Mobile Devices
Samsung offensive on Apple: Galaxy Tab S2 series
Last year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S, both the 8.4- and 10.5-inch variant, have become two of the most popular tablets on the market, and two of the tablets with most positive reviews online. Still, Apple’s iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 were more popular last year and up until now, but that might change soon enough as Samsung launched the successor to the Tab S line earlier this month. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is finally official after weeks of rumors and speculations, and while it’s not exactly an innovative new product, it does begin a serious offensive against Apple.
The Galaxy Tab S2 release is not the first or the only offensive Samsung launched against Apple, as with their recent Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 and today’s Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ announcement, the South Korean company is clearly targeting the people who have become accustomed to the premium feeling associated with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2. Samsung has a fair shot in the tablet market, even though the Galaxy S6 launches weren’t as profitable as expected with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2.
At the Samsung Unpacked event, we got to learn about the Galaxy Tab S2 release date, pricing, features and global availability somewhat, and while we weren’t overly impressed by what the company presented with the tablet upon its launch, we can still say that the new Galaxy Tab S2 is a top-notch flagship tablet that competes with all the major slates launched in the past couple of months (there haven’t been too many, though). Even if people seem to believe the tablet market is failing and tablets are going to fade into oblivion, the Galaxy Tab S2 presents serious incentive for consumers in Samsung’s mind, as it offers a premium design and a premium experience to go with it. As long as you’re in love with the cartoonish TouchWiz.
First off, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is thinner than the iPad Air 2, which no doubt makes Tim Cook cringe in his seat as he begrudgingly watches the Samsung Unpacked event online. While the iPad Air 2 measures 6.1 mm, Samsung managed to get the Galaxy Tab S2 size down to 5.6 mm in thickness, which is impressive. Although many say a thin chassis for tablets is not exactly ideal, people seem to love the feeling of holding digital paper in their hands, as it were. Such devices are indeed pleasant to hold, to be fair. It’s like popping bubble wrap for some.
Moving, the Galaxy Tab S2 comes with a large model, which is actually only 390 grams compared to the iPad Air 2’s 440 grams, so Samsung tops Apple in this field once again. Sadly, the screen sizes on both models have dropped a wee bit, but that might be more of a pro than a con. The smaller Galaxy Tab S2 display measures 8 inches and comes with a 2048*1536 resolution Super AMOLED panel, while the 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 gets the same panel on a 9.7 inch display. The resolution is still optimal, but the aspect ratio switching to portrait mode does in fact stand as a testament to what company Samsung is clearly after this year. Most people seem to applaud the change in aspect ratio, as portrait mode seems to be preferred in the handheld tablet game.
When it comes to specs and features, both versions of the Galaxy Tab S2 have about the same specs sheet. They feature Samsung’s own Exynos 5433 CPU, backed by 3 GB RAM. As PCAdvisor points out, the CPU is the same as in the Galaxy Note 4 (the one which doesn’t come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon). Onboard storage is between 32 GB and 64 GB and here comes the most interesting part, the part which will actually help Samsung outdo the iPad Air 2 with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2: microSD card slot, with support up to 128 GB.
The fact that the Galaxy Tab S2 comes with a microSD card slot will please a lot of people involved in the recent upheaval about the feature missing from the Samsung Galaxy S6 and oddly enough, it looks like Samsung is serious about listening to feedback this time, and it might be working. TouchWiz is still horrible, but the company is on the appropriate road, or so it would seem.
The Galaxy Tab S2 camera measures 8 MP on the rear and 2.1 MP on the front, on both sizes of the tablet. The camera is not spectacular as far as we’ve seen, so we’re not sure if Samsung can compete with Apple in this department. Nonetheless, the optional 4G LTE and the always-present fingerprint sensor (which is a touch sensor, not a swipe sensor, yay) add to the overall appeal of the Galaxy Tab S2 series. The company did well this time and included decent batteries in both models, although these still might not be big enough.
The 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 comes with a 4000 mAh battery while the 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 has about 5870 mAh providing the juice. Considering the smaller screens and lower resolutions, battery life could be impressive. Last year’s 8.4 inch Galaxy Tab S had 4900 mAh, while the 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S had 7900 mAh to work with. There’s a big difference between those batteries (they probably couldn’t fit larger batteries in the 5.6 mm body of the Galaxy Tab S2), and we’re very curious as to how well they will hold up with moderate and heavy usage. This one we’ll have to see, but if Samsung nails the performance and battery life, we’ve a serious competitor against the Apple iPad Air 2.
But the iPad Air 3 or iPad Pro are coming in September, so we doubt that Samsung is going to outdo one of those with the Galaxy Tab S2. Still, the new tablets are quite wonderful and the aspect ratio and design change do add to the appeal of the slate. The company also added a few nifty software features, like Android 5.0 Lollipop, Microsoft Office, 100 GB of OneDrive storage for two years, Pop-Up Window, Smart Manager and more unique native features will also be available to Galaxy Tab S2 buyers. So, basically, bloat. Still, the Microsoft stuff is interesting enough.
Now for the price, because that’s where Samsung is usually sensitive. You can see all the Galaxy Tab S2 prices, calculated after the price in euro that Samsung provided. Although an exact release date for the tablet hasn’t been given, they are promised to appear on the international market this month, as stated by Samsung at the Unpacked event. Although the prices are a bit high for a tablet, they are about the same price as the iPad Air 2. so this is definitely an attempt at a premium device.
Approx. $445 for the 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 with Wi-Fi, regardless of storage.
Approx. $525 for the 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 with 4G LTE, regardless of storage.
Approx. $556 for the 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 with Wi-Fi, regardless of storage.
Approx. $635 for the 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 with 4G LTE, regardless of storage.
Although the Tab S2 wants to be a premium tablet, the plastic, ribbed back panel is not doing it any favors. Sure, the frame is metal and feels quite nice, the device itself is incredibly thin and light, but that’s about it. The back still isn’t metal or glass, which seems to sit well with customers that the company wants to target. Still, for those who don’t want metal because it makes tablets prone to overheating and it restricts the ports and features that one can include, the plastic back is sexy enough. It’s not as appalling as the one on the Galaxy S5 and it’s even better than the one on the Galaxy Note 4, so it’s ultimately a nice premium finish, even without the metal.
Overall, Samsung’s new tablets are pretty impressive, even though the next iPad will probably still outsell them, as it’s very close to its launch. The Tab S2 has been on sale in Singapore since the beginning of the month, but finally, these tablets are official and globally available, or at least they will be in the next two weeks.
Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.
Tampon Run – Menstrual health
Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.
In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.
PCOS Vitality – PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.
The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.
Bound by Blood – Period poverty
Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.
Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.
Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising
PS5 and PS4 console game Death Stranding Director’s Cut is coming natively to the iPhone 15 Pro, demonstrating its power. The entirety of Kojima Productions’ seminal hiking sim, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, will be available on your phone. Bonkers!
Tech giant: “Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro improves the entire chip, including Apple’s biggest GPU redesign. The new CPU is 10% faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is 2x faster, powering iOS 17 features like autocorrect and Personal Voice.
According to the company, the pro-class GPU is 20% faster and unlocks new experiences with a 6-core design that boosts peak performance and energy efficiency. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 4x faster than software-based, gives iPhone 15 Pro smoother graphics and more immersive AR and gaming experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console games to smartphones for the first time.
As with all cutting-edge Apple products, participation is expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro will cost £999/$999 at launch, and the Max model will cost £1,199/$1,199 for a 6.7″ screen. The most basic option only gives you 128GB, so you’ll need more if you want to play Death Stranding on the go.
However, the blurring of standalone consoles and mobile games is fascinating. The success of Genshin Impact, a full-fledged open world, has shown there’s a market for console-like mobile games. It will be interesting to see how Death Stranding performs on this latest iPhone generation.
The three phones have similar screens and processors, but they vary in a number of ways.
The Redmi Note series from Xiaomi has historically been the brand’s most well-liked smartphone line, providing excellent value in the entry-level market. The Redmi Note 12 series has now been unveiled by the firm in China.
The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus are the three phones we truly have this time. A flat 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 1080 5G processor, and a 16MP selfie camera are features shared by all three devices.
They both have a 3.5mm connector, NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, among other things. In contrast, there are a few significant variances.
Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition
The Note 12 Discovery Edition of the Redmi Note 12 has a 200MP HPX primary camera (f/1.65, OIS), making it possibly the most striking model. This camera can capture photographs with a resolution of 200MP, 50MP pixels (using four-in-one binning), or 12.5MP (using 16-in-one binning). Additionally, the phone offers a 2MP macro lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera.
The phone is notably different from its stablemates in that it supports 210W wired charging; according to Xiaomi, a full charge can be achieved in just nine minutes. Although you only get a 4,300mAh battery here, this high wattage comes at the expense of battery capacity.
Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus
Thought a 200MP smartphone with a larger battery would be cool? With the Pro Plus model, you get precisely that. The triple back camera system will have the same 200MP+8MP+2MP resolution as the Discovery Edition.
The Pro Plus variant, on the other hand, chooses a 5,000mAh battery and still blazing-fast 120W cable charging. Xiaomi claims that a full charge should be achieved in about 19 minutes.
Redmi Note 12 Pro
Have no interest in megapixels? The Redmi Note 12 Pro, which adds a 50MP IMX766 primary camera (f/1.88, OIS) in addition to the 8MP+2MP duo, fills this need. The Oppo Find X5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 both feature flagship devices with 50MP sensors similar to this one. We therefore have high hopes that it will also produce acceptable image quality on the Note 12 Pro.
The Pro version additionally includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W wired speeds. A 100% charge should be expected in a still quick 46 minutes.
Pricing and availability for the Redmi Note 12 series
The base 8GB/256GB variant of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition costs 2,399 yuan (about $332), while the base 6GB/128GB model of the Redmi Note 12 Pro costs 1,699 yuan (about $235). Do you want Pro Plus? The 8GB/256GB variant thus has a starting price of 2,099 yuan (about $290).
Although Xiaomi acknowledged that these phones are currently limited to China, it advised us to “keep tuned” for international announcements. To be fair, the Chinese Redmi Note 11 series was very different from the international variants that debuted a few months later.
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