Samsung to release two smartphones with bendable screens, rollable display

Foldable, rollable, flexible, and now bendable screens. No matter what we call them, these bendable screens from Samsung will soon invade our smartphones. The South Korea tech giant is hard at work for what could be a new standard in mobile devices. You see, there's not much development in mobile industry except for faster processors, bigger RAMs, larger and clearer screens, or improved camera technologies. There are others like Motorola who has worked on making the phone's display shatterproof like in the Moto X Force aka the Droid Turbo 2 in the United States.

Samsung has already shown off the Galaxy X Foldable Display a few weeks ago and we're still expecting that foldable smartphone sometime next year. The new display is still being developed and we're hopeful about the Samsung Project Valley. The company is now believed to be working on not just one but two phone models that will have bendable screens. One of which could be a foldable variant similar to a compact mirror.

Of course, nothing is certain yet so we're taking everything with a pinch of salt and besides, we already heard similar details like a version would be out by early 2017. What we learned new is that the OLED version will be ready earlier followed by one with a 5-inch screen that becomes bigger when opened. From a 5-inch screen, it can transform into a bigger 8-inch tablet.

We're curious how Samsung will be able to work this out but we're not doubting its ability to make a working rollable display. You see, the display project has succeeded to be thinner and really rollable or flexible but the touch technology isn't working yet. Samsung needs to hurry a bit because one Chinese startup, Moxi, has already made a working bendable phone prototype although that one only has a black-and-white screen.

Samsung's numbers are not as impressive as the past few years. The company is hopeful that things will change once the rollable-foldable-bendable-flexible screen is ready for commercial use. We know it's just a matter of time.

VIA: Bloomberg

Story Timeline

Report says Samsung's foldable smartphone/tablet to come out in 2017

Foldable smartphone from Samsung out next year, still in the works

Samsung Galaxy X Foldable Display teased ahead of Official Announcement

Samsung demos rollable display, impressive but still no touch tech

Tags: Android, foldable, project, Samsung, smartphone

Source: Samsung to release two smartphones with bendable screens, rollable display

Report: Samsung Flexible Phones Coming in 2017

Samsung may release its first bendable smartphone next year.

Bloomberg tips two new flexible-display handsets, including one model that folds in half like a cosmetic compact. The other will sport a 5-inch screen that unfurls into a display as large at 8 inches.

Citing "people familiar with the matter," Bloomberg suggests the OLED devices could be unveiled as soon as early 2017—perhaps at February's annual Mobile World Congress. Codenamed "Project Valley," the bendable-screen gadgets are unlikely to launch under the Galaxy S name, Bloomberg says.

A Samsung spokeswoman declined to comment on the rumors and speculation.

The news comes about three years after Samsung showed off its flexible "Youm" display at CES 2013, tipping "a whole new line" of elastic OLED handsets. Since then, it has introduced its Galaxy Edge smartphones (above)—with a display that curves slightly around the gadget's horizontal sides.

In March, Samsung earned a US patent for a bendable phone, featuring a screen that, like the second device described by Bloomberg, allows users to pull one side of the display to reveal more real estate. Last month, it also showed off a prototype display that would allow a smartphone to be rolled up and put in your pocket.

One of the most important components of a flexible smartphone, however, is the equally flexible battery that powers it. In October, Samsung SDI, the company's battery-manufacturing arm, highlighted two slim-and-limber batteries—the Band and Stripe—aimed at sophisticated wearables like smartwatches, necklaces, headbands, T-shirt accessories, and more—including, perhaps, a bendable smartphone.

Source: Report: Samsung Flexible Phones Coming in 2017

Samsung May Release Phones With Bendable Screens in 2017

Samsung Electronics Co. is considering introducing two new smartphone models that will feature bendable screens, including a version that folds in half like a cosmetic compact, people familiar with the matter said.

The devices using organic light-emitting diodes could be unveiled as soon as early 2017, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. That would likely give it a head start on new Apple Inc. iPhones. The second Samsung model will have a 5-inch screen when used as a handset, that unfurls into a display that's as large as 8 inches, similar to a tablet, the people said.

Samsung, the biggest supplier of OLED panels for mobile products, has pioneered the development of new screen formats with its multi-sided Edge smartphones. Using advanced display technology may help the company recapture customers from Apple and boost earnings that have slumped for the past two years.

Codenamed "Project Valley," Samsung could unveil one or both of the devices as soon as February, when Mobile World Congress takes place in Barcelona, one of the people said. That timing would give Samsung a head-start on Apple's iPhone using OLED screens that may be released later in 2017, the person said.

The company may also name the next version of its Note device as the "Note 7," skipping a number, to bring it in line with its flagship Galaxy S smartphone range, one of the people said. Samsung doesn't plan to market the new bendable-screen models under the Galaxy S name, the person said.

For a quick guide to Samsung's development and evolution, click here

Samsung declined to comment in an e-mailed statement.

After using OLED on its premium devices, Samsung is counting on the technology to win supply orders. The displays are thinner, have brighter colors and are less draining on the battery than those in most current phones.

While the Suwon, South Korea-based company has previously released slick videos featuring foldable concept phones, it has never made such a device commercially. Moxi Group, a Chinese company based in Chongqing, has shown off a bendable phone with black and white screens.

Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae Yong is accelerating a push beyond phones as growth in the market slows. The company has held talks to supply OLEDs to Apple, people familiar with the matter have said. Samsung was one of the biggest makers of chips and displays for Apple until the companies started suing each other in 2011 for alleged patent infringements.

Source: Samsung May Release Phones With Bendable Screens in 2017

Cortana On Android Phones Now Possible With Microsoft Band 2 Support

The Microsoft Band 2 has received another update, this time to software version 2.0.4737.0e.

Microsoft has dropped the app support that would enable Android phone users to utilize Cortana through the Microsoft Band 2.

A new firmware update for the Microsoft Health app for Android brings support for Cortana. It makes the Band 2 activity tracker work with Android devices like smartphones running the Microsoft OS.

The app arrived in December a year ago but it didn't feature support for the assistant. Two months later, Microsoft has launched Band 2.

Unfortunately, as noted in Engadget's coverage of the update, this new feature only appears to function in the U.S. It's also required to have Cortana installed on your Android smartphone before she'll be able to take commands from the Band. But with this week's update, you can now use Android, Cortana, and your Band 2 together.

After you install the app, ensure the app notification services are on. However, at the release of the band, the support was restricted to Windows-based devices only. Since the app is installed on the Android smartphone, one needs to turn the tile "on" on the Band 2 - it is now switched on by default.

Microsoft has since been very silent on when the support for Cortana on Android devices would be out until this weekend.

- Connect and compete with your friends - Create challenges for steps, cardio score, runs, and bike rides between you and your Facebook friends who also use Microsoft Health. The only thing missing, in fact, compared to Windows phones has been the ability to invoke Cortana and issue voice commands on Android devices. All users need to do is speak into the wearable's mic.

Source: Cortana On Android Phones Now Possible With Microsoft Band 2 Support

OnePlus 2 OxygenOS 3.0.2 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update starts rolling out

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OnePlus has finally started rolling out OxygenOS 3.0.2 update based on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) for the OnePlus 2 smartphone, after the beta release in March. The update brings enhanced doze mode, new OnePlus camera UI, performance improvements, fingerprint performance improvement and several new features.

New features in OxygenOS 3.0.2 for OnePlus 2

Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow upgrade

Enhanced Doze mode for better battery life

System wide performance improvements

Improved fingerprint sensor performance and recognition

New OnePlus Camera UI and AF optimization

MaxxAudio and Tuner have been removed. We have integrated with Dirac HD Sound technology for the speaker so you get a great experience without the knobs and dials

Shelf UX has been improved. You can now long press to edit a board

You can now lock apps in recents so they won't be cleared away. We've also added clear process in addition to clear-all for those of you who want a better control of background processes

Network operator selection will now stick to your choice so you don't accidentally roam onto unintended networks

Swiftkey update to 6.3.3

The OnePlus 2 OxygenOS 3.0.2 is 1.1GB in size. It is now gradually rolling out over-the-air (OTA) for the users worldwide and should reach everyone in a couple of days.

Source

Source: OnePlus 2 OxygenOS 3.0.2 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update starts rolling out

Samsung Galaxy Note 6 Latest Rumors, News, Release Date & Update: Upcoming Smartphone Will Be Out Earlier Than Expected? All-New Specs Revealed!

Rumors regarding Samsung's newest flagship for its Galaxy Note line, the Galaxy Note 6, is currently spreading online. According to reports, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will have an earlier that expected release date in Aug. 3 2016. 

A lot of rumors regarding the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 release date

Earlier this year, there was already a rumor that the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will be released in late August based on the fact that this year's IFA will be held on Sept 2. However, famous tipster Evan Blass has reported that the release of the popular Galaxy line will be earlier than that. 

It was reported that the new release date for Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will be August 3, which is not far off from last year's release for the Galaxy Note 5 which is August 13. If you do keep track of Samsung release history though, they don't religiously follow a release pattern. 

Take for example, the Galaxy S7 was released a month earlier. Even the said Galaxy Note 5 was two months in advance from its predecessor's release date. 

More details about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6

Past reports regarding the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6 is that it will have a 5.8-inch screen paired with the newest Snapdragon 823 chip from Qualcomm. It would also pack a 64GB  internal storage capacity and whopping 6GB  of RAM. 

As for the camera, the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 is rumored to have the same technology as the Galaxy S7. BRITECELL Technology should the phone get better images during low light situations. The Galaxy Note 6 will sport a 12mp main camera and a 5mp front facing camera just like it's little brother the Galaxy S7. 

Are you excited for the new Samsung Galaxy Note 6? Which one do you think is better, the Galaxy S7 Edge or the Galaxy Note 6? Share us your thoughts in the comment section below. 

TagsSamsung, samsung galaxy note 6

Source: Samsung Galaxy Note 6 Latest Rumors, News, Release Date & Update: Upcoming Smartphone Will Be Out Earlier Than Expected? All-New Specs Revealed!

All the new emoji coming to your iPhone, Android smartphone

The Unicode Technical Committee has accepted over 70 new characters to be added to the emoji keyboard. Unicode, the organization governing emoji (yes, there is such a thing), this week * a class="external" href="http://www.unicode.org/emoji/charts/emoji-candidates.html#post_u9.0_candidates*" target="_blank" *proposed a new set of symbols, including 72 emoji.

Facebook has also rolled out about 100 new emojis that mirrors skin complexion and gender. Facebook's users are likely to welcome the change, since a big chunk of the company's user base use emojis to express themselves. Now, there are five more options that users can choose from and once selecting the desired skin tone, it will be the default for the emoji that will be used from now on. The feature was already available on iOS and is already touted for launch in Android later this year.

Not all emojis were created equal, at least not when it comes to the differences between Android and iOS. This involves giving women more roles for example providing emojis for female police officers, swimmers, pedestrian, runner and surfer among others that will be introduced soon. With the help of a brand new emoji picker, users can find them more easily.

Facebook Messenger emojis are about to get a whole lot more diverse. If you're not happy with that, feel free to use the new nauseated emoji. "New emojis are coming... and one of them is a POTATO!!!"

Facebook has begun rolling out new Messenger emoji, with updated designs and a larger variety to complement the diversity of their users.

A few other emojis now being considered for release next year include "face with one eyebrow raised", and some fun food-related items, including dumpling, chopsticks, takeout box and fortune cookie.

For too long there has been a noticeable lack of female emojis, with women and girls being unfairly represented in icon form.

Source: All the new emoji coming to your iPhone, Android smartphone