Samsung Galaxy S6 sales reportedly fall short of expectations in South Korea
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have certainly been at the top of tech headlines since they were first unveiled back at MWC. Bringing improved specs and an attractive new design, we’ve heard numerous reports about how successful the latest Galaxy S devices have been with Samsung exceeding pre-order expectations both in Korea and around the globe. However, now that the dust has settled a bit, things may not be as rosy as they seem.
Read also: Android innovation: Sony and HTC risk falling behind even more
Just last week we learned that the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge had achieved a combined 300,000 pre-orders, leading at least one Samsung exec to boldly state that the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge could reach over 70 million units sold. Unfortunately, a new report from Korea indicates that out of the 300,000 pre-orders, only 200,000 units have been sold. This suggests early forecasts may have been inaccurate.
The Galaxy S6 continues to be well received among tech fans and casual consumers alike, and so we certainly wouldn’t be worried if we were Samsung.
Does this situation sound at all familiar? It should, as we saw a similar scenario with the Samsung Galaxy S5. Initially sales seemed to be strong for the Galaxy S5, and then things slowed down — considerably. Of course, that doesn’t mean that Samsung’s latest Galaxy is following in the same footsteps.
The Galaxy S5 actually saw a ramped up and more aggressive launch (120 vs 60 launch markets) over the Galaxy S4, which is why sales initially seemed stronger. In contrast, we’ve actually heard reports about how there is a great demand for the Galaxy S6 Edge, more demand than Samsung can meet at this point. As Samsung increases production of the Galaxy S6 Edge, sales will only get better.
Beyond this, the report from Yonhap News mentions that South Korea’s telecom watchdog has been working hard to improve transparency, banning carriers fro paying subsidies far exceeding the legal ceiling.
Latest Galaxy S6 videos
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This lead carriers to keep the subsidies modest at 210,000 won ($193.90) upon release, below the maximum legal ceiling of 330,000 won. As carriers increase subsidies, resulting in a lower price for contract-signing consumers, the Galaxy S6 sales should improve even further.
Bottom-line, these are still early days for the Galaxy S6 and there are a number of factors that could have lead to slightly less impressive sales than initially believed. The Galaxy S6 continues to be well received among tech fans and casual consumers alike, and so we certainly wouldn’t be worried if we were Samsung. Despite this latest report, all indications point to one of the most successful Galaxy S launches in history.
Own a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge? Check out our list of best cases and wireless chargers!
Themes can be designed with no prior software development experience using Samsung’s Theme Editor
Theming your phone is nothing new, but companies like HTC and Samsung are making it easier than ever with their new Theming apps. After spending time with both the One M9 and the Galaxy S6, it’s clear that HTC has an early lead since it’s so easy to create your own themes on the phone itself.
Samsung, on the other hand, is pushing for developers to create themes. However, it appears that you really don’t need any prior development experience to create themes for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.
Unfortunately themes can’t be created on the phone, but Samsung has a desktop Theme Editor that is a simple drag and drop approach so you can see exactly how the theme will look on the device. Creators will be able to change the images, sounds, and fonts of 14 pre-installed applications.
If you want to be a theme developer you need to follow these steps…
- Sign up for a Samsung account, if you do not already have one.
- Complete required information and submit the Request page.
- Decide whether to participate in the partnership through communication with a person in charge from Samsung.
- Develop a theme using Theme Editor and register it in the Theme Store.
Themes will be in the APK file format, and developers will be able to easily upload them to the Theme Store via the Theme Editor.
For starters, only the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will be able to utilize themes, but Samsung will bring the feature to other Galaxy phones in the future.
Samsung’s path to theming will probably not generate as many themes since the average person will probably not go through this process. On the other hand, Samsung will sell a lot more devices than HTC will so they are likely to attract some really nice designers.
source: Samsung
Come comment on this article: Themes can be designed with no prior software development experience using Samsung’s Theme Editor
AT&T sending out Android 5.0 update for the Galaxy S4 Active
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active from AT&T is now getting the Android 5.0 update, after the Galaxy S4 started receiving the update not too long ago.
The update brings the usual Lollipop related changes on board, but no Material Design features in abundance as Samsung has gone with its custom TouchWiz UI layering here.
What you will find here though is lockscreen notifications, improved quick settings menus and some other under the hood features that should enhance performance to a great extent.
The update should be available over the air, although you can also try pulling it through Samsung Kies or by heading over to the Settings on your smartphone.
If you’ve received the update already, make sure you let us know by leaving a comment below.
Source: AT&T
Come comment on this article: AT&T sending out Android 5.0 update for the Galaxy S4 Active
Samsung S Health app posted to the Play Store
Samsung has not been a manufacturer that makes many apps available to the Google Play Store, but the recent addition of the Samsung S Health app may be a sign that things are changing. Over the past couple years manufacturers have increasingly used the Play Store as a distribution channel for their proprietary apps, a move that saves consumers time in waiting for updates to be released as part of a device update. Samsung seems to have resisted that move, possibly due to their own app store being available to owners of their devices as well as their desire to maintain some control over their ecosystem.
The new S Health app comes on the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. The version released to the Play Store appears to be the same one that was delivered on those devices. Owners of other Samsung devices can now update or add the app, although it does require Android 5.0, so only newer devices that have received the Lollipop update will be able to make use of it.
Like so many health and activity apps on the market today, the S Health app is designed to collect data from wearables like Samsung Gear devices and then display this through the app in a way that will help consumers live more healthy lifestyles. Besides basic tracking of data, users can set goals and then measure their progress.
If you have a Samsung smartphone with Android Lollipop, you can use the links below to grab the S Health app or update the version you have.
Come comment on this article: Samsung S Health app posted to the Play Store
Samsung foundries may start churning out Qualcomm Snapdragon chips
Sources are indicating the Qualcomm and Samsung have reached a deal for the next generation of Snapdragon processors, the Snapdragon 820, to be produced at Samsung’s foundries. In the past, Qualcomm has primarily used Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and other smaller chip plants to produce their processors. However, Samsung’s move to develop and deploy a 14-nanometer production process, compared to everyone else’s 20-nanometer production, appears to have been enough to convince Qualcomm to make the move. With a smaller process in place, Samsung’s plant can produce chips that are cheaper, smaller and use less energy.
Some have noted that this move may be a reaction to Samsung’s decision to use their own Exynos processors in the Samsung Galaxy S6. Despite having their current generation flagship processor, the Snapdragon 810, being used in the top-tier devices from other manufacturers, Qualcomm likely wants to win back business from Samsung in next year’s flagship phones. Samsung is such a dominant player in the market right now, that the loss of the Galaxy S6 caused Qualcomm to have to revise their financial projections for the current year.
At the same time that Qualcomm plans to move to Samsung’s foundries, Apple is planning to be present also, selecting Samsung for production of their high-end chip, the A9. Industry analyst Patrick Moorhead describes the situation as “a great example of ‘co-opetition.’”
In the meantime, TSMC is hoping Samsung may reach out to them to act as a secondary source for some of their chip production to make up for the loss of the Qualcomm business.
source: Re/code
Come comment on this article: Samsung foundries may start churning out Qualcomm Snapdragon chips
Samsung launches new Galaxy S6 Accessories app
Samsung has just launched a new app for Android called Galaxy S6 Accessories. As the name suggests, the application allows users to browse and purchase any of the company’s official accessories for the handset, without having to visit an independent reseller.
Check it out in the screenshots below:
Via: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung launches new Galaxy S6 Accessories app
Samsung shows off the Galaxy S6’s power management features in new promo video
Earlier today, Samsung took to its official YouTube channel in order to share a new promotional video for its recently-launched Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. In the short clip, the South Korean company highlights three of the device’s best power management features — Fast Charging, Wireless Charging and Ultra Power Saving Mode. It then goes on to call it the “smartphone of your dreams.”
Check it out after the break.
Come comment on this article: Samsung shows off the Galaxy S6’s power management features in new promo video
Engadget giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy S6 courtesy of iOttie!
We can’t all afford to upgrade our ride with embedded touch-display tech, but you don’t really need to. You can add a dashboard mount for the device you likely do use to stay ahead of the curve, letting you banish wires and cup-holder based turn commands from your life. iOttie’s new Easy OneTouch Wireless can help you retrofit your setup for easy-to-view navigation, while keeping your battery charged and your eyes on the road where they should be. The mount’s telescoping arm gives you plenty of room for adjustment and its OneTouch lock and release system keeps things moving along smoothly. It supports the new Samsung Galaxy S6, too, which is good because we’ve got one of each for a lucky Engadget reader this week. That 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display will look great mounted on your dash with iOttie’s latest Qi-enabled holder, regardless of your whip’s make and model. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning a new Galaxy S6 and wireless charging mount from iOttie.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Samsung Galaxy S6 (AT&T, SM-G920A, 32GB, Black) and one (1) iOttie OneTouch wireless Qi charging car mount.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until April 22nd at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements, Samsung
Qualcomm will use Samsung’s factories to manufacture Snapdragon 820
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A few days ago we heard rumours that Qualcomm might have to spin off its chip manufacturing unit due to the loss of Samsung‘s contract for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. This was one of several options available with Qualcomm, but they are rumoured to be taking an interesting route to get back on Samsung’s good side. According to these latest reports, Qualcomm will use Samsung as their manufacturer of choice to make the Snapdragon 820, dumping TSMC, who’s 20nm process made the Snapdragon 810 and allegedly caused the overheating issue that caused Samsung to dump Qualcomm.
That, of course, might be the reason if we read between the lines. The official line will likely claim that Qualcomm is engaging Samsung for its next contract due to the obvious success of its 14nm process which made the Exynos 7420 powering the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. If Samsung is able to confirm the quality of the Snapdragon 820, i.e. by manufacturing it within its own factories, the Samsung will, Qualcomm is hoping, pick Qualcomm processors in the future. We’ll have to see if this strategy pays off, probably with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 later this year.
What do you think about Qualcomm using Samsung’s factories to make the Snapdragon 820? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Qualcomm will use Samsung’s factories to manufacture Snapdragon 820 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
YouTube app will soon stop working on older smart TVs and iOS devices
If you own a smart TV or an iOS device that’s getting a bit long in the tooth, you may need to do some upgrading this week if you want to continue using the YouTube app. Due to certain changes in the app’s API, it’ll no longer work on a number of models released in 2012 or earlier, including second-generation Apple TVs, Panasonic TVs, Sony TVs and Blu-ray players, as well as devices running Google TV versions 1 or 2. You’ll know you’re affected if a video showing the notice above plays upon firing up the app, though most models released in 2013 or later are safe.
Now, if you want continued access to the YouTube app, you’ll have to update iPhones, iPads and iPods to iOS 7, at least. Third-gen Apple TVs need a platform upgrade, as well, while Google TV version 3 or 4 devices need the latest app update available on Google Play. Just because your product is too old for upgrades doesn’t mean you’ll have to bid your YouTube binges farewell, though. The website still loads on Safari (even on older iOS devices) or on any smart TV browser than supports flash/HTML5.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Google
Via: Android Central
Source: YouTube Help
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