Apps & Services
Samsung nearby device scanning update brings compatibility with matter
Samsung is currently distributing an update for a feature named “Nearby Device Scanning.” This feature is essential to keep scanning for compatible devices such as Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watches, and SmartThings products, which are available nearby. With this currently rolling-out update, Samsung will also provide the support of “Matter Easy Pair” to eligible Galaxy devices. Let’s take a look at what this new function is.
Let us tell you that whenever the Nearby Device Scanning service finds any compatible device, it sends us a notification asking if we want to connect to it or not. Now Samsung is rolling out its app version 11.1.08.07 to Galaxy devices, which can be installed from the Galaxy Store. Besides, as it has got Matter Easy Pair’s support, it will now suggest compatible nearby Matter devices as well.
For those unaware, Matter Easy Pair service lets Galaxy users set up the latest Matter-compatible Smart Home appliances easily because other brands’ Smart Home products have their individual and different connectivity parameters and standards, which don’t let their devices connect to other manufacturers’ Smart Home products. Thankfully, the issue will now be resolved with the arrival of Matter.
Informatively, Matter is a new connectivity standard developed by various tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung to simply the connectivity of Smart Home products. It will reach consumers’ homes in the coming months with brands like Govi, Eve, Philips Hue, and others. Similarly, because those ideal tech brands developed it, their devices will also get this update soon as the Galaxy devices.
Google is gearing up to add an extra layer of parental control that can prevent a user from sending a message until they are approved.
The Google Messages app permits users to send and receive text and voice messages, photos, and videos. Now, to enhance users’ experiences, the brand is working on adding new support for powerful parental control that can offer extra security since it stops a person from sending a message without approval.
Google Messages has pretty much become the default messaging application on Android devices, and the RCS is the backbone behind this, so it’s quite widely used. That’s the reason why Google realizes the need to offer this parental control support to parents. It might come as good news that Messages appears to be adding new convenient support.
However, it is not officially clear yet that this support is coming to Google Messages. This report is being speculated on in Google Messages v20240416_00_RC01 and shared by PiunikaWeb. This support will be efficient in scenarios where parents block their children from sending messages until they are approved.
The unapproved conversations will have a message stating, “To send, ask your parent for approval.” Although at the moment it is not exactly clear yet how this functionality will work, it is expected that it could work on a per-contact basis and be controlled by the parent from Google’s existing Family Link application; this could cover both SMS and RCS messages.
Samsung has already started rolling out the Android 14-based One UI 6.1 update. Initially, the Galaxy S24 series came out of the box on One UI 6.1, then the 2023 Galaxy flagship received the update, and now 2022 Galaxy high-end devices are in the line. Now Samsung has confirmed that you can’t delete Secure Folder after One UI 6.1.
Samsung Secure Folder is a private, encrypted space available on Galaxy devices that stores images, videos, files, apps, and data, but despite this, it can’t get enough appreciation, and it is one of the most underrated features on Galaxy devices.
Now, after installing the latest One UI 6.1 update, it seems that some of the users can’t delete the Secure Folder application. This is being acknowledged by a Samsung representative who confirmed this issue on the Korean Community forum. The inability to delete Secure Folder was related to a “Google security policy” that was applied to One UI 6.1.
The issue only affects the Secure Folder app, which is running on 1.9.10.27. Apart from this, Samsung has also confirmed that this issue affected the devices that are running on One UI 6.1, including the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series.
The giant noted that it plans to update the Secure Folder through the Galaxy Store so users will have the power to delete it again as per their preference. Although this issue isn’t a major one, Samsung will soon fix it. At the time, the brand has not revealed the exact timeline for the update, but it is expected to arrive in the coming week.
Samsung TV Plus is inspiring the Walt Disney brand as it is now gearing up to offer something on the Disney Plus platform similar to how Samsung TV Plus offers live channels on Galaxy devices.
Samsung never shies away from providing new convenient features or upgrades to enhance users’ experiences. Here’s the evidence: Samsung TV Plus offers free live channels on Samsung devices. Now Disney Plus is appearing to add always-on channels to its streaming platform. These channels would continuously show content, allowing users to jump in and watch without even having to choose a particular program.
If the reports are to be believed, the Walt Disney Company is setting up to deliver always-on channels in the Disney Plus application. It is expected that Disney would mainly show Star Wars and Marvel content on these channels; it might also offer Disney’s classic animated movies from Pixar on them.
However, you are only able to access these always-on channels if you have a paid subscription to the platform. Despite paid service, these channels will also show advertisements, the same as a traditional TV channel on a cable network or a DTH service. This will also offer the option to just start watching content instead of choosing what to watch, searching for it, and then playing the show.
At the moment, apart from the information mentioned above, there are no other details to come to know regarding exactly when Disney will roll out the new feature. However, it could happen in the next few months. It seems that lately, other streaming platforms, for instance, Amazon and Fox, have also started offering ad-supported channels.