Phone & OS

 Samsung has announced plans to expand its "One UI" software branding, currently exclusive to Galaxy devices, to its other major tech products, including TVs and home appliances, starting in 2025. This move aims to create a cohesive software experience across the company's portfolio. One UI, first introduced in 2018, replaced the widely criticized TouchWiz Android skin on Galaxy devices, providing a welcome and well-received update. Since then, Samsung has continued to build upon and refine the software, even expanding it to smartwatches following the company's adoption of Wear OS. During its annual developer conference, Samsung revealed that One UI will become the new name for the company's software experiences across major product lines, encompassing TVs and home appliances. While details on how this will affect software design and features are scarce, the announcement suggests a unified design language and integrated software experience across devices. ...

In 2023, Google introduced Gemini Nano, a lightweight version of its Gemini AI technology, designed to enable Android devices to run AI-powered features locally without relying on an internet connection. Initially, the technology was exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, but it has since been expanded to other devices, including the Galaxy S24 series. However, until now, there has been a lack of clarity regarding which smartphones support Gemini Nano and which ones feature the enhanced multimodality version. Thankfully, this ambiguity has been resolved, courtesy of a report by Android Police, which has obtained confirmation from Google on the devices that support Gemini Nano and those that feature the multimodality variant. Devices that Support Gemini Nano The following devices have been confirmed to support Gemini Nano: Google Pixel 8 Google Pixel 8 Pro Google Pixel 8a Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S24 Samsung Galaxy S24...

Samsung has begun rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update to older Galaxy devices, introducing a revamped audio equalizer user interface. The new design makes it easier to use and features a more elegant appearance. The updated audio equalizer UI replaces the previous list format with preset chips below the equalizer adjustment bars. This change provides more room for the sliders and includes a brief description of the selected preset at the bottom of the UI. The audio equalizer is a useful feature in Samsung devices, allowing users to access it through Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects > Equalizer. The feature offers various presets and the ability to personalize settings from scratch. While the update does not introduce new features or changes, it does install the latest Android security patch to enhance device security. Users must download a 300MB package to install the update. September 2024 Security Patch Details The latest security patch addresses o...

Image: Samsung Samsung has commenced the rollout of its latest software update, One UI 6.1.1, to its Galaxy smartphones and tablets. While not a major update, One UI 6.1.1 brings several new features and enhancements to the table, including additional Galaxy AI features, improved animations, and support for new accessories. What's New in One UI 6.1.1? One UI 6.1.1 introduces several new features, including: Additional Galaxy AI features, such as "Listening Mode" in Interpreter, "Composer" for Chat Assist, and "Suggested Replies" on select devices "PDF Overlay Translation" in the Samsung Notes app, alongside other improvements to Note Assist "Sketch to Image" feature, which allows users to add content to an existing image based on a rough sketch A dedicated section in the Settings app for Galaxy AI Enhanced animations and app updates Support for new accessories, such as the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pr...

Samsung has initiated the rollout of the One UI 6.1.1 update to a broader range of Galaxy devices, following its initial release on the company's latest foldables. The update, which was first made available on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in July, is now expanding to additional smartphones and tablets. The update brings feature enhancements, AI improvements, and more to the Galaxy ecosystem, building upon Android 14. The rollout began with the Galaxy S24 series and has since accelerated to include older devices. As of the latest announcement, the following Galaxy devices are receiving the One UI 6.1.1 update: - Galaxy S23 - Galaxy S23+ - Galaxy S23 Ultra - Galaxy S23 FE - Galaxy Z Flip 5 - Galaxy Z Fold 5 - Galaxy Tab S9 - Galaxy Tab S9+ - Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra The update has initially been observed in South Korea, with a global rollout expected shortly. Notably, this batch of devices receives the September 2024 security patch, differing from the Galaxy S24 series. This ex...

Samsung has initiated the deployment of its latest software update, One UI 6.1.1, to eligible devices in the United States, Europe, and India. This incremental update is expected to bring a slew of enhancements and refinements to the user interface, further enriching the overall user experience. As per reports, the rollout has commenced for select Samsung devices, with users in the aforementioned regions being the first to receive the update. The One UI 6.1.1 update is expected to be gradually expanded to other regions and devices in the coming weeks. Although the exact changelog for the update is not publicly available, it is anticipated that the new software will introduce a range of improvements, including performance optimizations, bug fixes, and potentially new features. Samsung's One UI has consistently received praise for its intuitive design and feature-rich interface, and this latest update is expected to build upon that foundation. The rollout of One UI 6.1.1 is a testame...

Image source: Samsung Samsung Electronics has announced the official rollout of One UI 6.1.1 , the latest iteration of its proprietary user interface, to a select range of Galaxy smartphones. Initially introduced alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, the update is now being expanded to other devices, including the recently launched Galaxy S24 series. Built upon the foundation of Android 14, One UI 6.1.1 introduces several enhancements, notably in the realm of Galaxy AI capabilities and system-wide refinements. Among the notable additions are "Listening Mode" in Interpreter, "Composer" for Chat Assist, and the introduction of "Suggested Replies" from the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to select other devices such as the Galaxy S24 series. Additionally, the Samsung Notes app receives a boost with the inclusion of "PDF Overlay Translation" and improvements to Note Assist, while "Sketch to Image" empowers users to add content to existing images based...

Samsung has ended software updates for a few of its older devices, including the Galaxy Tab S7 series and the Galaxy Z Flip 5G. Through an update to its Security Updates page, Samsung has confirmed that it will end software updates on the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, the second flip phone the company launched. The Flip 5G made its debut in late 2020 as an iterative update to the original Flip. It brought 5G support and few hardware updates, but wasn’t as big of an update as the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was a year later. Now, the device is no longer actively supported by Samsung after 4 years. The Flip 5G’s last update was Android 13. Beyond that, Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ have also been dropped, again with Android 13 having been its last update. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE was dropped previously, while the Tab S8 series is still supported with quarterly security updates.

Samsung has officially adjusted the security update schedule for the Galaxy Note 20 series, which includes both the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra models. Previously, these devices were part of Samsung's monthly security patch program. However, they will now receive security updates on a quarterly basis. The Galaxy Note 20 series, launched in August 2020, has reached the point in its lifecycle where Samsung typically reduces the frequency of security updates. This shift is consistent with the company's policy of gradually scaling back support as devices age. Initially, Samsung provides monthly security updates for its flagship models, but after approximately three years, these devices are transitioned to a quarterly update schedule. The change in update frequency does not indicate a lack of support but reflects the device's maturity and the decreasing likelihood of security vulnerabilities. Samsung remains committed to ensuring the security and functionality of the Galaxy...

Samsung is preparing to introduce One UI 7, its latest iteration of the user interface, which is expected to offer significant improvements in animations and overall user experience. However, despite growing anticipation, it appears that the beta version of One UI 7 is unlikely to be released this week.  Animation Enhancements in One UI 7 One of the key features of One UI 7 is the introduction of enhanced animations, which are designed to provide a smoother and more fluid user experience. These improvements are expected to make interactions feel more responsive and visually appealing, aligning with Samsung's commitment to refining the user interface with each iteration of One UI. Beta Release Timeline While Samsung users are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to test these new features, reports suggest that the release of the One UI 7 beta may be delayed. Although Samsung has not provided an official timeline, it seems that the beta rollout will not occur this week as some had hoped....

Samsung's development of One UI 7 has progressed significantly, moving one step closer to initiating its beta release. The company's latest user interface iteration is eagerly anticipated by both consumers and industry professionals, promising enhancements and new features designed to improve user experience. Recent reports indicate that internal testing of One UI 7 has been highly productive, setting the stage for the forthcoming beta phase. Samsung's development team has been meticulously refining the interface to ensure it meets the high standards expected by its global user base. One UI 7 is expected to build upon the robust foundation established by its predecessors, introducing a range of improvements in terms of usability, aesthetics, and performance. While specific details about the new features remain under wraps, industry insiders suggest that users can anticipate a more intuitive and visually appealing interface, coupled with increased functionality and efficienc...