Exclusive: This is the Samsung Galaxy View 2

SamMobile has uncovered a set of renders showcasing the design of the Samsung Galaxy View 2, the successor to the original Samsung Galaxy View — which we were also the first to unearth. The biggest difference between the two? The implementation of a more ergonomic hinged stand on the rear of the former that will make typing and using it in day to day life a lot more convenient.

To be more specific, the variant SamMobile uncovered will be headed to local carrier AT&T in the United States — evidenced by the branding on the rear — corroborating an earlier rumour claiming that would be the case. Whether or not an unlocked version will be released in other markets around the world remains to be seen, however. But a Wi-Fi variant is definitely on the cards.

 

The Galaxy View 2 was designed to be a bit more compact than the standard Galaxy View, which Samsung hopes to achieve by replacing the 18.4-inch screen with a 17.5-inch one and introducing a hinged kickstand that sits at 30-degrees when it’s stowed and upright when opened. That makes it ideal for typing as it will always be resting in an ergonomic angle that’s reminiscent of a drafting desk.

Samsung also removed the integrated handle that’s found on the original Galaxy View. The reason behind the move is unclear, though if we had to hazard a guess we’d say it’s because the Galaxy View 2 is a bit smaller and therefore presumably more practical. There’s also a hole on the rear of the new kickstand, as depicted in the renders, which can be used to grip the unit during transportation.

 

The Samsung Galaxy View 2 surfaced on benchmark database Geekbench back in January, bearing the model number SM-T927A, with an Exynos 7885 CPU and 3GB of RAM in tow. That came a few months after the unit received Bluetooth and Wi-Fi certification, hinting it was in the final stages of development. And now we’ve obtained these renders, it looks like a launch could be imminent.

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Breaking: Samsung officially delays global Galaxy Fold launch

Samsung has released a press release to officially confirm that it is delaying the Galaxy Fold launch until further notice. As expected, the primary reason behind the delay is to allow the company time to add more “guidance for consumers on care and use of the display including the protective layer.”

Developing…

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Galaxy Wearable app issue won’t let users sign into their accounts

The Galaxy Wearable app is the one-stop solution for setting up your Samsung wearable device, updating its software, purchasing apps for it, and more. So you can imagine the inconvenience it would cause if the app were to not function as it’s supposed to.

Many users have been complaining about issues with the Galaxy Wearable app for over a week now. The issue is preventing people from signing into their Samsung Accounts and thus not allowing them to set up new wearable devices unless they do it without logging in.

Galaxy Wearable app issue affects non-Samsung devices only

Users complain that when they attempt to sign into their Samsung Account through the app, it shows only a white screen with no options to proceed further. This means that a new wearable device can’t be set up if users want it linked to their Samsung Account. This also makes it difficult to backup or restore watchefacess, download apps, and more.

Samsung Gear and Galaxy Watch owners have both complained about this issue on Twitter and Reddit in addition to Samsung’s official forums. Only non-Samsung devices appear to be affected by this. Anyone using the Galaxy Wearable app on a Samsung smartphone isn’t going to face the issue.

The earliest reports about this issue on Samsung’s official forums is from last Thursday. It has already been too long as the fix should have come out sooner. Samsung has now confirmed that it is indeed working on a fix for this issue. Hopefully, the company will roll it out sooner rather than later. We’ll update you when that happens.

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Samsung launches AR-based Quick Measure for the Galaxy S10 5G

Samsung has launched Quick Measure, an AR-based application that uses the Galaxy S10 5G‘s dedicated Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor to assess the distance between two objects, or calculate the area, length or depth of one, in real-time — relaying the sum of the calculation back to the user.

Seeing as Quick Measure requires a ToF sensor to function, it isn’t compatible with the standard Galaxy S10 or the Galaxy S10+. And for that reason, it won’t work with almost all the devices in the firm’s line-up; though it should run just fine on the Galaxy A80, which also has a ToF sensor.

We haven’t had a chance to try out Quick Measure ourselves, seeing as the Galaxy S10 5G is still yet to launch outside of Korea. We have, however, used similar features by competitors and were left underwhelmed by their performance, so we’re optimistic Samsung has built on their shortcomings.

Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 5G in South Korea on April 5, where it’s been welcomed with a somewhat mixed bag of reviews. The handset is expected to launch in the United States through local carrier Verizon on May 16. There’s no word on when it will hit the shelves in other regions.

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Samsung Voice Recorder app update brings Night mode and more

Samsung Voice Recorder is one of the better preinstalled apps from the company’s stable. It is completely free, feature-packed, and has a clean interface to make third-party voice-recording apps unnecessary for most Galaxy users. The company is making further improvements to the app in the update to version v21.1.04.10.

The changelog for the update mentions Night Mode, recent search, Speech To Text from recorded files, and a guide to exclude the app from the Sleeping Apps list. Night Mode is self-explanatory and is linked to the system-wide Night Mode in One UI, which means there is no separate toggle here to enable it only for this app.

Another big feature in the update is the support for speech-to-text conversion from recorded files. To be clear, a separate speech-to-text mode was available in the app even before this update. What is new here is the ability to convert any of the existing recordings, including call recordings, into text. This feature currently supports more than a dozen languages and accents.

The update also includes a guide to exclude the app from the Sleeping Apps list. Post update, the app detects if it is part of the Sleeping Apps list (which puts apps to sleep and doesn’t let them run in the background to save battery) and displays a dialogue box upon launch to remove it from there, as otherwise it cannot record audio in the background. Lastly, the update also brings recent searches to the search function in the app.

The latest version of the Samsung Voice Recorder is already available both on Galaxy Store and Google Play. Depending on the region and the device, Galaxy users should receive the update from one of these two places. Alternatively, you can also download the APK from our database and manually install it.

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Best watch bands for your Galaxy Watch

Smartwatches are now an integral part of our lives. It helps us maintain a healthy life. It does so by keeping track of our activities and many other important things. The market of smartwatches is huge, but only a few of smartwatch brands stand out. An example of such a watch is the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Samsung took the smartphone market by storm and their approach in the smartwatch market is no different. If you have a Galaxy Watch, then you know all about its cool features.

The Galaxy Watch may be mundane to look at without a proper band. A band not only holds aesthetic significance, but it also improves durability. There are many watch bands out there, and the variation in design of these watch bands is mind boggling. In this article, we’ll talk about the best watch bands for your Galaxy Watch.

Kartice Leather Wrist Band

Leather watch bands are a classic and never get old. Coupling your Galaxy Watch with the Kartice Leather Wrist Band gives it that classic look. There are over 16 varieties available for you to choose from. This band focuses mainly on providing a formal look on your Galaxy Watch. They have stunning reviews on this band. The leather, the stitches, and the detailed manufacturing as a whole adds a touch of unrivalled elegance. Surprisingly, it is not as pricey as you would expect it to be.

Get it at Amazon

Fullmosa Magnetic Closure Strap

This is the most unique band on this list. The metallic body and the mesh design totally transform your Galaxy Watch into a more futuristic device. The band is also very lightweight, so it is comfortable to wear even for long periods of time. The magnetic closing and opening mechanism make wearing the watch quick and simple. The strap is available in a range of colors for you to choose from. You may be worried that the color may fade overtime, but Fullmosa’s innovative anti-sweat erosion keeps the color of the band intact!

Get it at Amazon

V -MORO Business Bracelet Band

If you like you to wear your Galaxy Watch to high-end meetings and parties, then this band is designed for you. The band is similar to the bands that come with world class watch brands like Rolex. This band is available in five different colors to meet everyone’s fashion needs. The watch band may not be suitable for long periods of wearing. That being said, it is fairly light and very easy to use. The metallic finish is remarkably consistent throughout. Another great thing about this watch band is that it requires no additional tool to install, and you also get a lifetime warranty.

Get it at Amazon

Barton Silicon Elite Band

If you are looking to wear your Galaxy Watch 24/7 and in the harshest of environments, then this watch is for you! The bright colors on the silicon surface truly make your smartwatch stand out. Also, it is very lightweight and thus extremely comfortable to wear. The two-tone color combination appeals to fashion enthusiasts. However, this band may not be the best choice for formal occasions, as silicon isn’t exactly the material for formal watches. Perhaps the greatest advantage of this band is the comfort it brings and its ease of installation. As expected, it has a very low price tag!

Get it at Amazon

LDFAS 22mm Wood Band

This band is very different from the other bands on the list. It is crafted with wood and the design is truly spectacular. One might expect it to be uncomfortable to wear but that’s just a misconception. The band sits comfortably on your wrist while glowing with the polished wood.

Get it at Amazon

At the end of the day, the best watch band down to your preference and needs. We hope this article was helpful for you to decide which watch band is best for you!

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Samsung reportedly delays Galaxy Fold US launch to May

Even though Samsung had previously said it would launch the Galaxy Fold on April 26 as planned, it seems the company may delay the launch in the United States as well. It has already postponed launch events for the device in China, Spain and Singapore. The events have been postponed as some early review units suffered problems that have widely been reported on.

Samsung did say that it was investigating those reports while reiterating that the US launch will won’t be delayed from April 26. The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that Samsung is delaying the Galaxy Fold US launch to “at least next month,” citing people familiar with the matter.

Galaxy Fold US launch reportedly delayed

It all started unfolding for the Galaxy Fold last week. Merely days after review units were sent out, some reviewers complained that the display on their units broke. In most cases that was due to user error. There’s a film on the foldable display that may look like a screen protector but it really isn’t.

Samsung did mention in its press briefings that this film is not to be removed. Those who removed it ended up damaging their units. There were one or two cases in which the unit’s display broke even when the film wasn’t taken off, but that could just have been a faulty unit to begin with.

The company’s initial response was that it would look into these reports but that the launch will go ahead as scheduled. Yet, Samsung China postponed the launch followed by Spain and Singapore. WSJ‘s sources say a similar decision has been made for the United States. The new release date is expected in the coming weeks but there’s not a firm date yet. The internal investigation into the matter continues with sources saying that the issues are related to the hinge and extra pressure applied to the foldable display.

It goes without saying that Samsung needs to add more warnings to the unit so that it’s absolutely clear to customers that the top film is not to be removed. For that, it will have to open the packed units and insert additional material. That’s going to take time, even though the initial pre-order run of the Galaxy Fold is reportedly only a few thousand units in the US.

Samsung has clearly mismanaged the situation. The need for more warnings was evident from the moment this issue came to light. There was no way for Samsung to do that and still ship the handset on time. It would have had to delay the release anyway and yet the company first said it wouldn’t do that. Samsung should have really thought about it and made this decision at that time. The more this stretches out the more negative coverage its first foldable smartphone gets. It’s also going to shake the confidence of the early adopters who have made a commitment to purchase this $1,980 device. Samsung has not commented on the WSJ report as yet.

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April security patch released for the Galaxy A5 (2016)

The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) has been treated to its first security update of the quarter, after being relegated to the firm’s quarterly security upgrade schedule in February — with the contents including everything included in this month’s release, addressing five critical and dozens of high-risk vulnerabilities in the Android OS, as well as 15 that are exclusive to Samsung’s own software.

As for where it’s rolling out, the update started making the rounds for the Galaxy A5 (2016) in Kazakhstan, Russia and the Ukraine over the weekend. It’s expected to touch down in other regions, including the United Kingdom, in the not-too-distant future. For context, a near-identical release started arriving on the Galaxy A5 (2017) in Canada and the Galaxy A8 (2018) in Russia.

How do I install the update on my device?

Just like usual, the upgrade is being pushed out in stages. To check to see if it’s available for your Galaxy A5 (2016), head into Settings, navigate to Software update, then select Download updates manually. Alternatively, you can always download the firmware from our database to flash it on to your handset manually — though you’ll need to be fairly tech-savvy to do it successfully.

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Linux on DeX now supports more Galaxy devices

Samsung DeX allows select Galaxy devices to offer a desktop-like environment when connected to an external screen. This cool-in-concept idea looked a lot more promising when the company announced the Linux on DeX program last year. It allows DeX users to run Linux OS and applications in the DeX environment, thereby turning supported Galaxy devices into full-fledged computers.

Although DeX is available on all of Samsung’s flagship devices since the Galaxy S8/S8+, the Linux on DeX app has been limited to the Galaxy Note 9 and Tab S4 so far. The Korean company is changing all that with a new update to the Linux on DeX app which adds the Galaxy S9/S9+, Galaxy S10e/S10/S10+/S10 5G, and the Galaxy Tab S5e to the list of supported devices. The Galaxy Tab S5e’s addition may seem odd considering it’s not a proper flagship device, but it does pack high-end specs capable of powering Linux on DeX and is also the latest tablet with an AMOLED screen in Samsung’s tablet lineup.

Do note that the Linux on DeX app is still in beta and requires prior registration if you want to try it out. Unfortunately, it appears Samsung is no longer accepting enrolments for the beta program. There are, however, reports online that just installing the APK will work. While we cannot guarantee the same, you can try your luck by downloading and installing the latest APK from here.

Even as Android OEMs, including Samsung, continue to pack PC-level specs into their smartphones, they haven’t really found any compelling use-cases for the resources. Initiatives like Linux on DeX have the potential to fill this gap and transform the modern-day smartphone into a single, all-purpose computing device.

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Samsung’s working on a smartphone with a dual-folding screen

Samsung is working on a dual-folding screen, which measures in at around 8-inches when unfurled, according to Korean report. Not a whole lot is known about the technical side, however — other than that it should fold inwards twice, contradicting earlier rumours that it would unfurl outwards.

The same report notes that the firm is also developing a folding 13-inch screen that adopts a more traditional clamshell design. It’s unclear how many times it folds back, or in, on itself, though. It could be once, as depicted in a recent patent filing unearthed by online outlet LetsGoDigital, or twice.

It’s worth noting that this information is about as unreliable as it comes. It originates from an unverifiable Korean source and was subsequently translated from the local language into English, so it’s possible that a crucial detail about the function of either of the two screens was lost in translation.

That said, Bloomberg, revealed back in March that Samsung is working on two new foldable screens, adding that one of which would have a clamshell design, complete with a cover screen — like that of the Galaxy Fold. It’s also expected to introduce an in-screen fingerprint reader on the handset.

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Galaxy Fold launch postponed in Singapore and Spain as well

After postponing the Galaxy Fold launch and related events in China, Samsung has now done the same in Singapore and Spain. The company was due to hold launch events in both countries on April 24. It has now confirmed to local media outlets there that the events have been postponed.

Samsung has said nothing about the US launch as yet. It confirmed in February that the Galaxy Fold will be released in the United States on April 26. The company recently said that it won’t be delaying the Fold’s launch in the country.

Galaxy Fold launch posted in two more countries

“In light of the recent feedback on a limited number of Galaxy Fold media review units, Samsung is taking the time to ensure that the Galaxy Fold units are in optimum shape for your experience at the event,” a Samsung spokesperson told Channel News Asia. Hipertextual also received confirmation of the same from Samsung Spain. Samsung has previously confirmed that customers in over a dozen European markets will be able to pre-order the Galaxy Fold starting April 26 for a May 3 release.

The company is having to do this in response to recent reports about the display breaking on a few review units that it sent out last week. However, that was due to user error in most cases. The reviewers had peeled off the film on top of the display which they were not supposed to. It’s something that Samsung had mentioned in the media briefing for the Galaxy Fold. The majority of reviewers who received a unit and didn’t peel off the film haven’t had any problems with their units, SamMobile included.

Samsung does need to increase the number of warnings on the packaging to really drive home the point that the film is not to be removed. It should also use push notifications for this when the device boots up for the first time. Samsung may only be delaying these events because it wants to add more warnings. It’s not like the company can make any changes to the design of the device now.

At this rate, the company may also postpone the launch in other markets across the globe. All eyes on Samsung Electronics America now.

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Samsung’s new green initiative puts the planet first

Samsung has been committed to reduce its plastic footprint ever since announcing the Samsung Environmental Declaration in 1992. The company has implemented a variety of environmentally responsible policies to raise awareness of plastic’s impact on the environment. The most recent of them is the sustainability policy which it announced earlier this year. Samsung plans to first limit, and ultimately replace plastic packaging from all its products.

The policy is already in force starting with the Galaxy S10 series. The Galaxy S10’s packaging uses eco-friendly materials instead of plastics and vinyl. Samsung has also redesigned the box and its interiors to use as fewer resources as possible. In a new video, the company has explained and how its “sustainability efforts are putting the planet first,” while detailing the impact of plastic on the environment.

Planet First – Samsung’s green initiative

Single-use plastic did make our lives easier. It was cheap to manufacture and thus quickly became commonplace. However, plastic takes over 500 years to biodegrade. This essentially means not a single piece of plastic has degraded naturally yet. Furthermore, most of the plastic waste (nearly 86%) is not recycled.

Between 1950 to 2015, an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic was produced. This means that even the first piece of plastic ever produced can still be found somewhere. While several organizations, as well as individuals, have now started taking precautionary measures, work still needs to be done. And Samsung is doing its bit.

Samsung is recycling plastic by collecting waste electronic equipment and using the recycled plastic in new products. The company estimates to collect 3.8 million tons of waste products by 2020. Also, 90% of its products comply with the standards for green product mark, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emission by 250 million tons during the period between 2009-2020.

Samsung is now expanding its green initiative by removing plastic packaging from its mobile products as well as larger appliances. The company vows to only use sustainably sourced paper in its packaging and manuals by 2020. This is going to be a gradual transition, but Samsung is really putting the planet first.

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