Last Updated on March 29, 2021 by Larious
A very happy Mobile World Congress to you and yours. The world’s largest smartphone show is still a couple of days from its official kick off, but there’s plenty of news to be had this weekend. Samsung will be taking the stage tonight in Barcelona to show off – well, not the Galaxy S8. That much we seemingly know for sure.
The company announced a few weeks back that it’s holding off on the release of its latest flagship – perhaps unsurprisingly, given all of the extra safety precautions the electronics giant has promised to implement on its smartphones, from here on out. Instead, it seems Samsung will be returning to the tablet well, two years after the release of the Galaxy Tab S2.
The company’s teasers and a boatload of leaks point to the announcement of the Galaxy Tab S3, along with some other potential hardware offerings. And there are always bound to be a few surprises, like last year, when Facebook’s CEO casually walked through a crowd of Gear VR-sporting journalists. Watch today’s conference live here.
We’ll be liveblogging the whole thing right here tomorrow, starting at 7 PM CET (6 PM GMT, 1 PM EST, 10 AM PST).
Finally, the 5G router sounds like a promising device. Learn more right here.
And await further announcement announcements.
Read more about Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S3 and Samsung’s Galaxy Book in our separate post.
Samsung announces another announcement.
And that’s all she wrote. Thanks for joining us (and for being so patient getting started).
It ends with the date 03.29.2017. So there you go, in a little bit more than a month, Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S8.
Looks like the big announcement is the announcement of the announcement of the Galaxy S8.
A video shows a bunch of drawings, cakes and signs representing various phones.
The screen says “Galaxy,” but people are probably thinking “Galaxy S8.”
“Time to access your diaries.”
I wonder what that will do to the price. The headset’s cost has long been its biggest selling point.
Developers have to implement support for the controller. It looks like a clicker, but it probably packs more technology.
It won’t be an optional extra. It will ship in the box with the headset.
It’s simply called the Gear VR Controller.
Oculus has been a key partner for the Gear VR for some time now, powering the display technology on the headset.
Samsung shows the new Samsung Gear VR with a controller powered by Oculus.
The company is recapping the different real world cases uses for Gear VR, from rehabilitation to roller coasters.
(Everybody is thinking about the S8 right now. Are they going to mention the elephant in the room?)
“This time, last year, we launched the S7 right here in Barcelona. And alongside a very special guest Mark Zuckerberg we talked about bringing virtual reality to your phone screen.”
It’s time to recap the announcements. Not one, but two new tablets!
And that’s everything about the new Galaxy Book. Looks like we’re rapping up here.
Samsung is trying to sell us an ecosystem of devices. Your phone and tablet working together. That’s why you’d feel like buying a Samsung Galaxy Book over a Surface Pro.
The tablets come loaded with Samsung Flow, connecting the messaging app to the rest of the company’s Galaxy devices, a la iMessage.
Let’s talk about the keyboard cover. It is backlit, it has a trackpad and it comes in the box.
There’s a bit of input lag in Photoshop so this won’t be as convenient as a separate Wacom tablet.
Here, the Adobe partnership brings additional functionality to the S-Pen that you won’t find on devices like the Note — name tilt and pressure features that five more control of the input.
Samsung took a similar route with the new Chromebooks, partnering with Google to tailor the stylus to that line.
A member of Adobe Creative Residence (Becky Simpson) is now on stage for a live demo.
“Today, I’m pleased to announce a new partnership with Adobe.” As with Microsoft, the company partnered with Adobe to create the new Galaxy Book hardware.
All S-Pen features work on Windows with this tablet. So you can use it with Photoshop for instance.
The tablet space has seemingly plateaued. Some Samsung is doubling down with not one, but two new tablets.
“The same operating system that you use at work, the same programs that you use every day — bringing productivity to a new level.”
I often wake up screaming in the night.
Collaborating with Frederic is a chore. Just FYI.
I always hope a partner will show up and say the collaboration was really hard and arduous.
So why would you buy the Galaxy Book over a Surface Pro, Brian?
Johnson called the Samsung/Microsoft “super, super special.” You can really feel the love in here (or maybe it’s time to turn down the thermostat).
(Obviously, Brian and I are taking a break as Johnson is mostly saying that Microsoft *loves* Samsung. How surprising.)
Microsoft Executive VP of Business Development Peggy Johnson is now on stage to talk about the device.
Like the new Tab, the Galaxy Book ships with optional LTE built-in.
There are two USB-C ports (take that, Apple’s 12-inch MacBook).
The Galaxy Book features a 7th gen Core i7 processor. This is a legit powerful machine.
The 12-inch model supports 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
At 7.4mm, it’s the thinnest Intel-powered Windows 10 tablet.
It weighs 744 grams, just about 1.5 pound.
“The Galaxy Book is enterprise-enabled.”
The company is showing off the device running Photoshop. It seems they’re looking to tackle the creative professional along with the plain old office professional.
And, of course, you can use the S-Pen.
The video shows a metal frame with holes for the ventilation. It runs Windows 10 indeed and you can pair it with a backlit keyboard.
Samsung has tried pro tablets in the past, but this device is really drawing a line in the sand, with a pro tablet that runs Window, far more useful in an office setting than Android.
TL;DR: if you really want a tablet and you need it to run Android, the Galaxy Tab S3 is a fine tablet.
And now it’s time for the new Galaxy Book 2-in-1. A more pro device designed to compete with the likes of Microsoft’s Surface line.
“So when you’re looking for your next tablet for your entertainment, and you need to be productive, you deserve the best tablet — the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.”
“To sum up, this is an amazing tablet.” You heard it here (at the Samsung press conference) first.
“We believe that the S-Pen will do more than redefine how you think about styluses, it will redefine how you think of tablets.”
Samsung has partnered with Staedler for a special edition S-Pen. It looks like a pencil, but it has an S-Pen tip. It really looks like a pencil indeed. Very revolutionary device.
The S-Pen has a clip on it, but the Tab itself doesn’t have a slot for it, so you’ll need to carrying it in a pocket and hope you don’t lose it like every other pen you’ve ever owned.
The S-Pen is bundled with the Tab S3 so you don’t need to buy it separately. It’s supposed to work better than previous versions of the S-Pen. You don’t need to pair it or charge it as the magic happens in the display.
The S-Pen is based on Wacom technology. It’s really a large version of what you find (or, rather, found) on the Note line.
I’ve tried the Pogo keyboard. I was actually pretty impressed. The company has done a much better job mimicking a standalone keyboard than the cases you’ll find on most of these convertibles.
There are two Samsung accessories, the keyboard and the S-Pen. The keyboard doesn’t need charging, you can just put the S3 on it to connect it to the keyboard (just like the iPad Pro keyboard).
The Tab S3 will also be coming in an LTE model.
Samsung uses the accelerometer to detect how you’re watching a video. This way, the Tab S3 automatically adjusts the sound depending on the way you hold the device.
Samsung is also working with AKG to ship new AKG earbuds with every Samsung device in the future.
Let’s switch gear and talk about the sound. Just like the iPad Pro, the Tab S3 has four speakers. They’re made by AKG.
The Tab includes Game Launcher, a software feature that blocks notifications when you play.
The screen supports high-dynamic range. If you can stream an HDR movie, then it’ll look better.
It is available in silver and black and runs Android Nougat.
It has a glossy back design ans an aluminum frame. It weighs 429 grams.
It looks a lot like an iPad but with some unmistakable differences. First, you can use the S-Pen, Samsung’s stylus. The bezel is also bigger, but I’ve got to say that it looks like a big improvement over the Tab S2. It is much thinner.
Lowes announces the Galaxy Tab S3 with a video.
Samsung is clearly positioning the tablet as a replacement for the laptop, but more portable.
“Today, we’re introducing two new tablets for an emerging category of consumers.”
“We think we’re now at a turning point for tablets.” That’s a bold statement.
“Many people, myself included, see the tablet and smartphone as quite interchangeable depending on what you want to do.”
“There’s been a misconception that tablets are primarily for people on the go. But in fact, customer behavior clearly shows that most usage takes place in the home.”
Lowes is back on stage. “We have big ambitions in 2017. The tablet is just a few years old, but the category has grown and matured at an incredible pace.”
A lot of promises of a better feature. Come on, Samsung, give us tablets.
5G is definitely going to have a big impact on how we use our phones, cars and more. But I’m not sure a big consumer electronics press conference is the right stage for this.
We were promised revolutionary gadgets, and all we got was a conference about 5G networks ?
Verizon is now talking about its network. “You’ll see several announcements over the next few days at MWC.”
Also new, Samsung will launch a 5G router for your home. This kind of devices can replace your home connection.
Samsung is also showing some B2B 5G infrastructure devices. Telecom companies will probably enjoy this more than tech bloggers.
Wow, Samsung is launching at a home router.
“Today, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our commercial 5G network.”
“5G will connect everybody and everything. Think of hundreds of connected devices in the home, millions of devices in smart cities.”
5G is also all about reducing your ping and improving the overall infrastructure with more people connecting to the same cell tower.
Baxter is giving a definition of 5G. “Ultra-fast, we’re talking gigabits of speed, 4K movies, in-car infotainment…”
“At Samsung, we’ve invested heavily in 5G. And we think Samsung is uniquely positioned.”
“We are in fact just getting started.” We’re moving fast here at the beginning. Now we’re onto IoT, with a recap of the smart appliances the company announced last month.
Samsung is showsing some old devices on the screen supporting 2G, 3G and 4G. Let’s see if Baxter is going to make any actual announcement during this 5G segment.
Interestingly, Samsung seems to be kicking things off by talking futureproofing, instead of announcing any products.
Lowes is starting with 5G. “Now, we’re on the verge of making it a reality.” Tim Baxter, President and COO of Samsung Electronics America is going on stage.
The “reach higher” message from CES is now “pushing boundaries,” which is arguably what got the company in this mess in the first place.
Here are the three big themes of today’s conference: 5G network, tablet and VR.
Lowes is struggling to regain his balance after that distraction, understandly.
A protester briefly got on stage with a recycling sign with Samsung’s logo at the center.
He’s reiterating most of what they announced a couple of months back when they discussed all of the extra R&D they’re spending money on.
Samsung now has additional protocols such as multi-layered safety procedures, third-party advisors, academics and more.
“We recognize that earning consumer trust can only be earned by actions, not words.”
The company is doing the same apology tour it did at CES, kicking things off humbly with an apology for not meeting their “high quality standards.”
“If you ask people one this Sunday evening what they want, I suspect they’ll say ‘a pause button.’”
Samsung Electronics Europe CMO David Lowes is taking the stage. “The song makes a very good point, you’ve got to get the people what they want.”
“Quality is our priority.”
And the company is kicking things off with a promotional video showing all of the extensive testing they do. It’s almost tongue in cheek.
The lights are down, some funky music is playing and we’re getting a lot of silhouettes of what looks to be a tablet.
This is an interesting futuristic take on Waiting for Godot.
How long have we been in this room? The guy in front of me has a Galaxy S10.
The display seems perfectly fine…
“Ladies and gentleman, we are testing the display at the moment.” There’s no such thing as too much testing, right Samsung?
If we wait long enough, maybe they’ll announced the Galaxy S8, too.
Every time the music stops, we get excited. And every time, the music starts again.
The people behind us are clapping, hoping that gets things started soon.
Why is it so hot? They are probably stress-testing their new batteries under extreme conditions.
Even Samsung’s own people are getting anxious now.
It’s starting to smell like bloggers in here. Time for the air to kick in.
Everybody is sitting — except for the people who couldn’t find any seats. If we’re waiting for all of them to sit down, it’ll be a long night.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Samsung press conference is about to begin [still]. Please take your seats.” You’re already sitting, right?
It’s still early where I’m from.
It’s also getting late, but these things never start on time. T+5.
It’s getting in hot in here. Romain has just removed his first layer.
The company makes nice slates, sure. But they’re not cheap.
But the tablet market has shifted considerably back toward the iPad recently. Apple’s numbers are down, but the company is still the leader in the space. The other side is dominated by low end Android devices. Is there still room for Samsung?
Samsung also takes advantage of these conferences to give us an update on their various VR projects. Last year, the company spent a lot of time talking about the Gear Camera.
Keep in mind, it’s been a full two years since the release of the S2, so Samsung is long overdue.
Brian, let’s run down what we expect to see tonight… I think the main star of the show is going to be a new tablet, right? I thought tablets were a thing of the past, but maybe Samsung has something special in store…
This tiny space is packed, by the way. There are literally journalists lining the walls.
Well, you heard the lady. Sit down and enjoy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Samsung Press Conference is about to begin. Please take your seats.”
Is it just me, or is the five second piano music bed getting louder?
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Samsung press conference. Priority entrance will be granted to press members and guests. Live streaming is provided at Level Zero.”
T-Minus 15 minutes and we’ll never have to hear that live streaming announcement again.
I wish I had one of those Nokia 3310s. A game of Snake would really help pass the time.
Pro tip: when you’re in Europe, every building has a level zero. Taking an elevator can get sort of confusing when you’re jetlagged.
LEVEL ZERO, Brian. Pay attention!
Does anyone know what level they’re live streaming on? Frederic?
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Samsung press conference. Priority entrance will be granted to press members and guests. Live streaming is provided at Level Zero.”
The PA voice sounds eerily like this place is about to self-destruct.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Samsung press conference. Priority entrance will be granted to press members and guests. Live streaming is provided at Level Zero.”
Thanks Freddie. Not sure people are tuning into our liveblog to see my face ?
This is making me nostalgic for the old weird Samsung press conferences, back when there was a magic show attached.
What about the music? Samsung is looping the same 20-second audio clip over and over again. It’s like we’re on hold with customer support.
You know it’s a slow MWC when the two biggest announcements so far were from BlackBerry and Nokia.
A month back at CES, the company kicked off its press conference with mention of the Note 7 situation, including an apology and highlights of its plans to increase device security.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Samsung press conference. Priority entrance will be granted to press members and guests.” Over and over again. Every minute.
It seems likely that the company originally planned on launching the Galaxy S8 at the event, but opted to push it back relatively recently.
I guess we didn’t need that telephoto, after all. We’re in the second row, with about 45 minutes to go.
Here we gooo! Brian, Frederic and I just got into the main conference hall. It’s a smaller venue than last year (it’s also in a basement). Does it mean that there will smaller announcements? Who knows! Stay tuned, the show should start in about 50 minutes.
Romain Dillet
February 26, 201711:17 am
That’s it for today. And let’s meet again on this very website for the Galaxy S8 launch on March 29th.