Samsung Galaxy Note 3: benchmark tricks are lame attempt to gain critical acclaim

Samsung is hardly lagging behind the pack when it comes to smartphone sales.

The most recent Gartner figures showed it was well in the lead, with 31.7% of smartphone users across the globe packing a device made by the Korean giant.

Critically, it’s also right up there with Apple. Its Galaxy S4 is rightly lauded as one of 2013’s best and the new Galaxy Note 3 isn’t too shabby either.

But it’s that device which sits at the heart of a new controversy, unearthed by the hardcore tech types at Ars Technica.

Their discovery that Samsung has been artificially boosting benchmark figures on the new phablet are incendiary and show just how dirty even the biggest players are willing to fight in order to stay on top.

The premise is somewhat convoluted.

When running a popular benchmarking app, the Galaxy Note 3’s CPU goes into a special boost mode, showing it to be clocking up far more impressive figures than rival devices that use exactly the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip.

Ars used the Geekbench app and then tweaked it to trick the Note 3 into thinking it was just a standard benchmarking tool that isn’t used by many tech fans.

The results showed Samsung was artificially pushing up the Note 3’s benchmarks by a colossal 20%.
Why does this matter? Well, for a start it throws into question the whole point of benchmarking a device.
By and large, it’s a handy means for hardcore tech fans to see how snappy a phone really is.


But it’s also a way for Samsung to show off that its device is faster, and therefore better, than its rivals.
Some might call it fraudulent. Others might say it just shows how lame Samsung is being in trying to push its flagship product.
Samsung could easily big-up the amazing screen, heaps of proprietary apps and the fact it works with the new Galaxy Gear watch.
Instead, it’s using underhand means to make the phone look better than it really is.
Frankly, that extra speed is something that most mainstream users couldn’t care less about.

Why Samsung feels the need to pull this move, when there are technically savvy web users able to suss it out is beyond comprehension.
It feels tacky and undermines the product completely. Doubtless, rivals will have tried to pull the same trick.
So, from now on, let’s focus on what a phone can do rather than simply how fast it can do it.
We should aim to guarantee that whatever modern device you buy, it’ll be zippy enough for your needs.

How to Root Galaxy Note 3

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There’s already a working CWM recovery which means you may be able to easily root your brand, new Galaxy Note 3 easily.
Although we do not have the device yet (it will be coming in 2 days), here’s an outline of steps you must do to root your Galaxy Note 3.
Currently this root guide is for Windows only (or use VMWare for Linux/Mac) but I will have an updated Mac/Linux guide soon.
Step 1. First, make sure you have either SM-N9005, SM-N9006, SM-900, Sprint SM-N900S, or T-Mobile SM-N900T model Note 3.
(Currently there’s no root available for AT&T Note 3 SM-900A as bootloader is locked but we should have a solution soon.)


Download the following files:

Download appropriate CWM recovery for your Note 3 (Make sure you download the CORRECT version for your Note 3 model!!!)
Download ODIN program and unzip.
Download SuperSU zip file
Download and install Samsung USB drivers




Step 2. Turn off your Note 3.

Step 3. Hold down, Volume Down, Center Home, and Power buttons together for about 2-3 seconds then let go of all buttons when you see a warning screen like below:

Then hit Volume Up button to enter Download mode.

Step 4. You should now see Download mode. This is the ODIN download mode where you can use ODIN to install custom recovery.
Step 5. Plug a micro-USB cable from your Note 3 to your computer.

Step 6. Run ODIN program you downloaded earlier in Step 1. (only for Windows or use VMWare on Linux/Mac).


You should see a yellow-highlighted box with a random COM number in ODIN program.  If you do not see it, download and install Samsung USB drivers then unplug/re-plug the micro-USB cable.
Also, you may have to use a USB 3.0 cable supplied with your Note 3, try plugging it in a USB 3.0 port first and if that doesn’t work plug it into a regular USB 2.0 port.  One of them should work.

Step 7. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE but choose “PDA” in ODIN program then find the CWM recovery .tar file you downloaded earlier then hit Start button.




Step 8. Your Note 3 should now reboot. When rebooted, copy the SuperSU zip file you downloaded in Step 1 to your Note 3 internal storage.


Step 9. Turn off your Note 3.
Step 10. Hold down, Volume Up, Center Home, and Power buttons together for about 6-7 seconds then let go of all buttons
.

Step 11. You should now be in CWM recovery. Choose “Install zip”, then “Install from sdcard”, then choose the SuperSU zip file you downloaded earlier.


Step 12. Reboot and your Note 3 should be rooted.  You can verify by downloading and running Titanium Backup app from Play Store.

Q&A

Q: Will this erase any apps or settings on my Note 3?
A: No, this root method does not touch your apps or settings, it simply installs custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP then root using SuperSU zip file.
Q: Will rooting void my warranty?
A: Most likely yes but there may be a way to unvoid your warranty in the near future (as happened with Note 2),


 NOTE: THE AUTHOR OF THIS SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU MESS UP YOUR PHONE, PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS TWICE BEFORE TRYING IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME TO ROOTING AND CUSTOM ROMS!

Galaxy S4 “hidden” features

In a new blog post, Samsung describes ten “hidden” or “semi-secret” features of the Galaxy S4, which some of you may not be aware of.
Coincidentally or not, the Samsung post went live on the same day Verizon and Motorola unveiled new Droid smartphones, and a day ahead of the upcoming Nexus 7 announcement.
Here are these semi-secret Galaxy S4, as tipped by the company:
 


1) Swiping down with two fingers offers access to the full Quick Settings panel. (How: swipe down from the status bar with two fingers. Touch and hold to access settings. Long-tap an icon to drag it into a different place.)

Galaxy S4 Quick Settings | Image credit: Samsung

2) The TV remote control can be added to the notification panel for quick access. (How: Application screen > WatchOn > Settings).

Galaxy S4 remote control | Image credit: Samsung

3) The keyboard can be pop-up-ed on top of other apps for multi-tasking-like features. (How: With the keyboard active, tap the settings icon on the left of the space bar and then select the pop-up keyboard icon.)

Galaxy S4 Keyboard pop-up | Image credit: Samsung

4) A blocking mode can be set up to prevent the phone from ringing on incoming calls and other notifications. (How: Settings > My device > Blocking mode.)

Galaxy S4 Blocking mode | Image credit: Samsung

5) A Wi-Fi timer app should help users save cellular data, as the phone will try to connect to available Wi-Fi networks for a specific period of time. (How: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Wi-Fi Timer.)

Galaxy S4 Wi-Fi timer | Image credit: Samsung

6) With the Adapt Sound function, users can improve (and properly calibrate) the sound quality of their Galaxy S4, especially those people affected by hearing impairments. (How: Settings > My device > Sound > Adapt Sound > Start.)

Galaxy S4 Adapt Sound | Image credit: Samsung

7) In-call audio can also be optimized in order to improve call experience. (How: Settings > My device > Call.)

Galaxy S4 in-call audio | Image credit: Samsung

8) Video watching on the Galaxy S4 also has some “hidden” features such as pinch-to-zoom (for enlarging and shrinking the image on the screen). Brightness and volume adjustments are available also. (How: activate the bars when touching the left and right side of the screen, respectively.)

Galaxy S4 video: pinch to zoom, adjust brightness and volume | Image credit: Samsung

9) The camera can be accessed directly from the lock screen for quicker pictures and videos. (How: Settings > My device > Lock screen > Lock screen widgets > Camera. Feature requires lock screen to be other than pattern of PIN.)

Galaxy S4 Camera on lock screen | Image credit: Samsung

10) The lock screen message can be personalized with custom fonts and colors. (How: Settings > My device > Lock screen > Lock screen widgets > Edit personal information; if screen is protected with pattern or PIN lock. Or: Tap and hold the lock screen message and drag it down from the screen.)

Galaxy S4 custom lock-screen message | Image credit: Samsung