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Samsung launches Digital Car Key feature in Australia
Samsung has officially launched the Digital Car Key function in Australia. This feature can transform Galaxy smartphones into hands-free smart keys for their owners’ cars. This feature is initially available for select BMW car models, with more joining in the future.
According to Samsung, Digital Key is first launching with compatible BMW car models and will allow Galaxy users in Australia to lock and unlock their car doors, start their engines and share their Digital Keys with multiple drivers via their smartphones.
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Digital Key will run on the latest Android 13 or higher software with compatible Galaxy devices. Residing in the embedded Secure Element (eSE) of Galaxy devices, Digital Key can only be activated on Samsung Wallet for Samsung users.
Compatible Samsung devices include:
- Galaxy S20 series: all models apart from S20FE
- Note 20 Series: Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 series : S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S21 FE
- Galaxy S22 series : S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S23 series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
- Galaxy Z-Flip: Z-Flip 5G, Z-Flip3, Z-Flip4,
- Galaxy Z-Fold: Z-Fold2, Z-Fold3, Z-Fold4
- For a list of compatible BMW models, visit here
Integrated with NFC (Near Field Communication) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) capabilities, Samsung Wallet’s Digital Key offers a simple and quick way for users to interact with their car doors by walking up to them, without taking their phone out of their pocket.
Once registered a car key on Samsung Wallet, users can utilize the NFC and UWB features on their smartphones to unlock car doors. They can then place their smartphones on the compatible vehicle’s wireless charging pad to start their car’s engine once the Digital Key is recognized and authenticated.
Samsung’s latest OLED tech could debut in the Google Pixel 9 series. The next-gen Pixel flagships would outshine Samsung’s S24 Ultra in terms of display. It’s almost confirmed that the Google Pixel 9 series will use OLED based on the Samsung M14 material.
Featuring Samsung M14 OLED, Google Pixel 9 will become the best phones in terms of display quality. More upgrades like new camera sensors and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader could also be included in the upcoming smartphones.
A source inside Google (via AndroidAuthority) disclosed key details. M14 is Samsung’s latest OLED display technology, set to foster the Pixel 9 series. The new iteration offers better brightness and longevity, giving the Pixel 9 an edge over current flagships.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 Pro lineup will also induct Samsung’s M14 OLED. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 series, released earlier this year, features the M13-based OLED. There are various advantages of the upgraded panel coming in Pixel 9.
Google’s Pixel 9 would get a 1,800-nit display, while the Pro and Pro XL screens could peak at up to 2,050-nit. It’s worth noting that the company lists HDR values for full-screen brightness, so localized peak brightness values will be even higher.
Samsung could introduce the Galaxy S25 series in January next year. The company’s next-gen flagships will likely feature the new OLED display tech. Meanwhile, its biggest rivals are utilizing the latest display technology in 2024 itself.
Google is gradually increasing its presence in the global smartphone market. The company is seriously expanding its mobile business. The next year’s Pixel phones would be equipped with 3nm processors manufactured by TSMC.
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.