Next Samsung flagship processor to have dedicated neural processing unit

The next Samsung flagship processor is likely going to be unveiled in the coming months. It will power the company’s upcoming flagship handsets like the Galaxy S10. A new report out of China claims that Samsung’s second-generation neural processing unit or NPU will be onboard its next flagship Exynos chip.

A neural processing unit will allow for more powerful artificial intelligence and machine learning applications on the device. It will handle AI-related tasks on the device itself without burdening the main processor.

Next Samsung flagship processor

A China-based leakster has come across a purported LinkedIn profile of an ex-Samsung Senior Hardware Design Engineer. The profile mentions his work on Samsung’s second generation NPU design. The authenticity of this profile hasn’t been independently verified. It’s not that difficult to fabricate something like this after all.

Samsung already has a first generation NPU but it hasn’t been using it. Its rivals like Huawei are already shipping devices with SoCs that have dedicated NPUs. It’s about time that Samsung did the same. Huawei’s upcoming Mate 20 series with its flagship Kirin 980 processor features a dedicated NPU as well.

No information is available about the specs of this chip as yet. Samsung can’t be expected to reveal anything about it until it makes an official announcement. If history is any indication that will likely happen before the end of this year.

The Galaxy S10 will be the first handset to ship with this processor. The Galaxy Note handset due next year will ship with it as well.

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Samsung Galaxy Android Pie update changes and features detailed

Samsung may not have said anything about the Android 9.0 Pie update schedule for its many devices yet, but Samsung France has taken to the Samsung Members community to detail some of the changes the update might bring. In fact, the post about the changes also suggests the update will not come before January 2019. That may not surprise anyone, but it’s disappointing nonetheless considering so many manufacturers have been testing Android Pie for their devices for a long time now.

Of course, nothing is confirmed at this point, even if it comes from one of Samsung’s official community, but it does provide us with a good idea of what to expect feature-wise from the upcoming major update.

Samsung Galaxy Android Pie update changes

Some features that are already available on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 will come to older devices like the Galaxy Note 8 with Android Pie. For example, a space will be added automatically after a number when swipe to type is used. This is already present on the recent flagships.

It has also been confirmed that the second SIM of the dual-SIM variants will support VoLTE and VoWiFi. This is also available on the S9 and Note 9 already. Additional features are also included in the Android Pie update for native apps like the voice recorder and gallery.

Updates for the Gallery will let users easily access their recorded videos. Samsung has also fixed the part about the camera app showing all of the images when the app was launched through the Camera. It will only show the photos in the Camera folder when the Gallery is opened after taking a photo through the Camera app.

It has also been confirmed that new camera features are being developed which will be available from January 2019 which is likely when Android Pie will be released by Samsung. It will also be possible to use the phone’s flash in the direct focus mode, something which the Galaxy Note 9 already allows. Android Pie for devices like the Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8 will bring additional features from recent flagships as well. This includes the possibility to use a floating keyboard during gaming sessions.

New features that will arrive on all devices include the phone’s ability to read the name and phone number during an incoming call and the ability to cut audio recordings and listen to the part you want from within the app.

Leaked Android Pie builds for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 have surfaced already. We have already told you that Samsung is testing the Android 9 update for the Galaxy S9 in all markets. The company is yet to confirm any details about a beta program and it may be a while before it does that. It didn’t confirm the Oreo beta for flagship devices until early November last year so all hope is not lost for the Android Pie beta yet.

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Exclusive: Galaxy Home launch markets won’t surprise you

Coming soon. Those are the words you will find on Samsung’s official website for the Galaxy Home, the company’s first Bixby-powered smart speaker. Samsung has been quiet about pricing and release date information, but we have now learned that the Galaxy Home will initially be released in the US, South Korea, and China. Also, the speaker carries model number SM-V510. We don’t, however, know when the speaker will go on sale.

Galaxy Home launch details

The list of initial Galaxy Home launch markets shouldn’t come as a surprise. The US, South Korea, and China were among the first markets to receive Bixby Voice support, and it makes sense the Galaxy Home will come to those markets before others as well. India was another market where Bixby Voice was released before other countries, but the Galaxy Home might not have many takers in India because of the price tag. The Galaxy Home price is not yet known, yes. But Samsung has made it clear that the Galaxy Home is a premium product that will not be priced as low as competitors like Google Home and Amazon Echo.

It will instead take on the Siri-powered Apple HomePod, with features such as premium AKG-tuned audio and full SmartThings integration. You can take a closer look at the Galaxy Home in our hands-on experience, but for a detailed look at its functionality and features, we will need to wait for the developer conference in November. You can also check out Samsung’s official Galaxy Home unveiling from the Galaxy Note 9 launch in the video below.

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My experience with Samsung’s first side-mounted fingerprint sensor

The Galaxy A7 – the one Samsung launched this year, not the original from four years ago – is one of the company’s first smartphones to come with a fingerprint sensor embedded into the power button. Between the hard-to-access rear fingerprint sensors and the in-display sensors that are expected to arrive in the near future, Samsung probably thought it’s a nice temporary solution to send the sensor to the side of the device. And after a few days of using the Galaxy A7 as my daily driver, I have a few thoughts on my experience with the side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Galaxy A7 fingerprint sensor: Good speed and accuracy, but conditions apply

Well, for the most part, the Galaxy A7’s fingerprint sensor works just as quickly as front or rear-mounted fingerprint sensors. However, it does require some accuracy on your part as well. The Galaxy A7 is quite thin, and its fingerprint sensor has the smallest surface area ever of any Samsung phone. That means you have to be more precise when touching the sensor. The solution here is to move your finger around as much as possible when adding its fingerprint, which is recommended even for front or rear-facing fingerprint sensors.

And while the Galaxy A7 still manages to ignore a touch of my thumb sometimes, that’s not the primary issue. The real problem is knowing where the power button is and putting your finger on it without looking at the phone. The area around the power button is sunk into the body and is, therefore, lower than the volume buttons. That’s not enough to help you learn exactly where you should be placing your finger. There’s no texture on the power button, which is a significant oversight on Samsung’s part in my opinion and suggests the company didn’t properly test the design before launching the Galaxy A7 in the market.

Finger gesture for accessing notification shade is a strict no-no

You probably know about that feature that lets you access the notification shade by swiping down on the fingerprint sensor. It has to be enabled manually on a new device, but it’s best kept disabled on the A7. Why? Because when you’re generally handling the phone, like taking it out of your pocket or trying to adjust it in the phone mount or dock in your car, it’s very easy for any of your fingers to touch and move over the power button. The sensor detects that as a swipe and proceeds to open the notification shade. This became a nuisance soon enough, so if you like using the fingerprint sensor for accessing the notification shade, you’ll find the Galaxy A7 fingerprint sensor quite irritating.

Waking up device to view lock screen content is inconvenient

Since the power button also acts as the fingerprint sensor, you can’t just wake up the phone to view content on the lock screen. At least not if you use the same finger to turn on the screen as you use for fingerprint authentication. I can only speak for those who are right-handed, for whom the thumb is the best option when the fingerprint sensor is embedded into the power button. And putting the thumb on the button means the phone will unlock. However, an easy way Samsung can overcome this limitation is adding a ‘double tap to wake’ feature. The company’s tablets, like the Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy Tab A 10.1, have this feature already, and it should come standard on any device with the fingerprint sensor embedded in the power key.

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It’s good to see Samsung trying something new

With all the criticism Samsung’s rear fingerprint sensors have received, it’s nice to see the company looking at alternatives. Putting the fingerprint sensor on the side makes for a clean design on the back of the device, and the power button looks neat as well. You also don’t have to lift your device off a desk to access the sensor, which is a huge inconvenience with rear-mounted sensors.

Of course, there’s plenty of room for improvement. Separating the fingerprint sensor and power key would let you view the lock screen without unlocking the phone. The option to double tap the display to wake it up would be quite useful, and this is something Samsung can add via a software update. What can’t be solved is the smaller surface area you get with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, as that would require thick phones. And bringing those fingerprint sensors to the front of the device is no longer an option, as the industry has moved on to all-screen designs whether we like it or not.

Overall, it’s great that Samsung is trying new stuff and bringing it to market as quickly as possible. Now it depends on how quickly the company can make the necessary improvements to fix all the shortcomings.

What’s your opinion of side-mounted fingerprint sensors?

Galaxy A7

• Model: SM-A750F
• Dimensions: 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm,
• Display: 6.0" (152.4mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 7885
• Camera: 24 MP, CMOS F1.7, 8 MP, CMOS & 5 MP, CMOS

More specifications

Don’t Miss: Here are a few real-life Galaxy A7 ultra-wide camera samples!

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Three new Chromebook Plus variants are up for pre-order

Yesterday, we reported about a new Samsung Chromebook receiving FCC certification. All the available information about this model pointed to an LTE variant of the current Chromebook Plus V2. Even as we wait for the official launch of this model, three new Chromebook variants are up for pre-order on the B&H website in the US. The model numbers are different from the LTE model so they’re obviously different devices.

First, we have the XE520QAB-K01US model which packs an Intel Celeron 3965Y chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 32 GB of storage, and is priced at $500. The XE520QAB-K03US variant bumps the internal storage to 64 GB and carries a price tag of $550. The XE520QAB-K02US model is the most expensive of the three at $600 and comes with an Intel Core m3-7Y30 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

No Chromebook Pro refresh in sight

It is somewhat odd that Samsung is still opting for Intel 7^th generation chips when the industry has moved to the 8^th generation processors. The company went with the older chips probably to bring down costs. Considering these processors are anyway capable of running Chrome OS without any major hiccups, it may not be a bad idea if Samsung can pass on the cost benefits.

While there is a lot of action surrounding the Chromebook Plus V2, Samsung hasn’t paid much attention to the Chromebook Pro other than relaunching it with a backlit keyboard. With Google allegedly working on a 2-in-1 detachable form factor for its upcoming Chrome OS device, it is possible Samsung might have abandoned the Chromebook Pro model to work on new form factors.

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Galaxy Note 9 October security update released by AT&T

North American carrier AT&T seems to be the first to be releasing the October 2018 security patch for the Galaxy Note 9. The Galaxy Note 9 October security update has been released by AT&T today, as confirmed by a Google+ user. This follows just three days after Samsung published details on the October 2018 security patch.

Galaxy Note 9 October security update debuts on AT&T

Samsung was quite fast with releasing the August and September security patches for its flagships (and many cheaper devices as well), but it remains to be seen if that will be the case for the October patch. The Galaxy Note 9 also received a major camera-related update recently, although it did not include a newer security patch. However, for markets where the camera update has not been released, it’s possible Samsung will release it with the October patch. As for the patch itself, it brings fixes for a dozen critical Android OS vulnerabilities and 11 vulnerabilities that affect only Samsung’s software.

If you have the AT&T Galaxy Note 9, you should be able to grab the update from the Settings » Software update menu on the phone. If you have the update already, do let us know about any changes or improvements you may notice by leaving a comment.

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Samsung launches new Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Note 9 colors in India

Samsung today announced the launch of new Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Note 9 colors in India. The company has a habit of trying to reignite sales of its flagship smartphones with new color options. That’s one of the reasons why all of the color options are almost never available at launch in most markets.

Customers in India will now be able to purchase the Galaxy S9+ in Burgundy Red. Those who have their eye on the new phablet will be able to purchase it in Lavender Purple.

New Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Note 9 colors in India

Samsung introduced the Burgundy Red color for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in China back in May. It calls it one of the deepest red colors with restrained gloss for added density. It really looks jaw-dropping both in pictures and in person. Samsung will definitely find a lot of takers for the Burgundy Red Galaxy S9+.

The Galaxy Note 9 has been available in Lavender Purple since launch in some markets. It’s not really a “new” color option for this device. Customers in India will now be able to get it, though. It’s unclear if Samsung would release a Burgundy Red Galaxy Note 9. We have already said that we’d love to see it.

The new Galaxy S9+ and Galaxy Note 9 colors are available for purchase starting today through the Samsung Shop, online and offline retailers. Nothing else is different about these devices. They’re priced the same as well.

Samsung is offering a promotion for the Galaxy Note 9. Customers who purchase the phablet can also get the Galaxy Watch for Rs. 9,999 ($134). That’s a significant discount on its Rs. 24,990 ($337) full retail price.

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