At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung has today announced the Galaxy Ring, a finger-worn wearable bolstering its ecosystem of health-tracking gear. Yes, this is the thirdorfourth time it’s been announced, but today is the day it’s actually available for you to pre-order. It’s a conscious attempt to corner a market held by plenty of smaller players in the space, most notably the Oura Ring. You’ll also get the usual AI woo insights to help you take better care of your body when you think things might not be going well.
The company boasts that it has embedded its existing sensor technology into the far smaller space a ring affords. It’s carrying an accelerometer, PPG / heart rate and skin temperature sensor, which will feed data to Samsung Health to build a portrait of your body. In the app, you’ll be able to look at your sleep score, how much you move during sleep, your heart and respiratory rate as well as your menstrual cycle. An overall Energy Score will track how well it thinks you’re feeling every day and offer suggestions on what to change.
You’ll also benefit from Heart Rate Alerts should your ticker get too slow or too fast, and give you a heads-up to avoid any trouble. There’s the table-stakes stuff, too, like automatic workout detection and alerts when the ring doesn’t think you’ve moved enough of late. Not to mention the ring can be used as a remote shutter trigger for your Galaxy-branded smartphone.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Of course, there's only so much a smart ring can do given the constraints inherent in the form, an issue I outlined in detail back in April. But if you're already in Samsung's ecosystem and want to ensure that you are always getting the most detailed insights on your body possible, this is a no-brainer.
Galaxy Ring is made from titanium and is rated for depths of water up to 100 meters, with an IP68 for water and dust ingress. Depending on the size of ring you opt for, it’ll weigh between 2.3 and 3 grams, with a quoted battery life of up to seven days on a single charge. Galaxy Ring is available in Titanium Black, Silver or Gold, and will cost $400. Pre-orders in the US begin on July 10, with general availability starting July 24.
Samsung just announced the Galaxy Z Fold 6 at its most recent Galaxy Unpacked event. The company’s latest high-end foldable is filled with both hardware and software upgrades. As usual with modern tech, AI is the name of the game here.
It’s getting pretty much all of the fancypants AI features first included with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. These include the interpreter mode for in-person conversations in another language and the live translation feature for calls. There’s chat assist to check spelling, grammar and tone of messages, complete with a glut of emoji options.
These AI tools extend to the Notes app, which allow for automatic summaries, formatting, spell checks and translations. The foldable is also getting a circle to search feature for images and an instant overlay that translates language. Finally, there’s AI-assisted photo editing.
Engadget
As for construction, there’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, so this thing should take a licking and keep on ticking. The dual-rail hinge features a refined folding edge with enhanced resistance to pressure and sharp objects. Samsung says the aluminum used in the Z Fold 6 is ten percent stronger than the previous iteration.
There’s a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM. The main screen is a 7.6-inch AMOLED with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the cover screen is a 6.3-inch AMOLED. The 50MP main camera is similar to last year’s model, though there’s a new 12MP ultra-wide sensor. The Z Fold 6 can still handle 3x optical zoom. It’s also the brightest device in its category, with a maximum of 2,600 nits.
The Z Fold 6 is available for preorder right now in a wide variety of colors, including pink, navy and silver. There are two colors exclusive to Samsung.com, which are white and crafted black. The foldable starts at a jaw-dropping $1,900.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-new-galaxy-z-fold-6-is-swiping-many-of-the-ai-features-from-the-s24-ultra-130044113.html?src=rss
Have you heard the song that goes “anything you can do I can do better, I can do anything better than you?” Well, it seems like the folks at Samsung have been listening to that on repeat. At its Galaxy Unpacked event today, the company unveiled a slew of products, including a few wearables that look remarkably familiar. The Galaxy Ring, which was teased in January, appears to be inspired by the Oura Ring. Meanwhile, the new Galaxy Watch Ultra seems to have borrowed many traits from a competing product at Apple, right down to its name.
The resemblance doesn’t end there, but there are a few key differences between Samsung and Apple’s high-end smartwatches. From my recent hands-on experience, though, Samsung’s latest wearables don’t seem to bring many new things to its familiar-looking products.
The Korean company has a long history of aping Apple, and has even had to pay the iPhone maker millions of dollars as part of a multi-year patent infringement case. With everything from its name to appearance to features being so obviously similar to the Apple Watch Ultra, I don’t think it’s too far for me to outright say that Samsung is copying the iPhone maker, and pretty brazenly so. In fact, even with the Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung seems to be bringing features that already launched elsewhere.
What’s new on the Galaxy Watch 7
Most of the changes on the Watch 7 aren’t immediately visible. There is a new 3nm Exynos processor under the hood, which Samsung says is three times faster than its predecessor. It’s also supposed to deliver 30% improved power efficiency, which should translate to better battery life. The Watch 7 also has a dual-frequency GPS system for more accurate location tracking. Apple brought dual-frequency GPS to its watches in 2022 with the original Watch Ultra.
The similarities don’t end there. Samsung is also offering new watchbands, including one in a very familiar-looking ripple style. The Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra will also support a new “double pinch” gesture that will let you do things like trigger the camera or dismiss an alert by bringing your thumb and forefinger together twice. Apple formally launched Double Tap on the Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 last year, though the bones of the gesture-based navigation has existed as an accessibility feature for longer.
I wasn’t able to test double pinch at the hands-on event for myself, though Samsung reps onsite showed me how it would work. To be fair, it also took Apple weeks before it actually rolled out Double Tap to the public.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
The Galaxy Watch 7 also comes with the usual set of new watch faces, and has a second-gen bioactive sensor that allows for faster and more-accurate readings. There’s also new software features like an AI algorithm for sleep analysis and a “De Novo FDA-authorized Sleep Apnea feature” that checks for “potential signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.” The Galaxy Watch 7 (and Ultra) is also one of the first to run Wear OS 5, which was first teased at Google I/O back in May.
I’m recuperating from a recent injury and did not take a nap at the hands-on event, so I wasn’t able to check out the new sleep features or really even jump about to see how long my heart rate changes might take to register. I can only say that on the outside the Galaxy Watch 7 looks a lot like the Galaxy Watch 6.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs the Apple Watch Ultra
I spent more time checking out the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is, to give Samsung at least a little credit, the most different looking smartwatch it’s made in years. When rumors were rife that both Samsung and Apple were readying “Pro” models of their watches to launch in 2022, I was seriously underwhelmed when I finally saw the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. It was nothing like the Apple Watch Ultra, and seemed to be just a slightly more durable and souped-up version of the classic Galaxy Watch.
With the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung has managed to successfully change up the look of its long-standing series of smartwatches. This thing’s appearance definitely makes a statement, and it’s not just “Watch Ultra for Android!” One thing Samsung did differently from Apple is that it kept the circle display, but framed it in a rounded square case, resulting in what the company described as a “cushion” design. Supposedly this “enhances protection and visual completeness,” but I suspect it has more to do with a round screen being easier for Samsung’s manufacturing.
The “cushion” style goes a long way in making the Galaxy Watch Ultra look different from other Samsung watches, but it still comes off like a slightly wider version of the Apple one. Both wearables have titanium cases and screens that can go up to 3,000 nits of brightness. They also offer water-resistance of up to 100 meters.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Apple does have a depth gauge and can be used for recreational diving at up to 40 meters, though, while Samsung doesn’t have similar software. There are other small differences in dust- and water-resistance between the two Watch Ultras, with Samsung’s rated at IP68 and Apple’s at IP6X dust-resistant.
Though it looks bulkier, the Galaxy Watch Ultra actually has a smaller 47mm case compared to Apple’s, which is 49mm. The latter is also a hair heavier, weighing 61.4 grams (2.16 ounces) compared to Samsung’s 60.5 grams. On my relatively small wrist, the Galaxy Watch Ultra looked a bit overwhelming, just like the Apple version did. If you have bigger bones and thought the Apple Watch Ultra was an alright size, you won’t have an issue with Samsung’s version. I will say that in my brief time with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, it never felt too heavy, and I almost forgot I was wearing it.
I already described how Samsung is bringing double pinch to the Galaxy Watch series this year, which is basically Apple’s double tap but less sophisticated. In my brief experience, Apple’s implementation is more thorough and works in more parts of the interface (like for jumping through individual widgets in its smart stack, for example). Samsung’s approach is fairly limited, since it appears to only be able to do one or two things.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra does have one notable difference from the Apple Watch Ultra — buttons. It has three on its right edge: the Home button on top and the back button at the bottom, just like previous models offered. But a new Quick Button sits in the middle and can be customized to launch an app or workout with a press. You can also determine what it does when you click it twice, but by default holding it down for five seconds will trigger the emergency siren, which is another feature that Apple also launched with the original Watch Ultra. A lot of Samsung’s interface also looks similar to Apple’s here, though its alarm sounds more monotonous and shrill than the iPhone maker’s.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
One thing about the Galaxy Watch Ultra annoyed me more than anything else. Although it’s a dial that can turn, rotating the Quick Button doesn’t scroll through the interface. There’s also no physical spinning bezel here, so the only way you have to scroll through Samsung’s software is by dragging your finger across the screen. For a smartwatch company that’s best known for its rotating bezel that allows for easy scrolling, this seems like a glaring omission and a missed opportunity. Oh and just like the Apple Watch Ultra’s Action button, the Quick button is easy to accidentally press into when you bend your wrist backwards while doing pushups, for example.
There’s a lot more of the Galaxy Watch Ultra I’d like to test properly, like whether its 3nm processor truly translates to speedier performance and longer battery life. Samsung claims the Galaxy Watch Ultra can last up to 60 hours of typical use, 100 hours in Power Saving and 48 hours in “Exercise Power Saving.”
I’m also curious to see how Samsung’s double pinch feature compares to Apple’s version, even though I don’t find myself using the latter much in the real world anyway.
Has Samsung really done anything better than Apple with the Galaxy Watch Ultra? Though I’m skeptical at the moment, it’s a little too early to tell. It’s definitely a good thing that Samsung has priced its Watch Ultra at $650, which is $150 less than the Apple Watch Ultra and certainly more palatable. But I can only wait till after I’ve put the device to the test in the real world to know if it’s worth spending any money on. If you’re already intrigued, you can pre-order the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 7 starting today on Samsung.com and they’ll be available on July 24.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-watch-ultra-hands-on-didnt-fall-far-from-the-apple-tree-130030349.html?src=rss
Samsung's new Galaxy Buds lineup is hardly a surprise thanks to a recent leak, but the company still had to officially debut its latest audio accessory at its Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event. Alongside new folding phones, watches and even a smart ring, Samsung revealed the Galaxy Buds 3 series. The new models have a more AirPods-like look thanks to their stickbud or "blade" design, and Samsung is playing catch-up with new features like an Interpreter tool, Adaptive EQ and others.
Until now, Samsung has opted for the more common, rounded earbud design most companies favor for their products. The stick-based look has become increasingly popular though, and much of Apple's competition have debuted their own takes on the style. Now we can count Samsung among the fold. The company says its new "blade" design is based on "a variety of collected statistical data" and offers "a more intuitive physical experience" thanks to pinch and swipe controls — another aspect of the AirPods Pro. The key difference is the "regular" Galaxy Buds 3 are an open fit like the "regular" AirPods while the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a tip that completely seals off your ear canal. Despite that variance, both offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but only the Pro model has ambient sound/transparency mode.
Another big difference between the two models is the two-way speakers on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Samsung has paired a 10.5mm dynamic driver with dual amplifiers and a 6.1mm planar tweeter that offers "precise high range sound production." Both Galaxy Buds 3 models support ultra high quality (UHQ) sound up to 24bit/96kHz and 360 Audio when paired with a compatible Samsung device. The two models vary on battery life as well. The Galaxy Buds 3 will last up to five hours with ANC on (24 hours total with the case), but you'll get an hour more of noise-canceling performance on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (26 hours total with the case).
As you might expect, Samsung is sprinkling AI on its new earbuds. Both models offer an Interpreter feature that works with compatible Galaxy devices, a tool that relies on artificial intelligence to do its translating. It's similar to what Google has been doing on its Pixel Buds for a while now and all of the work is done by the connected device rather than the earbuds.
The company says microphones on the Galaxy Buds 3 series monitor external noise in real time and apply tweaks with both an Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC. On the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the noise cancellation setup can also detect sirens and your voice, and when it picks up the latter, it automatically reduces the volume and activates transparency mode. That feature, known as Voice Detect, was available on the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but it's nice to see the feature return.
Samsung has also added hands-free controls for music and other content with what it calls Voice Command. To improve overall voice quality, the company added a Super Wideband calls tool that allows Galaxy Buds 3 to transmit voice up to 16kHz. Samsung says previous earbuds only utilize up to the 8kHz band, but the Pixel Buds Pro supports Super Wideband too. Of course, the company also employs machine-learning models to battle background noise when you're speaking.
The Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are available for pre-order now for $180 and $250 respectively. Both models come in silver and white color options, and if you buy them from the company's website before July 23, Samsung will throw in a free protective "clip case."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-galaxy-buds-3-have-an-airpods-esque-design-and-a-dash-of-ai-130019399.html?src=rss
The camera system features an updated design with a color-matched lens housing. There’s a new 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, which is the same as the base Galaxy S24. This system includes auto-zoom framing and an AI algorithm for better portraits.
The 4,000mAh battery is the biggest ever in this product category. Once again, this is the same size of battery as found with the Galaxy S24. Samsung also touts its quick-charging capabilities, saying that the phone can reach a 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes. That’s a pretty decent metric.
Engadget
The base RAM has gotten an upgrade, 12GB up from 8GB, and the 6.7-inch AMOLED main screen boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. The cover screen is a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED 60Hz display. Software wise, there are some new interactive and generative wallpapers and a photo ambient mode that changes color based on the time and weather. The phone can access a bunch of new widgets, with all new size combinations that allow for multiple widgets on a single cover screen. There’s a new texting feature that analyzes the past seven messages to help come up with suggested replies.
As for the design, there are some new colors, like silver, yellow and blue. Samsung is also selling some exclusive colors, such as white and peach. Preorders are available right now and there’s a bonus for early adopters. Ordering now will automatically bump you up to the next storage size. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,100.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-just-revealed-the-galaxy-z-flip-6-putting-the-s24s-best-specs-in-a-compact-foldable-130018981.html?src=rss
Foldables are expected to be a marquee attraction, with the Galaxy Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 rumored to feature heavily at the event. Their updates could be minor, as alleged leaks suggest the Z Flip 6 will have a boosted battery, RAM option and a new Snapdragon chip. Similar iterative update rumors have floated around for the flagship Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The Galaxy Watch 7 is also rumored to be on tap, with better performance and power efficiency. The Galaxy Watch Ultra could be a beefy wearable with a dial. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro could make an appearance with richer audio, longer battery life and adaptive noise control in the high-end model.
The tech world’s current trajectory makes new AI features practically inevitable at the showcase. Samsung launched new AI tools with its Galaxy S24 series in January, and it sounds like a safe bet to expect more on Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-unpacked-2024-how-to-watch-samsung-unveil-the-galaxy-ring-galaxy-z-fold-and-more-141053068.html?src=rss
CMF, a budget-friendly sub-brand Nothing announced last August, has officially unveiled a trio of new products. There’s a smartphone, a watch and earbuds, all of which seem to be modest in both price and features.
Let’s start with the smartphone. Nothing made a splash with its original smartphone, the Nothing Phone 1, and the appropriately-named CMF Phone 1 hopes to follow suit. It wouldn’t be a Nothing-adjacent product without some quirky design elements, and the CMF Phone 1 certainly has its share.
CMF by Nothing
The back cover is interchangeable, so users can swap out to different colors and designs on the fly. The company says this design element makes it easy to access the internal components of the phone for repairs and maintenance tasks. There’s also something called an accessory point on this back cover. When unscrewed, this input point can attach to accessories like fold-out stands, card holders and lanyards.
As for specs, there’s a newly-designed 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G processor, a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a ‘flagship-grade” 50MP main camera sensor developed by Sony. There’s also a 5,000mAh battery and 8GB of RAM. These are mid-grade specs, but still decent. Perhaps the biggest feature here is the price. The CMF Phone 1 costs just $200 and is available right now. The various back covers and accessories will be available later in the month.
CMF by Nothing
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is a follow-up to last year’s timepiece. The design here is completely different, with a rounded shape rather than the squarish look of last year’s model. There’s an auto-brightness adjustment algorithm, improved sleep tracking and customizable widgets. The watch ships with a 1.32-inch always-on AMOLED display, built-in GPS, an accelerometer, an ambient light sensor and a trio of health-tracking sensors. The company promises 11 days of use per charge, though that metric shrinks to nine days with “heavy use.”
Just like the CMF Phone 1, there are some unique customization options here. There are multiple bands to choose from, of course, but users can also swap out the bezel to “switch fluidly between styles to suit any occasion.” These additional bezels are just begging to get lost underneath a couch cushion somewhere, but we appreciate the thought. One thing hasn’t changed with this refresh. It’s still just $69. The Watch Pro 2 will be available on July 11.
CMF by Nothing
Finally, there’s a follow-up to CMF’s original earbuds. The Buds Pro 2 offers active noise cancellation and algorithmic spatial audio. The charging case features a control dial that can be customized to adjust nearly every aspect of playback. The battery life seems decent enough, though gets a major hit when using ANC.
These earbuds did get a slight price increase. Last year’s version was $49 and these are $59. The Buds Pro 2 will also be available on July 11.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nothings-budget-friendly-brand-cmf-announced-three-new-products-including-a-200-smartphone-100417261.html?src=rss
Amazon changed the face of retail over the last 20 years but has failed miserably to make inroads in the luxury goods market. Now, it's trying something new. The online retailer has purchased a small stake in retailer Neiman Marcus and will reportedly provide data and logistics to Neiman and its new owner, Saks Fifth Avenue.
Yesterday, Saks Fifth Avenue and parent HBC announced the $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus (which also owns Bergdorf Goodman), putting the largest US luxury retailers under the same roof, The Wall Street Journal reported. Amazon is a minority investor in the deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval.
"How do you future-proof a brand like Saks or Neimans or Bergdorf? You do that through technology," Saks CEO Marc Metrick told Bloomberg. To that end, Amazon will gather high-quality customer data, analyze it to offer more personalized options and improve logistics.
Amazon has attempted to access the luxury retail market over the years, but the major brands want nothing to do with it. "We believe the business of Amazon does not fit with LVMH, full stop, and it does not fit with our brands," LVMH said back in 2016. The only place that LVMC (which owns Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givency and other labels) does business is in its own retail stores, at retailers like Neiman Marcus or on its own website.
In Europe, luxury brands won the right to block third-party sales of products online if they felt it damaged their image. In addition, the EU ruled in 2010 that brands with less than a 30 percent market share could prevent online retailers from selling their wares.
Amazon has tried to break into bricks-and-motor retail with varying degrees of success. Its ownership of Whole Foods is one positive example, but its cashierless Go stores have largely failed to take off.
With the acquisition of Neiman Marcus by Saks' parent HBC, Amazon is getting involved in an organization expected to do a combined $10 billion worth of annual sales. There's no word on the size of Amazon's investment, but it seems a relatively safe bet compared to the more radical brick-and-mortar experiments it's tried in the past.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-takes-a-new-brick-and-mortar-approach-with-a-stake-in-neiman-marcus-133019628.html?src=rss
Amazon changed the face of retail over the last 20 years but has failed miserably to make inroads in the luxury goods market. Now, it's trying something new. The online retailer has purchased a small stake in retailer Neiman Marcus and will reportedly provide data and logistics to Neiman and its new owner, Saks Fifth Avenue.
Yesterday, Saks Fifth Avenue and parent HBC announced the $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus (which also owns Bergdorf Goodman), putting the largest US luxury retailers under the same roof, The Wall Street Journal reported. Amazon is a minority investor in the deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval.
"How do you future-proof a brand like Saks or Neimans or Bergdorf? You do that through technology," Saks CEO Marc Metrick told Bloomberg. To that end, Amazon will gather high-quality customer data, analyze it to offer more personalized options and improve logistics.
Amazon has attempted to access the luxury retail market over the years, but the major brands want nothing to do with it. "We believe the business of Amazon does not fit with LVMH, full stop, and it does not fit with our brands," LVMH said back in 2016. The only place that LVMC (which owns Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givency and other labels) does business is in its own retail stores, at retailers like Neiman Marcus or on its own website.
In Europe, luxury brands won the right to block third-party sales of products online if they felt it damaged their image. In addition, the EU ruled in 2010 that brands with less than a 30 percent market share could prevent online retailers from selling their wares.
Amazon has tried to break into bricks-and-motor retail with varying degrees of success. Its ownership of Whole Foods is one positive example, but its cashierless Go stores have largely failed to take off.
With the acquisition of Neiman Marcus by Saks' parent HBC, Amazon is getting involved in an organization expected to do a combined $10 billion worth of annual sales. There's no word on the size of Amazon's investment, but it seems a relatively safe bet compared to the more radical brick-and-mortar experiments it's tried in the past.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-takes-a-new-brick-and-mortar-approach-with-a-stake-in-neiman-marcus-133019628.html?src=rss
Nike is discontinuing its self-lacing Adapt BB sneakers and providing a case in point of what can happen to tech that relies on apps. First announced in 2019, the sneakers used a Back to the Future II style power-lacing system called FitAdapt that was adjustable either manually or with an app. Now, the company will no longer make new Adapt shoes and is retiring the Nike Adapt App, it announced in a help document spotted by The Verge.
"After five years, we’re retiring the Adapt App and removing it from the Apple and Android app stores, globally, on August 6, 2024," the page states. "Don’t worry, your Adapt shoes will continue to work without the app. See below for more information about the retirement of the Adapt App."
A FAQ goes on to state that the Adapt app "should continue to function" follow its removal, if you already have it installed. You won't be able to move it to a new device, though, and future iOS updates may limit or end functionality.
Nike goes on to state that if the app is removed, the shoes will retain the last light color selected. Features still available without it include power on, check battery status, adjust your fit, save your fit, unlace shoes and power off.
Perhaps the biggest loss with the end of Adapt is in accessibility, as the shoes were marketed in part as a way to make shoe tying easier for people with limited mobility. It also shows the danger of tying functionality of physical technology to custom apps — once the app loses support, the product gets a lot worse and there's not much you can do about it.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nike-is-killing-the-app-for-its-futuristic-adapt-bb-sneakers-120039424.html?src=rss