Galaxy S6’s improved fingerprint scanner lets you log into websites with one touch [VIDEO]

The Samsung Galaxy S6 features improved finger scanning hardware that gives us something functionally identical to Apple’s highly-touted Touch ID, but its software-side enhancements build a case for the S6 as the benchmark for fingerprint authentication. Take for example the newly added ability to login to your favorite websites with just the touch of your finger.

While not a full-fledged password manager, Samsung’s finger scanner now sports the ability to securely store login credentials for use in the phone’s web browser. Find the site you want to login to, scan your finger, and the phone’s software will autofill the form. No more typing in usernames or fumbling over your super secure passwords (they are super secure, right?).

The first time you log into a site, the Galaxy S6 will ask you if you want to store the credentials and use the finger scanner to authenticate website sign ins in the future (provided you have already set up the fingerprint reader). You’ll have to do this individually at first for each login, so you can choose which sites require authentication.

While Apple has done a lot to improve the Touch ID experience and open it up to third-party developers, it has been slow to roll out core functionality in the same way that Samsung has with their Galaxy line. Before, we could say Samsung’s hardware lagged behind, but now it seems Apple may be the one with some catching up to do.

A closer look at the LG G4’s improved camera [VIDEO]

One of the biggest focal points of the LG G4 event earlier today was the camera. The LG G3 had a very nice camera already, but LG didn’t want to stop there. They equipped the G4 with a 16MP camera, a f/1.8 sensor, and also a new “color spectrum” sensor. The G4 is also one of the first smartphones to take advantage of Lollipop’s new manual camera settings and RAW photos.

We were given demonstrations of a couple of the new camera features: low-light and the color sensor. For the low-light demonstration they used a Samsung Galaxy S6, iPhone 6, and LG G4. All three devices were attached to a box and pointed at a miniature dark scene. The G4 shows more detail when zoomed in and the colors are more vibrant, despite being a low-light photo.

The next demo is all about the color spectrum sensor. LG set up a Galaxy S6, a G4, and a G4 with the color sensor disabled, pointed at the same scene. Once again the colors look much more vibrant and true-to-life. The G4 with the sensor off still appears to take more vibrant photos than the Galaxy S6. You can also take advantage of the new manual controls to really get an exceptional photo.

All in all in looks like LG did a really nice job with the camera. People have been anointing the Galaxy S6 as “finally better than the iPhone,” so it should be interesting to see how the G4 stacks up. Are you impressed with the LG G4? We still don’t know pricing and availability, but we expect the typical 0 price tag on all carriers. Will you be picking one up?

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge’s latest maintenance update brings improved fingerprint scanner recognition

Samsung’s supposed memory leak update for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge have yet to see the light of day in official capacity, but another important maintenance upgrade seems to be headed out to the handsets. Folks in various Asian and European countries are beginning to see verison XXU1AOE3 pop up.

It’s a relatively light download at 159.29MB, and it brings with it the following changes:

• Improved fingerprint recognition process


• New feature in Photo Editor (no word yet on what this new feature is)


• Improved compatibility with accessories


• Enhanced user interface for Email, Music, S Planner and other apps

As always, you can expect this thing to roll out in stages, with unlocked devices likely getting the first swing at the new goods. Carrier variants are subject to testing and certification, so it may be a while yet before you’re able to pull it down.

[via SamMobile]

Google Maps gets improved traffic alerts in time for Memorial Day

Google has detailed a new update for Google Maps that’ll help you avoid the dreadful result of a busy society: congested traffic. The company’s improved traffic alerts will now let you know if there is heavy traffic en route to your destination and will let you select an alternate route, if available.

The app will also update you on traffic conditions once you’ve already started your journey. It’ll let you know if congestion lies ahead, and — if so — will attempt to estimate how long you’ll be stuck. All of this is in preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day, though the feature will obviously stick well beyond that.

Google says the update will be in Google Play in time for the weekend so be sure to keep an eye out if you think you’ll need the future ahead of then.

[via Google]

Flickr 4.0 brings another major redesign, improved search, Auto-Uploadr, and 1TB of free storage

In case you haven’t been keeping track, almost every year now Flickr undergoes a dramatic redesign in hopes of enticing fans of photos sharing services like Instagram or even Google+. It was almost 2 years Flickr 2.0 introduced its biggest changes, offering up new Android apps and giving users 1TB of free storage to store all their photos. Around this same time last year, the photo service fine tuned their apps’ design with Flickr 3.0, aiming for something more akin to Instagram (but with much higher quality uploads).

Today, Flickr is announcing another big change, one that sees yet another complete UI overhaul to both their online site and mobile apps. Because Flickr knows you’ve got thousands of photos and videos spread across multiple devices — and 1TB of space to store them — they wanted to make easier than every to store and organize them online.

That’s why Flickr is introducing their new Auto-Uploadr, a little something built into their new Android and iOS apps (there’s a desktop app too) that simply auto uploads all your photos and videos to Flickr. The photos are all marked private by default, so you don’t have to worry about anyone viewing them (unless you choose to share them). The best part is Flickr’s new editing tools are no longer permanent, meaning the original unedited file is always available.

Once uploaded, Flickr’s new unified search features — which can find photos based on landmarks, location, or even color palette — make it easier than ever to keep everything nice and tidy. They can even detect and avoiding uploading duplicate photos, so don’t worry about backing up everything all over again.

You can find the new Flickr 4.0 update right now on the Google Play Store. As always, it’s completely free to use is a compelling option for those looking to backup and share their photos online.

Flickr (Playboard) | Flickr (Play Store)

Google Play Music update brings a much improved method for adding music to your Android Wear device

In an update to Google Play Music that landed earlier today, the music streaming app added the ability for users to play ad-supported radio stations (a lot of ads) for free. While that was the main gist of the update, it wasn’t the whole story. As we so find inside updates, smaller changes like bug fixes and improved functions also managed to creep in unnoticed.

While we’re not sure how many of you were using the Google Play Music to listen to music on your Android Wear device (a feature that rolled out late last year), it’s now more functional than ever. Arriving in the 6.0 update, Google has finally made it possible to add music to your Android Wear smartwatch independent of a tethered smartphone or tablet. What we mean by that is previously, users had to download or pin the music to their Android device first then enable the “Download to Android Wear” setting to transfer to their pinned music to their smartwatch. With the latest update, you can now download/pin music on your directly onto the smartwatch — the way it should have been from the start.

You can either wait for the update to hit the Google Play Store, or download and install Google Play Music 6.0 from us right here.

[via Reddit]

Google Play Music (Playboard) | Google Play Music (Play Store)

Google Maps adds rental car information and improved photo viewer

Google Maps has long been one of the best features of Android. Sure, it’s also available on iOS, but there’s nothing quite like using it on an Android device. Google relentlessly adds new features and improvements to keep it on top. The latest batch of features includes rental information and a photo viewer.

If you have a rental car reservation tied to your Google account you will be able to bring up that information when searching the area. You’ll see the pick up or drop off location and reservation number. Google has also improved the photo viewer so you can see multiple photos of a location. Other improvements include a new “Your Places” screen, and the removal of “Shake to send feedback” being enabled by default.

Google Maps version 9.10 is rolling out right now. Download from Google Play.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop Update, G900FXXU1BNL7 brings improved performance

The Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F Android 5.0 Lollipop update has been rolled out in Poland only at this stage.  But the first Android 5.0 update wasn’t as stable as expected and there are some bugs have been found out and needs an immediate fixes.  And then here it comes the second Android 5.0 Lollipop update build G900FXXU1BNL7 or LRX21T.G900FXXU1BNL7 with a promising changelog responds –  improved performance.

So, if you might have managed your Samsung Galaxy S5 got the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to G900FXXU1BNL2, then you may now try to perform another firmware update to G900FXXU1BNL7. Earlier reports says that the G900FXXU1BNL7 brings fixes to the Facebook issues and fingerprint sensor’s accuracy. But the overall changes when it comes to speed and smoothness as well as the battery life performance is astounding.

Again, the  Android 5.0 Lollipop update can only be seen by Galaxy S5 G900F users  in Poland only, and might as well will be available worldwide very soon.

Technical Details of G900FXXU1BNL7 Android 5.0 Update

 

Device Samsung Galaxy S5 G900F
Android version 5.0 (Lollipop OS)
Baseband version G900FXXU1BNL7
Kernel version 3.4.0-3548824
dpi@SWDD3910 #1
Thu Dec 11 14:07:48 KST 2014
Build number LRX21T.G900FXXU1BNL7
SE for Android status Enforcing
SEF_SM-G900F_5.0_0002
AP: G900FXXU1BNL7
CP: G900FXXU1BNL7
CSC: G900FXEO1BNL1

 

 

How to Update the Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to Official Android 5.0 Lollipop build G900FXXU1BNL7

Samsung always urge us to prepare the following important notes to consider before performing the software update.  I have also added some useful insights why you should follow this procedures to keep your  phone in safe.

Recharge the phone’s battery – You should make sure your device is fully recharged before performing the software update. Do not also remove the battery during the software update is in progress. A power failures may cause damaged to your device that might results as we so-called “soft-bricks”. If this happens your device may just stuck on Samsung logo or welcome screen and can’t reboot normally.

Backup important data – You should back-up your important files, including contacts, emails, messages, photos, videos, apps and other stuff. Like I said while during software update process is interrupted there is a possibility that your data stored from your device internal SD card may lose or deleted when a sudden unexpected failure happened and it forces you to perform a factory data reset which basically wipes your phone’s memory.

Galaxy S5 should no root – Your device should not be modified or rooted, there is a certain circumstances that a modified and rooted Galaxy S5 SM-G900F may not accept any official software update anymore or it can accept an update but it might harm your device once the update has made. Learn about the new Samsung KNOX security suite. Most known error that says ‘firmware upgrade encountered an issue, please select recovery mode in Kies and try again‘ or “Your device has been modified Software update are not available” you should try to avoid that from happening.

How to Update Galaxy S5 G900F to  Android 5.0 G900FXXU1BNL7 via Over-The-Air (OTA)

 This is usually how the carrier branded or locked Samsung Galaxy S5, performs a software update.  This method is Firmware Update through over the air or called as OTA update, which most often  a notification message will directly sent to you from your network provider or Samsung and notifies you that there is a new update available for download.  If you did not receive any notification messages you can manually check for the update instead.  Doing this you may only tap on your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F Settings>>About Device, tap Software Update.

• Find “Software update”


• Slide your finger down the display starting from the top edge of your mobile phone.


• Tap the settings icon.


• Tap About device.


• Tap Software update.

It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later. The G900FXXU1BNL7 5.0 update is about 371.33 MB in file size, updating via OTA.

How to Update the Galaxy S5 G900F to Android 5.0  Lollipop G900FXXU1ABNL7 Thru Kies

The second method is a firmware update through Samsung Kies. You may head-over to your  local Samsung support page from where you can download Samsung Kies from there, and install it in your Windows or Mac computer. Choose the new Kies 3 which supports the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F and other Samsung devices running with Android 4.4.2 and up OS .  Once you installed Kies 3, all you need is connect your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to the computer using the USB cable, then simply run and follow Kies on-screen software update instructions.

Have you already updated your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to Android 5.0 software update G900FXXU1BNL7?  Might as well do shed us how’s your first impression on how it performs on your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F.  Let everyone know if you have found some interesting features, and even some bugs you might have encountered.

The post Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop Update, G900FXXU1BNL7 brings improved performance appeared first on GalaxyS5Update.

Galaxy S5 SM-G900H Update to 4.4.2 G900HXXU1ANI1, brings Play Music Apps and Improved Performance

There is an update on Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900H in Latin America regions that bumps the baseband version to G900HXXU1ANI1 and complete build number to KOT48H.G900HXXU1ANI1. It’s still base on Android 4.4.2  and the update says it adds an improved performance to the phone. The update was first seen hitting the Samsung Galaxy S5 G900H users in Panama and Uruguay  and now has also started rolling on some select countries in the Americas.

In addition, according to reports the update will bring new apps that has never been pre-installed before such as the Google Play Music. The update is more likely bringing new updated versions of Google’s applications like the Chrome, Google Search, Gmail, Maps, Play Movies, Play Books, Play Games, Google Drive, Hangouts, YouTube  and more.  The Sync Contacts and back up, including weather widgets has also receive a new updated version.

The G900HXXU1ANI1 4.4.2 will replace the previous update with build version number G900HXXU1ANG3.  It is rolled out via over the air OTA update and weighs up to 105 MB in file size. If you haven’t receive it via OTA, you may check through your phone’s Settings>About>>Software Update. If you can’t see the update you may use Kies instead  as we have spotted it earlier and it’s still available at Kies firmware server up to this moment.

Technical details of G900HXXU1ANI1 4.4.2 Update

Device: Samsung Galaxy S5 (Exynos)
Model number SM-G900H
Android version: 4.4.2 (KitKat OS)
Baseband version: G900HXXU1ANI1
Kernel version: 3.0.4-2712167
Build number: KOT49H.G900HXXU1ANI1
AP: G900HXXU1ANI1
CSC: G900HUUB1ANI1
CP: G900HXXU1ANI1

So just manually check the update via over-the-air or using Samsung Kies if you want to update your Galaxy S5 G900H. Below are just a simple guide from where you can update your Galaxy S5 to the latest software update.

How to Upgrade the Galaxy S5 SM-G900H to the latest 4.4.2 Software Update

Samsung always advises us to prepare the following important notes to consider before performing the software update.  I have also added some useful insights why you should follow this procedures to keep your  phone in safe.

Recharge the phone’s battery – You should make sure your device is fully recharged before performing the software update. Do not also remove the battery during the software update is in progress. A power failures may cause damaged to your device that might results as we so-called “soft-bricks”. If this happens your device may just stuck on Samsung logo or welcome screen and can’t reboot normally.

Back important data – You should back-up your important files, including contacts, emails, messages, photos, videos, apps and other stuff. Like I said while during software update process is interrupted there is a possibility that your data stored from your device internal SD card may lose or deleted when a sudden unexpected failure happened and it forces you to perform a factory data reset which basically wipes your phone’s memory.

Galaxy S5 has no root – Your device should not been modified or rooted, there is a certain circumstances that a modified and rooted Galaxy S5 SM-G900H may not accept any official software update anymore or it can accept an update but it might harm your device once the update has made. Learn about the new Samsung KNOX security suite. Most known error that says ‘firmware upgrade encountered an issue, please select recovery mode in kies and try again‘ or “Your device has been modified Software update are not available” you should try to avoid that from happening.

Update to  G900HXXU1ANI1 4.4.2 via Over-The-Air (OTA)

 This is usually how the carrier branded or locked Samsung Galaxy S5, performs a software update.  This method is Firmware Update through over the air or called as OTA update, which usually a notification message will directly sent to you from your network provider or Samsung and notifies you that there is a new update available for download.  If you did not received any notification messages you can manually check fro the update instead.  Doing this you may only tap on your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F Settings>>About Device, tap Software Update.

• Find “Software update”


• Slide your finger down the display starting from the top edge of your mobile phone.


• Tap the settings icon.


• Tap About device.


• Tap Software update.

It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later.

Update to G900HXXU1ANI1 Through Kies

The second method is a firmware update through Samsung Kies. You may head-over to your  local Samsung support page from where you can download Samsung Kies from there, and install it in your Windows or Mac computer. Choose the new Kies 3 which supports the Galaxy S5 SM-G900H and other Samsung devices running with Android 4.4.2 and up OS .  Once you installed Kies 3, all you need is connect your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900H to the computer using the USB cable, then simply run and follow Kies on-screen software update instructions.

If you already receive this update, just do shed us some info on how the G900HXXU1ANI1 4.4.2 software update performs on your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900H.

The post Galaxy S5 SM-G900H Update to 4.4.2 G900HXXU1ANI1, brings Play Music Apps and Improved Performance appeared first on GalaxyS5Update.

Galaxy S5 G900F Update G900FXXU1ANG2 Improved Fingerprint Sensor

New firmware  update on Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F that bumps to firmware build number G900FXXU1ANG2. The G900XXU1ANG2 is still packed in Android 4.4.2 KitKat but it brings a lot more smoother and snappier user experience.  Some noticeable changes is the fingerprint sensor which as  lot better now and show less errors than before. You can also see the new unlock pattern which the  color one has changed while it also has new lock screen previews that tells you what effect you choose when you select lock screen effect.

The G900FXXU1ANG2 is now available in select countries, such as Philippines and Sri Lanka, as we spotted on Kies. This is a similar software update we have seen earlier in Singapore with build number G900FDXU1ANG1 but might as well and sooner available on other countries.  So you better check for this update now, again it’s only available for select countries and the roll out might be in stages.

G900FXXU1ANG2 Firmware Info:

Here are the build info of the 4.4.2 update build version G900FXXU1ANG2 Galaxy S5 SM-G900F:

Android version: 4.4.2 (KitKat OS)
Baseband version: G900FXXU1ANG2
Kernel version: 3.0.4-2091818
Build number: KOT49H.G900FXXU1ANG2
PDA: G900FXXU1ANG2
CSC: G900FOXA1ANG1
PHONE: G900FXXU1ANG2
Build Date: July 2014
Release Date: July 2014

Currently available in Philippines and Sri Lanka, but might also available to other countries in Europe these following couple of days. Below are the simple guide on how to upgrade your Samsung Galaxy S5 to Android 4.4.2 G900FXXU1ANG2.

Update: The G900FXXU1ANG2 has also available in Europe and Middle East countries. Just read on below for the updated list of  the G900FXXU1ANG2 4.4.2 update to see if you country has it too.

Galaxy S5 SM-G900F 4.4.2 G900FXXU1ANG2 Firmware Update List

Updated list of Android 4.4.2 Firmware Build number G900FXXU1ANG9, for International Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F - released on July to August 2014.

Country/Carrier	Availability
x Other countries and network providers will also added soon...	Note: the list may inaccurate.
Albania	Yes!
Albania (Vodafone)	Yes!
Austria	Yes!
Austria (3 Hutchison)	Yes!
Austria (A1)	Yes!
Belgium
Belgium (Proximus)
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Yes!
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH-Telecom)	Yes!
Bulgaria	Yes!
Bulgaria (Glubol)	Yes!
Bulgaria (MTL)	Yes!
Bulgaria MTEL	Yes!
Croatia (Vipnet)	Yes!
Cyprus (Cytamobile Vodafone)	Yes!
Cyprus (Vodafone)	Yes!
Czech Republic	Yes!
Czech Republic (O2C)
Czech Republic (Vodafone)	Yes!
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
France (Bouygues)
France (Orange)
France (Vodafone)	Yes!
France (SFR)
Germany	Yes!
Germany (O2)	Yes!
Germany (T-Mobile)
Germany (Vodafone)	Yes!
Greece	Yes!
Greece (Vodafone)	Yes!
Hungary (Telenor)	Yes!
Hungary (Vodafone)	Yes!
Iceland
Indonesia	Yes!
Ireland	Yes!
Ireland (3)	Yes!
Ireland (Meteor)
Ireland (O2)
Ireland (Vodafone)
Israel (Cellcom)
Italy	Yes!
Italy (TIM)
Italy (Vodafone)	Yes!
Italy (Wind)
Kazakhstan	Yes!
Kosovo
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg	Yes!
Macedonia/FYROM	Yes!
Malaysia	Yes!
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco	Yes!
Netherlands
Netherlands (Vodafone)	Yes!
Norway
Norway (Telenor)	Yes!
Philippines	Yes!
Poland	Yes!
Poland (Orange)	Yes!
Poland (Play)
Poland (PLUS)	Yes!
Portugal	Yes!
Portugal (Vodafone)	Yes!
Romania
Romania (Cosmote)
Romania (Orange)	Yes!
Romania (Vodafone)	Yes!
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia	Yes!
Serbia (Telekom)
Serbia (Telenor)
Serbia (VIP)
Singapore	Yes!
Slovakia
Slovenia
Slovenia (Mobitel)	Yes!
Slovenia (Si.mobil)	Yes!
South Africa	Yes!
South Africa	Yes!
South East Europe
Spain
Spain (Movistar)	Yes!
Spain (Vodafone)	Yes!
Sweden
Sweden (3)	Yes!
Switzerland	Yes!
Switzerland (Swisscom)	Yes!
Thailand	Yes!
United Arab Emirates	Yes!
United Kingdom	Yes!
United Kingdom (EVERY)	Yes!
United Kingdom (H3G)	Yes!
United Kingdom (O2)	Yes!
United Kingdom (Vodafone)	Yes!
Uzbekistan	Yes!
Vietnam	Yes!

How to Upgrade the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to the latest 4.4.2 Software Update

Samsung always advises us to prepare the following important notes to consider before performing the software update.  I have also added some useful insights why you should follow this procedures to keep your  phone in safe.

Recharge the phone’s battery – You should make sure your device is fully recharged before performing the software update. Do not also remove the battery during the software update is in progress. A power failures may cause damaged to your device that might results as we so-called “soft-bricks”. If this happens your device may just stuck on Samsung logo or welcome screen and can’t reboot normally.

Backup important data – You should back-up your important files, including contacts, emails, messages, photos, videos, apps and other stuff. Like I said while during software update process is interrupted there is a possibility that your data stored from your device internal SD card may lose or deleted when a sudden unexpected failure happened and it forces you to perform a factory data reset which basically wipes your phone’s memory.

Galaxy S5 has no root – Your device should not been modified or rooted, there is a certain circumstances that a modified and rooted Galaxy S5 SM-G900F may not accept any official software update anymore or it can accept an update but it might harm your device once the update has made. Learn about the new Samsung KNOX security suite. Most known error that says ‘firmware upgrade encountered an issue, please select recovery mode in kies and try again‘ or “Your device has been modified Software update are not available” you should try to avoid that from happening.

Update to  G900FXXU1ANG2 4.4.2 via Over-The-Air (OTA)

 This is usually how the carrier branded or locked Samsung Galaxy S5, performs a software update.  This method is Firmware Update through over the air or called as OTA update, which usually a notification message will directly sent to you from your network provider or Samsung and notifies you that there is a new update available for download.  If you did not received any notification messages you can manually check fro the update instead.  Doing this you may only tap on your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F Settings>>About Device, tap Software Update.

• Find “Software update”


• Slide your finger down the display starting from the top edge of your mobile phone.


• Tap the settings icon.


• Tap About device.


• Tap Software update.

It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later.

Update to G900FXXU1ANG2 Through Kies

The second method is a firmware update through Samsung Kies. You may head-over to your  local Samsung support page from where you can download Samsung Kies from there, and install it in your Windows or Mac computer. Choose the new Kies 3 which supports the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F and other Samsung devices running with Android 4.4.2 and up OS .  Once you installed Kies 3, all you need is connect your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to the computer using the USB cable, then simply run and follow Kies on-screen software update instructions.

If you already received this update, just do shed us some info on how the G900FXXU1ANG2 4.4.2 software update performs on your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F.

The post Galaxy S5 G900F Update G900FXXU1ANG2 Improved Fingerprint Sensor appeared first on GalaxyS5Update.