Technology
Samsung hires Chinese AI expert to lead Galaxy GPU development
Samsung reportedly hired a Chinese AI chip expert to oversee its GPU development project and team creation. China-based Li Auto’s ex-AI chip chief Jiao Yang has joined the company as a core member of its GPU team and is responsible for project planning and team creation.
Jiao Yang was the person in charge of the R&D Department of Ideal Auto during the days of their previous employment. Before joining Li Auto, Jiao Yang was the head of the chip technology department of Alibaba Dharma Academy.
As Samsung is aiming to develop its own mobile GPU, this new hiring makes sense and shows the company is serious about its project. However, Samsung is also in contact with Jiao Guofang, who was responsible for the creation of the Snapdragon team and 5th gen Adreno GPU architecture.
As mobile gamers continue to grow over the past few years, the importance of GPU has also gradually increased. The quality of the GPU determines the clarity and fluency of the screen during the running of mobile games. GPU performance has always been a battleground between Qualcomm and Apple chips.
Qualcomm’s Adreno GPU was previously based on the acquisition of AMD’s mobile business and has always performed well in graphics rendering, performance, and power consumption. However, Apple’s A-series chips, after using self-developed GPUs, have an annual performance improvement of more than 20%.
Competitors continue to improve on the GPU, and Samsung has been using the Mali GPU based on the ARM architecture until the release of the Exynos 2200 chip. The GPU designed based on the ARM architecture has the advantage of a stable design.
Complementing the shortcomings of the GPU is also a prerequisite for Samsung to maintain competition with Qualcomm and Apple. For this reason, the company has always wanted to reduce its dependence on the public version of the ARM architecture and look for more possibilities.
At the recent SDC24 event, Samsung announced that it is bringing One UI to its all products and now the rollout has begun for its TVs. The company has started rolling out this One UI update for Samsung smart TVs.
Samsung is making a One UI update based on the Tizen 8.0 operating system available for 2023 Samsung smart TVs. One of the first models to get this update is the S90C OLED TV.
With this update, users will notice a fresh new interface that makes it easier to navigate their TV. It also brings improvements to the Game Bar, which will help gamers have a smoother and more fun gaming experience.
One UI update aims to provide a fresh look and feel across all Samsung devices. Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet, or now, a TV, you’ll find the experience familiar and user-friendly.
As the update becomes available for more models, Samsung TV users can look forward to more enhancements to perform better. The company will soon make this update available for more Galaxy products as Samsung announced unified software for all its products.
This is just the beginning of that promise. Starting in 2025, Samsung plans to unify the software for all its products under the One UI brand, making it easier for users to navigate and enjoy their devices.
One UI for All Devices: Samsung announces unified software for 2025
Imagine this: You’re setting out on an adventure into the wilderness, miles away from the nearest cell tower when suddenly things go south. Or you’re in an area hit by a natural disaster where the usual phone networks are down. That’s when your smartphone with satellite connectivity, becomes more than just a phone; it turns into your lifeline, a light in the dark, when everything else fails.
What is Satellite Connectivity?
Satellite connectivity allows your smartphone to communicate directly with satellites in Earth’s orbit when you’re out of the reach of cell networks.
Think of it like this: when you’re too far out for your phone to catch any signal, satellite connectivity kicks in. Your phone turns into a tiny satellite station all on its own. It will send your messages or calls to a satellite way up in space, and that satellite passes it along, keeping you connected when you’re literally off the grid.
How Does It Work?
When you’re in an area with no cellular service, your smartphone can switch to satellite mode. Here’s what happens:
- Direct Connection: Your phone sends a signal directly up to a satellite in the sky. This means you need to have a good view of the sky – no tall buildings or dense forests in the way. That’s why this tech is a real game-changer when you’re out in the wide open, far from civilization.
- Signal Relay: Once your phone’s signal reaches the satellite, it gets bounced back down to a ground station. This station is like a bridge; it links up with the regular phone network or the internet. So, you can send a text or, in some cases, even make calls.
Eligible Devices
As of now, not all smartphones support satellite connectivity. The following smartphones are known to support satellite connectivity:
Apple iPhone Series:
- iPhone 14 and later models (including all variants like Pro and Pro Max). These models support emergency SOS via satellite.
Huawei:
- Huawei Mate 60 Pro, which allows for satellite calls.
Samsung:
- There are no officially confirmed Galaxy devices eligible for this feature. Samsung is currently working on adding satellite connectivity, potentially starting with the Galaxy S25, as per reports.
Google Pixel:
- Google Pixel 9 supports satellite connectivity, known as Satellite SOS. This Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold support this.
Android Devices with Specific Chipsets:
- Devices equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and possibly later versions were expected to offer two-way satellite messaging.
Features
- Emergency SOS: It allows users to send distress signals or share location with emergency services.
- Text Messaging: Beyond emergencies, some services allow for regular text messaging, though this might come with a subscription or per-message fee after an initial free period.
- Subscription Models: Initially, Apple offers emergency services for free, but for broader use, like messaging or data, there could be charges. The US network carrier, T-Mobile, is looking into how they can mix this satellite magic into their regular plans.
Wider Rollout:
The rollout is in progress, with companies like Apple, Google, and SpaceX’s Starlink working to make this technology more accessible. Starlink’s partnership with T-Mobile hints at a future where even data services could be available, turning remote dead zones into areas of connectivity.
Satellite connectivity in phones isn’t just cool tech; it’s a big step towards making sure everyone can communicate, no matter where they are. As it gets better, expect it to be cheaper, in more phones, and easier to use. Right now, it’s great for emergencies, but soon, you might be able to chat or send messages from anywhere on Earth, even in the most remote places.
Samsung has unveiled two new battery packs with powerful performance using recycled materials. The launch, scheduled for the 19th, introduces the PD Battery Pack 20,000 mAh and the PD Wireless Charging Battery Pack 10,000 mAh. Both of these battery incorporate 30% UL-certified recycled plastic in their design, marking a stride in reducing carbon emissions.
The ‘PD Battery Pack 20,000 mAh’ offers a high capacity for charging, with a maximum output of 45W and three USB-C ports, allowing for simultaneously charging multiple devices. However, the actual charging speed may vary based on several factors, including the devices connected and charging conditions.
On the other hand, the ‘PD Wireless Charging Battery Pack 10,000 mAh’ provides the convenience of wireless charging, along with a wired charging capability of up to 25W. It comes with two USB-C ports, making it possible to charge up to three devices at once when combining wired and wireless charging.
Both battery packs comply with the USB PD 3.0 standard, ensuring quick and efficient charging for Samsung Galaxy products and other compatible devices.
