Latest news with #AnnikaBizon
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
More than 40 MILLION Brits alerted to switch on forgotten anti-theft mobile feature as phone snatching soars
MILLIONS of mobile users across the UK have been urged to switch on little-known anti-theft settings following a spate of phone snatches. In London alone, two-thirds of thefts now relate to mobile phones, Met Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway told MPs today. Advertisement 2 Criminal gangs are believed to make £50million a year from stolen phones Credit: PA Police The Met Police has described it as a colossal £50million-a-year trade. Often, phone thefts have more to do with raiding people's bank accounts than value in the handset itself. A victim recently revealed how they were caught out by crafty crooks who went on to spend hundreds. Advertisement Read more about mobiles Tech companies have developed a number of tools to help prevent such incidents. Google has a few for Android users which detect the motion associated with a physical snatch. When a snatch is detected your phone will lock so thieves can't go through all your banking apps and more. Samsung, which uses Android on its phones, alerted more than 40million Samsung Account holders of its anti-theft features. Advertisement Most read in Tech The firm says these features will now also be available to even more devices soon, having started with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series in February. Among Samsung's own added efforts is Theft Protection, a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data, even in high-risk situations such as robbery. Google reveals clever trick to prevent thieves from emptying your accounts on the Android 15 "Samsung is deeply committed to working closely with the Home Office on the issue of mobile phone theft and related crimes and we're in constant collaboration with our partners across the industry, to look at new and existing solutions to help combat this complex issue and ultimately help improve the safety of mobile phone users," said Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience (MX) VP of Product and Marketing, UK&I at Samsung. "Our recent One UI 7 update built further on existing protections with new anti-theft features such as identity check, biometric authentication and security delay, all featured in our latest Galaxy S25 series. Advertisement "These features have now also been rolled out into a range of models across our devices and further updates will follow. "We must do everything we can to ensure the safety and security of our customers when they are using their mobile devices and we will continue to work hard to ensure our customers are aware of the wide range of security features available to them." How to turn on Theft Detection Lock To turn on Theft Detection Lock on a Samsung phone, follow these steps: Go to Settings Select Security and privacy Tap Lost device protection Go to Theft protection Switch the Theft detection option on 2 Police want tech firms to do more to prevent phone thefts Credit: PA Advertisement Must-know Android tips to boost your phone Get the most out of your Android smartphone with these little-known hacks:
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
More than 40 MILLION Brits alerted to switch on forgotten anti-theft mobile feature as phone snatching soars
MILLIONS of mobile users across the UK have been urged to switch on little-known anti-theft settings following a spate of phone snatches. In London alone, two-thirds of thefts now relate to mobile phones, Met Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway told MPs today. 2 Criminal gangs are believed to make £50million a year from stolen phones Credit: PA Police seized more than 1,000 stolen handsets and arrested 230 people in a single week earlier this year in a crackdown on the problem. The Met Police has described it as a colossal £50million-a-year trade. Often, phone thefts have more to do with raiding people's bank accounts than value in the handset itself. A victim recently revealed how they were caught out by crafty crooks who went on to spend hundreds. Tech companies have developed a number of tools to help prevent such incidents. Google has a few for Android users which detect the motion associated with a physical snatch. When a snatch is detected your phone will lock so thieves can't go through all your banking apps and more. Samsung, which uses Android on its phones, alerted more than 40million Samsung Account holders of its anti-theft features. The firm says these features will now also be available to even more devices soon, having started with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series in February. Among Samsung's own added efforts is Theft Protection, a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data, even in high-risk situations such as robbery. Google reveals clever trick to prevent thieves from emptying your accounts on the Android 15 "Samsung is deeply committed to working closely with the Home Office on the issue of mobile phone theft and related crimes and we're in constant collaboration with our partners across the industry, to look at new and existing solutions to help combat this complex issue and ultimately help improve the safety of mobile phone users," said Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience (MX) VP of Product and Marketing, UK&I at Samsung. "Our recent One UI 7 update built further on existing protections with new anti-theft features such as identity check, biometric authentication and security delay, all featured in our latest Galaxy S25 series. "These features have now also been rolled out into a range of models across our devices and further updates will follow. "We must do everything we can to ensure the safety and security of our customers when they are using their mobile devices and we will continue to work hard to ensure our customers are aware of the wide range of security features available to them." How to turn on Theft Detection Lock To turn on Theft Detection Lock on a Samsung phone, follow these steps: Go to Settings Select Security and privacy Tap Lost device protection Go to Theft protection Switch the Theft detection option on
Phone Arena
11 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Samsung just sent 40 million Galaxy users an urgent security message
Samsung is going all-in on security awareness across the UK, launching a nationwide campaign to encourage Galaxy smartphone owners to activate the new anti-theft features introduced with the One UI 7 update. The campaign supports the UK Home Office's efforts to curb rising phone theft, with Samsung highlighting a multi-layered suite of tools to protect users and their data in high-risk situations. One UI 7 brings Theft Protection to all Galaxy phones. | Image credit – Samsung A safety message sent through the Samsung Members app and other channels will reach over 40 million Galaxy users this week. The company is also backing the push with a major awareness campaign spanning London's Piccadilly Lights, train, and tube (metro) stations, social platforms, and online video ads. The message is simple: if you own a Galaxy phone, and you've updated to One UI 7 , now's the time to activate Theft Bizon, VP of Mobile Experience at Samsung UK, said: Theft Protection is in the security and privacy settings." Theft Protection is Samsung's set of anti-theft features, building on standard Android protections like Google's Find My Device. It got introduced with the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year and is now rolling out to many older Galaxy models. The features it includes are built into the Knox Security Platform and available through One UI 7 .Here's a breakdown of what's included: Identity Check : Requires biometric authentication in unfamiliar locations to make sensitive security changes. : Requires biometric authentication in unfamiliar locations to make sensitive security changes. Security Delay : Introduces a 1-hour delay before changes to biometric settings take effect—giving users time to trigger Remote Lock and take back control. Existing anti-theft upgrades Theft Detection Lock : Uses machine learning to detect snatching motions and instantly locks the screen. : Uses machine learning to detect snatching motions and instantly locks the screen. Offline Device Lock : Locks the screen if the phone loses internet connection for an extended period. : Locks the screen if the phone loses internet connection for an extended period. Remote Lock : Allows users to remotely lock the phone using just their number and a quick verification step. They can also display a custom message on the screen and explore recovery options. These protections are now live on the Galaxy S22, S23, S24, and S25 series, the Galaxy Z Flip 5/6, the Galaxy Z Fold 5/6, and other devices receiving the One UI 7 .0 update throughout 2025. Samsung has published a detailed setup guide for users who want to activate these features and protect their Galaxy devices. It also walks you through how to lock or erase your phone remotely, track it using a Galaxy Watch or Find My Device, and change your account credentials after a company even recommends creating a PIN and recovery message through the Samsung Find website in case of emergency. For full instructions, users can visit Samsung UK's support site or contact support directly. Theft Protections settings menu on Pixel phones. | Image credit – Google Most other phone manufacturers have also introduced theft protection functionality. Google, for example, has something called Theft Detection Lock , which utilizes AI and motion sensors to detect sudden movements indicative of theft (like snatching) and automatically locks the screen. Other features on Pixel Phones include Offline Device Lock, which automatically locks the device if it's disconnected from the internet for too long. Apple, on the other hand, has its Stolen Device Protection feature that requires biometric authentication for critical actions (accessing passwords, disabling Lost Mode, or erasing the device) when the iPhone is in unfamiliar locations. Motorola also has its set of security features, with some newer ones being Security Scan and Phishing Detection . The former uses artificial intelligence to proactively scan the device for malware and potential vulnerabilities, while the latter identifies and warns users about suspicious links or websites, helping prevent phishing attacks.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
7 million Brits think they sing better than Adele and Madonna
The research also revealed that 69% say they sing along at gigs and festivals, while one in 10 (11%) rate themselves an eight out of 10 or higher when it comes to vocal talent. Having said this, 42% are less keen on their voices, wishing they could remove the sound of their own voice or others from videos where it ruins the moment. On the other hand, 31% confessed they may have 'enjoyed the gig a bit too much' and possibly even ruined other people's recordings in the process. Samsung commissioned the research and has created an Audio Eraser tool on its newly released Galaxy S25 Edge where users can remove unwanted background noise from videos by isolating categories of sound. Of those who watch their recordings back of gigs, 24% find hearing their own performances funny, while 22% are embarrassed and 16% are impressed by their own vocal range. When listening back to their footage, 29% said their singing was worse than they realised. Trying to capture the moment at a gig or festival can be frustrating too with 49% finding it irritating when other people sing along. According to data, 59% think that bad vocals from fans can ruin an otherwise winning concert video and 19% have even considered asking someone to stop singing loudly when recording a clip of their favourite song. Annika Bizon from Samsung, which has also launched an upgrade and rewards programme called New Galaxy Club, added: 'Everyone's been there, watching back that epic gig clip only to wince at hearing your own singalong vocals or the scream from the fan next to you. It's all part of the experience, but we get it, you want to relive the moment hearing only the artist you love." Recommended reading: Top 10 singers millions of Brits think they're better vocalists than Madonna Justin Bieber Sam Smith Harry Styles Jason Derulo Sabrina Carpenter Ed Sheeran Britney Spears Adele Beyonce Do you think your singing voice is better than the above pop stars'? Let us know in the comments.
Digital Trends
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Bond or Batman? Why the Galaxy S25 Edge is a phone for cool characters
'I call it the James Bond phone,' Samsung's Annika Bizon, vice president of mobile product and marketing in the U.K. and Ireland, told Digital Trends during a conversation about the new Galaxy S25 Edge shortly after its announcement. 'I call it the Bruce Wayne phone.' Samsung's smartphone specialist product manager Kadesh Beckford said later in the same call. Recommended Videos Why did these names come up, and how do they relate to the new, slimline smartphone? It turns out, understanding why the comparisons were drawn is key to understanding the Galaxy S25 Edge itself, and Samsung's daring plan with it. A statement maker I really wanted to understand who Samsung has made the Galaxy S25 Edge — a 5.8mm, 163 gram flagship smartphone — for, and spoke at length about it with Bizon and Beckford during an online conversation soon after the phone's announcement. 'Samsung has seen people want lightness, slimness, and to know they have the very best technology in their device,' Bizon explained. 'The S25 Edge is for people who want to make a statement, and it blows my mind how we've managed to fit so much into such a small space. I call it the James Bond of phones. He would only have the coolest of phones.' While the comparison with a cool character makes sense, what she said next showed while Bond would be a great fit for the S25 Edge, the phone has been positioned and pitched quite differently to other Samsung mobile devices. 'We've looked at the younger market,' Bizon said, 'but we don't know who else it will be for yet, and that's exciting. We've done the research to find there's demand, so we've got the foundations, but we've got to learn who's buying it, what they're using it for, and how they're enjoying it.' A phone with presence The more we talked about the Galaxy S25 Edge, the more delightfully experimental it sounded. Not in terms of its technology, but how it fits into Samsung's range of devices, and the people the company expects it to appeal to. It's how Batman entered the conversation. 'I call it the Bruce Wayne phone,' Beckford laughed, 'In Jet Black it'd match up with the Batmobile really well.' Beckford continued to say what the phone means to him, and his own reference to a well-known character related more to the S25 Edge's presence than its coolness. 'It allows me to make a statement. You put an S25 Edge down on the table, and it means something.' Beckford gave some deep insight into how the Galaxy S25 Edge enters new territory for Samsung: 'Our Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 6 phones are called 'Life Maximizers,' he said, 'while the base Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and FE phones are 'Social Expressers. What's happening is we're seeing people who want a bit of both. They want to express themselves, but they also want the power and performance from a Life Maximizer phone brings. The S25 Edge is a device that fits into both these areas.' Internal innovation It was becoming clear the S25 Edge is more than just a new entry into the S25 series, and understanding some of the engineering that went into making it sees it shift closer to the Z Fold series for innovation. Beckford talked about some of the challenges faced by the team making the phone: 'The camera module was a challenge,' he said. 'The 200-megapixel main sensor is quite thick, but we reduced it in size by 18% to fit. It means the phone is well balanced. In a confined space you usually lose performance from the processor if there's no heat dissipation. We've used special cooling and a vapor chamber to ensure the phone runs at its highest performance without overheating. These are challenges that come from making a phone this slim, but we solved them.' Why doesn't the S25 Edge have a telephoto camera? After all, the Galaxy S25 Plus has one. It goes back to the phone appealing to two usually separate groups of buyers. The main and wide-angle cameras are key on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the S25 Edge is as much a part of that family as it is the S Series. Beckford pointed out that although there are only two cameras, you still get a macro mode and a 2x optical quality zoom alongside them. A new direction for Samsung The Galaxy S25 Edge has elements of the technical innovation we love from Samsung's ongoing range of folding devices, blended with the mainstream appeal of its S series phones. What differentiates it is the incredible slim, lightweight body and design. Bizon ended our conversation by telling me how this has shaped her personal opinion of the S25 Edge. 'I think it's beautiful,' she said. 'It's a statement about you, I like that it's a conversation starter, and I see it stepping more into fashion and style.' She added, 'You have to be playful and quirky and do things differently to attract people.' I felt this likely best described what Samsung is hoping to achieve with the Galaxy S25 Edge. Playful, quirky, interesting, cool, fashionable, and stylish. When was the last time all of these words could be used together to describe a single mobile device? It's certainly not recently, and the fact we're using them to talk about a new Samsung — a brand few would consider daring when it comes to design — smartphone is a particular surprise. There was an air of excitement during my conversation with Bizon and Beckford. Like it was the start of something new and exciting, but also ever-so-slightly mysterious and experimental too. After playing it safe with the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung has let itself go wild with the Galaxy S25 Edge and in the best way possible it's not entirely sure where it's going to lead, which makes us like this incredibly slim phone even more.
