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lundi 1 août 2022

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Watch 5 fully revealed ahead of launch

In a little over a week, Samsung will hold its Galaxy Unpacked event, where it will reportedly announce the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Watch 5. Although the smartphones will take top billing, the Galaxy Watch 5 announcement will still be interesting, as Samsung is expected to announce a trio of wearables. Before the official launch, a new set of renders has leaked, giving our best look yet at the devices.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro in lots of colors

The new renders show off all three watch models in various colors and angles. On the left-hand side, we can see the Pro model of the watch, which is said to be the largest of the bunch. With its larger size comes a larger display, and it will also be noticeably thicker than its siblings. However, not much can be said about the standard model as it looks nearly identical to the previous model. Along with the new renders for the Galaxy Watch 5, we have previously seen renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 from every angle and in an array of colors.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro rear and side angles

Samsung recently put its hype machine into motion ahead of its Galaxy Unpacked event taking place on August 10. The firm has released a new trailer and has shared the news that it will hold physical events that will take place in London and New York. Samsung will again rely on South Korean boy band BTS to promote its new lineup of devices. The band will also unveil a new music video that will be broadcast worldwide in iconic locations to coincide with the launch. Currently, Samsung has opened up its reservation system for its upcoming smartphones offering incentives that total up to $200 in credits. So, if you are interested in the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Galaxy Z Flip 4, make your reservation by clicking on the link below.

Reserve your Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Galaxy Z Flip 4 by following this link


Source: 91Mobiles

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The iPhone 14 could get a performance bump, despite packing a 2021 chip

Rumors revolving around the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro have been circulating the internet for months. If they were to be accurate, the exciting changes will be occurring in the Pro department later this year. The regular models could end up being tweaked iterations of the iPhone 13 — with minor tweaks here and there. Meanwhile, the higher-end versions might ditch the notch, introduce always on display (AOD) support, receive an upgraded rear camera system, and pack a faster processor (A16).

Apple is reportedly trying to further distinguish between regular and Pro iPhones through the included chips. However, reports also indicate that chip shortages have been a catalyst in this process. Though, considering that the A15 Bionic already tops mobile performance charts, Apple re-using it on this year’s lower-end iPhone 14 variants shouldn’t be a big deal. Ultimately, it’s still a capable chipset, and the A16 could be mightier than average users’ needs.

With the regular iPhone 14 models rumored to stick to 2021’s A15 Bionic chip, questions have arose. Will the new iPhones be as fast as last year’s? How will Apple sell the device if it’s almost identical to that of last year? Well, we have some potential answers now.

According to reliable leaker ShrimpApplePro, the regular iPhone 14 models could still get an overall performance boost. The tweet states that these phones could pack a new cellular modem and have a new internal design. Considering that their launch is still around a month and a half away, we can expect more leaks to surface by then. At this point, it’s almost always clear what a new device will look like from the inside out — prior to its official reveal.

Do you plan on buying the iPhone 14, or would an older processor in a high-end device be a dealbreaker for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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iOS 16 beta introduces Apple Pay support in third-party browsers

Apple revealed the upcoming major updates to its operating systems during the main keynote of WWDC22. iPadOS 16 introduces resizable app windows on M1 iPads, while macOS Ventura includes more streamlined UI elements. Though, arguably, iOS 16 packs the most exciting changes. The iPhone Lock Screen got a complete redesign with support for widgets and advanced customizations. This particular update focuses on giving users options, and these personalizations expand beyond the Lock Screen. Users on iOS 16 beta can use Apple Pay in Chrome, Edge, and seemingly any other web browser. On iOS 15 and earlier versions, this feature remains exclusive to Safari.

As highlighted by Steve Moser on Twitter, iOS 16 beta doesn’t limit Apple Pay to Safari. This addition is likely due to underlying WebKit changes. All iPhone web browsers are forced to depend on the WebKit engine. So any tweaks that Apple makes to it affect all iPhone web browsers.

On the Mac it’s a different story. Apple doesn’t force developers to adopt WebKit in their web browsers. This could be why even the latest macOS Ventura beta build still doesn’t allow non-Safari users to take advantage of Apple Pay. It’s still unclear if this will change down the road.

Apple Pay support in third-party iPhone browsers is a welcome addition. Those on iOS 16 won’t have to jump between Chrome and Safari just for the sake of completing an online purchase. The change could potentially help the Cupertino firm dodge a few antitrust lawsuits, too.

Do you actively use Apple Pay? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section below.

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The MacBook Pro 14 and 16 are up to $300 off at Best Buy

If you’re looking for a powerful laptop in time for back-to-school season, the MacBook Pro 14- and 16-inch models are currently discounted by as much as $300 over at Best Buy, which is one of the biggest deals we’ve seen on the laptops recently. It wasn’t that long ago that all these models were $200 off, but this is a noticeably bigger discount, and if you didn’t take advantage of it before, now is the perfect time to do it.

These are the latest models of the MacBook Pro, powered by the M1 Pro chip, which has a 10-core CPU and up to a 16-core GPU. The 16-core GPU models, specifically, are the ones with a $300 discount, while the 14-inch variant with a 14-core GPU is only $200 off. In addition to that, the laptops include 16GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD, so you’re going to have a very premium experience across the board, and plenty of space for apps and files in the coming school years.

    MacBook Pro (M1 Pro) - $300 off
    The MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro processor is a very powerful, but surprisingly efficient laptop that can deliver a ton of performance while still having great battery life, all paired with a phenomenal display.

Beyond the internal specs, the MacBook Pro 14- and 16-inch models have fantastic displays, too. The resolution is 3024 x 1964 on the 14-inch model, or 3456 x 2234 on the 16-inch version, which means they ahve the same exact pixel density. These are also Liquid Retina XDR displays, as Apple calls them. This means they’re using mini-LED technology to deliver very high contrast ratios and maximum brightness up to a whopping 1600 nits, plus they have a smooth refresh rate up to 120Hz, which can adjust on the fly.

There is a notch on the display, but it also makes way for a great 1080p webcam that’s very well suited for video calls. Aside from that, the ports include three Thunderbolt 4 connections, HDMI, an SD card reader, a headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones, and MagSafe charging, which is faster than ever and adds a degree of safety since you can pull on the cable without dragging your laptop to the ground.

It’s true that Apple might be introducing a new version of the MacBook Pro later this year, but those won’t be discounted anytime soon after launch, and the current models will serve you very well for years to come. This is a great opportunity to buy them.

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Samsung’s Repair Mode will keep your data safe by hiding it from repair technicians

Samsung will release an update for the Galaxy S21 series that will allow users to safeguard their data when sent in for repair. The new ‘Repair Mode’ will retain sensitive information on the phone but will lock it out, making it inaccessible to technicians.

Samsung’s Repair Mode will allow users to selectively block off data when sending a phone in for repair. This will allow the technicians access to phones but at the same time gives users peace of mind. This mode can not only be handy for repairs sent to Samsung but it can be used even when having your device serviced by a third-party repair shop.

Samsung Repair Mode

Repair Mode can be enabled by heading into the Settings menu and then going into the Battery and Device Care section. Once the mode is enabled, the phone will reboot, blocking access to important and personal information. In Repair Mode, the phone will still retain access to all stock applications. So, in essence, it will look like it was reset back to its factory state.

Once the repair is complete, the owner of the device can regain access to the data by either using their PIN number or fingerprint. As mentioned previously, Samsung intends to offer the new mode for the Galaxy S21 first, and then it will expand it to other devices in the future. This feature comes as no surprise, as Samsung has previously released apps like Knox and Knox Vault that aim to protect a user’s security and privacy.

Repair Mode seems like a great idea, and it could change the way repairs are performed going forward. But currently, many companies request that data be backed up, and the phone wiped to factory settings before getting it serviced. Samsung’s own instructions also currently state this. So while this process might not change overnight, it is certainly a move in the right direction.


Source: Samsung Korea
Via: SamMobile

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YouTube Shorts can now be easily created from existing long-form videos

Short format media has been dominating lately, with bite-sized and easily digestible clips gaining a resurgence thanks to apps like TikTok. Because of this, YouTube introduced its take on short-form videos called Shorts, encouraging users to experiment with shorter media on its platform. From now on, YouTube will make it easier for creators to make Shorts, allowing them to take existing content in their library, edit it, and upload their new creations to YouTube.

Creators can head to the YouTube Studio app and choose from any long-form video in their library, select up to 60 seconds, and create Shorts. Users will have access to all of the same tools found in the web-based version of YouTube Studio, like the timeline editor, filters, music, and more. Furthermore, creators can add additional footage as needed from their gallery if it does not meet the 60-second requirement. Creators will also be able to fill in content by using the Shorts camera. Best of all, Shorts created using existing videos on YouTube will have links to the original videos. The feature is currently rolling out to iOS and Android devices.

While short-form videos are having a moment, flourishing on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, other platforms like Instagram are struggling to capitalize. Recently, Instagram released a new change to its feed, displaying full-screen images and videos. Unfortunately, this change didn’t go down well, as users began to complain en masse, requiring Instagram’s CEO to address the changes. As a result, the company eventually back-peddled, reverting the feed to its previous incarnation.  Despite this, Instagram has committed itself to evolving and pursuing a future that is leaning more toward videos and away from its roots of still images. It’s hard to tell how this will all pan out, but one thing is sure, today’s trend could quickly and abruptly end as soon as tomorrow.


Source: YouTube Help 

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The Samsung Galaxy S23 series could see Snapdragon chips in more regions

Samsung has historically used both Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and the in-house Exynos chips in its flagship phones over the years. That’s also true for the company’s Galaxy S22 series which is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip in markets like the US, while many of the units destined for other markets like Europe got Exynos 2200. India got a Snapdragon chip in the Samsung Galaxy S22 series for the first time, and it looks like future Galaxy S series flagships will carry a Snapdragon chip in more regions as the company is strengthening its partnership with Qualcomm. The collaboration between companies involves widening the usage of “Snapdragon platforms for future premium Samsung Galaxy products, including smartphones, PCs, tablets, extended reality, and more.”

Qualcomm’s press release for the media doesn’t explicitly mention the Galaxy S23 flagship or the regions in which it’ll carry the Snapdragon chip, but the company’s CEO Cristiano Amon made it quite clear during the earnings call that more regions will see Snapdragon-powered Galaxy flagship products — specifically S23 and beyond — as a result of this multiyear agreement.

Qualcomm - Samsung partnership

A multi-year agreement to power more Galaxy flagships globally

Qualcomm head Amon shared additional info to add more clarity to the matter. Here’s a transcript of the statement shared by the Qualcomm head while addressing some questions during the earnings call:

Michael, thank you for the question. Yes. Look, it’s — besides the record in auto and IoT revenues, the Samsung agreement is probably my favorite thing in the quarter. And here’s the way I would describe the growth opportunity for the chipset business.

We would average over the many years of this relationship, if you remember, about 40% share versus their in-house solution with the Galaxy S22, which was prior to signing this agreement. Our share climb up to about 75%. And now we’re announcing a multiyear agreement to power the Samsung Galaxy smartphones globally.

So very excited about that. It provides incredible stability for our mobile business. I cannot think of anything better to validate our strategy to be focused on share of wallet in premium and high tier than this agreement.

So very, very exciting. I remember — I would like to remember you all that, that’s a very good trade. When I think about the silicon content of a Snapdragon 8 Series, at least equal or better than revenue and earnings of 5 modem for another OEM.

Now the second part of this multiyear agreement is the opportunity for growth tied up with our diversification. So it expands beyond Galaxy smartphones to include Galaxy books, Windows PCs, Galaxy tablets, future extended reality devices and other devices. So a very significant agreement, very excited and really the companies are much closer together.

Samsung isn’t giving up Exynos though

The fact that Samsung splits the shipments of its flagship devices across two different chipset doesn’t sit well the consumers. That’s because there’s often a clear difference in performance between Snapdragon and the Exynos-powered variants of the same phone. We ended up testing the Galaxy S22 Ultra powered by both chipsets, only to find out that the Snapdragon Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is way better than the Exynos. The new partnership between the two companies may result in the arrival of Snapdragon-powered Galaxy flagships in more regions, but it doesn’t gurantee it for all buyers in every market.

This could mean the company will continue to plant its in-house chips inside its flagship phones in select markets. A better — perhaps a long term plan — would be lay low for sometime and come back stronger with better chipsets. If anything, this “multiyear” partnership gives more time to invest and make meaningful improvements to its SoC. The company can also leverage its recent partnership with AMD to produce morre powerful mobile GPUs. The idea of seeing more Qualcomm-powered Galaxy flagships is sure to put a smile on many faces, but it’ll be interesting to see the in-house chip making a comeback with in the future with more raw power and features.


Source: Qualcomm, Earnings call transcript

Featured image: Samsung Galaxy S22

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