in June this year when Google’s rival Apple first revealed its own AR developer platform called ARKit. Apple, continuing to be vocal about their support for AR over VR. ARCore being subsequently revealed in August with initial support for the Google Pixel, Pixel XL and the Samsung Galaxy S8. This move deepens that initial bond, and speaking on Twitter Bavor confirmed he was “excited” to be working with Samsung further.

Following a 2017 that has seen interest in developing apps with AR skyrocket thanks to both ARKit and ARCore, it is surely a matter of time before Apple’s next move.  When we get news on any further developments with either AR platform we will of course let you know on VRFocus.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Officially Announced [Updated]

As most experts and analysts has been expecting, the Samsung Unpacked announcement was about the return of Samsung’s smartphone/tablet hybrid, the Samsung Galaxy Note, with the new version coming to market on 15th September, 2017.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 gained infamy and a confirmed place in the world of internet memes after several reported incidents involving fires started by the device, caused by a serious overcharging issue. This ultimately led to a recall and discontinuation. Many experts thought that Samsung would end the Galaxy Note line altogether, but today’s announcement proves that isn’t the case. Samsung took on the failure and recall of the Galaxy Note 7 directly in the presentation, addressing the problems while pointing out that many fans loved the device.

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be released 15th September, 2017 and will come with a pair of free headphones, since the device will come with a standard smartphone jack. It will be sold SIM-free for £869 (GBP) in the UK. Pre-orders will be available from 24th August, 2017.

The device will be powered by an Octa-Core 2.3Ghz Quad + 1.7GHzQuad 64-bit processor and have 6GB of RAM, with a huge 6.3 inch QuadHD+ super AMOLED ‘Infinity Display’ up front, a type of bezel-free ‘all screen’ display previously seen on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. The Galaxy Note 8 will also support the Vulkan Gaming API to enhance mobile videogaming.

The device has a dual rear camera with 2x optical zoom and dual OIS (optical image stabilisation), while the front camera will be 8MP. As expected, the much-beloved S-pen stylus will be returning, a very attractive feature for some users, like artists.

No word was given on compatability with the Samsung Gear VR at this time, or whether it would become compatible with the Google Daydream, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Samsung also said that the company was grateful to those customers who had remained loyal to Samsung smartphones despite the Galaxy Note 7 issues. VRFocus will bring you further news on the Galaxy Note 8 as it becomes available.

Update: This article was updated to include the addition of Samsung’s introductory trailer.

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Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Screen In 4K?

Since Samsung announced it will be making a big reveal on 23rd August, 2017, speculation surrounding what what be unveiled has been rife. Most experts and analysts have pinpointed the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 smartphone/tablet hybrid, which led to further speculation on what capabilities it would feature, including some rumours that the Galaxy Note 8 would be the first smartphone to boast a 4K screen.

According to a report by TechRadar, the successor to the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 is said to have a QHD+ screen, with a screen size of a hefty 6.3 inches, including the bezel-free all-screen ‘infinity display’ that was a much-touted feature of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. The leaks further suggest that the phone will have a 4K screen.

Some critics have questioned why a smartphone – even one a large as the Galaxy Note 8 is said to be – would need a 4K screen, which seems to come down to its ability to be used a Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream screen. Samsung announced earlier this year its plans to add Google Daydream compatibility to its line of Galaxy S8 smartphones, and most analysts are expecting that will also apply to the Galaxy Note 8.

Other, more recent leaks suggest the Galaxy Note 8 will feature a 1440 x 2960 Super AMOLED display of 6.3 inches, though others have pointed towards a 6.4 inch QHD+ OLED screen. Of course, the device will still feature the S-Pen, a much-loved feature for many Galaxy Note fans.

The full truth of what Samsung have planned will be revealed on 23rd August, and VRFocus will bring you the latest news as it happens.

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Samsung Leaks Galaxy Note 8 On Own Website

Most analysts were fairly confident that the big announcement that Samsung are planning for the 23rd August is going to be the new version of the Galaxy Note smartphone. Those suspicions were all but confirmed when Samsung inadvertently listed the Galaxy Note 8 on its own official website.

Though the page was quickly removed, many tech websites and bloggers were quick enough off the mark to grab screen captures and images of the upcoming phone from the listing, which was for the factory unlocked version of the Galaxy Note 8. Analysts have noted that the official images accidentally placed on the Samsung website very closely resemble the leaked renders and live images of the Galaxy Note 8, and confirms what many had been saying about features that will be available on the device, such as the presence of an ‘all-screen’ infinity display and lack of Home button. The Galaxy Note 8 is also expected to be getting the new Google Daydream compatibility.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be the successor to the infamous Galaxy note 7, which was recalled twice and discontinued following repeated problems involving battery overcharge causing fires. The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to feature a 3300mAh battery, with Samsung strongly emphasising its safety procedures for its batteries.

There has been no official confirmation on what specifications for the Galaxy Note 8, though some analysts have predicted that it will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, though some rumours suggest the processor might be the upgraded Snapdragon 836, or Samsung’s in-house Exynos 8895. The device is expected to cost as much as £1,000 (GBP) and could be available for order as soon as 24th August, 2017.

VRFocus will bring you further news on Samsung’s new products as it becomes available.