Earlier this week, iOS and Mac users rejoiced at the arrival of the taco emoji, just one of a number of new emoji that were added to the operating systems via a software update. Unfortunately, Android users don’t yet have access to these emoji, something that’s an undeniable bummer. The good news is that the senior VP of Android says more emoji will be coming soon, the bad news is we don’t know when. Last night, Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted that he’s heard the feedback and that Google is working on it — but when that change might happen is up in the air. Still, it’s good news — every day that goes by without a taco emoji is a day that isn’t lived quite to its fullest.
Samsung and Marvel have a history of working together, most recently the two joined forces to create the exclusive Galaxy S6 Iron Man Edition. Such partnerships have also provided Samsung with screen time in Marvel’s big budget superhero movies, clearly it’s an arrangement that works for both companies. According to a new rumor out of China the two might be collaborating once again, this time on an Ant-Man edition of the Galaxy S6 edge+.
There aren’t a lot of details available as yet about the Galaxy S6 edge+ × Ant-Man, but the rumor out of China claims that it’s going to happen, apparently it’s going to have Ant-Man’s helmet on the back of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and a unique color scheme to go along with it. If it does see the light of day it’s most likely going to be a limited run device like the Galaxy S6 Iron Man Edition, expect it to cost a bit more than what you’d normally pay for this handset. There’s no confirmation as yet from either Samsung or Marvel that they’re working on an Ant-Man edition of the Galaxy S6 edge+ so all fans can do at this point is keep their fingers crossed.
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.
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.
Samsung Electronics’ exciting new wearable device, the Samsung Gear S2, has introduced unprecedented style and functionality, with its rotating bezel and revolutionary UX (User eXperience) interface.
But a great device needs more than just design and technology. Partners and apps are vital aspects to creating a device that maximizes usability and functionality—and the Gear S2 has put together a strong list of partners that take it to the next level.
From early on, Samsung emphasized the importance of its partners, as seen in the early announcement of the Software Development Kit (SDK) for the Gear S2. Usually, an SDK is released after a new product announcement, but for the Gear S2, early access was provided back in April, months before the device was unveiled at IFA in Berlin in September.
“We made sure to put in as much time as needed to optimize the applications for the new circular design and UX,” said Joohyung Jeong of Product Planning Team of IT & Mobile Communications Business division. “We wanted to offer a great variety of useful applications to the users at the time of launch, which was made possible with the early announcement of the SDK.”
Because of the Gear S2’s unique, rotating bezel and a circular display, Samsung’s partners were eager to create apps for the smartwatch. The new wearable shape meant all the apps had to be redesigned, and Samsung provided all the design resources needed by our partners. But, in fact, optimizing apps for the rotating bezel turned out to be easier and more intuitive than the touch menus used by many wearables. It was also more convenient creating messaging services and notifications using the new interface.
The other thing which makes the Gear S2 so special is Samsung introduces special watch faces with many partners besides a customized app. These watch faces provide important information depending on your needs. You can check the latest trends on Twitter, or see stock updates on Bloomberg, or sports scores on ESPN.
With hundreds of apps available for the Gear S2 already, let’s take a look at eight of the most popular, for making people’s lives easier and more empowered.
Nike+ Running
With Nike + Running, you can keep track of your jogging regime, including how far you went, the pace and for how long you were running. Nike + Running can help organize and motivate you to make your fitness goals and live healthier.
Twitter Trends
Twitter comes to your wearable, bringing all the trending topics, fun tweets and conversations, and hottest news from around the world.
Line
The popular and free messaging app Line is also available for the Gear S2. In addition to being fast and easy-to-use, Line comes with an array of cute cartoon characters you can use as the face for your Gear S2.
Yelp for Gear
As a wearable device, the Gear S2 is designed for people on the go. And one of the most popular apps for people on the go is Yelp, the review site that rates just about everything in the world around you, like restaurants, flights, coffee shops, and stores.
Volkswagen
Whether it’s called Car-Net (in the United States) or e-Remote (in Europe), the Volkswagen app gives you access to your car, no matter how close or far you may be. You can check to see if the doors are locked, start the air-conditioning before you get to your car or stop it from charging (if it’s an electric car).
SmartThings
SmartThings turns your home into an IoT Smart Home, and the SmartThings app lets you check on your home from wherever you are. Are your doors closed? Are the lights on? Do you want your home to get ready for your arrival, based on any preset routine you like? The SmartThings app can do all that and more.
Kevo by UniKey
Kevo is the smartlock security system that puts the safety of your home right onto your mobile devices. No more fumbling with keys, now your Gear S2 can lock and unlock your doors. Kevo can send eKeys to anyone else, family or guests, so your family is safe, and you have maximum control over your own home.
Voxer
A messaging platform for sending voice messages, texts, photos, and videos. But what makes Voxer different is that you can also send audio live, like a walkie talkie, to instantly communicate with your friends and contacts.
And that’s just the start. Just as partners in Korea have prepared a special transportation app, with which users can simply tag their Gear S2 on the card readers at the gates of the subway and bus stations, many different specialized apps will be introduced to fit the needs of the local consumers.
As we reported earlier, Samsung is working on a bunch of Galaxy A series smartphones that could be released in the coming months. This includes the Galaxy A9, the Galaxy A3X, the Galaxy A5X, and the Galaxy A7X. Now, specifications of the upcoming Galaxy A9 have surfaced on the Internet.
According to the AnTuTu benchmarks that we’ve stumbled upon, the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop running Galaxy A9 (SM-A9000) will feature a 5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 620 processor (MSM8976) with Adreno 510 GPU, 3GB RAM, and 32GB internal storage. There are no details regarding the camera on the upcoming device; but we should see at least a 16-megapixel primary camera considering the A9 will be a sequel to the Galaxy A8.
Samsung recently imported components of the Galaxy A9 to India for testing but not the actual device, which makes us think that it might still be at least three or four months away from being officially announced. In any case, we will report more details about the device as and when we get them.
With a bigger and better edge screen, the Galaxy S6 edge+ allows users to more easily interact with their favorite people, access their most frequently used apps and get information based on their interests.
To illustrate just how simple and convenient these new and improved functions are, here are a few quick tutorials to enable you to unlock all the possibilities of the beautifully curved edge screen. To start, make your way to the edge screen menu insettings.
People Edge:Adding Your Besties
Perhaps nothing in life is more important than the people around us, and People Edge lets you keep those close to you even closer. With this feature, you can add your top five favorites, like your boyfriend, your BFF and your boss, in one easy-to-access, color-coded area.
In addition to being able to more quickly access these contacts, you can set the edge screen to illuminate with different colors when there are notifications about them. Furthermore, People Edge lets you communicate with your friends using emoticons, pokes, images and handwritten messages.
Choose Add contact, then select the friend you wish to add from contact list.
To assign a color to the contact, tap the color dot next to the contact’s name, then choose the preferred color.
From the People Edge menu, select OnCircle and switch it On to communicate with your friends using emoticons, pokes, images and handwritten messages.
Interact with your favorite people by swiping inwards from the Edge handle. Tap the contact and connect!
Alternatively, you can add a contact straight from the edge screen. Simply swipe, press + and select contact.
Apps Edge:Access Your App Obsession Even More Easily
Everyone has their own go-to app. Maybe you’re a social media fiend. Or, perhaps you can’t live without your podcast radio. Whatever you’re into, Apps Edge lets you put your most frequently used apps in one easily accessible place.
Instantly access your favorite apps by swiping inwards from the Edge handle and tap the app you wish to open.
Alternatively, you can add an app directly from the edge screen. Simply swipe, press +and select app.
Edge Lighting:Light Up the Edge
Keep the Galaxy S6 edge+ silent, but know when you receive calls or notifications, even when the phone is turned over by, setting up Edge lighting. Once activated, a light will signal any incoming calls or messages. Also, if People Edge is on, the color of the indicator will correspond with your My people settings.
In addition, you can send preset replies to incoming calls without answering, turning over your phone or even picking it up.
Switch On.
Tap Quick reply and switch it On to reject an incoming call and send a preset message to the caller by placing your finger on the heart rate sensor and holding it in place for two seconds while the device is turned over.
Set your Quick reply message.
Information Stream: Manage the Feeds That Matter to You
The Information stream on the Galaxy S6 edge+ displays feeds related to your interests on the edge screen while the main screen is turned off. There’s a feed for everyone, whether you want the latest news in entertainment, the scores of the big game or are keeping a watchful eye on the stock market. If you’re an information junkie, you can customize the Information stream to display multiple feeds in the order of your preference.
Switch On.
Select Manage feeds.
Choose the feeds you want displayed by checking the box above each, or download other feeds.
Tap Reorder to organize your selected feeds.
Tap, hold and drag the feeds in the order that you prefer, with the feed to be displayed first on the far left.
Go back to the Information stream menu and select Edge screen timeout to select the length of time you would like the Information stream to be displayed.
From the Information stream menu, select Weather to change the settings of your weather feed.
To view the Information stream, swipe your finger along the edge screen and back in one quick motion while the main screen is turned off. To view other feeds, swipe the edge screen upwards or downwards.
Night Clock:Always On and Easy On the Eyes
If you’re like most people, you use your mobile device as a primary timepiece, or an alarm (or alarms) clock to get you up and at ‘em in the morning. But you also hate the blinding effect looking at a bright screen in the middle of the night tends to cause. Thanks to the Night clock of the Galaxy S6 edge+, however, those days are over, as you can activate it to softly illuminate the time on the edge screen while the main screen is turned off.
Switch On.
Set the start and end times that you want Night clock to be displayed using the keypad. (The maximum duration for Night clock is 12 hours.)
Edge Screen Position: Customize the Way You Access the Edge
Lefty? Righty? Big hands? Tiny thumbs? It doesn’t matter, as you can set the edge screen to be displayed on either side of the Galaxy S6 edge+ to allow for easy and comfortable use. Likewise, you can set the Edge handle—a tab which essentially acts a shortcut to the edge screen—to your preferred position of the screen.
To change the position of the handle on the edge screen, tap the arrow key, then drag the edge screen handle to the location of your choice.
Tap Show Edge screen handle on to select on which screens you want the handle to be displayed. (All screens or Home and lock screens only.)
From the Edge screen position menu, select Edge screen side and chooseRight side or Left side.
One month after Samsung Electronics announced its latest smartwatch at the IFA, the Samsung Gear S2 became available for purchase on October 2 in the United States, Germany, Singapore and Korea
Sporting a full circle display and unique rotating bezel, the Gear S2 offers unprecedented convenience and style in a powerful wearable device. That rotating bezel serves as the main control for the UX—along with Home and Back buttons on the side—giving you a new, fun and intuitive way of accessing the Gear S2, without your fingers getting in the way of the screen. Now you can control your smartwatch with just a simple turn, rotating the bezel to choose apps, check messages and customize the Gear S2.
Just 11.4 millimeters thin, with a crystal-clear 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display, the Gear S2 looks stylish and elegant, in a form that’s just right for you. And with hundreds of watch faces available for downloading and dozens of fashionable watch bands, you can customize their Gear S2 so it matches your unique style.
The Gear S2 comes in two options, the Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic, giving you more choices to find the style that’s right for you. The classic has a timeless design, with a black finish and matching leather band, while the Gear S2 is great for people on the go, looking for a more minimal and modern style.
With 4GB of memory and a dual core 1GHz processor, the Gear S2 has the power to do more, which helps you do more. All Gear S2s come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a 3G option is also available so the Gear S2 can be used without being tethered to a smartphone. They also have NFC technology, giving them the capability of handling mobile payments and smart keys for the home and car.
The Gear S2 is also compatible with Android phones running on Android 4.4 or higher, with at least 1.5 GB of RAM. You can find all compatible Android smartphones here.
And take a look at a Gear S2 in action in this unboxing video:
The Gear S2 has made a big impression with its innovative design and functionality since it was unveiled at IFA 2015 in Berlin. The most noticeable differences are a circular display and rotating bezel that controls the UX (User eXperience), which has totally transformed how smartwatches are used, making them simpler and more intuitive.
So the big question is, how did Samsung’s designers develop such a new vision for the smartwatch? Let’s take an inside look at the design of the Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic, and how the designers created such an innovative device.
Getting the Right Fit
For the Gear S2 to fit everyone at every moment, Samsung’s designers realized that they needed to focus on two key elements: finding the optimum size for the display and a suitable wristband for everyone.
“The width and shape of people’s wrists are different based on a number of factors. But we were dedicated to developing a Gear S2 strap to fit everyone,” said Jaehyung Hong, Senior Designer.
Reducing the size to fit comfortably on the wrist, while maintaining the same highly advanced technologies found in smartphones, was not easy. After much brainstorming, research and trial and error, the designers finally found a solution. Though it required a more complicated assembly process, the space between the watch face and the wristband was reduced, resulting in a more comfortable fit.
A Revolutionary Bezel
One of the most signature aspects of the Gear S2 is the rotating bezel. Rotating bezels have been used before in analog watches, but chiefly with dive watches, which are most commonly used for timing events. But when Samsung applied that technology to the Gear S2, it was a revelation.
“As touch screens have spread to all electronic devices, people are gradually forgetting about the rotary feel of analog devices,” said Yongseok Bang, Principle Designer. “We used to control the volume of TV or audio, the heating level of the range, by turning a dial. We’ve tried to revive the analog feel with the Gear S2.”
Bang also noted that circular designs had been considered for many years, but it was not easy to provide a convenient user experience with the full circle design.
“The circle design offers less space to display information than a square design,” noted Eunjoo Kim, Principle Designer. “We needed to consider how to use the space more efficiently. Then we realized users can enjoy and control the full display without any interruption through a rotating bezel.”
Because the Gear S2 is operated by the rotating bezel, the UX is faster, easier and more accurate. Users can control the interface without blocking the screen with their fingers. Although the rotating bezel is used in timer-like bezels of analog wristwatches, it functions completely differently, so designers had to come up with a wholly new approach.
“For every movement of the bezel, we discussed which way the screen should move,” said Yusic Kim, Senior Designer. “The most difficult part of the Gear S2 UX design was that we had to invent something totally new. We had to let go of our past designs and practices.”
To adjusting a physically rotating bezel, Samsung designers had to more closely work together with engineers than ever before. “We had to consider things like how much force was necessary to rotate the bezel, how much rotation was to be regarded as one unit, how many fingers were required to rotate the bezel, and more,” said Eunjoo Kim.
A Watch That Fits Your Needs
The most-used features on smartwatches are usually related to health, communication and music. With the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic, these features are easier and more intuitive than ever. Activity is recorded automatically on a 24-hour activity log. Notifications can be accessed simply by raising your wrist and music is controlled by the bezel. The Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic have improved even the most basic features.
The Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic also feature Samsung Pay, ensuring safe and easy mobile payments and freedom from carrying a bulky wallet. Smart Key replaces old keys, offering secure keyless entry. With the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic, simply enjoy more and worry about less.
Built-in wireless charging was specially designed for the Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic. Thinking about user experiences, the design team imagined how users would take off their watches at the end of the day. The wireless charging dock is magnetic and works when users place their watches on the dock, just as they would put their watches on the nightstand.
Of course, all that functionality is only half the equation. Users also have to be able to wear it in style. And thanks to hundreds of customizable watch faces and a wide selection of watch bands, all users have the ability to create a Gear S2 that’s just right for them. The design team wanted to make the bezel as simple as possible, so that the users have the freedom to decorate their Gear S2.
“Wristwatches have long been widely loved fashion items and we want users to feel they can wear a new smartwatch every day,” said Yusic Kim. “Gear S2’s many additional apps will be appearing continually at Samsung Gear Apps, including unique watch faces.”
The Smartwatch Everyone’s Been Waiting For
Through hard work and determination, Samsung’s designers have redefined the limits of smartwatches, bridging the gap between analog wristwatches and wearables. Thanks to their vision and focus on the needs of users, the Gear S2 is a smartwatch that fits into consumers’ lives, naturally.
The Galaxy S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5 are the industry’s first smartphones to feature fast wireless charging, a feature that lets the phones go from 0 to 100 percent battery in 120 minutes. That’s much faster than normal wireless charging that can take anywhere from three hours and more to charge a 3,000 mAh battery, but it requires Samsung’s special Fast Charge wireless charger to work.
The folks over at Android Police have made an interesting discovery about this new charger. The grilles at the bottom of the charger aren’t just for design, but are present because there’s a fan inside for dissipating heat. Qi wireless charging (Samsung’s devices support the PMA wireless standard as well) can increase the temperature of both the charger and the device being charged on non-fast charging, and it seems Samsung’s faster version of the technology gets a bit too hot to work well with passive cooling.
It’s an interesting thing Samsung is doing here, and it is another (small) example of how the company is taking wireless charging technology seriously. Of course, we still think these phones should be having larger batteries inside, but at least fast charging these devices without wires won’t be blowing anything up.
