Samsung SoundAssistant gives you more audio controls for your Galaxy device
Samsung has released a new app which is designed to give users more control over the audio on their Galaxy devices. It's called SoundAssistant and it is compatible with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S7 lines as well as other handsets running the latest version of Android.
There are three main features in SoundAssistant that are worth your attention. First is the option to change the behavior of the volume keys which, by default, will raise or decrease the volume for the ringtone.
Samsung says Galaxy S8 iris scanner hack is 'difficult' to pull off
Biometric authentication may be more convenient than a PIN or password, but it is not as secure as you might be lead to believe. The iris scanner on the Galaxy S8 can be defeated with a photo and contact lens, despite Samsung's claims that it offers "airtight security" and provides "one of the safest ways to keep your phone locked and the contents private."
If this has you worried, Samsung says that it is "difficult for the whole scenario to happen in reality," even though the hack "appears simple." The company believes that having the right tools in the first place can prove to be problematic for anyone attempting to defeat the iris scanner.
Here's when and where you can buy Samsung Gear 360 (2017)
On the day that Samsung announced the Galaxy S8, there was another device that made an appearance too -- the newest version of the Gear 360. This isn't the company's first 360 camera, but it is its most elegant. The camera is small, modern, and even uses USB-C.
Today, Samsung unveils what you really want to know, however -- how much it will cost, plus when (starting tomorrow) and where you can get it. Not only do we finally have all of those details, but there is even a special promotion for new Samsung Galaxy S8 buyers too.
Samsung's Galaxy S8 iris scanner is easily defeatable
If you want to secure your Samsung Galaxy S8, relying on the iris scanner to keep it locked is not the best idea. That's because it can be easily fooled using just a printed photo and a contact lens.
This reinforces the belief that biometric authentication is -- at least for now -- less secure than traditional options, like PINs and passwords, which have the advantage of not being tied to a physical trait that can be easily exploited by hackers, thieves or the authorities.
Here's when you can buy Samsung Chromebook Pro
While many pundits are quick to dismiss Chromebooks, some consumers are embracing these laptops. True, from an overall market share perspective, Chrome OS is largely insignificant. With that said, it is absolutely dominating the education segment. Not to mention, as more and more consumers do everything in the web browser, Windows and macOS can be seen as overkill for some.
Unfortunately, many Chromebooks are both underpowered and low quality to keep costs down. While there are some solid models, they are few and far between. Samsung is looking to change this, however, with the long-promised Chromebook Pro. The company announced the premium convertible laptop in January, but now, we finally have a definitive release date.
Samsung sells over five million Galaxy S8 units
The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are off to a fantastic start. Samsung's latest Android flagships have posted the "best ever" performance in terms of pre-orders, with Samsung touting a 30 percent improvement over the Galaxy S7 series. That should not come as a surprise considering just how well received the two smartphones have been.
But, question is, how does that translate into actual sales? An estimate that we've seen last month indicates that annual sales will exceed the 50 million units mark, and, so far, it looks like Samsung is on the right track judging by the first official sales announcement.
Samsung Pay now available in the UK
The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are two amazing flagships, and, if you're an UK owner, you will like Samsung's latest high-end smartphones even more, as Samsung Pay support is now available.
Samsung Pay arrives in the UK well after Android Pay, which Google introduced a year ago. But, as the saying goes, better late than never. The mobile payments service lets you "make purchases almost anywhere contactless debit cards or credit cards are accepted."
Samsung Chromebook Pro available to pre-order now
Samsung unveiled two Chromebooks capable of running Android apps at CES 2017. The first to be available was the less expensive -- and less powerful -- Chromebook Plus, which arrived in February, while the more costly -- and more powerful -- Chromebook Pro was said to arrive sometime this spring.
And it looks like it will, indeed, be in customers' hands by the end of this month, as the Chromebook Pro is now available to pre-order on Amazon, with an estimated release date of May 28. Hey, that still technically counts as spring.
Samsung Galaxy S8, LG G6 BOGO deals available at T-Mobile
If you are looking to buy a Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ or LG G6, T-Mobile has a very attractive deal on the hottest Android flagships available right now. What is it? If you buy one of the aforementioned smartphones through the magenta carrier you can get the second one for free.
This BOGO deal is applies to both new and existing T-Mobile customers, and in the case of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ you are still also able to take advantage of the free Gear VR promotion, during the time that it's running. Here's what you need to know.
Samsung announces Z4 entry-level Tizen phone
Samsung's most popular smartphones may run Android, but the company also has handsets that run on other platforms. The new Z4 is a perfect example, being powered by the up and coming Tizen.
Tizen is nowhere near as popular as Android is, but it is growing in popularity. In the smartwatch space it has edged Android Wear in terms of market share, which is a good sign for Samsung. But, getting back to the Z4, what does the new device have to offer?
Samsung's new 5,100mAh external battery is crazy expensive
Value can sometimes be hard to determine, but not when it comes to basic items. Take external batteries for example. You can get a large pack from a renowned brand for around $20. That's a reasonable price. So when a company asks more than twice as much for something that has half the capacity you have to wonder what exactly are you paying for.
Case in point: Samsung unveiled a 5,100mAh external battery that costs a whopping $59.99. A quick look on Amazon will reveal packs with a similar capacity for less than $20. So, basically, the South Korean maker is charging that kind of money for what is otherwise a run of the mill external battery?
McAfee will provide protection for a range of Samsung products... including TVs
We live in strange times when security software is needed for TVs -- although given recent WikiLeaks revelations, it's perhaps not entirely surprising -- but this is precisely what McAfee is providing. The security firm today announces an expansion of its partnership with Samsung, and this sees the company providing protective software that will be pre-installed on a range of devices.
As well as smart TVs, McAfee will also be offering security software for Samsung PCs and smartphones. A recent survey by McAfee found that consumer concerns "underscore the need for robust cross-device security," but is the company using this as a money-making venture?
Samsung opens unlocked Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ pre-orders in US
Samsung today announces that pre-orders for the unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are now finally open in the US. The South Korean maker officially released its latest flagships last month on all the major carriers. It unveiled the devices at a special event in late-March, offering the carrier models for pre-order shortly after.
Samsung is making the unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ available to pre-order through its online store and Best Buy. Customers who buy one now can get their unit on May 30. Both flagships will be readily available in an unlocked trim on May 31.
The Galaxy S7 is the most-popular Samsung smartphone in the world
Samsung is the biggest smartphone vendor in the world, thanks in no small part to the huge success that the Galaxy S series enjoys. Those flagships generate the most sales, and that is expected to continue this year as the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ leave their mark in the consumer space.
But which Galaxy S device is the most popular with smartphone buyers? That is a question that may be tough to answer, as it's rare that the likes of IDC and Gartner reveal anything other than total shipments, but thanks to a ScientiaMobile report we now know that it is the Galaxy S7 that has attracted the most users.
Google brings YouTube Kids app to LG, Samsung, and Sony smart TVs
While YouTube can be a great platform for viewing quality family-friendly content, there are a lot of offensive videos on there too. No, I am not just talking about PewDiePie, although some of his content is arguably questionable. Actually, I am talking about videos from other creators that show blatant racism, sexism, and actual pornography -- it is shocking to see some of the content that gets through.
Luckily, Google developed the YouTube Kids app for mobile devices, which tries to block offensive content. This app helps parents to be more confident that their children will only see family-friendly videos. Today, the search giant brings the app to LG, Samsung, and Sony smart TVs.
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