Can Samsung phones FaceTime? No, but you should check this out

Many who are switching to a Galaxy smartphone for the first time often wonder can Samsung phones FaceTime? It might be that they’re switching over from an iPhone or just have a lot of people in their social circle that use Apple’s video calling app.

No other video calling service is as popular on iPhones as Apple’s own, so much so that it has become an adjective. Like “Googling” something is the same as telling someone to run a search on the internet, so is “FaceTiming” for iOS users who want to make a video call.

So one can understand why those considering a shift would be interested to know can you FaceTime on a Samsung phone. It’s all the more important in these pandemic times when most of us are relying mostly on video calling for both personal and professional needs.

Can Samsung phones FaceTime?

No, Samsung phones can’t FaceTime. Apple doesn’t make FaceTime available for Android devices. So no Android-powered smartphone, including the ones from Samsung, are able to run FaceTime. This is just one of the ways Apple keeps iOS users locked to its ecosystem. If they want to use FaceTime they will need to use a device made by Apple.

This isn’t the end of the world, though. Just because you can’t FaceTime on a Samsung phone doesn’t mean you can’t make a video call to a friend who uses an iPhone. There are plenty of third-party video calling services that work on both iOS and Android devices. You can use whichever one you like to make video calls to iOS devices.

FaceTime alternatives for Samsung phones

Now that you know it’s not possible to download FaceTime on a Samsung phone, it’s time to consider some FaceTime alternatives for Android. There are plenty of options to choose from. These days you can even make a video call on Instagram. Apps like Slack and Zoom that are used for communicating with colleagues offer this feature as well.

The best FaceTime alternatives for Android are those that are widely known services that many people already use. We have listed them as they’re the easiest for even the most novice of users to get started with.

Skype

Skype has exceptional brand recognition because it has been around for so long. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices in addition to Windows and Mac. You can make HD video calls between devices and also use its IM features for messaging. A whole host of other features make it a very useful app to have on your phone.

Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store

Facebook Messenger

Nothing bridges the video calling divide between iOS and Android devices quite like Facebook Messenger. Billions of people across the globe who use Facebook also use the standalone Messenger app for keeping in touch with friends and family. So even if you can’t FaceTime on your Samsung phone, you can fire up Messenger and make a video call to an iPhone. You’ll obviously need to be friends with that person on Facebook for this to work. Messenger also provides many features that enhance the video calling experience.

Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store

WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp may not be as ubiquitous in the US but billions of people in other parts of the world swear by it. In case you weren’t aware, WhatsApp is also owned by Facebook. Its video calling functionality is robust as it supports both individual and group video calls. WhatsApp is also a great instant messaging app so you can really get the best of both worlds with it.

Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store

Google Duo

Google Duo is the native video calling solution for Android devices that’s developed by Google itself. The app keeps things simple as it opens up the camera when the app is launched and shows the contacts lists so that you can easily get started. It’s highly regarded for its exceptional video call quality. If both you and your friend have a recent Samsung flagship, you can use advanced Duo features like auto framing and even make Full HD (1080p) video calls with up to 8 people. A Google Duo app is available for iOS devices, thus making it a great FaceTime alternative when you need to video call an iPhone user.

Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store

So even though you can’t download FaceTime on a Samsung phone, there are plenty of other options available. Seeing your friends who prefer to use the fruit company’s devices isn’t really that difficult. Just choose an app that works for the both of you and you’re off to the races.

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Samsung bets on festive deals to increase sales in India by nearly half

Samsung is winning over the Indian market with innovative reward programs, strong online sales and various discounts. In Q3 the company had shipped more smartphones in India than any other brand – at least according to Counterpoint Research. Canalys data suggests that the company is trailing behind Xiaomi on second place, but regardless, Samsung improved its market position in India over the first three quarters of 2020 and the company isn’t showing signs of backing down in Q4.

Samsung has launched an offensive in India against its Chinese rivals with Grand Diwali Fest: a week of discounts on a wide variety of products ranging from Galaxy S20 smartphones to Galaxy Watches, freezers, TVs, and more. Discounts can go as high as 60% and as of this writing, the Galaxy S20+ is available for 40% off and you can get a 4K QLED TV for 32% off.

Samsung aims for a 40% year-on-year sales increase

Samsung’s goal this festive season is to increase sales by 40% year-on-year, reason why the company is offering killer deals on a variety of great products. This goal was reportedly confirmed by two senior executives at Samsung cited by Business Standard, who added that this is the most exciting quarter of the year.

Armed with great deals, Samsung has actively improved its online retail business in India throughout the year, some say at the expense of other retailers, and has created various reward programs for loyal customers. Samsung’s Grand Diwali Fest began on October 28 and lasts until November 3.

• Check out the Grand Diwali Fest deals at Samsung India

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Samsung streamlines Galaxy Store UI with a slight focus on gaming

Samsung is revamping the Galaxy Store and bringing a couple of changes to the app’s UI. In the official announcement, which seemingly doubles as an ad for Fortnite and Xbox Game Pass, Samsung describes the streamlined Galaxy Store experience as the place for casual and hardcore gamers alike. The storefront now caters to both audiences with curated selections, and it has a cleaner home screen.

The updated Galaxy Store reorganizes the home screen tabs, replacing the Home, Games, For Galaxy, and Watch categories with just two tabs called Games and Apps. You could look at this from a different angle and say that the update has more to do with the other sections besides Games being reorganized, rather than it having a focus on mobile games. Either way, Samsung is clearly taking this opportunity to remind us that the Galaxy Store is the only mobile app store in the USA where users are able to download Fortnite.

In case you didn’t know, Epic Games started a war with Apple and Google when it snuck in an update that allowed Fortnite players to purchase in-game items directly from the developer without the marketplace owners taking a cut. Apple and Google responded by removing Fortnite from their app stores, and the Galaxy Store remains the only mobile app store in the USA where Fortnite is readily available for download.

The streamlined Galaxy Store UI isn’t available on any of our phones so the update is probably limited to the United States. It might be subjected to a staged rollout and it could cross the pond into Europe and other markets soon. We’ll keep you posted.

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Galaxy Xcover Pro and A2 Core are next for the November security patch

More Galaxy smartphones are getting the November 2020 security update after the patch debuted on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 yesterday. The latest security update is also included in the third One UI 3.0 beta for the Galaxy S20 series, and now Samsung is bringing the November 2020 security patch to two of its less popular smartphone models, namely the Galaxy Xcover Pro and the Galaxy A2 Core.

The latest firmware update for the Galaxy Xcover Pro is identified by firmware version G715FNXXS6ATJ2 and it’s rolling out across the European continent. Meanwhile, the new firmware for the Galaxy A2 Core carries version A260FXXS8ATJ1 and availability is much more limited. The update is rolling out in Saudi Arabia as we speak but it should reach more markets soon.

Samsung hasn’t disclosed the details of the November 2020 security patch but we’ll keep you up to speed as soon as we find out more. In the meantime, the new security update is bound to reach more Galaxy smartphone models in the coming days. If you happen to own the Galaxy Xcover Pro and/or the Galaxy A2 Core, you should be able to download the latest firmware in markets where it’s available by opening Settings, accessing Software update, and tapping Download and install.

As always, you can circumvent the procedure above by visiting our firmware section, downloading the right firmware for your Galaxy device model and region, and installing it on your smartphone using a Windows PC.

Galaxy Xcover Pro

• Model: SM-G715FN
• Dimensions: Bar: 159.9 x 76.7 x 9.9 mm
  
• Display: 6.3 inch / 160.02 mm TFT
• CPU: Exynos 9611
• Camera: 25MP

More specifications

Galaxy A2 Core

• Model: SM-A260F
• Dimensions: Bar: 141.6 x 71.0 x 9.1 mm
  
• Display: 5.0 inch / 127.00 mm PLS TFT LCD
• CPU: Exynos 7870
• Camera: 5MP

More specifications

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Galaxy W21 5G gets a release date, looking kind of familiar

Samsung today attached a release date to its latest foldable smartphone called the Galaxy W21 5G, a familiar-looking flagship headed to China. The release date, scheduled for next Wednesday, November 4th, will center around what is simply a rebranded version of the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Which wouldn’t be that curious, if not for the fact this same device already launched in the Far Eastern country a couple of weeks ago.

The Galaxy W21 5G doesn’t seem to be that much different from the original model, either, save for the fact it will sport a different-colored hinge and a slightly flashier back panel.

Don’t expect the Galaxy W21 5G to break any sales records

This is yet another one of Samsung’s attempts to claw itself into something resembling relevancy in China, the world’s largest smartphone market where it now holds less than a single percentage point of both sales and shipments.

Just to add to the futility of the situation, Samsung still appears to be selling both the Galaxy W20 5G and Galaxy Z Fold 2 (5G) in China, the latter of which goes for the equivalent of over $2,500. It remains to be seen what price this luxury version of the device will command.

Either way, Samsung can at least take some solace in the fact that it gets some bonus points from consumers in the world’s second-largest smartphone market, India, precisely because it’s obvious China isn’t too friendly toward it.

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Third One UI 3.0 beta firmware update is out with November security patch

One UI 3.0 is getting closer to a widespread public release by the day. Samsung has just released the third One UI 3.0 beta update for the Galaxy S20 series and the firmware is now being rolled out in Germany. The third One UI 3.0 beta update carries a generic changelog that mentions the usual camera and stability improvements, but it also introduces the November 2020 security patch.

As usual, the latest security patch is being rolled out without a changelog mainly for security reasons but Samsung will publish these details in the coming weeks. This release also suggests that the November 2020 security patch is ready to be deployed publicly for more smartphones running non-beta firmware. The patch debuted on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 earlier this week.

The third One UI 3.0 beta update for the Galaxy S20 series carries firmware version G98xxXXU5ZTJN and weighs a little under 650MB. If you participate in the One UI 3.0 beta program and you own the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, or Galaxy S20 Ultra in Germany then you should be able to download the latest beta firmware by opening Settings on your phone, accessing Software update, and tapping Download and install.

For non-beta users, there is no exact release date in sight but Samsung is clearly working on making One UI 3.0 feasible for a public release relatively fast. The second beta firmware was released just a week ago and the third beta should be bringing One UI 3.0 closer to its widespread debut. We’ll keep you posted if the third One UI 3.0 beta will be released in other markets where the beta program is available, such as the USA.

Galaxy S20

• Model: SM-G980F
• Dimensions: Bar: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm
  
• Display: 6.2 inch / 157.48 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S20+

• Model: SM-G985F
• Dimensions: Bar: 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.7 inch / 170.18 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

• Model: SM-G988B
• Dimensions: Bar: 166.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.9 inch / 175.26 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

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Samsung is really thinking of adding an S Pen to the Galaxy Z Fold series

Over the past year there have been numerous rumors hinting at the possibility that Samsung will eventually add an S Pen to its foldable flagship lineup, but not a lot of hard evidence has emerged to support these theories so far. Enter a Samsung Electronics WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) application that confirms the company’s true intentions.

The WIPO application was filed in April 2020 and published earlier this week. It confirms that Samsung is truly considering the possibility of adding an S Pen to the Galaxy Z Fold series. The application discovered by LetsGoDigital reveals a handful of sketches depicting a generic Galaxy Z Fold model paired with an S Pen. The stylus is housed inside the phone’s body just like it is on the Galaxy Note series. To be clear, the sketches don’t reveal an actual product design but they exemplify the use of an S Pen together with a foldable display.

Samsung might be a few steps ahead of this WIPO application

Worthy of note is that the application at hand seemingly mentions EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) digitizer technology. In contrast, the latest rumors pertaining to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 suggest that Samsung is considering adopting AES technology to bring the S Pen to the foldable series. The AES solution is more expensive than the EMR digitizer but it generally offers better performance and it’s more suited for foldable displays from a technical point of view.

The fact that the application doesn’t mention AES technology stands as a reminder that it was filed back in April, and it doesn’t necessarily negate the more recent rumors regarding the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the S Pen. It could mean that Samsung is simply a few steps ahead and it now has a better understanding of how to pair the S Pen with a foldable screen compared to half a year ago.

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Google Messages to support Samsung’s Call and Message Continuity

Samsung’s Call and Message Continuity feature has been around for a while now. It’s a very useful feature that lets you receive and make calls as well as send and receive text messages even on Wi-Fi-only variants of Galaxy tablets and the Galaxy Watch Active 2.

There is one major restriction with this feature, though. It only works with the native Samsung Messages app. If you’re using any other app for messaging, Call and Message Continuity isn’t going to work. That might be changing soon as Google’s Messages app might get support for this feature.

Google Messages app may get support for this feature soon

Samsung’s Call and Message Continuity will work across your devices as long as they’re all logged into the same Samsung account as the primary device that has cellular service. Once it’s set up, you can initiate and take calls, send and receive text messages from the secondary device.

The notification for an incoming call is displayed on both the smartphone and the connected device. It’s also possible to switch between the devices during the call without any interruption. For text messages, the conversation trail will automatically sync across both devices.

If you liked using the Google Messages app for some of the great features that it offers like carrier-independent RCS and Messages for Web, you couldn’t use Call and Message Continuity. However, it seems that Google is building support for this Samsung feature.

The folks at 9to5Google have dug into the latest version of Google’s Messages app and found two new references in the code of the version shipped to members of the app’s beta program that hint at support for this feature.

<string name=”cmc_consent_key”>cmc_consent_key</string>

<string name=”cmc_consent_settings_title”>Text on Galaxy devices</string>

These references alone aren’t confirmation that Google will definitely ship the feature, it may just be testing the waters for all we know. It would be nice if it does. Galaxy smartphone users would then be able to use Google Messages without having to give up this awesome feature.

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Are ‘Buds Beyond’ the new earbuds Samsung will launch with Galaxy S21?

Samsung has launched new wireless earbuds with its flagship Galaxy S series for the past two years. It actually launched two of them in 2020. The Galaxy Buds+ came out with the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Buds Live with the Galaxy Note 20.

It’s safe to say that we can expect a new pair of wireless earbuds with the Galaxy S21 as well. A new trademark filing suggests that Samsung might go with a different name for the earbuds this time around.

Buds Beyond might be launched with the Galaxy S21

Our friends over at GalaxyClub have spotted an EU trademark filing from Samsung for “Buds Beyond.” This trademark application was filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office yesterday and covers the same use cases as earlier Buds devices.

Nothing else is known about the Buds Beyond for now. If one were to speculate, they would simply be an upgraded version of the Galaxy Buds+ with some minor design improvements. It remains to be seen if features like Active Noise Cancellation will be present.

If history is any indication, we might see the Buds Beyond launching alongside the Galaxy S21 series. The company has a habit of offering new earbuds as a pre-order gift so it would make sense to offer a new pair. Of course, the Galaxy Buds Live aren’t outdated so Samsung could still use them if it doesn’t plan on launching new ones.

It’ll be known for sure if new earbuds are on the agenda as more leaks surface in the coming weeks. We have revealed already that the Galaxy S21 series will be launched in early January 2021.

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Samsung launches SmartThings Find to help you quickly find Galaxy devices

During the Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra launch, Samsung showcased a new SmartThings feature that lets users quickly find Galaxy devices through an app. The company has now officially launched the SmartThings Find feature, and it comes as a part of the SmartThings app. It can also find devices when they’re offline.

The SmartThings Find feature works on Galaxy devices running Android 8 (or newer). It uses Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) and UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technologies to help you find select Galaxy earbuds, smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets by ringing them. After a quick registration process, you can even find an individual earbud when it gets lost. The AR feature lets you find the exact location of a lost device via the camera’s viewfinder and a map overlay.

Even if the device is offline, you can securely opt in to let other Galaxy users find your lost device. Once the device is offline for 30 minutes, it starts transmitting a Bluetooth LE signal to nearby devices. Once you report your device as missing via SmartThings Find, it gets added into Samsung’s database. Opted in Galaxy products can then find misplaced devices.

The SmartThings Find feature works even better on Galaxy devices that have the UWB feature. Samsung will also expand the capabilities of SmartThings Find to let it find tracking tags. These tracking tags can be attached to your favorite objects, and not just Galaxy devices.

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