As usual, the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event was stuffed with several exciting announcements, including the stars of the event – the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy AI.

The company also announced various other services and features. However, the event’s biggest surprise was the Galaxy Ring.

The surprise Galaxy Ring announcement

Samsung spent the final phase of the show discussing Samsung Health. The company is bringing groundbreaking improvements to health tracking with the implementation of the Galaxy AI.  

However, before the speaker finished his talk and the event came to an eventual end, Samsung announced the Galaxy Ring. 

Based on the presentation, Samsung isn’t going out of its way to make the ring look different. 

It’s a traditional-looking smart ring with a shiny chrome-like exterior, and all the expected sensors will be available inside. 

However, the design of the smart ring is pretty much all we got. It probably was a last-minute addition to the presentation as Samsung didn’t provide any details about the device’s capability, the price, or when it will launch. 

Oura responds to Samsung’s announcement 

Besides Samsung’s Galaxy Ring announcement, the second exciting event of the day would be Oura’s response to its new competitor. Oura has been a pioneer in the smart ring space.

Wasting almost no time, Oura CEO Tom Hale provided the following statement to Android Central via email. 

Since our founding over a decade ago, we’ve invested relentlessly in [the] service of creating the best smart [ring] that gives [everybody] a voice. Our members span from Gen Z to Boomers, from pro athletes to those seeking to improve their sleep and health, from women tracking their cycles to those who want to better manage their stress.

With new features released regularly, Oura has the strongest IP portfolio—in both hardware and software—for the smart ring form factor, with 100 granted patents, 270 pending patent applications, and 130+ registered trademarks. New players entering the space is validation for the category and drives us to aim higher to serve our members and community.

The statement clearly indicates that Oura isn’t even worried a bit about a big name like Samsung throwing its hat in the game. 

That said, Samsung will also have its hands full as a newcomer into the smart ring space.

Best Buy: Samsung Galaxy S24 Preorder Deal

Save up to $870 on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Series with pre-order, qualifying trade-in, and double the storage. Also, get up to a $150 Best Buy e-Gift Card.

Check Availability

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple smart ring is real, according to a patent filing
• Rabbit R1 puts a tiny AI assistant in your pocket for $199
• Humane launches wearable $699 AI Pin to replace your smartphone
• I did my holiday lighting with smart lights, and it was glorious

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Samsung just launched the Galaxy S24 series, along with other features and services, at yesterday’s Galaxy Unpacked, and S24 pre-order deals are now live.

However, in addition to the latest hardware, the new Galaxy handsets also come with a promise of seven years of Android and security updates, matching Google’s update policy for the Pixel 8 series.

Currently, only the Galaxy S24 handsets are on the seven-year update cycle 

Google’s latest flagships arrived last October, but before that, Samsung was the champion in smartphone software updates with four years of Android and five years of security updates for all its latest flagship and mid-range smartphones. 

The quad-year update policy is still applicable to older Samsung handsets like the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and others. 

But it is unfortunate that Samsung is not extending its new seven-year policy to older phones, at least not yet. The best part is that the update promise is also available on the cheaper S24 and S24+ models.

Samsung Galaxy S24 & S24+

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ is a fusion of sleek aesthetics and strong performance. Its standardized one-mass design and slimmer bezels around a 6.7-inch display contribute to a visually pleasing and immersive viewing experience. Available in a spectrum of colors, with storage options of 256GB and 512GB, starting from $999.99.

What We Like:

• The S24+'s sleek design and larger screen size significantly enhance the viewing experience.
• An advanced thermal control system ensures optimal performance without overheating.
• The S24+ offers a balance between cost and features, starting at $999.99.
• A variety of color options allow buyers to personalize their device choice.

Check Availability

So, if you want a Samsung Galaxy handset with the longest software updates, you will have to choose between the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and the S24 Ultra. 

The entire Galaxy S24 series is set to get updates right up to Android 21.

Either way, this is an excellent update policy. It will not only ensure that you will hold on to your Galaxy S24 handset for longer, but it also adds to the phone’s value when you decide to sell or exchange it.

The future is really bright for the next batch of Galaxy phones – the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.

However, Samsung may not put its foldable phones on the same seven-year update plan, keeping it only reserved for the flagship Galaxy S series phones, making the S24 Ultra a better value phone than the Z Fold flagship.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra marries form and function with a seamless one-mass design and slimmer bezels. Its 6.7-inch display offers immersive viewing, while the improved thermal control system ensures sustained performance power. Available in a range of colors and storage options, starting at $999.99.

What We Like:

• The S24 Ultra's larger screen size and slimmer bezels make for an improved, more immersive viewing experience.
• The device’s enhanced thermal control system ensures optimal performance, even during heavy use.
• With a starting price of $999.99, the S24 Ultra offers value for money, considering its advanced features and sleek design.
• Available in a variety of colors, the S24 Ultra gives you the freedom to choose a device that reflects your personal style.

Check Availability

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Samsung’s rugged Galaxy XCover 7, Tab Active 5 debut before S24
• Samsung’s In&Out Flip concept reimagines its flip phones
• Wi-Fi, RAM, and modem upgrades rumored for iPhone 16 series
• New leak details huge iPhone 16 Pro and 17 Pro camera upgrades

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However, in a new report, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that international buyers may not have to wait that long. 

Why the Apple Vision Pro isn’t available in non-US markets

The journalist said, “Apple is likely to release Vision Pro outside the U.S. market before WWDC 2024.” And he attributes different factors to back up his statement. 

Kuo states that Apple is planning to share visionOS’s development information with the global developers before WWDC 2024, as it would benefit the company and the global development ecosystem of visionOS if it could launch the headset in non-US markets.

As for the reasons behind Apple’s exclusion from the non-US markets, Kuo had the following to say, 

1. Apple Vision Pro’s initially limited supply
2. To ensure the sales process in the United States goes smoothly
3. They also needed more time to modify the algorithm to comply with other country’s regulations. 

Besides these, Apple also has to go through numerous logistical hurdles to make the device available internationally.  

For example, the protocol for adding prescription lenses varies from country to country. And, of course, for the sales process, Apple’s physical stores also play a crucial role.

They have to train all the store employees properly. 

However, Kuo believes there’s a possibility that Apple can overcome all these issues and be ready to launch the device before June, at least in some countries.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple Vision Pro finally gets FCC approval as launch inches closer
• Apple Vision Pro apps finally begin arriving to the App Store
• Apple Vision Pro demo will take a good chunk of your time
• Apple Vision Pro box contents revealed ahead of pre-orders

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Today, the FCC has published filings from Apple and test reports confirming that Vision Pro can be sold in the United States.

However, it wasn’t a secret that the Apple Vision Pro didn’t have FCC’s approval up until now – the company has always been upfront about it, and even its marketing material included the disclaimer.

Apple Vision Pro has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

So, Apple can finally remove this disclaimer from its marketing materials, courtesy of the FCC.

That said, several FCC documents are still labeled as short-term confidential, with more details set to become available on July 14, including internal photos, setup photos, and more.

Apple Vision Pro lacks UWB and the latest Wi-Fi chip used in the M3 Macs

The FCC filing has revealed an interesting new detail for the Vision Pro. Apparently, Apple’s mixed-reality headset lacks Ultra Wideband and Wi-Fi 6E or 7 chips.

However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the hardware inside the Vision Pro was developed around Apple’s M2 silicon. Apple has since moved on to the M3 chip. 

So, the absence of these chips was speculated. The FCC filing just supports these assumptions.

For this same reason, the Apple Vision Pro will support Wi-Fi 6, not the Wi-Fi 6E. And for those who were expecting Wi-Fi 7, according to MacRumors’ Joe Rossignol, there’s always Apple Vision Pro 2, but we will likely have moved on to Wi-Fi 10 by then. 

In addition, the FCC filing reveals that Apple Vision Pro will not come with Ultra Wideband capabilities.

Reportedly, the iPhone 15’s UWB is of a specific kind, and the Vision Pro lacks that. Apparently, Apple’s UWB chip is all about spatial awareness, but it is also different from spatial computing.

Now that the FCC has officially granted its approval, Apple can officially launch the Vision Pro in the United States. 

However, if you are disappointed about the $3,499 Vision Pro not having UWB and Wi-Fi 6E/7, don’t worry. Apple Vision Pro has plenty of things to get excited about. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple Vision Pro apps finally begin arriving to the App Store
• Apple Vision Pro demo will take a good chunk of your time
• Apple Vision Pro box contents revealed ahead of pre-orders
• Why the Apple Vision Pro might be a challenge to get your hands on in 2024

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The headset arrives on February 2, and the Cupertino company has made it possible for developers to submit their apps. The visionOS applications are finally rolling out today. 

Apps for the Apple Vision Pro have started rolling out 

The developers who submitted their application for the visionOS for the App Store Review at the beginning of this month are getting email notifications today. 

The email is basically telling them that the applications submitted by them have been approved. And now, they are available for download on the visionOS App Store.

However, developer Dylan McDonald also noticed that the iOS App Store is also showing which apps are compatible with the device.

While there are still a few weeks left for the Apple Vision Pro’s launch, select journalists and developers have been publishing hands-on experiences. So, it’s not surprising that Apple has made the visionOS apps available on the App Store right now.

Since the spatial computer’s announcement back in 2023, Apple has been hosting labs all around the globe for developers to test their apps. 

A few of them were even able to obtain a developer’s kit, which needs to be returned to Apple after the headset’s launch. 

Apple Vision Pro starts at $3,499 in the configuration with 256GB of storage. The official launch is set for February 2.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple Vision Pro demo will take a good chunk of your time
• If you plan on preordering Apple’s Vision Pro, better own an iPhone
• Apple Vision Pro box contents revealed ahead of pre-orders
• Why the Apple Vision Pro might be a challenge to get your hands on in 2024

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Today, Apple has updated the App Store Guidelines to comply with the outcome of the 2021 Apple vs. Epic trial.

The changes to the App Store guideline are basically related to Apple’s anti-steering rules that have always blocked developers from using alternative payment methods in their apps. 

What changes in the revised App Store guidelines?

First of all, the changes Apple is making to the App Store guidelines are only applicable to the United States. 

The updated App Store guidelines allow developers to link alternative payment methods. However, there’s a catch. 

The app also needs to offer purchases through Apple’s own In-App Purchase system. It means an application cannot add alternative payment platforms if it doesn’t employ Apple’s In-App Purchase system. 

According to the updated guidelines, the developers can apply for an entitlement, allowing them to add buttons or links for directing users toward out-of-app purchase systems. Here’s what the guidelines actually say, 

Developers may apply for an entitlement to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase such items. Learn more about the entitlement. In accordance with the entitlement agreement, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the fact that such items may be available for a comparatively lower price.

The entitlement is limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the United States storefront. In all other storefronts, apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.

Apple also states developers can display the link to the alternative payment method on “one app page the end user navigates to (not an interstitial, modal, or pop-up), in a single, dedicated location on such page, and may not persist beyond that page.”

The company has even provided templates for the developers.

• For special offers go to [X]
• Lower prices offered at [X]
• To get [X%] off, go to [X]
• Buy for [$X.XX] at [X]

Apple still gets a commission

All that said and done, Apple still gets a hefty commission on all purchases done through the alternative platforms.

Apple’s commission will be 12% for the developers who are a member of the App Store Small Business Program and 27% for other apps.

The commission applies to the “purchases made within seven days after a user taps on an External Purchase Link and continues from the system disclosure sheet to an external website.”

In order to ensure Apple’s commission is properly collected, developers have to provide a periodic accounting of qualifying out-of-app purchases, and Apple even has the right to audit the developers if necessary.

However, Apple also says this way of collecting commissions will be extremely difficult and may be impossible in many cases.

Although developers are contractually obligated to pay the commission, as a practical matter, with hundreds of thousands of developers with apps on the U.S. storefronts for the iOS and iPadOS App Stores, collection and enforcement will be exceedingly difficult and, in many cases, impossible.

That said, collecting a commission in this way will impose additional costs on Apple and the developers.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple reveals which apps will work on Vision Pro at launch
• Apple Vision Pro might be missing an announced feature at launch
• Apple Vision Pro 2 to get brighter, more efficient Samsung display
• Why the Apple Vision Pro might be a challenge to get your hands on in 2024

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Ahead of the launch, we have some insight into the applications for productivity, streaming, and others for the company’s new “Spatial Computing” platform that you can expect at launch.

Applications available for Apple Vision Pro

We are not entirely sure which or how many applications will be available at the Apple Vision Pro launch, but Apple has shed some light on the matter.

According to the company’s latest press release, there are “more than 1 million familiar apps across iOS and iPadOS are available on Apple Vision Pro and automatically work with the new input system.”

That said, the device’s Apple Store will feature apps with custom-designed “spatial computing experiences unlike any other platform” – allowing apps to scale and be arranged almost anywhere.

Here’s the list of applications that would offer a full spatial computing experience, according to Apple.

Productivity apps

• Microsoft 365 apps (specifics TBA)
• Fantastical
• JigSpace
• Slack
• Apple’s Freeform

Communication apps

• FaceTime
• Zoom
• Cisco Webex
• Microsoft Teams

The headet’s Persona feature will also be available at launch, but it is to be considered a beta version.

Vision Pro streaming apps

The following streaming services will be ready for Vision Pro.

• Apple TV+
• Disney+
• Max (HBO Max + Discovery)

Gaming

• Access to 250+ games with Apple Arcade
• Support for PS5 and Xbox wireless controllers (and others)
• More games could be supported outside of Apple Arcade

That’s all! Interestingly, not even a single Google productivity or entertainment services were explicitly mentioned.

In terms of entertainment services, we are getting Disney+, HBO Max, and other services. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 and Slack were the big work names.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple Vision Pro might be missing an announced feature at launch
• Apple Vision Pro 2 to get brighter, more efficient Samsung display
• Why the Apple Vision Pro might be a challenge to get your hands on in 2024
• Sony (kind of) announces its Vision Pro competitor at CES 2024

The post Apple reveals which apps will work on Vision Pro at launch appeared first on KnowTechie.

The process is known as Sideloading, and the company has yet to reveal how it plans to comply with the legislation. However, according to a recent report, the iPad company plans to do it really soon. 

Whatever happens, will happen soon enough

The report comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, and according to the journalist, Apple is expected to roll out an update that will enable sideloading for iPhone and iPad users in Europe in the coming weeks. 

Interestingly enough, Gurman says that due to these sudden changes, the iPhone company will split the App Store in two: one version for the EU countries and another for the rest of the world. 

The Digital Markets Act also requires the company to allow developers their iOS apps outside the App Store. 

Hence, third-party apps also have to be allowed to use third-party payment methods for all in-app purchases. Interestingly enough, the Cupertino company has been working to comply with the DMA for a year. 

Whatever happens will happen soon enough, as the deadline for the companies to comply with the DMA legislation is March 7. 

More countries may join the legislation, more trouble for Apple 

In a report, 9to5Mac revealed that Japan is preparing its own version of the antitrust legislation. 

So, it is likely that Japan will also similarly force Apple to sideload iOS apps in the future. Japan wants the company to allow developers to implement alternative payment methods in their apps. 

Even worse, the US Department of Justice or DOJ is also in preparation to force the company to do the same. Sideloading apps may become a global matter for Apple in the future.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 may lose a key health feature soon
• Apple Vision Pro might be missing an announced feature at launch
• Microsoft passes Apple as world’s most valuable public company
• Apple Vision Pro demo will take a good chunk of your time

The post Apple may split App Store to comply with EU antitrust rule appeared first on KnowTechie.

However, after a legal battle with the medical equipment manufacturer Masimo, the ban was lifted temporarily a few weeks ago. 

While Apple has appealed against the sales ban, according to a new report, the Cupertino company plans to remove blood-oxygen tracking functionality from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 if the appeal fails.

You may not want to update your Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Series 9

The report comes from Bloomberg, and according to the outlet, Apple apparently has a backup plan if its appeal against the sales ban fails to work. 

The plan was reportedly revealed by Masimo and was even approved by the US Customs and Border Protection agency. 

It is widely believed that the issue can be solved with a software tweak. So, it is highly likely that Apple will reinstate the blood-oxygen tracking capabilities if it wins the appeal or forms a deal with Masimo.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has already begun shipping the modified Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 to retailers with the feature disabled. However, they were still instructed to hold the sales for the moment.

Either way, if you use the Watch Ultra 2 or Series 9 and love Apple’s SpO2 tracking, you may not want to install the upcoming update.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple Vision Pro might be missing an announced feature at launch
• Microsoft passes Apple as world’s most valuable public company
• Apple Vision Pro demo will take a good chunk of your time
• If you plan on preordering Apple’s Vision Pro, better own an iPhone

The post Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 may lose a key health feature soon appeared first on KnowTechie.

Samsung‘s One UI 6.1 will debut with the Galaxy S24 series at the coming Galaxy Unpacked event. We are already aware of a few features the new OS update is bringing. 

However, ahead of the launch, new leaks revealed several One UI 6.1 features and a list of Galaxy devices likely set to receive the OS update.

One UI 6.1 brings near-infinite clock styles and UI smoothness we have never seen before

According to Ice Universe, version 6.1 will add support to download new lock screen clock styles from Samsung’s Galaxy Store. 

While everything depends on the developer’s implementation, it could put a large number of clock styles within the user’s reach. 

In addition, the leaker claims the animation and styles throughout the OS have been revamped, which could result in a far smoother user experience. 

Ice Universe has posted another video on X/Twitter showcasing the smoothness of the UI, and it is indeed very smooth.

List of Galaxy devices likely to get the One UI 6.1 update

On the other hand, another leaker, Tarun Vats, has spotted a list of firmware versions being tested for the One UI 6.1, which includes a myriad of Galaxy devices.

Samsung is yet to announce the list officially. But we have a fair idea of what’s coming.

Here are the Galaxy handsets that are effectively conformed for the One UI 6.1

That said, it is important to know that almost all the Galaxy devices that received the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update will eventually get the One UI 6.1 update. But the transition will not be quite as swift as before.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Galaxy S24 to have seven years of updates and pay-to-use Galaxy AI
• Samsung is planning a hands-on experience for the Galaxy S24
• Galaxy S24 Ultra’s flat display showcased in leaked video
• Galaxy S24 leaks reveal better screens, bigger vapor chambers

The post One UI 6.1 features, eligible Galaxy devices leak ahead of launch appeared first on KnowTechie.