2H 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 coming with pen input.

 

After years of research and development, Samsung Electronics has completed the development of pen input technology for foldable smartphone and it has decided to include the option to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 that is expected to be released this second half of 2021. The company has completed making every preparation and it plans to mass-produce relevant components and the actual foldable smartphone starting from May and July respectively.

The key development project of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 was implementing the pen input option. Samsung Electronics goal was to have owners of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 use the option whether the smartphone is folded shut or is unfolded.

However, it had been very difficult for Samsung Electronics to implement the pen input option in foldable smartphones as it needed to add the option to foldable displays that already require advanced technologies.

The pen input option in particular caused different issues. For example, components such as a digitizer that recognizes the pen’s movement need to be foldable as well. Also, the foldable display needs to withstand the impact and pressure caused when a pen is used, and foldable glass (ultra-thin glass) that can withstand dents that can be caused by a pen is also a must.

It has been reported that Samsung Electronics has finally secured key technologies that can implement the pen input option in foldable smartphones after years of research and development.

“Samsung Electronics has developed necessary technologies such as digitizer and ultra-thin glass (UTG) that allow foldable smartphones to properly react to pen input.” said one official from the industry who is familiar with the situation related to Samsung Electronics’ foldable smartphone development. “It has been heard that Samsung Electronics has made necessary preparations for mass-production.”

Samsung Electronics is also the first one to implement pen input technology in foldable smartphones. Once it introduces the final product in the second half of this year, its position in the global foldable smartphone market will be elevated even higher and it will be able to further separate itself from its competitors.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a foldable smartphone that is folded from side to side and it is the follow-up model to the Galaxy Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 2 that were released in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The foldable smartphone line is the flagship line that represents Samsung Electronics’ foldable smartphones and it is integrated with the latest technologies every year it is released.

Samsung Electronics is the only smartphone manufacturer in the world to mass-produce and release foldable smartphones. The company and Samsung Display have been creating synergy in the foldable smartphone field as Samsung Display has been a stable supplier of foldable displays for Samsung Electronics. Although other smartphone manufacturers such as Huawei, Motorola, and Royole also released their own foldable smartphones, there is a huge difference between them and Samsung Electronics when it comes to supply necessary components and production capacity.

With this success, Samsung Electronics is pioneering a new market as the only smartphone manufacturer in the world to mass-produce foldable smartphones has widened the gap between itself and its competitors in the global foldable smartphone market once more.

Year 2020: WorldWide smartphone market share: Samsung 20.6%, Apple 15.9%, Huawei 14.6%, says IDC.

The final worldwide smartphone market share for the year 2020 was lead by Samsung with 266.7 million units sold 20.6%, followed by Apple with 206.1 million units  15.9 %, and Huawei in third place with 189 million units 14.6%.

 

4Q2020 :Apple returns to the number 1 position with 90.1 million smartphones sold (23.4%), Samsung 73.9 million (19.1%), and Xiaomi 43.3 million (11.2%)

 

The worldwide smartphone market continued to improve in the holiday quarter of 2020 (4Q20) returning to familiar ground with 4.3% year-over-year growth. According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone vendors shipped a total of 385.9 million devices during the quarter. While the full year 2020 declined 5.9% compared to 2019, the progress toward market recovery has been impressive and IDC believes the momentum heading into 2021 will remain strong.

"There are a lot of elements at play that is fueling the smartphone market recovery – pent-up demand, continued supply push on 5G, aggressive promotions, and the popularity of low to mid-priced phones," said Nabila Popal, research director with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "Vendors also seem to be better prepared for the second lockdown, ensuring they have the right channel set up ready to fulfill orders and reach the end consumer. Lockdowns also have people spending less on areas like leisure, travel, and dining out – and smartphones are benefitting from this. In addition to all these factors, the fast recovery and resilience of the smartphone supply chain also has to be given some credit."

In terms of vendors, there was a clear shift among the Top 5. 

Apple delivered a phenomenal performance in 4Q20, returning to the number 1 position with 90.1 million devices shipped, driven by the success of the iPhone 12 series. This represents the highest shipment volume from a vendor in a single quarter and resulted in 23.4% market share and 22.2% year-over-year growth. 

Samsung moved to number 2 with 73.9 million device shipments and 19.1% market share. With the continued success of the A series and growth in nearly every region, Samsung saw year-over-year growth of 6.2%. 

Xiaomi finished the quarter in the third position with shipments of 43.3 million and 11.2% market share while OPPO was fourth with shipments of 33.8 million and 8.8% market share. Both companies successfully capitalized on declining Huawei shipments, growing 32.0% and 10.7% year over year respectively, by focusing on aggressive product portfolios and building partnerships.

Huawei fell to the number 5 spot with shipments of 32.3 million and 8.4% market share. The company continues to suffer under the weight of U.S. sanctions and saw a dramatic year-over-year decline of 42.4%.

"The recovery of both the smartphone market and its supply chain has been truly impressive and the year-end growth is testament to how far we've come," said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "The majority of the world is either in some form of lockdown or still waiting to return to normal day-to-day life, yet smartphone sales are rebounding as though nothing ever happened. 

This illustrates the importance of smartphones in everyone's life and provides a strong foundation for market demand. As the world progresses towards a post-pandemic environment, IDC believes demand will grow and the market recovery will accelerate."

The Next Windows 10 Update version 21H1 was announced today. Press Release.

 

Today Microsoft announced the new version 21H1 of Windows 10. 

"Windows 10, version 21H1 will have a scoped set of features improving security, remote access, and quality. 

New features include multicamera support for Windows Hello and security-related performance improvements.

• Windows Hello multicamera supports setting the default as the external camera when both external and internal Windows Hello cameras are present.
• Windows Defender Application Guard performance improvements including optimizing document opening scenario times.
• Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) updating performance improvement to support remote work scenarios.
• Editor’s note – Feb. 17, 2021 – The bullet point on Windows Hello multicamera support was updated for clarity."
• The update is now available for download for the Windows Insider Program.

Press Release.

February 17, 2021

Introducing the next feature update to Windows 10, version 21H1

By

• John Cable, Vice President, Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery

Today, we are introducing the next feature update to Windows 10, version 21H1. As people continue to rely on Windows more than ever to work, learn and have fun, we understand the importance of providing the best possible update experience to help people and organizations stay protected and productive. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly and why for the first time an H1 (first half of the calendar year) feature update release will be delivered in an optimized way using servicing technology while continuing our semi-annual feature update cadence. In today’s blog, I will cover details on how we plan to service the release, its scope, and the next steps.

Fast and focused

Based on feedback and learnings during the past year of extensive remote work, learning, and play, version 21H1 will be delivered with servicing technology (like that used for the monthly update process and how 20H2 was delivered).  Windows 10, version 21H1 will have a scoped set of features improving security, remote access, and quality. The features we are releasing in this update are focused on the core experiences that customers have told us they’re relying on most right now. So, we optimized this release to support our customers’ most pressing needs.

New features include multicamera support for Windows Hello and security-related performance improvements.

• Windows Hello multicamera supports setting the default as the external camera when both external and internal Windows Hello cameras are present.
• Windows Defender Application Guard performance improvements including optimizing document opening scenario times.
• Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) updating performance improvement to support remote work scenarios.

Customers running either Windows 10, version 2004 or version 20H2 who choose to update to the new release will have a fast installation experience because the update will install like a monthly update.  For consumer or commercial users coming from versions of Windows 10 earlier than the May 2020 Update (version 2004), the process of updating to the new release will be the same as it has been and will work in a similar manner to the previous Windows 10 feature updates, using the same tools and processes. As this Windows 10 release is targeted for the first half of 2021, all Windows 10 editions of version 21H1 will receive 18 months of service.

Next steps

Our multilayered approach to the development and launch of feature updates continues and includes fully leveraging the Windows Insider Program to obtain user feedback and data insights on quality. We will begin releasing 21H1 builds to Windows Insiders in the Beta channel today to those Insiders who seek to opt-in, and new features will be offered in future Windows Insider Preview Builds as they are ready.  Broad availability of Windows 10, version 21H1 will begin later in the first half of this calendar year, and we will provide more information on the release and how to get it as we get closer to the launch of this next feature update. We look forward to hearing your feedback.

Editor’s note – Feb. 17, 2021 – The bullet point on Windows Hello multicamera support was updated for clarity.

blog windows

Moto G10 and G30 affordable phones are arriving soon.

 Motorola will make available the upcoming Moto G10 and G30 in a few weeks in selected European countries.

Phantom Black

Pastel Sky

Some specifications:

Moto  G10 (Capri)

6.5-inch display

60HZ refresh rate

Snapdragon 460

48MP

4GB/6GB RAM

64/128GB storage

512GB microSD storage

5000 mAh Battery

10W charging

4G

rear-mounted fingerprint scanners,

physical Google Assistant buttons

Around $180

 

Moto G 30 (Capri Plus)

6.5-inch display

Snapdragon 662

eight Kryo 260 CPU cores (four based on A73, four on A53), plus an Adreno 610 GPU

4GB/6GB RAM

64/128GB storage

512GB microSD storage

64MP triple rear cameras

13MP front camera

5000 mAh Battery

90HZ refresh rate

20W charging

4G

rear-mounted fingerprint scanners,

physical Google Assistant buttons

Around $220

Both the Moto G10 and G30 have plastic bodies with a water-repellent design, earning them an IP52 rating - dustproof and able to stave off dripping water.

gsmarena