Watchface Friday: Here are four of this week’s best watchfaces

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for another edition of Watchface Friday! For those unaware, every Friday, we highlight a selection of our favorite watchfaces for the Gear S3 classic and Gear S3 frontier. All of the offerings are available to download through the Galaxy Apps Store, so you can rest assured that you won’t have to search all over the Internet to find something we’ve listed.

Gear S3 classic

Habsburg Vienna II by Helmut Sinor

Mr. Time: Flip-Flap Special by Mr. Time Labs

Gear S3 frontier

ME06 24H by Black Turtles

Mr. Time: Golden Armor by Mr. Time Labs

 

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SamMobile Daily Recap: May 19, 2017 — Chromebook Pro, Galaxy S8 and more!

We publish a decent amount 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 with every post. But, we think we’ve come up with an ideal solution — a daily recap.

So, without further ado, here’s what went live today:

Business

Harman aided Samsung’s performance in Q1 2017

Deals

Daily Deal: Save 40% on a Gear VR (2016)

Laptops

Android apps on Chromebook Pro will be in beta at launch

Phones

Check out these five thin cases for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+

Samsung launches the Galaxy S8 in China

Samsung offers an in-depth look at the Galaxy S8′s components

Samsung Z4 sales in India begin today

Opinion

The biggest problem I’ve encountered with my Galaxy S8+ (so far) 

Polls

[Poll] What’s your preferred screen lock feature on the Galaxy S8?

Tablets

Samsung tablets push the iPad down to second place in Western Europe

Virtual Reality

Exclusive: Samsung readying Kids Mode for the Gear VR

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The biggest problem I’ve encountered with my Galaxy S8+ (so far)

The Galaxy S8+ is without a shadow of a doubt the best smartphone I’ve ever owned. In the first impressions post I published a little less than two weeks ago, I explained how impressed I was with the design and performance of the handset — but I’m now starting to doubt its build quality.

A few days after my post went live, I was sitting in traffic and noticed a few (very) minor scratches on the back of my unit, though that’s to be expected. I use the device without a case, and slide it in and out of my pocket umpteen times a day. It’s just casual wear and tear.

What isn’t casual wear and tear, however, is the fact the SIM tray doesn’t fit into my handset properly. It overhangs by around one-to-two millimeters, which is a bit frustrating, especially when you take into account that the Galaxy S8+ retails for north of $700.

Whenever I get my hands on a new smartphone (or any product, for that matter), I always conduct a quick visual check — so I know it definitely wasn’t like that when it arrived. I’ve tried removing the tray and reinserting it multiple times, but to no avail. It still sticks out.

There’s a possibility I’m the only person in possession of a Galaxy S8+ with a dodgy SIM slot, and I really hope I am. I’ve reached out to Samsung requesting a replacement and will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you’ve experienced any weird problems with your Galaxy S8, be sure to let us know.

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Exclusive: Samsung readying Kids Mode for the Gear VR

The Gear VR is the most popular sophisticated virtual reality headset in the world right now, and as per recent statistics, it sold more than the next three competitors combined. The company is trying to add more features to its VR headset range with each passing year. Earlier this year, the company released a new VR headset with a wireless controller. Now, as per the information we’ve come across, Samsung is working to bring Kids Mode for the Gear VR.

Samsung already has a Kids Mode app for its Galaxy smartphones, and it looks like the company wants to bring it to its VR headset as well. We don’t know what exactly Samsung plans to achieve with this new feature, but it’s safe to think that it could offer some specialized content for kids and things like parental controls and timer which would help parents in keeping a check on the kids so that they don’t go overboard with the entertainment. We expect this feature to roll out in time for the launch of the Galaxy Note 8 or the Galaxy S9.

The company had also released the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids a few years ago. It was targeted towards kids, and it featured a kid-friendly UI and a tougher design. VR games and educational apps would be much more immersive and enjoyable for kids, and it appears that Samsung wants kids to feel the power of virtual reality with the Kids Mode feature.

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Daily Deal: Save 40% on a Gear VR (2016)

Amazon has slashed the price of the 2016 variant of the Gear VR, so you can pick one up for just $59.99 (40% off). This is the same model that was released alongside the Galaxy Note 7 last year, and features both a USB Type-C and microUSB; meaning it’s compatible with the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 5.

If you want to take advantage of this deal, simply click the Buy Now button below. You’ll probably want to hurry though, as Amazon only has a limited amount of inventory available for this specific deal and once it’s gone, it’s gone. We should state, however, this promotion is only available for Amazon Prime members in the United States.

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[Poll] What’s your preferred screen lock feature on the Galaxy S8?

It has almost been a month since Samsung released the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Many of you got the new flagship on April 21, the day it was released, and would by now have settled into a routine with your new device. Since the Galaxy S8 offers more screen lock security features than any other Android device, the question needs to be asked, which is your preferred screen lock feature nearly a month after you got this device?

Do you find yourself using the facial recognition feature as the primary screen lock method or has its novelty worn out and you’re just using a pattern on the lock screen? Vote below and let us know in the comments which screen lock feature you’re using daily and why.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Samsung Z4 sales in India begin today

It was only last week that Samsung announced its new Tizen smartphone. The company confirmed that it would start selling the Samsung Z4 in India from May 19. Samsung Z4 has gone on sale in the country today via offline retailers. It’s unclear at this point in time when the handset is going to be sold via online retailers in India.

Customers who are interested in purchasing this device can buy it now for INR 5,790 which is approximately $90. Since it’s meant to compete with low-end Android smartphones, don’t expect much in the way of specifications.

The Samsung Z4 features a 4.5-inch WVGA LCD display with a 1.5GHz quad-core processor under the hood. It has 1GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage with microSD card support as well as 5-megapixel front and back cameras with LED flash.

Customers will like that it’s a dual-SIM smartphone so they will be able to have two numbers active at the same time. It even has support for 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and GPS. The Samsung Z4 comes with a 2,050mAh battery.

It shouldn’t be long before the handset is available for purchase from online retailers in India as well. If you can’t make up your mind about whether or not you want to purchase it, don’t worry, our detailed review of the Samsung Z4 will be up soon.

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Check out these five thin cases for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+

Fragile things need to be protected, and there’s nothing more fragile than today’s smartphones. Samsung’s all-glass design language (with metal on the sides) for its flagships necessitates a case for protection, and for those who don’t like making their devices thick and burly in order to keep them from damage, case makers offer various slim cases that protect your device without adding too much bulk.

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have been available for purchase globally for more than a month, and there are quite a few thin cases available for Samsung’s latest. We’ve taken the pain of finding a few good options that you should take a look at if you’re thinking of buying a case for your S8 and S8+. We are only highlighting the really thin cases, and we will have a separate post for thicker cases that offer extra protection. For a list of general cases that provide the most value for money, go here.

Spigen Thin Fit

Spigen is an extremely popular case maker, and its Thin Fit case is probably one of the most well-known slim cases for smartphones in general. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have a Thin Fit case as well, and as we pointed out in our review, it’s a great mix of protection, looks, and handling. It also comes with support for Spigen’s magnetic car mounts. It’s priced at $10.99 and is available in black, gold, orchid gray, and coral blue.

Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

LK Ultra

The LK Ultra case is the middle ground among the five cases here. It’s thin and sleek at the sides but is noticeably thicker at the top and bottom. Unlike the other cases, it doesn’t leave the buttons exposed but instead adds its own buttons so your phone doesn’t stand to be scratched from any angle. It’s priced at $7.99 and comes in black, purple, and a translucent option.

Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

elago Origin

Looking at this case, you wouldn’t think the phone even has one on. The elago Origin case is strictly for protection from scratches, bumps, and the blemishes that oily fingers can cause, so it might not be for the reckless folks. For others, it’s as minimalist as a case can get, one that doesn’t hide the beauty of that gorgeous Infinity display while keeping the shine of the glass and metal body. It costs $8.99 and is available in black, white, and Jean Indigo colors.

Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

A Trading

If you look past the name, you will find the A Trading case to be the most flashy of all cases listed here. It’s a three-part case with a matte finish at the back and “separate chrome-coated rims on top and bottom.” The color options are numerous – you can buy it in blue, red, black, gold, silver and rose gold. It can be yours for $9.99.

Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

Maxboost mSnap

This case is similar to the Thin Fit case from Spigen, with little cutouts at the four corners that you may or may not like. It’s got a soft-touch back like the other cases and should make for an enhanced grip. It’s got no company markings to ruin the look, so if the Spigen case with its huge rear Spigen logo isn’t to your taste, the mSnap case from Maxboost is a great alternative. You can buy it for $9.99 in black, turquoise, and rose gold colors.

Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

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There are many other cases available for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, but the ones listed above are our picks for the best options. Bought one of these cases, or have another case to recommend? Do let us know in the comments.

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Samsung offers an in-depth look at the Galaxy S8′s components

It goes without saying that the Galaxy S8 is a gorgeous device, perhaps one of the best that Samsung has ever made. Have you stopped to wonder what are the little bits and pieces that make up this great device? If you have, then today is your lucky day.

Samsung has provided an in-depth look at all of the components that make up the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ today. The official teardown highlights the parts that blend form and function to bring us Samsung’s new flagship smartphone.

The teardown mentions that the new flagship’s Mobile HDR Premium-certified OLED display has an 18.5:9-ratio and covers 80 percent of the entire front. It’s protected with Gorilla Glass 5 for enhanced durability.

Components like the Display Driver IC (DDI) have also been highlighted, it supports various image compression algorithms to reduce power consumption. There’s also a pressure sensor under the display where the home key would have been. The sensor responds in the same way that a physical button would.

The front camera module has been built into the Galaxy S8′s upper bezel to maximize screen space, it has an 8-megapixel f/1.7 autofocus camera with facial recognition while an iris scanner is embedded on a single module with the front camera.

Samsung explains more about the components inside the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in a post on its official blog. Don’t forget to check it out if you’re curious about what goes on under the hood.

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Samsung tablets push the iPad down to second place in Western Europe

Market analysis firm IDC has released a new report on the state of the tablet market in Western Europe in the first quarter of 2017. The tablet market in this region posted a contraction of 1.7 percent year-over-year in the period under review. A total of 7.1 million units were shipped with the recovery in sales of Android tablets being the main driver of sales.

Samsung was one of the few major OEMs that posted year-over-year growth in the first quarter of this year. Not only did Samsung post growth, the company’s tablets also pushed down the iPad to second place and made Samsung the top tablet vendor in Western Europe in the first quarter of 2017.

Data shows that Samsung shipped 1.89 million tablets in the first quarter of this year compared to 1.6 million units in the same period last year. It now accounts for 26.5 percent of the tablet market share in Western Europe, registering a 17.9 percent year-over-year growth.

On the other hand, Apple shipped 1.54 million units of the iPad compared to 1.74 million units in the same period last year. It now accounts for 21.7 percent of the tablet market in Western Europe and has seen a year-over-year decline of 11.5 percent.

The report does point out a key factor, that the iPads account for almost 50 percent of all tablets priced above €600. This means that customers in Western Europe who want to buy a premium tablet are more likely to pick up an iPad than any other tablet.

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Android apps on Chromebook Pro will be in beta at launch

At the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 in January, Samsung launched the Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro. The latter was developed in collaboration with Google and thus it has support for Android apps. The Chromebook Pro also features a 360-degree rotating touchscreen display and a digitized pen.

Samsung released the Chromebook Plus soon after launch but it has kept customers waiting for the Chromebook Pro. It finally started taking pre-orders for the Chromebook Pro a few days back and is now going to release the device on May 28.

The Chromebook Pro’s release was delayed due to compatibility problems with Android apps. The apps weren’t working properly for it so the issue had to be sorted out before the device, touted as being “Designed for Google Play,” could be released.

Kan Liu, senior director of product management for Chrome OS, confirmed to The Verge that the Chromebook Pro is going to be released on May 28 and that it’s going to have support for Android apps running on Nougat. It’s the first time that Google is shipping this new version.

He also pointed out that Android apps on Chrome OS will be in beta when the Chromebook Pro launches. They won’t have full support for window resizing, split-view and docking to the side of the display. These features will arrive later this year.

Liu did say that Android apps on Chrome OS are “80 percent” ready and that he’s pushing his team to finish work on the features that are not yet available.

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Samsung launches the Galaxy S8 in China

Samsung today announced the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in China. It held a special event at the scenic Great Wall Theater which is located in a historic part of Beijing, right beneath the Great Wall. The event was attended by nearly 1,000 guests, it featured presentations about the Galaxy S8′s best features. Samsung also detailed local partnerships and services that will enable Chinese customers to get the best out of their new flagship smartphone.

Koh Dong-jin, the president of Samsung’s mobile communications business, opened the Galaxy S8′s launch event in China by highlighting the company’s research and development initiatives in the country. “We wanted to provide the best-performing smartphone in the market and provide our consumers with a meaningful step forward in their mobile experience,” he said.

The company announced collaborations with some of China’s most popular gaming and video services, such as iQiyi and Tencent, so that content services can take full advantage of the Galaxy S8′s Infinity Display.

Samsung has also discussed partnerships with Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, and the WPS Office software, to provide users with additional ways to utilize their Gear 360 Camera and Samsung DeX station.

Samsung is certainly hoping for a comeback in China with the launch of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. China is also going to receive the 6GB Galaxy S8+ variant with 128GB of storage. Sales will officially begin on May 25.

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Harman aided Samsung’s performance in Q1 2017

Samsung completed its acquisition of Harman International on March 11. Harman has since posted its results for the first quarter which reveal that from March 11 to the end of Q1, the company posted 537.749 billion won in sales and 24.449 billion won in net profit.

Harman International Industries is an unlisted company at this point in time so there’s no detailed data available about its performance in the first quarter. However, industry insiders are of the view that its Q1 sales and operating profits have crossed two trillion won and 200 billion won, respectively.

Since the company is now owned by Samsung Electronics, if it performs well, it contributes to the overall performance of Samsung Electronics. Analysts are of the view that Samsung’s acquisition of Harman is going to increase its sales by eight trillion won and its operating profit by 800 billion won in this year alone.

2017 is expected to be a great year for Samsung Electronics. Financial data provider WISEfn predicts that Samsung is going to hit 232 trillion won in sales and 50 trillion won in operating profit this year, breaking the previous record high that it set back in 2013. Samsung’s sales and operating profit back in 2013 was 228.6 trillion won and 36.7 trillion won respectively.

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