Samsung launches impressive Galaxy S4 that you can control Without touching and translates 9 languages using audio speakers

AFRIK UPDATE

Samsung last night, In a much-hyped public event, the technology giant introduced the Galaxy S4 with an array of new features, including a few triggered with simply a wave of the hand.

The event at New York's Radio City Music Hall - which featured a live orchestra, bubbly master of ceremonies and even a tap dance number - was streamed on Samsung's YouTube channel.

JK Shin, Samsung's president and head of IT and mobile communications, shows off the Galaxy S4 in each of its two colors

The Galaxy S4, which crams a 5-inch 1080p screen into body slightly smaller than the S III's, will go sale globally in the April to June period.

Skinny but durable, the S4 is 69mm wide, and 7.9mm thick. It weighs just 130 grams, and is encased in polycarbonate.

GUIDE TO THE GALAXY... S4

Slightly thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy S4 will go on sale next month.

The skinny but durable handset includes such special features as voice-recognition text messaging, translator software that can recognize 9 languages and an incredible touchscreen technology that toggles some features just by waving your finger.

It uses apps like Samsung's WatchOn to bring on-demand video straight to the phone.

The cameras on each side of the S4 can be used in sync with each other, planting the photographer inside the photo he or she is taking. It also has an erase feature.

The phone also utilizes HomeSync, a way to store data on a cloud - and beam a photo across the world to be viewed on the home TV. Speaking of television, the smart phone can double as the remote.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S4

Height: 136.6 mm (5.38 inches)

Width: 69 mm (2.72 inches)

Depth: 7.9 mm (0.31 inches)

Weight: 130 grams (4.59 ounces)

Touchscreen: 5in

Pixel density: 441 per inch

Display: 1920-by-1080 pixels

Network speeds: 3G and 4G LTE Lite

Camera: 13 megapixel in back-facing camera, 2 megapixel in front-facing

Voice recognition: Can translate nine languages and utilizes voice-activated tools that can dictate, reply, forward or save text messages 

Built-in apps: Video chat; internet browser; Gmail; Google Talk, Google Play Store; infrared LED; Google Maps; YouTube

Processor: 1.9GHz quad-core processor or 1.6GHz octa-core processor

Internal memory: 16GB; 32GB; or 64GB

Other memory: Data stored in Samsung's HomeSync - a household cloud service

Battery: 2,600 mAh

Operating system: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

APPLE IPHONE 5

Height: 123.8 mm (4.87 inches)

Width: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches)

Depth: 7.6 mm (0.3 inches)

Weight: 112 grams (3.95 ounces)

Touchscreen: 4in

Pixel density: 326 per inch

Display: 1136x640 pixels

Network speeds: 3G and mobile 4G 

Camera: 8 megapixel in back-facing camera 1.2 in front-facing

Voice recognition: Siri upgraded to allow spoken recommendations for films or restaurants. Possible to update Facebook status by voice command

Built-in apps: FaceTime; video editing; Safari internet browser; email; Apple maps; no YouTube as standard

Processor: A6 chip said to be twice as quick as A5.

Internal memory: 16GB; 32GB; or 64GB

Other memory: Purchases stored in Apple’s iCloud servers

Battery: 1,400 mAh

Operating system: Apple iOS 6