Galaxy Fold gets the November security update

Samsung has released a new update for the Galaxy Fold. The update brings the November 2019 security patch to the LTE variant of the foldable device in France and should be rolling out in other countries soon. Just how soon Samsung will release the update for the 5G variant remains to be seen; the company has been quite flippant in supporting the Galaxy Fold as well as it should be given the price tag, and only time will tell if things will change.

The LTE variant of the Galaxy Fold has been treated better than the 5G variant, but Samsung continues to focus its efforts on the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 as far as software updates are concerned. Both non-folding flagships received the November security update nearly two weeks ago. Furthermore, an update that brought Galaxy Note 10 features to the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Fold was also released much earlier for the former than it was for the latter.

In any case, the November update, which doesn’t bring any new features, is now available for the Galaxy Fold. It sports software version F900FXXS2ASK1 and it can be download over the air from the device’s Settings » Software update menu. You can also upgrade your Fold via Samsung’s Smart Switch program for Windows and Mac or by downloading the latest firmware from our firmware archive.

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Here’s the DeX PC app for Galaxy S10 and Note 10 Android 10 beta

The most recent Android 10 beta that was released for the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 broke a very important functionality: support for Samsung DeX on Windows and Mac. Samsung had said that a beta version of DeX for PC would allow S10 and Note 10 owners on the Android 10 beta to use their phone with DeX on a PC, and that beta DeX for PC app is now available for download.

Samsung suggests uninstalling the previous version of DeX for PC before installing the new beta release; we can confirm that the beta app does work with the latest Android 10 beta on both the Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy Note 10. Whether Android 10 brings some new DeX functionality on Windows and Mac PCs is something we’ll have to wait and see, as Samsung hasn’t said anything yet other than the fact that the existing DeX for PC app doesn’t work with the latest version of Android.

Download the DeX for PC beta app from these links: Windows 7/10 | Mac

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Rumor: Galaxy S11e to have a curved display and optional 5G

The Galaxy S11 rumor mill keeps spinning as we approach the holiday shopping season, and a few new bits and pieces of information pertaining to the upcoming series emerged over the weekend via industry leaker @evleaks. He claims that the Galaxy S11 series will likely comprise three models, with the smaller Galaxy S11e switching from a flat to a curved display. Samsung opted for a flat panel for the Galaxy S10e.

The smaller Galaxy S11 variant will reportedly have a 6.2 or 6.4-inch screen, while the other two models will boast 6.7 and 6.9-inch panels. It’s worth reminding that the Galaxy S11 series could also feature a slightly taller aspect ratio. This could make the Galaxy S11+ easier to hold one-handed than the Galaxy Note 10+ despite it presumably having a 0.1-inch-larger display.

5G to become more prevalent with the Galaxy S11

Adding to the screen shapes and sizes, the source mentions that the largest Galaxy S11 model, which will presumably be called the Galaxy S11+, will be available with 5G as standard. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S11e and Galaxy S11 will be released in both LTE and 5G flavors.

In theory, this means that a fourth 5G-only flagship variant like the Galaxy S10 5G should no longer be necessary next year. Finally, the Galaxy S11 lineup will be unveiled by Samsung in mid-to-late February, according to the same source. It doesn’t tell us anything surprising as this coincides with the Galaxy S10 launch timeframe.

Othe recent reports hint at the possibility of the series adopting the 108-megapixel ISOCELL Bright HMX camera sensor, and that the smaller Galaxy S11e will have a fairly generous battery with a capacity higher than the unit beating at the heart of the Galaxy Note 10. If these details do become reality then the Galaxy S11e should look and feel more like a compact flagship rather than a cheaper flagship.

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Samsung secures old patent for Surface-like dual-screen foldable phone

The Galaxy Fold is just a few months old but the work that went into the first-gen device goes way back. Samsung has been exploring both the foldable and dual-screen concepts for many years now, and interestingly enough, one of the company’s older patents for a dual-screen phone was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last month. Should Samsung decide to pursue this concept further, it could end up competing with Microsoft for this untested market segment in 2020.

The patent originally discovered by Patently Mobile describes ‘Dual display smartphones reflecting new user interfaces and modes of operation.‘ The sketches detail a device that shares the same form factor as the Microsoft Surface Duo, where two equally-sized displays are connected through a hinge.

Samsung to create a direct Microsoft Surface Duo competitor?

The Galaxy Fold is going to face direct opposition from the Huawei Mate X, but it’s interesting to see how other OEMs are now trying to achieve the foldable smartphone concept without using expensive flexible display technology. Instead, companies like LG and Microsoft are developing foldable phones based on two conventional, non-flexible panels connected through a hinge.

In other words, whether it’s going to be through foldable screen technology or the dual-screen concept, 2020 might be the year in which the mobile market will be revitalized by new smartphone designs. Samsung is reportedly working on the second-generation Fold(s), and the company isn’t alone in developing this new category of devices powered by flexible screens. But there is a chance that the dual-screen concept will take off and enjoy some popularity, at least until flexible display tech matures and becomes easier to obtain.

Should this happen, Samsung is technically prepared to take on the challenge, at least as far as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is concerned. The patent recently secured by Samsung gives it green light to pursue the dual-screen foldable concept. Of course, patent designs don’t always become real products, so only time will tell if this will indeed come to pass.

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Do you think it would be a good idea for Samsung to develop a dual-screen device in parallel with the Galaxy Fold as a way to compete with Microsoft’s or LG’s interpretation of a foldable phone? Or should the company focus solely on improving its flexible display technology to try and get as big of a head start as possible? Or maybe both? Join us in the comment section below.

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