Samsung has a plethora of phones and tablets in its lineup, and regularly releases firmware updates for various devices. These can include major updates, which bring a newer version of the OS to a particular device, or minor ones that improve performance and stability and fix bugs. Software updates for Samsung devices roll out in various regions every day, and you can find out which firmware updates were pushed out by the company over the last 24 hours through our firmware list.

As usual, you can download each of these firmware from our firmware section (simply enter your device’s model number to view all firmware for that device) in order to update to a new firmware manually, or as a means to return to your phone or tablet’s stock software.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
Read the original article at www.sammobile.com

Samsung has a plethora of phones and tablets in its lineup, and regularly releases firmware updates for various devices. These can include major updates, which bring a newer version of the OS to a particular device, or minor ones that improve performance and stability and fix bugs. Software updates for Samsung devices roll out in various regions every day, and you can find out which firmware updates were pushed out by the company over the last 24 hours through our firmware list.

As usual, you can download each of these firmware from our firmware section (simply enter your device’s model number to view all firmware for that device) in order to update to a new firmware manually, or as a means to return to your phone or tablet’s stock software.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
Read the original article at www.sammobile.com

Samsung has started rolling out an update to the Galaxy Note 5 that brings Android’s December security patch to the company’s elusive fifth-generation Galaxy Note flagship. This is the same update that came to the Galaxy S6 family earlier this week; for the first time, we’re seeing a software update that hasn’t rolled out to both the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 edge+ at the same time.

Samsung has already detailed what the December version of the security patch entails, and the changelog also mentions improved voice call quality. It’s the same changelog as the previous update, which means enhanced security is the major draw. The latter is expected to be the main feature of most updates in the future as well, thanks to the new policy manufacturers are following to keep their devices up-to-date following the Stagefright scare that marred Android’s name recently.

For now, the update is rolling out in India, with firmware version N920GDDU2AOL1 and a download size of 71.15 MB. Expect it in all the regions where the Note 5 is available over the next few days, and if you haven’t received a notification for the update yet, hop into the Settings » About device » Software update menu to make it show up. The full firmware is available from our firmware section for a manual upgrade, and connecting your phone to a PC and firing up Smart Switch is another way of getting the new update.

Firmware Details:

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
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Samsung’s latest Tizen phone is getting a new software update in India. Given its low-end nature and the fact that it runs a young OS (which is the main reason it’s not a great deal), none of us here at SamMobile use the Z3 regularly so we’re not sure what the update brings. Surprisingly, the update we received has the firmware version Z300HDDU0BOL4 and is a 41.7 MB download, while the same update for the folks over at Tizen Experts is only 3.6 MB.

It’s possible we missed an update in between and that Samsung has combined two updates into a single one for those who missed the last one, but in either case, an update is available for all Samsung Z3 owners in India. You can wait for the update’s notification to show up, or force it to show up through the Settings » About device » Software update menu by hitting the Update now button.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
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2016 has begun, and the launch of Samsung’s next flagship smartphone will soon be upon us. The leaks are expected to start flowing in greater numbers over the next few weeks, and an image published on the web over the weekend has revealed a few specs of the 5.7-inch Snapdragon 820-powered variant of the Galaxy S7.

Let’s focus on the 5.7-inch part – rumors have said that Samsung could launch the Galaxy S7 in two different sizes. The last leak suggested a 5.5-inch version, but these specs suggest the Korean giant will stick to its traditional 5.7-inch displays. It has also been said that the company could launch three different models of the S7 with 5.1-inch, 5.5-inch and 5.7-inch displays, but we are inclined to believe there will only be two models upon launch. One could be a regular S7 with a 5.1-inch display, and the other an S7 edge with a screen that is 0.6 inches larger.

As for the camera, the image shows a 12.2-megapixel sensor for the device, supporting a previous rumor. This sensor is expected to have a larger pixel size than Samsung’s current 16-megapixel cameras, which is something we hope is true if the megapixel count will be taking a dive. However, Samsung’s recently announced Britecell sensor has a smaller pixel size, so we will have to wait and see what specifications the Galaxy S7′s camera will carry. The front camera is listed as a 5-megapixel sensor; this will hopefully change to 8-megapixel on the final unit, similar to the recently launched Galaxy A9.

The image also lists specs that don’t surprise – 4GB of RAM, Quad HD display resolution, a fingerprint sensor, and the Snapdragon 820 CPU. At this point, there is just too much information on the S7 swirling around, but things should get clearer as we move closer to Samsung’s Unpacked event. The Galaxy lineup saw drastic changes in 2015, and it’s possible Samsung will be making things more interesting this year.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
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It appears that Samsung’s troubles in the global market aren’t going to ease up in 2016, company chief executive Kwon Oh-hyun told employees in a New Year’s address that low global growth is likely to persist in this new year, with financial risks for emerging countries contributing to greater uncertainty. Samsung expects an overall tough business environment in 2016 due to weak global economic conditions as well as increased competition in the mobile and semiconductor business.

No specific forecasts were made in the comments by the CEO but they do come amid concerns that Samsung’s fourth quarter results may be weaker than expected. Many firms have already lowered their estimates for the operating profits that Samsung will post for the fourth quarter, Samsung’s official earnings guidance for the fourth quarter is due to arrive this Friday, though the company has already said that it expects operating profit to be lower than it was in the third quarter due to seasonally weaker demand.

Via

Author: All credits for this post go to Adnan F. @ sammobile.com
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AMD has reportedly signed a contract with Globalfoundries to manufacture its new graphics processing unit that will be released later this year, the GPU will be made using GF’s 14nm FinFET process. Samsung isn’t directly involved in the production and yet it’s going to earn substantial licensing profits off of this contract considering the fact that it owns Globalfoundries’ 14nm FinFET technology.

Industry sources cited in a report from Korea say that AMD’s next-generation “Greenland” GPU will be manufactured at GF from the second quarter of this year, apparently it chose Globalfoundries over TSMC to ensure the safety of the 14nm FinFET process. The 14nm FinFET process generally provides 50 to 60% higher energy efficiency and up to 25% performance gains as opposed to the 28nm planar process. The deal between these two companies will prove to be beneficial for Samsung as well since it established a strategic partnership with Globalfoundries in 2014, it provided the 14nm FinFET technology to capture clients such as Qualcomm and Apple in North America. Even though Samsung won’t be producing the GPU, many are still of the view that the company may help out with production at its plant in Austin, particularly if yield rates from Globalfoundries are not up to the mark.

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Author: All credits for this post go to Adnan F. @ sammobile.com
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For those who are unaware Tasker is an app that provides users with countless possibilities of automating actions on their mobile device, anything from checking the temperature of their smart home to sending a text message when the battery dies. The possibilities are limitless. Imagine having that ability right on your wrist, and if you happen to own the Gear S2, then you can actually take advantage of it. TaskS2 is a Tasker interface for the Gear S2 smartwatch.

TaskS2 enables users to control their phones remotely, trigger actions related to online services like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and others as well as control smart home devices like Nest, Philips Hue, Wemo and much more. Combined with IFTTT there are more than 250 services that can be accessed right from the wrist, so the personalization possibilities here are endless, ultimately making the Gear S2 much more productive than it already is.

[iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dj0fr_Uk-M8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen]

Author: All credits for this post go to Adnan F. @ sammobile.com
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Ahead of unveiling new products during the upcoming CES 2016 expo, Samsung has announced that it has developed a new Smart Control Remote that can work as a single remote control unit for all the devices connected to its smart TVs. The South Korean electronics says that this remote control is powered by the company’s homegrown Tizen platform.

Although we don’t know how this particular device looks like, it appears that the remote control features automatic source recognition, which allows it to recognise Blu-Ray players, game consoles, OTT boxes, set-top boxes, and other connected devices. Looks like this will compete directly with something like Logitech Harmony.

In addition, the company’s new Smart Hub interface not only allows users to switch between content from OTT, linear, and connected devices but it also allows users to arrange favorite content on the home screen itself. We hope that Samsung will showcase the final product at its booth during CES.

Won Jin Lee, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “The world of TV is constantly changing, with more choices and more connected devices than ever before, so we have made it easier for people to discover and watch the content they want, when they want. In 2016, Samsung’s Smart Hub and Smart Control remote are providing the most streamlined, convenient and intuitive TV user experience. Together, they offer the choices and performance consumers expect from today’s home entertainment technology.”

Source

Author: All credits for this post go to Asif S. @ sammobile.com
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The Galaxy S7, and whatever variants of the device Samsung launches this year, will certainly support Samsung Pay out of the box, and it seems the company is already adding support for the upcoming phones in the Samsung Pay app. One of our readers has sent in a screenshot allegedly from the Chinese version of the Samsung Pay app showing the model numbers of the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge.

The app lists the SM-G9300, SM-G9308 and the SM-G9350 – the G9300 and G9308 are country/carrier-specific models of the Galaxy S7, and the SM-G9350 is naturally the Galaxy S7 edge. It’s yet another indication that rumors of three different Galaxy S7 models could be untrue, and that Samsung will stick to just two flagship devices (which makes more sense). Sadly, this doesn’t tell us what screen sizes the two Galaxy S7 variants will carry, but most rumors point at a 5.1-inch model and a 5.7-inch model.

The plot continues to thicken as each day brings us closer to the Galaxy S7′s unveiling, but everything should be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt unless we see some really concrete information.

Thanks, Fan!

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
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It looks like Samsung has started supplying its OLED display panels to laptop makers. Lenovo has launched the Windows 10-based Thinkpad X1 Yoga, which is the first convertible laptop to use an OLED display, and costs upwards of $1449. The Chinese PC manufacturer has mentioned that it is sourcing display panels from Samsung for this convertible, and it makes sense as it is the market leader in OLED technology.

This laptop comes in three display variants; a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, a 14-inch QHD IPS LCD display, and a 14-inch 1080p IPS LCD display. Since OLED display panels have deep blacks, infinite contrast, and wide viewing angles, we guess it would be a treat to watch videos on the Thinkpad X1 Yoga. Other features include an Intel Skylake-U series processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, an active stylus, spill-resistant keys, a fingerprint sensor, USB 3.0 ports, and even optional 4G LTE connectivity.

Since the South Korean electronics giant is supplying OLED panels to third-party PC makers, it is possible that Samsung might announce its own ATIV series laptop with a Super AMOLED display during the upcoming CES 2016. However, Samsung is pushing Quantum Dot technology instead of OLED into its TV units, and that’s quite surprising.

[iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9pWzRoD8Kp8" width="853" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"]

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Author: All credits for this post go to Asif S. @ sammobile.com
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Samsung has unveiled the Gear Watch Designer which is one of the most complex pieces of software coming from the South Korean giant so far. The app is currently available for the Windows and Mac operating systems and it simplifies the creation of watchfaces  for the Gear S2 so that it doesn’t require any coding skills. Basically, you can create individual elements using design tools, and the bit that’s most exciting is that you can just jump right in as the app doesn’t have a steep learning curve.

Gear Watch Designer lets you adjust the conditional line of each component, an example being that you can show a sunny background image during a certain time interval like 06:00 – 17:59 and display a moon background in the remaining time span. You can work out other conditions as well and Samsung provides a lot of tools for playing around with this feature, for instance, you can create conditions based on battery life, pedometer and more. Another neat feature of the Gear Watch Designer is the ability to create your own animation using a PNG sequence and then use it as a watchface component which is pretty neat.

The Gear Watch Designer is a very complex tool for developers and it truly gives power to the watch enthusiasts who can now make their own watchfaces effortlessly, but the app has a set of system requirements that need to be fulfilled first:

• Microsoft Windows® 7 or later (32- or 64-bit), Apple Mac OS® X 10.8(Mountain Lion) 64-bit or later
• At least dual-core 2 GHz of CPU
• At least 2 GB of RAM memory
• At least 1 GB of free disk space
• JRE (Java Runtime Environment) 1.8 or later.
• 1280×1024 resolution (higher resolution recommended)

The future of Samsung’s smartwatches is pretty bright given the patents they’ve been submitting and this is going to be a good year for the Gear S2 as Samsung Pay is going to make its way to the device.

[iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HSsMGbVANM0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen]

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Author: All credits for this post go to Octav G. @ sammobile.com
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Late last month Samsung announced the Galaxy A9 (2016), it happens to be the most high-end smartphone in its newly refreshed Galaxy A lineup. Samsung had made it clear that initially this handset will only be launched in China and it was later rumored that the Galaxy A9 (2016) might be sold for 3,199 yuan or about $490. Samsung has now started selling the handset in China and as rumored the price is just below $500 which can be considered a bit high for what’s essentially a feature-packed mid-range smartphone.

The Galaxy A9 (2016) is now being sold in China for 3,199 yuan or about $490. Do you think that’s a good enough price for a handset that has a 6-inch full HD Super AMOLED display, a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 652 processor with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage? Don’t forget that it also has a 13-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front camera, a microSD card slot, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and a 4,000mAh non-removable battery that’s bound to have mind-boggling battery life. Samsung is expected to bring this handset to other markets later this year, pricing will obviously vary by market.

Source

Author: All credits for this post go to Adnan F. @ sammobile.com
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Samsung has a plethora of phones and tablets in its lineup, and regularly releases firmware updates for various devices. These can include major updates, which bring a newer version of the OS to a particular device, or minor ones that improve performance and stability and fix bugs. Software updates for Samsung devices roll out in various regions every day, and you can find out which firmware updates were pushed out by the company over the last 24 hours through our firmware list.

As usual, you can download each of these firmware from our firmware section (simply enter your device’s model number to view all firmware for that device) in order to update to a new firmware manually, or as a means to return to your phone or tablet’s stock software.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
Read the original article at www.sammobile.com

Buying the Gear S2 is truly exciting, as you prepare to embrace Samsung’s next big thing. Once you take it out of the box, however, the setup is on: you want to customize the device to work to your liking, which, as everyone knows, involves apps. The Gear S2 comes pre-loaded with apps that you may find relevant, but they’re not placed in the order that you would like or need; some apps may work for you while you consider others to be useful for spontaneous occasions or circumstance. You won’t rest until your Gear S2 suits you just fine. Here’s how to arrange apps on the Gear S2:

• Grab your Gear S2 and your Samsung or Android smartphone. Samsung has designed the Gear S2 in such a way that you’ll still need to download apps onto the phone in order to have them appear on the “Gear.”

• Make sure that you have downloaded Samsung’s Gear Manager app. You can find it at the Google Play Store.

• Next, pair the Gear S2 and your Samsung/Android smartphone via Bluetooth, at which point the Gear Manager app will either kick in or allow you to activate it. Make sure that both the Gear S2 and your smartphone are Bluetooth-ready.

• After your Gear S2 and Samsung/Android smartphone are paired together, you’ll be allowed into the settings of your Gear S2. The Gear Manager app will allow you to customize watchfaces, notifications, add apps to your smartwatch, send pictures and data to your smartwatch from the phone (and vice versa), and even let you adjust the app layout. Select the “Apps Layout” function to get started.

On the Apps Layout page, you’ll see the current ordering of your apps on the Gear S2 smartwatch. To change the order, place your finger on the “up and down” arrows to the right of each app name, and you will notice that you can move the app names up and down. This is how you arrange the apps on the Gear S2: by dropping and dragging apps in the places you want them. You can also uninstall a number of apps if you’d like. When done, you need only press the back arrow near “Apps Layout” at the top left, and head back into your additional Gear S2 settings.

Are there any Gear S2 tips and tricks you’d like to read about? Drop us a line in the comments to let us know how we can best help you.

Author: All credits for this post go to Deidre R. @ sammobile.com
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Samsung has a plethora of phones and tablets in its lineup, and regularly releases firmware updates for various devices. These can include major updates, which bring a newer version of the OS to a particular device, or minor ones that improve performance and stability and fix bugs. Software updates for Samsung devices roll out in various regions every day, and you can find out which firmware updates were pushed out by the company over the last 24 hours through our firmware list.

As usual, you can download each of these firmware from our firmware section (simply enter your device’s model number to view all firmware for that device) in order to update to a new firmware manually, or as a means to return to your phone or tablet’s stock software.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
Read the original article at www.sammobile.com

Sorry folks, but we have yet another bout of details about the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge to share with you. These details come from a source inside the supply chain, and confirm many of the things we have heard until now.

Yes, there will be a microSD slot on both phones, as a leak earlier today reiterated. The screen sizes are also confirmed to be 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, which means Samsung has taken inspiration from its fiercest competitor (which took inspiration from the Korean giant when it launched a 5.5-inch version of the world’s most popular smartphone) and wants to please fans of both small and large phones at the same time. You will be able to opt for a large Galaxy S flagship instead of waiting for the next Note or settling for a non-flagship phablet, or give up the Edge screen to get a smaller screen size.

In terms of pricing, there isn’t much change compared to the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 edge/S6 edge+. The 32GB models of the S7 and S7 edge will be priced at Euro 699 and 799 respectively (the 64GB models should be priced around Euro 70-80 higher, though our source didn’t say so). The two phones will be announced in February; our source says they will go on sale during the same month, which would be faster than even the Note 5 and S6 edge+ if the rumored February 20 date of the Unpacked event is correct.

We tend to believe what our sources tell us, and while we are willing to do the same in this case (this source has offered solid information in the past), don’t forget to keep the salt container handy. We are working to get more information on Samsung’s next big (and bigger) thing, and will continue to report on information from both ours and others’ sources.

Author: All credits for this post go to Abhijeet M. @ sammobile.com
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The official announcement of Samsung’s next-generation flagship smartphone is not far away, and there’s no dearth of Galaxy S7-related rumors, leaks, concepts, and reports. Earlier today, we reported some exclusive details about the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge‘s display size and price tags. Now, a new concept video has surfaced on the Internet that might showcase the final design of the Galaxy S7.

According to the video and accompanying images, which are allegedly based on the blueprints given by Samsung to accessory makers, the Galaxy S7 with a 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display will be 7.9 mm thin. This thicker shell might be due to a larger battery  and the camera won’t protrude as much as it did in the Galaxy S6. The device is reported to be 142.5 mm tall, 69.5 mm wide, and 8.7 mm thin at its thickest part.

Interestingly, the report claims that the Galaxy S7 won’t feature a USB Type-C connector, but will have faster data transfer as well as charging. The device appears to have curved sides at the back, similar to the Galaxy Note 5′s design, and this will improve the ergonomics. The home button might be more rounded off, but no justification has been provided to back up this claim.

Do you think this will be the final design of the Galaxy S7? Go ahead and watch the concept video of the Galaxy S7, which will be officially announced by Samsung in February. The Galaxy S7 is expected to feature a 5.5-inch curved QHD Super AMOLED display, a 12-megapixel primary camera, and a 3,600 mAh battery.

[iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sDd8_NrkH7I" width="853" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"]

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As many of you might be aware that the Samsung CES 2016 keynote is about ten minutes away, it’s time to tune into the event and see for yourself everything the company is going to unveil today. The company always live streams its events so you don’t necessarily have to be at the venue to get in on the action. The Samsung CES 2016 live stream is online now, it’s embedded down below so you can watch it right here on the best Samsung community on the internet.

[iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T25-97avBug" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen]

Author: All credits for this post go to Adnan F. @ sammobile.com
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We did report earlier today that the Rose Gold and Platinum Gear S2 had been spotted at CES and that an announcement was likely in the very near future. At CES 2016 Samsung has launched two new elegant editions of the Gear S2 smartwatch, one in 18K Rose Gold and the other in Platinum. Customers now have more options to choose from when picking up Samsung’s latest and greatest smartwatch, they can opt for whatever best matches their style while still providing the advanced functionality and intuitive navigation offered by the Gear S2.

Samsung has also confirmed that the new Gear S2 classic is going to include NFC technology so that it works with Samsung Pay, which will be available to Gear S2 users in the near future initially in the United States. The Gear S2 classic in Rose Gold will be available with an ivory genuine leather band and in Platinum with a black genuine leather band next month. Pricing has not yet been confirmed.

Author: All credits for this post go to Adnan F. @ sammobile.com
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