Samsung retains top spot in US home appliance market

Samsung has been the undisputed king of the US home appliance market for some time now and it’s a similar story in the first quarter of 2017. Market research firm TraQline found that Samsung had clinched the top spot from Whirlpool the US home appliance market.

TraQline is out with a new report today which shows that Samsung retained its top spot in the US home appliance market in the first quarter of this year as well.

Improved sales of fridges and washing machines have enabled the company to expand its market share to 19.2 percent of the entire market. This sales-based figure is up 4.5 percent points from the same time last year.

Choi Ik-soo, an executive vice president at Samsung Electronics, said that the company’s FlexWash and FlexDry washing and drying system is gaining popularity in the country while its Family Hub refrigerators are also bringing in a lot of customers.

Samsung has now been the leader in the US home appliance market for the fourth consecutive quarter ever since it emerged as the market leader in Q2 2016 with a 16.7 percent market share.

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Samsung Electronics rejects holding company structure

Samsung Electronics received a restructuring proposal from US activist hedge fund and minority shareholder Elliott Associates which proposed that the company be split into two. It called for setting up an operational and holding company and listing the latter on external exchanges in order to significantly boost shareholder value.

Samsung took its time to study the proposal in detail and at its annual shareholder meeting last month said that it was not going to adopt a holding company structure for now. However, at that time, it didn’t completely rule out the possibility.

It has done that today, though. Samsung has said that the company’s Board of Directors has decided not to convert to a holding company structure.

A comprehensive review conducted with external advisors has revealed that a holding company structure will not strengthen the competitiveness of Samsung’s business and may potentially weigh on its operations in the long-term.

The review also highlighted some issues that may crop up if the proposal is to be accepted. Creating a holding company would require divestments of equity stakes held by Samsung Electronics and its affiliates. This will require approval from directors and shareholders of all relevant companies and can thus not be implemented by Samsung Electronics alone.

Existing laws will also force the company’s financial affiliates to divest part or all of their stakes. This might lead to volatility in the company’s share price. The uncertainty of the legal and regulatory environment has also been deemed not conducive to such a major change.

Samsung has thus concluded that the risks and the challenging environment associated with a fundamental change in corporate structure would not be beneficial for enhancing shareholder value and sustaining growth for the business in the long-term.

It believes that the holding company structure does not have clear benefits compared to Samsung Electronics’ current business structure.

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Samsung Electronics decides to cancel treasury shares worth $43 billion

As the name suggests, treasury shares are those that a company keeps in its own treasury. It either comes from a repurchase or buyback from shareholders or it may be stock that was never issued.

Samsung Electronics today announced that the company’s Board of Directors has approved a plan to cancel all existing treasury shares held by the company. At present value, the treasury shares held by Samsung Electronics are worth almost $43 billion.

The treasury stock was retained by the company to use as a financial resource for merger and acquisition transactions as well as for securing talented professionals. However, it feels that the strong balance sheet and increase in cash holdings of the company have reduced the need to hold treasury shares.

To limit the impact on the financial market as the value of these shares exceeds $40 billion, Samsung is going to cancel them in two stages. The first stage will see the cancellation of 50 percent of the holding which is about 9 million common and 1.6 million preferred shares. The remainder will be canceled after the board’s approval in 2018.

Samsung holds 17,981,686 of common shares which accounts for 12.9 percent of the outstanding common stock and 3,229,693 of preferred shares which equal to 15.9 percent of the outstanding preferred stock in its treasury. This step is part of Samsung’s commitment to enhance long-term value for shareholders.

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Samsung confirms new flagship smartphone launch for the second half of 2017

Samsung posted its Q1 2017 earnings today and it’s evident that the Galaxy Note 7′s demise contributed to the decline in revenue from the mobile business as Samsung didn’t have a new flagship smartphone on the market.

It’s now planning to turn things around by maximizing sales of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ while also confirming that another flagship smartphone is due in the second half of this year.

Samsung normally launches a new Galaxy Note flagship in the second half of the year, that’s what it has been doing for the past few years. However, there was some speculation last year that perhaps it might ditch the Galaxy Note lineup altogether.

That might not be the case, though, given that Samsung has previously said that the Galaxy Note lineup isn’t going anywhere and that a new handset will be launched in 2017. The fact that it has reiterated the launch of a second flagship in the earnings release goes to show that Samsung is surely going to go ahead with it.

Whether or not the upcoming flagship carries the tainted Galaxy Note branding remains to be seen.

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Samsung posts highest-ever Q1 operating profit on revenue of $44.7 billion

Samsung shared its earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2017 last month. It expected the operating profit to come in at 10.1 trillion won or $9 billion. The company today reported its Q1 2017 earnings and hasn’t strayed too far from its guidance.

Samsung brought in an operating profit of 9.9 trillion won or $8.7 billion. This makes Q1 2017 Samsung’s second-best quarter ever and also represents the highest-ever operating profit for the January to March period. Overall revenue came in at 50.55 trillion won or $44.7 billion.

The company points out that revenue from its mobile business fell during the quarter due to a decline in flagship product sales. However, its quarter was salvaged by increased sales for the memory and display businesses. Profits were driven by the semiconductor and display panel segments.

Samsung mentions in the earnings release that even though smartphone and tablet demand saw a slight decrease quarter-over-quarter, smartphone shipments actually increased slightly during this period.

This was primarily due to the new Galaxy A (2017) series and robust sales in the mid- to low-end segment in emerging markets. The division’s overall profits decreased due to price adjustments of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

The company is looking to improve the performance of its handset division year-over-year by maximizing sales of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ this quarter but it does expect competition to intensify with newly launched smartphones in the market.

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Wallpaper Wednesday: Illustration

Welcome to the latest edition of Wallpaper Wednesday. This week we’re focusing our attention on five illustrated backgrounds. All of the images are available in a suitable resolution for the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and just about any other smartphone (or even tablet) on the market.

If any of the following images float your boat and you want to download and set one as your wallpaper, simply tap on a photo to maximise it, then click and hold to save it. Once the picture is stored locally, open up Settings, locate and select Wallpaper, then press the image to set it as your background.

Alternatively, you can download a ZIP file containing all of this week’s backdrops by hitting the Download button at the very bottom of this post.

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Animals

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Bear

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Lake

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Thieves

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Town

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Download

Note: We’ve tried our best to identify the creators of all of the wallpapers featured in this week’s column. However, the images appear to lack copyright information, artist signatures or any real trace of origin. If you created a wallpaper we’ve posted and would like credit, or would rather we remove the image, kindly contact us.

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SamMobile Daily Recap: April 26, 2017 — Galaxy Note 7, Galaxy S8 and more!

We publish a lot of stories on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the majority of news breaks during our European hours of operation, which makes it difficult for our readers in the US (and other regions) to keep up. However, we think we’ve come up with a fantastic solution — a daily recap.

Here’s what we covered today.

Deals

Daily Deal: Pick up a Gear S3 frontier for 15% off

Firmware News

Galaxy J7 (2016) receives April security patch in Europe

General

Samsung may unveil new MRAM memory for mobile devices next month

Laptops

Google confirms which Samsung Chrome OS devices will get Android apps

Phones

Refurbished Galaxy Note 7 to go on sale at the end of June

The Galaxy S8′s home button won’t burn-in

[Video] This is how Samsung tests the Galaxy S8 to ensure quality and safety

PSA: Galaxy S8′s messages app shows web link previews

Tips & Tricks

Galaxy S8 Tip: Here’s how to enable image stabilization for smoother 4K videos

Galaxy S8 Tip: How to activate Bluetooth Dual Audio

TV

YouTube Kids app now available on Samsung Smart TVs

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Galaxy S8 Tip: How to activate Bluetooth Dual Audio

The Galaxy S8 was the first smartphone on the market to ship with Bluetooth 5.0, which not only offers improvements to audio, speed and range, but also provides users with the facility to simultaneously stream audio to two sets of wireless headphones or speakers, while letting them to control the volume of the outputs individually.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Navigate into Settings and select Connections.

Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth.

Step 3: Press the three dots in the upper-right corner.

Step 4: Tap Dual Audio, then activate it.

Now all you need to do is pair two sets of Bluetooth headphones (or speakers) to your smartphone, select them from this screen and you’ll be good to go. It’s really that simple. As always, if you happen to find yourself in a spot of bother, let us know in the comments section below and we’ll do our best to get you back on track. Otherwise, be sure to check out our other Galaxy S8 tips and tricks.

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PSA: Galaxy S8′s messages app shows web link previews

The Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ feature a newer user interface with dozens of new features, and some of them are easier to overlook. One such new feature is the ability to show web link previews in the messages app.

Similar to WhatsApp, iMessage, and a few other instant messaging apps, Galaxy S8′s new messages app shows a web link preview whenever someone sends you a URL, which makes it easier for you to know what that link is about.

You can disable this feature, if you don’t want it, from the settings menu of the messages app.

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Daily Deal: Pick up a Gear S3 frontier for 15% off

If you’re in the market for a new smartwatch, you’ve come to the right place. While stock lasts, you can pick up the ruggedized variant of Samsung’s latest smartwatch, the Gear S3 frontier, from Amazon for $299. (15% off). We reviewed this model of the device back in January, and came to the conclusion that it’s a great offering for both entry-level and die-hard wearable owners.

Like the sound of the Gear S3 frontier and want to take advantage of this promotion? Press the Buy Now button below. We advise you to hurry, though, as Amazon only has a limited amount of inventory available.We should note, however, that the merchant isn’t offering international shipping, which sadly means that this saving is only available for customers in the United States.

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[Video] This is how Samsung tests the Galaxy S8 to ensure quality and safety

The Galaxy Note 7 turned out to be a massive failure. Even though it was a great device, it was a safety hazard due to faulty batteries. The company had to recall all the Galaxy Note 7 units it shipped worldwide, and apologize its customers. Samsung not only suffered an enormous financial loss due to this recall but also to endured its worst branding nightmare ever. Airlines reminded travelers for months that the Galaxy Note 7 was a safety threat, and it could catch fire at any moment.

Samsung clearly doesn’t want to go through the same painful situation once again, so it created a new 8-point battery safety check three months ago for improved product quality and safety. The newly released Galaxy S8 and S8+ pass through the same procedure, and the company says that it is doing everything it can to ensure highest product quality and safety. The devices go through massive charge and discharge tests, and the company is even inspecting battery suppliers for quality assurance.

The company wants to keep the whole testing procedure open, so it created a special battery analysis center that will be proactive in communicating with consumers. It is even taking help of external agencies and experts for improving its battery testing procedure even further. Samsung has released a new video that showcases how the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are tested in its factories to ensure the highest product quality and safety so that it can regain consumer confidence.

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Samsung may unveil new MRAM memory for mobile devices next month

Samsung and IBM announced back in July last year that they had developed a new process to manufacture a non-volatile RAM which is up to 100,000 times faster than NAND flash and never wears out.

They called it magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) which will be produced using the spin-transfer torque (STT) technology. This will allow the companies to create low-capacity memory chips for mobile devices, wearables and Internet of Things devices that currently rely on NAND flash memory to store data.

Spin-torque MRAM can be utilized in ultra-low power applications in which it will use very low power when on and storing information. It won’t use any power when it’s not actively being used as it won’t be volatile.

According to a new report, Samsung is going to unveil the MRAM at its Foundry Forum Event which is going to take place on May 24. The company is expected to detail its process technology for MRAM at this event.

The company’s LSI Business Department has reportedly worked up a prototype of a System on Chip that has MRAM built inside. This is also likely to be presented at the event next month.

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Galaxy S8 Tip: Here’s how to enable image stabilization for smoother 4K videos

The Galaxy S8 and S8+ feature a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with Dual Pixel phase-detection autofocus, OIS, and 4K video recording. These features might seem similar to that of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, but they come with slightly upgraded sensors and a brand new 10nm octa-core processor. This gives Samsung more headroom for things like Multi Frame Processing and electronic image stabilization, which result in improved image and video quality.

If you didn’t know already, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ can record optically and electronically stabilized 4K videos, something that wasn’t possible on the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge. EIS produces smoother videos, but for some reason, these smartphones are pre-configured by Samsung to record videos at just 1080p resolution. You can change that, of course. So, here’s how you can activate electronic image stabilization in the camera app on your Galaxy S8 or S8+:

Step 1: Open the camera app and hit the Settings icon on the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2: Enter the Video Size menu, and select UHD option. Then go back to the main menu.

Step 3: Now, scroll down and search for the Video Stabilization option and activate it.

You can now record 4K videos that are both optically and electronically stabilized.

Note: EIS isn’t available for the front-facing camera when recording videos in QHD resolution.

If you want to know how to setup your new Galaxy S8 or S8+, you should read more Galaxy S8 tips and tricks here.

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Google confirms which Samsung Chrome OS devices will get Android apps

It has been a few months since Google confirmed that it was bringing Android apps to Chrome OS. However, it didn’t exactly reveal the names of all Chrome OS devices that will be receiving support for the Play Store. It listed only three devices initially and not one was from Samsung.

The company has now updated the list of Chrome OS devices that are soon going to receive Play Store support. The list also provides status updates on how soon the device will receive an update which brings support for Android apps.

The list reveals that Android app support is in the Stable Channel for only one Samsung device, the Chromebook Plus, while it’s still in the Planned stage for the Chromebook Pro, Chromebook 2 11″ – XE500C12 and Chromebook 3. It’s unclear right now how much time it will take for Play Store support for these devices to enter the Stable Channel.

Google is yet to confirm when it’s going to release support for these devices but it’s likely going to take place at some point later this year.

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Galaxy J7 (2016) receives April security patch in Europe

Samsung is rolling out a new firmware update for the Galaxy J7 (2016) in Europe. It’s a minor update which brings the latest April security patch for the handset. The security patch for the month of April brings fixes for 49 vulnerabilities in Android OS as well as 16 vulnerabilities in Samsung’s own software.

Firmware version J710FXXS3AQD1 is now being rolled out for the Galaxy J7 (2016) in Europe, it has already gone live in the Netherlands and will soon go live in other markets across the continent as well.

It was only a matter of time before Samsung released the April security patch for the Galaxy J7 (2016) in Europe given that last week it rolled out the patch for this device in India.

Since this is a minor update, it doesn’t bring much in the way of new features. Users will have to wait for Android 7.0 Nougat to get their hands on some new features. Samsung hasn’t confirmed when the Galaxy J (2016) series will be updated to Nougat but it’s predictably going to happen at some point later this year.

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YouTube Kids app now available on Samsung Smart TVs

YouTube Kids is the first app from Google that has been built from the ground up with kids in mind. The app enables kids to easily find videos on topics that they want to explore while shielding them from the more mature content that’s available on the world’s largest video streaming website.

Google launched this app over two years ago and since then it has become a favorite among families around the world with more than 30 billion views and over 8 million weekly active viewers. The app’s reach is now being expanded to more platforms and thus YouTube Kids is available on Samsung Smart TVs in 26 countries where the app has already been launched.

All 2013-2017 Samsung Smart TVs and Blu-Ray Players that have access to the Samsung App Store are compatible with the YouTube Kids app. The list of countries where this app has been launched includes the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Malaysia and more.

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Refurbished Galaxy Note 7 to go on sale at the end of June

Samsung will launch a refurbished variant of the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 in South Korea through three carriers at the end of June, reveals ET News. It’s believed that 300,000 of the recalled three-to-four million units will go on sale in the region, and will sport a new 3,200mAh battery instead of the 3,500mAh cell found on board its predecessor.

Don’t Miss: [Exclusive] Galaxy Note 8 codename and model number, refurbished Note 7 in development for South Korea

While the firm is still negotiating branding and pricing, the publication has reason to believe that the handset will be called the Galaxy Note 7 R (SM-N935) and will carry a price tag of around 700,000 won ($620), approximately 300,000 won ($266) less than the original Galaxy Note 7, which was priced at 989,890 won ($878) when it hit the shelves back in September, 2016.

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The Galaxy S8′s home button won’t burn-in

Responding to a comment over on Twitter, Samsung revealed that the virtual home button on board the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ slowly fades in and out when the Always-On Display mode is activated to prevent burn-in, which was a common concern amongst tech-savvy owners.

The folks over at Galaxy Club performed a simple test, and found that the button moves ever-so-slightly to prevent it from becoming permanently embedded on the handset’s Infinity Display. They also found that in line with the firm’s range of smartwatches, the clock moves around.

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