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Verizon says Samsung Galaxy S21 to get One UI 4.1 this month
Along with the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung debuted a new One UI variant – One UI 4.1, based on Android 12. It’s a minor upgraded version over the One UI 4.0, which comes with improvements and some new additional features inspired by the Galaxy S22 lineup.
Following its tradition, Samsung will roll out the One UI 4.1 update to various Galaxy devices running the Android 12 OS. The official release timeline is unavailable as of now, while a Verizon rep just revealed that the One UI 4.1 update will release to the Galaxy S21 series later this month.
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According to the information, a Galaxy S21 smartphone user shared a screenshot of a chat with Verizon support regarding the One UI 4.1 release date. The support rep. said that the One UI 4.1 update will start releasing in “this month ending” for the Galaxy S21 users in the US.
A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that the Korean tech giant is working to develop the One UI 4.1 software on the Galaxy S21 series devices in the US. So far, the company may have tested several builds and now readying to serve it to the public through firmware updates.
In early 2021, Samsung announced the new Galaxy S21 series that came pre-loaded with the Android 11-based One UI 3.1. Around three weeks later, the company has started to release the new One UI 3.1 update to the Galaxy S20 series and other eligible devices.
Based on Android 12, the One UI 4.1 comes with improvements over the existing One UI 4.0 software. At the same time, it’s expected that the company may expand the availability of some Galaxy S22 features to more Galaxies with the One UI 4.1 update.
Have you upgraded your Galaxy to the Android 12-based One UI 4.0 OS? Let us know your Galaxy experiences in the comments below.
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Biden rushes CHIPS Act deals ahead of Trump’s presidency
Samsung is trying to secure CHIPS Act subsidies before Donald Trump takes charge. Joe Biden introduced CHIPS and Science Act to boost semiconductor business on American soil. However, the President-elect is a big critic of the CHIPS Act.
Bloomberg reports that the Biden administration is rushing to finalize CHIPS Act agreements with Intel and Samsung. Notably, Samsung and Intel are set to receive direct subsidies of $6.4 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively.
During his election campaign, President-elect Trump heavily mocked the CHIPS and Science Act. It is expected that Trump could put tariff on semiconductor manufacturers and nullify subsidies before disbursment.
Concerns have arisen that semiconductor companies, which have invested heavily in the U.S. over the past four years, might not receive subsidies, or that U.S. companies like Intel could be prioritized.
Intel is an American company, which could be unaffected by Trump’s presidency. As the President-elect prefers an “America First” policy, it’s an alarming situation for Samsung Electronics, which bases its headquarters in South Korea.
Since the CHIPS and Science Act is considered a key industrial policy of the Biden administration, this move is seen as an effort to finalize binding contracts and distribute promised subsidies before the administration changes.
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Apple in shock! Samsung Galaxy S24 cracks 6-year streak
Samsung Galaxy S24 was the tenth top-selling phone in the third quarter of 2024. The device has cracked a 6-year streak, joining the Top 10 crew in an important timeframe despite the Apple iPhone’s global dominance.
Apple reigns supreme in Q3:
Counterpoint Research revealed that iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro were the top three best-selling phones in the world. Apple managed to secure the top three positions during the iPhone 16’s release quarter.
Galaxy S24 cracks Top 10 during iPhone’s quarter:
For the first time since 2018, an Android flagship ranked in the top 10 best-selling phones in the third quarter. Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series in January (first quarter) this year, but the handset still selling well.
In a shocking twist, the vanilla Galaxy S24 ranked as the tenth best-selling phone. This marks the first time since 2018 that an Android flagship (from Samsung) has broken into the top ten during the third quarter of the year.
Analysts note that the sales of the Galaxy S24 series have been mainly driven by a strong marketing focus on its GenAI capabilities. Earlier, MX Prex TM Roh also highlighted Samsung’s reliance on the Galaxy S24 series for another quarter.
Galaxy A series is rocking, as always:
Interestingly, four Galaxy A phones secured a ranking in the top-10 list. The Galaxy A15 4G was the world’s best-selling “Android” phone in Q3 2024. The Galaxy A15 5G was the second best-selling Android and fifth best-selling phone worldwide.
The Galaxy A35 5G and A05 ranked sixth and seventh in the Top 10 chart during 3Q24. The iPhone 14, Redmi 13C 4G and Galaxy S24 ranked eighth, ninth, and tenth, respectively. Repeating: Apple’s iPhone 15 was the best-selling phone globally in Q3 2024.
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Google trying hard to compete with Galaxy AI’s Live Translate
Google is trying hard to challenge Samsung’s Live Translate powered by Galaxy AI. Google is testing new AI features for Pixel’s Call Screen tool, following Samsung’s lead in democratizing advanced artificial intelligence features.
It’s been revealed (via AssembleDebug) that Google is testing the AI Replies feature for Pixel’s Call Screen to better rival Galaxy AI’s Live Translate. While Samsung’s version is advanced enough, the Android maker is working to narrow the functioning gap.
Pixel’s Call Assist could soon add an AI Replies feature that will suggest AI-powered smart replies based on the caller’s Call Screen responses. At present, Assistant in Call Assist offers generic contextual reply suggestions.
The latest Google Phone app’s Beta revealed how the feature will work on Pixel phones. The company is said to be using Gemini Nano to power AI Replies, letting Call Assist understand natural language and provide smarter suggestions.
Google is working on AI replies in Phone app for Call Screening . According to its descripton, "Call assist suggests new AI powered smart replies based on caller's Call Screen response"#Google #Android #AI pic.twitter.com/1lZiEBMzve
— AssembleDebug (Shiv) (@AssembleDebug) November 7, 2024
Galaxy AI’s Live Translate not only offers real-time translation of text, audio, and videos but also translates phone calls. Breaking language barriers, it becomes your interpreter – translating two different languages at the same time.
Pixel 9 series supports the most advanced Call Assist and Call Screen features. Despite limited device availability, only certain markets support manual call screening. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy AI is supported by more than a dozen languages.
Beyond Samsung Phone app, the Live Translate feature’s AI magic also works on many third-party applications. Those apps include Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, Instagram, Kakao Talk, LINE, Signal, Telegram, WeChat, and WhatsApp.