Samsung
Samsung One UI 6.1.1 Galaxy AI’s Portrait Studio
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 with One UI 6.1.1 software, introducing an impressive feature called Portrait Studio. This feature uses generative AI to transform normal photos into artistic portraits with just a few taps.
Portrait Studio of One UI 6.1.1 is accessible through Gallery and Contacts apps. It offers four different styles of portraits- Comic, 3D Character, Watercolor, and Sketch. Whether you prefer a comic-inspired look or a watercolor effect, there’s a style for every taste.
The process of using the Portrait Studio is very simple. First, select a portrait photo from your gallery, pick the desired style, and let the AI work its magic. Even if there are multiple people in the photo, you can select which individual you want the portrait created for.
The AI processing takes around 15 seconds to generate the portrait, and if you’re not completely satisfied with the result, you can easily create another version with the ‘Create Again’ button. Final Portraits can be saved through the photo editor or you can set directly it as a profile image for contacts.
The quality of the generated portrait improves with higher-resolution photos where the subject is visible and facing forward. Also, all portraits created using Portrait Studio contain a watermark in the bottom left corner to indicate their AI generation.
The good news is that Samsung plans to expand the availability of Portrait Studio beyond the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6. Users of Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22, Galaxy Tab S8, and Galaxy Tab S9 devices will soon also enjoy this amazing feature.
As the rollout progresses, more Samsung users can enjoy the amazing styles of AI-enhanced portraits on their smartphones. Stay tuned for more information.
One UI 6.1.1 update will bring Auto Zoom feature to Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung unveiled the AI-powered Bixby for Bespoke Home Appliances. The upgraded voice assistant makes it easier to control home appliances with voice commands, which understand contexts based on natural language.
Today, Samsung announced the Bixby AI upgrade for 2024 Bespoke home appliances. It allows users to speak multiple commands in a single sentence. As a result, the appliance will understand the user’s intention for the entire conversation sentence.
The assistant will also remember previous prompts and connect them to the next command and let the user ask questions and get answers from the appliance. It will also offer device manuals and usage tips with voices.
For instance, a user says, “Set the air conditioner at 26 degrees and finish the laundry by 5PM.” The air conditioner and the washer powered by Bixby will understand and perform the commands, even if the user gives different commands at once.
Eligible products for Bixby AI are Bespoke AI Family Hub Refrigerator, Bespoke AI Combo, Bespoke AI Steam, and Bespoke AI Wind-Free Gallery Air Conditioner (released this year). The list of applicable products will be expanded sequentially.
Earlier, Samsung officials hinted at the re-arrival of Bixby with AI power. The bandwagon seems to have started with home appliances. We could see an upgraded Bixby with the Android 15-based One UI 7 update later this year.
August 2024 is going and Verizon is rolling out a new update for Galaxy A53 smartphones in the US. The update installs the latest Android security patch released in August 2024 to improve system security and stability.
Users of the Samsung Galaxy A53 are getting an August 2024 security update on the Verizon network carrier in the US through the One UI build version A536VSQUCEXGG. The update is around 260MB in size. Notably, the update is already available in Korea.
The fresh update improves the security and stability to provide a better experience. Notably, the latest patch contains the Security Maintenance Release (SMR), combining patches from Google and Samsung.
Google addresses 1 critical, 34 high-level vulnerabilities in Android, although 2 are irrelevant to Galaxy devices. In addition, Samsung has fixed 14 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) to strengthen device security further. These vulnerabilities mainly impact components such as system service, Knox services, Galaxy Watch, and more.
To check the update, you just need to navigate to the device’s Settings, then a Software update, and Download and install. If you have received the update, install it now to get enhanced features. The update is rolling out gradually so it may take some hours or days to reach all models.
The update is based on One UI 6.1 and Android 14. The company is now working on the next major updates, One UI 6.1 rollout and One UI 7 Beta. It is expected that the company will start rolling out these updates ahead of next month.
The next big thing by Samsung is being discussed as a hot topic. The Galaxy S25 Ultra could carry a stunning design, as shown in the leaked mockup images. Ryan/X (in collab with UniverseIce) shared a pair of images showcasing the design.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra could not have angular corners similar to previous Ultra(s). Rather, the Korean tech giant could bring slightly rounded corners, giving a fresh feel. It would also address the concern of crushing palms due to corners.
Samsung could also reduce the bezels surrounding the screen. It would enhance appearance alongside more usable space on the front side. The next Ultra would skip under-display camera tech seen in foldables from the Z Fold 3.
The company reportedly brings an upgraded 5MP UDC camera with the Z Fold 6 Slim. However, there seems no plans to adopt this tech on bar-style phones. It’s good to stick with mature technology rather than hurrying with the latest adoption.
The S25 Ultra could feature volume rockers and a power key on the right, leaving the left side empty. The most anticipated thing: camera arrangement and rear panel design remains to be revealed even in input-based mockup images.
Galaxy S23 Ultra was Samsung’s last phone with a curved screen. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a flat display with Note-inspired design language. However, a fresh Samsung design philosophy could debut with the Galaxy S25 Ultra next year.