When the Samsung Galaxy S5 first came out, it was considered by many to be one of the most secure smartphones on the market. CNET had a nice breakdown of some of the anti-theft features worked into the phone, such as it being one of the first to have a built-in fingerprint scanner for improved personal security when opening apps and accessing programs. As with any new or improved smartphone features, it seems fair for users to question whether what was being advertised is actually necessary or just meant to boost sales and reviews. But in this case, the past year or so has seen smartphone security become more important than ever, as we increasingly trust our devices with personal information and financial handling. In fact, to emphasize just how great the need for top-of-the-line smartphone security is, here are a few examples of apps and programs that can leave you vulnerable if not protected properly. Banking Apps Banking apps are nothing new, but their capabilities have expanded significantly across the board. While these apps once existed largely to allow users to check on their accounts remotely, they now feature the ability to have complete control of bank accounts via…

Samsung may have overshot its expectations with the Galaxy S5. According to a new report published by the Wall Street Journal, the South Korean tech company sold 4 million fewer Galaxy S5 units than Galaxy S4 units. The report claims that Samsung sold 12 million Galaxy S5 units during the first three months of its release and 16 million Galaxy S4 units during thee first three months of its initial release. This is disturbing news for Samsung, who many people view as the leading smartphone maker. With sales slipping, we’ll likely see some changes occurring within the upcoming months. So, does this mean the end for Samsung’s smartphone business? Not by a long shot. Yes, Samsung experienced fewer Galaxy S5 sales than predicted, but it’s still a phenomenal smartphone that ranks among the leading mobile devices currently on the market. The Galaxy S5 had numerous improvements over the Galaxy S4, including the use of a dust/water-resistant IP67 shell. Samsung was one of the first smartphone makers to include such a design in its standard flagship smartphone — a move that attracted a large number of consumers. There’s a reason why you’re seeing more and more television commercials, radio adverts, and…

Ask any serious smartphone enthusiast and they’ll agree: the Galaxy S5 is one of the fastest and most powerful mobile devices on the market. Featuring a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM 16/32GB memory, 18-megapixel primary camera, and Samsung’s signature Touchwiz mod on top of Android 4.4, there are few devices that rival the Galaxy S5. Given the undeniable positive brand image surrounding the Galaxy S5, it should come as somewhat shocking news that sales of Samsung’s flagship smartphone have declined considerably since its release. According to an article published by the Wall Street Journal, Samsung sold 40% fewer units than it expected to sell, dealing a major blow to the company’s profits and its morale. Samsung reportedly based its sales predictions on surveys and polls taken from cell carriers from across the world. An unnamed person close to Samsung told the WSJ, however, that cell carriers were not liable for any unsold Galaxy S5 units. Assuming this information is accurate, it’s possible that some cell carriers gave inflated sales predictions for the sole purpose of scoring a deal with Samsung. And being that they weren’t responsible for paying Samsung for unsold units, they  didn’t face any consequences for inaccurate…

Samsung is known for releasing numerous versions, or variants, of its flagship smartphones, and the Galaxy S5 is no exception. According to leaked documents, the tech giant is preparing to release a Galaxy A variant (see image to the right). The upcoming Galaxy A will take a step away from Samsung’s traditional smartphone designs. While all of the previous Galaxy models have used a plastic body, this new variant will reportedly feature an all-metal body. Samsung has been criticized in the past for its use of a plastic body with the Galaxy S5, with some market analysts saying the company was cutting corners in an attempt to save money on production costs. Well, it looks like Samsung is taking the advice of these critics by releasing a metal body Galaxy variant. Unfortunately, we still know the complete details for Samsung’s new Galaxy variant. Tech Times reports that it feature a 13-megapixel primary camera, 5-megapixel secondary camera, 16GB storage, micro SD card,  2,330 mAh battery, and the same TouchWiz user interface from the Galaxy Note 4. Of course, the real beauty of the Galaxy A — if the reports are accurate — is its all-metal body. Samsung has been hesitant to produce…