One UI 3.1.1 update brings new features to older Samsung foldables

Samsung’s latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, launched with One UI 3.1.1. The software release packed several new features to enhance the foldable experience, including multi-active window and natural window switching support, a pinned Taskbar, the ability to customize app aspect ratio, and more. Samsung is now rolling out One UI 3.1.1 to older devices, bringing these new features to the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, and the Galaxy Fold.

In a recent blog post, the company announced that it will start rolling out One UI 3.1.1 to older Galaxy foldables starting August 31. The update will bring the following features to the devices:

Drag & split

With One UI 3.1.1, users with older Galaxy Z series devices will be able to easily open links in a split-screen view by dragging them to the edge of the screen. The feature will work with Samsung Internet, Samsung Notes, My Files, Messages, MS Office, OneNote, OneDrive, and more.

Drag & split support will be available on the Galaxy Z Fold 2, the Galaxy Z Fold, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and the Galaxy Z Flip with the One UI 3.1.1 update.

Multi-active window & Natural window switching

Multi-active window support will let you open up to three apps simultaneously on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the original Galaxy Fold. The feature will also let you adjust the height and width of all open windows to suit your needs. In addition, the Natural window switching feature will let you easily reorient open apps by dragging and placing them in any layout you want.

Unlike Drag & split, multi-active window and natural window switching will not be available on the Galaxy Z Flip 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip.

Set aspect ratio for apps

One UI 3.1.1 will also let users set a custom aspect ratio for all apps, allowing them to make the most out of the foldable displays. As you can see in the attached image, the feature will let you set a custom aspect ratio for apps like Instagram, so that it covers the entire foldable display.

As with the multi-active window and natural window switching features, the ability to set custom aspect ratios for apps will be limited to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the original Galaxy Fold.

Pinned taskbar

Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Fold users will also get the ability to pin apps to a persistent taskbar with the One UI 3.1.1 update. This will let you easily access your most frequently used apps on the home screen. Additionally, the feature will let you switch between your favorite apps without the need to head back to the home screen or the app drawer.

The feature will not be available on the Galaxy Z Flip 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip.

Along with the features mentioned above, One UI 3.1.1 for older Galaxy foldables will also give users the ability to rotate all apps, view certain apps in a split-screen view, force Flex Mode on unsupported apps, and mirror the cover screen with the main screen. For more details about the new features, check out Samsung’s official announcement post by following the link above.

It’s worth noting that Samsung has also started rolling out One UI 3.1.1 to a host of other devices, including the Galaxy S10 series, the Galaxy S20 series, the Galaxy Note 10 series, the Galaxy Note 20 series, and the Galaxy A52 5G. However, the features mentioned above are not available on these devices.

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The Windows 11 release date is officially set for October 5

Today, Microsoft is announcing that the official Windows 11 release date is October 5. Of course, as Microsoft has said this whole time, it’s not coming to everyone on day one. It’s going to be a staged rollout.

First of all, new hardware with Windows 11 is going to start being released in October. You’ll also see newer eligible devices receive the update in the very beginning. As Microsoft tests more devices, it will expand the rollout, and it’s expected to be offered to everyone by mid-2022.

You’ll also need to make sure that you have a compatible CPU. In fact, a lot of system requirements have changed this time around, but the requirement of an Intel eighth-gen or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 or newer processor is the biggest one. TPM 2.0 is also a requirement, but that’s been a requirement on new PCs since 2016, long before any of the supported processors shipped.

If you don’t meet these requirements, you can always install via an ISO image, but then you might not get updates. The alternative is to stay on Windows 10, and even if you do that, you’ll still be supported until October 14, 2025.

Obviously, there are a whole bunch of new features that are coming in Windows 11, the most obvious being an all-new design. You’re going to see a brand-new Start Menu and a centered taskbar. There are rounded corners throughout the OS, and with that new subtle look, there are more subtle system sounds, such as when you change the volume. It also comes with new gaming features with features like DirectStorage and Auto HDR, features that were previously exclusive to the latest generation of Xbox consoles.

There’s even more in terms of design though. You can now have different wallpapers in virtual desktops. You’ll also find an all-new Widgets section, which is mostly News and Interests under a new banner and a new design. Snap Layouts lets you hover your mouse over the maximize button to snap in different parts of the display, and then there are Snap Groups to call up groups of windows. Windows 11 is also optimized for touch, letting you use gestures on the screen that you’re already used to from the touchpad.

Teams Chat is new too. You’ll find the icon in the taskbar, and you can use it to chat with friends, even if they’re not using Teams. One feature that was promised that won’t arrive in time is Android app support. That’s coming later this year.

The Windows 11 release date is October 5. As mentioned, there’s going to be new hardware as well, and stuff being sold now is already being billed as ready for Windows 11. Microsoft noted in its blog post that this is a great time to buy a new PC, and that’s the whole idea behind the new requirements, although the company also outlined things like improved performance and fewer crashes.

While it’s going to be a slow, staged rollout, you’ll still be able to use tools like the Media Creation Tool to install Windows 11 on your machine early.

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Android app support in Windows 11 delayed, likely until next year

When Microsoft announced Windows 11 earlier this year, it unveiled a lot of exciting new features. For example, it comes with an all-new design, Snap Layouts, Teams Chat, and a lot more. But one of the most interesting features in Windows 11 was that it was going to support Android apps by way of the Amazon Appstore. After the announcement, both Teams Chat and Android app support weren’t in the original previews. But while Teams Chat has been there for a little while now, Android apps still aren’t, and Microsoft confirmed today that the feature isn’t going to be in Windows 11 at launch either.

As of Tuesday morning, there are no more secrets left around Windows 11. Microsoft announced the Windows 11 release date, and it confirmed the features that will be included. Android apps is not one of those features. Specifically, the blog post said that the feature will arrive for Windows Insiders in the coming months, which is exactly the terminology that Microsoft used to describe Android app availability back in June when the first Windows 11 preview was released.

And while Microsoft has continuously said that it’s going to bring Android app support to Windows 11 users later this year, it’s remained tight-lipped about specifics. And yes, the Redmond firm regularly says it’s bringing things to users when it actually means that those things are only coming to Windows Insiders, as misleading as that may be.

I had already heard from sources that Android apps in Windows 11 were delayed. What I wasn’t sure about (and I’m still not sure about) is if the delay comes from development of the Windows Subsystem for Android, or if it comes from Amazon’s end of things with building Appstore integration into the Microsoft Store. I suspect that it’s the latter, as it’s no secret that Microsoft employees have been testing out Android apps on their own devices for a long time now.

There are a few things that can happen here. Microsoft could wait until fall 2022 to release the feature. After all, Windows 11 is only going to be once a year, unlike the biannual schedule that Windows 10 had. It’s possible that the Redmond firm could hold the feature back as a big hero feature for the major update. It’s also possible that Android app support could be delivered as a separate update. The Windows Subsystem for Android could be delivered through Windows Update, and the Amazon Appstore could show up in the Microsoft Store.

Either way, it seems like actual Windows 11 users – meaning those that aren’t beta testers – won’t be seeing Android app support until next year. It’s bad news for those that were looking forward to it. After all, it means that in order to get it, you’ll have to commit to the Windows Insider Program, which can lead you to having a potentially unstable machine for a whole year until next year’s Windows 11 update. Or, you can just buy an Android tablet.

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Nobody should buy the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s official S Pen Case

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is here, the newest premium foldable from Samsung. Perhaps you’ve even just received your shiny preorder device in the mail. The phone itself is great, definitely the best foldable yet. Samsung is also known for putting out a bevy of accessories with each flagship launch. In general, Samsung accessories tend to be well built with a number of useful features. At Samsung Unpacked, Samsung did unveil the S Pen Case for the Galaxy Z Fold 3, a flip case that not only protected the new foldable but also had a storage area for the S Pen Fold Edition. Unfortunately, this new Galaxy Z Fold 3 Flip Cover with S Pen is neither well-built nor useful.

The case itself looks decent enough out of the box. In fact, snapping the case on is fairly intuitive as well. If you view the case only from the back, it’s actually not that bad, albeit a little bulky for sure.

The textured material adds some grip to the Z Fold 3, which is nice for such an expensive device. You also get a sleeve for storing the S Pen, which is detachable should you want to use the S Pen without the case. All of these things sound great, so what’s the problem?

The issue lies with the front cover and the extra width needed for the S pen slot.

Cover Display issues

My biggest concern is that the front of the flip cover will not close properly to fully protect the cover display on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. You can try to carefully slide the case over the edge of the phone’s cover screen, but it snaps back to a position where a small sliver of the screen remains exposed. The only way to keep the flip cover properly in place is to hold it there with your hand, obviously not practical or ideal on a daily basis. Some Reddit users mockingly suggested using a rubber band to hold the flip cover in place, which is an indication of the shortcoming of this $80 case. Surely Samsung could have engineered a better solution here? They made a really good pair of foldables after all, so this case is perplexing.

Folding the cover back reveals additional usability problems. When using the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s cover display, the flip cover adds considerable bulk and makes using the phone difficult when folded back. The edge of the cover is so wide that it protrudes from the rear of Fold 3’s cover display. One of the primary appeals of the cover display on the Z Fold 3 is for one-handed use, which this Flip cover makes very difficult.

Unfolded issues

If you decide to unfold your Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Flip Cover with S Pen continues to make using the phone more difficult. The left edge of this case now sticks out from the left side of the Z Fold 3, making it incredibly difficult to use the phone, even with two hands! If you have a dominant left hand, single-hand use is practically impossible.

I would contend that this inconvenience takes away the appeal of having the S Pen stowed in the case. It’s awfully difficult to write with the S Pen in the unfolded orientation because you need to balance the case awkwardly in your other hand. The Flip Cover with S Pen also does not lay flat on a desk or table, so you can’t put it down to use the S Pen more reliably.

I’ve used a lot of Samsung cases over the years, for almost every flagship they’ve released. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 Flip Cover with S Pen is one of the worst designs I’ve ever seen. After using this case for a few days, my best advice is to remove the detachable S Pen silo and throw the case in the trash. You can find other better uses for your $80.

If you do need a case, these are some of the Best Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases, and we’ll be adding some S Pen storage cases as soon as we spot some good ones.

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These are the Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Cases in September: Spigen, Ringke, and more!

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 3, their best foldable phone yet, right alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 3 which is a compact, clamshell smartphone with high-end internals. If you’ve decided to get the more affordable Galaxy Z Flip 3, which by the way still isn’t cheap at almost a thousand bucks, the last thing you want to end up with is a scratched-up phone or even worse, a cracked display and back. The Galaxy Z Flip 3, like most modern-day smartphones, is made up of glass and no matter how resilient Gorilla Glass Victus is, it’s quite easy to shatter if you drop your phone on a hard surface. Samsung is portraying the Galaxy Z Flip 3 as a device that adds to your style statement and you can amplify that notion by customizing the phone with a good case.

While you can get a Samsung Care+ plan with the phone to cover accidental damage, it’s always better to prevent any damage from happening in the first place. The best way to protect your Galaxy Z Flip 3 would be to put on a case. Some cases not only provide protection but also improve the usability or the grip of your phone. Here are some of the best Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases that you can buy right now across various price segments.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 Ring Case

Ring on the back

This ring case from Samsung will help you grip the Z Flip 3 better by letting you insert your finger into the ring while using the phone.

View at Samsung

Samsung Belt Case

Belt for grip

This case has a belt on the back which you can slide your hands into while using the phone. It even gives the phone a cool look.

View at Samsung

Samsung Carbon Fiber Case

Thin and classy

If you're a fan of carbon fiber, you're really going to like this case. It's thin and doesn't add a lot of bulk to the device. Provides a stealthy look.

View at Samsung

Sunstory Z Flip 3 Case

Leather feel

This case is made up of hard polycarbonate but has a soft leather feel on the outside. It's cheap and looks decent.

View at Amazon

Spigen Tough Armor

Best protection

This case from Spigen is for those who want the best protection against drops even on hard surfaces. it even looks good.

View at Amazon

Faseer Crystal Clear Case

Transparent housing

If you want to show off the back of your new, colorful Galaxy Z Flip 3, this crystal clear case will let you do just that without breaking the bank.

View at Amazon

Spigen Thin Fit

Minimal protection

Spigen is known to make good cases and this one for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 fits snug and provides minimal protection against scratches and drops.

View at Amazon

Ringke slim case

Clear and protective

This case from Ringke has a translucent back giving your phone a frosted look. It also provides a good deal of protection while being slim.

View at Amazon

Spigen Air Skin

Another clear case

If you want a crystal clear case from a reputed brand, this one from Spigen should be your option. It's slim and doesn't add a lot of bulk.

View at Amazon

VRS Design Quickstand Active

Built-in kickstand

The Z Flip 3 can technically be used as a kickstand in the Flex Mode but if you want more flexibility, this case has a kickstand built-in!

View at Amazon

Vizvera Hard Case

Multiple color options

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes in a variety of colors but if you want to switch it up, you can get a few of these cases in different colors.

View at Amazon

Slim Leather case

Affordable alternative

If you find the official leather case to be too expensive, this cheaper version looks similar, is thin, and provides decent protection.

View at Amazon

Since the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has just been launched and is a new device, there aren’t a lot of third-party cases you can buy at the moment. We’ve mentioned the best cases as of now which are mostly first-party cases directly from Samsung but there should be more options from case makers soon. The carbon fiber case is a thin case so if you’re looking for minimal protection with good looks, that’s the one you should opt for. If you’re looking for a case that will help you grip or hold the phone better when using it, the ring case and the belt case will serve the purpose well. If you want maximum protection, the Spigen Tough Armor is the case to pick.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is Samsung's latest clamshell foldable that offers a bigger outer display, high refresh rate inner display, and top-of-the-line hardware.

Buy from Samsung

If you’re looking to get your hands on the latest foldable from Samsung, you might want to check out the best Galaxy Z Flip 3 deals that can help you save a few extra bucks. If you’ve got the elder sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, we’ve got a list of the best cases for that phone as well.

The post These are the Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Cases in September: Spigen, Ringke, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.

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These are the Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Cases in September: Spigen, Ringke, and more!

So you’ve just picked up the brand new Galaxy Z Fold 3 from Samsung and spent a good fortune on it. It’s undoubtedly one of the best foldable smartphones on the market and if you love cutting-edge technology, you’re surely going to appreciate the engineering that went behind making the phone. After spending almost $1,800 on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 though, the last thing you want is to scratch the phone, or drop it and end up with a broken display or back. Accidents happen and no matter how good the new Gorilla Glass Victus is, glass is fragile and will shatter if it’s not your lucky day.

You can get a Samsung Care+ plan with the phone to cover accidental damage. But as they say, prevention is better than a cure. The best way to protect your Galaxy Z Fold 3 would be to put on a case. Some cases not only provide protection but also improve the usability of your phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 3, for example, comes with support for the S Pen. If you’re going to be using a specific case from Samsung, you’ll get an additional slot to house the S Pen which improves the overall functionality.

While you wait for your phone to arrive, you can take a look at some cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 made directly by Samsung and some other third-party vendors as well. It’s always good to have a case ready by the time the phone arrives since Samsung doesn’t include one in the box. That being said, let’s take a look at some of the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases you can buy across various designs and price segments. You can pick up the one that best suits your needs.

Samsung Aramid Case

Carbon fiber exterior

The Aramid case from Samsung is thin and offers basic protection with a carbon fiber exterior. Looks slim and classy.

View at Samsung

Samsung Leather Case

Premium leather feel

This leather case is for those who want a premium look and feel on their Galaxy Z Fold 3. The brown one especially looks great!

View at Samsung

Flip Cover with S Pen

To store your S Pen

If you're going to get the S Pen Fold Edition, this case will let you store it on the side. However, the case itself is quite bad and isn't recommended.

View at Samsung

Samsung Kickstand Case

Great for videos

This kickstand case is helpful if you're going to consume a lot of media on the Galaxy Z Fold 3's big display or if you want to use it as a tablet.

View at Samsung

Hardshell protective case

Decent protection

This is a hardshell case with a carbon fiber texture. Offers decent protection and is pretty cheap if you want something temporarily.

View at Amazon

Transparent Hard Case

Clear back

If you want to show off the back of your new Galaxy Z Fold 3, this case will allow you to do just that. It's pretty cheap as well which is a bonus.

View at Amazon

Spigen Air Skin

Thin fit case

If you don't want to add a lot of bulk to an already bulky phone, this is the case that you should get. It's slim and protects against scratches.

View at Amazon

VRS Design Quickstand Pro

Built-in kickstand

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on Samsung's kickstand case, this is a cheaper alternative that does the job well.

View at Amazon

Spigen Slim Armor

Hinge protection

This is the only case as of now that even protects the hinge. While the name says slim, this case will add a little bit of bulk to your Galaxy Z Fold 3.

View at Amazon

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

Clear and protective

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid is a protective case with a clear back which means you can show off that new green color of your Z Fold 3!

View at Amazon

Spigen Neo Hybrid

Integrated kickstand

The Neo Hybrid case for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a unique design. It has an integrated panel that can be opened up into a kickstand.

View at Amazon

Ringke Slim Case

Thin and light

If you want minimal protection against scratches and a case that doesn't add too much bulk on an already thick phone, this is the one to go for.

View at Amazon

Since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has just been launched and is a new device, there aren’t a lot of third-party cases you can buy at the moment. We’ve collected the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases as of now which are mostly first-party cases directly from Samsung but there should be more options from case makers soon. The Samsung S Pen Folio case lets you store the S Pen but is actually quite terrible when it comes to usability so we wouldn’t recommend it. If you want something that looks and feels rich and premium, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Leather case, especially in that brown color scheme. If you’re looking for something thin and affordable, check out the Spigen Air Skin case.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is Samsung's latest and greatest foldable phone. It brings several improvements over the previous model, including high refresh rate displays, an under-screen camera, and top-of-the-line hardware.

Buy from Samsung

If you’re looking to get your hands on the latest foldable from Samsung, you might want to check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 deals that can help you save a few extra bucks.

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Google Assistant’s new daylong routine lets you trigger actions at different times of day

After rolling out the ability to add a delay to Google Assistant routines for select users, Google is now adding a new option to routines to let users trigger multiple actions throughout the day.

When you create a routine from the Google Assistant settings or the Google Home app, you’ll see a new “Want to schedule a Daylong Routine” option appear towards the bottom left of the page (via 9to5Google). Tapping on Yes will turn on the Daylong Routine option, allowing you to add multiple actions that can be set to automatically trigger at different times throughout the day. Meanwhile, a new Enable Routine toggle has also been added at the top of the screen to let users quickly disable or enable a routine.

Once you enable the Daylong Routine option, you’ll be asked to add a new time and then choose an action. You can add multiple actions for a given time and can also change the order of actions as well as choose what days you want the routine to run.

 

 

You can use the “Add new time” button to trigger different actions at different times of the day. For example, you can set whether and commute updates to trigger at 7 AM, have Assistant play news at 8 AM, have your bedroom lights change color at 7 PM, and so on.

Daylong Routines are indeed a welcome addition to the Google Assistant as they take the pain out of having to create and edit multiple single-action routines.

The Daylong Routine option appears to be widely rolling out to Google Assistant users via a server-side update. The option will be accessible from the Google Assistant settings page as well as the Google Home app. It can be paired with the recently added “Delay start” option to greatly customize your automated Routines.

Google Assistant (Free, Google Play) →

 

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