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Samsung Galaxy S21 at Verizon gets One UI 5.1: Top Features
One UI 5.1 update brings excellent new features to older Samsung Galaxy devices on top of the Android 13 operating system. United States’ famous network carrier Verizon has started to roll out the One UI 5.1 enhancements to the Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra.
Verizon’s One UI 5.1 update changelog is pretty big and includes the February 2023 security patch alongside. Post-installation, you will be having a great user experience plus plenty of new useful features such as battery widgets, Expert RAW integration, and Bixby Text Call in English.
Verizon One UI 5.1 Key Features for Galaxy S21
- Camera & Gallery
- Bixby Text Call
- Widgets
- Multitasking
Camera & Gallery
The One UI 5.1 update makes it easier to change the color tone while taking selfies. It adds a new toggle at the top right corner of the camera viewfinder so users can easily adjust the color tone. The native camera app has integrated the Expert RAW (S21 Ultra only) app for seamless RAW photography.
Samsung Gallery’s Image Remaster feature is now also capable of enhancing the upscaling GIF files. You can enhance the quality and sharpness of low-quality GIF files using the new GIF Remaster feature to get even better colors and details.
Bixby Text Call
Samsung introduced the Bixby Text Call feature with the One UI 5.0 iteration. So far, it was available in just the Korean language, but, thanks to the One UI 5.1 update, Bixby Text Call now supports the English language too. US users can now utilize this intelligent AI call assistant feature.
Bixby Text Call feature is inspired by Google’s Call Screen feature. It allows you to attend a call without having verbal communication. When you get an incoming call, you can receive it through the Bixby Text Call feature, it will convert the person’s voice into text and read aloud your text to the person.
Widgets
Galaxy ecosystem includes Galaxy smartphone, smartwatch, earbuds, S Pen, and more. You can now check how much juice is remaining in your phone as well as all connected devices such as Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds and S Pen on the home screen through the Battery Status Widget.
Dynamic Weather widget also got enhancements and now shows graphical animation based on your location’s weather conditions such as snowing, raining, and cloudy. Last but not least, the Smart Suggestions widget now recommends Spotify tracks as per your habits.
Multitasking
One UI is the best Android skin when it comes to customization. Taking the user experience to another level, the One UI 5.1 software brings enhancements to the Pop-up view and Split screen view. In Pop-Up view, you can now drag and drop the window edges to change the size, while there’s a new section that shows the Most used apps in Split view.
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.