Samsung updates Smart Switch for Android with support for Galaxy-to-Galaxy transfer via USB OTG

Samsung has today updated its Smart Switch application on the Galaxy Store. This latest upgrade brings support for Galaxy-to-Galaxy transfer via USB On-The-Go (OTG), which makes it faster and easier than ever before to migrate content from your old smartphone to your new one.

For those unaware of USB OTG, it’s a networking standard that was introduced to Android back in 2014, which lets you plug in an external peripheral to your smartphone via a USB to microUSB cable. It also makes it possible for multiple devices to connect directly with each other.

Smart Switch makes great use of this innovative technology by empowering users to connect one phone to another. The application will then transfer all of the selected content stored on the old unit to the new handset, which includes any S Planner events, call logs, alarms, emails and Internet bookmarks.

There’s one main advantage of using this type of data transfer, and that’s speed. Prior to the implementation of USB OTG, the only options available for transferring files between devices was by switching out memory cards (which only worked if your old/new handset supported expandable storage), moving files over Wi-Fi or plugging into a computer and manually dragging/dropping the files.

However, all three methods above are slow and tedious. USB OTG means that you don’t need a memory card or a computer to move files. You just need to have the two devices ready and Samsung’s transfer cable handy, then you’re good to go.

 

 

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Samsung’s removed its Music and Video Player apps from the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

Last night, during a dedicated Unpacked event in Barcelona, Samsung took the wraps off its latest flagship smartphones of 2016, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. After spending some time with the handsets, we quickly realized that the South Korean company had renewed its agreement with Microsoft to preload the firm’s productivity suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive and Skype) on both devices.

However, we’ve now discovered another software alteration that Samsung has made to the phones. This one’s a little peculiar, though. The manufacturer has removed both its stock Music and Video Player applications from the units and, instead, replaced them with Google Play Music and Google Play Movies. If users don’t want to take advantage of the search engine giant’s offerings, they can always download Samsung’s aforementioned media tools from the Galaxy Store.

It’s unclear why Samsung has made this switch, but we presume it has something to do with the amount of content available through the Google Play Store. I, myself, am a subscriber of Play Music All Access and use it religiously on my Galaxy S6 edge+ — so it’s pretty safe to say that I’m happy with the company’s decision to axe its default services. After all, I can’t even remember the last time I opened Music Player.

Samsung Music and Video on the Galaxy Store.

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Android 6.0.1 rolling out to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge in the UK

Samsung announced the global rollout of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge last week, but it is only now the update seems to be making it to actual devices. The Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F) and Galaxy S6 edge (SM-G925F) are getting Android 6.0.1 over in the UK on the Vodafone network, with the update featuring build number XXU3DPB8. The update should be hitting other networks in the country soon, in addition to regular unlocked units.

Android 6.o brings an updated visual design on the software front, newer version of Samsung’s Internet browser, Cross App functionality in built-in apps, Google Now on Tap, Doze, and better permissions control. The Note 5 has already gotten the 6.0.1 in one market, and it looks like Marshmallow will now roll out in earnest as the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge have been officially announced. The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge shouldn’t have too many bugs on the Marshmallow unlike the Note 5, considering Samsung did a thorough beta test before releasing the official update.

Expect the update to show up on your Galaxy S6 or S6 edge as a notification in the next day or two. If that doesn’t happen, you can take a trip into the Settings » About device » Software updates menu to rush things up, or grab the firmware from our firmware section to upgrade manually. Check out Marshmallow on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge here.

Firmware Details:

Model	SM-G920F
Model name	Galaxy S6
Country	United Kingdom (Vodafone)
Version	Android 6.0.1
Changelist	7025264
Build date	Tue, 16 Feb 2016 01:14:05 +0000
Product code	VOD
PDA	G920FXXU3DPB8
CSC	G920FVFG3DPB8

 

Model	SM-G925F
Model name	Galaxy S6 edge
Country	United Kingdom (Vodafone)
Version	Android 6.0.1
Changelist	7025264
Build date	Tue, 16 Feb 2016 01:12:14 +0000
Product code	VOD
PDA	G925FXXU3DPB8
CSC	G925FVFG3DPB8

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Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge use Sony IMX260 camera sensor, in-house audio chip

Much has been said about the new camera on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. Samsung has stepped back from the megapixel race and opted for a 12-megapixel camera that has bigger pixels, better autofocus and a larger aperture for an improved imaging experience, especially in low-light conditions. Before the devices were announced, we were expecting the S7 and S7 edge to have Samsung’s new BRITECELL camera sensor, but it turns out the company has turned to Sony once again for its devices’ sensors.

We ran the AIDA64 app on the Galaxy S7 edge at MWC and found that the device has a Sony IMX260 sensor, an upgrade over the IMX 240 used in the Galaxy S6 lineup and the Galaxy Note 5. Perhaps it’s not surprising that there is no BRITECELL sensor – Samsung had said the BRITECELL camera will have a pixel size of only 1 micron, which is considerably smaller than the 1.4 micron pixels on the S7 and S7 edge. So both devices should be using the IMX260 in every market, which means they should offer the same image quality at all times unlike the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.

While Samsung might not be using its own camera sensor, it certainly seems to have developed a custom audio chip for its new Galaxies. Our SamMobile Device Info app reported a “Lucky CS47L91 Sound” chip on the device. If you remember, we had exclusively reported that the Galaxy S7 is codenamed Project Lucky, so it certainly seems like this chip is custom-made by the Korean manufacturer. Hopefully it will offer the high-quality sound Samsung is promising compared to previous Galaxy flagships.

We are working on getting more information from Samsung and will update this story once we learn more on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge’s camera and audio hardware. In the meantime, go check out our hands-on experience with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, and also look at Samsung’s new Gear 360 virtual reality camera.

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Galaxy S7 Always On display feature not coming to existing Galaxy handsets

Samsung confirmed yesterday that the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge features an Always On display. The features allows the device to show ambient information on what would otherwise be a black screen when the display is turned off. The Always On display is capable of displaying a clock, calendar or even a background image. It also supports theming so third-party themes from the Themes store will be able to change the look and feel of this feature.

In the past, Samsung has brought over some of the features it has introduced with new flagships to the predecessors, but don’t keep your fingers crossed for this particular feature. Always On display feature is not going to be released for existing Galaxy handsets, not even last year’s flagships, so if you’d like to use this feature you have to pick up the Galaxy S7 or the Galaxy S7 edge.

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Samsung Z5 (SM-Z510FD) Tizen smartphone imported to India for testing

Despite limited availability and with only two devices in the market, Samsung’s Tizen platform has done relatively well for a new operating system. Both the Z1 and Z3 managed to rack up considerable sales after launch, and it should come as no surprise that the Korean giant is working on yet another Tizen phone. An SM-Z510 was recently imported to India for testing, and the model number suggests the device will be called the Samsung Z5 when it launches sometime in the future.

310 units of an “ASSY METAL REAR UNIT” were imported with a value of Rs. 1,665 (roughly $25). That might sound like the phone could be made of metal, but this is likely only the chassis of the phone. Development has probably just begun, and if we go by the time difference between the Z1 and Z3′s launch, we are a few months away from seeing the Z5 make an official appearance. Or at least an unofficial one thanks to the rumor mill that keeps constantly spinning.

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T-Mobile entices Galaxy S7 customers with a free year of Netflix

Samsung’s new flagship handsets have been announced and now people will start making up their minds where they want to purchase the Galaxy S7 or the Galaxy S7 edge from. Carriers in the United States are trying to do their best to get a leg up on their competition. T-Mobile thinks that the best way to entice Galaxy S7 customers is by offering them a free year of Netflix.

Customers who pre-order a unit via T-Mobile starting February 23 receive the free Gear VR and 6-game Oculus bundle like everybody else, only the free year of Netflix is an incentive that’s provided by T-Mobile, and it pales in comparison to the buy one get one half-off promotion that Sprint is offering on the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge. The Galaxy S7 will be available from T-Mobile in Black Onyx and Gold Platinum for $0 down and $27.92/23 months + $27.83 for the 24th month. The Galaxy S7 edge will be available in Black Onyx, Silver Titanium and Gold Platinum colors for $0 down and $32.50/23 months + $32.39 for the 24th month. Shipments start March 11.

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