Samsung's smart home company, SmartThings, has changed a lot since it was first introduced to the world via Kickstarter back in 2012. The platform, which once consisted only of a router-tethered hub, branded sensors, third-party device partners and an app, has since expanded to select Samsung fridges, TVs and beyond thanks to the Samsung Cloud launched last year.Suddenly, SmartThings looks like the most comprehensive smart home platform, at least at a glance. Both Google and Amazon are rapidly expanding the number of first-party devices that work with their Alexa and Google Assistant services, but neither has their own TV or refrigerator yet, outside of products from other manufacturers. Samsung SmartThings has both of those things, as well as Bixby, its own voice assistant. It's been awhile since we took a close look at SmartThings, so I decided to spend some time with it -- on my phone, and in the Samsung fridge and television installed in the CNET Smart Home. What is … [Read more...] about Samsung SmartThings still hasn’t earned my trust in the smart home
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Save $120 on the Samsung Gear Sport with these deals from Amazon and Best Buy
Not long after releasing the Galaxy Watch in August last year, Samsung permanently slashed the prices of the Gear S3 and Gear Sport at its official online store, while most major retailers followed suit with their own deep discounts on the two models. The latest offer comes courtesy of Amazon and Bet Buy, where you can now get the Samsung Gear Sport for $159.99.The Galaxy Watch may be Samsung's current flagship smartwatch, but it's considerably more expensive, while the Gear Sport ain't half bad for the discounted price. Both the Gear Sport and Gear S3 were affected by a weird battery draining issue last year, but a recent software update solved this and introduced various new interface tweaks and enhancements.If you're interested in the Gear Sport, Best Buy and Amazon are running the same deal, with the Midnight Black and Blue color options available at both retailers. And if you fancy something even cheaper, Best Buy also has Open-Box offers on the Samsung Gear Sport starting at … [Read more...] about Save $120 on the Samsung Gear Sport with these deals from Amazon and Best Buy
After 5 years with Samsung and LG, I moved to a Pixel 2 XL and… nothing has changed
Article Contents1 Everyone comes with baggage2 But it was time to move on3 First impressions matter, but not much4 After the honeymoon period was over5 Some ups, some downs, but mostly steady I still remember when we used to bicker over iPhone vs Symbian, before Android took over the second part of that argument. I also remember when Xenon vs LED flash was the most controversial discussion in the smartphone world for several years - some of you may have been toddlers when that started. And I remember when apps weren't a thing, when 3G was the hottest novelty, when we thanked our lucky stars because companies stopped using massive proprietary charging and earphone ports, and when a smartphone with a 2.8" display (Nokia N95 8GB) counted as monstrous. Nowadays, we feel cheated when the second back lens in a phone doesn't bring a lot of improvement, or when the display's color shifts at an angle as if everyone is side-glancing at their phones all the time, when a device has … [Read more...] about After 5 years with Samsung and LG, I moved to a Pixel 2 XL and… nothing has changed
Samsung Galaxy S10 release date revealed as expert tips EXACT price for new model
WATCH out, Apple: the Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone is nearly ready to debut, and we've got all the details. The Sun has chatted with experts and trawled the internet for Samsung Galaxy S10 release date news, and we've compiled a guide to the phone's expected price, features and specs. Samsung Galaxy S10 – what is it? Each year, Samsung releases two high-end "flagship" phones: a Galaxy S devices in spring, and a Galate Note device in autumn. The Galaxy S phones are the popular mainstream gadgets that directly rival the iPhone – and so Samsung packs them with the hottest features. The Samsung Galaxy S10 is this year's replacement to 2018's Galaxy S9, and is probably just around the corner. But Samsung is keeping tight-lipped about the new gadget, so we're having to rely on rumours, leaks and educated guesses for now. Samsung Galaxy S10 release date – when is the Galaxy S10 launch? Samsung hasn't technically revealed the Galaxy S10 release date, but it may as well have. … [Read more...] about Samsung Galaxy S10 release date revealed as expert tips EXACT price for new model
Samsung Galaxy S10 line to feature wireless reverse charging
You might recall the feature on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro that allowed users to use the phone as a wireless charging pad (click on the video at the top of the article). Put another phone on the back of the Mate 20 Pro, and part of the power in the latter's battery will be wirelessly transferred to the other phone. We tested this feature using the Mate 20 Pro to charge a Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and found that the battery on the Samsung unit was charged up only 1% in 10 minutes. While this technology is new, and could come in handy, right now it is painfully slow.What brings up wireless reverse charging is a photo revealing that the feature will be offered on the Samsung Galaxy S10 line. A picture on the Samsung Members community site (via Techtastic-translated) shows buttons on a controller that visitors to a Samsung demo booth will press in order to view certain videos related to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10. Pushing the button on top plays an introductory video about the phone. The … [Read more...] about Samsung Galaxy S10 line to feature wireless reverse charging