“We’re excited to bring Audi drivers the incredible convenience of Samsung Digital Key, powered by advanced UWB technology and easily accessible through Samsung Wallet,” said Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of the Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

With the key users can lock and unlock their vehicles, open the trunk using Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), and then start their vehicles without a physical key. They can also share the Digital Key over the air or with an interface that lets them grant or disable access as needed, the release detailed.

If users lose their device that contains the Digital Key, they can use the Samsung Find service to remotely lock or delete the key, further safeguarding their vehicles.

With biometric or PIN-based user authentication requirements, Samsung Wallet protects the vehicle, ensuring privacy and security with every interaction.

“This collaboration with Audi is helping to advance our vision of effortless, tech-enabled experiences within the Galaxy ecosystem,” Chai said.

Digital Keys are securely embedded within the device, meeting rigorous EAL6+4 security standards to protect against unauthorized access. Using ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies, a standardized communication protocol set by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), the key ensures precise functionality and significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized vehicle access.

Samsung Wallet is a versatile platform that allows Galaxy users to organize Digital Keys, payment methods, identification cards, and more in one secure application.

Launched in June 2022, Samsung Wallet features a seamless interface protected by defense-grade security from Samsung Knox. It integrates with the Galaxy ecosystem, providing powerful connectivity and fortified security for users in their everyday lives.

Availability and Accessibility 

1. Audi vehicles supporting the Digital Key include: the Audi A6 e-tron series, Q6 e-tron series, and Audi A5 series—with more to be included.

2. Samsung Wallet Digital Key support is available on select devices, including Galaxy S20 Ultra/S20+/S20, S21 Ultra/S21+/S21/S21 FE, S22 Ultra/S22+/S22, S23 Ultra/S23+/S23/S23 FE, S24 Ultra/S24+/S24/S24 FE, Note20 Ultra/Note20, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, Z Flip 5G, Z Flip3, Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6.

3. Eligible Galaxy smartphones operating on Android 13 and above, qualify to run this digital key.

The post Galaxy Smartphones to Replace Physical Keys for Audi Owners appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The new Samsung Galaxy Book3 series of laptops include the Samsung Galaxy Book3 ($1,000), Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro ($1,450), Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 ($1,300), Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro360 ($1,900), and Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra ($2,400). There are available for pre-order and will go on sale on Feb. 17th apart from the Book3 Ultra which will go on sale on Feb. 22nd. The laptops will be available in Graphite and Beige color options.

According to online reports, Samsung has made its Book3 series deeply integrated with its Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The so-called Galaxy Connected Experience brings a number of important features. Multi-control allows you to directly control your smartphone through the laptop, drag and drop files, as well as copy and paste both text and images. In addition, users can also convert their Galaxy Tab into an additional screen with the Second Screen feature.

The Galaxy Book3 Ultra is the top-of-the-line laptop from Samsung featuring a 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 3K resolution. The laptop is powered by Intel’s latest Core i7 or Core i9 45W processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of SSD, and comes with Windows 11 OS outside the box and sports a backlit keyboard.

The Ultra also packs a 76Wh battery which comes with support for 100W USB Type-C fast charging. The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra gets two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB Type-A port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a microSD slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Galaxy Book3 Pro comes in two sizes —14-inch and 16-inch, while the Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 only comes with a 16-inch display. The laptops have quite similar features to the Ultra including a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, as are the ports —a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot, USB-A, 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and HDMI. They are powered by 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, coupled with 8/12/16GB RAM and a choice of 256GB, 512GB, or up to 1TB of SSD.

The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 packs a 76Wh battery as the Galaxy Book3 Ultra with support for 65W fast charging. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro carries a 63Wh battery and the 16-inch model gets a 76Wh battery both support 65W fast charging.

The Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 also supports the S Pen, which comes in the box.

The post Samsung Launches New Laptops in the Galaxy Book3 Series appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The company aims to begin by swapping out the display in the highest-end Apple Watches by the end of next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The screens upgrade the current OLED — organic light-emitting diode — standard to a technology called microLED, and Apple plans to eventually bring the displays to other devices, including the iPhone.

The changes are part of a sweeping effort to replace Apple supplies with homegrown parts, an undertaking that will give the company more control over the design and capabilities of its products. The tech giant has dropped Intel Corp. chips in its Mac computers in favor of in-house designs and plans to do the same with the key wireless components in its iPhones.

Samsung is the world’s most advanced manufacturer of displays and has been producing its own version of microLED for TVs. But by bringing the screens in-house, Apple could, in the long run, better customize its devices and maintain a stronger hold on its supply chain.

Apple’s screen switch has been underway for years. The move will deal a blow to Samsung Display Co. and LG Display Co., the two main suppliers of the watch’s screens.

The company has begun testing the microLED displays on an update to the Apple Watch Ultra, its new high-end sports watch.

Compared with current Apple Watches, the next-generation displays are designed to offer brighter, more vibrant colors and the ability to be better seen at an angle. The displays make content appear like it’s painted on top of the glass, according to people who have seen them, who asked not to be identified because the project is still under wraps.

The microLED displays will be Apple’s first screens designed and developed entirely in-house. The company currently sources screens from a range of manufacturers, including Japan Display Inc., Sharp Corp., and BOE Technology Group Co., in addition to Samsung and LG.

In the near term, the new displays are the most significant changes coming to the Apple Watch. The company plans to introduce new models at the end of this year, but they will be modest updates focused on faster chips and minor health sensor upgrades. Apple hasn’t updated the main processor inside of its watch for three years.

The company has also customized the displays for its upcoming headset, which will use similar technology to the microLED screens coming to the Apple Watch. While it will take years before Apple moves the iPhone to microLED, it plans to bring OLED technology to the iPad with the Pro model in 2024.

Apple accounts for 36% of LG Display’s revenue, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Samsung, which competes with Apple in the smartphone market in addition to serving as a supplier, gets about 6.6% of its sales from the iPhone maker.

ALSO READ: A PROGRAMMER’S GUIDE TO APPLE MACOS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

The post Apple Plans to Reduce its Reliance on Samsung and LG appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Simultaneously, the South Korea-based electronic company also announced its first woman president, Lee Young-Hee. President is the highest executive position within Samsung only behind CEO and vice chairman. For her new position as president, Young-Hee topped her prior role from her previous post as head of the company’s Global Marketing Center of the Device Experience division or DX division, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Known as a marketing expert and having previously worked at L’Oreal, she joined Samsung in 2007 becoming instrumental in promoting Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone brand when the company’s mobile business was fast-rising in the smartphone sector starting in the early 2010s under the leadership of then-CEO JK Shin.

Young-Hee has been managing her role and work at Samsung quite effectively, and she certainly received this promotion as a result. She now holds a more important position with more duties on her plate including managing this duty admirably, given her past.

Samsung anticipated that Young-Hee’s promotion would give other talented female employees the chance to push themselves to advance their careers. She is one of seven new presidents appointed as part of the first small-scale restructure since Lee Jae-Yong, the de facto leader of the firm, was promoted to executive chairman of the business in October.

The post Lee Young-Hee Has Become Samsung Electronics’ First-Ever Female President appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

1. Oppo Reno7

Oppo has already launched the Reno7 series in China last year but now it is slated to land in India and elsewhere. The Reno7 series will launch on February 4 in India and will comprise of Reno7 and Reno7 Pro 5G.

The Reno7 for India will have different specs as compared to the Chinese model. It is touted to be a rebranded Reno7 SE. That being said, it will come with a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It is expected to have a 48MP + 2MP + 2MP triple rear camera system and a 16MP selfie snapper. It will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. It will pack a 4,500mAh battery with 33W fast charging support.

On the other hand, the Reno7 Pro 5G will have a 6.55-inch 90Hz FHD+ AMOLED screen. It is expected to come with a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP triple cameras and a 32MP selfie snapper. It will be powered by the Dimensity 1200 MAX SoC paired with 12GB  RAM and 256GB storage. Just like the vanilla, it will pack a 4,500mAh battery but have a 65W fast charging support.

The series is expected to start at around $401 (~ UGX 1,403,500) in Uganda.

2. Infinix Zero 5G 

Infinix is all set to launch its Zero 5G smartphone on February 8 in India. The smartphone will bring Dimensity 900 SoC to the table and have a faster LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 internal storage. The smartphone is rumored to come with a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It is said to pack a 5,000mAh battery and have 33W fast charging support. It will come with 13 5G bands. The Zero 5G was recently spotted in Orange and Black colors and is expected to arrive in around $268 (~UGX 938,000).

3. Redmi Note 11 and Note 11S

Xiaomi’s Redmi will take wraps off its Note 11 series on February 9 in India. The Indian region is expected to get the Note 11 and Note 11S in the market and elsewhere in the world including Uganda.

As of now, there is no specs leak of the phones but rumors suggest that these variants will be the same as the global models. Having said that, the duo is expected to have a 6.43-inch 90Hz AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution. The Note 11 will feature a quad-camera system with a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP setup, while the Note 11S is expected to have a 108MP main lens and the same auxiliary sensors.

The Note 11S will be powered by the MediaTek Helio G96 SoC, whereas, the Note 11 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset. The series will have a 5,000mAh battery and support 33W fast charging technology. It is expected to have LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. MIUI 13 on top of Android 11 is expected to run on the phones. The Note 11 is rumored to start at either $187 (~ UGX654,500)  or $194 (~ UGX679,000), while the Note 11S is expected to cost about $227 (~ UGX794,500) or $234 (~UGX819,000).

4. Vivo T1 5G

Vivo has scheduled to launch the Vivo T1 5G on February 9. Rumors are rife that the new T series is the new value for money series for the online market. Some of its specs were tipped recently and notably it won’t be the same model as the Chinese version.

The Vivo T1 5G for India is said to come with a Snapdragon 695 SoC. To recall, the Chinese version has Snapdragon 778G. Other specs of the phone are unknown at the moment. But, it may come with a high refresh rate screen, a big battery, and fast charging support. The device is expected to have good cameras in the segment. All this would cost under $268 (~UGX938,000) as per a recent report.

5. Samsung Galaxy S22 

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 launch has to be one of the most anticipated launches this month. Samsung has set a launch date for Unpacked and it’s happening on February 9.

The series will have S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra and as expected, most of the specs have already been leaked. The S22 and S22+ will sport an FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels. The screen size will differ i.e 6.1-inch for the former and 6.6-inch for the latter. The Ultra, on the other hand, will have a QHD+ LTPO AMOLED panel. The trio will have a 120Hz refresh rate.

The S22 and S22+ feature a 12MP UW + 50MP W + 10MP telephoto triple rear cameras. The Ultra will have a 108MP W+ 10MP telephoto+ 10MP periscope + 12MP UW quad rear camera setup. The series will be powered by the Exynos 2200 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, depending on the region.

The S22 will pack the smallest battery out of the bunch i.e 3,700mAh. The S22+ will pack a 4,500mAh, while the S22 Ultra will have a 5,000mAh battery. The Ultra and Plus will feature a 45W fast charging support. On the other hand, will have a 25W fast charging speed. The series is expected to start at $899 (~UGX3,146,500).

6. Realme 9 Pro series 

This time around, Realme is prepping to launch a feature-packed budget phone-series in the European and Indian markets. The Realme 9 Pro and 9 Pro+ are scheduled to launch on February 15 in European and is expected to launch on February 16 in India.

The Realme 9 Pro will sport a 6.59-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The 9 Pro+ will have a slightly smaller 6.43-inch 90Hz AMOLED screen. But, the display on the 9 Pro+ will double up as an in-display fingerprint scanner. The vanilla 9 Pro will have a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

As for the cameras, the 9 Pro gets a 64MP + 8MP + 2MP triple rear camera system, whereas, the 9 Pro+ will have a 50MP triple camera system. The vanilla Pro will be powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC, while the Pro+ will be fueled by the Dimensity 920 chipset. The series will have up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The Realme 9 Pro series is tipped to start above $201 (~UGX703,500).

7. Moto Edge 30 Pro 

A new report reveals that Motorola may bring the Edge X30 in the Indian and Global markets as the Moto Edge 30 Pro. However, there’s no launch date as of now.

The Edge 30 Pro is expected to come with a 6.7-inch OLED FHD+ panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen will double up as an in-display fingerprint scanner. It will be a flagship phone that would be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. It will have up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. The device is expected to pack a 5,000mAh battery and have 68W fast charging support.

At the moment, there’s no detail regarding its pricing.

8. iQOO 9

Last month, iQOO launched the iQOO 9 series in China, and this month, it is expected to launch in India. The Indian models have passed several certifications hinting at a sooner launch, as early as this month.

iQOO itself has revealed that the iQOO 9 and 9 Pro will be different for India. The iQOO 8 Chinese model will actually be the iQOO 9 and the iQOO 9 Pro could be the Chinese iQOO 9. Having said that, the Pro will have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, under the hood and the vanilla model will be powered by the Snapdragon 888+ SoC.

The series will have an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Pro will have a QHD+ screen and the vanilla will flaunt an FHD+ display. The iQOO 9 Pro will have a 50MP + 50MP + 16MP triple rear camera setup, while the vanilla will feature a 48MP + 12MP + 13MP triple rear array. There are no India price details as of now but we expect it to start at around $535 (~UGX1,872,500) considering the competition.

9. Realme GT2 

Realme has already launched the GT2 series in the Chinese market. Now, it is expected to launch in Indian and global markets.

The Realme GT2 and GT2 Pro will most likely have the same specs as the Chinese models. The GT comes powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, whereas, the GT2 Pro has Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. The Pro model has a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display and the vanilla sports a 6.62-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen. The duo has a 120Hz refresh rate.

The GT2 Pro has a 50MP + 50MP + a microscope lens, while the vanilla has a 50MP + ultra-wide + macro triple rear camera system. The duo packs a 5,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging support.

10. Redmi K50 

Redmi is expected to launch the Redmi K50 series of phones after the Spring festival this month.

The series will consist of Redmi K50, K50 Pro, K50 Pro+, and K50 Gaming Edition. The former model is expected to come powered by the Dimensity 700 SoC, while the Pro model is said to have the Snapdragon 870 SoC. The K50 Pro+ will get a better Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and lastly the K50 Gaming Edition will have the new Dimensity 9000 SoC.

The series will come with up to 120W fast charging support. It will run on MIUI 13 out of the box. Initially, the series will be only released in China and is expected to launch later in the global and Indian markets.

11. Nubia Red Magic 7

Several reports have revealed that the Red Magic 7 will debut this month in China. It will be a gaming phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. It will feature a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate. It will have a 64MP triple camera system and an 8MP selfie snapper.

The device was spotted with 18GB of RAM and a battery that has 165W fast charging support. As of now, the details of the Red Magic 7 are scarce but we are expecting to hear more in the coming days.

12. Black Shark 5

Another gaming phone likely to release in February is the Black Shark 5. The series will have two models — Black Shark 5 and Black Shark 5 Pro. The series will have an AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate on the vanilla and a 144Hz refresh rate on the Pro. The Pro will have a QHD+ resolution, while the vanilla model will boast an FHD+ display.

The Pro will evidently have the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, whereas, the vanill model will have the Snapdragon 888+ chipset. There will be a 5,000mAh battery in the Pro and a 4,600mAh battery inside the vanilla. The duo will have a 120W fast charging support.

13. Lenovo Legion Y90

Last month, Lenovo scheduled the launch of the Legion Y90 for January 1, but unfortunately, it was never released. But now as per notable tipsters, the phone will debut this month after the Spring festival in China.

The Lenovo Legion Y90 will feature a 6.9-inch FHD+ display with a high refresh rate support. It will have a 64MP + 16MP dual rear camera system at the rear anda 44Mp selfie snapper. Since it will be a gaming phone, it will be powered by the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. It will come with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

It will pack a 5,600mAh dual-cell battery with support for 68W fast charging technology. The device will come in various colors including Black, White, Green, Gold, Red, Cyan, Grey, and Silver. It is expected to compete with the upcoming Black Shark 5, Redmi K50 Gaming, and Red Magic 7.

14. Vivo V23e 

This month, Vivo will be launching the V23e smartphone, an addition to the V23 lineup in India. The launch date is unknown as of now but it is expected to be priced between $334 (~UGX1,169,000) to $401 (~UGX1,403,500).

The specs of the India model are unknown but it is expected to have the same specs as the model launched in Thailand earlier. The Vivo V23e in Thailand has a 6.44-inch FHD+ display. It has a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP triple rear camera system and a 44MP selfie snapper.

It will be powered by the Dimensity 810 SoC paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage. One of its highlights will be the 44W fast charging support for the 4,050mAh battery inside the handset.

15. Realme C31

Realme’s C31 was spotted on a few certifications confirming its launch to be sooner. The smartphone may launch this month at a budget pricing in India and other markets.

The smartphone will be powered by a budget chipset and pack a 5,000mAh battery. It won’t have any fancy charging speeds, but rather a 10W speed. The phone will run on Android 11 OS and have Bluetooth v5.0 support.

16. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G, A53 5G

Samsung is expected to launch two new A-series phones in the market. The Galaxy A33 5G may debut this month with a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and a 48MP quad-camera system. It will be powered by a Dimensity SoC, however, the exact chipset details are unknown at the moment.

The Galaxy A53, on the other hand, will be a mid-range phone with a 6.46-inch  display. It is expected to come powered by the Exynos 1200 SoC and back a 4,680mAh rater battery, as per TENAA. It will have a 25W fast charging support and feature a 64MP triple camera system.

There’s no price information for both of these phones.

These were some of the upcoming phones launching in the month of February 2022. Which smartphone are you most excited about? Do let us know in the comments.

ALSO READ: Sneak Peak into 2022: These smartphones are set to be Launched

The post Smartphones to look out for this February 2022: Oppo, Redmi, Samsung and lots More appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

PC Tech Magazine is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).

Get Ready For The Galaxy To Open

Samsung has set the date for its next Galaxy Unpacked event, which is widely expected to see the new Galaxy S22 family launched. The date for your diary is February 9th, just ahead of Mobile World Congress:

“True innovations don’t just evolve with the world – they help shape it. To create the devices that push us ahead, rewrite the future and bring light to the dark, we must continue to break the rules of what is possible with a smartphone ”

But What Can We Expect?

As to the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra, the official event announcement seems the herald a wave of leaks, giving us a better look at the flagship handsets sure to set the high water mark in 2022’s Android world:

“The upcoming Samsung flagship trio will be powered by the Exynos 2200 chipset in some regions, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC in others. Earlier today, Samsung released another teaser video for the Exynos 2200 SoC, detailing some of the things that supposedly make it a great choice for mobile gamers, such as VRS and AMIGO technology.

All three smartphone models should feature Dynamic AMOLED displays with a high 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations”

Folding Your Pixel

Following the success and scene-setting of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google’s next smartphone looks to follow the trend of folding devices, with an upcoming collapsible square. No word on release date, but we have the top-line specs and design on the grapevine:

“Google’s foldable will reportedly be called the Pixel Notepad, not the Pixel Fold as previously rumored. What’s more, Google hasn’t given up on it and plans to have it out by the end of 2022. Apparently, Google is aiming for a $1,400 (UGX 4.9M) price tag for its foldable phone, which undercut the Galaxy Z Fold3 by $400 (UGX 1.4M).

The Pixel Notebook takes after the Oppo Find N rather than the Galaxy Z Fold3 in that it will be shorter and wider instead of overly tall.”

A New Wave Of Redmi Notes

This week saw Xiaomi update its affordable range of handsets with the new Redmi Note 11 series, offering four different variants all tailored to provide that classic soundbite of a flagship experience at mid-range prices.

The lineup consists of the Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11S, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — all with various intricacies to help differentiate between each model. Let’s start with the entry-level Note 11, as this device is the outlier in the new series and comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ 90Hz display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, 4/6GB RAM, and 64/128GB of internal storage with microSD card support up to 1TB.

The Surface Duo Joins 2021

Fourteen months after the release of the Surface Duo, Microsoft has updated the software to Android 11. This brings it into line with the Duo 2, and now both dual-screened mobile devices are running the same core experience, the hope is that developers will find it easier to code for the specific user experience:

“Key points from Microsoft’s change log include various UI changes from Android 10 to Android 11 (such as new launcher widgets, controls for volume and brightness, and a mew look in the Settings app). Features such as automatic app-spanning at launch, bringing the Photos app closer to OneDrive both for presentation and file management, and greater support for the Surface Pen.”

A New Wave Of Redmi Notes

This week saw Xiaomi update its affordable range of handsets with the new Redmi Note 11 series, offering four different variants all tailored to provide that classic soundbite of a flagship experience at mid-range prices. Damian Wilde has all the details:

“The lineup consists of the Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11S, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — all with various intricacies to help differentiate between each model. Let’s start with the entry-level Note 11, as this device is the outlier in the new series and comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ 90Hz display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, 4/6GB RAM, and 64/128GB of internal storage with microSD card support up to 1TB.”

The Surface Duo Joins 2021

Fourteen months after the release of the Surface Duo, Microsoft has updated the software to Android 11. This brings it into line with the Duo 2, and now both dual-screened mobile devices are running the same core experience, the hope is that developers will find it easier to code for the specific user experience:

“Key points from Microsoft’s change log include various UI changes from Android 10 to Android 11 (such as new launcher widgets, controls for volume and brightness, and a mew look in the Settings app). Features such as automatic app-spanning at launch, bringing the Photos app closer to OneDrive both for presentation and file management, and greater support for the Surface Pen.”

We’re also expecting the Nord CE2 5G to show up just before MWC, with February 11th mooted as a date for the lower-specced affordable handset.

And Finally…

Where do old Android phones go to quietly retire? And what happens if you decide to give one a spin in the modern world? We briefly return to the Blackberry Key2 to find that nostalgia is not enough, and device security is the biggest concern:

“To recap, the $650 Key2 is only three-and-a-half years old but still runs software originally released four-and-a-half years ago and hasn’t had a sniff of an automatic security update for coming up to two years. The treatment of this otherwise perfectly usable phone, with its desirable and well-built hardware, borders on the criminal. If you’d have spent that extra $50 in 2018 and bought an Apple iPhone 8, it still receives software updates today, while Android 11 was the last update to the similarly aged Google Pixel 2.”

The post Samsung Confirms Galaxy Launch, This and more appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The phone is the first premium mid-range smartphone from Samsung that supports the next-gen network.

The Galaxy A90 happens to be at least more affordable compared to the high-end smartphones; the S10 and Note10s. Samsung hasn’t announced pricing details for the A90 yet.

The price will be officially announced when the handset is launched in South Korea on Sep. 4th before expanding to additional markets thereafter.

In a statement, Samsung said the Galaxy A90 5G will offer future-proof connectivity at a more affordable price.

The Galaxy A90 5G has a 6.7-Inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-U display that has a fingerprint reader embedded in it and a cut-out at the top for the 32MP selfie camera.

The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 855 SoC paired with 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, and runs on Android 9.0 (pie). The 6GB RAM variant comes with a microSD card slot, allowing storage expansion by up to 512GB. Backed on a 4,500mAh battery with 25W fast charging support.

The handset also features a triple-rear camera with a 48MP primary camera alongside 5MP depth-of-field and 8MP ultra wide sensors. All come with a range of AI capabilities such as Super Steady, Scene Optimizer and Flaw Detector to improve photos on-the-go.

The Galaxy A90 5G also supports Samsung DeX, making it the first A series smartphone to have this feature.

The smartphone comes in Black and White colors options.

The post Samsung Unveils Another 5G Smartphone and its a Mid-Ranger appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The 2008 Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-inch laptop running Windows XP (Service Pack 3) contains six deadly viruses that have caused an estimated USD$95 billion in damages.

The ‘deadly’ laptop is currently isolated and air-gapped to prevent foul play. According to some reports, The Persistence of Chaos isn’t meant for world domination — but rather intended strictly as an art piece. Reports say the piece of art could as be used for academic purposes.

The Chinese Internet Artist; Guo O Dong, who told The Verge that the piece is a way to give abstract cyber threats physical form.

It contains viruses like WannaCry, which infected more than 200,000 computers across 150 countries causing nearly USD$4 billion in damages, BlackEnergy shut down a power grid in Ukraine, ILOVEYOU affected over 500,000+ systems through file & email sharing causing USD$15 billion in damages, MyDoom commissioned by Russian spammers caused USD$38 billion in damages, SoBig could copy files & email itself to others caused USD$37 billion in damages, and DarkTequila a malware that stole bank credentials and corporate data even while offline costing millions in damages.

Like we mentioned before the laptop is isolated and air-gapped to avoid any mishap. As long as you leave it on the shelf without using any connections i.e. Wi-Fi or plug in a USB — it should be safe.

Guo and Deep Instinct claim they took steps to ensure the malware isn’t dangerous. Its internet capabilities will be disabled before it is shipped to the winning bidder.

The post The Persistence of Chaos Sold For $1.3 Million appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Samsung decided not launch the phablets are the upcoming Mobile World Congress — one of the biggest phone showcase in the world, for its unpacked event that will be held in San Francisco. The Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled to start at 11AM local San Francisco time (10PM EAT).

The event will be live streamed on the Samsung official website. Therefore, you get the details unfolded in real-time. All you need to have is a stable internet connection to avoid buffers.

Samsung is expected to be launching 3 phones rumored to come with Infinity-O Display including; Galaxy S10 with 6.1-inch display, S10+ with 6.4-inch display, and S10E (lite version) with 5.8-inch display. It is rumored that the Galaxy S10 Plus might be a 5G model.

The company is also expected to launch its first ever foldable phone alongside the Galaxy S10 phones.

As we wait for the phones to be launched, below are some of the rumored specs, price, and availability we had in our previous articles.

Specs and Features
All the three variants are expected to feature Infinity-O Display panels with little to no bezels. The three phones will run on Android 9 Pie with One UI. Unlike the Galaxy S10+ that is rumored to come with a dual-front camera setup, the S10 and S10E will have a single shooter. At the back, unlike the S10E that will have a dual-rear shooters, the S10 and S10+ will come with triple-rear shooter setup. The cameras will feature the ability to shoot up to 4K footage.

The Samsung Galaxy S10E will come in 6GB/128GB options while the S10 and S10+ will come in 6GB/128GB and 8GB/512GB options. However, it’s rumored that the S10+ will have a 12GB/1TB piece. Yes! it’s rumored that at least one of the phones will have 1TB internal storage. All this will be coupled by either Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 SoC.

In terms of display, both having the Infinity-O Display, the S10 — will come at 6.1-inch, S10+ — at 6.4-inch, and the S10E will spot 5.8-inch. The display will feature Full-HD+ and a resolution of 2280×1080 pixel.

Price, Color, and Availability
Samsung premium smartphones never come cheap however much they introduce lite versions. The S10E is rumored to come in one storage option, 6GB/128GB priced at EUR749. The S10 will be priced EUR899 and EUR1,149 for the 6GB/128GB and 8GB/512GB options respectively. Finally, the S10+ is rumored to have a tag of EUR999 on the 6GB/128GB, and EUR1,249 for the 
8GB/512GB. The 12GB/1TB if unveiled, is rumored to be tagged at EUR1,499.

In color options, all the three handsets might come in Prism Black, Ceramic Black, Green, White, Ceramic White, Pearl White, Blue options.

In terms of availability, all the models are rumored to start shipping March 8th. Pre-orders are expected to go live the very next day after the unveiling (February 20th). On the other hand, Samsung’s U.S website has already started accepting reservations.

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Like multiple online leaks and renders, Samsung is reportedly said to unveil three handsets, including; The Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10E. Rumors have it that the S10+ is expected to be a 5G model, while the S10E will be the lite version of the two handsets, and will come at a cheaper price.

After officially unveiling the three handsets at its unpacked event, Samsung will showcase the phones at MWC in Barcelona. Meanwhile, with about five days left to the launch, we wrap up some of the rumored/leaked specs, features, colors, and availability.

Specs and Features
For one thing we might be sure of as multiple critics and reviewers have pointed, all the three variants are expected to feature Infinity-O Display panels with little to no bezels. The three phones will run on Android 9 Pie with One UI. Unlike the Galaxy S10+ that is rumored to come with a dual-front camera setup, the S10 and S10E will have a single shooter. At the back, unlike the S10E that will have a dual-rear shooters, the S10 and S10+ will come with triple-rear shooter setup. The cameras will feature the ability to shoot up to 4K footage.

The Samsung Galaxy S10E will come in 6GB/128GB options while the S10 and S10+ will come in 6GB/128GB and 8GB/512GB options. However, it’s rumored that the S10+ will have a 12GB/1TB piece. Yes! it’s rumored that at least one of the phones will have 1TB internal storage. All this will be coupled by either Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 SoC.

While we mentioned before that all the three phones will come with Infinity-O Display, the S10 — will have 6.1-inch, S10+ — at 6.4-inch, and the S10E will spot 5.8-inch. The display will feature Full-HD+ and a resolution of 2280×1080 pixel.

Price, Color, and Availability
Samsung premium smartphones never come cheap however much they introduce lite versions. The S10E is rumored to come in one storage option, 6GB/128GB priced at EUR749. The S10 will be priced EUR899 and EUR1,149 for the 6GB/128GB and 8GB/512GB options respectively. Finally, the S10+ is rumored to have a tag of EUR999 on the 6GB/128GB, and EUR1,249 for the
8GB/512GB. The 12GB/1TB if unveiled, is rumored to be tagged at EUR1,499.

In color options, all the three handsets might come in Prism Black, Ceramic Black, Green, White, Ceramic White, Pearl White, Blue options.

In terms of availability, all the models are rumored to start shipping March 8th. Pre-orders are expected to go live the very next day after the unveiling (February 20th). On the other hand, Samsung’s U.S website has already started accepting reservations.

The post Final Exceptions: Specs & Features on the Next Galaxy S-series Phones appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.