Samsung says it sold more foldables in Galaxy Z Fold 3's launch month than in all of 2020 - CNET

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Lexy Savvides/CNET

As 2021 draws to a close and CES 2022 approaches, Samsung has reported that consumers have come out in droves to buy its foldables, with the company shipping four times as many this year as it did in 2020.

This is in large part due to the new foldables that launched in August, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. Combined, sales of both devices in the month after their debut surpassed how many the company sold the entire previous year, according to a press release.

Both foldables are refined versions of their predecessors, with better software and features, but more importantly, they're also notably cheaper. Though the Z Fold 3's $1,800 price still kept it out of reach of most consumers, the clamshell Z Flip 3 launched with a price tag of $999, finally giving consumers a foldable option at the same starting price as an iPhone 13 Pro.

For consumers who owned a non-Samsung phone, more switched brands to buy a Z Flip 3 than bought the $800 Samsung Galaxy S21, the company also said. The clamshell foldable served as a more attractive next phone than Samsung's flagship as well as the stylus-packing Samsung Galaxy Note 20.

Though Samsung didn't provide sales numbers, the growth matches Counterpoint Research's August expectations that 9 million foldables would be sold worldwide in 2021, a threefold increase over 2020. Samsung accounted for 88 percent of the foldable market last year, and while the report projects that'll wane (likely due to new devices, like the Oppo Find N, siphoning share), the company is still expected to sell three-quarters of the world's foldables through 2023.

That's when the mobile device landscape could change in a major way, as analysts expect Apple to release its rumored iPhone Flip foldable in 2023. But given how many more of the devices will be sold, with Counterpoint expecting foldable shipments to triple again by then, Samsung will have a sizable head start over its rivals.

The biggest winner will likely be consumers. We'd expect foldable prices to fall as manufacturers continue to refine designs and ramp up production of components like flexible displays and hinge mechanisms that've been costly to design but cheaper with every iteration. How cheap they'll get is anyone's guess, though companies are trying to drive the price down. TCL, for instance, chose not to mass produce its Project Chicago clamshell phone rather than release it at a $1,000 price point, though it's continuing to develop foldables – presumably aiming to get closer to the $500 and $600 prices of its most expensive phones.

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LG says next-generation OLED EX technology delivers improved brightness and accuracy - The Verge

LG is the maker of some of our favorite OLED TVs, so when the company says it’s improved on its basic panel technology, it’s worth paying attention. Today it did just that, with LG Display announcing its next-generation OLED technology — dubbed OLED EX — which the company says will increase brightness by up to 30 percent, boost picture accuracy, and allow for smaller bezels in finished products.

These improvements are due to two key changes. The first is the use of an element known as deuterium in the chemical make-up of LG’s OLED panels, and the second is the incorporation of algorithmic image processing. LG says the latter will predict the usage of each individual light emitting diode in your TV based on your personal viewing habits to “precisely [control] the display’s energy input to more accurately express the details and colors of the video content being played.”

This all sounds well and good, but we’ll have to wait until we see these new panels in person to really judge whether OLED EX is a significant improvement or just an incremental advance with some enthusiastic branding. (On that note, LG helpfully explains that the “EX” in OLED EX comes from the words “evolution” and “experience.” Very ‘90s, I thought.)

LG’s claims about reduced bezel sizes with OLED EX are a little more concrete at least. The company says that based on calculations involving a 65-inch OLED display, it will be able to reduce bezel thickness from 6mm to 4mm. It’s not a huge change on paper, but given how optimized this technology already is, every little improvement has to be fought for.

LG says it plans to start incorporating OLED EX technology into all its OLED panels starting in the second quarter of 2022, though it’s not clear how much longer it might then take for this technology to reach consumers. As well as improving its OLED tech, LG has also been playing with some wilder concepts at this year’s CES conference, showing off new transparent displays as well as reclining, curved OLED thrones.

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9 of the best games for your new 2021 Android phone - The Verge

In addition to being a popular mobile OS, Android is one of the most bustling gaming platforms on Earth. If you have a recent Android phone or tablet, or even one that’s a couple of years old, you should be able to run a majority of the games available in the Google Play Store. That’s good because there are some stellar, console-quality games that you should be aware of, if you aren’t already in the know. Whether you just got a new Android phone, or you just want a few recommendations to use with your current phone, we’ve got you covered with the list below.

Among Us

There’s a chance you’ve heard of Among Us even if you aren’t that tapped into gaming. It’s an online co-operative and competitive game where you work together with a team of space cadets, maintaining a space station — except one of you is an imposter whose goal it is to deceive everyone and eventually take over. As the imposter, it’s your job to be as sly and unassuming as possible, while everyone else is on edge that any of the others might be a back-stabber. It’s a simple game with a tense edge. Give it a try.

An online co-operative and competitive game where you work together with a team of space cadets — except one of you is an imposter whose goal it is to take over. 

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Call of Duty: Mobile

If you’ve always wanted to experience something that’s similar to playing Call of Duty on a console, definitely check out Call of Duty: Mobile. In a sense, it’s a simpler version of the console experience since, by default (though it can be changed), guns automatically shoot when you hover over an enemy. Yet it’s visually impressive for a mobile port, and it offers several guns and other customizable traits that should satisfy that itch for a mobile first-person shooter.

If you’ve always wanted to experience something that’s similar to playing Call of Duty on a console, definitely check out Call of Duty: Mobile.

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Pokémon Unite

If you enjoy MOBA genre games on your PC, like Dota 2 or League of Legends, Pokémon Unite could scratch that itch while you’re on the go. While not as technically deep as either of those aforementioned games, Unite delivers on the core fundamentals of the competitive genre, and of course it’s deeply entrenched in the world of Pokémon. This game’s free, and it offers cross-play and cross-progression with the Nintendo Switch version.

Pokémon Unite delivers on the core fundamentals of the competitive genre.

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Fortnite

Fortnite remains one of the most popular free games available on Android, even though it’s not so straightforward to install for a lot of people. If you want to download this battle royale game that pits you against up to 100 others in a huge, ever-changing map, non-Samsung users will need to head to Epic Games’ site on your phone, then find the link to install its app, from which you can install Fortnite. If you do have a Samsung phone, Fortnite is available exclusively within its Galaxy Store. All other phones from other brands will need to take the long route.

For more explicit instructions, check out our article on how to install Fornite on Android.

This battle royale game pits you against up to 100 others in a huge, ever-changing map.

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Dead Cells

Dead Cells is yet another console-quality port made for Android phones. For those unfamiliar with the game, this is one of the better side-scrolling action games available today and is fun to play for hours on end. Developers are still supporting it with new content years after its original launch on PC. You start each run with a random set of weapons, and the levels are procedurally generated, meaning the items contained within levels (along with their layouts) are never exactly the same every time. So, despite the somewhat high difficulty curve, the more you play, the better the items you’ll get, which will help make the game a bit easier.

This is one of the better side-scrolling action games available today, and it’s fun to play for hours on end.

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Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is a global phenomenon, combining the aesthetic of anime and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with the gameplay of an MMO. It’s free to play (with paid cosmetics available), but if you want a game that offers up gorgeous visuals and rich, varied gameplay, check this one out.

Impressively, this game supports cross-save progression if you have a miHoYo account. So, you can pick up on Android right where you left off on PC or console.

Genshin Impact is a global phenomenon, combining the aesthetic of anime with the gameplay of an MMO.

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Pikmin Bloom

Pikmin Bloom is one of Nintendo and Niantic’s latest mobile experiments. In this one, you grow little pikmin creatures from seeds as you walk. The game taps into your phone’s GPS location, and it’s designed to get you outside and moving around. While it’s less of a game than many of the entries on this list, with few objectives other than taking a certain amount of steps to develop seeds into pikmin, it can be a relaxing thing to play (especially if you’ve enjoyed previous Pikmin games from Nintendo consoles). If anything, it makes the act of walking around a little more fun.

In this game, you grow little pikmin creatures from seeds as you walk. The game taps into your phone’s GPS location, and it’s designed to get you outside and moving around. 

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Sky: Children of the Light

Sky: Children of the Light is the latest game from Thatgamecompany, responsible for relaxing games including Journey, Flower, and more. Sky is similarly gorgeous and mysterious, and it’s a must-play if you enjoy playing a game that lets you take in the visuals instead of constantly demanding twitchy reflexes to win. The character movement and flight controls feel good to use, and there’s more than enough collectibles and engaging story to warrant a free download.

Sky is similarly gorgeous and mysterious, and it’s a must-play if you enjoy playing a game that lets you take in the visuals.

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Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is an instant recommendation if you’ve played games like The Sims, Harvest Moon, or Animal Crossing. It borrows elements from all of those games, like interpersonal relationships, growing crops, building out your dream home, but it adds plenty of its own gameplay mechanics in the mix. You can choose to live your days making sure to buy the perfect birthday present for your best friends, fish to your heart’s content, or dive into the mines to gather rare minerals (fighting some spooky baddies along the way).

Live your days making sure to buy the perfect birthday present for your best friends, fish to your heart’s content, or dive into the mines to gather rare minerals (fighting some spooky baddies along the way).

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Surface Trio? Microsoft patents possible triple-screen smartphone design - Windows Central

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Update 10 PM ET 12/27: Added more context regarding the hinges and how the device folds.

When Microsoft announced its dual-screened Surface Duo, the running joke was that the company should make a Surface Uno next — a revolutionary smartphone with a single display. The humor went in the other direction, too, with people remarking it could do a triple-screened handheld and call it Surface Trio.

It turns out, Microsoft was thinking the same thing.

A new patent was posted on December 23, 2021 (filed on June 23, 2020), and spotted by Patently Apple, shows Microsoft has ideas on how a triple-screen smartphone (presumably) could work.

While the patent is quite long and technical, there is a single drawing (seen below) associated with the idea to illustrate the concept.

The device (1400) features three displays (1402, 1404, and 1408), all connected by two hinge areas (1406 and 1410).

So, basically, just Surface Duo's design plus an extra display.

What makes the concept interesting is since this is a hinged device, it can collapse in on itself to again become a single-screen form factor, e.g., with display 1408 facing outward all the time when "closed."

A closer look

Analsyis of why a 'Surface Trio' could work

Microsoft's new three-screen patent.Source: USPTO / Windows Central

Let me connect the dots for you on why this design could be significant.

One of the constant debates about Surface Duo right now is the "need" for an external display. While you can reverse-fold Surface Duo to expose both displays all the time, like a standard phone, most people will close it when not in use, leaving no screens exposed. That also limits what you can see, and it is one reason I argued Microsoft should do a wearable to help alleviate that limitation.

With Surface Duo 2, Microsoft introduced the Glance Bar to help with notifications and more info when Surface Duo is closed. However, it's still not ideal for many who want more glanceable (and interactive) information.

Surface Duo 2's Glance Bar.Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

With this new patent, this device folds down into a single screen device with display 1408 constantly exposed. It effectively becomes just a single-screen phone and solves the need for an external display, and you get a full, uncorrupted screen to use as you would.

However, you can now unfold this device to reveal a triple screen device, which sounds a bit weird to hold and use. But there is a good reason to think that you could leave displays 1404 and 1408 folded back-to-back, leaving just display 1402 and 1404 (with 1408 behind it) exposed.

This configuration would effectively create a dual-screen experience again.

It's all a bit reminiscent of the tri-fold tablet seen in the HBO show Westworld:

Source: HBO

Indeed, looking more closely at the image, section 1402 seems thicker than both 1404 and 1408. In fact, it looks twice as thick. That would make sense since most of the "guts," including the battery and camera, could be in section 1402, while the other displays (1404 and 1408) could be thinner with only a few components and wiring.

When folded back-to-back, both 1404 and 1408 would, ideally, equal the thickness of 1402, giving balance to the device.

It's also worth noting that these hinges appear to be unidirectional and not bidirectional like the current Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. Since they do not need to "reverse fold" with this design, there should be no gap between the displays, and instead, it would be one continuous screen with the glass edges meeting each other.

From the patent itself:

The first and third display panels 1402, 1408 may pivot in any suitable pivot range relative to the second display panel 1404, via the first and second hinges 1406, 1410. As one example, the first and third display panels 1402, 1408 may pivot such that the multi-panel display device 1400 lies flat with the first and third display panels positioned adjacent the second display panel 1404. As another example, the first and third display panels 1402, 1408 may pivot, such that the three display panels are stacked on top of each other in order to reduce an overall form factor of the multi-panel display device 1400.

Of course, the big question is how (and what) a triple screen experience would be like were one to leave it lying flat as the patent describes. I presume that display 1402 could be just all keyboards with the other two functioning as screens, but it's not entirely clear as things get weird at this level.

Either way, Microsoft is still engaging in the idea of multi-display devices, which include smartphones and laptops, either of which could potentially benefit from this design.

However, whether Microsoft brings such a concept to the market remains to be seen. Like many tech companies, Microsoft files for many patents, with only a few ever turning into actual products.

Finally, while three screens seem odd, Samsung is rumored to be headed in the same direction.

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Grell Audio's TWS/1 earbuds sound as good as you want them to - Engadget

A new entrant to the true wireless headphone space you say? Sure, that might be a fairly common occurrence these days, but this one – Grell Audio – comes with some pretty strong heritage. Its founder, Axel Grell, is well known in the headphone industry for his extensive work at Sennheiser on some of the company’s most prestigious products. The TWS/1 is his first solo product under the Grell brand. Accordingly, we’re interested to see what the $200 wireless buds can do.

The TWS/1 has a modern look. The mostly circular design is only interrupted by a small, AirPod-like protuberance on each bud. Originally the plan was to have the outer casing entirely metal but physics and radio waves meant that some concessions (plastic parts) were needed. Overall, they maintain a premium feel that stands above that often found at this price point. They visually remind me slightly of the Jabra Elite 75t, but a little lower profile.

In terms of fit, that slightly more streamlined design means you don’t feel like something is balancing in your ear which can sometimes happen with more rotund models. As per usual they come with a charging case that promises four full charges of the TWS/1. The buds themselves offer around 6 hours per charge which holds true in my experience with ANC activated. Curiously, the buds are placed in the case with the right one to the left and vice versa. I’m not sure why this would be, but it does take some remembering (you’ll soon be reminded as the buds don’t fit the other way around).

In a world of me-too products, it’s hard to stand out. The easiest differentiator is price, then sound quality and or additional/premium features. It seems Grell Audio has tried to tackle all three of these, and with general success, I would say.

The price point puts the TWS/1 in an unusual category. Many premium brands are landing in the $250+ zone while more affordable options, like Google’s second-gen Pixel Buds or the aforementioned Jabra’s live in the $150 area. Budget options, south of $100, are also increasingly more common. This, then, pitches the TWS/1 at the overlap between high-mid and low-premium. I would wager this is entirely intentional as feature set and build quality skew higher end, but the barebones packaging and more accessible price indicate a more mainstream audience.

James Trew / Engadget

As for sound quality, this is where things are a little more clear. In my testing, I was generally pleased with the default sound. It was perhaps a little on the thinner side for my personal preference with a slight weight on the lower end for a typically commercial sound. But Grell has partnered with SoundID – a third-party app that tunes select brands of headphones to your personal preference/hearing.

We’ve seen things like this before, most notably with Nura which takes this to a whole new level. SoundID is a little more understated in its approach. It still uses some form of hearing test, but rather than asking if you can hear certain tones, it simply plays you some music and asks “which do you prefer, A or B.” Once I completed this short test, the difference was night and day. With my own personal profile activated (it uploads to the headphones so it applies no matter what you are listening on), my usual mix of mid ‘10s indie and rave nonsense came alive.

I have a slight preference for dynamic range and beefier low and mid-high frequencies. At least, I presume I do because that was the biggest change in sound after completing the test and I instantly found them much more enjoyable. In the SoundID app, you can toggle between the default sound and your own profile and it really does make a huge difference. You don’t need the app to get good sound, but I’m going to guess that you’ll be happier with what it gives you.

Coincidentally, SoundID is also where you’ll get software updates for the TWS/1. I had one during my testing and it improved a few things including the slightly unresponsive touch controls. They’re still not reading my taps 1:1 but its about on par with most other touch-control buds I have used. Before the update, it was much more frustrating (or, maybe I just learned the technique?).

Those controls aren’t user-configurable, so you’re stuck with what Grell gives you. But, fortunately, that’s pretty much everything you’d want and without too many complicated tap or gesture combinations. Swiping forward or back on the left ear skips tracks, up or down on the right for volume, and so on. It was the single taps that I was having issues with which control play/pause on the right and transparency mode on the left – both of which are more annoying if not activated immediately.

This brings us on to smart(er) features. As mentioned, the TWS/1 has Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode – both of which are becoming increasingly standard. But there’s also a Noise Annoyance Reduction (NAR) mode. Grell explained to me during their initial announcement briefing that ANC is great for lower-frequency sustained noises, but doesn’t work as well for higher-frequency annoyances (think, crying baby on a plane). NAR is Grell’s own attempt at offering some reduction of these types of sound.

James Trew / Engadget

In practice, I found it hard to pinpoint the difference that NAR makes. With ANC, it’s easy to hear the low rumble of the road outside my apartment decrease in volume. It’s maybe not the most powerful ANC I have heard but it does the job. With NAR, whatever the ear equivalent of squinting is, proved to be a little more indeterminate. It does seem to slightly improve the listening experience in combination with ANC, but it’s also hard to tell how much of that was me willing it to do so. It’s an interesting concept though and one that I hope Grell can continue to improve over time.

Other small perks include a “mono” mode (listening with just one bud). This isn’t as common as it should be in my opinion and it adds more flexibility for those that want to maintain some spatial awareness without having to wear both buds. It’s also, obviously, how some people prefer to handle their calls, too (reliving the Bluetooth headset days).

Another small added bonus is wireless charging “compatibility.” It’s not something I was able to test, but the more things that support it the better? Or, at the very least, it’s a nice perk for those already invested in the wireless charging world.

All in, Grell has given price, features and sound quality enough consideration that the result is a promising first product from an emerging brand. The price point, in particular, strikes a good balance between signaling premium ambitions without putting it too far out of reach for mainstream casuals. I’d love to see some further advances on the NAR technology and the controls could still be more responsive, but if you’re looking for a fresh set of true wireless headphones that are customizable to your taste, these are a great place to start.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Exynos 2200 Might Bring Disappointing Scores After All - Wccftech

Samsung is all set to release the Exynos 2200 chipset next year and AMD is going to help Samsung bring next-gen graphics to life. This does mean that Exynos' staggering reputation might come to a halt and the company would make a comeback, as well. With AMD's help, the chipset is expected to make some good performance gains. However, based on the latest leak, we doubt that will be happening.

The Recently Leaked Exynos 2200 Scores Do Not Show That Big of An Improvement

The upcoming Exynos 2200 is said to deliver just a 5% improvement in CPU performance, and 17% in GPU performance. The tip is coming from AhmedQwaider888.

Looking at these scores, it is more or less disappointing, considering how the Exynos 2100 brought over a 30% increase in CPU and 40% GPU gains when compared to the Exynos 990. The upcoming Exynos 2200 might not be that big of a hit.

However, the silver lining here is that there is still time for things to change for Exynos 2200. For starters, we are still looking at much, much early scores and for all we know, this could be a prototype.

Additionally, we also have to know that the latest leak has told us that aside from a meager CPU and GPU performance, the Exynos 2200 chipset is going to feature an NPU that will deliver a massive 117% performance boost in AI. Better AI processing will make all the AI-driven tasks much, much faster.

Whatever the case might be, it is too early to say anything about the Exynos 2200. After all, for all we know, the collaboration between AMD and Samsung could finally pay off and we could get our hands on one of the best mobile chips in a long, long time.

Do you think the early Exynos 2200 scores should be taken seriously?  Let us know your thoughts.

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