الخميس، 15 مارس 2018

Can’t use Samsung Pay on your Galaxy S9? You’re not alone

Here’s another issue that is troubling some Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ owners, at least in the United States. Those who bought unlocked versions of the S9 and S9+ in the US are having problems getting Samsung Pay to work. The Play Store listing for Samsung Pay says the app is not compatible, while the preloaded version of the app says there’s an update but doesn’t actually install it when the user tries. A Samsung customer care representative has reportedly said that unlocked models “are experiencing issues with Samsung Pay” and an update will be rolled out soon.

Samsung Pay not playing nice with the Galaxy S9 in the US

While most reports say the Snapdragon version of the phone is affected, some have also reached out about the same issue on imported Exynos units, suggesting it may be a problem with Samsung Pay in the US rather than the phone. At least T-Mobile’s version of the first Galaxy S9 update didn’t bring a solution, so it does seem like buyers of the S9 and S9+ in the US will be unable to use Samsung Pay out of the box. Here’s hoping a fix is released soon, as there’s nothing worse than being able to use one of the major features on a new phone, especially a flagship like the Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Have you faced issues running Samsung Pay on your Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+? Let us know in the comments, and if you’ve managed to find a workaround, feel free to share it with us for the benefit of other Galaxy S9 users who may be having the same problem.

Also Read[Poll] Galaxy S9 fingerprint reader stops responding at times, needs a reboot to fix

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Galaxy S10 3D camera reportedly being developed

Samsung is expected to pull out all the stops for next year’s flagship smartphone and the Galaxy S10 3D camera is now on the list of new components that are likely to be selected. According to a new report out of South Korea, Samsung is working with an Israeli startup called Mantis Vision on 3D camera solutions for the Galaxy S10.

Galaxy S10 3D camera

2019 will be the 10th anniversary of Samsung’s Galaxy S flagships and that’s why the company is expected to introduce major improvements with the Galaxy S10. Reports have suggested that next year’s flagship may not be called the Galaxy S10 and that Samsung might switch to a different naming scheme but that’s a whole other debate that we don’t need to get into right now.

With regards to a Galaxy S10 3D camera, the report claims that Mantis Vision is collaborating with camera module firm Namuga to integrate 3D sensing functionality into the module. Namuga has previously supplied Samsung with modules for its mid-range and low-end devices like the Galaxy A and Galaxy J series.

What good will the Galaxy S10 3D camera be for the end user? For starters, it will power an advanced facial recognition system much like Face ID on the iPhone X, so we can keep our fingers crossed for Intelligent Scan improvements. It will also improve the AR Emoji feature that Samsung promises it didn’t copy from Apple. As we mentioned in our Galaxy S9 review, AR Emoji leaves a lot to be desired so hopefully Samsung will address its issues with the Galaxy S10.

The big question here is whether Samsung will adopt a notch to house all of these components in if it decides to maximize the screen real estate on next year’s flagship. Android OS is already getting support for notches so that’s a tantalizing prospect but we’ve argued in detail why Samsung shouldn’t jump on the notch bandwagon yet. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t with the Galaxy S10.

Expect to hear more details about the device and particularly about the Galaxy S10 3D camera in the months to come even though we’re almost a year away from its launch.

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[Poll] Galaxy S9 fingerprint reader stops responding at times, needs a reboot to fix

It’s never a good thing when you make a good change on the hardware front only for the software part to not keep up, and that seems to be the case for the fingerprint reader on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Multiple users on the XDA forums are reporting that the fingerprint sensor on their phone stops responding from time to time; it’s something we have run into on one of our handsets as well, and going into the fingerprint reader settings makes the phone suggest a reboot.

Galaxy S9 fingerprint sensor may not be fully stable

It’s unclear if the issue has been fixed in the first software update that was rolled out to the Galaxy S9 and S9+. If it’s a hardware issue, an update won’t fix it, and so far, Samsung hasn’t made any official statements on the matter. We’ve reached out to the company, though, and will update this post with their response as soon as we get one. For now, disabling fingerprint sensor gestures (accessible in the Settings » Advanced features menu), which let you swipe down on the sensor to access the notification shade and swipe up to open Samsung Pay, seems to be a temporary solution. Not the best solution, but given the frequency with which the sensor seems to stop working, it’s the only solution one can try out at the moment.

Has the fingerprint reader stopped working for you on the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+? Let us know by voting in the poll below and through the comments section. Be sure to tell us if the issue occurs for you even after installing the update that Samsung has rolled out in various markets ahead of the day the two phones go on sale.

Does the Galaxy S9 fingerprint sensor stop working for you from time to time?

Thanks, Jack Peh!

The post [Poll] Galaxy S9 fingerprint reader stops responding at times, needs a reboot to fix appeared first on SamMobile.



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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ditching his iPhone for the Galaxy S9

Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic said last year that he owned an iPhone 7 but he’s ditching the Apple smartphone now in favor of the Galaxy S9. He has signed a new sponsorship deal with Samsung’s Nordic brand to “challenge, test and promote Samsung’s products in completely new ways.” Ibrahimovic will now act as Samsung’s brand ambassador in the Nordic region.

Eva Carrero, Corporate Marketing Director of Samsung in the Nordic Region, said in a press release that for the company there are few people who embody the word innovation like Zlatan and that the decision to go with him was motivated by his love for the latest technology.

Samsung scores with Ibrahimovic

Even though the company’s press release says that Ibrahimovic has long been a fan and use of Samsung products, he told Business Insider that he owned an iPhone 7 last year. He’s ditching that device now in favor of the Galaxy S9 which is one obvious outcome of this multi-year deal with Samsung (which will have certainly made him a few million euro richer).

Carrero has also confirmed that he’ll be using Galaxy devices from now on. “He will be using our products both on the go, and in his home,” she said. ”Personally, I’m a tech freak. I want all the latest technology. Luckily, I’m now working with the world’s best tech company so I’m in good hands,” the footballer said.

A short promotional video released today shows the footballer using features like AR Emoji on the Galaxy S9 and the S Pen on the Galaxy Note 8. He can also be seen wearing a Samsung smartphone in one frame.

The press release is filled to the brim with PR babble and doesn’t really explain the “What’s Next?” concept that this entire marketing campaign is built around. Perhaps we will find out more about that in the months to come. Ibrahimovic’s partnership with Samsung kicks off in spring 2018.

Folks in the Nordic region should now expect to see a lot of Ibrahimovic in Samsung’s promotional and marketing materials from here on out.

The post Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ditching his iPhone for the Galaxy S9 appeared first on SamMobile.



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[APK] Download the Galaxy S9 blood pressure monitoring app here!

The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, like all of Samsung’s flagships in the last four years, come with a heart rate sensor at the back. But, as the company had announced earlier this month, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ can also measure the user’s blood pressure, a first for any commercial smartphone. Samsung partnered with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to develop the My BP Lab app for blood pressure measurements on the Galaxy S9, with the app set to launch on the Google Play Store today, March 15th. My BP Lab is only available for people in the United States, but we have been able to get hold of the app’s APK file that you can download to try the blood pressure monitoring feature on the S9 and S9+.

My BP Lab app for the Galaxy S9 measures blood pressure

The app starts off with asking the user for basic data such as their age, height, weight, race, exercise frequency, and education qualifications. It also asks whether you smoke often, although many of these questions can be skipped if the user isn’t comfortable sharing the data. The process of measuring blood pressure after that is similar to how it is done on dedicated blood pressure monitoring machines that people have at home. The user has to sit down, cover the sensor with the index finger, raise the arm and phone to the same level as their heart, then let the sensor record blood pressure for a few seconds.

Users can then record their blood pressure in frequent intervals (for which they can set a reminder from inside the app) and report other data, such as their sleep hours and diet information, to build up a profile with insights on their health. The app can tell users when their blood pressure and stress levels were the highest and how their sleep quality affected their blood pressure on certain mornings. aAt the end of a three-week period, this data will be sent to the UCSF, who will then use the data to improve the accuracy of the blood pressure readings possible in My BP Lab.

And that data will actually be important, as the app doesn’t work too well with everyone right now, only managing to completely measure blood pressure for two of us in the SamMobile team in the Netherlands. It throws up errors that the finger might be too cold, the hand and wrist might not be supported well, and also the fact that it doesn’t work well for “users with certain skin pigmentation.” Perhaps that’s why it’s only available for those in the US right now, but since the registration process doesn’t actually limit things by region, you can give it a go if you own a Galaxy S9 by downloading the APK file and sideloading it on your device.

The My BP Lab APK can be downloaded from this link. Simply install it on your S9 or S9+ then follow the instructions to register and get going. Let us know if it works for you by leaving a comment.

The post [APK] Download the Galaxy S9 blood pressure monitoring app here! appeared first on SamMobile.



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Best Galaxy S9 screen protectors to keep your new phone scratch-free

Some of you are probably searching for the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors since you’ll finally get your hands on Samsung’s new flagship smartphone in a couple of days if you pre-ordered one. There are countless options available and this list is meant to highlight some of the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors that offer the peace of mind that you seek at a reasonable price.

Why you should use a screen protector

Screen protectors do what the name suggests, protect the screen. Mind = blown. Jokes aside, the Galaxy S9 uses Gorilla Glass 5 which offers great protection against drops and scratches but it’s not scratch proof. While a screen protector might not do much to prevent the screen from shattering after a bad drop, it bears the brunt of daily use and makes sure that scratches inflicted by the change in your jeans pocket and the keys in your purse are kept off of the actual screen. Particularly nasty scratches can impact the structural integrity of the display which might lead to large cracks. Screen protectors are used to prevent this from happening.

Best Galaxy S9 screen protectors

IQ Shield LiQuidSkin

IQ Shield LiQuidSkin

IQ Shield’s LiQuidSkin is the first on our list of best Galaxy S9 screen protectors. It’s case friendly so the protector won’t get in the way of your favorite case. It has been made with materials designed to minimize friction so that the user’s fingertips glide effortlessly and it can conform to the display’s curves as well.

The box contains the LiQuidSkin screen protector, installation try and spray solution, lint-free cloth, squeegee and an instructions manual. You get two screen protectors in the box for $7.85 and it can be purchased right away from Amazon.

Whitestone Dome Glass

Whitestone Dome Glass

What would a list about the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors be without a polarizing option? Those who have used it on other Samsung handsets swear by it while others feel that it’s too expensive. Granted, it’s a bit more expensive than conventional screen protectors but it’s slightly different from them. It’s a liquid glass adhesive that disperses evenly over the entire screen, including existing scratches. It then hardens to create an edge-to-edge protective surface.

The curing process is unique as well since it requires UV light. Don’t worry if you don’t have one. The product ships with an install frame and UV curing light in the box. The company also boasts that this is one of the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors because it has a certification from the Samsung Mobile Accessory Partnership Program.

Whitestone Dome Glass for the Galaxy S9 can be purchased from Amazon for $44.99.

Skinomi TechSkin

Skinomi TechSkin

Skinomi manufactures its TechSkin screen protectors in the United States. It’s a case-friendly, full coverage protector for the Galaxy S9 which promises total coverage on curved displays as well. It’s made from flexible and tough military-grade thermoplastic urethane which is resistant to scratches, punctures and UV light.

Skinomi TechSkin ships with a microfiber cloth and installation solution in the box. You also get two protectors in the box for just $7.85. It’s also available for purchase from Amazon.

MagGlass SR90

MagGlass SR90

MagGlass SR90 is the company’s screen protector for the Galaxy S9. It also promises edge-to-edge and even full lens and sensor coverage while maintaining a 0.3mm ultra-thin profile. It touts extreme scratch protection courtesy of its 9H hardness rating with tempered layering for additional protection.

Customers will get the screen protector, microfiber cloth, dust remover, alcohol pad and a drop-in alignment applicator when they purchase the MagGlass SR90 for $12.99 from Amazon.

ArmorSuit MilitaryShield

ArmorSuit MilitaryShield

The final option on our list of best Galaxy S9 screen protectors is the ArmorSuit MilitaryShield. This laser-cut screen protector for the Galaxy S9 matches the contours of the device to provide complete coverage on the curved displays. It’s made with ultra-tough scratch-proof military-grade material that has self-healing properties. The ArmorSuit MilitaryShield products are made in the US.

The ArmorSuit MilitaryShield screen protector for the Galaxy S9 costs $7.84 and is readily available for purchase from Amazon. Unlike some of the other options on this list of best Galaxy S9 screen protectors, you don’t get two protectors in the pack.


That’s it for our list of the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors. Let us know if you’re planning to pick one up before your Galaxy S9 arrives. The options mentioned above are also available for the Galaxy S9+ on Amazon. Do tell us about the screen protectors you’ve used and come to appreciate on other Samsung devices by leaving a comment below.

The post Best Galaxy S9 screen protectors to keep your new phone scratch-free appeared first on SamMobile.



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Samsung wants to become Sony’s worst nightmare

Having cemented its position as the leader in the DRAM and NAND flash memory market, Samsung is now turning its attention toward image sensors. A new report out of South Korea claims that the company is planning to increase the production capacity of its image sensors and has set a goal to become the global leader in the image sensor market.

The company seeks to tap into the growing demand for image sensors that are ubiquitous in smartphones now and are also being adopted by the car manufacturers as the automotive industry moves towards autonomous cars.

Beating Sony at its own game

The report claims that Samsung is going to convert another one of its lines in Hwasung used for manufacturing DRAMs for the production of image sensors. It has already been working since last year to convert a line at the Hwasung facility to produce image sensors and the process is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

It’s also claimed that when this process is done, Samsung will immediately start work on converting the second line which should be able to produce 50,000 units of image sensors after conversion. Samsung’s total image sensor production capacity is expected to reach 120,000 units per month after both converted lines start production.

Sony is the global leader in image sensors with a market share of more than 50 percent as of last year. It’s believed to have a production capacity of around 100,000 units of image sensors per month. The company announced a $4 billion investment in this division back in 2015 to increase production capacity in a bid to further consolidate its lead.

Samsung reportedly believes that its image sensor technologies have almost reached parity with Sony’s. The number of non-Samsung customers for its sensors has also been growing steadily. The company has already confirmed that its first 3-stack ISOCELL Fast 2L3 image sensor will make its way to other devices, it’s the sensor that power’s the Galaxy S9’s Super Slow-motion video feature.

It going to take Samsung a few years to beat Sony at its own game and it certainly can’t expect the Japanese giant to sit idly by and see its lead being eroded. Sony will not let this happen without a fight.

The post Samsung wants to become Sony’s worst nightmare appeared first on SamMobile.



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First Galaxy S9 and S9+ update now rolling out in more markets

In the next 24 hours, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will go on sale in markets around the globe. Samsung has decided to release its latest flagships quite soon after they were unveiled, but for those who have pre-ordered an S9 or S9+, the wait no doubt has still been excruciating. March 16 is almost here, though, and the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will soon be reaching the doorsteps of many consumers and become available for purchase from retail stores and carriers, so it’s not surprising that Samsung has begun rolling out the first Galaxy S9 update in more countries.

First Galaxy S9 update now rolling out in more markets

This is the same update that was released almost a week ago in Germany and also to the T-Mobile variants in the US earlier this week. It brings the March 2018 security patch and improves face unlock and camera stability. The latter is especially important, as the camera on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ can act up at times on the software that it runs out of the box, going as far as getting stuck during video recording and causing a reboot on repeated launches. The update hopefully improves the stability of the fingerprint reader as well, as we have run into several instances of the fingerprint sensor failing to work and requiring a restart of the device on one of our units. And, of course, the March security patch means the S9 and S9+ will also have the latest security fixes when they go on sale.

If you have received your Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ in the last couple of days, be sure to check if the update is available by going into the Settings » Software update menu. It’s nearly a 250 MB over-the-air download, and once installed, the update will bump up the software version to G960FXXU1ARC5 and G965FXXU1ARC5 on the S9 and S9+ respectively.

Still undecided on whether the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ deserve your hard-earned money? Check out our review, and if you’re on a Galaxy S8 or S8+, see three reasons why we think the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are worthy upgrades over their predecessors.

The post First Galaxy S9 and S9+ update now rolling out in more markets appeared first on SamMobile.



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Latest Galaxy J3 (2017) firmware update brings March 2018 security patch

Samsung is gradually rolling out this month’s security maintenance release to more supported devices and that’s precisely what the latest Galaxy J3 (2017) firmware update brings. The company is rolling out a new update for the Galaxy J3 model number SM-J330FN which brings the March 2018 security patch to the device.

Latest Galaxy J3 (2017) firmware update

The Galaxy J3 (2017) is the entry-level model in last year’s mid-range Galaxy J series. It features a 5-inch 1920×1080 pixel resolution display and is powered by a 1.4GHz Exynos 7570 processor with up to 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.

The latest Galaxy J3 (2017) firmware update is now rolling out for users in Italy. Samsung has released firmware version J330FNXXU3ARC1 which updates the Android security patch level to March 2018. The update will soon roll out over-the-air in other markets as well. It’s also available for download from our firmware section.

Samsung detailed the March 2018 security patch last week. It’s going to update many devices from the January patch straight to the latest release as it had its hands full with the Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo release in February.

This month’s security maintenance release brings fixes for nine critical vulnerabilities found in the Android operating system as well as scores of moderate-risk and high-risk vulnerabilities. Fixes for five Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items discovered in Samsung’s proprietary software are also included.

With the latest Galaxy J3 (2017) firmware update now being rolled out in Italy, it’s only a matter of time before the handset gets it in other markets as well. Expect Samsung to ramp up the release of the latest security patch update in the coming days.

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