Samsung’s apps aren’t appreciated by application samsung galaxy s

Samsung’s Galaxy branded devices might run Android, but it’s no secret that the company has worked hard to differentiate its software experience from the competition by adding its own custom touches. Beyond just providing a unique ‘look and feel’ through TouchWiz, Samsung has went so far as to create its own ecosystem of apps that often rival services offered by Google and by popular 3rd party app developers.
Although some of Samsung’s apps are well-appreciated by Galaxy fans, others feel that Samsung’s continued push towards bundled apps adds up to nothing more than a bloated smartphone experience — especially since many of these included apps can’t be deleted without root access.

it’s no secret that the company has worked hard to differentiate its software experience from the competition by adding its own custom touches

The big question is whether or not the average user actually utilizes the bundled apps that Samsung includes. With this in mind, research firm Strategy Analytics recently conducted a study that tracked more than 250 U.S.-based users of the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 to get a better feel for what apps Samsung owners use the most. Although 250 users isn’t a large number, it’s enough for the research firm to form a rough picture.

The results? Strategy Analytics noted that some of the most popular apps among these users included Facebook, Instragram, Youtube and Twitter. Facebook commanded roughly 664 minutes of monthly use, 151 minutes for Instagram, 146.7 minutes for Youtube and 47.4 minutes for Twitter. To likely no one’s surprise, Google Play and Google Search were also high up on the list.
As for Samsung’s apps? ChatOn only commanded six seconds of use per month on average, and apps like Hub, Link, S Memo and S Voice didn’t fare much better. Other apps like S Health weren’t even specifically mentioned, though were apparently included in the broader “Samsung apps” category found within the chart above.
If Strategy Anayltics study is correct, it makes it rather clear that, despite Samsung’s best attempts, Samsung’s ecosystem takes a backseat position to Google’s own apps and to popular 3rd party apps and services found on Google Play.
What’s your own take? Based on your own experience, do you find Samsung’s included apps to be welcome additions that further enhance your Android experience? Vote in the poll and tell us what you think in the comments below.

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Posted by: http://androidframes.blogspot.com/

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Free movies and games for some Sony Xperia Z1s, Xperia Z2 and Z2 Tablet owners

Sony is giving away more than a dozen free movies and games to owners of Xperia Z1s, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablets in a small handful of countries. In total, 6 movies and 8 PlayStation Mobile games will be available through the Xperia Lounge application on your device, but only after you install Sony’s new Xperia Lounge companion app, called Pass, from the Google Play Store.

The process is pretty simple, head into your Xperia Lounge app and tap on the indicated promotions, if you’ve got them. If you do not yet have Pass installed you will be directed to it, otherwise, tap to receive vouchers to obtain the movies and games for free. The movie promotion ends on July 31, 2014, but you’ll have until the end of October to redeem your vouchers. Gamers do not have as much time to mess around, the free game promotion ends June 30, 2014, and you’ll have to redeem before July 14.

Free Movies

Movies are available to Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet owners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the UK and to Xperia Z1s owners in the United States. The available movies have a few differences in each region, as follows:

Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK
Captain Phillips, Elysium and Michael Jackson’s This Is It, plus Django Unchained, This is the End and 21 Jump Street.

Canada
Captain Phillips, Elysium and Michael Jackson’s This Is It, plus Total Recall, This is the End and 21 Jump Street.

Japan
Captain Phillips, Elysium and Michael Jackson’s This Is It, plus Total Recall, Moneyball, and Resident Evil: Retribution

Xperia Z1s users in the U.S.
Captain Phillips, Elysium and Michael Jackson’s This Is It, plus American Hustle, This is the End and 21 Jump Street.

Free Playstation Mobile games

As mentioned earlier, be sure to get in there sooner rather than later, as this promotion does not last as long. On the bright side, a greater list of countries are supported, so if you own an Xperia Z2 or Z2 Tablet in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden or the UK, or if you have the Xperia Z1s in the U.S., install your free copy of the following games today:

• Cardboard Castle
• Crystal Ice
• Forevolution
• Gunhouse
• Rymdkapsel
• Tiki Rush
• Tokyo Jungle
• Yu-Name: The Puzzle

Please check into the availability of these deals in your region, we have reports of some users on the M2 network in Singapore gaining access to the deals. Also, some users in the announced regions are receiving an error stating that the vouchers are unavailable, but to try again later. Let us know if you get any unexpected free stuff, or experience any errors.

What do you think about exclusive deals for specific devices like this – should Sony open this deal to all users able to use the Xperia Lounge?

Deal With Getty Images Means Quality EyeEm Photos Make Cash For Their Owners

EyeEm, the Berlin-based startup which focuses on high quality photo-sharing, has signed a partnership with Getty Images to license EyeEm images across its platforms, including on iStock by Getty Images and a bespoke collection where they are royalty-free and rights-managed. The EyeEm collection will be populated with images from its community.

It’s worth pointing out that this is a pure distribution deal – Getty is not investing in the startup. But clearly this is going to mean decent revenues of for the company which to date has raised $6 million from Passion Capital, Wellington Partners and Earlybird Venture Capital.

The marketplace is opt-in for the users themselves, but EyeEm maintains control of who gets to join, helping to keep the quality of photos high. Those users, many of whom are professional photographers b day taking casual snaps with the smartphone, add their best snaps work to the marketplace. These smartphone photographers then get repeat revenues, because of the deal with Getty. The upside for the users is that they hold all rights and can leave the marketplace at any time.

This arrangement between EyEem and Getty effectively competes with ShutterStock and Fotolia (the France-based image service).

The key thing here of course is that Eyeeme is very different, in that these are real-world ‘authentic’ photographs from real people, not your average image stock stuff.