Samsung Epic 4G Gets New Media Hub

A new system software update for Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G gives this high-end Android OS smartphone support for the Media Hub, a service for renting and buying movies and TV shows that was unveiled just last week.

The new iTunes-like service is getting started with content from NBC Universal, Paramount, and MTV Networks.  TV episodes sell for $1.99, movie rentals cost $2.99 to $3.99, while movie sales cost $9.99 to $17.99.

Other Enhancements
According to Samsung's changelog, version DI07 of the Epic 4G's system software also includes the following changes:

• Optimized, HotSpot in 3G idle mode to help conserve battery power
• Optimized, Applied Qualcomm patch for performance enhancement
• Modified, WiMAX exit delay
• Modified, UI "Noisey One" to "Noisy One"
• Fixed, 32GB microSD card is not recognized when formatted in device
• Fixed, When playing video, the playback is paused if a headset is connected/disconnected
• Fixed, "Sorry" pop-up when DRM file is selected in the Gallery
• Fixed, Hotspot registration/deregistration

Update Going Out Now
Sprint is sending out this update over-the-air (OTA) to all Epic 4G units. This will take some time, and not everyone will receive it at once.

Currently, there is no way to manually install the new version of the system software. Users can only wait for it to be delivered to their device.

Samsung Epic 4G Overview
Samsung's latest is a slider, with a 4-inch, WVGA (800 x 480) Super AMOLED touchscreen and a landscape-oriented QWERTY keyboard.

The Epic 4G is following on the heels of the very popular HTC EVO 4G, Sprint's first model with WiMAX. This 4G standard gives it peak download speeds of up to 12 Mbps, and average download speeds of 2-4 Mbps in areas where WiMAX is available.

It is debuting running Android OS 2.1 on a 1 GHz Samsung Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor with 512 MB of RAM, and an upgrade to Android OS 2.2 is in development.

The Epic 4G has a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with an LED flash and support for 720p video recording, as well as a front-facing VGA camera for video conferencing.

It comes with a 16 GB microSD memory card, and users have the option to upgrade this to a 32 GB card themselves.

In addition to WiMAX, this smartphone supports Sprint's 3G (EV-DO Rev. A) network and offers Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1. The Epic 4G is able to share its 4G or 3G wireless data connection with five other devices over Wi-Fi.

Other features of this Samsung device include the Swype text-entry system, a GPS receiver, a 1500 mAh battery, a six-axis motion sensor, a proximity sensor, and a light sensor.

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