Sprint rolling out Marshmallow for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5

US carrier Sprint has started updating the Galaxy Note 5 to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The update is going out over the air as a 1362 MB download and is also available from our firmware database for those who prefer plugging in their phone to a PC and upgrading manually. The changelog is exactly the same as the one for unlocked versions of the Note 5, and you can get a look at what Marshmallow looks like on the device in the gallery below.

You should be seeing the update on your phone in the next few hours. If not, just head into the Settings » About device » Software update menu and hit the Update now button so that the update can start downloading. Keep in mind that these updates go out in stages so you might have to wait a day or two before making the jump to the latest iteration of Android.

Firmware Details:

Model	SM-N920P
Model name	Galaxy Note5
Country	Spint (cdma)
Version	Android 6.0.1
Changelist	110166628
Build date	Fri, 04 Mar 2016 02:33:21 +0000
Product code	SPR
PDA	N920PVPU2BPC3
CSC	N920PSPT2BPC3

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/22HEoYE
via IFTTT

Fresh Samsung patent reveals advanced foldable phone design

It’s no secret Samsung has been working on a truly foldable phone for, well, ages. An unusually recent patent application reveals just such a device, in what seems to be an advanced stage of development.

Unlike most design patent applications, which are sometimes years old at the time of publication, the one published today was filed merely two weeks ago, giving us a very up-to-date look at what Samsung’s R&D department is up to. In between a myriad of technical details, two images show a phone that is a step or two past the general concept stage.

Almost a year ago, we exclusively confirmed Samsung was working on a foldable device codenamed Project Valley with dual displays. That device was originally set to be released early this year in several European countries and South Korea, carrying modelcode SM-G929. Needless to say it never made it to market.

However, more recent rumors stated Samsung is still on track to release a foldable phone in the second half of 2016. We believe this is a different device from the one rumored last year, and the new images clearly show a phone with a single, large display as opposed to the dual display setup believed to be part of the original plans.

Of course, as with all design patents, there is no way to tell if and when the device shown makes it to the marketplace. Still, the fast publication of this application could suggest Samsung is in a rush to patent its current technology and designs. The second half of 2016 isn’t all that far away, after all. And at least, these designs give us an interesting glimpse into what is currently cooking in Samsung’s kitchen.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/1LJ89nS
via IFTTT

Samsung’s voice recording app for the Galaxy S7 is on the Play Store

When it comes to software, Samsung moves at a leisurely pace. That’s true for major software updates for its devices, for the company’s move from a slow and outdated user interface to one that’s beautiful and fast, and also when it comes to separating its proprietary apps from the OS and putting them on the Play Store for easy updates that aren’t a part of OS upgrades.

Samsung has certainly been changing its ways though. With the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung chose to remove its own music player as an out-of-the-box option and made it downloadable from the Play Store instead, and we’ve discovered that it has done the same with its voice recorder app. It was just happenstance that we found out – the app received an update on the Play Store today, though there’s nothing to tell us what has changed with the new version.

The app description also reveals an interesting feature. We’re not sure if everyone knew about this, but you can actually use NFC tags and pair them with recorded voices. Touching your phone to a particular tag will match the voice paired to the tag and start playing recordings of the same automatically. It’s a nifty feature, and could come in handy with the interview recording mode.

The app is available as Samsung Voice Recorder on Google Play, and right now it’s only compatible with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge (at least on our end). We’re guessing Samsung will open it up for every device running Marshmallow in the future.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/1T7lJmn
via IFTTT

Samsung Australia tackles concussion head on with the brainBAND

Samsung Australia has introduced a new piece of wearable technology that’s designed to aid research into concussion in sports. The gadget is called brainBAND and it’s the result of a collaboration between Dr. Alan Pearce and Braden Wilson as part of Samsung’s Launching People initiative which brings together experts in their respective fields and combines their talents with Samsung technology. Dr. Pearce is a neuroscientist involved in research and education on concussion neurophysiology and Braden Wilson is an industrial designer who specialises in technology.

The brainBAND prototype is capable of tracking impacts to the head in contact sports in real-time, the data obtained can then be used to better understand concussion in sport and its impact on the brain. The specially designed headband features sensors at the back of the head that measure the force of an impact. The data can then be synced via an app to referees, medics and coaches in real-time through Samsung devices. A series of LED lights are also embedded in the headband to show the level of impact of a hit: yellow, orange and red for high alert, which warns that a player should be taken off the field for immediate assessment. All impact data is recorded and logged so that players can get a complete picture of the forces their brain has been put under.

“The ultimate goal is that by understanding the dangers of repeated concussions, brainBAND may help prevent life changing injuries at every level of the game, and protect the next generation of players,” said Dr. Alan Pearce.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/1UNXtFR
via IFTTT

Gear Manager app for Samsung Z3 released in beta

It was only a few days ago that Samsung stated accepting registrations for its Gear Manager beta program for the Samsung Z3. The app will enable the Gear S2 smartwatch to work with Samsung’s Tizen-powered smartphone so it’s a rather important app for this nascent platform. The beta program has now kicked off as the company has released the Gear Manager app for the Samsung Z3 in beta.

Samsung went through with a complete rewrite for the app since it was first revealed at the Tizen Developer Conference 2014 and the Tizen Developer Summit 2014. Samsung Z3 owners who want to take part in the beta program need to have the latest software on their handset and they also need to register and become a member of the Tizen Forum Community. Throughout the beta program they will be able to provide feedback to Samsung which will help the company improve Gear Manager for Tizen.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/1RisS24
via IFTTT

Gear S2 iOS support coming tomorrow, says Verizon

We reported a few days ago that Gear S2 iOS support is likely to arrive via an update later this month. It was back in December last year when we exclusively confirmed that Samsung has started working on a Gear Manager app for iOS and in January this year Samsung officially confirmed that the Gear S2 will get iOS support in 2016.

Verizon has updated its support page for the Gear S2 to show that an update will be arriving for the smartwatch tomorrow which will bring a fix for a random clock freeze as well as support for iOS and Marshmallow. Software version R730VVRU1BPC1 is what Verizon will release for the Gear S2 and it will enable the smartwatch to be paired with iPhones running iOS 8.4 or later. It remains to be seen if this particular update widely rolls out tomorrow or if Verizon is breaking from tradition and is actually being rather quick about releasing updates.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/1UbpWqf
via IFTTT

Galaxy S6 Active upgrade with model number SM-G891A in the works?

Back in 2014, the Galaxy S5 became the first mainstream Samsung smartphone to feature water and dust resistance. The company also made a more rugged version of the device for AT&T in the form of the Galaxy S5 Active, which was followed by the Galaxy S6 Active last year, and t looks like a newer device in the Galaxy S Active series is in the works. A Samsung phone with model number SM-G891A was recently imported to India for testing – the Galaxy S6 Active had the model number SM-G890A, indicating that Samsung is now preparing an upgrade.

The minor change in model number suggests we could see Samsung upgrading the internals on the Galaxy S6 Active to bring them in line with the Galaxy S7/S7 edge – maybe a Galaxy S6 Active (2016)? The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge are already water and dust resistant, but their metal and glass bodies mean they aren’t rugged and leave a lot of room for damage from drops and careless usage. The SM-G891A could be the answer, though at this point we will have to wait and see exactly what the device will offer over the Galaxy S6 Active or Samsung’s newest flagships apart from a sturdier outer body.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/1MCD3sE
via IFTTT