Apps
Samsung News: Galaxy’s Google Discover alternative to get new identity
Samsung Free is a free yet “premium content” curation and distribution service released in late 2020. With One UI 3.0 software, Samsung presented its Google Discover alternative, which is going to get a new identity as Samsung News.
According to reports, Samsung Free will soon be getting renamed Samsung News. Putting the other two sections aside, the new Free will focus on the News section more. The feature is likely to let users find relevant stories on Galaxy devices and will only have Read and Listen tabs.
“Starting April 18, Samsung Free app will gradually receive v6.0.1 update, which will turn it to Samsung News.”
The other two tabs – TV Plus and Game Launchers will continue to operate in the Free app. However, users will have to put some additional effort to find them inside dedicated pages as both tabs are reportedly moving away from the home screen pane.
According to Samsung, One UI’s Free app is your go-to destination to immediately dive into the premium content that matters to you, at no cost. For Galaxy fans, Free is their curated entertainment center, consisting of breaking news, podcasts, TV and games.
Tap into news that matters to you
- Access a variety of news articles tailored to your interests. Easily stay on top of local and global news, politics, current events, pop culture and more.
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WhatsApp introduces notification activity feature for group chats
WhatsApp is bringing a new feature to improve notification management, especially for group chats through a new beta update. The fresh version of WhatsApp is available with version 2.24.21.22 in the Google Play Beta Program.
The new beta update of WhatsApp adds a new notification activity feature for group chats. It will let users choose how they want to receive notifications. There are two choices – All and Relevant to me.
- All: Users can get notifications for every message in the group.
- Relevant to Me: They will receive only important ones like mentions and replies.
In this way, users can easily manage large groups as the features help to reduce unnecessary messages. This change is particularly helpful for those in large groups.
Additionally, the new notification activity screen will help explain how muting group chats works. Currently, some users find it confusing when they still receive notifications from muted groups.
The new feature aims to make this clearer as it allows users to see exactly what types of notifications they can still receive, even when a group is muted.
WhatsApp is currently working on these features to enhance user experience and will make them available in future updates. Till then, stay tuned with us.
WhatsApp introduces new filters and backgrounds for video calls
Apps
Here’s why Samsung apps getting One UI 7 support early
Samsung Galaxy users are excitedly waiting for the upcoming One UI 7 update after the release of One UI 6.1.1. There have been some leaks and rumors about its features and release date. Even though the Beta Program hasn’t started yet, Samsung is already updating its stock apps to get them ready for One UI 7 software.
You might be wondering why Samsung is bringing One UI 7 support to Galaxy apps ahead of its release. The reason behind it is very simple. The company is ensuring that these apps work smoothly with One UI 7 when it’s released.
By updating these apps ahead of time, Samsung aims to avoid issues like lagging or crashing to provide users with a better experience from the start. At the moment, Samsung has rolled out One UI 7 support to some Galaxy apps including Galaxy Store, Galaxy Themes, and Samsung Wonderland.
Overall, Samsung’s early updates to its apps are all about making them compatible with the new operating system. Users can expect a seamless transition when One UI 7 finally releases.
As we enter October 2024, many users are eagerly waiting for more news about the One UI 7 Beta. So far, Samsung hasn’t shared any official details, leaving everyone curious about what’s coming.
However, there’s a chance for good news soon. Samsung is going to host the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 (SDC24) on October 3, 2024. This event might include announcements related to One UI 7, like its features and when it will be available. Stay tuned for more information.
One UI 7 may expand One UI 6.1.1 features to non-flagship devices
WhatsApp introduces new filters and backgrounds for video calls
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has announced exciting new features for WhatsApp to enhance the personalization of video calls with filters and backgrounds. Following the introduction of voice chat mode and image editing features, these new features aim to make video calls more engaging.
WhatApp’s latest beta update for Android (2.24.16.7) brings facial filters and interactive effects to add a personal touch to their video chats. The update comes with ten different filters, such as Warm, Cool, and Vintage TV. Users can choose one that matches their mood or the vibe of their conversation.
In addition, a background editing tool lets people blur their surroundings or choose from various default backgrounds, like a lively city skyline or a peaceful beach sunset. The update also includes helpful features like Touch Up for a smoother appearance and Low Light tool for better visibility.
To use these features, simply tap the effects icon in the top right corner during a video call, allowing for quick changes to backgrounds and filters.
Zuckerberg has recently shared screenshots showing off these new options, highlighting how easy it is for users to personalize their video calls. These new options make conversations with friends, family, or colleagues more enjoyable.
Currently, these features are available to some users who have installed the latest version of WhatsApp on both Android and iOS. More users can expect to see these features rolling out in the coming weeks.