Galaxy S8 gets October 2018 security update in Germany

The Galaxy S8 was the first Samsung flagship to get the October 2018 security patch, with the rollout debuting in Canada a couple of weeks back. It is now reaching the unlocked Exynos-powered international model. Germany seems to be the first market where the update has been released, but it should only be a matter of time before it comes to other countries across the globe.

Galaxy S8 October 2018 security update more widely available

The October security patch includes fixes for a dozen critical Android OS vulnerabilities and nearly the same number of vulnerabilities that only affect Samsung’s software. The Galaxy S8 October 2018 security update doesn’t bring anything to the table other than those security fixes. Yet, the over-the-air update size is higher than 500 MB. That’s standard fare for Samsung devices that didn’t launch with Oreo out of the box, as they lack Project Treble support. Regular security (and minor) updates for devices that were launched running Oreo are usually less than 100 MB in size.

The new update brings with it software version G950FXXU4CRJ5 and G955FXXU4CRJ5 for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ respectively. You should be able to download it by tapping the Download updates manually option in the Settings » Software update menu on your phone. We also have the complete firmware files for this update in our firmware database (Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+), which you can use if you don’t want to wait for the update to arrive over the air.

The October patch has also been released for the Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, and the Galaxy Note 8, in addition to a number of mid-range and budget smartphones. Do check if it’s available for you, and let us know if you have already updated to the latest security patch.

Thanks, Jonas Fränkel!

Galaxy S8

• Model: SM-G950F
• Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8895
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7 OIS

More specifications

Galaxy S8+

• Model: SM-G955F
• Dimensions: 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm
• Display: 6.2” (158.1mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8895
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7 OIS

More specifications

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Early 2019 release for Samsung’s Pie update suggested once again

We first heard a possible time frame for Samsung’s Pie update from the company’s French Samsung Members community. In a post about possible changes to expect from Pie, a community moderator had suggested that we would have to wait until January 2019 before the Pie features and changes would reach users. That time frame has now been reiterated in a post on the Samsung+ app.

Samsung Galaxy Pie update isn’t coming before 2019

The Samsung+ post talks about some of the general Android Pie features, such as Adaptive Battery, new emojis, and Actions and Slices, instead of what we can expect from Samsung’s customizations and additions. But it mentions a similar time frame for when we can expect the update to roll out to Galaxy phones. Well, “early next year” could mean anytime from January to March, but January will hopefully see at least some markets get the update. We know Project Treble might not be of much help, but that doesn’t mean Samsung shouldn’t be trying its best to release Android Pie as quickly as possible.

The Samsung+ post doesn’t mention a specific device, but the Galaxy S9 is sure to be updated first. Samsung will kick off a Galaxy S9 Android Pie beta program in the near future, allowing us to test the new Samsung Experience 10 UX. Samsung Experience 10 will bring a new dark theme for the entire OS, along with features such as Scene Optimizer in the camera app and an updated Always On Display look. You can see an early Android Pie build running on the Galaxy Note 9 in the video below to see the kind of changes to expect from the next major version of Android on Galaxy devices.

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Samsung is shutting down Family Square next month

We have often seen Samsung axe services that are no longer being used by a lot of people. This time it’s the turn of a service called Family Square. Samsung has confirmed today that it’s shutting down Family Square from next month.

It was launched some three years ago after the Galaxy View came out. It utilized the Galaxy View’s 18.4-inch display to enable users to post pictures to a virtual wall. Different devices could be connected to the local network in order to share photos on the wall.

Family Square turned the Galaxy View into a virtual wall

Samsung is now notifying users that from November 30, 2018, all services related to Family Square will be terminated. It doesn’t say why this decision has been made but it’s likely due to little usage.

It will not be possible to create new shared groups and share new content once the service is terminated. Users can take advantage of a backup service till then to safeguard all of the content that has been shared so far. The content cannot be backed up after November 30. All personal information collected from users during the course of this service will then be deleted.

All apps and services related to Family Square will be terminated on Galaxy View on this date. Same goes for the iOS and Android apps which allowed users to share content to this service.

Be sure to backup your content if you have been using this service. It will become impossible to do so post November 30.

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Breaking: Samsung kills the notch, showcases possible Galaxy S10 display

Notch? What’s that? Samsung has been openly critical of the notch-bearing displays we see on the iPhone and every Android phone under the sun, and it looks like the company won’t change its stance next year. At the Samsung OLED Forum conference on October 18 in China, Samsung revealed its new display technology, which will have everything from a fingerprint sensor to the camera modules underneath the panel instead of requiring a notch to accommodate them.

Galaxy S10’s bezel-less display and features revealed?

Many patents have already hinted at the Korean giant implementing fingerprint sensors and selfie cameras under the display, and it looks like all of it could soon be seen on an actual device. And the chances of that device being the Galaxy S10 are pretty high. Again, the best part would be the fact that Samsung isn’t taking the path that other manufacturers have taken and putting a notch on its next flagship. Samsung’s new display technology will also have the ability to transmit sound, although it’s unclear if Samsung is talking about regular speakers or something like bone conduction technology for transmitting sound to the user’s ears during calls.

What Samsung’s new technology doesn’t seem to support is something like Apple’s Face ID, or 3D face scanning as it’s more generally called. While a fingerprint sensor under the display would be great to have, some might not take kindly to the lack of a 3D scanner on the Galaxy S10, especially since it can be quite a fast way of authentication. Iris sensors are still more secure, but 3D scanning can be noticeably faster and more accurate even in low-light. Of course, there’s no telling exactly what the Galaxy S10 will have and what it won’t, but we’re certainly intrigued by what Samsung Display seems to have in store for us.

Developing…

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Galaxy S7 October security patch update rolling out

What’s this? Another flagship Galaxy getting the latest security patch? Yes, that is indeed the case. Samsung has been impressing us lately with how frequently it’s been releasing security patches for flagship phones, and while it’s something the company is duty-bound to do, it’s nice to see nevertheless. And today, the Galaxy S7 October security update is rolling out in some countries.

Galaxy S7 and S7 edge getting latest security patch

The update seems to be for the dual SIM models at the moment, but it will hopefully make its way to the single SIM models in the near future. The software version with the new update is XXS3ERJ2 and it likely includes only the new security patch. The October patch fixes a dozen critical Android OS vulnerabilities and 11 found in Samsung’s software. As usual, a slew of low and medium-risk vulnerabilities have been fixed as well. Details can be found on Samsung’s official security bulletin website and also on Google’s Android security updates page.

If you own a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, open the Settings app, go into the Software update menu, and tap the Download updates manually option to see if the update is available for you. If not, you can take a look at our firmware database and download the latest firmware for your country.

Galaxy S7 Duos

• Model: SM-G930FD
• Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm
• Display: 5.1" (129.2mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8890
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7

More specifications

Galaxy S7 edge DUOS

• Model: SM-G935FD
• Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm
• Display: 5.5" (139.3mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8890
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7

More specifications

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Samsung’s Montreal AI center is its second research facility in Canada

It was reported earlier this week that Samsung could announce the opening of its Montreal AI center soon. That’s exactly what the company has done today. Samsung has announced that this new artificial intelligence center is its second in Canada and fourth in North America alone. It has similar centers up and running in six other locations across the globe.

This is also the fourth Samsung AI Center in North America. Others are present in New York, Silicon Valley and Toronto. Samsung says that this new location will allow for greater industry collaboration and talent recruitment in this major Canadian AI hub.

New Montreal AI center is Canada’s second

The availability of key talent was a major contributing factor for this location. Leading AI researchers at McGill University and the University of Montreal have longstanding relationships wth the company. Greater Montreal has also become a hub for AI research as it houses 250 researchers and almost 9,000 university students in related programs.

Samsung presented its vision for artificial intelligence at the center’s opening event. It aims to develop a highly personalized multi-device AI platform which allows people multiple touchpoints to interact with AI not only through voice but through vision and touch as well.

This is yet another step that the company has taken to achieve its goal of hiring 1,000 AI specialists by 2020. That’s also when it expects all of its products to be AI enabled. The company will certainly open more AI centers in locations across the globe to achieve this goal.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 launched in India for ₹57,900

Samsung has launched its newest flagship Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S4, in India today. As expected, the Galaxy Tab S4 price in India is considerably higher than the launch price of the Galaxy Tab S3. At ₹57,900, it’s quite close to what a MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage costs in the country, and Samsung is likely to find it hard to move many units from retail shelves.

Galaxy Tab S4 price in India as much as a new Galaxy S9+

Of course, for those who do want a premium tablet and don’t have an issue paying for it, the Galaxy Tab S4 can be an excellent purchase thanks to its beautiful AMOLED display alone. The Galaxy Tab S4 also comes with the S Pen stylus, which also adds to its value. The specs remain the same as the model launched elsewhere. It has a 10.5-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel rear and front cameras, a 7,300 mAh battery, four AKG-tuned speakers with Dolby Atmos support, and an iris scanner (no fingerprint sensor). It runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.

The Galaxy Tab S4 will go on sale from today itself through Samsung’s online store and through offline channels, with an Amazon release set for October 20. Color options include black and grey. Samsung has a few launch offers to make the price tag more palatable. Well, two, to be exact. There’s a ₹5,000 cashback for users of HDFC credit and debit cards and ₹a 2,750 cashback as recharge vouchers for Jio 4G subscribers who recharge with the ₹198 or ₹299 data plan.

To see if Samsung’s new tablet is worth your hard earned money, do check out our Galaxy Tab S4 review.

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