News
Samsung shifts strategy to combat Chinese DRAM surge
Samsung restructures DRAM (memory) business to tackle intensifying Chinese memory chip surge. The company is reportedly revisiting its strategy amid growing competition from Chinese memory chipmakers and contract manufacturers.
Chosun reports that Samsung facing significant competition in the DRAM business. Chinese vendors aggressively enter the areas that are unaffected by the US sanctions. The company had to rethink its strategy to combat the Chinese surge surge.
Samsung’s DS Division head is tackling these challenges. The division is preparing for a potential workforce and organizational restructuring by the year-end. DS Division could scale back production of legacy DRAM and 8-inch foundry segment.
It’s worth noting that Chinese chip makers eyeing gains in areas such as legacy chips used in automobiles, aircraft, home appliances, and consumer electronics. The Q3 performance had taken a hit from weaker-than-expected memory chip demand.
Apart from this, Samsung Foundry is also adjusting course by reassigning workers from the 8-inch foundry line at its production facility in Giheung, Gyeonggi, where utilization rates have also been significantly lowered.
At the recent earnings call, Samsung acknowledged its profitability has taken a hit due to the influx of Chinese DRAM. South Korea’s SK Hynix has also indirectly mentioned the pressures posed by increased Chinese DRAM supply.
News
Samsung Galaxy S24’s One UI 7 Beta returns Monday with potential Beta 2 launch
Samsung’s One UI 7 Beta Program for Galaxy S24 series hit full capacity. If you missed joining the Beta Program, there’s good news: Samsung is expected to reopen the One UI 7 Beta on Monday along with the Beta 2 launch.
Max Jambor revealed that Samsung may open the second phase of One UI 7 Beta registration, and the date aligns with previous rumors of a Beta 2 launch. The rollout of the second Beta should bring another opportunity to join the Beta.
At present, Samsung is running the Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series. The program is already live in four out of six key markets: Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US.
Samsung stopped Beta registrations just the next day after the Beta launch in the US. It seems the slots are fewer than last year, keeping the Beta build restricted to a limited audience.
Recently, Samsung Support confirmed that the One UI 7 Beta Program will start on December 16 in India, and the same date is rumored for the remaining European market: Poland.
The Beta participants will receive an incremental update as Beta 2 on their Galaxy S24 device. However, the latest build will directly be provided to the Wave 2 markets: India and Poland.
The second Beta of One UI 7 will bring improved animation and transition effects. Samsung users can expect more natural and fluid system animations in the next Beta updates.
One UI 7 Beta 2 – What to expect?
- Smoother animations, fluid transitions
- Enhanced performance and lesser app incompatibility
- Bug fixes and overall user experience improvements
News
Samsung TV Plus unveils exclusive ‘Letterman TV’ channel
Samsung TV Plus has introduced a new, free channel named “Letterman TV,” available now in the U.S. and Canada. This channel streams the legendary “Late Show with David Letterman” non-stop. You’ll get to see curated moments and new commentary from Letterman himself.
David Letterman, who hosted the show for 22 years, said, “Now I can watch myself age without looking in the mirror!” Walter Kim, who works with Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants, Inc., is excited about the channel. With over 4000 hours of content, the programming will keep changing.
On “Letterman TV,” viewers can watch memorable moments of Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks playing The Newlywed Game, Denzel Washington sharing laughs with Don Rickles and Dave, Will Ferrell’s comedic antics, musical performances by legends like Ringo Starr, unforgettable stunts like Dave working at Taco Bell and jumping into a giant bowl of eggnog. In classic segments, viewers can watch Top Ten lists and “Stupid Tricks”
New content will added monthly, and exclusive intros from Letterman offer fresh insights and behind-the-scenes stories. For those in the U.S., the channel also offers on-demand half-hour compilations of fan-favorite moments.
Salek Brodsky from Samsung TV Plus says the service aims to provide personal and accessible entertainment. “Letterman TV” adds to their growing list of exclusive content.
Whether you’re a new viewer or a longtime fan, “Letterman TV” offers a mix of nostalgia and discovery. You can watch “Letterman TV” for free on Samsung TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors, and more.
News
Samsung SmartThings teams up with YouTube Music for ultimate smart lighting
Samsung SmartThings is collaborating with YouTube Music. The latest collaboration reiterates that the company continues to elevate the SmartThings experiences further.
Following the partnership with YouTube Music, Samsung SmartThings can tailor the Music Sync experience more effectively to users’ needs regardless of the setting or time of day.
This includes new buttons that align with familiar YouTube Music settings like Relax, Party, and Workout, creating a seamless connection between Music Sync and the YouTube Music App.
SmartThings’s Music Sync unlocks accurate content sync across music apps within the Galaxy ecosystem. This ensures users can enjoy a truly synchronized experience without limitations.
It seems collab with YouTube Music is just the beginning. Later this year, SmartThings will announce additional partner companies to enrich the Music Sync experience.
SmartThings x YouTube Music
With Music Sync integration, YouTube Music Premium users can enjoy perfect light synchronization with Philips Hue bulbs while listening to their favorite songs.
For instance, when users press the Party button on Music Sync, their party playlist on YouTube Music will start playing, and the lighting will shift to a color pattern preset.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding our ecosystem and incorporating user feedback to enhance the Music Sync experience even further.