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Samsung One UI 4.0 features better privacy toggles than Oppo’s ColorOS 12
The standout of every Android smartphone lies in its customization capabilities and open-source nature. As a result, we’ve seen many custom skins and UIs from brands over the years. Samsung’s One UI, Xiaomi’s MIUI, OnePlus’ OxygenOS, OPPO’s ColorOS and more.
With each new Android version, OEMs like to update their custom UI with new changes embedded by Google, as well as some additional thought-provoking features. With Android 12 now being official, brands are in the process of revamping their custom skins based on the latest version of Android.
Talking about Samsung’s One UI 4.0, it offers many innovative experiences to the Galaxy user. The newly updated One UI 4.0 based on Android 12 is very unique in terms of transparency and privacy features.
If you trigger the privacy feature, you can easily check when and where your camera and microphone are being used. You can customize your device using a color palette designed with your favorite colors.
One UI 4.0 comes with the most powerful privacy feature. If you enable the privacy setting, you can check in real-time which apps are using the camera and microphone.
Additionally, you can easily view detailed usage logs for the last 24 hours. From Settings, select Privacy, and then enable Camera Access and Microphone Access.
However, here, in this article, we are going to discuss one of the similar features that Samsung’s One UI 4.0 and OPPO’s ColorOS 12 offers – that is Microphone and Camera toggles and Indicators.
Microphone/Camera toggles and Indicators
In Samsung’s One UI 4.0
You may have known of the Android 12’s most discussed upgrade, commonly known as Indicators. Yes, Samsung is offering the same treatment for Galaxy devices with its One UI 4 update. Indicators alert users to the app’s Camera and Microphone usage, so permissions can be quickly revoked if they do not wish to be granted access.
Keep prying eyes and ears away. When an app is using the camera or microphone, a green dot will appear in the upper right corner of the screen. You can also use the quick panel controls to temporarily block all apps from using the camera or microphone.
In OPPO’s ColorOS 12
ColorOS is one of the best custom UIs of recent times. The OxygenOS codebase is now integrated with ColorOS, which means that delivering ColorOS 12 across all sectors is even more important than ever, considering how much OxygenOS is loved.
With ColorOS 12 you can now add a toggle to Quick Settings to enable or disable access to the Camera and Microphone on your device. Disabling access prevents any app on your smartphone from gaining access to the camera or microphone on your device. Important for most people.
In addition to the toggle, users can now also see a small indicator in the upper right corner of the screen when requesting access to a camera or microphone. Access to the camera is indicated by a green dot, and access to the microphone is indicated by an orange dot.
New York became the first US state to bring retail consumer rebates for appliances under the Inflation Reduction Act. Applauding the move, Samsung launched a huge energy-saving opportunity for the residents of New York.
Samsung started offering up-front discounts to consumers statewide through New York’s IRA HEAR program. Consumers can now access IRA’s Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program.
IRA HEAR rebate program advantages
- Save up to $840 on Samsung’s innovative ENERGY STAR products, including laundry appliances like heat pump dryers and all-in-one combo washers + heat pump dryers.
Visit Samsung’s home appliance page to learn more about the options available.
Samsung said this is just the beginning of its rebates journey in New York. The company looks forward to working with partners to expand these retail rebates to more products and in more states across the United States.
Pay attention, the IRA provides rebates and tax credits to households across America. New York is leading the way in providing direct retail point-of-sale appliance rebates, supporting an affordable clean energy transition.
Inflation Reduction Act
Signed in August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act is the single largest investment in climate and energy in American history.
It provides home appliance rebates for discounts on electric energy-efficient appliances like Induction cooktops, ranges, and heat pump laundry appliances.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has undergone one of the most extreme military tests. The company has recently published a Watch Ultra test video, featuring Phillip Chu Joy.
Phillip participated in the Peruvian Navy’s Special Operations Course to showcase the watch’s capabilities. It is renowned as one of the world’s most challenging military training programs.
“The Galaxy Watch Ultra pushes technology to its limits, handling extreme conditions with ease,” Chu Joy remarked. “It’s undoubtedly designed for those seeking exceptional performance.”
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra proves its durability and functionality in water, mud, and sand — excelling even under the grueling conditions of Peru’s most extreme military training.
Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Watch Ultra boasts a Grade 4 titanium frame. It also features a shockproof cushioned design that meets MIL-STD-810H2 military standards and water resistance of up to 10ATM.
The product is capable of operating within a broad temperature range of -20°C to 55°C4 and performing at altitudes of up to 9,000 meters above sea level.
These capabilities make it ideal for tracking advanced physical activities like ocean swimming and cycling in extreme conditions; take the Perivian military training as a recent proven example.
Samsung’s Watch Ultra is the ultimate companion for sports enthusiasts and extreme adventurers. It’s crafted to endure the toughest conditions with its pro-grade features and premium materials.
Samsung’s Mauricio Revollar stated:
“We wanted the public to experience the Galaxy Watch Ultra like never before in the Peruvian market by creating the most extreme product review ever undertaken here.”
“This was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Peruvian Navy, which allowed us to highlight and celebrate the commitment of the students in one of the world’s most demanding military training programs.”
Watch the video below:
Apple collaborated with OpenAI to power Apple Intelligence features. The ChatGPT maker continues to create obstacles for Google. In a recent move, OpenAI discussed a potential AI partnership with Samsung.
TheInformation (via Reuters) reported that OpenAI has recently discussed powering AI features on Samsung-made devices. It seems the ChatGPT-maker wishes an AI partnership with Samsung to expand its reach in multiple folds.
The company is considering developing a web browser to rival Google’s Chrome. OpenAI recently introduced its search engine called SearchGPT. It is available to limited users alongside internal testers and strategic partners.
Samsung x OpenAI
Samsung and Google’s close partnership doesn’t need any elaboration. The friendship isn’t limited to services, as both firms work across an ecosystem. However, it doesn’t stop Samsung from partnering with OpenAI in favor of better service.
As the AI phone market is growing rapidly, OpenAI may innovate further. Google doesn’t lag, but there’s still room for a potential alliance. Apple Intelligence-like features might be deployed on Galaxy phones after Samsung’s partnership.
OpenAI knows Samsung holds the command of the worldwide smartphone market. Expansion of its services will be quite broader than Apple if its partnership with Samsung pens down. For now, take this information as a grain of salt!
Apple x OpenAI
Apple leads the worldwide premium smartphone market. Google and Samsung introduced their AI phones in October 2023 and January 2024, respectively. It forced Apple to immediately enter the segment to normalize the innovation gap.
Google’s availing Gemini Nano AI model, but Apple joined hands with OpenAI. To create a difference, OpenAI powering some of the coolest AI features on recent iPhones. The move is to attract other vendors to adopt source AI from OpenAI.
Well, Apple still reportedly considering bringing Gemini AI on iPhones. The company believes that iPhone users should have different AI providers available. Hence, a multi-collaborative approach is also in the pipeline, at least from Apple’s end.