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Samsung promises monthly security updates for unlocked Galaxy devices
While stock Android users are going to get monthly security updates through their respective carriers, owners of unlocked Galaxy headsets have had to settle for less frequent fixes. Thankfully, this won't be the case much longer. ZDNet reports that Samsung has figured out a way to make monthly security updates a reality.
Samsung brings Android Nougat to the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
The Galaxy Note 7 might be no more, but Samsung is still supporting its other flagships in earnest. Today, the company is rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat to the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, coupling Google's latest software improvements with a dash of TouchWiz design. The biggest changes can be found in the notification tray -- swipe down and you'll notice that the Quick Panel interface looks cleaner than before, with titles removed from each icon. The "second depth," opened with a subsequent downward swipe, has been reworked too with grouped icons. Notifications have also been bundled for easier sorting, and now support direct replies.
The Galaxy S7 Edge gets doomed Note 7's Coral Blue outfit
Samsung's Galaxy S7 series is benefiting yet again from the death of its Galaxy Note cousin. After that always-on display update, this time around the S7 Edge gets a new color scheme: Coral Blue. This was the flagship color in most of Samsung's media releases and ads -- and it's pretty darn nice in person. The company is looking to make the most of all that leftover blue casing, we assume, after halting Note 7 production. It joins the existing color options of Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, White Pearl, Silver Titanium and Pink Gold; all of which sound like Pokémon games.
Samsung gives the Galaxy S7 a taste of the Note 7's software
Like it or not, the Galaxy Note 7 is gone for good. However, you're getting a small treat if you switched from the Note 7 to another Samsung phone. Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge owners report that they're receiving an update which brings many of the Note's always-on display features to the slightly older devices, such as its customization. It's not a wholesale port of the discontinued phone's software (you'd need pen support for that), and some users are reporting broken features in the initial release. Notifications from Samsung's own email app may not work, for instance.
Samsung explains how the US Galaxy Note 7 recall will work
It's been less than 24 hours since Samsung announced its worldwide recall of the Galaxy Note 7, and owners are probably wondering exactly what's next. The major US carriers have already provided information on what they will do for customers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon), and now Samsung is laying out its plans for direct support. If owners want to exchange for another Galaxy Note 7, they can do that as early as next week. Their other option is to exchange the device for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, plus replacement of any Note accessories and a refund of the price difference.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Edition on sale for $850
If you're more into real-life superheros than fantasy ones, Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Games Limited Edition is now available at Best Buy for $850. Like the Batman Edition, this is a standard Galaxy S7 Edge on the inside, but the outside is another thing. There, you'll find a unique "black onyx" body replete with Olympic colors: A yellow-trimmed fingerprint sensor and speaker, red and green buttons and the iconic rings and camera tinted in blue. It also includes the Rio Olympics 2016 app with schedules, venue info and real-time updates and results.
Samsung made a special edition Galaxy S7 Edge for Olympians
Samsung likes to trot out special editions of its flagship devices from time to time, and it's most recent is heading to the hands of Olympians bound for Rio. The Galaxy S7 Edge Olympic Games Limited Edition (whew!) is complete with the official colors of the event and that iconic interlocked rings logo. Samsung worked with the IOC to provide 12,500 of the devices to athletes so that they'll have a way to communicate while visiting Brazil. The phone is equipped with Samsung's new Rio 2016 mobile app that offers a directory complete with schedule, venue info, results, medal counts and real-time updates.
Samsung won me with VR but is losing me with updates
I want to get a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, I really do. I like my Galaxy S6 Edge, with its striking curved screen, and the new model improves on it in nearly every way. Most importantly, I like to dabble in virtual reality -- I'm not ready to commit $700+ to a PC-based headset yet -- and I can still get a new Gear VR headset free with the S7 Edge. Shamefully, though, my S6 Edge hasn't received an update to Android 6.01 Marshmallow, leaving me high and dry with Lollipop. I certainly didn't expect that with a $800 flagship phone, and I refuse to let it happen again.
Samsung brings back its free Gear VR promo
Miss out on your chance to get a free Gear VR headset by pre-ordering a Galaxy S7? You can rest easy. Samsung is launching a US Father's Day promo that gives you a gratis Gear VR when you buy one of the company's higher-end phones from the past year, including most Galaxy S6 and S7 variants (sorry, no S6 Active) and the Galaxy Note 5. The deal also gives you an Oculus bundle with "hit games and experiences." You'll have to buy the phone between now and June 19th to qualify, but that's no big deal if you were already thinking about an upgrade and just needed a nudge to get moving.
Samsung's Batman Galaxy S7 Edge has Alfred on speed dial
What better way to celebrate the third anniversary of the popular mobile game Injustice: Gods Among Us than with a Batman-themed phone. Samsung created the Galaxy S7 Edge Justice Edition for the occasion (rather than the release of a certain movie), mixing black and gold accents for the new version. This special model "enhanced hardware and software capability" alongside larger battery capacity which should make the mobile gaming experience a bit better.
Republic Wireless gets serious about its phone selection
Republic Wireless' promise of extra-affordable cellular service has usually come with a big catch: the phone selection. Outside of the occasional gem, you've had to settle for browsing a tiny collection of so-so budget devices. That won't be a problem after this summer, though. Republic has announced that it's adding seven more phones to its roster this July, and most of them are reasonably up to date, high-end models you'd likely be happy to have. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are in the mix, as is Google's current Nexus line and the Moto X Pure Edition -- you can even get last year's Galaxy S6 if you're striking a balance between cost and cutting-edge. The prices are generally on par with what you find elsewhere, such as $699 for the Galaxy S7.
Verizon's Galaxy S7 can install apps on its own, but don't panic
Verizon is notorious in some circles for loading its smartphones with bloatware, but its recent moves have some users more anxious than usual... if not necessarily for the best reasons. A recent update to the carrier's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge variants has installed Digital Turbine's Ignite, an app that lets carriers install more apps in the background. This has surfaced before on earlier T-Mobile and Verizon phones, but owners on Reddit and elsewhere are understandably nervous that this suddenly gives Verizon carte blanche to install more unwanted apps. Are you going to wake up to find another unnecessary navigation app or media portal on your phone?
Moving the Galaxy S7 launch up helped Samsung's profits
Samsung's Galaxy phones drove rapidly growing profits until sales peaked a couple of years ago, but the company just reported its Q1 2016 operating profit is up 12 percent from 2015. Coming at the same time as Apple faced its first revenue drop in a decade, Samsung is getting a boost from releasing its Galaxy S7 earlier in the year than usual. Even a "one time royalty expense" didn't make a noticeable dent in the segment's performance, which is the highest it's been since the second quarter of 2014.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 phones get pink option that isn't rose gold
Not one to hold back on spinning out new colors and editions months after a smartphone debuts, Samsung's revealed metallic rose-hued Galaxy S7s and S7 Edges for Korean phone-shoppers. Wait, it's not rose gold. That's some other company. These phones are obviously pink gold. Completely different and "skin tone-inspired".
Samsung reps can remote control your S7 for troubleshooting
You know those calls you get from a friend or family member who just can't seem to figure out how to operate a smartphone? Samsung+ app's new feature could save you the trouble of having to spend hours helping them figure out how to switch on their mobile data connection or to connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones. The app's latest update adds a feature called "Assist," which allows representatives to take over and troubleshoot their phone for them.
Samsung rolls out its ad-blocking Android browser
Owners of certain Samsung devices now have a new browser option: Samsung's very own "Internet" app. Wait, don't go! You may have given up on the app long ago, but version 4.0 has some pretty interesting features. All versions of Android on Samsung devices (not just Marshmallow) now get content blocking (aka ad-blocking), provided you have a dedicated third-party app installed. The other notable feature is "Secret" mode, which is like Chrome's Incognito or Firefox's private browsing settings. However, Samsung has added authentication and encryption to more fully protect your internet browsing history.
Verizon upgrade program gets you a new phone every year
Verizon hopped on the annual phone upgrade bandwagon late last year, but only for iPhones -- not much good if you prefer Android-flavored devices. Thankfully, it's widening that circle today. The carrier is launching an Annual Upgrade Program that gets you a new smartphone each year. So long as you buy Samsung's Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge on an installment plan, you won't have to shell out more to upgrade to something new. You can upgrade as soon as 30 days after you activate a new phone, although you'll need to have paid at least 50 percent of the device price first -- this isn't the best choice if you're prone to buyer's remorse.
Mini review video: Our take on the Galaxy S7 Edge, in just a minute
Though Samsung's new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are both great phones -- each earned a score of 90 -- it's the Edge that's improved the most over the past year. Whereas the S6 Edge's curved screen felt like a gimmick (albeit a gorgeous one), this year's model introduces some software tricks that do a better job taking advantage of that extra screen real estate. Even if you disagree with us on the gimmick thing, though, it's hard to argue with everything else the S7 Edge brings to the table. Among its finest attributes: an easier-to-hold design, waterproofing, improved camera, a bigger battery, more powerful internals and the return of the microSD slot, which was omitted in last year's S6 series. In many ways it's the same great phone as the regular S7, except it's bigger, has a curved screen and costs a hundred bucks more. For the money, though, you get one seriously striking design.
Where to buy Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge in the UK
The Mobile World Congress expo in Barcelona is fast becoming a distant memory, but now is the season for flagship phones announced at the show to start making their way to consumers. Today, it's Samsung's turn. It's fair to say the new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are only iterative improvements on last year's models; but with slicker styling, the return of expandable storage and flagship-grade performance, they're among the best Android smartphones money can buy. You may've even clocked a few in the wild already, since anyone that pre-ordered either device should've received theirs earlier this week. We understand that not everyone's that organised, though, so join us as we explore all the purchasing options on general release day.
Samsung does its own Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge teardown
While iFixit is quick to tear apart new devices to gauge repairability, Samsung has its own look inside the new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The company offers a breakdown of the components that make up the two handsets rather than a step-by-step process. However, it does include a bit of an explanation on that cooling heat pipe. iFixit noted that the part was more like a "copper twig," and Samsung says the pipe condenses vapor to liquid in order to keep the temperature down. The feature is meant to lend a hand with processor-heavy tasks, like gaming, dissipating heat with that pipe and a thin thermal spreader. There's a close-up look at the rest of the device as well, if you're after a different perspective than the teardown earlier in the week.
