Samsung could soon let you order custom phone cases from the Theme Store

Imagine seeing a nice new theme on the Samsung Theme Store, applying it on your phone, and then feeling like you could do with a case that matches that theme. Sounds good? It does to us, and according to information we have received from theme designer DurimK, Samsung might soon let you order custom phone cases based on themes or wallpapers that are available in the Theme Store. This will apparently be possible on Galaxy S, Galaxy Note and Galaxy A series phones running Nougat, and for cases based on a wallpaper, there will be the option to choose from three slightly modified versions of that wallpaper.

Custom cases based on themes and wallpapers? Count us in

Now, right off the bat, there are a couple of questions that come to mind. Will Samsung be designing these custom cases in-house and shipping them out, or will it be handing the task to a third-party manufacturer? Also, just how many wallpapers and themes will be supported for use with custom cases? We have been told that only when the developer enables case support and puts up preview images of the case will the user be able to order a case, but just how would Samsung go about giving the thumbs up to theme designers?

Allowing everyone to offer custom cases would no doubt be a daunting scenario when it comes to fulfilling those case orders. Of course, Samsung could get around that by keeping the service limited to very few markets. We are told it will only be available in South Korea initially, and we have already seen the Korean giant release custom cases that change the theme on the phone when they’re snapped on to the device (via an inbuilt NFC chip). But, again, making this a general service where anyone can order – granted, only in South Korea in the beginning – a custom case might be a logistics nightmare.

It would also be interesting to see the kind of prices these cases will command, especially if all of them have an NFC chip inside that automatically applies a particular theme when the case is put on. Whatever the case may be (pun unintended), we’re certainly excited to see what Samsung has in store. Custom cases would complement the already excellent Theme Store quite well, although there’s also a chance that the service may never see the light of day.

What do you think? Is the idea of being able to order custom cases through the Samsung Theme Store alluring, or is it something too fantastical to be true? Let us know in the comments and get the discussion going!

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Galaxy S7/S7 edge, A5 (2017), and A3 (2017) set to receive the Android Oreo update soon

After months of testing, Samsung has finally started rolling out the Android 8.0 Oreo update beginning with the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in February. Since then, the company has been rolling out the update in various markets and on numerous carriers around the world. Recently, Samsung has also started seeding the Oreo update to the Galaxy Note 8, and the Galaxy S8 Active has received the update as well. Now that last year’s flagship models are already receiving the update, Samsung seems to be focusing on other Galaxy devices.

Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge may get the update this month

Samsung appears to be finalizing the Android 8.0 update for the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy A3 (2017), and Galaxy A5 (2017). All these devices have been spotted at the Wi-Fi Alliance with the Android 8.0 onboard for certification. Older phones undergoing certification with a newer version of Android signals that the public rollout of the update is inching closer for these devices.

The timing of this certification also aligns nicely with the previous report about the Android 8.0 update schedule for select Galaxy devices. According to this schedule from Samsung Turkey, the Galaxy S7 series should start receiving the Oreo update in April, while the Galaxy A3 (2017) and A5 (2017) are supposed to get in May. As usual, the update may take a few months before it reaches all regional and carrier variants of the above-mentioned models.

Even after sending out the update to all these devices, Samsung will still have dozens of recently launched Galaxy devices awaiting the Oreo update. Looking at the pace at which Samsung is rolling out the update, it’s clear that Google will release the next major version of Android before most Galaxy devices receive Oreo. To see if your device is eligible for the Oreo update, check out this list.

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Unlocked Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update now rolling out in the United States

The unlocked Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update is finally being rolled out in the United States. All four major carriers – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint – have already released the update for the Galaxy Note 8 on their networks so it’s about time that the unlocked variant received it as well.

Multiple reports have come in confirming that Samsung is now rolling out the unlocked Galaxy Note 8 oreo update in the United States. Those who own the handset in the country should now keep an eye out for an over-the-air update notification which should be arriving soon.

Unlocked Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update

Samsung had confirmed last week that the Android 8.0 Oreo update will be released for the Galaxy Note 8 in the United States within 2-3 weeks. We saw its carrier partners release the update over the past week and now it’s the unlocked variant’s turn.

While unlocked models tend to receive updates earlier elsewhere, they almost always receive major updates after carrier-locked models in the US. Samsung explained recently that this is because the carrier-locked models only have to go through testing for one particular carrier only whereas the unlocked models need to be put through rigorous testing for all supported networks to ensure proper network functionality.

It’s no wonder that while the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have received Oreo on all four major carriers in the country, the unlocked variants have yet to receive Oreo. Unlocked Galaxy S8 owners in the US won’t be happy to see that the Note 8 is now getting the update while they’re still on Nougat.

Samsung is now rolling out firmware version N950U1UEU3CRC1 for the unlocked Galaxy Note 8 in the United States. It weighs in at 1.1GB and brings all of the features that are included in Android 8.0 Oreo and none of the carrier bloatware which is a major reason why customers prefer to buy unlocked models in the first place.

Have you received the unlocked Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update in the United States yet? Let us know in the comments below.

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Samsung reportedly delays production at new OLED line for up to 6 months

Samsung is the largest supplier of mobile OLED panels in the world. It is so far ahead of its competitors in both production capacity and quality that Apple chose them as the sole supplier of OLED panels for its iPhone X. Samsung Display was expected to earn around $22 billion in revenue from supplying OLED panels to Apple in 2018.

However, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for either Apple and Samsung. The iPhone X has received lukewarm reception after the initial euphoria, driven by the fans, has died down. This has reportedly forced Apple to reduce its sales target from 100 million units to around 55 million units this year.

Samsung overestimated the demand for OLED displays

Weak demand for the iPhone X has come across as a cause of concern for both Apple and Samsung. For Apple, tepid demand for its flagship smartphone – one it thinks will define smartphone design for the next decade – raises questions about the viability of its business model in a saturated market, and for Samsung, failure of the iPhone X to do as well as hoped represents a threat to the investments made to beef up OLED production, anticipating a huge spike in demand.

In January, there were reports about Samsung deciding against investing in the new A5 OLED production facility owing to demand uncertainties in the global smartphone market. Now, according to a report in The Investor, Samsung has reportedly failed to finalize production plans for the 6^th Gen flexible OLED A4 line. This production line currently has the capacity to make an additional 60,000 units of 6^th Gen OLED panels per month, but lack of orders from Apple and Chinese handset makers could delay production at this line for up to 6 months.

From the news reports so far, it looks like Samsung is taking a back step and re-evaluating its investments pertaining to the OLED production. Samsung has spent around $3.7 billion in 2017 to beef up OLED production capacity. Samsung transformed the LCD production lines into a plant named A4 for OLED production, along with expanding the existing A2 plant.

iPhone X demand is not the only factor driving Samsung to take the above decisions. Samsung also seems to have overestimated the demand for OLED panels from Chinese handset manufacturers once Apple shifted to OLED displays. Contrary to Samsung’s expectations, most Chinese OEMs have been sticking with the LCD panels due to the cost benefits.

Earlier this year, when Samsung was asked about the impact of weak iPhone X sales on its display division revenues, the company downplayed the impact and asserted confidence in its diverse portfolio of clients negating any such impact. According to the latest report, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

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Samsung’s Exynos 9820 chipset is under development

Like clockwork, Samsung will release a newer version of its flagship Exynos chipset next year to power the Galaxy S10 (or whatever that device ends up being called). The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are powered by the Exynos 9810, and if we go by tradition, the same chip will also power this year’s Note flagship. Last year, the Galaxy S8 debuted with the Exynos 8895, the successor to the Exynos 8890 that powered the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 7. And it looks like Samsung has begun work on the Exynos 9820 as the Exynos 9810 upgrade in January this year, according to an image leaked by leakster Ice universe.

Samsung’s Exynos 9820 chipset is under development

The Exynos 9820 seems to have been listed as one of the projects by someone who’s involved in the development process, with the same person also listing Samsung’s 5G chip and the Exynos 9810 as his other projects. Unsurprisingly, there are no details about the chip’s internals. A move to the 7 nm process seems unlikely as Samsung might not have the production line for 7 nm chips ready by early 2019, but we can expect a more powerful GPU and slightly higher clock speeds; the Exynos 9810 is already capable of going up to 2.9 GHz, so maybe we’ll see the 3GHz barrier broken by the 9820? Power efficiency should improve as well, and support for 5G connectivity could also be included, something the company has already hinted at?

It’s too early to be sure just what the Exynos 9820 will offer, but the plot should unfold in the coming months as development on the chip advances and Samsung starts testing it on an actual device. We’re only at the beginning of April right now, though, so we could be waiting until after the Galaxy Note 9 is released to see some solid information on the company’s next flagship Exynos chipset.

Hello，Exynos 9820。 pic.twitter.com/DCaM3TBKf2

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) April 3, 2018

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Alleged Galaxy S9 mini shows up on Geekbench with mid-range specs

Could 2018 be the year Samsung brings back the ‘mini’ series of its Galaxy S flagships? Well, one can never tell, but as we have heard almost every year since the Galaxy S5 mini came to market, the rumor mill has started talking of a mini version of Samsung’s latest flagship. A Samsung device with model number SM-G8750 is allegedly being tested for launch as the Galaxy S9 mini, and while the device may turn out to be something else, it certainly seems to exist, as an SM-G8750 has shown up on the Geekbench database.

The first mention of a Galaxy S9 mini came from mmddj, a Twitter leakster with a not-so-solid track record, and the Geekbench listing tells us that it’s a mid-range device. There’s a Snapdragon 660 SoC under the hood with eight cores clocked at 1.84GHz and 4GB of RAM; the phone runs Android 8.0 Oreo, which supports the fact that the SM-G8750 is a new device that’s currently undergoing development. No other specs can be gleaned from Geekbench, so we’ll have to wait for appearances of the device on other benchmarks before we get more details.

Galaxy S9 mini? Maybe, maybe not

But, again, there’s no way of telling if this is the Galaxy S9 mini or something else. The model number certainly doesn’t match anything from recent years. The Galaxy S5 Active was the SM-G870A, but Samsung is using the SM-G89xA model number for its current Active smartphones, and the Galaxy S Active devices have top-end specs anyway. It’s possible the SM-G8750 will be a (rugged) mid-range phone exclusive to the Chinese market to allow Samsung to better compete with local manufacturers, although at this point in time, there’s no way to be sure.

Would you be interested in a Galaxy S9 mini with lesser specs than the regular Galaxy S9? Sound off in the comments.

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T-Mobile is rolling out the Galaxy S8 Active Oreo update

Samsung has dragged its feet long enough when it comes to the Android 8.0 Oreo update, but the company has picked up the pace considerably in the last couple of weeks after launching the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. North American carriers have also been actively rolling out the Oreo update to Samsung’s flagship devices, and over the last weekend, AT&T started pushing out Oreo to the Galaxy S8 Active, bringing the total count of Samsung devices to have received the latest version of Android to three (four, if we count the Galaxy S8+ as a separate device). Well, it looks T-Mobile had the update ready before AT&T, as it says it had begun rolling out the Galaxy S8 Active Oreo update on March 29th.

T-Mobile is rolling out the Galaxy S8 Active Oreo update

The Android 8.0 Oreo update for T-Mobile’s S8 Active has build number G892USQU1BRC4, and it includes the March 2018 security patch (the April 2018 patch is already out, though, in case you missed it). You can expect to see the same new features and improvements that Oreo brought over to the regular Galaxy S8 on your Galaxy S8 Active once you’ve updated. There’s a lot of new stuff, and you can check out our What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo series of articles for more details. Needless to say, be prepared to download a sizable amount to upgrade to Oreo. 1,302 MB to be exact, which is slightly higher than AT&T’s version of the update. And yes, this leaves Sprint as the only carrier to not have released Oreo for the Galaxy S8 Active, but that will hopefully change soon.

The Oreo update should show up on your T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active in the next few days, but if you aren’t fond of waiting, you can download it right away from the Settings » Software update menu. If it isn’t immediately available, you can also download the complete firmware from our database and use a PC for the upgrade.

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Samsung launches the Odyssey Z gaming laptop

Samsung has launched the Notebook Odyssey Z gaming laptop at Intel’s Worldwide Launch Event of the 8th generation six-core Intel Core i7 processor in Beijing, China. Samsung’s new gaming machine packs this new processor and comes with advanced thermal management to offer a peak gaming experience while keeping the laptop cool.

Packs an advanced thermal management system

Samsung’s Odyssey Z is a thin and light gaming laptop with what the company calls Z AeroFlow Cooling System for superior thermal management. The cooling system is made up of three key components: Dynamic Spread Vapor Chamber, Z AeroFlow Cooling Design, and a Z Blade Blower – all of which work together to keep the Odyssey Z cool even when playing demanding games. The thermal system covers both the CPU and GPU for dispelling heat, and Samsung says it doesn’t affect the lightweight nature of the tablet despite the system’s efficiency.

The Odyssey Z comes with the 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor with six cores (and Hyper-Threading support, which makes for 12 virtual threads), up to 16GB of DDR4 memory, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-P graphics card with 6GB of video memory. The laptop’s gaming-focused keyboard comes with shortcut keys to record gameplay and Crater Keycaps for increased comfort and precision. Samsung also moved the Touchpad on the device to the side to offer a desktop-like experience. The device has a ‘Silent Mode’ option to reduce the fan noise to as low as 22 decibels and help users focus on non-gaming tasks. Being a full-fledged laptop, the Odyssey Z also comes with an array of ports, including three USB 3.0/2.0 ports, one USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, and a LAN port.

The laptop will go on sale in select markets including Korea and China in April, followed by the US launch in Q3 2018. Samsung has not announced pricing details for the Notebook Odyssey Z yet. 

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Best cases for the Galaxy A8 and the Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Samsung has significantly revamped its mid-range Galaxy A series this year and if you have already picked up the new premium mid-range handset, then you may be interested in the best cases for Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018). The handset that was previously known as the Galaxy A5 has been launched as the Galaxy A8 while the Galaxy A7 is now known as the Galaxy A8+ (2018).

The new handsets push Samsung’s mid-range lineup into flagship territory with their gorgeous design and beautiful build quality. They also happen to be the first non-flagship smartphones from Samsung to feature an Infinity Display, granted that the panels are flat and not curved. You would surely want to protect that bezel-less Infinity Display and that’s why you need to consider one of these best cases for Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018).

Best cases for Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Spigen Liquid Air Armor

Spigen’s Liquid Air Armor case for the Galaxy A8 is made from premium TPU material for enhanced shock resistance. It fits snugly so the device won’t feel bulky or hefty. Spigen’s signature minimal geometric pattern also adds a nice look and feel to the device. Spigen’s Air Cushion Technology provides anti-shock protection as well. It’s priced at $12.99 for both models.

Buy for Galaxy A8 (2018) | Buy for Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

For those who require additional protection, the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is certainly one of the best cases for Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+. The dual layer case is made from a polycarbonate hard shell and a flexible TPU for protection against bumps, drops and shocks. It even has a built-in screen protector which prevents scratches. It ships with a belt clip holster. The company says that it has designed this case to withstand heavy use and demanding conditions. The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is priced at $19.99 for the Galaxy A8 (2018) and $17.99 for the Galaxy A8+ (2018).

Buy for Galaxy A8 (2018) | Buy for Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Petocase Armor Hybrid

The Petocase Armor Hybrid is a dual-layer case made from a polycarbonate hard shell and a flexible silicone inner core layer which protects the back and sides of the device from drops and bumps. The flexible silicone material is also shock-absorbing and anti-scratch. Petocase’s Armor Hybrid case has a single slot in the back where a credit or debit card can be stored. It even has a kickstand that pops out for hands-free usage. It costs $7.99 for both models.

Buy for Galaxy A8 (2018) | Buy for Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Ringke Onyx

Next up on our list of best cases for Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) is the Ringke Onyx. It’s made from durable thermoplastic urethane material so it’s thin and lightweight while providing MIL-STD 810G certified military-grade protection. The tough outer protective layer is complemented nicely by the brushed metal texture. There’s a slim raised front lip that prevents the handset’s Infinity Display from touching the flat surface to minimize the possibility of scratches. It’s affordable as well, priced at $9.99 for both models.

Buy for Galaxy A8 (2018) | Buy for Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Spigen Liquid Crystal

Spigen closes out our list of best cases for Galaxy A8. Its Liquid Crystal case provides adequate protection against everyday shocks and bumps thanks to its lightweight premium TPU shell. The form-fitted design ensures that your device is kept scratch-free. The case itself is transparent so it lets you showcase the beautiful color of your Galaxy A8. The Spigen Liquid Crystal case is available for purchase from Amazon for $11.99.

Buy for Galaxy A8 (2018) | Buy for Galaxy A8+ (2018)

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These are what we believe to be the best cases for Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018) available right now. Do let us know in the comments below which one you prefer and are going to buy. Also, do check out our full review of the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018) to find out why we were so impressed by Samsung’s new premium mid-range handsets.

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Galaxy J7 Duo (SM-J720F) manual reveals dual rear camera, Bixby Home

It was around two weeks ago that we discovered a new Galaxy J7 model thanks to the FCC, with the device carrying model number SM-J720F. Recent reports peg this device to be the Galaxy J7 Duo, and since its model number is lower than that of the Galaxy J7 (2017) (which was SM-J730F), the J7 Duo is expected to be placed somewhere between the Galaxy J7 (2017) and the Galaxy J7 Pro. The latter was released in India last year with a few additional features over the regular J7 (2017), and it looks like the Galaxy J7 Duo will also have at least one feature that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Galaxy J7 Duo will have a dual rear camera

The user manual for the SM-J720F has been published on Samsung’s website, and it reveals that the device will have a dual rear camera setup. If this phone is anything like the Galaxy J7+ that launched in a few Asian markets last year, the two cameras should be 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel sensors, with the second camera enabling Live Focus (bokeh) photos. The manual also shows a removable battery, although that would be surprising for a device that has popped up in benchmarks with the Exynos 7885 SoC that powers the Galaxy A8 and A8+. Granted, the chip powering the J7 Duo might be a lower clocked variant called the Exynos 7884, but it’s hard to believe such a device would offer a removable battery in this day and age.

Of course, no one is going to complain if the J7 Duo does have a removable battery, a feature that Samsung omitted from last year’s Galaxy J series phones. As for the rest of the phone’s specs, it should have a 5.5-inch 720p display, 3GB/4GB of RAM, at least an 8-megapixel front camera (with a front-facing flash), dual SIM functionality, a fingerprint sensor, and Android 8.0 Oreo. As the manual confirms, Bixby will be making its debut on Samsung’s budget lineup with the Galaxy J7 Duo. Since there’s no dedicated Bixby button, the phone will only offer Bixby Home and Bixby Reminder, both of which you will be able to easily ignore if you wish to.

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Gear Fit2 and Gear Fit2 Pro update makes ‘tracking fitness goals easier’

Following the major Gear S2 update last week, Samsung has announced an update for its fitness trackers, the Gear Fit2 and Gear Fit2 Pro. The Fit2 and Fit2 Pro update adds two new features called Weight Management and Fitness Program, both of which debuted with the Gear Sport. Weight Management does exactly what the name suggests: You can track your daily food consumption and exercise to keep a track on your calorie intake, which is an important aspect for those who are trying to shed some weight and those who are looking to put on a few pounds.

Gear Fit2 and Fit2 Pro update adds new features

Fitness Program, meanwhile, is for those who tend to workout at home. The feature allows the user to sync the phone connected to the fitness band with a TV and see workout videos on a big screen while they work up a sweat, similar to how you might have live videos demonstrating each exercise at a functional training gym. Naturally, the tracker continues to record your workout numbers in the background. The update also streamlines the way all the information is shown. The Workout Screen, for example, is now divided into three separate pieces of data, with the option to customize what information is displayed (such as calories burned or exercise duration). Finally, the update also brings the option to store favorite exercises on the new Multi-Workouts widget accessible on the home screen so you can access them quickly.

The new Gear Fit2 and Gear Fit2 Pro update is available for download from the Samsung Gear app. As with all such updates, it may be a while before the update shows up for you. Once you have installed it, do try out the new features and let us know your thoughts on how well they work.

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Samsung publishes details of the April 2018 security patch

Samsung took us by surprise when it released the April 2018 security patch for one of its devices at the end of last month, before details on what the patch contains were released by Google. But that’s changing today, as both Google and Samsung have published information on the latest security maintenance release (SMR). Naturally, Google’s Pixel and Nexus devices are already receiving an update with the latest patch, while Samsung will take a couple of weeks to get the update out to most devices and countries.

April 2018 security patch detailed

The April 2018 security patch brings fixes for seven critical vulnerabilities that affect Android, along with fixes for a slew of high and moderate risk vulnerabilities. Of course, there are a few fixes that are exclusive to Samsung’s software, and the latest patch contains fixes for eight such vulnerabilities. At least one of those eight vulnerabilities is serious enough not to have been revealed in the April security bulletin, as that would allow hackers to take advantage before the update has reached everyone. And, considering not every patch gets released for a particular device in every country, information on such vulnerabilities is best left a secret.

With the newest security patch, Samsung has once again released the update for a non-flagship device first, and we’re betting the next device to receive the April patch will be one of the company’s mid-range Galaxy A smartphone. Of course, we’d be happy to lose such a bet and keep our fingers crossed that owners of the company’s expensive flagship phones don’t have to wait too long.

For complete information on the April 2018 security patch, check out the source links. Seeing the update on your Samsung device already? Tell us the name of the device and where you’re from by leaving a comment!

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Galaxy A6 release nears as support page pops up on Samsung’s website

It appears that the Galaxy A6 release may not be that far off as a support page for the handset has now been spotted on Samsung’s own website. It was revealed not too long ago that the Galaxy A6 and the Galaxy A6+ are among the new devices that Samsung has in the pipeline for this year. We have also exclusively confirmed that these handsets will be released in Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

The Galaxy A6 and the Galaxy A6+ were most recently spotted at the FCC for the requisite certification. While that doesn’t confirm a North America launch for these devices, it’s possible that the FCC certification is being obtained because the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ may eventually be launched in South America as well.

Galaxy A6 release

The FCC listing contained screenshots which revealed that the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ will feature a flat Infinity Display much like the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018). They won’t have a physical home button courtesy of the 18.5:9 aspect ratio display. The inference drawn from these screenshots is that the display resolution will be 720p and 1080p for the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ respectively.

The first support page for the Galaxy A6+ bearing model number SM-A605FN has been spotted on Samsung Poland’s website. While the support page doesn’t confirm a lot of the device, it does reveal that there’s going to be a dual-SIM variant of this device.

There isn’t a lot of information about these devices that is known for sure at this point in time. Their listings that surfaced on benchmark and certification websites over the past couple of weeks have suggested that the Galaxy A6 will be powered by an Exynos 7870 processor with 3GB of RAM whereas the Galaxy A6+ will feature a Snapdragon 625 processor with 4GB of RAM.

Samsung is yet to confirm when it’s going to launch the Galaxy A6 and the Galaxy A6+ but much like the new handsets that the company will release this year, we can expect them to come with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

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SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine: April 3, 2018

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly Firmware Magazine. You can think of it as your go-to resource to find out which of your Samsung devices has received a new update or if it’s going to receive a new firmware update in the near future.

To keep things interesting, we present the Firmware Magazine in new designs every week. It will always include the important details about firmware updates such as the firmware versions, device model numbers, Android OS versions and the country where said update is out already.

SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine

Keep in mind, however, that these firmware details are based on the firmware that are available in our database, and in some cases, the latest updates might not show in the same week as the full firmware files take additional time to make it to our database.

The purpose of this magazine is to bring all of that important information about firmware updates to you, the reader, in a manner that’s easy to comprehend—so even if you’re new to the world of firmware, you’ll have no trouble making sense of it all.

Click on the image below to grab the latest firmware magazine!

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Bixby can now order coffee from Starbucks

Samsung is gradually expanding Bixby’s capabilities so that the assistant can do more to make your life easier. The company announced today that Bixby will now be able to order coffee and other menu items from Starbucks in South Korea. Users can give it relevant voice commands and it will go ahead and order what they want from the coffee chain.

This has been made possible by linking Bixby to Starbucks Korea’s mobile order and payment app Siren Order. It was launched by Starbucks in South Korea back in 2014 and it lets customers order and pay for their items via the app. South Korea was the first country where Starbucks launched its Siren Order system. The integration lets users pay for their orders and even ask for information such as parking and drive-thru facility at Starbucks stores.

Replicating the in-store ordering experience

The ordering experience via Bixby has been designed to replicate the in-store ordering experience with a barista. Users can order as if they’re talking to a barista in the store and even as for items such as extra whipping cream and more syrup. Bixby will quickly move from order to payment without requiring the user to install any additional apps. They can then just walk to the store and pick up their order.

Samsung users with a Bixby-compatible device can now use this functionality in South Korea. Supported devices include the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9/S9+ and the Galaxy S8/S8+. This is the first collaboration for Samsung in which it has integrated its virtual private assistant with a mobile ordering and payment service.

It goes without saying that there’s a possibility that the company might ink similar partnerships with other food and beverage chains that are running mobile ordering and payment services. This will enable Bixby to order from a variety of chains in response to simple voice commands. We’ll likely see such integrations being rolled out in South Korea first before Samsung decides to expand them to other markets.

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