We're not sure if it is in response to the botched Android 4.3 update we reported on earlier but it seems that the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will soon be getting the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade from Samsung. Originally, the Samsung Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade was just limited to the Samsung Galaxy S4 and above but it's good to know that Samsung are still thinking about users who bought their previous flagship smartphones as well. These users can expect the upgrade to come out in Q1 of 2013, probably around March. While the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade should help further increase performance (it was designed to work well with devices that only have 512MB of RAM) we do hope that it doesn't cause any battery drain botch-ups like the recent Android 4.3 update.

While many are awaiting the Samsung Galaxy S5, just as many are awaiting the next release of the Samsung TouchWiz interface, which usually refreshes with the release of each new flagship smartphone. However, it looks like we could see the new TouchWiz interface a lot sooner thanks to serial leaker evleaks. The new interface looks a lot like the Magazine UX which recently debuted at CES 2014 on some of the newly released Samsung tablets. The leaked TouchWiz interface has a lot of tiles or cards with bright vibrant images but there is no mention of specific tech specs or features like where the interface is getting it's data from. We're thinking that this leaked interface could make it's way onto the Samsung Galaxy S5 which should be unveiled soon.

A word of warning to those Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users looking to update their devices to Android 4.3, don't! It seems that updating the device to Android 4.3 will result in battery drain issues (which has happened before). Other issues also include slower performance, bad memory management and general app compatibility problems. While Samsung Mobile UK has suspended the update temporarily, this hasn't been done elsewhere, so if you've updated already, we hope you don't have these problems. Some users have found that if you backup your data and then do a factory reset, this solves the problems somewhat, but it still isn't the same as a brand new update patch from Samsung. For those who haven't updated yet, please wait a while longer. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted on this as soon as we know.

Most of us are thinking that we could see the next Samsung Galaxy S5 in February 2014 when the Mobile World Congress or MWC is expected to happen. However, news reports from an official insider in Samsung has said that the Samsung Galaxy S5 would be unveiled at New York in March. The report seems even more credible as the Samsung Galaxy S4 was also introduced last March in New York as well, but do take this rumour with a pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet but we wouldn't be surprised if HTC is planning to camp outside with the HTC One+ like they did with the HTC One.

While it hasn't been announced officially just yet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite or SMT-T110 has been officially confirmed by it's own manual. The user manual appeared on the Samsung Polish website with details about the SM-T110 which is the WiFi-only version of the Tab 3 Lite. The site also revealed prices with the WiFi-only version going for $165 (RM541) and the 3G version going for $263 (RM863). Tech specs and features for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite were confirmed with a 1.2GHz dual-core Marvell PXA986 processor, Vivante GC1000 graphics, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 7-inch display with 600 x 1024 pixel resolution, microSD card support, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and a 3600 mAh battery. The user manual doesn't give enough image details to know if the design will be much different from before but at 192 x 177 x 9.7mm and 310g it is a bit larger and heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0. No Malaysia release date just yet but with the user manual already here the tablet should be available soon.

A new Samsung Galaxy device recently appeared in a Zauba listing. Zauba is an Indian website which tracks Indian exports and imports, a bit like the SIRIM database here in Malaysia. Back to the Zauba listing, the mystery Samsung Galaxy device is listed as Samsung GT-I9405 and has tech specs which include a 5.5-inch display and single SIM capabilities. The device is listed for testing and evaluation. So far, it doesn't seem to be the Samsung Galaxy S5 because the model numbering is below that of the Samsung Galaxy S4 which is GT-I9500 and it doesn't match with the Galaxy Note series either as Note numbering goes from N7100, N9000 and so forth. It isn't the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo either as the matching SM-N7500 / SM-N7505 model number has already appeared in Zauba. The value pricing of the listing is a big hint though as 32746 Indian Rupees (RM1721) places the device squarely in the mid-range. Check out the listing in the article for yourself but do stay tuned for more updates.

Samsung's Lee Young Hee, Executive VP of the Mobile Division certainly likes to drop plenty of teasers for Samsung products in his quotes with this one concerning the next Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Confirming that the still unnamed smartwatch which could turn be named the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 would be unveiled with the Samsung Galaxy S5 by April, he said:

“When we release our S5 device, you can also expect a Gear successor with more advanced functions, and the bulky design will also be improved. Health-care related functions will be the most inherently tied functions to future wearables. We see a very big potential from there.”

Another day, another teaser from Samsung executive VP of Mobile, Lee Young Hee. This time around he has been quoted as saying that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could be coming by Q3 or Q4 of 2014 and that it will be a high-end device, aimed at professionals. This also means it would probably have a rather high price tag, but it mainly raises rumours that the Note 4 could finally be the smartphone to use a three-sided display. The three-sided display or wraparound display prototype has already been shown both at the Samsung Youm flexible display demo and in patent filings. While this may seem faddish, it would add on a whole new level of control for the interface. However, while other sites are saying this would mean that the device would be unbreakable this wouldn't be the case if it still used common glass to protect it. Either the new Note 4 or three sided display device has use a clear plastic substrate cover or perhaps employ a curved glass covering from Corning, which Corning have already come up with recently. No news on exact Malaysia release dates or pricing but we'll find out for sure in a couple of months.

We're all fairly curious about the Samsung Galaxy S5, so much so that there are quite a lot of concept renders, especially as Samsung have recently patented a smartphone which could be the Samsung Galaxy S5. Check out these renders below:

This is the leaked image from the US Patents Office, rumoured to be the Samsung Galaxy S5 or the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

As the rumour mill continues to churn for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5, we now have some confirmed details of sorts from an inside source. Coming courtesy of Lee Young Hee, Executive VP of Samsung's Mobile Division, the confirmation is about several things including that the Galaxy S5 would be released by April 2014. The company also said that it knew that the design of the Galaxy S4 was too similar with the Galaxy S3 which is why we can also expect a new design for the S5. While they haven't said if this could mean a metal chassis, kevlar backside or just plain polka dots, a different design would make the S5 stand out more. The other notable rumour is that instead of a fingerprint scanner, the Samsung Galaxy S5 could include an iris scanner or eye scanner for bypassing password screens and certifying purchases. This feature we feel wouldn't be all that difficult to implement as you don't really need a dedicated eyeball scanner to do this. Other rumours include a three-sided curved display and more. In any case, April is still a few months off, so do take this rumour with a pinch of salt.