Do the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic have fall detection?

The Galaxy Watch 4 and the Watch 4 Classic are Samsung’s latest smartwatches. They pack a lot of exciting features but given the presence of the brand-new ‘Wear OS Powered by Samsung‘ platform, there’s a lot of curiosity around which features are present in the Watch 4 and which aren’t. One such feature is fall detection. It was introduced with the Galaxy Watch 3 and then expanded to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 via a software update. So if you’re wondering if the feature has made its way to the Galaxy Watch 4 series, the answer is yes. Samsung has included fall detection in the new smartwatches.

What does fall detection do on the Galaxy Watch 4 series?

The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic can detect hard falls using the accelerometer. Once a hard fall is detected, the smartwatch will ring for 60 seconds, and if you don’t respond, it will send an SOS message to the listed emergency contact with your location. The smartwatch will also allow you to call the emergency contact if you are in a condition to do so.

Samsung warns that the Galaxy Watch 4 series cannot detect all falls, and intense physical activity may also trigger the feature. In addition, for the SOS message or call functionality to work, your smartphone should be paired with the smartwatch, and a network connection must be available.

How to set up fall detection on Galaxy Watch 4, Watch 4 Classic

• To set up the fall detection feature on your smartwatch, open the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired smartphone.
• Navigate to Watch Settings > Advanced Features > SOS.
• The watch will then ask you to give certain permissions for the SOS features to work correctly.
• Once you are in the SOS option, enable the when hard fall is detected option.
• If you don’t have an emergency contact added, the watch will ask you to choose from your contacts. You can also create a new one.
• That’s it. The fall detection feature is set up.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a new 'Wear OS Powered by Samsung' smartwatch. It comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes.

Buy from Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes. It also runs on the new 'Wear OS Powered by Samsung' platform.

Buy from Samsung

If you’re planning to buy the Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic, make sure to check our recommendations for the best bands to find something suitable for your style. We’ve also compared the Watch 4 Classic with the Apple Watch Series 6.

The post Do the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic have fall detection? appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2YbV5DQ
via IFTTT

These are the Best VPN apps for Android: ExpressVPN, Mullvad, WindScribe, and more!

VPNs can be beneficial whether you are trying to hide your internet browsing from prying eyes or just want to access a different country’s Netflix library. They encrypt your outgoing and incoming internet traffic and pass it through their servers, so your data is private, and your location gets obfuscated behind the VPN service’s IPs. Most top VPN services offer apps that allow them to work on Android devices. So if you’re looking for a good VPN app to use on your Android phone, here are our top picks.

Navigate this guide:

• Best for most people: ExpressVPN
  • Also Great: Private Internet Access
• Best for privacy: Mullvad
  • Also Great: IVPN
• Best free VPN: WindScribe
  • Also Great: ProtonVPN
• Best budget VPN: SurfShark

Best VPN App for Most People: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for most people. It has all the modern features you’ll need, including a built-in kill switch, split tunneling, a no-logging policy, and 256-bit encryption. In addition, the service has over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 markets. Given such expansive server availability, you’ll likely find a server in pretty much all major countries and regions.

On Android, you can use the ExpressVPN app on phones, tablets, and TVs. Apart from the Google Play store, the service also offers its Android app APK via its website. So if you don’t have access to the Google Play store, you can still download the app and use it. Using the ExpressVPN app is pretty easy; enable the VPN in the app, select the server location, and you are good to go.

ExpressVPN plans start at $12.95 per month, but the service offers discounts on long-term plans. If you subscribe to the service via its Android app, you’ll get a seven day trial. Otherwise, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN - #1 Trusted VPN - Secure Private Fast (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Also Great: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another good VPN. One of the service’s highlights is its massive network that includes almost 30,000 servers in 106 locations across 78 countries. That said, 65% of its servers are in North America. In addition, you can use PIA services on up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is more than the typical five devices.

Other features of PIA include support for split tunneling, no logs, unlimited bandwidth, and a kill switch. The service’s entire source code is also open-source. PIA plans start at $11.95 per month; however, you can get significant discounts on long-term plans. In addition, the service offers a seven day trial on its Android app and a 30 day money-back guarantee. If you don’t have access to the Google Play store, PIA, like ExpressVPN, offers an APK download via its website.

VPN by Private Internet Access (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Best VPN App for Privacy: Mullvad

While both ExpressVPN and PIA are known for privacy features, if you’re looking for the absolute best, Mullvad is the answer. The service doesn’t keep activity logs and goes through third-party audits for transparency and to identify security lapses. In addition, Mullvad has several payment options, including cash, so you don’t even have to share an email address with it.

In terms of features, Mullvad is pretty much on par with other major VPN services. You get a kill switch, split tunneling, open-source code, and more. The service has 780 servers in 63 locations across 38 countries. While the server count isn’t huge, it will be enough for most people.

Mullvad has a flat rate of 5 euros. But you may be able to get a deal by buying it from a supported reseller. It doesn’t have a trial period like some other recommendations, but a 30 day money-back guarantee applies to all payment modes, except cash. You can download the Mullvad Android app from Google Play and F-Droid or grab the APK from the company website.

Mullvad VPN: privacy is a universal right (Free, Google Play) →

Also Great: IVPN

IVPN is another excellent VPN service for privacy-conscious users. It doesn’t store activity logs and collects minimal information needed to provide the service. In addition, the service is subject to annual third-party audits. Finally, you get a kill switch, split tunneling, mock location, open-source apps, and more.

The service has 76 VPN servers in 45 locations across 32 countries. The relatively low number of servers is one of the drawbacks of IVPN, but if this works for you, IVPN is great. It offers two plans — Standard and Pro — the Standard plan starts at $6 per month and the Pro plan costs $10 per month. In addition, the Pro version offers extras like simultaneous use on up to seven devices (only two on Standard) and support for port forwarding and multi-hop. You can download the IVPN Android app from Google Play and F-Droid or grab the APK from the company website.

IVPN - Secure VPN for Privacy (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Best Free VPN App: WindScribe

A lot of VPN services offer free tiers, but none of them are as good as WindScribe. The service’s free tier comes with up to 10GB bandwidth per month, unlimited connections, and access to servers in ten countries, including the US, the UK, and Canada. As a result, WindScribe just works, and you won’t have to worry about constant disconnections or other issues.

In terms of the VPN features, you get split tunneling, a kill switch, no identifying logs, decent speeds, and more. WindScribe’s Android app is easy to use, and you can download it from Google Play. It also provides the APK on its website.

Windscribe VPN (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Also Great: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN also offers a decent free plan you can try. It comes with unlimited bandwidth, but you lose on the VPN speed. The service prioritizes the premium users over the free users, so you’re likely to get less speed than what’s available on the premium plan. In addition, the server locations are limited to just three countries — Japan, Netherlands, and the US. You do get 23 servers, though. Also, you can only connect one device at a time with the free plan.

VPN features include support for split tunneling, no ads, no logging, open-source apps, and a kill switch. The ProtonVPN Android app is available via Google Play, F-Droid, and the company website.

Proton VPN - Free VPN, Secure & Unlimited (Free, Google Play) →

Best Budget VPN App: SurfShark

Picking a budget VPN is tricky because of the discounted long-term pricing offered by different services. Some services, like SurfShark, provide affordable rates for their two-year promotional plan, but they charge double the rate for subsequent annual subscriptions. While with other services, like WindScribe Pro, you get a flat yearly subscription price. So if you’re planning to use a VPN service for years, make sure you do the math. Almost all VPN services offered in this list have pretty decent rates.

Based on its two-year promotional pricing, SurfShark is the best budget VPN around. You end up paying just $59.76 (effectively $2.49 per month) for the first two years and the same amount for every subsequent year. Despite its affordable price tag, the service offers pretty much everything you’d want from a VPN. You get simultaneous use on unlimited devices, an ad blocker, no logs, split tunneling, a kill switch, and more.

The service gives you access to over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. You can download the SurfShark app via Google Play or the company website.

VPN Surfshark: Fastest VPN Proxy Servers (Free⁺, Google Play) →

These are the best VPN apps for Android that you can download right now. Which VPN service do you use? Do you think we missed a great VPN app? Let us know in the comments section.

The post These are the Best VPN apps for Android: ExpressVPN, Mullvad, WindScribe, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3bF28Z0
via IFTTT

New OnePlus Watch update adds Spotify music mode, new watch faces and more

OnePlus’s first attempt at a smartwatch didn’t meet with the same level of enthusiasm the company had hoped for. While the OnePlus Watch was praised for its premium design and long-lasting battery, it received a lot of criticism for its unpolished software experience, limited third-party apps support, and inaccurate fitness tracking features. OnePlus has rolled out several software updates to address some of these issues. The last major update for the OnePlus Watch came in July, which improved the speed and accuracy of GPS and optimized some UI elements. Now OnePlus has just released a new software update for the OnePlus Watch, which further refines the software experience and adds new features to the smartwatch.

The B.65 update, firmware version W301GB_B_65_0654, brings along a host of improvements and features, including Spotify music mode, new watch faces, optimized sleep tracking, and more.

OnePlus Watch Review: A Promising First Attempt at a Smartwatch

Apart from the above improvements, the update also adds support for displaying real-time navigation on the watch and the ability to adjust vibration intensity from the watch settings.

Screenshot credit: OnePlus forum user danishhazari

The B.65 update weighs 50MP in size and includes the following changes:

• Add
  • Spotify music mode, sync your Spotify playlist.
  • Support real-time display of some navigation, easy to watch the navigation by raising your hand.
  • Add 4 new watch faces, enjoy your new style!
  • Support mobile phone alarm reminder linkage.
• Optimization
  • Optimize the sleep algorithm and make sleep detection smarter.
  • The vibration intensity can be adjusted in the watch setting to experience stronger vibration reminders.

OnePlus Watch XDA Forums

The B.65 update has started rolling out, and OnePlus Watch owners can look forward to receiving the OTA in the coming days. To check for the update, open the OnePlus Health app on your smartphone and head to Manage > Device settings > Device update.

OnePlus Health (Free, Google Play) →

---

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the tip!

The post New OnePlus Watch update adds Spotify music mode, new watch faces and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3jCHVs3
via IFTTT

Samsung Internet 16 enhances search results, adds page zoom, and more

Samsung Internet is one of the best Chromium-based Android browsers out there. In some ways, it’s even better than Google Chrome, offering features like a built-in ad blocker, customizable interface, and enhanced privacy and security controls. Samsung has just released a new beta release for the browser, which further improves the browsing experience.

Samsung Internet 16.0 beta based on Chromium 92 is here, and it includes improvements to search experience, protection against transparent pixels, and page zoom support on phones and tablets.

The latest version offers an enhanced search experience. When you enter a search term in the address bar, you’ll see a list of relevant results that includes potential answers, search suggestion chips, and bookmarks and history suggestions. For example, if you type “weather,” the current weather for your location will be shown right below the address bar without having to load the search results. Note that this isn’t exclusive to Samsung Internet — Google Chrome has had this ability for a long while. Furthermore, as you type your search term in the address bar, search suggestions now appear as small chips instead of a drop-down list, allowing more results to be displayed on the screen.

Samsung Internet 16.0 beta is now also able to identify and block a type of malicious tracker which uses a tiny, almost invisible image to track which websites you visit across domains. The new Smart Protect feature in Samsung Internet will find these images and render them useless.

Finally, Samsung Internet 16.0 beta is adding a new accessibility feature that allows users to zoom into any web page on smartphones and tablets.

You can try out all these improvements in the latest beta of Samsung Internet that’s currently rolling out on the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store. As always, the stable release will follow in the coming weeks.

Samsung Internet Browser Beta (Free, Google Play) →

The post Samsung Internet 16 enhances search results, adds page zoom, and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3yCArJQ
via IFTTT

Samsung unveils the first 200MP camera sensor for smartphones

After launching the industry’s first 0.64μm mobile image sensor, the ISOCELL JN1, in June, Samsung has now unveiled the first 200MP camera sensor for smartphones. The new Samsung ISOCELL HP1 is also based on Samsung’s 0.64μm-sized pixels, and it offers ultra-high resolution in a small package.

The Samsung ISOCELL HP1 promises ultimate low-light performance, thanks to the all-new ChameleonCell pixel-binning technology. This allows the sensor to use a two-by-two, four-by-four, or full pixel layout depending on the environment. In low-lighting conditions, the ISOCELL HP1 can merge 16 neighboring pixels into one large 2.56μm pixel, offering an effective resolution of 12.5MP. The larger pixels help the sensor capture more light and produce brighter photos.

Samsung ISOCELL HP1 pixel layout

As far as video capabilities are concerned, the ISOCELL HP1 can capture 8K video at 30fps with minimum loss in the field of view. The sensor merges four neighboring pixels to bring down the effective resolution to 50MP, allowing for 8K video capture without any need to crop or scale down the full image resolution.

Along with the ISOCELL HP1, Samsung has also announced the ISOCELL GN5. It’s the industry’s first 1.0μm sensor to integrate Dual Pixel Pro — an all-directional autofocusing technology. According to Samsung, this technology “places two photodiodes, the smallest in the industry, within each 1.0μm pixel of the sensor either horizontally or vertically to recognize pattern changes in all directions. With one million phase-detecting multi-directional photodiodes covering all areas of the sensor, the ISOCELL GN5’s autofocusing becomes instantaneous, enabling sharper images in either bright or low-lit environments.”

Samsung ISOCELL GN5 Dual Pixel FDTI

The ISOCELL GN5 also uses Samsung’s proprietary pixel technology that applies Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) on a Dual Pixel product for the first time in the industry. This technology allows each photodiode to absorb and hold more light information, improving its full-well capacity (FWC) and decreasing crosstalk within the pixel.

Currently, Samsung hasn’t shared any information on when we can expect to see these new sensors on smartphones. The company may offer the ISOCELL HP1 on its upcoming flagship Galaxy S22 lineup, but we don’t have any concrete evidence pointing towards that right now. We’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we learn more.

The post Samsung unveils the first 200MP camera sensor for smartphones appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3zDrIYV
via IFTTT

Google Assistant’s quick phrases will let you ditch the “Hey Google” hotword

Back in April, a mysterious “voice shortcuts” page popped up for some users in Google Assistant’s settings page. The page directed users to internal Google documentation for a feature code-named guacamole. A few months later in June, we learned that that the feature would be called “quick phrases” and allow users to ditch the “Hey Google” hotword for common voice interactions. Now, more details have emerged about how this upcoming feature will work.

According to 9to5Google, Quick phrases will let you perform a wide range of tasks without having to say the “Hey Google” hotword. For example, if you want to ask the Assistant about the weather, you won’t have to say the customary “Hey Google” first. Instead, you can just say “What’s the weather?” and the Assistant will be able to pick it up and respond.

Screenshots shared by 9to5Google shows Quick phrases will be divided across various categories such as Recommended, Alarms, Connect, General info, Lights, Media Controls, Timers, and To-Dos.

Google currently plans to add the following Quick phrases:

• Set alarms: “Set an alarm for 7 a.m.”
• Cancel alarms: “Cancel the alarm”
• Show alarms: “What time is my alarm set for?”
• Send broadcasts: “Send a broadcast”
• Respond to calls: “Answer” & “Decline”
• Ask about time: “What time is it?”
• Ask about weather: “What’s the weather?”
• Turn lights on & off: “Turn the lights on”
• Turn lights up & down: “Increase the brightness”
• Control volume: “Turn up the volume”
• Pause & resume music: “Pause the music”
• Skip tracks: “Skip this song”
• Set timers: “Set a timer for 2 minutes”
• Cancel timers: “Cancel the timer”
• Pause & resume timers: “Pause the timer”
• Reset timers: “Reset the timer”
• Show timers: “How much time is left?”
• Reminders: “Create a reminder”
• Family notes: “Create a family note”

The Quick phrases feature is still under development and hasn’t been rolled out to users yet. It’s unclear whether the feature will be limited to newer Nest speakers and smart displays or if it will be available on older Google Home speakers as well.

Google Assistant (Free, Google Play) →

The post Google Assistant’s quick phrases will let you ditch the “Hey Google” hotword appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3mVQ7Wq
via IFTTT

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: Which smartwatch should you buy?

Samsung has launched its latest wearables as part of the Galaxy Watch 4 series and these include the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. These are the first two smartwatches that come with the latest version of WearOS, albeit with a custom UI on top called OneUI Watch. It’s not just about the software though. The Galaxy Watch 4 brings a host of improvements compared to the previous generation of the Galaxy Watch even in terms of hardware.

While the standard Galaxy Watch replaces the Galaxy Watch Active 2, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is a successor to the Galaxy Watch 3 from last year. If you’re wondering whether you should upgrade to the new smartwatch from Samsung or if you’re planning to get a new one and wondering to get the latest watch or to get the older one on a sweet discount, we’re here to help you out with that decision.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Specs

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: Specifications

Specification	Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic	Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Size(s)	42mm 46mm	41mm 45mm
Dimensions and Weight	42mm: 41.5×41.5×11.2mm, 46.5g 46mm: 45.5×45.5×11.0mm, 52g Stainless steel case	41mm: 41.0×42.5×11.3mm, 48g 45mm: 45.0×46.2×11.1mm, 53g
Display	42mm: 1.19-inch (330PPI) 46mm: 1.36-inch (330PPI)	41mm: 1.2-inch 45mm: 1.4-inch
Processor	Exynos W920 (5nm)	Exynos 9110 (10nm)
Memory	1.5GB RAM 16GB Internal Storage	1GB RAM 8GB Internal Storage
Battery	42mm: 247mAh 46mm: 361mAh	41mm: 247mAh 45mm: 340mAh
Sensors	Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Light, Samsung BioActive Sensor	Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, ECG, Light, PPG
Connectivity	LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz, NFC, GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Gallileo	LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz, NFC, GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Gallileo
Durability	5ATM water-resistant IP68 MIL-STD-810G	5ATM water-resistant IP68 MIL-STD-810G
OS	OneUI Watch	Tizen OS

Hardware: Improvements all over

The new Galaxy Watch 4 Classic gets newer and better hardware both on the inside and the outside compared to the Galaxy Watch 3 from last year. The design is slightly updated and looks more formal and classy on the Watch 4 Classic. On the inside, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is powered by the latest Exynos W920 chipset which is based on a 5nm manufacturing process. This chip is much faster and more power-efficient compared to the Exynos 9110 on the Galaxy Watch 3.

The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic also gets more RAM and storage, 1.5GB and 16GB instead of 1GB and 8GB on the Galaxy Watch 3. More RAM helps with smoother performance and more storage means you can now install more apps and store more songs and podcasts offline on your watch. The power-efficient chip means that with almost the same capacity battery on both watches, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will give you better battery life.

The overall size of the dial is slightly larger on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic but the chassis is thinner compared to the Galaxy Watch 3. This is mainly because Samsung’s new BioActive Sensor combines all vital sensors required for health tracking into one unit instead of having multiple different sensors contributing to the thickness of the watch.

Health Features

Thanks to the new BioActive Sensor we just talked about, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic brings new health features to the table. While the Galaxy Watch 3 could measure heart rate, SpO2, and even ECG, the new Galaxy Watch 4 Classic takes it up a notch and has the ability to perform a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis or BIA. This is used to measure body composition or in simple terms, track your BMI, muscle fat, water content, visceral fat, etc. The Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the first smartwatches to do so and is definitely a bonus for anyone who is serious about their health tracking.

Software: The latest version of Wear OS is finally here, kind of

When Google announced it was partnering with Samsung to give Wear OS a much-needed overhaul, all of us were excited to see what was coming. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are the first smartwatches to come with the latest version of Wear OS, but with a host of add-ons from Samsung. Samsung has been using Tizen on their smartwatches and while it helped with a smoother UI and better battery performance when compared to earlier versions of Wear OS, it was lacking in the features department.

You could only use Samsung’s apps and a few third-party apps on Tizen whereas you can now download countless apps from the Google Play Store, thanks to the integration with Wear OS. Samsung, however, has heavily modified the UI and is calling it OneUI Watch. Of course, you can use the Galaxy Watch 4 with any Android device that comes with GMS core (sorry, Huawei users) but it works best with Samsung’s phones since a lot of the stock apps are Samsung’s own apps instead of Google’s and some functions are also exclusive to Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Oh, and the new Galaxy Watch 4 Classic also doesn’t work with iOS devices.

Verdict: Which one should you buy?

The answer is pretty obvious at this point. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is overall a better smartwatch in probably every single aspect. The Galaxy Watch 3 is also a good smartwatch, but the older CPU and limitations of Tizen OS are where it loses out in comparison to the new Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. If you’re on a strict budget though, you can still get a Galaxy Watch 3 if you don’t really use a lot of third-party apps on your watch and you mainly want a wearable for fitness tracking. Prior to the Watch 4 coming out, the Galaxy Watch 3 was widely regarded as one of the better smartwatch options around for Android users.

As of writing, both the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and the Galaxy Watch 3 are retailing for the same price of $349 on Samsung’s website which seems weird and in such a scenario, there’s no doubt you should pick up the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. If you can find a good deal on the Galaxy Watch 3 a few months down the line, you can still consider getting one with a sweet discount.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has a new BioActive sensor, and a new unified software platform called One UI Watch.

View at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

The Galaxy Watch 3 runs on Tizen OS and an older chip but if you find a good deal, it can still be a decent option.

View at Samsung

If you’re an Android user, you’ve surely been longing for a good smartwatch that can compete against the Apple Watch, and looks like Samsung finally has a winner. If you want to know how the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic compares to the Apple Watch Series 6, we have a dedicated comparison highlighting the differences between both watches. In case you decide to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, we also have a list of the best bands for the Galaxy Watch 4, so you can choose something that better matches your style.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: Which smartwatch should you buy? appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2WKBolN
via IFTTT