Only last week we heard reports that Samsung was planning to add S Pen stylus support to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and now there's more evidence for the move via a patent filing that's just been published.
As spotted by LetsGoDigital, the Samsung Electronics patent shows a mobile device that folds in half and has stylus support. When not in use, the stylus slots into the body of the phone, as with the Samsung Galaxy Note series.
The obvious candidate for this tech would be the Galaxy Z Fold 3 – though we wouldn't read too much into the actual design of the device shown here, as it's probably just a generic placeholder for whatever Samsung's next foldable is going to look like.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 broke cover in August, so we could have a few months to wait before a successor appears. Based on earlier patents, it looks as though the hinge could be in for a significant overhaul in terms of design.
(Image credit: WIPO/LetsGoDigital)
The patent also mentions electromagnetic resonance (EMR) tech, as used in the Note phones. There have been rumors that the foldable phones would use active electrostatic solution (AES) displays instead – it's pricier but better for flexibility.
Just because the patent doesn't mention AES doesn't mean it's not genuine though: this filing will have been months in the making, and from what we've heard so far it sounds as though Samsung still hasn't made up its mind on the matter anyway.
The usual caveat about patents applies: these documents don't show actual products, but rather ideas for products that companies are experimenting with. It might take years for Samsung to get this technology right, or it might not happen at all.
Add in the speculation about the Fold and Note series merging though, and it seems a stylus-equipped foldable is definitely something Samsung is keen on. If it doesn't get the mix right in 2021, we might see it happen in 2022.
One UI 3.0 builds are well into public beta at this point. Galaxy S20 family devices in both the US and Germany, signed-up for the program are already running test Android 11, One UI 3.0 ROMs and in a more-recent development, so are US Note20 units. A new page has now gone up on the company’s official Malaysian website, highlighting some of the major new additions and changes in One UI 3.0.
Probably the biggest news on there, however, is in the small print below the images, that promises a November launch for One UI 3.0. Samsung is yet to officially unveil a list of supported devices, regions and a roadmap. Given the current beta schedule, we can only assume that the S20 family will be the first in line, though. Since the showcase page in question also prominently features and mentions both the old Galaxy Fold and the new Z Fold2, as well as Galaxy Tab devices, we are expecting a fairly broad initial launch.
Some of the highlighted new interfaces include a re-designed Quick Panel that incorporates Android 11 multimedia controls, giving users easy switching between different multimedia playback sources and controls.
One UI 3.0 will also double the number of categories within the Dynamic lock screen and bump the selection up to 10.
Like we already mentioned, the page features the Galaxy Z Fold2 rather prominently on a few occasions. Multi-Active window with up to three-way display splitting is not exactly new and has been on the Z Fold2 since launch. However, it is now getting some new tweaks for Android 11 and One UI 3.0, which will also be propagating to the original Galaxy Fold, as well as the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+.
Dual Preview and Rear Camera Selfie are another example of features already available on the Z Fold2, boosting its camera versatility by making use of the unique formfactor. Sorely missed on the original Galaxy Fold, these will be backported to it with its One UI 3.0 update.
In yet another reference to the Galaxy Z Fold2, Samsung is apparently planning to tweak its View adjustment behavior, going from the outside display to the inside one and vice-versa. Currently, the Z Fold2 already has a nifty option to use tablet-like DPI settings and UI variants of app, when available. You can read more about that in our full in-depth review, but it is arguably a bit obscure at the moment. Samsung is apparently planning to change that and make it the default behavior.
Good Lock is going to learn some new tricks, as well. Wonderland will let you create wallpapers that move and respond to your phone’s motion, while Pentastic will let you customize S Pen Air commands, the pointer and its associated sound settings. Some regional limitations do apply for Good Lock availability, which you can check at the source link.
Last on the showcase list, we have Full-screen video calls, which are also, apparently going to be part of the One UI 3.0 update.
To reiterate, if the webpage in question is to be believed, we should be seeing the first One UI 3.0 OTA packages start to go out in a matter of days. Plus, these are just some of the features and tweaks the new UI and its underlining Android 11 OS are expected to bring. Especially if a beta changelog leak from back in September is anything to go by.
If you're in the market for a new premium TV, you'll want to keep an eye on Black Friday Samsung TV deals. Samsung is renown for the quality of its TVs, especially when it comes to its QLED line. Generally speaking, Samsung TVs offer some of the best color and brightness performance you'll find on an LCD TV.
Sure, there are less costly options — TCL, Vizio, and Hisense come to mind — but Black Friday Samsung TV deals will make purchasing a Samsung TV much more affordable this holiday season.
In terms of retailers, we're already seeing amazing Black Friday TV deals from the likes of Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. Big-screen TVs in particular are dropping to lows we'd normally see on Thanksgiving Day. So below we're rounding up the best Black Friday Samsung TV deals you can get right now. (For the best deals of the season, make sure to check out our guide to the best early Black Friday deals).
Black Friday Samsung TV deals — best early sales
Samsung 32" 1080p Smart TV:was $259 now $237 @ Dell
This 32-inch 1080p Samsung TV is perfect for a basement or spare room. This 2019 TV supports Samsung's Smart TV platform so you can stream content from the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more. B&H Photo has it on sale for $249.View Deal
Samsung 50" 4K TV:was $485 now $397 @ Amazon
The Samsung TU8000 series is a great TV if you're looking to get the most bang for your buck. This 2020 model offers HDR10+ support along with built-in Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant support. View Deal
Samsung 43" 4K TV:was $529 now $427 @ Best Buy
Priced at $427, the Samsung Q60T is one of the least-expensive Black Friday Samsung TV deals you'll find. The budget friendly QLED TV delivers rich color and sharp details along with support for Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant. You also get HDR10+/HLG support and Dolby Audio support. View Deal
Samsung 55" Curved 4K TV:was $547 now $497 @ Amazon
This Samsung TV features a curved design to provide a more immersive TV viewing experience. It comes with a voice remote that supports Bixby, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Rarely on sale, it's now at its lowest price ever. View Deal
Samsung 70" 4K TV:was $749 now $529 @ Best Buy
Black Friday Samsung TV deals don't get better than this. Best Buy has the Samsung 70-inch 6-Series 4K TV on sale for $529. It features 4K resolution, HDR10+ support, two HDMI ports, and Samsung's Tizen smart operating system. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and works with Google Assistant and Alexa. It's a whopping $220 off. View Deal
Samsung 55" Q70T 4K TV:was $999 now $899 @ Best Buy
In our review, we found the Q70T delivers a sharp picture with vivid colors. It uses a dual LED backlight instead of the full array LED backlights found in pricier models. Nevertheless, it delivered an overall solid picture and we found it fast enough for gaming. It supports HDR10+ and HLG content, Alexa/Google Assistant, and features Samsung's Tizen OS. View Deal
Samsung 55" 4K TV:was $1,797 now $1,297 @ B&H Photo
The Q90T is our favorite Samsung TV of 2020. It's the best QLED TV in Samsung's lineup and a valid alternative to OLED TVs. Packed with 400+ dimming zones and an arsenal of processing smarts — this is the Samsung TV to beat. Amazon offers the same price, although stock is limited.View Deal
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Time to upgrade that TV you’ve spent the last few months staring at? We have a deal you absolutely can’t miss. This Samsung 55-inch Curved 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV has a show-stopping curved screen—and it’s on sale for $500, or $200 off at QVC.
In true QVC fashion, it ships for free. And if you’d rather not pay all at once, you can opt for five ‘EasyPay’ monthly payments of $100 with no interest. Translation: Buy now, pay later!
Here’s the lowdown:
Curved vs. flat
The difference between a curved TV and a flat TV is, of course, the shape. While both can deliver impressive picture quality, a curved TV makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the movie, show or video game. That’s why curved TVs are considered more immersive compared to their flat counterparts, even if the comparisons are slight.
The curve also makes the 55-inch TV seem bigger than it actually is. The 4K resolution and HDR (High Dynamic Range) setting draws you in—even if you’re not sitting close to the screen.
“The curved design is wonderful and really pulls you into the picture,” writes a five-star Samsung reviewer. “The picture is gorgeous and we have been really enjoying the 4K experience. Unlike our previous Samsung Smart TV, this one comes right on and is ready to stream.”
Some believe there’s little difference between a curved and flat TV. And, sure, watching your favorite movies and TV shows will look impressive in both formats—but a curved TV is undoubtedly more aesthetically pleasing. Simply put, it just looks cooler.
By comparison, this flat Samsung 55-inch Class Smart 4K UHD TV (NU6900) is similar, but cheaper — it’s $380. Both curved and flat TVs have the same picture quality with an Ultra HD resolution and HDR settings for vivid and bright color contrast with deeper black levels, as well as the same size and refresh rate (60Hz) with Motion Rate 120 upscaling, but some Samsung shoppers prefer the curved model because of that immersive look and feel.
“I was hesitant to get a curved screen TV, but I have absolutely no regrets! The picture clarity is outstanding,” shared a five-star Samsung shopper. “I had watched a movie the night before I purchased this TV and had to watch it again to see the difference. Everything was so clear and detailed that I felt like I was in the movie. It was strange in a good way. The sound is clear without having to turn it up too high.”
In addition, the Samsung 55-inch Curved 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV has more bells and whistles than the flatscreen — with smart-home features via Alexa and Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2 smartphone mirroring built-in. This means you can stream whatever’s on your Apple iPhone on the curved model, while you can’t on the flat one. Both come with video streaming, so you can watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Now and more without getting a separate streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast.
Bottom line
At nearly 30 percent off, this Samsung 55-inch Curved 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV gives you an immersive viewing experience without sacrificing picture quality or features like video streaming and smart home compatibility. If you want to watch TV in a big way, and add some interest to your living room—this could be the one.
“When watching this television I feel as if I could reach out and touch what I'm seeing. I will never see another TV the same again,” added another satisfied shopper. “It reminds me of being at the IMAX theater.”
Many who are switching to a Galaxy smartphone for the first time often wonder can Samsung phones FaceTime? It might be that they’re switching over from an iPhone or just have a lot of people in their social circle that use Apple’s video calling app.No other video calling service is as popular on iPhones as Apple’s own, so much so that it has become an adjective. Like “Googling” something is the same as telling someone to run a search on the internet, so is “FaceTiming” for iOS users who want to make a video call.So one can understand why those considering a shift would be interested to know can you FaceTime on a Samsung phone. It’s all the more important in these pandemic times when most of us are relying mostly on video calling for both personal and professional needs.Can Samsung phones FaceTime?No, Samsung phones can’t FaceTime. Apple doesn’t make FaceTime available for Android devices. So no Android-powered smartphone, including the ones from Samsung, are able to run FaceTime. This is just one of the ways Apple keeps iOS users locked to its ecosystem. If they want to use FaceTime they will need to use a device made by Apple.This isn’t the end of the world, though. Just because you can’t FaceTime on a Samsung phone doesn’t mean you can’t make a video call to a friend who uses an iPhone. There are plenty of third-party video calling services that work on both iOS and Android devices. You can use whichever one you like to make video calls to iOS devices.FaceTime alternatives for Samsung phonesNow that you know it’s not possible to download FaceTime on a Samsung phone, it’s time to consider some FaceTime alternatives for Android. There are plenty of options to choose from. These days you can even make a video call on Instagram. Apps like Slack and Zoom that are used for communicating with colleagues offer this feature as well.The best FaceTime alternatives for Android are those that are widely known services that many people already use. We have listed them as they’re the easiest for even the most novice of users to get started with.SkypeSkype has exceptional brand recognition because it has been around for so long. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices in addition to Windows and Mac. You can make HD video calls between devices and also use its IM features for messaging. A whole host of other features make it a very useful app to have on your phone.Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App StoreFacebook MessengerNothing bridges the video calling divide between iOS and Android devices quite like Facebook Messenger. Billions of people across the globe who use Facebook also use the standalone Messenger app for keeping in touch with friends and family. So even if you can’t FaceTime on your Samsung phone, you can fire up Messenger and make a video call to an iPhone. You’ll obviously need to be friends with that person on Facebook for this to work. Messenger also provides many features that enhance the video calling experience.Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App StoreWhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp may not be as ubiquitous in the US but billions of people in other parts of the world swear by it. In case you weren’t aware, WhatsApp is also owned by Facebook. Its video calling functionality is robust as it supports both individual and group video calls. WhatsApp is also a great instant messaging app so you can really get the best of both worlds with it.Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App StoreGoogle DuoGoogle Duo is the native video calling solution for Android devices that’s developed by Google itself. The app keeps things simple as it opens up the camera when the app is launched and shows the contacts lists so that you can easily get started. It’s highly regarded for its exceptional video call quality. If both you and your friend have a recent Samsung flagship, you can use advanced Duo features like auto framing and even make Full HD (1080p) video calls with up to 8 people. A Google Duo app is available for iOS devices, thus making it a great FaceTime alternative when you need to video call an iPhone user.Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App StoreSo even though you can’t download FaceTime on a Samsung phone, there are plenty of other options available. Seeing your friends who prefer to use the fruit company’s devices isn’t really that difficult. Just choose an app that works for the both of you and you’re off to the races.The Link Lonk
October 31, 2020 at 02:04AM
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Can Samsung phones FaceTime? No, but you should check this out - SamMobile
The Google Play Store is where most Android users get their apps and games, but every Samsung phone comes preloaded with the Galaxy Store. Now, that store is getting another redesign that focuses heavily on gaming.
Back in early 2019, Samsung gave its Store a fresh coat of paint that’s stuck around for over a year. Now, Samsung is “relaunching” the Galaxy Store with a heavy focus on gaming.
In the new design, Samsung highlights games on the top row as well as personalizing recommendations underneath. To get to apps, users have to press a separate “Apps” tab while the store defaults to the “Games” tab.
Samsung is relaunching Galaxy Store as the place for casual and hardcore gamers alike to discover exciting gaming experiences and take advantage of unique benefits for Galaxy users. With its curated selection of the best games and gaming perks, Galaxy Store helps you get more and game more.
Whether games are your way to take a break, try your luck, or test yourself, the newly redesigned Galaxy Store is the go-to way to browse, discover, and play your favorites. Plus, when you play through Galaxy Store, you can access Galaxy-exclusive games, rewards, and benefits—as well as take advantage of expert gaming and app recommendations to get the most of your Galaxy experience.
Notably, Samsung is pretty heavily pushing Fortnite here above all else. While Xbox Game Pass and other major titles are available in the Galaxy Store, it’s pretty obvious what’s the focus. The Galaxy Store still has Fortnite, and no one else does.
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IN THE SPRING of 1995 word got to Lee Kun-hee that a batch of Samsung’s brand-new mobile phones, which it had doled out as new-year gifts, did not work. Incensed, the group’s chairman ordered employees at the factory that had made the offending devices to pile up tens of thousands of them in a courtyard. A cool $45m-worth of equipment then went up in flames.
The episode is emblematic of the way Mr Lee (pictured), who died on October 25th aged 78, turned a South Korean maker of knock-off electronics into a technology powerhouse. He was obsessed with quality and demanded total devotion from executives. Every decade or so he made bold bets. His last one, on smartphones and semiconductors, paid off handsomely. Samsung Electronics, the group’s crown jewel, has a market value of $311bn, more than JPMorgan Chase, America’s biggest bank.
The patriarch’s death was not unexpected—he had been incapacitated since a heart attack in 2014. It will not prompt leadership changes. But it highlights two challenges facing South Korea’s biggest chaebol (conglomerate). The group must find growth beyond maturing smartphone markets. And it has to grapple with Mr Lee’s other legacy: an over-cosy relationship with politics that has embroiled his company, as well as his son and successor, Lee Jae-yong, in corruption cases.
The rise of Samsung mirrors that of South Korea. When Lee père took over from his father in 1987, the country was an emerging economy that had yet to make the transition to democracy. When he fell ill in 2014 it was rich, thriving and democratic. On his watch Samsung abandoned the “fast follow” strategy adopted by South Korean firms since the 1970s and allowed himself “to imagine that his company could be number one in its own right”, says Park Ju-gun of CEO Score, a corporate watchdog. This entailed some mistakes, such as an expensive foray into carmaking. But it mostly brought success.
Although the group maintains businesses from shipbuilding and life insurance to amusement parks, the younger Mr Lee, de facto boss since 2014, has kept a focus on electronics. Today Samsung is the world’s biggest maker of smartphones and its second-biggest of chips. It has defended its position in mobile devices against competition from China. Lee fils has forged global partnerships, including with competitors such as Apple, which Samsung Display, a subsidiary, supplies with screens for iPhones. He has also begun to move the company away from producing solid but unsexy hardware towards an emphasis on design and software, which accounts for American big tech firms’ trillion-dollar valuations.
It has not all gone the Lees’ way. Wielding economic influence to preserve a corporate structure that benefits the founding family has landed them in trouble. Lee père was twice convicted for corruption, including bribing the president—and twice pardoned when politicians deemed his continued involvement in Samsung to be in the national interest. His son has already spent time in prison, for bribing a confidante of Park Geun-hye, a former president, to gain approval for a merger, which prosecutors allege helped him consolidate control over the Samsung empire. Ms Park was removed from office and Mr Lee is facing retrial on those charges, plus a fresh one on related accusations of manipulating stock prices to facilitate the merger. Mr Lee and Samsung deny wrongdoing.
If either case lands Mr Lee in prison, his leadership may be in jeopardy. That need not spell doom—the day-to-day running of the company is in the hands of professional managers. But it may make it harder to perform the late patriarch’s occasional, sweeping changes of direction.
Some of his son’s bets seem to be working. Samsung Biologics, the listed biotech subsidiary, is building a new $1.5bn factory. Its share price is up by 50% this year. That of Samsung SDI, a battery affiliate, has nearly doubled (see chart); it has invested $2.1bn since January and is eyeing the electric-car market. It is planning to expand a factory in China and build a new one in Hungary. But at a combined value of $63bn they look small next to Samsung Electronics. And competition in both areas is hot.
Samsung Electronics’ third-quarter results on October 29th beat forecasts. Over the next ten years it plans to spend a large part of its annual $10bn semiconductor capital budget on its contract-manufacturing chip business. American sanctions against Chinese technology firms, which have already hurt its smartphone rivals such as Huawei, may help with that—and with its flagging foray into 5G telecoms. But the firm warned of lower chip demand in the short term. And the market share of its chip “foundries” lags behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the industry leader. No new mega-bet in the style of Lee père is on the horizon.
Lee fils has apologised for his group’s run-ins with the law and vowed to break with tradition and not pass control to his own progeny. The Lee family says it plans to pay the full inheritance tax on the patriarch’s $16bn shareholdings. Honouring his positive legacy may prove harder. ■
Correction: Samsung is the second-biggest producers of all chips, not, as we said, of memory chips, where it is in fact the market leader. We also wrote that it plans to invest roughly $10bn in its foundry business over the next decade, whereas this is the annual sum for all its semiconductor investments until 2030, which includes contract manufacturing. Sorry.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline "The Lee way"
Wearable devices have established themselves in the mainstream, so this coming Black Friday, expect smartwatch deals to be among the most popular targets for bargain hunters. However, you don’t have to wait until November 27 if you want to buy a smartwatch, especially with the Samsung Galaxy Watch deals that are currently available. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, which was only released a couple of months ago in August, is already at its lowest price ever, with Best Buy offering $60 discounts for the 41mm model, taking its price down to $340 from $400, and to the 45mm model to lower its price to $370 from $430.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (41mm, GPS) — $340, was $400;
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm, GPS) — $370, was $430;
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 features a 1.4-inch Super AMOLED round screen with 360 x 360 pixel resolution and more than 50,000 watch faces. It also comes with premium leather bands, completing an aesthetic that blends the traditional watch look with the digital smartwatch.
Samsung’s latest smartwatch, however, offers more than just looks. Interacting with the device’s apps is convenient and intuitive through its rotating bezel, which lets you avoid swiping at the screen, and so your view of the display is not obstructed. The Galaxy Watch 3 is not powered by Google’s WearOS but rather Samsung’s Tizen, which is comparatively more refined and less intrusive.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 comes equipped with a heart rate monitor, a sleep tracker, auto-fall detection, and a blood oxygen monitor. The information is displayed with colorful and easy-to-read text, and works with the Samsung Health app to keep track of your well-being.
Samsung promises a long-lasting battery for the Galaxy Watch 3 that lasts more than a day on a single charge. If you ever forget to charge the device and find it running low on juice, a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone can give it a boost through the Wireless PowerShare feature.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, the latest entry in the Galaxy Watch lineup, offers an impressive combination of features and style. It was only released in August, but you can buy it now ahead of Black Friday at its lowest prices ever of $340 for the 41mm model and $370 for the 45mm model, which represents $60 off from the original prices of $400 and $430, respectively. It’s hard to imagine the discounts widening on Black Friday as the smartwatch has just been released, so if want to see the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 on your wrist, you should click on that Buy Now button as soon as you can.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (41mm, GPS) — $340, was $400;
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm, GPS) — $370, was $430;
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