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Tech News
Speculation has circulated that Samsung might rename or replace its One UI software with something called Galaxy OS, but current reporting suggests this is unlikely in the near term. Samsung is actively rolling out One UI 9, which adds improved support for foldables and other device types and has been well received so far.
Amazon is selling Samsung's recently launched 990 M.2 SSD in its 2TB capacity for $329, down from its $529 list price. The 990 is a QLC-based drive built on Samsung's PiccoloQ controller and V9 flash, positioned below the 990 Pro and Gen 5 9100 Pro. Amazon is also discounting the 990 Pro 2TB to $409 and the Gen 5 9100 Pro 2TB to $415.
A researcher identified as log4j reported that Samsung Tizen devices run a TensorFlow Lite model, file-named 'alex.tflite' and based on AlexNet, repeatedly processing 960x540 screen captures with INT8 quantization to try to detect what game or content a user is viewing. The researcher says the model performs nearest-neighbor comparisons against a database, often fails to produce accurate results, and appears to store its output before any user consent prompt is shown.
A security researcher known as log4j reverse-engineered the Tizen operating system on a 2025 Samsung TV after noticing unusually specific ads, gaining root access via a hardware exploit since the firmware was encrypted. They found code for packet logging, audio categorization, screenshot capture, a cross-device ad-tracking ID, and a convolutional neural network that monitors viewing behavior such as skipped ads and watch progress, even on TVs without built-in microphones by using connected devices like soundbars.
Samsung's One UI 9, running Android 17, delivers a smooth experience and timely security patches on the Galaxy S26 Plus, according to an Android Authority reviewer. However, the reviewer says Galaxy AI features like Now Brief and Now Nudge continue to underdeliver, with Now Brief failing to surface news matching the user's stated interests even after customization.
Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo is reaching customers, but many apps display with awkward unused space because they haven't been adapted to its unusual screen ratios, including a wide front display and a 4:3 inner screen. CNET reviewers note this mirrors what happened with Samsung's original Galaxy Fold in 2019, where app layouts took time to catch up to the new format.
CNET explains that a common cause of iPhone and Android charging failures isn't damaged cables or ports but a buildup of dust, lint and debris inside the charging port itself. Over months or years, this debris compacts into a solid blockage that prevents the charging cable from fully connecting. The outlet notes this issue affects both Lightning ports on older iPhones and USB-C ports on newer iPhones and Android devices like the Pixel 11 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
An Android Authority writer prompted ChatGPT's voice mode and Gemini Live to debate which smartphone deserves the title of best overall, without specifying a year, price range or operating system. The experiment followed a similar earlier test comparing iOS and Android, and the piece also included a reader poll where 44% picked the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and 30% picked a Pixel model.
A hobbyist researcher says they obtained a root shell on a 2025 Samsung TV after noticing unusually targeted advertisements. Unable to decrypt the AES-protected firmware without hardware-level UART/JTAG access, they say they instead used previously undisclosed vulnerabilities to gain root access, and claim the process revealed concerning privacy practices on the device.
Retail pages in Europe have listed Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Buds On, with varying release dates clustering around the first half of December. Swiss stores reportedly show prices of CHF 179 and CHF 199, while Samsung has already confirmed a South Korean launch on October 27 at 299,000 won. Separately, newly surfaced animations from The Cipher Project give a 360-degree view of the earbuds and their rounded, cube-like charging case, similar to the Galaxy Buds 4 series.
CNET's review of Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, highlights its 5.4-inch cover screen and 7.6-inch inner display, along with a matte inner panel designed to reduce glare and crease visibility. The device includes camera features like Duo Preview and Smart Take, which let users preview shots on the cover screen while using the higher-resolution 48-megapixel rear cameras instead of the 12-megapixel selfie camera.
WIRED's review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 highlights a 4,300-mAh silicon-carbon battery suited mainly for casual use, with charging capped at 25 watts wired and 15 watts wireless, and no magnetic Qi2 support. The phone's main 50-megapixel camera performs well in most conditions, while the 12-megapixel ultrawide lens is weaker and there's no telephoto lens, though cropping enables usable 2X zoom. New AI features include Horizon Lock for steady video, My FanCam for reframing group videos around a chosen subject, and Now Brief/Now Nudge for calendar and reminder assistance.