After Android Pay’s slow rollout throughout the US, it’s finally available to everyone — well, those with a compatible device anyway. In the spirit of giving (or trying to get more people using the service), Google has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org to support special needs children in US schools. Through December 31st, Google will donate $1 for every purchase made through Android Pay, with a total of up to $1 million. The idea is to create an interactive classroom environment so kids who struggle to engage aren’t left out. What’s more, Android Pay will double its donations for every purchase made on Black Friday. As if you needed another reason to spend big on the most insane shopping day of the year.
Short Bytes: After the horrifying attacks on Paris, survivors are now sharing their stories. In one such incident, a Paris man has told that his Samsung device next to his head saved his life and protected him from the deadly impact.
his man named Sylvestre, a Paris terror attacks survivor, said that his Samsung Galaxy S6 phone saved his life and prevented his ‘head from being blown to bits.’
After the tragic incident of terrorist attacks on Paris, survivors and eyewitnesses are sharing their stories. According to Sylvestre, who was walking by the Stade de France stadium, a bomb exploded near him on Friday night and his device next to his head protected him from the impact.
According to the Reuters, “After he hung up, I was crossing the street, and straight away, BOOM, it exploded right in front of me. Everything ws blown to bits. I felt stuff flying around and then I got back up … This is the cell phone that took the hit.”
Sylvestre said that apart from the impact on his device, he was shot in the foot and his ribcage was grazed by a bullet.
It’s what saved me. Otherwise my head would have been blown to bits.
Below are the pictures of his Samsung phone that shows a smashed screen and a big dent:
Have something to add? Tell us in the comments below.
Modern display and telecommunications technology has been a huge boon to sports fans. Giant, curved screens in Ultra High Definition can bring sporting events to life, immersing people in the action.
But in Portugal this fall, lucky sports fans have enjoyed two new opportunities that have brought sports entertainment to the next level—completely enveloped in the action, in 360 degree virtual reality, thanks to the Samsung Gear VR. In September, a professional football game was broadcast live in virtual reality, and then at the end of October, surf enthusiasts were able to watch a surfing competition, all using the cutting-edge Gear VR. Yes, it’s been a good year for the Gear VR, and now sports fans, too, are getting the chance to see what the next generation of media is all about.
World’s First Live VR Broadcast Thrills Football Fans
The Portuguese are among the most passionate football fans in Europe, especially in the city of Oporto, whose team FC Porto has won the Primeira Liga 27 times and the prestigious Champions League title twice. On September 20, FC Porto squared off against Lisbon’s SL Benfica, another Portuguese powerhouse with 34 Primeira Liga titles, also two-time Champions League titlists. When these two teams play each other, the stakes are always high, but on this occasion, the match was further magnified by the presence of Samsung’s Gear VR and five 360degree cameras.
Together with the Portuguese cable operator NOS, SPORT TV, broadcasting specialists Mediapro and the Portuguese Professional Football League, Samsung helped people watch the game via the Gear VR, just as if they were at the stadium – except they were actually in the Samsung Experience Store in Almada and the NOS movie theater at the Centro Colombo shopping mall in Lisbon.
With one special, six-lens, 360 degree camera located behind each goal-line, another behind each team’s bench and another in the stands, people watching could choose from five different amazing vantage points to watch every minute of the thrilling contest.
As soon as the game started, the lucky football fans put on the Gear VR headsets and had that “wow” moment. “It really works. I really feel like I’m on the pitch. Look, it’s Casillas (FC Porto goalkeeper) just in front of me!” said one impressed viewer.
Surf’s Up in 360 Degrees
Another place where the Gear VR made a big splash in Portugal was at the Moche Rip Curl Pro on Supertubos Beach on October 24. The World Surf League teamed up with Samsung to broadcast the championship tour event worldwide for all Gear VR customers.
Even people thousands of kilometers away from Portugal (or from any beach) were able to see for themselves what it’s like to ride the waves, introducing new fans to the sport. There’s nothing like virtual reality for really giving people a sense of the emotions of surfing, not to mention the power of the oceans and the athleticism it takes to surf.
“We believe this is the future of entertainment,” said Frederico Paiva, Business Director of Samsung Portugal. “With this breakthrough technology and our most recent activation with the WSL, we are able to expose more people to the wonders of the sport of surfing.”
“The virtual reality content is amazing and regardless of your athletic ability, you can catch a wave like the pros,” said Chris Culbertson of the WSL. “The cameras enabled fans to see what it was like to be part of the crowd on the beach, in the VIP area and even in the athletes’ lounge, so they could hang out with their favorite surfers.”
You can get a sense of what the immersive surfing experience was like on the Portuguese beach even if you don’t own a Gear VR, with this exciting video from the World Surf League.
The Best Is Yet to Come
Samsung has shown how technology can bring sports even closer to the fans in a way nobody has ever before done in Portugal. In 2014, in the run-up to the FIFA World Football Championship, Samsung did the first ever live multi-platform broadcast of a football match in Ultra High Definition (UHD). The fans had the opportunity to watch the game between the national teams of Portugal and Greece with an unprecedented level of detail and impressive color richness.
And now, whether on the pitch or in the ocean, the Gear VR allows people to experience the reality and passion of sports more deeply than ever. And as these recent events in Portugal show, virtual reality isn’t just science fiction any more—it’s already facilitating the beginning of an amazing new era of the sports entertainment experience.
Samsung’s newest flagship devices, the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5, continue to blend technology that pushes boundaries with design that is both beautiful and functional. Samsung offers unique accessories so users can truly personalize their devices.
Best Case Scenario
One of the most frustrating things about getting a brand new device is the disappointing selection of cases when it is released. Since the launch of the Galaxy S5, Samsung has offered fashion-forward cases through designer collaborations, as well as its own sleek cases. With the launch of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5, Samsung introduced seven stunning cases, offered in brilliant colors to protect your device and reflect your personal style. These cases include the S View Cover, Flip Wallet, Clear View Cover, Clear Cover, Glitter Cover, Glossy Cover and the Keyboard Cover.
With Samsung’s clever re-introduction of the smartphone keyboard, the Keyboard Cover both protects and offers a detachable QWERTY keyboard. When not needed, the keyboard can be removed and attached to the back cover, and your device will automatically detect and adjust the screen. The design is both practical and convenient.
Samsung’s Clear View Cover is slim and sleek, fingerprint and scratch resistant and offers quick access to all the essentials. The case is translucent and made to show off the brilliant colors of each device. Ten percent thinner than its predecessor, the Clear View Cover allows you to maintain the sleekness of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5. A lipophilic finish and PET film keeps your device looking fresh.
The clear front allows users to answer and reject incoming calls, see missed call alerts, check battery life and access audio functions – all without opening the cover.
Power Up
The newest Galaxy devices come with improved wireless charging that is more advanced and faster than ever. The Wireless Charger pad is the world’s fastest wireless charging device for the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5. It’s easy to use with a convenient LED light that indicates charging status. The premium design, offered in white and navy blue, fits any home or office.
Along with Opening Ceremony’s Battery Pack, Samsung offers its own fast-charging portable Battery Pack. Exceptionally practical with a sophisticated design, Samsung’s Battery Pack is lightweight. It provides an extra 5200mAh boost in battery life. With four LED light indicators, the Battery Pack is easy to use. The Battery Pack is compatible with the Galaxy S6, the Galaxy S6 edge, the Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note edge, the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5. Just ten minutes of super-fast charging power gives your device up to four hours of battery life, and 90 minutes will fully charge your device*.
*may vary depending on individual usage patterns
Samsung also offers the Wireless Charger Pack which is a protective case, wirelessly charging pad and external battery, all-in-one. Designed for the Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note5, the Wireless Charger Pack is equipped with 3400mAh of power.
Sound Off
Samsung’s premium audio accessories provide ultimate sound quality for an immersive experience. Samsung’s wide range of audio accessories include LEVEL On Wireless, LEVEL On Wireless Pro, LEVEL Box Mini, LEVEL U, LEVEL Link and Bluetooth headsets.
LEVEL U is offered in four beautiful colors, black sapphire, white, gold and blue, and is ergonomically designed for flexible comfort. Offering best-in-class sound quality, LEVEL U is perfect for multiple purposes. LEVEL U also allows users to make calls and control music using the magnetic earbuds.
LEVEL On Wireless Pro headsets offer studio sound quality that is rich and balanced. With a stylish, foldable design, they are portable and convenient. Available in two colors (gold and black), LEVEL On Wireless Pro is equipped with easy touch controls to adjust volume, control music and answer calls.
Stylish and Functional
Samsung is committed to offering the latest in mobile device technology, and the best in accessories that both fit your personal style and help you use your device to its fullest capabilities. With stylish cases, powerful and fast charging and immersive audio, Samsung offers an abundance of options to reflect your personal style.
If reports are to be believed Samsung might launch the Galaxy S7 in January next year, which would explain why all of a sudden there’s an influx of rumors and reports concerning the Galaxy S7. I’m not complaining though, many Samsung fans are looking forward to see what the company achieves with its next flagship smartphone, and from what has been reported so far it’s going to be a big upgrade over the Galaxy S6.
A new report out of China suggests that the Galaxy S7 is going to have a magnesium alloy body adorned with glass, not only will that make the device more sturdy but will also improve the premium feel which will certainly go a long way in convincing users that it’s a worthwhile upgrade. Another report says that the Galaxy S7 is going to tout superior sound quality as it will feature the SABRE 9018AQ2M chip by ESS Technology, it has a 129 dB signal-to-noise ratio and has support for formats such as DSD and PCM p to 32-bit and 384 KHz. The chip will enable users to get the same listening experience from digital and streaming music as they do from its analog counterpart. It’s interesting to note that this report comes at a time when Samsung is believed to be looking into a possible acquisition of Tidal, a Hi-fi music streaming service owned by Jay-Z. With the chip built-in the Galaxy S7 will become very enticing for audiophiles and may ultimately end up helping Samsung sell more of its flagship device.
Apple’s new iPhones come with a feature called 3D Touch which offers various functionality depending upon how hard the user presses down on the display. The handset is capable of discerning the amount of force that’s applied in the tap to respond accordingly. Huawei has also brought this technology to its latest handset so it goes without saying that Samsung fans would expect the company to do something along the same lines. A new Samsung patent has been published which hints that the Galaxy S7 could have a feature similar to 3D Touch.
The patent titled Touch Input Apparatus and Electronic Device Having Thereof was submitted by Samsung back in April 2014 and has been published now by the Korean Intellectual Property Office. It’s essentially the same thing with the display being able to differentiate between the amount of force by looking at the corresponding voltage. The patent also shows that Samsung wants to use this feature to make one key perform different functions, for example one key can be used as both a space and a tab key depending upon how much force is applied when tapping it. Samsung has obviously not confirmed anything right now about the Galaxy S7 so fans can only keep their fingers crossed if they want to get 3D Touch the company’s next flagship, we might have to wait a while before we know if it’s coming for sure.
We have been hearing rumors about Samsung announcing the Galaxy S7 ahead of its regular flagship launch schedule, as it did with the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+. Today, Korean publication ETNews is reiterating the same; according to the publication’s report, the Galaxy S7 should come out sometime in January in “premium” and “sub-premium” variants, something we exclusively confirmed last month. Google didn’t translate the report well, but it seems to suggest that an announcement could take place on January 19th.
That would be around two weeks before the start of the MWC where we usually see new Galaxy S flagships; the Galaxy Note 5 was also announced two weeks earlier than usual, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see it become the norm for Samsung’s future flagship devices. The report also talks about the S7 employing an ePoP chip which integrates all the important sensors on a single die, which helps in improving efficiency and was first seen on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.
The Galaxy S7 is expected to be powered by three different processors based on market, and feature a display with Apple’s 3D Touch-like technology. It will also have a USB Type-C port, and possibly a dual-camera setup with a new 20-megapixel primary sensor. No matter when Samsung plans to make the S7 official, there is still a lot of time for the company to change the device’s features and hardware, and we should be seeing a lot more information crop up in the near future.
So far, our PEN.UP series has discussed how artists can use PEN.UP and its related apps to create and share their work and how PEN.UP has been used by people around the world. But the main focus of the PEN.UP app is how easily it lets people share their creations, tagging them and putting together virtual galleries.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note5, with its powerful and versatile S Pen, is an ideal partner for PEN.UP. Together, people can bring any fantastical idea from their imaginations to life, and then show off those fun images with the world.
In these new videos, take a look at how an artist uses a Galaxy Note5 and S Pen to create two artworks: a stylish “tiger flower” and a cute girl under an umbrella.
Once the final artwork is ready, it is simple to share online using PEN.UP. The artist just clicks the share button, and chooses the PEN.UP app. Simple, fun and flexible—the Galaxy Note5 together with PEN.UP lets users create and share their ideas more easily than ever.
Since Samsung launched the Galaxy Note smartphone in 2011, the line has closely identified with its signature S Pen. The versatile and easy-to-use S Pen gave users unprecedented power to take control of their digital lives, through the ability to write and edit content directly on the displays of the Galaxy Note smartphones.
Now, with the latest edition in this series launched in August, the Galaxy Note5 boasts more ways to conveniently take notes whenever you need and then share them with your friends and colleagues. With just a few clicks and strokes, the S Pen lets you do more than ever and do it more easily.
In addition to our previous article about the notable new features, the S Pen has gotten a significant upgrade, making it more responsive, accurate and fun to use. Let’s take a look at how the S Pen has grown over the years, as well as a couple of its most interesting new features.
The Growth of the S Pen
The most defining part of the Galaxy Note series is the S Pen, and the new, metallic version of the S Pen is the most elegant and useful yet. With a satisfying clicking motion, just like a retractable ink pen, the S Pen has the most natural-feeling writing experience.
For instance, the reporting rate is 80 percent higher than the previous S Pen, making the S Pen incredibly responsive to your every touch. The Galaxy Note5 is remarkably precise, recognizing 240 data points each second, far more than the 60 points per second that a finger typically can create. In addition, the new S Pen has an incredibly low latency period—just 74 milliseconds, down from 93 milliseconds with the previous model. Adding up all these improvements means far more control and nuance to your writing, just like a real pen and paper.
Using the S Pen is a simpler, two-step process: just remove the S Pen from the phone, which automatically brings up the Air Command menu, then select a feature.
Screen Off Memo
How often have you been talking to a friend or colleague, and suddenly found yourself needing to write down some key information right away? With the Galaxy Note5, you no longer have to spend time hunting for a pen and paper, or even take the time to turn your phone on, log on and fire up an app.
With Screen Off Memo, you can take notes right onto your smartphone’s screen, without even signing in. Just eject your S Pen and start writing right on the dark screen, then save your message for later once you are done.
It’s easy to turn on the Screen Off Memo feature:
Swipe down.
Choose the Settings icon.
Choose S Pen
Look for Screen Off Menu and switch to on.
That’s all there is to it. Now you can take notes you want while on the go, anytime and anywhere.
Another incredibly useful feature with the new Galaxy Note5 is how easy it is to share notes with your friends. Now it’s a snap, when looking at a website or any content, to capture part of the image, write your comments and share the new image with everyone.
Eject your S Pen to bring up the Air Command menu.
Select Smart Select.
Choose the shape you want to select (Rectangle, Oval or, for any irregular shape, Lasso), then select your image.
Select Write. Now you can jot down your comments right onto the image you’ve chosen. When you are finished, press Save in Scrapbook.
Select Share. Choose how you want to share your note: by email, text message or other app.
There’s plenty more you can do with your S Pen, including the new Scroll Capture feature that lets you take one continuous image of a long website, so check out these tips, too. Along with the Galaxy Note5 other upgraded features—like improved SideSync to connect your smartphone to your PC, 4GB of RAM for faster multitasking and a slimmer, better design—the Galaxy Note5 and S Pen together help you get more done, faster, in a style that’s all your own.
