Validity of probe into Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong to be determined today

Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong has been embroiled in a long-running corruption scandal and accounting fraud case. He appeared in a court earlier this month for court proceedings and dodged an arrest. Later, it was decided that an outside committee will review the validity of the probe, and that is going to determined today.

South Korea’s top prosecution will convene a meeting today to determine Lee Jae-Yong’s role in the controversial merger of Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T as well as accounting fraud at Samsung BioLogics. A 15-member committee will meet at 10:30 AM at the Supreme Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul. The meeting is scheduled to wrap up by 5:50 PM, but it can take longer, depending on internal discussions.

The 15-member team consists of experts from various backgrounds, including academia, civic, cultural, and media industries. The team will listen to both sides, prosecutors and Samsung Group, and review the issue. Lee will not attend the meeting, though. Both sides are expected to submit written opinions measuring up to 50 pages in length before taking turns to provide presentations and answering questions from the panel.

The committee is aiming at a unanimous decision, but if opinions are divided, a majority decision will be accepted as well. Unless the committee is equally divided, a decision will not be taken. The decision to use an external committee was made on June 11 after a citizen’s panel felt that the issue needed to be looked at one more time. Lee had requested a public assessment of the investigation earlier this month.

The prosecution believes that the merger of Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T was designed to help Lee attain greater control of Samsung Group. Lee has already spent a year in prison and was released two years ago after the court suspended his prison sentence. Lee Jae-Yong is the grandson of Lee Byung-Chull, the founder of Samsung Group, and son of Lee Kun-Hee, chairman of Samsung Group, who has been incapacitated since 2014 after he suffered a heart attack.

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New Galaxy S20 update brings camera improvements, July security patch

Samsung is now releasing a new firmware update for the Galaxy S20 series and, surprise, it comes with the July 2020 security patch. Not only is this the first time we see the July 2020 patch being rolled out, but the changelog also mentions improvements to the camera such as better high-magnification (zoomed-in) shots and improved video stabilization.

In addition, the update adds a new function to the Galaxy S20 series whereby owners are now able to use Bluetooth microphones when recording audio via the Voice Recording app. Finally, the update officially ends support for MirrorLink. Samsung confirmed it’s ending support for MirrorLink, Car Mode, and Find My Car a couple of months back.

Update is live in South Korea but should reach other markets soon

Indeed, the latest Galaxy S20 update carrying firmware version G98xNKSU1ATFD and the July 2020 security patch is now rolling out over-the-air in South Korea. It weighs around 386MB. Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra owners in other markets should start receiving the update in the coming days or weeks, so keep a close eye on your notifications or try to trigger the update manually by opening Settings, accessing Software Update, and tapping Download and install.

We’ll keep you up to speed and let you know when this update reaches other markets. As usual, it will also be available for download through our firmware archive so stay tuned.

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Samsung Money now has a waitlist, here are some of the card’s benefits

In anticipation of its debit card releasing in the USA later this summer, Samsung has revealed some of the benefits of using the Samsung Money by SoFi service once it goes live, and it now allows prospective customers to sign up to a waitlist through the Samsung Pay app (via the Money tab) or through the dedicated Samsung Money webpage.

Samsung Money by SoFi is the latest addition to the Samsung Pay ecosystem designed to simplify financial tasks and give you control over your financial life. It’s technically a debit card anchored by a cash management account. Here’s what you can expect once it launches in the coming weeks.

No account / overdraft / transfer fees, but you can earn Reward Points

According to the company, Samsung Money by SoFi customers won’t suffer account, overdraft, or transfer fees. Any additional fees that you may incur when withdrawing cash from one of the 55,000 in-network ATMs across the United States will be reimbursed.

In addition, every purchase made through Samsung Pay using the Money by SoFi card can earn you Samsung Reward points. And once the service goes live, new customers will have the opportunity to win $1,000-worth of Samsung Reward points just by opening an account.

Better security and FDIC account insurance for up to $1.5 million

The physical Samsung Money by SoFi card doesn’t have a card number, expiration date, or CVC number printed on it, thus improving security. Instead of following this conventional design, the said information will be available inside the Samsung Pay app.

The card is covered by Zero Liability protection, which means that in the event of an unauthorized transaction, users can flag it, wait for a review, and eventually receive a credit to their accounts. Furthermore, Samsung Pay customers who will sign up for the Samsung Money by SoFi card will have their accounts FDIC-insured for up to $1.5 million.

How will you be able to sign up for Samsung Money by SoFi?

If you’re interested in acquiring the Samsung Money by SoFi card, you can already sign up for a waitlist. Beyond that, Samsung Pay users will be able to open an account and the virtual debit card will appear in the Samsung Pay wallet once approved. The physical debit card will then be sent to you by mail, and you’ll be able to activate it by simply tapping it against your smartphone.

Users will be able to instantly add funds to the Samsung Money by SoFi card from any other debit card that’s already been added to the Samsung Pay wallet. Options for money transfers from a bank account or setting up a paycheck for direct deposit will also be available.

Are you a Samsung Pay user in the USA or elsewhere? Will you be getting the Samsung Money by SoFi card this summer? And if you’re located outside of the USA, would you want Samsung to launch this service in your country? Let us know in the comment section.

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Samsung’s One UI should be inspired by these iOS 14 features from Apple

Much like Samsung is expected to host its next Unpacked event in an online-only environment, Apple’s recent WWDC 2020 took place in a virtual space where the Cupertino-based tech company showcased the latest additions to its mobile operating system, iOS 14. And although Apple seems to be catching up with Google’s Android OS and even Samsung’s One UI in many respects, the company did reveal a few interesting new features in iOS 14 that we think Samsung should look into and draw inspiration from for its One UI software.

In other words, Apple has been looking at its rivals for new ideas, and Samsung should be doing the same. With that in mind, here’s what we think Samsung should learn from Apple’s WWDC 2020, or to be precise, these are the main iOS 14 features that we believe Samsung should try to emulate through its own apps and One UI 2.5.

Camera viewfinder should have on-screen ‘steady hand’ guides

Capturing night shots or photos with long exposure requires a steady hand. This is a general rule and not something specific to Samsung or any other brand of smartphones or cameras. However, Apple’s iOS 14 makes it easier for users to capture these types of photos by providing on-screen guides in the viewfinder. The feature relies on the phone’s gyroscope to sense motion in real time and it guides the user’s hands using on-screen markers that appear as soon as the shutter button is pressed.

Samsung’s Camera app lacks this feature and we think the company should be looking into adding something similar either through a Camera app update or via One UI 2.5.

Automatic shape-drawing feature for the S Pen

iOS 14 adds an interesting Apple Pen feature whereby users can draw perfect geometric shapes even if they don’t have a steady hand. The way it works is that users can draw a rough shape with the Pen and pause for a brief moment without lifting the stylus from the surface of the screen. iOS 14 then replaces that rough shape with a perfect one on the fly.

We think something like this iOS 14 feature would make for a great addition to Samsung’s S Pen, particularly for the upcoming Galaxy Note 20 series that’s bound to ship with One UI 2.5, as well as the Galaxy Tab S7 series.

Non-fullscreen Bixby Voice

Bixby Voice, the main component of the Bixby virtual assistant, takes up the entire screen when summoned, but perhaps it shouldn’t be this way. Apple’s Siri in iOS 14 has been redesigned to occupy only a small portion of the screen when called upon, and this not only makes for a cleaner UI but also opens up new possibilities for multitasking, at least in theory.

Imagine being able to summon Bixby Voice without it pushing any other app in the background. Better yet, imagine Samsung raising the bar even further than Apple and allow users to scroll through websites or interact with opened apps all the while Bixby Voice answers your queries. This could very well be the next big step in the evolution of Samsung’s virtual assistant.

Automatic switching between multi-device connections

Samsung introduced a multi-device connection feature with the Galaxy Buds+, allowing users to connect the earbuds to two Galaxy devices and switch between them with ease. Apple has a similar feature, but it’s gotten a lot smarter with iOS 14, particularly for customers who own both an iPhone and an iPad. With iOS 14, users no longer have to manually determine whether they want their iPhone or their iPad to be the sound source for the connected wireless earbuds. Instead, the OS detects when you use the iPhone or the iPad and it automatically switches the wireless earbuds’ connection to the device that’s being used at any given time.

Galaxy smartphone and tablet users who own the Galaxy Buds, Buds+, or who may want to buy the upcoming Buds Live could greatly benefit from a similar feature. It doesn’t require any special hardware so we’re hoping that Samsung will consider adding something like this with One UI 2.5 or an update to the Galaxy Wearable app.

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Samsung should obviously not make carbon copies of these iOS 14 features for One UI. Instead, we think the company should at the benefits they provide and come up with similar solutions while adding some of that Samsung flavor into the mix. Don’t you think that’ll be good?

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Daily Deal: 15% off Anker 24W Fast Car Charger

When you’re traveling by car you have the perfect opportunity to charge your smartphone. You’ll be in the same position for a while and won’t be using your device. To charge your smartphone, you need an adapter to plug into your 12V outlet. You can plug your USB-charging cable in that adapter and you’re good to go. This Car Charger by Anker supports Fast Charging (24W) and comes with two ports so you can charge two devices at the same time. It’s also available at 15% off, making this the perfect time to get this Car Charger in!

Hit the But Now button below to order while still discounted.

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This Amazon deal shaves $200 off the unlocked Galaxy S20 5G series

If you’re in the market for a Galaxy S20 5G and you missed all the previous deals, fret not, you can now buy any one of the three flagship phones in the USA for $200 off via Amazon. This is a limited-time offer so make sure to check it out before the prices return back to normal.

With this ongoing deal, you can get the factory unlocked Galaxy S20 5G for $799 instead of the usual price of $999. Similarly, the Galaxy S20+ 5G is $200 off so it now costs $999, whereas the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G will set you back $1,199 instead of $1,399. The offer is also valid for the Galaxy S20+ 5G with 512GB of storage, as it can now be yours for $1,149, down from $1,349.

The Galaxy S20 5G at Amazon is available in Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink. The Galaxy S20+ 5G can be purchased in Cosmic Gray, Cosmic Black, or Cloud Blue, and the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is listed alongside the standard Cosmic Gray and Cosmic Black flavors. The $200 discount applies to every color, so you won’t have to make compromises in this regard in order to buy your new flagship for a lower price. Check the links below for more details.

Galaxy S20+ review | Galaxy S20 Ultra review

• Buy the unlocked Galaxy S20 5G / S20+ 5G / S20 Ultra 5G from Amazon USA

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Hands-on photos of an alleged Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 3rd-party case leaks

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s design appears to have been partly exposed by a series of hands-on photos depicting a 3rd-party protective case from various angles. The photos shared by IceUniverse on Weibo seem to confirm that the Galaxy Note 20 series’ S Pen will indeed be relocated to the left side of the phone, and that the back panel will accommodate a triple-camera combo.

Interestingly enough, the case appears to cover most of the camera bump instead of having a large rectangular cutout around it. The bump doesn’t seem to be as prominent as it is on the Galaxy S20 series – particularly the Galaxy S20 Ultra – either. Moving on, the top of the case has a small cutout for a microphone, while the bottom edge has cutouts for the speaker, the USB-C port, a microphone, and the aforementioned S Pen. At the same time, the physical buttons have been moved back to the right edge of the phone.

On the most part, the case at hand seems to corroborate most of the design details that were revealed by a handful of unofficial renders a few weeks ago, with the main difference lying in the size of the camera bump itself and the location of other secondary modules like the LED flash. Mind you, there is a chance that the case at hand may have been developed based on earlier prototypes, so there’s no absolute guarantee that the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or its protective cases will end up looking exactly like this. Take a look for yourself in the gallery below and share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Galaxy Note 20 Ultra reconfirmed to carry a 108MP camera on the back

A few weeks ago we talked about the strong possibility that the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – then known as the Galaxy Note 20+ – will be equipped with a 108MP camera. This feature has now been unofficially confirmed by @rquandt on Twitter, who has an excellent track record when it comes to revealing unannounced devices and/or upcoming features.

Although we were all aware of the possibility that the top-tier Galaxy Note 20 model will employ a 108MP sensor, the source now claims that he’s seen hard evidence of its existence. It remains unclear whether this particular 108MP sensor for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be the same ISOCELL Bright HM1 found on the back of the Galaxy S20 Ultra or an updated version like the rumored ISOCELL Bright HM2.

As per another report from a few weeks back, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra camera will also be able to achieve 50x hybrid zoom through a periscope-type module paired with the 13MP ISOCELL Slim 3M5 sensor. Furthermore, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will reportedly ditch the ToF sensor in favor of laser autofocus, and the 108MP sensor will be accompanied by the ultra-wide 12MP ISOCELL Fast 2L3 sensor with support for Dual Pixel PDAF and smart WDR.

Samsung should unveil the Galaxy Note 20 series in August at an online-only Unpacked event, and the flagship is expected to hit the shelves shortly after.

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Samsung partners with Servify to launch Samsung Care+ in India

Samsung has been launching various premium service plans and upgrade programs for its customers. The company had announced the Samsung Access upgrade and service plan in the US earlier this month. Now, the South Korean firm’s Indian arm has announced that it has partnered with Servify to offer the Samsung Care+ program in India.

Samsung India started offering Samsung Care+ to select customers in the country from March 2020, and it has seen over 100,000 enrolments already. Now, the company has launched the premium protection program for Galaxy smartphone users in a full-fledged way. The new comprehensive care service consists of four plans—Extended Warranty, Screen Protection, ADLD (Accidental Damage and Liquid Damage), and Comprehensive Protection—that customers can choose from.

The Extended Warranty plan covers technical and mechanical failures for one year after the warranty period. The Screen Protection plan covers the front screen damage for one year from the purchase date. The ADLD plan covers the front and back screen/glass damage and liquid damage. The Comprehensive Protection plan covers technical and mechanical failures as well as front and rear screen/glass damage for two years.

Samsung and Servify use only genuine Samsung parts for servicing Galaxy smartphones under the Samsung Care+ plan. The company is backing its premium service plans with over 1,100 service centers situated across India. Samsung Care+ plans are auto-activated after the purchase and come with a hassle-free claims process. Customers also get access to free pickup and drop service in select areas.

Pramod Mundra, Senior Director of Mobile Business at Samsung India, said, “At Samsung, consumers are at the core of everything we do. With Samsung Care+, we are offering complete peace of mind to a wide range of consumers looking to buy a new Galaxy smartphone. Samsung Care+ not only keeps you protected beyond the standard warranty but also covers for all accidental damage for up to two years.“

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Additional Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition stocks to arrive after July

Samsung had unveiled BTS-themed Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy Buds+ in limited markets earlier this month. The limited-edition smartphone and wireless earbuds went out of stock within hours of going on pre-orders. Now, the company has announced that it plans to bring more units of the Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition after July.

The company will conduct another round of pre-orders after next month. If you were hoping to buy them anytime sooner, you will have to wait for at least one month more. In South Korea, the wireless earbuds are priced at KRW 220,000 (around $180). The Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition have been announced for Brazil, France, Germany, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Spain, and the UK.

The limited-edition Galaxy Buds+ come in a purple finish for the case as well as the touch-sensitive control area. The earbuds and the case also have the BTS logo and a purple-colored heart printed on them. Even the box comes with seven purple hearts, signifying seven members of the K-Pop music band. Buyers also get photo cards and decorative stickers of BTS members, and a purple-themed wireless charger.

If you’re not from South Korea and want to buy the Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition, you might want to have a look at our article that lists where you can buy the earbuds and for how much. Samsung partnered with the world-famous K-Pop music band BTS earlier this year for marketing the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Buds+.

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Samsung doubling down on silicon in pursuit of new ‘K-Chip’ vision

Samsung is ramping up R&D efforts in the semiconductor segment as it’s starting to actively pursue a vision of a new “K-Chip” era of technologies. The company on Thursday said it’s already planning numerous academic partnerships and business collaborations across South Korea, largely in hopes of expediting its home country’s recovery from the slump caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

While it’s not like Samsung’s foundry business slept through the last decade, there’s no doubt it has plenty of room for improvement. For example, it was only a few weeks back that company insiders claimed the chip branch felt “humiliated” by Qualcomm, i.e. the Snapdragon 865 and how much better it performs than the Exynos 990. And though Samsung’s decision to double down on pioneering semiconductor tech may not have been a direct consequence of that episode, rolling up its sleeves and getting to work definitely seems like a more promising product strategy than giving lukewarm non-statements in response to such embarrassing reports.

K-Chip vision vs. just-OK-Chip fears

Going hand-in-hand with Samsung’s chip business are its proprietary artificial intelligence solutions. The development of those was also given some extra attention this week after the chaebol promoted its Chief Research Scientist and top AI expert, Dr. Sebastian Seung, to head of Samsung Research. Overall, this concentrated push toward even more advanced chip technologies is being approached as a long-term play, as Samsung’s now explicitly talking about “cultivating” AI expertise across South Korea.

Given the unenviable position one of its largest rivals — Huawei — is currently in, this seems like as good of a time as any for Samsung to reinforce its already well-established portfolio in the semiconductor space. Only time will tell whether the company will eventually manage to usher in a new era of this “K-Chip” excellence it speaks of, though Qualcomm certainly won’t be making things any easier for it.

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Samsung US closes huge gap in online smartphone sales with Apple

Samsung recently recorded another major win in the world’s most valuable smartphone market — the United States — and somehow even managed to do so at the direct expense of its largest rival Apple. New industry insights suggest the company closed the gap with the iPhone maker in the online handset sales department. Following the conclusion of Q1 2020, Samsung is estimated to be holding 37% of the segment against Apple’s 38-point share of the lucrative smartphone pie.

The development hence saw the South Korean tech giant improve its online smartphone sales by 30% compared to the first quarter of 2019, Counterpoint Research reports. Primarily due to the silver-lining effect of the global coronavirus pandemic which began significantly impacting the U.S. near the end of the observed period.

Enormous momentum ahead of crucial Galaxy Unpacked event

Naturally, none of that is to say that 2020 has been a good year for Samsung so far. It’s hard to imagine it turning out really well for pretty much anyone in the consumer electronics space, to be frank. Yet this unexpected upswing arrives as a blessing in disguise ahead of a crucial Galaxy Unpacked event believed to be scheduled for early August. The happening should encompass the unveilings of no fewer than three ultra-premium smartphone lineups from Samsung: the Galaxy Note 20 family, Galaxy Tab S7 range, and the much-anticipated Galaxy Fold 2 foldable.

Samsung will surely be hoping all of those luxurious products combined will help make up for at least some of the disappointing Galaxy S20 sales which it previously blamed on the ongoing health crisis and instabilities stemming thereof. The top smartphone manufacturer on the planet is also likely to continue introducing extremely generous, borderline aggressive promotions in the second half of the year as part of large-scale efforts meant to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 crisis.

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