News
Samsung Explores Glass Backplate, New S Pen Tech for Thinner Foldables
Korea’s TheElect reports that Samsung is exploring glass backplate and new S Pen tech to make thinner foldables in the future. The company is considering developing a backplate made of glass rather than plastic or metal.
- Backplate (internal hinge): It serves as a support component between the foldable panel and the hinge.
Samsung believes backplate made of glass has advantages such as weight, cost, and supply stability. The exploration has begun, but the new solution could not be mass-produced until 2026, meaning the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 won’t get it.
The company is preparing to avoid supply issues as Donald Trump is all set to take over as US President in January next year. Following his arrival, electronics product supply may be impacted by the Chinese market and suppliers.
Hence, the Korean tech giant has commenced a project with various component partners to switch the backplate material of foldable phones to glass.
Samsung’s backplate in the Galaxy Z Flip 6 uses SUS (Steel Use Stainless), the Galaxy Z Fold 6 uses carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), and the Galaxy Z Fold SE uses titanium for the first time, which is sourced from China.
Titanium is more difficult to process than SUS, but it is lighter and stronger. However, Samsung is preparing to switch to glass-made backplates in future foldables.
Digitizer-less S Pen support
Apart from this, Samsung is also developing S Pen input technology that doesn’t require a digitizer. This way, the S Pen support will live on the Galaxy Z Fold but the thickness will be reduced significantly.
Removing the digitizer would allow for thinner foldable phones. However, the timeline for mass production of the technology to recognize the S Pen without a digitizer has not yet been determined.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 in July, and Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition in October this year. Next year, four foldable models are expected to be announced including the Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Fold SE 2 and Z Flip FE.
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
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.
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 Music Sync | Source: Samsung
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.