Samsung says Galaxy S III coming to five U.S. carriers this month:

Interesting, I didn't hear of Gorilla Glass 2 before. I just read quick the press release from Corning, and they say it's 20% thinner than the original Gorilla Glass. Altho it doesn't mention if it's tougher (I assume it is?). There's also Microsoft chiming in on the press release. What's Microsoft got to do with Gorilla Glass? Microsoft makes software, Gorilla Glass is hardware.

CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS | CORNING UNVEILS NEW GORILLA® GLASS 2

 

But that's the thing, Microsoft doesn't make any devices(!). Nokia and others make phones that run the Windows Phone OS. Computer makers like Dell, HP, etc. make PC's that run the Microsoft Windows OS. But Microsoft themselves don't make any computers or phones. They only make software. Well, ok, they make Xbox, but there's no screen on that.

...in any case, I find it strange that any third-party company would chime in on a Corning press release... especially a company that doesn't use or buy their product directly (!!)

 

MS may not make the phones. But they do have a say in what parts are to be used in WP. MS have become much more controlling with WP. MS has learned through their mistakes with WM and seeing Android falter, along with seeing how well Apple has done controlling all aspects of a device.

Sent from my T7575 using Board Express

 

Sorry for getting off-track a little with the Gorilla Glass, but is this the first phone to be launched with Gorilla Glass 2?

...and is it really crack-proof?

...and this feature sounds really interesting (but a little creepy as well):

...and what if you are wearing sunglasses? :coolshade

 

Just to add the Euro version is quad core which is missing in North America and that is because there is no quad core LTE processor. Samsung decided to up the ram to 2 instead of 1 on the euro version.

 

The US launch maybe in jeopardy?

Apple wants to keep Samsung's Galaxy S3 out of U.S. | Apple - CNET News

 

Looks like this phone can now be bought unlocked / off-contract for $770

Buy.com - Samsung Galaxy SIII GT-i9300 16GB - Unlocked - Marble White

 

And don't forget that with the international version you don't need a Smartphone data plan

 

Why's that? AT&T only tracks IMEI's of phones that they sell themselves? (...and then add the mandatory data plan)

 

Yes, since AT&T tracks smartphones using Jurassic Park algorithm they are completely unaware of international smartphones. I don't know if they are aware of US-bound smartphones that they don't sell, such as Galaxy Nexus sold by Google in the US or some unlocked Xperia phones. But yes, it seems they just look for known IMEI numbers without trying to detect the actual phone type.

 

Ok, now you have to tell me what a "Jurassic Park" algorithm is

 

It's when you have hatched 342 dinosaurs and you need to track them and your tracking software stops tracking after 342 dinosaurs are accounted for. Afterwards, the 700 that have bred since then come and eat you. Simple

 

Yea, since there's no real "central database" of IMEI numbers, each operator has to figure it out for themselves. I guess it makes sense that they can track IMEI's of phones they sell themselves, but as for getting IMEI's of phones sold by other networks could prove difficult, especially for newer phones. Carriers that operate internationally in many countries (ex. Vodafone, T-Mobile, etc.) can pool their info and have a wider knowledge of IMEI's. But AT&T doesn't belong to any kind of international group (that I am aware of), so they are limited to knowing only what they sell themselves.

Actually, because I have a small (and outdated) IMEI list on my RadioRaiders website, someone from AT&T e-mailed me a year or two ago asking for my list. If they are Googling stuff like "IMEI Database" and sending e-mails to whoever pops up, then it looks like they are just really reaching in the dark when it comes to getting IMEI's of phones that they don't sell themselves.

PS- Actually, it's the TAC part of the IMEI that identifies the model, but kind of the same. Read here.

PPS- My IMEI/TAC database doesn't have any models from the last 2-3 years. Actually, I have a newer list, but haven't updated the website yet :O

 

Looks promising.

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