One UI
One UI 6.1.1 improves app streaming from Galaxy phones to Windows PCs
In July 2024, One UI 6.1.1 introduced with Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphones. Samsung is now regularly working to make this update available for more Galaxy devices. One UI 6.1.1 offers several features and enhancements over the previous version, one of which is app streaming from Galaxy phones to Windows PCs.
With the latest One UI 6.1.1 update, Samsung Galaxy users will find app streaming from their phones to Windows PCs much smoother. This update improves how Samsung smartphones work with Microsoft’s Phone Link app.
Introduced in 2020, Microsoft’s Phone Link app allows users to stream Android apps from their smartphones to Windows PCs. At first, this feature was only available on Samsung devices, but it has become even better with the latest One UI 6.1.1 update.
Previously with Android 14, users had to manually approve a prompt each time they started a new app streaming session. This made the process annoying and inconvenient.
Fortunately, One UI 6.1.1 update fixes this issue by removing the need to approve the prompt for each new session. You only need to approve it the first time. However, the phone still needs to be unlocked to start streaming, a necessary security measure.
Image Credit: Android Authority
One UI 6.1.1 brings the streaming process back to how it worked before Android 14’s changes. Overall, this update offers a more user-friendly and secure streaming experience.
Talking about its availability, users of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 can enjoy it. The Korean tech giant is regularly working to make the One UI 6.1.1 update available to more Galaxy devices including the Galaxy S24 series.
Aside from this, the latest One UI iteration also offers new Galaxy AI features to Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 devices. The company will make some of Galaxy AI features for older Galaxy devices.
Apple’s Dynamic Island gets a Samsung makeover in One UI 7.0. The latest One UI 7 is shaping up to be one of its most exciting updates yet. While Samsung did criticize Apple over Dynamic Island, the software has taken its inspiration.
Samsung recently launched this year’s One UI Beta Program. The company introduced the Now Bar on the lock screen and a Dynamic Island-inspired feature in the One UI 7.0 iteration, bringing more functionality and flair to Galaxy phones.
Now Bar x Dynamic Island
Located at the top, it dynamically expands to showcase activities like incoming calls, music playback, and app-specific alerts.
For instance, while recording audio with Voice Recorder, the feature provides seamless updates without interrupting the primary interface.
Sound pretty Dynamic Island nah?
Samsung goes a step further—users can swipe up on the on-screen pill UI to jump to secondary or other running activities. It adds a layer of interactivity that Apple’s Dynamic Island currently lacks.
Think you are recording a voice and running a timer at the same time. Simply expand the pill from the status bar and swipe up to quickly switch across the running functions without disruption.
One UI 7 Now Bar | Image: SakiTech
It’s just the first Beta of the One UI 7 firmware. The rich interface could go even better with Android’s notification system, opening the door for third-party app support with the Stable version.
One UI 7’s Dynamic Island is designed to improve how notifications and real-time updates are displayed. It will also contribute to a better, reliable, and effortless multitasking experience on the flagship Galaxy smartphones.
With One UI 7.0 confirmed to be available for Galaxy devices in the first quarter of 2025, Galaxy fans are eager to see how this innovation will improve day-to-day usage.
[Watch] One UI 7.0 Dynamic Island in action:
Samsung One UI 7.0 gets it's own version of Dynamic Island known as the "NOW BAR" pic.twitter.com/kR0qSACr8P
— sakitech (@sakitechonline) December 5, 2024
Samsung announced One UI 7 Beta with several changes and new features for Galaxy users. One of the most requested and big changes of One UI 7 is adding the Vertical Scrolling App Drawer to Galaxy smartphones.
For years, Samsung has stuck with a horizontal, page-based layout for its app drawer, while most Android devices have used a vertical scrolling style. The company kept it as the default, even though third-party launchers or Samsung’s Good Lock could provide alternatives.
With the release of One UI 7 beta, Samsung is changing the way you scroll the apps with Vertical app drawer. Now, the app drawer scrolls vertically by default. This makes it easier to find and open apps quickly, without swiping through multiple pages.
Notably, the change is permanent, and you can’t switch back to the old horizontal layout through the settings after One UI 7 installation. There’s no option for App drawer customizations. The only way to change how apps are organized is by using the “Custom” sorting option
While some users may miss the old layout, the new vertically scrolling drawer offers a faster and more modern experience for Galaxy users. Notably, it is a beta update, so we can expect more changes in the stable version.
In addition to this big change, Samsung has brought new options for customization with One UI 7. You can now choose to display five columns of apps instead of the previous four, making better use of screen space. There’s also an option to turn off the app drawer entirely and switch to a home screen-only layout.
Moreover, users can adjust the size of app icons for the home and app screens, remove app labels, and even add labels to widgets.
If you’re using a Galaxy smartphone with the One UI 7 Beta, let us know which app drawer you prefer – horizontal or vertical.
Samsung officially started the One UI 7 Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series yesterday. There are a ton of features and changes to be explored and the latest One UI 7.0 introduces rich charging UI animations for your Samsung Galaxy.
The first Beta of Samsung One UI 7.0 elevates the charging game with the induction of rich new charging UI animations. Whether it is the lock screen or the home screen, Samsung’s visual streak is all around the interface in the new One UI 7.
When unlocked
One UI 7.0 brings a brand new battery indicator; a pill that displays battery percentage inside. The new indicator isn’t just static as magic happens as soon as you connect your phone to the charger.
The battery pill turns dynamic, filled with Blue and White gradient colors. A text will join the indicator, displaying that the charging has started and the pill will return to its size.
The battery pill then shows a nifty “shock” icon element, followed by the battery percentage. The pill will remain colored until the charging continues on the smartphone.
Samsung OneUI 7.0 – Charging Animation HomeScreen pic.twitter.com/QdoV629ExD
— TechDroider (@techdroider) December 5, 2024
When locked
Now Bar turns charging indicators when your Galaxy is locked. Thanks to OLED screens, the Now Bar looks super stunning and the Now Bar matches with the battery indicator color.
Compared to the pill, the Now Bar is quite larger and has more rich visual elements. The pill appears at the bottom of the lock screen and contains:
- A “shock” icon within a circular overlay
- Battery percentage in large text format
- Alters itself when you put your fingerprint to unlock the device
OneUI 7 Charging Animation#samsung #galaxy #oneui7 #oneui7beta #teamgalaxy pic.twitter.com/8vcJkmXKJW
— Samyubchug (@Samyubchug) December 5, 2024
Samsung is readying to usher in a new era of software experience on Galaxy phones. The public version is set to be unveiled next year with the Galaxy S25 launch. The company announced that it will start the rollout in the first quarter of next year.
Image: TechDroider and Samyubchug