3 things you can do with the Z Fold 7 you can’t do with ordinary phones | Mashable

July 23, 2025July 22, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung’s latest tablet-style foldable phone is full of possibilities.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is finally here, and I think it’s the best foldable Samsung has produced yet. Samsung made this year’s edition of its more expensive foldable the thinnest and lightest it’s ever been, with two huge displays and lots of versatility in what you can do with them.

Although a new CNET survey says the majority of people are not interested in owning a foldable phone, you still naturally may be wondering what sets this phone apart from something more conventional, like a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or an iPhone 16. Allow me to explain. While some of these features have been available on foldables for some time and aren’t new this year, they still showcase what a Z Fold can do for you that most other devices can’t.

Samsung promises not to remove S Pen from future Galaxy S Ultras | Digital Trends

March 12, 2025March 11, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The S Pen has become the top-tier accessory for people who like to draw and take notes on their phone, especially on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, the future of the stylus has become a topic of debate lately, as it wasn’t included in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition package. Fortunately, the company promised not to leave out the S Pen from future Galaxy S Ultra models.

Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung’s Mobile Experience in the UK, recently told TechRadar at MWC 2025 that Samsung Galaxy users don’t need to worry about whether or not the S Pen will be included in future models. The stylus was left out of Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event showcasing the Galaxy S25 series back in January, but just because it was absent from recent marketing campaigns for the latest model doesn’t mean it won’t be a part of the upcoming Galaxy S Ultra phones.

“Multimodality is really important to us,” Bizon said. “So [that’s] how people use their phone – whether they’re speaking, whether they’re writing, whether they’re in a meeting. People do use their S Pens in meetings to write notes. So, I don’t see a space where the S Pen is not a key part of our portfolio.”

Samsung’s Vision Pro competitor confirmed for 2025 release | Digital Trends

October 31, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung has confirmed it still has plans to release an XR device that will be available sometime next year.

The company shared tidbits of information about the XR eXtended reality project in its third-quarter 2024 earnings report, updating guidance that previously suggested the brand would release such a product in 2024. Samsung now indicates that its goal for 2025 is to “improve connectivity among products, including upcoming XR devices.”

While the brand didn’t mention specific details about its XR devices in its earnings report, there is already considerable news surrounding the prospective products. Samsung’s collaboration with Qualcomm and Google on a mixed-reality product that can execute AR, VR, and XR functions dates back to 2023.

Samsung details tech behind glasses-free, 3D gaming monitor | Digital Trends

August 22, 2024August 21, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung’s new Odyssey 3D monitor was a hit at CES earlier this year, showcasing a comfortable and immersive 3D gaming experience — all without the need for special glasses. But details were scarce.

Now, it’s being shown off again along with the new game announcements Gamescom to drum up more interest — and revealing some of the juicy details behind the tech.

According to the company, the Odyssey 3D monitor features a light field display (LFD) technology that is said to create lifelike 3D images from 2D content by using a lenticular lens on the front panel. Samsung says this special type of lens is what allows two different images to be projected to each eye, creating the illusion of 3D visuals.

The 11 best TVs for 2024 | Digital Trends

August 22, 2024August 21, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The best TVs of 2024 are made by brands that we all know and love. We’re talking titans of tech like Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, and Hisense. Of course, no one TV set is the same as another. And with numerous sizes, picture technologies, and special features to sort through, choosing your next TV can be quite the daunting endeavor. Fortunately, we’re all about making things easier.

We here at Digital Trends know a thing or two about TVs, and we’ve leveraged all our experience and hands-on testing to create this roundup of the best TVs you can buy right now. Whether you’re a movie fanatic, PlayStation diehard, or a more casual viewer that’s looking to score a great deal, there’s a TV on this list for just about everyone!

I want the iPhone 16 to steal these 6 Galaxy S24 features | Digital Trends

January 24, 2024January 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung’s January Unpacked event revealed the company’s next-generation phones, the Galaxy S24 lineup. This includes the base model S24, the larger S24 Plus, and the top-of-the-line S24 Ultra.

The S24 lineup is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and has a smattering of new AI features. Samsung also seems to have copied Apple by giving the S24 and S24 Plus a flat frame instead of the rounded one used previously, as well as a matte look. And, of course, the S24 Ultra getting a titanium frame just months after the iPhone 15 Pro isn’t lost on anyone.

Smartphone companies copy each other all the time, and as easy as it is to make fun of, it often works out in our favor. With that in mind, here are some features from the Galaxy S24 that I hope Apple brings to the iPhone 16 lineup.

I’m obsessed with the S23 Ultra’s camera — these photos show why | Digital Trends

April 24, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung is the global smartphone market leader, but it’s also known for its tongue-in-cheek advertisements. The company recently ran an ad campaign where everyone constantly asks the main character to send them photos taken with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Something similar happened when I attended a close friend’s wedding in India last month.

I carried the Galaxy S23 Ultra to the wedding, then on a vacation, leaving every other camera behind. Anyone who saw the images it took immediately inquired what model it was and blurted, “These are as good as a DSLR!” While that may sound exaggerated, I’m confident you will be flooded with similar opinions when you see the pictures below.

Samsung to cut chip production after profits plunge 96% | BBC News

April 11, 2023April 10, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung Electronics will cut memory chip production after estimating a 96% drop in its quarterly operating profit.

The chip-making giant said sales had dropped sharply due to a slow global economy and less demand after Covid.

Samsung said preliminary numbers showed operating profits fell 600 billion won (£366m) in January-March, from 14 trillion won the previous year.

The firm’s shares rose more than 4% despite the decision to slow chip-making. “We are lowering the production of memory chips by a meaningful level, especially that of products with supply secured,” the South Korean tech giant said.

The best smartwatches in 2023: Apple, Samsung, and more | Digital Trends

January 2, 2023January 1, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The Apple Watch Series 8 is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. It is feature-rich, user-friendly, gorgeous, and extremely reliable.

However, that recommendation comes with caveats — and the biggest one is that you need to own an iPhone to use the Apple Watch. That means that if you’re using an Android smartphone, the Apple Watch simply isn’t an option. But don’t worry, there are plenty of great alternatives. Digital Trends has reviewed more than 100 smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wearables, so we have all the deep insight you need to find your ideal smartwatch.

What to do with your old phones, gadgets and other e-waste | CNN Business

October 18, 2022October 16, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In the past two months, Apple, Google and Samsung have all unveiled their newest smartphones and other devices with the goal of getting consumers to upgrade ahead of the holidays. But in the process, these and other companies may also be adding to a growing problem: electronic waste.

The limited lifespan of many tech gadgets combined with few options to fix older devices, have caused the issue of e-waste to surge over the years. United Nation’s data indicates the world generated a staggering 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, and only 17.4% of that was recycled.

Friday marks International E-Waste Day, an annual opportunity to reflect on the impacts of electronic waste and do more to repair or recycle them. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEE) Forum, a Brussels-based nonprofit that has spearheaded the occasion since 2018, said the focus this year is on taking action with the small bits of e-waste many people may unintentionally hoard, including your old cell phone, headphones, remote controls and computer mouse.