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Yay! Samsung starts One UI 6 Beta for Galaxy S21 series, get Android 14 now
Samsung has opened the Android 14-based One UI 6 Beta Program for Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphones. The beta update brings several new features and improvements to the device, along with the security patch.
One UI 6 Beta update is rolling out for Samsung Galaxy S21 series users in Korea and the company will soon make it available in more countries. The beta update is already available for the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy A34, and Galaxy A54. Samsung is expected to expand it to more devices in the coming weeks. The stable version of One UI 6 is likely to be released in the coming months.
One UI 6 is based on Android 14 and offers a refreshed user interface, enhanced privacy and security options, redesigned notifications and quick settings, improved performance and battery life, and more.
How to join Beta Program
To participate in the One UI Beta Program, you must register through the Samsung Members app on your device:
- In the Samsung Members app, log in with your Samsung Account. If you do not have a Samsung Account, create one.
- Select “Notice > Registration for One UI Beta Program.”
- Complete and submit the application form.
If you meet the participation criteria, you will be enrolled in the One UI Beta Program.
Samsung, the company that brings new features every year, might soon show us something very cool and advanced in the future One UI version, according to a new report.
Samsung is reportedly (ETNews working on using AI to potentially replace or significantly reduce the need for the traditional Settings menu on Galaxy devices. This is all going to be real, thanks to advanced AI.
The goal is to make device interaction easier by having the AI predict user requirements and adjust settings like brightness, layout, and possibly more complex decisions on its own. This means you won’t have to change the settings manually.
The AI will learn it from the user’s usage patterns; it involves adjustments to the display, sound, connectivity options, and other device settings.
Image: Samsung Care / YouTube
Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed that the settings menu will be completely removed in the future versions of One UI. Instead, the focus appears to be on improving the user experience with AI, potentially reducing the need for manual settings adjustments rather than removing the menu altogether.
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Samsung and Apple had neck-and-neck in the Q3 2024 smartphone market reports Canalys. The market research firm recently published its analysis for the quarter ended on September 30. The data shows an alarming situation for both Samsung and Apple.
Canalys reports that both Samsung and Apple secured 18% market share in Q3 2024. Xiaomi ranked third with a 14% market share in the same period. The Chinese firm grew 1% year-over-year, similar to Apple, while Samsung declined 3%.
Researchers note that it’s the highest market share Apple achieved against the leading firm in the third quarter. The company’s flagships were released in late September, with merely 3 days of sales have been counted in during the period.
The impact of the iPhone 16 series will be seen in the current quarter. iPhone 15 and other iPhone models managed to rank Apple second in a neck-to-neck fight with Samsung. The Korean tech giant declined from 21% in 2023 to 18% in 2024.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in July this year. The company’s flagship foldable phones just kept it away from getting beaten by Apple. The iPhone maker grew significantly in its unusual timeframe viz. Q3.
Xiaomi was a comfortable third place with 14% of the market. OPPO (9%) and vivo (9%) rounded out the top five. The top two positions are highly likely to be shuffled in the next report on the smartphone market in the fourth quarter of the year.
“Apple achieved its highest third-quarter volume to date and has never been closer to leading the global smartphone market in a Q3 than now,” Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde was quoted as saying.
Canalys Q3 2024 Global Smartphone Market Report 🚨
Neck-to-neck fight between Samsung and Apple
Samsung 18% 👑
Apple 18% 🏃♂️
Xiaomi 14% 🥉All the best Samsung for the fourth quarter 🚀#Samsung #Apple #Xiaomi #OPPO #vivo pic.twitter.com/6jltXYvbmB
— Samsung One UI Software Updates #OneUI7 #OneUI (@SamSWUpdate) October 15, 2024
Google is testing a fixed header feature in the Play Store that will make installing apps easier. This feature will keep essential app details including the app icon, name, developer, average rating, and an Install button visible while users scroll.
At the moment, app listings can be quite long, filled with important information such as reviews and safety data on Play Store. While this helps users be informed about apps, it often means the Install button is far down the page. This long listing makes it hard for users to download the app by tapping on the Install button.
With the new fixed header, the Install button will always be within reach, no matter how much you scroll. This new feature has been spotted on Google Play Store v43.1.19, thanks to AsssembleDebug (via Android Authority).
The new code shows that the header will stick to the top of the screen. This will allow users to quickly install an app or choose to install it on devices.
By keeping the Install button visible at all times, Google aims to improve user experience and help developers who are advised to create detailed app descriptions.
The fixed header feature of Google Play Store will make it simpler for users to install apps with detailed information. As the Google Play Store continues to evolve, these changes make the app experience better for everyone.