Apps
Samsung launches big Health app upgrade with new perks
Samsung Health got a very big upgrade with new features for your Galaxy ecosystem devices. The app will now allow users to easily access their health records, effectively manage medications and track their daily food intake with convenience.
The company notes that the Samsung Health app’s 6.28 version update is now available on the Galaxy Store. This release includes the newly announced features that are intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only.
Health Records
Samsung Health’s Health Records feature allows users to access medical records from clinics, hospitals and major health networks.
The company has partnered with b.well Connected Health, a platform that consolidates the largest electronic medical record (EMR) systems in the United States. including Athenahealth, Cerner Health, Epic Systems, and Veradigm.
Medications Tracking
The updated Medications Tracking feature lets users manage their medications with expanded functionalities and availability. It’s now expanding to South Korea and India, after being limited to the United States for months.
Food Intake
Barcode scanning has now been added to the Food tracker in Samsung Health. This addition makes it even easier to log food details such as names, calories and nutrition facts.
Do note that the feature will first be available in the US and select European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland, and expand to additional markets in the future.
To bring these advancements to life, Samsung has partnered with industry-leading companies specializing in health data integration, medication tracking, and food barcode scanning, optimizing the experience in select markets.
Samsung is dedicated to shaping the future of comprehensive health management and continuously optimizing wearable technology to bring smarter, more personalized solutions for everyday wellness.
These advancements strengthen the foundation of Samsung’s digital health platform, and when combined with Galaxy AI and other innovations, deliver more meaningful and impactful experiences globally.
WhatsApp introduces Instagram-like Music Sharing feature for Status Updates
WhatsApp is regularly testing new features and enhancements through beta updates. This time, WhatsApp is working on one of the most anticipated features which is the ability to share music through status updates, similar to what you can do on Instagram.
Android users can verify the latest WhatsApp beta update with version 2.24.22.11, available through the Google Play Beta Program. Currently, the music sharing feature is under development and will soon be available for users.
The new feature will let users add their favorite songs to their status updates. After choosing a photo or video, a music button will appear, allowing users to search for specific songs or artists easily. This means you can personalize your status updates and share the perfect soundtrack with your friends, just like on Instagram.
Users have highly requested this feature, as adding a soundtrack elevates your status and helps convey your emotions. Adding music is particularly exciting because it lets users express themselves in new ways. Whether you want to share a favorite song or set a specific mood, the music-sharing feature of WhatsApp will enhance how you share moments with your friends and family.
Currently, several users add songs to their photos via another application and then post them as statuses on WhatsApp. With this new feature, WhatsApp makes it easy to add a soundtrack directly within the status updates interface, instead of having to edit it in another app first.
The music-sharing feature of WhatsApp is currently under development. Stay tuned for more information.
Apps
Google’s Find My Device lets you login quickly with biometric security
Google‘s Find My Device app has introduced a biometric login feature that makes it easier and safer to use. The new way helps protect your information, especially if someone has access to your unlocked phone.
Now, instead of entering your Google account password every time you open the app, you can log in using biometric options such as fingerprint, face recognition, and a PIN.
The new biometric login feature of the Find My Device app was first mentioned back in May 2024, and it’s now available in the latest version 3.1.173-1. This update makes it easier to keep your device safe while still being convenient to use.
Notably, the biometric login is turned on by default, so you don’t have to worry about enabling it yourself. If you haven’t set up a way to unlock your phone, like a fingerprint or face ID, you will still need to enter your password.
In addition to the new login feature, the app is also planning to update its design for tablet users. Right now, the app on tablets has a bottom sheet layout. The upcoming design will use a side panel that provides more space for the map, making it easier to see where your devices are.
However, this side panel can’t be resized, which may be a drawback for some users. It’s still unclear if Google will fix this before the new design is launched.
For now, the biometric login feature is available, and users should look out for updates to enjoy a more secure and user-friendly experience.
Download Manager revamp preparing for Google Play Store: Have looks
Apps
Download Manager revamp preparing for Google Play Store: Have looks
Google is planning to introduce a Download Manager feature for the Play Store, which will help users keep track of the apps they’ve recently downloaded but haven’t opened yet. With lots of apps available on your device, it’s easy to forget which ones you’ve just installed, and this feature aims to fix that concern.
In the latest test version (v43.2.16-29) of the Play Store, AssembleDebug (via Android Authority) has managed to activate the Download Manager feature and provide us with a first look at this upcoming feature.
The Download Manager updates in real-time as per the user’s action. This means that once you open an app from the list, it will disappear to allow you to see what’s left to explore. In addition, you’ll see how many recent apps you’ve downloaded on the app details page.
While the Download Manager is a useful addition to the Google Play Store, some users might want more options, like being able to pause and resume downloads. This could be especially helpful for people with limited data plans.
The Download Manager is currently not available to everyone as Google hasn’t officially announced it yet. However, if the company releases it, it could make managing app downloads much easier for users.
Google Play Store to add fixed header for easy app installations