News

Samsung is reportedly throttling over 10,000 apps

Including Instagram and Netflix

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When you buy a new flagship, the minimum expectation simply asks for top performance. The last thing you’d want to hear is that your brand-new smartphone isn’t giving you the power it advertised. Yet here we are. Reports exploding out of South Korea have revealed that Samsung is throttling its smartphone’s performance.

Via Android Authority, the issue first got traction from South Korean users who spotted the debacle. It has since reached substantial mass when the news reached Twitter. “Substantial” isn’t an exaggeration, either. According to the findings and subsequent complaints, over 10,000 apps were throttled on Samsung’s devices.

Fortunately, the findings have also revealed which app is causing all the issues. The culprit is Samsung’s Game Optimizing Service. As the name indicates, the app is meant to optimize the device’s performance and battery life for hardy gaming sessions. However, the extensive list doesn’t just cover games. Popular apps, like Instagram and Netflix, were also affected.

Reports have not been consistent about which devices had the app, though. While the Android Authority’s article cites that the issue goes only up to the Galaxy S21 series, some have found the app in their new Galaxy S22 smartphones.

What is Samsung doing?

According to a Naver blog, Samsung is aware of the issue and is currently investigating the app. The same source notes that the company is approaching the issue with the same severity as the infamous Galaxy Note 7.

In a separate source from Twitter, Samsung will reportedly roll out updates allowing users to control how the Game Optimizing Service can prioritize performance. It looks like the app isn’t going away just yet.

Samsung now finds itself in a rough spot barraged by public opinion. Most of the outrage comes from three sides: “why didn’t Samsung give the option in the first place,” “why didn’t Samsung notify its users of the throttling,” and “why isn’t Samsung delivering on its promised performance.”

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ Hands-on

Gaming

PlayStation goes all-digital in 2028

Physical discs are ending

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PlayStation 30th Anniversary Edition

Sony PlayStation will stop producing physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028.

The company says the move reflects changing consumer habits. More players now buy games digitally instead of on disc.

Games released before January 2028 will not be affected. Those titles will continue to receive physical editions as planned.

After the transition, all new PlayStation games will launch in digital format only. Players can buy them through the PlayStation Store or from retailers selling digital game codes.

Sony says the shift will help it focus on digital distribution. It also wants to give players more ways to purchase games while continuing to improve the gaming experience.

The move also signals a major change for the industry.

Players will no longer be able to buy physical copies of new PlayStation games after January 2027. That could reduce the second-hand game market since digital purchases cannot usually be resold.

Collectors may also see fewer special editions that include game discs. Future collector’s editions could instead bundle digital download codes with physical merchandise.

The transition also makes reliable internet access more important. Every new game will need to be downloaded, and players may need to upgrade their storage as game sizes continue to grow.

For Sony and game publishers, the move could lower manufacturing and shipping costs. It also gives them greater control over pricing, distribution, and digital sales.

While the company did not mention game preservation, some players may also raise concerns about long-term ownership. Unlike physical discs, digital games depend on online storefronts and account access.

Sony thanked players for their continued support and said it remains committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience as the industry continues its shift toward digital.

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Accessories

Nothing confirms Ear (3a) is coming this month

It launches alongside the Phone (4b) on July 7.

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Nothing Ear (2)

From being told to not expect anything this year, Nothing fans suddenly have a lot to look forward to. The brand already launched the Phone (4a) series earlier this year, and the new Phone (4b) is likewise coming this month. Now, the Ear (3a) has also been announced.

Through an official teaser on X, Nothing announced that the Ear (3a) is launching alongside the Phone (4b) on July 7. Unfortunately, the short teaser doesn’t spill what the earbuds will look like. However, it does confirm that there will be four colorway options: White, Black, Yellow, and Pink.

Despite being under a relatively new brand, the Ear series carries a lot of history for Nothing. It is, after all, the brand’s first consumer-ready product which came out before the Phones. Since then, the earbuds typify Nothing’s iconic transparent designs. Now, there’s no indication that the Ear (3a) will depart from this tradition, but we’ll see a lot more color, at least.

The Ear (3a) isn’t the only spotlight in this teaser. Nothing also says that the video was shot with the upcoming Phone (4b). Though the video doesn’t spoil the phone’s camera hardware, it’s clear that it can shoot decent videos under relatively low-light conditions. (Of course, we’ll need a better look to confirm that.)

The Phone (4b) and the Ear (3a) are scheduled to launch worldwide on July 7.

SEE ALSO: No new CMF phones this year, Nothing confirms

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News

Samsung is working on the Galaxy Ring 2

It will have better health tracking and a longer battery life.

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Though the wearable launched with a lot of promise, the Samsung Galaxy Ring never really took off. That said, Samsung isn’t giving up. The company is already working on a Galaxy Ring 2.

In a new Forbes interview (via SamMobile), Dr. Hon Pak, head of Samsung’s Digital Health, has confirmed the development of the wearable’s sequel. The Galaxy Ring 2 will reportedly feature better health tracking and a longer battery life. Additionally, it will add support for iPhone pairing.

Because of its form factor, the original Ring comes off as a convenient health tracker for those who don’t prefer the larger nature of a smartwatch or a fitness band. However, it did have issues including a relatively short battery life and an incident where it swelled over a man’s finger.

Currently, there is no timeline for the upcoming Galaxy Ring 2. For reference, the original wearable launched all the way back in 2024. A follow-up is a reasonable ask at this point, but it’s still good that Samsung decided not to make the Ring an annual release.

Besides the Galaxy Ring 2, Samsung has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. Just today, the brand finally teased its first wide foldable phone. It’s also set to launch the Galaxy Glasses soon. On top of all this, Samsung is also experimenting with the trifold market via the Galaxy Z Trifold.

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