12:57PM EST - We're here at Samsung's MWC 2017 press conference.
12:57PM EST - Matt on text, Anton on photos
12:58PM EST - Ian is here too, but he's busy writing up the Samsung news article.
12:58PM EST - After walking 1.2 miles from the LG press conference to the Huawei event, I couldn’t get in because the building was at capacity.
12:59PM EST - The Wi-Fi here is dead. We're uploading pics via 4G
01:00PM EST - Samsung usually announces its next Galaxy phone at MWC, but it already stated that it’s not announcing the Galaxy S8 here.
01:00PM EST - Instead, this event should feature some new tablets.
01:00PM EST - As such, this event is much smaller and less ostentatious than previous MWC events.
01:01PM EST - Sorry for the quality of the photos. We're sitting towards the back of the room.
01:04PM EST - It should be starting soon. Samsung's running a little late.
01:05PM EST - Hopefully it starts before I fall asleep
01:08PM EST - I need more coffee
01:11PM EST - I've been listening to the same song playing in a loop for 30 minutes
01:12PM EST - There __have not been many interesting Android tablets lately
01:14PM EST - Most of the compelling high-end tablets are running Windows 10
01:18PM EST - Apparently there's a technical difficulty with the projector
01:22PM EST - Here we go!
01:23PM EST - Showing a video about quality assurance testing. Odd way to start a press conference
01:24PM EST - Still trying to assuage people's fears about Note7 I guess
01:25PM EST - "You __have to give people what they want"
01:25PM EST - Reflecting on the past 6 months
01:26PM EST - Determined to correct past mistakes
01:26PM EST - Wants to regain customers' trust
01:26PM EST - Samsung has implemented an 8-point battery safety check and battery safety advisory group
01:27PM EST - A protestor was just asked to get off the stage
01:28PM EST - Thanking customers for remaining loyal to Samsung
01:28PM EST - Now looking to the future
01:28PM EST - New network technology, tablets, VR
01:28PM EST - First up: 5G
01:29PM EST - Tim Baxtor, President & COO Samsung America, on stage
01:30PM EST - Connecting devices. IoT
01:30PM EST - Connect everything!
01:31PM EST - Samsung has invested heavily in 5G
01:31PM EST - Talking about how great 5G is
01:32PM EST - Fast, low-latency, ubiquitous
01:32PM EST - Samsung launching its 5G network portfolio
01:33PM EST - Infrastructure, 5G radio, and 5G home router for consumers
01:33PM EST - 5G in the home instead of fiber
01:33PM EST - "Modem SoC" That's a pretty generic name
01:34PM EST - Spokesperson from Verizon on stage
01:35PM EST - Samsung is working with Verizon on 5G network trials
01:36PM EST - Now doing customer trials
01:36PM EST - Will begin in the next 60 days
01:38PM EST - Involves interoperability testing between devices and deployed network
01:38PM EST - It sounds like these trials are for fixed wireless applications
01:39PM EST - Moving on to tablets
01:40PM EST - The role of the tablet has become less defined
01:40PM EST - Most tablet usage takes place in the home
01:40PM EST - This usage still requires mobility
01:41PM EST - Most people see tablets as entertainment devices
01:41PM EST - Samsung is introducing 2 new tablets
01:42PM EST - Not just for entertainment. Can also be for work
01:42PM EST - Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
01:43PM EST - Cue slick product video
01:44PM EST - A tablet for entertainment and productivity
01:44PM EST - Glossy glass back
01:44PM EST - alumimum frame
01:44PM EST - silver and black colors
01:44PM EST - 429 grams
01:45PM EST - Ships with Android 7
01:45PM EST - Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC
01:45PM EST - 9.7" QXGA SAMOLED display
01:45PM EST - 97% of DCI-P3
01:46PM EST - Supports HDR content
01:46PM EST - blue light filter for reading
01:47PM EST - It includes Qualcomm's Game Center software to mute notifications while gaming
01:47PM EST - Includes 4 speakers tuned by AKG
01:48PM EST - Auto rotate speakers: audio changes when tablet is shifted between portrait and landscape
01:48PM EST - "a 9.7-inch home theater solution"
01:49PM EST - Claimed 12 hour battery life (video playback)
01:49PM EST - LTE & Wi-Fi connectivity
01:50PM EST - There's a keyboard cover and S Pen for productivity and taking notes
01:50PM EST - S Pen based on Wacom tech
01:50PM EST - Galaxy Tab S3 includes the S Pen in the box
01:51PM EST - S Pen does not use batteries and does not require charging
01:51PM EST - Pressure sensitive
01:52PM EST - There's a new special edition S Pen by Staedtler modeled after a pencil
01:53PM EST - Now for the next product
01:54PM EST - Samsung Galaxy Book
01:54PM EST - "for the user who needs to get things done"
01:55PM EST - Windows 10 2-in-1 device
01:55PM EST - all aluminum chassis with a fan inside
01:58PM EST - Intel Core i5-7200U inside
01:58PM EST - 12" has up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
01:59PM EST - Comes with 2 USB Type-C ports on same edge
01:59PM EST - LTE connectivity
01:59PM EST - fast-charging battery with a claimed 10.5 hours of battery life
02:00PM EST - Microsoft representative on stage to discuss collaboration on Windows devices
02:01PM EST - The Galaxy Book seems to compete with Microsoft's Surface and Huawei's MateBook
02:01PM EST - [my wrist is cramping]
02:02PM EST - emphasizing Windows 10 security
02:02PM EST - can use Windows Hello with Galaxy Book
02:03PM EST - Office 365 + Windows 10 for productivity
02:03PM EST - Full S Pen functionality and features (Air Command, etc) on Windows
02:04PM EST - Adobe Photoshop recognizes S Pen for enhanced functions
02:05PM EST - Adobe on stage demoing S Pen with Photoshop
02:06PM EST - The S Pen inking is smooth and tracks with the pen well
02:07PM EST - The keyboard cover (included) is backlit (powered by the tablet, no battery) and has similar key travel to laptop
02:08PM EST - Tablet connects to keyboard magnetically
02:08PM EST - Samsung Flow: software that provides integration between Galaxy Book and other Galaxy devices
02:08PM EST - Unlock Galaxy Book with fingerprint sensor on Galaxy phone
02:09PM EST - Notifications from phone show up on Galaxy Book
02:09PM EST - You cannot take or receive calls on Galaxy Book, though, like you can with MacBook/iPhone
02:09PM EST - That's it for tablets
02:10PM EST - Now VR
02:10PM EST - Gear VR has "democratized the VR experience"
02:11PM EST - New Samsung Gear VR with handheld controller with touchpad from Occulus
02:12PM EST - hand tracking opens up new experiences
02:12PM EST - Gear VR Control will come with Gear VR
02:12PM EST - Just one more thing!
02:13PM EST - Galaxy S8 teaser in progress
02:13PM EST - 3/29/2017
02:14PM EST - Galaxy Unpacked event for S8
02:14PM EST - And that's it!
02:15PM EST - Time for some hands-on time with the new tablets
