الغريب: 06/05/19

الأربعاء، 5 يونيو 2019

Samsung is making Galaxy Fold firmware like the world’s about to end

The Galaxy Fold may have missed its retail launch back in late April thanks to some oversights Samsung made with the device’s hardware, but it doesn’t look like that setback resulted in the company losing any of its passion for its first commercial foldable smartphone. We’ve learned that in May, Samsung tested no less than 11 firmware for the Galaxy Fold. A recent report suggested that the Fold may not hit retail shelves in June, and if that’s true, it seems Samsung is using the time to iron out all the kinks in the Fold’s software.

And there certainly were some kinks in the Galaxy Fold’s software when we tested it back in April, mostly with how some apps behaved on the device. For example, despite being touted as the perfect device for Facebook and Instagram, the Fold had some interface issues in those apps, like cutting out a portion of an Instagram story or blowing up images to such an extent that you’d need to scroll to see the comments on a Facebook post. None of the issues were a deal-breaker, but the extra time in the oven should allow the Fold to offer an even better software experience when it goes on sale.

Hopefully, Samsung has also added ample warning popups about the Fold’s protective layer somewhere in all the firmware it has been testing, although it may not have to do that if a recent report is to be believed. The pre-installed screen protector on the Galaxy Fold’s internal display didn’t extend to the edges, which resulted in some reviewers trying to peel it off, something consumers would possibly have done as well. To fix that, Samsung has reportedly tucked the protective layer into the body and also reduced the gap in the top and bottom part of the hinge that makes the folding and unfolding action possible.

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Daily Deal: 40% off Samsung DeX Pad

The Samsung DeX Pad is a product that’s hated and loved in equal measure. It allows you to connect your Galaxy flagship (Galaxy S8 and upwards) to a monitor for a desktop-like PC experience, making it excellent if you need to quickly finish some work. Power users will be annoyed by apps running in mobile mode and some keyboard and mouse annoyances that are part and parcel of the Android operating system, but for everyone else, the DeX Pad is a neat little device that lets you work on a desktop interface without actually needing to carry a PC around.

And it’s even better if you get one at 40% off the regular price. You can currently grab the DeX Pad for $59.60 from Amazon and save $40, and if you were yet to be convinced about the DeX Pad, this is the chance to take the plunge. Just hit the Buy Now button below to buy the DeX Pad. Be sure to hurry, as stock for the deal may not last very long.

The post Daily Deal: 40% off Samsung DeX Pad appeared first on SamMobile.

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Samsung’s last smartphone plant in China cuts production and jobs

Samsung was once a dominant player in the Chinese smartphone market with more than 20% market share. As Chinese brands continued to proliferate, it kept ceding market share in the world’s largest smartphone market, finally falling below 1% last year. Unsurprisingly, the poor performance had business repercussions with Samsung closing one of its two manufacturing plants in the country six months back.

The Korean company vowed to fight back and improve its standing in the Chinese market, but its efforts haven’t been successful so far. With no clear path to bounce back, the Korean giant is now cutting production and jobs at its Huizhou plant in China’s Guangdong province. While Samsung has confirmed plans to cut output at the plant, there is no official statement about the layoffs yet.

Samsung didn’t provide any information about the quantum of production cut when contacted by Reuters. The news about layoffs at the plant is coming from a report in Caixin which claims to have seen a corresponding document. Samsung is reportedly offering voluntary layoffs with compensation and is asking interested employees to apply before June 14. No information is available currently about the number of jobs affected by this move.

Over the years, Samsung has shifted its manufacturing bases to Vietnam and India to cater to various markets around the world, leaving the plants in China limited to servicing the domestic market. Reduction in output and layoffs at its last Chinese plant indicates that the company is not very hopeful of a revival in the region.

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The latest Galaxy S10 update rolling out more widely now

The latest Galaxy S10 update, which happens to be the third with the May 2019 security patch, is rolling out more widely now. The update was initially released in Germany and Switzerland earlier this week. The new update carries the exactly same changelog as the previous two May security updates.

Another Galaxy S10 May update

Samsung released the original May 2019 security patch (software version XXU1ASE5) for the Galaxy S10 towards the end of last month. However, the update was soon taken off the air when it was found to be causing serious issues to some users. The company then released a hotfix update (XXU1ASE6) to take care of those issues.

However, amidst all these hustle and bustle, Samsung seems to have messed up a few things. Galaxy S10 owners in some markets did not receive the hotfix update, but only the original bug-infested May security update. Meanwhile, in a few others, the device is still on the April 2019 security patch. The new update, which carries the software version XXU1ASE7, should now settle down the things for everyone. After all, it’s an important update too, as it significantly improves the Night mode on the Galaxy S10 camera.

The drill for getting the latest update is same as usual. You should be able to download it over the air from the Settings » Software update menu on your phone. Alternatively, you can download the firmware from our database and flash it on your phone.

Galaxy S10e

Model: SM-G970F
Dimensions: 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9mm
Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
Camera: 12 MP, CMOS F1.5/F2.4 (77°) & 16MP, CMOS F2.2 (123°)Ultra Wide

More specifications

Galaxy S10

Model: SM-G973F
Dimensions: 70.4 x 149.9 x 7.8mm
Display: 6.1"(157.5mm) Super AMOLED
CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
Camera: 12 MP.CMOS F2.4 45° Telephoto & 12MP F1.5 77° & 16MP F2.2 123° Ultra-wide

More specifications

Galaxy S10 Plus

Model: SM-G975F
Dimensions: 74.1 x 157.6 x 7.8mm
Display: 6.4"(162.5mm) Super AMOLED
CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
Camera: 12 MP.CMOS F2.4 45° Telephoto & 12MP F1.5/F2.4 77° & 16MP F2.2 123° Ultra-wide

More specifications

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Samsung launches the Cardinal Red Galaxy S10

Samsung has officially launched the Cardinal Red Galaxy S10. The 128GB variants of the Galaxy S10 and S10+ are now available to purchase in this new shade in Switzerland. The Galaxy S10e will also be getting Samsung’s hot new color soon.

Galaxy S10 and S10+ available in Cardinal Red

Samsung often introduces new colors for its flagship smartphones a few months after they hit the market. It has done so with the Galaxy S8 and S9 in the past, and is now doing with the Galaxy S10 as well. Launched in February this year, all three members of the Galaxy S10 family are now getting a new Cardinal Red color. The paint job, however, is going to be applied only to the 128GB models.

Samsung often limits certain colors to select markets and the same is expected in this case as well. The Cardinal Red Galaxy S10 is said to see a limited availability in western Europe, with Russia being one of the few markets to get it. We should hear more about it in the coming days.

As for the device itself, nothing else changes except its paint job. All of the specs and features, as well as the price, remains the same. In Switzerland, the 128GB Galaxy S10 is priced at CHF 829.95 (~$837), whereas the Galaxy S10+ with the same memory configuration costs CHF 929.95 (~$938). The 128GB Galaxy S10e costs CHF 779.95 (~$786) in the country.