News
Wear OS 3 grabs new sound and display modes
Google showcased some new accessibility features to its smartwatch platform. Wear OS 3+ will be getting new sound and display modes as part of Google’s modest Spring feature drop.
This minor yet useful upgrade to Wear OS 3 will improve accessibility on smartwatches by bringing the ability to set mono-audio to “help limit disorientation caused by split-audio.”
In addition, the company plans to soon deliver color-correction and grayscale modes in order to “give you more choice for your Wear OS 3 smartwatch display.”
On the Pixel Watch, this joins features like magnification, TalkBack, and Real-Time Text (RTT). These updates show how Android delivers enhancements and new features to make your devices even better over time.
“Wear OS 3+ will introduce two new sound and display modes to improve watch accessibility. Mono-audio can help limit disorientation caused by split audio, while color-correction and grayscale modes give you more choices for your watch display.”
What’s new for Galaxy Watch?
Samsung ditched its Tizen OS platform in favor of Google’s Wear OS 3 operating system. The collaboration began with Galaxy Watch 4 and continued with the latest Galaxy Watch 5 smartwatch lineup.
Since Google directly joined the smartwatch market, it’s continuously putting efforts into bringing advancements to the consumers of its first Pixel Watch. And indirectly, all the novelties are coming to Galaxy Watch as well.
Thanks to the Wear OS, the Galaxy Watch models now offer better support for third-party and native Google apps. There are more customization and personalization options than ever before, find out what’s new in Wear OS 3.5.
News
Samsung One UI 7 beta program to start on December 5, Android 15 is coming for the Galaxy phones
After months of waiting, we have an official confirmation. Thanks to Samsung Germany, we now know the specific release date for the Android 15-based One UI 7 beta program for Samsung Galaxy users.
The Samsung One UI 7.0 beta is scheduled to launch on December 5, 2024, initially for the Galaxy S24 series, including the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
This beta release will start in Germany, with expectations of a broader availability to other eligible countries soon after. The update is expected to bring visible design changes and new features to the user interface, enhancing the overall user experience.
However, specific details about all the new features in the One UI 7.0 beta have not been fully disclosed. Still, it’s set to be a significant update in terms of UI redesign and functionality.
The One UI 7 beta program is set to start initially in:
- Germany
Other countries expected to follow in subsequent phases, based on historical patterns, include:
- Korea
- United States
- India
- United Kingdom
- Poland
- China
However, the exact timeline for these countries can vary, and official announcements would provide the definitive schedule for each region.
Note: You can check the latest Samsung One UI 7 beta program banner on the Samsung Members app.
News
Samsung taps new CFO, unveils bold AI Center for future
Samsung Electronics named a new CFO and announced plans to establish an AI Center for the future. The company has also strengthened AI R&D and deployed R&D personnel to the site to strengthen communication.
According to the info, Samsung appointed Park Soon-cheol as the CFO of the DX Division and unveiled the AI Center. As the chip process competition has intensified, Samsung has taken this special measure to build a foundation.
As the business environment surrounding Samsung is not easy, the message is that it will strengthen its internal stability. The DS division in charge of semiconductors significantly strengthened:
- AI research functions
- Established a responsible development system
- Implemented follow-up personnel
- Reorganization in the direction of integrating
- Development and support organizations.
The new Chief Financial Officer will coordinate communication between each business department and top management, and efficiently manage business strategies and financial operations.
The new AI center will be led by Vice President Song Yong-ho. VP Song plans to lead over 60 people to develop next-gen storage devices and lead technological innovation given the AI era.
In addition, the system LSI division appointed Vice President Choi Jin-hyuk as the head of the SoC business team. Vice President Choi plans to lead the development of application processor (AP) chips, which are Exynos.
Apart from this, Samsung has also divided the Foundry Division into two categories: Manufacturing and Technology. Technical organizations such as production process (Fab) and cleaning and diffusion were placed under the subsidiary.
- The message is for R&D personnel to communicate directly on the spot.
News
Samsung US honors 300 schools using AI to tackle real-world issues
Samsung announced it’s honoring 300 public middle and high schools from all 50 states across the US as State Finalists in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM (Science, Technology (AI), Engineering, and Mathematics) competition.
The company will award over $2 million in prizes to 2024’s participating schools. For now, each State Finalist school has won a $2,500 Samsung technology prize package.
This is an initial milestone on the path toward becoming one of three National Winners that will each unlock $100,000 for their school.
- The full list of State Finalists can be viewed here.
“These State Finalist teams are answering that call by engaging technology for good, like their quick adoption of AI to power wide-ranging solutions that address not only pressing challenges in their communities but also global issues.” – Salman Taufiq, Director – Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics America.
Upcoming Competition Phases
Based on the activity plans, judges will select State Winners, who will be revealed in March 2025.
State Winners
50 State Winners will get a Samsung Video Kit to help create their “STEM solution pitch video,” along with $12,000 worth of Samsung technology.
One of the 50 State Winner schools will be recognized with a Sustainability Innovation Award for driving sustainable change through STEM innovation, and an additional $25,000 prize package, including Samsung ENERGY STAR technology.
From the 50 State Winners, one school will be selected for the Rising Entrepreneurship Award, receiving a $25,000 prize package to nurture and develop their STEM solution into a venture extending beyond the competition.
National Finalists
Based on their videos, 10 National Finalists will be chosen to participate in a live pitch event and present their project to a panel of judges. Seven of these schools will be awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.
From the National Finalists, one Community Choice Winner will be determined through online voting by the general public, winning an additional $10,000 in prizes.
One Employee Choice Winner will be selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their National Finalist winnings.
National Winners
Judges will name three National Winners, each earning a $100,000 prize package.