Galaxy Watch LTE gets a firmware update in the US

Samsung is pushing a new firmware update to the LTE version of the Galaxy Watch in the US. It is a tiny update that may include improvements in the device stability and some minor bug fixes. The update is based on Tizen 4.0.0.1 and is available for the Galaxy Watch on both T-Mobile and Verizon networks. The latest update carries the build numbers R815USQU1BRJ6 and R805USQU1BRJ6 for the 42 mm and 46 mm Galaxy Watch respectively.

This is the third firmware update for the Galaxy Watch. The first two updates brought improvements in Samsung Health experience and reliability in battery charging and music play.

First firmware update for the Galaxy Watch on Verizon

Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch in the US in August and soon made the LTE version available on T-Mobile. But Verizon users had to wait until the end of October to get their hands on the watch. And now a month later, they are getting the first firmware update for it.

The changelog for the latest Galaxy Watch update is as generic as it could be and doesn’t reveal any specific details. The size of the update is 11.98 MB and it is available over the air. You can download the update via the Galaxy Wearable (Samsung Gear) app on your phone. Just go to the About Gear » Update Gear software section in the Settings tab of the app and select Download updates manually. Remember that it is an OTA update and may take some time before it reaches all Galaxy Watch units on Verizon and T-Mobile.

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Here’s a hack to change icons and themes on Galaxy S9 Android Pie beta

One UI brings plenty of sweet visual changes to Galaxy smartphones, but the icons for Samsung’s proprietary apps have received some flak for being worse than their Android Oreo counterparts. And on the Android Pie beta, Samsung isn’t letting users use third-party themes and icons, so beta testers are currently stuck with the stock icons and theme. However, there is a way to get around that limitation, even though it’s not a wholesome solution.

It turns out that going to the dedicated page for a Samsung Themes designer’s themes and icon packs lets you apply those themes and icons, something you won’t be able to do if you open the Samsung Themes store in the usual way. If you have purchased some themes or icon packs on Oreo, you can just go to the Wallpapers and themes section in the Galaxy S9 or S9+’ Settings app, scroll to the themes or icons sections, tap one of the purchased themes or icon packs under the My themes/My icons area at the top, then tap the author’s name under the theme or icon page name.

Never purchased a theme or icon pack before? We have added the links to a few designers’ pages below, and you can simply click on these on your S9 or S9+ to access them. Do remember that Android Pie only allows using free themes for a period of 14 days. There’s no limit on icon packs, though. You may also run into issues with some of these themes or icons as they may not be compatible with Android 9 yet.

Theme store designer page links: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3 | Link 4

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Samsung kicks off second phase with One UI beta UK release

The much-awaited second phase of Samsung’s Android Pie beta program has seemingly kicked off with the One UI beta UK release. Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ owners in the country can now register for the beta program through the Samsung Members app. Once registered, they can download the beta firmware.

When Samsung announced the beta program, it confirmed that additional markets would get it in the second phase. The markets include Poland, China, Spain, France, India and the United Kingdom. With the One UI Beta UK release today it seems that the second phase is now underway.

One UI beta UK release for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ owners in the United Kingdom can register for the Android Pie beta today through the Samsung Members app. Spots will likely be limited so do try to get it before they run out.

After the registration is done, users will receive firmware version G960FXXU2ZRKL and G965FXXU2ZRKL for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ respectively. It’s the same firmware that’s being rolled out as the second beta build today in countries that got the beta in the first phase. They include the US, Germany and South Korea.

The Android 9.0 Pie update brings a wide variety of new features for the device. Samsung’s new custom skin, One UI, is a major part of this update. You can find out more about all of the new features in our One UI (Android Pie) feature focus series.

Samsung is yet to open up the beta program to the Galaxy Note 9. However, there is a strong chance that this might happen soon. It briefly opened beta registrations for the Galaxy Note 9 in the United States. This suggests that it may not be long before the phablet gets in on the One UI beta action as well.

Now that the One UI beta UK release is underway, it may not be long before the other markets in the second phase receive it as well.

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Samsung releases second Android Pie beta for the Galaxy S9

Samsung has just started rolling out the second Android Pie beta for the Galaxy S9. This is not the second phase, mind you. There’s no word as yet on when the beta will be expanding to additional markets. It’s a new beta build that’s rolling out now for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.

The latest beta build will certainly bring some improvements as Samsung continues to tweak the update. That’s the main reason for launching a beta program. Samsung takes in feedback from the testers and makes any fixes that may be required. This is to ensure a problem-free public launch when the time comes.

Samsung rolling out second Android Pie beta for the Galaxy S9

Samsung is now rolling out firmware version G960FXXU2ZRKL for the Galaxy S9. It’s the second Android Pie beta build for the device. It weighs just over 700MB and comes with the November 2018 security patch. The changelog mentions that this build improves front camera performance. The brightness of faces will be improved in backlit conditions. The rest is all generic as the changelog mentions improvements for the overall security and stability of the device.

We’ll be sure to put the second Android Pie beta through its paces to find out what else has changed since the first beta. Check out our One UI (Android Pie) feature focus series to find out more about this update. Samsung will likely be releasing another couple of beta builds before it releases Android Pie for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 in January 2019.

The One UI (Android Pie) beta program was only limited to the Galaxy S9/S9+ initially. However, it appears that the program may soon be opened up to the Galaxy Note 9. Samsung briefly opened registrations for the Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie beta program. This suggests that the device could soon be a part of this program as well. We’ll let you know when that happens.

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Galaxy J7 Pro touch problem seemingly caused by Android 8.1 update

It appears that the Galaxy J7 Pro touch problem many users have complained about has been caused by the Android 8.1 Oreo update. Samsung started rolling out the update for this device about a month ago. Users have taken to Samsung’s official forums to complain about the touchscreen being completely unresponsive after they install the update.

Reports have come in from users in several countries including India. The issue obviously has a major impact on users’ lives. Their phones are essentially paperweights with a dead touchscreen.

Android 8.1 update behind Galaxy J7 Pro touch problem

Those who are facing this issue say that the touchscreen became unresponsive the moment their Galaxy J7 Pro restarted after the update was installed. It’s unclear precisely what’s causing this issue. Not everyone who updated the Galaxy J7 Pro to Oreo faced this issue. The unit we have in the office is working just fine on Oreo.

Some suggest that the Galaxy J7 Pro touch issue affects repaired units with an aftermarket display. Others believe that the update only causes this issue on units with a particular subset of displays. This could mean that the issue is limited to panels from a specific supplier.

Samsung hasn’t really confirmed what’s the matter here. Moderators on its forums have offered a workaround to fix the issue but caution that if that doesn’t happen, users are left with repair as the only option. Some users have relied on methods which involve rooting to downgrade their device to Nougat. They report that the touchscreen works fine once the firmware is downgraded.

The company is reportedly working with technical support to fix the issue. Given that the Galaxy J7 Pro touch issue has resolved for those who downgraded, it may entirely be possible to fix it with a software update.

Have you experienced this issue on your Galaxy J7 Pro? Do let us know by dropping a comment.

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One UI (Android Pie) feature focus: Samsung keyboard gets floating mode

The Samsung Keyboard app received many new features with Android 8.0 Oreo, such as high-contrast themes, a customizable toolbar, and new emojis, stickers, and GIFs. And the app is getting even more functionality with One UI/Android Pie. One of the new Samsung Keyboard features in Pie is a floating keyboard mode.

Samsung keyboard gets its shackles removed in Pie

As the name suggests, floating keyboard isn’t the same as the one-handed mode. This feature was available on Samsung phones a few years ago before the company started to double down on streamlining its software. It allows you to reduce the size of the keyboard and move it anywhere on the screen. The transparency and size of the floating keyboard can be adjusted as well. You can consider it an extension of the one-handed keyboard mode, although it’s also useful for two-handed usage by letting you move the keyboard upwards on the screen and making it less cumbersome for your thumbs to access the keyboard keys.

Using the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ with the Android Pie beta? To access floating mode, tap the down-pointing arrow icon on the keyboard, tap Modes, then tap the Floating keyboard option. This will relaunch the keyboard in floating mode. To adjust the size and transparency of the floating keyboard, just go into the mode selection menu again and tap the Size and transparency option. The same menu can also be used to go back to the standard keyboard or to switch to the one-handed keyboard.

See what else is new with One UI and Android Pie for Galaxy smartphones. To find out if your device is eligible for the Android Pie update, go here.

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