Samsung showed off its foldable phone at CES 2019

Here’s a headline that many of you have read before. Samsung reportedly showed off a prototype of its upcoming foldable smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show 2019 in Las Vegas. This report seems business as usual because we have been hearing exactly the same thing for the past four years.

The prototype was reportedly showcased at a private session during CES 2019 to some of Samsung’s clients. These could include carriers who may have to decide whether or not they want to carry this device. A similar report claimed back in 2014 that Samsung had shown a foldable AMOLED display behind closed doors at CES. There was no followup and no product to show for.

Samsung foldable phone shown to clients at CES 2019

We have seen such reports almost every year since then and 2018 was no exception. The company had reportedly unveiled its foldable phone during a private meeting at CES 2018. It’s pertinent to mention here that these reports have almost always come from the same Korean news outlet.

The same news outlet is once again reporting that Samsung provided a sneak peek of its foldable phone to select clients at CES 2019. A high-level executive from one of those clients is quoted as saying that Samsung is currently polishing the optimization processors for this handset’s hardware and software.

“When unfolded, Samsung’s foldable phone does not show any crease indicating it had been bent,” the executive said, adding that the phone’s screen felt very smooth. It’s also said that “Samsung is testing the device so that the sides remain slightly lifted when folded. The prototype seen today leaves a crease mark when being folded, but this issue will be fixed in the finalized version.”

Samsung provided a glimpse of its foldable display at SDC 2018 in November. It showed off an engineering prototype of the phone with the design obscured by a protective case. The device will have a 4.6-inch external display when closed and a 7.3-inch display when folded out.

The report mentions that Samsung will target men in their 40s as the prime demographic for this device. It makes sense because the first iteration of this product is expected to be very expensive. Samsung is yet to confirm when it’s planning to release this device.

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Samsung Galaxy Sport renders show a smooth bezel

We exclusively reported two weeks ago that Samsung is working on a new smartwatch codenamed “Pulse.” This smartwatch is actually the successor to the Gear Sport and may be launched as the Galaxy Sport. That’s because Samsung has brought its smartwatches under the Galaxy brand with the Galaxy Watch.

Our report also mentioned that the smartwatch runs Tizen and has 4GB of RAM. Since it would be the Gear Sport’s successor, its primary features will be fitness-related. Purported renders of the device have now surfaced. They’re said to be based on factory data. The Gear Sport was available with a 1.2-inch display and its successor may retain the same size. It’s said to arrive in black, green, silver and pink gold colors.

Samsung Galaxy Sport is codenamed “Pulse”

The renders show a familiar design language for the smartwatch with one major difference. It doesn’t have a fluted or toothed bezel. The bezel on this smartwatch appears to be smooth. That’s not to say it can’t have a rotating bezel if it’s not fluted but whether it would have that reassuring click is something of a mystery right now.

We also mentioned that this smartwatch will come with Bixby with support for Bixby Reminder. This means that Bixby notifications on the connected smartphone will also appear on the watch. This feature is not present on the Galaxy Watch but may arrive with a firmware update later.

Samsung hasn’t said anything about launching a new smartwatch just yet. Whether or not this wearable device is unveiled alongside the Galaxy S10 next month remains to be seen.

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[Sponsored] Software New Year 2019 Promotion: Windows 10 Pro $11.19, Office 2016 Pro $25.34

Goodoffer24 is getting into the New Year’s EVE and New Year’s Day spirit this year with some cheap codes for us to share with you, with discount codes on Windows and Office. Just in case you have been looking to upgrade your computer Software lately, there are some pretty good offers available for you:

Software licenses are currently one of the most popular Online goods and with the usual sales campaigns, now is totally the best time to pick up some cheap legal ones without draining your wallet in the process!

GoodOffer24.com is no exception to this and has launched a Mega New Year Promotion Campaign, with incredible jaw-dropping deals on Microsoft’s most popular Software: From today and up until January 2019, all products in the Software Section will also have up to 20% EXTRA OFF, offering just the top discount prices you deserve!

Extra 20% off discount on all software products for the New Year Promotion : TGO24NY20

The New Year special promotion will start from December 26 to January 31, 2019.

• Windows 10 Pro Professional CD-KEY (32/64 Bit) at $11.19
• Microsoft Office 2016 Pro Professional Plus CD-KEY (1 PC) at $25.34
• Windows 10 Pro + Office 2016 Pro -Bundle at $31.21
• Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus CD-KEY (1PC) at $52.02
• Microsoft Office 365 Professional PLUS Account For 1 Device (32/64 Bit) at $18.91
• Windows 10 Pro + Office 2019 Pro – Bundle at $57.70

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How to order from Goodoffer24.com?

Shopping at Goodoffer24.com is as easy as it gets. Here’s a brief explanation of how to buy the OEM version of Windows 10 Professional the discount code: TGO24NY20. Just click on the “Add to cart” button in the product description of the item.

With the button “Add to cart” you add a product to your cart

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We remind you that you first download the versions on your computer and then activate them with the key you purchased.

Windows 10 Pro – [Download Link]
Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus – [Download Link]
Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus – [Download Link]

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One UI (Android Pie) feature focus: Auto disable unused apps

Samsung’s expanding the advanced battery features on Galaxy devices with Android Pie with a new feature that disables apps that aren’t used for 30 days. It can be considered an extension of the existing option that puts apps that haven’t been used for three days or so to sleep and prevents them from running in the background. Add Adaptive Battery to the mix, and Android Pie offers plenty of battery-saving features.

The Auto disable unused apps feature can be found in the battery section of the Device care menu in device settings. Just tap the three-dot button in the battery section, tap the Settings button, and you’ll see the option along with other power management features (see the GIF image below to see a visual guide).

Once you enable it, you can then see the list of apps that have been disabled in the Disabled apps menu right below the Auto disable unused apps option. Of course, Android Pie hasn’t been out for 30 days yet for the feature to work, but it should be great for those who have too many apps on their device taking up space despite never being used or being used too rarely to matter.

For more on what’s new with Android Pie for Galaxy devices, check out our One UI (Android Pie) feature focus series. And find out if your device is eligible for the update on our dedicated and constantly updated Android Pie page.

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Galaxy S9 Pie update for Israel hints at wider rollout, brings January patch

Samsung has just started rolling out the Android Pie update for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in Israel. If you’re wondering why we’re writing separately about this instead of just updating our list of countries where the update is available, it’s because the Israel update carries a newer software version than the one released for other markets and even includes the January 2019 security patch, which Samsung detailed earlier today.

Newer build suggests wider rollout could start soon

The new software version is XXU2CRLN, while the first official release came with XXU2CRLI. It’s an indication that Samsung could soon start the worldwide rollout, as the company has also been publishing details on Android Pie and One UI on its official website in recent days. Of course, nothing can be said for certain until the rollout actually begins in the next day or two.

The Galaxy S9 update is only rolling out over the air at the moment, but Galaxy S9+ owners can also update via Samsung Smart Switch on their PC or by using the firmware from our database. If you own a Galaxy S9 or S9+ in Israel, or even a Galaxy Note 9, do let us know if the update has started rolling out for you. And don’t forget to check out all the new features in Android Pie once you have updated.

Galaxy S9

• Model: SM-G960F
• Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS OIS (F1.5/F2.4)

More specifications

Galaxy S9+

• Model: SM-G965F
• Dimensions: 157.7 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm
• Display: 6.2” (158.1mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS Dual OIS (F1.5/F2.4) & Telephoto: 12MP AF F2.4)

More specifications

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Amazon UK offering a free Gear Sport with the Galaxy S9 or S9+

We’re nearing a year since the launch of the Galaxy S9/S9+, which also means that we are inching towards the launch of the Galaxy S10. As expected, a number of deals on last year’s Galaxy S flagships have started to pop up. The latest one comes from Amazon UK. The retailer giant is giving you a Gear Sport smartwatch for free if you buy an unlocked Galaxy S9 or S9+. The offer, however, is for a no doubt limited time, so you better hurry up!

Free Gear Sport alongside the Galaxy S9 and S9+

The Galaxy S9 and the S9+ are multitasking powerhouses that probably don’t need an introduction. Powered by the Exynos 9810 SoC, the latest Galaxy S flagships come in multiple color variants and storage configurations. You get to choose from Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Titanium Grey, and Lilac Purple color options and 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage configurations, all of which are eligible for the bundle deal.

The Gear Sport, meanwhile, is a sporty yet stylish-looking smartwatch-cum-fitness tracker from Samsung. It gets a circular Super AMOLED display and Samsung’s signature rotating bezel for navigation. The watch is made to work and survive in robust environmental conditions. It is completely water resistant up to a depth of 50m, meaning you can go for swimming wearing the Gear Sport worry-free. The 300mAh rechargeable battery is capable of powering the device for multiple days on a single charge. You can read more about the watch in our review here.

Galaxy S9

• Model: SM-G960F
• Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS OIS (F1.5/F2.4)

More specifications

Galaxy S9+

• Model: SM-G965F
• Dimensions: 157.7 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm
• Display: 6.2” (158.1mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS Dual OIS (F1.5/F2.4) & Telephoto: 12MP AF F2.4)

More specifications

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Galaxy S10 Lite surfaces in benchmark with 6GB RAM, unoptimized software

We knew it would be a matter of time before the first public benchmark listing would shine a light on some of the specs of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S10 line-up. It is the Galaxy S10 Lite that is the first to leave its traces in Geekbench.

Galaxy S10 Lite specs confirmed

In the database of the Geekbench benchmark test, the guys over at GalaxyClub spotted Samsung’s SM-G970U doing its rounds with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 SoC. This is the US version of the cheapest Galaxy S10 model, and it runs Android 9 Pie. So far, nothing here is in any way surprising, though we are pleased to see the device packing 6GB RAM. This is a significant upgrade from last year’s 4GB in the basic Galaxy S9 variant.

Perhaps the biggest surprise here is the performance of the device. A single-core score of 1986 and a multi-core score of 6266 are nothing to write home about. The only relevant conclusion is that the tested device was running highly unoptimized software and hardware. The achieved scores, therefore, should not be taken as an early indication of the Galaxy S10’s performance.

We expect the other S10-variants, possibly called the Galaxy S10 edge and the S10 Plus, to be equipped with the same processor. It remains to be seen if these devices, too, will have 6GB RAM, or if Samsung decides to put 8GB or more in its more expensive flagship models.

As far as the Galaxy S10 lite is concerned, we expect it to come with 128GB storage, a dual camera, and a fingerprint sensor that is integrated into the power-key. The device will have a 3100mAh battery that should at least make it last through a long working day.

Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S10 in the days prior to this year’s Mobile World Congress, perhaps around February 20. The actual release will then follow in early March. A fourth S10 variant with 5G with likely be released later this year, on several US carriers, and in South Korea.

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Samsung announces Q4 2018 earning guidance, operating profit down 29%

Samsung recorded its highest ever profits last quarter, but three months on things aren’t looking so great. The company just announced its earnings guidance for Q4 2018 with an estimated 29 percent drop in profit. Weak demand in the memory division caused the profits to decrease sharply, Samsung said.

In a regulatory filing, Samsung estimated sales worth 59 trillion won (about $52.5 billion) during Q3 2018. This is down 9.87 percent from 65.46 trillion won ($58 billion) in the previous quarter.

No improvements expected in Q1 2019

Samsung estimated profit at about 10.8 trillion won ($9.67 billion) for October-December last year, down 29 percent from the same period a year earlier. This is Samsung’s lowest profit since Q1 of 2017. And the company expects the profits to remain subdued in the first quarter of 2019 as well, owing to weak seasonality in the memory market.

The market is likely to improve in the second half of the year as new smartphones release. Samsung may be pointing to its 5G and foldable devices to improve its mobile division’s performance. The company’s OLED panels for smartphones will also continue to increase market penetration. Analysts, however, expect Samsung’s profit to decline through 2019 as a slowing Chinese economy erodes demand for its chips and handsets.

Samsung does not usually explain the details behind its estimates, but instead waits for the full earnings release. The company, however, issued a statement for earnings guidance on Tuesday to “ease confusion” among investors, who are already on the edge. The forecast is based on estimates made under K-IFRS. The estimated data don’t include the performances of respective business divisions. The finalized earnings report for Q4 2018 is expected to be announced later this month.

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Samsung details the January 2019 security patch

Samsung has just published details on the first security patch for 2019. The January 2019 security patch was released for Pixel devices this week, but Samsung is yet to release the patch for any device other than the Galaxy Note 9, which gets the new patch along with the Android Pie update. However, that might be because the January patch is one of the smallest in recent months in terms of the number of critical vulnerabilities that have been fixed.

The January 2019 patch fixes three critical vulnerabilities in Android, along with a slew of high-risk vulnerabilities. It also fixes four vulnerabilities that affect Samsung’s software; the only notable vulnerability involves the possibility of the user’s access to data over a Wi-Fi network being interrupted. As always, some of the vulnerabilities haven’t been disclosed to prevent exploitation before the new security patch has reached all users.

We can expect Samsung to start updating devices with the January 2019 security patch in the coming days. More details on the new patch can be seen at Samsung’s security website.

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Samsung’s Digital Cockpit 2019 lets you check car fuel levels using Bixby

Samsung, along with Harman, unveiled the Digital Cockpit last year, bringing Bixby to cars for an enhanced automotive experience, and the company has now unveiled the 2019 iteration at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show in Last Vegas. While the first iteration enabled users to control aspects of their home via Bixby while sitting in the car, the 2019 upgrade brings reverse integration into the fold.

With Digital Cockpit 2019, consumers can check the fuel levels on their car, start up the engine, or turn on the AC before they leave their home using the Galaxy Home or other Samsung devices powered by Bixby. The new cockpit also adds the ability to have up to six displays in the car, with a dedicated display for the passenger seat and dedicated displays for the rear occupants. Each display can also save preferences such as seat position and screen settings for different users, and even Samsung DeX is supported for those who like to get work done on the move.

Of course, Samsung is also banking on the incoming 5G era to make the Digital Cockpit work well with all of its IoT and Bixby-enabled products, although it remains to be seen which car manufacturers will be bringing the Digital Cockpit to their cars. Samsung hasn’t announced a list of carmakers or cars just yet, but more details should show up as the months go by and we get closer to the launch of 5G networks in markets like the US and South Korea.

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