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Reminder: Android 14 is not the last OS upgrade for Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21 series smartphone users will gladly accept upgrade to the Android 14 OS. Meanwhile, I just wanted to remind you that it’s not going to be the last major OS upgrade for your Galaxy device!
The Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra debuted with Android 11-based One UI 3.1 pre-installed. At the time of launch, these devices were promised to support three major OS upgrades and four years of security patches.
Upgrade Support
During the Galaxy S22 release, the South Korean tech giant announced that it has extended software updates support for select Galaxy devices including the Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy Z Fold3, and Galaxy Z Flip3.
Thanks to the Samsung Software Updates Policy 2022, the Galaxy S21 series is proudly eligible for a total of four generations of Android upgrades along with five years of regular security patch updates.
Android 14
Earlier, the Android maker introduced the first Beta version of the 14th major version of the world’s most popular mobile OS. It’s expected that the Android 14 OS would reach the platform stability mark by late July.
As soon as Google releases Android 14 to Pixel smartphones, Samsung will boost up its adaptation process for Galaxies. Before bringing Stable, select Galaxy devices will get a chance to preview the new features and design.
Samsung Android 14
Samsung has a huge list of Galaxy devices to deliver the Android 14 upgrade. Last year, the company finished the rollout within just two months of the initial release, we may see such a wonderful rollout this year, as well!
The Galaxy S21 lineup has already completed two years of its global launch, but Samsung won’t do what Chinese OEMs do. Shortly after the latest S23 series, Galaxy S21 users will get their hands on Samsung Android 14 upgrade.
One UI 6 Beta
Sometime in August 2023, Samsung may start the One UI 6 Beta Program, based on Android 14 OS. Flagship Galaxy models would get the One UI 6’s Beta build for testing purposes in not less than 7 countries, including:
- China
- India
- Germany
- Poland
- South Korea
- The UK
- The US
Samsung’s latest foldable phones come with Google Messages by default. The company has now revealed the reason behind this move on Galaxy devices. Samsung says Google Messages replaced Messages to foster RCS adoption.
According to AndroidAuthority, a source explained Samsung’s decision to switch to Google Messages as the default messaging app. The recently released Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 come with Google Messages with RCS enabled by default.
Looks like promoting Google Messages on Galaxy devices will boost RCS adoption. Samsung Messages isn’t already installed on newer phones. However, one’s stopping you from getting it on your Galaxy from the Galaxy Store.
While many apps support the RCS feature, Google Messages offer the best user experience. Making it a default messaging app is an effort to boost the adoption of RCS tech. Apple is also preparing to bring RCS chat functionality to iMessage for iPhones.
What Samsung source said:
- Even if messaging apps follow the RCS standard, the availability may be limited depending on which app the other party uses. That’s why we decided to make Google Messages the common messaging platform, allowing Galaxy users to communicate more freely. This also enables a messaging app to respond to changes of the RCS standard more quickly and efficiently.
Previously, Samsung devices launched in the US came with two messaging apps. This time, the company has removed the Samsung Messages. During the first setup, users are notified that Google Messages is the default messaging application.
Samsung SmartThings gained the international standard ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. The company has officially announced this major development in its global connected living platform.
SmartThings received ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management systems. Certification reiterates that the SmartThings Cloud operates per international standards.
To be certified, a company has to meet the standard across a total of 123 detailed items, including policies for information security, access control for information assets, and incident response.
SmartThings receiving the ISO 27001 certification is the result of our sustained focus on the protection of information in a hyper-connected world with exponentially increasing intelligence.
Seungbum Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Device Platform Center at Samsung Electronics said “this is just another step in our drive to fortify the platform’s security. We will continue to find new ways to ensure that SmartThings’ personalized services are provided even more safely.”
BSI Prez says that they have recognized that the operation capability and security level of Samsung SmartThings is excellent. It will further boost trust in the SmartThings platform and strengthen business competitiveness.
ISO 27001 is the leading global standard for ISMSs and was established by the International Organization for Standardization. It provides companies with guidance to manage the risks to information assets systematically and achieve information protection goals.
Samsung Health app integrated the Dr.diary (Doctor Diary) glycated hemoglobin feature. The blood sugar management platform announced the launch of its glycated hemoglobin estimation functionality on Samsung’s Health application.
According to ETNews, Dr.diary announced the integration of a glycated hemoglobin level feature in Samsung Health. Galaxy users will now be able to check the estimated glycated hemoglobin level provided by Doctor Diary.
To activate the feature, Health app users will have to permit certain conditions of data in the Blood Sugar service. It is worth noting that glycated hemoglobin is a key figure for diabetes diagnosis, which users will find worth using in the Health app.
Established in 2017, Dr.diary is a blood sugar management platform. It analyzes and predicts the changes in glycated hemoglobin using its own algorithm. Earlier this year, the firm secured a patent for “glycated hemoglobin estimation based on blood sugar data table.”
Song Je-yoon, CEO of Doctor Diary, said, “With our predicted glycated hemoglobin level prediction algorithm being installed in Samsung Health, more people will be able to recognize their glycated hemoglobin level and manage their health more efficiently.”
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a standardized numerical value of the percentage of hemoglobin, such as hemoglobin, which has been glycated by glucose. Glycated hemoglobin reflects the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months.
Samsung Health (with Wear OS Galaxy Watch) users can conveniently check their estimated glycated hemoglobin level within the app and use this information to manage their blood sugar levels through diet and exercise.