Wireless DeX is coming with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and that’s just great

Samsung has stuck with DeX even though some still don’t see the merit in the desktop extension of its mobile platform. DeX was launched in 2017 with the Galaxy S8 and back then, you could only use it through a DeX station. You’d dock your phone on the accessory that was hooked up to an external display and also had USB ports for a mouse and keyboard.

The following year, Samsung eliminated the need for a separate accessory. The Galaxy Note 9 could power DeX on an external monitor through nothing more than a USB-C to HDMI dongle. That was certainly a big step forward in making it easier to use DeX. Nothing could match the convenience of a truly wireless DeX experience, though, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will finally show us what we’ve been missing for all this time.

Wireless DeX is going to be more convenient

The massive Galaxy Note 20 Ultra leak today that revealed almost everything about the device also let it slip that Wireless DeX will be onboard. There’s no reason to believe that this feature would only be limited to the Ultra model so those who opt for the Galaxy Note 20 can expect to have it as well.

It’s not like this comes completely out of the blue. There were hints about Samsung working to make DeX wireless since 2018 and that’s the sense we also got in our conversation with the product manager for DeX last year. A recent update to a Samsung app also let slip the possibility.

It obviously makes sense for Samsung to introduce Wireless DeX with the Galaxy Note 20. The Galaxy Note series is meant for power users who want to get stuff done on the go. They will no longer need to even carry a dongle now. We’ll find out recisely how Wireless DeX will work and what pre-requisites may be required for monitor support in due course.

As much of the world continues to work remotely, Samsung can certainly highlight it as a crucial benefit that only the Galaxy Note 20 can provide. This also bodes well for future Samsung flagships as they surely will get the same functionality. Whether or not this entices users who previously avoided DeX to start using it is something that remains to be seen.

Galaxy Note 20

• Model: SM-N980F
• Dimensions: Bar: x x mm
  
• Display: 6.7 inch / 170.18 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

• Model: SM-N985F
• Dimensions: Bar: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm
  
• Display: 6.9 inch / 175.26 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

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Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to get Xbox Game Pass via Microsoft Project xCloud

Samsung has failed terribly at plugging leaks related to its upcoming devices, including the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and the Galaxy Buds Live. Over the past few weeks, images and specifications of the company’s upcoming smartphones and wearables have been leaked. Earlier today, all the specifications of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra were leaked along with its design.

According to the report from WinFuture.de, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be the first smartphone in the world to feature special optimizations for Microsoft’s Project xCloud game streaming service, thanks to the growing cooperation between the two brands. The device can reportedly be used to play more than 90 Xbox gaming titles via Xbox Game Pass. This is what Samsung’s cryptic tweet on July 15 was all about. Users need to pair their Galaxy Note 20 device with a Bluetooth-enabled Xbox controller, though.

As a part of the partnership between the two brands, Samsung is also set to offer an automatic synchronization feature for notes through Microsoft’s OneNote service. In the past, Samsung’s smartphones and tablets have been the first to get access to features like RCS support, cross-platform copy/paste, and drag-and-drop file transfer support via Windows 10’s Your Phone app. Microsoft’s Forza Street racing game debuted on Galaxy smartphones, too.

Last year, Samsung had debuted the PlayGalaxy Link feature that let Galaxy smartphone owners stream games from their PC on the local network. However, the South Korean firm ended up shutting down the service four months ago. Now, the company seems to be focusing on cloud game streaming rather than local game streaming. Galaxy smartphones are also compatible with Google Stadia.

The power to play from anywhere. Unpacked on August 5, 2020.
Visit https://t.co/ca2XTlk5vV to watch the #SamsungEvent pic.twitter.com/uYtJPZ5P4T

— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) July 15, 2020

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Verizon starts rolling out One UI 2.1 update to Galaxy Note 9

Samsung started rolling out the One UI 2.1 update to the unlocked units of the Galaxy Note 9 last month. Three weeks ago, Sprint and T-Mobile released the One UI 2.1 update to the Galaxy Note 9 on their networks. Now, Verizon is doing the same by releasing One UI 2.1 and the latest security patch to the Galaxy Note 9.

A new software update with firmware version N960USQU4ETG1 is rolling out to the Galaxy Note 9 on Verizon’s network. Apart from One UI 2.1, the update also brings the July 2020 security patch. Although the official changelog on Verizon’s website only mentions system enhancements and security updates, the latest firmware update brings a lot more to the tablet.

The Galaxy Note 9 gets Music Share and Quick Share features. The new camera app also brings features like Single Take, custom filters, pro video recording, and AR Zone. The Single Take feature lets you capture a series of pictures and videos when you tap the shutter button. AR Zone puts augmented reality features like AR Doodle and AR Emoji in one place.

If you are a Galaxy Note 9 user on Verizon’s network, you might have received the update notification by now. If you haven’t received the update yet, you can check for it manually by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping Download and install.

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Complete Galaxy Note 20 Ultra specs and images leak!

The Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be officially unveiled on August 5 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Buds Live, and the Galaxy Watch 3. However, the images and some specifications of the smartphones have been leaked over the past few days. Now, complete specifications and images of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra have been leaked, revealing some details that were missing in previous reports.

According to the images and information that was published by WinFuture.de, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with WQHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels), a 120Hz refresh rate, 19.3:9 aspect ratio, and HDR10+. Apparently, it will be the first smartphone in the world to feature Gorilla Glass 7 screen protection. Samsung will reportedly offer dynamic refresh rate control, changing it as per the user’s activity for longer battery life.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s S Pen has a latency of just 9ms

Another achievement that Samsung plans to bring with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is its S Pen with ultra-low latency of just 9ms, matching the Apple Pencil. The smartphone will be launched with Android 10 and One UI 2.x. It also features an in-display fingerprint reader and stereo speakers tuned by AKG. Under the hood, the phone features the Exynos 990 processor, 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storage, and a microSD card slot.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 108MP camera could feature dual-pixel AF

In terms of imaging, the South Korean smartphone giant has made reportedly made some improvements as well. Going by the report, the rear-facing triple-camera setup on the upcoming smartphone features a 108MP wide-angle camera with dual-pixel autofocus, laser autofocus, 0.8µm pixels, F1.8 aperture, and up to 8K 30fps video recording. There’s also a 12MP ultrawide camera with F2.2 aperture and 1.4µm pixels. The third camera on the rear is a 12MP unit with a periscope-style 5x optical zoom lens.

Apparently, Samsung is kissing goodbye to the 100x Space Zoom feature with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The device will reportedly max out at 50x digital zoom. At the front, the smartphone reportedly features a 10MP selfie camera with dual-pixel autofocus, F2.2 aperture, and 1.22µm pixels. Other features of the phone include a dual-SIM card slot and an eSIM. Connectivity features like dual-frequency GPS, 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a USB 3.2 Type-C port are also present.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra brings console-quality gaming via Project xCloud, Xbox Game Pass

Apparently, Samsung has worked closely with Microsoft to bring an optimized cloud gaming on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra via Project Cloud. More than 90 gaming titles will reportedly be available on the upcoming Galaxy Note device via Xbox Game Pass. The smartphone is also set to bring automatic OneNote synchronization for notes.

The report further states that the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra measures 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm, and it is powered by a 4,500mAh battery. The phone supports 45W fast charging, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and IP68 certification for dust and water resistance. The device will be launched in at least two colors: Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze. The upcoming smartphone will reportedly come with the Wireless DeX feature that lets you work on a monitor wirelessly.

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Samsung can flex on its haters by bringing Flex Mode to the Galaxy Z Fold 2

There’s a lot of excitement for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and with good reason. Even though the Galaxy Fold stumbled out the gate last year, Samsung put any doubts that critics had to rest with the Galaxy Z Flip. Its clamshell foldable is well built, durable and features a truly innovative hinge.

Some very complex engineering allows the Galaxy Z Flip to have a feature called Flex Mode. The feature lets you open the display at various angles between fully open and fully closed. I love this feature and I believe that bringing Flex Mode to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 would be Samsung’s biggest flex on its haters.

None of the leaks and rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold 2 have mentioned the possibility of Flex Mode so far, but many Samsung fans continue to keep their fingers crossed. They realize that Flex Mode on the new foldable device would increase the ease of use considerably. Samsung already has no competition in the foldable market and this one feature will put its foldables far above everyone else.

As we highlighted in our Galaxy Z Flip review, Flex Mode enables the device to become its own tripod. You can take photos and make video calls or just stuff your face at the desk while watching a YouTube video hands-free. All you need to do is prop it open at a 90-degree angle and place it right in front of your line of sight.

Smartphone owners just aren’t used to the level of convenience that comes with being able to adjust the angle of the screen towards you. We do this day in and day out with our laptops but it has never before been possible with a smartphone. Samsung opened our eyes to this possibility with the Galaxy Z Flip which is why the mere idea of having Flex Mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is so exciting.

I have been impressed by how the Galaxy Z Flip’s hinge has retained its rigidity despite the device being used as a daily driver for over five months. Flex Mode has been used countless times for taking photos, watching content or just to adjust the screen angle when lounging around. It’s far from being a novelty and that’s what makes it such a great fit for the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Flex Mode’s true potential will be unleashed with the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s large internal display, which some reports suggest measures 7.7-inches. Not only will it make it so much more comfortable to use the device but it’s also going to unlock a variety of new use cases for it. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 could be propped open on the desk like a mini-laptop or used as an exceptional gaming device that splits the controls and the visuals between the two halves.

It would also prove to be very useful for taking photos and videos at different angles and for capturing Hyperlapse video. Selfies could also be taken using the more powerful primary camera setup. Some of that is already possible on the Galaxy Z Flip and makes a world of difference. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be bigger and better than the clamshell which makes Flex Mode an even better fit for the device.

The ease of use that it will enable would be unmatched. You either fully open or fully close the Galaxy Fold’s display even if you just want to take a quick peek. Flex Mode could take away this limitation from the Galaxy Z Fold 2. You wouldn’t even need to break your step, just unfold it slightly, do what you need to do and move on.

If the Flex Mode does end up on the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung would obviously bring new software experiences that take full advantage of it. The Galaxy Z Flip got apps that dynamically adjust to it, one can only imagine the possibilities with the larger display of the upcoming device.

I feel that it would be hard to disagree that Flex Mode won’t be useful on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 but there’s another reason why Samsung needs to bring it over. There’s no denying that the Galaxy Fold’s launch was botched and it got a lot of bad press, perhaps more than it deserved. Some expressed doubts about Samsung’s technology, others compared it to the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. Once it began, it just snowballed, with some even suggesting that the device should be scrapped altogether. The hinge was one of the components that got a bad rap but if there were any doubts about Samsung’s engineering prowess, it took a sledgehammer to them with the Galaxy Z Flip’s Hideaway Hinge.

Not only is it more durable and better protected than what the Galaxy Fold has, but it also reaches a level of mechanical sophistication never seen before on smartphones. Flex Mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 would be Samsung’s biggest flex on its haters. Let’s not forget, the Z Fold 2 will be larger and heavier than the Z Flip. Samsung would need to engineer the heck out of the hinge to support the weight of its two halves and allow for enough rigidity that the display can be kept open at different angles. Those who felt Samsung was punching above its weight with the Galaxy Fold would have to eat their hats.

We’ll know for sure whether or not Flex Mode is making its way to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 on August 5 when Samsung unveils the device. It goes without saying that a lot of Galaxy Fold fans are expecting it. Flex Mode would feel like a natural evolution of this device’s capabilities. It’s going to add value and seeing as how the Galaxy Z Fold 2 isn’t expected to get a big drop in price, the more bang it can provide customers for their buck the better it will end up selling.

How do you feel about the possibility of Flex Mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 2? Do you think it’s something that Samsung should do? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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Samsung Indonesia quietly outs Galaxy A01 Core with removable battery

The Galaxy A01 Core is official in Indonesia where Samsung has quietly added the device to its online shop earlier today along with specifications and complementary renders. It’s not yet available for purchase as of this writing but this should change very soon. The Galaxy A01 Core will be available in three color options – black, blue, red – and two memory configurations.

Samsung’s latest budget phone features a 5.3-inch PLS TFT LCD with a resolution of 1480 by 720. The Galaxy A01 Core follows an outdated exterior design so the front-facing camera is resting on a relatively thin bezel rather than being integrated within an Infinity-V, Infinity-U, or Infinity-O display.

A budget phone with outdated characteristics and new software

Another outdated concept that characterizes the Galaxy A01 Core is its user-removable battery. The patterned back panel can be detached to reveal a 3,000 Li-Po unit rated for up to 14 hours of internet usage time, and up to 11 hours of video playback.

Likewise, the back panel accommodates a single camera, something that’s become very unusual for the Galaxy smartphone lineup. The camera has a resolution of 8MP and an f/2.2 aperture. The selfie sensor residing on the top bezel has a 5MP resolution and an f/2.4 aperture.

Other specs include an unspecified chipset, likely a MediaTek MT6739 SoC as exclusively confirmed by SamMobile a couple of weeks ago. The silicon is paired with 1GB of RAM and 16 or 32GB of storage.

Given the low amount of RAM, the Galaxy A01 Core has been relegated to the stripped-down version of Android 10, i.e. Go Edition, but at least it runs the latest version and not two-year-old Android Pie like the recently-launched Galaxy M01s.

Prices for Indonesia haven’t been unveiled but it’s safe to assume that the Galaxy A01 Core will sell for the equivalent of around $100. If you’re interested in buying the device in Indonesia, check out Samsung’s official device page. An option to purchase the phone should be added to the website soon.

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Samsung Blockchain Wallet has added support for Decentraland

Samsung’s Blockchain Keystore Wallet is seemingly becoming better and more expansive every month, and the company’s crypto wallet app now offers support for the blockchain-based virtual world Decentraland. The Decentraland Marketplace app now works with Samsung’s crypto platform, and Decentraland virtual residents can store NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and trade LAND inside Samsung’s Blockchain Wallet.

Decentraland is a decentralized virtual world owned by its community. It was released in February 2020 and it lets players purchase virtual plots of land using Decentraland LAND tokens. LAND tokens represent a 10×10-meter piece of virtual land in the Decentraland universe, and trading land parcels has now become a lot easier and more convenient for Samsung smartphone owners who have access to the Blockchain Wallet app.

According to the official announcement, Decentraland is the largest game and NFT project that’s been integrated with the Samsung Blockchain Wallet. It’s a 3D virtual world largely designed by players and owned by its community, with inhabitants having the ability to trade land parcels using LAND. Non-fungible LAND tokens can be purchased using a different fungible token called MANA. MANA tokens are based on the ERC-20 standard and they are destroyed when using them to buy LAND tokens.

In recent months, Samsung’s Blockchain Keystore Wallet also added support for TRON Foundation’s decentralized apps, Gemini in North America, and Stellar. Samsung’s crypto platform has been growing at an accelerated rate ever since the company introduced the Blockchain Platform SDK nine months ago.

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