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Pixel boost crucial for Android, Google Search as Samsung, Huawei loom large: Source
Samsung may have made Google its biggest rival in the smartphone market. Previously, Samsung considered replacing Google with Microsoft’s Bing as the default search engine on Galaxy devices. This attempt by Samsung may have triggered Google to seek Pixel boost for Android and Search.
According to a report, Google managed to achieve a milestone of selling 10 million Pixel devices in 2023. The company sets an ambitious target to exceed 10 million Pixel sales target this year as well. There are multiple motives for Google apart from expanding the smartphone business.
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A source with direct knowledge told Nikkei Asia that keeping Google’s Pixel phone business thriving is important for the sustainability of its search engine and mobile operating system ecosystem when Huawei’s HarmonyOS user base is growing and Samsung attempted to switch default search engine.
[Google Pixel evolves as Europe’s third best-selling flagship]
HarmonyOS is a direct competitor to Google’s Android, which is growing rapidly. Whereas, Samsung is becoming a big threat to Google’s hold on its OS due to the highest number of shipments. We are also seeing Galaxy-exclusive Android features launching over the past two years.
[Google aims to repeat 10 million Pixel shipments streak in 2024]
Apart from this, the US tech giant has also told suppliers to start making its Pixel smartphones in India by the next quarter at the earliest to further diversify its supply chain away from China and capture the booming Indian smartphone market.
// Source
Samsung launched Music Frame WICKED Edition in the UK. The company has also announced its partnership with Universal Pictures. The Limited Edition Music Frame is available in the UK through the official online store and select retail locations.
Music Frame is Samsung’s customizable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled speaker designed to blend seamlessly into any environment. The special edition Music Frame brings three WICKED photo cards, including an exclusive image, and a unique WICKED bezel.
Buyers can also customize their Music Frame with different photo cards, as well as play music from their mobile device or link to a smart TV with Q-Symphony.
The WICKED Music Frame campaign will be supported across Samsung’s full ecosystem across Digital, Social, CRM, and Samsung’s experience stores.
The campaign showcases the power of Samsung’s unique technology – a combination of art and technology to offer consumers a personalized and immersive audio experience.
The Movie IP partnership will also be extended into retail partners featuring 8k and 4k trailer content, as well as Soundbar experiences with tracks from the soundtrack.
WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz, starring Emmy-, Grammy- and Tony-winning powerhouse and Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege and ambition who has yet to discover her true heart. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Samsung could pack the Galaxy Z Flip FE and Z Flip 7 with Exynos processors. The company could launch its first affordable foldable phone next year. The device could get a different camera and processor from the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Leaker Jukanlosreve revealed that Samsung could use the Exynos 2400e in the Galaxy Z Flip FE and Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The former Exynos variant powers the Galaxy S24 FE, while the Exynos 2500 is an upcoming product.
Samsung previously intended to use Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy S25 series. However, the chip has a major performance difference from its Snapdragon counterpart. This led the company to solely rely on the Snapdragon 8 Elite for the S25 series.
Exynos 2500 is being manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s 3nm process node. The yield rate is quite low (around 20%), which is far from the production threshold. However, Samsung chose the path to produce the chip at such a low yield rate.
Exynos 2400 has proven to be a decent chip with no frustrating flaws. The Exynos 2400e could be used in the Z Flip FE. The “e” model could be made using IPoP (Integrated Package on Package) tech, which is cheaper than the standard method.
Recently, a Korean media outlet reported that Samsung Foundry has started mass production of a 3nm Exynos 2500 chip. It was initially intended to be used in the S25 and S25 Plus, but issues pushed it towards the second-half debut in the Z Flip 7.
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.