Verizon Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge get November security update

As promised by Verizon, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge on its network are receiving an update with the November security patch. With build number G930VVRU4BQK2, the update includes a patch for the KRACK exploit that has put millions of Wi-Fi devices at risk. This is Verizon’s second update for the S7 and S7 edge in a month, marking an impressive turn for the North American career most infamous for delaying software updates.

Verizon Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge November security update

The latest security patch plugs 61 Android vulnerabilities and six exclusive to Samsung’s software, in addition to fixing the aforementioned Wi-Fi exploit. To grab the update on your S7 or S7 edge, open the settings app, go into the Software update menu and hit the Download updates manually option. The update should start downloading; if it doesn’t, wait for a few minutes and try again (you will have better luck on a Wi-Fi connection). You can also wait for the update to show up on its own or for the full firmware files to hit our database.

Have you received the latest update on your Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge? Notice anything new or different other than the November security patch? Let us know in the comments!

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Gear S3 Tizen 3.0 update makes a major UX change that you may not like

If you have received the Value Pack update on your Gear S3, you might have noticed a drastic change in how you operate the watch. Well, operating the watch remains pretty much the same as before, but Samsung has made one change that may put you off, at least in the initial few days: You can no longer swipe down from the top of the display to go back inside apps and menus.

On Tizen 3.0, swiping down from any screen opens the toggles screen, which means you now have to use the back key any time you need to go back. It’s how the Gear Sport works out of the box, but if you have been using the Gear S3 for a few months (or are upgrading to the Gear Sport from a Gear S2 or Gear S3), you will probably find it to be an inconvenience.

Some of us here at SamMobile certainly feel so. After getting used to swiping down on the screen to go back in apps and menus, it’s going to take a while to get used to reaching for the back key. Of course, it’s not like it was a fully natural experience to use Samsung’s circular smartwatches to begin with. Regular operation requires quite a bit of movement between the bezel ring, touch screen, and the power button. For example, you press the power button to access the app drawer, rotate the bezel to reach the app you wish to open, then tap on that app’s icon to fire it up.

Now, with the back function dedicated solely to the back key, it’s yet another action for which you need to adjust your hand/finger during regular usage. Yes, this will probably come off as nitpicking to some of our readers, but we have to say it’s certainly a change that is frustrating us. Sadly, Samsung isn’t offering an option to select between using the existing gesture and the back key, either, so it looks like a permanent change that we will have to live with.

What do you think? Are you okay with the gesture’s removal in the new update, or is it something you are finding difficult to adjust to? Let us know your thoughts by getting a discussion going in the comments!

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SamMobile Daily Recap: November 21, 2017 — Bixby Voice, Galaxy Note 8 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.

Bixby

Samsung launches Bixby Voice in China

Firmware News

Galaxy Note 8 November 2017 security patch rolling out

Verizon is prepping a new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge update

General

Samsung trademarks ‘Voice Note’ in South Korea

Phones

Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 release date confirmed

Samsung foldable smartphone listed on company’s own website

Samsung just teased artificial intelligence for Galaxy S9 UX

Samsung’s Galaxy Experience Program lets iPhone users test the Galaxy Note 8 for a month

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay now available in Mexico

Watches

PSA: Reset your Gear S3 after installing the Tizen 3.0 update

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PSA: Reset your Gear S3 after installing the Tizen 3.0 update

You may want to consider resetting your Gear S3 classic or Gear S3 frontier after installing the Tizen 3.0 Value Pack update, as failure to do so can result in it crashing whenever you attempt to open a watchface that’s been customized using Facer, Gear Watch Designer or WatchMaker.

Related: Tizen 3.0 now rolling out to the Gear S3 with Value Pack update

Once you’ve reset your unit, you’ll be able to reinstall all of your customized watchfaces and continue using them like normal; however, we should probably point out that a number of developers are battling with a bug that results in numbers—and text—falling out of alignment.

Samsung is said to be working on a maintenance upgrade that will transport a fix for the glitch, though there’s no word on when it will start making the rounds.

What’s new features does Tizen 3.0 bundle?

Tizen 3.0 brings a number of long-awaited features to the table, including a Gear VR Controller client that lets you control your Gear VR from your wrist, a more intuitive user interface and support for reminders created on a paired smartphone.

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Samsung just teased artificial intelligence for Galaxy S9 UX

Artificial intelligence is the next frontier for flagship smartphones. Companies are building hardware components into their handsets to power AI features. Huawei recently launched a new smartphone that as a dedicated Neural Processing Unit inside its processor. Artificial intelligence is also expected to be front and center on Samsung’s next flagship smartphone.

The company may have just teased that itself. It has possibly revealed that the Galaxy S9 UX is going to be rebranded to Galaxy Ai UX. Samsung teased this during its Bixby Voice launch event in China today.

Artificial Intelligence for Galaxy S9

What this teaser suggests is that artificial intelligence might play a bigger role on the Galaxy S9. Some reports have even suggested that the Galaxy S9 will have its own neural engine.

Samsung is believed to have invested in DeePhi Tech, an AI technology startup based in China. Samsung also made a $30 million investment in UK-based AI company Graphcore in September. These investments signal an interest in hardware that enhances AI capabilities on handsets.

The company might use the neural engine for the rumored depth-sensing camera which will improve facial recognition on the Galaxy S9. Having a dedicated AI coprocessor leaves the main processor free to handle everything else. This helps improve AI performance on the handset as data can be processed locally and doesn’t require a trip to the cloud.

The company rebranded its user interface to Samsung Experience almost a year ago. It seems that the next rebrand will bring much more than a new name. It may be the dawn of a whole new era Samsung handsets.

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Samsung launches Bixby Voice in China

Samsung rolled out its artificial intelligence-powered digital assistant Bixby globally a couple of months back. The assistant only supported English and Korean initially. Samsung did say that it was working on adding support for the Chinese language to Bixby Voice.

Following a brief beta period, Bixby Voice Chinese support will soon be going live. Samsung conducted an event today to mark the launch of Bixby Voice in China.

Bixby Voice in China

It was only a matter of time before this was going to happen. Samsung’s beta for Bixby Voice Chinese support had confirmed that much.

Gyehyun Kwon, president of Samsung Greater China, said during today’s event that launching Bixby Voice in China is a significant milestone for the company. With China focusing on the artificial intelligence industry to promote national development, Samsung says its “actively responding to policy directions” in hopes of making a small contribution to China’s AI development.

Bixby Voice supports native Samsung apps on the Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8. It also has support for 18 popular Chinese third-party apps, including navigation platform Baidu and the iQiyi video streaming service.

Samsung has officially launched Bixby Voice in China today. The company is going to start rolling it out for Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8 owners in the country from November 30.

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Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 release date confirmed

Samsung unveiled the Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 a couple of weeks back. This new color option for Samsung’s flagship handset is going to give you major winter goals. The company hadn’t confirmed previously when it would start selling this handset. It has now revealed when this color option will be available.

The company has confirmed the Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 release date today. The handset is going to be launched in South Korea initially.

Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 release date

No changes have been made to the device except the color. The rear glass panel on this model sports a rich and beautiful red color. Samsung is going to start selling the Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 in South Korea next week.

It will be available in the country from November 28. That’s only four days after the iPhone X is officially released in the country. Samsung has previously used color options to reignite sales for its existing flagship handsets to compete with new iPhones. It’s sticking with the same strategy this year as well.

The company hasn’t decided if it’s going to release the Burgundy Red Galaxy S8 elsewhere. Many will certainly be hoping that this color option doesn’t remain exclusive to South Korea.

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Samsung Pay now available in Mexico

Samsung has launched its mobile payment platform, Samsung Pay, in Mexico, following its release in Canada at the beginning of the month. To take advantage of the feature, however, you’ll need to own one of the following smartphones:

• Galaxy A3 (2016/2017)
• Galaxy A5 (2016/2017)
• Galaxy A7 (2016/2017)
• Galaxy J5 Pro
• Galaxy J7 Pro
• Galaxy Note 5
• Galaxy Note 8
• Galaxy S6 edge+
• Galaxy S7
• Galaxy S7 edge
• Galaxy S8
• Galaxy S8+

Related: Samsung Pay updated with support for Banco Bradesco in Brazil

Customers in the region should be able to register for an account and start making payments right away, though they will need to use a credit or debit card issued by a participating regional bank (Samsung’s still yet to release a list of them).

Samsung Pay supports Android 8.0 Oreo

Samsung Pay was recently treated to a maintenance update in a number of regions, including India and Sweden, which bundles support for Android 8.0 Oreo, as well as a number of much-needed bug fixes and stability improvements.

Related: Samsung’s latest incentive to use Samsung Pay benefits children in need

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Samsung’s Galaxy Experience Program lets iPhone users test the Galaxy Note 8 for a month

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Experience Program in South Korea. The program allows iPhone users to test the Galaxy Note 8 and the Galaxy S8 for a month. There’s a nominal participation fee for the program which is refunded after the trial period ends. Some conditions do apply, though.

The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Experience Program coincides with the release of Apple’s latest iPhones in South Korea. Samsung would obviously like people to opt for its flagship handsets instead.

Galaxy Experience Program

Interested iPhone users in South Korea can apply for the Galaxy Experience Program online from November 21-27. Samsung will pick 10,000 people by November 30. Those who are selected will have to visit the Samsung Digital Plaza from December 1-11 and subsequently purchase the Galaxy Note 8 or Galaxy S8.

There’s an additional participation fee of 50,000 or $45. The participation fee is refunded after one month if the customer decides to keep their Galaxy smartphone. If the customer decides to return it, they will be refunded the cost of the device but not the participation fee.

Customers who switch to a Galaxy smartphone will not only get their participation fee back but they will also receive freebies like JBL Go Bluetooth speakers.

The program will enable iPhone users to experience Samsung’s flagship smartphones for essentially $45. They can decide after a month if they want to keep it, therefore, they don’t have to feel sorry for burning almost $1,000 on an unwanted smartphone.

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