Samsung will preload apps from Verizon’s Oath on its smartphones

Bloatware is one of the major complaints with Android devices. Preloading non-essential apps that cannot be uninstalled by the users are all too common in the Android ecosystem, and Samsung is no exception. From flagship devices to budget offerings, almost all the Samsung smartphones come with some amount of bloatware.

Depending on the market and the smartphone model, Samsung preinstalls apps from Microsoft, Hancom, Facebook, and others on its devices. On top of that, some carriers also add their bloatware to the devices sold by them. If all of that is not enough to ruin the user experience, Samsung has a new deal in place to preload new apps on millions of its devices.

Samsung and Oath will share the ad revenue

Reuters reports that Samsung has signed a deal with Verizon’s subsidiary, Oath Inc, to preload four of the Oath’s most popular apps on Samsung devices going forward. As per the deal, Oath’s Newsroom app, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, and Go90 mobile video apps will be preinstalled on all Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones. For now, the deal is limited to the Samsung devices sold in the US but will eventually expand to all other markets. Oath is expected to officially announce the deal todayin New York.

Like all other decisions to preload non-essential apps on your smartphones, even this is driven by financial considerations. Skyrocketing content consumption on smartphones presents a great opportunity for generating ad revenue, and this deal aims to do exactly that. Samsung and Oath will share the ad revenue generated from the preinstalled apps. The agreement allows advertisers to place “native ads” that blend with the content. We have to wait and see how that works.

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Samsung’s new Pro Endurance memory card is for intensive video recording

If you tend to capture a lot of videos you certainly need a lot of storage for it. Not just storage, you require reliable storage to ensure that you don’t lose precious footage due to the memory card dying on you.

Samsung today announced the launch of its new Pro Endurance memory card which is meant for users who need reliable storage for intensive video applications. The company says that its new microSDHC/microSDXC card offers “industry-leading” endurance while being capable of up to 43,800 hours of continuous video recording.

Samsung Pro Endurance memory card

The Samsung Pro Endurance memory card has been developed for customers who use intensive video devices such as dash cams and body cameras. It’s also meant for business customers who require reliable storage for surveillance and security camera footage.

Samsung says that the Pro Endurance memory card can provide read speeds of up to 100MB/s with support for FHD recording and 4K with write speeds of up to 30MB/s.

“Consumers want to feel assured with their video surveillance solutions, and the need for longer-lasting, higher performing memory cards that can withstand extreme conditions and capture critical moments is at an all-time high,” said Samsung executive Soo Kim, adding that the Pro Endurance meets that requirement for customers.

The new memory card can withstand harsh environments as it’s water, temperature, magnetic and x-ray proof. It also offers 25 times higher endurance than previous speed-focused cards, according to Samsung. The company is selling it with a five-year warranty.

Samsung Pro Endurance memory cards are available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities for $24.99, $44.99 and $89.99 respectively. They’re now available for purchase online.

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Galaxy Tab S4 release may not be that far off

It has been a while since Samsung launched a new flagship tablet and new information has now surfaced which suggests that the Galaxy Tab S4 release may not be that far off. The first benchmark listing for the tablet surfaced some two months ago which highlighted the possibility that this device may have a 10.5-inch display with 2560×1600 pixel resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio.

The upcoming tablet has now been spotted at the Wi-Fi Alliance where it has surfaced for certification running Android 8.0 Oreo. That’s not going to surprise anyone as you would expect a new flagship tablet in 2018 from Samsung to run Oreo out of the box.

Galaxy Tab S4 release

The Galaxy Tab S4 model number SM-T835 has been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance with Android 8.0 Oreo onboard. Certifications such as this are often taken as an indication of impending launch so even though Samsung is yet to confirm anything about the Galaxy Tab S4 release, this circumstantial evidence suggests that the release may not be that far off now.

We have also received word that firmware development for the Wi-Fi and LTE models of the Galaxy Tab S4 has begun and the builds currently being tested carry version numbers T830XXU0ARDA and T835XXU0ARDA.

A recent benchmark listing suggested that the Galaxy Tab S4 may be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The tablet is likely going to get a fresh new design which may incorporate Samsung’s Infinity Display thus pushing its flagship tablet on to the bezel-less bandwagon.

As far as the Galaxy Tab S4 release is concerned, reports about a launch at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in February have obviously not turned out to be true. One can expect Samsung to showcase the new tablet at the IFA 2018 trade show in the second half of this year. Samsung has used the IFA stage in the past to launch new tablets so it won’t be surprising to see the Galaxy Tab S4 release being scheduled for the trade show in Berlin.

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[Poll] Are you still using the Gear VR?

Samsung moved into the mobile VR space back in 2014 when it launched the first Gear VR headset with the Galaxy Note 4. It has since launched new versions of the headset including one with a controller. Samsung has also been investing in virtual reality content so that those who pick up one of its headsets actually have access to a variety of apps and games that they can experience in virtual reality.

It has been over a year, though, since Samsung launched a new Gear VR headset. The company chose not to launch an updated model with the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ earlier this year because the new flagships are almost identical to their predecessors in terms of design and dimensions. This means that the Gear VR with Controller headset that was released in 2017 is fully compatible with the 2018 flagships.

While the Gear VR is certainly one of the most popular mobile VR headsets, one of the reasons for that is Samsung’s generosity in giving away free Gear VR units. It handed them out with pre-orders of its flagship smartphones and in other promotions from time to time. For some, the Gear VR may never have been more than a novelty and we would like to know if you have ever thought of it as such.

Samsung is certainly in no mood to do away with the headset or the platform anytime soon. The company is now investing in original episodic virtual reality series the pilots of which it released just last week.

Regardless of whether you paid $99 for it or got the headset for free, are you still using the Gear VR headset? Vote below and share your reasons for using it frequently or not using it at all.

Are you still using the Gear VR?

• Not at all
• Not frequently, maybe once a month
• Yes, every other day

Results

• Not at all 50%, 2 votes
  2 votes 50%

  2 votes - 50% of all votes
• Not frequently, maybe once a month 50%, 2 votes
  2 votes 50%

  2 votes - 50% of all votes
• Yes, every other day 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes

Total Votes: 4

2 May 2018

×

You or your IP had already vote.

• Not at all
• Not frequently, maybe once a month
• Yes, every other day

×

You or your IP had already vote.

Results

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Specs comparison: Galaxy A6+ vs Galaxy A8+ (2018)

The successor to the Galaxy A7 (2017) has arrived and it’s called the Galaxy A6+. Samsung has switched up the naming scheme this year for its mid-range lineup as it has made significant improvements to the Galaxy A series. The improvements have trickled down from the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018) which is why the new Galaxy A6 handsets feature flat Infinity Display panels as well.

Specs comparison: Galaxy A6+ vs Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Both the Galaxy A6+ and the Galaxy A8+ (2018) feature the same display, Samsung’s flat Infinity Display with FHD+ resolution. While the Galaxy A8+ (2018) has a dual front-facing camera, the Galaxy A6+ has a dual camera with Live Focus mode at the back and a 24-megapixel front camera with LED flash.

Check out the full Galaxy A6+ vs Galaxy A8+ specs comparison table below to see all of the differences between these two mid-range handsets. We’ll be reviewing the Galaxy A6+ in the near future so you’ll soon get to know our thoughts about this new handset. The full spec sheet for the Galaxy A6+ is now live on our devices page.

	Galaxy A6+	Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Display	6.0-inch FHD+ (2220×1080) Super AMOLED Infinity	6-inch FHD+ (2220×1080) Super AMOLED Infinity
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, 1.8GHz octa-core, Adreno 506 GPU	Exynos 7885 Octa, 2.2GHz dual-core + 1.6GHz hexa-core, Mali-G71 GPU
RAM	3GB/4GB	4/6GB
Rear Camera	16-megapixel f/1.7 + 5-megapixel f/1.9 dual camera with Live Focus mode	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus
Front camera	24-megapixel f/1.9 aperture with LED flash	16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera, f/1.9 aperture, Live Focus portrait mode
Storage	32GB/64GB internal, microSD card slot (up to 256GB)	32GB/64GB internal, microSD slot (up to 256GB)
Software	Android 8.0	Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, microUSB v2.0	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery	3,500 mAh, fast wired charging	3,500 mAh, fast wired charging
Other features	Samsung Pay (NFC models only), fingerprint sensor, Face Recognition, Dolby Atmos optimized audio	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display, Gear VR support

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Specs comparison: Galaxy A6 vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

The Galaxy A6 vs Galaxy A8 (2018) specs comparison was inevitable as the new handset is meant to be a replacement for the Galaxy A5 (2017). Samsung has significantly revamped its Galaxy A series this year starting with the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018) which are basically borderline flagship smartphones. The Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ slot in below them in the lineup and breathe new life into Samsung’s mid-range lineup.

Specs comparison: Galaxy A6 vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

The Galaxy A6 features a metal unibody design and an Infinity Display. Even though it’s a flat panel, the device can now claim to be in bezel-less territory as well. Aside from the new internals, it also features powerful new cameras and a front-facing LED flash.

We’ll have a complete review of the Galaxy A6 up in the not too distant future so do stay tuned for that. For now, check out the Galaxy A6 vs Galaxy A8 (2018) specs comparison table below to get an idea of how these devices line up against their more expensive siblings. You can find the full spec sheet for the Galaxy A6 on our devices page.

	Galaxy A6	Galaxy A8 (2018)
Display	5.6-inch HD+ (720×1480 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity	5.6-inch FHD+ (2220×1080 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity
Processor	Exynos 7870 Octa, 1.6GHz octa-core, Mali-T830 MP1 GPU	Exynos 7885 Octa, 2.2GHz dual-core + 1.6GHz hexa-core, Mali-G71 GPU
RAM	3GB/4GB	4GB
Rear Camera	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus
Front camera	16-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture with LED flash	16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera, f/1.9 aperture, Live Focus portrait mode
Storage	32GB/64GB internal, microSD card slot (up to 256GB)	32GB/64GB internal, microSD slot (up to 256GB)
Software	Android 8.0 Oreo	Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, microUSB v2.0	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery	3,000 mAh, fast wired charging	3,000 mAh, fast wired charging
Other features	Fingerprint sensor, Samsung Pay (NFC model only), Face Recognition, Dolby Atmos optimized audio	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display, Gear VR support

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Samsung Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ price confirmed

Samsung launched its much-rumored new mid-range smartphones – the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ – yesterday. The company can now get down to the business of selling these devices. The initial release is going to take place this month in a handful of markets before the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ are made widely available in other markets.

The Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ price has now been confirmed by Samsung. As expected, the devices are affordable and have been aggressively priced to compete with other mid-range handsets in this highly competitive segment of the market.

Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ price

The Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ have been positioned below the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018) in Samsung’s revamped mid-range lineup. They offer decent specs for a mid-range handset and also tout Samsung’s Infinity Display, albeit a flat panel.

The handsets also feature a metal unibody design which lends a more premium look and feel. Sticking to its “+” formula for this year, the Galaxy A6+ also features a larger 6.0-inch display compared to the Galaxy A6’s 5.6-inch display as well as a dual camera with Live Focus.

Both devices will be available with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. They also feature a front LED flash, Face Recognition, Samsung Pay and Dolby Atmos optimized audio. Android 8.0 is onboard as well.

The Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ price for Europe is 309 euro and 359 euro respectively. That’s roughly $370 and $430 so expect the handsets to cost around the same in your market when they’re launched.

They’re going to be available in four colors – Black, Gold, Blue and Lavender. Samsung is going to release the Galaxy A6 and the Galaxy A6+ in select markets across Europe, Asia and Latin America early this month. South Korea, China and Africa will get the handsets in the coming months.

Pricing and availability is obviously going to vary by market so check with Samsung’s local division for the information.

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First Galaxy S7 edge Oreo firmware download available now

Samsung finally started rolling out the Android 8.0 Oreo update for the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge yesterday. The company had previously provided a timeframe which suggested that the update would start rolling out by mid-May. Samsung released Oreo for the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge for the unlocked and Vodafone-branded variants in the United Kingdom yesterday and it’s only a matter of time now before the firmware is released in other markets.

If you’ve been waiting for the firmware files then rejoice because we now have the first Galaxy S7 edge Oreo firmware available for download. The file can be found in our firmware section.

Galaxy S7 edge Oreo firmware

Samsung initially released Oreo for these handsets over-the-air in the United Kingdom. The update should have arrived for all users in the country by now. Other carriers should be rolling it out soon as well.

We can expect Oreo for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge to be released in more markets in the coming weeks. It’s in line with Samsung’s mid-May timeframe. Those who own carrier-locked variants in markets like the United States may have to wait for a bit longer as the carriers tend to run their own tests which ends up further delaying the release.

Firmware version G935FXXU2ERD5 was rolled out for the Galaxy S7 edge in the United Kingdom. The relevant file is now available for download from our firmware section for the Galaxy S7 edge. The firmware file for the Galaxy S7 will be available soon as well and we’ll update this post as soon as it’s live.

The update comes with the latest security patch for the month of April 2018 as well as all features that are part and parcel of Android 8.0. Check out our detailed What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo series to find out more about all of the new features that are included in this release.

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