Vodafone starts rolling out January security patch for the Galaxy A5 (2016) in Europe

Vodafone has today started distributing this month’s security patch for all its carrier-branded variants of the Galaxy A5 (2016) sold in Europe. For those unaware, the upgrade — dated January 1, 2017 – addresses a total of 67 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) in the Android OS and an additional 28 patches for Samsung’s latest smartphones.

As we’ve come to expect, this release is being rolled out to compatible handsets in stages. To see if the OTA is ready for your device, simply head into Settings » About Device » Download Updates Manually. Alternatively, you can always wait until you receive a notification prompting you to install the update (firmware version: XXS3BQA6).

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2jsDsGA
via IFTTT

Samsung is doubling down on product safety for the Galaxy S8

Samsung has officially confirmed the reasons why the Galaxy Note 7 had the tendency to catch fire and it has also promised to ensure that customers don’t have to go through something like this ever again. The company wants to put the Galaxy Note 7 behind it and come out swinging for the fences with the Galaxy S8 which it hopes will reinforce its image as an innovation leader and help regain lost consumer confidence in the company’s products.

The company is understandably doubling down on product safety for the Galaxy S8. It has implemented a new 8-point battery safety check to ensure that these issues don’t surface again. The company has also decided to receive advice on improving product safety from experts in academia and external research centers in South Korea and across the globe.

Samsung has set up a specialist team that’s going to deal with core parts design, verification and process control. It has expanded recruitment of external experts to further enhance expertise in component development. An advisory board composed of experts from research institutes and academia. The advisory board includes experts like Dr. Claire Gray of the University of Cambridge, Dr. Gerbrand Cedar of the University of Berkeley, Dr. Yi Chui of Stanford University and CEO Amarz Tech Consultant Doru Amaz.

Samsung has clearly prioritized product safety as it seeks to ensure that there’s never a repeat of the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. As it stands, it’s highly unlikely that something like that would happen again. Samsung has confirmed that it won’t unveil the Galaxy S8 at MWC 2017 next month, the launch event is now expected to take place by the end of March with the release slated for mid-April.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2jTJnrx
via IFTTT

Some Galaxy S7 edge owners are experiencing an irritating display issue

Some Galaxy S7 edge owners are reporting that an irremovable vertical pink line has appeared on their device’s display, reveals technology blog Myce. The issue, which dates back to as early as March 2016, has been reported a number of times on various forums and social channels, including reddit. Unfortunately, it’s unknown why exactly the line surfaces, but users who have experienced it claim that it’s completely random and is not a result of physical damage.

Samsung isn’t recognizing this as a widespread issue, though. Instead, a community moderator on its forums is advising users to send handsets suffering from the problem in for repair, but noted that the technicians will decide if they’re covered by the warranty — so it ultimately comes down to whether they think it’s the fault of the owner of a manufacturing defect. If your Galaxy S7 edge is showing a pink line on the screen, Myce recommends the following as a possible short-term fix:

Go to the dial pad on your Samsung Galaxy s7 Edge and enter *#0*# . Then click on Red, Green and Blue. This should reset the individual pixels of each color. If it doesn’t work the first time it might be worth to repeat it several times.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kcxyuf
via IFTTT

Samsung ties up with Swedish firm IMINT for video stabilization and optimization technologies

Samsung has signed an agreement with Swedish firm IMINT to use its video stabilization technologies in the upcoming products. Don’t get too excited too fast. The agreement specifically excludes the use of these video optimization technologies in Samsung’s smartphones.

IMINT, which stands for Image Intelligence, is a software and aerospace firm that’s specialized in video analytics, enhancement, and optimization. The company’s product Vidhance offers three benefits: advanced video stabilization, Live Auto Zoom, and Auto Curate. Live Auto Zoom allows following a moving subject and zooming in on it appropriately. Auto Curate trims down long videos into short clips, similar to what Google Photos does.

Since the agreement excludes smartphones, IMINT’s video stabilization being featured in the Galaxy S8 is out of a question. However, we think that Samsung could use the technology in its upcoming 360-degree cameras and drones (maybe).

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kmgplc
via IFTTT

Here’s why you should upgrade your Samsung Z1 to Tizen 2.4

A little less than a year ago, the long-awaited Tizen 2.4 update finally started making its way to the Samsung Z1 in Bangladesh, India and a handful of other regions. It’s been revealed by Samsung, however, that an eye-watering 46% of all Z1′s in the wild are still running Tizen 2.3, which sparks the question: “Why aren’t people keen to upgrade?” To help sway their hand, the good folks over at Tizen Experts put together a list of all the new features that the latest build of the OS brings to the table.

Check it out below:

Messages

• Enhanced messaging
• Pin conversations
• Lock messages
• Quick View

Smart Manager

• Smart Manager app
• Ultra Data Saving Mode

Image Editor

• History
• Portrait
• Tone
• College Editor

Camera

• Pro Mode
• Wide Selfie
• Interval Shot
• Quick Launch

Calculator

• Split Bill

Music

• Audio Recorder

Voice Call

• Profile info
• Record
• Quick View

Memo

• Checklists

Video

• Enable ‘play audio only#
• Playback speed control
• Detailed seek

FM Radio

• Wheel controls

Contacts

• Groups
• Profile Sharing

Settings

• Styler
• Slide pattern unlock
• Private Mode

File Manager

• Compress and extract .ZIP files

Widgets

• Smart Manager
• Memo

Notification Panel

• Customization options

As you can imagine, not running the latest build of Tizen also leaves your device vulnerable to some serious security flaws — so it’s probably best to get updating. After all, you have nothing to lose. To manually download and install the firmware on your handset, head into Settings, followed by About Device, select Software Update, then hit Check for Updates. That’s really all there is to it. Alternatively, for slightly quicker processing times, you can always use the Kies desktop software.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2jlvul8
via IFTTT

Samsung SDI plans to invest $128 million to improve battery safety after the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco

Samsung SDI manufactured and supplied the first batch of batteries for the Galaxy Note 7, and Samsung announced yesterday that faulty batteries were causing fire and explosion in the smartphone. Samsung SDI has now announced that it will invest 150 billion won (approx. $128.31 million) to improve battery safety after the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. The company has also set up an emergency situation room at the Cheonan plant in South Chungcheong Province and established a production safety innovation task force.

The company has appointed over 100 employees in the safety teams for three divisions: Development, Production and Technology, and Quality and Verification. The company first strengthened the process in the development phase of the batteries to prevent the compression of electrolytes, which was also the cause of issues in the Galaxy Note 7. It also added X-ray inspection system as well as implemented a new verification process where it would test millions of batteries in harsher conditions.

We are now standing at the crossroads of life and death of the company. Whether we work together for a complete overhaul or fade into the mists of history will depend on our determination.

- Cho Nam-seong, President, Samsung SDI

The company is reportedly receiving a good number of orders for its polymer batteries, matching to the levels before the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. It is also receiving orders from automotive brands for energy storage systems for electric and hybrid cars. A Samsung SDI official said, “Even global smartphone makers are placing more orders for polymer batteries to Samsung SDI. Especially, Samsung SDI’s batteries are highly likely to be used in Samsung Electronics’ next smartphones.”

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2jrKc7W
via IFTTT

Samsung’s aiming to start producing 7nm class chipsets in early 2018

If a new report originating from South Korea is anything to go by, it would appear that Samsung is aiming to start producing 7nm class chipsets in early 2018. It’s believed that the firm has introduced extreme Ultraviolet Exposure Equipment (EUV) in the logic process to help secure the competitiveness of the 7nm chip in terms of performance and power consumption.

“We expect 7nm technology to be challenging for all of the patterning scaling. [Samsung] will lead the most advanced technology with the same competitiveness as 14nm and 10nm,” said Dr. Heo Kuk, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics’ System LSI Division. He then went on to add that the company will also be further stabilizing its 14nm manufacturing process to keep it at the top of the game.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kcjEIA
via IFTTT

Samsung forcing rivals to use older processors by hoarding Snapdragon 835 supply

A new report published and corroborated by multiple sources today claims that Samsung is hoarding the bulk of the Snapdragon 835′s supply and is thus essentially forcing its competitors to use the older Snapdragon 821 processor for their new smartphones. Qualcomm’s next-generation processor is being manufactured by Samsung and it’s highly likely that the Galaxy S8 will be the first smartphone to tout the new silicon.

The report mentions that Samsung is going to release the Galaxy S8 on April 14 and that no Android smartphone released before then will feature the Snapdragon 835 processor. It points to the LG G6 and the HTC U Ultra as examples, both of them are powered by the Snapdragon 821.

To be fair, there’s hasn’t been an independent head-to-head performance comparison of the Snapdragon 821 and the 835 yet so it’s unclear just how much better the new processor really is. The Snapdragon 821 has demonstrated its robust performance in fairly recent devices like the Google Pixel phones and the OnePlus 3T. One Android smartphone manufacturer told The Verge that it’s confident working with the 2016 processor while another said that the Snapdragon 835 was never going to be ready for the yearly early-spring refresh of many Android handsets.

Be that as it may, Samsung’s production deal with Qualcomm appears to have given it a slight edge over its rivals even though the company normally maintains a strict separation between its consumer and component manufacturing divisions. Forbes speculates that “Samsung has first dibs” on the Snapdragon 835 as its production deal has helped the company take in the earliest supply of the 835 therefore leaving little or none for other Android manufacturers. Enthusiasts who always want the latest and greatest tech in their handsets would inevitably turn towards the Galaxy S8.

As it stands, it appears that Samsung will be the first manufacturer to put a Snapdragon 835-powered handset on the market. Those who want one from another manufacturer may have to wait until the summer when supply of the 835 picks up.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kciPiF
via IFTTT

Samsung reveals its strategy to grow smartphone business in 2017

Samsung posted its full Q4 2016 earnings today. Despite taking a hit due to the Galaxy Note 7 recall, the company’s IT and Mobile Communications division posted an operating profit of 2.50 trillion won ($2.14 billion) on consolidated revenues of 23.61 trillion won for the final quarter of last year. It says that the fourth quarter saw higher market demand for smartphones and tablets due to the holiday season.

The mobile business did post an earnings increase year-over-year due to the continued stellar performance of the Galaxy S7 series as well as increased profitbility in the mid-range and low-end segments. Samsung expects slow growth in smartphone demand this year but also predicts that new services like Artificial Intelligence will be differentiating factors for the industry. No wonder it’s expected to introduce an AI-powered smart voice assistant called Bixby with the Galaxy S8.

Samsung says that it’s going to reinforce its market leadership and drive growth in the premium smartphone segment with differentiated design and innovative features. It’s also planning to improve the competitiveness of its mid-to-low end smartphones by adding features like fingerprint recognition and water/dust resistance. We’ve already seen this plan in action with the Galaxy A (2017) series.

The company will continue to shore up its software and service competencies by expanding Samsung and Samsung Pay to additional markets. Samsung also says that it’s going to be “introducing AI-based services on premium smartphones.” It adds that consumer safety and product quality will be the company’s top priority in 2017 and to ensure that it’s going to enhance product assurance processes and implement new preventive measures.

The company expects weak demand for smartphones and tablets in the first quarter due to seasonality but increased shipments of mid-range devices like the Galaxy A and Galaxy J series are expected to contribute to quarter-over-quarter sales growth. Increased expenses including higher marketing expenditure are likely to cause profit to decline slightly QoQ.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kmeI7j
via IFTTT