April security patch released for the Galaxy A5 (2016)

The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) has been treated to its first security update of the quarter, after being relegated to the firm’s quarterly security upgrade schedule in February — with the contents including everything included in this month’s release, addressing five critical and dozens of high-risk vulnerabilities in the Android OS, as well as 15 that are exclusive to Samsung’s own software.

As for where it’s rolling out, the update started making the rounds for the Galaxy A5 (2016) in Kazakhstan, Russia and the Ukraine over the weekend. It’s expected to touch down in other regions, including the United Kingdom, in the not-too-distant future. For context, a near-identical release started arriving on the Galaxy A5 (2017) in Canada and the Galaxy A8 (2018) in Russia.

How do I install the update on my device?

Just like usual, the upgrade is being pushed out in stages. To check to see if it’s available for your Galaxy A5 (2016), head into Settings, navigate to Software update, then select Download updates manually. Alternatively, you can always download the firmware from our database to flash it on to your handset manually — though you’ll need to be fairly tech-savvy to do it successfully.

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Linux on DeX now supports more Galaxy devices

Samsung DeX allows select Galaxy devices to offer a desktop-like environment when connected to an external screen. This cool-in-concept idea looked a lot more promising when the company announced the Linux on DeX program last year. It allows DeX users to run Linux OS and applications in the DeX environment, thereby turning supported Galaxy devices into full-fledged computers.

Although DeX is available on all of Samsung’s flagship devices since the Galaxy S8/S8+, the Linux on DeX app has been limited to the Galaxy Note 9 and Tab S4 so far. The Korean company is changing all that with a new update to the Linux on DeX app which adds the Galaxy S9/S9+, Galaxy S10e/S10/S10+/S10 5G, and the Galaxy Tab S5e to the list of supported devices. The Galaxy Tab S5e’s addition may seem odd considering it’s not a proper flagship device, but it does pack high-end specs capable of powering Linux on DeX and is also the latest tablet with an AMOLED screen in Samsung’s tablet lineup.

Do note that the Linux on DeX app is still in beta and requires prior registration if you want to try it out. Unfortunately, it appears Samsung is no longer accepting enrolments for the beta program. There are, however, reports online that just installing the APK will work. While we cannot guarantee the same, you can try your luck by downloading and installing the latest APK from here.

Even as Android OEMs, including Samsung, continue to pack PC-level specs into their smartphones, they haven’t really found any compelling use-cases for the resources. Initiatives like Linux on DeX have the potential to fill this gap and transform the modern-day smartphone into a single, all-purpose computing device.

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Samsung’s working on a smartphone with a dual-folding screen

Samsung is working on a dual-folding screen, which measures in at around 8-inches when unfurled, according to Korean report. Not a whole lot is known about the technical side, however — other than that it should fold inwards twice, contradicting earlier rumours that it would unfurl outwards.

The same report notes that the firm is also developing a folding 13-inch screen that adopts a more traditional clamshell design. It’s unclear how many times it folds back, or in, on itself, though. It could be once, as depicted in a recent patent filing unearthed by online outlet LetsGoDigital, or twice.

It’s worth noting that this information is about as unreliable as it comes. It originates from an unverifiable Korean source and was subsequently translated from the local language into English, so it’s possible that a crucial detail about the function of either of the two screens was lost in translation.

That said, Bloomberg, revealed back in March that Samsung is working on two new foldable screens, adding that one of which would have a clamshell design, complete with a cover screen — like that of the Galaxy Fold. It’s also expected to introduce an in-screen fingerprint reader on the handset.

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Galaxy Fold launch postponed in Singapore and Spain as well

After postponing the Galaxy Fold launch and related events in China, Samsung has now done the same in Singapore and Spain. The company was due to hold launch events in both countries on April 24. It has now confirmed to local media outlets there that the events have been postponed.

Samsung has said nothing about the US launch as yet. It confirmed in February that the Galaxy Fold will be released in the United States on April 26. The company recently said that it won’t be delaying the Fold’s launch in the country.

Galaxy Fold launch posted in two more countries

“In light of the recent feedback on a limited number of Galaxy Fold media review units, Samsung is taking the time to ensure that the Galaxy Fold units are in optimum shape for your experience at the event,” a Samsung spokesperson told Channel News Asia. Hipertextual also received confirmation of the same from Samsung Spain. Samsung has previously confirmed that customers in over a dozen European markets will be able to pre-order the Galaxy Fold starting April 26 for a May 3 release.

The company is having to do this in response to recent reports about the display breaking on a few review units that it sent out last week. However, that was due to user error in most cases. The reviewers had peeled off the film on top of the display which they were not supposed to. It’s something that Samsung had mentioned in the media briefing for the Galaxy Fold. The majority of reviewers who received a unit and didn’t peel off the film haven’t had any problems with their units, SamMobile included.

Samsung does need to increase the number of warnings on the packaging to really drive home the point that the film is not to be removed. It should also use push notifications for this when the device boots up for the first time. Samsung may only be delaying these events because it wants to add more warnings. It’s not like the company can make any changes to the design of the device now.

At this rate, the company may also postpone the launch in other markets across the globe. All eyes on Samsung Electronics America now.

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Samsung’s new green initiative puts the planet first

Samsung has been committed to reduce its plastic footprint ever since announcing the Samsung Environmental Declaration in 1992. The company has implemented a variety of environmentally responsible policies to raise awareness of plastic’s impact on the environment. The most recent of them is the sustainability policy which it announced earlier this year. Samsung plans to first limit, and ultimately replace plastic packaging from all its products.

The policy is already in force starting with the Galaxy S10 series. The Galaxy S10’s packaging uses eco-friendly materials instead of plastics and vinyl. Samsung has also redesigned the box and its interiors to use as fewer resources as possible. In a new video, the company has explained and how its “sustainability efforts are putting the planet first,” while detailing the impact of plastic on the environment.

Planet First – Samsung’s green initiative

Single-use plastic did make our lives easier. It was cheap to manufacture and thus quickly became commonplace. However, plastic takes over 500 years to biodegrade. This essentially means not a single piece of plastic has degraded naturally yet. Furthermore, most of the plastic waste (nearly 86%) is not recycled.

Between 1950 to 2015, an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic was produced. This means that even the first piece of plastic ever produced can still be found somewhere. While several organizations, as well as individuals, have now started taking precautionary measures, work still needs to be done. And Samsung is doing its bit.

Samsung is recycling plastic by collecting waste electronic equipment and using the recycled plastic in new products. The company estimates to collect 3.8 million tons of waste products by 2020. Also, 90% of its products comply with the standards for green product mark, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emission by 250 million tons during the period between 2009-2020.

Samsung is now expanding its green initiative by removing plastic packaging from its mobile products as well as larger appliances. The company vows to only use sustainably sourced paper in its packaging and manuals by 2020. This is going to be a gradual transition, but Samsung is really putting the planet first.

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We’re in love with this Galaxy Note 10 concept

Now that the Galaxy S10 has hit the shelves, focus has shifted to the Galaxy Note 10 — and we’ve caught our best glimpse yet of what it could look like in the form of a fan-made introduction video, drawn up renowned animator Concept Creator. Before we start drooling over it, however, we should note that it’s just a concept (surprise, surprise) and is therefore purely for entertainment purposes.

Unlike most concepts that surface online, this one is quite tamed and the design elements themselves aren’t too far-fetched; showcasing a handset that shares similar traits to that of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+, which have been reworked to fit the squared-off frame that’s synonymous with the Galaxy Note line, factoring in a slot for the retractable S Pen on the bottom.

There seems to be a quad-camera setup on the back that isn’t too dissimilar to the one on board the Galaxy S10 5G, which comprises of a 12MP wide, a 12MP telephoto, a 16MP ultra-wide and a dedicated Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor, as well as an an integrated heart-rate monitor — all enclosed in a module that protrudes from the rear of the handset by no more than a few millimetres.

Concept Creator is clearly a fan of Samsung’s trademark punch-hole Infinity-O Display, as he opted for that rather than a standard notch-clad Infinity Display. And that’s a smart move; it would make no sense whatsoever for Samsung to take a step backwards — the Galaxy S10 features an Infinity-O Display and thus it’s safe to assume the Galaxy Note 10 will too when it hits the shelves.

Samsung is said to be working on a total of four variants of the Galaxy Note 10 — two with 4G LTE and two with 5G. That makes sense as it’s rumoured to launch the handset with the choice of two different screen sizes: 6.28-inches and 6.75-inches. So the former will be available in both a 4G LTE and 5G configuration, and so will the latter, which is tipped to be branded the Galaxy Note 10 Pro.

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Samsung has delayed the Galaxy Fold launch in China

Samsung is believed to have cancelled its Galaxy Fold launch event in China. The firm is blaming the decision on a last minute issue with the venue, according to someone claiming to be familiar with the matter. But that seems a little too convenient seeing as the handset has been under heavy fire all week, after a number of units broke after being in the hands of reviewers for less than a day.

When the first wave of reports surfaced, Samsung was quick to issue a statement confirming that it would not delay the Galaxy Fold’s launch — but that was in the United States. That’s because all of the reports of breakages stemmed from there, and for the most part, their demise was due to user negligence; although there was one concerning case where a unit ceased working for no reason.

Related: Let’s talk about the Galaxy Fold’s screen ‘issues’

So why has it postponed the handset’s launch event in China? The answer is unclear. Reliable tipster Ice Universe told SamMobile that two other local activities pertaining to the device have also been cancelled, leading us to believe that the venue was not to blame. And if it wasn’t, we can’t help but worry that Samsung could have a more serious issue on its hands, like a hardware defect.

We have another theory, though

Given that almost all the reports of devices breaking came after owners tampered with the protective layer on top of the screen, which Samsung warned could render the unit unusable if toyed with, we have a theory that it could have delayed the launch so it can introduce more warnings to stress the importance of the film being left in place — to prevent a repeat of what happened in the States.

Dear future #GalaxyFold owners, I know I always say "No one ever read the instructions"… PLEASE READ THIS ONE!!!

(This is the wrap over the screen of the Galaxy Fold) pic.twitter.com/LuQPRfDZIE

— Des (@askdes) April 17, 2019

Keen to find out more about the Galaxy Fold? Check out our hands-on. Want to learn about the protective layer? Check out our explainer.

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