News
Samsung fined millions for claiming phones are waterproof
Spoiler: they’re not waterproof

Especially during the summer, it’s tempting to use a smartphone while in the pool or on the beach. How else can we snap wicked shots in or under the water? However, despite how advanced technology already is, smartphone makers still don’t advise intensive underwater use. Samsung, after encouraging users to try it for themselves, is learning the hazards of giving a go-ahead to go underwater.
In Australia, Samsung is facing a US$ 9.7 million fine for running a series of ads that emphasized their smartphones’ water-resistant nature. These ads explicitly showed smartphone use while at the beach or while surfing.
IP68 resistance does exist (and has existed for a while), though. When pressed hard enough, users can safely expose their devices to water for a limited time and depth. However, the resistance comes with an important caveat that extends far beyond time and distance limitations: You can only use it in fresh water.
Thus, as the Australian authorities rightly claims, it’s inaccurate to depict smartphone use in saltwater or in pool water. They have also received several complaints from users that the devices broke down after being submerged in these types of water. It’s a case of misleading advertising.
The ads in question ran from 2016 to 2018. They advertised the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, A5 (2017), A7 (2017), S8, S8 Plus, and Note 8. Now, smartphones are more careful about including the fine print for their water resistance.
Still, fine prints are fine prints, and advertising is advertising. Don’t submerge your phones in water, especially if you can help it.
SEE ALSO: Samsung has a lot of unsold smartphones


Ubisoft has announced Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a new action-adventure title to be released on January 18, 2024. It will be available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One. It will also be on Windows via Ubisoft and Epic Games.
The brand-new adventure which is a fresh take on the legendary franchise. It was announced at Ubisoft’s Summer Game Fest live showcase.
It will feature Sargon, a young gifted warrior who is part of an elite group called The Immortals.
The group is tasked to rescue Prince Ghassan, and they will explore Mount Qaf. It is a cursed and hostile place that was once wondrous. It is here where Sargon and the rest discover a treacherous foe they must defeat to restore balance in the world.
Well-represented culture
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown lets players explore a Persian mythology-inspired world at their own pace. This includes everything from the Citadel of Knowledge to the Hyrcanian Forest.
Along the way, players will acquire time powers to unlock unique abilities for combat. Sargon will then delve deeper into Mount Qaf to solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and complete side quests.
The game also highlights original soundtrack created by Iranian-born composer Mentrix, who mixes traditional with modern to guide players from one environment to another.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is one of Ubisoft’s upcoming titles that will be previewed during its Ubisoft Forward conference on June 13.

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event is coming home. The smartphone giant will unveil its next generation of foldable devices in late July 2023. The event will take place at the COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam in the South Korean capital of Seoul.
Samsung has held Unpacked in key cities around the world. These include Las Vegas, New York, London, Berlin, and Barcelona since 2010.
Now, the global platform will focus on Samsung’s next line of foldables, as well as its groundbreaking technologies to offer the world a glimpse into the future.
The brand has enjoyed success in the foldable smartphone category; in 2022, the Korean market has had a remarkable 13.6% foldable phone adoption rate.
Samsung has also dominated foldable phone market shares last year, enjoying more than an 80% mark.
Global shipments have also increased, while it is predicted that foldables’ compound annual growth will increase to more than 30%.
Samsung introduced its first ever Galaxy Fold in 2019, and since then, the company has released a handful of high-end devices, with the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 being its latest.
SEE ALSO: 90 days with the Galaxy Z Fold4

The release date of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has been revealed. The much anticipated sequel will drop on October 20 for PlayStation 5.
The game will come in Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector’s editions, for the following prices
Standard Edition
- Singapore: SG$ 97.90
- Malaysia: MYR 299
- Indonesia: IDR 1,029,000
- Philippines: PhP 3,490
- Vietnam: PhP 1,799,000
Digital Deluxe Edition
- Singapore: SG$ 109.00
- Malaysia: MYR 399
- Indonesia: IDR 1,179,000
- Philippines: N/A
- Vietnam: N/A
Collector’s Edition
- Singapore: SG$ 318.90
- Malaysia: MYR 969
- Indonesia: IDR 3,349,000
- Philippines: PhP 11,490
- Vietnam: PhP 5,799,000
Pre-orders will start on June 16 in all participating retailers and PlayStation stores.
The Digital Deluxe edition will include the game, all pre-order incentives, as well as 10 unique suits – five for each – additional Photo Mode frames and stickers, and two additional skill points.
For hardcore fans, the Collector’s Edition includes a voucher for the Digital Deluxe Edition, as well as a Steelbook case, and an extraordinary, high-quality 19-inch statue featuring both Spider-Men battling Venom.
Explore New York as both Peter, Miles
In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players will get to experience Marvel’s New York as both the protagonists. The main storyline will have them take both Spider-Men at different points of the campaign.
As players explore Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, fan-favorite villains like Venom, Lizard, and Kraven will threaten them, and it’s up to them to utilize Peter and Miles’ new abilities to win.
Eddie Brock isn’t Venom
Another sort of big reveal is that Venom won’t be Eddie Brock which is how it initially played out in the original comic books. Insomniac Games Creative Director confirmed as much at the Summer Game Fest 2023.
“It is not Eddie Brock, our goal was to tell an original story something you haven’t seen in the comics and the movies yet,” said Intihar.
SEE ALSO: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 shows 10 minutes of gameplay
-
Features2 weeks ago
How well do PlayStation games run on the ROG Ally?
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Nintendo issues takedown notice against Steam
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Naughty Dog apologizes for delay of next Last of Us game
-
Automotive2 weeks ago
MediaTek confirms partnership with NVIDIA
-
Gaming1 week ago
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart coming to PC
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Honkai Star Rail version 1.1 coming June 7
-
Gaming1 week ago
MSI partners with Mercedes-AMG for new gaming notebook
-
Philippines1 week ago
vivo V27 series users get meet & greet with Maine Mendoza