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One UI 5.0 takes Samsung Home screen customization to next level, here’s how to set up
The home screen is the very first thing you notice when you unlock your phone therefore keeping it clean and well-organized is a must. Samsung offers a lot of functions to decorate your home screen. Meanwhile, its new One UI 5.0 software takes Samsung Home screen customization to next level.
The Android 13-based One UI 5.0 adds plenty of small yet useful and notable features for home screen customization so that you can do a lot more with your home screen without any mess. Here’s how you can set up your home screen in the best way.
Better Dynamic theming implementation:
Samsung’s implementation of Material You theming with Android 12-based One UI 4 software felt half-baked. It applied the color to most parts of the system but some parts still don’t adopt the theme. Meanwhile, the company has fixed it with the latest Android 13-based One UI 5.0 software.
The new software features a deeper Material You implementation with system-wide UI changes. It also applies to various third-party app icons. Here’s how to use it:
- Go to the ‘Wallpaper and Style‘ section through your phone’s ‘Settings‘.
- Tap on the ‘Color Palette‘ option and enable it.
- You get 16 theme options instead of 4, choose the one according to your preferences.
- In case you want to apply the same theme to app icons, tap on the ‘Apply palette to app icons‘ option,
- Finally, tap ‘Apply‘ and it’s done.
Stack Widgets:
Samsung introduced iOS-inspired widget stacking in One UI 4.1 and now tweaked it for better usability with One UI 5.0 software. Thanks to Stack Widgets, you no longer need to create multiple home screens on your Galaxy phone. You can combine multiple widgets of the same size and place them as one widget on the homescreen.
Here’s how to create Stack Widgets:
- First, you need to add a widget by following the usual process.
- Now tap and hold that widget and then tap the ‘Add widget‘ option.
- A page will open where you can select any normal widgets on your phone to add to it.
- To add more widgets to the stack, again tap and hold the stack and tap the ‘Edit Stack‘ option.
- Once done adding widgets to the stack, you can swipe between them.
Smart suggestion widget:
The new Smart suggestion widget feature of One UI 5.0 software knows your needs before you do. It’s a widget that shows apps to use, people to call, calendar events, and more based on your routine.
However, the system takes a while to learn your usage pattern and show suggestions accordingly, which is usual. So in order to get one, you can long tap on the home screen and expand the ‘Smart Suggestions menu‘ to add a 4 x 2 widget.
New wallpapers:
Samsung usually introduces new wallpapers with its phone/tablet launches. But this time, the company has also released a set of wonderful wallpapers with new software as well. At the same time, the company has revamped its Wallpaper and style section which now offers a clear look at every element.
To check out new wallpapers:
- Visit your phone’s ‘Settings‘.
- Head over to the ‘Wallpaper and Style‘ section.
- Tap the ‘Browse my wallpapers‘ option.
- Check the new ‘Graphical‘ and ‘Colors‘ wallpapers through their dedicated compartments.
Samsung’s One UI 7 Beta Program for Galaxy S24 series hit full capacity. If you missed joining the Beta Program, there’s good news: Samsung is expected to reopen the One UI 7 Beta on Monday along with the Beta 2 launch.
Max Jambor revealed that Samsung may open the second phase of One UI 7 Beta registration, and the date aligns with previous rumors of a Beta 2 launch. The rollout of the second Beta should bring another opportunity to join the Beta.
At present, Samsung is running the Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series. The program is already live in four out of six key markets: Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US.
Samsung stopped Beta registrations just the next day after the Beta launch in the US. It seems the slots are fewer than last year, keeping the Beta build restricted to a limited audience.
Recently, Samsung Support confirmed that the One UI 7 Beta Program will start on December 16 in India, and the same date is rumored for the remaining European market: Poland.
The Beta participants will receive an incremental update as Beta 2 on their Galaxy S24 device. However, the latest build will directly be provided to the Wave 2 markets: India and Poland.
The second Beta of One UI 7 will bring improved animation and transition effects. Samsung users can expect more natural and fluid system animations in the next Beta updates.
One UI 7 Beta 2 – What to expect?
- Smoother animations, fluid transitions
- Enhanced performance and lesser app incompatibility
- Bug fixes and overall user experience improvements
Samsung TV Plus has introduced a new, free channel named “Letterman TV,” available now in the U.S. and Canada. This channel streams the legendary “Late Show with David Letterman” non-stop. You’ll get to see curated moments and new commentary from Letterman himself.
David Letterman, who hosted the show for 22 years, said, “Now I can watch myself age without looking in the mirror!” Walter Kim, who works with Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants, Inc., is excited about the channel. With over 4000 hours of content, the programming will keep changing.
On “Letterman TV,” viewers can watch memorable moments of Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks playing The Newlywed Game, Denzel Washington sharing laughs with Don Rickles and Dave, Will Ferrell’s comedic antics, musical performances by legends like Ringo Starr, unforgettable stunts like Dave working at Taco Bell and jumping into a giant bowl of eggnog. In classic segments, viewers can watch Top Ten lists and “Stupid Tricks”
New content will added monthly, and exclusive intros from Letterman offer fresh insights and behind-the-scenes stories. For those in the U.S., the channel also offers on-demand half-hour compilations of fan-favorite moments.
Salek Brodsky from Samsung TV Plus says the service aims to provide personal and accessible entertainment. “Letterman TV” adds to their growing list of exclusive content.
Whether you’re a new viewer or a longtime fan, “Letterman TV” offers a mix of nostalgia and discovery. You can watch “Letterman TV” for free on Samsung TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors, and more.
Samsung SmartThings is collaborating with YouTube Music. The latest collaboration reiterates that the company continues to elevate the SmartThings experiences further.
Following the partnership with YouTube Music, Samsung SmartThings can tailor the Music Sync experience more effectively to users’ needs regardless of the setting or time of day.
This includes new buttons that align with familiar YouTube Music settings like Relax, Party, and Workout, creating a seamless connection between Music Sync and the YouTube Music App.
SmartThings’s Music Sync unlocks accurate content sync across music apps within the Galaxy ecosystem. This ensures users can enjoy a truly synchronized experience without limitations.
It seems collab with YouTube Music is just the beginning. Later this year, SmartThings will announce additional partner companies to enrich the Music Sync experience.
SmartThings Music Sync | Source: Samsung
SmartThings x YouTube Music
With Music Sync integration, YouTube Music Premium users can enjoy perfect light synchronization with Philips Hue bulbs while listening to their favorite songs.
For instance, when users press the Party button on Music Sync, their party playlist on YouTube Music will start playing, and the lighting will shift to a color pattern preset.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding our ecosystem and incorporating user feedback to enhance the Music Sync experience even further.