Samsung Wants You to Know About the Galaxy S4’s Nine Sensors and the Recognition Technology Behind Them
Samsung took to their blog to start explaining in depth about the nine sensors and the wide array of recognition technology behind their latest flagship, the Galaxy S4. While having nine different sensors may appear to be a bit overkill, Samsung assures us that each one was hand picked to provide an “effortless user experience”. The S4 will come equipped with a barometer, humidity sensor, RGB light sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, hall sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer and a gesture sensor. Here’s what Samsung had to say in their own words:
This goes beyond simple functions like making phone calls and running applications; users can focus on themselves and loved ones, with the GALAXY S4 working with them to strip away the complications of life.
Samsung kindly posted an overview of each individual sensor and a description of what it is designed to offer the end user. So, if you are already planning on buying an S4, then take a look at the visual above to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the perks. We’ve also broken down the features for you below.
Galaxy S4 Sensor Features
- Temperature/humidity sensor: identifies temperature and humidity levels in the surrounding environment through a small hole located at the base of the smartphone. It then visually displays what the optimal comfort levels are for the user on the S Health screen.
- Accelerometer: measures the smartphone’s movement and is used as a Walking Mate, serving as a passometer that counts the number of steps a user has taken.
- Barometer: ascertains the atmospheric pressure of a user’s current location and determines the altitude. This is especially handy when the user is walking on inclined planes, such as a hill or mountain, because the barometer can accurately calculate how many calories are burned according to the atmosphere pressure and altitude.
- RGB Sensor: located on the top-left of the screen, measures the intensity of the light and is applied to the Samsung Adapt Display, which optimizes screen brightness and sharpness. As a result, eye fatigue is reduced when the user reads e-books or enjoys diverse applications.
- Gesture sensor: recognizes hand movements by detecting infrared rays that are reflected from the user’s palm. This sensor was applied to the Air Gesture function of the GALAXY S4, allowing users to accept a call, change songs, or scroll a web page up and down all with a wave of their hand.
- Proximity sensor: recognizes situations where the user places the smartphone close to his or her face. It can immediately make a phone call and turn off the screen to prevent unnecessary touch interaction while the user is on the phone
- Camera-based face recognition technology: is used for Samsung Smart Pause, which pauses a video when the user looks away and resumes when the user returns, and Samsung Smart Scroll, which allows the user to scroll up and down without touching the screen.
- Face recognition technology: recognizes a user’s face when he or she looks at the screen and allows the user to tilt his or her face up and down to scroll the screen.
- Gyro sensor: recognizes the inclination of the smartphone.
- Air View: allows the user to preview the content of an email, S Planner, image gallery or video without having to open it, just by hovering their finger over the item.
- Voice recognition technology: was adopted for the S Translator and S Voice Drive. For the GPS that is activated by voice based on S Voice Drive, a geomagnetic sensor is used for precise bearing determination.
- Samsung Optical Reader: uses Optical Character Reader (OCR) technology to recognize text and automatically recognizes information using the camera including e-mail, website addresses, telephone numbers, and QR codes. It then suggests useful follow-up functions such as translation, search, text message, email and call.
