News

Samsung starts removing free chargers from affordable phones

Starts with the Galaxy F23 5G

Published

March 7, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Remember the great charging scandal a few years ago? Starting another controversial trend, Apple removed the free charging adapters from its iPhone packaging. The company’s rivals lambasted Apple for doing so but ironically followed suit for flagships not long after. Still, adapter fans could still claim a new one with more affordable devices. However, that’s changing soon. Samsung has started removing charging adapters from its affordable lineup.

In India, Samsung recently launched the Galaxy F23 5G, a new entry into the company’s more affordable roster. While Samsung usually retained free charging adapters in this lineup, the Galaxy F23 5G is the first one to not have one, as confirmed by Onsitego. In fact, it’s not just the first one in that lineup; it’s Samsung’s first affordable phone to not carry the valued accessory.

Though not a flagship, the Galaxy F23 5G isn’t a slouch itself. The 6.6-inch smartphone sports a Snapdragon 750G processor. It even has a 50-megapixel rear camera, paired with an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor and an additional 2-megapixel one. The front panel has an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. Finally, it has a 5000mAh battery compatible with 25W fast charging.

Regardless, users won’t be able to use the 25W fast charging capabilities without buying a new charger to go along with it. While the Galaxy F23 5G is only one affordable phone limited to India, it is likely that more charger-less phones are coming to more smartphones in more countries. Samsung, in fact, confirmed so in the past. Likewise, it is also likely that consumers won’t agree to the decision.

News

Apple ready to launch a lot of devices in next 12 months

Including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Watches

Published

June 28, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Apple is obviously releasing new devices later this year. As is tradition, the company is readying for the launch of the next flagship series, the iPhone 14. However, it looks like the iPhone 14 series isn’t the only thing Apple is preparing for. According to a new report, the company is set to launch a plethora of products between now and early 2023.

As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has a lot of surprises for its fans. Besides the four upcoming models of the iPhone 14 series, the company will also launch “three Apple Watch variations, several Macs with M2 and M3 chips, the company’s first mixed-reality headset, low-end and high-end iPads, updated AirPods Pro earbuds, a fresh HomePod and an upgraded Apple TV.”

Previously, Apple was rumored to upgrade its iPad lineup, starting with a base iPad compatible with USB-C. With geopolitical pressure potentially forcing the company to completely shift to USB-C, a good number of new devices makes sense — that is, if USB-C is truly coming soon.

Besides that, the company has also teased an absurd number of changes and new features coming to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, and macOS Ventura. It looks like an intensive refresh of software. A good set of software will naturally complement a similarly impressive set of hardware coming soon.

SEE ALSO: iOS 16: Best New Features

Accessories

Samsung has Starbucks-themed cases for coffee lovers

Exclusive to South Korea

Published

June 28, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Since the company is from the country, Samsung offers a lot of exclusives in South Korea. Previously, the company sold a Pokémon-themed exclusive edition of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in — you guessed it — South Korea. Now, it has another set of exclusives. This time, it’s for coffee lovers. Samsung is now selling a Starbucks-themed cases for the Galaxy S22 series and the Galaxy Buds 2.

The smartphone cases are pretty straightforward. Sporting the coffee company’s iconic green, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ cases have either a patch with the Starbucks logo or a tagline that says, “Count Stars in Your Galaxy.”

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S22 Ultra features a more iconic case with a strap at the back. One variant has the iconic green-and-white color combination with a patch of a bear wearing a Starbucks apron. The other one has the strap designed as a Starbucks receipt.

While the smartphone cases are nifty on their own, the charging case for the Galaxy Buds 2 are on a league of their own. One model is a minimalist green with the Starbucks patch. The other, however, looks like a coffee mug with aesthetic latte art inside and a Starbucks logo at its side.

As with the previously mentioned Pokémon-themed products, the Starbucks-themed set is exclusive to South Korea and will be limited while supplies last.

Entertainment

Netflix confirms ads are coming later this year

In a cheaper subscription tier

Published

June 25, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Netflix is currently in a bind. As the platform’s rivals grow, Netflix has started shrinking and losing subscribers. The company has also started pondering on alternative strategies to maintain its grip on the streaming world. One of the most recent ideas involves the introduction of a cheaper, ad-supported subscription tier. Now, after much strategizing, Netflix has all but confirmed its addition later this year.

During the recent Cannes Lion advertising festival (via The Hollywood Reporter), Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed that the platform is indeed adding a cheaper option for subscribers by the end of the year. While the platform was initially averse to including ads, Sarandos has stated that some subscribers actually don’t mind ads in return for a cheaper price per month.

Prior to an official announcement, Netflix has not announced how much the new subscription will cost on launch. Likewise, they haven’t confirmed whether the tier will come to all countries and territories where Netflix is present.

If anything, Netflix isn’t alone or the first in adding an ad-supported subscription tier. Hulu, for example, already offers such a tier. Hulu’s partner streaming platform, Disney+, is also considering adding a similar tier later this year.

Besides adding the ad-supported tier, Netflix is also pumping up its presence in the gaming world. They are also considering another payment system meant for users who share their passwords to non-subscribers.