Tag: Samsung

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Samsung Galaxy S21 series poised to recieve December update today

Some Samsung devices are getting the December security patch, according to the Rogers and Telus update schedules. Strangely, the company’s current flagships are getting the update yet — instead, it’s the Galaxy S21 series.

According to the update schedules, the S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra will receive the December security update today. Samsung Galaxy S22 series devices will need to wait until December 20th to receive the update.

The security patch includes a number of fixes ranging from high to critical severity.

In the past, Samsung has been notoriously bad at releasing monthly updates on time. However, the company is slowly getting better with each new generation of devices. I don’t know if releasing the patch to 2021 model and not the 2022 model should be considered progress, however.

The Koodo update schedule reflects something similar.

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MobileSyrup’s top Android accessories gift guide [2022 Edition]

The holidays are drawing near, and many of us are scrambling to find those perfect gifts. Luckily, MobileSyrup is here with another annual gift guide for great Android accessories. 2022 saw the release of some very top-notch Android phones. With them, a new lineup of phenomenal devices is used to support the device, and the user is available.

We’ve ventured into every corner of the internet to find the best Android accessories, perfect for gifting. Whether you’re looking for a more extravagant gift for under the tree, a stocking stuffer, or otherwise, we have you covered.

From chargers to mobile game controllers, headphones, and more, here is your Android accessory gift guide for 2022.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

The  Galaxy SmartTag+ is Samsung’s compact tracking device that can be attached to everyday items. We’ve all misplaced something, whether it’s a wallet, a set of keys, etc. The Galaxy SmartTag+ can be attached and located by using Bluetooth LE on a smartphone. Ultra-wideband technology helps users pinpoint the location of misplaced objects.

Even if an item is out of range, users can use the SmartThings Find Network on their Galaxy phone to pinpoint where they’ve lost their item. Galaxy SmartTag+ is compatible with most contemporary Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Buy Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ for $49.99

Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for Android

With cloud gaming technology really taking off, there’s no better time to gift a mobile gaming controller. The Razer Kishi V2 gives a console-like experience when controlling your favourite games on an Android device. This mobile controller pairs well when using services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, etc.

The Razer Kishi V2 mimics the control layout of the Xbox Wireless controller with an asymmetrical thumbstick layout. Face buttons and a D-pad are present. Additionally, the controller supports triggers and shoulder bumpers. The controller also offers full integration with the Razer Nexus App, which consolidates all compatible games.

Buy Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for Android for $129.99

Pixel Buds Pro – Charcoal

This year, Google launched its Pixel Buds Pro earbuds. The premium audio buds from the Pixel maker have gained a lot of critical approval. The Pixel Buds Pro integrates Active Noise Cancellation technology with its Silent Seal. This ensures a tighter yet comfortable fit in the user’s ear, drowning out the organic sounds of everyday life. Plus, a transparency mode can be activated if the wearer wants to hear their surroundings.

Pixel Buds Pro also supports custom 11mm speaker drivers, Volume EQ, and offers up to 11 hours of audio playback on a single charge. Though, up to 31 hours can be gained thanks to the charging case. The earbuds also feature respond-to-text commands, hands-free control of music, and more.

Buy Pixel Buds Pro for $259.99

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Overhead Headphones

We can’t forget about over-the-ear headphones. A pair that stand out are the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones. Built with integrated noise-cancelling support, Sony utilizes Dual Noise Sensor technology to suppress distracting noises surrounding the user.

Sony Music Studios Tokyo helped co-develop the headphones’ Edge-AI, which upscales compressed digital files in real-time. In addition, Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones support speak-to-chat functionality, stopping music automatically when speaking. This enables users to continue wearing the headphones without impacting a conversation. Sony also promises up to 30 hours of playback on a charge. 10 minutes of quick charging can equate to five hours of playback.

Buy Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Overhead Headphones for $427.32

Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand

Belkin’s Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand is a compact charging stand, offering up to 15W of power. The charger is compatible with any Qi-certified device. This means the Belkin charger works with Samsung Galaxy phones, Pixel devices, and many more. Additionally, smartwatches can also make use of the charger.

On the front of the charger is a small LED light that indicates the device’s charging status. It can charge a phone no matter the orientation, whether it’s placed vertically or horizontally. It’s also compact enough that it can be placed on a desk, side table, or shelf.

Buy Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand for $37.57

Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker

Pivoting from headsets to speakers, Anker’s Soundcore is a great gifting option. It’s fairly compact, making it a great travel companion. It’s able to provide deep bass levels with clarity and low distortion. This is thanks to two high-sensitivity drivers. The speaker can withstand drops and has a waterproof rating of IPX5.

Pairing via Bluetooth 5.0, users can connect their Android device to the speaker and play their favourite tracks. Anker ensures that connectivity is maintained in up to 66ft distances. Plus, the Soundcore speaker offers up to 24 hours of audio playback on a single charge.

Buy Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker for $49.99

Power-7 Adaptive Fast Charging Wall Charger Block

For those that prefer a hardwired charging experience, Power-7 has an efficient set of wall charging units. This pack comes with two USB-C cables and fast-charging wall blocks. The charging cables are compatible with any USB-C device, including Samsung Galaxy S22 series, S21, and models since the S8. Pixel devices are also supported alongside LG, Moto, and other brands.

Power-7 claims that devices can charge from zero percent to 60 in only 40 minutes. The USB-C cords are designed with an aluminum housing and nylon braided design. This typically helps avoid faster wear and tear of silicon cables and other products experience. Finally, the chargers ensure protection from over-current, over-voltage, over-heat and short-circuit issues.

Buy Power-7 Adaptive Fast Charging Wall Charger Block for $24.99

Gikwbc Power Bank 38800mAh LCD Display Portable Charger

Of course, we can’t forget about the on-the-go charging solutions. The Gikwbc Power Bank is very slick and compact. It supports charging with four USB output ports and Dual USB-C inputs. Once again, this charger is comparable with Galaxy phones, Pixel, LG, and other Android devices.

What notably stands out is the inclusion of the small LED screen. This helps the user track the charging status of their device. It’s a rather novel addition that sets it apart from other portable chargers on the market. Gikwbc also provides a three-year warranty for the power bank.

Buy Gikwbc Power Bank 38800mAh LCD Display Portable Charger for $43.95

USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Cable

A perfect accessory for a stocking stuffer is a USB-C cable. There’s always a use for one, and it’s a cost-effective gift to give. The Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable is compatible with a large array of Android phones and devices. It has a power output of up to 15W. Plus, transfer speeds clock in at 480Mbps.

Buy USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Cable for $12.18

Zhiyun Smooth 5 Gimbal Stabilizer Tripod

For content creators, photo nuts, or travellers, this stabilizer tripod can be a perfect gift. This stabilizing rig can help improve videos captured using its anti-shake structure. The tripod offers a three-axis stabilizer and can support even larger phones at high and low angles.

The tripod utilizes an easy-to-use adjustment wheel to adjust the parameter value in both selfie and standard shooting modes. Thanks to its onboard buttons, users can swap modes, use its fill light controls, and access the joystick for more controls while filming and taking photos. The tripod offers up to 25 hours of battery life and only requires two hours to charge.

Buy Zhiyun Smooth 5 Gimbal Stabilizer Tripod for $209.00

PopSockets: PopGrip with Swappable Top

It’s not an Android accessory gift guide without a nod to the PopSocket. We’ve all seen them and likely know their benefits. For the uninitiated, PopSockets have become a go-to for those that want a one-handed smartphone experience. Users simply apply the PopSocket to the back of their phone using the adhesive socket and reposition as needed.

PopSockets enable users to hold larger phones with one hand without straining their wrists as much. PopSockets can also prop a phone up like a stand when watching videos. When not in use, users can press down on the PopSocket to have it flat against the phone and/or its case.

Buy PopSockets: PopGrip with Swappable Top for $14.99

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

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This Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra spec leak might be the real deal

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series is still reportedly a month or two away, but TENAA certification documents have shown off the specifications for the S23 Ultra, the flagship of the trio (via SamMobile).

According to the documents, the phone will sport a QHD+ 3088 x 1440-pixel resolution, 8GB/12GB of RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB of storage, four rear cameras with 200-megapixel primary, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto and a 10-megapixel telephoto with 10x optical zoom. TENAA indicates that the 10-megapixel shooters are actually 12-megapixel, but SamMobile says it’s likely due to Samsung upscaling its images from its 10-megapixel to 12-megapixel for consistency.

Further, Samsung’s flagship will feature Bluetooth, USB0C, a gyrosensor, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, an under-display fingerprint reader, face recognition and a 4,855mAh battery, which will be marketed as a 5,000mAh battery.

SamMobile also notes that it has an octa-core CPU that’s running a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (AC version) instead of the vanilla Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (AB version).

Though we should take most leaks with a grain of salt, with these TENAA documents supporting the specs, they might be close to what we get when the set officially launches,

The S23 Ultra is rumoured to launch in the first week of February. 

Source: SamMobile

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Samsung, LG, other Android devices vulnerable to malware after security leak

Google publicly disclosed a major security leak impacting devices from Samsung, LG, Xiaomi and more. The leak enabled the creation of ‘trusted’ malware apps that can gain access to the entire Android operating system.

Shared by Googler Łukasz Siewierski (via 9to5Google), Google’s Android Partner Vulnerability Initiative (APVI) revealed the details, which you can view here. The main issue is that multiple Android manufacturers had their platform signing keys leaked. Those keys ensure that the version of Android running on your device is legitimate and created by the manufacturer. However, those keys can also be used to sign individual apps, which Android trusts by design.

However, a malicious actor with those signing keys could abuse that trust to give malware full, system-level permissions on an affected device since that device would see the official, signed key and, by default, trust the app. Since some manufacturers use these keys to sign relatively common apps — for example, 9to5 points to Samsung’s Bixby, which is signed with the company’s key on at least some phones — attackers could add malware to a trusted app, sign it with the same key, and then Android would trust it. Worse, this malicious version of the app could come from various sources — the Play Store, Samsung’s Galaxy Store, or be sideloaded.

Google didn’t say which devices or manufacturers were affected in its disclosure. However, the company did include hashes of example malware files, which were uploaded to VirusTotal. 9to5 notes that VirusTotal reveals the names of some of the affected companies, which include Samsung, LG, MediaTek, Szroco (which makes ‘Onn’ tablets for Walmart), and Revoview. There are more keys as well, but they have not been identified.

In the disclosure, Google recommends that manufacturers change their platform signing keys from the ones that leaked. It also urged all manufacturers to reduce how often they use those keys to avoid potential security issues. Moreover, Google said that Samsung and other affected companies took “remediation measures to minimize the user impact” of the security leaks after the issue was first reported in May 2022.

However, 9to5Google notes that Samsung used its vulnerable platform signing key in several Android app updates within just the last few days, based on details from APKMirror. It also remains unclear which Android devices, if any, are still vulnerable.

Moreover, while Google notes the exploit was first reported in May 2022, VirusTotal first scanned some of the malware examples as early as 2016. It remains unclear whether the leak and associated exploits were actively used against anyone in that time.

Google said in a statement to 9to5 that there are several systems in place to protect people from these kinds of security vulnerabilities, such as Play Protect. The company also said that “there is no indication that this malware is or was on the Google Play Store.”

To protect themselves, Android users should make sure their devices are up-to-date and avoid sideloading apps.

Source: Google, Łukasz Siewierski Via: 9to5Google

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Here’s what Samsung’s One UI 5.0 can do in Canada

If you’re an owner of a Samsung Galaxy S or Z series device that launched earlier in 2022, you should have recently had the update to Android 13/ One UI 5.0.

Samsung Canada has shared a few of the features that are now available on your device.

Some of the highlights include a fresh new look and feel with a seamless user experience. Additionally, you can now trigger a sequence of actions on your device based on your activities and create customized settings for different parts of your day.

Further, One UI 5.0 features more intuitive notifications, making it easier to catch up on what’s most important at a glance and access more features just through the shade.

There are also now smart suggestions for Widgets based on usage patterns, smart suggestions now automatically suggest apps and actions that should improve the mobile experience.

You can control all devices connected to your smartphone in a new Connected devices menu, allowing you to access all features that work devices such as Quick Share, Smart View, and Samsung DeX.

Other features include the ability to customize albums in the Gallery app, stacking widgets on the Home screen, quickly opening apps in split screen, better lock screen customization, smoother animations, improved blur effects and simplified colour schemes, and more.

You can learn more about One UI 5.0 on Samsung Canada’s website.

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Alleged Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra colours and cases details leak online

Samsung is rumoured to launch the Galaxy S23 series in early February with new camera features. Even though the phone series hasn’t been officially announced, that hasn’t stopped the well-known Roland Quandt from leaking details about the devices’ cases.

Samsung will reportedly offer a Leather Cover, Silicone Cover, Silicone Cover with Strap, Frame Cover, Clear View Cover, and a Transparent Cover for the S23 lineup. And for the first time ever on an S series device, an Aramid Cover (Kevlar). Additionally, the cases will be available in Black, Green, Camel (brown), White, Khaki, Navy, Orange, Cotton, Violet, Creme and more.

Further, it looks like the S23 Ultra’s stylus colours will come in Black, Green, Rose (light pink) and Beige, which likely represents the colour variants for the smartphone.

Quandt suggests that the Beige S23 colour variant might look similar to the Samsung EB-P3400 37Wh/1000mAh power bank that he also leaked.

As usual, these are only leaks and not an indication of exactly what will launch early next year. While Quandt leaker with a solid track record, I’d still take takes leak with a grain of salt.

Source: @rquandt

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Samsung Galaxy S23 series to reportedly launch in February

Samsung Electronics will reportedly introduce the Galaxy S23 series in February, according to Korea JoonAng Daily, which says it was told the news by an unnamed Samsung executive

“The S23 series will be shown during our own Unpacked event in the United States, which will be held in February,” the executive said to Korea JoonAng Daily. This timeline is very similar to previous S series releases and is likely accurate.

The source didn’t reveal the specific city or exact date, but media outlets believe it will take place in San Francisco in the first week of February.

Qualcomm said in a conference call earlier this month that the S23 lineup will be powered by its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Additionally, it’s rumoured that the  S23 cost more than the S22 and S21 series due to inflation.

The S23 Ultra is rumoured to sport a 200-megapixel camera sensor. Further, the S23 and S23+ are both expected to feature the same design and features as their predecessor. According to leaker Ice Universe, the handsets will offer the same screen, same sensor, same camera and a similar battery.

Source: Korea JoonAng Daily Via: The Verge 

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Samsung may have plans to launch new ‘Superfast’ charging

Samsung could have plans to launch new quick charging technology called ‘Superfast’ charging, according to a new trademark filing first uncovered by Sammobile.

The trademark specifically mentions ‘Samsung Superfast Portable Power,’ hinting that this technology could be tied to a portable charging accessory designed for Samsung’s smartphones and various accessories. Of course, this filing could just be related to the charger’s name and have nothing to do with some sort of new faster-charging technology.

If Samsung were to launch a new form of charging technology, it would have to be faster than its current 45W ‘Fast Charging,’ moving the South Korean tech giant’s charging speeds more in line with its Chinese rivals. For context, the fastest charging speed Apple’s iPhone supports is 20W. No information regarding the rumoured Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra’s charging speeds has appeared yet.

Source: TM View Via: Sammobile

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Samsung’s Black Friday deals save $100s on phones, TVs and smartwatches

LONDON, UK – FEBRUARY 20, 2020: Samsung tech brand leterring logo in Harrods shopping mall.

Samsung’s Black Friday deals offer savings on appliances, smartphones, tablets and more. Some of the devices also come in Black Friday Bundles.

Below are some of the most notable deals:

You can check all the bundles, here. 

All of these phones are also on sale individually. They’re available until December 1st.

You can check all of the handset deals here. They’re available until December 1st.

You can check out all the tablet deals here. They’re available until November 29th.

You can check out all of the smartwatch deals here. These smartwatches are discounted until December 1st.

There are more TV deals here that are available until November 24th. You can also save $1,000 on the 85-inch Frame TV and get a bonus free frame bezel with any Frame TV purchases.

Until November 7th, when you buy two eligible appliances, you can save $150, when you buy three, you save $300, and when you can buy five, you save $600.

For a round-up of all of our Black Friday deals, follow this link. You can find all of the top deals at Canadian retailers here.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

Source: Samsung

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Raptors’ Fred VanVleet plays Halo with up-and-comer Deniya Prawl in new Samsung ad

Samsung Canada dropped a new brand campaign to highlight how its ecosystem of devices can help Canadians connect.

In a video spot from Samsung, Toronto Raptors shooting guard Fred VanVleet uses Samsung tech to connect with up-and-coming Canadian basketball star Deniya Prawl. Samsung hooked VanVleet up with a Galaxy Z Fold 4, Neo QLED 8K TV “and some other Samsung products” to surprise Prawl, who’s rocking a similar TV set-up but with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 instead.

The pair hop into a game of what appears to be Halo Infinite for a few minutes before VanVleet calls Prawl with Google Duo to ask her a series of questions about basketball. While on the call, VanVleet walks down to the room where Prawl is to introduce himself.

The whole video is meant to highlight how Samsung devices, like TVs and phones, work together. For example, when VanVleet calls Prawl, the incoming call appears on her Samsung TV.

You can watch the video above or at the link here.