Take a tour of Australia using the new Qantas VR app

Australian airline Qantas has announced a brand new Virtual Reality (VR) application for Android and iOS, which will allow users to take a guided tour of some of the world-famous landmarks and national parks in Australia without having to leave their home.

“Our aim with the new virtual reality app is to connect with travelers by showcasing parts of Australia they might not be familiar with,” said Qantas executive Olivia Wirth, who then went on to add that firm hopes the experience will encourage people to visit the region.

Users that have enjoyed using Qantas VR will also have the opportunity to book a flight to see the landmarks they’ve visited in person from within the application itself. However, the firm did reveal that it didn’t primarily develop the service to sell flights, but rather to educate people.

The Qantas VR application is compatible with Google Cardboard/Daydream, Samsung Gear VR and other devices. Alternatively, if you can’t get your hands on a VR headset, you’ll simply be able to watch videos in landscape mode on your smartphone.

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Independent retailer JB HiFi launches the Galaxy J5 Prime in Australia

Samsung’s latest mid-range smartphone, the Galaxy J5 Prime, is now available to purchase in Australia through third-party independent retailer JB HiFi. The handset comes in two color variants — Gold and Black — and carries a price tag of $399.

For those in need of a refresher, the Galaxy J5 Prime packs a 5-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear-facing camera and a 2,400mAh battery.

This news comes just two months after Samsung launched the handset in India, alongside its slightly larger companion the Galaxy J7 Prime, which features slightly upgraded specifications.

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Galaxy S7 edge gets November security patch in Germany and Australia

Samsung is now sending out its monthly security patch to more devices across the globe. It has released an update for the Galaxy S7 edge (SM-G935F) in Germany and Australia which features the November security patch among other improvements. The update is now being rolled out in both countries.

The November security update comes with countless fixes from Google aside from patches for 14 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures items. This update – software version G935FXXU1BPJG – is now being rolled out over-the-air in Germany and Australia. It features the latest security patch as well as other bug fixes, stability and performance improvements. Don’t expect any new features since this is a minor update after all, it comes in at around 157MB.

Those who haven’t already received an OTA notification can head over to the Settings menu followed by About device and Download Updates Manually to get this update. The file is also available for download via our firmware section if the thought of flashing it on your own doesn’t trouble you.

Thanks, Max!

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Leak shows Blue Coral Galaxy S7 edge will be released by T-Mobile on November 18

Samsung announced earlier this month that it had launched the Blue Coral Galaxy S7 edge in select markets across the globe. Customers in the United States can place a pre-order for one via AT&T but it was reported recently that T-Mobile might also sell this device. A new leak reveals that this is indeed the case and that T-Mobile is going to release the Blue Coral Galaxy S7 edge on November 18.

AT&T is the only carrier in the United States right now that’s taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S7 edge in this color. Verizon is expected to carry this handset as well but so far there has been no indication to suggest that Big Red will start offering this device soon. The leak shows that T-Mobile is going to release the device on Friday, November 18 which is actually the same day AT&T starts shipping its Blue Coral Galaxy S7 edge units.

No pricing details have been revealed but since it’s just a color change expect this device to cost the same as the Galaxy S7 edge already does on T-Mobile which is $69.99 down and $30 per month for 24 months or $789.99 at full retail.

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Samsung Rewards program launched for Samsung Pay users in the United States

With the lucrative holiday shopping season just around the corner, Samsung today announced the launch of a new rewards program for Samsung Pay customers in the United States. The company says that this new program shows its appreciation every time a customer uses Samsung Pay at checkout. Samsung’s mobile payment service has achieved a lot since it was launched over a year ago. It supports more than 500 banks and credit unions in the United States aside from a growing number of loyalty, gift and membership cards. The company also points out that Samsung Pay already supports in-app payments and that starting next year it’s also going to support online payments.

The company has launched the Samsung Rewards program to give new users more reasons to try out the service and to thank its existing users for continued support. Samsung Rewards is similar to a points-based credit card rewards program. Customers will earn rewards points every time they make a purchase with Samsung Pay. Customers will also be able to “double dip” on reward points, with every credit card purchase made using Samsung Pay, they will not only be able to earn points, miles or cash back from their card issuer but also Samsung Rewards points. The rewards points will also be provided to debit card users.

Samsung Rewards has loyalty tiers with point multipliers so the more customers use Samsung Pay the more points they earn. Point multipliers will enable them to earn double, triple or even quadruple points depending upon how often they use Samsung Pay each month. Points will also be handed out through limited-time bonus offers, the company is making one such offer right now, anyone who joins Samsung Rewards in November or December will receive double points on purchases made in those two months.

Points earned can then be redeemed for Samsung products, vouchers for Samsung’s online store, Samsung Rewards Visa Prepaid Card value and gift cards to some of the leading retailers in the United States. Users will be eligible for prize giveaways as well which will be called “Instant Wins,” prizes include trips to Las Vegas and Napa Valley.

Samsung Rewards will be rapidly expanded to other Samsung products and services such as its online store and S Health as well as exclusive events, experiences and its partner programs over the coming months.

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Galaxy A5 (2016) in Europe now receiving November security patch

Samsung has today started rolling out this month’s security patch for the factory unlocked model of the Galaxy A5 (2016) in the Netherlands. The upgrade will reach other regions in Europe over the course of the week with the next stop expected to be Germany, followed by Poland.

As described in the changelog that was posted on Samsung’s official Mobile Security Blog last week, the November release bundles dozens of patches for Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) in the Android Operating System (OS), as well as fixes for a total of 14 specific bugs in the firm’s mobile devices.

If you own a Galaxy A5 (2016) and woul like to see if the OTA — firmware version XXU3BPK1 — is ready for your unit, head into Settings » About Device » Download Updates Manually. Alternatively, you can always wait until you receive a notification prompting you to upgrade.

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Hannibal Buress shows off Samsung Pay’s main features in latest promotional videos

On Saturday, Samsung’s American subsidiary took to its YouTube channel to share three promotional videos with stand-up comedian and actor Hannibal Buress. Each of the short clips is dedicated to showing off one of Samsung Pay’s main features – mobile payments, gift cards and loyalty cards. They’re all pretty humorous, too.

Check them out below:

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Samsung Black Friday 2016 deals offer amazing discounts on many products

Black Friday is just around the corner and Samsung is getting in on the action as well. The company has revealed its Black Friday 2016 deals which offer amazing discounts on many of its products ranging from TVs, mobile devices and computers to home appliances. The Samsung Black Friday 2016 deals can be accessed through a dedicated page set up on the company’s website.

The discounted prices will be available starting November 20 and they will last all week long. Expect amazing discounts on products like the 65-inch KS8000 4K SUHD TV which has been discounted to $1,499 from its usual retail price of $3,499. There are countless TV models with discounts of $1,000 and more.

Both variants of Samsung’s latest and greatest smartwatch – the Gear S3 classic and frontier – have been discounted by $50 for Black Friday 2016. Discounts are also offered on the Gear IconX, Gear Fit 2, Gear 360 and the Gear VR.

Check out the Samsung Black Friday 2016 page on its website to find out more about the discounts being offered. All of these products can directly be purchased from Samsung with shipments promised within 3-5 business days.

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Galaxy C7 goes up for pre-order in the US, but thing’s aren’t quite as they seem

Following its release in China back in July, American retailer B&H Photo Video has listed the Galaxy C7 on its official website. Those interested in picking up the handset can pre-order a 64GB dual-SIM variant from the retailer’s online store for $459. What’s strange, however, is that there’s no mention of a release date on the firm’s website, so you could quite easily be waiting until next year for the device to arrive.

If you are considering purchasing a Galaxy C7 from B&H Photo Video, we’d advise against it at this precise moment in time, though, until more information about the specific unit is published. As it stands, the firm is currently offering an unidentified GSM model, which we presume has been imported from Hong Kong; meaning that there’s a good chance it won’t work with your carrier and could suffer with general connectivity issues.

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Daily Deal: Grab the Samsung SmartThings Hub v2 for just $49.99 from Amazon

Samsung’s SmartThings Hub v2 is currently one of the most popular smart home hubs among consumers, and it was recently adjudged as the ‘Best Smart Hub’ by TheWireCutter. You can now grab the second-generation SmartThings Hub for just $49.99 from Amazon as opposed to its usual price of $99.99.

The SmartThings Hub acts as a bridge between all the compatible smart home products such as light bulbs, outlets, sensors, and more from the company. Apart from the company’s smart home products, the SmartThings Hub also works with various products such as Amazon Echo, Arlon cameras, Google Home, Honeywell thermostats, Leviton outlets and switches, Philips Hue, and more.

Apart from The SmartThings Hub, you can also purchase a Hub and Leviton Dimmer bundle for $99.99 (versus a usual price of $120) or a Hub and outlet package for $105 (versus a standard price of $110). The SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit is currently priced at $150 as opposed to its usual price of $250. Grab them before they go out of stock!

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Samsung tears down the Gear S3 to show us what’s inside

Samsung has launched the Gear S3 in South Korea, and the smartwatch is available for pre-order in the US and the UK. The company recently released various videos on YouTube to show how to get started with the Gear S3 and how to incorporate it into everyday life. Now, Samsung has published its teardown of the Gear S3 to show what’s inside the compact smartwatch.

The Gear S3 incorporates the iconic rotating bezel, a stainless steel case, a display (covered by Corning Gorilla Glass SR+), and the radio frequency antenna on the front. Below the display, there’s an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness level adjustment and MST for Samsung Pay transactions.

The bracket of the Gear S3, which also acts as its chassis, incorporates Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless communication, a linear motor for vibration and haptic feedback, and a microphone as well as a loudspeaker for voice calls and other things. Most of the components and sensors such as the accelerometer, barometer, gyro, battery, memory, NFC, GPS, heart-rate monitor, eSIM, processor, and the microphone are situated on the mainboard.

The Gear S3 comes in two style variants: Classic and Frontier. The Gear S3 Classic comes with a leather band while the Gear S3 Frontier comes with a silicon band. You can have a look at the teardown images below, but if you want to read about it in detail head over to Samsung’s official blog by hitting the source link at the end of the article.

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Galaxy S8 may feature a force touch display

Samsung is already predicted to make huge hardware changes to the Galaxy S8 so no rumor or report seems too optimistic at this point in time. Citing multiple industry sources, a report out of South Korea suggests that the Galaxy S8 might feature a force touch display. Samsung is apparently considering going for a pressure sensitive display, commonly known as 3D touch or force touch, for its future high-end smartphones starting with the Galaxy S8.

The company might introduce its force touch display with the Galaxy S8 but the sources quoted in the report claim that full adoption for other Samsung handsets might take up to two years. Apple and Huawei are just some of the companies that already have smartphones with force touch displays out in the market. Samsung Display is actually the main supplier of force touch displays to Huawei so it’s quite likely that Samsung might adopt its own display if it really wanted to introduce force touch with the Galaxy S8.

The report even cites an unnamed executive at Samsung’s component division who said that the company is indeed working on force touch technology for its smartphones and that it’s going to adopt the technology “in the near future.” It’s pertinent to mention here that Samsung hasn’t said anything about a force touch display for the Galaxy S8 so it would be best to take this report with a grain of salt, even though it doesn’t feel entirely impossible for this to happen.

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What’s New With Nougat Part 9: Video Enhancer brings better video and sound quality

In the next part of our What’s New With Nougat series we’re looking at a new feature that’s aimed at providing an even better video and sound experience to those who want to use their devices for watch multimedia content, basically everyone that picks up one of these bad boys, because the Galaxy S7 series is undoubtedly one of the best devices on the market for watching content on the fly.

Located in the Settings menu, Video Enhancer is a new feature that we found in the Android 7.0 Nougat beta build on our Galaxy S7 edge. When turned on, this feature enhances the image and sound quality of videos so that viewers are able to enjoy brighter and more vivid colors with clearer sounds. The extra bit of processing involved will likely impact the battery life which is why Video Enhancer is OFF by default. From the looks of it, this feature will only work with supported apps which will include the likes of YouTube, Netflix and the native Video Player.

What is your impression of this feature, do you think that it’s a novelty that you will eventually forget about? Let us know by dropping a comment down below.

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