T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active launch seems like a possibility

According to a new report, the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active launch seems like a possibility now. Ever since the first “Active” handset was launched by Samsung back in 2013, all of the rugged Galaxy S handsets that have followed have been exclusive to AT&T in the US.

It started with the Galaxy S4 but it looks like AT&T’s exclusivity will end with the Galaxy S8. It was reported previously that AT&T might lose its exclusivity over the latest Active handset from Samsung. While the Galaxy S8 Active was released on AT&T first earlier this year, it may soon be released by T-Mobile.

VentureBeat has seen marketing material which suggests that the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active launch isn’t far off. The handset will have model number SM-G892T. That’s not surprising as the AT&T version has model number SM-G892A.

The Galaxy S8 Active will reportedly be available in the same Meteor Gray and Titanium Gold colors as it is on AT&T. It merits mentioning here that this handset hasn’t been spotted anywhere at the usual suspects so far.

No FCC filings or Bluetooth/Wi-Fi certifications for this variant have been spotted. This could mean that it might take a few months before this handset is released by T-Mobile. We did spot an unlocked model of the handset recently.

Everything else will likely remain the same so don’t keep your fingers crossed for any major changes. We’ll update you once there’s more information about the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active launch.

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Themes Thursday: Eight new themes worth checking out

Welcome to a new edition of Themes Thursday! We have eight new themes for you today, and we’ve tried to select something for everyone. The first two themes in our list are from designer Binod Kumar Ray, who has published a lot of impressive icon packs, themes, and wallpapers. The RedTailUI theme has Material UI-inspired design and a darker color scheme, while the TrailsUI theme has wavy wallpapers and a brighter color combination.

This week’s list of best themes also consists of two new themes from MINU – Diamond Pink Purple and Diamond Purple Blue – that have wallpapers and backgrounds inspired by diamond shapes. The [Walk On Mars] Orange Web theme has a 3D-esque wallpaper, an AOD wallpaper, and a themed on-screen keyboard. The Duck (AOD) theme pack looks casual and fun due to its AOD wallpaper and the pastel blue color used in its background. The Egypt _MINDON Design and Santorini _MINDON Design themes are inspired by popular tourist destinations.

Have you installed any of these themes? If not, let us know which new theme pack you chose this week.

[Binod] RedTailUI

[Binod] TrailsUI

[MINU] Diamond Pink Purple

[MINU] Diamond Purple Blue

[Walk On Mars] Orange Web

Duck (AOD)

Egypt _MINDON Design

Santorini _MINDON Design

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SamMobile Daily Recap: September 28, 2017 — Galaxy Tab S3, Gear Fit 2 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: Take 20% off a SmartThings Hub

Firmware News

Galaxy Tab E Nougat update released by US Cellular

Galaxy Tab S3 now supports HDR video streaming from Netflix

General

Samsung and SK Telecom link 4G and 5G networks for the first time

Samsung takes home seven trophies from the annual Clio Awards

Phones

Samsung reportedly developing an inward-folding smartphone

TV

Samsung’s QLED TVs receive positive feedback from US-based industry trackers

Watches

Gear Fit 2 updated with support for continuous heart rate monitoring

myRoundPro golf analytics platform now available on the Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear S3

The post SamMobile Daily Recap: September 28, 2017 — Galaxy Tab S3, Gear Fit 2 and more! appeared first on SamMobile.

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Galaxy Tab S3 now supports HDR video streaming from Netflix

Samsung has released a long-awaited update—T820XXU1AQI2— for the Galaxy Tab S3 in the Netherlands, which bundles support for HDR video streaming for Netflix, in addition to a handful of bug fixes and security improvements—but unfortunately, there’s no word on what exactly they do.

The full changelog can be seen below:

• A new feature for Samsung Pass
• Support for Netflix HDR
• Kids Mode can be reinstalled where it was previously deleted
• SoundCamp can be reinstalled where it was previously deleted
• Overall security has been improved

This news comes less than a month after a similar upgrade arrived on the Galaxy Note 8, leaving the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ as the only HDR-ready devices in the firm’s lineup still yet to receive compatibility for HDR video streaming from Netflix, though it’s expected to reach them in the near future.

Related: Netflix starts supporting HDR video streaming on the Galaxy Note 8

Checking to see if the release is available for your Galaxy Tab S3 couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is open up Settings, select Software Update, then hit Download Updates Manually. If it isn’t ready yet, don’t panic. It should arrive on your slate by the end of the week. Just be patient.

The post Galaxy Tab S3 now supports HDR video streaming from Netflix appeared first on SamMobile.

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Daily Deal: Take 20% off a SmartThings Hub

You can currently snag yourself a SmartThings Hub for $79.99 (20% off), which is a fantastic price to pay for a device that sits at the centre of the IoT household, allowing users to connect a host of appliances to the internet.

If you’d like to take advantage of this promotion, all you need to do is hit the Buy Now button below — but Amazon only has a limited amount of inventory available, so you’re probably going to want to act fast.

The post Daily Deal: Take 20% off a SmartThings Hub appeared first on SamMobile.

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Samsung reportedly developing an inward-folding smartphone

We’ve heard over the past few years that Samsung is developing a foldable smartphone. It’s believed to be an outward-folding handset. Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything about the device but recent reports suggest that it might be out in a few months.

If a new report is to be believed, that’s not the only foldable smartphone that Samsung has in the pipeline. Samsung Electronics and its display affiliate Samsung Display is reportedly working on an inward-folding device with a 3R curvature.

The report also mentions that Samsung’s work on foldable smartphones over the last four to five years has been based on both concepts. Samsung reportedly worked for years on a smartphone that can be folded inward before going in the opposite direction a couple of years ago.

It’s unclear why Samsung has decided to go back to square one and start off again from its initial concept. What that means for the outward-folding handset’s future is also unclear. Will Samsung release the handset we’ve been hearing about or make us all wait a little longer for this inward-folding device?

Only Samsung knows the answers to these questions right now. Hopefully, it will provide more clarity on this in the near future.

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Samsung’s QLED TVs receive positive feedback from US-based industry trackers

While Samsung has been the largest TV maker in the world for the past twelve years, it is struggling to promote its QLED technology for high-end TVs because only a few other brands have adopted the technology. Now, the South Korean consumer electronics giant has announced that its QLED TVs have received positive feedback from US-based industry trackers for delivering satisfactory all-round performance.

DisplayMate and Forbes have praised Samsung’s latest QLED TVs pointing out their capabilities to reproduce accurate colors, higher brightness, and power efficiency. Forbes has reportedly praised Samsung’s TVs for providing better resolution, higher dynamic range, and for not facing burn-ins, something that is noticeable in OLED TVs if a static image is displayed for a longer period.

“All displays from TVs to Smartphones deliver their best picture quality and their most accurate colors in the dark. But almost no one watches their TV or any other display in complete darkness. The Samsung 65Q9 QLED TV delivers the best TV display performance in real-world ambient light viewing conditions, which includes all other existing LCD and OLED technologies,” DisplayMate pointed out.

Samsung’s high-end QLED TVs offer 4K resolution, extremely high peak brightness of 1500 nits or more, an intuitive user interface, a huge collection of video streaming apps, One Remote Control, an invisible cable connection that carries power as well as video and audio signals, and sleek designs. The company recently announced that its QLED TVs became official XBox One X partner TVs for an improved gaming experience.

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myRoundPro golf analytics platform launches on the Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear S3

Samsung has announced that it’s teamed up with TaylorMade, an American golf company, to bring a specially-designed version of its myRoundPro statistical analysis platform to the Gear Fit2 Pro, Gear S3 classic and Gear S3 frontier. The application, which is free to use, is available to download from Galaxy Apps starting today.

“In collaboration with Samsung, TaylorMade’s engineers have co-developed a specific myRoundPro experience that utilizes the features of the compatible Gear devices to provide consumers with a unique experience aimed at those who would rather leave their phone at home or in their bag during play,” reads the press release.

Using the myRoundPro application, golfers of all skill levels can view yardages to the front, middle and back of the green, as well as the total distance of their previous shot, without having to pull out their smartphone. It can also be used to record scores of each hole played, and will provide a detailed summary of each round at the end.

There’s no word on whether myRoundPro will be compatible with the Gear Sport, Samsung’s fitness-orientated wearable that was designed to bridge the gap between the Gear S3 classic and Gear S3 frontier, but seeing as it was unveiled at the same time as the Gear Fit2 Pro and bundles similar features, we think it’s safe to say it will.

The post myRoundPro golf analytics platform launches on the Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear S3 appeared first on SamMobile.

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Gear Fit 2 updated with support for continuous heart rate monitoring

Samsung is in the midst of rolling out a new software update for the Gear Fit 2. The upgrade bundles support for continuous heart rate monitoring, as well as a couple of fresh watchfaces—Fitness Pro and Pedometer—and applications: Schedule and Weather.

The newly-introduced continuous heart rate monitoring feature will probably be used most during workouts. That’s why Samsung has created an accompanying Heart Rate Zone (HRZ) tool, which can instantly tell you how hard you’re working your body.

• Heart Rate Zone 1: 50–60% of HR Max – Very Light
• Heart Rate Zone 2: 60–70% of HR Max – Light
• Heart Rate Zone 3: 70–80% of HR Max – Moderate
• Heart Rate Zone 4: 80–90% of HR Max – Hard
• Heart Rate Zone 5: 90–100% of HR Max – Maximum

The upgrade is currently only making the rounds in Indonesia, according to the folks over at Tizen Experts, though it should reach other regions in the not-too-distant future, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a notification prompting you to install the OTA.

Announced back in 2016, the Gear Fit 2 is a fitness wearable that not only records your calorie intake, exercise and sleep, but also has 4GB of integrated storage that can be used for wireless music playback. Its successor, the Gear Fit2 Pro, was unveiled last month.

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Samsung and SK Telecom link 4G and 5G networks for the first time

Samsung has teamed up with South Korea’s major mobile carrier SK Telecom to demonstrate the communication between 4G and 5G networks for the first time in the industry. Samsung has said that the demonstration went off without any disruptions and that clear streaming was enabled between the two networks.

The two companies were successful in linking the long-term evolution network that uses the 2.6 GHz frequency band with the 5G network that uses the 28 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency band. This will pave the way for 4G and 5G users to communicate even when there’s no nationwide 5G infrastructure.

“Along with the 5G network’s 3.5 GHz frequency band that provides a wider coverage, and the 28 GHz frequency band that enables ultrahigh-speed transmission, the connection with the 4G network will help users enjoy the best communications services anywhere without disruptions,” said SK Telecom.

Samsung feels that it’s vital to connect new telecom technologies with existing starts. It says that this latest development, which is a first for the industry, is going to speed up the adoption of the 5G standard.

Samsung is already working with several partners across the globe to further the advancement of 5G technology and aid in early commercialization of the new telecom standard.

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Samsung takes home seven trophies from the annual Clio Awards

Samsung’s critically-acclaimed “Ostrich” commercial won seven awards at the 58th Clio Awards in New York, one of the world’s largest advertising competitions, on Wednesday. The advert was awarded a gold in the short film category, four silvers for animation, cinematography, directing and visual effects, and two bronzes for editing and music.

The commercial is a sub-two-minute film that was produced to highlight Samsung’s slogan, “Do what you can’t.” It showcases an ostrich flying through the sky—using a Gear VR. Granted, it’s a little strange, but it does a fantastic job at highlighting the fact that the firm regularly achieves the unthinkable. Check it out below.

“Ostrich, which has now won awards both at Cannes Lions and the Clio Awards, is an emotional piece that conveys Samsung’s commitment to defying barriers and making the impossible, possible,” said an anonymous spokesperson on behalf of Samsung in a statement issued to digital publication The Korea Herald on Thursday.

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Galaxy Tab E Nougat update released by US Cellular

US Cellular has started rolling out the Galaxy Tab E Nougat update. This tablet is second in Samsung’s lineup to be upgraded straight to Android version 7.1.1. Samsung released a similar update for the Galaxy Tab A 9.7 yesterday, it’s the first device that Samsung has bumped straight to version 7.1.1.

US Cellular is now rolling out this update for Galaxy Tab E (SM-T377R4) in the United States. The tablet was previously on Marshmallow and those who owned one certainly hoped that the company would eventually upgrade it to Nougat.

With the Galaxy Tab E Nougat update, Samsung has bumped the tablet up to Android 7.1.1. It hasn’t done this for any of its smartphones. All of Samsung’s other devices that are on Nougat now have been upgraded to version 7.0.

Users don’t need to be concerned, though. There aren’t a lot of differences between the two versions. Most of the changes in version 7.1.1 have already been incorporated by Samsung in its version 7.0 update.

This Galaxy Tab E Nougat update has firmware version T377R4TYU1CQI4. The Android security patch level is August 2017. Samsung has been prioritizing the Blueborne fix which is why updates with the September patch haven’t started rolling out as yet.

You can download this firmware for the Galaxy Tab E from our firmware section.

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