Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy A56, A36 brings Awesome Intelligence

AI for less

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It’s always a good thing when features introduced in flagship models make their way to devices with a more approachable price point. That’s the story of the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36.

Recently, Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36. For the first time, the midrange lineup is getting Awesome Intelligence, Samsung’s take on AI-based software. Pair it with Samsung’s impressive hardware, and you have the makings of a promising midrange smartphone.

A throng of improvements under the hood

Compared to last year’s Exynos 1480, the Galaxy A56 gets a more impressive Exynos 1580 chipset. The new processor promises 12 percent better NPU performance, 17 percent GPU performance, and 18 percent better CPU performance, opposite the Exynos 1480. 

On the other hand, the Galaxy A36 has the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, which provides an 8 percent better CPU performance compared to the Exynos 1380.

They will have a slightly larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. To maximize entertainment, they are capable of up to 1200 nits of brightness and Dolby Atmos.

As for cameras, both the Galaxy A56 and the A36 will have a 50-megapixel OIS (f/1.8) main camera capable of HDR video capturing and a 5-megapixel f/2.4 macro lens. However, the Galaxy A56 will have a 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, as opposed to the Galaxy A36’s 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide lens.

Both models will have a 5000mAh battery, compatible with 45W fast charging. Samsung says that the battery will charge to full in just 68 minutes.

Awesome Intelligence is for everyone

Samsung is touting that the new midrange devices will bring AI to everyone. The Galaxy A series will get a host of features that should prove useful for everyone.

For one, both models will get AI Select. Using the feature, both phones can automatically select information on the screen. It can select text, copy phone numbers, or even turn videos into GIFs.

Best Face, another new AI-based feature, will automatically select the best faces in a batch of selfies and groufies you took.

Price, availability

Exclusive to the online store, the 8GB+128GB variants of the Galaxy A36 and the A36 will cost you PhP 19,990 and PhP 23,990, respectively.

On the other hand, the 8GB+256GB variant will cost PhP 21,990 for the Galaxy A36 and PhP 25,990 for the Galaxy A56.

News

Google will force Android users to use Gemini next month

Google Assistant will be retired as well.

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What is Google’s voice assistant called? Technically, there are two possible answers: Google Assistant and Gemini. Despite Google’s push for Gemini, the ubiquitous Google Assistant is still a common option for most users. However, the company will soon take that choice away as the voice assistant will retire in favor of Gemini.

First reported by 9to5Google, Google has sent emails to users, declaring that Google Assistant will no longer be an option for Android users starting September 4. On that date, the company will slowly roll out an update to get rid of the assistant’s availability on device.

Google also makes it clear that Gemini will be “the assistant experience on Android” moving forward. If you’re used to Google Assistant to help you with handsfree use, you’ll have only one option soon. This also affects other peripherals including smartwatches and audio accessories.

Of course, there are a few exceptions. Devices that can’t support an AI-powered assistant like Gemini are mercifully spared of the forced transition. Likewise, devices in countries that don’t support the AI assistant are also saved.

Despite the tepid reception of AI today, Google remains adamant about pushing Gemini to more users, regardless of whether they want it or not. In fact, a forced move like this will likely inflate the numbers that more devices are using Google’s AI software than ever before, while conveniently hiding the fact that most users never really had much of a choice.

SEE ALSO: Apple gives up on making AI, inks a deal with Gemini to power Siri

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News

OnePlus officially leaves the United States and Canada

The brand’s smartphones are now sold out in the United States.

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Once upon a time, OnePlus used to be the darling child of smartphone users on a budget. For a more meager price than a flagship, users can enjoy flagship specs on a uniquely designed phone. Who can forget the iconic OnePlus One?

Unfortunately, prices have a way of catching up. Though the brand’s phones are still perfectly good, more options have already emerged as alternatives for a so-called flagship killer, including OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei’s Nothing.

Now, marking the brand’s next step, whatever that is, OnePlus has officially left the North American market. As of today, the company has sold its last smartphone in the United States and Canada. Going on the official OnePlus website will warrant a Sold Out sign for both the OnePlus 15 and 15R. If anything, users can still get a handful of earbuds and cases.

As with everything that sells out, if you really want to cop one of the last remaining models in America, you can grab one off a third-party retailer, but who knows until when that will last?

This isn’t just a stocking issue, either. In July, the company already confirmed that it is pulling out of the region starting this month. It’s a sign of internal restructuring happening inside OPPO and all the brands under its umbrella. There’s also a rumor that OnePlus was relegated to being a sub-brand of OPPO once again.

SEE ALSO: OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

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Features

GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey

A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.

It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.

Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.

While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.


All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

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